Both my parents served in WWII, my dad serving in the Coast Guard in the North Atlantic, and my mom as an Army Air Corps nurse in India and China. My mom has now been gone for 5 years, but I remember asking her at one point when things seemed very dark in this country (after 9/11, I believe) whether we were living through the worst times. She replied that the second World War to her seemed to be the worst time she had lived through because of the upheaval of everything--millions of people displaced around the world, a sense that no one knew when or how the war would end, economic and humanitarian and cultural crises that are almost unimaginable. My mom was an upbeat person, never complained, even in her declining years was optimistic and positive, so this conversation sticks in my mind.
Interestingly, because I'm the youngest in my family, my husband who is my same age but the oldest in his family seems almost to have come from a different generation. My father-in-law fought in Vietnam when he was a young man. I think of WW2 as "my war" because of my parents and all their friends were of that "greatest generation" but some day I'd like to talk to my father-in-law and ask his perspective about the circumstances and times he lived through. What are the dates that stick in his mind? Like my parents, my father-in-law has been circumspect about his experiences during wartime.
Thank you, Dan. The costs of war should never be forgotten, + the sacrifice + personal stories of those who lived it echo through time. I often think about a young man from our town sent to Guadalcanal. A standout high school track star, he volunteered as a runner taking battle messages back + forth to his commanders. On the muddy slopes of Mount Austen in January 1943, he ran his last race. His metal helmet etched with his name was found nearby.
At the conclusion of the Battle of Guadalcanal, we honor the more than 1,600 Americans killed, the 4,200 wounded, + the thousands who died of tropical diseases. We also remember all those families who received the telegram that their loved ones weren’t coming home. May they rest in peace.
Thank you for that. It is often in my mind these days, all the sacrifices made for freedom and democracy by so many men, women, families and to have the whole thing teeter on a knife edge now because the lack of morality and humanity of a small group of (mostly) white men grasping onto the illusion of power. These are Janus times, looking back and wondering what the days ahead hold for all of us.
Thank you for your memories. War is unnecessary. It is brought on by men who feel it is the only way to “settle” matters of concern. While, in fact, proper communication should take place. Women are much better than men in that department. Very few women willingly want to send their children to war.
I am a first generation daughter of now deceased Holocaust victims. I know the pain, the heartache, and mental anguish that comes from a senseless war based on religious beliefs. You know how many millions were brutally killed. Where we are now, with these white supremacists who disavow people of color and Jews right to exist, it is shameful and wrong.
I am trying to stay hopeful especially with Biden choosing Harris as his VP and also his choices for his cabinet. I want to apologize for venting. Your viewpoints are always a joy.
I just subscribed. I feel like I get back all that I grew up with watching you! Kind of a stabilizing feeling. Also, how does the GOP even fell their strategy will lead to anything but the demise of the party? Just baffling their behavior through even now. And their votes are just preposterous!
I will always remember February 9th, 1964-laying on the living room floor of my Grandparents house watching in awe those Fabulous Four for the very 1st time! They are still my favorite band of all time!
Your words consistently cause me to remember my paternal grandfather and my father, both now deceased, the former for more than 35 years, the latter for six. One born in 1898 and the other in 1936. Both were well spoken and well read, my grandfather with his third grade education and my father with his D.Min. Both spoke of historic events and the dates that were etched into their minds. How they would have loved this venue - thank you for intellectually stimulating and thoughtful provoking writing. I look forward to each installment.
By coincidence, I’m reading Ian Toll’s The Conquering Tide, right now. It’s the 2nd of his trilogy on WWII in the Pacific. It is mostly on Guadalcanal.
I remember the Beatles. I really couldn't figure out why they were such a big deal and the "long hair", gee! Now their hair doesn't seem that long and it is rather short. I was used to Dick Clark and rock and roll. Sometimes change isn't easy to accept! And, I was not born until July 22, 1943. Thanks for the memories!
