Comments on: Ralph Knox: Bataan Death March Survivor Dies From Exposure http://military.rightpundits.com/2008/11/26/ralph-knox-bataan-death-march-survivor-dies-from-exposure/ Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:47:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: D. Ox http://military.rightpundits.com/2008/11/26/ralph-knox-bataan-death-march-survivor-dies-from-exposure/comment-page-1/#comment-140153 D. Ox Thu, 27 Nov 2008 05:08:26 +0000 http://military.rightpundits.com/?p=3876#comment-140153 Well, Beth, yes this is a sad end to a life of a man who did his duty and served his country, family, and, presumably, his faith. It is depressing to think of the dwindling number of WWII vets. My Dad died in 1981 at 65. He participated in the invasion of Africa, and then went from Corsica, to Marseilles, and up the Rhone Valley as commander of an anti-aircraft squadron. I've read his reports. For much of the sixities, I regularly helped my Mom, who was a member of the Ladies Auxilliary of the VFW, with Summer picnics that we gave for Vets from WWI who had been disabled by mustard gas and shell shock, living in our regional VA hospital facility. I played cards with the guys, and talked with them about what they wanted to remember. Otherwise, I grew up in a generation just after Vietnam when there was no peril to confront, and I give thanks even for that. The problem is that almost three generations now have grown up without an awareness of the sufferings of war. Even Vietnam and Korea really didn't have an impact on the homefront. My students now are totally oblivious to suffering. Totally. I try to warn them, and for some it sinks in. It's all so easy to take our freedom and security and prosperity for granted. On this Thanksgiving, I pray that God reminds us all of the good things we enjoy. God bless, Beth, to you and yours, and your readers. D. Ox Well, Beth, yes this is a sad end to a life of a man who did his duty and served his country, family, and, presumably, his faith.

It is depressing to think of the dwindling number of WWII vets. My Dad died in 1981 at 65. He participated in the invasion of Africa, and then went from Corsica, to Marseilles, and up the Rhone Valley as commander of an anti-aircraft squadron. I’ve read his reports.

For much of the sixities, I regularly helped my Mom, who was a member of the Ladies Auxilliary of the VFW, with Summer picnics that we gave for Vets from WWI who had been disabled by mustard gas and shell shock, living in our regional VA hospital facility. I played cards with the guys, and talked with them about what they wanted to remember.

Otherwise, I grew up in a generation just after Vietnam when there was no peril to confront, and I give thanks even for that. The problem is that almost three generations now have grown up without an awareness of the sufferings of war. Even Vietnam and Korea really didn’t have an impact on the homefront.

My students now are totally oblivious to suffering. Totally. I try to warn them, and for some it sinks in.

It’s all so easy to take our freedom and security and prosperity for granted.

On this Thanksgiving, I pray that God reminds us all of the good things we enjoy.

God bless, Beth, to you and yours, and your readers.

D. Ox

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