America was founded on the principles of liberty and democracy,
principles for which our nation has been willing to fight, if necessary.
We fought the Revolutionary War to gain freedom from British domination,
and we won. Our forefathers fought the Civil War to reunite the country
and to abolish slavery, and they did. World War I was the war to end
all wars, but we learned it was not. World War II brought the end to
the Nazi scourge and did away with the Japanese empire. The Korean War
contained the North Korean threat and provided South Korea with an elected
democratic government. The Vietnam War provided us with a realization
that we are not invincible and that democracy is not the great goal for
some peoples.
The Gulf War was a dramatic military victory, but also a diplomatic failure,
which led us into the present conflict in Iraq.
Most of us have lived through several major conflicts. We can still remember
Armistice Day Services in school when everyone stopped for a moment to
observe the end of World War I and to honor those who fought and died.
At that young age, few of us ever had any idea we would be called upon
to defend our precious freedoms.
It is a common practice to blame our involvement in war on those too
old to fight or on businesses that profit from war. Now that some of
us who fought are too elderly to fight, the false inference is that we
encourage conflict. What we have learned is that strength is a deterrent
to aggression. In times past, this country has grasped at peace so eagerly
that we have allowed our guard to come down. This loss of vigilance has
cost us dearly. The period between World Wars I and II is a good example.
Our wish for peace was so strong that we were not ready for a Pearl Harbor.
With few exceptions, anyone who ever fought a war hates war. Most military
veterans share the view of General William T. Sherman of the Civil War.
He said, “There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all
glory, but, boys, it is all Hell.” This quotation has since been
reduced and often repeated as “War is Hell.”
It has been a tradition in every country to honor its heroes. Regardless
of the conflict, we should pay homage to those who honored the call of
our great country to fight for the cause at hand and to do what was right
at the time. In particular, we must remember on this Memorial Day and
always those who made the supreme sacrifice.
We who endured the heat of battle and watched as our comrades fell around
us will forever question the impulse to go to war. While we honor all
who served and are now serving in whatever capacity, our thoughts go
particularly to those who did not survive. We must believe within our
hearts that their sacrifice has made the world a better place for those
who follow and that their labors were not in vain.
To all who served, whether their efforts led to our country’s
independence, emancipation, reduction of world tyranny, or freedom
for others, we express
our gratitude. For those who gave their lives, we are not only grateful,
but we pledge to remember and uphold the principles for which they
made the greatest of all sacrifices.
E-mail: donlav@juno.com
