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1816 - Ten inches of snow fell in New England, in the "year without a summer" following the eruption of Krakatoa.

1918 - The Battle of Belleau Wood began in France. It was the first US victory of WW I.

1919 - Man O' War, one of the two greatest thoroughbred race horses of all time, won the first race in which he was entered, at Belmont Park.

1942 - The Battle of Midway ended with a U.S. victory.
1944 - D-Day. About 10,000 Allied troops laid down their lives in the invasion.



1966 - James Meredith was shot during a voter-registration drive in Hernando, Mississippi, about 4 miles south of the Mississippi-Tennessee border.

Mr. Meredith had been the first black student enrolled in the University of Mississippi, in 1962. Photographer Jack R. Thornell captured the immediate aftermath of the shooting on film, winning the Pulitzer prize the next year. This image generated sympathy in other parts of the U.S, and became an icon of the 1960s Civil Rights movement.



1978 - Proposition 13, limiting property taxes, was approved by a referendum in California. It was one of the most prominent tax revolts in modern history.

- Jim

Thank you, Jim.

My pleasure.

- Jim

Thanks Jim for the reminder of who the real heros are...

I watched the Normandy ceremonies this morning.

In no way, in 10,000 years, would I take away from, nor diminish, the sacrifices and the heroism of the Americans and their allies this day, 65 years ago, on the beaches of Normandy and inland. That said, this is a different America today than it was then...and, that's a downright cryin' shame. That was truly the "Greatest Generation". God Bless them all.

Americans rise to heroism when they need to. They did then, they do now, and they will continue to do so as long as America remains worthy of their sacrifice.

Our job is to be sure that it does.

- Jim

seamusTX wrote:Americans rise to heroism when they need to. They did then, they do now, and they will continue to do so as long as America remains worthy of their sacrifice.

Our job is to be sure that it does.

- Jim

Amen. Well put Jim.

Thank you.

I'm reminded of a quotation that I have never been able to trace down to a documented source: "A nation that cannot find volunteers to defend it does not deserve to be defended."

- Jim

seamusTX wrote:Thank you.

I'm reminded of a quotation that I have never been able to trace down to a documented source: "A nation that cannot find volunteers to defend it does not deserve to be defended."

- Jim

I don't know where it came from but I like it!

But in trying to track it down, I came across this one, equally as moving:

"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good." - George Washington

Here's another:

"Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth." - George Washington

Phew. Powerful words.

seamus wrote:

Americans rise to heroism when they need to.

Jim, I would like to think that you're right; however, no thanks to MSNBC, The NY Times, Nancy Pelosi, etc, etc., there seems to be much more discussion of "need" than I believe there was in WW II after Pearl Habor and the sinking of the "Reuben James".

In 1941, two populous industrialized countries and their hangers-on were committing murder, rape, and pillage across half the world. The bombing of Pearl Harbor made it clear that the United States had to defend itself.

Subsequent involvement in various jungles, rice paddies, and sandboxes has not been so clearly necessary. Nevertheless, those who accepted missions there were as heroic as any who wore the uniform in earlier wars.

http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/mohstats.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

seamusTX wrote:In 1941, two populous industrialized countries and their hangers-on were committing murder, rape, and pillage across half the world. The bombing of Pearl Harbor made it clear that the United States had to defend itself.

Subsequent involvement in various jungles, rice paddies, and sandboxes has not been so clearly necessary. Nevertheless, those who accepted missions there were as heroic as any who wore the uniform in earlier wars.

http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/mohstats.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

I heard one of the D-Day vets say yesterday that they never could have done it without the support of the homefront. Jim, my skepticism is not about the uniforms, it's about the homefront. I hope and pray that we're not put to the test.

Granted, there is no apparent reason for entering any military engagement without the will and determination to win. We're not going to "capture the hearts and minds" of any invaded country any more than an invader will "capture our hearts and minds" after invading the USA. What a misguided crock that concept is!

During WW II, the civilian population of the U.S. mobilized to a degree not seen since. Civilian manufacturing was converted to military. Rosie the Riveter replaced men who were overseas. Goods were rationed. Curfews and blackouts were in effect. Newspapers were full of front-page stories about battles in places that Americans had never before heard of.

But they still had a draft. I never figured that out.

How has the civilian population been asked to contribute to the current efforts overseas? We can send care packages to the troops, but it's purely voluntary and not emphasized.

I don't have any answers.

- Jim

Jim,

My parents lived in Galveston during WWII. My dad was stationed at the Galveston Army Airfield. I was told stories about ration books that they had to use to buy anything. They told about the black outs and when they fired the 12-foot guns along the sea wall that it shook the house, sometimes the dishes would fall out of the cabinets. I don't know what caliber they were all I could find out was they were 12-foot guns. I assume that means the barrels were 12ft. long. I am sure someone on the forum will know.

I ran across a very good Texas in WWII Brochure that has a lot of good information on WWII and the role Texas played in the war with each city and base listed if anyone is interested.
Thanks, for another great post.

-geo

Thanks for that link. I was not aware of it.

The guns of Galveston are long gone, but if anyone anywhere in the world has heard of Galveston, it is this Glenn Campbell lyric:

Galveston, oh Galveston, I still hear your sea winds blowin'
I still see her dark eyes glowin'
She was 21 when I left Galveston

Galveston, oh Galveston, I still hear your sea waves crashing
While I watch the cannons flashing
I clean my gun and dream of Galveston

Come visit. I'll show you where the guns were, and I'm pretty sure I can show you where your parents lived -- until the developers get to it.

- JIm