I really hope this makes it past the moderators.  It's not meant to be political, just comments and memories.

 

I just watched the video of Jesse Callahan's funeral service.  It quite an impressive ceremony but, for me, not so at the end.  The minister had a good handle on WW2 and it's aftermath.  Just a record player to play Taps at Jesse's memorial service.  No 21 gun salute.  No military officer to hand Gail the folded flag.

 

Doug Brown's father, also a WW2 vet and transport pilot, died last year.  Doug got the local National Guard troops to form a firing squad for the 21 gun salute and he hired a bugler to play taps.  It's a shame those aren't provided anymore at military funerals.  

 

When I was first in the Air Force in the late 50s I was on the base rifle team at Selfridge AFB in Michigan.  While we traveled to competitions we also provided the firing squad at military funerals across Michigan.  The base band also provided a bugler.  We probably traveled to six or seven funerals across the state where we honored someone killed in  plane crash or accident or a veteran who had died with a 21 gun salute.  and a military officer on hand to present the mother, widow, or a relative the folded flag.  Now they just play taps on a record player and I guess they forego the 21 gun salute and whomever is handy presents the folded flag..

 

The WW2 legacy is fading, lost not only in time but in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.

 

As a boy I remember one Thanksgiving when the call went out from the USO to invite local servicemen to our homes for Thanksgiving Dinner.  They sent us two sailors.

 

But war was was a unique experience in the early 40s.  And wars were fought to win.  Just think, less than year from Normandy to Berlin.  Like wise in the pacific where the actual fighting was measured in weeks or a few months on each island as we island hopped from Guadalcanal to Iwo Jima and the Philippines.  Today war has become commonplace, part of our normal background and they are not fought to win but to attempt to bring democracy to people who have no idea of what that is.  Our expectations rise with purple finger elections and then fade over the years as we just try to hold on as long as possible.

 

We are still officially at war in Korea.  We lost in Vietnam.  We did a little good in Kosovo.  And we are just marking time in the Middle East.  No victory parades.  No public welcome homes.  Life just goes on as we hide the wounded in VA Hospitals and go about our business as if nothing is happening on the war front because the news cycle has past.

 

We doubly honor you, Jesse, because you and your compatriots really did have a 'mission accomplished'.  And as a nation we welcomed you back home with parades, open arms and celebrations.  Vivid in my memory as a boy is opening the front page of the Chronicle on either VE or VJ day and there was a picture of a sailor who grabbed a young woman on the street and gave her great big kiss.  I'll bet you've seen that picture.

 

Noel

Here in the Chicagoland area, there are five or six groups who take on the task of providing honors for the deceased service person. Often enough the VFW or American Legion provides color guard, bugler while the CPD will provide the 21 gun salute.

I have no idea where the VA will finally plant my remains. I have no relatives at all, and very few friends.

Sorry to hear that Father.Very few friends here. My niece just texted me, and told me that she loves me. Now to change things , how about some music. Pete Jacobs War Revue on Youtube doing some good big band tunes. Swing Girls. A group of Japanese girls and boys playing In The Mood, Moonlight Serenade that sounds so Glenn Miller.Noel; I feel your pain regarding your post.

Edited August 1, 20214 yr by Paul Deluca

Something has been lost since we dropped the draft. 

Before, whether you liked it or not, you were probably going to serve.  Either you enjoyed your tour or you hated it and couldn't wait until you got out,  In either event, you developed memories and had experiences that would last you for the rest of your life.  Even some of the celebrities who served did good jobs.  I once know an Army captain who had served with Elvis in Europe.  His said that Elvis was a "good troop."  The Everly brothers were stationed at 29 Palms when I was there and were well thought of. 

Now days, the average citizen probably feels detached from our "all volunteer"  military and has little or no understanding of what goes on in the various services.  I don't know how many times I've been told "thank you for your service" but it's not necessary.  Service was the thing to do. Maybe if the country had a stronger commitment to some form of universal service, we might be able to work together better.  Just food for thought.

 

Jim Driskell

Jim, I agree.

16 minutes ago, jmdriskell said:

Maybe if the country had a stronger commitment to some form of universal service, we might be able to work together better.  Just food for thought.

 

Father Bill, you have a bushel of friends here.  I'm one of them.  3850 likes.

Jim, I agree too.  The draftees kept the services honest and in the public eye.  They were the ones who wrote their congressmen.  And despite the carping some of them re-enlisted.  But they all learned all about discipline and teamwork.  And that would stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Noel

 

     When you talk about the WW2 legacy fading, it reminds me of the ending of James Mticheners book  'Tales of the South Pacific'

    

They will live a long time, these men of the South Pacific. They had an American quality. They, like their victories, will be remembered as long
as our generation lives. After that, like the men of the Confederacy, they
will become strangers. Longer and longer shadows will obcure them until
their Guadalcanal sounds distant on the ear like Shiloh and Valley Forge.

   

James Michener can tell it much better than I can.   

I've stood on the crest of Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg and imagined Picket's men charging up that slope.  For that brief time they were remembered.

I've stood atop Mt. Suribachi and imagined the Marines coming up that hill.  For that brief time they were remembered.

While they recede from the conscious memories of future generations there are reminders that they were here.

Noel

Edited August 2, 20214 yr by birdguy

All one needs to do to remember what this is all about is to stand anywhere within the confines of Arlington National Cemetery and think about what this country means.  Or go to the little cemetery in Church Town, Pennsylvania and look for the grave markers of veterans or the Revolutionary Way, The War of 1812 or the Mexican War.  Those are not forgotten.

Jim