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FOR TODAY:  The crew of WSLC number 8 is about ready to take on water from the penstock.  After the slow march of its' train load of timber, from up in the mountains to Patsburg yard, number 8 is ready for a drink of water before its' slow march back up the mountain with a cut of empty flat cars.  Hogger Toots Haggert sits at the throttle, as brakemen Wiff Suggs and J.D. Dexter  stretch their legs on the ground.   98FEF759-3394-4F21-AF52-379F2C425BE4_1_201_a

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FOR TODAY:  The RIP Track is busy today ..... It may be still on the front side of planting season but this FJSR Car Dept. crew is on the RIP track repairing the top hatches on this vat car well before harvest season.  They've got 15 of these vat cars to be ah fixen today!

Car Dept. Superintendant A.J. Nichols seems to always have his sights set far down the field.  Ol Grumpy AJ, as his crews reffer to him, always thinks way ahead.  His crews get enough of the daily repair work of replacing brake shoes, busted couplers, etc.  He don't need to be ah fixen a bunch of vat cars in mid July.  

Here we see master welder Flint Sparks on top of the car as his helper, Ned Noakly,  looks on.  Ol' Grumpy AJ is seen on the ground, in yellow hard hat facing away from the camera. He's ah chewin out Foreman Biff Quigly, who leans on the tailgate of the pick up,  for not having more men on this project.  Boy oh boy poor Biff is getting an ear full too!  Car mechanic Don Bevans opens the door to the pick up truck pretending not o hear any of the #^$% tongue lashing.  One thing fir sure ... that young feller who's standing by that pile of ties looking on .... well, he's ah learning a whole mess of new words today ... and that's fir gol dang sure!!  Just another day on the railroad!   F91AD119-044A-4F55-84E5-F92621CD74CF_1_201_a

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FOR TODAY: A day off cruising country roads on my bicycle.  

Here we see farmer Silas Lash on his tractor early this morning.  He's taking a wagon load of hay down to the barn which is about a half mile away.   His wife, Edna yells to him " Be back to the house in time for lunch!"  Meanwhile an oncoming  short freight train trundles across the bridge.

Just another day on the railroad.A57387D2-CD6E-4A32-91CF-C86AD2E73F97_1_201_a

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@trumptrain posted:

FOR TODAY:  The crew of WSLC number 8 is about ready to take on water from the penstock.  After the slow march of its' train load of timber, from up in the mountains to Patsburg yard, number 8 is ready for a drink of water before its' slow march back up the mountain with a cut of empty flat cars.  Hogger Toots Haggert sits at the throttle, as brakemen Wiff Suggs and J.D. Dexter  stretch their legs on the ground.   98FEF759-3394-4F21-AF52-379F2C425BE4_1_201_a

Love that Shay Patrick! I missed this post! K-line, I’ll say it again, they sure made some great models at reasonable prices, to bad they didn’t make it.

Love that Shay Patrick! I missed this post! K-line, I’ll say it again, they sure made some great models at reasonable prices, to bad they didn’t make it.

Thanks Scott!  I always had wanted a Shay, however, the prices of new ones were too expensive for my budget.  When Allen Miller, our Editor in Chief, put this one up for sale on the OGR Forum, I jumped on it!  I then picked it up from Allan while at York.   I love this engine, however as I stated in a prior post, I only run it when quests come to see the layout.  With K line long gone, replacement parts would be as rare as hen's teeth.  

I agree with you regarding the demise of K line. Yes it is too bad they are no longer in existence.   IMHO they certainly made some of the finest passenger cars offered, with the exception of Golden Gate Depot.  Your California Zephyr passenger cars look fantastic! btw!!  K line also made a great operating milk car and other fine operating cars not to mention some wonderfully detailed locomotives and freight rolling stock.

FOR TODAY:  It's spring break and school is out!  Yeah!!  Here's what Patsburg's teachers and students do on their break. ... Just another day in Patsburg.

