We just commemorated the attack on America. Television and radio were devoted to this tragedy.
Like the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese that has been called, "A day that will live in infamy," so too should September 11.
I write about remembering these events out of a personal experience. Several years ago my family visited the Normandy invasion beaches, toured the narrow lanes lined with the famous hedgerows, and visited Point du Hoc where bomb craters are still visible.
Later we spent time in the American cemetery showing our respect and honoring those that lay there in perfect, military formation.
Following that story, I was asked to speak to some community groups about the visit and what the experiene was like.
I wrote a column for Memorial Day about the experience. A short time later, Warren Pierce from WJR called about doing an interview on a program he was doing about WWII.
With so much to say and share time was an issue. Pierce's interviewing style doesn't leave room for much explanation.
His final question had to do with the present generation and whether people today remembered any of these events.
"No, I don't think our children are being taught about this part of our history. When I mention the Normandy Invasion, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, the Battle of the Bulge, the "Frozen Chosin", or
The Tonkin Bay of which my ship, the USS Topeka (CLG-8) played a part, I get blank stares.
"Or comments like 'I never heard about those things,' which is an absolute shame.
This started as a "where were you on 9-11." I was on a boat with Tom Furay and his brother. We were in Lake St. Clair catching perch.
Arriving at the dock we secured the boat, stowed our gear and went our separate ways. Once I started my truck and began driving out of the parking lot I heard one of the national news correspondence say, "the second building in the World Trade Center has been hit. I believe we are under attack."
It was a long, thoughtful drive home.
We set the date and time and just like clock work, Pierce's producer called. We talked about what there was to see, how it affected us, and some personal thoughts.
It is a shame what our children aren't taught in school today. I remember the sneaky attack on Pearl Harbor and while I am forced to buy my electronics from them, I would rather die than to buy their cars. Look how the owners of them are treated.
ReplyDelete