history – might be baloney

Veterans Day 2025: valor

November 11, 2025 Bill Pike2 Comments

My friend, Mike Cross, a Veteran, who served his country as a Marine during the Vietnam War, invited me to the Virginia War Memorial.

On the evening of Wednesday, October 29, we would be attending Leadership In America. This is a lecture series presented by the Virginia War Memorial Foundation.

The presenter was Dr. Michael Bell, a United States Army combat veteran, who is currently the Executive Director of the World War II Museum’s Institute for the Study of War and Democracy.

Dr. Bell’s topic for the lecture was—America Returns: The 81st Anniversary of the Battles of Leyte and Leyte Gulf. These battles were in the Philippines during World War II.

According to Dr. Bell and other historians, in October of 1944, the Battle of Leyte Gulf became the largest Naval battle ever fought. (World War II Museum)

These battles were also punctuated by the leadership of General Douglas MacArthur.

In March of 1942, General MacArthur had been ordered to leave the Philippines to escape the Japanese invasion. This is when MacArthur made his famous promise: “I shall return.”

MacArthur fulfilled that promise on October 20, 1944.

On that date, he waded ashore on the Philippine Island of Leyte, and in a radio communication stated: “People of the Philippines I have returned! By the grace of Almighty God, our forces stand again on Philippine soil—soil consecrated in the blood of our two peoples.”

MacArthur’s reference to blood in the battles of Leyte and Leyte Gulf would be significant for America and Japan. Thousands and thousands of sailors and soldiers were killed in these battles.

Yet, historians are in agreement that the battles for Leyte and the Gulf of Leyte were pivotal for the war in the Pacific. America’s victory in these battles crippled for the remainder of the war the Japanese Navy. Japan lost 26 ships of war in this battle. More importantly, Japan’s supply lines had been disrupted.

Additionally, the battle of the Gulf of Leyte marked the first kamikaze attack of the war. A Japanese pilot with desperation and purpose dove his plane into the deck of the USS St Lo, an escort carrier. Sadly, this suicide attack wasn’t the last in the Pacific for American sailors to endure.

The world remains pocked with the physical and emotional scars of war. There is no escaping this toll.

With war, there has been and always will be a toll. Perhaps, the most difficult part of that suffering is our failure to learn from these conflicts. Peace remains elusive.

I wonder in Dr. Bell’s role at the World War II Museum if they have ever conducted an in depth study as to why peace remains elusive in the world?

Clearly from Dr. Bell’s comments in that packed lecture hall, we have learned a great deal from the study of the Battles of Leyte and Leyte Gulf. Yet, in all of that research do those accomplished historians ever ask why didn’t the peace at the end of World War II last?

As we were driving back to our homes, Mike and I talked for awhile about the Medal of Honor.

The Medal of Honor is the United States Armed Forces’ highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians, and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. (Department of Defense 2017)

I learned from Mike that the Medal of Honor design for the Army and Air Force has the word valor displayed. The Navy’s design features an anchor.

I am not a Veteran.

I can only begin to imagine the acts of valor that came from the recipients of the Medal of Honor.

In James Bradley and Ron Powers’ book Flags Of Our Fathers, I read about two Medal of Honor recipients from World War II.

Jacklyn Lucas threw his body onto two Japanese grenades. His body was blown into the air. Neither his fellow soldiers, nor the doctors on the hospital ship, Samaritan, could believe he lived through the explosions. When the authors asked Mr. Lucas why he had thrown himself on those grenades, he answered: “To save my buddies.” (Page 175)

Corpsman George Whalen refused to come off the battle field despite suffering three serious wounds. Again, the authors asked Mr. Whalen—why did he continue to render aid ignoring his own dire physical condition? He responded: “Because I cared for my buddies.” (Page 234)

Valor.

On Sunday, November 9, 2025 our church held the twenty-fourth Veterans Pancake Breakfast.

