Memorial Day

A flag flies over the headstone of a veteran at the Winona Cemetery in Tualatin on a previous Memorial Day.

 

As the events of World War II are being revisited on their 80th anniversaries this year, we must not forget to honor the Americans who participated in them on Memorial Day, May 29. 

The World War II generation forged their values during the Great Depression when life was uncertain. Then they went off to war with no realistic hope of achieving a better life or even of surviving the ordeal. Their aim was not only to protect America during a time of dire crisis, but it was also to rid the world of fascism “once and for all.” Thus, theirs was a crusade on behalf of free peoples everywhere. They succeeded in their aims.