Thursday, July 17, 2014

Fred


On his 17th birthday in 1945, Fred had his father sign his enlistment papers.
When he was in basic training, President Roosevelt died.  Shortly afterward,
the War in Europe ended.  While Fred was on a train to San Diego
to be shipped off to join the War in the Pacific,
World War II ended.

Fred never saw battle, but he was ready and willing to do his part.
I call him a hero.
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20 comments:

  1. AndyJuly 17, 2014 at 5:52 AM

    Thank you Fred.

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  2. KateJuly 17, 2014 at 7:40 AM

    I concur, Jack. Willing to enlist at such a young age, as did so many others!!

    You got to Starbucks?!

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  3. Luis GomezJuly 17, 2014 at 9:09 AM

    My brother is a veteran as well. He was 17 when he enlisted. He did go to war in Iraq.

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  4. MichelleJuly 17, 2014 at 9:15 AM

    Off to war at age 17....how many other people could really have that kind of courage?

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  5. BirdmanJuly 17, 2014 at 9:23 AM

    Looks like a 'double-expresso' kinda guy. Yikes!

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  6. Tanya BreeseJuly 17, 2014 at 9:36 AM

    well hello fred! as the mom of a 17 year old, i can't imagine sending him off to war...so young...

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  7. SharonJuly 17, 2014 at 10:36 AM

    I agree! He's a hero in my book.

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  8. PerthDailyPhotoJuly 17, 2014 at 11:10 AM

    Absolutely Jack.. but I am glad Fred didn't have to live with horrendous war memories.

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  9. Sylvia KJuly 17, 2014 at 11:16 AM

    A hero in my book as well, Jack!! A big thank you to Fred!

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  10. VPJuly 17, 2014 at 11:26 AM

    I absolutely agree with you, he must be proud anyway!

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  11. HalcyonJuly 17, 2014 at 11:44 AM

    Fred's a hero to me too!

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  12. William KendallJuly 17, 2014 at 12:05 PM

    A lot of character in that face, Jack.

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  13. RedPatJuly 17, 2014 at 2:36 PM

    It's sad to think that 17 year olds have to do such things.

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  14. cieldequimperJuly 17, 2014 at 3:19 PM

    Yes. I'm sure he now knows that it was a good thing.

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  15. KayJuly 17, 2014 at 3:47 PM

    So many went off at a very young age. (And came back old.)

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  16. jennyfrecklesJuly 17, 2014 at 4:18 PM

    They had to grow up fast in those days. I wonder if it was good training for life anyway?

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  17. LOLfromPasaJuly 17, 2014 at 4:32 PM

    So do I. Great shot!!

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  18. Bob CroweJuly 17, 2014 at 9:47 PM

    And you have created a remarkable double portrait.

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  19. RandyJuly 17, 2014 at 10:07 PM

    Excellent post.

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  20. John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"July 18, 2014 at 1:55 AM

    From WWII to Starbucks - a history of the last 50 years in the western world.

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