[Qcwa] pearl harbor day

[Norm Gertz]

Jim......after watching the Pearl Harbor documentary last night and then
reading your mail I am rather overwhelmed by memories.
Thank you for your meaningful words.....

73    Norm    K1AA
Colonel USMC (Ret)
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tommye & Jim Wilhite" <w5jo@alluretech.net>
To: <qcwa@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2003 6:59 PM
Subject: Re: [Qcwa] pearl harbor day


>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jeffrey D Angus" <jangus@socal.rr.com>
> To: <qcwa@mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2003 3:14 PM
> Subject: [Qcwa] pearl harbor day
>
>
> > A day that will live in infamy.
> >
> > Obviously, having been born in 1953, I missed it, but I had a neighbor
> > that used to
> > carry on about it. From listening to him, I doubt if he ever forgave the
> > Japanese, and
> > (unfortunately) blamed everyone for it. Such as his stories of driving
> > about Signal
> > Hill in southern California with his buddies looking for local japanese
> > people to beat
> > up. (Cue theme music for "That's entertainment.")
> >
> > On the flip side, two brothers that run a local garden supply and repair
> > center spent
> > thier youth in Arizona compliments of the government. Tak won't talk
> > about it, but his
> > older brother George always has these really bizzare stories of what
> > they did to amuse
> > themselves.
> >
> > Jeff
> > wa6fwi
> >
> > -- 
> > "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
> >  safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin
> > "A life lived in fear is a life half lived."
> > Tara Morice as Fran, from the movie "Strictly Ballroom"
> >
>
> The first line of your message has lost none of the meaning, but most of
its
> passion, especially in the past 15 years.
>
> What happened on that day, December 7, 1941 is equivalent to a modern
drive
> by shooting in a small city somewhere in California that killed everyone.
> Should that happen, I assure you everyone in California would seek revenge
> and not forget for a generation.
>
> My regret is that WW II was the last time this country was united in the
> face of devastation.  A good student of modern history would tell us that
> Korea, Viet Nam and the Gulf wars were and are being fought for the same
> basic principals; however the safety and security this country has enjoyed
> since 1947 on its shores has made so many complacent about threats to our
> way of life.  Recent history has fallen victim to Political Correctness
and
> the entire truth may disappear forever.
>
> We should never forget our veterans who defended this country starting on
> Pearl Harbor Day and display the pride and sacrifice they gave for us.
With
> so few of them remaining, we should understand their feelings over having
> lost sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and most of all, friends standing
> beside them on the battlefield.  We should take a page from the history
> books of 1953 and defend their rights to express themselves whenever and
> where ever they choose.  Do not chastise them, do not reject them, do not
> exclude them for without their sacrifice our country would be nothing in
> modern history books.
>
> Our history began much before 1968, do not destroy it and do not try to
> rewrite it.  Instead, study it and the values the greatest generation held
> dear.  Honor them for those values and strive to be as honorable and
> peaceable they desired to be.  We owe them for their sacrifice and
> belittling their contribution is not proper nor honorable, even today.
>
> My father who is 90 years old is just beginning to talk about his part in
WW
> II in Europe.  His brief discussions of the loss of friends and relatives
is
> particularly moving to me, especially the brief parts of his stories about
> the liberation of two Nazi death camps.  We should forgive, but not be
blind
> to those who would destroy our way of life over convictions be they
> economic, religious or personal beliefs.  My father has not, nor would
> today, drive a German car, but he does not belittle them.  In uncertain
> times, uncertain measures must be expended.  Today we face the same
> challenges and history will record how we faced our own people just as how
> we face our enemies.  Fortunately this country survived by building values
> on our challenges not by belittling some actions.  We still embrace
> emigrants who display and practice what this country represents, not those
> who are here to tear it apart.  Mistakes are made but we recover from them
> unlike the enemies we face.  Honoring our past is the only path to freedom
> and our right to embrace those who choose that path.  Build on our
> civilization positively, don't let others destroy its foundation.
>
> Honor our veterans, soldiers and leaders to present a determined face to
our
> enemies..
>
> 73   Jim
> de W5JO
>
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