Our special guest speakers for the event were David L. Robbins, an accomplished American author, and Phil Trezza, an Army combat medic who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Mr. Robbins founded the Mighty Pen Project. He works through the Virginia War Memorial in offering a writing class to Veterans who want to capture their stories from when they served our country.

Mr. Trezza has been a participant in the Mighty Pen Project.

Both Mr. Robbins and Mr. Trezza gave us heartfelt snapshots about the Mighty Pen project and its impact on Veterans.

Near the conclusion of our Veterans Pancake Breakfast, we always call the names of the Veterans from our church who passed away during the year. On Sunday morning, we called three names. This is immediately followed by the live playing of taps, and a prayer.

Valor.

And the final act of the program, we ask all of our Veterans to gather for a group photograph. When I look into the aging faces of our Veterans, I see valor.

Trinity United Methodist Church and our Veterans. Joined by David L. Robbins far left second row and Phil Trezza first row far right. (Photo Bill Pike 11/9/25)

If you have followed my blog, you know that over the years, l have confessed that I am a worrier. There is no valor in worrying.

While lots of things cause me worry, right now, I constantly worry about America.

I want to know if America understands valor.

I want to know how we rediscover our valor, not just in our service men and women, but in every American citizen.

I want to know if we comprehend how important valor is to our democracy.

On Veterans Day or any day for that matter, if you encounter a Veteran please take a minute to thank them for their service and their valor.

And while you are thanking them, remember the words from Jacklyn Lucas and George Whalen about saving and caring for their “buddies” in the brutal harshness of the battlefield. Their valor saved you, me, we, us back home in America too.

By the grace of God, we must never forget the valor of our Veterans.

San Francisco Day Six: Monterey Bay Aquarium

August 4, 2025 Bill PikeLeave a comment

After a good night of sleep, we were refreshed.

We wasted no time after breakfast to start our morning.

Our walk to the Monterey Bay Aquarium took us by an assortment of homes, shops, and other businesses.

Making a visit to this unique aquarium had been a goal for a long time. This is a special place. A place where imagination and ingenuity have created an environment for capturing the stories about the Pacific Ocean and its impact on these California coastal communities. And at the heart of those stories are people.

Immediately, the displays draw visitors to people.

The ‘generosity and vision’ of David and Lucile Packard sparked the development of the aquarium. Mr. Packard once said that “the ocean is the most important frontier we have.” Clearly, the aquarium gives life to his words.

Through his fiction and nonfiction writing, American author, John Steinbeck, brought to life Monterey and Cannery Row. Steinbeck wrote about the people who breathed life into economy of harvesting the bounty of the sea.

Another important person was Ed Ricketts, who is described as “an ecologist before his time.” Mr. Ricketts helped people to learn about and understand the relationships of the Pacific’s sea life and its links to the region. His early studies helped to lay the foundation for future research. Also, Mr. Ricketts was the fictional character ‘Doc’ in Steinbeck’s Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday.

Without question, visitors learn about Cannery Row. The impact of harvesting fish and bringing the catch to the cannery for processing is told from the perspective of the workers.

Here is a quote that describes what it was like: “We used to dread getting up in the morning because we worked so hard. It was cold and wet with water running under your feet the whole time—Can you imagine squeezing the guts out of fish at three or four in morning?”

Early in our visit, we learned about sea kelp and its impact on the life of this region of the Pacific.

Critical sea kelp for these California coastal waters (Photo Bill Pike)

The entire aquarium is user friendly. Displays attract all age groups, but there is a special emphasis for children.

From the brilliance of the wave machine, the interior and exterior displays of sea life, the outside vistas, the friendly and knowledgeable docents, and the use of video to present information make the aquarium uniquely qualified to help us all learn.

This quote from Loren Eiseley caught my attention: “If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.”

From our first display until our last view from an outside vista, we felt the “magic of the water” at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

An exterior view from the aquarium (Photo Betsy Pike)

After our visit to the aquarium, we regrouped at the hotel.

We continued to explore. Our goal was to visit the Point Pinos Lighthouse.

