[PEN-L:384] Re: R-Saving Private Ryan

[JayHecht@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 98-07-30 08:43:51 EDT, you write:

<<  This veteran of many bombing missions over France and Germany
 finds it incredible that those who told of their fathers' experiences
 displayed no awareness of the fact that if it had not been for the Soviets
 (Russians we called them in those days) their fathers might well have never
 come back. >>
Frank,

   My dad met the Red Army at the Elbe and had the UTMOST respect for them.
People that have survived the terror and chaos of combat don't have to speak
the same language to understand. He recounted to me how many RA soldiers
barely had boots on their feet and how miserable they seemed (mind you, my dad
got frozen feet because Patton thought the campaign would be over by Fall!).
While the GIs of my dad's company shared their food, partied and hung out
together, his Sgt. (a staunch union guy) said "we shouldn't stop at the Elbe,
we can make it to Vladivostok."  My dad thought the guy was nuts.


   BTW, all the comments from Jim C, Jim D, Frances, Mike Y, Louis P. and
anyone else.  I was reluctant to share what I consider somewhat personal
stuff.  I was moved by these re-collections, and to know that others
experienced a similar remoteness/reluctance from their fathers to talk about
their wartime experiences.

Thanks,

Jason