When Japan surrendered and it was made known that President Truman made the decision to use these new weapons, my dad was a lifelong admirer of Harry Truman.
Sometime during the late 70’s or early 80’s, I was taking my dad to a baseball Cardinals night game for his birthday. He did indeed love the Cardinals, but felt he couldn't afford tickets, primarily as a result of being raised during the depression.
I was parked away from the park and when we were waiting for the light at Market and Tucker in St. Louis, a young kid asked us if we were registered voters and we said yes. At this point, the kid asked if we'd sign a petition, which demanded the Congress and the U.S. government apologize to the Japanese government and people.
It's interesting to note, that prior to this event, you could always tell how mad dad was by the number of veins pulsating in his neck. The most I had seen was two. Well, dear old dad, went from zero to three in about 0.5 seconds, grabbed the clipboard and ripped the petitions to shreds.
The kid was obviously terrified and all I could say was, “Mud Marine in the Pacific. No sense of rumor.”
In retrospect I want to say, “Thanks, Dad, and thanks to every man and woman who served their country in such a gallant manner.”
Every one, adults and kids, should have to watch and discuss film clips, photos and narratives of WW II, esp the war in the Pacific. 17 year olds hitting the beaches of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, Normandy. I can’t even begin to fathom the terror. The USS Indianapolis. Pearl Harbor, the battle for Berlin.
And this ingrate punk wants an “apology”? Good Lord there are some really stupid brainwashed idiots in our midst.
Your dad did good making his point to the classic liberal waste of oxygen holding the clipboard.