Growing up, I was unaware that Easter Sunday and April 1 ever fell on the same day, as will happen this year.
However, when stationed at the island of Okinawa, I learned that when those two dates fell on the same day back in 1945, it was also the day the WWII battle to free Okinawa from the Japanese began. Today, many of those younger than “America’s Greatest Generation” are not even aware of how almost eight decades ago, a generation of youth was asked to risk their lives and limbs so the world could live free. In that long-ago era when Easter Sunday and April 1 fell on the same day, 180,000 U.S. troops landed in the beaches of Okinawa, beginning the fiercest battle in the Pacific Theater.
Yes, acknowledged to be worse than even Iwo Jima. The battle raged for almost three months – 1 April to 22 June 1945.
Some 72,000 American troops would die or be wounded in combat in that prolonged battle to set people free (including a first cousin and a brotherin- law of my dad’s).
Additionally, 100,000 of the local Okinawa (Ryukyu) civilians also died.
While the freedom those valiant people obtained was a great victory, its scope was limited. The freedom gained by their sacrifices was not empowered to traverse that vale between his life and eternity.
Still, we should express gratitude for them as we remember them, their families and the tremendous sacrifices made during the months of that horrific battle in the cause of freedom. On the other hand, another prolonged battle was fought, another sacrificed made, and another sacrifice made, and another valiant victory won almost 2,000 years ago that could provide all of humanity with a freedom not limited to just here in this life.
The battle that culminated that first Easter weekend was designed and empowered with the capacity to cross death’s divide and provide each of those who have participated in its benefit with Eternal Life. Let us be thankful for both of those great sacrifices and victories as we enjoy and celebrate the blessings of this Easter Sunday and April 1.
Chaplain, Lt. Col. Paul Stewart USAF (Ret.) Harlingen
