2020 marks the 245th anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord, and thus the 245th anniversary of American veterans. Throughout the course of our proud history, US troops have fought in countless wars, at home and abroad, on all fronts, in all situations, to defend our country.In the Revolution, they fought from the fields of Lexington and Concord, to the heights of Saratoga, to the frozen woods of Valley Forge, to ultimate victory at Yorktown.
In the War of 1812, they defended the Republic, from the battles in the Great Lakes, to the Naval victories of the USS Constitution and her sister ships, to the final battle at New Orleans.
In the Civil War, both sides dueled to defend what they thought was right, from the early victories of the Confederacy, to the turning point at Gettysburg, to the surrender of Robert E. Lee at Appomattox.
In WWI, American troops served in a war overseas for the first time and endured some of the harshest conditions in modern warfare history, from the Harlem Hellfighters, to the Battle of Belleau Woods, to Armistice Day.
WWII was the first truly world conflict, and the United States of America was thrown into that conflict in such a manner as this...
"YESTERDAY, December 7, 1941 a date which will live in infamy the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that Nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific...
…It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace...
…But always will our whole Nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us...
…With confidence in our armed forces with the unbounding determination of our people we will gain the inevitable triumph so help us God..."
--- Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dec 8, 1941
American and Axis forces clashed for almost 4 years, from the victory at Midway, to the sands of North Africa, to the island hopping in the pacific, to the landings of Sicily and Normandy, to the Battle of Leyte Gulf, through the snow and sleet of the Ardennes, to the victory in Europe and the Pacific.
In Korea, our troops helped defend South Korea from the communist forces of North Korea, China, and the Soviet Union. They also trained South Korean troops so they could defend their land after the US left, and to this day their is still a South Korea with a strong military.
In Vietnam, our troops had to handle not just one enemy, their opponent, but the enemies of poor leadership, harsh environments, guerilla warfare, protests at home, and when they finally come back to the states, they were sadly labeled many horrible things instead of heroes.
In modern times our military has fought wherever they are needed, from the Gulf War, to Afghanistan and Syria, to smaller missions such as the assassination of Osama Bin Laden who orchestrated the 911 attacks, to finally eliminating ISIS.
Today, we celebrate the men who answered the call of duty, to serve, to fight, to die, for the freedoms we enjoy today. And the US military is still protecting us from foes at home and abroad. So please make sure you thank, in whatever way possible, the men and women of the US Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Air Force, for their service to the land of the free, and the home of the brave.
--- J-Rod
