Grandpa's WWII Letter

[thelangman1]

I've recently taken on a personal interest of collecting and transcribing letters written home from my great grandfather in Japan during World War II. He was, as I am told, an ultra right wing republican, believing firmly that the United States was benevolent in all its doings and foreign relations. It enlightened me, then, to read and transcribe

Comments

[sparklyrevolt]

"War is a business that breaks all the laws of God and man and human decency. How any man can strut and point with pride at such a shameful life is beyond me. There is just nothing to be proud of. So again I say lets not be too impressed by the showmanship of war making. It does not deserve the dignity that it receives. And every man who has had a taste of what it means to live like a dog, be looked upon as no better either, knows that as long as we look upon war making as respectable, that we will have wars. Outlaw war, strip it of all its tinsel, its glory and ill-conceived respectability, then we are on the way to peaceful living."

That's... really incredible. Next year (or this year if you're so inclined) you should show these to Mr. Hazelwood, I think he would appreciate them.

[shinka33]

Wow. that nearly brought me to tears. and an important lesson to anyone believing there is any glory or justice in killing people, innocent or not. This is a great thing you are doing:)

[asylum_refugee]

"Its a disgusting discouraging and utterly despiseable system, this military business and war making. All of us who have served in the ranks are sick of it. And medals and bars and stars and stripes mean nothing. That is just so much more decoration to impress the masses. More showing off. We must not be taken in or impressed too much by it."

and i like the thing at the end, "love is my name."

I find it very interesting that you say he was an "ultra right wing republican." I guess that just goes to show that you can't sterotype a person by their political beliefs, which I think too many of us do. I agree with the above person. You should definitely share this. I think Yudin would find it fascinating.