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To keep this post train related...my late father, Walter F. Matuch was US Army in WWII. Advanced training in Fort Clairborne, LA (Home of Clairborne-Polk Military RR), then a military troop train (through his hometown of Bayonne, NJ on the CNJ passing the backyard of the house he was born in) to Port of NY Embarkation for D-Day in Europe. After V-E Day, back to USA through Port of NY to Camp Dix, NJ, again by train. My mother kept the telegram dad sent telling of the ship he was sailing home on and we still have it.

 

Now a different 'take' on Veteran's Day...

 

Came across this earlier today..not train-related but interesting reading....

 

Most of today’s people don’t have any idea who these Men were and that’s a pity.

 

George Gobel comedian, Army Air Corps, taught fighter pilots

 

Johnny Carson made a big deal about it once on the Tonight Show,

to which George Gobel said "the Japs didn't get past us" !!!          

 

 

Sterling Hayden, US Marines and OSS. Smuggled guns into Yugoslavia and parachuted into Croatia.  Silver Star.
 
James Stewart, US Army Air Corps. Bomber pilot who rose to the rank of General.
 
Ernest Borgnine, US Navy. Gunners Mate 1c, destroyer USS Lamberton.  10 years active duty.  Discharged 1941, re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor
 
Ed McMahon, US Marines. Fighter Pilot. (Flew OE-1 Bird Dogs over Korea as well.)
 
Telly Savalas, US Army.
 
Walter Matthau, US Army Air Corps., B-24 Radioman/Gunner and cryptographer.
 
Steve Forrest, US Army. Wounded, Battle of the Bulge.
 
Jonathan Winters, USMC. Battleship USS Wisconsin and Carrier USS Bon Homme Richard. Anti-aircraft gunner, Battle of Okinawa.
 
Paul Newman, US Navy Rear seat gunner/radsioman, torpedo bombers of USS Bunker Hill.
 
Kirk Douglas, US Navy. Sub-chaser in the Pacific. Wounded in action and medically discharged.
 
Robert Mitchum, US Army.
 
Dale Robertson, US Army. Tank Commander in North Africa under Patton. Wounded twice. Battlefield Commission.
 
Henry Fonda, US Navy. Destroyer USS Satterlee.
 
John Carroll, US Army Air Corps. Pilot in North Africa. Broke his back in a crash.
 
Lee Marvin US Marines. Sniper. Wounded in action on Saipan. Buried in ArlingtonNational Cemetery, Sec. 7A next to Greg Boyington and Joe Louis.
 
Art Carney, US Army. Wounded on Normandy beach, D-Day. Limped for the rest of his life.
 
Wayne Morris, US Navy fighter pilot, USS Essex. Downed seven Japanese fighters.
 
Rod Steiger, US Navy. Was aboard one of the ships that launched the Doolittle Raid.
 
Tony Curtis, US Navy. Sub tender USS Proteus. In Tokyo Bay for the surrender ofJapan.
 
Larry Storch. US Navy. Sub tender USS Proteus with Tony Curtis.
 
Forrest Tucker, US Army. Enlisted as a private, rose to Lieutenant.
 
Robert Montgomery, US Navy.
 
George Kennedy, US Army. Enlisted after Pearl Harbor, stayed in sixteen years.
 
Mickey Rooney, US Army under Patton. Bronze Star.
 
Denver Pyle, US Navy. Wounded in the Battle of Guadalcanal. Medically discharged.
 
Burgess Meredith, US Army Air Corps.
 
DeForest Kelley, US Army Air Corps.
 
Robert Stack, US Navy. Gunnery Officer.
 
Neville Brand, US Army, Europe. Was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
 
Tyrone Power, US Marines. Transport pilot in the Pacific Theater.
 
Charlton Heston, US Army Air Corps. Radio operator and aerial gunner on a B-25,Aleutians.

 

Danny Aiello, US Army. Lied about his age to enlist at 16. Served three years.
 
