Tuesday, July 26, 2011

The Spirit of The fighting Yank

Tomorrow a tour of great cars but today:

I moved to Belmont in 1954. I attended School at Belmont High (Presently Belmont Middle School). The one thing that impressed me and I liked, was a military statue dedicated to the men who had died in WWII. It stood proudly on the South Side of the High School Campus. It was a soldier about to lob a grenade. I called him Iron Mike,  I don’t know why, It just seemed to fit.

fighting Yank

I never loved the school as my wife and others who graduated from Belmont High do. My welcome into the Belmont educational system was less than stellar. When I left the halls of academia I had top grades but a record number of detention hours, even less stellar.  I have said for years the only thing of value that I received from Belmont High was a wonderful wife. Of course I shouldn’t say that negatively, getting her was like winning the lottery.

But no matter the negative feelings I had about Belmont Hi, I always loved the fighting Yank, or my Iron Mike. This weekend some low life destroyed and decapitated The Fighting yank. I feel like starting a reward fund for the apprehension and hanging of the individual that completed that dastardly deed.

fightingyank

The Spirit of The Fighting Yank was erected in 1946, in the early 1950’s someone stole his sub-machine gun and it has never surfaced.  But he has stood proudly and been photographed thousands of times with different classes or their superlatives.

It is hard to believe anyone would do this, but it has been many years since there was great pride in the accomplishments of WWII. Many do not know so they cannot remember. I remember brothers, cousins, uncles, in-laws and friends of the family who fought, one died.

I guess it is a sign of the times, no respect for what was paid that we could be free.

Thanks for reading this.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

The military salute is a motion that evolved from medieval times, when knights in armor raised their visors to reveal their identity.

 

jeep

The jeep has historically been a great asset to the military, but men like Iron Mike seldom rode in a jeep, they walked. Their feet were their best friend after their weapon.

8 comments:

Ken Riches said...

That just sucks, the WWII generation should be cheered, not jeered.

Paula said...

Makes me very sick to my stomach.

shirl72 said...

When that was on the news I could not believe
someone could be so mean. What is coming to
our world. No respect for anything.

Shirl

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

My dad was one of those great men that fought for our freedom during WWII. He spent months in the hospital shot up and full of shrapnel but he survived and lived a good full life after that I'm very proud of him and all those that sacrifice so much for our freedom. It is unfathomable that someone could not have a feeling of pride and respect for what they did and still do.

Y said...

Cowards take pot shots at the dedication of others because they are ashamed of the knowledge that they would never stand up for what they believe, if they even know what they believe.
We, as a society, simply have no respect for anything, even for ourselves. The World War II Museum in New Orleans is a proud monument to the dedication of our country in defending our shores and our values.

Fred Alton said...

Dastardly deed done by a skulking coward! Find him, tie him up, then beat him with a wet noodle until he bleeds. Better yet, use a razor strap. He may be one of those who has snuck into our country through the back door and hates us for providing him all this freedom. I share your sentiments 100&10%!!!

Sheila Y said...

It just makes you sick when punks do this kind of thing. No respect for anybody or anything. I hope they catch who done it. Enjoy your time in the mountains. Take care, Sheila

Anonymous said...

My dad served in WW2 but with the Axis..uhm, sorry ;o. I love the jeep.