Over the past 4 years of the 100th Anniversary of World War I (The War to end all Wars, except that it didn’t). I had hoped for some thoughtful reflection on the Root Cause of Conflict. I am aware that some of this occurred Across Europe. But nothing here in the USA.
WWI History is barely touched upon here. I know much more than the average America due to an excellent AP European History class I took in High School. It was taught by one of my most memorable teachers, Mr. Knab, from the perspective of the root cause of conflict and how it directly led to WWII.
An opportunity lost……..
So I am Honoring My Father’s WWII Service in a Segregated Army, in Italy. 1st Lt Vernon Johnson. An Army He later helped to Integrate under orders from President Truman. He worked in the Army Reserve, ‘helping’ white soldiers get used to taking orders from African America Officers. At the out break of The Korean War, he was like other WWII veterans, exempted from further service because he had a wife and child. At least back them they did not want to make more Widows and Orphans.
Notably my Father was also a Buffalo Soldier…..And he loved the Bob Marley song. He felt Appreciated and Respected.
My Father always talked about the Children he met in Italy………
And Training at Ft Huachuca, Arizona…….
We’ll end with a Photograph of my Mother. The one that my Father carried with him through the War. I found it in his old foot locker along with many of the images above:
Mom is still with us at a Feisty 95……
