We owe much to that awakened ‘sleeping giant’

We would be remiss if we let this month pass without recognizing the anniversary of one of our nation’s most significant moments in history — the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany to end World War II in Europe.

It happened 68 years ago on May 7, 1945, and since, we’ve honored May 8 as V-E Day. What makes this anniversary so significant today is that it’s yet another reminder of just how close we are to losing those who fought and sacrificed not only for our freedom, but the world’s.

Tom Brokaw said these men and women are “the greatest generation any society has ever produced,” and we agree.

We also acknowledge that in the near future, the last of this Greatest Generation will be gone. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that more than 16 million Americans served in the military in some capacity during World War II, and as of November 2012, about 1.4 million were left. With World War II veterans dying at an estimated 700 to 1,100 a year, that leaves us with only about 3.5 to 5.5 years before they truly are gone.

Somehow, simply saying “thank you” seems inadequate to express our gratitude for what our veterans have sacrificed — and continue to sacrifice — to protect our freedom and those oppressed around the globe. It’s hard to imagine what this world would be like today had the United States stayed out of World War II and had Nazi Germany been victorious.

When Winston Churchill said, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few,” he was speaking about the British Royal Air Force. His words are also descriptive of all those who fought for the righteous cause.

The best way we can honor this Greatest Generation, and the greater generations to come, is to never forget and never take for granted the enormous sacrifice these men and women have made.

“I fear all we have done is awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve,” that’s what Japanese Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto is famously quoted as saying when he learned of the successful attack on Pearl Harbor.

We celebrate the resolve of our World War II veterans, the civilians who sacrificed at home during the war and the often-unsung link between them — the U.S. Merchant Marine, which kept the United Nations’ supply routes operating. Together this winning combination smashed the Axis powers. It is this cooperative effort we mark today.

U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans Alaska Greatland Chapter will meet from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 21 at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home, 250 E. Fireweed Ave., Palmer. For more information, contact Commander Eldon Gallear at 357-2179 or yearsleyvm@acsalaska.net.