Part 2 , From Yesterday’s Post
In August of 1781 during the Revolutionary War in Yorktown, Virginia, a major battle took place. Major Cornwallis of the British army knew that if he could take Yorktown, the war would end in their favor. General George Washington had different ideas though. Benjamin Franklin had been reaching out to the French for assistance throughout the whole war and they finally came through. With the French’s aid, General Washington was able to defeat the British and Major Cornwallis was forced to surrender on October 19, 1781. Cornwallis was right, the Yorktown battle did turn the tide of the war, but in America’s favor. The war went on for two more years and we prevailed.
Before the Revolutionary War, we didn’t have a military. Each state saw to its own needs and never saw the need for a national military. When the need arose, the Congress appointed General George Washington to form a national army to stave off the British. At first it looked impossible. Men would leave when they felt like it. They would go home at planting or harvest time and didn't think anything was wrong with that. They didn't understand commitment to a military.
Slowly, but surely General Washington earned the respect and loyalty of his men. He took a group of rag tag men and eventually turned them into an army that could stand up to the British and win freedom for our people. The Revolutionary War was the birth place of our military that we have today. As The United States grew, she saw the need to have a military so that we could defend ourselves against attack.
Over the years, we've had our ups and downs in the strength of our Army, but December 7th, 1941, would change the face of our military for ever. The Japanese took umbrage against us and attacked Pearl Harbor. We'd become fat, lazy and unprepared. Japan thought that we would be an easy conquest. Little did Japan know.
Part 3, Tomorrow
No comments:
Post a Comment