TERRE HAUTE — The number of American military veterans who served their country during World War II are dwindling rapidly. To those remaining, we can’t pay enough tribute. They belong to a generation of men and women who made this nation — and the world — a better and safer place to live.
That’s why events such as Victory Days at Hulman Field this weekend are so important. This special activity, which began Friday and runs through Sunday, allows us to honor and salute WWII veterans, and to teach new generations about their courage and sacrifice.
All the chatter surrounding Victory Days and the display of various World War II artifacts got me thinking a lot this week about the tiny WWII mini-museum I have at my home.
My dad, Joseph L. Jones of Loogootee, served in the United States Marine Corps during the war, attached to the 4th Marine Division in the South Pacific. He passed away more than 10 years ago, and I’m the lucky one in my large family of siblings to have possession of much of his war-era memorabilia.
Among the artifacts are black-and-white photos, most of them snapped of him and his Marine buddies while stationed on Maui in the Hawaiian Islands before or after their military campaigns. The jovial poses mask the seriousness of their mission, which placed them in at least three combat hotspots during the war with Japan.
My dad’s tour of duty included combat on Saipan and Tinian, and a few months later the invasion of Iwo Jima. Like many of his fellow veterans, he talked little about his combat experiences, saying only that Saipan, for him, involved the worst direct fighting with the enemy, and that Iwo Jima was the most tedious because of how U.S. troops were hampered in securing the island due to fierce enemy resistance.
I am extremely proud of my dad’s military service, and my two most prized of his possessions are the Purple Heart and Silver Star, both of which he earned on Saipan.
The Purple Heart, which honors those wounded in combat, has the most interesting history because it is a relatively new addition to the collection. Although he had documentation showing he was entitled to the Purple Heart, Dad chose not to claim the medal. When asked about it, he would brush off the question, saying he wasn’t seriously injured (his wrist was grazed by either shrapnel or a bullet, he was never really sure) and that many, many fellow Marines suffered far more than he did. In essence, he didn’t think he deserved it.
I read a few years ago that Dad’s attitude was not uncommon among WWII veterans. Having experienced firsthand the horrors of war, they were almost embarrassed to accept the Purple Heart, especially if they considered their wounds minor.
Dad’s attitude about the medal did not change until late in his life when he began attending 4th Marines Division reunions. He had the opportunity to get reacquainted with some of his old war buddies, who convinced him that he deserved his Purple Heart and should claim it. He eventually did, and I do not believe he ever felt any embarrassment about it after that point. I sure don’t.
My favorite war story involving my dad was told to us after he died. It came from one of his Marine comrades who wrote a wonderful tribute letter to our family. He obviously had great affection for Dad. One of the poignant memories he shared was that whenever one of their unit’s members was killed in action, Dad would write, on behalf of everyone in the unit, a personal letter of condolence to the fallen Marine’s family.
I cannot adequately express the pride I feel, knowing that somewhere, mixed with personal memorabilia of a family who lost a loved one in that war, there is a comforting letter from a fellow Marine, signed “Joe Jones, USMC.”
I hope Victory Days is a successful event for the Wabash Valley and stirs wonderful memories. It certainly has for me.
Jones can be reached at (812) 231-4336, or by e-mail at max.jones@tribstar.com.
Editorials
Editor's Note: Victory Days — great time to learn history and share memories
- Editorials
-
-
EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news
• Cream of the crop
• Keep the ideas flowing
• Remembering fallen officers
-
TRIBUNE-STAR EDITORIAL: Hazards of the spring abundant now on I-70
A major holiday weekend is approaching. The weather has been consistently inviting for travel and outdoor activity. Gas prices are even inching downward.
-
EDITORIAL: Embrace the Sycamores
Terre Haute should understand the rarity of an opportunity to celebrate a championship.
-
EDITORIAL: Good choice for stability
For the first time in 25 years, Indiana will have a new chief justice for its Supreme Court. For those who value stability on the state’s highest court — and we count ourselves among those who do — the appointment Tuesday of longtime Justice Brent Dickson is good news.
-
EDITORIAL: Correcting the prison imbalance
Terre Haute will no longer count federal prisoners when the city slices its population into six equal City Council districts. That decision by the City Council last week to remove the inmates at the Terre Haute Federal Correctional Complex from the council district mathematical formula may not make waves, but it makes sense.
-
EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the News
• Sometimes bureaucracies do listen
• April hours bring May flowers
• Getting our airport off the ground
-
EDITORIAL: When it’s IU vs. UK, there’s got to be a way
If the annual Indiana-Kentucky basketball game was not significant, would the coaches of the two universities be talking like this?
-
EDITORIAL: Sen. Lugar’s compelling message
Richard Lugar, no stranger to reading political tea leaves, undoubtedly knew for weeks that defeat was coming Tuesday night in his primary fight for re-election against a more-conservative-than-thou opponent. A statement Lugar released just hours after his loss of titantic proportions indicates that the six-term incumbent saw the reality even before he knew Richard Mourdock was to be his opponent this May.
-
EDITORIAL: Reviewing the landscape
The compelling story line surrounding the race between Richard Lugar and Richard Mourdock dominated most of the local primary election chatter. With those stunning results now in the books and Mourdock heading toward a showdown with Democratic Party nominee Joe Donnelly of South Bend (the current U.S. House rep from the 2nd District), it’s time to survey the landscape for other general election races that will be worthy of attention.
-
EDITORIAL: GOP changed; Lugar didn’t
Six terms. Overwhelming popularity. A statesman and a gentleman. A visionary. An icon in the annals of U.S. Senate leadership, even world leadership. So dominating on the political landscape that the opposing party did not even produce a candidate in the last election.
