I Had a Birthday Lunch with . . . . . .

[Keith_Hixson]

I had a birthday lunch with Milton (Milt) Lewis - 93 today.

He was drafted off the dairy farm he owned in 1940. He was single and 32 yrs. old. Pretty old for a draftee. He was a PFC when Pearl Harbor was hit. But, because of the lack of NCO's soon became a SGT and instructor at a Artillery School. Trained guys in artillery stateside for 3 1/2 years before being shipped to England and made an Artillery Squad SGT. He had four artillery pieces in his Unit and 8 - 10 men in his squad. He landed on Normandy five days after D-day. Chased Germans all the way to Berlin. Won the Bronze Star for Bravery in Action. Participated in the many of the Battles in France and Germany including the Battle of the Bulge, made him mad that the Germans had ruined his Christmas. He has told me many a WW II war story. His squad tries to get together for a reunion once every couple of years. At 93 he is still bright and has that same sick warped humor that many of us possess. Just a great gentleman. Went back to his Dairy and farmed until he retired 20 years ago. His little brother, 14 years younger than Milton, was in one of the Airborne Units in WW II (82nd I believe), both are doing well physically. Over half the guys in his squad are gone now. He was ten to fifteen years older than most of them. Still drives and gets around pretty good. Married after the War, lost his first wife to cancer but has been married to Elsie for over 26 years. They are a kick in the seat of the pants to be around.

Just thought you guys should know that another WW II vet had a Birthday today. He's the oldest WW II vet in our city, was honored in the local Veterans Day Parade. He had a special Hummer all his own to ride in.

Keith

[SuperScout]

Your very warm and welcome story has caused me to import this idea down here, and take a vet to lunch, once per month. We owe so much to our WWII guys, and can honor them with our rapt attention to the stories some are telling for the first time. Thanks for being there for your old vet, and for inspiring us down in Texas way!

[nang]

My step-father was a fighter pilot in wwII. Flew more successful missions than anyone else. He's 87 and still taking care of 10 acres of land. They're getting a computer soon. Can't wait till he can get on line and talk to you guys.

[philly]

Keith,

That sounds like time well spent. Eating lunch with such an interesting man of his caliber, must be fun. I could only imagine how interesting and witty he must be at 93 yrs. old. If he isn't already doing so, he should write his memoirs.

It's a very nice story.

[Keith_Hixson]

I've tried to get him to do that. He has one really special story about the Battle of Bulge and Christmas Day! I'd like to post that story on or about Christmas.

He told me about the time he really got scared. His unit was packed up and moving to another location. Totally vunerable! It was towards the end of the war and they were in German. The came around a turn in the road and came face to face with a panzer tank. They only had a couple of M1 carbines in their squad. All of sudden the tank commander popped up with a white flag. They were just hunting for someone so they could surrender. He said his squad thought they were dead meat. But, they turned out to be "real nice guys just wanting to end the war." How they ever got past the infantry to the artillery he couldn't figure out. He said he just about wet his pants.

Keith

[philly]

Keith,

That's a great story. I'm glad both sides didn't panic. I'd like to think it wasn't luck that met him that day, but fate. He fought in a fierce war, but in the end he could embrace his enemy. That's where the mending of souls could take place.

Beautiful story...