By Michael Koch and Martha Parker:
THIS YEAR MARKS THE END OF WORLD WAR ONE, 100 YEARS AGO.
NOVEMBER 11TH, 1918 TO NOVEMBER 11TH, 2018
Remembering all those whom have served.
Ninety nine years ago, November 11, 1919 was dedicated to the memories of all the humans who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the safety and honor of the homeland they love and respect. Today, we put aside our politics and thanks those around us for their service and their sacrifice.
November 11th, 1918 marked the end of World War I. It was considered at the time to be the Greatest War the world had seen, lasting 8 years and 2 months. This war introduced the machinations of industrialized war, such as chemical weapons, large artillery, crew served automatic weapons, and tanks. Within Europe, certain countries saw the mass killing of entire generations. It wasn’t until 1917 that The United States of America entered the war, after the Zimmerman Telegram. Although we didn’t have to go through the majority of the attrition that other countries faced. We did, however, have individuals who volunteered to go over and fight. When we finally joined the war, we helped turn the tide of the German fighting machine. Under the guidance of General “Blackjack” John J. Pershing, the American expeditionary forces fought in key battles, such as the Battle of Belleau Wood, the Battle of Cantigny, and the Battle of the Ardennes forest.
"The men and women who have served in these conflicts have had to endure some of the most stressful moments that helped define them."
The war was officially over on November 11th, 1918 on the 11th hour of that day. That day was marked as Armistice Day by President Woodrow Wilson. At that time, they believed that World War one would be the last war that the world would ever fight because of the creation of the League of Nations. Which was the foundation of the United Nations. This governing body however would fail at maintaining peace in Europe during the 1920s and 1930s.
In 1933, a radical German politician named Adolf Hitler rose to power in the fragmented German country. His radical persute of racial purity and global domination caused the outbreak of world war II on September 1st, 1939.
It was not until December 7th 1941 when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor that America entered the war. After 6 years of fighting and terrible loss on all sides, and the drop of 2 atom bombs, the war finally ended on September 2nd 1945.
In 1950, America was again at war, this time against the newly communist regime of North Korea, this war is considered the forgotten war. After 3 long years of intense fighting and extreme weather, there political bodies decided that a cease fire was an appropriate move for the region.
In 1954 President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day to memorialize the service of all military members.
Then in 1968, America was again fighting another communist state in Vietnam. This war was widely the most protested war. There was a part of the American population that showed returning veterans extreme hatred calling them names such baby killers. This war was the first time that veterans felt rejected for serving their country.
After a few decades, and a few minor conflicts America was attacked by the terrorist organization called Al Qaeda. Within a month America was in Afghanistan, and in 2003 America invaded the country of Iraq. Even though the war in Iraq ended in 2011, the war in Afghanistan is still on going.
The men and women who have served in these conflicts have had to endure these events to help define them. The values of duty and loyalty that were created by the greatest generation or the WW1 veterans, to the current service members, have always been defined by their duty to one another and the country. The tight knit brotherhood that took over for family and friends while veterans were gone away from home, is something that we still hold close. The close bonds that where were created during times of extreme violence and complete boredom, out match the ties of sibling relationships. Their service to country, and one another is what we appreciate today. So today please enjoy the freedoms that you hold dear and sleep peacefully, because there is a soldier, sailor, marine, and airman that is keeping the wicked up at night.
To all my Brothers and Sisters, Thank You For Your Service.
Editors Note: Wartime casualties to date:
World War I - 116,516 (deaths) and approximately 320,000 (sick and wounded)
World War II - 405,399 (deaths) and approximately 670,846 (sick and wounded)
Korean War - 36,574 (deaths) and approximately 103,284 (sick and wounded)
Vietnam War - 58,220 (deaths) and approximately 303,644 (sick and wounded)
Persian Gulf War - 383 (deaths) and approximately 467 (sick and wounded)
Global War on Terror - 6969 to date...
Statistics found via https://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL32492.pdf
https://icasualties.org
"For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother." - Shakespeare, Henry V
