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There has been a number of comparisons
to the attack on Pearl Harbor, that took America by
devastating surprise December of 1941, and the September 11,
2001 attack on the World Trade Center.
Both were unprovoked acts of murder,
both caused by suicide bombers, each brutal, heinous acts
that gave America reason to declare war. But there are
differences. Seventy some years ago we knew who and where
the enemy was. The bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japanese
kamikaze pilots signaled the start of WWII.? This time
around, the heart of New York City was targeted by suicide
terrorists who hijacked commercial air liners and used them
as missiles, killing thousands of our own innocent
civilians.? Terrorists have brought a war to our front door
and we watched as police and firemen, out there on the front
lines, desperately digging? New York out of devastation. As
our soldiers began being deployed to unknown places in the
Middle East we knew they were heading off? to fight in a
whole different war than their grandparents fought.
At first glance it would seem that the
soldiers of this new millennium are? different from the
troops of 1941? For most baby boomers any John Wayne
depictions of WWII were seen through the eyes of our
fathers, in memories they shared across the kitchen table.
The difference today is the soldiers
dressed in camouflage are our sons and daughters. My best
friend's son Bill is one such new kid on the military block.
He is part of a new generation of servicemen that will
redefine the way future world conflicts will be handled. His
mom and? I have been best friends for over 30 years. I was
there when he was born, babysat him on occasion and, through
the years, I have watched him grow into a caring,
responsible man.
Home on leave recently, he stopped by
for a visit before being shipped out to an undisclosed
location.? All? I can say that he is in the Navy - strong,
silent and dedicated.
I can still make him laugh over a
yesterday memory when we stood on the corner trying to shoo
away a nasty little dog who caused me , the babysitter, and
four terrified kids to clutch together in fear at the mercy
of a mini Cujo.
Billy, as he was called back then, was
11 years? old.? Today he is an Officer of the Navy.? He
recently turned 24 years old.
I couldn't help but ask him a few
questions that I've been wondering about.? Though he is a
man of few words he did put a face to the ideals of a GI in
the 21st century.
I? asked him what was his motivation to
join the service especially in this day and age of terrorism
and barbaric atrocities.? His answer was simple. Considering
himself a descendant of a military family he felt the duty
to fulfill an obligation; to do what his dad before him had
done - to proudly serve and protect his country. I asked him
if he had the choice would he do it over again.? His answer
was an unequivocal 'yes'
He's young, with high ideals, and a
refreshing confidence that reflects his loyalty to this
great nation of ours.
Not surprisingly, when asked who he
counts among his heroes it is his own dad who ranks #1
A loving tribute to a father who has
ample reason to be proud of his son.
It is my hope that we keep all our
service men and women in our prayers. They deserve our
support now and always. They are ready willing and able to
fight for this country they so dearly love. We applaud their
bravery and dedication as we remember them as heroes who
have taken the battle to foreign soil , to win the fight, to
keep America free.
(c) 2005 Kathy Whirity
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Bio
Kathy lives in Chicago where she shares
her life and love with her husband of 28 years, Bill, their
two daughters Jaime and Katie, and two rambunctious
retrievers Holly and Hannah.? Kathy is a newspaper columnist
who writes sentimental musings on family life.
You may reach her by e-mail ? kathywhirity@yahoo.com |
