We are losing WWII veterans at an accelerating rate. Here are two notices from the Patriot Guard Riders:
Georgia has lost another of its native son's. Sadly, I must report that America has lost a member of the greatest generation. PVT Leonard Hunter was born August 24, 1925 and passed away February 7, 2017. Mr. Hunter had made his wishes of having a military funeral known to his family prior to his passing. Accordingly, his son extended an invitation to the Patriot Guard Riders to be present during his inurnment service at Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, Georgia. I informed PVT Hunter’s son that it would be our privilege and an honor to stand for this American hero. Military honors will be rendered by the U.S. Army Honor Guard.
PVT Leonard Hunter served his country in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945. Having been twice wounded he saw action in France, Germany, and Czechoslovakia. He was a member of the 3rd Army, 5th Division, 11th Infantry.
Leonard Hunter is survived by his second wife, a son, a daughter, eleven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and two great, great, grandchildren.
And another, received the same day:
The family of Mr. Cecil England Boswell has requested the presence of the Georgia Patriot Guard Riders to stand in honor of his service to his country in the United States Army during World War II.
Mr. Boswell was born October 22, 1917 in Jackson County and was 99 years young when he passed away suddenly, Sunday February 19, 2017, in his hometown of Gainesville, GA.
He was always willing to help anyone and was a friend to all that knew him. Mr. Boswell loved being with his friends at the Big Bear Café. He was well known for being in the annual Memorial Day Parade in Gainesville where he would walk the parade route, in his uniform, up until this past year where ill health forced him to ride the route. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Bonnie Mae Boswell.
TSgt Boswell served in the U.S. Army 22nd Infantry, 4th Division, and was part of the second wave of the D-Day Invasion of Normandy. In 1944 his Division helped in the Liberation of Paris. After the war he worked in the Gainesville Mill, New Holland Mill and as an Electrician.
Ordinary men thrust into an extraordinary situation. We are seeing the passing of something not easily found today, that was common 70 years ago.
5 comments:
An new 18 yo recruit who signed up in 1941 is now 92. All the rest are older ..... so yes, It's not surprising that surviving WW II vets are down to the last few
And I don't see another 'Greatest Generation' waiting in the wings any time soon.
God bless them and their families.
I find it depressing to see how we have squandered the freedom they gave us. Hopefully we can turn things around and make them proud of us.
May they rest in peace... We will not see their like again... Sigh
We lost three on the Iowa last year.
These men are/were true Patriot Warriors.
They answered the call, did the job, and came back home to pick up their lives again.
The entire world owes them a debt of gratitude.
I'm honored to be a friend of a fighter pilot who made Ace in his P-47, flying out of England during '43 and '44. He celebrated his 100th birthday last November, using a walker now, but still sharp, in his right mind, with more remaining color in his hair than I have at 66. His wife still gets around town in her sporty little red convertible, driving like a teenager (but still very much in control).
He and his 90 year old wife are two very special people that we spend time with whenever we can. His name is Frank McCauley, and he's a true gentleman.
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