I support the troops.
I am not naïve as to believe I am as well informed as our leaders and am prepared to trust the knowledgeable professionals to do what they have been doing since 1776.
The fact that the only terrorist attacks on U.S. soil since 2001 have been homegrown wackos proves beyond any shadow of a doubt the Armed Forces have drawn the terrorists’ attention away. We sleep, go to school in peace, and appear to be forgetting who we have to thank for peace in our daily lives.
Also, my grandfather served in the army in World War II and was a war hero. Among his adventures are some of the most incredible stories I have ever heard.
In a 24-hour time span, my grandfather commandeered a German fighter plane, took it for a joy ride, crashed, walked away uninjured and was promoted the next day to lead counterforces during the Battle of the Bulge.
My grandfather proudly strode through the Eagle’s Nest after capturing it and was on his way for the invasion of the Japanese mainland when the atomic bombs dropped.
I honor my grandfather by supporting the Armed Forces and the people serving this country.
As for the issue of our foreign policy, some believe recent wars are dramatically different in public perception than the two major wars of the 20th century; however, I disagree.
Public support of American intervention in World War I was nearly non-existent until direct provocation, while World War II was unpopular until death washed up on our shores.
Despite the horrific nature of World War II, the government had to drum up support for the military by employing Disney to produce wartime propaganda.
Films like “Der Fuerer’s Face” and “Education for Death” were released in 1943 to illustrate the horrors of Nazi Germany.
As late as 1943, years after World War II officially began and over a year after Pearl Harbor, a portion of Americans didn’t understand the need to support soldiers against Hitler.
Real comparisons should be drawn between the attacks of Pearl Harbor and Sept. 11.
Similarly, the recent use of chemical weapons should remind us of the use of chemical weapons during the Holocaust.
Genocide has not faded in to obscurity; in fact, our countrymen are presently fighting for the lives, rights and stability of all people around the world.
Is the current standing of American intervention so different than that age? In scale, yes, but in sentiment, no.
Also, the War in Iraq initially had overwhelming bi-partisan support — if you don’t believe me, videos of Hillary Clinton stressing the importance of supporting the invasion of Iraq and our troops are easy to find.
The military is hiding behind Humvee walls and bulletproof vests while we exercise the rights they fight for. By the very nature of the military, they even fight for those who do not feel the same as I do.
“You sleep in peace in at night, when you lay down your head” because the military is taking the fight to the terrorists, bearing the brunt of their attacks that would otherwise be occurring on U.S. soil.
The plight, death and destruction of American and ally lives are something that only register as statistics to a select few, with no understanding of the choice to enlist, fight and die for people who patronize them.
I can think of no one better to call a hero.
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