What's the most important lesson this generation should remember from V-J Day?

2022-09-12T11:48:36-04:00

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Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 12 at 2022 11:56 AM

2022-09-12T11:56:03-04:00

Fear of unleashing nuclear weapons upon humanity.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2022 11:57 AM

2022-09-12T11:57:17-04:00

That's a good WWII question, but isn't this generation trying to wipe out history?

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Sep 12 at 2022 12:16 PM

2022-09-12T12:16:26-04:00

We need to better understand other countries and their cultures. The world today is more complex and does things vastly differently.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Sep 12 at 2022 12:20 PM

2022-09-12T12:20:58-04:00

That it's takes more work and effort to really know what drives others from their perspectives. Not ours.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Sep 12 at 2022 12:24 PM

2022-09-12T12:24:29-04:00

Lesson should be to remember background and details. We only had two A-bombs, but Japan surrendered since their government thought we had more. It was also a message to USSR that we no longer trusted them (Yalta conference supposedly included a secret proposal for combined invasion of Japan that later got scrapped).

Response by COL Bill Gross made Sep 12 at 2022 6:28 PM

2022-09-12T18:28:27-04:00

Know well potential adversaries. If conflict occurs, clearly state the conditions of victory. Not in open material but in documents that all involved can see, agree to and are in a position to achieve.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Sep 13 at 2022 11:55 AM

2022-09-13T11:55:58-04:00

This generation needs to admit and understand that it did indeed happen. Tearing down statues and monuments or removing things from history books doesn't make things ok. These things must be kept and remembered so we can try not to do them again.

Those who forget their history are destined to repeat it.

This generation believes that if I didn't see it, it didn't happen. This is the result of indoctrination instead of education.

Response by CPL T.A. Nelson made Sep 14 at 2022 1:49 PM

2022-09-14T13:49:51-04:00

Learn from the past or you will find some of the same types of bad people in your present...

Response by 1SG James Kelly made Sep 14 at 2022 3:45 PM

2022-09-14T15:45:26-04:00

They start it, we finish it.

Response by PO3 James Heine made Sep 14 at 2022 5:06 PM

2022-09-14T17:06:44-04:00

VJ day was the practical end of WW2, a war against the fascist Axis Powers. the four major fascist regimes of that time - Italy, Germany, Spain and Japan are now gone. Those nations have all been rebuilt, rising out of the ashes of defeat and fascism.
Fascism is based upon nationalistic and jingoistic lies. It is nothing but trouble and always leads to violent dictatorships. And it is made possible with the technology that it used in its favor. The current generation MUST learn from the lies that led to the atrocities and abuses fascism always brings, then and now.
Recently the U.S.A. was ruled by a fascist dictator who committed gross abuses on American citizens and the entire nation. he did everything just for his ego with no regards for the law or the democratic traditions and structure of our government. Trump talks with the same hateful violent rhetoric that Hitler, Mussolini, Tojo and Franco did to further their hold on power. His actions during office and his treasonous actions and attempts to overthrow our democracy and a CLEAR reminder that we vannot allow our nation to become like the Axis Powers were.
We need to remember what VJ day meant/means if nothing else but to be diligent about ourselves. tTat means learning about our democracy, our Constitution, freedom and peace. And better understanding and respect for the racial/ethnic/cultural/religious/etc. diversity that makes America truly 'great', and not just a ballcap slogan. And the people who fought and died to maintain those things.

Response by SP5 Carl Hollander made Sep 14 at 2022 5:31 PM

2022-09-14T17:31:56-04:00

Never fight a war unless you intend to win

Response by SrA Justin Thompson made Sep 14 at 2022 6:15 PM

2022-09-14T18:15:05-04:00

Keep a lot of copies of your DD-214.

Response by SSG Archie Martinez made Sep 14 at 2022 6:44 PM

2022-09-14T18:44:16-04:00

The lesson is our freedom and safety today and then came at a steep cost and risk. I pray no country wishes to engage in war with us but we must learn from these past conflicts and prepare for any future instances.

Response by SPC Becky Guajardo made Sep 14 at 2022 7:10 PM

2022-09-14T19:10:22-04:00

Don’t forget the fights against other countries and why? And knowing the outcome especially the casualties. War is not good as we lose lives.

