November 13, 2006
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| November 13th, 2006 |
Contact: Derick Corbett
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VETERANS DAY 2006
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Lawrenceville, Georgia - Fourteen thousand college students were recently asked 60 multiple-choice questions to measure their knowledge of American history, government, America’s role in the world, and the economy. Among the many worrisome findings, the results showed that only 48 percent of those surveyed knew that the following statement was from the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
This study highlights the importance of promoting a citizenry that is knowledgeable about the origins of American history and the principles that have guided the nation for over two centuries. The studies indicate that citizens who are more informed about our history, our founding principles, and our place in the world, are more likely to be active in the community and in other citizenship activities such as voting.
I believe that nothing can be more important than reminding us that we are what we are because we are free. It was not by accident that this nation based on the principles of freedom and liberty became the most prosperous and most generous nation in recorded history.
We can learn about these principles from the thousands of veterans among us today. They are witnesses to key moments in American history and how those moments built upon the character and principles of this great nation. Too often, we express regret that we missed an opportunity to have a conversation with those who have experienced something that we can only read about in a history book. We should not miss the opportunity to learn first-hand about the sacrifice that they made for our nation and for freedom.
A member of my staff told me that he took a trip alone to Normandy during college and encountered another tourist as they were walking near Arromanches close to the British landing area at Gold Beach. While his initial reaction was to simply nod as they passed, they struck up a conversation instead. And he received a priceless history lesson from the gentleman who stated that the last time he had been to this area was 45 years earlier on June 6, 1944, when he was 18, not knowing what to expect, scared to death, but steadily moving up the beach toward the enemy.
The gentleman told a story similar to the one outlined by historian Stephen Ambrose in “The Victors.” To read that book is to understand what 18 year-old soldiers, just like this gentleman, were willing to do for their country and for freedom in the world as the battle for Europe started that June morning. As they came off boats bringing them to the beaches and cliffs at Normandy many were violently ill from the rough ride in turbulent seas. Many drowned before getting to shore. They faced withering machine gun fire from protected embankments. And they secured the freedom and liberty we all enjoy today.
It is likely that someone you know or who lives in your community was involved in one of the great battles for freedom. If you cannot get a first-hand account from a veteran, I encourage you to visit the Library of Congress Veterans History Project at http://www.loc.gov/vets/. The project has collected first-hand accounts from U.S. veterans from battles in the twentieth century. I am grateful that we, as a nation, care enough to preserve them to show a new generation what has been done to preserve freedom.
So when I read another study showing that twenty-eight percent of those college students tested believe that Gettysburg was the battle that brought the American Revolution to an end, I am going to take it as an opportunity to remind students about the Battle of Yorktown, Gettysburg and the Civil War, and that Veterans Day was initially known as “Armistice Day” marking the end of fighting in World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.
Veterans Day is still a solemn day to honor those who served. We say ‘thank you’ and hope that future generations may learn from them about their sacrifices and the basics of a free society.
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