Three days later, 66 years ago today, Major Charles W. Sweeney flew his B-29 Bockscar loaded with the second atomic bomb, nicknamed Fat Man, to Kokura, Japan. Cloud cover over the primary target forced Major Sweeney to fly on to Nagasaki, where he dropped Fat Man at 11:01 local time. The bomb fell for 43 seconds and detonated 1,540 feet above the city. It is estimated that 45,000 people were likely killed during the initial blast. Perhaps as many as 80,000 ultimately died from the after effects, including cancers caused by the radiation fall out.
On 15 August, Japanese Emperor Hirohito read to his people via radio broadcast the document of surrender. On 28 August, the occupation of Japan began. And on 2 September 1945, aboard USS Missouri, the official instrument of surrender was signed and World War II came to a close.
It is estimated that anywhere from 50 million to more than 70 million human beings were killed as a result of World War II, from direct military action or war related disease and famine, or from crimes against humanity.
I commemorate these events, not to gloat or to extoll the virtues of my nation, but to remind myself that there is an awful price to be paid in blood and sacrifice when we step forward and defend our right to be who we are and live in freedom. If the choice is to pick up the sword and go forth to war, then let it be the last option after all other options are earnestly exhausted.
Remember we're counting down the days to 4 November 2011 and the 8th Blog Blast for Peace with 100 reasons to Blog for Peace.
Reason 87: Because I am not daunted by those who dwell on what is not rather than find the potential in what can be.
Join the movement in November. You know you want to.
