Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands was a bloody 26-week battle against a
tenacious enemy.  Coming on the heels of the Imperial Navy's spectacular
defeat at Midway, the Japanese Army's defeat at Guadalcanal marked the key
turning point in the Pacific war.  This battle was going 60 years ago today.

Another major turning point 60 years ago around this date was the rout of
Rommel's Afrika Corps at the battle of El Alamein in December 1942 and the
subsequent pursuit of the remnants of the Afrika Corps and its expulsion
from Egypt.  This was, finally, the first battle won by the British Army in
WWII and the last one without direct US involvement.

And finally, yet another turning point in the war was taking place also
around this time 60 years ago.  The Nazis were stopped at Stalingrad when
the German Sixth Army was encircled and totally destroyed in
January-February 1943, thus signaling the start of a long epic retreat back
to Germany doggedly pursued by the Soviet Army.  In July of 1943, the
biggest tank battle in history took place near Kursk in the Soviet Union,
but that will be for another post.

Denys

-----Original Message-----
From: HP-3000 Systems Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
Kim Borgman
Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2003 7:40 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Fwd: OLD SOLDIER

funny you should post this.  I went to the funeral of my operator's dad
Friday.  Marine.  served in WWII.  Born in 1925 so he was 18/19 in the
war.  Serve in both Imo gima (sp) and Guadacanal.  2 of the worst battles if
I recall properly.  Don't know if he hit the beachhead both times, but
Marines never were on the tail end an assult.  Married 56 years with 7 kids.
They don't make them like his type anymore.  Read Dan Rather's book about
this generation.

However I can't say much positive about the Vet hospital he and his daughter
had to deal with.

-----Original Message-----
From: fred White [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, January 24, 2003 9:34 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [HP3000-L] Fwd: OLD SOLDIER


> The Old Soldier
> (Courtesy, Bill Crawford, Navy Vet., SanMarcos, TX)
>
> He was getting old and paunchy
> And his hair was falling fast,
> And he sat around the Legion,
> Telling stories of the past.
> Of a war that he once fought in
> And the deeds that he had done,
> In his exploits with his buddies;
> They were heroes, every one.
> And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors
> His tales became a joke,
> All his buddies listened quietly
> For they knew where of he spoke.
> But we'll hear his tales no longer,
> For ol' Bob has passed away,
> And the world's a little poorer
> For a Soldier died today.
> He won't be mourned by many,
> Just his children and his wife.
> For he lived an ordinary,
> Very quiet sort of life.
> He held a job and raised a family,
> Going quietly on his way;
> And the world won't note his passing,
> 'Tho a Soldier died today.
> When politicians leave this earth,
> Their bodies lie in state,
> While thousands note their passing,
> And proclaim that they were great.
> Papers tell of their life stories
> From the time that they were young
> But the passing of a Soldier
> Goes unnoticed, and unsung.
> Is the greatest contribution
> To the welfare of our land,
> Some jerk who breaks his promise
> And cons his fellow man?
> Or the ordinary fellow
> Who in times of war and strife,
> Goes off to serve his country
> And offers up his life?
> The politician's stipend
> And the style in which he lives,
> Are often disproportionate,
> To the service that he gives.
> While the ordinary Soldier,
> Who offered up his all,
> Is paid off with a medal
> And perhaps a pension, small.
> It's so easy to forget them,
> For it is so many times
> That our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys,
> Went to battle, but we know,
> It is not the politicians
> With their compromise and ploys,
> Who won for us the freedom
> That our country now enjoys.
> Should you find yourself in danger,
> With your enemies at hand,
> Would you really want some cop-out,
> With his ever waffling stand?
> Or would you want a Soldier--
> His home, his country, his kin,
> Just a common Soldier,
> Who would fight until the end.
> He was just a common Soldier,
> And his ranks are growing thin,
> But his presence should remind us
> We may need his like again.
> For when countries are in conflict,
> We find the Soldier's part
> Is to clean up all the troubles
> That the politicians start.
> If we cannot do him honor
> While he's here to hear the praise,
> Then at least let's give him homage
> At the ending of his days.
> Perhaps just a simple headline
> In the paper that might say:
> "OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."

FW

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