As we drove and walked along, the blue sky, beds of flowers, combined with a shoreline of scraggy rocks worn by a relentless Pacific, made for unforgettable postcard images.

Pretty path along the Pacific (Photo Bill Pike)

Occasionally, we came across a colony of at type of burrowing ground squirrel. Clearly looking for a handout from kindhearted tourists, these creatures did not rate highly with residents of Monterey.

Unfortunately, the lighthouse was closed. But again, the rocky shoreline, the hues of the ocean’s water, the crashing waves, the glide of pelicans, and the steady progress of fishing boats heading into port made for a remarkable afternoon.

In the background the Point Pinos Lighthouse (Photo Bill Pike)

We drove back to the hotel, then took a short walk to a local dive—Sly McFly for dinner.

On our after dinner walk back to the hotel, we purchased some chocolate.

Then, we made a decision to drive back out to Asilomar State Beach with the hope of seeing the sun recline into the Pacific.

We found a good spot for watching the sun sink, but partly cloudy conditions and a light rain shower limited seeing the sun.

Our drive back to the hotel wove us through the pretty coastal town, Pacific Grove.

Another non-stop day with lots of steps had us ready for rest.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium still swirled in my mind.

I thought again about how this magnificent facility for teaching and learning came together.

And my old brain has this reoccurring question—why can we collectively come together to create such a facility, and yet, we appear to be unable or unwilling to truly solve our ongoing challenges related to homelessness, health care, mental health needs, and food instability across America?

I wonder if we will ever fully see that contrast and commit to solving it?

Grateful for Alaska’s outstretched hand

July 31, 2025 Bill PikeLeave a comment

Letter to the Editor: Grateful for Alaska’s outstretched hand

JUNEAU EMPIRE
The Voice of Alaska’s Capital Since 1912
Wednesday, July 30, 2025

From June 29 to July 10, my wife, along with two couples from college, and I traveled into Alaska. Twelve days out from our indescribable trip, I’m still suffering from chowder withdrawal.

Even though Mr. Moose didn’t appear on every corner, Alaska captured us. No matter if we were on a ship, train, bus or foot, the landscape was spectacular.

Our views were enhanced from the knowledge of exceptional guides who expressed their love and respect for this cherished land. Their devotion made us appreciate even more the stories about the courage of the original settlers and their respect for their heritage.

And while Denali was shy, I had ample opportunities to appreciate other snowcapped peaks, rolling rivers, cascading falls, deep forests, and the stunning blue ice of glaciers.

In Fairbanks, from so many angles, the Museum of the North really captured the spirit of Alaska and its people. It is my hope that the people of Alaska will never lose their loyalty or will to always protect this precious and priceless land.

After an early morning run along the Chena River, some of us stopped at the statue of Walter Harper. I loved the simple beauty of his outstretched hand, a hand up ready to help no matter the person or circumstances. In the short amount of time I have left in this weary old world, I hope I will become better at following Walter Harper’s heart by outstretching my hand.

Thanks Alaska for outstretching your hands to us.

Bill Pike

Author’s note: I was honored to have my Letter to the Editor published in the July 30, 2025 edition of the Juneau Times.

Memorial Day 2025: “we can do better than we have done before.”

May 26, 2025 Bill PikeLeave a comment

Just so you know, I’m not a Veteran.

My Vietnam War draft number wasn’t selected in the spring of 1972. That spring, I was finishing the second semester of my freshman year of college.

On the campus of Greensboro College, we had a few classmates who had already served in the United States military.

In Burlington, North Carolina, our across the street neighbors, the Amicks, their son, Rick, served our country during the Vietnam War.

At our church, Davis Street Methodist, the Pate family lost their oldest son, Robbie, in combat in Vietnam.

In Richmond, Virginia at our church, Trinity Methodist, we have a memorial garden that recognizes three young men from our congregation who lost their lives in Vietnam.

