Honor them. America has 233 million citizens, of whom 7.8 percent are veterans. Our nation owes its survival to 2.34 percent of us. America’s active duty are 1.34 million, half a percent. We owe them much. To those who have fallen, whom we recall on Memorial Day, we owe all.
Given new pressures from world adversaries, whom Biden coddles, inflames, incites, appeases, from Afghanistan, China, and Russia to Iran and terrorists – we must stop n Memorial Day.
Without our history of deterrence, many of these adversaries would already have attacked us or allies. Without today’s active duty military, backed by veterans, reserves, and the National Guard, plus Coast Guard and law enforcement, we would all be lost. Deterrence is tenuous.
If that is always true, it is more so today. Not since World War II, which took many of those we remember today, has the world been more afire. We try not to think about it, but the world is a ruthless place, one that envies us, resents us, and increasingly threatens us, here in America.
Evil doers around the world, flooding our borders, are enemies of all free people, no respect for laws or principles, including safety from evil. They are opportunists. They ignore laws, have no moral code, see openness as weakness. “No honor among thieves,” they angle to get us.
That is a central lesson of America history – one taught by those who gave all, and whom we must stop to remember on Memorial Day. Only by standing up to evil do you deter it.
No nation in human history has risen for others – like America. Nor has any so consistently stood against the forces that – at home and abroad – incite global instability, seek to suppress freedom.
From our Founding Fathers, who commissioned the USS Constitution to stop Barbery Pirates to the Monroe Doctrine, from Theodore Roosevelt in 1898 to WWI, WWII, and conflicts thereafter, we do not flinch in defending freedom. Because of those who have died, we are known for that.
So, who do our adversaries respect? America’s veterans, dead and living, those who gave all and whom we solemnly honor today, and those who continue stepping up, incurring awful costs.
Last week, a warning came from the State Department: The world is unsafe. Surprise apparently to Blinken and Biden. Americans must exercise “caution,” as we face a major “security alert.”
The world Biden built is seething with threats, Afghanistan and Iranian terrorists, China and Russia in a military alliance, 24,000 illegal Chinese bursting into the US in 2024. Something is afoot – and it gives pause. But ironically, those who died – whom we honor today – are one reason our adversaries have not acted. They respect the courage of those who fell for freedom.
Our history is “peace through strength,” deterrence, readiness, and superiority. We are defined by the resolve of those who came before, as well as our own – feckless political leadership aside.
The historical identity of America precedes us, an echo in the long canyon of time. That we still have a measure of peace in a troth in political competence, leadership, and courage is their doing.
The big wheel will turn, and America will again have strong leadership. But until it does, we are enjoying – although few will see it – the freedom from war that past sacrifice made possible.
So, perhaps this Memorial Day we recognize the power of intergenerational, era to era deterrence made possible by those who have fallen, as much as those who presently stand to defend us.
Freedom and order are the product of valuing those elements generation to generation. Sacrifice is needed to create and keep them alive. Peace is earned in a dangerous world, must be defended.
So, looking back to those who fell for freedoms we enjoy – and looking around – defending freedom must never stop. We honor those who fell by keeping what they fought for well. What did Churchill say? “Never was so much owed by so many to so few.” That was true in 1940, and is today. We honor the fallen, and those who take their place, today and always. Honor them.
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, attorney, and naval intelligence officer (USNR). He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (2018), and is National Spokesman for AMAC.
Giving it some thought, the mention of the U.S.S. Constitution commissioned to fight against the Barbery pirates ( early 1800’s ) is something to consider in connection with the present despicable, dishonorable criminal gangs, engaging in human trafficking , who are invading the United States of America. Crime needs to be fought here, in every state of the Union. The responsibility of good citizens to defend society from the scourge of crime can be given incentive from the way the Barbery pirates were dealt with by the U.S. Navy. in the early 1800’s. In the other previous comment I made there was an error – in the first sentence the word ” we ” should not be there – it should be ” Honoring those Americans, who believed in the principles…”. This error was made by the ” System ” after the comment was posted. This matter of the internet/ mobile phones being the source of distraction and errors has some genuine importance. It will make communication better if improvements were made with the internet/mobile phones .
If all the Men and Women that have laid down their lives for our Freedom could see how the Fascist democrats are trying to destroy our Country they would be shooting them instead to Protect the United States of America.
They fought with Honor to Protect Our U.S. Constitutional Rights, Secured Borders, and Above All Our Freedoms from Tyranny.
Building a strong National character, maintaining Liberty, defending truth, Honoring those Americans we who believed in the principles the United States of America stands for and died in battle to defend those principles. This article points out ,very directly , the spirit that is appropriate for honoring those Americans on Memorial Day. Actually the sense of honor , the appreciation should be a year round part of our thinking – I am sure it is with some ,but special Memorial Day tribute is in order too. Remember, with reverence , continue the work to make this Country ,and the rest of the world , a better place – a noble effort to keep the idea of Faith, Family and Freedom a strong guide ,a source of right thinking , in order to accomplish those goals. In the spirit of God bless America , land of the free, home of the brave. Praise for Robert B Charles for this important article.
Friends join me today saying “We stand ( and salute) [for] the Flag
And kneel for the Fallen.
We also- Stand for the Flag and kneel for The Cross.
Sir, can you research and write about
The obama plan to run as vp in order to return to power ( not “elected” – therefore adhere to Amendment 22 )to yet – another 3rd?-4th? Term as power president??? Of course he is counting on running on ‘spread out the wealth ( he will take from Boomers and older Americans) ‘ and give freebees to the huge multitude of young voters who desire the socialist hand outs- However you see it. ( My bias shows. )
Appreciate your writing.
Lew, you moronic idiot, go watch the View, lust after the uneducated, just like you, and find satisfaction from a dark corner in your mommy’s basement. Quit trying to turn real Americans into shadows of human feces. Just like you! Idiot
im already using the bbq for bacon and sausage for breakfast
btw i have an american flag up at my house, am a registered republican who will be voting for biden, i will also be grilling food today on my grill
hey robert charles, are you incapable of making a post not insulting president biden? instead of just honoring our veterans you insist on going after the commander in chief.