James Arness, US Army. As an infantryman, he was severely wounded at Anzio,Italy.
 
Efram Zimbalist, Jr., US Army. Purple Heart for a severe wound received at HuertgenForest.
 
Mickey Spillane, US Army Air Corps, Fighter Pilot and later Instructor Pilot.
 
Rod Serling. US Army. 11th Airborne Division in the Pacific. He jumped at Tagaytay in the Philippines and was later wounded in Manila.
 
Gene Autry, US Army Air Corps. Crewman on transports that ferried supplies over "The Hump" in the China-

Burma-India Theater.
 
Wiliam Holden, US Army Air Corps.
 
Alan Hale Jr, US Coast Guard.
 
Harry Dean Stanton, US Navy. Battle of Okinawa.
 
Russell Johnson, US Army Air Corps. B-24 crewman who was awarded Purple Heart when his aircraft was shot down by the Japanese in the Philippines.
 
William Conrad, US Army Air Corps. Fighter Pilot.
 
Jack Klugman, US Army.
 
Frank Sutton, US Army. Took part in 14 assault landings, including Leyte, Luzon, Bataan and Corregidor.
 
Jackie Coogan, US Army Air Corps. Volunteered for gliders and flew troops and materials into Burma behind enemy lines.
 
Tom Bosley, US Navy.
 
Claude Akins, US Army. Signal Corps., Burma and the Philippines.
 
Chuck Connors, US Army. Tank-warfare instructor.
 
Harry Carey Jr., US Navy.
 
Mel Brooks, US Army. Combat Engineer. Saw action in the Battle of the Bulge.
 
Robert Altman, US Army Air Corps. B-24 Co-Pilot.
 
Pat Hingle, US Navy. Destroyer USS Marshall
 
Fred Gwynne, US Navy. Radioman.
 
Karl Malden, US Army Air Corps. 8th Air Force, NCO.
 
Earl Holliman. US Navy. Lied about his age to enlist. Discharged after a year when they Navy found out.
 
Rock Hudson, US Navy. Aircraft mechanic, the Philippines.
 
Harvey Korman, US Navy.
 
Aldo Ray. US Navy. UDT frogman, Okinawa.
 
Don Knotts, US Army, Pacific Theater.

 

Don Rickles, US Navy aboard USS Cyrene.
  
Harry Dean Stanton, US Navy. Served aboard an LST in the Battle of Okinawa.
 
Robert Stack, US Navy. Gunnery Instructor.
 
Soupy Sales, US Navy. Served on USS Randall in the South Pacific.
 
Lee Van Cleef, US Navy. Served aboard a sub chaser then a mine sweeper.
 
Clifton James, US Army, South Pacific. Was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart.
 
Ted Knight, US Army, Combat Engineers.
 
Jack Warden, US Navy, 1938-1942, then US Army, 1942-1945. 101st Airborne Division.
 
Don Adams. US Marines. Wounded on Guadalcanal, then served as a Drill Instructor.
 
James Gregory, US Navy and US Marines.
 
Brian Keith, US Marines. Radioman/Gunner in Dauntless dive-bombers.
 
Fess Parker, US Navy and US Marines. Booted from pilot training for being too tall, joined Marines as a radio operator.
 
Charles Durning. US Army. Landed at Normandy on D-Day. Shot multiple times. Awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. Survived Malmedy Massacre.
 
Raymond Burr, US Navy. Shot in the stomach on Okinawa and medically discharged.
 
Hugh O'Brian, US Marines.
 
Robert Ryan, US Marines.
 
Eddie Albert, US Coast Guard. Bronze Star with Combat V for saving several Marines under heavy fire as pilot of a landing craft during the invasion of Tarawa.
 
Cark Gable, US Army Air Corps. B-17 gunner over Europe.
 
Charles Bronson, US Army Air Corps. B-29 gunner, wounded in action.
 
Peter Graves, US Army Air Corps.
 
