HELLION FOR HIRE: TOUR OF DUTY - NEVER FORGET THEM

[MattBrady]

Hellion For Hire – Tour of Duty 5

Memorial Day – Never Forget Them

by Billy Tucci

“It is my hope that in the years to come the same spirit which drove you onward to your achievements in this war will cause you to take the lead in your communities in doing everything possible to make our country a better place in which to live, and to improve our international relations and prevent future wars, so that our heroic dead shall not have died in vain.”

Lusford E. Oliver Major General, Commanding, Fifth Armored Division

An open column to my fellow American citizens…

Not unlike the opening scene in the film Saving Private Ryan, I sauntered along the asphalt walk to the gentle sounds of surf and the sweet smell of sea salt that Tuesday morning in October. I kept my eyes to the sea, only occasionally glancing appreciatively to the carefully-tended trees and bushes I passed. Several other people were coming back down the walk towards me with a look that words cannot describe. We all smiled and nodded to one another. For we all shared that special bond between countrymen who have come across an ocean to this hallowed ground. I slowed my pace, staring forever at the shore, but soon the time had come that I couldn’t nor shouldn’t ignore reason I had come to the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial near Colleville-sur-Mer, France.

I turned to my left and my heart simultaneously soared and sank at the astonishing and heartbreaking site of this…



Exactly 9,387 marble crosses (including with a few Stars of David) create a bleach white garden of stone, all firmly planted into a lushly manicured sea of grass… Each one representing a precious life cut short by the horrors of war.

Their remains, many un-whole, all broken in some fashion silently lie alone in the cold ground they had come so far to free. This cemetery, like many of those dotted across the European countryside is US soil. A bit of earth given by appreciative nations for the American boys who, though safely sheltered by the Atlantic Ocean and for the most part, having no personal gripe with their enemy, came here and paid the ultimate sacrifice for another’s freedom.



The motto of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment is “Currahee”, native American, (Sioux perhaps?) for – “We Stand Alone.” And yes, every cross and every star does stand alone, steady and proud against all elements, as blistering sun, wind, rain nor snow could ever shake their hallowed foundations. For there is strength in their numbers, as almost 10,000 silent soldiers lie together and proudly display all that is great in humanity.

Man capable of incredible feats of art, faith, science, government and charity. He is also a petty, weak and cruel individual capable of unimaginable evils. And, as it is true that there will always be those who set about to slaughter and enslave their brothers, sisters and children, the same is true for the ones who will stand up for those who cannot. Those “supermen” who put another’s freedom above their own and if need be, pay for that freedom with their own lives.



These are the ones we must remember. Remember their names and their deeds of our beloved veterans, both past and present, either in the course of battle or time, whom are who are longer with us.

As I stood upon this field of valor, I made the decision to seek out one random individual, one forgotten soldier buried so far from home and hearth and to find out as much on him as possible. Of these 9,387 graves, (some holding generals and medal of honor recipients) I was going to pick one marker, one young man plucked from the prime of life and tell the world about him, for example, “MICHAEL F. MORIARITY PVT 377 FA BN 101 ABN DIV ILLINOIS JUNE 6 1944” etc. I was going to research the hell out of this man, find his family, write them a letter, learn what he did before the war, learn about his parents, if he had a wife, children? What were his hopes and dreams?

Without a thought, I picked one indiscriminant marker a ways away, and walked towards it from the rear, careful to step between the rows of the fallen, I walked, journal and pen in hand, ready to write down the name and state of this particular soldier, who I know, in a few weeks time, would no longer be a stranger to me. I got to the cross, rested a palm on it out of respect, and after a deep breath, walked over to its face and saw… this…



Now I am not ashamed to say that the first thing I felt was a slight buckle of the knees as the lump in my throat swelled and the waterworks began once again. I didn’t think I had any tears left to shed (after all this was my second day in Normandy), but was so overcome with emotion, I couldn’t help it. So I did the first thing that came to mind; I said a prayer to this Unknown Soldier.

