VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics


Go Back   VAF Forums > Main > RV General Discussion/News
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-29-2006, 04:59 PM
JimWoo50 JimWoo50 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Chicago sw suburbs
Posts: 395
Default Off Topic.My personal hero;a tribute.

Gene Wilbanks was my personal hero. As a younger guy I was a ironworker with Gene and he shared with me the story of how he got a personally signed letter from President Harry S Truman. He was a smallish guy originally from Tennessee where he put food on the table during the depression by hunting rabbits. He signed up to fight and was soon on a island; I think it was Pelileu (sp) where he was a scout. One day he was sent out to recon an area which would be later patrolled in force. What he found was "a bunch of Jap infantry setting up an ambush for my friends." So he did what he had to do and killed them all. I'm sure in addition to the letter from HST he was decorated with a medal or two but he never spoke much about it because in his way of thinking he was "just doing my job." I know this is off topic and unrelated to RV stuff but I think it would be nice if others knew of Gene's exploits; he would probably be embarassed by any attention but here it is anyway. I don't know where he is now he has to be in his eighties but God Bless You Gene and Thanks.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-29-2006, 08:56 PM
mark manda's Avatar
mark manda mark manda is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Bakersfield ,Calyfornia
Posts: 922
Default

I played "Taps" for soldiers and sailors just like Gene today at 1500 local.

It's "Moment of Remembrance" and all buglers are requested to sound "Taps" at 3:00pm. I did so.

Reply With Quote
Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:57 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.