Old Soldier Meets Young Soldier | The Gap | @LADbible
The Gap is a window into different lives and different generations. Two people, of vastly different ages, discuss a shared experience that impacted their lives, how it affected them and how they dealt with it to ultimately emerge stronger.
In this episode of The Gap with @LADbible, John Dennett, 95, a World War Two veteran, sits down with Ste Nicholls, 34, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Through their conversation we learn about the positive and negative sides of service, and how war has changed over the years.
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When a goddamn WW2 veteran says you’ve been through a lot then you must have been through hell
Not really
@@aguppie joking right?
@@aguppie are you kidding or stupid?
Chris Payne u stupid or something
Chris Payne delete ur comment
Elderly people affectionately calling younger guys “son” is my favorite thing
Agreed, it's charming
Meanwhile youngsters of today call them BOOMERS and try so hard to insult them.
@@zidanecristianoaveiro thats more of the 35 - 70 age range. Of course any fad or meaning can get blurred over the years, but no Millennial (and maybe genz?) Would insult someone like that they respected. Its mostly reserved for the most of the half dead bastards that run our country. Not only unable to relate to the newer generations but also become counterproductive in how our society advances
Literally so true. When he said “you’ve been through son, haven’t you” you can tell in the chaps eye he’s been there and completely understands the trauma.
@@zidanecristianoaveiro that was a heavy swing and a miss. You almost know what you're talking about. Try again
I fought in Afghanistan for the German Forces and never in all the years has someone said " You've been through quite alot son, havent you? ", not my parents, not my wife, my comrades ,society or anyone. Hearing this old Veteran say this words give me peace in some way I cant describe even he didnt aimed them at me. Thank you Sir
Danke für Ihre Dienstleistung
God bless you Julian...seeing this you may realize you are not alone. You are a brave man.
Der fehlende Respekt für unsere Bundeswehr in Deutschland ist schlicht beschämend. Ich kann mir nicht vorstellen, was Sie durchgemacht haben, bin Ihnen aber dankbar dafür. Dankbar dafür, nicht weil ich den Krieg in Afghanistan befürworte, sondern weil durch Ihren Einsatz jemand anderes nicht hin musste. Ich glaube, den Menschen ist heutzutage nicht mehr bewusst, was für ein Opfer ein Soldat erbringt.
julian wir sind dir dankbar für deinen dienst ich wünsche dir viel viel glück und FRIEDEN in deinem weiteren leben
welcome home brother, be at peace.
For those who didn't spot it. The ol' timer veteran wears the French Legion of Honour. That's the highest distinction this country ever gives along with the Order of Liberation which is a dead order (only ~1000 were ever given until 1946 and the last older died in 2021). This man is a war hero.
the thing is the legion d'honneur is not only a military distinction and it can be given to celebrities aswell, the legion d'honneur is loosing its value nowadays
@@leonmartinalonso2920 Agreed, but I am certain this particular guy wasn't just handed one without earning it.
@@MrJayehawk yeah I know, I’m just saying that nowadays it’s not a symbol of bravery, it’s loosing its Valor and it’s kinda sad
Not knowing your countries military decorations that's awesome knowledge. Thank you 🙏
@@MrJayehawk Maybe he just didn't surrender
This man looks, speaks, and carries himself very good for 95..
I work with seniors and believe me, folks that make it to that age 95% of the time are in better shape than your regular 65-70 yr old, it's still amazing to me.
Ikr
Looks very young for his age too he’s very healthy
It’s insane how good he looks
Luis Urena it only makes sense my friend
“It took all my youth”. This is very sad.
And here I am complaining about crappy wifi. Us youth today are so priviliged.
Wtf when i read this it played exactly when he said this
@@nuttybangerz same.
I can't play fortnite after watching this 😭😭😭😭😭
Maria Pia Monthe Lol I’m sorry the republicans sent him to war over and over again
Seeing the older veteran acknowledge how much the younger went through is so touching. Many of us including these younger veterans couldn’t imagine fighting in the older vet’s war, yet he says himself he wouldn’t want to fight in the younger man’s wars. It really speaks to how, to veterans, war is war no matter how bad or what was used.
Yea but there is a differnts from a war withe a cauntry withe the same Military might and a war withe a country which has a far weaker Military
@@FBI--OPEN--UP--- but here youre surrounded and much more modern age
Really frames the famous Fallout quote, "War never changes"
that's because war, war neve changes
At least back then there was a clear enemy. Different wars have different evils are are awful.
My Great Grandad was one of the “forgotten soldiers” in Burma. He told a different story to those I’ve found online. He said that they were completely forgotten about. They didn’t even know the war was over in the jungle. The Japanese were still fighting. Communication lines were cut. He claimed that they only found out through some Indian soldiers. So he and his friend trecked hundreds of miles with what little supplies they had to make it out of the war zone to a port. Where they begged their way onto a ship and returned home. He was 7 stone when he came back and riddled with boils and disease, and he was one of the lucky ones. That war forever changed him. He was a cruel, bitter man who did terrible things. It was a long time before my grandmother (his daughter) was able to understand the hell he’d been through, and could forgive him for the man he had become.
Tragic.
My grandfather was one of the "Battling Bastards of Bataan" he survived the Bataan Death March and being a POW of Japan till the end of the war.
@@Troubleshoot_it salute!
Dreadfully sad!
Plus the POW who were building that death railroad
I just realized we're the last generation who can talk to WW2 vets.
gotta appreciate
Ww2 and mainly 1 vets would have been able to talk to american civil war vets
Wolf Tapia Damm you’re right
Oh shit...
Also anyone who's in their early twenties or younger don't have a memory of 9/11, which was one of the significant reasons the current war started. So that's crazy too
When a WW2 veteran is saying “you’ve been through a lot son” that must be a powerful moment for him
Why lmao Edit: The dude before me deleted his comment...
The_Motek because it means a lot coming from from someone who’s been through that much
Nope. The WW2 vet had a cushier role (Navy anti-aircraft gunner) than the modern rifleman in Afghanistan. There are indeed different varieties of War and that's why he said you've been through hell, cos relatively speaking he had it easier in the navy.
