We’re taking a break from our usual curmudgeoness today. I’m going to relate a scene at an event I went to yesterday.
The WW2 ship USS LST-325, one of the the last navigable tank landing ships from WW2 in existence, was visiting local Dubuque for a five day visit. I thought this would be interesting, so Missy and I decided to go. Apparently, many other people also thought it would be interesting as well, and they all decided to go, too. We get there and we see this looooooooooong line stretching along the aquarium. I sense I have been thwarted. Long story short, the wait was three to four hours, and while I wanted to see the ship, I don’t have that kind of patience. Instead, we hung around, checked out the outside, took some photos, then blew a wad of cash at the aquarium gift shop.
But that’s not why I’m writing this.
While we were standing under a gazebo at the water’s edge, Missy and I started to hear some slow clapping. We turn around and an old man is ambling up to the registration table. He was a WW2 veteran. Not only do WW2 vets get free admission to the tours, they also get escorted to the front of the line. Another man in a uniform… I think he was emulating MacArthur, not sure… saluted the older man and placed a medal around his neck. All the while the crowd around has stopped everything they were doing and slowly clapped in reverence and smiled at the scene.
Doing some quick math in my head, presuming the man was 18 years old in 1945, he would be at least 90 years old today, and probably actually is older than that. Seeing the respect this gentleman was offered… I’ll use the word reverence again… was entirely fitting, and… emotional. Missy teared up a bit, and I won’t lie, I did , too.
In the accompanying photo, the older gentleman veteran is the one in the blue jeans and hat and using a cane. (“MacArthur” can be seen three people to the right.) Ok, I shouldn’t make fun, he’s probably a veteran worthy of respect, too, but he did look a bit like when the tv show M*A*S*H would have someone dress up as MacArthur.
Anyway, it was a very moving moment, and I am glad that I got to be part of it, even if only in an observatory manner. I could feel the hostility that hung in the air due to the long line and hot humid afternoon pretty much disappear.
In spite of my 400+ word essay here, words fail me… in a good way this time.
Some great thoughts, and well expressed, Ken. I love to see the respect shown for what those men and women endured during World War II. I wish my dad had been able to hang around a while longer and see more of that. He would have loved being part of an Honor Flight. While it’s a shame the line was so long, it’s also great that there was so much interest. The hardware of the era is lasting longer than the people, and will ensure they won’t be forgotten. Thank you for writing this.
Hello Mike. Your point about the long lines signifying that people haven’t forgotten is an excellent point. One that had not occurred to me. Thanks.
Very well said my dear! Yes I teared up then and when I talked about it later. It doesn’t take much…but this was a very moving thing. All in all, it was cool, this was just the best part.
Very good opportunity became available to you when you didn’t expect it. Thanks for sharing.