shelseeker
09-03-2004, 11:11 AM
By TJ Aulds
Texas City Sun
Published September 02, 2004
Now, asking you to do so is the easy part, but we know many people need inspiration to think of what the Stars and Stripes means to them.
Patriotism is tough to define. Love for one’s country and its ideals for sure qualify. But is that enough?
For some, it is. For others, patriotism borders on what we often refer to as heroic.
For all, it seems, the flag becomes the physical symbol of one's inner patriotism.
We’d liked to tell you the story of a young Navy pilot, who today celebrates the 60th anniversary of the day he was plucked out of the Pacific Ocean after being shot down during World War II.
The bomber pilot was flying near the island of Chi Chi Jima when his plane and several escort Avengers came under heavy enemy fire. As would be his luck, the pilot’s bomber was hit. He and the crew had to bail.
Less than four miles from the shore of the Japanese stronghold, the pilot and his parachute landed in the ocean just as his plane exploded. The fate of other crew members were not known at the time.
The pilot did not reach the water unharmed. As he bailed from the failing aircraft, he struck his head on the rear tail of the plane.
Bleeding from the head and alone in the water, the pilot could see the enemy’s base on the not-too-distant horizon. A passing American plane dropped him a small life boat.
The pilot waited for help to come. But about the only thing he noticed was a contingent of the enemy making its way by boat to his position.
For a while, American fighter planes kept the Japanese away. The pilot, we are sure, knew of the stories that came from Chi Chi Jima where many a captured soldier was held.
It was on this day in 1944 that the pilot, a young lieutenant, noticed what appeared to be a periscope peering from the water. It turned out the scope belonged to the United States Submarine Finback which had been sent to pull the young pilot out of the water.
The young lieutenant was saved, but didn’t return to his ship immediately. Instead he endured some days aboard the sub that went through a couple of depth charge attacks and a few close calls.
Eventually, the pilot found his way back to the ship, continued his career in the Navy and then found his way into politics.
It wasn’t until years later, when the young lieutenant had become this country’s Commander and Chief, did he learn the fate of many of his crew, as well as others who had been captured and held prisoner on Chi Chi Jima.
George Herbert Walker Bush, this country’s 41st president, learned just as many of us did through declassified documents that the torture the men had suffered on Chi Chi Jima was beyond barbaric. It was beyond what any human could think possible and, yes, included acts of cannibalism.
Knowing this and other horrors of war, Bush still maintains a strong sense of patriotism and love for the flag. There are many who would have been so impacted by such events to forget the call to a greater cause and who would step away from ever demonstrating their love of country and love of flag.
Many to this day prefer to spit, burn and otherwise disregard the symbol of this country’s freedom. Many this week are doing exactly that, all in dissent to the son of Lt. George Herbert Walker Bush
It’s ironic then that a young Navy pilot came near death to ensure those who would want to destroy the symbol of this country have that right to do so as they speak out against his own son.
To us, it is the heroics and service of former President Bush and his call to duty as a public servant, knowing that there are those within our own borders who would like to destroy the very item that is a symbol of his patriotism that is the true symbol of patriotism and love for Old Glory.
— T.J. Aulds
Sun managing editor
Texas City Sun
Published September 02, 2004
Now, asking you to do so is the easy part, but we know many people need inspiration to think of what the Stars and Stripes means to them.
Patriotism is tough to define. Love for one’s country and its ideals for sure qualify. But is that enough?
For some, it is. For others, patriotism borders on what we often refer to as heroic.
For all, it seems, the flag becomes the physical symbol of one's inner patriotism.
We’d liked to tell you the story of a young Navy pilot, who today celebrates the 60th anniversary of the day he was plucked out of the Pacific Ocean after being shot down during World War II.
The bomber pilot was flying near the island of Chi Chi Jima when his plane and several escort Avengers came under heavy enemy fire. As would be his luck, the pilot’s bomber was hit. He and the crew had to bail.
Less than four miles from the shore of the Japanese stronghold, the pilot and his parachute landed in the ocean just as his plane exploded. The fate of other crew members were not known at the time.
The pilot did not reach the water unharmed. As he bailed from the failing aircraft, he struck his head on the rear tail of the plane.
Bleeding from the head and alone in the water, the pilot could see the enemy’s base on the not-too-distant horizon. A passing American plane dropped him a small life boat.
The pilot waited for help to come. But about the only thing he noticed was a contingent of the enemy making its way by boat to his position.
For a while, American fighter planes kept the Japanese away. The pilot, we are sure, knew of the stories that came from Chi Chi Jima where many a captured soldier was held.
It was on this day in 1944 that the pilot, a young lieutenant, noticed what appeared to be a periscope peering from the water. It turned out the scope belonged to the United States Submarine Finback which had been sent to pull the young pilot out of the water.
The young lieutenant was saved, but didn’t return to his ship immediately. Instead he endured some days aboard the sub that went through a couple of depth charge attacks and a few close calls.
Eventually, the pilot found his way back to the ship, continued his career in the Navy and then found his way into politics.
It wasn’t until years later, when the young lieutenant had become this country’s Commander and Chief, did he learn the fate of many of his crew, as well as others who had been captured and held prisoner on Chi Chi Jima.
George Herbert Walker Bush, this country’s 41st president, learned just as many of us did through declassified documents that the torture the men had suffered on Chi Chi Jima was beyond barbaric. It was beyond what any human could think possible and, yes, included acts of cannibalism.
Knowing this and other horrors of war, Bush still maintains a strong sense of patriotism and love for the flag. There are many who would have been so impacted by such events to forget the call to a greater cause and who would step away from ever demonstrating their love of country and love of flag.
Many to this day prefer to spit, burn and otherwise disregard the symbol of this country’s freedom. Many this week are doing exactly that, all in dissent to the son of Lt. George Herbert Walker Bush
It’s ironic then that a young Navy pilot came near death to ensure those who would want to destroy the symbol of this country have that right to do so as they speak out against his own son.
To us, it is the heroics and service of former President Bush and his call to duty as a public servant, knowing that there are those within our own borders who would like to destroy the very item that is a symbol of his patriotism that is the true symbol of patriotism and love for Old Glory.
— T.J. Aulds
Sun managing editor