@@paudi1936 duhhh no shit, i asked the guy before me, why he commented "lmao". Not the brightest hm?
@@Sonicade yes ezier life in navy in ww2 ...wut about those torpedoes and Kamikazee XD
People don't realize how traumatic WW2 was for the soldiers that saw action. The war drove my great uncle insane. He was seventeen and lied about his age to enlist. He was part of the third army during the battle of the bulge and the liberation of mauthausen. He showed clear signs of horrendous PTSD that nobody noticed because PTSD wasn't known much back then. He once held a gun to my grandfather's head thinking he was a German soldier. He rarely talked about his service, but on reflecting liberating Mauthausen, he got all teary eyed and said "I wouldn't treat a dog that way." Poor man drank himself to his grave. War is a terrible thing. It destroys people. I thank a merciful God that we haven't had a war that destructive since.
That is so sad… it reveals the cruelty and evil from the fall of man. Im so sorry about your uncle. I’ll be praying for you and your family and that you find healing and peace through Christ.
@@lilliannasosa6822I second this
They didn't call it PTSD. They referred to it as "shell shock". They were aware there was trauma. I've seen films of soldiers with shell shock. Post WWII, dogs were used to help soldiers acclimate. They were aware in the U.S. at least. General public didn't know much.
His fault for lying ngl, just gonna put it as blunt as that. Stupid children then thought they'd be heroes and be able to serve for their country while still being developing kids who don't know how to even control their own emotions yet. Shouldve known better.
@@Dizpiz569 ok
I’m an American that was deployed to Iraq. The blank stare in response to being told he’s been through a lot was powerful. I felt that. The feeling of being understood by a veteran you respect is an indescribable feeling for Iraq vets.
For your service, thank you. Respect and thank you for answering the call.
Thanks for enlisting! If you don't mind, I'm a bit curious. How do you feel about the war in its entirety since you've left Iraq verses before you went in? I've heard plenty of stories about how some vets felt like the war was pointless. I rarely hear about a vet saying it was justified. I totally understand if you don't want to give a stranger some answers about a personal thing, but I figured it's worth a shot lol.
@@m.h.6499 for answering the call of the bankers that needed the oil? Yeah, right.
@@JDB1991.I wouldn’t say it was pointless. As a country, we may not have seen a complete turnaround of Iraq, but we may have positively affected someone’s life while we were there. I deployed from 2007-08 and 2010. We did a lot of good as a lot of bad rained down on us in the form of mortars, rockets, bullets and IED’s. We built roads, propped up the Iraqi Air Force and Army, built schools, secured elections, and attempted to root out corruption in the Iraqi Police. After we “withdrew” ISIS did begin their march through the country. That is what triggers the animosity for sure. We worked so hard to secure the airfields and fix a broken system. The fact of the matter is though, we had a timeline that was set at the start of the conflict by Bush. Fvck ISIS.
I personally wasn't in the military, I don't think I could have handled it. But, you men that sacrificed so much of your life, just to allow people like me to be safe and free, I can't express enough thankfulness towards you. I want you to know that you are deeply appreciated, and respected by most Americans, thank you, and welcome back home.
“You’ve been through a lot, haven’t ya?” His silence was deafening.
The look in the young soldier's eyes killed me a little.
Matt Fellows indeed it did. There’s more to being a soldier under the equipment.
It's edited to look that way. So they can use it in the thumbnail
@@daddydankmemes6260 I actually think it's a bit poorly edited. They could have easily left his reaction AT LEAST a few more seconds to fully see his deep thought.
Couldnt agree more my heart broke for him in that moment. I pray for healing of his mind body and soul 🙏🏼💙
Gotta say, the old man looks actually really well to be 95
Justin Winn not a day over 12
@@lilnotoriginal7850 I don't know about that.. lol
@@PillarsOfProphecy not a day over 2
Like he’s still in the womb
@@WavingTerror848 not a day over sperm life gang
Hearing him say "you've been through a lot son" sent chills down my spine. And I bet it sent chills down his spine too. Hearing something like that from someone you perceive to have gone through worse must be Erie and comforting all at once.
I think the old guy has a really clear understanding of the difference between the kind of warfare in WW2 and Iraq/ Afghan. In WW2, he fought modern, uniformed troops with were led with orders and strategy. The young guy fought an entirely different war - people who might be citizens or insurgents, people who aren't formed or uniformed troops. You never know what they might do, who they look like or where they are. Formed armies have presence, have mass. Insurgencies and counter-terror... its like fighting the wind.
It’s why they are a better breed of men such selfishness has not been seen in my generation they normally say the real heroes are the ones who died
Your mother sent chills down me spine. When she sucked my willy.
@dynamo1796 yes he straight off the bat says that he knows modern wars are different to the one he fought in, in that you often don't know who the enemy is...
I did six years in the US Navy, submarine service. It always baffles me when someone thanks me for my service - I am proud of it, for sure, but I never went through anything at all to compare with what these men went through. Empathetic as I am, I can't love their sacrifice enough. They changed their lives forever, and it can't be understated. God bless all the men and women who went into combat in war.
Haha, women?
I guess those who served have put themselves on the line to protect their nation. Regardless of how much action you actually experienced, just standing up and being willing to give it all deserves respect.
@@Amazigh742 imagine being sexist
Imagine women do not participate in war and take credit too
I think the point is that you were there and ready to do your bit. Frankly, the idea of being stuck in a submarine for weeks or months terrifies me, let alone fighting underwater. So I reckon you deserve the thanks. And vets who've been through hell deserve a lot more support than countries generally provide. Cheers
The older man has healed and can smile. The young lad is broken. Very sad.
It is. It is.
time heals all wounds. he will be better.
@@Opqrxyz Blaming west for all the problems won't resolve anything
@@Opqrxyz a reply with ten thousand likes was removed because it wasn't complimentary to the military. Is KZhead headquartered in Myanmar??? Down with fascism.
@@XavierPerezwhaleman a reply with ten thousand likes was removed because it wasn't complimentary to the military. Is KZhead headquartered in Myanmar??? Down with fascism.
