NASSAU COUNTY CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC.
"The government is us, we are the government, you and I." Teddy Roosevelt
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NASSAU COUNTY CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC. "The government is us, we are the government, you and I." Teddy Roosevelt |
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January 31, 2004
Why America Went to War
September 11, 2001, a date that will live in infamy or a date almost forgotten?
For the second time in our history, America suffered an unprovoked attack which struck at the very heart of our country. Those things we took for granted as Americans seemed more precious then ever. Our belief in God, our liberty and our democracy were shaken to the core. Our resolve became galvanized; our love for our flag intensified and our call for action became one. Our nation was unified from an act of aggression by a faceless enemy.
During the Vietnam War, our nation became divided as the reasons we went to Vietnam were not adequately articulated by our leaders and the American people were unable to relate to the events in South East Asia. During Pearl Harbor and September 11, we were directly attacked. While the latter was not by a specific country, the enemy was related to a radical strain of Islam that has tentacles and support from various countries in the Middle East and Asia.
"History teaches that wars begin when governments believe the price of aggression is cheap." -Ronald Reagan
The President outlined his mission before congress shortly after the September 11 attack and that mission was clear, we must act to defend the citizens of the United States from the enemy and move to prevent any further attacks even by preemption. He made it clear that this would be a long battle and of new challenges. The American people understood that our own survival was at stake. The pictures and funerals of our people who died at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in the fields of Pennsylvania made it personal.
The wounding of our nation has left a scar which should give cause for remembrance. Instead, it’s not even noticed. The people have forgotten. The flags have disappeared, the speeches of unity have faded and our failure to sacrifice like the great generation from World War II has dulled our senses. What have we as a society given to support the cause against our enemies both foreign and domestic? What have we sacrificed for our freedoms and our very survival?
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." -Thomas Jefferson
Our armed forces have spilled their blood and some have sacrificed their life for the safety of our nation. Some children will never know the love of their father or be able to say, Daddy, I love you. Some will never again see their mother or daughter. The families of our soldiers have sacrificed and continue to do so day after day. The only thing they ask is for our support.
Fly our flag, speak up for our American values and take a stand against those who criticize our military. For the values that we take for granted do not come cheap, they are paid with blood.
"The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil Constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or to be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men." Samuel Adams