On Veterans Day, I remember my buddies and shipmates who fought beside me in the Pacific Ocean theater in World War II. They became life long friends, mostly all deceased now, but I salute them and I will never forget them. Here I’m writing about a mission we went on together.

After the Japanese Empire was defeated and its government surrendered it was up to the conquerors to occupy and govern the country that was defeated. In order to accomplish a timely occupation, it was necessary to bring in American troops, supplies and all kinds of equipment to carry out a successful mission. I recall the titular head of this undertaking was 5 star General Douglas McArthur. McArthur was ideally suited for this job.

I was part of this operation and my ship was charged with bringing in everything and anything that was needed. Our ship and hundreds of other naval vessels were ordered to land in the city of Nagasaki, the second Japanese city to be hit by one of our atomic bombs. We were unsure how the occupants of the city would react to the American occupation.

We were there for the reconstruction of the city. With such a large-scale operation it did not take long for us to plug up the beach with all the equipment we had unloaded. Already the army engineers were busy with their bulldozers and other equipment, making roads through the debris that covered the city. The air was full of dust and, unknown to us, contained nuclear radiation. We just plowed through the stuff to explore the city, you know how American service GIs are. (Oh, you don’t?)

It was utter devastation. But already the Japanese had started to get things moving again, although they had few resources. We did see a narrow-gauge railroad that had been put back in operation. This particular operation was manned by women. They were small but strong.

I will never forget the devastation and destruction that I observed as a young seaman, but we had a job to do and we did it. One particular memory sticks with me of a little boy who followed us, he was in rags and emaciated. We knew he was hungry but we had no food with us. I had a candy bar in my pocket and I gave it to him. He did not know what it was, so I unwrapped it and took a bite. Well, that candy bar disappeared in the blink of an eye.

I have seen firsthand what an atomic bomb will do, and it is a mosquito bite compared to the nuclear arsenals many countries have today. Pray that no one will ever push the red button.