My ex-father-in-law was a Seabee in WWII and resented anything Japanese til his dying day. I will never forget when my ex-wife and I brought home one of those Toyota Corolla's in the early 70's and he refused to speak to us for what like seemed like months!!! Lots of WWII vets feel this way, but many refuse to discuss it. A sneak attack on Pearl Harbor when the Japanese are talking in Washington pursuing peace?! It would twist me the wrong way too. As a member of the great baby boomer generation, when growing up through the 50's and 60's, WWII was not that far behind.
My father was a side gunner in WWII on a B-24 ("Bugs Bomby") in the Pacific. Although he was credited for shooting down three Jap planes and his plane crashed landed on a beach, and another time with a gear up landing, he never talked about it. All I have to show for his heroics is a bunch of metals.
I was in Vietnam during the tet offensive (1968-69), but that was a different story. I did not protect the coast of California from invading sampans!! Where was the honor? WWII had to be amazing as a young combat soldier, sailor or airman who were in the action. These brave and honorable young men of WWII will always have a glorious place in our country's history.
We should never forget December 7, 1941, no matter how fast your 350Z goes or salmon skin roll tastes..............
Bob