And while on my knees it hit me…

How fitting for me to find him? That out of almost 10,000 heroes buried here, my random choice of finding a “comrade in arms, known but to God” really summed it up all veterans of this great nation of ours. His name and identity lost forever, but his shattered body and those immortal words speaking for them all.



It’s just incredible and it inspired me even more in my quest to make Sgt. Rock – The Lost Battalion as authentic and “human” as possible. I want to carry on Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert’s legacy of having Rock represent all American soldiers, a metaphor for each and every person ever to put on a uniform and embrace the moniker “GI” now more than ever. I tried to instill this sentiment in my script for issue one:


Panel 6

Collective shot of Easy Company resting after their long brutal morning on Easy Red and showing a mixed variety of emotions. Kilroy’s Narrative identifying the men of Easy will be placed next to or beneath each subject.

13.KILROY NARRTIVE: And within every “GI” the world over there is a Sergeant Frank Rock.

14.KILROY NARRATIVE: As there is a Tag Along, a Bulldozer, a Wildman, a Little Sure Shot and an Ice Cream Soldier.

Panel 7

Back to a reflective Kilroy, safely back in England

15.KILROY NARRATIVE: Together, they are all Easy Company.

16.KILROY NARRATIVE: And I wish them all God Speed on their journey.

17. KILROY NARRATIVE: We at least owe them that much.

I’m just about done writing today, as I’ve got a comic book to finish. A book so dear to my heart that at times, it sends chills down my spine as I scratch out a panel. So I’d like to let the following pictures do the talking for me. These come from my good friends in France, Hervé Claudon and Gerome Villain, and they were taken during this week’s Memorial Day remembrance ceremony at the Epinal American Cemetery where the remains of 5,255 US soldiers rest.









These wonderful people of France will never forget their liberators and make a point to teach their own children of the sacrifice and selflessness of the American veteran. So on a day of baseball, beaches, barbeques and beer, let us not forget them either. After all, we are Americans, the most generous nation the world has ever known and for those who say differently, remember that it is there right to do so, but you must never forget the words of General Mark Clark, inscribed on the walls of the Normandy cemetery.



And if you see a veteran, or even the family of one lost in battle, thank them please, as we “at least owe them that much…”

As even though the crosses of Normandy stand straight and proud, their morning shadows all reach towards the bloody beach of Omaha from which they came…

And never left.



Nous Restons Ici and Happy Memorial Day

Billy Tucci

“Hellion For Hire” will return to Newsarama in a few weeks with more Sgt. Rock art, photos and my visit to Normandy -- the two consecutive “Tour of Duty” columns will be running June 5th and 6th.

[Spirto]

I spoke with Mr. Tucci at this years Motor City Comic Con and he is a very friendly and nice guy.

I am really looking forward to his Sgt. Rock mini series.

MikeM

[boomboom]

reading the adventures op Tucci during his quest through Europe, searching for WWII places...

it gives me renewed respect!!

Both for the artist as well as for the Veterans.

[Marius665]

Days like this make me very great full that I served my time in the Army and I'm still alive.

It's truly sad that all these soldiers aren't around but at least they have honor and will never be forgotten.

I miss all my friends that have passed

[djcoffman]

Awesome post Mr. Tucci. Those heroes are with you in spirit.

[LowKey Loki]

Very cool Mr. Tucci. Very cool

Cheers

has a release date for Sgt. Rock: The Lost Battalion been announced? It's now a must have for me.

[shadow-ray]

Mr Tucci,
just a word of thanks for your column. It should remind everyone that Memorial Day isn't about a 3 day weekend or the "un-official start of the summer".

It's about paying respect to those who served in any military branch and to those who paid the the ultimate sacrifice for us.

[BlackCatGuy]

Billy,
Thank You.

You know me. You know I mean that with every fiber of my being.

