December 16, 1944, Bastogne. 68 years ago...    Gallery
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as Guest



Users viewing this topic: none
    Search This Thread  
 
Printable Version

All Forums >> RC Cars, Buggies, Trucks, Tanks and more >> RC Tanks >> December 16, 1944, Bastogne. 68 years ago...
Page: [1]

Tower Hobbies Get Coupon Codes Brands  
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
December 16, 1944, Bastogne. 68 years ago... - 12/17/2012 3:38 AM   
thecommander


 

Posts: 2093
Score: 121
Joined: 2/20/2008
Last Login: 5/21/2013
From: hillsdale, NJ, USA
Status: online 		I just got off the phone with my hunting and fishing buddy Ray Kooman. A few years back, 1944, he was trying to enjoy some R & R in a quiet area of the ETO when a "Kraut" Captain came into town and told them to surrender or be anihilated. He was 10 days from his 20th birthday. That one he celebrated in a POW camp. He had a buddy and the two of them watched over each other. One stole food while the other played look-out. They kept each other alive during and well after their captivity. They spoke every Christmas, birthday and December 16th for 67 years.... Ray called his buddy the "Preacher" becasue he swore if he got our of this alive he would become a pastor. He did. Ray lived here in NJ and ran a shooting preserve and range. The Preacher served a large congregation in Wisconsin. He passed away this past year. I had to call Ray today and tell him I was thinking about him since there would be no more calls from the Preacher. Ray lost his 56 year old son to cancer 5 years ago so I call him on Father's day too. He still hunts and fishes with me and two of my old Leutenants Bill Reilly & Joe Doscher from the force. Ray is still a crack shot and runs the field with this dogs. We are planning for a nice dinner on his 89th birthday the day after Christmas. I hope he lives to be 100. I'm just glad to have him as a friend.

Here is a short video of our hunting trip a few years back on December 16th. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfVTZP1I_Fk&list=UUC5En84y2m45MJ47wobWY2g&index=28

Attachments
Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize 		Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize 		Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize 		Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize
Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize 		Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize 		Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize 		Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize
Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize


_____________________________

Join us at NEAD: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/queenspanzergroup/
He who ends up with the most toys wins!!!

Hide Signatures
       Post #: 1

RE: December 16, 1944, Bastogne. 68 years ago... - 12/17/2012 4:09 AM   
Ronan87


 

Posts: 403
Score: 113
Joined: 11/27/2012
Last Login: 5/21/2013
From: Montreal, QC, CANADA
Status: offline 		Woah... VERY impressive.

A lot to be said... but i'll keep it short.

Live On.


Hide Signatures

(in reply to thecommander)
       Post #: 2

RE: December 16, 1944, Bastogne. 68 years ago... - 12/17/2012 11:08 AM   
karel47



Posts: 2251
Score: 149
Joined: 10/21/2009
Last Login: 5/21/2013
From: ninove - outeroost vlaanderen, BELGIUM
Status: offline 		thanks for sharing  

_____________________________

PanzVI-J,ShermanM4A4,PershingM26,KTPorsche2x,KTHenshel Late3x-Early1x,TigerI 3x,JP,Panther,Jagdtiger;PantherIIta;PanthHL;Stu

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Ronan87)
       Post #: 3

RE: December 16, 1944, Bastogne. 68 years ago... - 12/18/2012 3:58 AM   
thecommander


 

Posts: 2093
Score: 121
Joined: 2/20/2008
Last Login: 5/21/2013
From: hillsdale, NJ, USA
Status: online 		Thanks guys....I tried very hard to convince him to coming back to Europe with me in 2009 when I went there for the 65th Aniversary of D-Day. But it was just too emotional for him. He is a very strong man, yet private. It took me almost 20 years to get him to talk about WW II and being a POW. I wish I could share his friendship with all of you guys. His stories are just fascinating. His pix, medals (3 Purple Hearts), newspaper clippings and clear memory are a treasure.

