Post by steelhorsecowboy on Apr 15, 2009 9:26:06 GMT -5
Nothing was ever easy about Vietnam, nor was it yesterday but like Vietnam it was something that needed to be done.
I think before we can understand why we had to brave dangerous cold and wet conditions yesterday to escort the symbol of America’s Vietnam heroes we must first understand what they accomplished by their sacrifice and the conditions of that sacrifice. It is a great feat that has been buried and hidden by Pop culture and the intelligentsia but in history books still yet to written it will be noted as the defining moment of the 20th Century.
Vietnam was the lynchpin battle of the larger post World War II Cold War. What we thought were wars and conflicts like Korea, Vietnam, proxy wars in Africa, Asia and South America were when looked at, in the context of the larger era, a series of battles, some major some not so, that let to the defeat of worldwide communism’s proliferation among nations. The effort to subjugate peoples under the onerous yoke of communism was defeated in places like Vietnam and on the economic battlefield at home. It was a war of attrition. Fought in hot battles and fought with the economic might of the American worker, innovator, and entrepreneur. It was a war that pitted the free spirit of a proud and industrious people against a political machine that enslaved their population and mandated their loyalty not out of love but out of fear.
Before Vietnam, the great world powers of China and the Soviet Union and their puppet states behind the Iron Curtain were allies and friends bound together to destroy America and its allies, and stifle the freedom of all mankind. Through a series of wars, battles and conflicts this great World War III, known as the Cold War was anything but cold. We challenged the communists on every continent, through direct conflict, as in Korea and Vietnam or through conflicts fought by proxies in Africa, Asia and South America. It was longer and more far reaching than any modern war America has ever known. Vietnam served to divide our enemies leaving Soviets and the Chinese no longer allied and plainly distrustful of each other. From there our economic powerhouse fueled by the American spirit of innovation, hard work and entrepreneurism was able to apply the final blow to the Soviet juggernaut and tear down the Iron Curtain.
Vietnam was fought largely by men conscripted by a country who asked them for all that they had and then when they were finished with them threw them aside. These men and women were subjected to the slings and arrows of their countrymen as well as by the enemy in the field. Victorious on the battlefield they returned home not to joyous celebrations but instead to the disdain and disrespect of much lesser men who gave nothing for their country while expecting so much from it.
Yesterday, we had an opportunity to in a small but important way to right that wrong and correct that injustice. We showed our community, our fellow veterans and the families whose loved ones names appear on that wall that they mattered. We showed them that their sacrifice mattered, that they are heroes who should be revered and honored, for their sacrifice. Those men and women whose names appear on that wall like the patriots who went before them paid for the freedom that we all enjoy.
In raising my son I told him first and foremost he must have a relationship with God and secondly he must know who he is and what he is about as a foundation for all life’s decisions.
One of those foundational beliefs for me is acknowledging my debts. Yesterday I was able to do that. It was right and proper to take a day off of work and face cold and dangerous road conditions to bring attention, praise and honor to men and women who paid the ultimate price for my freedom. It was a debt I must pay.
Yes, years ago America was disrespectful to these men and women but what is so great about our country is that although we make grave mistakes, we are introspective and reforming.
America is not perfect but it is always trying to perfect itself.
Our Judeo-Christian values teach us that perfection is all but impossible but striving for perfection must always be our mission.
Yesterday we paid a small payment on a debt that cannot be repaid.
Frederick R. Giebel, Jr. (“Fritz”)
Director,
The American Legion Riders
South Jersey Chapter
steelhorsecowboy@gmail.com
“Still Serving….Still Riding”
I think before we can understand why we had to brave dangerous cold and wet conditions yesterday to escort the symbol of America’s Vietnam heroes we must first understand what they accomplished by their sacrifice and the conditions of that sacrifice. It is a great feat that has been buried and hidden by Pop culture and the intelligentsia but in history books still yet to written it will be noted as the defining moment of the 20th Century.
Vietnam was the lynchpin battle of the larger post World War II Cold War. What we thought were wars and conflicts like Korea, Vietnam, proxy wars in Africa, Asia and South America were when looked at, in the context of the larger era, a series of battles, some major some not so, that let to the defeat of worldwide communism’s proliferation among nations. The effort to subjugate peoples under the onerous yoke of communism was defeated in places like Vietnam and on the economic battlefield at home. It was a war of attrition. Fought in hot battles and fought with the economic might of the American worker, innovator, and entrepreneur. It was a war that pitted the free spirit of a proud and industrious people against a political machine that enslaved their population and mandated their loyalty not out of love but out of fear.
Before Vietnam, the great world powers of China and the Soviet Union and their puppet states behind the Iron Curtain were allies and friends bound together to destroy America and its allies, and stifle the freedom of all mankind. Through a series of wars, battles and conflicts this great World War III, known as the Cold War was anything but cold. We challenged the communists on every continent, through direct conflict, as in Korea and Vietnam or through conflicts fought by proxies in Africa, Asia and South America. It was longer and more far reaching than any modern war America has ever known. Vietnam served to divide our enemies leaving Soviets and the Chinese no longer allied and plainly distrustful of each other. From there our economic powerhouse fueled by the American spirit of innovation, hard work and entrepreneurism was able to apply the final blow to the Soviet juggernaut and tear down the Iron Curtain.
Vietnam was fought largely by men conscripted by a country who asked them for all that they had and then when they were finished with them threw them aside. These men and women were subjected to the slings and arrows of their countrymen as well as by the enemy in the field. Victorious on the battlefield they returned home not to joyous celebrations but instead to the disdain and disrespect of much lesser men who gave nothing for their country while expecting so much from it.
Yesterday, we had an opportunity to in a small but important way to right that wrong and correct that injustice. We showed our community, our fellow veterans and the families whose loved ones names appear on that wall that they mattered. We showed them that their sacrifice mattered, that they are heroes who should be revered and honored, for their sacrifice. Those men and women whose names appear on that wall like the patriots who went before them paid for the freedom that we all enjoy.
In raising my son I told him first and foremost he must have a relationship with God and secondly he must know who he is and what he is about as a foundation for all life’s decisions.
One of those foundational beliefs for me is acknowledging my debts. Yesterday I was able to do that. It was right and proper to take a day off of work and face cold and dangerous road conditions to bring attention, praise and honor to men and women who paid the ultimate price for my freedom. It was a debt I must pay.
Yes, years ago America was disrespectful to these men and women but what is so great about our country is that although we make grave mistakes, we are introspective and reforming.
America is not perfect but it is always trying to perfect itself.
Our Judeo-Christian values teach us that perfection is all but impossible but striving for perfection must always be our mission.
Yesterday we paid a small payment on a debt that cannot be repaid.
Frederick R. Giebel, Jr. (“Fritz”)
Director,
The American Legion Riders
South Jersey Chapter
steelhorsecowboy@gmail.com
“Still Serving….Still Riding”