Learn YOUR History !

[irbodden]

Foo, American History usually doesn't go THAT detailed into any of the wars. A good way to learn about people like him and other stuff about wars is watching the History Channel, A and E and sometimes TLC. History Channel usually has something about wars, guns or fighterplanes when ever I turn it on.

[Thor the Mighty]

whatreally pisses me off is people re-creating the iwo jima marine statue thing with differentthings like that damned punk band, anti flag, who had punks upping the upside down american flag!

[the JoKeR]

I actually have a history degree with teaching license, and I've never heard of the man in question. I know what the CMOH is and fully respect the people who risked their lives and in many cases lost their lives earning the medal. To understand why it is not taught in school, you only need to look at how much time is really devoted to learning, while comparing how freakin' much history there really is to learn. Each class is less than an hour, maybe three times per week. 20% or more of each class has nothing to do with learning (discipline, attendance, handing out papers, etc). Even a class on WWII could do litte more than scratch the surface. Hats off to those who not only enjoy the freedoms we have fought for but have gone beyond to learn more about those who made our freedoms possible.

[joeyjoe367]

http://www.city-journal.org/html/12_1_why_the_muslims.html

[Hasty8]

[Hasty8]

One other tiny thing I forgot to say.

Due to the original constructional theory of this country this country is built by societies of many different cultures.

While we may want to describe the "evils" committed by the Japanese and Germans during WWII we do not want to hurt the feelings of the current generations.

You see, in order to heal we have to, if not forget, at least forgive and it's very hard to forgive if we keep reminding ourselves that Foss killed 26 german piolts. Well, why did he do that? Because we were at war with them. Why were we at war with them? Because they were doing bad things. Like what?

Okay, you're right. I admit it. It sucks. It stinks to high heavan and beyond but it is, unfortunately, the way of the world. We believe that forgetting is forgiving.

And another thing is that most of the friends my grandfather made during WWII do not like to show their medals. Some of them even have the MOH. It's not because they are ashamed of what they did but because the pain of friends made and them brutally lost is still so powerful that they themselves are afraid that the memories will overpower them.

60 years later and most of them still can't put it past them.

As always, no flames were meant or intended. These are just my POV's and in case I didn't make myself abundantly clear Army...

To you and your brothers and sisters in arms...

Thanks.

[the JoKeR]

Re: One other tiny thing I forgot to say.

Originally posted by Hasty8
in order to heal we have to, if not forget, at least forgive

This past Dec 7, I saw an interview with a man who was stationed at Pearl Harbor on 7 Dec 1941. He was onboard one of the ships attacked by a Japanese pilot. Obviously, the explosion killed many on the ship. This former Navy man met and became friends with the Japanese pilot that attacked his former ship. This story is not as uncommon as one would think, although it's a lot more personal than servicemen who were stationed in Japan after the war who befriended Japanese. If someone like this can forgive his former enemy...... I'm just amazed. I don't think I could do it.

[Army]

War is the last act of diplomacy.

War is conducted between governments, with the soldier simply doing what his country asks or needs. Soldiers do not hate their enemy soldier counterparts, for they are soldiers too, doing their countries bidding.

It is not uncommon for former adversaries to become friends, for both did the same things for different reasons, despite the eventual outcome.

I recall being with my Father when he met a former 88mm Flak gunner from the Regensberg area. Pop flew many missions over the "Reg" as a Bombardier in a B-17, and subsequently sustained more than a few holes in his plane from the Flak guns. But neither man had any hostility for the other, in fact they had a good laugh about it. They teased each other for their lousy aiming! Both were intent on killing the other, but both knew that they were simply soldiers doing the job assigned, so neither could bring hate into the situation. My Dad doesn't talk much at all about WWII, but to watch these two old warriors talk was to see men 50 years younger discussing nothing more important than a weekend baseball game (well, we were at a Dodger game!).

Eh, 'nuf about all that.*sniff*

As a nation and a people, we should forgive, but to forget is to deny history. Never forget when attrocities happen, remember well, and learn that it could happen again.

[the JoKeR]

Those who forget their history are doomed to repeat it. True in real life, and I also found it true when I was teaching history.:)

[Dave]

I had the pleasure of meeting Joe Foss a few years back at an air show in San Diego. I don't remember too much, must have been 5 or more years ago, but we still have a painting print that he signed. From what I remember, he was a down-to-earth friendly kinda guy.
I also had the honor to meet another Medal of Honor recipient by the name of Alfred Rascon. He runs the Selective Service organization. He was a medic in Vietnam when he saved the lives of many of his fellow men and was injured in combat. I got to spend all day with him at the Pentagon because I was the one-millionth online registrant for the Selective Service. I met Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Henry H. Shelton.

I think that our schools should teach about these men, and what they did for this country. I come from a military family-my dad spent 22 years in the Navy, so we are a little bit more familiar with those who serve our country, but everyone of us should learn to appreciate the men and women who are ready to give their lives and have given it to defend our freedom. Thanks for doing your part, Army.

-Dave