QUOTING HITLER: Contradicts bravery of WWII veterans

I really appreciated a commentator’s recent article about her repulsion at people quoting Hitler. As the daughter of a World War II veteran, I couldn’t agree more with her sentiments. What is particularly ironic is that people spouting such idiocy and hate today, were born into freedom and live in America. Further, they have enjoyed its many freedoms as a direct result of the heroism of the World War II generation.

My late father, Joel, spent over three years in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He signed up the day after Pearl Harbor was bombed. He was stationed in Italy, England and North Africa. As an adjutant of a bomb squadron, he was a man on the ground. He felt the “men in the air who went on dangerous missions” were the real heroes. Hitler’s Luftwaffe killed his best friend and numerous others in the squadron.

These men truly had nerves of steel. One of dad’s tent mates was Tom Ferebee, who pressed the button that released Mr. Oppenheimer’s bomb over Japan. The captain and the navigator of that Enola Gay mission, were all from Dad’s unit too.

Dad died over 20 years ago. In his last year, I had long talks with him. I said, “Dad, I imagine you missed your hometown (Spokane) during WWII.” “No, he said, I missed Lake Coeur d’Alene.” You see Dad’s heart was firmly anchored here. This man who was willing to give everything for his country, loved this place to the end of his days.

SARA FERRIS

Coeur d’Alene