Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel

In Memory of Bill Sax

An anonymous poet and vet wrote about his experience in the famous battle of Okinawa.

Okinawa was to be our last stop
Before we invaded Japan.
The largest landing of the Pacific war
As our soldiers ran across the sand.

At first our marines were scarcely opposed
But on the fifth day hell they found.
A solid wall of human resistance
Firing their weapons from caves in the ground.

Air power and big guns had little affect
On their cliff forts carved deep in the limestone.
It took man against man to root them out
As flying bullets pierced flesh and bone.

Kamikaze pilots crashed their planes
Knocking out transports and war ships.
As the Imperial air force struck our fleet
Cries of fear and hate spewed from lips.

One hundred, ten thousand Japanese
By the end of the battle were killed.
Over twelve thousand Americans died,
Before, just our flag flew over the field.

Let me tell you about Bill’s remarkable life.

What I would like to do now is tell you about Bill. I want you to walk away from here with a better understanding and appreciation of his life and who he was. And I am going to acquaint you with some aspects of his life with which you may not be familiar –a father, a son, a brother, a husband, friend and soldier, a gardener, and car aficionado.

Bill Sax was born on December 7, 1921 in Moline, the son of Jacob and Fannie (Cohn) Sax. Some of you may not know that Bill was a decorated war hero, who received numerous medals for his bravery and valor during WWII.

Young Bill was drafted on Oct. 15, 1942 (before his 21st birthday) and went from St. Louis to Camp Adair, Oregon, near Salem, OR., zig zagging across the country for a week. He was put in a heavy weapons company, Company D. This was the first Thanksgiving and first holiday he would spend away from home.

As Dad put it:

“I don’t know how I got so lucky. Abbie was drafted into the Air Corps, Bernie in Anti-Aircraft Artillery, and I got the Infantry.” Well, after training in Oregon and CA, the army sent him to Hawaii and then to several islands in the Pacific. He was on Leyte in the Phillipines for about 10 days when General MacArthur made his famous return to the Philippines. He ended up in Okinawa on April 1, 1945, and Bill was in the last battle of WW II—although they didn’t know it at the time.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Battle of Okinawa, it was considered to be one of the bloodiest battles of WWII; the American invasion of this island made it possible for the Americans to invade the Japanese industrial heartland.

The attack on Okinawa had taken a heavy toll on both sides. The Americans lost 7,373 men killed and 32,056 wounded on land. At sea, the Americans lost 5,000 killed and 4,600 wounded. The Japanese lost 107,000 killed and 7,400 men taken prisoner. The Americans also lost 36 ships. 368 ships were also damaged. 763 aircraft were destroyed. The Japanese lost 16 ships sunk and over 4,000 aircraft were lost.

Bill’s section got hit while there, and several of them got hit by shrapnel. Dad’s helmet saved his life! There was still a bit of shrapnel lodged in his shoulder that he never had removed. He was taken to the hospital in Guam, then to Hawaii, then back to the States. He got his discharge just before Thanksgiving 1945, almost 3 years after being drafted. He walked into the poultry business at 8am and by 9am he was dressing turkeys for Thanksgiving!

Longfellow said it best in his famous poem, “The Psalm of Life.” These poetic words capture the essence of Bill’s soul:

In the world’s broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!

AFTER THE WAR

Within three years, he married the former Arlene Schaider in 1948. He met Arlene Arlene Schaider in 1948, the love of his life and they were married for 62 happy years. She was in every sense, the love of his life. Throughout his life, Arlene proved to be a loving and loyal spouse and together they created a lifetime of dreams and memories.

THE GOOD SON

Many years before he worked at Montgomery Wards, he worked at the family poultry business, Sax’s Poultry, and he routinely extended kindness to people who could not afford food; he provided them with a running tab, and if they could not afford to pay their debts, he forgave the debts. As a human being, Bill lived a life of tsedakah—the Hebrew word for “charity” and “integrity.” Bill proved to be an excellent son to his parents, and took care of their every need.

BILL’S ETHICAL DEMEANOR

Bill was never one to complain; he had a sunny and upbeat disposition. Everyone who knew him, loved his attitude—whether it was the kids’ friends, or the people at Montgomery Wards where he worked as a salesman for over 25 years. Bill was beloved by everyone who knew him.

Bill never had a bad word to say about anyone. His attitude could be summed up by the words, “If you don’t have anything to say that is good about someone, then don’t say it.” In his own way, Bill observed the highest principles of Jewish ethics—especially as it pertains to human speech and communication. Some people think Kashrut is what you put into your mouth, it is really what comes out of one’s mouth as well. Bill Sax epitomized this ancient Jewish ideal better than most people you will ever meet.

I observed Bill, the last few days of his life; last Friday, I recall observing how he maintained his quick wit until the end; he was the kind of person who embraced laughter and humor; his spirit remained buoyant until the very end. As Karen and Marty said, “If Bill wasn’t joking, you knew there was something very wrong.”

Many special memories occurred at the family kitchen; all his friends and family members have a “Bill story,” to tell.

One of his favorite pastimes was traveling in his favorite Studebaker; he was one of the founding members of the local Studebaker Club, and his love of cars and trains goes back to when he was a young boy. As a young man, he enjoyed schlepping his mother from place to place, always engaging the world. Even after he could no longer drive, Bill still took delight making his round of Walmart visits, where he would cruise around in the motor-operated carts. Throughout his life, he loved visiting automobile and train museums; he could pretty much tell you almost anything about a vehicle’s design.

When Bill and Arlene traveled, they always went to see brothers Abby and Bernie, or his kids, and friends. Whether it was in Tucson, Arizona, or at San Diego, Bill loved traveling to see his children, nieces, nephews, or his grandchild Benjamin.

Some people live their lives to accumulate wealth or status, but Bill was different. For him, the greatest treasure he desired more than anything else was friendship.

Given Bill’s love for traveling, I can tell you that he looked forward to visiting the Arlington Cemetery in Washington D.C. on a special Honor Flight trip to pay respects to the countless soldiers who gave their lives and served in the army during WWII.

BILL’S HONOR FLIGHT

As the Quad-City Times records, “For the Quad Citians who’ve stood at the World War II Memorial, an Honor Flight trip brings with it a sense that the world will never forget their accomplishments of 60 years ago. This upcoming Saturday Bill had a seat reserved on the Honor Flight. “

Marty said it best, “We have to honor him in a different way now . . . We had to change plans and honor him at The Arsenal instead of honoring him in Washington.”

I would like to conclude with one more poem written by a different veteran, which may serve as a commentary about this quite and unassuming man:

BRAVERY

Many brave souls lived before now
Unwept and unknown by their face.
Lost somewhere in the distant night
Till a poet chronicles their grace.

True bravery is shown by performing
Without witness, what one might be
Capable of before the world
Without any or all to see.

How great the brave who rest in peace
All blessings from heaven to earth.
They gave our country but their best
Those destined to be brave from birth.

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