It was a short time later, after Pearl Harbor, and Dad wrote a letter to his family with the voice of a young, excited warrior, engaged in battle and protecting our country… with the many duties of his service, he had to start and stop the letter many, many times before he sent it, so it likely took many weeks to complete. The first whole part of the letter was in the details and excitement when he related the HUGE WIN for “our side” in the war… they sunk a sub! And then another! And that one was only 20 miles off the coast of Cape Cod! WOW! 

(Side note: it was soon thereafter in wartime that military letters were screened before they were sent and also received.) When Dad continued writing later on – well, that’s when the sobering part came… the part that brought me to tears… the part that still does… As Dad closed his letter, the tone of the young excited victorious warrior shifted into a thoughtful and sober Christian gentleman, a man who grew up way too quickly in the battles of war, and one who well realized that the debris from the subs included much more than metal and mechanics… precious lives were lost and you could hear in his words how this all became more real…

He wrote, “When we dropped our depth charges the whole ship jumped and I thought of the horrible destruction we were doing to that sub. Surely all the men were killed by the concussion.” He continued, “They died for a cause they were told was right and we killed them for a cause we know is right and therefore we must surely be victorious.” He then ended his letter and on the last page of the stationary, in very large lettering, he wrote the message that dropped me to my knees to feel of his faith, his trust and his love of God: 

“May God Protect Us All.”

This was the beginning of many hard years of battles, of loss, of insecurity in the world and of many war memories that Dad never wanted to see… I know he carried his Bible with him throughout his 20 years of service and he had a close relationship with God all of his days. Dad was the most Christ-like person I’ve ever met and is forever my hero. May his message also be our daily plea, our daily comfort and solace, for God DOES protect us and comforts us. He loves us unconditionally.

Pearl Harbor in Oahu was one of the places I HAD to see and I especially wanted to experience the Arizona Memorial and pay my respects. I can’t thoroughly express in words all that I felt there and how it is truly sacred ground… all of it… the feeling there, as hearts were touched as we learned from volunteers and listen to fellow visitors as solemn memories are shared from children of survivors at that harbor… Sacred ground, beautiful, yet also a graveyard and memorial to a horrible attack so many years ago. Goosebumps and tears… a place of all human acts and emotions…

We arrived early, so when the first boat of visitors left to go out to the Memorial for those who were buried with the battleship Arizona, they played our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, throughout the entire compound. I was awestruck as ALL hats were removed and each person put their hand reverently on their heart… Everyone in that moment was an American… honoring that place and our flag… There was a complete stillness of respect with such a powerful spirit of patriotism and a deep sense of honor blanketed the entire compound. And it’s a very, very large compound with four large museums there, so it was remarkable. Even now, my eyes weep remembering that strong and beautiful reverence from every person who’d traveled from around the world to be there. We all felt it deeply. “And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

On the beautiful Hawaiian island at Pearl Harbor, 2,403 men were killed that day in 1941, including 1,177 on the USS Arizona… My heart swelled with such love and sadness along with respect and patriotism all wrapped up together. I became solemnly aware that this was not a tourist park, but a memorial and graveyard… a watery graveyard for so many that day. I was fully engaged in having the honor of attending a replay of a beautiful funeral that had been going on for decades and learning more about the bravery and heartache of that day and the days that followed there on that island and around the world.

I’m deeply grateful that I was able to experience this sacred place and it is forever etched in my heart. I’m so grateful for all the beautiful stories of amazing humanity following that day – of heroism, service, bravery and sacrifice…

My thoughts today are with all who serve, all veterans and all those family members supporting and loving them throughout the centuries! I’m deeply grateful for the unspeakable and unknown sacrifices in their service.

My heart is full and reverent.

Sending love and peace!
May we be the Good Happening on the daily!

While WWII was before my time.
I’m reminded again that today and right now, I GET to choose to BE that loving, caring person and follow the example of my Dad to pray for our enemies and serve those around is – to be as Christ-like as possible… better today than yesterday. We can BE more and DO more for those around us. Perhaps in service, in love and compassion, and in a day honoring all the good around us and focusing on the heroes, instead of the heartbreak of our lives. Just like a funeral focuses on the good nature and beautiful life, may we follow suit. May we focus on Godly and Goodly things today and may we focus on our strengths and gifts and find ways to share them with others, to uplift, support and strengthen in love.

May we love one another. May we remember Pearl Harbor and the bravery, love, service and heroics of that day… may today be a day of patriotic reflection, pride in our military and a moment of silence to honor the fallen and now… may it be more as we reflect in gratitude for our lives, our liberty and freedoms we enjoy…

So again, I add my gratitude to those who serve, our Veterans, their families and supporters.
We are blessed by you.

Today may we also be reminded that we can look to God in all things and find peace.

“May God Protect Us All.”

Thanks Dad for your example.
Sure love and miss and honor you.

Much Love,

Betsy

(I’m headed out livin’ life with gratitude and with an exclamation point!)