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Vet: Honor WWII Survivors Now, While They’re Still Alive

Vet: Honor Those Who Served in WWII Now, While Theyre Still Alive

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (The Blaze/AP) — A Marine who fought in the Battle of Okinawa urged Americans on Friday to honor those who served in World War II now, while veterans from that conflict are still alive.

E. Bruce Heilman, speaking at a ceremony marking the 66th year since the end of the war, noted fewer than 2 million of the 16 million men and women who served in the war are alive. They are dying at a rate of 30,000 per month, he said.

Some 20 World War II veterans boarded the now decommissioned battleship, the Missouri – the same battleship where Japanese signed surrender documents formally ending the war – to participate in this year’s ceremony in Pearl Harbor.

Heilman, who is a spokesman for the Greatest Generations Foundation, predicted not many would be able to come back in a decade’s time.

“Most of those remaining, including those in the front row, will have passed on, so that few, if any, will be present for the ceremony of the 76th anniversary of the end of the Pacific War. Those of us still here will be of age 95 to 101,” Heilman said. “Therefore the importance of remembering now the sacrifices and acts of heroism representative of their service cannot be overstated.”

Heilman, who is now the chancellor of the University of Richmond, joined the Marines at age 17. He was sent to Okinawa, where one of the bloodiest battles of the war was fought from April to June 1945, and served during the postwar occupation of Japan.

Some 300 people – including active duty sailors, Marines, airmen and soldiers – joined the veterans at the ceremony aboard the Missouri’s teak deck.

The USS Missouri was anchored in Tokyo Bay on Sept. 2, 1945, when Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu and Army Gen. Yoshijiro Umezu came aboard to sign the documents. Several Allied leaders, including Gen. Douglas MacArthur and Adm. Chester Nimitz, were also present at the time.

The vessel, the last battleship ever build by the United States, is now a museum called the Battleship Missouri Memorial. It has been moored in Pearl Harbor for the past decade, overlooking the spot where the USS Arizona sank during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Comments (97)

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  • COFemale
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 2:04pm

    So Yep I’m a conservative, which I doubt you are. Your meaning of the story is suppose to be my meaning? I am suppose to think like you because your meaning is more meaningful than my meaning. How about you get a clue?

    I get that this person is saying is we should hold WWII vets with high regard and honor them more because they are dwindling in numbers. I am saying we already do; on Memorial Day on Veterans Day and memorials located across the country. I am just saying because a group might be less in numbers, that they don’t deserve more honor than a group from the Vietnam era. A veteran is a veteran in my book and all deserve honor.

    Report Post » COFemale  
    • myway
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 3:08pm

      @Cofenale

      I am still trying to figure out what the you wrote. I think the fact we are losing 30,000 WWII Veterans a month should say it all. Of Course we honor Veterans all the time and we should. These men are part of history and will be gone soon. Open your heart and be part of this it will make you feel good. My father was a WWII Veterans and lived to be 96, I miss him so much. I am a combat veteran myself and it don’t change a thing these men fought and lived through hell with very little compared to our modern warriors, I have seen these men break down and cry as they tell stories of killing Germans and Japaneses by the thousands. Ships sunk with thousands drowning and being eaten by sharks. Don‘t ever kid yourself that they don’t deserve special days. I personally love meeting them and hearing their stories. Semper Fi

      Report Post » myway  
    • loriann12
      Posted on September 4, 2011 at 8:13am

      As someone who’s husband (20 years Navy during the cold war) has been told by a Viet Nam vet that he‘s not really a veteran because he didn’t see a war, I have something to add to that. I know a lot of very liberal viet nam vets who think the government owes them everything. They’re not happy with a retirement check, they want to be treated like gold. These WWII vets didn’t ask for disability the minute they got out of the service, they didn’t ask the government to handle their every need. Some were mistreated in VA hospitals and didn’t even report it. That generation has a lot more pride than a lot of those from generations that followed. I’m not saying you are one of these people, it‘s just that they aren’t called the greatest generation for no reason. Have you ever sat down and swapped war stories with a WWII vet? I have, and it’s fascinating.