And for my father’s family, the oldest son, Boyd Pike, was killed in World War II. Boyd was a sailor aboard the USS Simms, a United States Navy destroyer. It was attacked and sunk by the Japanese in the Coral Sea.

I’m no history expert, no expert on any war, but I do have a respect for the men and women who have served our country in times of conflict and war.

Last May, we spent an extended weekend with college friends in Highland, Maryland. We traveled on Friday to Frederick, Maryland.

As we roamed around downtown, we walked into the local independent bookstore, the Curious Iguana.

This is a compact, but very nice bookstore with a first-class selection of books.

My college roommate, Butch Sherrill, spotted Garrett M. Graff’s book: When The Sea Came Alive An Oral History Of D-Day. As soon as Butch handed it to me, I started skimming through the pages. I was immediately hooked because of the format.

From D-Day planning until the end of the operation, Graff tells the story through the words of the men and women who were there. No matter the military personnel’s rank, no matter their country, their words, their stories, their contributions are captured in these quotes. These quotes take the readers into the bunkers, the beaches, the ships, the planes— everywhere on D-Day.

In Graff’s notes at the beginning of the book, the author ends the section with these words: “The greatest names in the pages ahead, as it turns out, are the ones you don’t know.”

My guess is you don’t know the name Waverly B. Woodson. Staff Sgt. Woodson was a Black medic on Omaha Beach on D-Day. On that day, June 6, nearly 2,000 black soldiers were a part of the D-Day attack.

Interestingly, “not a single Black soldier, sailor, airman, Marine or Coast Guard personnel was originally awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II. (Page XV Author’s Note)

“During World War II, 433 Medals of Honor were awarded. None of those medals were received by Black soldiers.”(Graff page 374)

From the moment he came ashore on Omaha Beach, Staff Sgt. Woodson was involved in assisting the wounded. He stated: “All day, we medics continued to dress many, many wounded and consoled the frightened. This went on until around 3 o’clock in the afternoon. With all of this going on I didn’t have time to see how bad I was wounded—I only wanted to help the survivors. After about 8 hours, one of the medics redressed my wounds and I continued, as I didn’t have a place to lie down.” (Graff page 374)

During 1994 in the Clinton administration, nine Black World War II Veterans received the Medal of Honor. Only one of those nine was still living. Staff Sgt. Woodson was not one of those. He died in 2005. Since his death, bills have been introduced in Congress to award Woodson the Medal of Honor. Despite support by military leaders none of these bills has passed. (Graff page 374)

Staff Sgt. Waverly B. Woodson did survive that horrible day on Omaha Beach. After the war, Woodson and his wife raised a family near Clarksburg, Maryland. He received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his dedication.

For the fiftieth anniversary of D-Day the French government recognized Staff Sgt. Woodson. Woodson and two other D-Day soldiers received a weeklong all-expenses-paid trip to France, and they were awarded medals during a ceremony on Omaha Beach. Woodson could never figure out why he was chosen. But, he assumed this was the French’s way of saying, “Thanks.” (Graff page 499-500).

In the Epilogue of the book, this quote from General Dwight Eisenhower caught my attention: “These people gave us a chance and they bought time for us so that we can do better than we have before. Every time I come back to these beaches— or any day when I think about that day—I say, once more, we must find some way to work to peace, and to gain an eternal peace for this world.” (Graff page 499)

Here we are eighty years after D-Day, and the world still can’t embrace a sustainable peace.

What is wrong with us?

Why is peace unattainable?

Haven’t we learned anything from war?

Do we understand the aftermath of its carnage and destruction?

Sadly, the answer is no.

The Greek historian Herodotus wrote these words: “In peace sons bury fathers, but in war fathers bury sons.”

On this Memorial Day and those in the future, America must vow to never, never, never forget those whom we have buried from our wars.

Their sacrifices sustain America’s fragile freedom.

America must always work to find peace to stop the burials from war.

As General Eisenhower stated: “we can do better than we have done before.”

