War has a way of bringing out both the best and the worst in people. World war two was no exception. This war proved that developed cultures that invented Mercedes Benz, discovered bacteria were the cause of disease, and the printing press was also capable of unbelievable horror. During history classes, the Nazis and the Third Reich are discussed at length. However, one topic that is not touched on in most schools is the brutality of the Japanese during this time.
America controlled the Phillippines and after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor they wasted no time invading the island. The American troops spent four months fighting the Japanese before conceding defeat. The Japanese forced at least 76,000 soldiers to walk in the unbelievable heat for 65 miles. The Americans were not given any food or water and those that feel were brutally beaten to death. Any Philipino civilians that helped the soldiers were killed as well. 10 Percent of the soldiers died on that march and thousands more died in the camp.
A monument in Lakefront Park in downtown Kissimmee serves as a tribute to those brave soldiers who endured this treacherous walk. The statue is a powerful testament to human bravery. One solider should not have been aiding his wonder comrade. The woman in the statue was not allowed to help either the soldier. Yet she was giving him water. According to the plaque beneath the figures, both the soldiers and the woman were beheaded. They helped each other despite the risks involved. Which is a true testament to the human spirit.
I hope some of you take the time to look at the state with your children when you are in the park. This statue shows resilience and strength in the face of danger. Both the best and the worst in human nature are shown by the acts of kindness and the repercussions that the Japanese forced upon them.