      Report Post »  
  • dizzyinthedark
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:49pm

    While in Washington, DC we were visiting the WWII Memorial Site when we noticed bus loads of The Greatest Generation coming off and down to the memorial. We shook hands and thanked as many of the gentlemen we encountered. They were there to be honored and as they were seated together photos were taken, national anthem was sung, taps were played, and soldiers of today representing the military marched in with flags waving. Very moving, brought tears to my eyes to see all the brave men there being honored. My father fought in the Pacific aboard the USS Callaghan and a Purple Heart Veteran. We also paid a visit to him in Arlington National Cemetery.

    Report Post » dizzyinthedark  
    • Dustoff
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:53pm

      Nice to hear Dizzy. My father was a Bataan Death March survivor along with the hell-ships and POW in Japan.

      Report Post » Dustoff  
    • twiggyy
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 3:43pm

      Tears reading ur post…..my dad was in the usn on an aircraft carrier…retired at 39…… Lived a great
      life till 89.

      Report Post »  
    • Devil Dog 7175
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 5:10pm

      @dustoff…
      My wife’s Dad was a Pilipino serving with the American army and Gen. MacArthur when he was captured. He also survived the Baatan death march. He used to tell how they were mistreated, and on the third day broke from the column and ran into the jungle. The Japanese shot him twice and left him for dead. when he was recovered he joined the resistance and continued to fight on. You could see the hatered in his eyes when he would tell his stories. He went on to serve 28 yrs. in the army and passed away about 8 yrs ago.

      Report Post » Devil Dog 7175  
  • AmeriCat
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:45pm

    Each and every day we honor our WWII veterans,
    those in our family, as well as others.
    We are always thrilled to see and speak to any veteran,
    especially those who are elderly…of the WWII generation.

    Every Wednesday, our Center Town Circle is the site of veterans-
    -mostly Vietnam era-gathering for the flag ceremony,

    along with speeches, announcements, and general good fun
    and especially a time for remembrances and……thank you!.

    Report Post »  
  • SYNJUNSMYTHE
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:30pm

    I had to move my 92 year old Father a Ret Navy CWO in to my house because he is blind, deaf and clippled with arthritis and suffers with extreme high BP. We had him in and out of Hospitals, Dr’s offices, and found he is happier and better off with a close family, I couldnt put him into a nursing home he is very proud of his Navy carrier and like to tell stories of all the good ,bad and of WWII. The worst part is how devistated he is with all the crap that has changed in our Country he was an avid follower of Glenns’ Tv show and we talk about it all the time and I try to keep him up on what i read here, Ive subscribed to GBTV to keep up, if it wasnt for Glenn we wouldnt know what was going on, at least my 92 yr old Dad is aware of Communist in the WH it is a shame the rest of the idiot Country that put them there dont realize what they have done….He crys when he hears Star Spangled Bannner, not to may of us do that.. its hard but somehow its worth it

    Report Post » SYNJUNSMYTHE  
  • jungle J
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:25pm

    it is kind oif neat watching so many of them and their children driving japanese and german cars around. Come on! All combat vets are special. As the Vietnam vet was being slaughtered how much did they help them? Other than give them the Fonda generation.

    Report Post »  
  • jungle J
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:22pm

    what makes on combat vet better than another? hype.

    Report Post »  
    • Commonsense Libertarian
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:35pm

      @Jungle J:

      I can see where your thought process is, that it takes a certain type of person to have the courage to lay their life on the line, whether that be today or 60 years ago. However, the brave men and women that fought in WWII have seen the atrocities that are caused by walking the current path we are on first hand and they won the war back then in much more brutal fashion than the technological comforts of today’s military weapon systems.

      From this 29 year old civilian, I honor all men and women that have fought hard to defend the rights so many take for granted. To the WWII Vets specifically, I pray that my generation will not let your sacrifices be in vain. We see the evil you fought to extinguish from the world. God’s will be done and we know how that story ends.

