Maurice Beckx’s Post

SACRIFICE AND VALOR: WHAT FIVE WARS TEACH US ABOUT AMERICA There are parallels and comparisons between the five wars inhabiting the lives of Baby Boomers: WW II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, where the loss of American lives had a significant impact.  These conflicts demonstrated the strengths and weaknesses of our government and military while showcasing the courage, determination, and skill of those Americans who answered their country’s call. What defines any war is the victor, the years it continued, the weight of bombs dropped, the numbers who served, died, and became wounded, and the number of Medals of Honor awarded. American history will confirm the U.S. fought conflicts for many years and did not consider itself defeated when abdicating the conflict, leaving all its equipment behind. Vietnam and Afghanistan fall into this category. The following statistics illustrate our government's scale, duration, and significant commitment to winning. They ultimately exemplify the complexities of combat and demonstrate the bravery, sacrifice, and loyalty of those who went to war in the name of America. God bless them all, and God bless the U.S.A.            WW II               KOREA        VIETNAM   IRAQ.    AFGHAN    DURATION:      1939-45          1950-53          1955-75.    2003-11     2001-21 NO. OF YEARS:        6                     3                     19                 8             20 BOMB(TONS):      2.7 MIL           635,000.         7.6 MIL.      1.8 MIL     1.2mill  USA SERVED:         16 MIL            1.8 MIL           2.7 MIL.       2.5 MIL     775,000 USA WOUNDED:   671,000          103,000        303,000       32,000     20,000 USA DIED               405,000           36,000         58,000         4,500       2,400 CM OF HONOR      464                  131                  256                  13             14 When you view the numbers above, note that Vietnam was only two-thirds the size of California. More bombs dropped on Vietnam than in all the countries during WWII. One would have thought our government noticed this incredible disparity before the war continued to drag on to its disgraceful end. I have written extensively about my opinion of the politicians and leaders during the Vietnam era. I can only wonder why none were brought before the people’s court to stand in judgment of their terrible decisions, bordering either on insanity or criminality. And yet, while more than 58,000 of us died, the war’s orchestrators died in warm beds with family and friends at their bedside. You can access the first chapter and listen to the NPR radio broadcast of Corporal Cummings’ ghost story at the Vietnam Jerry site. All net proceeds will go to help veterans through the Kaufman Fund. I invite you to join our growing community. #war #veterans #lessonslearned #warstatistics #militaryhistory Wayne Kaufman Rick Bava Jose Angel Pereira Ruimwyk Sheila Schneider Steve Rosenblum

SACRIFICE AND VALOR: WHAT FIVE WARS TEACH US ABOUT AMERICA There are parallels and comparisons between the five wars inhabiting the lives of Baby Boomers: WW II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, where the loss of American lives had a significant impact.  These conflicts demonstrated the strengths and weaknesses of our government and military while showcasing the courage, determination, and skill of those Americans who answered their country’s call. What defines any war is the victor, the years it continued, the weight of bombs dropped, the numbers who served, died, and became wounded, and the number of Medals of Honor awarded. American history will confirm the U.S. fought conflicts for many years and did not consider itself defeated when abdicating the conflict, leaving all its equipment behind. Vietnam and Afghanistan fall into this category. The following statistics illustrate our government's scale, duration, and significant commitment to winning. They ultimately exemplify the complexities of combat and demonstrate the bravery, sacrifice, and loyalty of those who went to war in the name of America. God bless them all, and God bless the U.S.A.            WW II               KOREA        VIETNAM   IRAQ.    AFGHAN    DURATION:      1939-45          1950-53          1955-75.    2003-11     2001-21 NO. OF YEARS:        6                     3                     19                 8             20 BOMB(TONS):      2.7 MIL           635,000.         7.6 MIL.      1.8 MIL     1.2mill  USA SERVED:         16 MIL            1.8 MIL           2.7 MIL.       2.5 MIL     775,000 USA WOUNDED:   671,000          103,000        303,000       32,000     20,000 USA DIED               405,000           36,000         58,000         4,500       2,400 CM OF HONOR      464                  131                  256                  13             14 When you view the numbers above, note that Vietnam was only two-thirds the size of California. More bombs dropped on Vietnam than in all the countries during WWII. One would have thought our government noticed this incredible disparity before the war continued to drag on to its disgraceful end. I have written extensively about my opinion of the politicians and leaders during the Vietnam era. I can only wonder why none were brought before the people’s court to stand in judgment of their terrible decisions, bordering either on insanity or criminality. And yet, while more than 58,000 of us died, the war’s orchestrators died in warm beds with family and friends at their bedside. You can access the first chapter and listen to the NPR radio broadcast of Corporal Cummings’ ghost story at the Vietnam Jerry site. All net proceeds will go to help veterans through the Kaufman Fund. I invite you to join our growing community. #war #veterans #lessonslearned #warstatistics #militaryhistory Dr. Peter Burke, EdD Terry McDowell Jake Corfield Kelle Steinecke 🌸 David Kugelmas

