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Christbiker
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« on: August 17, 2016, 10:14:22 AM » |
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Felt like sharing this with my Valk Brothers and Sisters.
[img]My Dad is 93 and still somewhat vibrant with life. While visiting him recently in St. Louis where he lives alone in his paid for house (refuses to go to an "old folks warehouse"), I found a pair of sunglasses in the garage. When I asked him about them, he said, "you want 'em you can have 'em". I started some research along with some brain picking of Dad and here's what we have.
I'm soo proud of what America used to be.
Dad lied about his age and joined the Air Force in '42. The government issued these glasses to all branches of the military from late '39 to '43. Bausch and Lomb are stamped on the bridge and was their entry partnership with the gov and these type of lenses along with Ray Ban providing frames etc.
In 1944 Dad found himself in Normandy France as a bombardier on D-Day. Wars were fought differently then and as his plane flew away after completing their final bomb drop mission, the beach waters were indeed red with blood shed from American soldiers. Now 72 years later and we don't talk about the war. He was wearing these glasses.
I do wear these sunglasses occasionally now and it's hard to describe the wave of feelings that sometimes flows through me as I put them on my face. Mostly pride and personal emotions, yet also at times some sadness and regret for what patriotism and American allegiance has become. Thanks for reading and letting me share. America Bless God [/ihttp://s284.photobucket.com/user/stepbuilders/media/D-Day/D-Day%20Glasses_zpsvwuecdqy.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0mg]
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HE>i
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Serk
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« Reply #1 on: August 17, 2016, 10:22:59 AM » |
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Thanks for sharing! The people we were is most definitely not the people we are...  Fixed your linked image:  |
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away...  IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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mike72903
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« Reply #2 on: August 17, 2016, 10:38:54 AM » |
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Wow Woody, great story
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Valkorado
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Posts: 10514
VRCC DS 0242
Gunnison, Colorado (7,703') Here there be twisties.
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« Reply #3 on: August 17, 2016, 10:39:17 AM » |
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Thanks for the great post, Woody. I'm sorry your dad had to see what he saw thrugh those sunglasses, but I'm sure thankful he and his comrades were there for us! God Bless the Greatest Generation!
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Have you ever noticed when you're feeling really good, there's always a pigeon that'll come sh!t on your hood? - John Prine 97 Tourer "Silver Bullet" 01 Interstate "Ruby"  |
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Wizzard
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Bald River Falls
Valparaiso IN
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« Reply #4 on: August 17, 2016, 10:40:43 AM » |
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Great Story,, thanks for sharing
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 VRCC # 24157 |
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Oss
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Posts: 12765
The lower Hudson Valley
Ossining NY Chapter Rep VRCCDS0141
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« Reply #5 on: August 17, 2016, 10:47:13 AM » |
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:cooldude
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If you don't know where your going any road will take you there
George Harrison
When you come to the fork in the road, take it
Yogi Berra (Don't send it to me C.O.D.)
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Patrick
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Posts: 15433
VRCC 4474
Largo Florida
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« Reply #6 on: August 17, 2016, 11:16:32 AM » |
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Nice story. It's nice to get something like that from your father.
I have and wear my fathers WW2 aviator glasses. They never seem to go out of style.
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« Last Edit: August 18, 2016, 03:36:35 AM by Patrick »
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Tailgate Tommy
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2000 Interstate, 2001 Interstate and 2003 Standard
Fort Collins, Colorado
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« Reply #8 on: August 17, 2016, 12:15:14 PM » |
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Great story Woody!  |
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F-six
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« Reply #9 on: August 17, 2016, 02:01:16 PM » |
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Was completely ready to give my opinion about sunglasses, as I do have a favorite brand. But this post wasn't about sunglasses, this was about a particulair pair of sunglasses. Thank you for sharing this story. In 2013 I visited the beaches of Normandy and the American and German cemetarys. Then you start to realize and understand what happend there in june 1944. If you ever have the chance to go to Normandy and visited the beaches, you should go, you won't regret it.
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« Last Edit: August 17, 2016, 02:02:56 PM by F-six »
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Misfit
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« Reply #10 on: August 17, 2016, 05:22:43 PM » |
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Thanks Woody. |
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If you're lucky enough to ride a Valkyrie, you're lucky enough.  |
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Oldfishguy
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« Reply #11 on: August 17, 2016, 06:10:52 PM » |
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I collect a variety of somewhat useful antiques; I am shocked at times what I find for sale that are obviously family heirlooms. And then in discussion with the sellers I find it is hardly ever that they are struggling with finances themselves, they just don't care.
Nice job grabbing that piece of history and recognizing what it is.
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Karen
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« Reply #12 on: August 17, 2016, 06:21:02 PM » |
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Thank you, Woody. Thanks to your dad and all his comrades. Without them, I'd probably would have had to type Alte Kameraden...
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larue
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« Reply #13 on: August 17, 2016, 07:15:09 PM » |
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What a priceless historic piece, bless your dad for his sacrifice and legend lives on
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firea100
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« Reply #14 on: August 18, 2016, 07:04:43 AM » |
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I (used to) have a pair of aviator sun glasses from '74-'77 era. My daughter cherishes them much the same way as you do, although they saw a completely different world than your's did. It's nice to see that someone cherishes them as much as you and my daughter do!
Larry in East China Mi.
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Christbiker
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« Reply #15 on: August 20, 2016, 04:42:52 AM » |
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Thank you all for your replies. Dad has given me many "things" over the years, mainly positive lessons of life. I challenged him greatly as a rebellious youth in the late '60s but love and patience endured.
Blessings,
Woody
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HE>i
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Raider
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« Reply #16 on: August 20, 2016, 06:12:38 PM » |
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Great story and col glasses! Wear em proudly!
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jimmytee
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« Reply #17 on: August 20, 2016, 07:41:49 PM » |
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Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed the story.
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"Go sell crazy somewhere else,we're all stocked up"
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