It truly was an infamous day...a day that turned the world upside down for multiple millions.
I wish to honor my beloved Granddaddy, Billy Joe Austin, who left his wife and my then 4 year old Momma to go fight those "filthy, rotten japs." He actually had several terms he used to describe the japs, but they are not suitable for a family friendly blog.
I don't think that he, or my Grandmother ever forgave the japs. He owned an appliance and television store in Shreveport-Bossier, and even as jap manufacturers began to dominate the electronics business, he refused to sell any of that "jap crap" as long as he owned the business.
In fact, he and Grandmother refused to buy anything "made in Japland."
It was their "9-11." They, and their fellows rose to the challenge.
I also wish to honor the memory of my Great Uncles, C.H. Kendall, Ross Newland, Earl Newland, and Lee Newland, who also left hearth & home to defend liberty. They all survived the war, and returned the victorious heroes that they certainly are in my heart.
They're all dead now, except for Uncle Lee. And, I miss them all something awful...
I would write a long essay on the herculean effort made by the warriors, and the home folks. But, others have, and will likely today do a much better job than can I. If you find a good essay, or tribute, please drop it in the comments.
I'll just say, "Granddaddy, C.H., Ross, Earl, Lee...
Salute!"
I salute your relatives who served, as I do my two uncles who saw action in ETO, and all the vets of WWII, and everything since.
ReplyDeleteI recommend to you D-Days In the Pacific, by Donald L. Miller, as well as his other incredible book, Masters of the Air. Both must reads, while the dwindling number of WWII vets are still around.
I don't think that he, or my Grandmother ever forgave the japs.
ReplyDeleteMy father was the same. I invited him to come over and visit when I was stationed in Japan... all three times. I got the same answer each time: "It'll be a cold day in Hell" and "salty" variations on that theme.
His attitude towards the Nipponese was kinda weird, in that he forgave the Germans... who tried to kill him MANY times when Dad was in his B-17 over The Fatherland... and we actually vacationed in Germany several times when the family was stationed in France during the '50s. I never quite understood that.
There's your tangent for the day...
I salute your grandfather, Andy. "The Greatest Generation" truly was all that.