WWII Veteran Travels To Teach History
I discovered this article and simply felt the day after 9/11 was perfect for repeating it.
Retired Army Air Corps Capt. Jerry Yellin is a man on a mission, and that mission is to speak to young people across America about World War II and the futility of war. His life’s motto is, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” and he firmly believes that the young people of today do not appreciate the reality of war and what it was like to fight in one.
Yellin was an Army pilot during WWII [the 78th Fighter Squadron, “The Bushmasters”], with 19 missions over Japan to his credit, but now he is a worried man. In an interview with Channel 12 News, he said, “It’s 2016. I’m 92 years old. I’m reading the same headlines in the newspaper about race, religion, terrorism and killing people for (beliefs) that I read when I was 12 years old in 1936. It’s no different.”
He fears that young people do not understand how the fueling of hatred over differences plays into the hands of warmongers, “We’re an angry nation,” said Yellin. “We’re a divided nation: Culturally, monetarily, racially and religious-wise we’re divided.”
Yellin has a simple message that he is trying to get across to the leaders of tomorrow. No matter how naive he may sound, he simply wants people to draw closer together, “We all need three meals a day,” he said. “We all need a bed to lie down on. We all need something to do, someone to love and something to look forward to for happiness.”
This aging pilot and humanitarian has already spoken to the students at the University of Washington, and he has several other speaking engagements set up. This weekend he will be at the Sioux Airshow, in the Sheehan Mack Sales & Equipment’s tent where he will be very happy to chat to you.
Hopefully, many young people will heed the important message that this veteran carries. All nations need someone to unite them instead of serving up reasons to divide the population against one another. Yellin said, “I just want (people) to know what the 16 million (veterans) did in World War II and why we did it. There were 16 million of us, now there’s maybe 300,000 of us. Most of us can’t walk and talk, but I can, so I’m doing it.”
“Telling them the story of World War II — why we fought, and why we can’t fight any more wars.”
Click on images to enlarge.
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Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Richard Alkema – Belmont, MI; US Navy, WWII
Donald Blakely – Woodbury, MN; US Navy, WWII
Dorothy Clapshaw – Waihi, NZ; JP # 810166, WWII, Medical ship, Oranje, ETO to PTO
Peter Collins – UK; RAF, test pilot
Arthur Marshall – No.Vancouver, CAN; WWII, ETO, Calgary Highlanders
Thomas Parkhurst – Prague, OK; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 187th/11th Airborne Division
Robert Schaeffer – Allentown, PA; US Army, WWII, MSgt. (Ret. 31 yrs.), Bronze Star
Thomas Wickline Sr. – Hillsboro, WVA; US Army, Korea
Melvin Witt – Muskegon, IL; US Army, Korea
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Posted on September 12, 2016, in Current News, WWII and tagged 1940's, Airborne, aviation, History, Home Front, Japan, Military History, Pacific, veterans, war, WW2. Bookmark the permalink. 90 Comments.
I am saddened by his quote, “It’s 2016. I’m 92 years old. I’m reading the same headlines in the newspaper about race, religion, terrorism, and killing people for (beliefs) that I read when I was 12 years old in 1936. It’s no different.” Maybe in another seventy-five years. Thanks for posting.
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Thank you for looking back in the archives.
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I must have missed this one.
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You were probably engrossed in research – I know how THAT goes!! 🙂
Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
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Probably did not get a notification by WordPress. What struck me was what he said about divisiveness. History is repeating itself all over the world. Mankind will never learn.
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But still – we think we’re the smart ones!! What a joke, humans can rationalize anything for their own benefit.
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Reblogged this on KCJones.
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Thank you for posting and sharing this.
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check my blog https://glenn367shimer.wordpress.com/
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Would you like me to see a particular post?
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Nice post! We should just respect each other regardless of our races, religions, culture and beliefs. Because at the end of the time, we are all the same human being afterall.
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We should, but some people are difficult to convince.
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Indeed!
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Seems like we humans seems to forget history too quickly . we just never learn #sad
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No we do not! And lately we seem to be getting worse, sad situation. If things don’t go our way – bam – fight. It just doesn’t make sense.
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Thank god for people like Jerry Yellin. I just hope that everyone is listening. So much that is being said sounds like the politics in Germany in the 1930s. Unless people speak out, we could all slide into nationalistic jingoism… and then war.
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It certainly does appear the politicians are edging that way, Hilary. I hope the right people hear these words of wisdom.
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Unfortunately, people realize how Peace is valuable after huge World War. When time passed after war most of the people have been fogetting all that horror and cannot understand what they have. The only people like this one from your interesting post knows, feels and can say to us what Peace means and why we have to save it.
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Thank you very much for your comment – it is so true. I appreciate you dropping by.
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Very timely, GP.
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Thank you, Derrick.
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We need more people like this wonderful man!!
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Yes, we do. There are a few – and their posts will follow. I appreciate your interest!!
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People know it but never listen and makes also the same mistakes.Hope people learn about it.Let us hope.
