UNBROKEN Forgiveness
Louis Zamperini and his Amazing Run
A son of Italian immigrants, LOUIS ZAMPERINI (1917-2014) was a U.S. Olympic runner, World War II bombardier, and POW survivor. After the war, he returned to the United States with demons on his trail. From the wisdom of his loving wife who orchestrated an introduction to a young evangelist named Billy Graham, Zamperini was empowered with a faith to ultimately leave his self-destructing habits in the dust as he once had done to runners on the track. He went on to found the Victory Boys Camp for at-risk youth and became an in inspirational speaker. His story was told in his 2003 autobiography Devil at My Heels as well as in Laura Hillenbrand's 2010 biography Unbroken.
On 25 December 2015, I viewed the opening day presentation of his movie UNBROKEN, produced and directed by Angelina Jolie. The film is intense, graphic and touching. You will leave the theater shaking your head thinking 'No way'... Well, 'Yes way'. Here is a story where truth trumps fiction.
I'm not a book or movie critic but urge you to 'connect' with Louie one way or another. Your spirit will be touched... and strengthened. You will be challenged... to grow.
photo courtesy russelllibrary.org
"We come alone
we leave alone
And in between we sing alone
So dance we must
and thrash our swords
And run...
not from
but AT
and TOWARDS"
G Lesley
Louis Zamperini was blessed with endurance and exceptional foot-speed at a young age. Along with a quick wit and a natural ability to evade, he perfected his 'craft'. If only he knew what awaited him... Later in life he would say "I'm no hero. I was a survivor" He arguably turned out to be both; of the highest order.
He used his boyhood speed and survivor skills to avoid the local constable in his neighborhood in Torrance, California. But even his adroit abilities to evade the long arm of the law from minor indiscretions (pie thief and mischief maestro) began to close in on him. Louie's path forward came from the urging of his older brother Pete. He put his running abilities to work for him on the school track team, driven by the mantra his brother had instilled in him: Louie...
"If you can take it, you can make it."
In a short span of years, the 'Torrance Tornado' was a high school All-American with a scholarship to USC and heading to the 1936 Olympiad in Berlin.
photo courtesy bloghrexach
Referring to him as "the boy with the fast finish", Adolph Hitler requested the young Olympic runner to his personal viewing box for a hand-shake after a :56 last lap Zamperini performed in the 5000 meter. He did not medal but made up an incredible distance after a troubled start, passing his American team mate and star Don Lash. Consensus in the sport was that Louie was on course to be the first human to break the 4 minute mile barrier; he had already ran a 4:08 in 1938. His patriotic decision to enlist in the Army Air Corps in 1941 set a course for an unimaginable journey of desperation, survival and ultimate victory that documentaries, movies and books struggle to capture in it's entirety.
The Zamperini story is simply too massive in it's width and breadth; like trying to capture the entire Grand Canyon in one photo. Just can't be done.
Photo courtesy astoundable.com
I certainly won't try to embellish any of that... any more than I can only touch the surface of the man's life.
After spending considerable time watching Louie's videos, reading his books and seeing UNBROKEN, I do feel compelled to share with you what resounds to me as a transcendent quality.
Forgiveness.
How was Zamperini capable of lending forgiveness to all his Japanese antagonists; especially the camp sergeant most hated and feared; known as 'The Bird'; Mutsuhiro Watanabe? Repeatedly, Louie suffered the brutality and cruelty brought upon him from this sadistic tormentor.
A very special part of Louie's character was his sense of perspective. Awareness of a bigger picture.
This came from his ability to be aware of and prioritize situational awareness. It kept him alive through his ghastly and inhumane internments, post-war trauma and later in life, helped him to move forward by grasping that
'one part of the story can not occur without the other'.
Photo courtesy awesomestories.com
Louis and Rev Billy Graham; 1949
This allowed him 'to accept (it) and find contentment.'
Through repeated escape form harrowing and near-death experiences, the character he had disciplined himself to be as an Olympic athlete was ultimately melded with his spiritual companion, resulting in his ability to forgive.
"When you forgive, it's like it never happened."
"Of all the wonderful results of changing my life, perhaps the best is my ability to forgive."
And forgiveness wasn't something Louie asked for. It was something he gave. The pinnacle of his actualization was achieved when he addressed a squad bay of Japanese prisoners in 1950; many of whom were his very captors. He asked nothing of them while offering his full and sincere forgiveness for the crimes they had committed. Some were so affected they converted to Christianity; a significant response to his compassion. Louie helped bring healing and peace to the people and the place where unspeakable atrocities to Allied POWs occurred.
To complete the closure of war wounds, Louie; age 81, ran a leg of the Olympic Torch Relay at the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano, Japan. He was received with an out-pouring of gratitude and kindness from the Japanese people. Only a short distance from the very camp that housed him at the end of the war, Louie carried a bouquet of flowers to the memorial erected by the people of Japan to the prisoners of his camp that perished there. The Torrance Tornado, albeit at a slower pace, was still running with his trade-mark finish... a burst of pure energy.
Photo courtesy Americanpowsofjapan.BlogSpot.com
Naoetsu Peace Memorial
(Louie came close to meeting with Watanabe in 1998 after finding out he was alive and still lived within the shadows of the old prison camp. After initially agreeing, 'The Bird' declined.)
Forgiveness became something that Louie simply was. He embodied it, along with his Christian faith.
Surely, this formed the foundation of Louie's approach to life. What can be more empowering then to forgive? The ability to 'erase' the past is powerful psychology. Maybe erase (my word) is not the best term...
How about 'resolve'?
Photo courtesy blog.godreports.com
"Sometimes the stars decide
to reflect
in puddles
in the dirt
When I look
into your eyes
I forget all about
what hurts"
From UNBROKEN and 'Miracles'; by COLDPLAY
Louis Zamperini passed away in July of 2014; a few short months before the preview of his movie. However, in 20 minute segments over a period of days in June, a patient and loving Jolie played for Louie, the film at his beside. Louie was pleased. I'm sure Angelina was as well.
"Don't give up, don't give in"
"I'm a thankful citizen of America
who just wants to be remembered for his charitable heart."
Photo courtesy tumblr.com
Louis Zamperini
(1917 - 2014)
Lessons from an Extraordinary Life
You got it, Louie. You got it.
The 'Web' of your life has left this world a better place. Your wisdom and guidance shall even outshine the brilliant flame of your memorials and tributes. And they are great and many; well deserved.
Good Job, Captain - Well Done, Sir.
Godspeed.
Want to learn more about this American Hero? Here's his official website:
Louis Zamperini - Official Site
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