Saturday, July 4, 2009

Go For Broke

Aloha!
Welcome to Waikiki
on July 4th!
Click on photos to enlarge! The wild blue yonder
"There are, in every age, new errors to be rectified and new prejudices to be opposed."
Samuel Johnson

Jean

"The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become."

Charles DuBois



William H. Holloman III


"If you don't like change, you're going to like irrelevance even less."

General Eric Shinseki




Today, in honor of July 4th, I re-publish this post about real heroes. Thank you for visiting. Your visits & comments make my day!
*Happy Birthday USA*
Cloudia
You friends who often visit "Da Spiral" know that we like to salute unheralded heroes of everyday life. Heck, I've seen real courage in many of your blogs. But every so often there are Heroes, capitol "H" who strap it on and fly into the teeth of mortal combat, or who put their very lives on the line to say "No" to denigration, unfairness, and abuse. Sometimes extraordinary people are even called upon to face two Goliaths at once.
Today's post is dedicated to two very special groups of such human beings. Please come meet them!




Last September 30th, a few such surviving heroes were honored at Honolulu's Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific by Kauai boy General Eric Shinseki. (The general has since been appointed to lead our nation's veterans affairs by the new president.)

The elderly men that he honored on that day, largely Hawaii born and bred, had served in the famed 442nd & 100th segregated combat units of WWII. They had been the “Go for Broke” Japanese-American soldiers who fought in the toughest European battles of that war, and usually against superior numbers. History remembered, and history written, both tell how they were openly considered expendable because of their race. This was certainly not a surprise to them in their uphill fight for dignity. They all had family in US internment camps, even as German-Americans and Italian-Americans remained in their own homes. Nevertheless these aging men, in their youth answered the call to arms on behalf of the nation that detained their parents.






They are military legend for having saved 230 Texans (the famous “lost” regiment”) at the cost of 400 of their own, among numerous other documented acts of extreme heroism. These men won more decorations, more purple hearts, more medals of honor, than any unit of comparable size in the history of the US Army.






Every day in Honolulu we pass by these neighbors on our streets and in the aisles at Longs Drugs, only too aware that there are ever fewer and fewer of them. In my opinion they are among the greatest of the greatest generation, and what these men did will never be forgotten. . . As President Truman said of them at war's end: "You fought two enemies, the nazis and prejudice. And you have won."






So who could walk alongside such people?






Perhaps it would be the man I had the privilege to meet the other evening. He is William H. Holloman III, one of the justly famed Tuskegee Airmen. But he told me simply to call him "Bill." I was beyond thrilled to sit a spell with Bill and his lovely wife Jean to talk story. It's not every day that one gets to meet such a larger than life figure usually read about in books or admired in documentaries






At a time when "scientists" had told the US Congress that African-Americans had less intelligence and flying aptitude "than monkeys" these young men rose to the challenge of excellence while carrying social and cultural burdens we can scarcely credit today a mere 60 - 70 years later. Through dignity, courage, and sheer ability, they proved denigration a damned lie.






They flew like eagles! And like the Japanese-American combat veterans of Hawaii they came home to build lives of full citizenship earned in blood. Mr. Holloman, whose father might have served the railroad as a Pullman porter - but never an engineer, retired after many years of service as an airline pilot and aviation consultant.






"The Germans shot my black ass down! But they knew all about us, and they treated us with proper military respect. Then I came home and had to ride in the back of the bus." one of these vets has said.






Unfortunately the photo above caught Mr. Holloman with his eyes closed, depriving you of his most strikingly handsome light eyes! But one doesn't ask a legend to stand a second time. And I who religiously avoid publishing photos of myself am proudly shown with him!



A L O H A! Cloudia

28 comments:

Sepiru Chris said...

Your salutes are always crisp and a pleasure to read.

the walking man said...

It is a damn shame that the Germans who were in the process of wiping out millions because of ethnicity, identification, mental mishap or orientation would recognize and treat as equals the men of the Tuskeegee before their own government would give them the same respect.

Kay said...

Thank you for recognizing the sacrifice and bravery of the 100th and 442ng Battalions. My uncle served as did a friend of ours. It was a very difficult time but I am so very proud of them.

SandyCarlson said...

Thanks for teaching me something and inspiring me aplenty this morning. I want to learn more about the "go for broke" guys. Thanks, Cloudia.

Maria Verivaki said...

thanks for posting the story about jean and william - i've heard similar stories like william's about the treatment of ordinary people like himself, but i hope that i am living in a time when fewer such stories will be taking place around us

Junosmom said...

I enjoyed most seeing the photo of you, so i can imagine you and see you on your boat or beach in my mind. See - you are living a Hawaiian life for me - since I can't live two lives at once - and I can read about what it is like, this other life. But I am a very visual person, so it is good to have photos.

