The Red White and Blue View

A reminder of past crisis that our country endured...

I know what you’re going to say, “This is different,” “That was then, this is now.” –No it was really bad back in 1941 – we were just starting to come out of a severe depression when the Japanese attacked at Pearl Harbor. Our military was in shambles. The enemy was at our door step and there was a war raging in Europe, requesting our help. Our president comes on the scene and says calm down, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” – These were strong words by our leader in whom we would follow into the gates of hell.
The people, the corporations all came together into one united cause. We only had a few ships to fight with. The Japanese could have taken Pearl Harbor but they didn’t because they were not aware of just how devastating their attack was. We eventually broke their code, so now we knew where they were but they did not know where were because we were using the Navaho language in communications. This really helped us because it afforded us enough time to build an armada of ships. At the battle of Midway the war turned, we were now the offensive force.
The point I am trying to make here is our country was fully united. We were not red and we were not blue, we were red white and blue, and if we do not come together the only color left will be white, and we all know what white means.
First we need a strong, smart person to lead us who we can trust and follow. And that fear will not be his battle cry.
Let’s try to get everyone to vote. If you do not vote your really not an American; at least not in my opinion. (That’s part of being Red, White and Blue!)
I personally feel fear and greed got us into this mess – and a lot of bad decisions on the part of our leaders – which we all realize now. We can’t wave a magic wand and expect red, white and blue to come together.
We have to look at how this country became great.
It was the people who came during the early 1900s from all over the world. The great inventors – the Thomas Edison’s, the Henry Ford’s, the Alexander Graham Bell’s, the Eli Whitney’s, and the Wright Brothers. We opened the door of technology to the world and the world loved us.
This is not true today, we have more enemies then friends.
I personally feel a lot of it started by attacking Iraq. To me, that’s like Japan attacking us and we attack Mexico. I could never understand that, which again, was based on fear.
Remember folks, fear is our worst enemy and so is greed.
I also think that this proposed “Bail Out” is based on fear and greed.
If we want to solve the problems we currently face, we will have to believe in and back our new leaders.
During my generation our humorous person was Will Rogers, in who I really liked. One of his famous sayings was, “If we allowed world leaders to fight our wars, there will be no wars.” I believe there is some truth to that.
Jerry Kass – From the Greatest Generation
P.S. Read my poem, “Being an American.”

Jerry’s Book Contains Many Views on America’s Society…

Page 85 in "American as Apple Pie" by Jerry Kass...

There comes a time almost in every family when the children leave the nest. Most of the flight is usually marriage. It stimulates our emotions with excitement and preparation as the parents watch the flight with joy and some sadness. Although in today's timeframe, living in before anticipated marriage seems to be a popular trend.
My generation rather frowned upon this behavior. Some of my generation who are still with us shrug their shoulders at this behavior uttering, "What can you do about it anyhow?" Nothing. When this subject surfaces, the familiar phrases which fill the air are, "It's old fashioned thinking." along with, "How do you know if you don't try it?" Our five children went through the normal marriage during our era.
I realize that the normal divorce rate in our country hangs around 60%. I also understand there are multiple reasons why live in attitudes exist. Probably the main reason is divorce among their own parents which leaves them with a bad taste in their mouths and, of course, the 60% ratio poisons them. Those who take the plunge and erase that fear are better off in the long run, for several good reasons. Legality goes in their direction. Children have a more concrete foundation. Community property also leans in their direction. Taxes play a financial role but self-respect probably plays the greatest and biggest role of all.
I have always thought all marriages which last a lifetime are no bed of roses. There are several times when both spouses go through a crisis which may tear their hearts and souls out, driving them up a wall that goes beyond any understanding. But the element of time seems to heal a lot of the deep wounds and sometimes the scars show. But you stick it out. Eventually you become reconciled and life goes on and then one day, you discover how very much you really need each other desperately.
I have always thought one of the saddest and remorseful timeframes of life is lonesomeness, especially during old age. All of us need someone to care about us. None of us are an island. Those of us who can't find this care turn to the silent and invisible God for comfort and satisfaction. And many, I am sure, find Him to carry them through. I sometimes wonder how many live in marriages make it through the long span of life with contentment, satisfaction, and a fair degree of happiness. That answer will probably never be known.

Introduction

My name is Jerry Kass. I'm 83 years old and have a lifetime of stories to share with you. American as Apple Pie, The Life Story of Jerry Kass, was written to enlighten you in regard to my exploits. For those of you that have never experienced WWII, The Korean War, or what it's like to be a firefighter running into a burning building, or just being a father and husband trying to raise a good family, this book is for you. You may ask yourself, why you would want to know my life story and what benefit does the information therein has for you. First of all, I am one of the elite few individuals in the United States today that has lived a portion of our history and ~m still around to share it with you. Patriotism is defined in many circles as the love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it, a value that we all should remember. American as Apple Pie, The Life Story of Jerry Kass fills the gap that appears to be growing wider, to re-examine what those values are. This book reaches out to the average American as a realistic, simple, happy way of life. “Tom Brokaw defines the greatest generation in his book, The Greatest Generation, as "America's citizen heroes and heroines who came of age during the Great Depression and the Second World War and went on to build modern America This generation was united not only by a common purpose, but also by common values--duty, honor, economy, courage, service, love of family and country, and, above all, responsibility for oneself." (Brokaw, 2001) I am of that greatest generation and proud of it. The important factor to remember when discussing the greatest generation in this book, is that when our country was involved in WW II, this country stood together in one great mass of patriotism that garnered self-sacrifice, honor, and duty towards this country and the men and women that fought for it. Going to and living in Germany doesn't make me a German. Going; to and living in France doesn't make me a Frenchman. But coming to and living in America, makes me an American. American as Apple Pie, The Life Story of Jerry Kass explores life through my eyes and experiences. These experiences are shared with enthusiasm, knowledge, caring, and understanding, for you to experience as I did. From a family man, firefighter, WWII veteran, pilot, songwriter, dancer, stonemason, house mover, to a poet, this book can be enjoyed and shared by all.

A Page out of "American as Apple Pie" -by Jerry Kass

Welcome

Not just another 9/11 Blog, but a way of life dedicated to 9/11.

This Blog is maintained by your average American of this generation but inspired by a True American from the Greatest Generation, who served his country beginning in World War II, later as a Fire Fighter for many years and now as a link to what being an American is all about.

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