English teacher, Ms. Gringold walks her dog, Babo, through Freedom Park in downtown Patsburg.  6084DD1E-E73C-4E40-8D88-38371430D787

It's all about Good Humor at Westend Park for these kids!  Geometry teacher Mr. Kendall spends quiet time sitting on a park bench.  2A056332-1FFB-4679-AB74-357E16F9D865

Chucky Klompford and his friend Nubby Jackson explore the rail yard. 7AE03543-7AA7-4DAB-8853-4D6F4151A3E9

Physical Education teacher/basketball coach Mr. Stretch Long gets away from it all at his cabin. 1E09B823-E32D-4FE9-A31B-FAD8FB539225

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FOR TODAY:  Chucky and his friend Wally Cyrus take advantage of spring break to get out of town on their bikes and explore the railroad around Patsburg.  They decided to see what was happening up on the Mountain Division.   After a long uphill ride out of town,  the boys see this Western Maryland plug door boxcar with an unloading crew about to slide the door open.  They kept pedaling and didn't stick around to see what cargo the car was carrying.  Chucky felt his gut telling him that there was something special yet to be discovered by the duo. 2BB8C3C9-A490-4BB5-92BF-BF1CE4DFB6C0Further down the tracks  the boys discover an abandoned  spur, overgrown with weeds and bushes, leading off the mainline.  With peaked curiosity, the boys just had to find out to where the spur led.  They rode their bikes beside the old spur for as long as possible until the brush became too thick.  At that point the pair carried their bikes through the brush until they came to this clearing which brought them to discover this old steam locomotive overgrown with bushes.  Wow wee gee!!!  Chucky exclaimed.  Totally speechless Wally's eyes were as big as saucers!    How long do you think this locomotive has been here?  Chucky exclaimed.  "Must have been here since the late 1940's or early 50's" replied Wally.  Motioning to move forward Chucky exclaims "Let's go in for a closer look Wally!"   You bet Chucky! Lets check out this old beast!   We'll have a lot to tell everyone tonight once we get back home!   And so it is .... Just another day on the railroad.  C20D2852-0194-48B1-A126-8FC7670AB99A

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@trumptrain posted:

FOR TODAY: A day off cruising country roads on my bicycle.  

Here we see farmer Silas Lash on his tractor early this morning.  He's taking a wagon load of hay down to the barn which is about a half mile away.   His wife, Edna yells to him " Be back to the house in time for lunch!"  Meanwhile an oncoming  short freight train trundles across the bridge.

Just another day on the railroad.A57387D2-CD6E-4A32-91CF-C86AD2E73F97_1_201_a

Love the peacock Patrick! LoL The peacock is looking a bit frisky and romantic with his plumage on full display, the guy in the brown sweater is keeping a close eye on him. That gardening tool might come in handy if need be. ;-)

@trumptrain posted:

FOR TODAY:  Chucky and his friend Wally Cyrus take advantage of spring break to get out of town on their bikes and explore the railroad around Patsburg.  They decided to see what was happening up on the Mountain Division.   After a long uphill ride out of town,  the boys see this Western Maryland plug door boxcar with an unloading crew about to slide the door open.  They kept pedaling and didn't stick around to see what cargo the car was carrying.  Chucky felt his gut telling him that there was something special yet to be discovered by the duo. 2BB8C3C9-A490-4BB5-92BF-BF1CE4DFB6C0Further down the tracks  the boys discover an abandoned  spur, overgrown with weeds and bushes, leading off the mainline.  With peaked curiosity, the boys just had to find out to where the spur led.  They rode their bikes beside the old spur for as long as possible until the brush became too thick.  At that point the pair carried their bikes through the brush until they came to this clearing which brought them to discover this old steam locomotive overgrown with bushes.  Wow wee gee!!!  Chucky exclaimed.  Totally speechless Wally's eyes were as big as saucers!    How long do you think this locomotive has been here?  Chucky exclaimed.  "Must have been here since the late 1940's or early 50's" replied Wally.  Motioning to move forward Chucky exclaims "Let's go in for a closer look Wally!"   You bet Chucky! Lets check out this old beast!   We'll have a lot to tell everyone tonight once we get back home!   And so it is .... Just another day on the railroad.  C20D2852-0194-48B1-A126-8FC7670AB99A

Patrick, please do me a favor and make a handle bars out a large paper clip. Attach it with some tacky wax....  And the I think Mike will stop complaining about no handle bars on that dargon bike.... finally ........(LOL)>>>>😆😁

