My Turn: Disrespect democracy, and you disrespect those who fought for it

An American soldier touches the sand on Omaha Beach on Tuesday in Normandy. World War II veterans from across the United States as well as Britain and Canada were in Normandy this week to mark 80 years since the D-Day landings. AP PHOTO/JEREMIAS GONZALEZ
Published: 06-07-2024 6:52 PM |
I grew up in a family of uncles and a father who served in World War II. They are all gone today, as we reflect on a day when thousands made the ultimate sacrifice without promise of power or riches, but to protect our democracy. I would like to share my family’s experiences as we remember the importance their sacrifices changed for our history.
My Uncle Chester Wakeham was on the beach on D-Day. He survived the assault and never said more than how he was thankful to God for having lived through a day where so many around him died. He slept in a burned outbuilding only to wake the next day to look out just as a German tank shot the building. He lost his scalp and was sent to England and then home after the injury.
He would joke that he was in the war and France for less than 24 hours. Uncle Chet never said much to us kids about his war experience, and he went on to be a successful banker.
My Uncles William and Fredrick Wakeham were Marines who fought in the Philippines. They both survived. My Uncle Freddy was in the Red Sox minor leagues before the war and would always feel cheated out of his shot at the Major Leagues. He was among the survivors as a prisoner of war of the Japanese. He would become angry with anyone in the family who purchased a Japanese car. We all understood why.
Uncle Fred was my favorite because he was a kind man, and I would eventually grow to understand his angry moments. War had left its scars.
My Uncle Bill was able to make his military experience work for him. He was politically savvy, and I can recall him arguing with my dad as he changed bumper stickers to the new political candidate who was leading in the election. My dad thought it was wrong. Uncle Bill thought it was prudent if you wanted to succeed in Boston.
Uncle Bill proudly displayed his Marine Corps sticker on his windshield. Both Dad and Uncle Bill were right.
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My father was a submariner at 18 years of age. He was a torpedoes mate and would eventually become part of the team that developed the torpedoes that were dropped from planes and followed the sounds of propellers on German submarines. This became the best defense against the German U-boats and the ongoing sinking of U.S. ships supplying the war effort.
Dad would downplay this by saying he spent much of the war in Florida and only sunk a fishing boat by accident. I am proud of my father’s contribution and have no idea how he and the thousands of young men and women were able to risk everything to protect democracy. His original assignment was the Sea Leopard, which was sunk by friendly fire shortly after he was transferred to Florida. A stroke of luck that resulted in my siblings and I being born.
Today leaves me sickened by the lack of respect for these war survivors and heroes. They showed bravery and commitment no longer common in our society. We are quick to criticize and blame without any regard for history and the lessons that should be obvious to all Americans.
The “deep state” is a joke. America is still great, but the room for improvement continues. Politics and policies are fair game for argument, and we all know there are numerous ways to solve a problem. But we now have national politicians who refuse to accept the majority vote and spend all their time undermining what my father, uncles and our relatives would never have tolerated.
Unlike today’s leaders who have never sacrificed for this country, my uncles and father were entitled to say what was right or wrong. They earned the right by risking their futures for the country.
No one running for office gets to say it was rigged, they were cheated, as they refuse to accept our democratic system of election. That only happens when all our rights are denied. The vote and nonviolent transfer of political power is the hallmark of our country’s success.
No one seeking high office should get one vote if they do not love and support this country by accepting the people’s choice. That is the choice we are being asked to make. Remember our ancestors’ sacrifices. Vote out those who will not stand up for our democracy.
Dan Conlon lives in South Deerfield.