16ga.com ~ View topic - This mornings thought w/Re. to D-Day

Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Posts: 107 Location: N.W. Iowa

This morning as I was out side drinking coffe I realized it was June 6th,D-Day.The first thought was tommorows the 7th and I'm supposed to do something but can't remember what?????(Anniversary)
As I was thinking about D-Day I was inclined to go back some years and remember my first experiences at a Skeet range and after about 5 minutes I thought I should write them down.Here's how it began.

A day at the Skeet range
1-Buy 16 gauge Citori
2-Buy 16 gauge reloader
3-Buy 16 gauge shells....LOTS of them
4-Sit at reloading bench and daydream
5-Go to Skeet range for the 1st time Sunday 5-30-1993
6-Sit on bench and spectate
7-Close mouth you look stupid
8-Get invited to join in
9-Get overwhelmed
10-Have panic attack on Sta.8
11-Go drink beer at club house celebrate a 22
12-Go home wipe down gun and throw hulls in Bucket
13-Feel sence of addiction...Smile
14-Wish today was Saturday a we shoot on Sunday
15-Go back to bench and read 16 gauge data
16Daydream...read more...daydream
17-Grab 220 Swift and shoot crow
18-Momentarilly forget about reloading as you've hit 2 with one shot..On purpose
19-6-6-1993------ D-Day
20-Grab new bullets and gun
21-Go to Skeet range again
22-Break targets 1st round,have fun
23-2nd round ,Get fundemental tips from Dave
24-Realize Dave's evil
25-Take targets backwards at Sta.6
26-Begin to ponder ways to punish Dave
27-Give Dave customary hand shake for going straight(again)
28-Go to club house and drink beer
29-Express gratitude,Buy rounds for all and pay for Daves birds(Alterior motive)
30-Feel great sence of honor that a guy like me would be accepted by a group of WWII vets at 1/3 their age
31-Join club
32-Drink more beer
33-Show off latest trick taught to Dog
34-Make colorfull statements with Re. to why you would teach Dog to "Clean his unit" on command
35-Go home clean gun
36-Throw hulls in bucket
37-Sit at bench and daydream
38-Forget Anniversary
39-Feel very gratefull for the opportunity to share the lives of Heros(And Dave too)

Just todays thoughts thanks for taking the time to read it and Thank you to the vets that are here
Regards and best;ST

Item #36 caused me to snort beer

Item #40 caused me to inhale it back...

Great post!

Yet a US Navy battle this same week, just 6 months after Pearl Harbor and a full 2 years before D-Day, goes largely unnoticed, lost down the memory hole; yet it certainly represents "the greatest naval victory in history” and perhaps the pivotal event in world military history since the Battle of Little Round Top at Gettysburg in July 1863.

"Midway was far more than a decisive naval victory. It was far more than the turning of the tide in the Pacific war. In a strategic sense, Midway represents one of the turning points of world history -- and in that role it remains under-appreciated."

----James R. Schlesinger, former US Secretary of Defense

Member Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Posts: 120 Location: FL

I too am reflecting today on this anniversary.
I would like to personally thank everyone who has put on a uniform for this country.
I come from a family with a rich military history, with most males having served in one form or another.
We lost my grandfather in WWII in a bombing run over France in 1943, my mother was 2 years old.
I often think about growing up in Northern Indiana and what could have been, would grandpa have taken me and my brother on our first pheasant or rabbit hunt?
Would he have passed down that treasured 16 ga. double or Winchester Model 12?
My father, my brother and I don't take anything for granted and take pride in passing our hunting tradition down to my two nephews.
(Even my niece likes to come with us once in awhile and bring her .410 single barrel.)
Raise a toast to those who have come before and those who come after us.
After dinner I'm going to have a glass or two of good bourbon and a fine cigar.
Good evening gents!