VJ Day On the Pacific Front

Kiddo is typically not one to suggest a movie for us to see as a family. If it’s something he is interested in, he will stream it and maybe, just maybe at the dinner table one evening he’ll share his thoughts. Oppenheimer was an exception. Even before it’s release, he expressed an interest in seeing the film, and thought we should see it, too.

While the movie did center around the creation of the first atomic weapon, the main focus of the film was Julius Robert Oppenheimer, known as the father of the atomic bomb. He was a physicist who played an important roll in the Manhattan Project, a U.S. Army experiment aimed at harnessing atomic energy for purely military purposes. Oppenheimer agreed with people such as Albert Einstein that Nazis Germany was on the verge of developing an atomic bomb. Albert Einstein did not believe any country or individual should be able to create a weapon so powerful that it could destroy the entire world. People such as Oppenheimer felt such a weapon was going to be developed no matter what, and therefore it should remain in the hands of those who would act responsibility. I’m not sure if the people of Hiroshima or Nagasaki would agree with his assessment that we acted responsibly. As we sat in the darkened theater and the first bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, a cheer went up among those who had developed this weapon of immense destruction. It bothered me that the taking of lives in a time of war was cause for celebration. Was it necessary? Judgment is still out on that one. But for whatever the “right” reasons were, taking a life, any life, should come with remorse and sorrow for what might have been.

Europe marks this day as the day the Japanese surrendered. In America, while we also acknowledge the day of the surrender, we are a people who need to dot the I and cross the T, so we celebrate the end of World War II when the treaty was officially signed, September 2. An end to war is always cause to celebrate, no matter which side you might be on. War is ugly. And for that reason there is also cause to pause and silently remember all those who perished due to conflict, differences, hatred and ignorance.

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Lettuce Wraps, while typically served at places such as PF Chang’s as a appetizer, are also delicious just about any time. Be it a lunch or light supper, there is something about a blend of meats and vegetables wrapped in crisp lettuce that is satisfying. Don’t you agree?

Asian Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps
16 leaves Boston Bibb or Butter Lettuce
1 White Onion
4 Garlic Cloves
1 (8 oz) can Water chestnuts
4 Green Onions
1 lb lean Ground Beef
1 tablespoon Cooking Oil
1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
1/4 cup Hoisin Sauce
1 teaspoon ground Ginger or to taste
1 tablespoon Rice Wine Vinegar
2 teaspoons Chili Sauce
1 teaspoon Sesame Oil
Additional Green Onion, garnish

Rinse whole lettuce leaves, pat dry. Take care not to tear or break leaves. Set aside.

Peel and chop onion, set aside. Peen and mince garlic, set aside. Drain Water Chestnuts, finely chops and set aside. Snip green onions, set aside.

In a medium skillet over high heat, brown ground beef in 1 tablespoon of oil, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium if browning too quickly. Drain meat well, set aside to cool.

Cook the onions in the same pan, stirring frequently. Add garlic, soy sauce, Hoisin sauce, ginger, vinegar and Chili Sauce. Stir in chopped water chestnuts, green onions and sesame oil. Cook until the green parts of the onion just begin to wilt, about 90 seconds. Remove from heat. Add ground beef to the vegetable mixture. Stir to blend.

Arrange lettuce leaves around the outer edge of a large serving platter. Place a bowl filled with the meat mixture in the center. To serve, allow each person to spoon a portion of the meat into the lettuce wrap. Garnish as desired with additional green onion.

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Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem