I didn’t realize when I was growing up in the 50s that World War II had ended only a few years earlier. Then came the Vietnam War later. The Korean war was tucked between these two horrible events, but I was a kid, then, and it didn’t concern me.
As a young adult, I didn’t notice the emotional problems, the strained lives, the sorrows and the effects of the aftermath of the war. How could I? I was too young and immature to know about those things. The citizenry had lived through the worst of times, rationing, shortages, worries, fear ... mothers losing sons in the wars, sons coming back mutilated or suffering memories that they couldn’t forget.
No, I noticed very little of that. But I do remember, even in my “kid brain” this: those people, those dads, those moms, those grandmothers and grandfathers ... they were hard workers. Mothers raised their kids, cooked good meals, often held jobs, and families ate together and prayed together. Dads often worked at two jobs, got their educations under the G.I. Bill, and disciplined their kids. And yes, some had drinking problems, marriage problems, also a part of the drama of a traumatic time.
However, they had no time to gripe about their “lot in life.” They had already been dealt a hand. And that was the fact they accepted. They did not call attention to “poor little old me!” and they did not have time to gripe and complain. They did not get the attention of being “heroes” like today, when in fact, during the Vietnam War, they were maligned and spat upon for being soldiers.
These men and women were patriotic. Yes, they were patriots. You see, they deeply valued the freedoms we so take for granted in America. They remembered what they experienced in those overseas freedom-less, hungry, war-torn countries.
Did they blame someone else for their lot in life? No, they did not. They came home, hit the ground running, got to work.
Would these American heroes even consider hiring thugs to riot in the streets, beat people up, destroy businesses, tear down statues, burn flags? Unthinkable. They realized only too well that this is how society worked in Germany under Hitler, how the Communist regime in Vietnam operated, as well as the violence and tyranny in Russia. Socialism and Communism were ugly; these systems didn’t work then, and don’t work now.
They would be appalled at all that is going on today. Teaching and espousing Socialism and Communism. Wanting free handouts. Destroying other people’s livelihoods. Corruption. Screaming that this country is no good, and accusing us of being a wicked nation.
As for us who live in this country, we who work hard and pay taxes, whether we are red, black, white, pink, crippled, healthy, smart, handicapped, this great country is our home and we need to treat it as such. There are rules of governance. The Constitution is still the ultimate law of the land.
And there is another greater law, the law of grace and truth. Christ came to pay the price for our sad, sinful, broken state, and he taught us how to live. When we practice the laws of Christ and honor Christmas as His birthday, we are reminded that violence and lawlessness are never right.
During this Christmas time, let’s make a point to pray for this country, to call on God for his healing grace over this place, and pray that the many who hate our nation and know nothing about our Republic will open their eyes, and ears, and then may we boldly stand up for what we believe. God Bless America. And Merry Christmas.
Judi Tabler lives in Pawnee County and is a guest columnist for the Great Bend Tribune. She can be reached atjuditabler@gmail.com or juditabler@awomansview.