"You can't swim?" "Where would you swim to?" .... He's got a point.
He doesn’t have a point actually.... what if the ship sinks? You’d have to swim or die...
British sailor. North atlantic. Dead in minutes in the cold water. Nowhere to swim to. Sure, life rafts... but unless you're near land and a plane can spot you or another ship is nearby you'll likely die from exposure.
If the ship sinks in the sea swiming is not going to save u, especially if they were wearing military equipment wich is so heavy they wouldn't be even able to swim
@@goldenpun5592 the boat my great grandfather was on during ww2 was sunk before the Norwegian shore and he managed to swim and reached land even though the water was extremely cold. And it was more than a few minutes
@@fritz8393 Not to be insensitive, but in that casr, your grandfather was the exception to the rule.
I met a lady the other day, she was 95 and her husband lost his life in the war.. She was extremely humble and I thanked her...asked her about her husband and I said he's a hero... And she got teary and said..People are quick to forget in todays world
I’ll never forget those men. I’ll never forget the women that stepped up when the men left. God bless the greatest generation.
@publicuser2534 very true, it's a shame how most of today's generation act
It's sad to think that there's not many Vets left from WW2, probably the bravest generation of people that have ever lived.
Oh I don't think so.
@@impordes Oh that means a lot coming from you.
@@truereaper4572 well, it doesnt matter whether you agree or not, whether you care or not. What I said is just factual. Throughout the world's history there surely were people more brave than ww2 generation. I'm not discrespectful towards them, I am just open-minded.
@@impordes who would be braver than people openly charging into death, to save their country?
@@Theworld-ct2bl guys in medieval times were fucking nuts
"They never taught me how to swim.'' "Why?" "They said..where would you swim to.?''
That part made me laugh.
Truth hits them like a tone of bricks man.
Was interesting to learn that a lot of sailors during the age of sail didnt swim. Thought it was better to drown quick then die slowly
@@johnalan6067 Neither of these gentlemen are from the Age of Sail. The older vet wouldn't have met anyone from the Age of Sail either, given that it ended in the 1830's.
@@denierdev9723 doesnt sound like he meant this guy, and was relating the fact that a sailor in wwii couldnt swim with the age of sail where those sailors couldnt swim either
The old man is just listening but that’s what the young man needs
That was very well said. Just as important as that is his willingness to speak about his feelings.
If you pay attention to his voice, you'll notice the younger is stuttering with his words more and more with each question.. he's nervous. The older veteran was right, he probably went through alot.
The old man has had many many decades to heal.
@@onlywhenprovoked Agreed. Modern soldiers dont understand what it's like to watch hundreds, if not thousands, or more, of your allies dying in front of your eyes. Edit: small typo.
@@Xykaru definitely true but also a good thing right?
The young soldier who mentioned Paul McAleese, Paul's dad, who was an SAS soldier with a great service record, was the inspiration for Captain Price in the original Modern Warfare series
That's cool
My dad worked with McAleese.
@@Johnb.78 Tell me more
@@Johnb.78 the damn stories he must have
Thats sick
Veteran: How do you think soldiers are viewed in the society. Young Soldier: It all depends on how the media portrays us. Indeed
I've always found that to be bs. Lots of soldiers are pressured to join the army so they can afford to go to college or support their families. Even in other countries besides the US, the governments target poor areas to recruit because they know people are desperate. Media needs to start asking "Why are we forcing our soldiers here?" instead of "Why are soldiers doing this?" Because they have no choice once they sign their lives away, that's why.
Had a housemate who served in Afghanistan. He used to wake up screaming. Came home from work one day to find a suicide note cause he couldn't take it anymore. Visit his grave every year. Still gets to me I couldn't help him.
It wasn't your fault mate. He was already broken :/ . I know it's sad, and I can only hope that he is in peace now.
Always innocent people die just because several cowards in the government have some personal problem with one another.
I lost a good friend who was in my unit he went to iraq a couple times he stayed back in the rear while we deployed. When our first sergeant brought us together and told us what happend I was fucking crushed and still am he was a really good person and will always be missed.
@@locritus could have kept your damn mouth shut.
Azuredawn That’s true
Who else is surprised that the elderly man is 95. He looks fantastic for his age.
I honestly thought he was 60. Hope he is living well.
@Sportsfanatic28 i was referring to his looks. My bad Mr. Sportsfanatic
my granddad was telling me the other day about how his older friends were getting letters of recognition and government benefits now as they've now reached 95 y/o and fought in ww2... But most of his friends are only 91-94 and actually lied about their age when enlisting. Sad to think that there were young teenagers, children really, fighting in a war because they felt they had to. P.S. my granddad fought in vietnam and made friends afterwards with some ww2 vets
@@jo1857 bro man that match was insane where were you hiding i couldnt find you Yeah bro that was sick oh i was hiding in the bunker you didnt check Damn bro nice well ya wanna play again or you gonna get off? Well yeah i think im gonna get off Last seen ww2
@@KWithaFont not really funny at all, not because the video isn't meant to be funny, just because your not funny at all
2:45 - 2:48 facial expression = You see me. If that does not bring you to tears nothing will. words can not convey the respect i have for these two and those that serve.
Being a vet myself I couldn't tell was it that or "Oh, you wanna be a smartass too, huh?"
@@mariastevens6406 I think it was understanding rather than being smarmy
He younger vet looked into his eyes and needed a cuddle. Powerful
@@lukepittle8961He was probably shocked to hear respect from a WWII vet.
When I was a private in Fort Irwin, CA, we often visited a veteran nursing home in Barstow. Most of the soldiers and I were female and one WW2 vet was so sweet. As soon as he saw us, he said if we were with them back in WW2, the enemy would've thrown roses at us instead of gunfire. I'll never forget that. They are full of amazing heroic stories. It's too bad that were moving on in time to where we won't be able to hear those stories anymore.
I want to hear those stories
They spoke differently back then, didn't they? I think there's a type of poetry to that sort of thing.
@@autumneagleYes, the way they spoke seemed more elegant and dignified, yet brutally honest and also funny, all at the same time.
