What a fantastic speech Captain Toti! Thank you for your service! Thank you for your thoughtful words. Keep up the good fight! God Bless you Captain Toti!
I've listening to many of the Unauthorized History of the Pacific War podcasts on youtube and would be honored to one day meet Captain Toti and shake his hand. Thank you for a powerful and true speech with words that we all need to remember and live by. I am especially moved by the comments; 'earn this' and 'devotion' and the meaning behind those words and the sacrifice associated with those words. We alive in America today were so incredibly fortunate for those citizens who gave so much. Let's continue to remember ALL of them.
Outstanding speech Captain. You've not only dedicated your life to the service of Our Country, but also have sent the message loud and clear "Never Forget!"
Thank you Captain Toti, outstanding presentation. They found sam dealey and the Harder, some closure closure for the gold star families of that crew. Appropriate for this memorial day.
I give you so much humor & respect Captain Toti. I have listened to all the podcast on the Unauthorized history of the pacific war over and over. I am a Veteran and missionary. When stateside we live in Lakeland FL. Nothing I would love better than to take you out for a steak dinner. What a marvelous individual you are my friend. Thanks so much for your service & this excellent speech today. May the Lord Bless you sir Terry
Thank-you, Commodore Toti, for reminding all of us that freedom was bought by rivers of blood. It is our bounden duty not to let them have died in vain.
Only got a bit at a time here in the UK. But what a speach. We have a holiday here in the UK too. Not for the same reason. But I wish to remember and honour everyone who served, American of otherwise
Fantastic presentation by Captain Bill Toti. I am a subscriber to The Unuathorized History of the Pacific War and watch every Tuesday. Bill, Seth and their many guest hosts. I always finish the pocast knowing a whole lot more than I knew starting the podcast. I've been studying history since I was nine years old. I love the fact that I learn someting new every week. I'm 68 years old now.
Thank you Captain Tori for your service, this inspiring speech, and your wonderful work documenting the Pacific campaign. Thanks to all the families of those in US military who died protecting our future.
Thank you for reminding us of just what Memorial Day is truly about. I am thinking of my own comrades who have given their lives, limbs and happiness during my own service. The one thing I can say is that it was an honor to have known them. It was an honor to hear your words Captain. Anchors away!
I've had the pleasure of listening to Captain Toti in all the "Unauthorized history" episodes up to this point. This speech was also excellent. I was a Radarman aboard a Knox class DE during the VN war. We chased Carriers and wore out many 5 in 54 cal Gun barrels. Mixed memories, but I served with great shipmates. May you that served be blessed, and take pride of your sacrifice.
Thank you Captain Toti. As a former Naval Person myself, I especially note the brave Captain and crew of USS Harder, whose final place of rest has been discovered. An appropriate event for this memorial day.
Thank you Captain Toti for your service. Thanks to the countless stories of bravery in your wonderful podcast and now this speech, I truly understand the meaning of Memorial Day. God bless America, the best country ever made!
As a big fan of the Unauthorized History of the Pacific war and a resident of Brevard County where this speach was given, I had hoped to attend but health issues made that difficult. Great speach Sir
Thank you Captain Bill. God Bless you and all that have. given their lives, and yes, we must "earn this! My father was on the USS Estes during the pre invasion bombardment of Iwo and his ship was very involved withe UDT teams that you mentioned.
That speech gave me goosebumps. The Bible verse reminded me of the memorial in Creswell Oregon for Duane Hodges, the only serviceman killed on the USS Pueblo in 1968. The same verse is inscribed on his memorial. His parents lived around the corner from me in 1968 where Duane grew up. Whenever I saw them as a young boy I wondered what they were thinking about. They must have been so sad. They are buried a few feet from their son who arguably saved the human race in January of 1968 with his sacrifice. The Pueblo skipper, Pete Bucher, watched Duane bleed out after a random cannon shell passing through the side of the ship dealt a mortal blow. I think his death influenced Bucher to surrender the Pueblo rather than sacrifice the entire crew. He didn’t know a few days earlier the North Korean government attempted to assassinate the South Korean president. Hodges’ death and surrendering the ship prevented a military response which could have easily escalated to WW3. The grave stone shared by Stella and Jesse Hodges, a few feet from Duane has three words in big block letters: GOD IS LOVE. That is what they were thinking. Thank you Captain Toti for inspiring me to share this story on Memorial Day, 2024. I didn’t forget.
Bill, Superb speech full of TRUTH. We Australians honour our servicemen on Anzac Day. This day lost its direction in the 70's and 80's but I am pleased to report it is now revered more seriously by our young. I am 80 this month and recall men from Australia from the Boer War, WW1and WW2 who marched in a wave then but march no more. I applaud how you Yanks honour your current service personnel. We DO NOT do it so well but again I see change. Keep well and keep going. See you Tuesday night with Seth.
It was a pleasure to hear your remarks in person and to meet you. Thank you again Captain Toti. Brian Stanton USNA '92 and myself look forward to the rest of your podcasts.
Very Good speech, Captain Toti! Good to see you in uniform. We retired personnel don't get to wear our uniforms very often. I still have my Army dress blues, but they don't fit anymore!
We need to honor heroes EVERY day , not just one day, for what they gave , for how they lived and died , we honor their memories ....no "Suckers" or "Losers" only American heroes !
This bit just found a place in my book of favorite quotes. Thank you, Captain Toti... "World War Two proved that there is such a thing as objective evil. Modern day culture would try to convince you that morality is relative and that evil is determined by some subjective human standard, but that’s a lie. The objective standard for good and evil is determined not by the wavering whims of some academic in ivy league, but by our creator. And despite the revisionist history that would try to convince you otherwise, America is a force for objective good in this world."
It is more than inspiring to know someone like you has achieved what you have in this country. Freedom is responsibility. We need to make sure that anyone who thinks about residing here has a good sense of what we have been about at our best. I greatly appreciate THE UNAUTHORIZED HISTORY OF THE PACIFIC WAR series both data and the fascinating thinking behind what took place. Thank you, your fellow narrator, guests and all those that make this series happen
Thank you Bill for those words. They ring so true. I've watched every podcast. Tuesday mornings are special to me. they're even more special knowing that I feel an association with people such as yourself. Thank you for your service on this memorial Day.
Just learned of a family member that was killed by a Kamikaze on the USS Dickerson at Okinawa: Rodolphe Lincoln Favreau. Us French/Canadians- Americans from my family has given a good account of themselves from the Civil War onwards🫡❤️🙏
I just saw a show on PBS for Memorial Day that had a history of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. Anyway, there he was on my 68" screen, the Young Elvis looking Capt. Toti....
Damn, Captain Toti, you sure look good in your dress whites. I won't try to praise your speech because I'd only dilute the praise found in the other comments.
The movie Saving Private Ryan Tom Hanks last words were “Earn it !” I had to search for it ! Tom Hanks last words to private Private Ryan to live up to all of the sacrifices that were made to save HIS Life ! That had to be a huge burden to carry !
