TatonkaJames Posted November 6, 2008 Report Share Posted November 6, 2008 In memory of my Uncle Mike who passed two weeks ago. He was taken prisoner of war in WWII, escaped, lived underground with an Italian family for two months before gaining passage to freedom. He was 85 and at his party three weeks ago, he showed me his purple heart and other medals for the umpteenth time and it was an honor to see then over and over. RIP Uncle Mike. American Life in Poetry: Column 189 In celebration of Veteran's Day, here is a telling poem by Gary Dop, a Minnesota poet. The veterans of World War II, now old, are dying by the thousands. Here's one still with us, standing at Normandy, remembering. On Swearing In Normandy, at Point Du Hoc, where some Rangers died, Dad pointed to an old man 20 feet closer to the edge than us, asking if I could see the medal the man held like a rosary. As we approached the cliff the man's swearing, each bulleted syllable, sifted back toward us in the ocean wind. I turned away, but my shoulder was held still by my father's hand, and I looked up at him as he looked at the man. "All The Worlds A Stooge" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMc Posted November 6, 2008 Report Share Posted November 6, 2008 85, God bless him My condolences on his passing. You know it must be a penguin bound down if you hear that terrible screaming and there ain't no other birds around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STONES Posted November 6, 2008 Report Share Posted November 6, 2008 In memory of my Uncle Mike who passed two weeks ago. He was taken prisoner of war in WWII, escaped, lived underground with an Italian family for two months before gaining passage to freedom. He was 85 and at his party three weeks ago, he showed me his purple heart and other medals for the umpteenth time and it was an honor to see then over and over. RIP Uncle Mike. American Life in Poetry: Column 189 In celebration of Veteran's Day, here is a telling poem by Gary Dop, a Minnesota poet. The veterans of World War II, now old, are dying by the thousands. Here's one still with us, standing at Normandy, remembering. On Swearing In Normandy, at Point Du Hoc, where some Rangers died, Dad pointed to an old man 20 feet closer to the edge than us, asking if I could see the medal the man held like a rosary. As we approached the cliff the man's swearing, each bulleted syllable, sifted back toward us in the ocean wind. I turned away, but my shoulder was held still by my father's hand, and I looked up at him as he looked at the man. thank you uncle mike and all vets for serving this great country..god bless the usa!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canyondiver Posted November 6, 2008 Report Share Posted November 6, 2008 My condolences TJ, and God bless Uncle Mike and you. Thank you for serving this country Uncle Mike Proud to be a NERB and I have the shirts to prove it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HugeDinghy Posted November 6, 2008 Report Share Posted November 6, 2008 hey, sounds like he had one hell of a life..I would have paid good money to sit with him and hear some stories Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted November 6, 2008 Report Share Posted November 6, 2008 Poor guy should get multiple medals after escaping a German POW camp only to be held hsotage by a moopish family. A whiter shade of pale.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeM58 Posted November 6, 2008 Report Share Posted November 6, 2008 Sorry to hear of your Uncle's passing TJ. Sounds like a special man that will be missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabo2005 Posted November 6, 2008 Report Share Posted November 6, 2008 Bless him and all others that serve/served. Cabo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatman Posted November 7, 2008 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 God bless him and the other's of his generation that maintained our freedom, some with the ultimate sacrifice. on the good side of the grass..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMc Posted November 7, 2008 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 Poor guy should get multiple medals after escaping a German POW camp only to be held hsotage by a moopish family. sometimes the stooopid is uncalled for. this is one of those threads. that fine Italian family risked their lives to protect a fellow American. You know it must be a penguin bound down if you hear that terrible screaming and there ain't no other birds around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riverrunner Posted November 8, 2008 Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 Thanks to Uncle Mike and all who serve and have served. "Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios" Sam Stone / John Prine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riverrunner Posted November 8, 2008 Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 "Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios" Sam Stone / John Prine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TatonkaJames Posted November 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 Thanks for the sentiments and my heroes salute all of yours. (The time of imprisonment is not correct as far as the newspaper article we have and his own account) Uncle Mike Michael J. Nutile BRANCH OF SERVICE U.S. Army HOMETOWN Newark, NJ ACTIVITY DURING WWII SERVED FROM JANUARY 1943 TO OCTOBER 1945 WITH THE 108TH ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY. ACTIVE IN THE EUROPEAN THEATRE; SAW COMBAT AT ANZIO. CAPTURED AT ANZIO MAY 30, 1944. LIBERATED JUNE 6, 1944. RECEIVED THE POW MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN RIBBON WITH 5 BATTLE STARS, PURPLE HEART, BRONZE STAR, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. Uncle Joe Joseph G. Nutile BRANCH OF SERVICE U.S. Army HOMETOWN Newark, NJ HONORED BY ACTIVITY DURING WWII SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN THEATRE. ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. My Dad, still going strong at 83 James J. Nutile BRANCH OF SERVICE U.S. Army HOMETOWN Newark, NJ ACTIVITY DURING WWII SERVED WITH THE 737TH TANK BATTALION IN GERMANY, AUSTRIA AND CZECHOSLOVAKIA. AWARDED THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE STAR AND THE NEW JERSEY SERVICE MEDAL AWARD. "All The Worlds A Stooge" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry Fishinger Posted November 8, 2008 Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 You must be very proud TJ. sorry to hear he has left us but glad to hear you spent some quality time with him these "men" are very few and far between now. if you've got one in your family or neighborhood reach out somehow. As I've done for a number of years now I've put in for Vets day off and will be spending the day with my folks, taking them out to breakfast and doing some fall clean up with my 80 yr old dad in his yard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TatonkaJames Posted November 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2008 Henry Fishinger; these "men" are very few and far between now. Thank you Henry and thanks to your dad also. You are spot on when you said the above. I can only hope to be as courageous, humble, strong and mature as our veterans are. I cherish every day I sit with my dad and talk as I get older. He is my hero. Good to hear from you Henry, hope all is well with you and yours ! Jim "All The Worlds A Stooge" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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