For Your 4th of July...a Priority

Today I'm thinking about a letter to the Today I'm thinking about a letter to the editor that I cut from our local editor that I cut from our local editor that I cut from our local newspaper on June 10th, 2010. newspaper on June 10th, 2010. newspaper on June 10th, 2010. It's been years, but it described It's been years, but it described It's been years, but it described history that should be remembered. history that should be remembered. history that should be remembered. Today, I'm also thinking about our Today, I'm also thinking about our Today, I'm also thinking about our upcoming holiday. When I was growing up, upcoming holiday. When I was growing up, upcoming holiday. When I was growing up, the 4th of July wasn't just an excuse the 4th of July wasn't just an excuse the 4th of July wasn't just an excuse for a long weekend. You remember the 4th for a long weekend. You remember the 4th for a long weekend. You remember the 4th of July was one of the big four holidays of July was one of the big four holidays of July was one of the big four holidays and uniquely celebrated. Thanksgiving and uniquely celebrated. Thanksgiving and uniquely celebrated. Thanksgiving held lavish feasts. Christmas was for held lavish feasts. Christmas was for held lavish feasts. Christmas was for hot chocolate and a manger. And we hot chocolate and a manger. And we hot chocolate and a manger. And we actually got to put a tree inside the actually got to put a tree inside the actually got to put a tree inside the house. Easter meant new shoes for house. Easter meant new shoes for house. Easter meant new shoes for church. New white shoes that mama liked church. New white shoes that mama liked church. New white shoes that mama liked and that I did not. But Independence Day and that I did not. But Independence Day and that I did not. But Independence Day was totally different. Firecrackers and was totally different. Firecrackers and was totally different. Firecrackers and homemade ice cream. Ribs on the grill. homemade ice cream. Ribs on the grill. homemade ice cream. Ribs on the grill. We spent long summer evenings at the We spent long summer evenings at the We spent long summer evenings at the lake or a swimming pool or even in our lake or a swimming pool or even in our lake or a swimming pool or even in our own backyard, which was great even own backyard, which was great even own backyard, which was great even though we didn't live on a lake and though we didn't live on a lake and though we didn't live on a lake and didn't have a swimming pool. I noticed didn't have a swimming pool. I noticed didn't have a swimming pool. I noticed then that everything about the fourth then that everything about the fourth then that everything about the fourth was more relaxed. Daddy cooked. Mama was more relaxed. Daddy cooked. Mama was more relaxed. Daddy cooked. Mama laughed with her friends who walked laughed with her friends who walked laughed with her friends who walked around in baggy Bermuda shorts drinking around in baggy Bermuda shorts drinking around in baggy Bermuda shorts drinking lemonade out of that special pitcher lemonade out of that special pitcher lemonade out of that special pitcher that was just for the adults while we that was just for the adults while we that was just for the adults while we caught fireflies or hit sweet gumballs caught fireflies or hit sweet gumballs caught fireflies or hit sweet gumballs over the fence with a whiffle bat. May over the fence with a whiffle bat. May over the fence with a whiffle bat. May and granddaddy were always there. So and granddaddy were always there. So and granddaddy were always there. So were my other grandparents, Nana and were my other grandparents, Nana and were my other grandparents, Nana and Daddy Mac. Families sometimes whole Daddy Mac. Families sometimes whole Daddy Mac. Families sometimes whole neighborhoods would gather, pausing to neighborhoods would gather, pausing to neighborhoods would gather, pausing to connect in a way that seems almost

connect in a way that seems almost connect in a way that seems almost embarrassing now. Grandmothers fed kids embarrassing now. Grandmothers fed kids embarrassing now. Grandmothers fed kids they didn't even know from their own they didn't even know from their own they didn't even know from their own plates after they had already had the plates after they had already had the plates after they had already had the spoons in their mouth and shushed spoons in their mouth and shushed spoons in their mouth and shushed anybody who dared to object. One daddy anybody who dared to object. One daddy anybody who dared to object. One daddy might teach another daddy's boy how to might teach another daddy's boy how to might teach another daddy's boy how to stand when he held a bat or how to make stand when he held a bat or how to make stand when he held a bat or how to make a sound with only his hand in an armpit. a sound with only his hand in an armpit. a sound with only his hand in an armpit. Children fell off swing sets and cried Children fell off swing sets and cried Children fell off swing sets and cried like their legs had been cut off, but like their legs had been cut off, but like their legs