Carpe Diem June 28, 2014 The American Dream – How many different ways did we hear it expressed during our childhood years? My generation grew up in the post Second World War era. The men (our dads) who returned from the ravages of battle knew firsthand that freedom wasn’t free. I can’t begin to imagine the horrors they went through and lived with following their call to duty. In many instances those who served enlisted or were drafted off of the family farm. Almost overnight small communities were emptied of their young men. Subsequently many of those men paid the ultimate sacrifice. Their lives were forever stilled on a foreign shore. Those fortunate enough to return home lived with unspoken memories still too painful to fully process or even discuss. They also lived with a sense of grief and loss associated to those who had been torn from the fabric of their communities. It has been forty-three years, but the name of the book and the information it contained still comes easily to my mind. The impact, insight and lessons learned from reading it continue to color my perceptions related to tough issues. The book, “Death in Life: Survivors of Hiroshima” chronicles the aftermath of life for those who survived the atomic attack on Hiroshima. Details associated to the timeline are easily accessible in history books. On August 6, 1945 Hiroshima, Japan became the first city to be destroyed by an atomic weapon. A uranium gun-type atomic bomb referred to as “Little Boy” was effective beyond belief in its destruction and carnage. A second city, Nagasaki, was bombed three days later by a plutonium implosion-type bomb referred to as “Fat Man”. Within the first two to four months of the bombings, between 150,000 – 246,000 people died. Of that estimate, half of the deaths occurred on the first day. Within a week, Japanese Emperor Hirohito announced plans for surrender. Details of the surrender culminated in the signed document of surrender on September 2, 1945. “Death in Life: Survivors of Hiroshima” chronicles the physical and psychological struggles experienced by those who survived. The guilt that survivors experienced related to not having died had a profound impact on survivors. The United States soldier returning home from a war that was fought by one hundred million people representing thirty different countries also had a profound impact on their emotional, familial and social interactions. About fifteen years ago I heard a psychologist address the impact World War II held on the Americans who returned. He suggested that the military did an effective job of training recruits to follow orders. The need for that discipline made sense. In the throes of battle someone has to be in charge. Consequently it was not the role of the soldier to think. It was his responsibility to simply follow the orders of the person in command. Secondly, the soldier was trained to separate his feelings from his conscious thought processes. After all, if the person next to you is mortally wounded, you don’t have the luxury of focusing on anything other than your survival. One way you survived was to deny yourself permission to access feelings or emotions. The psychologist concluded his presentation by saying those who served in World War II came home, married and had children. In so doing, they set up their own boot camp with their children. Their parenting style was a duplication of what they learned in the military. As head of the household their role was to give the orders. The unyielding expectation was total alliance and submission to the orders given. “When I say jump, you jump. If you have questions, the only acceptable question is to ask ‘how high’. Do what you are told.” They also came home and continued to disconnect from emotional thoughts and feelings. In thinking back on my early childhood years, I don’t have any disagreement to counter the perceptions shared by the psychologist. One other outcome that he didn’t mention, but I think is worth noting is the resurgence of patriotism by our nation. My perception is strictly anecdotal, but I think I can support it. Collectively as a nation rebounding from war, one way to honor our fallen comrades and to honor and highlight the sacrificial and valiant service of all who served was to recognize the benefits or outcomes accomplished through our victory. The nation’s celebratory affirmation and gratitude toward our military in some ways served as a catalyst that heightened a universal sense of patriotism. In our homes, in our churches, in our schools, every thought of our nation highlighted the freedoms and advantages we have been given. America truly is the home of the brave and the land of the free. Parents pulled together with the intent to benefit from the continued freedom and victory that was bought and paid for by those who served. The American dream for many was provision of a lifestyle and ease for their children that previously were uncharacteristic in their own lives. Parents wanted their children to be successful. They wanted their children to have advantages they were not privy to as children. From a child’s perspective, opportunity abounded. You lived with the notion that you could accomplish anything. Determination and hard work always was rewarded with a positive outcome. You could be all you wanted to be. You could pull yourself up by your own bootstraps. A sense of patriotism and gratitude for our men and women who serve today continues to be worthy of our efforts. If 911 taught us anything, it should highlight the advantages of having a capable and robust military. There is always threat on the horizon. The price of freedom isn’t free. In addition, let’s rejoice and thank God. He truly has blessed America. Alex de Tocqueville was a famous French political philosopher who toured our nation in the mid-19th century. He was on a quest to uncover the secret of America’s greatness. He traveled across the United States talking with folks from all walks of life. Returning to France he wrote these amazing words, “I sought for America’s greatness. I found it not in her field and forests. I found it not in her mines and factories. I found it not in her Congress and great tribunals. It was only when I entered her churches and heard her pulpits thundering against sin and preaching righteousness that I discovered the secret of her greatness. America is great because America is good. If America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” God Bless America! Don carpediem-lifeblog.weebly
Posted on: Sun, 29 Jun 2014 02:23:27 +0000
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