Faces in a crowd

It has been written that "old men will dream dreams, while young men will see visions." So it is that this superannuated writer can go back with the alacrity of an afternoon nap to recall the events of a lifetime ago. The waning days of August are made for such a review.

Come back to the historical days of the banner year 1945 in the Pacific war. I, with countless thousands of other Navy men, were swinging an anchor off Okonawa, preparing for the invasion of Japan itself. Earlier that month the United States had dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leveling those cities to the ground. Such a loss and such a show of the hellish strength brought surrender from Emperor Hirohito, and the war, at last, was history.

Ours was the thirteenth ship in line to enter Tokyo Bay Aug. 31, and we stood at anchor about two hundred yards from USS Missouri, where the surrender took place. Witness to the end of the most devastating conflict the world had ever known was both exhilarating and yet humbling feelings a youngster could imagine - or an old man's dream over.

Dream, yes, in recollecting the grizzled old faces of the admirals and generals who stood on the quarterdeck of that revered old battleship and led Minister Shigmitsu through the steps. A small item, often forgotten, was the quick action by General MacArthur to restore the crippled Japanese man - help in regaining his balance - a step by a courteous gentleman calmed the tension we felt at being in Japan itself. (Perhaps it was an indication that we sought lasting peace and friendship which have lasted now during the 64 years that war is past and gone.)

Thanks, God! But, there was no going home as yet. We were selected to remain in Yokosuka for several months as members of the occupation force during that brief interval we learned to respect and become tentative friends with the people we met. I was so proud to be an American - and a Chief Petty Officer. We all were proud as we remembered our shipmates who had been killed helping the rest of us to make the final step without them. Yes, we dream of them yet, who gave up their last full measure of devotion. We got to bear witness to history and we simply could not have done so without them.

Farewell, good August, month of unbridled summertime and the time also for happy recall, anniversaries and birthdays.