How many of you were able to visit the opening ceremonies at the WWII Memorial in Washington a couple of years ago?
         I am sure you remember when all 50,000 who were asked to stand when we sang God Bless America. Do you remember? What a sight. We all were standing at attention and saluting our Flag.  What a picture to see all of the veterans and their families at that moment. Some were on crutches, wheelchairs, and singing, while tears were running down their cheeks. What a patriotic moment it was.
       That is what I would like to talk about today, Patriotism; Especially today because it is POW/MIA Recognition Day, and the men and women who I knew, lived and died as the most patriotic Americans that I ever knew. So, this talk is dedicated to them, to you, and all patriotic Americans.
       This talk will also be published on the following website for others to read. So get out your pencil, because if you have any comments, we can publish them. The address is. www.wepledgeallegiance.com  Seems appropriate, does it not?
            I believe it was about nine years ago when I addressed you with this statement: You have been a Splendid generation of Men and Women. And I stand by that statement.
            Most American historians give credit to the generation that Held the Boston Tea Party, those who Framed the United State Constitution, and Gave their lives and fortunes, and won our war of Independence as being the Greatest Generation. Tom Brocaw, however, feels that our generation deserves that honor.
            Remember how it was? Remember our parents bringing us up during the Great Depression? No jobs, malnutrition, millions of families were destitute, hungry, and homeless. Our entire country (over 200 Million) was struggling. We learned some great lessons from those tragedies.
            Our mothers and fathers knew how to take care of their families, and did not depend upon our government to do everything, and neighbor helped neighbor: Brother, can you spare a dime?
           Still, at that time, America was united like never before. One Nation, under God, Indivisible, with Liberty, and Justice for all. It was almost as if we were being prepared for what was yet to come.
          Then came WPA, NRA, and the CCC. And we were grateful for whatever we got. And out of virtual despair, we grew to be a stronger and greater nation. And America went back to work with the Lend-Lease Program, and our factories began turning out the machines, trucks, airplanes, and the material to aid our Allies who were defending themselves from the Nazi war machine that had taken over most of Europe.    

         We knew that it was only a matter of time before the U.S. would get into the War. But our peace-time Army was not only small, but ill equipped to face Hitler’s seasoned troops. And many of our countrymen were against getting involved with the war in Europe. It was called, Their War.
         That was when  president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave his Radio Speech about Our boys will never fight on foreign soil.
         Soon after that Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, and you know the rest of the story.
        You were called upon to face the greatest experience of your lives. You were very young men and women, but with the moral courage to meet the challenge.

            At that time, we must have been the most patriotic nation of the face of the earth. Every school kid - from the sixth grade up - new the exciting history of their country. We knew about John Adams, Benedict Arnold, Paul Revere, The Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill, etc. We were proud of it, and proud of our country, and whenever we said We Pledge Allegiance, we meant every word.
            Times have changed. Where is the patriotism? Our country has always been united. That has always been our strength. What has happened?
             Here is what one school teacher told me, and he has been teaching high school for 25 years: It is a waste of time talking to our kids about our Revolution.
       Why, I asked?
           They get bored. They want something more exciting.
           It they get bored hearing American History, I answered, then it is not the kids fault. It is the fault of the teacher.
           Fortunately, not all teachers feel this way. A few years ago, I received a newspaper clipping published in the Denver Post. It was written by an 8th grade teacher in Thunder Ridge Middle School, in Colorado:
         . Our children are crying out to us. They are desperately searching for the meaning of life. They want friends and adults to demonstrate caring, loving, patience and honor. They want to find heroes. They want to experience our pains and joys of living and dying, so they turn to television for a substitute for genuine thoughts and feelings.
         Let our children hear our veterans stories, hear their humor, observe the tears. Let these men and women tell them about the long marches, fighting with Patton, MacArthur, and Eisenhower. Let them also share the wisdom, the tempering of the soul, that comes from living with memories to awful to remember and to terrible to forget. Our opportunity for hearing from these men and women are diminishing daily. Soon, those wars will be relegated to history texts.
             Patriotism begins with learning American History, at home and in our schools. And it begins with pride.
              Most Americans do not even believe that we have a deadly enemy that is patiently waiting to attack us where it will really hurt, here at our homeland. The only reason they have not attempted it again since 9/11 is because they know that any kind of attack would unite our country like nothing else ever has, and we would go after them with deadly force, and in every country wherever they are.
          Is that what it would take to kindle that old spirit of patriotism? Is that what it would take to unite our America once again? Do we need another 9/11?

            Do you remember how it was when you were in combat, not knowing from day to day, or minute to minute, when you might be killed? Home was a long ways away in those days. We did not have TV and email to find out what was going on at home.  But we knew our Country, and our families, and almost all Americans were rooting for us every day. 

       I will never forget those people in England. I still get those goose bumps when I think about it….
       Every morning, just before sunrise when we went to our aircraft (B-17 Bombers), there on the other side of the fence by our dispersal area, standing in front of their homes with their grandchildren, were the grandmothers and fathers, waving their hands and raising their voices, Go get them, Yanks. Give them Hell. They were there when we took off, and they were there when we returned. They even counted the planes, and would tell us how many we lost. And they would say prayers when they watched the medics taking our wounded and dead from our planes.

       I am sure many of you have had similar experiences. And you can imagine how we would have felt if we knew that hundreds of Americans at home were calling for us to lay down our arms and come home, To Hell with the war. It is not worth it. No. We knew we would never hear those words, because our country was united, and we knew it.                 
             
            With the exception of the Civil War and the American Revolution, America has fought most of our wars on foreign soil. This war will be different. Once the Terrorist go on the offensive against the U.S. homeland, we can expect to see bombings at Schools, Universities, Entertainment Centers, Factories, Dams, Power Plants, Super Markets, Restaurants, and Shopping Centers. Civilians, more than the military will be targeted.          
          We will win this war, but only if we are UNITED as a nation of patriotic and dedicated Americans, once again. When and if that time comes, we can lead the world in a lasting peace, without bloodshed and war.
         The kind of commitment you provided to our Country when it needed you most, is what America needs today. Your kind of moral strength, your Courage, your faith, and Patriotic dedication, must be rekindled throughout our land, and let it begin today...and when we elect our leaders  elect men with character, and courage, not only for their political talent.  

            God bless you, and God Bless the United States of America.

Roy Livingstone

Livingstone was a POW in Germany (Stalag XVII-B) for over two years. He was shot down on the raid over Bremen, Germany, April 17, 1943. He is past State Department Commander in Florida for the American Ex-Prisoners of war, and is currently a Director with the American Ex-Prisoners of War Service Foundation, and a perennial advocate of the Stalag XVII-B Organization.