Tom - I will cut to the chase. Will you ever get over the fact that the 20th Century was the American century? Your continued anti-American comments are a complete bore. I would think that you, as a veteran, would be more respectful to those who try to honor those who served, even if you do not agree with the matter. Regards, Marc Marc 20th Century was the American Century? It was the Canadian Century. The following taken from an article written by Kevin Myers from the Sunday Telegraph: ..." Yet it's purely voluntary contribution to the cause of freedom in two world wars was perhaps the greatest of any democracy. Almost 10% of Canada's entire population of seven million people served in the armed forces during the First World War, and nearly 60,000 died. The great Allied victories of 1918 were spearheaded by Canadian troops, perhaps the most capable soldiers in the entire British order of battle. The Second World War provided a re-run. The Canadian navy began the war with a half dozen vessels, and ended up policing nearly half of the Atlantic against U-boat attack. More than 120 Canadian warships participated in the Normandy landings, during which 15,000 Canadian soldiers went ashore on D-Day along. Canada finished the war with the third largest navy and the fourth largest air force in the world..." Cheers from just north of the 49th parallel
MLW - In your opinion the 20th century was all American - fine so be it - and your opinion is that I am a bore - so be it - Audiesdad is of the opinion that that I write in a pompous manner - so be it - Slipdigit - is of the opinion that that I am also Anti-American - so be it - Since you mentioned me, I'lll comment. I don't think anti-American even begins to adequately describe the opinions that you are perceived to show here. It is not only Americans that voice this assumption. Fact is that I do respect other Veterans from any country -especially the German 1st Paratroops - 26th Panzers and 29th Panzer Grenadiers whom I had some experience with - However I do have some trouble in respecting those heroes out of Hollywood working on a revisionists historical screen play for the benefit of the big cheques to be had - and invariably not giving any credit to other allies who fought just as hard if not even longer to rid the world of an evil, at a far greater price in economic terms if not manpower. You beat this drum on a regular basis, whether it is appropriate to the discussion at hand or not. What does the US movie industry have to do with a US soldier? I'll grant you that Murphy made movies postbellum, but he only starred in two war flicks. One was his autobiography, the other took place in the Philippines, where he played a civilian looking for his bride. The rest were mostly westerns. If you are happy trying to rub shi...crap on him, go ahead, please do so. You're only belittling yourself when you do so.
17thDYRCH - Well, I was thinking in more than just military terms. In is quite possible that the "American Century" is more than just the US, it could mean "the Americas," Canada included. Regards, Marc
Jeff, Remember those E.F. Hutton TV commercials from a couple of decades past? When a Veteran speaks, we should all be quiet and listen. There are not many Veterans on this great forum. And, I for one welcome any and all comments from any of our Veterans, even though I may not agree with his or her opinion. Rather Canadian of me, eh? Cheers from just north of the 49th parallel.
Audie Murphy would be proud of the combative nature of this thread. Whoever comes out of this debate alive should be recommended for a citation!
In respect of Dave Phillips and his efforts with his campaign, he has raised the matter with the forum so can the thread be closed. Those who wish to support his efforts have the respective link. Respectfully
When a Veteran speaks, we should all be quiet and listen.. This is wrong. To do as is suggested means that a forum, a place or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged and debated becomes little more than a lecture hall or a classroom from the 1950's. I wouldn't dream of telling someone to be quiet and listen to me as my views are no more or less valid than the next person, whoever they are. Anyway, rant over, got a funeral to attend. Life is really too short and the prejudiced and childish posts on what was the simplest of threads is just so very disheartening.
Za I recognise the picture as being of the Saturday Evening Post variety but fail to understand it's significance. Be a good chap and tell me what it means ? Ron
Za I recognise the picture as being of the Saturday Evening Post variety but fail to understand it's significance. Be a good chap and tell me what it means ? Ron Norman Rockwell - Freedom Of Speech
I'm a little flabbergasted by this thread. We're here to honour a broad range of soldiers, irrespective of their nationality and background, and although this forum is UK/Commonwealth biased it doesn't exist in isolation. While personally I don't support the retrospective issue of medals when the recipient is deceased, I wish the original poster every success with his endeavour.
I agree entirely with Paul Reed, he has got this matter in perspective and now it's time to wind it down and get back to reality. The headline subject - WWII - is more important than internecine squabbles! Rule Brittania, God Bless America. Colin.
In respect of Dave Phillips and his efforts with his campaign, he has raised the matter with the forum so can the thread be closed. Those who wish to support his efforts have the respective link. Respectfully Thanks very much! I concur! Dave
Za I recognise the picture as being of the Saturday Evening Post variety but fail to understand it's significance. Be a good chap and tell me what it means ? Ron Norman Rockwell - Freedom Of Speech Entirely correct. Norman Rockwell made four paintings dedicated to the Four Freedoms commemorated in the 1941 State of the Union spech by F.D.Rossevelt. Wikipedia to the rescue! Speech here, the paintings there P.S. - The fact that I have replied to the query above must not be used by some to misconstrue that I may be a good chap. :loldevil:
While personally I don't support the retrospective issue of medals when the recipient is deceased, I feel exactly the same on that; always find those 'should have got a VC/GC/MoH things' a bit pointless; retrospective judgement on contemporary issues and all that. But I looked up this 'Medal of Freedom', and it's a different sort of thing - no gallantry medal, apparently more some kind of honorific that seems to have quite often been handed out posthumously as a tribute. Is that right, Septics? More a state tribute than a gallantry medal? On relevancy of thread - we have threads on cats, computer viruses, Lee Harvey-Oswald & Wikileaks . At least this one has a WW2 context . On chatting with Veterans; I find it more interesting that the war was fought by ordinary blokes with ordinary bloke's opinions. The rough & tumble of Internettage is going to reflect that isn't it? I'm not sure automatic pedestals are 100% part of the WW2Talk 'vibe'. Can't we chat/disagree sometimes like normal human beans? Respect due, naturally, particularly on certain subjects of specific war experience, but the veterans (to me) are a certain definition of 'big boys' - more than capable of looking after themselves in most areas - I like it like that, talking with 'em on a mostly level playing field always seemed one of the charms of this place to me, long before I became admin that was one of the things I quite liked about WW2T. "Gentlemen! You can't fight in here! This is the War Room!" Best post on the thread so far by the way . Hang onto that sense of humour...
