Newsletter & Updates
Last month I retired from hosting Frontlines of Freedom. I’d hosted it for 18 years; it was the nation’s largest military talk-radio show. We had a twice-monthly newsletter then, and we’re starting it again, now. America’s Frontlines will discuss military and national defense issues, but we’ll also discuss things our nation needs to do to be the strong and free nation it was created to be and needs to be.
I taught American Government at a local college for 15 years. One of my questions on the first day of class was, “Why do we celebrate the 4th of July?” In 15 years, I had only one student who could answer that question. Many said that it was Independence Day, which is true, but when I asked what happened on that day and when it happened, none of them knew. (I’m sure a few knew and were too shy to speak on the first day of class.) I blame this ignorance on our education system—and our families. We need to raise our children to be proud and thinking Americans or we don’t have a good future.
For the record, here’s what happened.
On 4 July 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, which proclaimed the independence of a new United States of America from Great Britain and its king. The declaration came 442 days after the first shots of the American Revolution were fired at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts and marked an ideological expansion of the conflict that would eventually involve France’s intervention on behalf of the Americans. The declaration was formally adopted by 12 colonies after minor revision. New York, the 13th colony, approved it on July 19. On August 2, the declaration was signed. The American War for Independence would last for five years. In 1783, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris with Britain, the United States formally became a free and independent nation.
Our nation has a large number of challenges and some very good people at the top of our government, but we have a lot to do to maintain our nation as the world’s finest country.
The Smiling Ranger
I’ll never forget that, I was thinking about…, the fact that I started kindergarten when I was four years old, so I was always the youngest one in my class. I was also quite tall, so I looked older than I really was. As a result, my parents let me start driving when my high school classmates did; legally you could get a driver’s license back then when you turned 16. I started driving at 15. I was also very active in my high school Junior ROTC unit. One thing our unit had, and I lead, was an honor guard; we’d fire a 21-round salute at military funerals. The weapon we were used as cadets was the M-1 rifle, so that’s what the honor guard used. On one occasion there was a funeral on Saturday. Rather than find a way to come in on Saturday morning (when the school was closed) on Friday afternoon I just took seven M-1s and put them in my trunk, along with a box of blank cartridges. That evening I was on my way to see a friend when I was stopped by the police; I’d failed to yield the right-of-way while making a left turn. I was very nervous at being stopped because, one, I had never been stopped before; two, because I was driving alone with only a learner’s permit (which required I be driving with a licensed driver), and, three, because I had a trunk full of military rifles. I did get a ticket and couldn’t drive my car anywhere as I had no driver’s license. I called a friend who came and drove my car home for me. Ultimately, I had to pay a fine; all things considered, I got off really easy.
Military History
On 1 Aug 1914, four days after Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Germany and Russia declare war against each other, France ordered a general mobilization, and the first German army units cross into Luxembourg in preparation for the German invasion of France. During the next three days, Russia, France, Belgium, and Great Britain all lined up against Austria-Hungary and Germany, and the German army invaded Belgium. The “Great War” that ensued was one of unprecedented destruction and loss of life, resulting in the deaths of some 20 million soldiers and civilians.
On June 28, 1914, in an event that is widely regarded as sparking the outbreak of WWI, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian empire, was shot to death with his wife by Bosnian Serb Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Ferdinand had been inspecting his uncle’s imperial armed forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, despite the threat of Serbian nationalists who wanted these Austro-Hungarian possessions to join newly independent Serbia. Austria-Hungary blamed the Serbian government for the attack and hoped to use the incident as justification for settling the problem of Slavic nationalism. Welcome to WWI.
On 1 Aug 1943, during WWII, a Japanese destroyer rammed American PT boat, No. 109, slicing it in two. The destruction is so massive other American PT boats in the area assume the crew was dead. Two crewmen were, in fact, killed, but 11 survived, including Lt. John Kennedy. Japanese aircraft had been on a PT boat hunt in the Solomon Islands, bombing the PT base at Rendova Island. It was essential to the Japanese that several of their destroyers make it to the southern tip of Kolombangara Island to get war supplies to forces there. But the torpedo capacity of the American PTs was a potential threat, so they were the prime target. Yes, Lt. Kennedy survived to become the President of the US.
On 2 Aug 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, seizing control of the oil-rich emirate. The day came to be known in Kuwait as “Black Thursday.” 330 Kuwaitis died during the occupation and war. Sadam Hussein, leader of Iraq, took over Kuwait. President Bush led an inter-national coalition for sanctions and a demand for withdrawal. The Iraqis were later driven out in Operation Desert Storm.
On 5 Aug 1861, during the Civil War, the US Army abolished flogging.
On 5 Aug 1945, during WWII, at about 0210 hours, seven American aircraft took off for Japan. One of the aircraft is the specially modified B-29 Superfortress — the Enola Gay — carried the “Little Boy” atomic bomb and headed for Hiroshima.
On 9 Aug 1918, during WWI, following the lead of countries all over the world, our government ordered automobile production to halt by January 1, 1919, and convert to military production. Factories instead manufactured shells, and the engineering lessons of motor racing produced light, powerful engines for planes. Manufacturers turned out staff cars and ambulances by the hundreds. In fact, WWI has often been described as the war of the machines.
On 11 Aug 1972, during the Vietnam War, the last US ground combat unit in South Vietnam, the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry, departed for the US. The unit had been guarding the US air base at Da Nang. This left only 43,500 advisors, airmen, and support troops left in-country. This number didn’t include the sailors of the Seventh Fleet on station in the South China Sea or the air force personnel in Thailand and Guam.
On 15 Aug 1845, the US Naval Academy was established at Annapolis, MD on former site of Fort Severn.
Humor/Puns
The librarian just gave me $10 to stop talking. I guess it’s hush money.
Just started watching a documentary on clocks. It’s about time.
Just saw 3 people jogging outside; it inspired me to get up and close the blinds.
I read that taking your bicycle to work every day is good for the environment. I thought, why not, I’m not using the roof rack for anything else.
I went to an optician’s office this morning and said that I think I need glasses. She said, yes, you do; this is a pet shop.
I grilled a chicken for two hours, and it still wouldn’t tell me why it crossed the road.
My grandfather only had one leg but worked for 40 years in a brewery. He was in charge of hops.
After six months of my check-engine light being on it went off by itself; problem solved.
A police officer came to my house and asked me where I was between 5 and 6; I said kindergarten.
Quote/Verse
“None of us is as smart as all of us.”
Ken Blanchard
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12