Sherman, World War II Museum, New Orleans, LA |
Now we must pause to acknowledge the sacrifice of American veterans over hundreds of years in many different countries.
Americans have invaded or fought in 85 different countries, representing 44 percent of all of the countries in the world. We have been militarily involved with even more countries. Out of 194 countries recognized by the UN, we have missed military involvement with only three—Andorra, Bhutan, and Liechtenstein.
Wendell Gugler & CRK Wendell fought with the 10th Mountain Division in Italy in WW2 |
Our military involvements have taken many forms. We have never invaded Portugal, for example, but we have had bases in the Azores since World War II, when they were installed to counter the German U-boat menace. We still have air and naval bases in the Azores today.
This year, 2015, is a particularly important year to recognize US veterans for several reasons.
First, this year we celebrated the 70th anniversary of V-J Day—the end of World War II. This war was the costliest war in human history. Over sixteen million Americans took part in it, and over four hundred thousand were killed. Today less than a million of those that served are still alive.
The Peace Kiss Eisenhower Presidential Library, Abilene, KS |
Third, we remember the shocking liberation of the Nazi death camps by American and other Allied soldiers that took place seventy years ago. After Eisenhower visited Ohrdruf concentration camp, which had been liberated by American troops on April 4, 1945, he declared: “We are told that the American soldier does not know what he is fighting for. Now at least he will know what he is fighting against.” The world we live in today would have been much darker had it not been for the sacrifice of young Americans at places like Anzio, Omaha Beach, and Tarawa.
Frank Matthews USMC vet Iwo Jima USMC Museum, Triangle, VA |
In the twenty-first century, the United States faces major new challenges to its power and influence around the world (ISIS, etc.), and it will face new demands to fight in the name of justice and freedom.
We can’t know what the future holds, and we can’t predict how this generation of Americans and those yet to come will deal with that future, but we do know that they build on a solid foundation of bravery, daring, and sacrifice.
Thanks Monitor...http://www.themonitor.com/opinion/commentary-us-veterans-are-worldwide-peacekeepers/article_8ec75214-84e6-11e5-ad5c-9b2df3653314.html
Thanks Paris Post Intelligencer...http://www.parispi.net/opinion/columns/article_b03c744c-83e2-11e5-866e-87f91799b9bf.html
Thanks Merced Sun Star...http://www.mercedsunstar.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/article43890435.html
Thanks Modesto Bee...http://www.modbee.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/article43891431.html
Thanks Buffalo News...http://www.buffalonews.com/opinion/another-voice/another-voice-this-veterans-day-holds-special-significance-20151110
Thanks Daily News...http://www.dailynews.com/opinion/20151110/special-historical-significance-of-this-veterans-day-guest-commentary
Thanks Penn Live...http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2015/11/this_year_its_more_important_t.html
Thanks Pasadena Star news...http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/opinion/20151110/special-historical-significance-of-this-veterans-day-guest-commentary
Thanks Tampa Tribune...http://www.tbo.com/list/news-opinion-commentary/christopher-kelly-the-special-historical-significance-of-this-veterans-day-20151111/
Thanks Marietta Daily Journal...http://www.mdjonline.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Special+Historical+Significance+This+Veterans+Day%20&id=26950495
Thanks Times and Democrat...http://thetandd.com/news/special-historical-significance-this-veterans-day/article_e0f724c0-529a-52f5-9e79-99dbd67fa1eb.html
Thanks New Britain Herald...http://www.centralctcommunications.com/newbritainherald/article_9109be14-880f-11e5-844b-5358d78a4c96.html
Thanks Valley Morning Star...http://www.valleymorningstar.com/news/columnists/article_cd7367e8-872d-11e5-ac88-8bea07039f2e.html
Thanks Lima News...http://limaohio.com/opinion/editorials/156054/editorial-special-historical-significance-this-veterans-day
Thanks Tulsa World...http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/othervoices/christopher-kelly-special-historical-significance-this-veterans-day/article_d093d782-026c-52d4-8175-d89ffbe2351b.html
Thanks South Coast Today...http://www.southcoasttoday.com/article/20151111/OPINION/151119954
Thanks Bristol Press...http://www.centralctcommunications.com/bristolpress/article_758a2d7c-880f-11e5-a3cf-33b72e61c2d5.html
Thanks San Gabriel Valley Tribune...http://www.sgvtribune.com/opinion/20151110/special-historical-significance-of-this-veterans-day-guest-commentary
Thanks San Bernadino Sun...http://www.sbsun.com/opinion/20151110/special-historical-significance-of-this-veterans-day-guest-commentary
You can purchase your copy of America Invades here...www.americainvades.com or on Amazon...www.amzn.com/1940598427
We are now shipping signed copies
of An Adventure in 1914...www.anadventurein1914.com
Regular copies also available from Amazon...www.amzn.com/0692767894
No comments:
Post a Comment