      Report Post » Commonsense Libertarian  
    • DanWesson455
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 2:09pm

      I am a vet. Although NOT a combat vet. I was 101st while it rebuilt in the early 70′s at Ft. Campbell. I then served in Germany with the 3d INF Div. I would not attempt make my career “sound” or even equate with those I served with who were in Vietnam. God Bless them. It too more than hype for them to do what they did. It takes more than hype to see the pain, the left-over effects of that combat and how it ate at them one day at a time. Don’t tell me the only difference is HYPE. Sir, you do not know of what you say.

      Report Post » DanWesson455  
  • JustPeachy
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:18pm

    My father-in-law, who will be 89 this November is a WWII vet. He doesn’t speak about what happened. . .

    Report Post » JustPeachy  
  • richard bensen
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:03pm

    As a former soldier that served in Vietnam (not by choice)and serving proudly…I honor these guys not only because they served but because they faced a time when the future depended on them.War is hell,and these guys faced major obstacles in defeating a strong enemy.This was a time when all pulled together and had the guts to be on the right side….

    Report Post » richard bensen  
  • kapnkd
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:39pm

    Last year, we put on an event especially honoring the B-26 Marauder men of WWII (while here on their reunion) along with other Vets plus Rosie the Riveters. It was held at an old (now closed) Navy base historic hangar where we live. Attendance was limited to 1k, and we only expected about 3 or 4 hundred to attend. BOY! …We were totally surprised to have sold out of tickets a week in advance!

    We made it a USO style 40′s BIG BAND SWING DANCE complete with a live big band, 40′s cars, old military vehicles, 40′s costume & dance contests not to mention having a couple of old WWII aircraft courtesy of the Yankee Air Museum.

    The B-26 guys have never received any true recognition for their efforts – sort of the forgotten aircraft from WWII with all the accolades going to the B-17′s, B-24′s etc. We brought their buses in and around to the back of the hangar and kept the crowds out of site till they walked in.

    As they stepped off the bus, they were greeted by the HS marching band and walked in to a standing ovation that lasted several minutes!.. (There was not ONE dry eye in the house!) The men are still thanking us a year later!!! Like the Marauder Men, the Rosies were equally thrilled!!

    It was a HUGE success and we’re doing it again this year but with special recognition to the forgotten Korean Conflict veterans.

    Indeed, they have earned the title of “THE GREATEST GENERATION”!

    Report Post » kapnkd  
    • Viet Vet
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:52pm

      Sounds like you had a great event, for people worthy of celebration. My Dad (B-24 Navigator) will be 91 in a couple of months.

      Report Post »  
    • CrazyTexan
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:59pm

      Thank-you for doing this. My father died in ‘86 two days short of retiring from his civilian job. He served in WWII as a frog man in the pacific theater. They are special people for special times.

      Report Post »  
    • kapnkd
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:01pm

      To VIET VET:

      Since it all went so VERY well last year, this is why we are continuing with a Fabulous 50‘s theme for this year’s Korean Vets.

      We’ll be doing it again next year too! This time we’ll honor my and your era in the service with a special tribute honoring all of us Viet Nam era veterans. Music, cars and displays will reflect what we grew up and loved about those days. MOST important, we are honoring those, like you, who served at a time when our country did not appreciate us. God Bless you for your service!!

      Report Post » kapnkd  
    • kapnkd
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:08pm

      To Crazy Texan& Viet Vet:

      You guys are so right!! We can be ever so proud of our parents for their part in keeping our freedoms intact.

      I feel bad looking at where we are with our country now, but perhaps THIS will test our merit and metal of becoming the next “Greatest Generation”. It’s a much different battle, but never-the-less equally important conflict to keep our country’s freedom!

      (Viet Vet – plz thank your dad on my behalf for his service – my dad is also 91 and was in the Navy)

      Report Post » kapnkd  
  • MrKnowItAll
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:38pm

    The age where people cared about America is Drifting out to Sea. God Bless My Father and All his fellow comrades from WWII. We have went from True Courage to Obama, Pelosi, the Killer White Water, Sex Scandal Clinton’s and Right Minded People like myself, cannot believe all of them are still in office and respected by some. “Top White Water Witness found Dead by Hanging Himself with Lamp Cord in Hotel Room”. Geez!!!! How Stupid we have become.

    Report Post » MrKnowItAll  
    • kapnkd
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:26pm

      There are plenty of us who have had decent morals and ethics taught to us by this generation and will not forget or give up these solid principles to live by.