Seeing the pictures of that cemetary reminded me of my time spent at a very similar cemetary in Luxembourg. The emotions I felt that day were tremendous. And seeing Patton's grave there really hit me hard. But not as hard as finding a white cross exactly like the one you found. " A Comrade In Arms, Known Only To God." I felt I couldn't leave this soldier. Even when It was time for us to leave, I felt like I had to stay. To watch over this soldier. To protect the site. It was extremely hard to leave that day.

Visiting one of these hallowed sites is extremely emotional. I think EVERYONE should go. The enormity of the ultimate sacrifice really hits you. HARD.


Again Billy, from one proud veteran to another................THANK YOU!!

[atomika]

Billy

Way to go Bro!
Stuff looks tremendous.
Keep it up.!


Warmest regards


Sal Abbinanti

www.mercurycomics.com
www.alexrossart.com

[Chitwood]

Seeing that picture of that guy in the wheelchair standing while the Color Guard was marching almost made me cry.

Seeing that picture of that guy standing up in his wheelchair, I think it made me realize what people in 1945 felt like when they saw the flag being planted on the mountain in Iwa Jima. It didn't make me feel anything other then thumping my chest, but seeing that guy, it made me feel like saying God bless America, and God bless those who protect our land.

[md62]

Wow. My vision became a bit blurry reading this. Excellent article.

[qcjoe]

God bless all of the heroes who have served in the past and present.

[ANGELDOGGIE]

You summed it up very well indeed Billy. And , I would like to add, that we all - each and every single one of us - should.........no......MUST remember the soldiers that have fallen to keep us a free people. We MUST remember the soldiers, now veterans, that came home with harrowing stories that even they could not tell. We MUST remember these brave souls , not just on Memorial Day, or Veteran's Day, .....BUT EVERY DAY!!!!! Our great country owes more to these people than we could ever hope to re-pay! How do you pay back someone who gave his life for you? How do you re-pay someone who gave up his innocence and became battle hardened by the age of nineteen? How do we do this? I'll tell you how..............we remember the fallen EVERY DAY.... we THANK the Veterans when we see them, and there are still quite a few from "the good war" left, but their numbers are thinning rapidly. Every day. And we try our best to live peacefully in our lives that so many have sacrificed theres for ours. It will never be enough...not ever. Give thanks that this country has the military that we have, and so readily take for granted. Our freedom was and still is in there hands and hearts, and I for one could not feel any safer !!!!!!!!

[Dallas Bar]

A year or so back I had a discussion with a US expat about the global situation today, not the brightest idea I ever had. I say this because, when I expressed my negative setiments towards the handling of the Afghan and Iraqi conflicts, I was told I 'd better shut up and be gratefull that the USA helped freeing my country in WW II.

I am gratefull, but I don't see what one has to do with the other. I wept genuine tears every time I visited Bastogne and other battlefields, and it often struck me how desperately young most of the victims were. I am so gratefull you have no idea, because I am a WW II buff reading everything and anything regarding that era ( wether fictional or non fictional)... I am gratefull because when I look outside I can see my coveted Belgian flag ( even if I am one of the rare ones to actually still feel patriotic seeing that flag) and not the Swastika banner.
But does being gratefull mean one has to agree with everything and anything the liberator does? IMO that wouldn't be very democratic.

I am sorry I hijacked this thread a bit... But those words hurt more than you could imagine, because ever since I understood what happened during WW II ( I must have been 11) I felt gratefull that the USA helped liberating us from fascism, and afterwards helped us rebuild, even if that was to serve as a buffer against the Soviets.

Thank you.

Mr Tucci, I am not a DC man, but if the passion in your words translates into passion in your pencils, I will definitely pick this up. I bet I will.

[Spirto]

Originally Posted by Dallas Bar

Mr Tucci, I am not a DC man, but if the passion in your words translates into passion in your pencils, I will definitely pick this up. I bet I will.

I have seen some of the pencils at the Novi comic con and I can honestly say they are freaking amazing! Some of the best stuff I have ever seen.