had been cut off, but nobody threatened to sue anybody or even nobody threatened to sue anybody or even nobody threatened to sue anybody or even acted mad. Later, when it was completely acted mad. Later, when it was completely acted mad. Later, when it was completely dark, when we were tired of catching dark, when we were tired of catching dark, when we were tired of catching frogs under the street lights, when the frogs under the street lights, when the frogs under the street lights, when the big kids had said goodbye and left in big kids had said goodbye and left in big kids had said goodbye and left in their cars to do whatever big kids did their cars to do whatever big kids did their cars to do whatever big kids did in their cars, a lot later, after all in their cars, a lot later, after all in their cars, a lot later, after all the black cats and bottle rockets and the black cats and bottle rockets and the black cats and bottle rockets and cherry bombs were used up, after the cherry bombs were used up, after the cherry bombs were used up, after the little kids had burned all their little kids had burned all their little kids had burned all their sparklers, much, much later, when the sparklers, much, much later, when the sparklers, much, much later, when the cicas were droning in the darkness, the cicas were droning in the darkness, the cicas were droning in the darkness, the grown-ups gathered together. It always grown-ups gathered together. It always grown-ups gathered together. It always seemed an impromptu moment to me, but it seemed an impromptu moment to me, but it seemed an impromptu moment to me, but it happened every Fourth of July, so maybe happened every Fourth of July, so maybe happened every Fourth of July, so maybe it wasn't. The location varied, maybe it wasn't. The location varied, maybe it wasn't. The location varied, maybe over there by the side of the house to over there by the side of the house to over there by the side of the house to catch the breeze. But we kids could hear catch the breeze. But we kids could hear catch the breeze. But we kids could hear the adults closing a lazy circle as the the adults closing a lazy circle as the the adults closing a lazy circle as the aluminum lawn chairs scraped across the aluminum lawn chairs scraped across the aluminum lawn chairs scraped across the concrete driveway. Lighters flared and concrete driveway. Lighters flared and concrete driveway. Lighters flared and more lemonade was passed around as we more lemonade was passed around as we more lemonade was passed around as we crept closer to the proceedings. It was crept closer to the proceedings. It was crept closer to the proceedings. It was a fact known by all kids and passed down

a fact known by all kids and passed down a fact known by all kids and passed down through generations of kiddom that if we through generations of kiddom that if we through generations of kiddom that if we could just stay quiet, snuggle in close could just stay quiet, snuggle in close could just stay quiet, snuggle in close to the bare sunburned legs of our mamas to the bare sunburned legs of our mamas to the bare sunburned legs of our mamas and daddies and stay still, they and daddies and stay still, they and daddies and stay still, they wouldn't make us leave. No one would wouldn't make us leave. No one would wouldn't make us leave. No one would tell us to go to bed. Sometimes, if we tell us to go to bed. Sometimes, if we tell us to go to bed. Sometimes, if we waited long enough, lying there on the waited long enough, lying there on the waited long enough, lying there on the cool concrete in our damp bathing suits, cool concrete in our damp bathing suits, cool concrete in our damp bathing suits, smelling like chlorine and barbecue smelling like chlorine and barbecue smelling like chlorine and barbecue sauce, we got to hear our grandparents sauce, we got to hear our grandparents sauce, we got to hear our grandparents talk about the time during the war. talk about the time during the war. talk about the time during the war. Quietly, they would remember out loud Quietly, they would remember out loud Quietly, they would remember out loud about crackly newscasts from Europe and about crackly newscasts from Europe and about crackly newscasts from Europe and victory gardens and the ways folks victory gardens and the ways folks victory gardens and the ways folks helped each other here at home. They helped each other here at home. They helped each other here at home. They talked about places like Italy and talked about places like Italy and talked about places like Italy and France and Saipan. France and Saipan. France and Saipan. I remember Saipan because that was where I remember Saipan because that was where I remember Saipan because that was where Timmy Underwood's granddaddy had fought. Timmy Underwood's granddaddy had fought. Timmy Underwood's granddaddy had fought. It was a neat word to me. Saipan. It was a neat word to me. Saipan. It was a neat word to me. Saipan. I remember saying it several times when I remember saying it several times when I remember saying it several times when I heard it just because it was so I heard it just because it was so I heard it just because it was so unusual.

