Heroism

I'm watching a show on the History Channel about D-Day right now. And this guy is talking about how out of 30 people on his amphibious landing vehicle, he was the only one to get off it alive. Oh man, World War II was so intense. The young men and women who fought in that conflict, now those are heroes. True heroes. Can you imagine, being in a cold, wet, cramped landing ship, knowing, that when those doors open, there is a very good chance you will die? But even with that knowledge, charging out anyways? Look at this photo. This is what men faced. WWII was so important. The Allies were battling for freedom, battling to extinguish tyranny and hatred, battling for so many noble things. I mean, it's not like the Germans or the Japanese were inherently bad, but I'm a member of an Allied nation, so I'm sort of socialized to think this way. But, I am objective in that way. Just, gosh, I can't imagine running out on that beach. The courage of those men is unbelievable. I just can't believe how brave they were. Or manning a gun on a battleship in the Pacific, with kamikazes flying at you and dozens of other warships attempting to destroy you. I am really not being articulate here. But this show is making me think, if I was called by my country to battle tyranny, how would I react? Would I face death so nobly as those American, Canadian, and British men who stormed the Normandy beaches? I can only hope so. I can only hope that my actions would honor God, my loved ones, and my country. My grandpa that died before I was born fought in the Pacific. He originally was a gunner on a bomber, but then he became a sailor of some sort on a destroyer, I do believe. He must have been a very brave man. I wish I had known him. I've been thinking a lot about war today. And I know I sort of glorified warfare in this post. War is horrible, people die, people get blown up, people do terrible things. And horrors that I can't even imagine. No one wants to be in a war, or have to fight one. And I hope the world can reach a point where war will be no more. But in my mind, I think if there ever was a "just war," if there is such a thing, it was World War II. My philosophy class definitely made me think over when or if it is just to kill anyone, be it war or anything else. My ultra liberal professor used a Socratic dialogue with a conservative student about the war in Iraq. And, I don't know. If I was called to fight in Iraq, I don't know if I would go. I don't know if I think it's just anymore. I'm becoming more liberal. I mean no disrespect to the American servicemen and women who are bravely facing the insurgents of course. I think they must have the same strength of character and courage as the men of World War II. Basically, men and women who fight for our country just blow my mind. Individuals so selfless, that they would run off that boat, knowing that if they live, they help restore freedom. And if they die, they die in the service and protection of an ideal they cherish enough to lay down their life for. So intense. Not nearly as intense as that, I am looking seriously into studying in Nottingham for a whole year. Living in an English flat, studying, traveling, etc, etc, etc. I really want to do it. I want to immerse myself in a culture, live as the locals do, get a wider appreciation of the world. I'm meeting with the coordinator about it tomorrow. I hope it works out. I'm out.