We’ve seen their faces and heard their names. We’ve learned their ages and where they were from. My heart breaks when I see television news reports informing us American soldiers have died.

This time loss of life wasn’t in battle. It was going to be what’s known as a “flyby” over the Liberation Day parade, celebrating the U.S. liberation of Guam from Japan. Flybys are something B-52s and some other military planes probably consider routine and I suspect the crews who fly these missions feel honored to take part. But this time, something went terribly wrong and six soldiers were lost in the B-52 crash off the coast of Guam.

When I first heard the tragic news of the crash, my heart sank when I considered the possibility that my son-in-law could have been part of the crew. We were relieved to hear of his safety, but our relief for him was soon turned to shock and sadness when we discovered that one of the crew lost was a good friend to our daughter and son-in-law.

Suddenly the loss of a soldier became “more real” as my husband and I reflected on our memories with this young man.

It has been difficult in these past few days to continue on with my daily activities and responsibilities without the dark cloud of melancholy hanging over me. In fact, I’ve found myself feeling guilty every time I laughed. In every happy moment, I couldn’t help but think about all the dear families and friends of these soldiers who were — in that same moment — consumed with grief.

I have to express my enormous gratitude for these and all American soldiers. Let us never forget that our American soldiers choose to be soldiers. They choose to put their life at risk when duty calls. They choose to do everything in their power to keep us safe and free. And their families, too, willingly and graciously live the life that puts “country” before all else.

It has recently occurred to me that we — all of us American citizens — are the legacy of our American soldiers. We owe them our lives — lives that must be lived to their fullest potential. And this is the greatest tribute we could possibly give to soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

So I will do my best, dear soldiers, to live a life that will make you proud. I will strive to live a life that is worthy of your life and death. Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) Soldiers must have extraordinary love for their country and their fellow citizens to be willing to relinquish their lives for others! I wonder if I could ever love that much.

Can you imagine a world where every citizen loves each other unconditionally and impartially? A world where each person is always ready to lend a hand when help is needed? A world where people believe the safety and welfare of others comes before their own? A world where respect, loyalty and trust is never questioned or doubted? Such is the world of the American soldier.

We have much to learn, my fellow citizens, from our soldiers. Their lives and sacrifices teach us many invaluable lessons. We are privileged to have our lives and freedoms in their strong and faithful hands.

May we always be a grateful nation and never forget to show it. And may you and I remember that we must show our gratitude with our own lives well-lived!

By: Annette Bridges

About the Author:

DECEMBER

December 7, 1941. This date was permanently burned into the memory of an entire generation, and more than 65 years later it still holds as one of the most notorious dates in American history.

It was the day of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and a day that changed the world forever. Just before 8a.m. that morning, a group of Japanese planes approached the unsuspecting naval base. They arrived without warning, and without a formal declaration of war.

As the planes coasted over the American base, they unleashed a fury of firepower that quickly sank half of the battleships stationed at Pearl Harbor. The assault was brief, but highly effective. Japanese Zero Bomber Planes were lightning fast and heavily armed.

America lost more than 2,000 people to the brutal attack. Over 1,200 more were injured. The assault consisted of two separate groups of Japanese bombers that damaged or destroyed a large number of American ships, planes and equipment.

This attack was intended to discourage America from declaring war against the Japanese Empire. It had the opposite effect. Although Pearl Harbor was a message warning the U.S. to ignore the aggressive behaviors of Japan, Germany and Italy, the event rallied people together and motivated the entire country to get involved.

Japan’s attack weakened American forces, but strengthened their resolve. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt proclaimed that December 7 would be a day that would live in infamy, and Congress declared war on the Japanese Empire. Our soldiers heard the call and prepared for battle.

On December 11, Japanese allies in Germany and Italy declared war on the United States. This plunged the U.S. directly into World War II. Within four years the war would come to an end, with the Japanese and other Axis powers surrendering. America emerged victorious.

At PeopleFinders, we remember the attack on Pearl Harbor with reverence, and we proudly stand to salute the brave men and women who went to war for their country… then and now. We thank everyone who has served this country for their commitment, selflessness and tireless defense of our way of life.

