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

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!

The horrible cost of jingoism and racism.

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

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.

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

Freedom has a price

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

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.

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.

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