THE HARBOR LIGHTS:  War Time 

WISDOM  WISDOM  WISDOM  WISDOM  WISDOM  WISDOM  WISDOM  WISDOM

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You might reach your lifetime's destination better if you remember
THE OBJECT OF WAR IS NOT TO DIE FOR YOUR COUNTRY BUT TO MAKE THE OTHER POOR BASTARD DIE FOR HIS COUNTRY - Geo. S. Patton

THERE IS NEVER A GOOD WAR OR A BAD PEACE - Benjamin Franklin

The song "Harbor Lights" is a favorite of mine.  It first appeared in a movie in war torn England in 1937.  It was written by Hugh Williams with lyrics by Jimmy Kennedy and sung by Francis Langford.  In America it was the number one song in 1950.  It was recorded by Sammy Kaye and was number 1 on the hit parade.  It was also recorded, along with "Good Night Irene" and "The Tennessee Waltz,  b y Guy Lombardo, Bing Crosby and 13 others.





In 1937 America was in depression and England was struggling for her life against Germany.  Japan was raping Nanking, and the movie "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" was the big hit of the year.

TO BE PREPARED FOR WAR IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEANS OF PRESERVING THE PEACE - George Washington

ADOLPH HITLER

WORLD WAR TWO COMMENCED

Sept 1939 Poland invaded 
June 1940 Germans in Paris
Sept 1940 London blitz 
Dec 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor

Dec 11 Germany and Italy declare war on the United States

I DREAM OF GIVING BIRTH TO A CHILD WHO WILL ASK "MOTHER, WHAT IS WAR" Eve Merrian

THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE 

June 1942 Japan defeated at Midway with the loss of four air craft carriers

June 1944 D Day with the Allied forces on the Normandy Beaches with 5,000 ships, 11,000 planes and over 150,000 troops.

May 1945 Germany surrenders following the suicide of Hitler.

THE GREAT OBJECT IS THAT EVERY MAN BE ARMED - Patrick Henry

HIROSHIMA AFTER ATOMIC BOMBING

August 6, 1945 - The first atomic bomb, named "Little Boy" was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan killing 80,000.  Following up, a second atomic bomb nicknamed "The Fat Man" was dropped on Nagaski, Japan.

August 14, 1945 - Japan surrenders.

TO WIN THIS WAR WE NEED A COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, NOT A PROFESSOR OF LAW STANDING AT A LECTERN - Sarah Palin

THE TRAGIC HUMAN LOSS OF WORLD WAR TWO

COUNTRY                                          KILLED         WOUNDED

Australia                                                23,365           39,803
China                                                  2,200,000     1,762,000
Canada                                                     37,436           53,174
Great Britain                                       329,208        348,403
France                                                     210,671        390,000
Soviet Union                                     7,500,000     5,000,000 
United States of America                291,557         670,846

Italy                                                           77,494          120,000
Germany                                             3,500,000      7,250,000
Japan                                                    1,216,000          295,247

WAR IS A CRUELTY. THERE IS NO USE TRYING TO REFORM IT.  THE CRUELER IT IS, THE SOONER IT WILL BE OVER - William Tuecumseh Sherman

1936 WALT 4TH FROM LEFT FRONT

I recall World War II quite well.  I was only 10 years old when Pearl Harbor was bombed.  None-the-less, I participated in the war.  I bought a few war stamps, wasn't much money.  I participated in collections of tires and metal for war use.  I went without sugar and other rationed items.  I vividly recall VE and VJ Day.

WHAT THE PLANET NEEDS IS MORE MISTLETOE AND LESS MISSILE TALK

One of the proudest memories of my long life is to have participated as honor guard while in the WV National Guard at many, many funerals for our fallen Heroes

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS

MAY GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA