The Good War: Bob Rasmus

World War Two was a war that transformed boys into men. These boys went to war at age 18 with excitement to serve their country. Many were honored to be a part of the war; they were willing to fight for their value, for their family, for their rights, for their government, for their nation. But little did they know about the war. They knew the casualty rate was high, but they did not know what their specific role in the war was. Bob Rasmus was a rifleman, a position his mother did not want him to take because he surely would die. However, he gladly took the position and lifestyle of the war. As they traveled, Bob enjoyed pondering at the cities and towns of various countries. During the war, he created friendships with other soldiers his age and shared the same curiosity, fear, and excitement. Innocence was in every soldier's eyes until they experienced a true battle. Their first battle passed and each were fighting for their lives and comradeship; their cause vanished at the scene. When the battle ended, many were dead, having different expressions. Bob had never seen a dead man, nor had he ever felt so empty. His innocence was lost with his excitement and curiosity.

On the home front lifestyle changed vastly as well during the war. All the concentration switched from the New Deal onto the war. Money was taken from programs created, to benefit the war. Factories were booming and asking for women to work, while farming also improved. No one knew what was happening with the war and were clueless on its progress. The only thing families, now torn, were able to do was to pray. Pray for the war to end, pray for their husband or son, pray for their nation, pray for everlasting peace.



National World War Two Memorial in Washington DC

 If I were an 18 year-old male living during the war I would be so frightened. I would be frightened to enter a war that the nation for so long tried to not be involved in. I would be scared for my family and hope the best for them. I would be scared for my fellow friends that also would enter the war. I would be frightened to see death. I would fear death itself. All of these fears would swarm in my mind all day, everyday I lived in the war. I would pray for health, peace, my family and friends, the nation, for my own life, and to be remembered and honored.