SeaAndSky
Senior Registered
This is the day. Many people died and many had their memories seared by the experience. I saw this article about a man who lived through that day, but could never talk about it until recently. The talking about it brought some healing, which is something good to know for all of us:
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-pearl-harbor-anniversary-20161207-story.html
Also, I post it to commend what has been called the "greatest generation", who were the grown-ups and parents of my generation and is now rapidly passing away. Many were like this man, holding it in and not speaking about the horrible stuff they experienced. That was the Way of Manliness when I was growing up. It built some very stern, tough-minded characters, but probably drove even more to alcoholism or worse.
My own father was in the Merchant Marine, carrying supplies to the UK--and trying to avoid the subs. Many ships sank and many men died. He didn't talk about his experiences until he was close to death, then he spoke to my older brother about having to steam through water which was on fire with burning fuel and turn your head away from the screaming men floundering in the water around you. To stop was death. Dead in the water your ship was an easy target for another torpedo. I can see now how it probably caused some of the things that I dreaded about him, but also how the Great Depression and WWII also shaped him for the better.
Well, both parents are gone now and that generation is almost gone with them. They were the greatest generation, but not forever. We are not made of the same stuff, but I think it will come out again sometime when the need is greatest. Anyhow, please feel free to post about the date, and also about the people you have known from that generation.
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-pearl-harbor-anniversary-20161207-story.html
Also, I post it to commend what has been called the "greatest generation", who were the grown-ups and parents of my generation and is now rapidly passing away. Many were like this man, holding it in and not speaking about the horrible stuff they experienced. That was the Way of Manliness when I was growing up. It built some very stern, tough-minded characters, but probably drove even more to alcoholism or worse.
My own father was in the Merchant Marine, carrying supplies to the UK--and trying to avoid the subs. Many ships sank and many men died. He didn't talk about his experiences until he was close to death, then he spoke to my older brother about having to steam through water which was on fire with burning fuel and turn your head away from the screaming men floundering in the water around you. To stop was death. Dead in the water your ship was an easy target for another torpedo. I can see now how it probably caused some of the things that I dreaded about him, but also how the Great Depression and WWII also shaped him for the better.
Well, both parents are gone now and that generation is almost gone with them. They were the greatest generation, but not forever. We are not made of the same stuff, but I think it will come out again sometime when the need is greatest. Anyhow, please feel free to post about the date, and also about the people you have known from that generation.
