Thanks to the WWII generation . . . and Dad

Dad carrying mortar tube in jungle during WWII.

The last of America's World War II veterans are fading into history and it's sad. These men and women gave so much of themselves seven decades ago when called into battle by our government. They are in their 80s and 90s now and death is thinning their ranks daily.

I'm a product of the WWII generation, a so-called "Baby Boomer," and I've felt its influence all my life. During my formative years our country's leaders were WWII veterans -- Ike, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon  and others. For 50+ years world events were shaped by that war.

My parents laid the foundation in my life and they both came of age during WWII.

Mom is gone now and Dad (Byron Palke) turns 88 in July. During WWII he served in combat as a mortar sergeant with the Army's 33rd Infantry Division in the Philippine Islands in 1944-45. He was wounded twice . . . the second time by bullets from a Japanese machine gun, which led to a dramatic around-the-globe journey home and a three-year stay in Army hospitals.

For many years, Dad didn't talk much about his days in the infantry, which included duty in Hawaii, the Dutch East Indies, and New Guinea before landing on Philippine soil on the island of Luzon. Dad and his fellow soldiers fought in mountainous terrain on a push toward Baguio City. His war ended when enemy fire ripped through his leg. Then stretcher bearers labored for hours to carry him uphill to a battle first aid station.

These actions are both remarkable and courageous and they took place day in and day out in every theater of the war.

As Dad grew older he began to tell us more about his days in the Army. He gets together periodically with his old first sergeant (in his 90s now) and I've been there when they talk about the war. They grow somber when describing the fierce fighting and the loss of buddies, but moments later they're laughing at something privately funny about Army life.

I know that Dad, Uncle Ed (Army Air Corps) and other veterans are proud of their WWII service.They remember the good things and the friends they made during wartime, but deep inside there must be scars too.

No matter how noble the cause, war is a dangerous and ugly business. Just ask those who fought in Korea and Vietnam and those who are fighting today in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Everything passes, but before the remaining members of the WWII generation slip away, I say thanks to Dad and his fellow veterans for their sacrifices so many years ago. I hope that their great-grandchildren and following generations remember what they did.