My mother Francesca Martel served as a WAC in World War II, the Women's Army Corps in Palm Springs. He was behind enemy lines, taken prisoner in Germany, and escaped, not before helping many, many people. My father Lewis Martel served in the army in World War II. I will be thinking of my father and mother this Memorial Day. And of PFC Jimmy FIPs Company B First Engineer Battalion attached to Charlie Company was awarded the medal of honor posthumously for saving three other Marines at the cost of his own life. On this Memorial Day, and every Memorial Day, I will be thinking of PFC Don Lucas, PFC Richard Zimerman, Lance Corporal Ernie, Lance Corporal Barry, and PFC James of Company C First Battalion Fifth Marines, all members of my platoon who were killed in action in Vietnam in 1969. Mac: My name is Mac calling from Downingtown, Pennsylvania. I have several other family members who were in the wars of the 1900s. He was there from the '50s through the '60s, and then Sam, my grandmother's brother was in World War II. To start things off, we wanted to hear about the veterans you're remembering today.ĭeborah: My name is Deborah. I'm Melissa Harris-Perry, and we so appreciate you spending some of your Memorial Day with us.
Melissa Harris-Perry: This is The Takeaway.