Happy Memorial Day!
A quote that recently gave me pause is by Douglas MacArthur, printed on a large wall at the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) in Chicago, just steps away from a captured German U-Boat. It reads, “The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.”
Amidst the noise created by holiday sales, long weekend getaways, and barbecue invites, the true meaning of Memorial Day can easily become buried. However, there are many stories that deserve attention. Here are a few of my recent favorites.
“The Cold Blue” on HBO Max tells the story of the three twenty-year-olds in the photo above, who flew B-17s for over eight hours on each mission, enduring temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit. These missions, carried out on behalf of the Allied forces during WWII, were often considered suicide missions. By the end of the war, approximately 4,735 out of 12,731 B-17s would be destroyed, giving the crews a 50% chance of survival.
If you find yourself in the Chicagoland area, I encourage you to visit MSI and hear the story of captured soldiers from a German U-boat as you tour the submarine. You will have the opportunity to see their photos and some of their personal belongings on display. By the end of the war, the Allied forces had sunk 785 out of 1,162 U-boats.
There are countless stories worth sharing and many families who deserve greater acknowledgment for their sacrifices. As we hear and pass these stories forward, may we grow stronger and unite as one voice to stop senseless wars and the loss of life.
– Burak Sarac, Team Lead
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