SACRIFICE AND VALOR: WHAT FIVE WARS TEACH US ABOUT AMERICA There are parallels and comparisons between the five wars inhabiting the lives of Baby Boomers: WW II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, where the loss of American lives had a significant impact.  These conflicts demonstrated the strengths and weaknesses of our government and military while showcasing the courage, determination, and skill of those Americans who answered their country’s call. What defines any war is the victor, the years it continued, the weight of bombs dropped, the numbers who served, died, and became wounded, and the number of Medals of Honor awarded. American history will confirm the U.S. fought conflicts for many years and did not consider itself defeated when abdicating the conflict, leaving all its equipment behind. Vietnam and Afghanistan fall into this category. The following statistics illustrate our government's scale, duration, and significant commitment to winning. They ultimately exemplify the complexities of combat and demonstrate the bravery, sacrifice, and loyalty of those who went to war in the name of America. God bless them all, and God bless the U.S.A. WW II               KOREA        VIETNAM   IRAQ.   AFGHAN DURATION:      1939-45          1950-53          1955-75.    2003-11     2001-21 NO. OF YEARS:        6                     3                     19                 8           20 BOMB(TONS):      2.7 MIL           635,000.         7.6 MIL.     1.8 MIL    1.2mill USA SERVED:         16 MIL            1.8 MIL           2.7 MIL.       2.5 MIL    775,000 USA WOUNDED:   671,000          103,000        303,000       32,000   20,000 USA DIED               405,000           36,000         58,000         4,500      2,400 CM OF HONOR      464                 131                 256                 13            14 When you view the numbers above, note that Vietnam was only two-thirds the size of California. More bombs dropped on Vietnam than in all the countries during WWII. One would have thought our government noticed this incredible disparity before the war continued to drag on to its disgraceful end. I have written extensively about my opinion of the politicians and leaders during the Vietnam era. I can only wonder why none were brought before the people’s court to stand in judgment of their terrible decisions, bordering either on insanity or criminality. And yet, while more than 58,000 of us died, the war’s orchestrators died in warm beds with family and friends at their bedside. You can access the first chapter and listen to the NPR radio broadcast of Corporal Cummings’ ghost story at the Vietnam Jerry site. All net proceeds will go to help veterans through the Kaufman Fund. I invite you to join our growing community. #war #veterans #lessonslearned #warstatistics #militaryhistory David Kugelmas Jake Suggs Herb M. Herb Glazer Jill L. Charles de Kovachich