@@autumneagleprobably because they didn’t poison their minds with rap.
@@billybongthornton777What
goddamn that guy looks good for 95, both mentally and physically
Right! I thought he looked too young to have fought in WW2
He sitting there so relaxed to with all the medals he got, real inspiring!
u into older joey?
@@smenjamin2825 huh
Please don’t damn God
"you've been through a lot haven't you, son?" I felt like the younger guy was holding back a lot of feelings that he couldn't reply. Bless them both
He was. Same reason why he didn't want to say too much on the question asking if they've lost comrades.
I love how he said that instead of "I have had it worse than you"
@@messyartdesk8141 you can't really rate wars worse because you don't know what the individual person seen in that time ...
@@messyartdesk8141 infantry vs. Naval gunner is comparing apples to oranges
Yeah the look the younger guy gave when he said that made me drop a couple tears..
It was so interesting to hear the WW2 vet talk about how long it took to stop seeing Germans as enemies. My grandfather is from the Philippines and helped the Americans fight the Japanese. He never really talked about it. But to the day he died, he would never buy anything Japanese
That youngster just yapping his jaw off ain't he 2:41
Can't really blame him. Anyone in Asia at the time, can't be faulted by their hatred of Japan. Imperial Japan was intense (to put it lightly)
Civilians rounded up and murdered. Girls and women raped. Babies thrown in the air to be caught by bayonets. So many stories like that from the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. It's no wonder your grandpa felt that way. Hope he's at peace.
@potatoboyhats905 While all this is true, the allies also committed some heinous war crimes, we just don't hear about them as often. War is hell, and drives humans to commit inhumane acts
@@r.s.richey9956 Biscarri Massacre, Nuclear Bombings, Soviet Army Inaction in the Warsaw Uprising, numerous rapes and massacres post-Axis defeat in Germany and Japan. Very much not lost on me how much war crime the Allies were responsible for.
What an absolute pair of heroes. When the Veteran said ‘you’ve been through quite a lot son’ it was like he was hugging the other ex-soldier who has obviously been through a hell of a lot of suffering. Brilliant to watch and understand what these men went through.
"It's been 12 years. I'm still in fight mode." Jesus Christ
Moth L yeah, and it never goes away
That shits real man
well there is nothing we can do about it for the Veteran, he spent 30 yrs to move on from that hatred 30 yrs, he was still ready to fight some germans
... what did you expect? People who do this get damaged permanently.
Moth L You don’t get over it. You just learn to live with it.
The old vet has dealt with his demons, the young vet has a long road ahead of him.
Different type of demons Jeret.
@@matn7743 your my demon
@@grxxxnt you're
@@kingadalou You have nothing else to do, eh?
@@HudMan4U do you? Its a Sunday and not supposed to go outside
The sense of humor on that gentleman was the quickest disarm maneuver I'd ever seen. "It's safer on a ship, I can't swim" really caught me by surprise. Quite impressive to see these two men from different generations discussing their experiences.
soldiers need to be treasured more by a country. Not just "thank you for your service" and " Welcome Home" then discharge them and leave them to their homes feeling broken and scarred. imagine the pain these people have been through and you'll just tell them those things. No matter what, if they fight for you, they're your hero. That's what I think. When the soldier comes home different than he's been before, irate and traumatized, it's going to affect the family's lives as well. Can a family be ever happy when the father comes home just to drink his life away? I just had a neighbor pass away. He was a soldier who had just 2 years off since he retired. He had this house already built. Big and nice. I thought it was great. Then news came out that he just died from a stroke or something and he was found alone, dead on the floor of his house. It was sad. He had no family with him until his death.
"You've been through a lot, haven't you son?" Jesus... Thats a hard hitter
Hey what the meaning of "Havent you son ?" And what os that I am confused
@@trustme4456 im guessing a non native English speaker? Haven't is a contraction of "have not". The literal meaning of "Have not you, son?" Does not make any sense does it? Well... There's a metric fuck ton of dialects, idioms, and implied meanings in english. What "Haven't you, son" translates to is "Have you not, son?" The old man is asking him if he could honestly say that he hasn't been through some shit
@@moonshinetheleocat1235 ohhh thank It was havent you, son I didnt see any comma😅 So i got tricked
@@moonshinetheleocat1235 yes i am arabic But know much about English
@@trustme4456 ah.. yeah. My bad. A tip is don't worry too much about the grammar. Most english speakers don't focus too hard on it. A good trick is to say it in your head. Your mind (or at least a native speaker) will naturally create commas or breaks where needed.
"It's been 12 years I'm still in fight mode." Not all scars are on your body.
I have never got back to "ok" no one understands. Everyone wants you to be you again and ok. Watching men die and losing people takes something from you. I don't know how to return to "normal"
@@leostrazsa5440 I'll pray for you Leonard, that the Lord Christ provide healing and peace.
@@leostrazsa5440 I'm thinking of you. Take every day as it comes, and I hope you have/can get the support you need
ZyloTheTinyTonTerror very true!!
He brought it upon himself when he signed up to be a rich persons pawn fighting for oil and not actually protecting the country. No sympathy for his choice in careers, he made that bed now he can lay in it. Can't handle it? Shouldn't have joined in the first place.
Had to hold back tears. I wonder if they stayed in touch after this interview. I have mad respect for the answer from the young guy about the "enemy."
The "enemy" indeed. Tell me, was this enemy someone who disagreed with the American way of life?
@@PinkiePie45838283734666o9 these aren't American soldiers homie
@@PinkiePie45838283734666o9 why is it you people act like the people in combat call the shots??? The people who call the shots for the ANY/ALL military would never risk their lives I assure you. They’d rather send the working class. So they do a draft. And when people complain about that, they set up an economy where your last ditch effort is the military. Homeless? “Housing if you enlist.” Poor? “Paychecks if you enlist.” Can’t go to college? “Now you can FOR FREE if you enlist.” Don’t have any direction in life? “Enlisting in the military will guarantee you a career.”
