December 21, 2001
Dear Editor:
Several weeks ago in the gymnasium, a very important forum on the war in Afghanistan began and ended with little comment from the students, perhaps because of limited time. After being a member of the Riverdale school community in different capacities for 47 years, this is my first attempt at writing something to be submitted to the Riverdale Review. Knowing that the Review has welcomed replies to articles, I would be interested to read others’ views on my opinion below.
I too remember just where I was on that Tuesday morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Returning from the election booth here in Riverdale, a neighbor said, frighteningly, “Have you heard that an airplane has crashed into the World Trade Center?” I hurried home and watched the entirety of the tragic event by television.
As has been said so often, and in so many ways, “Our lives have seemingly been changed forever.” Even now, many weeks later, there are waving flags, lit candles, solemn music, and tears of anguish — never ending. We are “talking the talk,” so to speak. The question was asked in our gymnasium, “What is the alternative if we were to discontinue bombing terrorists?” The question was left unanswered. I, for one, believe that we should continue every means possible to wipe out the evil force of terrorism all over the globe. Perhaps it is not overstated that civilization
itself, as we know and live it, is at stake.
On Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, now 60 years ago, I was sitting down with family members for an early dinner after church, and we were alarmed at hearing on the radio that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor. I was seventeen year old at the time, a senior in high school. My twin
brother and I were members of what Tom Brokaw Calls “The Greatest Generation.” The nation was simpler then. Nearly every man and woman, young or old, without question served our country in some way or another.
My brother and I went together into the Army. I was a paratrooper, he a gliderman. From England we flew into the Battle of the Bulge on Christmas Eve of 1944. Following that conflict, we made an airborne invasion over the Rhine River into Germany. At war’s end in Europe, we were assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and sent to Berlin to occupy that city along with the
English, French, and Russians. It was there that we stood over Hitler’s bunker just six weeks after he, so cowardly, committed suicide. We were among the privileged few Americans to have been so fortunate.
It was there, too, that in the first few months we helped restrain the Russians from looting, raping, and killing the Germans who had invaded and devastated the Russian homeland. As a boy still, at age 20, I received my first glimpse of Communism in action. We returned to New York City in January of 1946 to a parade up Fifth Avenue from Washington Square.
Having been involved in war firsthand; I deplore it. I believe this, however: A
militaristic Japan forced us into war by bombing a military target with half the killings of
September’s civilian target, and we justifiably ended war with Japan by bombing Hiroshima,
justifiable because I believe that we thus saved American soldiers and Japanese civilians from the possibly greater killings expected from an invasion.
Hitler invaded Europe with his evil force and we destroyed his enterprise. In Europe
innocent civilians were killed—German and Allies. I know, because I was there. The term
for this is “collateral damage.”
Now we will attempt, if at all humanly possible, to reduce the number of innocents killed in Afghanistan. I believe, though, that bombing must continue until the terrorists give up.
It’s chilling to realize that this war will continue with its ever-threatening and insidious weapons in the enemy’s hands. My generation can only stand by and trust that the present one
will meet the challenge, accept the responsibility, and pay the price to keep the freedoms we now have.
I think, if necessary, this generation would accept a fair draft. Two years of service truly
would enrich their lives. Service does not necessarily mean carrying a gun, but rather being
of service in whatever best serves our nation. Then, after having mixed with others from all
around the country, they could better know what to do with their lives: go on to college, take a job of their choice, or even remain in the service.
I think that this may be a challenge that few would be willing to take now. Our volunteer armed forces, however, have accepted the challenge, and they need us to support their efforts by continuing the bombing. My fellow draftees expected that support back then, and the volunteer Allied troops fighting terrorists in Afghanistan expect the same from us now.
