Farewell to my readers
No one should ever view war, in and of itself, as a glorious undertaking. Armed conflict, in reality, is and always has been horrific for those involved, soldier and civilian alike. Despite the dreadful nature of warfare, men have nevertheless felt compelled at times to take up arms in pursuit of a just cause. The Bible even expressly calls upon good government to “bear the sword against evil.” (Romans 13:4)
A just cause
If any military struggle in history ever qualified as a just war, it would unquestionably have to be World War II. Germany had unleashed its genocidal fury on Europe, Nazi inspired evil that would ultimately result in the cold-blooded murder of over 6 million Jews, along with scores of other “undesirables.”
Across the globe, Japan, in her malevolent lust for empire, would snuff out the lives of some 10 million Asians, including 6 million Chinese. During a six week period stretching from December 1937 into January 1938, Imperial Japanese forces raped and murdered the residents of Nanking, at that time the capital of China. Estimates vary, but as many as 300,000 lost their lives in what has come to be known as the Rape of Nanking.
Add to all of this the unprovoked attack of Japan on U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, along with Germany’s subsequent declaration of war against America four days later. It’s no wonder that our entry into the great conflict was seen then, and is still seen today, as the pursuit of a just, even righteous, cause.
Idea for a column
Somewhere around six or seven years ago, the thought entered my mind that we were approaching the 75th anniversary years of the Second World War. Dec. 7, 2016, would mark that anniversary date for the Pearl Harbor attack and the beginning of America’s critical involvement in the most epic conflict in human history.
At the time, probably in 2014, I was teaching at Red Bud Middle School. I wanted to do something to help my students and people of all ages throughout our community understand more about and cherish the honored and heroic legacy of their nation during World War II. It was then that the idea of a regular column in our local paper entered my mind.
Over the succeeding months, this notion of possibly writing a recurring piece for the Calhoun Times took root in my heart and mind. I retired from teaching in spring 2015, leaving a bit more time to focus on writing, though continuing to serve as the pastor of Grace Baptist Church in the Sonoraville community.
Thank you
Finally, in November 2016, I made my pitch to the editor of the Times, Brandi Owczarz. I had never met her before and had no idea what to expect. Her response was a very encouraging and unequivocal “yes.” This bi-weekly column, which I had long before determined to call the World War II Diary, would never have gotten off the ground without Brandi’s enthusiastic, genuine support.
Over the next four years, up until this final column, that support would continue undiminished. Brandi would be followed as editor by Spencer Lahr, then Daniel Bell and finally Catherine Edgemon. My heartfelt thanks to each of them.
Also, a very special word of thanks to my wife, a very careful editor and my No. 1 supporter. Finally, my sincere thanks to all of you, friends and family who have read these pieces and encouraged me so often.
But, why this compulsion on my part to pen these articles, now reaching a grand total of 73 with this piece? Why devote all of that time — spending hours in careful research, working hard to craft the words so as to tell the stories well and then typing my hand-scratched paragraphs from old-fashioned pen and paper into electronic format for submission? Why all that commitment of time and energy?
As a Christian, the ultimate answer to all these questions is quite simple. It is a cherished task that God has laid upon my heart, something that He has clearly led me to do. As such, it has truly been a labor of love.
Under God’s direction, I have written for several specific reasons. We need to remember, and never forget, a generation of Americans that gave so much for this country. They fought, sacrificed and sometimes died to preserve the freedom that we, and others around the world, cherish today. Some refer to them as the Greatest Generation. I have labored in my writing because I want to help preserve our collective memory of them.
As I have composed these articles, I have sought to recall a shining era in America history for current Americans of all ages, especially for a younger generation. My desire has been to stir my fellow countrymen to think deeply about and to gain wisdom from our past.
I have told stories of World War II to remind us all of the true greatness of this nation and of our way of life. American exceptionalism does not mean that we are better than other people nor perfect. It does mean that we have been uniquely blessed, and, in turn, have been a blessing to other peoples throughout the world.
Maybe one of the most important reasons for writing these columns has been to reflect upon a period of great national courage and unity, in our day of deep division and strife. I have a book on my library shelves about the American people during the war years. It is simply titled, “We Pulled Together, and We Won.” History is a great teacher. The American experience in WWII can, and should, powerfully inspire and instruct us in this current day.
All along the way, throughout the past four years of writing these columns, I have clearly observed the providential hand of God in the affairs of men and nations. From the miracle of Midway, to the seemingly impossible victory of the U.S. Marines and Navy at Guadalcanal, to the incredible conquest of Omaha and Utah beaches on D-Day, God’s help in this just crusade called WWII was and is still on display.
Final words
So now, I bid you, my readers, a very fond farewell. The 75th anniversary of the war’s end has just passed. Maybe there will be more columns for me on other subjects in the days ahead. The 250th anniversary years of the American War for Independence are approaching. For now, however, I’m going to take a break. Thank you so much for your encouraging words over these past four years.
I want to end this last article with words similar to those I’ve used in previous installments of the World War II Diary. Always remember this incredible generation of Americans — men, women, children, families — who gave so much for us and for freedom-loving people everywhere ... 75 years ago.
“If we forget what we did, we won’t know who we are.” — Ronald Reagan