Editor’s note: The following is a Memorial Day speech submitted for publication as a Letter to the Editor by Colonel Jim Spring, U.S. Army (Retired), of Denham Springs. The speech was given Monday at special ceremonies in Gonzales.
...It is human nature that we all wish for the nightmare of 9/11 to go away, and clearly the ongoing war against radical Islam reminds us of our vulnerability. Nonetheless, this is not the time for us to go wobbly in the knees. Our silence or our division as a people will signal only one thing to the terrorists - that we are weak and lack resolve - and it will embolden them into the future. We are blessed to have the best-trained, best-equipped, best-led military in the history of the world. The only way this war will be lost is for ordinary citizens like you and me - and our elected officials - to display a lack of will. Yes, it will be a challenge, and we will win this war against radical Islam - but only if we have the political will to do so here at home. As a nation - and as individual citizens - we must decide whether we still possess the grit and the mental toughness that our World War II forebears demonstrated 67 years ago when their way of life was threatened. Today’s brave soldiers deserve no less.
In closing, may I leave you with this sobering thought: When civilized men can no longer face the horrors of war, they will be conquered by uncivilized men who can. Thank you and may God continue to bless America.
Even if you disagree it’s a good read…