We will always remember December 7, 1941. Not just for the horrific attack, but also for the aftermath in which America proved that we would not be bullied, we would not roll over and we would fight for the freedoms we hold so dear. Stay strong, America!

By: Nate Waymire

About the Author:

On December 7th, 1941, before many Americans were even awake, the Japanese Navy struck the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor with a surprising and deadly attack. There are many facts on Pearl Harbor that will be brought to light in this article.

Twelve facts on Pearl Harbor:

1. Pearl Harbor is a United States naval base located west of Honolulu on the island of O’ahu, Hawaii.

2. It was the attack on Pearl Harbor that brought the United States into World War II.

3. Due to the fact that it was a Sunday morning, many of the soldiers were sleeping and were completely unaware of the catastrophe that was soon to be upon them all.

4. The attack on Pearl Harbor by the Empire of Japan was supposed to be a preventive attack used to scare the United States from interfering with Japans’ plan to wage war against Britain, the Netherlands, and the United States. Although this was a very good strategic victory for the Japanese, they used huge amounts of resources for this one attack.

5. There were two waves of planes that attacked the U.S Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. The first arrived at 7:55 a.m. and consisted of 183 planes. The second wave arrived almost an hour later with 167 planes. There were very few soldiers ready to fight on cue, thus the damage and devastation was quite severe.

6. In all, the Japanese sank or damaged 188 aircraft, eight U.S. Navy battleships, three destroyers, three cruisers, and one minelayer. The damage caused to the Japanese navy was very small, Only 29 aircraft out of 350 were destroyed.

7. There were 2,403 people killed, 68 of those were civilians. 1,178 were wounded.

8. There had been a declaration of war sent to the United States by the Japanese before the attack even happened, but the United States thought that it was an ending to negotiations. This mistake proved deadly.

9. The Four U.S. Navy battleships that were destroyed were the USS Arizona, the USS Nevada, the USS Oklahoma, and the USS West Virginia.

10. The Japanese thought that the battleships were the primary source of the United States strength, but they failed to realize that the aircraft carriers and submarines would be sufficient enough to stop them in the end.

11. Although the Empire of Japan caused huge amounts of damage to the United States, there were still many members in congress that did not want to go to war, and felt the need was quite small. However, this did not stop the United States from declaring war with Japan the very next day.

12. Lastly, one of the main reasons that the attack on Pearl Harbor did not succeed was because this very attack helped spur the Americans onward and proved to be a huge rallying point for the troublesome days, months, and years that lay ahead.

By: Candis Reade

About the Author:

My grandfather came to America from Veitri Di Potenza in the region of Basilicata in southern Italy. He came to Buffalo NY and earned the nickname “The Side Wheel” as he oiled the New York Central steam engines. My dad was later called “The Wheel” as all of his friends grew up with nicknames. It was funny because as a child I never knew their real names. Just “The Bird”, “The Weasel”, and his brother “Jumbo”. He was a second generation American Italian. Like many men and women of all races and ethnicity in the 1940’s, he started at Fort Dix in New Jersey and found himself in England in June of 1944.

For the purpose of telling his story, I will call him by his first name, James. Like many of his counterparts, he spoke little of the war and I soaked in every detail when he did open up about it a little. He loved “The Longest Day” and I wish he could have seen “Saving Private Ryan” as he would have enjoyed that immensely.

In 2006, The National Purple Heart Hall of Fame was established in Vails Gate, NY. When I heard about it, I wrote them a letter with some pictures and other attachments.

Dear Friends of Purple Heart Recipients:

Thank you so much for creating this Hall of honor and recognition.

My father, Private First Class James was a member of the Fourth Division, Medical Unit, 8th Infantry Regiment. A World War II Veteran of four years and one month, his story is very interesting if not amazing. I have included many documents in the folder to help document his experience.

I will tell you some of the details in this letter that he related to me (like many veterans he seldom talked about the war) to clarify and expand on the documents enclosed.

Born and raised in Buffalo, N.Y. he worked and even did some serious “sparring” as a boxer before the war and fought for the Championship at Fort Dix. He was about 5′ 9″ and 185 lbs. Wounded in Belgium, he returned to the States at Fort Dix. My mother’s New Jersey family came to visit him and walked right by his cot – he only weighed 88 pounds!

