A couple things today. First off it is the Navy's birthday. It was on October 13, 1775 when the continental congress passed a resolution to establish the navy. That was 250 years ago. I remember well being at sea for this occasion several times. The baker would make a huge cake and have it decorated. The commanding officer said a few words and we all had cake. And I just heard that all live hostages have been released by Hamas. A peace agreement has been reached, an end to the hostilities. It is a moment in history, a historic time. Strange how we often do not think of things in that fashion as they are happening. This news is being met more with skepticism and doubt than any joyous celebration. It is a reflection of the political climate in America today.
Why was it so important to establish a navy that early on in American history? The purpose of the Navy is to keep the sea lanes open for trade with other nations. Yes, it is all about trade. You can't wage a war without supplies and support. Control of the sea is vital and remains so to this very day. The Navy projects the strength of the nation all across the globe. It was on full display with the USS Constitution in 1795, with the great white fleet, 16 battleships that put that power on display from 1907 to 1909. Those ships were painted white, a symbol of peace, sorta like wearing a ribbon today. They visited twenty ports around the world, most notably in Japan to foster good relations with them. We all know what happened later on, the Japanese surrendered aboard the Battleship Missouri. Remember the great white fleet? That was Teddy Roosevelt walking softly, but carrying a big stick. We do the same today, the Navy that is.
Today the hostages have been released that Hamas took two years ago. There are just twenty living and twenty eight are deceased. This is the first step in implementing the peace plan. Israel had 1900 Palestinians held hostage. It was reported all have been set free. The Gaza strip is a pile of rubble. What will happen with that area is still being discussed and debated. Relief will be provided to the survivors of this two year war and a fragile co-existence will exist. There will be much talk of healing and forgiveness, all that always follows such tragic affairs of men. Can a lasting peace be established? I, along with any sane people still left in the world, are praying for just that. It isn't easy being optimistic given the history of those lands.
I write all of this as just a common man living in America. I listen to the news, see the postings on social media and form my own opinions. I hear all the voices telling me I can't understand any of this because of that. I hear about empathy, understanding and forgiveness. That comes from both sides of the conflict. The middle east has always been a source of conflict and somewhat mysterious. Filled with Arabs and Jews fighting each other over land for centuries at a time. It is where Christianity was born however, we must never forget about that. And ever since then all three groups have formed their opinions on what God intended for them. All three groups killing each other in defense of their beliefs and the acquisition of land. Will that ever end?
History is made one day at a time. There are moments that stick in our collective memories. Those moments are different for every one of us depending upon what we see as important. We are taught pivotal moments in history when we are in school. Those times chosen as having changed our world view. How often we say, I will never forget, only to have that moment fade into the past. Today will be no different. For those directly affected I am sure the memory will last a very long time, for others not so much. And isn't that the way of it? Does any of this directly effect me. No, it doesn't, and for that reason I will most likely forget about it in a few years or so unless further events jog my memory. The reality is if it weren't for the news, for living in this information age, I wouldn't even know any of it happened. I would have heard of it as history, something that happened. Remember when Ilhan Omar said: "Cair was founded after 9/11 because that some people did something and that all of us were starting to lose our civil liberties." Some people did something.
Today I realized that you can't really understand history until you have lived history. I have been around long enough to see history change. That is probably the most surprising thing I have learned over the last seventy two years. Yes, history changes almost by the decade. That is one reason I write these little narratives of mine. I want future generations to be able to read my version of history, my viewpoint and my thoughts on what happened and why it happened.
Today what you are seeing is the result of the projection of American strength and resolve in the face of our enemies. There are many factors involved in this. Hamas was running out of support militarily and politically. They were unable to continue this fight with any reasonable hope for a victory. That was in no small part due to the intervention of America. The sleeping giant was being awakened once again, and the risk is simply too great to continue. Hamas, a terrorist group that had hopes of getting Israel to concede, to give in to their barbaric and horrific ways, has been defeated. Their beliefs have not. We must remain vigilant, not become complacent, content in our accomplishment.
Here's what I think. It has become apparent to the rest of the world that America has changed just a bit. We are awake once more and willing to engage the enemy by any means necessary. We are projecting our strength on the world stage once again. We have done so with our support for other nations in their struggles. The United States is no longer bowing before other nations, no longer just sending money to appease them, no longer taking that back seat. Those that would cause trouble are waking up to that reality. Yes, it is wise to just back off. That's what is happening here.
The message today
No more of this! That's what changed
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