What do World War II veterans say about death?
463053
Well, most of the WWII vets I've talked to have seen plenty of it. And often inflicted a fair amount of it, too. Like many soldiers, they were quite young and thrust into a situation they never could've imagined. Almost every vet will have a story about some kind of gruesome death they've witnessed. That's the reality of war.
749862
my grandfather served in Europe during WWII. he was part of the liberation of Dachau. he told me that you could smell the odor of burning flesh from miles away. he saw the ovens. he saw the surviving victims starved within an inch of their lives. so starved that a normal meal would kill them. they took German soldiers (including officers) into custody. they described what their duties were. it was absolutely horrific. my grandfather is neither a liar, nor a senile old man telling tales. these things happened. anyone who says they didnt is either deluded or diseased.
1023086
"Never does one feel oneself so utterly helpless as in trying to speak comfort for great bereavement. I will not try it. Time is the only comforter for the loss of a mother."\n\nAuthor: Jane Welsh Carlyle\nSource: None\n\nhttp://www.worldofquotes.com/topic/Death-_-Immortality/2/index.html
1098549
How good of you, Jason, to ask such a considerate question. If you knew the deceased well (and, for example, he loved sunsets), you might mention the sunset tonight was made especially beautiful for (name of deceased), and he had the best view from heaven. I think Robert said it best, depending on how well you knew the person. Also, "I'm sorry for your loss. \n\nPlease let me know if there's anything I can do to help." is always appropriate. Depending on how close you are to the grieving person, a gentle touch on the arm, shoulder or a gentle hug is usually welcome. Your heart will guide you.\n\nThe comment, "it will get easier with time" I think is not appropriate, not sympathetic, and will sound heartless to the grieving person. Older people seem to say that sometime; it's not out of cruely; they just don't know what to say.\n\nwanabelong.com had this to say:\n\nBut what do you say to the family? What can be said, other than, “I don’t know what to say?” and “I’ll keep you in my prayers.”  Sometimes it better to say less than more, or to just be there, with a hug and a cup of tea. Why is it we are uncomfortable with death, when it’s probably the only thing we all can guarantee will happen to us in our lives?\n\nOur awkwardness often leads to saying stupid things trying to fill the space of our discomfort with empty statements that still leave us feeling stupid.  When the person grieving does not hear, their hearts breaking with the grief, their energy taken in a journey to revisit every laugh, every argument, every memory, and the words often lost in a sea of internal thoughts.  \n\nThe most profound thing someone can do for another person when someone dies is to listen, to hold them, to just be there, to give comfort and to resist having to have something to say. \n\nYou'll help a lot of people with your question, Jason.\n\nPeace.
169972
It would be unfair to the veterans from WW1, WW2 and the Korean war that had to deal with the same issues. \n\nThere is no doubt that wars kill many people in their mind but not on the battlefield.  Perhaps another monument should be erected to show that.
597131
Sounds like the government is attempting to downplay the numbers of people who are dying in war so that the public won't say "Stop the War, Stop the Killing."\n\nWhen you hear that 20 troops have died it does not have the impact of 20 men and women.\n\nPersonally, I want to see every casket and have a tribute paid to each man and woman.  \n\nA country that does not honor it's dead can't very well honor the living.
657748
Most Americans dont have common sense when it comes to comparing death.  There are many instances like that.  For Example, statistically Marine Corps BootCamp is the absolute safest place for a person to be, yet the media and the people BLOW UP when someone dies there.  STOP COMPARING IRAQ TO NAM! They are nothing alike. Vietnam involved real fighting! Iraq war deaths are mostly IEDs and cowardly tactics like that!
472821
Who's to say what happens when we die?  I mean, I haven't seen anyone come back from the dead and say, hey, this is what it's like.  I'd just say to live your life according to your personal morals and values.  Believe in yourself and your values.  And let those holier than mere mortals judge you.  No person, and certainly no one online, is so omnipresent to have a right to judge you.  Good luck!
939770
well it's not all birdies and sunshine I can tell you that much.  There are a lot of nights when you're up into the wee hours, and a lot of mornings when you're up before the sun.  There's a lot of yelling, and a lot of orders that appear to be pointless. You might feel like giving up sometimes because it's not like anything you've dealt with before....\n\nBut the camaraderie that you experience in the Army is like nothing else you can experience in the "civilian" world.  There's a sense of honor and pride that is instilled in you, to where you hold your head up where ever you go.  You are proud of yourself.  You know that you have done something important with your life.\nAnd the people who serve above you, below you and at your side become as irreplaceable as if they were blood.  \nIt's a good life.  One I'm proud to live.\n\n\nAnd trist:...Obviously if you are telling stories that you grandfather told; You're not in the military.  And you're the one that really has no idea what it's like in a combat zone.  Comparing today's warfare to that of WW2 is like comparing apples and freakin' oranges.
