June 3, 2004

Community shares Memorial Day memories

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

Memorial Day is a time for remembering the servicemen and women who fought to protect the freedom and people of their country, as well as a time of reflection for the passing of an era. In San Jose, and cities around the nation this weekend, citizens’ eyes and hearts turned toward Washington, D.C., where a long-awaited National World War II Memorial was dedicated in honor of The Greatest Generation.

Veterans, Gold Star Mothers, support service agencies, and the community joined together at the San Jose Convention Center on Saturday to share memories and view the live telecast from Washington, D.C., honoring the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, as well as a moving “Stories of Service” presentation by San Jose’s Digital Clubhouse Network on the life and wartime experience of veteran Gaye Pare.

As Pare eloquently shared his “Story of Service,” black and white photos and graphic imagery conveyed the setting and feel of each moment. “The reality of war became very real… this was a prelude to much bloodshed ahead… on Sept. 3 we landed at Algiers, and marched immediately several miles to camp. The desolate landscape, the heat, the swarms of flies only compounded our homesickness… for six months (in Italy) we were engaged in battle constantly. We fought hard, drenched by cold winter rains, slogging through mud, and we pushed the Nazis back.” Gaye’s wife, Veneida Pare, who spoke on behalf of her husband Gaye, encouraged the veterans to also tell their stories. “They must not die,” she affirmed.

For Veneida Pare, who joined the Pare Family Singers in rousing renditions of “Old Glory,” and “God Bless America,” the country’s tribute to World War II veterans was personally gratifying and essential to keeping their memory alive. “It’s meaningful to me, because I lived it with my husband when he was over there, when he returned, and when he couldn’t walk anymore,” she expressed. “I was part of it. I am a part of it today. It’s also important that we don’t forget where we came from, and who we owe our country to.”

The San Jose program, which was hosted by City Councilman and veteran Chuck Reed, and NBC anchor Janice Edwards, included exhibits featuring World War II memorabilia, equipment, and vehicles. “On behalf of a grateful country, I want to offer our deepest gratitude to the men and women of The Greatest Generation. They are all heroes,” stated Reed. “We honor them today and give them thanks. Their families have sacrificed so much for our freedom, our liberty, and our democracy.” On behalf of the city of San Jose, as well as Congressman Mike Honda, Reed also presented World War II veterans with proclamations claiming May 29 as World War II Veterans Recognition Day.

“Today was a once-in-a-lifetime ceremony, and it’s probably the last time we’ll be able to get all of these veterans together,” noted Brent Shiramizu, city of San Jose gerontologist supervisor with the Office of Aging. “The event meant so much to the veterans here today. You could just see the looks on their faces during the presentations—there was not a dry eye in the house. It was all about them and what they gave for us.”

Shiramizu and the Office of Aging has been working for nearly two years compiling “Stories of Service” with the Digital Clubhouse Network and with the aid of a Healthy Neighbor-hood Venture Fund Grant. “We established five sites in the city where we matched middle and high school students with seniors to produce oral histories and digital stories of World War II veterans and their role in the war so we don’t lose their memories,” he said. “There is an urgency to remembering their stories—of the 16 million men and women who served in World War II, there are only about 4 million left, and we’re losing them at a rate of 2,000 a day.” A delegation from the Digital Clubhouse Network joined Vice Mayor Pat Dando in attending the World War II Memorial dedication in Washington, D.C., and delivered an official commendation from the city of San Jose recognizing the veterans for their service, as well as the work of the Digital Clubhouse Network for preserving their history.

“To me, the most remarkable aspect of the whole trip was getting to know about 30 World War II veterans who served our country as young men and women,” said Dando. “They would tell me terrible stories about losing friends to intense gunfire, and being captured behind enemy lines, but in the next breath, they say, ‘I’d do it all over again because I felt like I was fighting for my country and preserving democracy and freedom.’ I know that as young men and women they went off at a moments notice, because our country needed them, and returned to a regular life—but they never asked for anything special in return—so it is a very emotional experience for them to receive national attention and appreciation. They gave so much and expected so little, and are so touched when we say ‘Thank you,’” noted Dando.”

