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Frankly Speaking
A Memorial Day for EveryoneMay 29, 2006 I enlisted in the Army when I was 18 during World War II, as did so many proud Americans, and was sent to Europe in 1944. Two major events that I will never forget occurred during my service. One was seeing the skies brighten after dark days of clouds, snow and bitter cold late in December of 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge, as I was working on communications behind the front lines. Our forces at the front had been driven back with severe losses and casualties. But suddenly after a week of heavy losses under relentless fire and bombing by German infantry, the sun suddenly came out, and our air forces were able to enter the fight. They pummeled the Germans until the enemy retreated with troops in disarray and morale a shambles. This began the momentum that would lead to the Germans' surrender in the spring. The second major event - the most memorable day - was May 8, 1945. I was in France when we greeted the surrender of Germany with tears of joy - and hope that Japan soon would follow suit. We had won the war at enormous cost. More than 400,000 American soldiers died in World War II, and it was a rare family that wasn't touched in some way. The dead weren't just names. They were people with families and friends; they were sons and fathers and brothers. Even Americans who didn't see comrades killed or injured, as I did, knew somebody who went overseas to do his duty and never came back. The whole of the American people supported our mission, and the entire nation shared the sacrifices. The marginal income tax rate increased more than 90 percent during the war, and there was rationing. Life changed dramatically for everyone. When we returned home, our country showed its appreciation. I attended Columbia University on the GI Bill, an opportunity that would change my life. Millions of veterans bought homes with VA-backed loans. We knew we would get the best health care from VA hospitals. Now the war in Iraq has been going on for almost as long as U.S. involvement in World War II, but few Americans can name a relative or neighbor who has served there. As our reason for being in Iraq has become less clear, the sacrifice of our soldiers has also been obscured. Fatalities have passed 2,400, and stories of war have long since been pushed off the front pages. Returning flag-draped caskets have been rendered invisible by the administration's ban on photographs. But we must not forget these heroes. I keep a gallery of their pictures outside my Senate office. It reminds me every day of their bravery and sacrifice. When I look at their young faces, I can recall the young men I served with 61 years ago. I have attended too many funerals of young soldiers from New Jersey. I have visited Walter Reed Army Hospital, where I have met some of the 17,800 wounded in Iraq and witnessed their struggle to adapt to life-changing injuries. The leadership in Washington who conceived and directed this war have made errors, and a terrible price has been paid. Nevertheless, our men and women in uniform continue to serve valiantly and honorably. On this Memorial Day, those who gave their lives deserve the same gratitude and respect as the fallen heroes of Korea, Vietnam and my generation. Those who make it back home deserve the same help in moving forward with their lives as we World War II veterans received. So let us measure our thanks by remembering them on this day and every day, and by giving them the help they need. |
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