The Loadout Room
Menu
  • Shooting
        • Pistol
        • Pistol Accessories
        • Rifle
        • Rifle Accessories
        • Shotgun
        • Machine Guns
        • Air Guns
        • Ammunition
        • Optics and Sights
        • Weapon Lights
        • Tips & How-To
        • Concealed Carry
        • Holsters
        • Suppressors
        • Precision Rifle Shooting
        • Firearms Training
        • 1A Gun to Ride the River With: The Smith & Wesson 686
        • The Tristar folding shotgun is ready for your wilderness adventuresThe Tristar folding shotgun is ready for your wilderness adventures
        • maxim defense cqb stock (8)The Maxim Defense CQB Stock: Short and Sweet
        • Perfecting your zero | A little help goes a LONG wayPerfecting your zero | A little help goes a LONG way
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • RIP-MVehicle Preparedness: Fast access to essential items | Grey Man Tactical RIP-M
        • Midland radioOverland Essential | Midland Radio MXT275 | GXT1000
        • ppGrab your gear and go | Here’s everything you’d need to build an adventure go bag
        • Scrubba Washbag: Keep your clothes clean in the fieldScrubba Washbag: Keep your clothes clean in the field
    • Close
  • Men’s Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • EDC
      • Eyewear
      • Watches
      • Electronics & Technology
      • Downtime
      • Mens Clothing & Accessories
      • Manly Skills
      • Style & Grooming
      • Gentleman Drinks
      • Crate Club
        • The Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stingerThe Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stinger
        • How to determine how long you have before the sun setsHow to determine how long you have before the sun sets
        • fireWilderness survival expert breaks down how to build a fire
        • 5.11 Tactical Expedition Long Sleeve Shirt5.11 Tactical Expedition Long Sleeve Shirt, SWAT Tested and Approved
    • Close
  • News
  • Video Demo
  • Shop

4th of July: Tales from the Past

4th of July: Tales from the Past

July 4, 2018 by Rick Dembroski Leave a Comment

This 4th of July I chose to remember the Veterans of past conflicts. The marker is from the grave of Cpl William A Smith, a World War One Veteran who served with the 2nd Brigade of the 26th Infantry Regiment during the Battle of the Soissons. On July 19th 1918 one day into the four-day offensive he became one of 12,000 estimated United States casualties, in that day he during the advance he not only got shot by an 8mm Mauser but received the bonus of six pieces of German shrapnel that he would carry inside himself till 1979. That man would survive the war, return home to Harbor Springs, Michigan, get married and raise a family on a farm with his hometown sweetheart and eventually become my great-grandfather. The story of his life from 1917-1920 is largely only remembered in scraps of newspaper articles and a bronze headstone marker.

On this July 4th, I would ask people in the name of the republic and the freedoms that we honor to remember our elderly Veterans. Reach out and talk to them, get them to tell you the stories of their lives and their military histories. Many people like to focus on the battles and conflicts of war, which only tell a part of the Veterans story. When you talk to these men and women get the story of their feelings, their friends and comrades they made during their time in the service. These are the stories that disappear when they pass away, these are the human elements of conflict that help define our times. In my lifetime I have seen the death of the last remaining Veterans from World War One, and by most estimates, there are less than 620,000 of the more than 16 million who served in World War II. Once these Veterans are gone, so is their oral history. Reach out and connect with your Veteran brothers and sisters this 4th of July, and learn the story of their lives.

 

Share This

Filed Under: Op-Ed Tagged With: 4th of July, America, brotherhood, freedom, Independence Day, Memorial, Never Forget, Rick Dembroski, Sacrifice, Service, WW1

About the Author

Avatar

Rick Dembroski I spent 10 of the best years of my life as a USAF Civil Engineer, traveling the globe, drinking beer, and causing chaos. My superiors dubbed me "King of Useless Knowledge" a title that I still love to this day. I separated in 2002 as a SSgt (E5- in the USAF), and chose to stay in the frozen north of Alaska, currently I work as an Emergency Management Specialist where I combine my love of chaos and preparedness to ensure people know how to survive disasters.

See All Rick Dembroski Articles

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

What’s Hot

Top 8 upgrades every Kel-Tec Sub 2000 owner needs: MCARBO parts review
Featured

Top 8 upgrades every Kel-Tec Sub 2000 owner needs: MCARBO parts review

Why .45ACP is an outdated caliber
Ammunition

Why 45 ACP is an outdated caliber

Featured

Stories from Delta Force Selection: When not to dance

AR Build Kits under $300
Firearms Technology

Peak AR: Davidson Defense AR Build Kits under $300

What Do You Really Need in Your Trauma Kit?
Medical Gear

IFAK - What do you really need?

Email Newsletter

Sign up to receive email updates daily and to hear what's going on with us!

In Case You Missed It

Gear Reviews

A Gun to Ride the River With: The Smith & Wesson 686

October 9, 2019 Leave a Comment

Camping Gear

The MSR Pocket Rocket | Your little camp dragon

October 8, 2019 Leave a Comment

The Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stinger
EDC

The Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stinger

October 7, 2019 Leave a Comment

Gear Reviews

A plate carrier for the big boys: AR500’s Testudo Gen 2 is a good pick for large frames

October 7, 2019 Leave a Comment

Get it on Google Play

© Copyright 2021 Crate Club Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers