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https://www.floridastoriesofservice.org/wwii-vet-harry-beeman-audio/

93-year-old Harry Beeman shares his World War II experience after being severely injured from the war. Only 19-years-old, he survived ten major battles during the Pacific War.

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Harry Beeman
Seventy years after the end of World War II, five Southwest Florida veterans share their experiences, including 93-year-old Harry Beeman of Cape Coral. He was 19-years old when he signed up as an Apprentice Seaman in the US Navy the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. His father had refused to allow him to enlist in the Navy, despite his determination to serve his country. Beeman served four years on the USS Ellet, a small destroyer that survived ten major battles during the Pacific War, including the Battle of Midway. He reflects on his view of war, sometimes in wonderment, he ponders not wanting to miss any action, despite being severely injured.

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Harry Beeman Seventy years after the end of World War II, five Southwest Florida veterans share their experiences, including 93-year-old Harry Beeman of Cape Coral. He was 19-years old when he signed up as an Apprentice Seaman in the USRead more

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Brian Aft, wounded veteran, shares his story.

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Brian Aft, wounded veteran, shares his story.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QCpyRR0T8s

On April 18th 2011, a life changing injury happens to Brian. In the same year, former NFL player David Vobora suffered and traumatic shoulder injury. Both overcame their drug addictions and developed a friendship because of their similar situations.

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This Veteran's Story of Tragedy and Triumph Will Inspire You - Pickler & Ben

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"I was right there between two cultures that I love." Audio recording from an Afghan American Marine.

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"I was right there between two cultures that I love." Audio recording from an Afghan American Marine.

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https://storycorps.org/stories/for-those-left-behind-an-afghan-american-marine-reflects-on-his-homeland/

Ajmal Achekzai fled Afghanistan in 1980 during the onset of the Soviet-Afghan War and would return in November of 2001. He reminisces after the recent return of Taliban control.

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In 1980, Ajmal Achekzai fled Afghanistan during the onset of the Soviet-Afghan War, leaving his birth city of Kabul behind. He was only five years old.

The next time he would return would be in November of 2001. U.S. Marines were the first major ground forces sent to Afghanistan after 9/11. Ajmal was among them.

Cpl. Ajmal Achekzai talks with two Afghan locals on December 10, 2001 at the perimeter of a patrol base in Southern Afghanistan. Photo by Sgt. Joseph R. Chenelly/USMC/Getty Images.

Twenty years later, Ajmal is witnessing the return of Taliban control. He sat down with StoryCorps to remember where he came from, the dire uncertainty of Afghanistan's future and the love he has for its people.

Ajmal Achekzai with his mother, in July of 2001, at the Salt Lake International Airport. Courtesy of the Achekzai family.

Top Photo: Ajmal Achekzai at his StoryCorps interview in Costa Mesa, CA, on August 19th, 2016. By Liyna Anwar for StoryCorps.
This interview is part of the Originally aired September 03, 2021, on NPR's Morning Edition. Anwar Collection of Muslim Voices and Tapestry of Voices Collection through StoryCorps' American Pathways initiative. This initiative is made possible by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art and an Anonymous Foundation. Additional support is provided by the Stuart Family Foundation. It will be archived at the Library of Congress.

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For Those Left Behind: An Afghan American Marine Reflects On His Homeland

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In 1980, Ajmal Achekzai fled Afghanistan during the onset of the Soviet-Afghan War, leaving his birth city of Kabul behind. He was only five years old. The next time he would return would be in November of 2001. U.S. Marines were the first major ground forces sent to Afghanistan after 9/11.

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This image was chosen because it shows how thankful people are for the military and the people who once served in it.

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I chose this picture because it represents all of the hundreds of lives lost in the war, and how much people will do for for the country and freedom they care about.

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The five stars represent Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. The flags represent the span of Americas history. The golden cord represents those who have fallen in defense of this country.

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An emblem of belief for inscription on a Government headstone represents the sincerely held belief of the veteran that constituted a religion or the functional equivalent of religion and was believed by that individual during his or her life.

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https://www.militaryfamily.org

This websites mission is to support military families. They are the voice that military families didn't have. NMFA provides support through bold advocacy, innovative programming, and responsive solutions.

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Eastern 4-H Center is owned and operated by NC State University. The Center's staff is dedicated to providing every camper an opportunity to feel accepted, valued, and cared about as a member of the summer camp community. Creating friendships and a sense of safety are as important to us as the activities we teach.

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Charity providing support to disabled veterans.

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Charity providing support to disabled veterans.

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https://www.dav.org/

This website is a charity that provides support to disabled veterans and helps more than 1 million veterans every year.

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KEEPING OUR PROMISE TO AMERICA'S VETERANS

BECOME A MEMBER

We are veterans serving veterans, and we're stronger together! Join us today for fellowship, support, opportunities to serve, and the many other advantages that come from being a DAV member!

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DAV.org - Disabled American Veterans Charity

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We invite everyone, veterans and civilian, men and women, young and old, to join us. Find a DAV Office or Volunteer to Help Veterans and the Disabled American Veterans Charity.

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Lejeune Memorial Gardens is a veteran memorial located in Jacksonville, NC. The Beirut Memorial tributes 273 marines who had fought in the U.S. invasion of Lebanon and Grenada. The Vietnam Memorial is one of the largest Vietnam memorials in the nation and includes glass walls inscribed with the names of the 58,229 men and women who lost their lives in the war. Finally, the Montford Point Marine Memorial honors the first African-Americans admitted to the Marine Corps during World War II.

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Eulogy for a Veteran

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the Gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the mornings hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.

The repeated "I am" followed by a description of nature means that he is always there and he has never permanently left this world. "Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die" means that he is not just a body under the ground, his soul and memories still spread throughout the world. "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" - Dr. Seuss. I think that quote is fitting for this poem.