By Briana Outlaw/ reporter

The United States is neglecting its own history, an author told TR students Jan. 20.

Ninety-one-year-old World War II veteran James Hutchinson said he was committed to sharing the significance of the events that took place for him between 1942-1945.

In the war, 1 million soldiers were deployed, and only 500,000 returned. Hutchinson was one of them. He gave the perspective of these events from the lead crew sharing stories about fighter jets and life as a radio operator.

He spoke about three of his five books: Through These Eyes, The Boys in the 17s and On Leatherwood Creek. His books bring remembrance of the war and the Great Depression because he wants to keep history alive.

“I wish that I could talk to everyone in the world and say, ‘You either learn or else you’ve wasted your time,’” he said.

He said people should take care of the important things and have a war-like mentality.

“You have to survive,” he said. “The country has to survive.”

Hutchinson emphasized the importance of education and commitment.

“If you are going to take a class, take it,” he said.

Hutchinson knew during the war that the morale was high and that they “had no choice but to win.” And that’s what they did.

People should read the Bill of Rights and the Constitution so they can respect the government, Hutchinson said.

“Cherish what you have because most people in the world don’t have the Constitution to protect them,” he said. “You are guaranteed certain things, but you should protect that right.”

Hutchinson showed pictures from his books that included bomber planes flying over Germany, flight formations and graveyards that war veterans are assigned to take care of. His diary turned into his books after his daughters found it and suggested he share the material.

“I collect stories from families, edit and write them to record and represent veterans’ memories,” he said.

After attending the session, TR student Kimberly Martinez said she has a new perspective on the events of the war, and now she wants to know more about her constitutional rights.