Response by SFC Rickard Oberst made Sep 14 at 2022 7:37 PM

2022-09-14T19:37:33-04:00

VJ Day could only happen with a united citizenry. Perseverance, dedication and selfless pursuit of victory.

Response by SSgt Robert Scully made Sep 14 at 2022 7:45 PM

2022-09-14T19:45:46-04:00

Human life is vastly more important than strategic victory. Truman made the decision to drop the bombs on Japan to end the war to save lives, American and Japanese. An invasion on the Japanese mainland was expected to be "to the last man standing", and the cost to both countries would have been an inestimable loss of human life, as well as an economic disaster from which neither country would have been able to recover in anything resembling a reasonable amount of time.

Response by SPC Rick Price made Sep 14 at 2022 8:15 PM

2022-09-14T20:15:19-04:00

Respect

Response by CPL Kevin Waschick made Sep 14 at 2022 8:21 PM

2022-09-14T20:21:54-04:00

Freedom is not free..

Response by SPC Gerald Kirkish made Sep 14 at 2022 8:30 PM

2022-09-14T20:30:09-04:00

This generation must remember one very important principle before committing to fight in a war. That principle was a guide in our fight against the enemies of WWII. It is this "A war is never over until the enemy UNCONDITIONALLY SURRENDERS"! We have forgotten that principle and so we now fight our wars to a stalemate at best! We must never yield to war fatigue! We must fight until the job is done!

Response by PO3 Dwight Hansel made Sep 14 at 2022 8:36 PM

2022-09-14T20:36:46-04:00

That the greatest generation was scared to death to land on the island in the pacific maki g thier way to Japan but they knew they had to so we could live in a free nation and that they would do it again

Response by SCPO Rockin Patriot made Sep 14 at 2022 8:41 PM

2022-09-14T20:41:24-04:00

The Shipmates we lost on the Indianapolis shall never be forgotten ⚓️

Response by PO2 Wilbur Moore made Sep 14 at 2022 8:45 PM

2022-09-14T20:45:34-04:00

Overcoming Hardship and Tragedy. How a person deals with adversity is an invaluable lesson
Importance of the love of Family. When all is said and done what matters is health, happiness, and family Enterprising Pursuits The formula for Parenting and Family Genetics.

Response by SSgt Larry Christensen made Sep 14 at 2022 8:49 PM

2022-09-14T20:49:39-04:00

This generation should remember that the country they live in is strong when provoked and they will rally and as they have throughout its short history and prove to other countries that they should think twice about deceit, but if they fight and lose we are not a country that destroys others we only fight to protect our way of life.

Response by CPO Lucas Tafel made Sep 14 at 2022 9:00 PM

2022-09-14T21:00:00-04:00

The lives lost, both civilian and military, as a result of the decisions of a select few individuals in power. It's not to say it wasn't right, or necessary, just that people in power have a greater ability to change the world, large and small, than most people realize.

Response by A1C Timothy Meek made Sep 14 at 2022 9:14 PM

2022-09-14T21:14:36-04:00

Understand it's happening again.

Response by PO3 Gray Ruff made Sep 14 at 2022 9:21 PM

2022-09-14T21:21:24-04:00

We barely won that time.
And at a great loss/cost.
We need to be vigilant.
We must ALWAYS be aware that Someone(s) out there want to control the World.
And will attempt to destroy anyone/anything in their way.

Response by SGT Daniel Bowen made Sep 14 at 2022 9:36 PM

2022-09-14T21:36:59-04:00

Never leave any veteran behind

Response by SP5 Steve Rive made Sep 14 at 2022 9:50 PM

2022-09-14T21:50:01-04:00

VJ day, as with any day; we are a nation of brotherhood. And if or when we need to act to protect our families, our homes and our way of life, The Men and Women of the United States Military Services step up – they are dedicated to the honor and commitment of serving our country. During WWII nearly 100% of the ten million men and woman who served were volunteers, a testament to the lesson that a free nation exists because we freely serve.

