For World War II veteran, patriotism felt after Sept. 11 attacks was familiar

Jean Mackin

HOLLIS, N.H. —

Many who share their memories of Sept. 11, 2001, describe the wave of togetherness and patriotism they felt in the wake of the attacks.

For World War II veteran Bob Smith, it was something he had felt before.

The 97-year-old Army Air Corps veteran remembers landmark events in American history like they were yesterday, including his perspective on the events of Sept. 11, 25 years ago.

“I remember when it happened,” Smith said. “It was a terrible day, the buildings crumbling and people dying. A horrific experience for the firemen, policemen. It was a horrifying experience for everyone.”

In some ways, he said, it felt like the December day in 1941 that changed his life.

“I was in high school at the time when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor,” Smith said.

He enlisted when he was 16, but he wasn’t sent to war.

“I enlisted at 16, yes, but my father wouldn’t let me go, because I was 16, and he told them, ‘I’m not going to let my son go,'” Smith said.

Smith waited until he was 17.

“I went back to the recruiting office and signed up,” he said. “I just had a feeling that I wanted to be there to help out.”

From his home in Hollis, Smith shared that his brother served in combat during World War II, while he was assigned to the Pacific and later, the occupation of Japan.

He serviced airplanes, worked on telephone communications and even met Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

“I loved MacArthur. He was my hero,” Smith said. “I met him. I shook his hand in Japan. And he thanked me. Instead of me thanking him, he was thanking me for my service.”

Smith still proudly wears his medals.

“I love America. How’s that?” Smith said. “My generation was very strong toward patriotism. It’s waning today.”

Smith said he remembers the days after Sept. 11 and the surge in patriotism, the same patriotism that he felt in the 1940s when he enlisted.

“I think I’d like to think about all the good people that kept this country together,” he said. “I’d love to see more patriotism, yes, I would. This is my country.”