Heroes yesterday and today

I'm not old enough to remember the mood of the country during World War 2, but America's sentiments can be readily understood by viewing any of the movies made during the war against the Axis powers in Europe. Even during the 50's, a decade after the troops were back home, the films continued to portray the greatness of our country and its fight for freedom around the world. 

It was a time of John Wayne, James Stewart, and Betty Grable; major stars whose patriotism was self-evident in the roles they played and the additional time they spent supporting the troops.

It was a time when men shed their blood fighting on the battlefield and women backed them up with their sweat and tears in defense plants from coast to coast. It was a time when families prayed together and prominently displayed flags in front of their homes to proudly show their faith in God, their love of country and their support of the men in uniform. 

Legendary comedian Bob Hope was entertaining the troops at military bases around the world, accompanied by other major Hollywood celebrities. It was a time in our history when we knew the good guys from the bad guys. It was the time of heroes.

What happened to those heroes? Since the turbulent 60's with its anti-American rhetoric and its drug induced revolution against propriety, we have witnessed an erosion of values that has sought to turn religion into a prohibited practice and patriotism into a foolish philosophy only engaged in by fascists. 

When Bill Clinton was elected President in 1992 it was the beginning of a new era in politics, one in which patriotism or morality was no longer relevant to a Chief Executive’s résumé. Clinton’s widely disclosed burning of the American flag on foreign soil during the Vietnam War and his highly publicized affair with Gennifer Flowers didn’t stop voters from electing him over George H.W. Bush, a devoted family man, fighter pilot and hero in World War 2.  

Clinton’s continuous immorality in the Oval Office soon became regular headlines and fodder for late night comedy shows. Finding humor in a President’s infidelities and sexual harassment of interns seemed to blend with the moral tenor of the times. In 1996, his reelection over Bob Dole, another hero of WW2, further exemplified the cultural decline of our country. 

Voters preferred youth over experience; decadence over decency. Once again, our country had made its choice, signifying that people were rejecting the principles that formed the foundation of our society.

This is not to suggest that former presidents were completely virtuous in their private lives; a short history lesson would disabuse us of such naiveté. However, most mature Americans can understand, albeit, not approve of, the rapacious appetite of people high on the food chain. What’s most important for our future is to trust that our leaders truly love our country. 

When President Obama traveled the world telling foreign nations that the US is not an exceptional country he was attempting to embarrass the very country that gave him the megaphone to voice his lack of gratitude.

When the Clintons began padding their foundation with mega-bucks from foreign entities, with quid pro quos attached, they were selling out the country that gave rise to their predatory influence. Not coincidentally, the Clintons and the Obamas were conspicuously contemptuous of our military. That’s not surprising when you realize that the military’s purpose is to defend us against enemies, foreign and domestic. 

Yet, what happens when the domestic enemies are occupying the highest positions in our government? I’m proud to say the answer to that question occurred on November 8, 2016, when voters, aka, “the deplorables,” fed up with the leftwing orchestrated demolition of the US, elected Donald Trump to breathe new life into a once thriving capitalist republic that was being systematically suffocated by the malignant purveyors of global socialism.

After 8 years with a President and a First Lady who evinced shame for their country, and faced with a successor that would follow the same path toward deterioration and mediocrity, America looked for a leader that would restore patriotism, with all of its  bountiful rewards, to the bloodline of  that shining city on a hill. 

It was a time when leadership was needed; a time to eschew the political correctness that was crippling us. It was a time for speaking clearly and acting decisively. The vicious rage against Trump’s election is merely the embittered rejoinder of a corrupt institution which, hitherto, felt certain they were invulnerable to exposure. 

Thankfully, the United States of America, that glorious beacon of freedom in a hostile world, has always found its heroes in times of need.