Patrick, please do me a favor and make a handle bars out a large paper clip. Attach it with some tacky wax....  And the I think Mike will stop complaining about no handle bars on that dargon bike.... finally ........(LOL)>>>>😆😁

LOL TED!  The boy on that handlebar-less bike is Chucky.  Chucky took those handle bars off his bike because he doesn't need them.  I'll tell that boy is talented!  He's been seen around town going down hills doing hand stands while holding onto the seat.  He stands on the cross bar on one foot while the bike is in motion.  He's been seen pedaling forward while sitting backwards and he's been known to pop a wheelie for over a quarter mile!  Folks all over Patsburg swear that boy will run away with the circus one day ... LOL!  

I will, however, let Chucky know you have a good idea about handlebars.  We shall see, in time, if he trys out your suggestion.

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Patrick, please do me a favor and make a handle bars out a large paper clip. Attach it with some tacky wax....  And the I think Mike will stop complaining about no handle bars on that dargon bike.... finally ........(LOL)>>>>😆😁

@trumptrain posted:

LOL TED!  The boy on that handlebar-less bike is Chucky. 

I will, however, let Chucky know you have a good idea about handlebars.  We shall see, in time, if he trys out your suggestion.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Chucky takes me back, not for doing stunts on the bike, but for exploring.  I remember kids who could do tricks.  I was just glad I could ride straight and not fall over.

.........and IF you use Ted's paperclip idea Patrick........make the front wheel turned to the LEFT and the handlebars turned to the RIGHT.

My friend at his small MC shop  always tricked us with so many inventive ideas that we couldn't wait to see what he had thought up from time to time.                            If you think you are good with tricks on a bicycle try riding his left turning handle bar and the right aimed front wheel for awhile .  It's really funny what habits can do to you .

FOR TODAY:  Dinky Dawson takes a well deserved break!  He's loaded both of these REA trailers this morning all by his lonesome self.  The other two fellers called in sick this morning so Dinky went into high gear overdrive and got the job done.  As Dinky sits in the doorway of the boxcar, he realizes the correlation between pay day being yesterday and those two other guys saying they were going to the bar last night to tie one on?  He thinks '"yeah I'll bet those fellers are sick" ... he chuckles " probably hung over is more like it!"  

There's still a little bit of Saturday morning left and his wife will be here to pick him up shortly.  He plans to get home and get cleaned up.  Then he will take his wife up to Westend Patsburg to one of those fancy restaurants for a delicious leisurely lunch ... and then out to a motion pictures at the Westend Theatre.  After doing all this Dinky thinks to himself " I wonder what I'll find in my Easter basket this evening .... hmmm."   ..... Just another day on the railroad.  90769EFA-6F4C-4188-BAC2-0642EFA56476

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@trumptrain posted:

FOR TODAY:  Dinky Dawson takes a well deserved break!  He's loaded both of these REA trailers this morning all by his lonesome self.  The other two fellers called in sick this morning so Dinky went into high gear overdrive and got the job done.  As Dinky sits in the doorway of the boxcar, he realizes the correlation between pay day being yesterday and those two other guys saying they were going to the bar last night to tie one on?  He thinks '"yeah I'll bet those fellers are sick" ... he chuckles " probably hung over is more like it!"  

There's still a little bit of Saturday morning left and his wife will be here to pick him up shortly.  He plans to get home and get cleaned up.  Then he will take his wife up to Westend Patsburg to one of those fancy restaurants for a delicious leisurely lunch ... and then out to a motion pictures at the Westend Theatre.  After doing all this Dinky thinks to himself " I wonder what I'll find in my Easter basket this evening .... hmmm."   ..... Just another day on the railroad.  90769EFA-6F4C-4188-BAC2-0642EFA56476

Nice story Patrick! Dinky sure sounds like one heck of a man! You should put this in your book so some of the younger generation can read about it! Might learn something!

