Sunday, September 25, 2022

"What was it all for . . .?"




    He enlisted in the US Navy at age 19  - - - soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.  Given his aptitude and intelligence, he gravitated  towards aviation and Officers' School.  Fortified with a strong sense of patriotism and courage, he was soon flying dangerous missions in the Southeast Asian theater of operations.  Lots of missions, dangerous missions.  Unlike many of his fellow servicemen, he survived and eventually returned home, proud that he had been a part of the victory ending Fascism.  


      Patriotism continued to run strong for a time post-war. Throughout the years of war, Americans had generally displayed support of the sacrifices and     dislocations brought on by the magnitude of  the conflict.  The advent of the "Cold War" contributed to the sometime souring of  'patriotism' into 'nationalism'.  The latter  has been described as a kind of glorification and unity of the culture, with emphasis on language and heritage . Those who do not accept that often skewered nostalgic viewpoint find themselves subjected to virulent and vile accusations of treason and such. An extreme example of this sentiment is found in the Holocaust. Patriotism on the other hand is based on an inclusivity of 'we are all in this together' emphasizing values and beliefs.

   Even a cursory survey of  American history since 1945 provides numerous instances of disenchantment and fissures within  this country's fabric. 'Lip service' to ideals of democracy, the dignity and worth of  people, justice, kindness and the like have been frequently replaced  with a cynicism and despair.

   Which brings the focus back to the idealistic young  patriot above: He opted to remain on  active duty with the Navy, ultimately reaching the rank of Admiral. Now still a lucid 99 year old, he has surveyed the current state of  American society and politics with their divisiveness, rancor,  violence, ad nauseam and sadly asked a friend, "What was it all for ?"

    His is a poignant query. No synthetic patriotism, please. The 'real thing'. As Samuel Johnson said in 1775, "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel." He spoke out not against love of country, etc. but a deliberate distortion of facts.

 And the American social critic, H.L. Mencken described the perversity that often postures as patriotism: "It's chief glories are the demagogue, the military bully, and the spreaders of libels and false history. Its philosophy rests firmly on the doctrine that the end justifies the means -- that any blow whether above or below the belt, is fair against dissenters from its  wholesale denial of plain facts."

   Abraham Lincoln urged his audience to resolve that the dead at Gettysburg  "shall not have died in vain--that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom --and that government of the people, by the people, for the people , shall not perish from the earth."

   That is 'what it was all for'.  Will it live ?

          Satchel



 




5 comments:

  1. Brilliant, Ron. One of your very best.

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  2. Well said, sir.
    Mitch Simpson

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  3. Thoughtful, provocative, and well said! Thank you for saying it!

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  4. So powerfully stated! Thank you!

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  5. True of course nevertheless so very bleak.

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