unusual. unusual. Sipan. Sipan. Sipan. Sipan. Sipan. Sipan. It seemed dark and wet and mysterious. It seemed dark and wet and mysterious. It seemed dark and wet and mysterious. Sometimes we fell asleep there with Sometimes we fell asleep there with Sometimes we fell asleep there with somebody's grandma propping her worn out somebody's grandma propping her worn out somebody's grandma propping her worn out barefoot on our backs or legs as we barefoot on our backs or legs as we barefoot on our backs or legs as we listened to their soft old voices listened to their soft old voices listened to their soft old voices drifting through the hot summer night. drifting through the hot summer night. drifting through the hot summer night. Fireworks booming in the distance. Fireworks booming in the distance. Fireworks booming in the distance. Caipan seemed far away. It's even Caipan seemed far away. It's even Caipan seemed far away. It's even farther away now. Our sons Austin and farther away now. Our sons Austin and farther away now. Our sons Austin and Adam lost their last grandparent when Adam lost their last grandparent when Adam lost their last grandparent when Pauliey's mom Paty Jones passed away. Pauliey's mom Paty Jones passed away. Pauliey's mom Paty Jones passed away. The boys were 8 and 10 years old. Today The boys were 8 and 10 years old. Today The boys were 8 and 10 years old. Today they're 21 and 23. they're 21 and 23. they're 21 and 23. The true stories of our greatest The true stories of our greatest The true stories of our greatest generation are fading now as their souls generation are fading now as their souls generation are fading now as their souls leave this earth. There no longer seems leave this earth. There no longer seems leave this earth. There no longer seems to be time or even a desire for families to be time or even a desire for families to be time or even a desire for families and neighbors to gather and love and and neighbors to gather and love and and neighbors to gather and love and listen to each other. Our backyards are listen to each other. Our backyards are listen to each other. Our backyards are barricaded with prefab fences. Our homes barricaded with prefab fences. Our homes barricaded with prefab fences. Our homes don't welcome visitors with front don't welcome visitors with front don't welcome visitors with front porches anymore. And our older citizens porches anymore. And our older citizens porches anymore. And our older citizens seem to be increasingly disregarded.

seem to be increasingly disregarded. seem to be increasingly disregarded. Perhaps it's an oversight, but no Perhaps it's an oversight, but no Perhaps it's an oversight, but no matter. This vast pushing aside that matter. This vast pushing aside that matter. This vast pushing aside that society facilitates of those now in society facilitates of those now in society facilitates of those now in their eighth or ninth decade of life is their eighth or ninth decade of life is their eighth or ninth decade of life is a tragedy. Not necessarily for them, but a tragedy. Not necessarily for them, but a tragedy. Not necessarily for them, but definitely for us. Without consideration definitely for us. Without consideration definitely for us. Without consideration for the consequences, we are allowing for the consequences, we are allowing for the consequences, we are allowing them to be silenced. Our schools, our them to be silenced. Our schools, our them to be silenced. Our schools, our city councils, our churches, you and I, city councils, our churches, you and I, city councils, our churches, you and I, are looking the other way as the are looking the other way as the are looking the other way as the greatest generation of citizens our greatest generation of citizens our greatest generation of citizens our country has ever produced, quietly take country has ever produced, quietly take country has ever produced, quietly take unique wisdom to their graves. unique wisdom to their graves. unique wisdom to their graves. It must be understood that these men and It must be understood that these men and It must be understood that these men and women possess a historical perspective women possess a historical perspective women possess a historical perspective that cannot be purchased at any price that cannot be purchased at any price that cannot be purchased at any price and time is running out. They have and time is running out. They have and time is running out. They have earned a level of wisdom and earned a level of wisdom and earned a level of wisdom and understanding that we ignore at our own understanding that we ignore at our own understanding that we ignore at our own peril. peril. peril. Exactly what is that peril? One might Exactly what is that peril? One might Exactly what is that peril? One might ask. Perhaps our greatest risk is a ask. Perhaps our greatest risk is a ask. Perhaps our greatest risk is a civil society in which to work and live civil society in which to work and live civil society in which to work and live and raise our families. Do you think and raise our families. Do you think and raise our families. Do you think that's an overstatement?

