On April 1, 1945 the United States armed forces began the invasion of Okinawa.
Okinawa was the last major obstacle in the Pacific sweep of American forces in their battle against the Empire of Japan.
This was the largest amphibious invasion in the history of the world (Most folks think the Omaha beach D-Day invasion of France was the biggest, it was super big and also ran by the Sea Bees but Okinawa was the biggest). Okinawa was to be the staging point for the American invasion of the Japanese homeland. In Japan the population was being readied to fight to the death against the American invaders.
A giant armada of ships, planes and personnel gathered off shore and the logistics of the plan was to be handled by a newly organized unit of the navy called the Construction Battalions, or C.B.'s for short and Sea Bees for insignia. They had to get all those supplies of ammunition, food, medical supplies, and equipment to build airstrips, etc. ashore, right?
I was a 9 year old street kid in a small town in Kansas, Independence to be exact. A kid with an older and younger brother and a Mother all faithfully waiting for our Father and husband to return from the war. Last we had seen of Dad was when we put him on a train for the West coast. He was in full dress uniform and we were some proud. We had no idea where he was going beyond there, it was all secret. Loose lips sink ships.
I remember the day well, I also remember being gut afraid we would never see him again, but that was each our private secret.
Little did we know that he was among that armada of ships and men, just waiting to storm the beach along with thousands of other patriots.
And storm it they did and conquer they did as 82 days later enemy resistance ended. You don't know that you don't know Jack. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Okinawa
The Greatest Generation is what Tom Brokaw called them.
I am a product of that greatest generation and i am sick to tears of the belly aching, whining, stupid politicians and their ignoratnt followers who are in a constant stir about how terrible things are in my country.
This is the greatest country on the face of the earth, and when a politician lies and panders to his base that our country is not great or only a shadow of our past greatness, he or she can go straight to hell.
The constant lies and distortions of politicians that scream "be afraid, be very afraid, but stand behind me, i will protect you if you only vote for me" is repulsive. These people are not patriots, they are fear mongers, they are traitors. Traitors to the tradition of "Can Do" the Greatest Generation established.
So let me wrap it up with this: If all anyone can do is complain about our country, leave it. Go to someplace they think better and take their third rate politicians and negative crap with them.
America is already great.
Thank you my Sea Bee Dad, and thanks to all the others who gave whatever was necessary to make this great country what it is, a country where even low life lying politicians and pseudo patriots are free to speak their minds, even if they are dead wrong.
