On Patriotism and Naturalization

I always find it odd that I am considered anti-foreigner and xenophobic. I won’t go into it, but believe me when I say that a large organization that supports the rights of illegal aliens even went so far as to send a letter to every Member of Congress wherein they mentioned what a wretched Nativist I am. Obviously, since I am posting this, it’s not true that I am one. I just happen to believe that border security and assimilation of new Americans is an important National Security issue. Nonetheless, on to my larger issue.

Ms Malkin and others are today noting the heart-wrenching and yet patriotic comments of Dong Yun Yoon who lost his wife, 2 children and mother in law in the crash of the military plane in San Diego:

“Please pray for him not to suffer from this accident,” a distraught Dong Yun Yoon told reporters gathered near the site of Monday’s crash of an F/A-18D jet in San Diego’s University City community.

“He is one of our treasures for the country,” Yoon said in accented English punctuated by long pauses while he tried to maintain his composure.

“I don’t blame him. I don’t have any hard feelings. I know he did everything he could,” said Yoon..

UPDATE: Ms Malkin has more on this story up now.  And if you can, send this guy a card, or a donation, or something so he knows that his adoptive country feels his loss and appreciates his comments.

Did you all know that Rob Yllescas was from Guatemala?

Yllescas spent his first 18 years in Guatemala, where his father, Otto Yllescas, still lives. His mother, Barb Yllescas, lives in Treynor, Iowa.

Anyway, these two stories got me to thinking about an experience I had with a gentleman that I wanted to share.

In 2000, I was lucky enough to be asked to work at an inauguration ball, specifically, the Salute to Heroes, Veterans Inaugural Ball. Capitol Hilton Hotel-Washington DC-January 20, 2001. I was asked if I wanted to walk around with Catherine Bell who was the MC, or with some of the over 100 Medal of Honor recipients who would be in attendance. For me, though one of the more libidinous individuals of all time, it was a no-brainer.

(NOTE: By no-brainer, I mean when I look at this picture from that night, I question if I even have a brain)

At one point in the evening, I was backstage with 7 MOH recipients, including one of my favorites, a Mr Walter Ehlers who received his award for valor in the days following D-Day, and who spent the bulk of that evening imbibing adult beverages with me before asking me what I was doing with an old man instead of the numerous hot young women walking around. Anyway, just me and these 7 in a back room when another guy walked in and proceeded to introduce himself to all present and shake their hands. It was Bob Dole. It was the most humbling experience of my life.

People touch our lives at times, and often it isn’t even noticeable for a long time after that. It was the next day that I had lunch with a man and his wife who I have thought of quite often since that day. It was a man named Hiroshi Miyamura, and to this day, he remains one of my heroes, not just for his valor on the battlefield, but for his humble self-effacing nature, and for how he feels about our country.

I’m going to leave his war-time exploits to the end, because it was everything else that impressed me so much about this man. Born in Gallup, New Mexico in 1925, Hiroshi was drafted into the Army in 1944, at the end of WWII. Being of Japanese descent, he was assigned to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the famed unit made up of Japanese-Americans. Following the war, Hiroshi went into the reserves before being recalled to active duty in Korea. More on the absolute insanity of his Medal of Honor later.

Mrs. Miyamura went to lunch with us that day, and I enjoyed speaking with her as much as with him. During WWII, she was interned at one of the many camps set up for Japanese Americans. Here is a woman who was essentially jailed by the US, married to a man who is one of our unbelievable heroes. She saw no problem at all with this, harbored no ill will towards it, and both of them stressed the opportunities that have received just from being Americans. Neither had any great desire to discuss the wars, their parts in them, or anything even related to it. Mr Miyamura wanted to hear all about my experiences in Bosnia, then to tell me all about his grandkids (one of whom is at the AFA), and the service station that he ran for so many years.

Let me re-iterate that last part, lest you miss the nuance. THE MAN KILLED IN EXCESS OF 50 KOREANS (MANY WITH A BAYONET) TRYING TO KILL HIM, AND HE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT TUNE UPS, AND MY GUARD TOWER DUTIES.

They say the SF is the quiet professionals, something I have largely found to be true. They don’t brag about their exploits, because they don’t need to. Mr. Miyamura wasn’t SF, but he sure was a special guy. What was important to him was hearing about the day to day activities of the modern infantryman, to hear if it was the same as in his day. He didn’t want to hear or talk about the death and destruction that is Wars inevitable spawn, he wanted to know about friendships. Mr Miyamura wouldn’t know me if I kicked him in the shin tomorrow, but I will never forget my lunch with he and his wife. And luckily, I will once again get to work the Inaugural Ball, and get to spend time with my hero.

Now for the part that some of you were probably waiting for. This is the Mr. Miyamura that I didn’t meet that day:

Cpl. Miyamura, a member of Company H, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. On the night of 24 April, Company H was occupying a defensive position when the enemy fanatically attacked threatening to overrun the position. Cpl. Miyamura, a machinegun squad leader, aware of the imminent danger to his men unhesitatingly jumped from his shelter wielding his bayonet in close hand-to-hand combat killing approximately 10 of the enemy. Returning to his position, he administered first aid to the wounded and directed their evacuation. As another savage assault hit the line, he manned his machinegun and delivered withering fire until his ammunition was expended. He ordered the squad to withdraw while he stayed behind to render the gun inoperative. He then bayoneted his way through infiltrated enemy soldiers to a second gun emplacement and assisted in its operation. When the intensity of the attack necessitated the withdrawal of the company Cpl. Miyamura ordered his men to fall back while he remained to cover their movement. He killed more than 50 of the enemy before his ammunition was depleted and he was severely wounded. He maintained his magnificent stand despite his painful wounds, continuing to repel the attack until his position was overrun. When last seen he was fighting ferociously against an overwhelming number of enemy soldiers. Cpl. Miyamura’s indomitable heroism and consummate devotion to duty reflect the utmost glory on himself and uphold the illustrious traditions on the military service.

Misters Yoon, Yllescas and Miyamura are the reasons this country will never fail to fight the good fight. Black, yellow, red or green, anyone not proud to count themselves as an American next to these men really needs to rethink what they are doing here.

Category: Politics