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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic:
Respect
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G'Day Fellas.
Some of you will not like this post,and i really dont want to have to write it,but i feel i must.
Over the last 2 odd years i have become very good friends with Russell Pullano,we talk nearly every weekend on Skype and exchange Christmas and Birthday cards.
Russ is 86 years old and served with Ron 9 in the Pacific.
Members of this board,talk about respect for Veterans and thank them all the time for their service,but when a vet tries to reach out and talk to people he gets treated like shit.
Hes an old man and he enjoys sending emails to friends and reminiscing about days gone by.I know for a fact that members of this board have told him to stop sending emails and dont contact them,wheres the respect?
Yes it might be annoying to recieve lots of emails from someone,but hey remember who there from,he wont be here forever and as many of you say hes part of the greatest generation.
Russ doesnt come on the board much anymore because as he says,Modellers and Book Writers are taking over,and thats fair enough because the vets are passing.But if it were not for the Vets you wouldnt be Modelling and Writing.
Please be a bit more tolerent of the worlds Veterans,they wont be here forever.
Of course you dont have to take any notice of this gripe if you dont want to,but think about it.
To all the Vets on this board,i salute you (and i mean it)
Cheers from one cranky Aussie.
Michael
Posted By: Michael | Posted on: Mar 4, 2010 - 1:38am
Total Posts: 218 | Joined: Aug 6, 2007 - 7:25pm
Although I can understand your fustration, I do not think you are speaking for the majority of us here on the message board. I do not have to defend my work with the PT BOAT VETERANS, nor how I feel about them. I have been friends with many of these fellows from all over the United States, and have become very close to several. With the loss of these Veterans each day, it becomes clear that those who build models, write books, and want to learn about the History of the PT BOATS, have taken over this message board. I can feel for Russ because there are not many guys left from his generation to talk to, and that must be a hard pill to swallow.
Although I can not speak for everyone here on the message board, my door is always open to our WWII VETERANS. I have done my utmost to keep thier memories alive through my Exhibits and Books. I am proud to know them, and proud of my work honoring them. There are times when I become very busy with everyday life that I do not get a chance to contact them, but I do try to reach out to them. Russ can contact me anytime he wants and I will be happy to talk with him. As far as E-Mails are concerned, there are some fellows who send junk E-Mails, which is a constant distraction. I do not like them, and in any given day, get upwards of 20 or 30. I would prefer that those Veterans who send these junk E-Mails do not send them, but rather send me a letter so we can chat.
Please tell Russ to come back to the message board. I look forward to hearing what he has to say, and I am sure others do as well. We need to learn as much as we can from these PT BOATERS, and I encourage them to keep putting their memories and stories up on the message board...........
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Mar 4, 2010 - 4:15am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
I would agree with Frank 100%. I'm one of those modelers but have always done my best to treat our vets respectfully. As a modeler I'm not only interested in details but the vets stories as well. That's what makes the models interesting.
Here's a suggestion for Dick. I'm not sure what's involved in doing something like this but has there ever been a discussion about making separate sections to the forum. Perhaps a separate veterans section and modeler's section might be good break out groups. Perhaps that might bring some of the veterans back to this forum. One other suggestion might be to give vets special designation in the forum (special logo maybe).
Dave
David Waples
Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Mar 4, 2010 - 4:45am
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm
I was happy to find this forum a couple years ago and have enjoyed it regularly since. I do not prefer any special perks just because I was there. It was a priveledge to serve like millions did. I have alwasys been treated with respect without being elevated on a pedestal. The war is over, I am a veteran and have long ago become a "common" citizen. I will never forget the horrors of combat but am grateful for the opportunity for a wonderful life ever since. We can never know what really drives the attitudes and opinions of others, but for me to everyone who has an interest in, and shows any support for those of us who served in any capacity. I say THANK YOU. May this group stay together for many years. God Bless you all.
Posted By: BobPic | Posted on: Mar 4, 2010 - 5:47am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
WELL SAID, BOB PIC AND FRANK! (I do think a "Vet Logo" might be kind of cool, though.....
Will
Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Mar 4, 2010 - 6:54am
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm
Micheal;
You wrote:
"Russ doesn’t come on the board much anymore because as he says, Modelers and Book Writers are taking over, and that’s fair enough because the vets are passing"
This is choice that Russ made, we didn't. Speaking for myself, I was brought up respecting these gentlemen, my Father was one he served as an officer in the ETO and the PTO, I am currently a member of the US Navy, and it is impossible for me not to treat these men with respect. For 12 years of my career (which will be 27 years, on 9/4/2010) I was Combatant Craft Crewman in NSW. I have performed missions and training exercises with host nations in 20 countries that can be directly traced back to the tactics employed by PT Boaters of World War 2. I went into this field because I wanted to be just like them. I know for a fact, exactly what we own these men. I am also proud to be a baby boomer (1963), and if it was not for the courage, hardships, and sacrifice of these men during World War 2 there would not have been a baby boom. Hell, if the war had a different outcome, I would definatly be writing you this post in German, and you would have written your original post in Japanese.