FOR TODAY:  Number 75 taking on water at the plug.  Fireman Cephus Gitner and brakeman Willy Slick are on the tender deck as hogger Buzzy Cranford has slid over to the fireman's seat to check some gauges.  A cast of characters at the tower watch the action.  .... Just another day on the railroad. 24A3230A-3E1A-4FAB-BEEB-93EEF18F7E50_1_201_a

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@trumptrain posted:

FOR TODAY:  Number 75 taking on water at the plug.  Fireman Cephus Gitner and brakeman Willy Slick are on the tender deck as hogger Buzzy Cranford has slid over to the fireman's seat to check some gauges.  A cast of characters at the tower watch the action.  .... Just another day on the railroad. 24A3230A-3E1A-4FAB-BEEB-93EEF18F7E50_1_201_a

Patrick, once again I reel like I'm there. Great picture, story, and names!

FYI - Check you OGR personal messages.

Just finished final touches to this scene.  On the reader board is the names of my brother inlaw Pastor Rev. Dan Dunn who passed away 2 weeks ago. Also on the reader board is his son chaplain  Major Steve Dunn. Steve served in Iraq  and Afghanistan 2 tours.  This scene will be in place on my layout until this old railroaded passes. I do hope you all like.20220426_150651

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Just finished final touches to this scene.  On the reader board is the names of my brother in-law Pastor Rev. Dan Dunn who passed away 2 weeks ago. Also on the reader board is his son chaplain  Major Steve Dunn. Steve served in Iraq  and Afghanistan 2 tours.  This scene will be in place on my layout until this old railroaded passes. I do hope you all like.

Bill, That is an excellent memorial!!

FOR TODAY:  " That's no Bull!!!"  Those are the words that spewed from the mouth of animal handler Buford Creech, with whip in hand.  Chucky rode his bike down to the tracks to see what was to be unloaded from the livestock car on team track 1.  While at Floyd's Barber Shop this morning,  he heard ol Bufford bragging it up about how he was to be in total command of that shipment of bulls  and that he was ready to crack his big whip. He said " I ain't taken no bull off a bull!"   Evidently ol Buford Creech didn't get the memo.   When he saw that buffalo coming at him ol Beady Eyed Bufford's  ( as the two folk call him ) eyes went from beady to the size of silver dollars!  I imagine his hind parts sucked wind too!! LOL!  ... just another day on the railroad!  ( click on photo to enlarge ) 705EFA02-DBF8-43B7-9AC8-7D392060D35B

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FOR TODAY:  It's dusk and train crews will tie up here for the night.  There will be poker games going on till late in the night in these homes away from home.  Shown here, Pennsy freight conductor Clause Dinkins is inviting N&W engineer Full Throttle Thorton to his Pennsy cabin car for a game of poker tonight.  Clause's departing words "...  and make sure you bring lots of money tonight Full Throttle.  You're going to need it!" as he breaks into his deep throated chuckle. To which Full Throttle replys ...  " That's what you said last time Clause and it certainly didn't work out in your favor!  What did you wife say when you got home wearing no shirt on your back? You Pennsy guys may work for the so called standard railroad of the world but you all can't play poker with &(*&!!"  ... Just another night on the railroad!02015BD8-83BB-4586-8EB7-E07695CF7653

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FOR TODAY:  MOW snow plowing equipment has already been to the paint shop and pushed back onto a siding until next winter or in the case of the Jordan spreader some summertime ballast work.  In the second photo the mechanical crew gives the spreader's wings a once over.  The rotary will undergo some mechanical work later this summer.  F90EFA0C-EE29-4F95-A3DA-093BEB12E5FD

JB Critchet kneels down to give a thorough inspection to the hydraulic mechanism responsible for operating this wing of the spreader as Bo Beardsley checks the blade.  Foreman Tucker Preston stands by the pickup wiping his brow. .... Just another day on the railroad  767538C5-EE1E-4528-9AC4-3DA2535E3F87_1_201_a

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FOR TODAY:  Taking a few steps beyond the " No Trespassing RR Property " sign to get a better view, Chucky and his buddy Arnie are mezmorized as the Western Maryland fireman fills the tender with water.   Chucky exclaims "We better hide behind this old junk car Arnie!   Brute Simpson, the mean old railroad cop, may come along at any minute!  He'll tell us to get on our bikes and get out of here!"  To which Arnie replies " Yeah right!  I wish I knew how we could get on Brute's good side."  Looking at Arnie with eyes wide open Chucky says " He doesn't have a good side. Get down! There's old Brute now!!     325DB530-06C7-44F4-8777-3EFED6817130

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@trumptrain posted:

FOR TODAY:  Taking a few steps beyond the " No Trespassing RR Property " sign to get a better view, Chucky and his buddy Arnie are mezmorized as the Western Maryland fireman fills the tender with water.   Chucky exclaims "We better hide behind this old junk car Arnie!    325DB530-06C7-44F4-8777-3EFED6817130

What a great feeling in this scene Patrick to be watching the WM with Chucky and Arnie.     

