What Will Be Lost to History?

[roger]

#1
I am not sure where this comment belongs, but I am sure that Connie or Carl or Jim can find the right place for it.

I was reading the November issue of World War II today. In it there is a special report, "Vanishing Eyewitnesses" by Rick Atkinson. This special report addresses the stark reality that we are losing the Greatest Generation so very rapidly.....this fact is something that many of us have mentioned in this discussion group before....but the numbers and the rapidity with which we are losing our WW II vets struck me once again.

In the article Atkinson poses the questions, "What happens to history when those who lived it can no longer tell their stories?" And, "What is lost to history, to our culture? If the private deprivation seems obvious - fathers and grandfathers gone, widows bereft of companionship - the public depletion is harder to assess. As we move toward the day when not a single participant remains alive to tell his tale, what does it mean for a nation to lose what has been deemed its greatest generation?"

Atkinson partially answered his questions when he stated, "...the ability to attest, with authenticity and authority, why they fought, suffered, and died." In other words, when they are gone we will only have what future historians themselves have read and it will be from those literary sources that future generations will learn what WW II was about......and I am afraid that is when subjectivity will take over and the real reasons our fathers and grandfathers fought will forever be forgotten or so watered down that it will have no meaning.

I am reminded of the good fortune that we have veterans on this discussion board who are willing to share their experiences and first hand knowledge.....this is part of the legacy that they are leaving for us.....not necessarily an easy thing to do, but doing the hard thing is what has made them such heroes in my eyes.

I am immensely proud to be the son of a WW II veteran and only wish I could share my feelings with my father face to face. I can not do that, but I can express my deepest respect for all of you who served.....our country and our world is better off because of your sacrifice!! And, for those of you who are able to share your experiences with us so they can be recorded for those who will follow you in decades to come, my sincere thanks.

Roger

[connie]

#2
I hate to follow Roger's beautiful words of tribute with mundane technical notes, but they are related.

I think Roger speaks for a lot of us when he speaks of valuing the thoughts of the veterans who take the time to write here. For many of us the link you provide to the past helps connect us not only with history but also to someone who walked in that time who was important to us. I'd like to add my heartfelt thanks.

Now to the practical stuff. How can more memories be preserved? This site is one spot. It's a good place to think about a memory at a time and to share them. Jim West, who helped establish this message board, has dedicated his time to preserving some of that history on his Indiana Military site. He will gladly post your story in your words. www.IndianaMilitary.org/

Recently, checking out an ex POW site, I found a link suggestions by a well-known historian on preserving your story. He includes a check list of questions you might consider answering as you write or sit down with a tape recorder. The link to that list is found on this message board in the "For the Record" board under the "Preserving Your History" thread. 106thdivision.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=record
This list may not be what you want to follow, but it could spur a list of your own. Or you could use it as a prompt to ask family what they would like to know.

I might add that if you save a tape or writing at home, package it in a way that it will be recognized as important. Or at least note somewhere prominent where it can be found. (I know my Dad began a tape at one time. But that tape has not been found. If a tape is done you might label it well and perhaps put it in a safety deposit box. If it's a work in progress, still label it well and perhaps leave a note in your safety deposit box about its location. Safety deposit boxes may be sealed for a while, however. So a list elsewhere in a place that won't be missed could be helpful.

If offspring don't seem interested now, don't give up on them. Some of us are slow to begin to get it. You could tell them point blank that you are saving information for them and where it is located. That might even spark some interest. You might check into places that do keep such records and leave family with instructions to turn this box over to __________ if they are not able to preserve this record themselves. (anyone with other suggestions on filling in that blank, please let us know.) And any clever packaging idea would be welcome, too.

If there is no family to be interested, know that you have family in the offspring of the 106th who will be forever grateful for whatever of your memories you can save for us.

Connie

[floydragsdale]

#3


Going overseas was an experience, from the 1st day out of NY Harbor to the day we landed in Scotland.

