Ken Burns' The War

roz · 09-24-2007, 10:38 PM

Wow, is anyone else watching this?

My father-in-law was a Lt in the Pacific War. He had so many stories to tell but passed away in 1995. I have things he sent my mother-in-law with love notes attached. It was so romantic!

Before he left, he picked up a Samurai sword and a kimono. The sword appears to only be around 1920 and DH says it's ok--but he's not an expert by any means. The Philadelphia Museum of Art wants the kimono. I dunno--am I an art benefactor?

My mother grew up in Italy in WWI and knew what war was like. So, she recognized that war was coming and stockpiled sugar and wheat and all the other things she'd need to care for her family. My mom was 4'9" tall and had one arm to use (her left) and she raised 5 children. Oh, my, did she have stories to tell. But she died in 2003. And we are using the last roll of aluminum foil she saved just now. I have to say that I will miss the fact that it is a higher quality of foil than we have now. For all my life, I have been used to this high quality foil that has not been available for 50 years!

I'm not saying my dad didn't have stories--his family came over in 1898 after a pogrom. So, it's not that there are not stories, it's just that they are not part of this tale of WWII. He did have to change his name, legally, to survive in the USA however. It's amazing to read the court document.

But, as the story unfolds, I can tell you of other Dutch side of the family--most of which perished in the ovens.

So, the bottom line, folks, is to get the stories out of your grandparents and parents before they die.

SeatClutcher · 09-24-2007, 11:03 PM

is THAT what that is!!?? I had no idea it was on TV, but I kept seeing 'The War' on my guide channel. I didn't put that together with the Burns documentary. Something to watch tonight!

I loved the one on the Civil War.

czechmate · 09-25-2007, 08:22 AM

I saw I little of it last night.

My grandfather was stationed at Pearl Harbor. He had so many great and yet sad stories. He was very lucky to survive the attack.

I heard his stories for so many years, but never took the time to really listen. He died 12/31/01 and I miss him dearly.

I wish I would have taken the time to listen and remember all of his stories so I could pass them onto my children.
The good thing is that my grandfather was interviewed several times and we have it in print and from tv. Still, I wish my kids could hear it from him -- he was my hero.

Jen

09-24-2007, 10:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
roz Jetgirls Ol' School Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Philly Posts: 2,267 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Ken Burns' The War Wow, is anyone else watching this? My father-in-law was a Lt in the Pacific War. He had so many stories to tell but passed away in 1995. I have things he sent my mother-in-law with love notes attached. It was so romantic! Before he left, he picked up a Samurai sword and a kimono. The sword appears to only be around 1920 and DH says it's ok--but he's not an expert by any means. The Philadelphia Museum of Art wants the kimono. I dunno--am I an art benefactor? My mother grew up in Italy in WWI and knew what war was like. So, she recognized that war was coming and stockpiled sugar and wheat and all the other things she'd need to care for her family. My mom was 4'9" tall and had one arm to use (her left) and she raised 5 children. Oh, my, did she have stories to tell. But she died in 2003. And we are using the last roll of aluminum foil she saved just now. I have to say that I will miss the fact that it is a higher quality of foil than we have now. For all my life, I have been used to this high quality foil that has not been available for 50 years! I'm not saying my dad didn't have stories--his family came over in 1898 after a pogrom. So, it's not that there are not stories, it's just that they are not part of this tale of WWII. He did have to change his name, legally, to survive in the USA however. It's amazing to read the court document. But, as the story unfolds, I can tell you of other Dutch side of the family--most of which perished in the ovens. So, the bottom line, folks, is to get the stories out of your grandparents and parents before they die. __________________ Loving wife to a Bus Driver!

09-24-2007, 11:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
SeatClutcher Jetgirls Ol' School Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Manchester, CT Posts: 916 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Ken Burns' The War is THAT what that is!!?? I had no idea it was on TV, but I kept seeing 'The War' on my guide channel. I didn't put that together with the Burns documentary. Something to watch tonight! I loved the one on the Civil War. __________________ Blog: Words about stuff "Freedom of choice isn't the same thing as being pro-choice." - said by a voter at the RNC

09-25-2007, 08:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
czechmate Jetgirls Ol' School Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hebron, KY Posts: 552 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Ken Burns' The War I saw I little of it last night. My grandfather was stationed at Pearl Harbor. He had so many great and yet sad stories. He was very lucky to survive the attack. I heard his stories for so many years, but never took the time to really listen. He died 12/31/01 and I miss him dearly. I wish I would have taken the time to listen and remember all of his stories so I could pass them onto my children. The good thing is that my grandfather was interviewed several times and we have it in print and from tv. Still, I wish my kids could hear it from him -- he was my hero. Jen

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