@@PinkiePie45838283734666o9Actually yes those group do. Not supporting those wars but as far as values go and, it is exact opposite. Freedom of speech, gender equality, freedom of religion. And all those terror groups literally say stuff like 'death to the US.' And stuff like 9/11 also happened. Iraq is was also doing the same crap Iran does now, disrupting trade, using proxies etc. The public reasoning was false but the US wouldn't be so gung ho about it if it wasn't for decades of tensions and problems. Even if it doesn't justify starting full blown wars, they aren't friends and somehow treating like those organizations are victims is just stupid.
He was absolutely right. You can also go into a combat zone with some compassion as well. Knowing we were in a country that didn’t do anything to us… I knew I needed to dial it back a bit. Being respectful and treating people as a human being definitely kept me alive. I was warned at an entry control point twice that attacks were being planned for my particular checkpoint. I wouldn’t have gotten that intel if I treated everyone like shit.
I've volunteered at a nursing home for almost 11 years. Nearly all the men and some women were veterans of WWII when I started. Now...there's only one left. Their stories are so important, it breaks my heart that my niece and nephew will never hear them. With separation comes a lack of immediacy and relevance, which feels like one step closer to repeating it all over again. RIP, greatest generation
Can you record the stories of the one hero that is left?
"You've been through a lot, haven't you, son?" The video could have been just that and it would have been just as powerful. It felt like a stab through the chest.
It certainly is. My grandma's husband (not my grandpa, they were married after they were 80yrs old) fought in the Pacific during WWII on 3 different ships as a turret gunner. He lost his hearing in one ear entirely, but only partially in the other, because of the shells exploding in close proximity to him, but he is one of my heros and has a heart like an Ox and a soul of gold. He's 97 years young and the way he's going he'll probably outlive all of us. God bless that man, and I'm damn proud to call him family. The joke running we have as a family is, "We have to start thinking about what kind of world we're going to leave behind for Walt."
I teared up when he said it.
Hart attacc
@@TheTsar1918 Same man.
I watched the younger guys face and I think it hit him just as hard
The pain of older generation's is knowing that your pain didn't spare his.
Oi
Preach. 👍🏾
This is a beautiful yet painful comment. Its true.
Luke Johnson woah. I love what you just said. ❤️✝️
@@RonnieJamesDio666 short yet powerful makes more sense don't ask me why but I know
My grandmother was probably one of the few people in my life who could never bore me with her story. She was italian and died 2 years ago at 91 years old. She told me so many stories about the war with so much passion into it and she would always do it with a smile. I was only between 8 and 14 years old so I couldn't really grasp how hard it was for her. I remember her telling me she had to turn off the lights in her house and close the windows every night to avoid getting targeted by the planes and how her and the family had little to eat and there were 8 of them. Her husband died when my father was just 13 which means that she stayed alone, with her 3 sons and 1 daughter, for 43 years and managed to build what today exists. I don't remember telling her that I loved her, which is something I kind of regret, but I've always felt like she knew how much I appreciated her.
The old soldier is wearing quite some distinction and yet talks like he was just on a ship and didnt have much trouble. So humble... I think he saw quite a lot more. And he rather puts the young soldier in the spotlight. We will miss this generation so much in the future. Probably already do nowadays... :(
With all those ribbons on his jacket that man was most likely a demon
@@dreezysig7469You misspelt "hero"
@@zr3755 if he was a hero,the western world wouldn’t be the shithole it is today,plus I don’t believe in the “good guys and bad guys” charade when talking about war. He performed his duties well and got credit for it.
Being called "son" from WW II veteran is bigger award and honor than any medal Edit: I get some responses that “son” is normal by any older people - I don’t deny in other countries, but where I come from, being called “son” by anyone but your own father is very rare and it already means something
agreed.
agreed
Not really but ok
@@kgkomrin dont ruin things you annoying toad
@@monke980 anyway I love the way the elder vet say he is a communist inside his heart.
"I miss the clowns not the circus" -my buddy after getting out of the navy
Tannen Chase only clowns sign up for the circus
Realising what this means makes me sad, war changes you.
@@bambamjesus5067 shut up as if you've done anything with your life
BamBam Jesus seriously man show some respect. These men and women are sacrificing their lives and freedoms so you can be at home safely.
This is lowkey what every serviceman thinks of the military, time wasting, mentally draining, or you get injured or get a combat deployment and come back changed forever
It took the old man 30 years to lose his hatred for Germans.. and the young soldier never hated the Afghans. Humanity is waking up..
Not really.. the Young soldier never had a reason to hate the Afghans … but I’m sure the Afghan people still hate the soldiers 😂
Bs it’s worst
Wayyyy different situations
No fucking shot. I just saw an asian grandpa get pushed by a tall african american male in the road.
The young man didn't have his family and neighbors bombed in their beds for a year in the blitz...
I remember talking with a veteran from WW2 while waiting at at&t, made me happy to see him smile when I asked him about his service, he told me that not many people would listen to his stories. I really hope hes doing fine. Should’ve caught his name
what? i would want to hear his stories I can't express how much. I'm 16
I see a old man who made his peace, and a young lad with dead eyes who is still haunted.
Let's pray that the young soldier can work through it all and come out the other side with the same peace.
@@thelight3435 the difference being the WW2 had a meaning and public support, but the public feels very differently about Iraq. So it’s harder in that way for the younger man.
@@butterf1sh This is why I make a point of thanking military personnel when I see them... I think back to how people in my own country treated 'nam vets, and I think "we can't let this happen again..." You can hate the war. You can object to the war, but keep in mind the soldier is just doing what s/he thinks is right...
What does this mean? They re literally puppets in the hands of countries who deploy them just to run the military industry and the political interests. I agree you must respect soldiers, but also it s important to realize they re basically killing machines protecting their country interests (of course I m not talking about WW vets)
@@francescorovere4081 It's not like they can do anything about it. Once you're in, you can get out but your mind is still in the battlefield or even worse at the frontline.
Imagine having a WWII veteran tell you that you've been through quite a lot... Must be tough for that guy.
yeah true
nope
Likely that the older vet recognizes that pain. It's not his first time talking to a broken man. Perhaps at one point he was that man. He understands what the young soldier needs to hear from him, and gives him the support the older soldier likely didn't have in that way.
