Iwo Vet's Failing Health - Page 2
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  1. #16
    Quote Originally Posted by vanqzaz View Post
    Brian...Just joined today 6/13/11 hope your Dad is still hanging in their and hopefully doing better
    I was on Iwo in special weapons co 26th Marines.5TH marine Div.(half tracks)So been there Done that,Ask your dad if he remembers how hot the ground was and that smell of sulphur.Only wish could talk to him.Not too many of us left.I also am 86,but still doing pretty good.will keep your dad imn my prayers
    VAN
    Thanks much Van. I read your note to him last evening. He remembers both, clearly.

    Best wishes to you & yours.

    Brian


  2. #17
    Marine Friend Free Member USNAviator's Avatar
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    Brian continued best wishes for your Dad. I sent you a PM with a link to the documentary To the Shores of Iwo Jima

    I'm going to post it here so that others who have not seen it may do so if they wish. Perhaps some of the younger members can realize just how epic a struggle it was to fight on Iwo

    http://www.archive.org/details/iwojima


  3. #18
    Thanks Dan.... I appreciate it. I found the following in the book "Iwo Jima". Thought you might find it interesting.

    As the shutter clicked, two Japanese darted from a cave.
    One threw a grenade and ran toward the flag, his sword
    drawn. Robeson shot him, and his body rolled down the inside
    of the crater, snapping off his sword under him. The other
    Japanese hurled a grenade toward Lowery, and the sergeant
    vaulted over the rim, sliding 50 feet down the mountain before
    he could stop. The camera was smashed, but the pictures were
    safe inside, and the flag was up. Six men raised it: Schrier,
    Platoon Sergeant Ernest 1. Thomas, Jr., Sergeant Henry 0.
    Hansen, Corporal Charles W. Lindberg, Private First Class
    James R. Michels, and the Crow Indian, Private Charlo.

    This was the flag raising on lwo Jima that thrilled the
    troops. The one that thrilled the world was still to come, nearly
    two hours later.

    On the sandy terrace below, tired men wept in their fox·
    holes, unshaven men on the beaches' thumped each other on
    the back and shouted. Across the ships, whistles, horns, and
    bells rang out. Private Charles S. Ranger, nineteen, tried to
    raise himself from his deck cot on the hospital ship Solace. He
    could not be with Company D, 2/28, on Suribachi, because his
    left thigh and knee had been smashed by a mortar. He could
    not cheer very loud either, but he cried a little.

    And near the base of Suribachi, a few feet in from the surf, a
    man said, "This means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years."
    He looked like any other Marine, but he was Secretary of the
    Navy Forrestal. Chance placed him on the beach just as the
    flag went up, and with him stood Bowlin' Mad Smith, a Navy
    party that included two admirals, and Forrestal's Army aides,
    Major Mathias F. Correa and Colonel Cornelius V. Whitney.
    Forrestal wore khakis and a sweatshirt against the cold wind.


  4. #19
    I hope all is still well with your family and you get this post in time to share. My grandfather TSgt Harold Harney was with the 5th Engineer Battalion at Iwo. I found Charles in my grandfather's Spearhead. I had the unexpected pleasure to meet Cpl Earl Flatt of the 26th when we both visited the WWII memorial on May 28th. He was there with the Louisiana Honor Air that sponsored the vets trip to DC. It was pure destiny since I had driven up from Atlanta to bring my grandfather's burial flag to be flown at the Iwo Jima Memorial. I will let Earl know about your father.

    I ran across a family tree website by Clyde Adams. His father George was in Iwo with my grandfather and at Ft. Geiger with my dad. George was with the 27th Marines. Please check this link to a book he made in memory of his father. I'm sure your father would love to "read" the book on the internet and the memorabilia and written history is awesome. Try and get as much history as possible and video his history. It would also be great as a contribution to NPRs (National Public Radio) Story Core series. http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/797497.

    Van, if you see this please post so I can speak with you. I really want to get more info. I also happened to watch Military Channel this afternoon and saw Al Abbatiello at the 60th reunion on Iwo Jima with his family. I also saw a post from the niece of Michael Bedrick, who is in a photo with my grandfather taken the day of the flag raising. I hope she contacts me so I can email her a copy of the photo. Today seems to be my day to connect with my gandfather's "brothers" on Iwo.


  5. #20
    Marine Free Member Kenneth Havelka's Avatar
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    God Bless your Marine Father.I'm very proud just to read about him.


  6. #21
    Marine Free Member Apache's Avatar
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    Again,God bless your father one of the greatest generation.
    It is because of him and others like him we all enjoy freedoms we have

    When the time is right may he get a post at heavens gates


  7. #22
    Hi Brain How Is Your Dad Doing He Is Still In My Thoughts And Prayers. I Am Very Honor And Priviled To In The Presence Of Heros.

    Semper Fi And May God Continue To Richly Bless You And Your Dad


    Stephen Doc Hansen Hm3 Fmf


  8. #23
    Thanks for asking Stephen and sorry for the delayed response... It's been a busy time.

    My Dad's hip healed well after a couple of months in the hospital and rehab. He got REAL lucky on that one. The unfortunate part, is that he's developed moderate dementia (probably contributed to by the surgery). Not a good condition to have, and pretty tough on both he and the family.

    Got the call this morning that Huntington Beach paramedics had just picked him up for chest pain and shortness of breath. He's been admitted to the local hospital and is stable this evening. One tough old Jarhead!!!! He just continues to fight.

    Thank you for your continued thoughts & prayers, they are all truly appreciated.

    Brian


  9. #24
    May God bless Charley and his family....
    He'll be in my prayers......
    SEMPER FI..................Ed


  10. #25
    Thoughts and prayers for you Brian, your Dad and family.

    Semper Fi,

    Ray Merrell


  11. #26
    Brian, I hope the best for your dad. I have the sickness as well. I know whats he's goig thur. I will pray for your father, and ask the lord to help and comfort him. I hope and pray for the best. My father was station with Pappy Bolinton. He was the repair specialist on there planes. My father past in "78". We, the family recieved a letter from Jimmy Carter, when he was Preisdent. Steve USMC


  12. #27
    After a long, tough fight, PFC Charles S. Ranger passed on 2/16/13. Thanks from myself and my family for all of the support from Leatherneck.com members. My Dad enjoyed reading each and every post.

    He was truly from the "Greatest Generation" and the strongest man I've ever known.

    Thanks to all,
    Brian Ranger


  13. #28
    You father is in heaven now because he did his time in hell on earth,may god craddle him in his arms and may godbless and bring you all comfort.

    Semper fi and rest in peace sir
    from a greatful brother


    stephen doc hansen hm3 fmf


  14. #29
    Mongoose
    Guest Free Member
    Brian, God bless your Dad and your family. He helped to pave the path, a lot us followed.


  15. #30
    Marine Free Member
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    Brain, my best to you and your family. God bless


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