All troops on board had to deal with the ships’ motion. Some men became seasick when the ocean swells became noticeable. Yet, to many of us, that motion was like a giant rocking chair at bedtime; the constant “rocking rhythm” lulled one to sleep effortlessly. The bunks (beds) were stacked five high. My bunk was fourth from the top; something that needed to be remembered when getting up. During the day, as weather permitted, soldiers strolled the deck becoming acquainted with their temporary home from the bow to the stern. Two meals were served daily, breakfast and supper. A cup of soup was allowed at noontime. Of course, water was rationed; one canteen full was to last a person all day. When the ocean waves were very big, men had to grab hold of their plates to keep them from sliding to the ends of the table. We soon learned to use the motion of the ship going from one deck to the other. Going up the stairs was easier while the ship was going down an ocean swell. Our ship, Aquitainia was one of the few ships built that had a movie theater. Every afternoon, a full length feature was shown and, all seats were occupied. Every day or so, as the ship sailed east, an announcement was made over the ships’ P.A. system advising us to set our watches up an hour. Getting bathroom chores accomplished was another experience. Example! When occupying a stool, when the sea swells were huge, one had to brace him self with both hands; the feeling of being force through the seat was very real. I’m glad I wasn’t in the Navy.

One serious part of the voyage was when we had to decide (sign a form) declaring, “if we fell in battle, mortally wounded”, where did we want to be permanently buried, over there, or in the U.S.A? That was a very sober indication of our destination, indeed.

I didn't know where to post this, so, I decided to put it here.

Floyd
424th Regiment

[connie]

#4

Floyd,

This is the kind of information that isn't found in many books and that makes your history come alive to those of us in the next generation. Thank you!

I knew about the 2 meals per day on the ship. That must have been standard. Dad experienced that on the Wakefield, too. What I did not know about was the noon soup. I am assuming that was in addition to a breakfast and an evening meal...?

The movies on the Aquitania are something I didn't know about either. Interesting stuff! Thanks!

Connie

[floydragsdale]

Hello Connie;

The"NOON SOUP" was just that; nothing else. The mess halls were not open in the middle of the day. We simply lined up somewhere on one of the lower decks with our canteen cup in hand. As I recall, the soup was more like bouillon; it was real thin stuff. A G.I. knew something was in his insides and that's all.

The Theater on the Aquitania was very elaborate; wonderfully decorated. It reminded me of a movie house in the big cities .

I also served on KP during meal time. I recall serving a meal to some senior officers in their "state rooms". Wow! Those quarters were like an expensive hotel room in down town Chicago.

During the evening hours many of us spent our time on one of the outer decks (yet it was covered) singing old time songs. "A Bicycle Built for Two, Take me Out to the Ball Game, college football songs and many others. We did that until it was "lights out" and then everyone headed for their bunks.

Floyd

[gfgrant8443]

Floyd

In a letter to my mother written during the Aquatania voyage my father told her that there was a USO group on board starring Irene Manning and also a ballet dancer whose name he didn't know.

He also said if you wanted to take a shower you had to endure taking it under cold salt water.

Another thing he mentioned was the the meals were generally eaten standing at a counter and consisted of "bully beef", stale biscuits and coffee.

Does any of that bring back a memory?

Frank Grant

[floydragsdale]

Hello Frank:

I do not recall the USO Group. Of course, the Aquitania was a huge ship & for that reason I could have missed seeing them. That vessal was almost 900 ft. long, 95 ft. wide at the center and five stories high. It could out run the German subs. So,we sailed without a convoy. The voyage to Scotland was seven or eight days long.

I remember the "salt water showers". I had one. That was enough! I felt sticky all over & didn't feel clean, afterward, at all. We could shower any time we wanted to, yet, not many G.I.'S did.

The only time I remember standing up while eating was at noon. That was when we were served soup in our canteen cups.

Floyd