They are in the December of their years now, and time is running out for us to say goodbye and godspeed to the veterans of World War II. We owe them so much.
Of the 16.1 million Americans who served in World War II, less than 120,000 are still with us, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. They’re all in their 90s and older.
Each day, another 131 die. By this time next year, 48,000 more will have moved on to Memorial Day in our thoughts.
While they’re still with us we need to make every effort to thank them for their bravery and resolve — for answering the call and standing up to a bully bent on killing and destroying anything and anyone in his quest for total world domination.
Without our World War II veterans there would be only one country in the world today, and it wouldn’t be called America.
But, Hitler didn’t win, we did — thanks to them and all the Rosie the Riveters, Women’s Air Force Service pilots, and volunteers who had their backs at home.
Is there any doubt they are our Greatest Generation? None.
Today we honor all our veterans, but the World War II vets hold a special place in our hearts.
America was still so young, so vulnerable when they were asked to protect her. They didn’t blink or ask why. They knew the stakes were high.
They were fighting for freedom, for their children and grandchildren’s futures.
There’s no rewriting or editing that history. No hiding it. At least, I thought so.
“How many children know why they’re getting Friday off from school this week?” Ed Reynolds asked when I called him last week to see what his veterans group, Wings Over Wendy’s was doing this Veterans Day.
They started more than 20 years ago with a handful of local World War II pilots, engineers and bombardiers meeting for lunch every Monday at a Wendy’s in West Hills.
Today, all veterans and their families are invited to join them on Monday mornings for coffee and some camaraderie. If you want to meet a World War II…
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