that's an overstatement? that's an overstatement? Have you watched the news lately? Many Have you watched the news lately? Many Have you watched the news lately? Many of the greatest generation who are still of the greatest generation who are still of the greatest generation who are still with us say that while things like with us say that while things like with us say that while things like kindness, sacrifice for others, and kindness, sacrifice for others, and kindness, sacrifice for others, and forgiveness are not yet extinct, they forgiveness are not yet extinct, they forgiveness are not yet extinct, they have certainly become endangered. have certainly become endangered. have certainly become endangered. As an amateur historian, I know how easy As an amateur historian, I know how easy As an amateur historian, I know how easy it is for history itself to be it is for history itself to be it is for history itself to be rewritten. Those with any agenda at all rewritten. Those with any agenda at all rewritten. Those with any agenda at all can shift and change an event to make it can shift and change an event to make it can shift and change an event to make it fit the point of their reporting or fit the point of their reporting or fit the point of their reporting or their movies or their books. Knowing their movies or their books. Knowing their movies or their books. Knowing this, we cannot merely sit back and this, we cannot merely sit back and this, we cannot merely sit back and allow ourselves to be informed by those allow ourselves to be informed by those allow ourselves to be informed by those with narrowly focused agendas. If we with narrowly focused agendas. If we with narrowly focused agendas. If we truly desire what is best for our truly desire what is best for our truly desire what is best for our nation, we must gather the courage to nation, we must gather the courage to nation, we must gather the courage to honestly pursue a unique perspective in honestly pursue a unique perspective in honestly pursue a unique perspective in today's world, the unvarnished truth. today's world, the unvarnished truth. today's world, the unvarnished truth. Why is the unvarnished truth so Why is the unvarnished truth so Why is the unvarnished truth so important? How can a child of today gain important? How can a child of today gain important? How can a child of today gain the wisdom to create their best future the wisdom to create their best future the wisdom to create their best future if they lack context and perspective if they lack context and perspective if they lack context and perspective about the past? To build a best future about the past? To build a best future about the past? To build a best future requires accurate context and proper requires accurate context and proper requires accurate context and proper perspective, two things that cannot be perspective, two things that cannot be perspective, two things that cannot be gained without taking into account the gained without taking into account the gained without taking into account the truth about our past. Does that mean we truth about our past. Does that mean we truth about our past. Does that mean we are obligated to sweep away undesirable are obligated to sweep away undesirable are obligated to sweep away undesirable memories? No. In fact, strong memories memories? No. In fact, strong memories memories? No. In fact, strong memories of where someone or a group of people

of where someone or a group of people of where someone or a group of people went wrong are a critical part of not went wrong are a critical part of not went wrong are a critical part of not repeating these actions. In 1945, when repeating these actions. In 1945, when repeating these actions. In 1945, when General Eisenhower was asked why he was General Eisenhower was asked why he was General Eisenhower was asked why he was sending photographers to document every sending photographers to document every sending photographers to document every aspect of what the liberators were aspect of what the liberators were aspect of what the liberators were finding in Nazi concentration camps, he finding in Nazi concentration camps, he finding in Nazi concentration camps, he replied, "Because one day some son of a replied, "Because one day some son of a replied, "Because one day some son of a is going to say that this never is going to say that this never is going to say that this never happened." happened." happened." He was right. He was right. He was right. Despite the evidence, there are those Despite the evidence, there are those Despite the evidence, there are those who loudly deny the Holocaust took who loudly deny the Holocaust took who loudly deny the Holocaust took place. And there are those who quietly place. And there are those who quietly place. And there are those who quietly believe them. It's important to note believe them. It's important to note believe them. It's important to note that presented