This post may be a bit lengthy compared to most that I write but it's a subject I feel strongly about. This being Veterans day I've decided to provide a little background information on the wars we have asked our veterans to serve in. It's a study of history that can provide some insight into things and how things change over time. The things I'm talking about are morals, ethics, and a sense of civil justice. Indeed the concept of being indebted to the nation by virtue of being born an American.
In 1789 George Washington became the first President of the United States of America. In 1801 we fought the first barbary war. You could say that it was out very first war as the United States of America. Well, at least when we had a duly elected President. That was followed by Tecumseh's war and the German Coast uprising. Yes, they were wars and our troops served. Then came of the War of 1812, sometimes called the second revolutionary war. At least 27 other " wars " were fought by U.S. Troops prior to WW1.
As most know these days World War 1 ended on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the reason it is celebrated on this day. That was to be the war to end all wars. That was the billing anyway. It was a mighty conflict involving many nations, yes, a world war. Germany was defeated and the treaty of Versailles signed. The terms were harsh and Germany suffered deeply. Some would say it is what precipitated World War Two. The United States joined the fray because German submarines had attacked our ships and, perhaps more importantly, were seeking an alliance with Mexico. Having an enemy at your border isn't a good thing! So our doughboys went to defeat the Huns! In essence defending our border before the enemy could get there. When the boys returned from, " over there " they were initially welcomed home with parades and celebrations. But the war dead were revered most of all. They were called, " the best men and the bravest." War memorials were erected to honor the fallen, lest they be forgotten. This left some Veterans feeling a bit less than. They felt less important, less appreciated and less brave than those killed in action. To top it all off they only received a few weeks pay and returned home to prohibition. It also wasn't long before rumors of a second war loomed on the horizon. Imagine how those veterans felt. It was the Germans once again. There was comments about not getting the job done right the first time!
Just a bit shy of 21 years after WW1 ended, WW2 began. Now we weren't in it at the beginning. In fact we tried to stay out of it. But then the Japanese attacked Pearl harbor and that was that. There was no doubt that we had to join the allied forces and defeat Germany and Japan. Remember, even the Russians were on our side then, having been attacked by the Germans. As you know we were victorious and a great celebration was held. The returning troops, called GI's , were welcomed home as conquering heroes. It was a different attitude altogether from the returning WW1 veterans. That isn't to say there weren't issues, there certainly were, but that the general consensus was they were all heroes. In 1998 American novelist Tom Brokaw wrote a book with the title, The Greatest Generation, and from that they received that name. It is said of them they fought because, it was the right thing to do. It was their duty to God and country! Volunteers flooded the recruitment offices following that attack at Peral harbor. The greatest generation went to fight for America! It wasn't because they were ordered to do so, it wasn't the politicians decision to send them, they went voluntarily, eagerly even. It was the right thing to do.
I think about all of that and wonder, did the greatest generation fight the last " glorious " war? What I mean is, are they the last generation of fighting men to return home to a hero's welcome having fought the good fight. There was no question then, or now, that it was a necessity. We had been attacked! We will defend our nation against all enemies foreign and domestic! It is the oath taken, then and now!
Our involvement in Korea followed shortly on the heels on WW2. It was agreed by the allied powers, United States, China, Great Britain and the Soviet Union that Korea should become an independent nation. The peninsula was divided at the 38th parallel. The Soviet Union occupied the area north of the 38th parallel and the United States south of that. In 1958 the United States called for a United Nations vote on the formation of the unified Korean nation. The north refused to participate and in response the south established an anti-communist government. The north attacked the south, our men were deployed to help defend the south. The rest, as they say, is history. The returning GI's from that " conflict " , it was never declared a war, weren't as recognized as the WW2 veterans, although many of them had served in WW2. But in the American publics eye it wasn't a real war, it was our troops getting killed for some reason. Yes, it was " somebody did something " back in 1953.
Koreas was followed by Vietnam and everyone today knows how those returning Veterans were treated. They certainly weren't treated as heroes! No, at first they were just vilified. That changed to a sort of pity, as it was believed all those exposed to that action were mentally changed. It has only been in the last ten years or so that those Veterans are regaining some honor. The memorial wasn't built until 1982, seven years after the wars end, and was built entirely with public funds. It was quite controversial at the time. Yes, people were protesting it! There have been numerous conflicts, actions, and involvements on the part of the United States in the years following Vietnam. As you know they continue to this very moment. And today what is said to those returning veterans? Thank You for your service. That's about it along with " discounts " on car insurance.
My father was one of the greatest generation and so I harbor a certain bias toward them. They were great men and women. The reality is they did what needed doing, without complaint, without thought for themselves, but what was necessary for the nation as a whole. I think you could say many went for the glory. They were the volunteers, anxious to extract revenge for an unprovoked attacked. Justified indignation. I discovered long after my Fathers' passing that he had been drafted into service. That came as a surprise. He answered the call to duty without hesitation. He was a member of a bomber squadron flying missions over the Pacific. The mortality rate for Bomber crews in WW2 was 44.5%! In essence he had a 50/50 chance of returning. Ask him and we would tell you, I'm no hero just doing what needed doing.
That being said I do think it is a bit of an injustice to think of them as the " greatest " generation. There greatness came from their willingness to serve, to go into battle for the nation. I believe Tom Brokaw in his book of that title was just paying tribute. It is an unfortunate title in a way. It's more myth than fact. If greatness is to be measured by the size of the parade you receive, by the accolades given and a publicly enduring gratitude, then yes, they were the greatest generation. It is my feeling that all our veterans, no matter the war, conflict, involvement or action are of the greatest generation. Those willing to serve, those willing to do what is right regardless of public sentiment, are great. I render a hearty hand salute to my fellow Veterans. Perhaps that title, if I may be so bold, should have been, the Greatest Americans.