Response by PO2 John Florio made Sep 14 at 2022 10:16 PM

2022-09-14T22:16:32-04:00

It took 100,000 Marines and GIs to give their lives Island hopping to get to Tokyo, Japan to make sure the USA would remain a Free Nation. I thank them all and remain in their debt

Response by LTC George Morgan made Sep 14 at 2022 10:45 PM

2022-09-14T22:45:55-04:00

Look no further than the USMC Code of values: Never lie, never cheat or steal; abide by an uncompromising code of integrity; respect human dignity and respect others.

Response by Capt Heather Brown made Sep 14 at 2022 10:52 PM

2022-09-14T22:52:08-04:00

What's V-J day?

My point exactly.

Response by LTC Phillip Streby made Sep 14 at 2022 11:28 PM

2022-09-14T23:28:48-04:00

Peace comes from strength. Japan saw the US as weak and unwilling to fight another war. Our military was only a fraction of what it had been, weapons were outdated or obsolete, training was nearly non-existant, and the population overall was weary from the effects of the depression.
There are many similarities today, and enemies to our way of life will eagerly exploit any perceived weakness including a divided country.

Response by SSgt David Brondos made Sep 14 at 2022 11:44 PM

2022-09-14T23:44:18-04:00

The most important lesson is that others need to know that someone in the military has given their life for me, to be free and to live in this wonderful country of ours. david brondos ex GI w/a purple heart.

Response by CSM Ken Parrish made Sep 14 at 2022 11:46 PM

2022-09-14T23:46:32-04:00

The utter devastation caused by the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs.

Response by SSgt Timothy Duncan made Sep 15 at 2022 12:03 AM

2022-09-15T00:03:03-04:00

The cost of the sacrifices our Veterans made to help shape the modern world as we know it, that Freedom isn't Free.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2022 12:16 AM

2022-09-15T00:16:43-04:00

I’ve narrowed a few important lessons for this generation and on, is One; for all of us to remember the basics, “Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right” (but two bombs do

Response by PO1 Ken Helmick made Sep 15 at 2022 12:21 AM

2022-09-15T00:21:47-04:00

Following a path of isolationism, and allowing yourself to become weak, will eventually lead to tyranny and the deaths of innocents. All efforts should be taken to avoid initiating violence, but there should be no doubt that violent acts will be met with overwhelming retaliation.

Response by SGT Michael Brand made Sep 15 at 2022 3:29 AM

2022-09-15T03:29:17-04:00

Always be vigilant and ready to push back against tyrants! Also, never forget the sacrifices of our countrymen who fought for freedom for us & the rest of the world!

Response by SGT Erick Holmes made Sep 15 at 2022 3:59 AM

2022-09-15T03:59:16-04:00

We have to educate ourselves on contries that don't follow our american ways and look at cultures as well

Response by SSG Jay Via made Sep 15 at 2022 5:48 AM

2022-09-15T05:48:59-04:00

V-J day meant that we accomplished our mission. We had an aggressor against our nation, and we as a UNITED NATRION, used all means necessary to squash that threat. There are many other lessons, but this was the great lesson to learn from this.

Response by Frank Zacchigna made Sep 15 at 2022 6:14 AM

2022-09-15T06:14:41-04:00

That freedom isn't free. That the price of peace is eternal vigilance. Sometimes we have to fight evil with overwhelming force to ensure that peace can take hold for future generations. We can also make allies out of former enemies when we adhere to the principles of freedom, liberty and democracy and embrace the idea of a lasting peace.

Response by CPL Jason Blackwood made Sep 15 at 2022 8:13 AM

2022-09-15T08:13:49-04:00

Cooler heads prevail??

Response by SMSgt Jeff Kyle made Sep 15 at 2022 8:16 AM

2022-09-15T08:16:30-04:00

Sometimes you have to break a few things in order to win. Winning is everything. There is no second place.

Response by SGT Eric Fleming made Sep 15 at 2022 9:46 AM

2022-09-15T09:46:48-04:00

As Henry Kissinger said, "America has no permanent friends or enemies, only interests." The Japanese are our friends and allies. We should remember and honor the sacrifice of combatants from both sides. We are one civilization now, born of horrific conflict. And joined by shared values.

