70 years ago.

[BoldHighlander]

Thanks Jock for that reminder.
Over here its usually December 7th (Pearl Harbor day) we most remember, for obvious reasons
Actually I had forgotten Sept 3rd, 1939, and ironically yesterday my 10 yr old daughter said something about WWII starting with Pearl Harbor, and I told her "yes, for us, but you must remember that for Europe the shooting started in 1939."

I find as we drift further away from the actual events, as the participants die off in larger numbers, that (over here) I just don't hear about Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, D-Day, etc etc in the media (etc) like I did as a kid -- unless a new Hollywood film is coming out, but then its short lived.

Jock, do you find that to be the case on your side of the pond?

[McClef]

The American perception in 1939 was that it was primarily a European War (though the British Empire was also involved) so I expect that Pearl Harbour was the defining moment for US entry and still is in how history is viewed.

Sympathies were growing in the intervening period however including practical help such as Lend Lease.

[Sir William]

Jock,

I used to be an avid reader of WWII history, particularly of the British role after I spent a few years in the UK in the late 60s (I read everything I could on the Battle of Britain). At one time I knew the date just as well as I did December 7th, but over the years it had faded in my memory. Thanks for bringing it back to my attention. I know I'll remember it now as its also the same date as my wedding anniversary.

[Jock Scot]

Thanks Jock for that reminder.
Over here its usually December 7th (Pearl Harbor day) we most remember, for obvious reasons
Actually I had forgotten Sept 3rd, 1939, and ironically yesterday my 10 yr old daughter said something about WWII starting with Pearl Harbor, and I told her "yes, for us, but you must remember that for Europe the shooting started in 1939."

I find as we drift further away from the actual events, as the participants die off in larger numbers, that (over here) I just don't hear about Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, D-Day, etc etc in the media (etc) like I did as a kid -- unless a new Hollywood film is coming out, but then its short lived.

Jock, do you find that to be the case on your side of the pond?

I suppose it is inevitable, as the older generation pass on, that the younger generation find it more difficult to relate to our recent past.My 14 year old step children cannot comprehend it, when I say to them, I have seen one of those,I remember seeing German prisoners, I remember seeing the Commandos training up in the hills or, on the lochs,I remember bombed out streets, I remember rationing, I met my father for the first time when I was 7 years old(apart from a couple of minutes that I don't remember),I only saw my mother at very short notice and for only a few hours when the hospital ship was in dock. We were dicussing it all last night.They just cannot relate to it. To them a war going on the other side of the world, as it is now, is the only thing that they can relate too.In a way, thank goodness---------but-----------.

[MacKay71 Wife]

Jock, I missed it by a day due to illness, but thank you so much for this reminder. "Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it!"

My mother's father was in the Navy during this war and was in a small handful of men who survived a torpedo sinking of their ship. He was actually caught on something on the ship and was going down with it when there was another explosion and he was blown to the surface. I am fortunate to have several newspaper articles of the event with pictures of him recovering in the hospital and another picture of my grandmother and his mother reading the telegram from the Navy stating that he had survived. He lost 90% hearing in one ear and 15% in the other.
My mother's stepfather (her daddy) was a paratrooper and was briefly captured in France. When he escaped, he was able to free about 10 others with him. Some local people helped to hide them and then aided their escape. Although he died in 1992, I vividly remember hearing him talk about his experiences and never tired of hearing his stories.
My father's uncle was with General Chenault's Flying Tigers in the China/Burma/India campaign.
Thank you so much for this timely reminder and thus the renewed memory of my own family members who willingly risked their lives so that others could be free.

[dfmacliam]

Remember those who paid the price... For me, the War shaped my life.. My Grandfather left Dublin, Ireland to help in the war effort... My mother was born in Nottingham, because it was a safe area from the bombing.... The family lived in Great Yarmouth.... but were relocated because of the war.. I was born not far from Bentwaters RAF Station, at Sutton Woodbridge... Bentwaters was built as a bomber base for the War..

Today, I will take a few moments, and think about how this day.. and what it means to so many... The price of freedom... and how so many paid that price.. How so many innocents were lost... Thank you Jock for the reminder. This has really shaped the lives of all of us..

[Tartan Shortbread Jock]

A generation lost but never forgotten.

[ChubRock]

Winston Churchill was back in the government when Chamberlain appointed him First Lord of the Admiralty on September 3rd 1939. A man who gave the world so much!

"It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required."
Sir Winston Churchill

[McMurdo]

All I can echo is the thanks for the reminder Jock, Lest We Forget indeed.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

[pdcorlis]

We owe so many a debt that can not be repaid - thank you for the reminder Jock.