Remember Pearl Harbor
(April 9, 2009) | 
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| I shall always remember December 7, 1941. I had just turned
fifteen a month before, and even then I wanted to go to war. From that date
onward, my great desire was to avenge my country of that dastardly deed by the
enemy. That date marks the time when flying became a part of my vocabulary. I
collected all the models of all our military aircraft and hung them from the
ceiling in my room and memorized all the data pertaining to each.
I lived and breathed airplanes which, one day, would strike Japan a blow from
which they would never recover. I did not know anything about an atomic bomb,
and even Einstein likely had no thoughts, at that time, about the atomic age yet
to come into existence. But I grew, studied hard, read all the magazines
relating to war in the Pacific, and one day, at age 17, graduated first in my
class and was already in the Army Specialized Training Program (known as ASTP)
and off to Davidson College, NC in uniform training in Mathematics, Physics,
Navigation, war psychology, physical fitness, Chemistry, and drill, for sixty
hours a week. I grew up fast and with an inner desire to avenge our country from
an enemy who dared to strike our battle fleet anchored at Pearl Harbor. My great
ambition was to strike Japan a blow from which she would not recover. It so
happened that I became a member of the Army Air Corps, and specifically the
509th Composite Bomb Group, which dropped two atomic bombs of Japan, causing
Japan to surrender unconditionally a week later.
Now that I am over 80 years of age, I find that my focus remains the same, that
is, to avenge America of wrongs committed by our enemies. I still love airplanes
and flying, and though I'm not seventeen any more, my heart is young and my
desire remains to chase Liberty and Freedom for all America. I fly the flag of
my country each day where I live, and am not ashamed to show the world where I
stand with respect to Freedom. I would die for my country and I would gladly fly
an airplane on a mission of peace and Freedom, counting not the cost of such a
sacred mission.
Yes! I remember Pearl Harbor, for I am an American.
I have had PTSD now for over sixty years, and I consider all the night mares
I've known during that time, as a necessary evil, because of a world gone crazy
over power and prestige. Yes! I do remember Pearl Harbor and if I ever forget
those who died there, my memories will crumble and fall in on my desolate soul.
I am an American, now concerned about internal decline of a nation that once was
eager to defend our way of life. Oh, that America still remembered what happened
at Pearl sixty-five years ago today. I choose to REMEMBER, for I am an American!
May God throw my tears to the wind if I should ever forget Pearl Harbor! | |
By
C. Douglas Caffey
Copyright 2006 Author's Bio:
C. Douglas Caffey is a disabled veteran of WWII. He
served (1944-1946) in the 509th Composite Bomb Group,
58th Wing, Air Photo Unit, 20th Air Force, United States
Army Air Force. It was the 509th who dropped the atomic
bombs on Japan and did the atom bomb tests at Bikini in
the Pacific. A chronic sufferer of PTSD since WWII, Doug
is a former college dean. He started writing poetry
several years ago and though he doesn't claim to be a
poet, he does claim to write from the heart.
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