Their American Airlines airplane arrived at their gate in Washington, D.C. to fire engines with flashing lights. The passengers were understandably concerned that there was a problem with their plane, until the captain explained that the fire engines were there to splash their plane with water as a salute from American Airlines, to the men and women aboard for their service to their country—a salute that is usually reserved for the airlines captains upon returning from their last flight before retirement. The most touching site at the WWII Memorial, said Dando, was the wall of 400 stars, which reflected in the water, each one representing 10,000 people who died. “It was remarkable to see men, women, and children react emotionally to this wall, which was inscribed, ‘This is how we pay the price of war,’” she said. “We spent some time there.” Upon returning home, their plane was delayed again and again, due to bad weather in Chicago, but the veterans agreed to press onwards, finally arriving home at 5:30 a.m. “They never complained,” commented Dando. “’I now know how you survived World War II,’ I told them. ‘You are very tough individuals.’ They’re just a great group of people.”

For World War II veteran Jose Arusa, whose military dress was decorated with campaign medals including Silver and Bronze Stars earned in the Philippines, the dedication of the World War II Memorial was nice, but a long time coming. “I saw the Vietnam and Korean Memorials in Washington, D.C., but there was nothing for us,” he commented. “After 50 years of waiting, it’s one of those things that should make you feel proud, but having to wait so long takes away from it.” Korean War veteran Joe Gonzales agrees. “It is important to remember our veterans who served in World War II,” he said. “They came back, they married, they built homes, and they raised families. I don’t understand why they waited so long to erect that memorial.”

American Legion member and District 13 Sergeant at Arms George Williams attended the San Jose tribute to honor his father who served in World War II. He appreciated the nation’s tribute to The Spirit of America and The Greatest Generation. “This shows that America still appreciates what they gave up to help out the world,” Williams contended.

“My grandfather Jacob was in the Pacific Rim, and my grandfather Smith was in the Battle of Bastogne in Belgium. For me personally, this event signifies that they were The Greatest Generation and we do need to honor and respect them and realize the sacrifices they and their families made,” said Theresa Jacob, president of the District 13 American Legion Auxiliary. “If it wasn’t for them and what they did, our country probably wouldn’t be the way it is today.”

“I was impressed with the ceremony,” said veteran Jim Coleman, who spent the morning setting out flags at a local cemetery with Boy Scouts. “I’m planning to go to see the memorial this summer with my wife, and my son and his family.”

“I think it was a very meaningful event,” commented Shawna Hill, who works in recreational therapy at the Menlo Park Veterans Hospital, and brought about 10 veterans to the event. “They were all choked up. The presentation was special and I loved the memorabilia and everybody in uniform. I wish they did something like it every Memorial Day.”

World War II veteran Ted Brown especially enjoyed seeing the World War II era vehicles at the San Jose Memorial dedication, as he was a mail petty officer on his submarine, and was commissioned a jeep anytime they came into port to collect the mail and supplies. He found the tribute a moving experience and appreciated being in the company of other World War II veterans. Jeanne McFarland personally thanked Brown for his service in World War II, and made it her mission to personally thank every veteran she saw. “I think they deserve it,” she said. “We have a lot to thank them for.”

“I’m a veteran. My father was a veteran of World War I. I served at the tail end of World War II and during the Korean War,” said Robert Langford, author of “Sergeant Stripes and the 7th Calvary.” “I love the idea of honoring American veterans because they are vanishing from this earth and many of their stories will never be told. I feel part of this. All the veterans shake your hand. Women come up to you and thank you for your service. It makes me feel good. There are a lot of good men who are not here today and I am here honoring them and my dad.”

Today in our nation’s capital, a World War II Memorial graced with flowing fountains, pillars of granite and bronze, and inspirational verse, proudly stands where one didn’t before to honor those of The Greatest Generation, who served and sacrificed to ensure our freedom. However, for World War II veteran Roger Durban, who fought for creating the memorial, and sadly, for many of his generation, it came too late.