      We are as equally determined as ever to keep this country free and reduce our government’s interference or allow other countries to impose their rules of religion or social values upon us!

      We too are now facing a test of our courage, determination and strength to overcome those who wish to destroy the greatest country on our planet. We will endure and who knows – perhaps we too will be recognized as being the other “Greatest Generation” as well?

      Report Post » kapnkd  
  • I.Gaspar
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:34pm

    obama can posthumously honor his father(s) who served in WW2 while still less than ten years old.

    Report Post »  
  • highcarry
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:32pm

    my dad flew b-17 and b-25 bombers in wwll .and lost his life as engineer on board a b-36. and when i look around, i feel that it was all for nothing.

    Report Post » highcarry  
    • netmail
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:49pm

      I did the Viet Nam thing and feel what you are saying, but it wasn’t “for nothing”. It just wasn’t for what we expected or wanted. The sadness and disappointment really is suffocating sometimes.

      Report Post »  
    • Viet Vet
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:00pm

      It’s because of all the great Americans who have fought and who have given their lives for the idea of freedom and the safety of the United States and our Flag, from the Colonists who fought and died to give us this freedom all the way to the troopers fighting and dying in the current war on terror, that we cannot allow them to have died in vain. It‘s the reason why we fight this ’culture war’ today. For the honor of all these people through all these generations, we cannot lose this war.

      Report Post »  
  • MODEL82A1
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:32pm

    My grandfather is a 92 year old WWII infantry veteran. He earned two Bronze Stars for Valor and amPurple Heart that cost him a year in a body cast. Today, he has all his own teeth, does not wear glasses or a hearing aid and is sharper and brighter than anyone who’s ever posted here.

    Report Post » MODEL82A1  
    • xmilitary
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:52pm

      (hee hee) Good man, your Grandpa.

      Report Post »  
    • Old Truckers
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 7:04pm

      Your Grandfather was and is a mighty man. It is good to see you your respect for him.

      Report Post » Old Truckers  
  • churchlady
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:25pm

    We are about to lose another great one. My grandfather was a navigator in WW2…he’s 86 and has had a massive stroke. My heart is breaking…looks like he will ‘go home’ sometime this weekend. I have a deep sense of gratitude for these veterans.

    Report Post »  
    • bobbyjoe
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:47pm

      Your family will be in my prayers. My dad is getting close too.

      Report Post » bobbyjoe  
    • kapnkd
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:17pm

      My heart & prayers go out to you and your family. It is a sad reality that this generation of wonderful people are leaving us so quickly. I still have my parents (aged 90 & 91) but they are indeed fading fast.

      Of the group of B-26 guys that attended our 40‘s Veterans’ Gala last year, four more have passed away and my wife’s father (a B26 pilot too) is also having more and more health issues.

      Thank goodness for the wonderful loving time we have had with them. May God Bless!!

      Report Post » kapnkd  
    • Will M.
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 2:43pm

      Please give him a hug for us ! This breaks my heart !

      Report Post » Will M.  
  • Dennis
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:24pm

    The Greatest Generation!
    Growing up I thought my father would never stop telling us those stories…..
    How I wish I could hear them one more time,only as he could tell them…straight from his heart.
    (I love my poppa)

    Report Post »  
  • COFemale
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:22pm

    Do we not honor them already at Memorial Day and Veterans Day? I am not sure what he is speaking about. Does he want a specific holiday for just WWII vets or a specific wall? If so, I say no. WWII vets are no less or more important than any other vet who died in a war or lived to tell about his time. My dad was a WWII vet in the Navy and he served with honors and died in 2006. I honor anyone who serves and served in the military everyday. They go where most of us would hesitate to step foot. I was a military wife for over 20 years.

    In Colorado Springs there is a park called Memorial Park, it is the site where the veterans of all wars are honored on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, what more is needed?

    His request should not be a federal issue, it should occur at the state or city level. If you want your states WWII vet honored outside the two holidays, then get your city or state to implement a plaque or hold a special function.

    Report Post » COFemale  
    • YepImaConservative
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:51pm

      You can‘t be that friggin’ clueless to the meaning of the story… can you?