In 1789 George Washington became the first President of the United States of America. In 1801 we fought the first barbary war. You could say that it was out very first war as the United States of America. Well, at least when we had a duly elected President. That was followed by Tecumseh's war and the German Coast uprising. Yes, they were wars and our troops served. Then came of the War of 1812, sometimes called the second revolutionary war. At least 27 other " wars " were fought by U.S. Troops prior to WW1.
As most know these days World War 1 ended on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the reason it is celebrated on this day. That was to be the war to end all wars. That was the billing anyway. It was a mighty conflict involving many nations, yes, a world war. Germany was defeated and the treaty of Versailles signed. The terms were harsh and Germany suffered deeply. Some would say it is what precipitated World War Two. The United States joined the fray because German submarines had attacked our ships and, perhaps more importantly, were seeking an alliance with Mexico. Having an enemy at your border isn't a good thing! So our doughboys went to defeat the Huns! In essence defending our border before the enemy could get there. When the boys returned from, " over there " they were initially welcomed home with parades and celebrations. But the war dead were revered most of all. They were called, " the best men and the bravest." War memorials were erected to honor the fallen, lest they be forgotten. This left some Veterans feeling a bit less than. They felt less important, less appreciated and less brave than those killed in action. To top it all off they only received a few weeks pay and returned home to prohibition. It also wasn't long before rumors of a second war loomed on the horizon. Imagine how those veterans felt. It was the Germans once again. There was comments about not getting the job done right the first time!
Just a bit shy of 21 years after WW1 ended, WW2 began. Now we weren't in it at the beginning. In fact we tried to stay out of it. But then the Japanese attacked Pearl harbor and that was that. There was no doubt that we had to join the allied forces and defeat Germany and Japan. Remember, even the Russians were on our side then, having been attacked by the Germans. As you know we were victorious and a great celebration was held. The returning troops, called GI's , were welcomed home as conquering heroes. It was a different attitude altogether from the returning WW1 veterans. That isn't to say there weren't issues, there certainly were, but that the general consensus was they were all heroes. In 1998 American novelist Tom Brokaw wrote a book with the title, The Greatest Generation, and from that they received that name. It is said of them they fought because, it was the right thing to do. It was their duty to God and country! Volunteers flooded the recruitment offices following that attack at Peral harbor. The greatest generation went to fight for America! It wasn't because they were ordered to do so, it wasn't the politicians decision to send them, they went voluntarily, eagerly even. It was the right thing to do.
I think about all of that and wonder, did the greatest generation fight the last " glorious " war? What I mean is, are they the last generation of fighting men to return home to a hero's welcome having fought the good fight. There was no question then, or now, that it was a necessity. We had been attacked! We will defend our nation against all enemies foreign and domestic! It is the oath taken, then and now!
Our involvement in Korea followed shortly on the heels on WW2. It was agreed by the allied powers, United States, China, Great Britain and the Soviet Union that Korea should become an independent nation. The peninsula was divided at the 38th parallel. The Soviet Union occupied the area north of the 38th parallel and the United States south of that. In 1958 the United States called for a United Nations vote on the formation of the unified Korean nation. The north refused to participate and in response the south established an anti-communist government. The north attacked the south, our men were deployed to help defend the south. The rest, as they say, is history. The returning GI's from that " conflict " , it was never declared a war, weren't as recognized as the WW2 veterans, although many of them had served in WW2. But in the American publics eye it wasn't a real war, it was our troops getting killed for some reason. Yes, it was " somebody did something " back in 1953.
Koreas was followed by Vietnam and everyone today knows how those returning Veterans were treated. They certainly weren't treated as heroes! No, at first they were just vilified. That changed to a sort of pity, as it was believed all those exposed to that action were mentally changed. It has only been in the last ten years or so that those Veterans are regaining some honor. The memorial wasn't built until 1982, seven years after the wars end, and was built entirely with public funds. It was quite controversial at the time. Yes, people were protesting it! There have been numerous conflicts, actions, and involvements on the part of the United States in the years following Vietnam. As you know they continue to this very moment. And today what is said to those returning veterans? Thank You for your service. That's about it along with " discounts " on car insurance.
My father was one of the greatest generation and so I harbor a certain bias toward them. They were great men and women. The reality is they did what needed doing, without complaint, without thought for themselves, but what was necessary for the nation as a whole. I think you could say many went for the glory. They were the volunteers, anxious to extract revenge for an unprovoked attacked. Justified indignation. I discovered long after my Fathers' passing that he had been drafted into service. That came as a surprise. He answered the call to duty without hesitation. He was a member of a bomber squadron flying missions over the Pacific. The mortality rate for Bomber crews in WW2 was 44.5%! In essence he had a 50/50 chance of returning. Ask him and we would tell you, I'm no hero just doing what needed doing.
That being said I do think it is a bit of an injustice to think of them as the " greatest " generation. There greatness came from their willingness to serve, to go into battle for the nation. I believe Tom Brokaw in his book of that title was just paying tribute. It is an unfortunate title in a way. It's more myth than fact. If greatness is to be measured by the size of the parade you receive, by the accolades given and a publicly enduring gratitude, then yes, they were the greatest generation. It is my feeling that all our veterans, no matter the war, conflict, involvement or action are of the greatest generation. Those willing to serve, those willing to do what is right regardless of public sentiment, are great. I render a hearty hand salute to my fellow Veterans. Perhaps that title, if I may be so bold, should have been, the Greatest Americans.
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