Outstanding angle down here in the wooded area.

FOR TODAY:  Meet Harvey Critcher, the most dapper dispatcher on the Free State Junction Railway.  Harvey used to be a conductor on the Free State Limited.  After many years of being in charge of the FSJR's  premier  passenger train, he put in for a transfer for dispatcher and got it.  None of the folks employed by the FSJR could ever figure out why Harvey gave up this plum conductor job  ...  However there has been much speculation that it might have to do with the Mrs. and Harvey's roving eye for the ladies.  It seems the Mrs. could never contact Harvey on those overnight layovers.  Now,  as long as ol' Harvey is in that tower Mrs. C knows where she can find him ... and believe you me she does pull  frequent spot checks too!  .... Just another day on the railroad! BB9192A0-8647-49A1-B9F5-6DC29EB43D70_1_105_c

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FOR TODAY: A bit of a smog fills the air this morning.    Sneezy McCready is checking out the smoke box as number 75 is being prepared for its' daily assignment of pulling transfer freights between yards.  Lon Waxter, standing on the running board near the cab, has just made adjustments to the dynamo and the sand domes are full of grit for the iron.   Foreman Ellsworth Pohanka, on the ground in yellow hard hat, is proud of his crew and the work they do!  Hostler Wiff Rudge, on the ground with hands on hips, gives the 0-8-0's running gear a visual inspection. ...  Just another day on the railroad. 7C81A71A-D19C-44A7-9E38-CF606BC4A1FC

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@mike g. posted:

Great photos everyone!

@farmerjohn I really like the row of houses! The story behind them and really like what looks like to be a Chevy Belair!

@trumptrain Patrick, your photos and stories are always a pleasure to see and read about! I know I can come here and get a free smile on my face from everything you post! Love the trolley!

Coach Joe -  your words bring a smile to my face!   It's gratifying to know that my posts can bring you that much joy!  Thank you so much!!

@trumptrain posted:

FOR TODAY: A bit of a smog fills the air this morning.    Sneezy McCready is checking out the smoke box as number 75 is being prepared for its' daily assignment of pulling transfer freights between yards.  Lon Waxter, standing on the running board near the cab, has just made adjustments to the dynamo and the sand domes are full of grit for the iron.   Foreman Ellsworth Pohanka, on the ground in yellow hard hat, is proud of his crew and the work they do!  Hostler Wiff Rudge, on the ground with hands on hips, gives the 0-8-0's running gear a visual inspection. ...  Just another day on the railroad. 7C81A71A-D19C-44A7-9E38-CF606BC4A1FC

Creativity in storytelling and visuals beyond compare Patrick.    You give us the inspiration to try to excel in the way we experience this hobby. 

Thank you for sharing  "Patricks " visions .

FOR TODAY:  Fresh seafood being delivered to Patsburg from Maryland's Chesapeake Bay via the B&O.  Here we see Ross Clegget and Sid McPherson caring one of many crates of crabs from B&O express reffer to a Phillips Seafood truck for delivery to their Patsburg location.  Ely McLeod swings the truck doors open.  Off in the distance Bubber Semple takes off his hat and thinks ... "Crabs and beer, what a great summertime combo!!"  ... Just another day on the railroad. CB75EFD6-B795-449D-A6E0-DD5B528966CF

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@Dave Ripp.  brings back memories - as a 16-17 year old I worked in an Ace Hardware.  The Sakrete flat bed would arrive and then it was time to unload and stack the bags on pallets in the back store room. We used to unload 3 pallets or so by hand as there were no forklifts. Not too bad as we could roll the bags onto our shoulders from the trailer and flip them onto the pallets.  The worst were the portland cement bags as they were 100 pounds each. At one point I could carry a bag on each shoulder and one in my arms. Funny after a summer of that, I was no longer a bully target.

