For Those Who Just Don't Understand!

Yesterday I alerted readers to how influential the ideology of tyranny are in this society. It was a reminder that freedom has to be guarded and fought for everyday. The majority of the population has never seen actual Communism in action, nor the horror and atrocities it's inflicted. The only lingering remnants of an actual Communist regime is Cuba and North Korea, and since they "control the media", Internet access included, your not getting a real picture of conditions inside. There are a great deal of people starving to death in North Korea. Cuba and North Korea both live in extreme poverty, and it's because the ideology of Communism doesn't work. It sounds great on the surface, everyone having equal, but what if the level of equal sucks? While this works out perfectly for the ruling class, as they "control" everything, it's not so good for the common man.

Back to my point, anyone not born in the late fifties hasn't had even a taste of Communism. It's hardly taught in depth in our school system, so there are generations who lack the information. They never did drills in school where you marched orderly to the basement bomb shelter of the school, training for a Communist nuclear attack. Never where they taught to stop in the middle of class and assume the position under the desk, for fear they might bomb the building. They never experienced a family bomb shelter stocked with can goods and other supplies, because Communism was a real and viable enemy. How many have met a Jewish survivor tattooed with a serial number, and seen the vacant look in their eyes the experience left behind?

I was blessed to be allowed to accompany my family to Veterans Hospitals as a youth to participate in fairs for the patients. It was a sobering experience to see the physical damage to those men who fought to keep Communism from spreading to our shores. I'll have to say the greatest impact was the mental and emotional damage I witnessed. Many times you'd see a fellow sneaking around like he was still on the battle field. He'd clear a spot on the grass and huddle up. He's reach into his pocket and procure a cigarette, skillfully he'd cup his hands and light it, covering the glow so an enemy sniper wouldn't have a target. A quick puff would ensue, then the butt would be extinguished, so the smell and the cloud of smoke didn't give away his position. The remainder of the cigarette would be stowed for future enjoyment. This whole process was an act of survival, twenty years removed from the horror, and accented by his ever vigilant scanning to be aware of the enemy position. He was still living the horror, and all I could do is offer him a hotdog and a thank you for his service. That's what we did at those fairs, distribute hot dogs. The hardest thing was some of those veterans were on dietary restrictions, and couldn't have our gift. I don't think much has ever left an impression as having to deny those brave souls who gave it all for my freedom a simple hot dog. One of the scattered orderlies would come to assist and try to explain to a pleading hero, that the treat he was seeking a doctor necessarily denied him, so he could live a better life? It was heartbreaking, but part of my education. This was how I learned to appreciate my freedom, and the sacrifice others made for it.

Now I didn't live in Germany, I didn't have to cower in an attic fearing my discovery and the death camps that ensued. I was fortunate enough to meet those who had and hear that epic struggle. I can only imagine having to live it. I was slightly removed from that horror, the next generation a bit more and then some more and now, I'm not so sure we fully appreciate the horror compromising our freedom could lead to. Without the experience the passion dies.If your not a witness, you might question the validity of the event. This leads to the complacency that allows us to take the freedom fought for as everlasting.

This is a viable threat! As I pointed out yesterday there are people deeply imbedded in our society who foster the belief system that led to these atrocities. Be ever vigilant of new legislation, find out the source of the message, and remember the sacrifice others made so you can enjoy your freedom to do that today. Passionatly guard your freedom, it's a gift from your past.

God Bless!
Capt. Bill