Life after the war was good for JR’ and he enjoyed it to its fullest . . . until Martha died.
Martha Marshal Copeland died at 51 years of age, from Emphysema. It was 1975; they had been married 30 years.
In the summer of 2010—JR’ along with his daughter Bobby and grandson John Anderson, made a trip back home to West Virginia. Bobby and John drove the car as JR’ looked over the countryside. He said he wanted to visit with friends and family one last time.
JR’ visited with many friends and family the week him, Bobby and John were there. One good friend he recalls from many years ago was Betty Stinnett, now Betty Burgess. This was the same girl JR’ went to school with back when he was eight years old, mentioned in Chapter One.
Betty is now a Baptist Minister who writes poetry. She lost her husband a few years ago, but now keep’s busy with her writing and church activities. JR’ and Betty had a great visit and caught up on old times.
“It was a nice visit back home . . . with all the catching-up with people I’ve known all my life . . . good times . . . very good times.”
Present day JR’ lives a life much like yours or mine; keeping things up around the house he’s lived in for many years, tending garden, replenishing the many bird feeders and looking after his two best friends—his cat Lucky and Bernie, his dog.
James Robert Copeland led an incredible life by anyone’s measure. He was a War Hero who crashed the beaches of Bloody Omaha, surviving this horrific event where 5000 plus soldiers died in one day. JR’ successfully led men under his command across a German minefield—inexorable from being shot in both legs, he moved forward.
He survived to enjoy a loving family, a successful work life and many, many accolades for being one of the famous . . .
A World War II — U.S. Army Ranger.
JR’ Copeland celebrated his 89th birthday, November 30, 2010.
‘Lead the Way, Rangers’
Ranger Copeland and Medals
References and Suggested Readings
Ambrose, Stephen E., D-Day: June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II, Paperback, Simon & Schuster; 1st Edition (June 1, 1995), 068480137X
Balkoski, Joseph, Beyond The Beachhead: The 29th Infantry Division In Normandy, Paperback, Stackpole Books; (August 30, 2005), 9780811732376
Black, Robert W., Rangers in World War II, Paperback, First Edition (April 1992), 0804105650
Glassman, Henry S., Lead the Way, Rangers, Paperback, Ranger Association, First Edition (September 30, 1980), 9780934588034
Sledge, E.B., With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa, eBook Kindle Edition, Presidio Press; Reprint edition (December 18, 2008), ASIN: B000VMFDW2
Biographer
Garry M. Graves — Businessman, educator, and writer who enjoys a good story. Late into a writing career he usually pens non-fiction; personal development and biographies. Soon to venture a new pathway — fiction with a Sherlock Holmes-esque style under a yet-determined pseudonym.
See Graves’ other works: Character Happens! The 5 Most Important—But Fleeting Virtues. And pending...Honesty: Defined for the 21st Century, Integrity: Why It’s So Important and Courage: What It Looks Like—How You Can Have More.
Visit this author at: www.characterhappens.com
or email him at: [email protected]
Attributions—Picture Copyrights and References
REF 3: (JR Copeland) Private Collection: Copyright 2010 by James Robert Copeland, used by permission, GGA Publishing, Inc.
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REF 5: (JR’s Parents) Private Collection: Copyright 2010 by James Robert Copeland used by permission, GGA Publishing, Inc.
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REF 7: (JR’s Father) Private Collection: Copyright 2010 by James Robert Copeland, used by permission, GGA Publishing, Inc.
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REF 12: (JR Copeland) Private Collection: Copyright 2010 by James Robert Copeland, used by permission, GGA Publishing, Inc.
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REF 17: (JR Copeland) Private Collection: Copyright 2010 by James Robert Copeland, used by permission, GGA Publishing, Inc.
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REF 19: (JR Copeland, Others) Private Collection: Copyright 2010 by James Robert Copeland, used by permission, GGA Publishing, Inc.
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REF 23: (Map) Property of and Copyright 2010 by GGA Publishing, Inc.
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REF 29: (Troop Train) Copyright: 2002 City of Shelby, Montana, Historic Photo, used as in Public Domain. http://www.shelbymt.com
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REF 32: ([2] Post Cards Camp Roberts) Public Domain picture, unknown copyright.
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REF 33: ([2] Post Cards Camp Roberts) Public Domain picture, unknown copyright.
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REF 34: ([2] Post Cards Camp Roberts) Public Domain picture, unknown copyright.
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REF 38: (JR Copeland), Private Collection: Copyright 2010 by James Robert Copeland.
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REF 44: (JR Copeland, Others) Private Collection: Copyright 2010 by James Robert Copeland.
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REF 46: (British HMS Mauretania II) Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards: Copyright 1999- 2004 http://www.simplonpc.co.uk
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REF 48: (British Commando Training) Copyright 1998-2010 by Olive-Drab.com LLC. http://www.olive-drab.com
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REF 49: (#1 Rangers - Pointe du Hoc) US Army Rangers at Pointe du Hoc, photo #80-G-45716 per US archives (#2 Commando Cliff Training) Copyright: LAC photo PA 213630 by Lt. Royal – Canadian
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REF 51: ([2] Ranger Training) Public domain, unknown copyright, US Army Archives.
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REF 55: (Prince Leopold) Photo courtesy of Arne Pyson, http://www.uboat.net/allies/merchants/ships
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REF 56: (LCVP) Public domain, unknown copyright, US Army Archives.
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REF 57: (Thompson Machine Gun) Public domain, unknown copyright, US Army Archives.
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REF 63: (Artillery 88) Public domain, unknown copyright, WWII Archives http://www.okmilmuseum.ca
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REF 64: (German Machine Gun) Public domain, unknown copyright, WWII Archives, http://www.grantsmilitaria.com
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REF 66: (LCVP) Public domain, unknown copyright, US Army Archives.
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REF 68: (Hedge Post Obstacles) Public domain, unknown copyright, US Army Archives.
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REF 69: (English Channel Map) Rick Brownlee, R&B Graphic Design, WWII Magazine, Vol. 13 #6, Primedia Publication, February, 1999.
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REF 70: (German Artillery Bunker) Public domain, unknown copyright, US Army Archives.
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REF 71: (Soldiers-Omaha Beach) Public domain, unknown copyright, US Army Archives.
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REF 74: (General Norman Cota) Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum, copyright 2009, http://www.png
militarymuseum.org
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REF 75: (LTX Max Schneider) Public domain, unknown copyright, US Army Archives.
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REF 76: (Barbed wire Pointe du Hoc) Unknown copyright http://www.boblucky.com/
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REF 77: (Captain George Whittington) Public domain, unknown copyright, US Army Archives.
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REF 82: (Omaha Beach) Public domain, unknown copyright, US Army Archives.
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REF 85: (Kennedy General Hospital) Amazon-AllPosters.com, c.1942, Giclee Poster Print. http://www.amazon.com/Memphis-Tennessee-Hospital-Exterior-Administration/
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REF 93: (James Robert Copeland) Private Collection, Copyright 2010 by James Robert Copeland.
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Bloody Omaha - My Remembrances of That Day by James Robert Copeland Page 5
