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Author
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Topic: Met a survivor of the Bataan Death March
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booger
TOO BIG TO FAIL
Member # 3602
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posted October 25, 2011 04:32 PM
We have had some discussions about WWII stuff, and I have had the opportunity this week to meet a 97 year old survivor of the Bataan Death March.
Dr. Bill Brenner lives in Larned, Kansas, but was born near Bazine, Kansas, in Ness County. I am managing a branch bank in Bazine, and Doc's nephew works for me.
He is still pretty damn spry for his age, and his mind is still very sharp. One of our local community college professors met him a while back and decided to write a book about him. The book is called "I'm praying hard for you-Love letters to a Death Camp".
He not only survived the march, but survived 3 1/2 years in a Jap concentration camp in the Philippines.
The book is written from the perspective of what his experience was like, inter twined with actual letters from his wife...she continued to write him even though the letters were returned. The book is very good and pretty intense. In fact, I had to put it down a couple of times, as the words on the pages were putting pictures in my mind I couldn't quite comprehend.
I knew some of the Japanese soldiers were crazy, but the conditions those guys had to endure in those camps were unbelievable.
His brother ended up being a POW in Germany, although not as long.
They have a website called www.prayinghardforyou.com. It just pretty much promotes the book and is just a landing page.
He is giving a presentation on November 20th about his experience, and my wife and I are planning on going--he is a real piece of living history!
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If we ever forget we are one Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under--Ronald Reagan
Posts: 911 | From: Bob Dole Country | Registered: Apr 2010
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted October 25, 2011 06:13 PM
Wow! He has been through stuff I probably cannot comprehend, much less the ability of the X and Y generation to know what the man has been through. And, that's a shame. That sacrifice needs to be acknowledged by everybody.
gh....lb
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32366 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Paul Melching
Radical Operator Forum "You won't get past the front gate"
Member # 885
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posted October 26, 2011 05:23 AM
Booger
I cant imagine the hardships he has been through and the sacrifices he has made for the life we enjoy today. What an honor to meet a real life hero. The amazing thing is he probably sees himself as just an average guy.
Is there an address we can send a note of thaks to this man while he is still with us.
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Those who value security over liberty soon will have neither !
Posts: 4188 | From: The forest ! north of the dez. | Registered: Jul 2006
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
Member # 3530
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posted October 26, 2011 11:30 AM
God bless him..
Posts: 2274 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Dec 2009
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booger
TOO BIG TO FAIL
Member # 3602
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posted October 26, 2011 05:43 PM
Paul,
I will get Doc's address tomorrow and try to get it posted tomorrow evening. I am sure he would appreciate your kind words.
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If we ever forget we are one Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under--Ronald Reagan
Posts: 911 | From: Bob Dole Country | Registered: Apr 2010
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JD
HONORARY OKIE .... and Tim's at fault!
Member # 768
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posted October 26, 2011 09:30 PM
Great idea Paul, when you think about what that man has seen and overcome it kinda humbles a person a little bit. Maybe I shouldn't complain so much about lifes little inconveniences.
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Jason
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What do Obama & TA17Rem have in common........both are clueless asshats!!!
Posts: 1456 | From: NE. | Registered: Dec 2005
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booger
TOO BIG TO FAIL
Member # 3602
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posted October 27, 2011 05:17 PM
Guys:
Doc's address is as follows:
Dr. William R. Brenner
1006 State Street
Larned, KS 67550
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If we ever forget we are one Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under--Ronald Reagan
Posts: 911 | From: Bob Dole Country | Registered: Apr 2010
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Paul Melching
Radical Operator Forum "You won't get past the front gate"
Member # 885
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posted October 27, 2011 05:43 PM
Thanks Booger
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Those who value security over liberty soon will have neither !
Posts: 4188 | From: The forest ! north of the dez. | Registered: Jul 2006
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