paul b. otto

In reading this book, keep in mind that this is really not the story of one man, but rather of numerous men in a similar situation. This individual took the trouble to document Army service with a daily journal. In essence, this work provides an aperture not only to the risks, contributions and sacrifices of the aircraft gunners, but of all who served in World War II combat. Presently, there is a movement to construct a national World War II Memorial in Washington D. C. It is argued that a monument is needed to recognize the sacrifices contributed by the veterans in rescuing freedom from the darkness of fascisim. But to a degree, such structures, typically metal, mortar, and stone, tend to be cold, static and pompous, lacking resonance. The documentation of deeds ring with a dynamic, truer note. For as Lincoln so aptly stated, "The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here."