Dave, that is a great shot..  Nice road, Looks like the real thing... How'd you make it?  The scenery is great also..  Besides Elvis's Pink Caddy, The Mary Kay, beauty sales girls received a pink Caddy after $10,000.00 in sales'... 50s and 60s.   

Thank you Ted, the road is plaster of pairs painted with chalk board paint.

FOR TODAY:  Station Announcement proceeded by a bugler playing Call to the Post  ... " Now departing.  Train 149 The Race Track  Special bound for Baltimore". Sunday morning Race Track Special.

A string of B&O RDC's depart Patsburg Commuter Station for Baltimore with a full train of passengers bound for the Preakness in Baltimore.  Once the train arrives at Baltimore's beautiful Mt. Royal Station, passengers will detrain and board a fleet of buses bound for Pimlico Race Course, only 10 minutes away.  The train crew loves this assignment because on their layover they get to spend time ( and money ) at the track too!  Conductor Lukas Foss seems to get lucky practically every time.  He always comes home in the evening with more money than he had when he left the house in the morning.  Trainman Barney Kingsley seems to break even, well, at least most of the time.  Engineer Hasty Harwood seems to lose his shirt practically every time.   For this crew  ... it's NOT just another day on the railroad.

The B&O used to run Race Track Specials to horse race tracks in Charlestown WV, Delaware Downs, and Laurel Race Course in Laurel Md ( home of the DC International ) I would think the B&O also ran trains from DC's Union Station, Philadelphia, Martinsburg WV, and other locations to Baltimore's Preakness each year.  Often B&O's fleet of RDC's would be called upon for these assignments along with trains comprised of  conventional passenger coaches. . RDC Race Track Specials might run in groups of 5 -6 car trains. 7F6DE826-0EDF-418F-B7A5-B13133867FD0

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FOR TODAY:  After these logs have been transferred from flat bed trailer to railroad flat car .... FSJR Inspector Clay Quigley  inspects this load of logs, making sure the chains are absolutely secure and the load is snug and secure.   These logs will travel 22.5 miles to the saw mill and loosing part of a load while in transit is not an option. Now ol' Clay, he's been a workin on the railroad as a load inspector for going on 26 years and he's not lost a load yet... "Just another day on the railroad!"65FB6457-53F9-4792-B117-F1D2102FEDF4

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FOR TODAY:  In observance of Memorial Day.   Freedom Park in Patsburg.

Back when I was planning the Free State Junction Railway , I wanted to include a tribute to my father, who as a World War Two vet. landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy France on June 6, 1944 with The Big Red One.   Although Dad survived WW2, as the First Infantry Division pushed all the way through France and into Germany, many of his buddies didn't.  One of those men was my Dad's Lieutenant ... Lt. Mackey ...  who led his men off the landing craft onto the beach.  Due to this being his third invasion Mackey had a 6th sense that if he led his men in the direction that his orders commanded, they would be wiped out by enemy fire.  In the heat of the moment, Lt. Mackey told his men to follow him in a different direction once the landing craft doors were lowered.  Sure enough Lt. Mackey was correct because artillery shells pummeled the area the orders would have taken Mackey and his men.  After participating in three invasions and pushing all the way into Germany, Mackey died in Germany as he was hit by a sniper's bullet just a few days before the end of the war.  If it were not for Lt. Mackey, I very well may not be writing this today.

I know that there were lots of Lt. Mackeys ...  just not in World War Two but in all wars and I salute them always ... and in particular on this day.

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Last edited by trumptrain

Patrick,

I always enjoy your pictures and stories, but this one left me with a tear in my eye.  God bless Lt. Mackey for getting your Dad through Omaha Beach and your Dad for making it home so we could enjoy your pictures and stories.

It's not just another weekend as so many people have been dumbed down into thinking, but it is for remembering all of the Lt. Mackey's that have fallen so we can be here today.

My Dad spent 3 weeks on an island in the South Pacific after their B-25 lost an engine and had to land on a Japanese controlled island.  They landed on the beach, radio was shot up, and didn't know the war had just ended.  The Japanese troops had to tell them.

Kids today have no clue...

Keep up the great work.  I always enjoy your posts.

Scott

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