Memorial DayWe few, we happy few, we band of brothers:
For he today that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother
-SHAKESPEARE, HENRY V
It seemed fitting to finish reading this book here right before Memorial Day. Not a chronology or historical analysis of this oft written about war, instead O'Donnel has given us personal stories of the experiences of combat veterans in their own often reluctant words. Into The Rising Sun is the truth about this most brutal of wars in the American experience.
O'Donnel focuses on the elite troops who lead the way into the Pacific War. They were the Raiders, Paratroopers, Rangers, and Marauders. He writes that "the war remains a defining part of their lives. Refracted through memories that are now nearly sixty years old, a part of them is still in places they fought. They remember those who never returned. Some are still unable to talk about their experiences. Time and age have thinned their ranks. Every battalion or division has a newsletter that contain a roll of those who have passed, a list that grows longer with each month. The yearly reunions get smaller. But neither time no age can diminish their love for one another."
We honor their sacrifice with our loving rememberance on this and every Memorial Day
3 comments:
Great post and I agree: We honor their sacrifice!
My uncle was a POW of the Japanese during WWII. He was one of those who never talked about it afterward. I'll be posting about his legacy. Unfortunately, he picked up a smoking habit in the service and died of lung cancer from it.
Well said. We do indeed honor them.
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