A few years ago NBC newsman Tom Brokaw authored a book called “The Greatest Generation”. It was about World War II and the generation of Americans that went to war in both Europe and the Pacific in order to defeat the aggression of Germany and Japan. We now know that both these countries had plans to attack and perhaps invade the U.S. Mainland once Europe and the Pacific region were conquered.
Brokaw’s work drove home not only the inspirational commitment of United States armed forces and their civilian supporters working hard to supply them, but also the fact that hundreds from this generation now die daily as they reach their 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. The greatest generation is leaving us.
Last weekend I experienced another chapter of this story. I attended a memorial service for a Japanese lady I worked with over 30 years ago. Identified as a hard worker and loving mother, she aged and passed away at age 82. Her adult children and grandchildren were there, as were many friends and relatives, including two brothers. When her brothers spoke they only briefly mentioned that they were all sent to a “camp” in World War II. Their sister would have been 13 when Pearl Harbor was attacked and the U.S., fearful of old loyalties to Japan, rounded up many Japanese and sent them to internment camps. One brother said that his sister played the piano and that her music was enjoyed by many in the camp.
So, here I was at this memorial service witnessing the passing of another part of the World War II generation. What I saw there was not people to be feared, but people of honor and dignity. It was sobering to think what my now deceased co-worker, her parents and siblings experienced by being interred.
If you ever have the time to travel up Highway 395 to the Owens Valley, Bishop and beyond to places like Mammoth Lakes, you will pass the site of one internment camp just north of the small town of Lone Pine. It is now a National Historic Site operated by the National Park Service. Take a few minutes and go in to see the excellent museum that has been developed, including many photos and even motion pictures of the camp and its “residents” during the war. It is an important part of United States and Southern California history, and something you and your kids should know about.
I have heard people refer to the Japanese internment during WW II as something that will never again happen in the United States. “Never again” goes the saying. I wonder.
@OBNO:
Thanks for this post.
1) In 2000 we had about 500,000 veterans from WWII. Now we have about 230,000. And on the average we lose about 900-1,200 per day…and the number will increase with the passage of time.
2) I feel that this Greatest Generation is a National Treasure that we lose slowly, and that there is a lot about contributing and self-sacrifice that we should learn from them and never forget!
3) There is a great organization…The Freedom Committee of OC (FCOC)…they have a large number of WWII and other veterans that speak to students to share their stories.
see them at:
http://fc-oc.org/
As the Commander of a veterans organization I have participated with them, at the invitation of Pastor Frank Orzio (a highly decorated Vietnam combat veteran), who is also the Chaplain of our organization, and I believe of FCOC; and of 90 year-old Jack Hammet, Chairman/Commander. They also have a couple of Pearl Harbor survivors
4) Our own organization UMAVA (United Mexican-American Veterans Association) is made up of WWII veterans, and two of them are Silver Star recipients (the third highest from the Medal of Honor).
Eusebio Perez, 93, Army – Silver Star (comes to our monthly meetings)
Antonio Mendez 88, Army – Silver Star, on our UMAVA Board together with his wife of 60 plus years.
We also have Ben DeLeon, 90 on our UMAVA Board; served as the director of Veterans Services in Orange County for about 35 years; and who received a Field Commission in WWII, which are pretty rare. You may get a Field Promotion, but a Field Commission is so unheard of, that I think the last one we had was in Vietnam.
We have a few other WWII vets.
5) We are working on bringing greater awareness and recognition of their contributions and sacrifices, at UMAVA in partnership with others.
God Bless them All!!!!
Francisco J. Barragan CPA, CIA
Commander, UMAVA
http://umava.org/
This is the generation of a man who give me my balls.. the greatest and most powerful man I ever met…My granda!
The generation they bore- the generation of the sixties – well what can I say about that lot.. NANNY P (YUCK)
A real treasure of WWII equipment, including a B-17 and a few other aircraft, is right here in Orange county at the Lyon museum at John Wayne aiport. Check it out!!