Broadside Blog

Band of Brothers

I have finally gotten around to reading the book, Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose, and it is very good. It's the story of Easy Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne. It takes you from their training to the first combat jump into Normandy (D-Day) to the end of the war. Many, many things stand out in the book but one thing really hits home.

When the Germans attacked and penetrated the line along the Ardennes, the battle that has become known as The Battle of the Bulge, Easy Company along with the 101st was trucked into battle. That battle was the largest single battle on the western front in WWII. 600,000 American soldiers were involved. Losses were 20,000 men killed, 40,000 wounded and 20,000 captured. Two infantry divisions were annihilated. 600 tanks and other armored vehicles were destroyed. But as anyone that knows history can tell you they hung on and with some good weather that allowed the airplanes back in the fight and General Patton's tanks they were victorious.

That fight without doubt showed that there was nothing that could be done to prevent America to be determined to defeat Hitler.

We are in another war at this time and there is only two front line defined. That is in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our losses there in numbers do not approach that of the Battle of the Bulge thank goodness but the goal is just as important. The young men and women that are laying down their lives and are sustaining wounds are just as brave and important to our freedom in America as the soldiers in the battle described above. It is sad and a comment on the inward selfish nature of the general American public that does not understand the fight we are in. What you see happening in Iraq and Afghanistan will come to our shores as sure as the sun will come up if we do not fight them where the problem lives.

Have we completely forgotten our past and the sacrifices that were made by many to keep this country free to enjoy freedom? It certainly appears many have and seem many more are lining up be part of the problem and not the solution.

I guess the only thing that comforts me is I am on the tail end of my life and my memories of the brave men and women that fought for me to be free are still cherished. I am very glad I will not see the end of this country as it will certainly continue to slide into the third world garbage dump we will come if something is not done. Sorry for the downer post but it was on my mind.

posted by Jay @ 6:37 AM