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"Here’s an old friend" says : WWII veteran rides on Sherman tank again

Discussion in 'WWII Today' started by Biak, Feb 21, 2019.

  1. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    Bringing the Past into the present.
    Clarence Smoyer had not been inside a Sherman tank since 1945, when he occupied a gunner’s seat as the Third Armored Division blasted its way inside Germany at the tip of the American advance to help end the carnage of World War II.

    But on Wednesday afternoon, as the 95-year-old left the Residence Inn on the Charlestown waterfront, Smoyer was greeted by the startling sight of a Sherman, a 33-ton “sardine can” as he had called it, parked on the street and waiting for him to climb aboard once again.

    “Here’s an old friend,” Smoyer said, smiling broadly, as he moved slowly toward the tank, aided by a cane. “This tank saved my life. It’s a beauty.”


    MUCH MORE IN THE ARTICLE;

    ‘Here’s an old friend. This tank saved my life’: WWII veteran rides on Sherman tank again - The Boston Globe
     
    Biak, Feb 21, 2019
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  2. TD-Tommy776

    TD-Tommy776 Man of Constant Sorrow

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    You beat me to it, Biak! The tank ride was a surprise for him. His daughter sent me an invite/heads up on the 16th. If I lived closer, I would have made the trip. They have some great photos in the article. The last pic is my favorite. Clarence looks really happy. :)

    Here's a video about the Boston event:

     
    TD-Tommy776, Feb 22, 2019
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  3. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    Don't ya just hate those missed opportunities ?! I've had a couple and oh the regrets that follow.
     
    Biak, Feb 22, 2019
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  4. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    LRusso216, Feb 22, 2019
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  5. TD-Tommy776

    TD-Tommy776 Man of Constant Sorrow

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    TD-Tommy776, Feb 22, 2019
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  6. George Patton

    George Patton Canadian Refugee

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    What an honor to have a WW2 tanker vet in the Sherman (I mean for the owner of the Sherman). I'd gladly arrange for a ride for any WW2 vet in the area. Unfortunetly there's fewer and fewer every day.

    1.5 years ago a man in his 50s came up to me at an event and asked if my vehicle was what his father (who was a co-driver and later gunner) would have been in. I said yes, and he said he'd be back the following day with his father. To my surprise they showed up around 11AM, in 100 degree F weather ad high humidity. His father had advanced Alzheimer's and had both memory and cognitive degregation and had difficulty talking, but was in excellent shape physically -- still mobile, without aids such as a cane or walker, and refused to sit down despite talking for over 30 minutes in the heat. He had 3 Shermans shot out from under him in Italy and Normandy. The last one caught fire, and he suffered severe burns. Following his recovery he trained tankers in England until the end of the war. I tried to talk him into a ride, but he unfortunetly did not want to go. His son said he hadn't discussed his service in that level of detail before -- I'd imagine that seeing his old "mount" again brought back memories (likely good and bad, which may explain why he as hesitant to go inside). I asked to take a photo of him in front. Without hesitation he walked to the driver's side and placed his hand on the front glascias near the lift ring above the headlight and siren. His son leaned over to tell me there's a photo of him from 1943 in Italy where he has the exact same pose.
     
    George Patton, Feb 22, 2019
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  7. TD-Tommy776

    TD-Tommy776 Man of Constant Sorrow

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    Fantastic story, GP. Thanks for sharing it.
     
    TD-Tommy776, Feb 23, 2019
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  8. RRA227

    RRA227 Member

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    That was on the front page of the local paper. Rich A. in Pa.
     
    RRA227, Feb 24, 2019
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  9. TD-Tommy776

    TD-Tommy776 Man of Constant Sorrow

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    TD-Tommy776, Feb 24, 2019
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  10. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    No. I didn't know about it until I saw it on the news. I guess he's making the rounds to help sell the book.
     
    LRusso216, Feb 24, 2019
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  11. TD-Tommy776

    TD-Tommy776 Man of Constant Sorrow

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    Yes, and he's enjoying every minute of it!
     
    TD-Tommy776, Feb 24, 2019
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  12. George Patton

    George Patton Canadian Refugee

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    If he ever wants to visit "beautiful" Ontario, I'm extending an open invitation!
     
    George Patton, Feb 24, 2019
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