Russ has always been and will always be a member of this board, but it is his choice whether he wants to be an active participant or not. While some heated discussions have found their way to this board in the past, I really find it hard to believe one of us did this to Russ.
Forgive me for resorting to my Boatswain Mate Saltiness, but If someone on this board who is a modeler, writer, historian, etc., treated Russ like S---, well it is them who should be treated as such.
Take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Mar 4, 2010 - 8:29am
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
I have been posting my PT experiences on this board for a long time. At times I have posted articles that I felt were not too well received but for the most part comments from certain other members of this board have encouraged me to continue adding my 2 cents whenever I am reminded of events that happened during my Navy career aboard PT 242. I guess I will continue to do so. I certainly enjoy reading the posting by other Vets and their experiences.
C. J. Willis
Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: Mar 4, 2010 - 9:32am
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm
guess it is my turn. first,russ became a good frienf of mine through this message board.i am thankful for this board allowing me to voice my opinions.right or wrong.i am always open to correction and/or critism.i am "getting on",have bad eyesight and mempry slipping a l;ittle.i ,when i can remember it,try to pass on some of my memories of ww2 and my pt boat servivce.as has been said,not many of us left now to do this so any little bit of information we can pass on to others helps the present and future generations to remember us.whether it is text,modeling or photos this is the only thing we can do now.it takes ALL of us to keep the memory of pt boats in ww2 alive.i have been critized at times too but i let it slide as it has not been personal critisism.believe me if it was persoinal i would have let it be known directly to that person but not through this board.we ALL have a right to our opinions.russ IS a good friend of mine and i restect him and his opinions.if he feels he has been wronged he has a right to say so and the other party also has a right to speak up for himself.BUT NOT THROUGH THIS MERSSAGE BOARD>this can be done directly through e mails person to person.when both parties have expressed themselves to each other then the matter should be FINISHED and they should remain friends.this board was intended for pt boat veterans to cite their memories of the boaters aand their experiences in ww2.now that there are so few of uis laft the friends,modeleers,writers and rerlatives help to contribute to us and the past by what they do.when we original pt boaters have gone on our last patrols it will only leave them to carry on for us.i am not a modeler,writer,etc so i am not "into"the details as much as they are.i read some of it and enjoy the stories and photos.but that,s it.i was actuallyon"a pt boat as crewman so i don,t have to have all of this to tell me about it.that is for those who were not there too hwelp them remember and see a pt boat.sorry for this long winded post but we ALL have a part of this discussion.russ ,i am grateful that you are my friend and michael thanks ofor your comments to back him up.we ALL have tyoo much at stake here to "mess it up".russ i ask you and anyone involved to "patch it up".stay on the board and continue to give us all the info you can remember.averyone remember that there is a little word called delete that can be used if you don,t want to read something.it is better to jhust delete and leave it at that.i don,t mind.my eyes are getting worse now and may not be too long before i can,t read message at all so i do appreciate what i can see now even though i mighht not like some of it. PEACE p/s two areas on the board might be a good idea.burt there are not going to be many messages on the vets side as there are not many of us left russ you can send me anything you want.if i don,t like it i will just delete it.we spoke of this before myt friend and fellow pt boater earl now if anyone wants to tell me to SHUT UP.go ahead,i wont mind.i will jusrt delete it
earl richmond
Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Mar 4, 2010 - 11:02am
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm
In the short time I have been a member of this foum I have gone back and read every page and every reply in all 78 pages of this forum. The recipies for PT doughnuts to the pictures of the crumbling concrete wrarf at the Elco plant. This is all part of the PT legacy.
But the stories from the island bases and the trials of living days on end on a boat smaller than a mobile home with a dozen men and most of the space taken up with the big packards, fuel tanks and ammo.
Most of Americans complain about our 3 bedroom houses with 3 bathrooms being too small. It's no wonder our solder's and sailors talk about becoming closer than family.
I would not presume to speak for anyone but myself, but I for one, will read and listen to all of the stories I can of the living histories of those who were willing to write a blank check for everything they had for their beloved country.
Please don't stop telling the stories.
