WWII American Flying Tiger Pilot Says It Perfectly
People share common goals even when their governments do not
This morning’s #ChicagoTribune had an article about two WWII pilots who flew on behalf of China during the war as part of the Flying Tigers. They were recently honored IN CHINA by the Chinese at the American Embassy. Here is a link to the article. It is worth reading related to how countries who shared support in the past have a basis for restoring and maintaining peaceful relations in the future.
This is the part that stood out for me. It is a quote from one of the pilots being honored. In all of my travels around the world I have felt what he says in this quote, and he says it better than I ever could.
McMullen recounted how Chinese farmers saved the lives of downed American pilots, hiding them by day and moving them from village to village by night, despite the risk of severe punishment by the Japanese.
“I think that’s something we should all understand,” he said at a ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.
“People are the same. Their governments may be different, but the people actually always have one desire, and that is to live and to raise their families in peace, and in the customs of their predecessors. And I needed to say that and I’m sorry I took so much time,” he said to loud applause.
It is also worthy to note that Japan, our enemy in those days, is now a great ally to the USA as well as a nation that has sworn off aggression. Same with Germany. We can learn from history if we are willing to. Peace.