Imagine taking the time to comment and be negative if a video bored you so much. Good grief you must be attention starved. I'll hug ya mate, cheers.
@@GoogleGoogle-fd6do Why are you watching it then ? I found it interresting and it might help some people !
My father was a US Marine who fought in the Pacific during WWII. He saw combat on many islands, in the Phillipines and on Okinawa, so he fought in the jungle and in the towns. When his best friend's son came home after fighting as a Marine in Vietnam, they would sit for hours and talk. My father never spoke much at all about the war and neither did Mickey (the Vietnam vet) but when they got together you could just sense that they had shared experiences. When my dad was in the hospital hospice, Mickey visited him, I left them alone to talk. When Mickey came out of the room he was crying. He looked at me and said, "I love your dad. He saved my life." I never forgot that moment. It was 25 years ago and I still tear up when I recall it. I loved my father but I never really realized until that moment how much other people loved him too and what he meant to them. I miss him every day and I can't wait to hug him again one day. I know I'll have to "fight" through the mob to get to him. Love you Pops ❤
"you've been through quite a lot son, haven't you" what a powerful first few words, with that you instantly feel the connection they have. Thanks for the video.
"I was just a sailor." I see that Combined Operations patch. Not your ordinary sailor.
is it a big honor?
Berta yes.
@@berta3828 It was a department of the War Office set up during the Second World War to harass the Germans in Europe by means of raids carried out by use of combined naval and army forces. Famous among these, where the British Commando Raiders.
@@TheCrimsonFckr wow... it's very interesting to see someone so badass yet so humble... I'm a soon to be sailor too
Jun Jaki there's nothing to proud of from war and he sees it. your enemy fought for what they believe and you fought for what you believe, it's what us human is. we are no different after all.
"You've been through a lot, haven't you, son?" *Silence...*
speaks louder than any word said
but probably also unprepared to comment knowing the aul fella fought in wwii
yea what can he say to that? the old fella fought in the biggest nastiest war of all time
The younger looked touched to know that the elder understood.
Time stamp?
I've met a lot of WW2 Soldiers over the year's,and one really stood out he was a regular customer and he was telling me about how much hassle it was going through a metal detector because he had so much German scap metal in his body,and yet he a very positive person who said something that still shakes me thinking about it.He said "Son you don't know Hell until you're using the dead body of the guy you were talking too as a shield".Ty to all who serve and continue to serve .
“It took all my youth” that line hit me
Its true war takes our innoncence and I think thats why I and a lot of others struggle with what happened during war. You aren't who you used to be and you have this image of who you were and nothing you do will get you back to it. Thats why mental health stuff is so important nowadays. I know so me of the best advice a buddy gave me when I got back was to go watch my favorite kids movie and that helped in that moment. It can be rough if we can't identify whats going wrong inside our heads.
Hit me too. 20 year retiree. Body has seen better days.
It's strange. With people being in the military in general, your mind is rewired, to a point where you almost completely forget who you were, and it's interesting that you mention childhood movies and such. Things I'd watch as a kid were just there to occupy me. I wouldn't pay much mind emotionally, rather just for the pure entertainment value. Now, watching a lot of my favorite childhood shows, it's hard to separate emotion from it. It's like, when you're watching The Land Before Time as a kid, you don't really bat an eye at the moment where Littlefoot loses his mother. Watching it now, you understand now the severity of the issue, and it's automatically translated as, "Damn, that's fuckin awful, bro... Little dude just lost his own mom". Maybe I'm over-analyzing it, maybe it's just all sentiment and nostalgia. It does feel strange though.
Seth Wood no disrespect meant but wouldn't that be considered becoming a man, if your not the same as you were when you were younger
@@sethwood1676 My granddad is a WWII veteran and he said that the war took his youth also. When he says that he doesn't mean that it took his innocence (although it did). He means it quite literally. He didn't have that time to fall in love, to go out with friends and simply enjoy life. When he returned from the war he had to go straight into the working world and rebuilt his country.
"It all depends on how the media portrays us" Damn...
My mom, whose two brothers were in Vietnam, said that the media & anti-war protesters killed more American soldiers than the Vietcong ever did.
It's really sad how soldiers in Vietnam were treated when they got home. They were shunned and spat on. It makes me angry
@Daniel Washford soldiers did nothing, they just served their country. Many were drafted, the government was stupid, not the soldiers
Daniel Washford you understand these men were drafted against their will? right?
Solomon Lee OMG I read this comment as soon as he said it.
"Where would u swim to?" , is such an incredible statement, applicable on many levels.
My grandfather fought the Japanese, he was in the Bataan Death March. They were bayonetting the Filipino soldiers left and right. He said one Soldier bayonetted him in the leg, and as he lay bleeding a Japanese doctor had him lifted and stitched him up himself. He lived a long life, he's gone now but it's the only war story he ever told me as a child, the only 1 I remember anyway. I miss you Lolo.
Hats off to your grandfather. The Bataan Death March was horrible for the men. He must've been a strong man to survive. Glad he was able to pass his strength on to you.
He will always watch over. God bless him
The young one has PTSD written all over his face. Poor man.
Defenitly reminds me of Chris Kyles face in certain scenes in American Sniper
Definitely. Them eyes see too much.
@@SilverF250s Looks as such in the book cover as well.
Yeah.. I have ptsd as well
@@hello-sp9yh why baby?
“You can’t kill someone without killing a part of yourself”
Kungfu Wolf007 I’m not sure you would not get out and be fine about it all your life
@@eccky1897 you literally just said Hitler wasn't as bad as you think???? That's gotta be the most paradoxical things I've ever heard that's like saying that couch isn't really a couch
Seth Shirley my poo isn’t really my poo?
Bet
@@eccky1897 Are you dumb? I'm German and please don't talk about our dirty history like it wasn't so bad. He cared about his own people? Well he judged who his own people were by his messed up standard and got "rid" of unemployment by killing hundreds of thousands of innocent people that didn't fit into his messed up perception of what a German was.
This was surprisingly touching, especially when the older veteran said "You've been through quite a lot son, haven't you?" I have an incredible amount of respect for these two gentlemen and their peers.
