Does anyone remember this? How true it has turned out to be...?

Question

14 September, 2001

Dear friends and fellow Americans

Like everyone else in this great country, I am reeling from last week's attack on our sovereignty. But unlike some, I am not reeling from surprise. As a career soldier and a student and teacher of military history, I have a different perspective and I think you should hear it.

This war will be won or lost by the American citizens, not diplomats, politicians or soldiers. Let me briefly explain. In spite of what the media, and even our own government is telling us, this act was not committed by a group of mentally deranged fanatics. To dismiss them as such would be among the gravest of mistakes. This attack was committed by a ferocious, intelligent and dedicated adversary. Don't take this the wrong way. I don't admire these men and I deplore their tactics, but I respect their capabilities. The many parallels that have been made with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor are apropos. Not only because it was a brilliant sneak attack against a complacent America, but also because we may well be pulling our new adversaries out of caves 30 years after we think this war is over, just like my father's generation had to do with the formidable Japanese in the years following WW II.

These men hate the United States with all of their being, and we must not underestimate the power of their moral commitment. Napoleon, perhaps the world's greatest combination of soldier and statesman, stated the moral is to the physical as three is to one. Patton thought the Frenchman underestimated its importance and said moral conviction was five times more important in battle than physical strength. Our enemies are willing — better said anxious — to give their lives for their cause. How committed are we America? And for how long?

In addition to demonstrating great moral conviction, the recent attack demonstrated a mastery of some of the basic fundamentals of warfare taught to most military officers worldwide, namely simplicity, security and surprise. When I first heard rumors that some of these men may have been trained at our own Air War College, it made perfect sense to me. This was not a random act of violence, and we can expect the same sort of military competence to be displayed in the battle to come. This war will escalate, with a good portion of it happening right here in the good ol' U.S. of A. These men will not go easily into the night. They do not fear us. We must not fear them.

In spite of our overwhelming conventional strength as the world's only superpower (a truly silly term), we are the underdog in this fight. As you listen to the carefully scripted rhetoric designed to prepare us for the march for war, please realize that America is not equipped or seriously trained for the battle ahead. To be certain, our soldiers are much better than the enemy, and we have some excellent counter-terrorist organizations, but they are mostly trained for hostage rescues, airfield seizures, or the occasional body snatch, (which may come in handy). We will be fighting a war of annihilation, because if their early efforts are any indication, our enemy is ready and willing to die to the last man. Eradicating the enemy will be costly and time consuming. They have already deployed their forces in as many as 20 countries, and are likely living the lives of everyday citizens.

Simply put, our soldiers will be tasked with a search and destroy mission on multiple foreign landscapes, and the public must be patient and supportive until the strategy and tactics can be worked out. For the most part, our military is still in the process of redefining itself and is presided over by men and women who grew up with - and were promoted because they excelled in - Cold War doctrine, strategy and tactics. This will not be linear warfare, there will be no clear centers of gravity to strike with high technology weapons. Our vast technological edge will certainly be helpful, but it will not be decisive. Perhaps the perfect metaphor for the coming battle was introduced by the terrorists themselves aboard the hijacked aircraft — this will be a knife fight, and it will be won or lost by the ingenuity and will of citizens and soldiers, not by software or smart bombs. We must also be patient with our military leaders.

Unlike Americans who are eager to put this messy time behind us, our adversaries have time on their side, and they will use it. They plan to fight a battle of attrition, hoping to drag the battle out until the American public loses its will to fight. This might be difficult to believe in this euphoric time of flag waving and patriotism, but it is generally acknowledged that America lacks the stomach for a long fight. We need only look as far back as Vietnam, when North Vietnamese General Vo Nguyen Giap (also a military history teacher) defeated the United States of America without ever winning a major tactical battle. American soldiers who marched to war cheered on by flag waving Americans in 1965 were reviled and spat upon less than three years later when they returned.

Although we hope that Usama Bin Laden is no Giap, he is certain to understand and employ the concept. We can expect not only large doses of pain like the recent attacks, but also less audacious sand in the gears tactics, ranging from livestock infestations to attacks at water supplies and power distribution facilities. These attacks are designed to hit us in our comfort zone forcing the average American to pay more and play less and eventually eroding our resolve. But it can only work if we let it. It is clear to me that the will of the American citizenry - you and I - is the center of gravity the enemy has targeted. It will be the fulcrum upon which victory or defeat will turn. He believes us to be soft, impatient, and self-centered. He may be right, but if so, we must change. The Prussian general Carl von Clausewitz, (the most often quoted and least read military theorist in history), says that there is a remarkable trinity of war that is composed of the (1) will of the people, (2) the political leadership of the government, and (3) the chance and probability that plays out on the field of battle, in that order.

