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June 6, 2019
Moving Forward By Looking Back
By Pastur Prime
Special to the Prophet
As I sit here on this 6th day of June, 2019, the 75th anniversary of D-Day, I find myself reflecting on this experiment which is The United States of America. Having just observed Memorial Day and with Flag Day almost upon us on June 14, it just seems that we need a review of how we came to be where we are today. While this is by no means a detailed history it does offer factual highlights that you may not realize.
In 1933, Adolph Hitler, and his Nazi Party accomplished a political takeover of Germany, after an unsuccessful attempt in 1923. Once in power he abolished Democracy, and began a radical, racially motivated revision of world order, in which he supported the idea that the Aryan race was superior to others. This included an aggressive foreign policy that led to an unprovoked invasion of Poland on Spet. 1, 1939. Two days later on Sept. 3, 1939, Britain and France declared war on Germany and World War II began. During this time, Hitler, not favoring the Jewish people, had millions rounded up and put to death.
In six weeks from May 10,1940, German forces conquered France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, while being unable to occupy Britain did occupy the channel islands for most of the war. I was during this time that two other countries joined Germany in their push for world power, Italy and Japan. They were known as The Axis.
Initially, Germany had signed a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union which only lasted until June 22, 1941, when the Axis forces began what was called the Barbarossa Offensive, which by crossing Soviet borders, resulted in invading the Soviet Union. This brought the Soviet Union into the fray.
What does all this have to do with the United States you might wonder? Nothing yet. Since the beginning of World War II, the United States had officially remained neutral, while sending supplies to the Allies whom we favored. The public opinion was divided on U.S. involvement in this war. This all changed on Dec. 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, resulting in the deaths of 2,403 Americans. The attack overnight united a divided nation and and war was declared on Dec. 8, 1941 in response to cries of "Remember Pearl Harbor.”
The Gaunlet had been thrown and after declaring war on Japan, naturally Germany and Italy declared war on the United States also, and of course we in turn declared war on them. The industrial production of military equipment ramped up to a level never seen by the world. Providing arms to the U.S., Britain, and, now ally, The Soviet Union. When the United States entered the war, the Axis began to be attacked on more than one front. By land, by air, and by sea. Then on Tuesday, June 6, 1944, the largest seaborne operation in history took place on the Beach of Normandy, France. More than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “we will accept nothing less than full victory.”
Aside from troops more than 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion. By the end of that day, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Continental Europe. Not without cost. Over 9,000 allied soldiers were killed or wounded.This sacrifice allowed 100,000 Soldiers to begin the slow, hard push across Europe, to defeat Nazi Germany's troops. Atomic bombs were dropped on Japan at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, by the United States in the final days of the war.
Less than four years from the time The United States entered the war, Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945. Japan did not surrender until Sept. 2, 1945, officially ending WW II, and preserving freedom for ourselves and our allies.
The sacrifices made by those soldiers in World War II are the only reason that you have the freedoms you do today. As a country, it is natural for us to have differing opinions. That is part of what makes this country great. Keep in mind that while our opinions differ, we should always remember that as Americans, we are always at our greatest, always an insurmountable force to be reckoned with, when we stand united and not divided. Our ability to come together to face any force that threatens us has always been our greatest strength. Give that some thought.
Thanks for dropping by, and until next time, be an American worthy of the lives that paid for your privilege.
Ref: army.mil and history.com
In 1933, Adolph Hitler, and his Nazi Party accomplished a political takeover of Germany, after an unsuccessful attempt in 1923. Once in power he abolished Democracy, and began a radical, racially motivated revision of world order, in which he supported the idea that the Aryan race was superior to others. This included an aggressive foreign policy that led to an unprovoked invasion of Poland on Spet. 1, 1939. Two days later on Sept. 3, 1939, Britain and France declared war on Germany and World War II began. During this time, Hitler, not favoring the Jewish people, had millions rounded up and put to death.
In six weeks from May 10,1940, German forces conquered France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, while being unable to occupy Britain did occupy the channel islands for most of the war. I was during this time that two other countries joined Germany in their push for world power, Italy and Japan. They were known as The Axis.
Initially, Germany had signed a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union which only lasted until June 22, 1941, when the Axis forces began what was called the Barbarossa Offensive, which by crossing Soviet borders, resulted in invading the Soviet Union. This brought the Soviet Union into the fray.
What does all this have to do with the United States you might wonder? Nothing yet. Since the beginning of World War II, the United States had officially remained neutral, while sending supplies to the Allies whom we favored. The public opinion was divided on U.S. involvement in this war. This all changed on Dec. 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, resulting in the deaths of 2,403 Americans. The attack overnight united a divided nation and and war was declared on Dec. 8, 1941 in response to cries of "Remember Pearl Harbor.”
The Gaunlet had been thrown and after declaring war on Japan, naturally Germany and Italy declared war on the United States also, and of course we in turn declared war on them. The industrial production of military equipment ramped up to a level never seen by the world. Providing arms to the U.S., Britain, and, now ally, The Soviet Union. When the United States entered the war, the Axis began to be attacked on more than one front. By land, by air, and by sea. Then on Tuesday, June 6, 1944, the largest seaborne operation in history took place on the Beach of Normandy, France. More than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “we will accept nothing less than full victory.”
Aside from troops more than 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion. By the end of that day, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Continental Europe. Not without cost. Over 9,000 allied soldiers were killed or wounded.This sacrifice allowed 100,000 Soldiers to begin the slow, hard push across Europe, to defeat Nazi Germany's troops. Atomic bombs were dropped on Japan at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, by the United States in the final days of the war.
Less than four years from the time The United States entered the war, Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945. Japan did not surrender until Sept. 2, 1945, officially ending WW II, and preserving freedom for ourselves and our allies.
The sacrifices made by those soldiers in World War II are the only reason that you have the freedoms you do today. As a country, it is natural for us to have differing opinions. That is part of what makes this country great. Keep in mind that while our opinions differ, we should always remember that as Americans, we are always at our greatest, always an insurmountable force to be reckoned with, when we stand united and not divided. Our ability to come together to face any force that threatens us has always been our greatest strength. Give that some thought.
Thanks for dropping by, and until next time, be an American worthy of the lives that paid for your privilege.
Ref: army.mil and history.com