Buddy Hackett, US Army anti-aircraft gunner.
 
Victor Mature, US Coast Guard.
 
Jack Palance, US Army Air Corps. Severely injured bailing out of a burning B-24 bomber.
 
Robert Preston, US Army Air Corps. Intelligence Officer
 
Cesar Romero, US Coast Guard. Coast Guard. Participated in the invasions of Tinian and Saipan on the assault transport USS Cavalier.
 
Norman Fell, US Army Air Corps., Tail Gunner, Pacific Theater.
 
Jason Robards, US Navy. was aboard heavy cruiser USS Northampton when it was sunk off Guadalcanal. Also served on the USS Nashville during the invasion of thePhilippines, surviving a kamikaze hit that caused 223 casualties.


Steve Reeves, US Army, Philippines.
 
Dennis Weaver, US Navy. Pilot.
 
Robert Taylor, US Navy. Instructor Pilot.
  
Randolph Scott. Tried to enlist in the Marines but was rejected due to injuries sustained in US Army, World War 1.
 
Ronald Reagan. US Army. Was a 2nd Lt. in the Cavalry Reserves before the war. His poor eyesight kept him from being sent overseas with his unit when war came so he transferred to the Army Air Corps Public Relations Unit where he served for the duration.


John Wayne. Declared "4F medically unfit" due to pre-existing injuries, he nonetheless attempted to volunteer three times (Army, Navy and Film Corps.) so he gets honorable mention.


And of course we have Audie Murphy, America's most-decorated soldier, who became a Hollywood star as a result of his US Army service that included his being awarded the Medal of Honor.


Would someone please remind us again how many of today's Hollywood elite, sports celebs and politicians put their careers on hold to enlist for service in Iraq or Afghanistan?


The only one who even comes close was Pat Tillman, who turned down a contract offer of $3.6 million over three years from the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the US Army after September, 11, 2001 and serve as a Ranger in Afghanistan, where he died in 2004.

 

But rather than being lauded for his choice and his decision to put his country before his career, he was mocked and derided by many of his peers.

 

My generation (born in 1949) grew up watching, being entertained by and laughing with so many of these fine people, never really knowing what they contributed to the war effort.  Like millions of Americans during the WWII, there was a job that needed doing they didn't question, they went and did it, those that came home returned to their now new normal life and carried on, very few ever saying what they did or saw.  They took it as their "responsibility", their "duty" to Country, to protect and preserve our freedoms and way of life, not just for themselves but for all future generations to come. 

 

As a member of the "Baby Boomer" generation, I'm forever humbly in their debt.

 

 

vetpos87

 

 

Thank you to ALL the Veterans.

 

Walter M. Matuch

 

Visit Veteran's Day Tribute on RMT website...  www.readymadetoys.com

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Last edited by Walter Matuch
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Walter,

 

Great post!  I'm a boomer born in '47 but didn't know a lot about some of the stars service.  Dad served in WWII,  US 5th Army in North Africa then through Italy.  I served USAF '67-'71,  overseas for 3 years.  Thanks to ALL vets from ALL time periods for your service.

 

Nick

walter thanks for posting this, as you stated so many of us baby boomers had no idea about the sacrifices these people made. my parents both served in ww2s . my dad was a tank destroyer in no Africa, then was in the invasion of Sicily, then was with the 34th infantry at Anzio, Monte Casino and Rome. he never wanted to talk about the war. My mom joined the Navy and served in Washington DC. God bless all Vets past and present for their sacrifices so we have the freedoms we have in this country.  

I agree,  great post! If it wasn't for our veterans we wouldn't have the freedom that we have.  A big THANK YOU to all our veterans!  My father had polio as a child and had a steel rod in his one leg. He was not allowed to join the service to fight but with his electronics background as a civilian he helped our country in WWII as  he built sensing heads for our torpedoes. One of my uncles served in WWII in the Battle of the Bulge helping to turn the war into our favor. Fly our flag proudly and if you see a veteran thank them. God Bless!

