SEPTEMBER 2ND – AT 7:40 A.M. ET:  Today marks the 65th anniversary of the formal end of World War II.  There was a time, not many decades ago, when most Americans knew the meaning of this date.  Now, as the World War II generation fades away, few do. 

On this date in 1945, Japan surrendered to the Allied nations aboard the battleship U.S.S. Missouri, anchored in Tokyo Bay.  The ceremony was presided over by General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, who ended the greatest war in history with the simple words, "These proceedings are closed."

We honored the veterans of World War II.  We didn't do so well in honoring the veterans of the wars that followed.  Korea was called a stalemate, even though we achieved our objective.  That's why there's a South Korea.  Vietnam was called a loss, even though our forces never lost a a battle.  Our military distinguished itself.  Our civilian leadership, too often attuned to press coverage rather than reality, did not.

Americans were indifferent about the first Gulf War, fought to retain the independence of Kuwait, about which most of our people cared little.  We have done better in showing respect for those who've fought for us since September 11, 2001, despite domestic divisions.

There are reasons why Americans did so much better in honoring the troops returning from World War II.  First of all, it was indeed a world war.  Our very survival was at stake.  Second, our victory was complete, total.  Japan and Germany were occupied, defeated nations.  Third, our entire country was mobilized.  We had 15 million men and women under arms in World War II, out of a population of about 130 million.  Today we have a force of 1.5 million, out of a population of 305 million.  (Still, the whiners complain that we're "overstretched.")  Every family seemed to be involved, either in active military service or in war-related production.  And fourth, we had, during World War II, the support of the American left, with its influence in journalism and the academy.  In our confrontation with the Soviet Union and its allies in the year after 1945, the left was considerably less enthusiastic.  Today, some on the left disgracefully ally themselves with the enemy's cause.

Our military today is a class apart.  Few Americans know a soldier.  Too many young Americans think military service is for "suckers."  Sadly, some of their teachers encourage that attitude.

So it might be wise to take a few moments today to think about September 2, 1945, when our nation was united in a hard-fought triumph.  We may not see that kind of total victory again, but we'd better see some kind of victory in the war on terror, or we will have betrayed the legacy that the World War II generation left us.

September 2, 2010