100th Bomb Group Posted June 23, 2013 Share #1 Posted June 23, 2013 I had the opportunity to visit New Orleans to see the National WW 2 Museum something that I've wanted to do for a long time. While I was there with my brother-in-law and son we got the chance to talk to a true hero Mr. Tom Blakey. Mr. Blakey was with the 82nd Airborne and jumped behind Nazi lines on D-Day. He told us he had a no nonsense Lt. that was leading the platoon and that night he got his men together in a room and told them of their objective which was to take and hold a bridge. The Lt. told them they would hold the bridge at all costs. Mr. Blakey stated they assaulted the bridge just before dawn and held it even after the Nazis attacked with 4 tanks, three of which they knocked out. Then came hundreds of soliders but they held the bridge until reinforcements arrived. We could have listened to him forever and his recall was just like it happened yesterday. Anyway after his talk we shook his hand and thanked him for his service and then asked if we could get a photo with a real hero. Mr. Blakey kindly obliged and as we got by him he said let me tell you something about this hero stuff. He said he was no hero he was just lucky to make it back home the real heores were the men under the white crosses. Humble to the end. No wonder we consider them the "Greatest Generation". I will remember this for the rest of my life and so will my son. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azeeze312 Posted June 24, 2013 Share #2 Posted June 24, 2013 Very Cool! I had a chance to visit it, when it was still the D-Day museum! I would love to go back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenCross Posted June 24, 2013 Share #3 Posted June 24, 2013 What an excellent experience! Sounds like it was a great time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uniformcollector Posted June 24, 2013 Share #4 Posted June 24, 2013 I have visited it a few times as well and it is an amazing museum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HattonWWII Posted June 25, 2013 Share #5 Posted June 25, 2013 Great museum I visited it a few years ago, when some construction was going on. Would have loved to talk to that gentlemen with you. The humble soldiers are the ones who did their best for our country IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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