FWD from Russell Frederick Jr

[JReed]

Posting this on behalf of Russell Fredrick Jr. as he doesn't get over here much these days.

I was honored today to be able to shake the hand of and speak with a Guadalcanal Marine . . . He is 96 and sharp as he ever was . . . It was truly an honor and I am humbled . . . He is truly one of the greatest generation . . . Edited to add . . . What not many know is that I met this man in the Lowes parking lot on a call about a year and a half ago. His Marine Corps pin and hat caught my eye and I stopped to speak with him (probably longer than I should have but he deserved the time and I dont regret it) . . . During our initial conversation I learned that he was a machine gunner attached to a heavy weapons platoon . . . He was on the ridge over looking the airfield on Guadalcanal and had a navy man (due to them being cut off due to the Jap Navy) in his foxhole/fighting position . . . He told me had had never seen a navy man so happy to get back on a ship once they were reinforced . . . He fought all the way through Cape Gloucester and was a heavy weapons man on a half track up until him being shipped home . . . He is truly a Marine and I am honored to have met him . . . I am truly blessed . . .

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[Blaine]

Salute....

[AJMD429]

Yep. I've met quite a few veterans of the big-battles I've only read about. Tough stuff....!

[Nazgul]

Awesome.

Was in Gettysburg couple of weeks ago and met another Marine. We were on Culps hill, little old man with a Marine cover on. Arthur was 85 yeas old. He was at Chosin Reservoir. He stood up straight about 2 inches taller when I told him I was a Marine as well. We both remembered our rifle serial numbers. Had a very good conversation with him.


It is moving to meet the men who made a difference in situations that were down right terrible.

Don
SGT USMC

[JerryB]

Thanks for doing this for Rusty Jr. I know his dad is proud of him, even more so now.

[earlmck]

Great! And I wonder about the Navy guy -- if he went from the frying pan to the fire. Those deadly long-range Japanese torpedoes sent a lot of our ships and men to the bottom around Guadalcanal.

[gamekeeper]

Indeed an honor to shake that gentleman's hand.

[Griff]

[Sixgun]

Wow! What an honor! I've met a few, but only one would talk..a Korean vet. He told me how after being captured he was able to kill the guard with a butt stroke from a rifle and escape.

I did shake the hand of...(can't remember his name) a little Italian guy with one leg from the Band of Brothers at a gunshow. ---6

[marlinman93]

Considering how few WWII veterans are still with us, it's always an honor to meet one and hopefully hear their story! The few still around that I've met, or know, are all cut from a different cloth than most today. You're lucky to have had the opportunity to meet one of them!

[RustyJr]

Sixgun,
Would you be referring to Bill "Wild Bill" Gaurnere (not sure about the spelling of the last name)? Gaurnere lost a log at the battle of Bastogne if I am not mistaken.

RustyJr

[Sixgun]

Sixgun,
Would you be referring to Bill "Wild Bill" Gaurnere (not sure about the spelling of the last name)? Gaurnere lost a log at the battle of Bastogne if I am not mistaken.

RustyJr

Yes Rusty...that's the man.....he was a little skinny guy, probably 85 at the time...and still looked tough.----6