The specifics of Operation Overlord (which played out on what we now call D-Day, June 6, 1944) may have been a well-kept secret, but that it was going to and had to happen was something every single American knew well in advance. From the moment the news of the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor reached American ears and eyes, the entire nation began working together for a common cause: win the war no matter the cost.
The reality that America was going to eventually enter World War II hit home when the first peacetime draft in American history was instituted more than a year before Pearl Harbor (September 16, 1940). With so many men preparing for war (50 million registered and 10 million inducted) Americans willing submitted to rationing of gasoline, various kinds of food, as well as other materials, while women flooded into the factories to help the war effort in all manner of roles (Rosie the Riveter). There were also collection drives for scrap metal, rubber, and other items to turn into various elements needed for the American war machine.
Americans knew the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan) were absolutely intent upon dominating the entire world. Neville Chamberlain’s policy of appeasement adopted in the Munich Pact of 1938 didn’t survive through 1939. Unless thwarted, everyone’s life would be altered. So Americans got busy working together to win the war.
What if it were to happen again?
What if China, Russia, and Iran united together for a 21st century Axis? Would we be able to work together again for the cause of liberty and freedom? While anything is possible, I find it to be highly unlikely.
Think about it for a moment. The men and women who prepared the nation to engage in a World War where everything was at stake had already been tried and tested by the Great Depression. Most had little to call their own. Jobs were scarce and most of those who had good jobs experienced major wage cuts. Every member of a family who could find work did so and most put their earnings into sustaining the family. Hardship and sacrifice was the life context of the G.I. Joes and Rosie the Riveters who defeated Hitler, Mussolini, and Hirohito.
If Jinping, Putin, and Khamenei formed another Axis, what would be the life context of those who would have to confront them?
Young men and women who are given shoes that cost a hundred dollars, electronic devices that cost a thousand dollars, and cars and trucks that cost tens of thousands of dollars…all without ever having worked a day in their lives. They know little about personal sacrifice much less sacrifice on a national scale. They can’t take being confronted by ideas they find uncomfortable so they demand “safe spaces.” Their life context is comfortable narcissism which has produced a mindset and attitude of entitlement.
Would they be willing or able to make the sacrifices and endure the hardships necessary to fight a new Axis?
I’m not sure that a nation that encourages young men to pretend to be female and compete against girls in high school and college sports is ready to face off against those whose life context is communism or Islam. Against people who have never known anything but hardship and dictatorial regimes. Against armies of men whose only entitlement their entire lives was to serve the state or regime. Against those who have never known anything but brutality and want.
Are we ready to face the same blind rage and hate that confronted our young men on the beaches of Normandy 75 years ago? Are we willing to make the personal and national sacrifices that must be made? Is our government willing to be united in purpose? Is our military as strong and resilient as it must be after decades of enduring social engineering experiments? Are we desirous and willing to hear our leaders pray for our nation’s success on the battlefields like FDR’s D-Day prayer or General Eisenhower’s pre-D-Day speech calling on more sacrifice and invoking the blessing of Almighty God?
Hitler’s Nazism, Mussolini’s fascism, and Hirohito’s imperialism have been replaced by China’s communism, Russia’s thirst to regain superpower status and Iran’s Islamic fanaticism where daily they shout “Death to America!” in the streets. History repeats itself.
The only question is whether we have the national mettle that we demonstrated 75 years ago on the beaches of Normandy.
