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.

One of the few good things about Rhode Island...VJ Day and Dels' Lemonade.

TheWind, that was a kick ass response from your Mom.

raf,

I'll be an RI resident by October 1, again. ugh. I hope Winchek has opened to shooting.

Tim

What Sixtus said.