Thank you, Bari, for publishing this account. My father grew up in modest circumstances in rural Texas. He was the first in his family to go to college on a scholarship working three part-time jobs to cover his costs. The day after Pearl Harbor he, who had never been out of the State of Texas, enlisted in the US Navy. 16 weeks later he w…
Thank you, Bari, for publishing this account. My father grew up in modest circumstances in rural Texas. He was the first in his family to go to college on a scholarship working three part-time jobs to cover his costs. The day after Pearl Harbor he, who had never been out of the State of Texas, enlisted in the US Navy. 16 weeks later he was flying fighter planes off a carrier in the South Pacific, earning Ace status in aerial combat, something he would never talk about after the war. He went on to spend 33 years as a Naval Aviator - Tom Cruise without the melodrama - retiring as a highly decorated officer. He, along with all of our warriors, from PFC Knott to General McMasters exemplify values common in my father’s time but increasingly uncommon today - Duty, Honor, Country. To them, these were values worth risking and, at times, forfeiting your life for. Our warriors, then and now, represent the very best of us. Their blood, sweat, and tears paid for the freedoms and opportunities that are taken for granted today, a fact that we forget at our peril.
My father in law was born and raised in Bartlett TX. He and his 2 brothers fought in WW2. When he was in his teens my husband went to Normandy with his father. It’s an experience he speaks of often. In 2003 my husband’s uncle was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. We attended the service. It was my first time there. I had seen pictures, but being there in person was overwhelming. My father in law was one of the most interesting people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. He and his brothers were also highly educated and had successful careers in engineering and technology. I wish our daughter could have known him. Sadly he passed a few weeks before she was born.
I could not agree with you more. My father, child of Eastern European immigrants, was 19 years old when his B-17 was shot down over Berlin, May 1944, ahead of D-Day. It was his 3rd mission. He was one of two suvivors. He was liberated by Patton's 5th army a few days short of his 21st birthday.
His time as a POW gave him a lot of time to think. He returned to the USA determined to make something if himself
He passed away 5 years ago at 94, never bitter, never regretful, but so appreciative of the opportunity America afforded him, and his children, all of whom succeeded as professionals.
What a difference from so many of the young people today.
Especially Honor. Too many have absolutely no concept of Honor. In the '50s and '60s, a Trump and a Biden would be unthinkable. We had honorable men and women in politics and the media who stood above party to do the right things for their country. Most in the media and most politicians have lost any concept of Honor - the concept doesn't exist in a me-centric "multi-culture."
While I admire those who serve in our volunteer Army and how it transformed itself after Viet Nam, I fear that it itself has been a cause of this loss. Those who don't have to serve have no conception of service to something greater than themselves. Those who have never seen the great good that our country has striven for here and abroad cannot truly appreciate our country (the Brittany Griner's epiphany is a good case in point). We cannot "get our Country back" until we - all of us - rediscover Honor.
You’re so correct. I believe a “ movement “ to have high school graduates serve in a volunteer post; not necessarily the military; for a year will awaken an awareness of others that they’ll bring with them their entire adult life. Caring about someone or something other than your direct circle is important to one’s own growth.
My father, his brothers (my 6 uncles), my father in law, his brother all served in combat during WWII and if alive today would be appalled at Trump and Biden.
Yes our fathers that served were the greatest generation!
Thank you, Bari, for publishing this account. My father grew up in modest circumstances in rural Texas. He was the first in his family to go to college on a scholarship working three part-time jobs to cover his costs. The day after Pearl Harbor he, who had never been out of the State of Texas, enlisted in the US Navy. 16 weeks later he was flying fighter planes off a carrier in the South Pacific, earning Ace status in aerial combat, something he would never talk about after the war. He went on to spend 33 years as a Naval Aviator - Tom Cruise without the melodrama - retiring as a highly decorated officer. He, along with all of our warriors, from PFC Knott to General McMasters exemplify values common in my father’s time but increasingly uncommon today - Duty, Honor, Country. To them, these were values worth risking and, at times, forfeiting your life for. Our warriors, then and now, represent the very best of us. Their blood, sweat, and tears paid for the freedoms and opportunities that are taken for granted today, a fact that we forget at our peril.
My father in law was born and raised in Bartlett TX. He and his 2 brothers fought in WW2. When he was in his teens my husband went to Normandy with his father. It’s an experience he speaks of often. In 2003 my husband’s uncle was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. We attended the service. It was my first time there. I had seen pictures, but being there in person was overwhelming. My father in law was one of the most interesting people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. He and his brothers were also highly educated and had successful careers in engineering and technology. I wish our daughter could have known him. Sadly he passed a few weeks before she was born.
I could not agree with you more. My father, child of Eastern European immigrants, was 19 years old when his B-17 was shot down over Berlin, May 1944, ahead of D-Day. It was his 3rd mission. He was one of two suvivors. He was liberated by Patton's 5th army a few days short of his 21st birthday.
His time as a POW gave him a lot of time to think. He returned to the USA determined to make something if himself
He passed away 5 years ago at 94, never bitter, never regretful, but so appreciative of the opportunity America afforded him, and his children, all of whom succeeded as professionals.
What a difference from so many of the young people today.
Amazing legacy
Especially Honor. Too many have absolutely no concept of Honor. In the '50s and '60s, a Trump and a Biden would be unthinkable. We had honorable men and women in politics and the media who stood above party to do the right things for their country. Most in the media and most politicians have lost any concept of Honor - the concept doesn't exist in a me-centric "multi-culture."
While I admire those who serve in our volunteer Army and how it transformed itself after Viet Nam, I fear that it itself has been a cause of this loss. Those who don't have to serve have no conception of service to something greater than themselves. Those who have never seen the great good that our country has striven for here and abroad cannot truly appreciate our country (the Brittany Griner's epiphany is a good case in point). We cannot "get our Country back" until we - all of us - rediscover Honor.
You’re so correct. I believe a “ movement “ to have high school graduates serve in a volunteer post; not necessarily the military; for a year will awaken an awareness of others that they’ll bring with them their entire adult life. Caring about someone or something other than your direct circle is important to one’s own growth.
My father, his brothers (my 6 uncles), my father in law, his brother all served in combat during WWII and if alive today would be appalled at Trump and Biden.
Yes our fathers that served were the greatest generation!