on this Pearl Harbor day let us remember.................

Like many of you, my late father was a WWII vet --- he was sailor in the South Pacific involved in the island hopping campaign moving toward Japan. We owe a significant debt to those men and women who served both then and now.

Thanks for the reminder.

andrew

So true.

How easy is to become lulled into a sense of false security in a free country.

Yet many of us are complacent. Why?

My early childhood yearsaw the privations of war: rationing of food commodities, gasoline, shoes and much more. Air raid drills, older women teachers called out of retirement (male teachers had been drafted for miltitary service)............

Please tell me those times could never happen again.

SD

Those times could never happen again...

At least not in the same capacity, it wasn't called the greatest generation for nothing.

"Those times could never happen again..." - Ron

Why not?

The Greatest Generation" was noteable for it's dedication and sacrifice to win a war.

Where would you find their likes today? You'd have to look very hard to find them save for military active-duty personnel and veterans.

SD

Well,

It wasn't limited to the US it was a worldwide effort. I think many folks beyond military and veterans would band together, just not in the same way.

Hopefully as a world of peoples... we are learning something from history... and moving forward toward peace on Earth. (call me a romantic)

If I saw any indications of such I'd join you in your romaticism.

SD

The political junkie and retired soldier in me thinks that we are much more likely to experience a Civil War before any World War. That said, having an administration that willfully and constantly lies to the citizens, and our allies, certainly must diminish any credibility we may have gained in the last 50 years. A future World War is certainly possible under these conditions.

I am a officer in our local VFW, American Legion, and Disabled American Veteran (DAV). In that capacity I have many opportunities to interact with the local school children and Boy Scouts. I am deeply saddened and seriously concerned that they do not get truthful US history taught to them in the public school. Much less any critical thinking or simple moral code instruction.

The civil war, I think is coming, will be between races or economic classes here in America. I have a pragmatic view of current affairs.... there are too many in the wagon and too few pulling...eventually those pulling die, quit, and become too few to sustain the current situation in the U.S.A....This is a sure recipe for chaos and disaster.

Thanks Dave, for the reminder

Parting thought, the December 7th memorial program we do every year at the VFW is experiencing fewer and fewer attendees, especially as all the WWII veterans die off (at an astounding rate I might add)....... There does come a day in the not too distant future when the only veterans in these Fraternal Organizations, and on display in parades will be Korea, Viet Nam, Desert Storm, and Gulf War era. Like it or not, the general public does not regard these veterans with the same reverence as we do the WWI and WWII veterans. Respected generally, yes! But not to the same inner emotional level as those from the "Greatest Generation"

Fred says it well.

I suppose this will be considered a shot at Ron but I'll mention it anyway:

"Those times could never happen again..." - Ron (This without an explanation)

Yes Ron and World War One was considered "The War to End ALL Wars." Peace without Victory" and all that.

To my critics: So boot me from the forum for being too frank and honest.

SD

andrew wrote:Like many of you, my late father was a WWII vet --- he was sailor in the South Pacific involved in the island hopping campaign moving toward Japan.  We owe a significant debt to those men and women who served both then and now.

Thanks for the reminder.

andrew

So was mine. Maybe they were on the same boat. I come from a long line of Sailors.

Rusty

roddie wrote:Hopefully as a world of peoples... we are learning something from history... and moving forward toward peace on Earth. (call me a romantic)

Roddie:

Yes and......

"If wishes were horses beggars would ride."

SD

Cribbs74 wrote:Well,

It wasn't limited to the US it was a worldwide effort. I think many folks beyond military and veterans would band together, just not in the same way.

It was never foreseen the Germany, Italy and Japan would unite to form the Axis Powers of WWII either.

SD

Surprised the above hasn't drawn a response.

I close my case about being prepared in a turbulant world.

SD

Cribbs74 wrote:Those times could never happen again...

At least not in the same capacity, it wasn't called the greatest generation for nothing.

Ditto


Alway tickles me when I hear WWII started in 1941 tho.

My Canadian grandfather of 93yrs doesn't let me forget that he entered service in 1939!

He also says that I am in the "Yank Army" even though I am active USAF....

Actually John the beginnings of WWII were laid down during the Franco-Prusian War during the 1870's which lead to WWI and then WWII.

The repeating cycle of war should be disturbing to thinking people.

SD

SD, It's much older that that. All this started in 843 after the treaty of Verdun. The empire of Charlemagne was devided in 3 parts among his 3 grandsons: the western part, called France from 1200 onwards, the eastern part Germania and the middle part Lorraine. In 855, Lorraine was hacked into 3 parts and ended up being devided between France and Germany. This part has always been the subject of disputes.

In 1871, after the French emperor Napoleon III was captured by the Germans, Alsace-Lorraine became German for the last time. In 1919 during the treaty of Versailles, where the return of Alsace- Lorraine to France was claimed by Clemenceau, the major allied powers represented by W.Wilson as US president and L. George as prime minister of Britain were not favourable for the return of Alsace-Lorraine to France or - to say it in other words - did not object that this region would remain German. An intervention of the Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, changed this situation. She handed over to Clemeneau a letter of the Kaiser sent to her after the defeat of 1871, where he stated that the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine did not happen to expand the territory of the reich but more to create a buffer zone or barrier to protect Germany from agressive France.

Lieven

Lieven:

I appreciate your input from the European perspective.

Indeed there is a connection between most wars ancient to modern. To deny that is to be ignorant of history.

But such is the nature of mankind itself to struggle for self-betterment often at the expense of others. The cycle will continue with even greater furosity as world population rises and resources diminish.

Regards,

SD