As our WWII vets are in their twilight years, it is now more important than ever to honor their sacrifice. I, myself, was a Pearl Harbor sailor not long ago, and I used to drive by the USS Arizona Memorial frequently. It's a very solemn reminder of the price America has paid to ensure that the concept envisioned by our forefathers has been upheld. But, frankly, I am a little concerned that people my age are not properly honoring the sacrifices of what Americans accomplished many decades ago. I went to the USS Arizona memorial when my family was in town visiting in 2004, and I was a little disappointed in a group of young students that were visiting the memorial along with me. They were goofing around, making jokes, talking during the moment of silence, and all around showing little respect for those (not much older than them at the time) that had perished in that very spot just off Ford Island. I recall being very indignant about this. But, I too, almost forgot that it was Pearl Harbor today (a thank-you is in order to this Black Five post that reminded me). We get so caught up in the present that we forget about the enormous sacrifices made in the past which allows our current world to exist. If we had lost to the Axis alliance, I cannot imagine what life would be like, but I'm sure it would be completely unbearable and rife with atrocity. So take the time to say thanks to a WWII veteran for all that you have, and never forget.
A small portion of those who gave all on Dec 7, 1941 at the USS Arizona MemorialThe infamous oil leak that still comes to the surface from the entombed ship.
No comments:
Post a Comment