history in all forms, that presented history in all forms, that presented history in all forms, books, monuments, articles, or movies. books, monuments, articles, or movies. books, monuments, articles, or movies. And history's purpose is not always to And history's purpose is not always to And history's purpose is not always to honor. honor. honor. History when presented in unvarnished History when presented in unvarnished History when presented in unvarnished truth also has great value to us as a truth also has great value to us as a truth also has great value to us as a cautionary tale. History, as the cliche cautionary tale. History, as the cliche cautionary tale. History, as the cliche goes, is what it is and should be goes, is what it is and should be goes, is what it is and should be related, heard, and seen as such. To related, heard, and seen as such. To related, heard, and seen as such. To treat history any other way is to ignore treat history any other way is to ignore treat history any other way is to ignore its lessons. In other words, experience its lessons. In other words, experience its lessons. In other words, experience is not the best teacher. Other people's is not the best teacher. Other people's is not the best teacher. Other people's experience is the best teacher. And that experience is the best teacher. And that experience is the best teacher. And that is in fact what history is about. It's is in fact what history is about. It's is in fact what history is about. It's about other people's experience.

about other people's experience. about other people's experience. This Fourth of July, I urge us all to This Fourth of July, I urge us all to This Fourth of July, I urge us all to take advantage of the lives and wisdom take advantage of the lives and wisdom take advantage of the lives and wisdom in our midst before it's too late. In in our midst before it's too late. In in our midst before it's too late. In our neighborhoods, let's endeavor to our neighborhoods, let's endeavor to our neighborhoods, let's endeavor to find the 80 or 90 something year old Mr. find the 80 or 90 something year old Mr. find the 80 or 90 something year old Mr. Billy Simpsons or Mr. Cliff Callaways or Billy Simpsons or Mr. Cliff Callaways or Billy Simpsons or Mr. Cliff Callaways or Violet Cowins who flew a P-51 Mustang Violet Cowins who flew a P-51 Mustang Violet Cowins who flew a P-51 Mustang during the war. Let's give our children during the war. Let's give our children during the war. Let's give our children the opportunity to learn from the best the opportunity to learn from the best the opportunity to learn from the best among us. Let us encourage our older among us. Let us encourage our older among us. Let us encourage our older friends to tell our children what it friends to tell our children what it friends to tell our children what it still means to them when someone salutes still means to them when someone salutes still means to them when someone salutes our flag. We need to ask them questions our flag. We need to ask them questions our flag. We need to ask them questions in front of our children. Were you in front of our children. Were you in front of our children. Were you scared? Why did you fight for our scared? Why did you fight for our scared? Why did you fight for our country? How did people act when you got country? How did people act when you got country? How did people act when you got home? home? home? Back to that letter to the editor I Back to that letter to the editor I Back to that letter to the editor I mentioned earlier. I've kept it all mentioned earlier. I've kept it all mentioned earlier. I've kept it all these years to inspire me, to encourage these years to inspire me, to encourage these years to inspire me, to encourage me, me, me, but really, I suppose I kept it for my but really, I suppose I kept it for my but really, I suppose I kept it for my sons. When I'm gone, I want them to sons. When I'm gone, I want them to sons. When I'm gone, I want them to remember the truth about those who went remember the truth about those who went remember the truth about those who went before. I want them to know that one can before. I want them to know that one can before. I want them to know that one can choose the way in which we live our choose the way in which we live our choose the way in which we live our lives. We can choose how we disagree, lives. We can choose how we disagree, lives. We can choose how we disagree, whether or not we hold a grudge or whether or not we hold a grudge or whether or not we hold a grudge or forgive. that we can choose to sacrifice forgive. that we can choose to sacrifice forgive. that we can choose to sacrifice time or money or life itself so that our time or money or life itself so that our time or money or life itself so that our families or another person whom we might families or another person whom we might families or another person whom we might never know may prosper.

