OUR MILITARY DECLINE

The freedom to speak ones mind is one of America’s greatest assets. (as long as we are “politically correct”). Keeping that in mind let me mention a few things sure to please some citizens while upsetting others. How many of you have participated in or attended parades and/or programs held to honor our many military veterans? According to statistics our WWII and Korean War survivors are dying at a rate of 1,000 per day. Do we really care? Could it be we as a nation are sick and tired of continually being reminded of what they sacrificed so we can lead the “good life”? I sincerely hope not! Are you proud of our country? Do you respect “Old Glory”? Do you display the Flag so many died for? Must we make the same old mistakes again?

 In a recent letter to the Enterprise I mentioned our superpower status is suspect because of Korean and North Viet Nam military losses. I would like to make it very clear those set backs were not the fault of the military. The blame belongs on short-sighted government leaders who encouraged the rapid deterioration of America’s armed forces in order to have additional monies for social engineering programs. That was no excuse then, and it is no excuse now! Eight years of the Clinton/Gore administration has once again reduced our military preparedness to dangerous levels.

When President Truman authorized “police action” intervention in Korea (along with the power hungry U.N.), our armed forces were sadly undermanned. Young American men were drafted and sent to fight in Korea without proper training or equipment. These men were sacrificed so others could receive better training. Making a bad situation worse, Truman then fired General MacArthur who many believe could have won the war had he been allowed to do so. To add insult to injury, Eisenhower later simply threw in the towel! Over 50,000 casualties! What did we gain? Nothing! The U.S. still has problems with North Korea 50 years later. Forget peace treaties! There is no substitute for victory.

Right or wrong America later became involved with jungle warfare in Viet Nam. Losses there can be directly attributed to Lyndon Johnson and Robert McNamara. For years they ignored the military and tried to run the war sitting on their derrieres in their plush Washington, D.C. offices. Once again blame for the lost war and thousands of American casualties can be laid squarely at the feet of politicians and not the military. Remember having to get permission to return enemy fire?

 Here are some suggestions that should help improve our Armed Forces.  

• When giving assignments to the military, let them run the show.

• The job of the military is to kill, maim and destroy. Our enemies will do this, should we be prepared to do less? Political correctness has lowered both troop morale and military standards.

• Sooner or later all wars must be fought with ground troops. Forget political correctness. Get the women out of the military so the men can receive more intensive training. Being prepared saves lives.

• I would bring back the WAACS and WAVES so women would have the opportunity to serve their country as their Mothers did in the past. These organizations were very valuable and respected then and certainly would be in the future.

• Too few military volunteers? Would you volunteer for the armed forces if you thought you could be forced to become a second rate policeman in a third rate country having fourth rate authority and little support from your own government? Withdraw from the stupid “peace keeping”!

• Is our current military so small we have to activate the National Guard for Foreign Service? This should not be! They should be used in wartime and national emergencies only. Military pay should be increased by 15%, the number of personnel should be doubled and all equipment must be updated as soon as possible.

• Defense of American borders is the Army’s prime responsibility. Where are they?

• Six months universal military service should be mandatory for all able- bodied males with one year available to those wishing additional training. This would help prepare us for future conflicts while being beneficial to all 18/19 year olds.

• Does America have sufficient natural resources and manufacturing capacity to support a major war? Do we import too many items critical to the military? What if these items were withheld when needed most? Our industrial might was decisive in winning WWII. The next war will allow little time to produce munitions. Preparing now could be the difference between winning and losing in the future.

There has never been a time in history without armed conflict somewhere on Earth. The longer we go without a major war, brings us closer to one. Many nations would destroy America and what She stands for if they could. Weakness always invites trouble.

Not to be prepared would be stupid and criminal. Don’t let the politicians sell us out by short changing the United States Military. Our freedom depends on it.

Gene Mays

12/22/00