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Thank you very much, Mary Lou. I hope so too!
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My father-in-law was a prisoner of war during WWII and felt very strongly about the futility of war. Great post.
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Now – if only we can get other people to listen!! We could finally stop the chain of history repeating itself.
Thanks for coming by, Kerry. Hope you’re feeling good today.
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Much better, thank you GP.
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Great news!
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All credit to him for his views and for trying to put them across. Sadly, the majority of humans seem to be incapable of learning from history, and love repeating the same old mistakes.
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Unfortunately, history HAS proved you quite correct! Sad but true.
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Thank you, Pacific Paratrooper, again! for finding and posting.
Here is a view from the other side: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/04/world/asia/retired-japanese-fighter-pilot-sees-an-old-danger-on-the-horizon.html?_r=0
and: it is the same message.
Time to heed the Elders.
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Outstanding. That is exactly what I’m talking about. Experienced elders know so much – we only need to listen! Thank you for this, Christina!!
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Unfortunately, it’s come time for those of the greatest generation to be called home. Their lessons are being lost in the din of social media.
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Unfortunately, you speak the truth, John.
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You can lead a horse to water …
I admire that man. Good post~!
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Very true, Argus, and thank you.
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Every young person should be required to hear him speak.
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Isn’t THAT the truth! I hope people are recording him at when he talks!
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What an inspiring gentleman. There is great value in wisdom that comes from experience and I pray his message is heard.
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I agree. He is one of few left able to still get around and let people know what it’s all about!!
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You called it right, this was an excellent post for 9/11, thank you. And Captain Jerry Yellin is a great guy, hope people are listening to him.
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You and me both, Robert. He has been there, he walked the walked, so he knows what he’s talking about.
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I don’t reblog much but I have reblogged this one.
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Reblogged this on LordBeariOfBow and commented:
I don’t reblog much but this is well woth rebloggig
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I know you rarely reblog any post, so this means a lot to me. I appreciate all of your support and encouragement.
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I love this article! Educators, parents, grandparents and people allover the world must teach this generation about WWII! And, show examples of freedom vs. tyranny.Fascism and Nazism are sneaky. Great post!
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Thank you. This gentleman has a mission of peace and I’m very glad to know you heard it.
Love your site and all the laughs you give to your readers!
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Thank you, GP, for this thought provoking post.
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My pleasure, Don. I appreciate that.
Turns out I stopped following a person because of this post. Rude language to describe this, their own country. But I won’t fret over it, they were spouting their praise of Colin Kaepernick. I’ll take Capt. Yellin any day!!!
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A great article, with a great message addressed to young generation. Thanks for share! Catalin
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I appreciate you reading the article, Catalin.
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Great post and I also hope that the message gets out there!!
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Thank you, I so agree!
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He is right–that our youth have no idea what ‘war’ means. I barely do. Thank goodness someone is committed to sharing the story.
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He is as dedicated to educating our youth just as the flight groups that travel to give demonstrations of the WWII aircraft. When I went to Boca Airport, WWII veterans were there to explain every piece of the plane and what it was like to fight in one. Other vets, I’m sorry to say, were too weak to participate, but sat smiling at the 3 aircraft on the tarmac!!
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Great post!! History does seem to be repeating itself…:(
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Yes, and over…and over….and over again.
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What a timely, important message.
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Thank you, Adam. I appreciate your support.
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capt. Yellin Is the personification of what it is (or should be) to be human. I hope his message reaches as many young people as possible. Thanks for telling his story GP.
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You are very welcome. I thought it appropriate for the day after 9/11.
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Great post!
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Thank you.
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You are welcome!
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What a wonderful thing to do. This guy served once, now he’s serving again. I’m impressed.
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Isn’t that something?!! I thought the day after 9/11 was the perfect timing too.
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Agreed!
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Yellin is in such good shape for his age – right on to that and his mission.
Also – funny seeing the comic with the ads on the tanks – bah!
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I’m just hoping I make it to 92, being in that good a shape is too much for me to ask!
I thought that cartoon, after I got a chuckle out of it, just might be the answer! 🙂
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Ha!
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An inspirational man, and a worthy mission. Nobody better qualified to spread that message too.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks, Pete. I thought this should be a good post.
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He carries a wise message of hope.
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I just hope people listen!
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What a wonderful sensible man. Love the cartoon with the tank covered in advertising.
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You never know, it just may work. Heck we have fast food chains just about everywhere now, eh?
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It could work well; maybe even confuse the enemy. 😉
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haha – good one, Ann!
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I like this guy and agree with his message. When we focus on our common needs, it’s much easier to be empathetic with each other, and find solutions to our differences that leave everyone satisfied. It’s the best way I know of for avoiding war.
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Now – if only we can get a few others to listen and stop thinking only of themselves.
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Good post and what a guy! He’s right of course.
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Of course!! And thanks for reading here today, Steve.
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I hope people understand. Nice post.
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THAT would be nice.
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Thank you for connecting, Pierre.
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