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A 09/08/04 |
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Lessons Learned
As the third anniversary of the attack that changed our nation approaches, we realize that, for the most part, the horror of that day continues to fade from our minds. We are consumed with busy lives of our own; kids, school, work, social engagements, and daily struggles. The war that rages is far away and removed from us. Besides the families that have seen loved ones activated or deployed to the far corners of the world, we have not had to sacrifice. In the past our nation has had to make great sacrifices in the name of victory. The rationing of food and goods, scrap metal drives, and halts in the manufacturing of some civilian goods have been common in the past. This time we paused to mourn the loss, hit the play button, and barely lost a stride. September 11th was very similar to Pearl Harbor. Both attacks came from enemies that we were aware existed, but still surprised us. In 1941 we were convinced that the opening shots would be fired well away from Hawaii at either Wake or Midway Islands. In 2001 we had seen truck bombs, hijackings, and even a naval attack. The attacks took us by surprise in both the method and the magnitude and each had the ability to cripple a nation. Lessons would be learned from these attacks on America. These attacks taught us that we could not sit idly by while enemies far from our shores gained strength. Inaction was our greatest enemy. We would have to go to the enemy, sending young men and women across the globe to fight and risk their lives. It had to be done. In WWII there were few nations strong enough to repel attacks from the Axis Powers. In 2001 there were few nations with the guts to fight the terrorists. With America in their sights, why would a France or Germany do anything to incite the terrorists's wrath on themselves while we were taking the brunt? World War II was absolutely black and white, no gray areas. We would become the X-factor. We brought industry, machinery, will power, and some of the greatest people of all time to the fight. Even Russia, with millions of men seen as expendable to their leaders, was badly beaten. It was up to us, and our military rose to the occasion. Had we waited longer we would have been fighting the Nazis in Manhattan. They and the Japanese would have come for us eventually. This war is not black and white. No countries or boundaries, only an ideal driving lunatic fighters to kill noncombatants and destroy those who are unlike them. Terrorism is a mighty enemy, but we still have the men and women with the will to take the fight to them in the protection of us. It is very humbling to me, even as a veteran, to know that the American fighting man that saved the world from Hitler and Hirohito is still willing to lay it all on the line for myself and my kids. God bless you all. |
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End of this presentation — You may go to Introduction & Table of Contents for A Vet's Take or Home - Contact Us - Cold War Hist. - 91st SRS Hist. - Stardust 40 Mission Story |
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