25 July 2010, 9:42 pm
Old man wearing a red ball cap--"World War II Veteran"--under it the Globe and Anchor of the U.S. Marines. One of many. Do we remember to thank them? My father's generation--now in their 80's or 90's but just kids when world events changed their lives. Old man wearing a Navy blue ball cap--"USS Alabama"--and the Navy crest below it. Proud of his battleship, now on display in Mobile. Young man then who went to the nearest recruiter when another battleship, USS Arizona, was destroyed at Pearl Harbor. Old man wearing a green ball cap--"World War II Veteran, U.S. Infantry"--and the Infantryman's badge below it. Thanks, sir. Our country called--you answered. He might have served in North Africa, or landed on Omaha Beach. Maybe Guadalcanal. Listen to him and he might tell you about it. Old man wearing a blue ball cap--"Army Air Forces. 1944." Aircrew wings pinned underneath. If he flew bombers over Europe most of his buddies died. They once were young, full of everything a young man is supposed to be full of. Some did great deeds while others just served. Do we love them and cherish them? Do we thank them? Thousands pass on each and every day. In another decade or two most will be gone. They inspired me as a boy. Some led me as a young man. They shaped our nation. Eight of our Presidents served in this war. Do we remember to thank them? Will we thank them before they are all gone? (This was our total war. I was four years old when it ended. American servicemen, along with those of many allied countries, went to war, many not knowing much about who they were fighting or why. The world they leave is not a perfect world, but it is better for their service.) What will I do? I served in uniform 31 years, as a National Guardsman, active Air Force, and Air Force Reserve. I am now retired. Approaching age 70 I thank all veterans I meet, but I reserve a special honor to those old guys and a few gals who went off to war almost 30 years before I did. I am a Vietnam veteran and give special honors to all who served but especially to those who served in wartime. 32 years ago, when I was stationed on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, there was a band made up entirely of World War I veterans. They played in every parade, but age had weakened them to the point they could no longer march in formation. So a special trailer was built for them allowing them to travel in formation, pulled by a tractor or other vehicle. These 30 or so men are all gone now, and few if any World War I veterans are still left--those that are would be well past 100 years old. Today we are seeing the demise of the World War II veteran. Thousands of them die each and every day. Eventually the number of those dying daily will decrease as fewer are left. We Vietnam veterans are aging but are healthy for the most part. We have a few decades left before we begin (in the words of the song) to "fade away." When I was a young boy there were even a handful of Civil War survivors still alive. World War II survivors were very abundant and quite youthful and vigorous then.... Read More »
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