Remembering and Providing for Sacrifice

George Rebane

Today we remember and honor the military service men and women who died for us, and those who have yet to come home.  We sent them into harm’s way to keep harm away from us and our loved ones.  They went willingly again and again to do the work of war with the belief, and sometimes only hope, that their country was behind them.

 

Since the days of muzzle loading rifles and the Constitution class of frigates, one way Americans heading for battle knew their country supported them fully was in the quality and supply of weapons and stores they were provided.  In the main, these were always the best that was available for warcraft.  And with innovative entrepreneurs free to invent, make, and sell, America soon set the standard for getting there firstest with the bestest and mostest – once our politicians had things sorted out.

After WW2 we were on top of the heap, and quickly learned our new role in the conflict that became known as the Cold War.  Our allies acknowledged our supremacy and, over the years, grew fat, peaceful, and peace-loving, knowing that Uncle Sam was the world’s sheriff.  With the coming collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, we could all breathe a sigh of relief.  Throughout the late eighties and the nineties, the country’s leadership “cashed in the Cold War dividend” by reducing defense expenditures – the so-called “procurement holiday” - while our technology-boosted economy soared.  Happy times were here again.

Then on 9/11 Islam reminded us that its fanatical and more restive elements were ready to resume the dictates of their Medina Quran, and “the religion of peace” once more donned its true colors.  America sought to respond as leader of a militarily capable West, and quickly found that its developed country partners were both unable and therefore mostly unwilling.  Their military machine had become only a for-profit capitalist shill, making fancy killing machines to sell on the world’s munitions markets, showing them off at world-class airs shows and field demonstrations.  Anybody with a check was on strategy – except their own taxpayers.  The default transportation mode of Germany’s Bundeswehr had become hitchhiking.

So now, after ten years of mid-east warfare (I would not elevate them to ‘wars’), we are tired, divided, dissolute, and deep in debt.  A good many of us counsel stepping back, focusing on being a “good global citizen”, and perhaps “leading from behind”.  China, Russia, Iran, and the now forming Arab Spring strongly support such a strategy for America.

Today Robert Gates, one of the country’s longest serving SecDefs, is providing the country some needed perspective as he heads for retirement this summer.  He does not want to leave America weaker than how he found it.  Here are some of the thoughts and data he would like us to consider as we decide on which politicians should next take the helm.

- Thanks to Uncle Sam, Germany, France, and Great Britain are not so burdened, but America’s role as a global leader depends on its ability to project power, period.
- We spend only 3.5% (4.5% with Afghan and Iraq thrown in) of GDP on defense.  Europe spends 1.7% of their GDP.
- The average defense spending during the Cold War was 7.5% of GDP, and 6.2% under the Reagan build-up.
- Modern weapon systems need maintenance to retain just their existing fighting capability.  This itself requires a 2-3% annual growth in the defense budget.  Obama is planning deep cuts in the 10-20% range.
- Cutting $55B out of a $1.4T deficit is chump change, but catastrophic for America’s force structure.  “Defense is not (America’s debt) problem.”
- Stopping production of the F-22 will remove America’s top echelon fighter capability for the first time since WW2.
- Entitlements spending eclipsed defense spending in 1976.  Last year SS, Medicare, and Medicaid accounted for 9.8% of GDP and two thirds of an in-deficit federal budget.
- By 2020, under current administration’s projections, entitlements will make up 10.8% and defense will sink to 2.7% of GDP.

In his recent Notre Dame speech Secretary Gates said, “But make no mistake, the ultimate guarantee against the success of aggressors, dictators, and terrorists in the 21st century as in the 20th, is hard power – the size, strength and global reach of the United States military.”  In short, let’s not make our military hitchhike to battle, and make sure they have ample good stuff to shoot when they get there.  We owe that to the next generations of Americans, and to those who will risk their all so that we remain free to prosper as our talents allow.

Comments

[stevenfrisch]

What an incredibly powerful photograph you found for this one George!
Outstanding.

[Dave C]

Many bridges and overpasses in the county have plaques placed on them with the name of a fallen hero from our county. As I drive around this weekend, it is nice to see these plaques appropriately adorned with a flag and flowers in their remembrance.

[Mikey McD]

Well done George. Thanks for serving (and continuing to serve).

[stevenfrisch]

Here is the story of the young man whose grave marker is the center of attention above.

http://www.antonnews.com/manhassetpress/2007/02/16/news/

[George Rebane]

Thank you for the link Steve, very appropriate.

[Mike Thornton]

OK, I'll bite the bullet and say what needs to be said.
The soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan have not been killed in order to protect America or Americans. This in no way diminishes them or their honor. What it does call into question however is the honor of politicians of both major parties and the various corporations and people who make huge profits in the business of perpetual war.

[D. King]

Thank you to all who have served!

Thanks for the link Steve.