61177
"They wrote in the old days that it is sweet and fitting to die for one's country. But in modern war, there is nothing sweet nor fitting in your dying. You will die like a dog for no good reason."
536850
It does take balls to kill yourself, or your life is so miserable that death is better. I remember Patton saying Don't die for your country let that other poor son of a bit*h die for his
1051746
Well I must ask if you have ever served in a combat zone??  Ever had 35 people trying to take your life with a Kalasnakov 7.62 x 59?? Ever walked through a jungle in South America filled with people trying to find and kill you so they could continue the drug trade?? Ever step out of a high performance Air Force aircraft in the cold and dark of night with 135 pounds of gear strapped to your body??\n Sometimes people need something more to believe in. I have had soldiers die in my arms... watched as team members were shattered into conorted shapes in front of me. As my father did in Korea and Vietnam.... and three of my great uncles in WWII.  \n  If your life depended on one person fearing just a little less and willing to give just a little more.... you might find just a half a heart beat is long enough to pray.\n Maybe I don't believe in or agree with all the politics of this country... but I believe in my fellow soldier... and in God.  Yes, alot of us pray in combat zones.... we pray that one day we can go home to our families.... we pray we won't get shot or struck by an IED on the next partol... we pray our leaders on the ground will make the right choices..... and most of pray we'll never have to come back and do what we do again.\n Ever heard of the National Southern Bapist Convention.... most of them are Democrats... and they have soldiers in the group too.  God doesn't deal with your agenda's and politics.... only your soul.  \n\n So yes, alot of us soldiers do pray in combat.... we just ask that if you don't pray... remember, it was the soldier who gave you the right to worship or not too.  And while bullets are flying... remember it is us that is willing to give our lives so you have the ability to voice your opinion without fear of retribution.
482690
Excellent. In the darkest days of World War 2 the American public began to become disgruntled about being in the war. After reports of thousands of troops dying sometimes daily, many parents of fallen soldiers began to actually write dissenting letters to the generals and and other governmental leaders. But our government made the decision to stay the course and continue to absolute victory. And now, despite the heavy losses, history has vindicated our involvement in the war as being a great triumph over tyranny. The same can be said about our leaders resolve for victory during the darkest days of the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.\n\nSince then, the government gave in to public pressure during the Korean and Vietnamese wars; both of which the military could have ultimately come out victorious. In fact, commanders in the field in Vietnam will tell you that we were not losing the war. In counting casualties, we lost 58,000 troops killed to an astonishing over 2 million Vietnamese. \n\nThe problem is, just like after 9/11, Americans are all patriotic and ready to fight - until the body bags start coming in. You can't win a war like this. In WW2 our leaders fought on despite the pain of losses. Once complete victory and success has been achieved in Iraq, history will vindicate it as a war worth fighting as well. If we just pack up and leave because of public pressure, then just like Vietnam this current conflict will go down in American history as a failure.
184992
No one can answer that question.  It is all about belief and faith and what your heart tells you.  \n\nEven people who say that they died and came back could be argued as having some psychological effect from stopping breathing.  \n\nI would advise that you imagine life after death to be what you want.  I do.  I imagine my family all sitting around playing cards, scrabble with a nice bottle of red wine.
93340
World War 11? \n\nI hope you mean WWII, future boy!\n\n\nEDIT: I don't mean to disparage the contribution your father made to his country...
522670
1. How old were you during WWII?\n2. What do you remember about it? (Then maybe she will do so much talking the ?'s will be easy)\n3. Do you remember rationing?\n4. Do you have anything from that era that I could bring to class (I see extra credit here)\n5. How did you feel when you heard FDR's Pearl Harbor speech?\n6. How did you feel when you heard that the war in europe was over? The war in the east?\n7. Anything else you'd like to tell me?\n\nHope it goes well. You'll get to know your Grandma better and maybe get an "A!"
591990
The standard practice is for the remains to be returned to the grieving family. Beforehand, an individual soldier may make other arrangements (during Vietnam, one Navy pilot requested to be buried at sea if he was killed in action).\n\nA detail is assigned to assist at the funeral. A friend of mine was killed in Iraq, and at her wake there was an active duty sergeant assisting.