WWII veteran, 98, dons uniform for final salute

[n2doc]

GLENVILLE, N.Y. (AP) — On Veterans Day, Justus Belfield donned his Army uniform one more time, even though he was too weak to leave his bed at an upstate New York nursing home.

The 98-year-old World War II veteran died the next day.

The Daily Gazette of Schenectady reports (http://bit.ly/1v95WZQ ) that Belfield had worn his uniform every Veterans Day since he and his wife moved into Baptist Health Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Glenville, outside Albany, several years ago. On Tuesday, the former master sergeant wasn't able to get out of bed to participate in the facility's Veterans Day festivities, so he had the staff dress him in his uniform.

A photograph accompanying the newspaper's story published Friday shows Belfield saluting while lying in bed. The nursing home staff said he died early Wednesday morning.

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http://www.sfgate.com/news/us/article/WWII-veteran-98-dons-uniform-for-final-salute-5892657.php

RIP, Soldier.

[Old Nick]

1. An Honorable Man

I find myself wondering if he'd salute the country we'ye become.

[MissDeeds]

2. What a touching story

May the angels light your way, sir. And at the risk of ruffling some feathers, thank you for your service.




K&R

[11 Bravo]

3. HOOAH MSGT Belfield. I salute you.

Rest easy, Master Sergeant.

[Rex]

4. Billy Rose.

The Unknown Soldier

There's a graveyard near the White House
Where the Unknown Soldier lies,
And the flowers there are sprinkled
With the tears from mother's eyes.

I stood there not so long ago
With roses for the brave,
And suddenly I heard a voice
Speak from out the grave:

"I am the Unknown Soldier,
The spirit voice began
"And I think I have the right
To ask some questions man to man.

"Are my buddies taken care of?
Was their victory so sweet?
Is that big reward you offered
Selling pencils on the street?

"Did they really win the freedom
They battled to achieve?
Do you still respect that Croix de Guerre
Above that empty sleeve?
"Does a gold star in the window
Now mean anything at all?
I wonder how my old girl feels
When she hears a bugle call.

"And that baby who sang
Hello, Central, give me no man's land.
Can they replace her daddy
With a military band?

"I wonder if the profiteers
Have satisfied their greed?
I wonder if a soldier's mother
Ever is in need?

"I wonder if the kings, who planned it all
Are really satisfied?
They played their game of checkers
And eleven million died.

"I am the Unknown Soldier
And maybe I died in vain,
But if I were alive and my country called,
I'd do it all over again.

[democrank]

5. Rest in peace, Justus Belfield.

[irisblue]

6. thank you Master Sargent

[DinahMoeHum]

7. .

[secondvariety]

8. Rest in Peace, Sergeant.

[CaptainTruth]

9. What a moving picture

RIP soldier, RIP.

[3auld6phart]

10. LEST WE FORGET

That is sad.But in a way,I quite imagine he was very pleased to be able to do his bit one last time.We are losing many of our WW 2 Veterans everyday.As we all know there are no more WW 1 Vets. LEST WE FORGET. Rest In Peace, Master Sergeant Belfield

[ProgressiveJarhead]

11. Taps

Rest easy, MSGT.
Forgive me for tearing up a little.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Fading light, dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.

Thanks and praise, for our days,
'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, neath the sky;
As we go, this we know, God is nigh.

Sun has set, shadows come,
Time has fled, Scouts must go to their beds
Always true to the promise that they made.

While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.

[joeybee12]

12. RIP, Sir

I'm sure he willed himself to make that final time.

[glinda]

13. RIP Sir....you now join my recently deceased WWII dad. Not many left now....

[Initech]

14. Now that is a true patriot if there ever was one!

[Odin2005]

15. It makes me sad that we are losing all the WW2 vets.

Soon the Greatest Generation will belong to History.