The Stovebolt Site Forums The Side Lot Legion Hall Things that pause us to remember

A bit of a story here. In a thread in HiPo, we were talking about "Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races," or breaks the weakest drive-train member. Once, long ago before I knew anything much, I bought a '53 Stude Lowey coupe powered by a 392 Chrysler hemi and Torqueflite trans. It would easily smoke the 6.70 x 15 street tires. My buddy came up with a pair of 9" slicks mounted on Mickey Thompson Wheels that were too pretty to resist. With those mounted, the car made one run out in front of the house of about 20 ft. before the rear end blew. We were able to hand-push it back into the garage.

I got my draft notice the next week and sold the car to said buddy. He still owes me a hundred bucks but was drafted a month or after me and never made it back from The Nam. Having lived to tell the tale, I played "Taps" today for our town's Veteran's Day service and thought of him as I listened to that high G echo from the trees across the street. The Stude frame never complained or at least never got the chance to; nor did Johnny.

😢
A very touching Veterans Day Story .
As someone who was drafted, reported, and sent home with a 1 A medical disqualification,
The Army medic didn’t recommend trying for an exception. 1970.
I have felt at times like I was a shirker.
I rode and worked with many who were fresh home from Nam, and I regret
not understanding what was going on with them. A lot was.
I can hear that bugle clearly as you describe it᠁.

My respects to all Veterans, alive or not .

I still ride escort for those old vets' final trip on this side of eternity, with the Patriot Guard Riders. The procession for CSM Basil Plumley's escort from the post chapel to the cemetery on Ft. Benning stretched for two miles- - - -bikes two abreast. I was honored to be a part of that ride.
Jerry

I do pretty good at most events but when it's time for taps I struggle to stand tall.

Few understand as a vet and with a family member veteran from Iraq and Afghanistan I see it many days...

This was a good "pause to remember" on Veterans Day started by 1Ton Tommy. Glad it continues to give "pause."

And for those who would care to pause and remember (as few do these days) some great Americans who sacrificed much (and many, all), a documentary is in the works to remember America's unappreciated and forgotten war -- Lebanon 1982-1984

We Came In Peace

I appreciate all you other Vets of Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Gulf War, GWOT, etc -- at least you all got to shoot back.



Semper Fi,
John
Beirut, 1984
Gunner's Mate, Guns ("striker"), USS Nassau (5"/54 caliber Mark 45 gun)

Thanks for setting this up, Peggy.

Reading the posts brings tears to my eyes. I glad "Taps" isn't longer than it is or I'd never make it though to the end. I nearly didn't at my sister's funeral. That was the toughest. And the bugler has to stand tall; maybe that's why many families call on a non-relative to play "Taps."

It seemed all the more poignant this year as 30-odd, old soldiers (a couple of them from Korea) stood in the first wet snow of the season watching the flag be lowered from the pole out front of the store. A few garrison caps were in evidence but few of us still fit in the uniform. Parkas instead. My black beret got wet but not my spirit. And the silver trumpet looks all the better for some water droplets reflecting the muted light.

The village store hosted coffee and pastries afterward. The mood was suitably reverent.

I enlisted because my number came up and I could defer for 6 months and pay up all my debts. I had Polio when I was 13 and without special a special shoe, only on one side, I limp, the Doc said since you enlisted we will keep you. I formation marching they put me in the rear so it would be less noticeable. For Vietnam, they took anyone I had friends who lost toes they were drafted, and they lived on a horse farm. One friend I met in the army only had sight in one eye.

Tommy -- Tell us more about your sister. Please.