A few more...

Sorry if some are repeats I didn't see them listed.

 

Drew Carey

Before he asked contestants to "Come on down!", The Price is Right host Drew Carey joined on up, spending six years (1980-1986) in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves.
 

Ice-T

Pimp, thief, actor, gangsta rapper... soldier? Law & Order: SVU star Ice-T (real name Tracy Marrow) has compiled quite the resume over the years, but perhaps nothing is more surprising than his four-year stint in the U.S. Army from 1979 to 1983, which he allegedly joined to support his daughter and then-girlfriend.
 

Dave Thomas

The next time you sink your teeth into a juicy Wendy’s cheeseburger, remember to thank the Army. That’s where the fast-food chain’s founder honed his restaurant skills, serving 2000 soldiers daily as a mess sergeant in Georgia and Germany from 1950-1953, during the Korean War.
 

Dr. Seuss

Theodor Geisel was a veteran ad man and political cartoonist when he joined the Army in 1943 to help the U.S. war effort. As Captain and head of the Frank Capra Signal Corps animation department, he worked with Looney Tunes maestros Chuck Jones and Friz Freleng to create training and propaganda films for American soldiers.
 

Pat Sajak

You’ve seen the movie Good Morning Vietnam? Pat Sajak lived it. Well, technically, he succeeded it. The Wheel of Fortune host served as an Armed Forces Radio DJ in Saigon between 1968 and 1970, filling the seat of famous film subject Adrian Cronauer. Sajak’s biggest accomplishment? Accidentally cutting off President Nixon’s 1969 Christmas broadcast. Whoops.
 
 

Alan Alda

Alda joined the Army Reserve after graduating from Fordham. He completed the minimum six-month tour of duty as a gunnery officer during the Korean War.
 
 
Last edited by MartyE

Thanks for a great post!  I wanted to chime in and say even though I'm only 24, I do know about many of these stars and their service.  Many are from the era when you could say "all gave some, some gave all".  unfortunately that's a day long past.  I come from a long line of servicemen; I didn't choose to enter the service, but I help design helicopters for the Marine Corps for a living, so I'd like to think that I honor my military heritage that way.  Thank you to all who served!

Thanks Walter. Russel Johnson is an Ashley Pa native and childhood friend of Wilbur Houck a close family friend of ours. His picture is hanging in their family restaurant. 

I can only imagine how Henry Fonda felt after Jane became a traitor during her visit to Viet Nam when she betrayed her own countrymen. 

I was aware of many of the actors who enlisted and served, but am not surprised by others who I didn't know served. It's a testament to their character by not flaunting their service. It was also interesting that you mentioned that not many of today's alleged heros of screen and field are former servicemen and women.

Jimi Hendrix and Elvis Presley were also in the Army.

To keep this train related, Wilbur Houck owned a hardware store and had much of his merchandise delivered by rail.

Remember our vets.

Don

Walter,

   Great post, and to all the Veterans here and every where I hope you had a wonderful, peaceful Veterans Day.  Freedom the most expensive gift of all.

God's Speed Gentlemen & Ladies

PCRR/Dave

 

The original leave no man behind combat soldier, protecting his fallen brother on the battle field in France. - US Army SGT Audie Murphy

  

 

Last edited by Pine Creek Railroad
Thanks for posting,
I’ll bet since you’re a 1949 baby boomer you remember Armistice Day?

Don’t forget Vets, get your free meal !!!

Hopefully you will be able to take advantage of what these fine establishments have to offer.



Businesses are thanking veterans today, Veterans Day 2014, with deals and freebies for everything from wings to drinks and desserts.

Before you try to redeem these deals, it's a good idea to call ahead and note limitations and restrictions.


Outback Steakhouse

On Tuesday, Outback is honoring all active and retired military personnel with a free Bloomin' Onion and a beverage. You must show a valid military ID at participating restaurants.

