No. 232 - LEST WE SHOULD EVER FORGET

No. 232

Jim Davidson...NEWSPAPER COLUMN

LEST WE SHOULD EVER FORGET

The German reformer Martin Luther once said, War is the greatest plague that can afflict humanity; it destroys religion, states, families. Any scourge is preferable to it. If Martin Luther had been around between 1918 and 1945 we could have shown him what a real war looked like. However, I dont guess the casualties were any more dead during our two world wars than they were back in his day. While I was in the Army Reserve during peace time and never had to fight for my country, I know that war is hell and I pray to God that we will never have to go to war again.

Because the majority of our nations population was not around during the big wars and even during the Korean and Vietnam wars, they must not only be reminded of what it was like, but to also honor our nations veterans who fought in these wars and preserved the freedom that we all cherish. Lest we should ever forget, I want to tell you about a very fine history teacher at the Dodge City High School in Dodge City, Kansas who is doing more than his share and I want to challenge all other history teachers in America to do the same.

This history teachers name is Bob George and he wrote to me a few years ago and this past October I had the opportunity to meet him in person and also to speak briefly to one of his classes. I was in Dodge City at the invitation of the Dodge City Daily Globe to speak at a community wide prayer breakfast (many wonderful people in this historic community) and during the time prior to the meeting I asked my host Eric Rathke if he would take me by the school. During our visit I learned that Bob George is a veteran of the Vietnam War and because of his own personal experience he feels a deep need to make sure his students understand the sacrifices our nations veterans have made for them.

Here is whats so unique and what I hope other teachers will think about doing. During the year Bob has each of his students interview a Veteran and then write a report about what they learned. Some of his students comments were printed in the Globe and I wanted to give you a brief overview of what they said. Kari A. Alexander, to all W.W.II Veterans, Before I studied W.W.II, I never really appreciated you. I thought so what, another stupid war. Now that I have studied it and interviewed a Veteran, I appreciate you much more. I appreciate the fact that you were willing to risk your lives so that everyone in this room, in this world, can be alive today.

Tiffany Williams wrote, Dear Veterans, I never really knew what you guys did when I was little. I just knew it was another holiday (Veterans Day) that my family celebrated. Even before I took American History, I knew very little about W.W.I & W.W.II. I would like to thank you for all the things you have done for our country. In my eyes, you are good role models and heroes. It just seems very sad that some people do not appreciate what has been done because they simply do not know.

And lastly, Nicole Eckert writes, After all that I have learned and studied in American History over this short time on wars and battles, I have been amazed at all the brutalities. I give a big thanks to all Veterans. I cannot imagine the hardships they have all endured. They must have great strength and an amazing capacity to keep their sanity under all conditions. I do not know how anyone got through times like that. I am writing this letter to let all Veterans know that their efforts are not unrecognized but commended.

Thanks Bob, for a job well done. I just hope many fine teachers across this land will follow suit LEST WE SHOULD EVER FORGET. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Jim Davidson is a motivational speaker and syndicated columnist. You may contact him at 2 Bentley Drive, Conway, AR 72034.)