I spent the day December 7, 2011 remembering the sacrifices of those who gone before us, and those who are still serving today. The difference of course is that World War II was a declared war, where as every war the United States has been in since was not. World War II goals were made clear in this declaration speech by President Franklin D. Roosevelt when he stated, "No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory... With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our People - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God. I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941 a state of War has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire." World War II was the deadliest military conflict in history. Over 60 million people were killed, which was over 2.5% of the world population at the time. With regards to American military deaths over 400,000 or over 400 deaths per day. Only the American Civil War has cost our country more treasure with over 625,000 deaths total or almost 600 deaths per day. This is something that has plagued us ever since World War II, we may have had Congressional authorization and funding for military force in Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Persian Gulf War, Somalia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq but these actions have not lead to total victory. These conflicts albeit have been limited with the exceptions of Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan have put or military in harm's way with no clear objective. Yes, victory is/was the goal however not absolute victory and as a nation we should never engage in foreign conflicts and with one arm tied behind our backs and left to do nation building in nations where our sacrifices are not appreciated. We have stayed far too long in Iraq and Afghanistan in wars that should have been declared. While terrorism is a threat to the United States, it is a means not an end. We should have left Iraq and Afghanistan once our goals were met and left it up to new governments put in place as to rather they would be our friend or foe. We have the capability to drone the enemy into submission and in that regard I will give President Obama credit in stepping up the drone attacks and bringing our troops home in other words what President Bush had already put in place.
So sad to think that so many thousands of brave survivors from the Pearl Harbor attack as well as those of the "best" who came home from the big one, are passing away far too fast! There are so few left. May we never forget their sacrifice and their resolve to do whatever it took to preserve our freedom. God Bless em all!
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I spent the day December 7, 2011 remembering the sacrifices of those who gone before us, and those who are still serving today. The difference of course is that World War II was a declared war, where as every war the United States has been in since was not. World War II goals were made clear in this declaration speech by President Franklin D. Roosevelt when he stated,
"No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory... With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our People - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God. I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941 a state of War has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire."
World War II was the deadliest military conflict in history. Over 60 million people were killed, which was over 2.5% of the world population at the time. With regards to American military deaths over 400,000 or over 400 deaths per day. Only the American Civil War has cost our country more treasure with over 625,000 deaths total or almost 600 deaths per day.
This is something that has plagued us ever since World War II, we may have had Congressional authorization and funding for military force in Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Persian Gulf War, Somalia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq but these actions have not lead to total victory. These conflicts albeit have been limited with the exceptions of Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan have put or military in harm's way with no clear objective. Yes, victory is/was the goal however not absolute victory and as a nation we should never engage in foreign conflicts and with one arm tied behind our backs and left to do nation building in nations where our sacrifices are not appreciated.
We have stayed far too long in Iraq and Afghanistan in wars that should have been declared. While terrorism is a threat to the United States, it is a means not an end.
We should have left Iraq and Afghanistan once our goals were met and left it up to new governments put in place as to rather they would be our friend or foe. We have the capability to drone the enemy into submission and in that regard I will give President Obama credit in stepping up the drone attacks and bringing our troops home in other words what President Bush had already put in place.
So sad to think that so many thousands of brave survivors from the Pearl Harbor attack as well as those of the "best" who came home from the big one, are passing away far too fast! There are so few left.
May we never forget their sacrifice and their resolve to do whatever it took to preserve our freedom. God Bless em all!
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