Things We Must Never Forget
June 4, 2024
The offer was too good to pass up. Washburn University offered for those 60 and above the opportunity to audit a class at no charge. I had finished my degree the year before, but I wanted to learn more from their English department. I am so happy I did! The challenge to move into new areas as a writer excited me. Today’s blog contains one example.
On June 6, 2024, we remember the 80 th anniversary of D-Day. “The Topeka Capital-Journal” recalled on the 75 th anniversary that “more than half a million Allied airmen, soldiers and sailors invaded France that cold and blustery morning. More than 4,000 would be dead by day’s end.” The article also reminded us that a thousand German soldiers and an estimated 3,000 French civilians died that day. D-Day is a day we especially remember because it marked the beginning of the end of World War II. Also, it was “the largest seaborne invasion in history.” It would lead to the defeat of Germany and victory for the Allies just under a year later in May, 1945.
“Kansas’ Famous Son” General Dwight D. Eisenhower, was the supreme commander of the Allied forces. One can hear his inspiring words on the Eisenhower Museum’s web site as he issued the D-Day invasion order. The section of Topeka’s Gage Park designated as Veteran’s Park displays his words and the famous picture when he addressed the troops. A Topekan, the late Sherman Oyler, Jr. took part in the invasion as an Army paratrooper. He shared in an interview that Eisenhower asked to see soldiers from Kansas. Oyler came over to talk to him, but he was almost unable to speak because Eisenhower was his hero. When he recovered and gave his name, Eisenhower replied, “Go get ‘em, Kansas.” Oyler became a history teacher in four area high schools. His students said he made history come to life.
Perhaps your family has traditions of remembering, such as the act of placing flowers on loved ones’ graves on Memorial Day to remember their love and contribution.
Remembering was an important concept throughout the Old Testament. God ordained festivals and ceremonies that commemorated significant events so they would not forget. The first was “Passover” where they celebrated the death angel passing over their home because they had the sacrificed lamb’s blood on their doorpost. In the New Testament, Jesus told His disciples before His death to commemorate His death with the wine and bread. “This do in remembrance of me.”
Another military event to remember is The Battle of Iwo Jima. It took place toward the end of the war, February, 1945. The island had three airfields that had potential for an invasion of Japan.
Click here for fascinating information:
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima
This is where my Washburn class comes to play. Our professor gave the assignment of writing a “narrative poem.” I pondered what that would look like.
SURIBACHI
He said
they meet each year on February 22 through 25
to remember
a battle to control island airfields,
Operation Detachment.
He described
a fortress
of 11 miles of tunnels cut through volcanic ash
and a mountain from which the enemy
could view the invading soldiers.
He told of Marines who landed on the beach,
the 4th division on the right,
the 5th division on the left,
the 3 rd to follow in attack or defense,
whichever was called for.
They faced heavy fire marching with feet sinking
in the ash of volcanoes.
7,000 dead, 20,000 wounded.
The climb up Suribachi was fought
by the yard.
He said four days later the summit was reached and a flag was raised.
A famous photograph reminds us, one he has printed on his business card,
the flagpole weighing 100 pounds being hoisted to upright by six Marines,
only four of whom survived.
The Battle of Iwo Jima,
Army, Navy Seabees, and Marines:
“Don’t forget them,” he said.
A history lesson turns up in unsuspecting places.
A recipient of the Outstanding Service Award
of the Military Order of the World Wars,
an engineer, a communications specialist on Iwo Jima,
Colonel Tindall,
standing next to me in the post office line.
(Quotes are from “The Topeka Capital-Journal,” June 6, 2019.)