I was enjoying your newsletter, Dan, when I spotted the "view from inside a dugout" sketch and realized that it was the always marvelous work of artist Howard Brodie. Brodie was one of five courtroom artists whose illustrations are featured in "The Illustrated Courtroom: 50 Years of Court Art" with co-author Elizabeth Williams. I don't know if you worked with Howard, Dan, but he (also) was one of a kind and I know did a lot of trial work for CBS News. Keep the newsletters coming!
I should have noted, "my book with co-author Elizabeth Williams" -- I got so excited to see you featuring Howard's work. He was a joy to interview, a superb artist and a great man.
Moving thoughts. I was born after WWII, but my parents remembered Guadalcanal. I don't think anyone who was not old enough to know what was going on then can possibly relate to how it felt. And The Pacific should be a must-watch for all Americans who don't remember WWII.
Me too. I remember sitting on the floor, in front of our small back and white TV and watching them. I was 14, but they had competition from the Beach Boys, here in CA.
I wasn't born yet when the first event you talked about today happened. However, I was a senior in high school when the Beatles first appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show. Like so many other teenage girls that night, I sat on my bed and watched them on my little black and white TV, and shed more than a few tears. It was a performance that I will never forget!
This teenager at that very moment was yelling and screaming at a black and white magnavox TV screen 12” x 12”... with a shameful attitude. They were MY BEATLES...
One of the things I’ve always loved about your reporting is the factual, informative and historical education I get. I’m 65, and admittedly can relate my memories more to the clip from Ed Sullivan, my uncles were SeaBees in the Marianas and Solomon Islands as well as one uncle a radar operator on a ship that survived Pearl Harbor. I so appreciate the greater understanding of what they endured in the Pacific battles and your beautiful tribute to them by keeping history alive! My uncles are all gone now, but I so appreciate the insight into their lives and countless others you’ve given me today as well as the hope that we can endure this hatred in our country as we did then!
Both my parents served in WWII, my dad serving in the Coast Guard in the North Atlantic, and my mom as an Army Air Corps nurse in India and China. My mom has now been gone for 5 years, but I remember asking her at one point when things seemed very dark in this country (after 9/11, I believe) whether we were living through the worst times. She replied that the second World War to her seemed to be the worst time she had lived through because of the upheaval of everything--millions of people displaced around the world, a sense that no one knew when or how the war would end, economic and humanitarian and cultural crises that are almost unimaginable. My mom was an upbeat person, never complained, even in her declining years was optimistic and positive, so this conversation sticks in my mind.
Interestingly, because I'm the youngest in my family, my husband who is my same age but the oldest in his family seems almost to have come from a different generation. My father-in-law fought in Vietnam when he was a young man. I think of WW2 as "my war" because of my parents and all their friends were of that "greatest generation" but some day I'd like to talk to my father-in-law and ask his perspective about the circumstances and times he lived through. What are the dates that stick in his mind? Like my parents, my father-in-law has been circumspect about his experiences during wartime.
Thank you, Dan. The costs of war should never be forgotten, + the sacrifice + personal stories of those who lived it echo through time. I often think about a young man from our town sent to Guadalcanal. A standout high school track star, he volunteered as a runner taking battle messages back + forth to his commanders. On the muddy slopes of Mount Austen in January 1943, he ran his last race. His metal helmet etched with his name was found nearby.
At the conclusion of the Battle of Guadalcanal, we honor the more than 1,600 Americans killed, the 4,200 wounded, + the thousands who died of tropical diseases. We also remember all those families who received the telegram that their loved ones weren’t coming home. May they rest in peace.
Thank you for that. It is often in my mind these days, all the sacrifices made for freedom and democracy by so many men, women, families and to have the whole thing teeter on a knife edge now because the lack of morality and humanity of a small group of (mostly) white men grasping onto the illusion of power. These are Janus times, looking back and wondering what the days ahead hold for all of us.
Thank you for your memories. War is unnecessary. It is brought on by men who feel it is the only way to “settle” matters of concern. While, in fact, proper communication should take place. Women are much better than men in that department. Very few women willingly want to send their children to war.
