| >>BACK>>>>>>>>> | World War
II Memorial - Omission
We may be getting old, gray, bald, potbellied and feeble, but we are not stupid. In fact, I sometimes think seniors are the only ones left with any common sense who still remember important facts of the past that are vital to our country’s preservation. Take for instance an episode that took place at the beautiful new WWII memorial in Washington, D.C. After all the expertly planned inscriptions and architectural designs of this magnificent memorial, it took an elderly senior citizen touring the area to point out a serious OMISSION on the memorial itself. On a recent tour of this great new structure, a group made up of Americans from across the country including some baby boomers but mostly elderly citizens, veterans of the greatest war with their families toured the structure on a beautiful day. Hundreds milled around the memorial reading the inspiring words of Ike and Truman that are engraved there. On the Pacific side of the memorial, the group in attendance gathered to read the words President Franklin D. Roosevelt used to announce the attack of Pearl Harbor: “Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked.” One elderly woman in the tour read the words aloud: “With confidence in our Armed Forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph.” As she read she was suddenly angry. “Wait a minute,” she said. “They left out the end of the quote. They left out the most important part. Roosevelt said, ”So help us God”. “You are probably right,” her
husband said. “We’re not supposed to say things
like that now.” She insisted “I know
I’m right, I remember the speech.” The two
shook their heads sadly and walked away. Listening
to their conversation, some of the younger people in the
group said “well it has been fifty years, she’s
probably forgotten.” But she was right!! The people who edited out that part of the speech when they engraved it on the memorial might fool the younger people born after the war, - but they couldn’t fool the people who were there. Roosevelt's words are engraved on their hearts. People today are trying to change the history of America by leaving God out of it, but the truth is God has been a part of this Nation since the beginning. He still wants to be....“If my people who are called by name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, Then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.” II Chronicles 7:14. Where are we going? ****Jim Cassidy is a World War II Veteran, the commander of the American Legion, POST 219, and a member of the Council on Aging in North Andover. He recently received a Bronze Star for his heroism in WWII. Send your comments to Jim Cassidy at ValleyPatriot@aol.com Send your questions
comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com |
As we enter the dog days of August (they call
them dog days because it’s so hot outside that when
you see a dog chasing a cat, they are both just walking)
things start to slow down a bit for we seniors due to the
heat and humidity and the politics that have bombarded us
from the media.