The American Soldier. Veterans Day
As the world becomes a smaller and more dangerous place, and war has appeared on our soil, it might seem that things have never been worse. As war in Iraq looms on the horizon, and the shrill shouts and slogans of the micro-minority “peaceniks” fill the TV screens of the nightly news, it does one well to take a look back at our Nation’s history for inspiration and guidance. The dangerous times, in which we now live, where our very existence as a Nation could be at stake, are by no means the first. In fact, the US has faced mortal danger on several prior occasions.
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The Civil War. World War II. The Cold War. These are the biggies. (The lack of mention of other military events does not serve to in any way diminish from the importance and sacrifice of the participants. The writer believes in eternal vigilance and peace through strength.) The one common thread in all such events, mentioned or not, was the soldier. The American soldier, risking his or her life to make sure that our nation continues to exist.
The Civil War. World War II. The Cold War. These are the biggies. (The lack of mention of other military events does not serve to in any way diminish from the importance and sacrifice of the participants. The writer believes in eternal vigilance and peace through strength.) The one common thread in all such events, mentioned or not, was the soldier. The American soldier, risking his or her life to make sure that our nation continues to exist.
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There is no doubt that the German Wermacht intended to deliver to Hitler total domination and destruction of the free and civilized world. With the South withdrawing from the Nation and an ever-ambitious Old Europe watching with great interest and delight, Americans slaughtered Americans for 5 long years of Civil War. Think about how the people of those times must have despaired!
There is no doubt that the German Wermacht intended to deliver to Hitler total domination and destruction of the free and civilized world. With the South withdrawing from the Nation and an ever-ambitious Old Europe watching with great interest and delight, Americans slaughtered Americans for 5 long years of Civil War. Think about how the people of those times must have despaired!
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Imagine Communism, a form of government in which freedom is a complete stranger, spreading in every corner of the world, abetted by the world’s largest nuclear arsenal pointed right at us. One false alarm and…BOOM.
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Yet, somehow this country survived. Survived…. and then some. Each time that the evil was finally turned back, America went on to prosper in the aftermath. And more of the world’s people became free. The Negro Slaves. The French. The Dutch. The Germans themselves. Poland. The countries of the former Warsaw Pact. All enslaved…and all freed by America…and its brave soldiers.
Yet, somehow this country survived. Survived…. and then some. Each time that the evil was finally turned back, America went on to prosper in the aftermath. And more of the world’s people became free. The Negro Slaves. The French. The Dutch. The Germans themselves. Poland. The countries of the former Warsaw Pact. All enslaved…and all freed by America…and its brave soldiers.
September 11, 2001. Murderous conspirators take aim at the heart of America’s business and financial world. Modern day Kamikazes strike at the Pentagon, the heart of our nation’s defense.
Perhaps the heroically aborted flight in Pennsylvania was the one meant to strike and destroy the very center of the US Capitol and the Government itself.
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Does anybody think that Saddam Hussein, given the right weapon, and the means to deliver it, would hesitate to create something many times worse than the crimes of 9/11?
Does anybody think that Saddam Hussein, given the right weapon, and the means to deliver it, would hesitate to create something many times worse than the crimes of 9/11?
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War will probably come. But, America will endure. In fact, this writer believes that in the end, more people will become free. It might not be easy. Perhaps many Americans will die. What choice do we have?
War will probably come. But, America will endure. In fact, this writer believes that in the end, more people will become free. It might not be easy. Perhaps many Americans will die. What choice do we have?
A friend forwarded the following. The author is unknown. The words are quite powerful and are worth reprinting:
“I want you to close your eyes and picture in your mind the soldier at Valley Forge, as he holds his musket in his bloody hands. He stands barefoot in the snow, starved from lack of food, wounded from months of battle and emotionally scarred from the eternity away from his family surrounded by nothing but death and carnage of war. He stands though, with fire in his eyes and victory on his breath. He looks at us now in anger and disgust and tells us this....
I gave you a birthright of freedom born in the Constitution and now your children graduate too illiterate to read it. I fought in the snow barefoot to give you the freedom to vote and you stay at home because it rains. I left my family destitute to give you the freedom of speech and you remain silent on critical issues, because it might be bad for business. I orphaned my children to give you a government to serve you and it has stolen democracy from the people..It's the soldier, not the reporter who gives you the freedom of the press. It's the soldier, not the poet who gives you the freedom of speech. It's the soldier, not the campus organizer who allows you to demonstrate. It's the soldier, who salutes the flag, serves the flag, whose coffin is draped with the flag that allows the protester to burn the flag!!!”
The anonymous writer closes with an invitation to prayer as our brave soldiers face the coming battle:
“Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.”
Yes indeed. It's the soldier. Thank You!
