Many thanks to all who have responded so far.

I am impressed both with the variety of reasons for choosing the Avatars, (particularly those that honour relatives who served in WW2) and the actual quality of the designs themselves.

Just in case you didn't know, you may be intrigued to learn that the word "Avatar" derives from Hindu mythology, a fact that I picked up from WEB TERMINOLOGY :: GreyFoxWebWorks.com :: Website Hosting Webpage Hosting Design & Maintenance Service
who's Web Terminology includes the following:
AVATAR - A graphical representation of a person in a chat room. The word comes from Hindu mythology in which spirits come down and inhabit bodies.

Keep the answers coming

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During the period October 1942 to January 1947 my wartime "Cook's Tour" took me to the following places:
North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Austria, Egypt & Germany.
My units were the: 49th Light Ack Ack Rgt.RA and
The 4th Queen's Own Hussars.

Mine is Duke as Col Mike Kirby in the tribute movie he made as a monument of sorts to all American Servicemen everywhere-called: "The Green Berets."

This photo represents how much Duke loved America and how much he loved being an American. Also, I was raised watching his movies, still am a major fan of his, and never tire watching anything with Duke in it-even if he did appear in a pink bunny suit on an episode of: "Rowan and Martins: Laugh-In."

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Mine is a scene from "Empire of the Sun" where the young Christian Bale is reaching out in awe of the Japanese warplane before him. It also signifies my fascination with WW2 warplanes and models ever since I was a little kid. Pretty simple choice actually...

Mine's a photo of me at 40,000 feet before heading onto a low level route in the Mountains of Washington.

I think I've mentioned my Avatar in other threads. The photo is from my parent's wedding photo taken in London England May 1943. My Dad was a Canadian gunner/driver/dispatch rider and my Mum was a Londoner (Edgeware) worked for "The War Department." My interest in World War II came from my very early realization that most of who and what my parent's were as people was rooted in their World War II experiences, and if I wanted to know who they were, I needed to know about the War. They also watched and read about the Second World War, so I shared that with them as they were quite reticent in sharing their own direct experiences.

The photo in my signature was taken in the mid-1950s when during Dad's overseas assignment with the RCAF they retraced his steps during the War and my mother is seen in the Canadian Military Cemetery. The location was not recorded, but from other photos online I think it is in Holland - possibly Bergen Op Zoom http://www.harrypalmergallery.ab.ca/...r2/bergen.html

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Regards, Michelle

Oliver Goldsmith, "I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines."

Obviously it matches my username, but it's a tribute to John Browning & his extraordinary firearm designs.
Ex.: 1911 Colt .45, Browning Hi-power, BAR, Ma deuce, Winchester model 94,etc. & many calibers: .45,.25,.380,.32 acp's as well as the .50bmg

His vision should be noted in the annals of military history.

Mine looks alot like me in a "Chief-like" moment. Something like a Navy version of Sgt. Snorkel confronting Beetle....

The U.S.S Massachusetts was a warship in the U.S Navy 1939-1947 and was used in the Pacific during WWII. I used it because it represented my state and nation, also I am interested in ships.

My avatar is Vic Morrow in the role of Sargeant Saunders in Combat! I think Morrow captured the sense of being a soldier, at least from my perspective as a non-soldier. He accepted the responsibility of leadership but it was balanced out by his own desire to survive. The tension between the two elements made for great television. (Of course, I shall rely on true veterans to let me know if I am mistaken about what it is like to be in combat.)

Well, I'm sure you can figure out what my avatar is...

Why I chose it? Because it broke my heart when I saw it and shows an oft not considered aspect of war.....But I'm sure my avatar will change periodically!

Lisa

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War does not determine who is right, only who is left.
---Bertrand Russell

In another thread, it was asked where would you have served in WWII. I (as an AF vet) replied the the AAF. Later, while scanning in family photos, I found one of myself at 19. I had just seen a re-enactment photo of a B-17 crew and support people. Well, put the two together and there I am at 19 in a B-17 crew...

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“The first lesson is that you can't lose a war if you have command of the air,
and you can't win a war if you haven't.” - General Jimmy Doolittle

Back to Mr Crowley again.
Been fascinated by the mad old bugger for decades now.



Cheers,
Adam.

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It's only the Internet.

Well, mine is of the Iron Colonel (Klink) from the TV show "Hogan's Heroes." Besides being the best part of the show, he represents my fascination for the German side of the war...but because of his goofy character, I'm not a sympathizer, and even like to poke fun of the Nazis. I have a sympathy for the German people during Hitler's reign, which is completely separate from having a sypathy for the Nazis. This is illustrated by Klink's bumbling nature and inability to be in the same room with a bucket without getting his foot stuck in it.


...............or, I just really love Klink and think he's awesome

my avatar shows a little piece of england,that so many british and other united nations soldiers,fought and died to keep free for me.lee

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fair,balanced and unafraid.thanks,4th wilts..

My Uncle was with the 28th infantry, he is largely the reason I became so interested in WWII in the first place. The majority of my family has a cavalier attitude about military service, and quite frankly no interest at all as to what my Uncle did, despite the fact he received the Bronze Star (at some point during the war).

So, it's kind of my way to honor him.

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Those who kept silent yesterday will remain silent tomorrow"
~Elie Wiesel~

Just whimsy for me.

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David

"It is history that teaches us to hope"
Robert E. Lee

Mine is Pvt. Joe Lockard, one of the two men working the Opana Point radar on Dec. 7th, 1941.

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WWII Resources. Primary sources.
The Myths of Pearl Harbor. Demythologizing the attack.
Hyperwar. Hypertext history of the Second World War.
Veteran: USN, 1969-1989

My pic of a reclining Kangaroo exposing his gentalia is usually captioned 'Typical Aussie Male'.

Which I am!


John

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"I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". - Voltaire.

just take a guess..........no don't !

My Avatar Is From My days in the rangers... thats the 2nd platoon, Bravo Company, 3rd battalion, 75th Rangers, back in 1992. During a training jump in Panama.. I am one of the jumpers which one IM unsure