A Navy World War II, Korean War Veteran Reflects on Veterans Day

FIRST PERSON | Veterans Day this year, as in every year at this time, takes my thoughts back almost seven decades. My high school graduation was in June 1942, just in time for almost every classmate to go into World War II. Still only 16, I was envious of the older guys who got to serve immediately. I had to wait a whole year before joining the Navy.

During World War II, I served on a troop ship in the Pacific area. We carried very young Marines into battle, many also to die before their 21st birthdays. Fortunately, World War II ended before any more young Americans would have to die in an invasion of Japan.

After the war, I went to college and stayed in the Naval Reserve. In 1951, my carrier air group was called up for the Korean War. There were no patriotic parades for that now-forgotten war. When I returned home, clueless friends asked why they hadn't seen me for two years.

In the cold light of honesty, we should realize the Korean War and all wars since have been national disasters. The deepest tragedy is that that those conflicts took many thousands of young lives, and the deaths continue today.

In many ways, the current war may be the worst of all. Endless for 10 long years, we can at least be thankful the Middle East venture hasn't cost as many young lives. However, this war has so far wasted billions of dollars and devastated our nation's economy. It's a continuing frustration because there's little prospect that it will end any time soon.

Now at my advanced age, how does this veteran of past wars feel about Veterans Day 2011? Certainly, it's appropriate to pause to honor those who fought and died in the service of their nation in all of our wars.

As with others who came home from the wars, I can still feel proud on Veterans Day that I served my nation when called upon. However, I can't help praying that there will soon be a stop to sacrificing young American lives and resources in endless wars.