an overall view of WWII that is both astonishing and remarkable, made even more so, by 2 minute “first hand” accounts, oral histories of people, both veterans and civilians who were there.

These accounts of what they witnessed are truly moving and inspiring. All aspects of the war are presented, all sides of the story, the good, the bad and the ugly.

It is an impressive museum and when I came to the section about Guadalcanal, I was overwhelmed by what I saw there. My father, James C. Hoke, a Kansas farm boy, was 17 years old when

he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. A proud member of the First Marine Division, he was sent to Guadalcanal in August of 1942. He was in hand to hand combat, where he killed the

Japanese Army “Superior Private” flag bearer.  

            This Japanese flag was something I heard about my whole life and when my father passed on, he had left me the flag. This moment, back in 1942, was the shining moment of my father’s

life. If he had lost the battle, I would not be here. A year later he was sent to a military hospital in Arkansas to recuperate from his war wounds and tropical diseases, he met my mom on a blind

date, and they were married shortly thereafter.   

            I never really fully understood until I saw the Guadalcanal exhibit there at the WWII museum.  My father loved the Marine Corp more than anything.  He retired as a Master Gunny

Sergeant after 25 years of military service.  The visit to the museum made me think of his sacrifice and what he had to do to survive, really make me think and to appreciate the “Greatest

Generation.” My father passed away, before the museum was built but in memory to my father, his Japanese battlefield flag has been donated to the National WWII museum. He was so proud

of that battlefield flag.

My generation, the baby boomers, are lucky; we are the children of these brave men and women willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy in this country. How lucky

are we. My regret is that I was not able to share a visit to the WW2 museum with my father.

This is a plea to all you people out there with friends and family who served during WWII, take the time, if you can, and honor your loved ones by taking them to the National WWII Museum.

Listen to their stories, try to understand what they are saying, appreciate and honor them for their service. They changed the world and made it a better place for all of us to live. Honor your