never know may prosper. never know may prosper. I want my sons to be grounded in the I want my sons to be grounded in the I want my sons to be grounded in the simple examples contained in the wisdom simple examples contained in the wisdom simple examples contained in the wisdom of their grandparents. of their grandparents. of their grandparents. That includes the words they choose to That includes the words they choose to That includes the words they choose to use as adults. And that's why I kept the use as adults. And that's why I kept the use as adults. And that's why I kept the letter to the editor. It's just one tiny letter to the editor. It's just one tiny letter to the editor. It's just one tiny piece of truth that has been forgotten piece of truth that has been forgotten piece of truth that has been forgotten already. One day it will be important already. One day it will be important already. One day it will be important for my boys to read and understand. for my boys to read and understand. for my boys to read and understand. Here is that letter. Here is that letter. Here is that letter. Dear editor, I am an 88-year-old veteran Dear editor, I am an 88-year-old veteran Dear editor, I am an 88-year-old veteran of World War II who served proudly with of World War II who served proudly with of World War II who served proudly with the First Marine Division in Okinawa and the First Marine Division in Okinawa and the First Marine Division in Okinawa and China. As I viewed the recent series China. As I viewed the recent series China. As I viewed the recent series Pacific on HBO, I was angry and Pacific on HBO, I was angry and Pacific on HBO, I was angry and embarrassed at the constant use of the embarrassed at the constant use of the embarrassed at the constant use of the F-word while depicting Marines in F-word while depicting Marines in F-word while depicting Marines in battle. I went into the front line in battle. I went into the front line in battle. I went into the front line in Okinawa on May 9th, 1945 with the First Okinawa on May 9th, 1945 with the First Okinawa on May 9th, 1945 with the First Marine Division. The fighting could only Marine Division. The fighting could only Marine Division. The fighting could only be described as pure hell. I never heard be described as pure hell. I never heard be described as pure hell. I never heard the F-word. We lost 70 of our 160 men in the F-word. We lost 70 of our 160 men in the F-word. We lost 70 of our 160 men in one push.

one push. one push. I never heard the f-word. During six I never heard the f-word. During six I never heard the f-word. During six days of vicious fighting at Kunishi days of vicious fighting at Kunishi days of vicious fighting at Kunishi Ridge, I never heard the f-word. Ridge, I never heard the f-word. Ridge, I never heard the f-word. It may be common place for people to use It may be common place for people to use It may be common place for people to use that word nowadays, but it was not that word nowadays, but it was not that word nowadays, but it was not common place during the 1940s when most common place during the 1940s when most common place during the 1940s when most everyone went to church on Sundays. I everyone went to church on Sundays. I everyone went to church on Sundays. I resent the fact that modern movies shed resent the fact that modern movies shed resent the fact that modern movies shed a disrespectful light on the Marines and a disrespectful light on the Marines and a disrespectful light on the Marines and those of us who were actually there. those of us who were actually there. those of us who were actually there. We've been called the greatest We've been called the greatest We've been called the greatest generation and given honor flights to generation and given honor flights to generation and given honor flights to Washington DC. We are not the generation Washington DC. We are not the generation Washington DC. We are not the generation who spoke the F-word in every other who spoke the F-word in every other who spoke the F-word in every other sentence, even when in battle. Please sentence, even when in battle. Please sentence, even when in battle. Please help me set the record straight for help me set the record straight for help me set the record straight for history. history. history. H. Paul Bailey H. Paul Bailey H. Paul Bailey and from my family to yours, happy 4th and from my family to yours, happy 4th and from my family to yours, happy 4th of July.