It has been 75 years since the United States was thrown into World War II after the Japanese attacked our forces at Pearl Harbor. As with many other anniversaries, this attack shocked a nation and woke a sleeping giant.

World War II changed the physical and geopolitical map of this world in ways we are still measuring today. It also forever changed the lives of those who fought and died for our country from Pearl Harbor to victory.

Many veterans have been making their way to Pearl Harbor for one last visit. Their stories and they themselves are inspiring. The quiet heroes and most definitely America’s Greatest Generation.

They went overseas, sometimes for years on end, leaving loved ones behind never knowing when they would return. So it was a bit jarring to see something about Josh Earnest inferring that any lingering ‘bitterness’ that Pearl Harbor/WWII veterans might have towards the Japanese regarding the Prime Minister’s the visit to Pearl Harbor later this month needs to be set aside. Well, did he REALLY that they need to get over it? Not so much.

If I were a World War II veteran who was drafted by the United States military to go and fight for our country overseas in the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack, I might feel quite embittered. And I think it would be a perfectly natural and understandable human reaction to not be particularly satisfied with the words of the Japanese Prime Minister.

But I think the thing that we know about the Greatest Generation of Americans is they’re anything — well, let me say it this way. This Greatest Generation of Americans, I think we take a risk if we underestimate their patriotism and their capacity to set aside their own personal interests and prioritize the ambition and opportunity of the American people.

Was what Josh Earnest said a bit clunky and the phrasing not wisely chosen? Yep. But that’s all it was.

Thousands of our American soldiers came home after the war and went on to become teachers, lawyers/writers, doctors, actors, entrepreneurs… the list goes on. Did they and do they have memories they’d do anything to get rid of? I’m sure they do. Are they to this day so MUCH MORE RESILIENT than those who are hiding in their safe spaces because of a simple vote? Why yes, yes they are. Are they and should they be admired for their sacrifice, service, and all they’ve done since then? Absolutely times 1,000!

Did Medal of Honor Recipient Desmond Doss come home after his service and crawl into a hole because life was hard? No he did not. And in fact, his life is being honored in a certain movie called Hacksaw Ridge.

How about Ray Chavez? This young spry man of 104 years of age is the oldest known survivor of Pearl Harbor.

Watch this and be amazed and humbled.

As for those in college, in the workforce, education, or in the entertainment world who just can’t seem to cope with the election results… or anything else in life for that matter… this 94 year old Pearl Harbor veteran, Lester Lindow, has a message.

No, those gentleman and 100’s of others who will be in Hawaii on December 7, 2016 in honor and remembrance of their fallen comrades, friends, Americans who perished 75 years ago aren’t bitter. Maybe they don’t have fond memories of the Japanese then, I certainly wouldn’t. But they didn’t let the horrors of that day and the ensuing war stop them from living rich lives afterwards and contributing in ways immeasurable to all that is great about this Republic.

As we remember Pearl Harbor and look to the future of this Republic, we would do well to heed Lester Lindow’s message and Ray Chavez’s example. BE AMERICAN