Response by SPC Carlton Phelps made Sep 15 at 2022 10:20 AM

2022-09-15T10:20:54-04:00

That so many lost their lives to protect democracy against persons or people who try to destroy our constitution. Sons. brothers, uncles, and husbands fought for our, and Europe's freedom, and some never returned. And we should never take our freedoms for granted. And stand up against persons or groups that thretened democracy today.

Response by SSgt Gerald Bohlmann made Sep 15 at 2022 10:30 AM

2022-09-15T10:30:10-04:00

We must always remember that freedom is not cheap nor easy. We have to fight for freedom and defend it.

Response by PO3 Juan Gonzales made Sep 15 at 2022 10:57 AM

2022-09-15T10:57:11-04:00

Freedom has a price

Response by SPC Richard White made Sep 15 at 2022 10:59 AM

2022-09-15T10:59:06-04:00

That others gave their lives for us so that we may remain free

Response by SP5 Donna Barr made Sep 15 at 2022 11:40 AM

2022-09-15T11:40:40-04:00

Don't forcibly open other people's ports just to increase trade routes. It will come back and bite you in the ass. See: Vietnam. Also - nuclear weapons to kill women and kids to save soldiers? See: war crime.

Response by PO2 Carol Rippetoe made Sep 15 at 2022 12:16 PM

2022-09-15T12:16:38-04:00

That you cannot erase history. Learn from it to better yourself and your country.

Response by SP5 Peter Faris made Sep 15 at 2022 12:34 PM

2022-09-15T12:34:08-04:00

The horrible cost of jingoism and racism.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2022 12:55 PM

2022-09-15T12:55:05-04:00

The most important lesson this generation needs to learn from V-J Day is that America, with all of her flaws, is still the greatest nation on earth!

Response by AB Paul Hibbert made Sep 15 at 2022 2:32 PM

2022-09-15T14:32:02-04:00

The most important lesson V-J Day should be the grit, the determination, and self-sacrifice that a bunch of young adults demonstrated to combat the Axis Powers in fronts. The love of their country, love of God, Love of family, was enough for them to sign their lives on the dotted line to fight for and free Jewish prisoners and civilians, aid the British, and many other people they never knew. The toughness and resolve to win on all fronts is lacking in today's young adults. Learn from your grandfathers, any one from an older generation and learn how to walk in their footsteps. Those warriors were and are truly the greatest generation.

Response by SPC Elbert Comstock made Sep 15 at 2022 2:52 PM

2022-09-15T14:52:54-04:00

Never start a life and death struggle with the USA; you cannot win, not ever!

Response by PO2 Phillip Ramirez made Sep 15 at 2022 3:10 PM

2022-09-15T15:10:18-04:00

I believe “one” of the most important things that this generation should remember about V-J Day, Is that even though Japan did unconditionally surrender, and we declared ourselves (the U S) victors, this war, and any other war or conflict that we participate in, comes at a cost, and the greatest cost is the lives of MANY HUMAN BEINGS from all those countries who send their military in to fight. Is this actually a “VICTORY?”
P.E.R.
USMC/USN/DAV

Response by SSgt Gilbert Sandoval made Sep 15 at 2022 3:44 PM

2022-09-15T15:44:38-04:00

My mother cried for many years at the death of her brother, and as a result showed hatred for the Japanese. My city had a P.O.W. camp, my dad would take the prisoners to the fields to harvest to counter the food shortages. Even at wars end there was still a lot of suffering. I to this day have a "Victory" garden which yields about half of our food supply. I had mixed feelings about them until I joined the Army and saw The memorial at Hawaii. In Germany there are memorable places the Germans have left in place such as the ovens where a huge pile of shoes remain. Japan also have memorials at Hiroshima and Nagasaki and a never forget mentality.

Response by AN James Coulliette made Sep 15 at 2022 3:52 PM

2022-09-15T15:52:14-04:00

OUR FREEDOM and the Lives that we sacifrice to obtain it and still do

Response by A1C Oscar McPeake made Sep 15 at 2022 4:39 PM

2022-09-15T16:39:21-04:00

V-J Day marks the end of the war with Japan. Our country and it's citizens are winners, we defend our country with all the strength, skills and weaponry to defend our adversaries. Remember this, if and when you should have to arise to the challange.

