A True American Hero: Louis Zamperini

Several years ago our book club read "Unbroken," by Laura Hildenbrand, the story of Olympian and WW11 Hero, Louis Zamperini.  It was one of the most moving books I have read in years, and his story touched us all.  A simple man from California, he overcame great odds to survive WW11.  While searching for a downed B-25,  Zamperini and his aircraft crashed in the Pacific, killing eight of the 11 men.  He and one other  crew member survived 47 days on a raft in shark-infested waters before being captured by the Japanese.  He then spent more than two years as a prisoner of war, surviving torture and hunger.  Louis Zamperini died days before July 4, at age 97.

Prior to enlisting in the military, Zamperini was a runner at USC.  He ran for the USA in the 1938, finishing 8th.  Zamperini confronted challenges in his life that would cause most of us to surrender, but he always persevered.  After WW11, Zamperini fell into alcoholism and depression, but he never gave up.  He conquered his illness, and went on to spend the better part of his lifetime sharing his message with others.

I had the good fortune to see and hear him speak at Cal State San Marcos several years ago.  I will never forget this diminutive man in a USC baseball cap, bounding down the aisle of the auditorium to reach the stage.  I felt honored to hear him speak.  I consider him a hero, in a time when we have too few heroes.  Had Laura Hildenbrand not known his story and written about him, we might never have found out about this truly amazing man.  She did, thank goodness, and we are all better off knowing his story, knowing that heroes like this are out among us, and realizing what a difference they make.  If you have not yet read Unbroken, put it on your list.  Louis Zamperini is a man you will not soon forget.  Louis, we will miss you, but your unbreakable spirit and winning smile will live on forever.