Show Your Thanks to World War II Vets by Watching This 2-min Video

######
Help spread this important message:

This story is incredible. Send this touching two-minute video about World War II veterans to FIVE friends and family to remind them that every day alive in this great, free country is truly a bonus. Let’s get 50,000 views for the video by Memorial Day (May 30th) to show these living heroes, one last time, just how grateful we are for their unbelievable sacrifice. The video is a trailer to a documentary that will come out in November. The more we can show interest in the trailer (i.e. views), the more Americans will get to see the film. Time is running out: 1,000 WWII vets die every day. We are free today because of these men and women. The least we can do is watch a web video and send it to five people. Let’s get this mission done!
#######



"This story is incredible.
The video is a trailer to a documentary that will come out in November.

The more we can show interest in the trailer (i.e. views), the more Americans will get to see the film.
Time is running out: 1,000 WWII vets die every day. We are free today because of these men and women." ~ My friend 'ZIPBAGS'

Thanks to 'ZIPBAGS' for telling me about this.

Dan Emplit WBFD
USN 1986 - 1992

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers

We have lost a true hero.
Major Richard D. Winters, born Jan 21, 1918, has passed away. Most know him from the HBO mini series "Band of Brothers" where he was portrayed by Damien Lewis. He was born in Ephrata, Pennsylvania and moved to nearby Lancaster when he was eight years old.
Major Winters had a distinguished military service, being involved in the Battle of Normandy, Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge.
His awards include:
Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star (2)
Purple Heart
Presidential Unit Citation
American Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
Croix de guerre
French Liberation Medal
Oorlogskruis (a military decoration of both France and Belgium)
Belgian WWII Service Medal
Good Conduct Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge
Major Winters was recommended for the Medal of Honor for his leadership at Brécourt Manor, but due to the quota system this was downgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross, the U.S. Military's second highest award for combat valor.
Despite his numerous awards Major Winters was humble about his service. When people asked him if he was a hero, he liked to answer the way his World War II buddy, Mike Ranney, did. “No,” Ranney said. “But I served in a company of heroes.” That became the tag line for the miniseries.
Ambrose, the author of “Band of Brothers,” said in a 2001 BBC interview that he hopes young people say. “I want to be like Dick Winters.”
“Not necessarily as soldiers, but as that kind of leader, that kind of man, with basic honesty and virtue and an understanding of the difference between right and wrong,” Ambrose said.

Winters died on January 2, 2011. He had requested a private, unannounced funeral service, which was held on January 8, 2011.

"A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers." ~ John F. Kennedy

Good Bye Sir and Thank you for your service and your example,

Dan Emplit WBFD
US Navy (1986-1992)

The attack on Pearl Harbor

The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on the morning of December 7, 1941. The attack was intended as a preventive action in order to keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet from influencing the war that the Empire of Japan was planning in Southeast Asia, against Britain and the Netherlands, as well as the U.S. in the Philippines. The base was attacked by 353 Japanese aircraft in two waves, launched from six aircraft carriers.
Four U.S. Navy battleships were sunk (two of which were raised and returned to service later in the war) and the four other battleships present were damaged. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship and one minelayer. 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed, 2,402 personnel were killed and 1,282 were wounded. Japanese losses were light, with 29 aircraft and five midget submarines lost, and 65 servicemen killed or wounded. One Japanese sailor was captured.
The attack came as a profound shock to the American people and led directly to the United States entry into World War II in both the Pacific and European theaters. Subsequent operations by the U.S., as well as the Axis alliance, prompted Germany and Italy to declare war on the U.S. on December 11, which was reciprocated by the U.S. the same day.
The lack of any formal warning by Japan, particularly while negotiations were still apparently ongoing, led to President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaiming December 7, 1941, "a date which will live in infamy".
The attack came in two waves, with a third planned and then cancelled.

As the number of Pearl Harbor survivers dwindle we would do well to remember, There is a reason they are called 'Our Greatest Generation'.

Dan Emplit WBFD
USN 1986-1992