Every American citizen was in the crosshairs of last Tuesday's attack, not just those that were unfortunate enough to be in the World Trade Center or Pentagon. The will of the American people will decide this war. If we are to win, it will be because we have what it takes to persevere through a few more hits, learn from our mistakes, improvise, and adapt. If we can do that, we will eventually prevail.

Everyone I've talked to in the past few days has shared a common frustration, saying in one form or another, "I just wish I could do something!" You are already doing it. Just keep faith in America, and continue to support your President and military, and the outcome is certain. If we fail to do so, the outcome is equally certain. God Bless America

Dr. Tony Kern, Lt Col, USAF (Ret)
Former Director of Military History, USAF Academy

Answer 1

I personally believe our enemies are emboldened by the actions of those that choose to mock and rebel against the courageous leaders that currently serve our nation. Watching the youth today who have all the freedoms and opportunities taken for granted reminds me so much of those who demonstrated when I returned home after serving 2 1/2 years in Vietnam forty years ago. I received my honorable discharge from the Marine Corps the day the North Koreans captured the Pueblo. This is not another Vietnam in that the North Vietnamese were not attacking our embassies, troops stationed in other countries and our beloved homeland.
I appreciate reading your message and only hope that the citizens of our great nation can get on the same page and show the patience and determination that will be required to defeat our enemies. Thank you for your words of wisdom and I hope some will read your words and come to realize the importance of the situation we find ourselves in. I salute you Sir and pray that the silent majority can raise their voices to get this message out like their lives depend on it because they do.

Answer 2

Yep, this liberal democrat remembers reading that. And who can argue with our going into Afghanistan. We achieved quite a bit there in a very short time. This is something every American should be proud of as Afghanistan has been a rough place for the Soviets and the UK in prior engagements.

But then our Prez decided he had to invade Iraq and now 4 years later we are still there...in a place we have no business at all.

Now the American people right and left are clamoring for an end to what is so obviously a mistake and not in the best interest of the American people.

But there as so many of you who want to blame our failure on those people who oppose the War in Iraq. We are not to blame for the failures in Iraq and honestly neither are our soldiers. Give them a mission worthy of their training and service and they never let us down. Tell them to be policemen in the middle of a civil war and then tell the American people that this insanity is necessary to preserve our freedoms. And I look at you and wonder what drugs you folks are taking....

There will be a reckoning for all you lovers of the war in Iraq. A lot angry and bitter American service people will return from this struggle and let you know exactly how worthless an effort it truly was.

Answer 3

I, myself, have forgotten about this. However, it brings back many emotions from the 9-11 attacks. If we pull out by 9/2008 the USA may very well be screwed. I agree with Pres. Bush to keep this war away from the home front. I would hate for this country to deal with more devastation. As for patriotism, it doesn't lay in mounting an American Flag on your home or cruising around with "Keep our Soldiers Safe" magnents. It is in those who are capable and not afraid to fight back, be it on the front lines or on the home front. If I could go back into the Army and serve with those on the front lines, I would sign up in a heart beat. Unfortunately, I am medically disqualified. Since I can not fight on the front lines, I am more than happy to fight from home. I argue daily with people who are against all of this. I can see their stand point, however, most are civilians who have NEVER had to say good-bye to a loved one being shipped off to war. I have done it several times in the last 4 years. I stand beside my friends and family who are on their 2nd and 3rd tours to Iraq/Afghanistan. I have faith in my country, in our president and in our troops. For those of you who ridicule and hate our troops, who say cruel things regarding our military, remember how you got those rights. Remember how America came to be free! It wasn't because people sat on their butts and complained. We, as a people, are free because our forefathers fought for everything we have! Stop being so self centered and always remember how America came to be! To any soldier, sailor, airman, or marine that reads these answers, God Speed to you all!! Kick a$$ and show them what America is really about!!! Stand Tall, Stand Proud!!!

Answer 4

I'm willing to trust JREsq, Todd. I do not see this as chiefly confessional. Perhaps only a identify difference might difference the complete emphasis for the reader. It is obviously good valued at studying. The recalled observations are outstanding, be they decorated or imaginary. They make for a gripping thread that holds the concentration in the course of.