Reader Wil said...

Very great tribute to the brave men and women who fought for the best causes and rights there are!! The worst enemy is prejudice and racisme! To overcome that is the greatest victory! Thank you for this post.

Daryl said...

You, Mr Hollman and his lovely wife are a delight to see .. and hear about .. I get so fa-klempt when I read things like this ...

If you see them again, please tell them I said thank you ...

Charles Gramlich said...

Bravery comes in all forms.

Deborah Godin said...

Wonderful salute to those who served, and great bit of history - thanks!

Akelamalu said...

God bless the unsung heroes and you form saluting them. x

david mcmahon said...

Thank you for this memorable salute to a proud man.

Cloudia said...

Warm Aloha to you my friend, Chris.

Walking Man: As usual, you get to the ironic core of human behavior. Your blog and your comments here are a real pleasure to ponder.

Kay: Thank YOU my Oahu neighbor for dignifying our forum today with your first-hand truth.
I'm sure many folks will feel something stir within while reading your words (as I did!). THANK YOU & YOUR FAMILY; Mahalo Nui Loa.

Thanks, Sandy. I wish I had a weekend free to explore YOUR blog archives!

M. Kiwi: YES! Isn't this an amazing time we live in? So glad to share it with you too. Aloha.

Junosmom: Reading your words I realized that I have been living vicariously through YOUR blog, and our communications both ways. REALLY! Inland, in a small town with good people. Caring for the animals and family. YOUR life is very different from mine (no kids is only part of it I'm sure)and my life is richer for having broadened to really have friends throughout the blogosphere and the great big world! Thaks, Sistah!!

Reader Wil: Your heart is as true as a compass! I love visiting your blog. (See above ;-)

Cloudia said...

Daryl: You are another Sistah I haven't met in the flesh but feel I know. Happily!

Charles: Pithy, pure, precious words. Thank you sir! Elegant.

Deborah: You are a fresh joy!

Ake: You are a very special friend, like a "blog-mother" or something. Look at me! 12 excellent comments! WOOOOOWEEEEEE!!!

David M: Very happy to meet you! Thanks for your kind comment; we hope you join us again soon...

Aloha, Ohana!

Feisty Crone said...

A fine tribute to these heroic people. Thanks, Cloudia.

magiceye said...

Hats off and a deep bow of revernce to these heroes!
Must sure have been a great honor to stand alongside, even if for a photo-op! Good on you!
Namaste and Aloha!

DeniseinVA said...

What an amazing post Cloudia and one we can all learn from. These brave veterans deserve all our thanks for their service and yes recognition too, even though they usually don't go looking for it. A wonderful tribute.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post.

magiceye said...

wonderful!
am sure you had a wonderful 4th!!
namaste /\
aloha!

Anonymous said...

ALOHA, Cloudia for a wonderful post and photo! I'd come home from work, distraught about a fellow nurse, and "poof", the worry is all gone, after your wonderful reminder of why I work at the VA. I have "one-up" on all of your lovely bloggers. I get to care for all of these heros and chat with them about their times in the military. They ALL have such amazing stories and are so humble. Kansas City had one of the remaining Tuskeegee Airmen, who was featured in my neighbor's book (he's got YOUR'S right now!) And yes, I really notice when I have a beautiful blue-eyed African American vet...so handsome even in their 90s, and so polite. They all "paid" for their "free" VA care. Aloha, DrumMajor

♥ Braja said...

That first photo looks suspiciously quiet and calm for the 4th of July weekend :)

the walking man said...

The 'hood was awash in the pounding explosions of illegal fireworks for hours last night. I was pleased, even though the dog that killed the bear was terrified. I didn't recognize any gunfire one of the few areas of expertise I have is distinguishing sounds of that nature.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Very inspiring Cloudia = they don't seem to make 'em like that any more.

Cloudia said...

Why thank YOU each for contributing today!!!!

Dina said...

A strong and inspiring post.
And good to see you in the picture too, Sistah.
My best friend in grade school in Chicago, her big sister was born in a camp for Japanese-Americans, while their father was serving in the U.S. Navy as an interpreter. But it was top secret, her birthplace; we were not to repeat it. Shame?? So I knew from an early age about the injustices perpetrated on American soil during the war. It still makes me boil.
But we are getting better, with time.

Teresa said...

Love the post, Cloudia. Sorry I missed it yesterday. I mistakenly thought you were taking a well-deserved holiday.

Daryl said...

Wonderful ... and that's a fine photo of you ... aloha!

Bubblewench said...

Love love love this post! Hope you had a great weekend!