In Honor of Memorial Day

The Patriot Sheepdog's Tribute to America's most valued citizens...Our Military Veterans (past, present, and future)

On this Memorial Day, I can say that I have never been more proud to be a part of such a family of patriots!  It was an honor to have served the cause of Freedom.  Thank you, from the very core of my being, to those who have served, and those who currently serve.  You are true patriots to the core.

Below is a story of my Grandfather, who epitomized the true meaning of a patriot and sacrifice, as many others who served with him.  My life is truly enriched forever for knowing him.  The least I can do is honor him with this memorial.

I invite you here to share a memorial of a family member or loved one of yours who served our great country.  

"Our veterans will live forever, because with this tribute, we celebrate their lives, memorialize their sacrifice, and commemorate their service."

Name:

Harry S. Meints

Rank:

2nd LT

Position:

Navigator

Unit:

8th Air Force, 334th Bomb Squadron, 95th Bomber Group

Duty Station:

Horham, England 

Aircraft Type:

B17 F

Aircraft Tail Number:

42-29943

Aircraft Name:

"Situation Normal"

Escort Aircraft:

Spitfire

Injury Date:

10OCT1943 (Lost his Right arm; Awarded Purple Heart and the Silver Star-G.O. No. 219, 1943)

Courtesy Jim Horan

(10OCT1943, B17 Situation Normal):

"Situation Normal" taking flac

Situation Normal was returning from a bombing mission over Germany, when they were attacked by a German Fighter (ME109).  Situation Normal took heavy fire.  Meints was in the Navigator's seat plotting their return to Horham Airfield, England.  Since the crew compartment was not pressurized, they wore oxygen masks.  Meints needed to increase his air flow to his mask, so while he was navigating Situation Normal, he reached up to adjust his mask air flow...or so he thought.  When his "adjustments" yielded no increase in air flow, he looked up and saw that the arm/hand he felt he was using to adjust his air flow was blown off.  At this point, he realized that he must control the bleeding.  In a resourceful intervention, he utilized a spent .50 cal. shell and the cord of his navigational radio as a tourniquet to midigate his bleeding.  At that point the German ME109 was making another attack pass, as the large bombers were like "sitting ducks" in comparison to the agile fighters.  Meints, in an extraordinary sense of duty and survival, took position at the nearest gun and began defending his B17.  Upon another attack pass, Meints sucessfully shot down the attacking German fighter, to ensure "Situation Normal's" safe return to England.  

Horham Airfield, England

After neutralizing the German fighter, Meints moved back to the navigator console to ensure the proper course back to base.  In spite of his fatigue and blood loss, he successfully navigated "Situation Normal" to their airfield in Horham, England.  Once the airfield was in sight, he succumbed to the fatigue and blood loss, and passed out.  He had the sense of selfless duty to ensure the safe return of his crew before he lost conscienceness.  Harry S. Meints was the epitome of a true, selfless American Hero;  They don't make 'em like that anymore. Harry S. Meints received the Silver Star and the Purple Heart  for his valiant service and sacrifice for the cause of Liberty.

"Situation Normal" crew pic

"Grandpa," in true form

95th Bomb Group Memorial, Horham England

"The Old Airfield"

Strolling through these fields so green

Where once a throng of life has been

A feeling so evoked in me

Of sadness amidst tranquility

For beneath where now grows golden corn

Bonds as strong as steel were born

Laughter, tears and stories shared

Amongst the comrades of the air

And as on concrete strips I tread

The backbone from whence missions led

I can almost hear the roar

As engines to the heavens soar

“We count them out, we count them in”

Through the ever ascending din

This, by those who watched and cared

For men whose lives might not be spared

Day after day, night after night

Into another enduring flight

The hardcore now so cracked and worn

Each tell a story for those who mourn

Yet now looking up to the clear night sky

Over the airfield to stars on high

I feel sure that in this patchwork of land

Our faithful friends stretch out their hands

This land which now yields sheaves of gold

Will forever breathe a life of old

Never forget – they came, they went

And for you and me their lives were spent.

- Kate Kirkum, May 2004

“The Grandpa”

(August 5^th, 1918 - March 14^th, 2008)

 

Harry S. Meints was a kind man with a gentle spirit and a big heart.  He was considerate, unselfish, and giving.  He was never judgmental, and always looked for the good in everyone.  Sharp as a tack with a healthy sense of humor, his smile was contagious.  He always provided a perspective that made any problem seem insignificant, and his outlook on life was one to emulate.  Even after navigating B-17 Situation Normal on WWII bombing missions, defending his bomber from German fighters, and losing his arm, all the while ensuring the safe return of his crew, it seemed that later in life nothing else was really worth getting upset over.  We learned a lot from him, so in part he will always be with us.  He is a true hero who is owed greatly by our country and we are so fortunate to have him as a beloved part of our lives.  He is truly “The Grandpa,” and will be sadly missed, and we are so thankful to have shared our lives with him.  For that we will ever be enriched.

 

- His loving grandchildren, affectionately known as, Katie-Baby, The Man (Eric), Pookie and Dookie (Morgan and Maddie), Weesie (Lisa), Coy-Baby, Megan-Baby, Gina Marie, Kev-Man (Kevin), and Sondra Leigh