“Regan was on such a mission when his vehicle was struck by an IED while conducting combat operations in northern Iraq, on Feb. 9. Sgt. Regan, a fire team leader, was moving his unit to an objective when he was killed.”

Now maybe you can see why I hate GE and Jeff Immelt sooo much.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j02-GqfyeC0

I leave you with this:

(Long version)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-Nl40FSR2o

[Larry Wirth]

Excellent, just excellent George. Maybe sometime you could explain to your readers why you used the phrase "Medinan Q'ran." I know why, but doubt that many others do. Perhaps folks like MikeT would understand a bit better if they did...

[George Rebane]

Good point Larry. I have presented the differences between the Meccan and Medinan versions of Islam's scripture several times in these pages - e.g. here http://rebaneruminations.typepad.com/rebanes_ruminations/2010/09/reflections-on-11-september-2010.html ,
but not everyone may have seen them. In any event, there can be no productive discussion about Islam, its cultures as practiced in the lands it rules, and its global aims without such knowledge. RR has been host to several of these shouts into the gale.

[George Rebane]

In perusing liberal blogs, I again have to point to truthout.com, a well-funded and prominent progressive voice on the internet. These folks have a different view of Memorial Day as witnessed by their focus on hard working moms and dads to be remembered on this day, regardless of their military service to our country. Apparently Mother's and Father's Days are not sufficient; parents per se must also crowd in and delute this special day we set aside for our military dead and missing. And then take a look at the attendant comments. Enjoy?

http://www.truth-out.org/remembering-quiet-unsung-heroes-america/1306708237

[Robert Lou]

I was a bit bummed out that the Union chose to list their hero's (on Veterans weekend) as local people who do activities around the city....

I would have prefered that they save this for the the military who have fought.

[George Rebane]

Agreed and saddened RobertL. Memorial Day, along with many ideas (like use of 'hero') of our former culture, are now being diluted out of existence. However, we were heartened to see an overflow gathering at Memorial Park in Grass Valley yesterday for the annual Memorial Day observance. All of us seemed to sense that in being there we were desperately hanging on to something precious and now fragile.

[Kim Pruett]

Robert Lou, the Union did the Red Cross Hero Event story on Saturday to lead up to the luncheon we are having on Wednesday( the Red Cross) of this, wasn't Memorial Day on Monday? I know I saw a great article on Monday on the front page about honoring the fallen and they have a wonderful story in today's paper as well. The Hero event article also featured Police, Law Enforcement, Fire, and yes even a Veteran who has served this country honorably in Iraq and Afganistan. I attended the Memorial Day ceremony in Grass Valley as well and it was very moving. I really do not think the Union intended to downplay Memorial Day with the Red Cross Story, they were just trying to cover the Red Cross Event that is coming up on Wednesday.

[Todd Juvinall]

I was unable to attend but my brother was at Memorial Park ceremony. Hee wanted to check to make sure there was no damage to our father, brother and grandfather's plaques. He said the ceremony was wonderful and it brought tears to his eyes. We cannot thank the men and women who served and gave their all for us. I appreciate all the recognition of those people. Regarding the other "heroes", I too have a problem with how the word is now used for other reasons. It should be reserved for the men and women in incredible circumstances and not be diluted.

[wmartin]

"Agreed and saddened RobertL. Memorial Day, along with many ideas (like use of 'hero') of our former culture, are now being diluted out of existence."...

You can argue that that has already occurred.

Since Memorial Day was originally intended to honor American Civil War veterans (specifically the Union side) and Veterans Day, the end of WWI, there's been a bit of dilution of the brand in both cases.

It's interesting how these things evolve. You end up with two holidays that are basically indistinguishable to most people plus, and this is partly a side effect of the way history is taught, a kind of equivalence given to the various wars.

In terms of equivalence, I'm not talking about any kind of morality attached to the events. It's reasonably easy to divide US military action into various slots based on whether it was justifiable in terms of existential threat or other honorable purposes like revenge or profit, but I think people lose the thread of just how large some of these episodes where.

[Reader]

Memorial Day coverage from The Union:

On Sunday — A time of pride and sorrow: Remembering Adam Strain's sacrifice
http://www.theunion.com/article/20110529/NEWS/110529767/1066&ParentProfile=1053

On Monday — ‘Not forgotten': Nevada County pays tribute to those who gave their all
http://www.theunion.com/article/20110530/NEWS/110529755/1066&ParentProfile=1053

On Tuesday — A tough look back: Remembering pain, promise of fallen servicemen
http://www.theunion.com/article/20110531/NEWS/110539996/1066&ParentProfile=1053

[Kim Pruett]

As stated before. the Union did cover Memorial Day very well, with three moving stories. I really do not think anyone was trying to downplay the signifigance of Memorial Day or the Hero's who have fought for our freedoms and who have given all.