Travels To Hawaii, Day 4
Tonight at dinner I found myself seated next to a veteran of the Vietnam War. I was telling him of how proud I was of my son, now serving in the Marines. He asked if I served in the military? I told him no, and then felt the need for a bit of an explanation. I told him that I was pretty much a naive and idealistic kid as I was going through High School, and that I formed my opinions about the war and military service from what I read in the newspaper and viewed on network television. Both were slanted in opposition to the war and I readily swallowed their less than objective news, hook-line-and-sinker. Thus, as I was moving toward graduation, the Vietnam War was winding down. As a High School kid, I had a disdain for military service. I told this veteran and military retiree that, at the time I was 18 years of age, I would have rather escaped to Canada than to have served in the military. Then I made sure to look him in the eye and say, "At the time I was a stupid kid." I very much respect how this man responded. He could have wrapped himself in the flag and love of country, and punched my face. Instead, he said, "As an American, you had that right. No problem."
What an awesome freedom we have as American citizens. With freedom and without fear, we can peacefully protest even sacred elements of our society. Opposed to government or religion or anything else considered sacrosanct by others? The law and the Constitution gives to you that right. Then, amazingly, men like my new acquaintance and my son, are willing to risk their lives so I can have that freedom. Amazing!
Today, I toured the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. I heard the story of the invasion and subsequent deaths of thousands of our young men. And I gazed down into the murky waters at the sunken ship. The water is still colored with the oil from the ship, even though the event ocurred almost 70 years ago. I took a moment to consider that the bodies of over 1100 American soldiers were entombed in the waters below. Just boys, very much like my son. Boys who loved their country. Boys who died to provide freedom for 18-year-old smug idealists like myself. I saw the flower petals dropped upon the water by an elderly man in the crowd. All was hushed and the air was heavy. And I felt tears in my eyes. It is crazy, and absolutely unfair, that young folk have to die in war. I would sure like for us to find a better way to handle international differences. I would hate to think that one day I would have to visit the tomb of my boy who died in military service. Like the 1100 who died on the Arizona.
On the drive back to the cabin, I needed a break from the heaviness of the previous experience. My son guided us to a great place to eat- Teddy's Bigger Burgers . It's a fast food establishment with artery-busting meals. The burger was fantastic. Sadly, the only picture I have from the occasion is of the silly sign below. To me, there seems something ludicrous about forbidding cigarettes at a greasy hamburger joint. And if it were not so late at the moment, I am sure I could share some appropriate analogies.