_____________________________

Join us at NEAD: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/queenspanzergroup/
He who ends up with the most toys wins!!!

Hide Signatures

(in reply to karel47)
       Post #: 4

RE: December 16, 1944, Bastogne. 68 years ago... - 12/18/2012 4:19 AM   
Love To build



Posts: 246
Score: 110
Joined: 2/14/2002
Last Login: 5/21/2013
From: Edison, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		My father is the same way. He was on a LST in the Phillipines (Leyte) during December 44. He doesn't talk too much about those days because it gets too emotional. He turned 86 this year. God bless them all.

Hide Signatures

(in reply to thecommander)
       Post #: 5

RE: December 16, 1944, Bastogne. 68 years ago... - 12/18/2012 7:13 AM   
jarndice


 

Posts: 47
Score: 100
Joined: 8/19/2012
Last Login: 5/21/2013
From: Hemel Hempstead,Hertfordshire, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		If he has not written his story of those days I would urge you to get him to do it, Our children need to be reminded of what these wonderful men did to allow us to live in freedom. God bless veterans everywhere at this time. shaun.

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Love To build)
       Post #: 6

RE: December 16, 1944, Bastogne. 68 years ago... - 12/20/2012 5:48 AM   
thecommander


 

Posts: 2093
Score: 121
Joined: 2/20/2008
Last Login: 5/21/2013
From: hillsdale, NJ, USA
Status: online 		Hi Shaun,

I'd love to do that. He told me that the German medics took 50 guys from his POW camp and injected them all in the chest with some type of large hypodermic needle. To this day no one has any idea what it was. VA, Red Cross, Army...no one. It appears not to have had any bad effects but why just 50 out of hundreds??

_____________________________

Join us at NEAD: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/queenspanzergroup/
He who ends up with the most toys wins!!!

Hide Signatures

(in reply to jarndice)
       Post #: 7

RE: December 16, 1944, Bastogne. 68 years ago... - 12/20/2012 12:59 PM   
YHR



Posts: 6565
Score: 204
Joined: 11/29/2006
Last Login: 5/21/2013
From: Grande Prairie, AB, CANADA
Status: online 		Great story.

There is a non profit group in Canada going around to all the living veterans to document their stories in the interest of history. Very soon there will be no living witnesses to what happend, and all we will have is the literature that is left behind.

We all have the Hollywood and Official government story of the war, but when you talk to these veterans they sometimes present a very different story. A very real story

_____________________________

Dan
Battle Armor R C

Hide Signatures

(in reply to thecommander)
       Post #: 8

RE: December 16, 1944, Bastogne. 68 years ago... - 12/20/2012 1:24 PM   
Panther F



Posts: 6962
Score: 135
Joined: 12/31/2005
Last Login: 5/21/2013
From: Franklin, IN, USA
Status: online 		I can't imagine being a part of any war, let alone surviving it. Being it historically famous or not, to live through any of it no matter when or where it had to be hell but a job that had to be done.

This is how I view those days. No matter which side, it's a shame so many lives were lost.














~ Jeff

Hide Signatures

(in reply to thecommander)
       Post #: 9



Page:   [1]
All Forums >> RC Cars, Buggies, Trucks, Tanks and more >> RC Tanks >> December 16, 1944, Bastogne. 68 years ago...
Page: [1]





Jump to:


 
Google 



Search | Marketplace | Event Calendar | Local Clubs | Magazine | Product Ratings | New Products | Discussion Forums

Photo Gallery | Instructor Search | Field|Track|Marina Search

Advertisers | Hobby Vendor Resources | Rate Manufacturers | Sign In/Sign Up

SITE MAP!   : :   FORUM RULES

RC Universe is a service of Internet Brands, Inc. Copyright © 2001-2013.

Charities we support that also need your help
Yorkie Rescue | Humane Society | ASPCA | Crohn's-Colitis America


0.344RCU1