Posted By: djwhite | Posted on: Mar 4, 2010 - 11:49am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Everything that needs said, I feel has already been said, but I just wanted to add weight to the issue. WE NEED the PT veterans (& any veteran for that matter) to continue to be a part of this wonderful tool of research, resources, information & entertainment. They are the footings that everything we enjoy here is based on. I realize that we all probably don't enjoy & even loath all the cutsie e-mails that flood our in boxes everyday, but wading through them in my opinion is a small price to pay for the nuggets-to-mother loads of information we get through our computers as well. My Dad (a Navy veteran) who lives just a few miles from me & reads this forum, sends me all kinds of stuff via e-mail. We have a totally different informational relationship through e-mail than we do in person(meaning we share different info through each of the 2 methods of communication). He sends me lots of great stuff as well as some fluff. I could tell him to stop with the cutsie stuff, but I risk missing something really interesting if I do. I just look at them, read them & save, or delete them as I see fit. I also have a friend who has a son in the Marines currently on his 2nd tour to the middle east. She sends me EVERYTHING, which some days drives me nuts, but she also sends some great updates on his where-abouts & doings that make it all worth it. I can't see anyone getting so annoyed by what's in their in-box that they feel justified in spouting off to one of our vets, or even another forum member. I'm sure it happens & I feel badly about it, but it's not collectively who we are as a forum. I think if you tend to get that way, you should poke your nose outside for a little while, it really drives home the fact that life is a whole lot bigger than us & what we get through our computer screens!
As for the split site.....My Uncle served with Ron 33 at Leyte Gulf, but I'm also a modeler & history buff (but in no way a writer, although this reply is starting to resemble a novel), so I vote to leave everything combined as is. It helps me maintain my level of internet laziness!
Also, Dad if you happen to be reading the forum today, don't take it personal....keep the cute stuff coming!
Just kidding.
:^)
Posted By: Blake | Posted on: Mar 4, 2010 - 1:05pm
Total Posts: 61 | Joined: Apr 18, 2008 - 2:44pm
Earl, you and all the other vets are an invaluable part of this Message Board. Don't any of you ever stop sharing your experiences....
Will
Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Mar 4, 2010 - 1:17pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm
i,personally,. have no intention of stopping.i enjoy this message board too much .it brings back a lot of memories that would have been lost otherwise.i give my respect anmd thanks to all who contribute to it.
earl richmond
Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Mar 4, 2010 - 3:24pm
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm
Hello, my grandfather served in Ron 9, on PT 155 and was C/O of 126. His name was LT. (jg) John L. McKay, would you happen to know which boats Mr. Pullano served on?
Posted By: johnmckay | Posted on: Mar 8, 2010 - 10:20am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
John: I have an uncaptioned crew pic of the 126 boat. Give me your e-mail if you would like a copy.
Will
Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Mar 9, 2010 - 9:51am
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm
I would love to correspond with this gentleman! If I knew his email I would send him a message right now. Can you post his email?
Posted By: colleen | Posted on: Mar 10, 2010 - 9:02am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Thanks to all who replied to this topic.Of course you are the ones who do show respect to the Vets.
As i said in the original post,Some of you wont like this,and maybe they are the ones who didnt bother to reply?
Anyway im sorry that i had to air my opinions on the board but i think i made my point.Russ is happy the issue was raised,i didnt want to embarass him and i told him so,and in his reply he once again related a story that only a gentleman as himself could have showing that he is willing to share as long as its appreciated.
One other point i would like to address,it was implied that i put these men on a pedestal with my respect for them.This is not the case i merely think that it is common courtesy to respect your elders,especially ones who gave there all for our freedom.
In my search for my Grandfather i have and still do,talk to many Vets from all branches,including Base Force and PT Boaters and Seebees,one gentleman i talk to served on LST's and he just about makes me cry everytime i do,because of his beautiful nature and his resiliance he is 90 odd.So no i dont put them on a pedestal,because i know they dont want that either,i just respect them.They deserve it.
I once said on this board that i regarded you members as family,i know its sounds very corney but i meant it,vets, modellers and writers all.But guess which ones are disappearing,so let us treasure them while we can.
Ill go now as i sure you are extremely sick of me,i suppose i should thank you for not ripping me a new one,ha ha
Drop Russ(or any other vet you know ) a line when you can im sure they would appreciate it
Colleen click on one of Russ's posts and there is a icon which you can use to email him,im sure he would love to hear from you,sorry i couldnt help you with those divers i was talking to,who said they might dive the 300
Cheers from OZ
Michael
Posted By: Michael | Posted on: Mar 11, 2010 - 10:28pm
Total Posts: 218 | Joined: Aug 6, 2007 - 7:25pm
Hello Blake,
My father, Lt. Bill Brown, was Captain of the 493 boat in Ron 33. Any chance that you will be going to the reunion? Maybe we can have a cold one together.
Bill Brown
wabrown1993@yahoo.co.
Posted By: Bill Brown | Posted on: Mar 13, 2010 - 1:19pm
Total Posts: 4 | Joined: Jul 21, 2009 - 3:53pm