However, Im still bummed the Captain America and Rocketeer crossover never came to pass.

MikeM

[Billy Tucci]

Originally Posted by Dallas Bar

I am sorry I hijacked this thread a bit... But those words hurt more than you could imagine, because ever since I understood what happened during WW II ( I must have been 11) I felt gratefull that the USA helped liberating us from fascism, and afterwards helped us rebuild, even if that was to serve as a buffer against the Soviets.

Thank you.

No THANK YOU Dallas Bar,

Our Memorial Day or any other regards concerning veterans, should never involve politics. Remember, these are men who are "not to reason, but do or die." It's the same old argument, whether snide people ask a grieving parent if they believe "your son was worth Bastogne? Or St. Mere-Eglise?"

You didn't hijack the thread, your post was just fine and very eloquent.

Keep it up and I hope you pick up the book.


And fly that flag proudly! Remember Waterloo!!!!

Do you ever get there? If so, do you think it's possible to get me some soil from there?

[Billy Tucci]

Originally Posted by Spirto

I have seen some of the pencils at the Novi comic con and I can honestly say they are freaking amazing! Some of the best stuff I have ever seen.

However, Im still bummed the Captain America and Rocketeer crossover never came to pass.

MikeM

Thanks Mike! I wish I saw it too.

[Robbo]

Thanks for that, Billy. That was an amazing column

[Dallas Bar]

Originally Posted by Billy Tucci

No THANK YOU Dallas Bar,

Our Memorial Day or any other regards concerning veterans, should never involve politics. Remember, these are men who are "not to reason, but do or die." It's the same old argument, whether snide people ask a grieving parent if they believe "your son was worth Bastogne? Or St. Mere-Eglise?"

You didn't hijack the thread, your post was just fine and very eloquent.

Keep it up and I hope you pick up the book.


And fly that flag proudly! Remember Waterloo!!!!

Do you ever get there? If so, do you think it's possible to get me some soil from there?

Thank you, Mr Tucci.

I've been there. The site oozes history, but the Waterloo monument is slowly becoming unstable. I hope they find a solution soon.

I could drive over there and get you a handfull of soil, no problem. I live in Zaventem ( Brussels Airport city, basicly) so it's not that far.

[Billy Tucci]

Originally Posted by Dallas Bar

Thank you, Mr Tucci.

I've been there. The site oozes history, but the Waterloo monument is slowly becoming unstable. I hope they find a solution soon.

I could drive over there and get you a handfull of soil, no problem. I live in Zaventem ( Brussels Airport city, basicly) so it's not that far.

Sir that would be wonderful!

Thank you, Merci or Danku...

Could you get me some from Bastogne too?

[Billy Tucci]

Originally Posted by LowKey Loki

Very cool Mr. Tucci. Very cool

Cheers

has a release date for Sgt. Rock: The Lost Battalion been announced? It's now a must have for me.

Thank you! I think it's for November 5th. We don't have a date yet, but it would be nice to have out by Veterans Day.

Billy

[Dallas Bar]

Originally Posted by Billy Tucci

Sir that would be wonderful!

Thank you, Merci or Danku...

Could you get me some from Bastogne too?

Geen probleem

Bastogne would be a bit trickier since it's quite a drive, I will try to do both sunday a fortnight from now, when I'm not recording.
I will send you a msg as soon as I have the samples.

[Daxamite]

Hi Billy,

Whether it's talking to you in person, or reading one of your columns, one thing always comes through... and that's your passion for this subject. I hope we NEVER forget the sacrifice that these great men & women made in service to freedom.

Thanks for all you're doing to bring attention to some of the real heroes of the ages.

Dax

[Mark McK]

Wow!

Very poignant column. You really wrote this with warmth and insite, Billy. Infusing the column with the pictures and your artwork on this past Memorial Day weekend, VERY touching!

These posts after the column really created a different appreciation for me.

Thanks!