On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, the “War To End All Wars” was officially ended. Initially it was called “Armistice Day.” then “Decoration Day,” then “Memorial Day,” and now I think, “Veterans Day.” Be sure to fly your flag in honor of the close to a million brave U.S. soldiers who gave their lives for the various wars their Presidents and Congress sent them to…thankfully, all overseas.
World War One began because Germany became bellicose and threatened the security of Britain, France and Russia. It really didn’t begin with the Archduke shooting, as is commonly thought, although this might have been a trigger. It had been brewing for many years. Germany lost, and was forced to pay for the damage she had done. She was broke. Like the United States of America, which is also broke, Germany paid her bills with the printing press. Her Mark went from 25 U.S. cents, to many millions to our dollar, which was then backed by gold. Our dollar has gone from a dollar to about two cents since WW I, for the same reason as the mark failed…the printing press. It was the Treaty of Versailles, forcing Germany to pay, which set the scene for World War Two. Hitler came to power promising to restore Germany to her former glory. Hitler was an excellent speaker and could rouse the public to do just about anything, as can forceful preachers, politicians, and demigods everywhere. Castro was a superb speaker in his day, as was FDR.
That “war to end all wars,” had nothing to do with America, but President Woodrow Wilson decided to get us involved, just as it was about over. We still lost thousands of troops, and that war cost 20 million deaths. It is possible that our involvement shortened the war, but so what? I am certain that the widows and mothers of the thousands dead, would have preferred not to have lost their loved ones. I am also certain that the Treasury Department wished that they didn’t have to fork over the tens of millions of sound, gold backed dollars, to pay for that war. America is separated from the rest of the world by two gigantic oceans, and WW I had absolutely nothing to do with us. Neither did Korea, nor Vietnam, Kuwait, and Iraq. WWII is open to argument, and I won’t get into that here.
The millions of America’s soldiers wounded and killed in the many wars, should be remembered and memorialized, and their headstones decorated today, without regard to the causes, logic, or politics which got us into them. Whenever I see a WW II vet, I always give him a hug with tears in my eyes, because they were so brave. Some say WW II was the only ’good war’ we have ever fought, and that may be true. A thousand WW II vets are dying every day, and they should be loved, hugged, and in any way possible, have appreciation shown for their valor and service.
If you want to see an absolutely wonderful film about a brilliant, patriotic composer who wrote many wonderful patriotic songs as well as dozens of Broadway musicals, I suggest that you own a copy of the film which portrays the life of George M. Cohan, titled, “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” Own, because if you are anything like me, you will watch it over and over again.