🎄✨ The Christmas Truce of 1914: A Testament to Shared Humanity ✨🎄 During the early months of World War I, on Christmas Eve 1914, an extraordinary event unfolded along the Western Front. British and German soldiers, entrenched in relentless conflict, initiated an unofficial ceasefire. The night was filled with the harmonious sounds of carols sung in both English and German, fostering a sense of unity amidst the turmoil. On Christmas Day, troops from both sides ventured into no man's land, exchanging gifts such as chocolate and cigarettes, and engaging in impromptu games of football. This spontaneous truce allowed soldiers to momentarily experience peace, highlighting the profound human desire for connection even in times of war. 🌟 Insight: This historical event underscores the power of empathy and understanding, even amidst intense competition or adversity. Fostering genuine connections can lead to unexpected and meaningful outcomes, reminding us of the importance of humanity in all our endeavors. Merry Christmas! 📚 Source: The Christmas Truce is well-documented in historical accounts, including letters and diaries from soldiers, as well as in reputable books like Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce by Stanley Weintraub. The Imperial War Museum and BBC archives also verify this remarkable event. #ChristmasTruce #Humanity #BusinessLessons #MerryChristmas

Remember on Memorial Day Stupid people will throw young men to die just to make money or to make themselves rich or famous. Stupid women will throw young men to die, just so they get better jobs and power. Foreign wars are a waste of time. The problems are always inside the nations. The Cold War was a big scam. So were the two world wars. Nobody needs to die for problems to be solved. Fuc* the warmongers and their sponsors. War is a crime. How happy are you getting taxed for war? War which never ends. There is always another. They make wars to stay in business. To rule over the creative class. Educate yourself by picking up a peaceful religion and philosophy. By working with diverse people from different background. By learning to think from all sides by yourself. This will help you see, how precious peace is. War is the devil — it blinds you from finding love. Refuse to pay taxes for war.

Interesting bit of overlooked U.S. history—cascading chain of events beginning with murder & scalping of Jane McCrae in 1777 to victory at Saratoga, culminating in American #independence at Yorktown in 1781 🇺🇸🇫🇷🇬🇧 This snapshot in history over 200 years ago illustrates multiple dilemmas that persist in modern war & strategic competition: ▪️ Mobilizing a population to #resist an occupying power ▪️ Employing #irregular auxiliary forces as a #COIN tool ▪️ #Proxy_Warfare serving as key component of great power #competition ▪️ #Principal_Agent challenges—selecting the optimal proxy & ensuring it acts in accordance with the sponsor’s preferences ▪️ Integrating #narrative into wartime #campaigning ▪️ Tactical actions creating outsized #strategic effects ▪️ External powers supporting an #insurgency Modern War Institute at West Point Joint Special Operations University Irregular Warfare Initiative Irregular Warfare Center (IWC) Army Strategist Association https://lnkd.in/eDP7un24

While in this day and age, the 11th of November is more associated with a frenzy of buying and getting discounts or deals or all sorts of e-commerce sites. However, I thought it'd be nice to be reminded of another reason why 11.11 is such an important day (after being reminded by someone important to me). On this day, the 11th of November, we should pause in reverent memory, marking the Armistice that brought silence to the battlefields and an end to the devastation of World War I. At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, in 1918, the guns fell silent, signaling not only the cessation of combat but a profound moment of hope and remembrance for generations to come. Armistice Day is more than a historical marker; it is a solemn tribute to the courage, resilience, and sacrifice of countless souls. Millions of soldiers, from all walks of life and distant corners of the world (without Asia's supply chains the war would have been ended fairly quick), fought with unyielding resolve. Their courage secured not just an end to the conflict but a testament to the potential power of unity and human will. We should remember too, the numerous civilian lives impacted by the war, not just in Europe but in Asia as well, the outcomes set a series of dominos moving in the pacific theatre. But more importantly the communities left to rebuild amid the devastation and loss, changing the direction of world. Their resilience paved the path to healing and set an example of endurance. Let us also pay homage to the diplomats, leaders, at every level who, arriving with different goals and outcomes in mind, managed to forge a peace that millions had longed for. Their work was not without flaws, but it spoke to a greater truth: that even in the shadow of immense suffering, humanity seeks reconciliation and peace. And to adapt Dr King's famous line, "Peace at last, peace at last. Thank God Almighty, peace at last." #111111 #armisticeday Article and accompanying picture below By Charles Ransom Miller - The New York Times, https://lnkd.in/gCzeneDe, Public Domain, https://lnkd.in/gTAbhNWY