Response by Cpl Patrick Winslow made Sep 15 at 2022 4:45 PM

2022-09-15T16:45:58-04:00

We need to accept no longer being and shouldn't want to continue to be the world's police force. Our population is only going to get smaller. The world is only going to get more dangerous. And bad guys will be bad guys. You can scream Putin is a bad guy all you want, people thought we were bad for invading Iraq and it turns out we were wrong, they never had WMDs. Putin is doing what he thinks he needs to do to protect the people of Russia. Of course we don't have to agree, but it's his country. And sending or "laundering money" thru Ukraine probably for the benefit of his son and or other family members and friends is criminal. Ukraine has his long history of corruption and there's no reason to think it's any different today.

One country trying to take over multiple is one thing and would almost undoubtedly call for US intervention. But 2 countries going to war, even when one is incredibly smaller than the other and doing everything possible to avoid and even thwart diplomacy to resolve the situation is downright treasonous. It's time for America to focus more on fixing our own problems instead of focusing the majority of our attention on the world's problems. America should come first for Americans!

Response by A1C Ron Ackerman made Sep 15 at 2022 7:13 PM

2022-09-15T19:13:24-04:00

The United States should never again create internment camps out of fear of an ethnic minority.

Response by SSG Michael D. made Sep 15 at 2022 9:40 PM

2022-09-15T21:40:37-04:00

The effects of nuclear armament are still affecting natives living in the Pacific atolls. Even our veterans that were sent to cap the waste have died, or are suffering with cancer.

Response by TSgt Heather McWilliams made Sep 16 at 2022 12:41 PM

2022-09-16T12:41:50-04:00

I feel what we should take from V-J Day isn't of the day itself, but it proves we can fight with a nation but become allies again afterward

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Sep 16 at 2022 6:00 PM

2022-09-16T18:00:02-04:00

thanks for sharing

Response by SPC John Tsutsui made Sep 16 at 2022 10:40 PM

2022-09-16T22:40:53-04:00

Atomic war is horrific. Strive for peaceful solutions through a position of strength.

Response by PV2 Demetrius Heade made Sep 17 at 2022 1:39 PM

2022-09-17T13:39:33-04:00

That nuclear warfare is always an imminent threat.

Response by SPC Gary Symons made Sep 17 at 2022 3:11 PM

2022-09-17T15:11:24-04:00

Most important lesson this generation should learn from VJ day is even way way back on August 15, 1945, if you wore a Navy Uniform and kissed a woman, a total stranger, on Times Square in New York City, a few people might find out about it!

Response by SGT Robin Marlow made Sep 17 at 2022 6:18 PM

2022-09-17T18:18:32-04:00

Patriotically, V-J Day was a boon, celebrated and rightfully so. But, it was also bittersweet, many service members lost their lives, many more were wounded. The family dynamic in the United States was forever changed. Japanese American’s were in encampments. This generation should take note of the unwavering patriotism and the unquestioned loyalty to our country. But older generations might remember blaming an entire culture for an element of that cultures indiscretions isn’t the right way to go!

Response by PO3 Chauncey Gardner made Sep 18 at 2022 2:03 AM

2022-09-18T02:03:19-04:00

Our laws and religion require equal amounts of this two part glue to hold our civilization together.
Not everyone shares our sense of these values and may even have directly opposing ideas.
The often quoted "Pease thru strength" is the most practical method of preserving our way of life
and perhaps the only way of maintaining peace around the world. This, and all future generations should not be lulled into a false sense of security by assuming no one would be stupid enough to launch the dooms day attack. Don't want to see Slim Pickins riding down bomb #3

Response by Frank Zacchigna made Sep 18 at 2022 8:41 AM

2022-09-18T08:41:16-04:00

That they could one day be called upon to defend freedom and liberty and face evil head on to preserve their way of life and all their forebears died defending.