      Report Post » YepImaConservative  
    • Viet Vet
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:05pm

      There is a WWII memorial in DC.

      Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 2:40pm

      COFEMALE: Your reading comprehension skills are somewhat lacking. Do more reading in your spare time. I suggest starting with “Fun With Dick and Jane”.

      Report Post »  
    • myway
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 3:13pm

      You have to be a liberal to have lost half your brain at birth. What did you miss in the story?

      Report Post » myway  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:17pm

    All Veterans should be honored!

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
    • sbeejustsaying
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:48pm

      The article isn’t about honoring WW11 vets about any other. It was talking about honoring WW11 vets because they’re numbers are dwindling. Honor them while they are still with us, next it will be the Korean War Vet, then the Vietnam Vets etc. That’s all.

      Report Post » sbeejustsaying  
    • netmail
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:00pm

      Very true, but the main point is to respect and value WWII vets NOW while two million are still alive. That number is drastically going down each and every day now.

      Report Post »  
  • Av8r1969
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:13pm

    Thanks to these fine people for my freedom !

    Report Post »  
    • blownaway
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:44pm

      Without these brave men and women, our lives would not have been nearly as care free… THANK YOU VETERANS for your bravery, sacrafice and service to country… you are much appreciated by this American citizen!

      Report Post » blownaway  
  • V-MAN MACE
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:12pm

    This corrupt government doesn’t give a damn about vets.

    Vets are a threat to the overthrow of the United States by tyrannical government.

    They want the vets dead.

    Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
  • freeweever
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:04pm

    To the liberal left and the progressive nazi’s in the democratic party our American military fighting Women and Men are the useful idiots that Lenin referred too in his communist playbook. The left has no respect for anything except their own sociopathic and psycopathic ways permit.

    Report Post » freeweever  
    • FHNYMillie
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:45pm

      Actually, the liberal left/socialists are the useful idiots. Once they are done achieving their goals, those above them who are calling the shots (literally and figuratively) will do away with them as well.

      Report Post »  
  • Stang
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:04pm

    God Bless our WWll vets, we will always remember them. I still think the Enterprise should have been the ship the Japs signed the surrender papers on.

    Report Post »  
    • highcarry
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:26pm

      except it wasn’t commissioned until nov. 25, 1960.

      Report Post » highcarry  
    • TSUNAMI-22
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:50pm

      Wasn’t it the Enterprise that survived the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 because it conducting carrier ops?

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIk_7D0wU74

      Report Post »  
    • Stang
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:50pm

      The USS Enterprise was commissioned in 1938. It was the most decorated ship in WWll. She saw every major battle. At one point she was the only active carrier in the pacific and saying she was active was a stretch. She was the only carrier to make it form the beginning to the end of the war without being sunk.

      Report Post »  
  • Devil Dog 7175
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:03pm

    My Dad was a WWII vet too… Hes been gone for several years now. THANK YOU to all who served whereever and in whatever capicity. Semper Fi!

    Report Post » Devil Dog 7175  
  • usmc1063
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:03pm

    This is the greatest generation they gave their all so the world could remain free. My Father and six of my Uncles served overseas they all are at their rest now. An to those who remain I can only offer my humble thanks for giving me my freedom. Thank all of you and all who serve and May God‘s Blessing’s be upon you now and forever.

    Report Post » usmc1063  
    • Ethereal
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 12:22pm

      The problem is we in this time can never do enough to repay what the “Great Generation” did for the entire world! We owe them our highest respect and consideration for saving the world from genocidal tyranny and slavery. I am a huge WWII buff and we as a society neeed to apprecdiate this point in history and understand just how important it was for the allies to win that war.

      Report Post » Ethereal  
  • bobbyjoe
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 11:56am

    My dad, 92 now, is one of these. These men of the greatest generation should be remembered for all that they did for us. Thank you dad and thank you all members of the best army in the world.

    Report Post » bobbyjoe  
  • burr99
    Posted on September 3, 2011 at 11:52am

    My fathere was a WW2 vet. I wish we had the more clarity today, that they had then.

    Report Post »  
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