Hooters

Active-duty and retired military are invited to Hooters to dine for free on Tuesday: get a free entree by presenting a military ID or proof of service.

Baskin Robbins

Baskin Robbins' flavor of the month in honor of Veterans Day is First Class Camouflage Ice Cream: chocolate, salty caramel and cake flavored ice creams. The ice cream chain will donate 10 cents from ice cream scoops sold at all U.S. locations to the United Service Organizations (USO).

California Pizza Kitchen

California Pizza Kitchen is offering a complimentary entrée from a special Veterans Day Menu at all participating restaurants in the U.S. to active and retired members of the United States Military on Tuesday.

World of Coca-Cola

The World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta offers free admission to members of the Armed Forces (active duty, reserves and retirees) year-round. In honor of Veterans Day, from Nov. 8 through Sunday, Nov. 16, members of the Armed Forces may also purchase up to four half-price general admission tickets for their friends and family. Military members and retirees can present their valid Armed Forces ID cards at the World of Coca-Cola ticket windows.

Friendly's

Friendly's will serve free breakfast, lunch or dinner to veterans and active military on Veterans Day.

Applebee's

Service members get a free "Thank You" meal when you dine in at Applebee's. Guests will need to provide proof of their service.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

On Tuesday, veterans get a free Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake dessert, or if you're not a vet, if you buy the dessert or other retail items, 10 percent of all proceeds will be donated to the USO.

Denny’s

On Tuesday, active, inactive and retired military personnel can build your own free Grand Slam breakfast from 5 a.m. until noon at participating Denny's.

Red Lobster

From Monday, Nov. 10 through Thursday, Nov. 13, Red Lobster will be thanking veterans, active duty, active serving military and reservists with a free select appetizer, including the new crispy shrimp lettuce wraps or several other options.

Sleep Number

Through Nov. 16, Sleep Number is offering current and past military personnel $700 off on a Sleep Number m7 bed plus 24-month financing and free standard shipping, plus other Sleep Number military offers.

Slim Jim

Slim Jim launched a “Salute the Troops” campaign, allowing friends, family and supporters to personalize Slim Jim wrappers with messages to troops. Slim Jim will donate one million sticks. To date, more than 60,000 of these sticks will be delivered with personal messages.

Great Clips

The salon chain is offering veterans a free hair cut from Tuesday through Dec. 31, 2014. Customers who come in for a service on Veterans Day get a free haircut card to give to veterans, redeemable through Dec. 31.

Red Robin

On Tuesday, veterans and active-duty service members can get a free Red's Tavern Double Burger and Bottomless Fries, dine-in only, by providing a military I.D., proof of service, or wearing your uniform.

DoubleTree by Hilton Cookies

All-day on Tuesday, all veterans can get a free chocolate chip cookie in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio from DoubleTree by Hilton, with or without a reservation


Enjoy...and Thanks

K.C.

Walter,

 

Thank you.

 

Those of us who served are proudly part of a long chain of Americans who stepped up and met what we considered were our responsibilities to our country when it was our turn. I am glad I did.

 

I hope those who come after us will step up when events make it their turn as well, as, unfortunately, it probably will.

 

Great post.

 

Ed Boyle

Partner

Special Projects Editor

O Gauge Railroading magazine

Olive Garden participates as well. My wife and I were just there for lunch. I can't find my DD 214, but I'll let those who were in harms way enjoy the meal. When I was in the service in the 70's, there weren't any conflicts. I just missed Viet Nam by one year.Don

On Tuesday, November 11, 2014 10:14 AM, O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum <alerts@hoop.la> wrote:


Reply By K.C Jones: A Different Take on Veterans Day== To reply by email, write above this line. == Hello, rail: We're sending you this notification because you are either following the forum, the content, or the author listed below. New Reply To Topic
| Subject: A Different Take on Veterans Day Reply By: K.C Jones In: Train Forums / Hi-Rail, O27 and Traditional 3-Rail O Gauge | |

Thanks for posting,
I’ll bet since you’re a 1949 baby boomer you remember Armistice Day?

