"Rememberence Day in the UK... From Texas" Topic

This Sunday marks the commeration of Rememberance Day in the UK. It was initially a day to recall the fallen British military from WWI. But in the 15 years I served in the UK with the USAF, and members of the British side of my family, I soon understood it had similarities to our own American Veterans Day which we recognize this week.

In 1976-79 I was stationed in Athens Greece. My close freind was a Brit assigned to the British Wargraves Commision. During my tour of duty he would take me a site in Athens where British soldiers and sailors were buried that fell in the Mediteranean duriing WWII. Remarkably, a few Americans had their final resting place in the same British cemetary, with a mark that stated, and forgive me if I don't recall precisely, 'Man hath no greater freind than one who gives his life.' A clear tribute to the Americans who fought and died with the Brits.

And through to my retirement in 1989 which I ended in the UK, I had the pleasure on many occasions to serve with the Brits. In 1986 the raid on Libya took place from my station, and I recall vividly in my 'local' pub shortly after that it was impossible for me to buy a pint although I crawled out of there. My father in law shared with me his anecdotes of serving with the Americans in WWII and Korea. When released from a POW camp instead of marching to the nearby Russians, the Brits and others took the long route in the other direction to the Yanks. My affiliation with British forces is a solid in my memory and their is no mistaking the relationship and friendship.

On these boards there is plenty of 'rivalry' between us. Sometimes I've seen it heated. But mostly its freindly ribbing.

I'll have two veteran occasions this month. For my brothers in arms on both sides of the Atlantic, I thank you Brits for your 200+ years of freindship.

I look forward to more elbowing on these boards. I got my feet wet with gaming Napolenics with British freinds. Again, my thoughts this week with your fallen soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.

Paulie, Houston

Remembrance Sunday was last Sunday, as it goes. We still observe two minutes of silence today at 11am too

Thanks for the kind sentiments though

Nice post. The sentiments are wholeheartedly reciprocated.

Well said, Paulie.

pbishop12 – you were stationed at Lakenheath?

On their return those F111s flew over my house (was in a small village called Wicken, near Newmarket). I stood in the back garden and watched them head home.

Meaning three generations of my family have now watched the USAF come back from bombing someone – my Dad and Grandfather used to watch B17s in WW2.

Well said.

Thank you. Well said.

Well done, Paul. See you Saturday.

Semper Fi!

I was at Upper Heyford. Lived in a village called Aynho and watered at the Cartwright Arms. When I got off duty about 48 hours after the raid, I got well oiled in the Cartwright Arms. Fortunately it was a 5 minute walk to my house and I staggered home.

And it was F111s.

Tom, see you tomorrow for the Naps game.

And a positive note for the French at the time. They got a lot of stick in the British and US press for not allowing us to fly over France, causing a long haul over Spain. But their position was to for us to take out Ghadaffi. I recall in the 80's France took a lot of heat from MIddle East radicals and wanted us to end it. Their premise was if we didn't and they allowed us to fly over, they'd catch more hell.

In a way, I understood their position.