omission from WWII memorial
09-20-2004, 07:23 PM
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omission from WWII memorial
I recently received this e-mail from a friend. and even though I am not overly religious, it really made me wonder why we are so afraid of God that we may not even leave the mention of his name in the most famous quotes of our history? Moderators if this subject is too controversial please feel free to delete these contents. I am far from trying to start a religious post it just hit me that we as a country feel that we must leave out parts of speeches that may offend others religion , while it seems fine to broadcast pornographic and otherwise offensive material to my family. Then they hide under freedom of speech rights.
The Omission >From the New W.W.II Memorial
I don't care if you are an unbeliever, one should not change the words
of history.
Today I went to visit the new World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.
I got an unexpected history lesson. Since I'm a baby boomer, I was one
of the youngest in the crowd. Most were the age of my parents,
Veterans of "the greatest war" with their families. It was a beautiful
Day, and people were smiling and happy to be there. Hundreds of us
milled around the memorial, reading the inspiring words of Ike and
Truman that are engraved there.
On the Pacific side of the memorial, a group of us gathered to read the
words President Roosevelt used to announce the attack on Pearl Harbor:
"Yesterday, December 7, 1941-- a date which will live in infamy-- the
United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked."
One woman read the words aloud: " With confidence in our armed forces,
with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the
inevitable triumph." But as she read, she was suddenly angry. "Wait a
minute," she said. "They left out the end of the quote. They left out
the most important part. Roosevelt said "so help us God."
"You're probably right," her husband said. "We're not supposed to say
things like that now."
"I know I'm right," she insisted. "I remember the speech." The two
shook their heads sadly and walked away.
Listening to their conversation, I thought to myself, "Well, it has
been 50 years. She's probably forgotten."
But she was right.
I went home and pulled out the book my book club is reading. It's
"Flags of Our Fathers" by James Bradley. It's all about Iwo Jima. I
haven't gotten too far in the book. It's tough to read because it's a
Graphic description of the battles in the Pacific.
But right there it was on page 58. Roosevelt's speech to the nation.
It ends "so help us God."
The people who edited out that part of the speech when they engraved it
On the memorial could have fooled me. I was born after the war. But
they couldn't fool the people who were there. Roosevelt's words are
engraved on their hearts.
WHO GAVE THEM THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE WORDS OF HISTORY?????????
Send this around to your friends. People need to know before everyone
forgets.
People today are trying to change the history of America by leaving God
out of it, but the truth is, God has been a part of this nation, since
the beginning. He still wants to be....
The Omission >From the New W.W.II Memorial
I don't care if you are an unbeliever, one should not change the words
of history.
Today I went to visit the new World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.
I got an unexpected history lesson. Since I'm a baby boomer, I was one
of the youngest in the crowd. Most were the age of my parents,
Veterans of "the greatest war" with their families. It was a beautiful
Day, and people were smiling and happy to be there. Hundreds of us
milled around the memorial, reading the inspiring words of Ike and
Truman that are engraved there.
On the Pacific side of the memorial, a group of us gathered to read the
words President Roosevelt used to announce the attack on Pearl Harbor:
"Yesterday, December 7, 1941-- a date which will live in infamy-- the
United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked."
One woman read the words aloud: " With confidence in our armed forces,
with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the
inevitable triumph." But as she read, she was suddenly angry. "Wait a
minute," she said. "They left out the end of the quote. They left out
the most important part. Roosevelt said "so help us God."
"You're probably right," her husband said. "We're not supposed to say
things like that now."
"I know I'm right," she insisted. "I remember the speech." The two
shook their heads sadly and walked away.
Listening to their conversation, I thought to myself, "Well, it has
been 50 years. She's probably forgotten."
But she was right.
I went home and pulled out the book my book club is reading. It's
"Flags of Our Fathers" by James Bradley. It's all about Iwo Jima. I
haven't gotten too far in the book. It's tough to read because it's a
Graphic description of the battles in the Pacific.
But right there it was on page 58. Roosevelt's speech to the nation.
It ends "so help us God."
The people who edited out that part of the speech when they engraved it
On the memorial could have fooled me. I was born after the war. But
they couldn't fool the people who were there. Roosevelt's words are
engraved on their hearts.
WHO GAVE THEM THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE WORDS OF HISTORY?????????
Send this around to your friends. People need to know before everyone
forgets.
People today are trying to change the history of America by leaving God
out of it, but the truth is, God has been a part of this nation, since
the beginning. He still wants to be....
09-20-2004, 07:30 PM
#2
Only a very short excerpt from President Roosevelt's speech is inscribed on the National World War II Memorial. The sentence that ends "so help us God" wasn't edited to remove those final four words — the phrase "so help us God" isn't there because the sentence that contains it doesn't appear on the memorial at all. The words inscribed on the memorial were taken from a completely different sentence delivered earlier in the speech, which is reproduced in its entirety:
Here is the complete text of President Roosevelt's 8 December 1941 address to Congress:
Yesterday, December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.
Here is the complete text of President Roosevelt's 8 December 1941 address to Congress:
Yesterday, December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.
09-20-2004, 07:38 PM
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Thanks for the reply TOP as I mentioned I have no religious interest here just thought if the statement was true that it should be exposed. I think in light of this that I would ask those that cast these stones to be mindful that they are right. I do not usually spread gossip or false rhetoric
09-20-2004, 07:50 PM
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I recommend that whenever you recieve one of these emails that says please forward to as many people as you know, and it sounds too antagonistic or inflammatory or too good to be true or just not quite right, that you check www.snopes.com.
In particular, for this particular hoax, this page: http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/memorial.asp, which even includes a photo of the quote in question.
Top basically answered the mail on this one, but for the doubting thomases, go ahead and see for yourself....
As a rule of thumb, if I get a "got an email from someone who's brother/sister/uncle/etc knows personally about this" which has been forwarded a gazillion times (or even a few), with a request that it be "forwarded to everyone you know", I just delete it. If the topic looks interesting, I'll look it up to see what the real story is.
In particular, for this particular hoax, this page: http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/memorial.asp, which even includes a photo of the quote in question.
Top basically answered the mail on this one, but for the doubting thomases, go ahead and see for yourself....
As a rule of thumb, if I get a "got an email from someone who's brother/sister/uncle/etc knows personally about this" which has been forwarded a gazillion times (or even a few), with a request that it be "forwarded to everyone you know", I just delete it. If the topic looks interesting, I'll look it up to see what the real story is.
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