Posted: 8/13/2001 9:54:54 AM EDT
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Today, Rhode Island observes as a State holiday Victory Day, commemorating the end of WWII. It is the only state in the Union to do so. State and municipal government offices are closed as are most banks. All non-emergency services State and municipal employees are off duty. While at work I listened to several local talk radio programs which discussed the pros and cons of retaining Victory Day. Most callers were in favor of retention, with many veterans calling in. The stories of the WWII vets describing the hardships of the Pacific Theater war were very poignant, some describing the horrors they suffered at the hands of their captors, the Japanese. The callers against the holiday were another breed. None identified themselves as veterans. The general consensus of these folks was that R.I., as the only observing State, was needlessly offending the Japanese, and possibly depriving the state of Japanese investment (read as MONEY). I'm in favor of retention, because it's a good way to honor the WWII vets and others who gave and sacrificed so much in "The Big One". Feeling a bit sorry for the hand-wringers who value money over respect for service, I've come up with a plan to help the situation. When the LAST Veteran, Gold-Star parent or sibling, and war-production worker has passed away, and when the Japanese government publicly and officially apologizes for the aggression and war crimes Japan committed during the War, and when the Japanese government adequately indemnifies ALL the victims of Japanese aggression and atrocities, Then and only then will we put retention of the holiday to a vote. Until then, I guess Little Rhody will continue to offend some people by observing Victory Day. Too bad we're alone in this, though. It would be nice to have company. Finally, THANK YOU, VETERANS! ALL OF YOU, HERE AND GONE. |
| I've always wondered why there was no National memorial to the veterans of WW2. The US gov't has really kind of let them down. While on funeral detail at Ft Hood, we did a funeral in a small town in TX for a guy who had survived Bataan. You shoulda seen it; damn near the whole town showed up for this guy. I saw a show on Normandy awhile back, and a British veteran put it the best I've ever heard. He said "They gave away all their tomorrows for yor today." People who don't think ALL our veterans don't deserve to be recognized should remember that their freedom is provided by these people who serve, past and present. This includes the families, who spend endless days and nights in fear for thier loved ones' safety. We should have a National holiday for Gold Star Mothers. My hat's off to Rhode Island. |
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My Dad and 4 uncles served in WW2, all came home. We had a friend that survived the Bataan death march. My flag flies everyday My one son serves now. My mother was in Hawaii and at the Pearl Habor Monument, a group of Japanese tourists were making fun of the attack. She turned to them and said, Remember Hiroshima! I will make it a point to fly my flag on VJ and VE day. |
| The Wind, Good for your mother, America needs more like her. At National Monuments foreigners should be bitch slapped to a state of reverence if necessary, respect and common decency have no borders. Your story makes me feel good, thank your mother for me please, she is a great American. |