Veterans, Heroes, America Past and Present
John W. Slagle
February 07, 2006
It appears that many people across the United States are confused regarding our politically correct society and politics in general. As one of many “baby boomers” whose father was killed in World War II, I remember well the history of this nation. Five Surviving uncles who served in Germany to military battles on Iwo Jima returned home after the War. All were Midwest Farmers and in their absence from 1941 to 1945, the women within the family harvested the crops.
Victory gardens were grown, gas rationing was in effect and scrap drives produced materials needed for the War efforts. My mother and millions like her worked in shoe factories to manufacturing plants across the nation, long hours with very little pay. Military Veterans were appreciated and supported 100 per cent.
Those were very hard times for most Americans, and people had to get by as best they could. There was no government assistance or a social welfare system at that time.
A boxed American Flag and a Gold Star Certificate for our Veterans Killed in Action was a sad fact of life for families across America, yet families did not “Curse the United States” for their loss. They all had a universal Love of Country and Pride in their nation.
I’ve been very fortunate to know many heroes in my lifetime, men and women of the “Greatest Generation”. These people after World War II established the finest national industrial complex in the world. Achievements in science, technology to manufactured goods was a standard of excellence for the United States of America.
Factories produced clothing to everything needed in society and exported their goods at a profit. Quality Steel, Aircraft, Cars, Tools, furniture everything was proudly marked “Made in the U.S.A. by Union workers. Wages, job security enjoyed by “blue collar employees were envied by governments worldwide. Citizens and Legally admitted Immigrants were gainfully employed.
Republicans had a core base of principles rarely violated and Democrats were considered the “Working Man’s Party” who represented the laborers, unions and all Americans. Both political parties were very effective in establishing the United States as a law abiding nation, a Sovereign nation where anyone could work and earn a fair wage regardless of race, creed or color.
Immigration from other countries were beneficial, productive with most striving to become naturalized citizens. The Korean Conflict became a part of history and politics started to change as well as attitudes regarding military involvement abroad.
A forgotten time in history was the Bay of Pigs, Cuban Blockade incident. President John F. Kennedy had sent the U.S. Navy to intercept Russian Supply Ships carrying missiles to Fidel Castro, a tense situation that could have led to WW III. The Commander in Chief made a correct military decision .
The Russian Government did not press the issue and backed off with the U.S. Navy on “High Alert”.
Soon after my enlistment, military service, 1963 Viet Nam era, JFK was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. From 1963 to 1972 the Viet Nam era was a turbulent period in time for veterans, citizens stateside and politicians in general. Civil unrest was transforming the nation into a very volatile powder keg of emotions coast to coast.
The years that followed Viet Nam included military missions in Panama, Somalia, Bosnia and the Gulf War to the present in 2006.
Terrorist Factions have been a reality since 1979 when American hostages were held in Iran. The list of Islamic Extremist Terrorist events from 1979 are on record and range from Somalia to the first
WTC bombing, New York City in 1993, and attack on the U.S.S. Cole, DDG-67 in 2000.
In 2006, it’s a tough call to find any major difference between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party.
The Outsourcing of American jobs, Industries are a matter of fact for the Republican Party. The loss of American jobs by both outsoucing and insourcing foreign cheap labor is of no concern to either party as long as votes are assured. National Sovereignty is meaningless as is dependence upon China for all of our needs, clothing to electronics. Our Borders and respect for Immigration Laws are non-existant in Politics.
Rarely is anything Made in the U.S.A. If the item is found, it’s probably an antique. Hammers, nails, shoes, flags, every item necessary for society is foreign manufacture in 2006 most from Communist China, a now politically incorrect term.
Through the years I have also seen many items stamped “CHICOM” that are quite personal. These were on the receivers of AK-47s, SKS rifles used by first NVA soldiers, then terrorists, drug cartels to organized gangs. Being on the receiving end of a 7.62x39 round fired by a CHICOM AK-47 is not a good place to be in any country. God Bless our Troops.
George Putnam, a World War II Marine LT. with 70 years experience as a journalist, radio broadcaster is another true hero who has known Presidents, Movie Stars to everyday citizens.