Don’t forget Vets, get your free meal !!!

Hopefully you will be able to take advantage of what these fine establishments have to offer.



Businesses are thanking veterans today, Veterans Day 2014, with deals and freebies for everything from wings to drinks and desserts.

Before you try to redeem these deals, it's a good idea to call ahead and note limitations and restrictions.


Outback Steakhouse

On Tuesday, Outback is honoring all active and retired military personnel with a free Bloomin' Onion and a beverage. You must show a valid military ID at participating restaurants.

Hooters

Active-duty and retired military are invited to Hooters to dine for free on Tuesday: get a free entree by presenting a military ID or proof of service.

Baskin Robbins

Baskin Robbins' flavor of the month in honor of Veterans Day is First Class Camouflage Ice Cream: chocolate, salty caramel and cake flavored ice creams. The ice cream chain will donate 10 cents from ice cream scoops sold at all U.S. locations to the United Service Organizations (USO).

California Pizza Kitchen

California Pizza Kitchen is offering a complimentary entrée from a special Veterans Day Menu at all participating restaurants in the U.S. to active and retired members of the United States Military on Tuesday.

World of Coca-Cola

The World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta offers free admission to members of the Armed Forces (active duty, reserves and retirees) year-round. In honor of Veterans Day, from Nov. 8 through Sunday, Nov. 16, members of the Armed Forces may also purchase up to four half-price general admission tickets for their friends and family. Military members and retirees can present their valid Armed Forces ID cards at the World of Coca-Cola ticket windows.

Friendly's

Friendly's will serve free breakfast, lunch or dinner to veterans and active military on Veterans Day.

Applebee's

Service members get a free "Thank You" meal when you dine in at Applebee's. Guests will need to provide proof of their service.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

On Tuesday, veterans get a free Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake dessert, or if you're not a vet, if you buy the dessert or other retail items, 10 percent of all proceeds will be donated to the USO.

Denny’s

On Tuesday, active, inactive and retired military personnel can build your own free Grand Slam breakfast from 5 a.m. until noon at participating Denny's.

Red Lobster

From Monday, Nov. 10 through Thursday, Nov. 13, Red Lobster will be thanking veterans, active duty, active serving military and reservists with a free select appetizer, including the new crispy shrimp lettuce wraps or several other options.

Sleep Number

Through Nov. 16, Sleep Number is offering current and past military personnel $700 off on a Sleep Number m7 bed plus 24-month financing and free standard shipping, plus other Sleep Number military offers.

Slim Jim

Slim Jim launched a “Salute the Troops” campaign, allowing friends, family and supporters to personalize Slim Jim wrappers with messages to troops. Slim Jim will donate one million sticks. To date, more than 60,000 of these sticks will be delivered with personal messages.

Great Clips

The salon chain is offering veterans a free hair cut from Tuesday through Dec. 31, 2014. Customers who come in for a service on Veterans Day get a free haircut card to give to veterans, redeemable through Dec. 31.

Red Robin

On Tuesday, veterans and active-duty service members can get a free Red's Tavern Double Burger and Bottomless Fries, dine-in only, by providing a military I.D., proof of service, or wearing your uniform.

DoubleTree by Hilton Cookies

All-day on Tuesday, all veterans can get a free chocolate chip cookie in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio from DoubleTree by Hilton, with or without a reservation


Enjoy...and Thanks

K.C.   View This Reply
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My Dad flew on B-25's with the Air Apaches - the 345th Bomb Group, 5th Air Force in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Indo-China.  He made a career of the Air Force, flew on F-94 and F-89 jets later, retiring as Lt Colonel.  I'm proud of my Dad and his service, and I'm glad to have had the opportunity to be a Air Force Brat (that's what we military dependents call ourselves).  I salute all those that served with honor!

 

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