Response by David Bostic made Sep 20 at 2022 6:20 PM

2022-09-20T18:20:44-04:00

We're all in this together. United we stand Divided we fall

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2022 9:23 AM

2022-09-21T09:23:07-04:00

In the end weakness and unpreparedness brings on war.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2022 9:27 AM

2022-09-21T09:27:59-04:00

In almost every case, other nations interpret internal squabbling as evidence of the immanent collapse of our nation. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2022 9:32 AM

2022-09-21T09:32:55-04:00

Our adversaries have already forgotten the lessons of Pearl Harbor and 9/11. When you hurt the nation as a whole, 99% of Americans forget their petty squabbles and pull together to confront the looming problem immediately ahead.

Response by TSgt John Buzzard made Sep 22 at 2022 7:56 PM

2022-09-22T19:56:58-04:00

One country will never be able to defeat evil alone.

Response by Amn Dale Preisach made Sep 27 at 2022 3:02 PM

2022-09-27T15:02:04-04:00

That even sporadic in being well supplied, the Japanese fighters of that War were so tenacious the Americans had to have at least a 3 - 1 majority.
All that changed after V-J Day was the Japanese Government merely switched " Battle Fields from the Military conquests to the Boardroom/ Bottom line spreadsheets.

Response by COL Randall C. made Sep 28 at 2022 9:01 AM

2022-09-28T09:01:29-04:00

The most important lesson is the ongoing one - learn from history. It's amazing that number of people that have no idea what VJ day is other than a date on the calendar (or a holiday in Rhode Island -- properly called Victory Day).

There are those that declare that the day is racist because the "J" stands for Japan, and of course, the "V" for victory just goes to show that we're celebrating the fact we subjected another country. Heck, in Rhode Island, there are some that want to change the name to “Lobster Roll Day” or “Surf and Sand Day" ... *sigh*

Bull****.

To quote Mr. Berman (a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington) from an article he wrote in 2011* when discussing the move by some to get rid of the holiday in Rhode Island, “V-J Day keeps alive the magnitude of the event, and even those who use the day to sail in Narragansett Bay or visit the beaches in Newport have more awareness of the event it marks than they would if it were abolished. It is easy to forget how difficult and bloody the Pacific war was up until the very end, and the million Allied casualties that would have resulted from an invasion of the home islands. It was a war that opened with humiliating and painful setbacks, but the determination and courage of the U.S. armed forces and citizens slowly but surely turned the tide.”

VJ marks the end of a world war and the victory of democracy over totalitarianism. There were awful things committed by many during the war - that is the nature of war. You try to minimize the bad things that happen and emphasize the good ones, but bad things will happen.

What's the most important lesson we this generation should remember from VJ day? History is full of good and bad - learn from history instead of trying to rename, rewrite, or abolish it.

------------------------
* Where they Still Celebrate the Victory Over Japan by Lazar Berman
https://www.aei.org/foreign-and-defense-policy/where-they-still-celebrate-the-victory-over-japan/

Just a moment...

Response by SMSgt Michael Gleason made Sep 29 at 2022 10:53 AM

2022-09-29T10:53:17-04:00

"Perserverence wins the day"!

Response by 1stSgt Ronald Sheps made Oct 2 at 2022 7:17 PM

2022-10-02T19:17:50-04:00

Almost no other country has a population that thinks like we do. Our ROEs are predicated on gentleman warriors meeting in honor on a field of battle. Quaint and dangerous.

Response by RallyPoint News made Oct 4 at 2022 3:44 PM

2022-10-04T15:44:11-04:00

Congratulations to LTC Eugene Chu, SPC Gerald Kirkish, LTC George Morgan, A1C Oscar McPeake, and SGT Robin Marlow. You've all won a $100 Amazon gift card! An e-gift card will be sent to the email address associated with your RallyPoint account.

Thanks to all who participated and shared!

Response by SFC Michael Smith made Oct 5 at 2022 1:19 PM

2022-10-05T13:19:31-04:00

Funny that it ended before I got the email

Response by SMSgt Delilah Stevenson made Mar 16 at 2024 7:14 PM

2024-03-16T19:14:10-04:00

THE VICTORS ARE ALWAYS THE ONES WILLING TO DO ANYTHING TO WIN.