-
EDITORIAL: An exercise in democracy
Primary elections rarely draw the same levels of participation as general elections.
-
EDITORIAL: Fight against child abuse demands ongoing attention
As with many of our nation’s most maddening and perplexing social problems, one hardly knows how to fathom the egregious wrongs that occur when a child is abused.
-
EDITORIAL: A ‘giant’ for his hometown
Home is where the heart is. That’s true for all of us. In addition, your heart can take you home.
-
EDITORIAL: Curbing corruption a worthwhile crusade
If you are cynical about government, down to its most local levels, you may think it is overrun — or even controlled — by corruption.
-
EDITORIAL: The politics of Primary 2012
In less than a week, voting Hoosiers get a chance to make a statement about the future of politics in their state and beyond. But whatever that statement turns out to be, the final punctuation marks won’t be added until November. It’s possible that nothing will be settled by the end of the night May 8.
-
EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news
• Their footsteps can lead us
• It would be music to his ears
• Feeding a genuine need
-
EDITORIAL: Hoosier Republicans should stick with Richard Lugar
Until late 2008, most Hoosiers were quite pleased — and in many cases, darn right proud — to call Richard Lugar their senior U.S. senator.
-
EDITORIAL: Matt Branam: 1954-2012
The sudden death of 57-year-old Matt Branam on Friday morning continues to leave an air of sadness hanging over the community.
-
EDITORIAL: A transplant from St. Ann’s
It would be understandable, for most of us, if we were madder than the opposite of heaven if a beloved, historic, personal part of our lives was to be taken away against our will.
-
EDITORIAL: Pragmatic approach to downtown development benefits community
Terre Haute has known for some time now that Indiana State University’s master plan includes creation of student residential centers off-campus in the nearby downtown area.
-
TRIBUNE-STAR EDITORIAL: A salute to pride of ’55
Terre Haute gets the chance to witness and appreciate the extent of its rich baseball legacy this Saturday. Its past and present will merge at Bob Warn Field.
-
EDITORIAL: A match of Mitt and Mitch?
Not every Indiana governor’s endorsement of a presidential candidate has made instant national news as did Mitch Daniels’ support for Mitt Romney on Wednesday.
-
EDITORIAL: Drilling for fairness
Consistency and fairness were on trial Monday as the Vigo County commissioners grappled with a controversial rezoning request from a property owner who wants to drill for oil on his land near Hawthorn Park northeast of Terre Haute.
-
EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news
Cheers, jeers and tears
-
EDITORIAL: Be fair, consistent, but keep smokefree ordinance on track
The steps toward a healthier, more vibrant community should continue moving forward.
-
EDITORIAL: Inspired by tradition, celebration
With the observance of Orthodox Easter on Sunday, the spring holy holidays for Christians and Jews will have passed for another year.
-
EDITORIAL: No need to sing the blues
The words from Terre Haute Board of Works President Bob Murray on Monday afternoon were as sweet to the ear as a blues riff from an electric guitar: “The bottom line is, [Blues at the Crossroads] should be able to operate just as it has before. It will get worked out.”
-
EDITORIAL: Traps abound in online world
For parents, guardians, civil authorities and those who supervise and nurture children of all ages, there is nothing new in the notion that the online world of digital communications is fraught with danger.
-
EDITORIAL: Primary reaches critical junction
This is a key week in the highly competitive Republican U.S. Senate primary race between six-term incumbent Sen. Richard Lugar and state Treasurer Richard Mourdock.
-
EDITORIAL: Don’t dismiss it, use it
There’s almost always a difference between how a community sees itself and how outsiders see it. That was apparent anew this week after a study called “Indiana Community Asset Inventory and Rankings 2012” came out and began to draw reactions across Indiana’s 92 counties.
- More Editorials Headlines
-
EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news
Raw Video: NATO Protesters Face-off With Police
Mary Kennedy Mourned at Private Funeral in NY
Raw Video: Demonstrations Ahead of NATO Summit
Obama Pushes for Post-2014 Vision for Afghanista
Prosecutors: Trio Planned to Attack Obama's HQ
G-8 Seeks Unity on Euro-debt Crisis, Iran
NATO Chief: 'No Rush for Exits' in Afghanistan.
Libyan Convicted in Lockerbie Bombing Is Dead
Video Surfaces of Alleged Abuse at Kansas School
Blind Chinese Activist Arrives in NY
Raw Video: Powerful Quake in Northern Italy
Protesters, Police Clash at NATO Summit
G-8 Leaders Hope Greece Remains in Eurozone
Violence in Aleppo, Rastan Amid Observer Warning
Raw Video: Demonstrators Protest NATO
Police: 3 Face Terror Charges Ahead of NATO
Raw Video: G8 Leaders Gather for Class Photo
Raw Video: Will Smith Slaps Kissing Reporter
Raw Video: Obama Greets Leaders at Camp David
Coffee May Be Key to Living Longer
'Ring of Fire' solar eclipse as seen from Japan
ET's Last Interview with Robin Gibb
Magnitude 6.0 Earthquake Slams Italy
Wiig's Emotional SNL Sendoff
Bloodied anti-NATO protester
Bee Gees Singer Robin Gibb Dies
Facebook Founder Ties the Knot
Heat even up series with Pacers
The Dictator Overthrows Elisabetta
Anarchists Arrested at NATO Summit in Chicago
Transgender Beauty Rocks Bikini
Raw Video: Will Smith Slaps Journalist
Spurs rally, take 3-0 lead
Protesters in front of Emanuel's house
John Edwards trial: Main points jurors may be mulling
Facebook IPO underwhelms
Kate Middleton's Two Thousand Dollar Dress
Man Who Fathered 30 Kids Asks Judge for Child Support Break
Sebelius Heckled During Georgetown Speech
