[dilligafocau]

Borrowed (in part) this from an Aussie Surf Lifesaving Ad...

Real Super Heroes don't wear capes...they answer the call of their Country.

[Kaptin_Kirk]

I'm very sad to hear this news may he R.I.P.

[DADoser]

Thanks for scanning and sharing this article with the group.

Regarding the death of Charles White (as well as others who fought WWII) - I'm not even sure what comment to put into words.

Its been said before - but the loss of these guys/this generation is a loss of living history. Even if/when their stories are recorded, it just is not the same as having these folks "walking, living among us." I'm sure there are just so many more stories from these vets that we will never know or be able to recognize - some stories because they are too horrific to want to be remembered, others because of the humility of the individual(s) involved.

While we can never "lose" our history - it is important that we never forget or ignore it.

Even beyond the contributions toward winning WWII - Charles White and others (Tuskegee Airmen and other African-American, Asian-American, etc. WWII vets) - their contributions toward equality and opening the American dream to ALL Americans was simply HUGE. I look at White and AA vets like him - at that time in American history - and am truly awed by the fact that they would fight and die for a country in which they were treated "less than" the majority - simply because of the color of their skin as well as the deeply held racial beliefs of the U.S.

Honestly - if I put myself in their shoes in 1942 - would I have put my life on the line for a country in which racial discrimination/preludice and even lynchings were in current memory? I'm not sure I would have. These men truly had a larger vision that transcended individual self-interest. They were/are truly giants in U.S. history and the development of America as a nation.

[jim]

Originally Posted by DADoser

Thanks for scanning and sharing this article with the group.


Even beyond the contributions toward winning WWII - Charles White and
Honestly - if I put myself in their shoes in 1942 - would I have put my life on the line for a country in which racial discrimination/preludice and even lynchings were in current memory? I'm not sure I would have. These men truly had a larger vision that transcended individual self-interest. They were/are truly giants in U.S. history and the development of America as a nation.

That just about sums it up DaDoser, very well written post and brings home a truth that is oft forgotten.