You know, I learn something new everyday. Here a photo album that I've probably glanced at well in excess of 100 times since I first spied it a cardboard box. I was probably about 12 at the time. The contents meant little to me other then they were pictures of soldiers. Drinking coffee, playing cards, cutting hair, standing in snow, riding in the backs of trucks, leading against jeeps and smiling for the camera, they are all here in this leather-bound collection of war duty. Hundreds of pictures taken by my Dad, during his time in Rome and his exploits during the bloody battle at Anzio. During the two years he served in WWII, he was quite a photographer. Go figure. I never really stopped to think about this before. Even today, at my age, I'm still learning about my world.
Leonard, Steve, and Don thank for all you did for us during the 'Good War'.
And have a wonderful day where ever you are!
*Bottom, middle photo of soldiers standing in snow: my Dad is the second from the right.
Important pieces of history that ought to be well preserved.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure for your family!! Scan,put them in a folder and then burn them on a CD. It would be a terrific remembrance for your children. Son and ?
ReplyDeleteThree of my four great grandfathers died in WWI I'm not about to forget that. This is a marvellous memento.
ReplyDeletewhat a great keepsake!
ReplyDeleteWhat a collection! You've made me want to dig out an old album I haven't looked at in a long time. I just have to figure out what I did with it during the move.
ReplyDeletea look into his life as a serviceman. nice.
ReplyDeleteI can see the leaning tower of Pisa... Any picture in or around Livorno?
ReplyDeleteYour father left some priceless mementos for you to cherish!
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question in your comment on my blog (from Wikipedia): "The Bluejacket's Manual is the basic handbook for United States Navy personnel. First issued in 1902 to teach new recruits about naval procedures and life and offer a reference for active sailors, it has become the "bible" for Navy personnel, providing information about a wide range of Navy topics. The current version, issued in 2009, is the 24th Edition and is given to all enlistees."
Those pictures are a wonderful treasure ! As well as an important testimony about those years . I'm glad you shared it .
ReplyDeleteHow lucky you are to have these pics! i like Kate's idea of scanning them.
ReplyDeleteThese WW II photo albums are historic records of a hard time for all those who fought in that war. Scanning these photos is an excellent idea. Too bad you don't have your Dad's stories to go with each photo. I have a few pictures my Dad took in WW II, but he avoided talking about the war. Know he had a miserable experience, but at least he did come home healthy. FIne post on Veteran's Day.
ReplyDeleteHa! My Dad wouldn't shut about the War. Gift of gab about everything.
DeleteAn eclectic mix. I spent time today with a Second World War vet in our museum, and he was quite talkative.
ReplyDeleteWonderful old photos.
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful memento for you to have. You made me think . . . I have some albums of photos that my father took while he was serving in WWII. Maybe the apples didn't fall very far from the tree in your family or mine.
ReplyDeletePriceless, these pics . . . and luv that you inherited the photography bug or gene . . .
ReplyDeleteGood that you have it. My dad was an MP during the war crimes trials in Japan. He has got pics of some of the war criminals who were on trial. He talks about those a lot. He has other pics of himself and other soldiers with Geisha girls. He still doesn't talk about those that much!
ReplyDeleteI agree: it's a treasure.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant photos Birdman, look after them well, they deserve it!
ReplyDelete