Well the election is over, and good riddance to it. Was it my imagination or did Alaska set a record for mudslinging and negative campaigning in the hard-fought U.S. Senate race this time around?
Here's something on which I'm sure we can all agree, namely the respect and gratitude we all have for veterans. Veterans Day is just around the corner and it's worthwhile to reflect on the sacrifices of these brave men and women.
My wife and I were recently in the English countryside heading to the Imperial War Museum near Cambridge when serendipity struck. A small brown sign on the side of the road alerted us to the American Cemetery and Memorial, so we decide to detour and check it out. It was overcast and a light rain fell. It's England. What do you expect?
This is the only World War II American military cemetery in the United Kingdom. The United States entered WW II in 1941 and by 1944 there were 1.6 million Americans in Britain. Bomber missions flew from U.S. bases located in Britain. Battles were fought in the air and on the sea, as Americans joined their British brothers in the fight. Many men died or went missing, even before the 1.2 million troop surge following D-Day.
This cemetery was created on 30 acres of land donated by Cambridge University. Here you'll find 3,372 Latin Crosses and 80 Stars of David. Additionally there are 5,127 names of those whose remains were never found inscribed on the Wall of the Missing.
The famous names among those missing are still the ones most people gravitate toward. You'll find Joseph Kennedy, President Kennedy's older brother, and band leader Benny Goodman. If you don't know Goodman, think of the most famous musician you know -- that was who he was back in the 1940s.
What caught my eye, however, was Alaskan Philip Johnson. Later, from online records, I learned Johnson joined as a private, but rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant in the 452nd Heavy Bomber Group of the 731 Bomber Squadron. I couldn't find his hometown, but Johnson was an Alaska Native and joined up in October of 1941, well before Pearl Harbor. He was awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, as well as the Purple Heart. He died over the English Channel on Jan. 10, 1945, fighting for his country, a very long way from home.
Although the heaviest losses were endured by the U.S. Navy, I found an inscription to the men of the Army Air Force, men like Staff Sgt. Johnson, particularly moving:
"In proud and grateful memory of those men of the US Army Air Forces who from these friendly Isles flew their final flight and met their God. They knew not the hour, the day, nor the means of their passing. When far from home they were called to join that heroic band of airmen who had gone before. May they rest in peace."
The other day, a friend told me that her son had just signed up for the Marines. She was proud and worried at the same time. I can only imagine. We owe him our thanks. This first-generation American is following in the footsteps of so many brave citizens before him.
The Anchorage Veterans Memorial on the Delaney Park Strip is being renovated. This is a sacred place where we meet to recall our past and honor our military.
The project has received $200,000 in bond authorization from the city and a grant from the state of Alaska for $250,000. They need to raise another $1 million to do the job. If you're looking for a good cause this has to be right up there.
The Anchorage Veterans Memorial Committee is doing the fundraising. That means we are asking veterans to raise money to spruce up the Veterans memorial. Why doesn't the Legislature just appropriate the money and build the darn thing? Isn't it the least we can do?
Jeff Pantages is an investment adviser. He lives in Anchorage.
By JEFF PANTAGES