War and Forgiveness

The veterans of World War II are now at that age where they are dying ever more frequently, and their deaths should be an occasion to remember their achievement and sacrifice. Take the heroism and remarkable forgiveness of Jacob DeShazer, a bombardier on the famous Doolittle raid over Japan of April 18, 1942.


The Doolittle bombing raid was close to a suicide mission, a one-way trip to bring the war to the Japanese homeland for the first time. Coming not long after Pearl Harbor and before the Pacific island victories to come, the raid was a huge boost to domestic morale. Corporal DeShazer was one of five crewmen on Bat Out of Hell, a B-25 aircraft that took off from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, dropped incendiary bombs over Nagoya, and then flew on to Japanese-occupied China, where the crew was forced to bail out.

DeShazer was taken prisoner, and was starved, beaten and tortured by his Japanese captors. For 34 of his 40 months in captivity, he was kept in solitary confinement. His pilot (Lieutenant William Farrow) and engineer-gunner (Sergeant Harold Spatz) were killed by firing squad. But DeShazer survived the war, was liberated after V-J Day in August 1945, and went on to get a degree in Biblical literature from Seattle Pacific College (now Seattle Pacific University). In 1948, he returned as a Christian missionary to the country that had nearly killed him, and he would continue his ministry in Japan for 30 years.

DeShazer died on March 15 at his home in Salem, Oregon, at age 95. It is one of life's safer bets that he is resting in peace.
War and Forgiveness

Military / Veterans Report

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New Documentary on WWII Debuts
The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) presents "The War," a Ken Burns film, beginning Sun,, Sept. 23, 2007 on most PBS stations. The seven-part series documents World War II through the personal accounts of a handful of men and women from four quintessentially American towns. Throughout the series, the indelible experience of combat is brought vividly to life. Please check your local television listings for the exact air time and date in your area. For more information, including educational materials, visit "The War" website

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Toys for Tots Makes Special Request
In response to recent events within the toy industry regarding unsafe toys manufactured in China, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is asking its loyal supporters to screen toys prior to purchase to ensure that only safe toys are donated to the upcoming 2007 U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Campaign. The toys identified as potentially unsafe can be found at the Mattel toy recall list at http://service.mattel.com/us/ and the CBS News Detailed SKU's website. For more information, call Mattel toll-free at (888)597-6597. Marine Toys for Tots Foundation does not purchase any toys directly from overseas vendors or manufacturers.