WT Forums

I had the pleasure of heading up the Patriot Guard Riders entry to the Patriotic Parade held in Florence SC on Saturday. The parade is sponsored by the Marine Corps League.

I met about 12 purple heart recipents, I also met Mr. Raleigh Bullard, an 87 year old former WWII POW. He spent 27 month and 22 days in German POW camps during WWII. He was captured on February 14, 1943 in North Africa by the Germans. He was taken to Southern Italy by the German's, then to Germany where he spent time in Stalag 7-A, then he was taken to Poland to Stalag 64. From Poland he was forced to march in the snow and ice to a POW camp outside of Berlin. On April 22, 1945 he and his fellow POW's were liberated by the Russians and on May 7, 1945 he finally was delivered back to American lines.

I also met a man that was in the 101st Airborne that parachuted into Normandy on D-Day. I cant recall his last name however I have a picture of his very patriotic pickup that I will post later.

All in all it was a great day and I really enjoyed talking to some of these old vets. They can tell a story in a second and most of them will bring a tear to you eyes and theirs. I thanked each and every one of them for their service and sacrifice.

I have quite a few pictures however I am having a little trouble hosting them right now. I will post when I get the problem resolved.


Fender

"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it."
George Bernard Shaw

These are not my pics but those of one of the other riders that was there that day. Enjoy the slide show.

http://www.alr-sc.org/Parade/


Here is a picture of the whole crew.

<img src="http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h283/Fenderstrat72/Patriotic%20Parade/DSCN4501.jpg" border=0>

And a picture of the patriotic pickup truck the 101st vet drove.

<img src="http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h283/Fenderstrat72/Patriotic%20Parade/IM000172.jpg" border=0>

Fender

"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it."
George Bernard Shaw

Fender,

Looks like an awesome time was had by all. Thanks for hooking us up with the slide show. Can't wait to see your pics. BTW, I was really impressed with the guy that had the POW/MIA tattoo. What a great way to honor each and every POW and MIA and a bitchin' tatoo also!!.

Engineguy

<img src="http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h283/Fenderstrat72/100_1923.jpg" border=0>
Mr. Bullard, WWII vet and former POW

<img src="http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h283/Fenderstrat72/100_1908.jpg" border=0>

<img src="http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h283/Fenderstrat72/100_1910.jpg" border=0>

I should have wrote down this man's name. By the way, he hated Monty for Market Garden. He said that damn Limey tried to get us all killed.

<img src="http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h283/Fenderstrat72/100_1905.jpg" border=0>

Some more Purple Heart recipents.

Fender

"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it."
George Bernard Shaw