I am a first generation daughter of now deceased Holocaust victims. I know the pain, the heartache, and mental anguish that comes from a senseless war based on religious beliefs. You know how many millions were brutally killed. Where we are now, with these white supremacists who disavow people of color and Jews right to exist, it is shameful and wrong.
I am trying to stay hopeful especially with Biden choosing Harris as his VP and also his choices for his cabinet. I want to apologize for venting. Your viewpoints are always a joy.
I just subscribed. I feel like I get back all that I grew up with watching you! Kind of a stabilizing feeling. Also, how does the GOP even fell their strategy will lead to anything but the demise of the party? Just baffling their behavior through even now. And their votes are just preposterous!
I know this post is out of place...fng
I will always remember February 9th, 1964-laying on the living room floor of my Grandparents house watching in awe those Fabulous Four for the very 1st time! They are still my favorite band of all time!
Your words consistently cause me to remember my paternal grandfather and my father, both now deceased, the former for more than 35 years, the latter for six. One born in 1898 and the other in 1936. Both were well spoken and well read, my grandfather with his third grade education and my father with his D.Min. Both spoke of historic events and the dates that were etched into their minds. How they would have loved this venue - thank you for intellectually stimulating and thoughtful provoking writing. I look forward to each installment.
By coincidence, I’m reading Ian Toll’s The Conquering Tide, right now. It’s the 2nd of his trilogy on WWII in the Pacific. It is mostly on Guadalcanal.
I remember the Beatles. I really couldn't figure out why they were such a big deal and the "long hair", gee! Now their hair doesn't seem that long and it is rather short. I was used to Dick Clark and rock and roll. Sometimes change isn't easy to accept! And, I was not born until July 22, 1943. Thanks for the memories!
I was enjoying your newsletter, Dan, when I spotted the "view from inside a dugout" sketch and realized that it was the always marvelous work of artist Howard Brodie. Brodie was one of five courtroom artists whose illustrations are featured in "The Illustrated Courtroom: 50 Years of Court Art" with co-author Elizabeth Williams. I don't know if you worked with Howard, Dan, but he (also) was one of a kind and I know did a lot of trial work for CBS News. Keep the newsletters coming!
I should have noted, "my book with co-author Elizabeth Williams" -- I got so excited to see you featuring Howard's work. He was a joy to interview, a superb artist and a great man.
Moving thoughts. I was born after WWII, but my parents remembered Guadalcanal. I don't think anyone who was not old enough to know what was going on then can possibly relate to how it felt. And The Pacific should be a must-watch for all Americans who don't remember WWII.
I am of that generation that remembers it as the Beatles 1st US TV appearance. My life changed forever that day.
Me too. I remember sitting on the floor, in front of our small back and white TV and watching them. I was 14, but they had competition from the Beach Boys, here in CA.
I am too but it didn't change my life. :)
Very much enjoyed your essay today. I lived all but the first date. And even was watching Ed Sullivan that night.
I wasn't born yet when the first event you talked about today happened. However, I was a senior in high school when the Beatles first appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show. Like so many other teenage girls that night, I sat on my bed and watched them on my little black and white TV, and shed more than a few tears. It was a performance that I will never forget!
This teenager at that very moment was yelling and screaming at a black and white magnavox TV screen 12” x 12”... with a shameful attitude. They were MY BEATLES...
Mr Rather,
One of the things I’ve always loved about your reporting is the factual, informative and historical education I get. I’m 65, and admittedly can relate my memories more to the clip from Ed Sullivan, my uncles were SeaBees in the Marianas and Solomon Islands as well as one uncle a radar operator on a ship that survived Pearl Harbor. I so appreciate the greater understanding of what they endured in the Pacific battles and your beautiful tribute to them by keeping history alive! My uncles are all gone now, but I so appreciate the insight into their lives and countless others you’ve given me today as well as the hope that we can endure this hatred in our country as we did then!