Dear Editor, For those of you who understand history, you ought
to have realized by now that this war is not another Vietnam. It is
actually more reminiscent of World War II. Let me explain.
Dear Editor,
For those of you who understand history, you ought to have realized by now that this war is not another Vietnam. It is actually more reminiscent of World War II. Let me explain.
Prior to the outbreak of the war, Churchill was the lone voice of reason in a sea of complacency. His concerns about the advances Hitler was making were not just summarily ignored … they were loudly opposed. Churchill was thought to be an alarmist, and that Hitler was no threat to Europe or the world. Hitler’s own form of WMD’s was obliviously dismissed as non-existent and non-threatening.
History bore out the truth – that Churchill was correct. Hitler’s tyranny ended, but not until after first dragging the majority of the world into a war, and massacring the Jews to near-extinction in Germany. The history books make Churchill out to be the hero among heroes of WWII. It just took some time for the world and the history books to catch up with reality.
Circa 2001. After years of ignoring or slapping Sadaam on the wrist (during the previous eight years as attack upon attack were executed by terrorists), we reaped the fruits of his labors (i.e., paying off suicide bombers, housing training camps in and near Baghdad, etc.) in an unprovoked, brutal attack by henchmen who (though aligned with Osama) were linked to Iraq via the training and money trails. Then our own “Churchill” – George Bush – had the courage to connect the dots. He has made enormously difficult decisions fighting in an unconventional new type of war.
Pundits have Monday-morning-quarterbacked every move made on the playing field of this war. Yet, like Churchill, Mr. Bush has remained resolved, strong, and steadfast. Most importantly is the last quality. It’s easy to waiver with the wind. Finding the ‘majority’ or ‘popular thought’ and then foolishly floating in that direction doesn’t take much thought or effort. But finding a principle, then working through the details in spite of the critics, is a crucial quality that makes a true leader what he is. Churchill in WWII. Reagan in the Cold War. And now Bush in the War on Terror. These are the men who stand out as heroes; theirs are the stories and principles that stand the test of time and history.
I have many dear friends either in the military, retired military, or (as one) have traveled imbedded with the military in Iraq on a film assignment. They know what is truth in this war. It may take a little longer for the rest of us to be totally up to speed.
The Greatest Generation was so-called because of how they conducted themselves in the face of Evil. Their legacy is born out over time, although if you’d asked them at the close of the war they’d have never so boldly coined themselves a term as flattering as that. I truly believe that if we continue to move resolutely through the yet-to-be seen struggles of this global war, our military in the War on Terror and in Iraq may well be carving out for themselves a name. Whether it’s the Second Greatest Generation or something more unique, our men and women are fighting the good fight with bravery against a worthy cause. We are safer, and they along with President Bush are at the core of it all.
WWII was a turning point. We have entered into the next turning point in the road of world history. The answer to one question remains, which may prove our merit and maybe even our existence for all-time: Do we have the guts of the Greatest Generation to finish it?
Karen Salstrom, Roseville