American flag, San Francisco, California May 2025 (Photo Bill Pike)

They served America: Hill, Feinstein, McWilliams, and Love

April 28, 2025 Bill Pike4 Comments

At first glance Hill, Feinstein, McWilliams, and Love sounds like a group of lawyers, accountants, or doctors. But, they aren’t.

No, these people impacted America. In their own unique way, they gave us their hearts. Recently and sadly, their time on earth ran out.

Clint Hill was a Secret Service agent. At the age of 31, Mr. Hill was the agent who jumped on to the back of the presidential limousine when President Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963. When this occurred, I was in the fifth grade at Hillcrest Elementary School in Burlington, North Carolina. Our teacher, Mrs. Cline, was in tears.

I never knew the guilt that Agent Hill carried with him after this murder. For years, he blamed himself for not being able to react in time to save the President. Though some believe he saved the President’s wife as she attempted to help her fallen husband.

That turmoil in Dallas shadowed Agent Hill as he continued to serve three more presidents. He attempted to wash that torment away with alcohol. In 1975, Agent Hill retired from the Secret Service, and a doctor warned him, “if he didn’t stop this self-destructive behavior, he would die.”(The Week)

In the 1980s, he was able to give up alcohol.

Surprisingly, Agent Hill in 1990 made a return trip to Dallas. He visited the site of that horrible November afternoon. Perhaps, the passing of time, or the wisdom of a different angle “convinced him that he couldn’t have done anything to prevent the tragic outcome.” (The Week)

In 2024, Agent Hill was asked by an interviewer how he wanted to be remembered. He replied, “Two words, I tried.” (The Week)

John Feinstein was a gifted writer. He found success in writing about sports. Mr. Feinstein was a sports reporter for the Washington Post and the author of over forty books. Additionally, his skills as a writer allowed him to write sports novels geared for a younger audience.

In my random collection of books, I have four written by Mr. Feinstein: Forever’s Team, A Season On The Brink, A March To Madness, and A Civil War.

His gifts went beyond the printed word as he was a commentator for college basketball and football games, an adjunct professor at Duke, his alma mater, and this year, a writer-in-residence at Longwood University in Virginia.

Some might view Mr. Feinstein as a nuisance. Yet, at the heart of his work was a drive and determination to find and capture the truth in the people and topics he covered.

I think this quote from a NPR report about Mr. Feinstein captures his passion.

Barry Svrluga, a Washington Post columnist who said he took Feinstein’s sports journalism course as a senior at Duke, recalled the experience Thursday:

“He got whoever he could to talk to the class — Gary Williams on a game day when Maryland was in town, Billy Packer, Bud Collins. Bob Woodward called in,” Svrluga said. “And you could just tell that part of his reporting prowess — how he got into locker rooms and front offices and onto the range and in clubhouses at PGA Tour events — is because he could really develop relationships, and people just liked to talk to him. Part of that had to be because he didn’t pander. You knew exactly where he stood. And that gained respect.”

My takeaway from this remembrance is “he could really develop relationships.” No matter where we walk in our lives building relationships is critical.

Unlike Mr. Hill, Mr. Feinstein, and Miss Love, I had the privilege of knowing Jody McWilliams. He was a member of our church. And if there was one person in this world who had a clear understanding for the importance of building relationships, it was Jody McWilliams.

Mr. McWilliams understood the importance of commitment in those relationships. His commitment, his loyalty impacted his wife, their children, and their families. Those qualities applied to his service to the United States Army, the United Methodist Church, and as the Executive Director of the William Byrd Community House in the Oregon Hill neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia.

Jody McWilliams (Photo Courtesy of the McWilliams family)

For thirty three years, he served in that role, and he once told the Richmond Times-Dispatch: “We are in business to serve the working poor, people who fall through the cracks. We serve people from birth until death, from the womb to the tomb.” During his tenure, close to 4,000 people used the services available from the William Byrd Community House on an annual basis.

With three master’s degrees, Mr. McWilliams also taught at the collegiate level. There he instructed and mentored future social workers. He gave them some very wise advice as they started their careers: “Be open to learn from those you serve.”

