A Forever Friendship between Two Cities
When I was a senior 1 student, I received a book from an American friend, Benji, and the book is called ‘Quzhou and Doolitte Raid’. The book brought me back to the airport of Quzhou around 1940s where the epic story happened. I couldn’t help reading it and seeking for the bond between the Quzhou villagers and the American pilots. Eventually I gained something which would profoundly impact my life.
On the surface, the Doolittle Raid was a strategic move. Indeed, the plan of attacking Xi’an and Chongqing formulated by Japanese was fatally damaged because of it. The Doolittle Raid accelerated the decline of imperialist Japan.
From a broader perspective, however, the Doolittle Raid not only played a role in the battles but showed how enthusiastic Quzhou people were and how splendid and profound the human spirit was. Without the bravery of the Doolittle Raid personnel or the kindness of Quzhou people, the war of resistance wouldn’t have been as smooth as it was in history.
Essentially there is a spirit of peace and goodwill in the Doolittle Raid that has survived the test of time. I have once visited the hole in Quzhou countryside which was used for avoiding the revenge air-attack from Japan. It’s located in Dongmen, which was small, chilly and damp and made me shudder at first glance. Then I took out the book and found the picture of the very same hole which was taken 76 years ago. Some twenty American pilots dressed in incomplete uniforms stand in line with local villagers in rags, smiling for their new shelter and their survival. Looking up to the hole again, I found it much warmer. I could picture the villagers cooking simple but delicious food for the pilots who would accept it with both hands and express gratitude to the villagers. A flood of pride and excitement welled up in my heart. Gazing at the hole with respect, I couldn’t utter a word but stayed silent for a long time. I was amazed by how simple and yet how heartwarming human kindness could be regardless of nationality or language.
The Doolittle Raid also benefits the future. First of all, to the young generation both in China and America, it has built a bridge of friendship. It gives our school students a better alternative to feel and learn the American culture as well as their lives. For example, Quzhou has already built a sister-city relationship with Red Wing, which enables my school--Quzhou No.2 High School, to exchange teachers and students with Red Wing counterparts regularly. Second of all, it promotes the ideas of Confucianism both locally and globally. Home to the Confucius descendants of the Southern Clan, Quzhou boasts a long and deep Confucian heritage. The spirit of kindness and bravery of both the American Dollittle raiders and the Quzhou rescuing villagers in the 1940s can easily find expression in the teachings of Confucius, especially the ones about benevolence (“仁”) and virtue (“德”). There is no doubt that these great ideas will continue to influence the way we think and act -- that is, to spread goodwill, and the way countries interact with each other -- that is, to build bridges of understanding, kindness and mutual help.
In my opinion, it is our students’ duty to remember the Doolittle Raid and to keep the close bond with Red Wing. First of all, we ought to know and understand the history. Visiting the school history room or museums of the Doolittle Raid in Jiangshan country is a perfect choice to learn. Then we can start to do something for this great friendship, making pen pals with American peers, talking about the Doolittle Raid with them and circulating our culture and civilization, etc. Taking part in or setting up cultural exchange programs actively also helps us feel and commemorate this special incident in history.
Now I keep in touch with my American friend Benji frequently. He told me that the Doolittle Raid and Quzhou are known by every household in Red Wing. I was totally amazed to learn that. And it is with deepest sincerity that I wish that this splendid piece of history could be remembered and kept alive by generations, and the friendship between the two cities could last forever.
By 周子涵from Class 3 Senior 2