My grandfather was a ww2 vet, fought in Germany from 43 till the end of the war. Growing up I remember all the stories he would tell me of the experiences he had. Many stories I heard over and over because of his dementia but I never lost focus and always paid attention. He left me a German luger and an ss officers dagger he brought back from the war. I miss him so much, and wish I could hear the stories one more time. I love you grandpa and I miss you 😔
“War does not care who is right or wrong, only who is left.”
"if we don't end war,war will end us"
B A R S
Dammmm
call of duty comment not allowed
@@likaruch.8545 war is human nature
"War does not determine who is right. Only who is left." Bertrand Russell
*"In movies, when people go to war, there's always the bad guys and the good guys. In real life war, there's only humanity; and in the end the only one who gets to decide who was the bad guys is the side who wins"* - My Dad
Yeah, approaching from the left is usually the better strategy
Bellyhead lmao
"War isn’t Hell. War is war, and Hell is Hell. And of the two, war is a lot worse. There are no innocent bystanders in Hell. War is chock full of them - little kids, cripples, old ladies. In fact, except for some of the brass, almost everybody involved is an innocent bystander."-- Hawkeye
@@oneparticularlysmartape and because of that germany was known to have started WW1
I served in the Marine Corps from 2005 to 2012 with one deployment to Iraq in 2008. We had tough vehicles, state of the art technology, breathable uniforms, and boots that were like sneakers. I have nothing but respect for those who served before me. Leather boots that gave you trench foot. Wool uniforms in hot climates. Charging towards enemy gunfire. War will never be easy, but it gets easier. What I went through was still one of the most challenging experiences of my life. I can't imagine what those who came before me endured.
I'm glad your home and safe. I love the respect you have for other soldiers and their wars. My generation knows the impact you and your fellow soldiers made. I am grateful for the safety your gave & still give to us. The world is a better place because of your bravery and selflessness. We will never meet but just know that your are loved, admired and revered by many!!!
Band of Brothers crosses generations. The respect between them is strong. It was a beautiful, honest conversation that I am thankful to be able to hear and see. Thank you both for your service. Hoorah!
The level of respect between these men is incredible.
Both military men same troubles different scenario, best thing I have seen on KZhead for a long time
They've earned every ounce of it as well. I assure you without a shred of doubt in my mind.
they kill people
that have a family
@@cristodisoho3639 ppl like you trigger me the most, snowflake.
"Older men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die" - Herbert Hoover
Deepika Verma So true and it makes me very sad
Deepika Verma well yeah, when your older and basically controlling a government it becomes harder to see the horrors of war.
Call Of Duty reference huh
@@mihij4773 No, Herbert Hoover reference, not a videogame
Just like the Shinobi War
The handshake at the end, how they embrace each other made me feel good. You can see the younger one wanted to talk a bit more.
Nothing but my deepest respect for these two gentlemen. True heroes.
Clean shave, wearing a tie, shine shoes, Wearing a lot of medals, combed hair.. Looks like he still follow the soldier routine.
Raym Janjua It’s just a question don’t have to get too mad about it.
@@phantombri2053 what do you think he walks around in 🤦♂️😂
@Raym Janjua No reason to get upset over a KZhead comment.
rylan You don’t even know what simp means do you? Stop using words you don’t even know the meaning of 😂
@Raym Janjua he just asked a question, what is your problem? 😂
This old soldier is wearing the "Légion d'honneur", it's the highest decoration of the French army, and was created by Napoléon. All my respect.
Gg that you know that
Napoleon, one of the French I respect the most (bcause he invade all Europe by himself that’s pretty dope)
@@senseilecuck7974 He felt in RUSSIA
@@aladdin1633 yeah but he still invade all Europe by himself (except Russia)
@@senseilecuck7974 Almost true, he had two big losses the biggest of course is in Russia, the second was against the Egyptians in Acco or St-Jean-D'Acre which is situated in actual Israel, but yes he was a fantastic tactician even if the population hated him because of hunger that the Empire brought
I’m an American veteran who deployed to Iraq the same time the young man did. I felt this whole video 🫡✌️🇺🇸
We LOVE YOU ❤
🫡
Equal respect for both these men. Not even from the Britain area (from Canada) but still have utmost respect for them and their courage.
When a ww2 veteran says "you've been through a lot son" that's real sad.
At the same time, I imagine it's reassuring in a way. I'm pretty sure that no matter how much trauma and pain that man went through, there were MANY people who just expected him to "man up" and deal with it. In which case this understanding and empathy by someone who has been through one of the toughest conflicts in history would mean an awful lot.
That’s really touching to me, because it radiates on the young man’s face, all the pain he’s gone through. And the aged soldier can see right through it because to some extent he knows how much soldiers have to go through
That hit me real hard
@@shotpister1002 whats really touching you? your fathers tip?
@@sonnyc3826 What the fuck is your damage?
2:45 i'd rather to be called "son" from an old soldier more than be called a "friend" from any celebrity. It costs a lot and its the highest respect.
Dunno about the highest respect, its just a british thing
Nils Grozev Well I love this thing. It gives me chills every time I hear it.
@@nilsgrozev6882 it’s said in america too probably more
@@AmberWoodMusicx nah u tweaking
@@nilsgrozev6882 nah he aint. bruh they even say that a lot in movies
WW2 veteran about his war:"If I hadn't been there, I'd have missed a lot". To hear that was priceless.
That question "You've been through a lot, son..." - It just gives the perfect image of a loving grandfather, it just warmed my heart. And I think the younger veteran felt it too.
“You’ve been through a lot, haven’t ya lad” Only a man that’s went through hell would ask a question like that... just to comfort him.
Only a man that has been through hell and back could ask something like that
That one touched home
You can see it written all over his face. Definitely got that thousand yard stare going on.
They too know.
You've been through quite a lot,haven ya* ? Please visit a otolaryngologist (ear doctor) i recommend neurologist also. Reason neurologist (to check yours and the other people that are supporting you by liking your comment brain that is damaged for some kind of reason)All i mean that your hearing is not good.. P.S no bad feelings ;)
The world war 2 vet saying “youve been through quite a lot havent you son?” Jesus Christ. What an honor
When?
