I just watched an important video. It was a United News newsreel from December 2, 1945, and captured the official Japanese surrender proceedings aboard the USS Missouri, proceedings that brought World War II to an end. As I watched, I wondered how it must have sounded to my Father, who was fighting in the South Pacific during that time.
It would be impossible for me to be able understand how he must have felt at hearing Gen. MacArthur say,
"Let us pray that peace be now restored to the world and that God will preserve it, always. These proceedings are closed."
My Father volunteered for military service during World War II, as did many who fought for the Allies from all countries. They did so not only because they understood the existence of evil in the world, but because they wanted to preserve the "way of life" their countries afforded them. For my Father it was to advance our American heritage -- freedom, liberty, constitutionality and opportunity -- to his children. It was for this belief that he risked life and limb in one of the bloodiest episodes in world history.
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Frank Salvato also serves as the managing editor for The New Media Journal. His writing has been recognized by the US House International Relations Committee and the Japan Center for Conflict Prevention.