Mr. Putnam stated… “It’s time to get back to American Values, American made products, self reliance, and end up with good old American common sense”. “It’s time to return to the message and morals of that great old film, The Best Years of our Lives”.
Veteran
Victory gardens were grown, gas rationing was in effect and scrap drives produced materials needed for the War efforts. My mother and millions like her worked in shoe factories to manufacturing plants across the nation, long hours with very little pay. Military Veterans were appreciated and supported 100 per cent.
Those were very hard times for most Americans, and people had to get by as best they could. There was no government assistance or a social welfare system at that time.
A boxed American Flag and a Gold Star Certificate for our Veterans Killed in Action was a sad fact of life for families across America, yet families did not “Curse the United States” for their loss. They all had a universal Love of Country and Pride in their nation.
I’ve been very fortunate to know many heroes in my lifetime, men and women of the “Greatest Generation”. These people after World War II established the finest national industrial complex in the world. Achievements in science, technology to manufactured goods was a standard of excellence for the United States of America.
Factories produced clothing to everything needed in society and exported their goods at a profit. Quality Steel, Aircraft, Cars, Tools, furniture everything was proudly marked “Made in the U.S.A. by Union workers. Wages, job security enjoyed by “blue collar employees were envied by governments worldwide. Citizens and Legally admitted Immigrants were gainfully employed.
Republicans had a core base of principles rarely violated and Democrats were considered the “Working Man’s Party” who represented the laborers, unions and all Americans. Both political parties were very effective in establishing the United States as a law abiding nation, a Sovereign nation where anyone could work and earn a fair wage regardless of race, creed or color.
Immigration from other countries were beneficial, productive with most striving to become naturalized citizens. The Korean Conflict became a part of history and politics started to change as well as attitudes regarding military involvement abroad.
A forgotten time in history was the Bay of Pigs, Cuban Blockade incident. President John F. Kennedy had sent the U.S. Navy to intercept Russian Supply Ships carrying missiles to Fidel Castro, a tense situation that could have led to WW III. The Commander in Chief made a correct military decision .
The Russian Government did not press the issue and backed off with the U.S. Navy on “High Alert”.
Soon after my enlistment, military service, 1963 Viet Nam era, JFK was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. From 1963 to 1972 the Viet Nam era was a turbulent period in time for veterans, citizens stateside and politicians in general. Civil unrest was transforming the nation into a very volatile powder keg of emotions coast to coast.
The years that followed Viet Nam included military missions in Panama, Somalia, Bosnia and the Gulf War to the present in 2006.
Terrorist Factions have been a reality since 1979 when American hostages were held in Iran. The list of Islamic Extremist Terrorist events from 1979 are on record and range from Somalia to the first
WTC bombing, New York City in 1993, and attack on the U.S.S. Cole, DDG-67 in 2000.
In 2006, it’s a tough call to find any major difference between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party.
The Outsourcing of American jobs, Industries are a matter of fact for the Republican Party. The loss of American jobs by both outsoucing and insourcing foreign cheap labor is of no concern to either party as long as votes are assured. National Sovereignty is meaningless as is dependence upon China for all of our needs, clothing to electronics. Our Borders and respect for Immigration Laws are non-existant in Politics.
Rarely is anything Made in the U.S.A. If the item is found, it’s probably an antique. Hammers, nails, shoes, flags, every item necessary for society is foreign manufacture in 2006 most from Communist China, a now politically incorrect term.
Through the years I have also seen many items stamped “CHICOM” that are quite personal. These were on the receivers of AK-47s, SKS rifles used by first NVA soldiers, then terrorists, drug cartels to organized gangs. Being on the receiving end of a 7.62x39 round fired by a CHICOM AK-47 is not a good place to be in any country. God Bless our Troops.
George Putnam, a World War II Marine LT. with 70 years experience as a journalist, radio broadcaster is another true hero who has known Presidents, Movie Stars to everyday citizens.
Mr. Putnam stated… “It’s time to get back to American Values, American made products, self reliance, and end up with good old American common sense”. “It’s time to return to the message and morals of that great old film, The Best Years of our Lives”.
Veteran
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