On September 2nd, 1945, a ceremony took place in Tokyo Bay, Japan. Aboard the anchored Battleship USS Missouri, representatives of the Imperial Japanese Government and military signed a set of documents certifying their acceptance of the terms of surrender. With that act, the world that had been at war in one form or another since 1931, finally found peace. Humanity, in an all-too-rare moment in time, was finally able to look towards the future with hope.
Peace is fleeting, as human history has repeatedly demonstrated. Humans have never had to search far for a reason to fight. Thus, starting a war is far easier than ending one. Still, we cherish those rare moments because peace gives us a chance to breathe,to live, to love, and to dream.
War is terrible; destructive and costly. Novelist John Ball noted that the only reason a sane government gets involved in war is that the alternative is even less acceptable. The United States, which had avoided global power and responsibility like the plague, was forced to accept that role by two nations, Germany and Japan, that lusted after both. We learned a hard lesson: that no matter how hard we try to hide from the world, the world will still come looking for us. And the rest of the world also learned that an America, thus armed, united, and engaged, is unassailable.
And yet, despite our ability to fight, we have never relinquished our humanity. Our service members' willingness to act with compassion, even on the most war-torn battlefields, is extraordinary. When we emerge victorious, we don't impose oppression on our former enemies. Instead, we respond with aid, money, resources, and effort to help rebuild those countries and their economies. I remember watching a documentary that included an interview with a former member of the German Wehrmacht. After seeing the effect of the Marshall Plan on his country, he said, "It is never good to lose a war. But there is no better country to lose to than America."
World War II was long, bitter, and violent. However, from the day the war ended through today, Germany and Japan are among our staunchest allies, trading partners, and best friends.
"A better world..." General MacArthur called this "cherished hope." That is what lies at the heart of all people, because we know instinctively that a world where freedom, prosperity, happiness, and opportunity exist for everyone, and a world where the value of human life is held sacred, is a world that will never need to wage war. In the words of John F. Kennedy, "For in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal."
September 2nd, 1945 was so much more than the statutory end of a world war. It was a day when the world finally found peace. It was a day without death. It was a day when hope was reborn. It is what we celebrate on this day. Peace, surely. But hope lets us look forward with optimism instead of fear and dread. For the people who inhabit this world, there is no better gift.
Unfortunately, the harsh lessons of human history instruct that we must always be prepared for battle.
But let us remember this day; let us honor that day. And for the sake of the world, may we always strive to wage peace.
No comments:
Post a Comment