redoldsman

Last Tuesday on Veteran's Day, I participated in an event with my car that I will never be able to match. I participated in the Dallas Veteran' Day Parade and chauffeured a 92 year old Marine. His name is R.V. Burgin and he served in the Pacific in WWII. He was in some of the toughest battles in the Pacific on a tiny island called Peleliu and then on Okinawa. He was award the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. There was an HBO Series called The Pacific and he was featured. He wore the same dress blue uniform he wore in 1946 when he received the Bronze Star. He had written a book title Islands of The Damned which I had read. I only met him in August at a car show in conjunction with the CAF and he had a table in the hanger where he was signing books. I introduced myself and chatted with him for a few minutes and had the idea of taking him in the parade. I contacted the parade committee and was able to put it together. There is a group doing a documentary of his life and they actually filmed the parade. One of the crew rode in the car with us. I must say, I was honored to be able to spend the day with a real Hero. When I looked at the smile on his face in my rear view mirror and in the pictures, I knew I had done a good deed. It will never matter how many car shows I place in, nothing will ever top this experience. I have attached a few photos and a link to R.V. Burgin's website.

http://marinervburgin.com/gallery.htm

oldcutlass

Very cool, it's always nice that we can find ways to give these special people the attention they have earned and deserve. They are a valuable resource in our Country's history.

oldspackrat

That is great!

Koda

Oorah.

TripDeuces

Love it!

Paladin31

Bump for Honor.

Thanks for sharing.

Brett

Tedd Thompson

I thank both of you for your service. What a honor to be able to give this great vet a ride in your car. I'm proud of both of you...Tedd

redoldsman

Thanks Tedd. I appreciate your comments and I know R.V. Burgin would. I called Mr. Burgin last week and checked on him. I had given him one of the magnetic signs off the car. He told me he has it on the freezer on the bottom of his refrigerator. I have the other one up out in my man cave. I hope we have the opportunity to use them again next year.

Tedd Thompson

Time is getting short for all the WW2 vets, I'm lucky my dad is still healthy and out and about and we will be hunting pheasants together this Friday. The hunts are a lot shorter but the memories will go on forever. Pop will be 88 in a little over two weeks.....Tedd

citcapp

What a selfless thing to do. I admire both of you for your service.

Thanks