See you across the Pacific
March 22,2018--it was a special and important day for Quzhou No.2 High School and for me as well when there was a group of guests from far away. They are brothers from America and two of them are Michael David Kantenberger and Jonathan Duncan Kantenberger, who came to look for some memories about their grandfather Rodney Ross Wilder. Rodney was once a great pilot in Doolittle Raid in 1942. Well, let's see what happened to him then?
It was reported that 16 planes driven by Americans appeared over Tokyo like ghosts on April 18, 1942 during the World WarⅡ. Dozens of bombs were thrown from the sky... It was the B-25 Mitchell, under the command of Colonel James Doolittle, that took off from the U.S.S. Hornet and was on its mission to bomb Japan for the first time. The pilots made it. However, when they cheered for the victory, they found a horrible fact that they couldn't keep in touch with Airport of Quzhou, a western city of ZhejiangProvince, where they planned to land originally. Sadly, as the saying goes, troubles never come singly, the tank was out of gas, so they were forced to parachute. Sixteen planes, except that one landed in the Soviet Union, others all crashed in Zhejiang and Jiangxi. Pilots, including Rodney landed in Quzhou and trapped in mountains. Due to language barrier, how to communicate with the local people became a real headache. The brothers said their grandfather finally got an idea that they could communicate with local people by drawing. Not only did the local people lead the way warmly, but also offered food and clothes generously. People in Quzhou contributed substantially to the Doolittle. With the help of local people, these pilots arrived at Quzhou airport and came back to America safely.
Jubilation reigns everywhere in the USA soon after the news of the air raid was issued. To some extent,this air strike also influenced the strategic situation of the World War Ⅱ,and the victory of the right party heralded the doom of Japanese aggressors-they were playing a losing game.
Back to March 22 this year, the two brothers came to Quzhou No.2 High School and were warmly received by students here. "It's my honor to meet them and have the opportunity to talk with them. They told us something about their grandfather who was saved by people in Quzhou." one student said."I came to see this magic land where my grandfather was saved and lived for some time." one of the two brothers said excitedly. It is worth mentioning that when they talked about their brave grandfather, their faces were filled with a happy smile and great pride. Then we planted a golden larch symbolizing a special friendship between China and America. I truly hope it can grow well and can always be green. After that, we visited SchoolHistoryMuseum, where newspapers and other materials about Doolittle such as the group photo of pilots and Wreckage of the bombers 76 years ago were preserved. "It is glad to see these things which are well-preserved. It can absolutely help people understand this history better.” One brother said emotionally.
People in Quzhou in the 1940s proved to the world that they were very polite and warm-hearted all the time. Till now, everyone in Quzhou is trying our best to create a civilized city. For example, we should be ready to help others in trouble. It is thought to be clean and tidy in our city any time .
Doolittle Raid showed the great friendship between China and America and also served as an epitome of golden human nature-kindness. The war is cruel, but through the war, the light that we find, that's the beauty of humanity. In my opinion, the best way to remember and praise a hero is to follow him, is to inherit his golden qualities. Everyone can be a hero and each of us may find our way to do so, just like the brave pilot, or the wonderful people in Quzhou. Finally, let me extend my sincere wish. May the world is always in peace where there is more love and harmony, less hatred and tyranny!
高二16班 钱儒灿