War is Hell. - No one knows that better than today's young folks in military service and those who fought for America's freedom years before them.

Ask any veteran - and those who have loved and waited for them. Yet they are proud to serve.

"We joined the service hoping nothing really bad would happen --and prepared for the worst," two local young Marines, Pat Klobucher and Chris Irwin, said.

Assigned to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and dispatched to Jordan, Kuwait, Africa and Iraq after basic training, they traveled by helicopter to strategic locations. Lowered by rope carrying 140-pound backpacks with survival and task equipment, they installed communication systems.

The desert was hot and threats of roadside bombs, hand grenades and sniper fire were everywhere. "We trained to fire M-16 A2 service rifles accurately at 500 meters and are thankful that neither of us took anyone's life."

From that military experience they gained new friends, self-discipline and maturity. "Everyday things people stress about are nothing to us; it's a different world in the military."

War's reality of "kill or be killed," robs kids of nature's youthful transition to adulthood and sometimes life itself.

Harry Emerson Fosdick wrote, "The tragedy of war is that it uses man's best to do man's worst."

United States World War II Air Force Veteran and Burien resident, Ed Allen in 2004 told me he wrote short war stories experiences of real life war; fiery parachute bale-outs, critical casualties and crash landings. As a B-24 pilot he flew 30-missions over Nazi-held European countries during wartime raids. His first book was, "From Kansas Farm Boy to Bomber Pilot."

Survivors of that war are disappearing like steam evaporating into ethers of time, taking remarkable stories with them.

In honor men and women of the military and Veterans Day, the Des Moines Historical Society is holding a special meeting Wednesday Nov. 12th at 7 p.m. to share stories and memorabilia at the IOOF Hall at 225th Street and 7th Avenue South. You are all invited to join in.

"Last year was our first sharing and this promises to be another unforgettable evening," said program chairman Jim Langston.

Everyone is welcome, so bring the kids, grandkids, neighbors and shirttail relatives to tell and hear the history of freedom from those who were there. No admission. Donations welcomed. For information, call 206 878-7205.

Allen said piloting a Boeing B-24 Liberator airplane with 10 crewmembers over enemy territory for the first mission had its problems.

"I couldn't sleep that night thinking about the crew's safety," Allen related. "Getting shot at in the sky leaves no place to hide."

Sure enough German troops fired anti-aircraft guns and tons of ammunition exploded into black puffs of smoke.

"It was like a ball of knitting wool bursting open with a giant red center," Allen said.

Flack peppered the sky hitting Number one engine bursting a high-pressure oil line that leaked onto the turbo supercharger engine and caught fire.

"Something had to be done fast or we'd be goners." Turning the blades into the wind they feathered propellers and oil stopped pumping out. Unable to hold altitude they dropped from formation leaving the mission when Allan heard, "Navigator to Captain; "At the present descent rate we'll be at minus 230 feet when we cross the coastline." Something had to go. Sighting an open field the crew jettisoned their payload of bombs and landed safely.

After that the enemy singled them out as a target in future flights.

"German guns trained on us every time and we knew they wanted to shoot our fannies off," Allen added.

They survived to celebrate V-E Day that ended that war.

War is tragic and costly. Soldiers grow up too soon, face death too often and postpone lifetime goals. Sadly, recognition of veterans has diminished and they deserve better.

Ask most young folks what Dec. 7th means and some say, "Only 17 days before Christmas." Yet, that day, Pearl Harbor was bombed, thousands of Americans died and World War II began.

Today is an age of missiles and push button warfare.

"In 1944, we knew who and where the enemy was - today not knowing is difficult," Allen said.

Years later at their first reunion, Allen proposed this toast:

"To us who by the Grace of God, a little luck and a little skill, managed to survive - and to the ladies who tolerate our stories."

The ladies having heard several versions of same stories asked, "Are you guys sure you were on the same airplane?"

Memories may differ but still one-fact remains - all veterans deserve huge respect and thanks.

They are why we can openly express our opinion, vote for candidates our choice and offer hope for children's future. Nov. 11th is Veteran's Day.

Today's Thought: There's always free cheese in a mousetrap.