Answer 5

The invasion and long term occupation of Iraq is not helping the war against the terrorist extremists that this letter was written about.

There were many reasons for the lack of will of the American public to continue supporting the Vietnam War. Vietnam is not our country, and we did not need to have our military there participating in the continued devastation of their country. It was not helping Vietnam or America for our troops to be there. The mistakes were made 10 years earlier when we should have been getting our troops out instead of escalating the war for another decade.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Tonkin_Incident

We did not lose by getting our troops out, we lost by getting deep into another country's civil war far away from our own country.

It is because some people learned the wrong lessons from history that we find our leaders repeating the same mistakes.

Answer 6

OK i didn't read all of this because like wow its really long but I support the troops and the war. We can't just leave now and leave their country hanging, they aren't just an ugly date. LOL
But really I'm 17 and from the Southeastern United States and most of my friends agree that Bush rocks and the war is completely sensible...
So in 2008 there is hope for another Republican President, along with all my friends I plan on voting...
Believe it or not the US youth wants to make a difference, we don't sit and complain about things we try to change what we don't like and honor and respect this country and our government...
the population shouldn't be complaining about Bush... they voted him into office if they don't like his actions its no one's fault but their own.

Answer 7

Col Kern, You are 100% wrong. I doubt that my few words of simple logic is going to erase 20+ years of your military brainwashing. YOU CAN'T handle the LOGICAL truth. Can you Col? But heres a Illogical try. LOL

1. Laden denies culpability. (sourced)

In a statement issued to the Arabic satellite channel Al Jazeera, based in Qatar, Bin Laden said, "The U.S. government has consistently blamed me for being behind every occasion its enemies attack it.
"I would like to assure the world that I did not plan the recent attacks, which seems to have been planned by people for personal reasons," Bin Laden's statement said.

Asked Sunday if he believed bin Laden's denial, President Bush said, "No question he is the prime suspect. No question about that."

What!! Prime? Huh? ....So 4 days later, the navy leaves to invade THE "PRIME" SUSPECTS COUNTRY. Try now Col., attempt to muster up the logic understood by any 10 yo child. Do you go murder 10's of thousands because YOU THINK the 'PRIME' suspect passed thru there?
Bin Laden is innocent! That means "we are guilty of being terrible." The 'grainy' 'scratchy sound' LIE TAPES on Laden, FOUND BY THE CIA are silly. You have to work-to make a BAD TAPE.

Understand I wan't MORE than you to get THE REAL mastermind. You PROVE to me it was Laden. Show me one small speck of iota of proof.(Sources col. Kern... SOURCES!) (No patiotic Blah blah blah's, Yabber yabber yabber, and wave the grand ol flag stuff.) While of course,THE REAL criminals walk away laughing. THINK Col! Is it possible your WRONG as the world says? As well as Americans who HAVE studied and not just blindly reacted?

2. The PUT OPTIONS. (if you indeed have the slightest what im talking about.)
There! You just found the people who have privy with the 911 masterminds. Can you use any influence with determining the buyers.

Col., Im not tring to be mean. This is two of 300 things that prove we may be VERY wrong. Lets stop beating the drums and LOGICALLY look in a 40 hour study. Its more American.

Answer 8

some of his suppositions are true but he fails to comprehend the enormity of the overall picture. from a pure military point of view he's correct, But he fails to connect moral ,ethical, political, and in some ways the historical background is shaky he picks only the points that work for his argument in so doing he renders is entire work flawed. Sorry it's just a patriotic ditty that's all. He left out defined goals in war without defined goals it is merely sustained and protracted violence. and he also fails to recognize that many of the best ways to defeat an enemy is to invalidate him, if you remove the validation of his ideology you under cut his authority, no authority no following these things are political and social in nature, but are often the most sure way of defeating the enemy. take away his support. Sun Tzu ( the art of war) said the truly great general defeats his enemy without fighting. And then there is Iraq....I don't know were to start on that.
Ignored expert advice, mismanagement, deceit, corruption, incompetence.......and validation of enemy rhetoric.

Answer 9

I too remember and would like to put an M-16 in the hands of the idiots who want to cut and run on our troops. I saw it done to us in Vietnam and do not want to see it again. If we do, our nation will have no credibility at all in the rest of the world...then wait and see what happens. It will make 9/11 look like a Sunday stroll.

Answer 10

I remember.

Unfortunately most of the liberal democratic peoples of the USA have forgotten.

The liberal democrats who are our elected officials can't even remember they voted FOR the war in Iraq.