The Last Fighter Pilot.

Thank you for posting that. I needed it.
 
I had to take a moment for that to sink in.............................awesome.

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Wow! This really was The Greatest Generation! We as a country couldn't fight that war today! American men were joining in waves to fight! The ones who were turned down, some of them took they own lives. Do you think we could get that level of patriotism today? I really admire these brave men of whom my Grandfather was one!
 
Awesome post!

The part that really hit me was how he didn't talk for many years. My grandfather was in Europe and came home with shrapnel in his leg. He was always a quiet man until he died in 1997.

I was his only grandson. We bonded over Looney Tunes, Pro Wrestling, eating at a seafood restaurant called Little Texas, and playing penny poker on the living room floor.

How I wish I had known back then that it would have been "ok" to ask questions. I was just always told that he didn't talk about those times. I sometimes wonder if it was because no one gave him the opportunity. "Regrets, I have a few."

That generation is almost gone now. I miss them.
 
Awesome post!

The part that really hit me was how he didn't talk for many years. My grandfather was in Europe and came home with shrapnel in his leg. He was always a quiet man until he died in 1997.

I was his only grandson. We bonded over Looney Tunes, Pro Wrestling, eating at a seafood restaurant called Little Texas, and playing penny poker on the living room floor.

How I wish I had known back then that it would have been "ok" to ask questions. I was just always told that he didn't talk about those times. I sometimes wonder if it was because no one gave him the opportunity. "Regrets, I have a few."

That generation is almost gone now. I miss them.


Don't spend too much time wondering about it. My father served in Europe and was wounded 3 times. I asked the questions but he never would answer. I had to learn to respect his silence and let it go.
 
Don't spend too much time wondering about it. My father served in Europe and was wounded 3 times. I asked the questions but he never would answer. I had to learn to respect his silence and let it go.
Thanks, I don't. I have no reason to think he would have talked to me. Sometimes I just wish I hadn't taken others words as facts. If I had at least tried, then I wouldn't be wondering.
 
Where was this ?
Well, not exactly sure.
My grandparents lived in Asheboro and it was about 20-30 minutes from their house. Sadly, I do not remember in which direction and they closed back in the 90s.
If you made me guess, I would say somewhere in western Randolph or maybe Davidson County.

What I do remember is they offered all-you-can-eat flounder and served it in trays with the fries and hushpuppies. Those filets were huge and thick. The slaw were in huge containers and sat on the table. Everyone ate until they moaned and then got up so the next group could gorge themselves.

It seemed to me that the original restaurant was in a converted house. You waited in line on the carport.

Why do you ask? Remember it?
 
Another thing I remember, that place was always packed. We almost always went on Saturday. They opened at 4:00 pm if I remember accurately. We always had to get there early so we could be towards the front of the line. By 3:20, grandpa was getting anxious and angry if we weren't heading for the cars.

Grandpa never wore anything to show he was a veteran. However, while we waited, he would walk (limp) up and down the line to shake hands and chat with anyone who did. (Or just anyone he knew.)

Funny how things you don't think much about as a youngster can really impact you later in life. He died in Feb of '97 and I have thought about him more today than just about any other time in the last 20 years. If you still have a grandpa or a Dad, (lost Dad in Sep of '97), treasure them, they become more valuable as you get older.
 
@TheWallrus That sounds like "The Old Place" or "Fran's Front Porch"... Fran's closed later than that. Both were in old houses. I think "The Old Place" is still open. I'm tryin hard to remember a place called "Little Texas" it seems like I do, but I don't remember ever eating there. Helluva post though ! My dad was a top deck gunner on a Martin Mariner PBM during the war. The only things he talked about ever, were the happy moments, before and after, nothing during. He couldn't have seen combat the likes of some of that, that two of my uncles did. One of them drank himself to death, the other died from cancer when I was a young buck. My aunt said that the one uncle never had a peaceful night after the war. I can only imagine the things he must have seen. Like everything evil, we just didn't talk about it. My dad told me when I joined, he said "Edd, only die for what YOU believe in. Never fight for someone who believes different from that." It took a few years for me to understand that. I did 6 years, 4 active, and 2 reserve. I had it far too easy. After what my uncles and my dad went through, I didn't mind so much being spat on and called "Baby Killer".

Now I'm wondering if "Captain Tom's" wasn't called "Little Texas" at one point. The food sounds right. It took a real man to put away one of their combo platters.
 
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Thanks for the comments gentlemen. I had the honor of writing LAST FIGHTER PILOT and have gotten to know Captain Yellin well. At 93 years old, he can still fit into his flight jacket, plays 9 rounds of golf a day, runs 21 laps in the pool, eats two meals a day, and drinks Guiness beer. About a month ago, he got a new pacemaker, and still keeps on ticking, and mentally is sharper than a razor blade. Two weeks ago, we were on a book tour in Los Angeles together, and Jerry maintained a stringent speaking schedule and was fabulous. His story is amazing, and he still says that "the greatest honor of my life was to serve my country." Amazing gentleman and a treasure to the nation.
 
Thanks for the comments gentlemen. I had the honor of writing LAST FIGHTER PILOT and have gotten to know Captain Yellin well. At 93 years old, he can still fit into his flight jacket, plays 9 rounds of golf a day, runs 21 laps in the pool, eats two meals a day, and drinks Guiness beer. About a month ago, he got a new pacemaker, and still keeps on ticking, and mentally is sharper than a razor blade. Two weeks ago, we were on a book tour in Los Angeles together, and Jerry maintained a stringent speaking schedule and was fabulous. His story is amazing, and he still says that "the greatest honor of my life was to serve my country." Amazing gentleman and a treasure to the nation.
Always cool when the author takes time to mingle. Thanks for helping the Captain get his story out. My copy came yesterday and I can't wait to get into it.
 
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