What I Think About When I Think About My Dad’s Service

My Dad was just 18 when WW II started - he didn't think twice - he signed up. Did he want to go to war? No. He wanted to go to college, fall in love, to have his version of the American dream. But like so many young men his age he put his plans on hold for what was needed of him, and enlisted. He signed up, uniformed up and shipped out because it was the right thing to do. My Dad can make me crazy for sure, but his service is as true and as honorable as they come. He served in the 453rd bomb group with a bunch of other young men just out of high school as they flew in a B24 airplane and worked to destroy Germany. My Dad was a tail gunner. He sat backwards in a plane, by himself and used the plane's machine guns to defend his plane from attacks - it also means he shot and shot down other planes. He never saw the glory of war and to this day he downplays his role as a member of the greatest generation. He's a full on lefty pacifist. He's believes countries need to talk more, to find a solution, to do everything possible to avoid war. He knows how lucky he was to come home, to fall in love, to have his version of the American dream. He's not a sucker. He's not a loser. My Dad is a hero. My Dad is a member of the greatest generation.