One of the great joys of work related travel to Washington D.C. was to take time whenever possible to visit The Mall. I would experience every kind of emotion imaginable when seeing the various Memorials whether gazing up at Abraham Lincoln or weeping at The Viet Nam Wall.
One day on a walk to The Mall, I came upon a quiet little memorial, not publicized so much in the tourist paraphernalia. The Memorial honors Japanese American veterans who had served and fought in the 100th Infantry Battalion in Europe during World War II including an honor wall which lists the names of Japanese Americans killed in action during the war. Immediately I knew I needed to have a visit with Henry – one of our residents.
Henry not only knew about this infantry battalion, he had served with this battalion during the latter half of World War II. He immediately wanted to show me some pictures. The pictures were not at all what I expected.
His family, along with over 120,000 Japanese Americans, lost their freedoms and were confined to ten major internment camps located in the Western United States at the very same time Henry was fighting for his country in Europe. It literally broke my heart to see those pictures and hear the experiences of his family living at one of those camps. Some Japanese Americans remained in relocation centers until March of 1946.
There were lots of reasons to be afraid in America during World War II - especially after Pearl Harbor. Fear was running wild with rumors of potential direct Japanese attacks on the West Coast in abundance. However; when healthy fear becomes irrational and reckless, innocent people get hurt.
Today, fear can often be running wild in life within family, health, job relationships or whatever a person may be facing.
Healthy fear (i.e. wearing a seat belt) respects the danger but unbridled, irrational fear should never be condoned, applauded or encouraged.
I had wonderful times with my friend Henry. He was not a bitter or fearful man. He held no grudges. He did not live with resentment. He lived and demonstrated a life of gratitude and gratefulness to have served his country and to have the privilege of living In the United States of America.
As you take a moment to reflect upon Henry’s story, are there areas within your own personal or professional life where you may need to deal with fear running wild?