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London, England: Tourists Had To Duck Out Of DUKW

For those of us who served in World War II, a recent incident with a DUKW brings back memories. A boatload of people had to jump into the Thames River after an engine of one of the vintage vehicles caught fire. Fortunately, there was no danger and, although wet, no one was hurt.

Several tourist transportation companies in England and elsewhere offer recreational DUKW rides in the military amphibian vehicles. The attraction is that the excursion takes customers on highways, city streets and into rivers on the same tour. Despite the recent problem in London, the DUKW safety record is at least as good as any bus or river craft.

DUKW was introduced in 1942 as a GMC utility vehicle with front-wheel drive and two powered rear axles. Some historians have insisted the letters formed an acronym, but are incorrect. However, because of the letters, the land/water troop carrier has been fondly called a duck for the past 71 years.

During WWII and the Korean War, thousands of DUKWs were used in invasions and river crossings by American GIs and Marines, as well as British, Canadian, Australian and Russian troops.

For more information, go to www.londonducktours.co.uk

 

Famed Civil War Statues: Visit Before Vandalized PDF Print E-mail


We’re all aware of the current angry trend of tearing down statues, especially those of Confederate generals. Many that have stood the test of time for more than 150 years will end up as piles of rocks due to politically-correct rioters.

Consider visiting these while still standing, if they actually survive the current destruction craze:
National Statuary Hall, Capitol Hill, Washington DC: 100 statues, 12 of them Confederates.
J.E.B. Stuart, Richmond VA
Robert E. Lee, New Orleans LA
Stonewall Jackson and Lee Statues, Baltimore MD
Stone Mountain Memorial, Georgia: The massive carving on the mountainside will require lots of angry axes to destroy.
Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC: Already hit by spray paint. Hey, rioters. Abe was one of your good guys.

Finally, let’s consider a memorial poem about the Gettysburg Cemetery. The sad words by Francis Finch are typical of how most Americans feel about the terrible sacrifices on both sides during the Civil War:
No more shall the war cry sever,
Or the winding rivers be red;
They banish our anger forever
When they laurel the graves of our dead!
Under the sod and the dew,
Waiting the judgment-day,
Love and tears for the Blue,
Tears and love for the Gray.

 
 
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