Until I read her obituary in the April 4, 2025 edition of The Week, I knew very little about Mia Love.

Mia Love was the daughter of Haitian immigrants. In 2014, Miss Love became the first black Republican elected to serve in Congress from the state of Utah.

Mia Love (Photo courtesy of United States Congress)

In The Week’s summary of her life, several items caught my attention. She was opposed to the 2016 election of Donald Trump as President of America.

At a Republican caucus meeting, she pushed back against a member of the caucus who made unflattering remarks about Haiti. Miss Love said, “If you don’t see me as an equal, you can remove me from this conference, and if we don’t see everyone as equal under God we have a bigger problem.”

In 2022, she learned that brain cancer was raging inside of her. That cancer ended her political career.

Before her death, Miss Love wrote: “I believe the American experiment is not a setting sun, but a rising sun. We must fight to keep the America we know.”

Unless you have been able to block out the turmoil and chaos coming out of Washington, “the America we know” is under attack. Piece by piece, it is being dismantled.

This disgraceful dismantling is impacting a wide range of people in America.

As Americans, we must work to counter this dismantling. We must regain Clint Hill’s courage, reclaim our voices to question like John Feinstein, recapture the unshakeable endurance of Jody McWilliams, and recommit to fight for America like Mia Love.

And in that fight for America, we need leaders in our country to embrace Mr. McWilliams’ logic: “Be open to learn from those you serve.”

While Hill, Feinstein, McWilliams, and Love might not have been a group of lawyers, doctors, or accountants, it is clear they were a group of human beings who possessed hearts that cared and who were willing “to learn” from the people they served.

At this very moment, we can’t “pander.”

We have to do more than “try.”

We must exhaust every ounce of our strength to build the “relationships” needed to save the imperfect soul of the America that “we know.”

Remember 42

April 12, 2025 Bill Pike2 Comments

                                                                             OPINION

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Remember 42

Regarding Kevin B. Blackstone’s April 7 Sports column, “Dodgers’ visit to White House goes against Robinson’s legacy”:

As reported in the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Dodgers accepted an invitation to visit the White House to recognize their 2024 World Series championship.

To me, the Dodgers’ management accepting this invitation is a disrespectful slap to Jackie Robinson, the first African American player to sign with and play in the major leagues, with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

How could the Dodgers, the team who made this courageous decision and commitment to bring Robinson into the major leagues, take such a backward step?

In his book “October 1964,” David Halberstam’s shared a story from Robinson’s time playing for the Kansas City Monarchs, a successful team in the Negro Leagues:

“There was a place in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where they had always gassed up, but where the owner never let them use the rest rooms. Robinson had not known that, so when the bus pulled in, ready to fill up its twin fifty-gallon tanks, he got out to go to the men’s room. “Where you going, boy?” the owner said, and Robinson answered that he was going to the men’s room. “No, you’re not,” the owner said. Robinson never hesitated. “Take the hose out of the tank!” he said immediately, and that was no idle threat, for one hundred gallons of gas was a big sale, a fair percentage of the amount of money the man might make on a given day. The man looked at Robinson and saw the anger and the strength on his face. He was not the first, and certainly not the last, white man to see that conviction, and he immediately backed down. “You boys can use the rest rooms,” he said. “Just don’t stay there too long.”

How can the Dodgers’ management be so blind by comparison?

Has fear of retribution from a vengeful president caused the Dodgers’ management to ignore the significance of the legacy of its 1947 signing of Robinson? Where is the “anger and strength” of the team’s integrity to turn down this shameful invitation?

According to Forbes, the Dodgers are valued at $6.8 billion.

Are the Dodgers more loyal to the preservation of those billions than to Robinson’s groundbreaking achievement?

Unfortunately, the answer seems to be yes.

Bill Pike, Richmond

Note from the author: Friends, I was honored to have my letter to the editor published in the Washington Post today, Saturday, April 12, 2025.