He told me the Fourth Division drifted past the targeted landing on D-Day. This resulted somehow in fewer casualties than some of the other landings. I have included the Eighth Infantry Command Posts which details their locations through four battles on the way to Germany. On that sheet I have marked January 31, 1945 Lommersweiler, Belgium. On that day, Private James was going to the aid of another GI when a Nazi Tiger Tank opened fire on the hill they were on. A huge piece of shrapnel penetrated his thigh (I don’t want to make you sick here but I could fit four fingers down to the knuckle into his leg). He was separated from his outfit and laid in the snow for fourteen hours. Somehow, with the help of Major (Doctor) Kenneth M. Alford (also of Buffalo, N.Y.) his leg was saved. Buffalo newspapers included him on their “List of Honored War Dead” as he was separated from his unit and his whereabouts were unknown (I have included these articles in the folder). He told of the surprise on peoples faces who thought he was dead when he came back to Buffalo. From January 31, 1945 until his discharge on January 16, 1946 he spent his time in hospitals in Europe and New Jersey.

With one leg about an inch and a half shorter than the other, he worked for years at the VA Hospital in Buffalo, NY and was a great employee and the best father a guy could ever have.

Before being wounded, during the Battle of the Bulge on December 4, 1944 his unit was ordered to retreat and with another Medic, managed to get three wounded men from behind enemy lines back to town by making three separate trips as they only had one litter bearer. My dad said they could hear hundreds of Nazi’s passing within twenty yards as they performed their trips to return the men to safety.

After all this, he didn’t really think he had any awards coming his way. In 1955, he wrote to get his Good Conduct Medal and Medical Combat Badge. On March 5th, 1956 he received the Bronze Star. On May 18th, 1959 he received his Purple Heart. His family and friends are very proud to have known such a man. He passed away in 1983 from 100% Service Connected disabilities. The “Wheel” was a proud soldier and a great man.

I was never in the service but certainly have an appreciation for those who served. The World War II generation was indeed very special as are all those who risk their lives for America. This World War II Soldier’s Story is dedicated to all the Medics who served for us in all wars.

By: Charles Priore

About the Author:

There are many theories about what started World War II. The most popular belief is that Hitler wanted more land to expand Germany. Looking for a reason to start a war and invade Poland, but not wanting it to appear that he instigated it, Hitler staged a polish attack on Germany. This would justify Germany’s counter-attack and invasion of Poland.

On August 31, 1939, under Hitler’s command and Himmler’s ingenuity, a small group of German Nazis dressed in Polish uniforms invaded a German radio station. They left behind a dead prisoner from a concentration camp also dressed in a Polish uniform, making it appear like he died in an attack on the radio station. On September 1, Germany declared war on Poland. Ignoring warnings from Great Britain and France to withdraw their troops from Poland, Germany continued their invasion.

Two days later on September 3, both Great Britain and France declared war on Germany. This series of events started World War II. Later, the war would serve as a mask for Hitler’s holocaust and genocide of Nazi’s truest enemy, the Jews.

The United States entered the war when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The very next day, the United States declared war on Japan and on December 11, declared war on Germany.

On June 6, 1944, nearly 150,000 soldiers invaded the beaches of Normandy. D-Day, as it came to be known, was the western Allies largest amphibious invasion in world history. Before the month of June was over, more than 850,000 American, British and Canadian troops would occupy Normandy. U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the invasion on Normandy “The Great Crusade”.

On April 30, 1945, Hitler, along with his long time mistress, committed suicide and approximately one week later; Germany surrendered, putting an end to World War II. The end of World War II was the beginning of an era known as the Cold War which would continue for the next fifty years.
Over 100 million military personnel participated in the war making it the most widespread war in history. Around 72 million people lost their lives including 47 million civilians and 25 million military personnel.

20 million deaths were from war related famine and disease and 4 million prisoners of war died in POW camps. This astronomical death toll would make World War II the deadliest war in history. It was not only profound with the large number of casualties. It was also known as the most costly war, costing approximately one trillion dollars.

By: Jay Villaverde

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