Last Thursday it was the 80th anniversary of D-day landings, the 6th of June 1944. On a post shared by Marcus Dimbleby a few questions were posed about the recurrence and I started to ponder about them: What have we learned? That no European power can overrule over other ones and that no European power can compete alone against non-European powers. Inferiority complexes instilled in the population isn't a good thing if matched with military power and nationalist rhetoric. These are all things to avoid. However, in this moment, we miss something to pull us together in a positive way. Could it ever happen again? If one considers the thousands of years of human history it is statistically possible given that new generations tend to don't understand the meaning of the institutions that were erected by previous ones, until they are gone. E.O. Wilson said that humanity is under the spell of primitive emotions, medieval institutions and technology of the gods. Would you be willing to sacrifice as they did? Cynicism would make me say no. However, Johnathan Haidt noted that soldiers are not motivated by nationalism or patriotism, if not only in a small share. Soldiers fight on for the man fighting along next to them. Given the level of conformity noted during the covid lockdowns I think people, at least some, would try to find ways to give meaning to their lives even if forced, legally, socially and physically into dire circumstances. It is somber image, I know, but that it is why we need to be grateful to those boys who went through that man-made hell because they knew life could be definitely better as they were proven right. #DDayAnniversary #HistoryLessons #WWII #Sacrifice #Leadership #EuropeanHistory #HumanNature #MilitaryHistory #Gratitude #Courage #Unity #JohnathanHaidt #EOWilson #SocietalReflection #LessonsFromThePast

🌟 Why Do We Forget What Matters? 🌟 December 7, 1941—a date which President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously declared would “live in infamy.” Yet 83 years later, how many of us pause to remember what happened at Pearl Harbor or its significance to World War II? History is full of moments that once seemed unforgettable but have faded with time. Even Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, now revered, is remembered more than the Civil War battle it commemorates. What we choose to remember, what we rewrite, and what we forget says as much about us as it does about the past. In my latest HistoryThink blog post, A Date That Will Be Forgotten, I explore why historical memory erodes and how we can still find value in engaging with the past, even knowing it won’t last forever. Take a moment today to reflect with me: Let’s embrace history not as a tool for comfort or division, but as a guide to understanding ourselves and our world. 💭 #HistoryMatters #PearlHarbor #CivilWar #WWII #HistoricalMemory #HistoryThink

Do you, like me, keep having conversations about World War III? Does it seem scary and worrying? Is it adding to your anxiety and messing up your strategic plans? I was sent a beautifully argued article from the UK Telegraph titled, "Why it’s too late to stop World War 3 – according to one of Britain’s greatest military historians," Richard Overy. I haven't laughed so hard for a long time. It even had a super scary photo attached of The Bomb! I have only one question. If you or I were SO certain about the end of the world, what would we do? The one thing I would do is NOT waste my precious few weeks writing articles. By now, I would have taken out a massive loan, to visit all the people I love by private jet. Eaten my favourite foods. Had a massive party in the garden with all my favourite pop groups playing. Gone Fishing, Walking in the hills, Swimming, etc. Do you know if Richard Overy is still in cold, wet Blighty or the Caribbean? Remember, if someone tries to make you feel #Fear you are being primed for persuasion and manipulation. Also #Disgust. A sense of #Superiority, #FeelingSorry for a child or someone disadvantaged. These are all UNETHICAL methods of driving #change. Like #nudge they are used on you constantly and you need to learn to ignore them. In the new edition of All Change! you will only learn about ETHICAL change. Change where you work to enable other people to get what THEY need and want. #SineTimore Ricard Overy's book Why War is published on the 27th of June. That is the same day when you can join me for a free, uplifting, insightful and applicable Salon Reading from All Change! https://lnkd.in/eP9cDDxU Please Share