Surely does bro
@@specterr3177 2:45
Made me cry :(
@@drai-chillabitokay1857 thx
My great granddad was a ww2 vet, and I miss him every day.. hearing this gentleman talk about his experience during that time is crazy to me because my grandad never talked about it around me.
3:02 A true soldier doesn't fight because he hates what's in front of him, but because he loves what's behind him.
The old guy telling the younger one "I learned a lot from you" That hit me HARD.
@@brynion2117 exactly i completly agree
I cried watching this. The old bloke was from the same war as my grandfather who I never knew.
@National Socialist I certainly hope you don't run into anyone in your life that has the same attitude as you. You wouldn't like it.
@@sentientmlem727 says the guy named connor
@@cedaagent says the guy named Donut
“In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons.” - Herodotus
Or wives, daughters, and sisters that didn't even receive their loved one's bodies back.
Christyandi K why you gotta add that?
@@vice_santos that's reality, I know some of them on the last military fuckup our country did. Some of them no longer have Fathers, Mothers have to bury their own Sons. Wives have to bury their own husbands.
Placido Penitente unfortunately the author has been dead for some 3000 years, if he were still with us we could show him the misogyny of his words.
"Only the dead have seen the end of War." -Plato
„Where would you swim to? When you’re far from Home doesn‘t matter if you can swim or not“ That phrase catched me like there is no really escape when you leave home who knows how to come back. And there are better priorities than learning to swim. I like his humor even after all this happened. Glad he‘s still alive. Both of them. Edit: the old Man tells his story in a way that I imagine all situations in black and white sequences.
Incredible honesty and empathy sharing joint experience divided through decades, very powerful vid glad to have the privilage of viewing thank you
"I always felt safer on the ship, I can't swim." "You can't swim? Though you were a sailor?" "They never taught me, but where would you swim to? You're a long way from home. Doesn't matter if you can swim or not." Hands down one of my favorite exchanges of all time.
True
You Didn't join Freemasonry under the pressure of your Peers Did you ?
even if you could swim and float on a piece of scrap or whatever, noone’s coming to save you
It is what it is mindset. Very powerful but also a reminder of how it was drilled into them, fighting for freedom
Most sailors dont survive when their ship goes down.
Man , when the elder said " Well you've been through quite a lot son , haven't you ? " It felt like he was saying to the other soldier " Are you Ok son ? "
That's exactly what he did
It hit me different
Are ya winning son
The WW2 veteran saw things in the eyes of the younger veteran, and he knew.
The younger man's eyes said "No sir... I don't think so... Not yet."
Well, this video made me cry... I don't approve of violence, guns, etc, I hate war, but at the same time, I have a great deal of respect for those that have served, who have fought to protect civilians, fought for freedom, etc. Hearing from these men was truly emotional.
this is making me cry as well. sometimes i for got Brits also went to war with us. Sorry if im saying it wrong. Just a yank over here. A warrior is warrior no matter where you are from. I send love from America. Thanks for the help and survive you guys.
"Soldiers aren't machines. We're just people." - Thomas lasky.
Halo 4
H m
You just gave me PTSD from playing halo 4 back in the day😥
“She said that to me once...about being a machine...”
Right but they are trained to be machines
It's so beautiful to see the two ex-soldiers shaking hands with deep mutual understanding and sympathy. God bless those who suffered, have suffered and are still suffering from the trauma of war. It's not your fault.
The tangible respect they have for each other, their candid words, and their willingness to do what it takes according to what they believe...... It is remarkable these two men.
The class of this older gentleman is undeniable.
Hes chad
@@jackhoffmanhoffman35 What are you getting at? He's been scarred for potentially life, can understand why he wouldn't be as chipper as you might think.
They dont make people like him no more ...
@@antonnvl5019 100%
Cool pfp
"Have you lost someone in your company?" The old vet didn't even answer that question because we all know the answer :(
Earlier in the conversation he says their 'was 12 of us' so ya. In his mind there will always be 12
We've all lost someone, and if you haven't lost anyone, you will. That's generally what life on this universe is.
@McFlickers and that's the norm, something that everyone can and will experience. People die when they're killed, either by accidents, sicknesses, wars, or their own idiocy. You can't do anything other than to accept the fact that "shit happens", whether you want it or not. I can say this because I went to Vietnam back then.
The younger one said he did, but didn't want to talk about them. You want their names spoken but it chokes you to say them.
@@KingsOfLosers123 not really the point though. But I do agree, we all lose somebody at some point. However, losing someone in the midst of war is an entirely different circumstance.
It was touching to listen to both of them. The older man was charming and wonderful. He is very special in his gentleness and has so much humanity in him. The younger man has my deepest respect for struggling to fight his demons, but I believe he's winning and I salute him for his courage. His head is on straight and I like his thinking and reasoning. He is mature and knows his path. Bless both these men, they are heroes!
The young man's speech about why he tells his story... so very powerful. Thanks LadBible for putting this together
"You've been through a lot." His eyes say everything.
Yes, you can see meat and testosterone in those eyes.
I know a lot of people that regret enlisting (in the US). Especially my best friend. It was her dream, she was so excited. She's a Marine now. She hates it. At one point she told me she'd rather be dead. It's hell.
His eyes broke my heart. I hope he can heal.
@@a.avindur Very sad. A friend of mine was in the same boat. He had been training most of his life with his older brother, who had served. Then when he graduated high school he went straight to the Marines as was his dream and served four years. He hated it the whole time but at least it helped him get into nursing school after.
Mackenzie Autumn my father was a marine for 20 years, retired, never regretted a thing. There’s nothing wrong with enlisting so long as you have two things: 1: The right reason, I.e. serving to protect as a mindset. 2: That you’re strong enough to endure hell and not complain much about it. This goes for any military, not just the US. For as long as you fight for your people (the right intention) there’s nothing wrong with being a soldier. There might be something wrong with the government which may run portions (or wholes) of it, but that’s separate from the soldier. Just my opinion on that.