Last year on this date, I posted about the injustice of historical memory, and how the heroic exploits of the Maine soldiers on Little Round Top commanded by Col. Joshua Chamberlain on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg have all but obliterated recognition of the even more remarkable sacrifices made by the First Minnesota Volunteer Regiment that same day, when it took on the suicide mission of blocking a hole in the Union line against a Confederate force that outnumbered it five to one. Those Minnesotans quite possibly saved the United States of America at the price of their lives.
I see that some readers are finding that post today: let me make it easier for everybody. Here is the link. This a day for all of us to honor the heroism of the First Minnesota, and indeed all of the Americans, North and South, who fought for their nation, their states, their ideals and the soul of America in the Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg, on July 2, 1863.
When a commenter yesterday wrote about American deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past decade and placed the number at about 4,000, I didn’t check it, but I did recall that American deaths at the Battle of Gettysburg are estimated at about 6,000 in three days, and that this doesn’t include about 10,000 missing and other casualties of about 27,000, many of which led to deaths years later. These three days, July 1, 2 and 3, are every bit as important to the development, culture and survival of this nation as the day that follows them, and their significance was paid for in blood and almost inconceivable bravery.
Remember.
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Graphic: Argenweb
Ethics Alarms 
Leaving the contributions of 1st Minnesota aside, anyone who has stood atop Little Roundtop and stared at the wide-open field across which Pickett attempted to march his troops could only come to the conclusion that those men – on both sides – were made of very different stuff than that of which most Americans are made today.
We might be smarter in some ways. But possessed of the same courage? With the exception of a few – cops, firefighters, the military, and handful of other exceptional volunteers – our society isn’t even close.
I must disagree. I believe the people back then found they had something they must fight for. America has always stood up defiantly against the worst odds and said, “I will not go quietly into the night.” There are examples everywhere. It is our indomitable spirit.
Let’s roll.
Sue, Joshua, I hope you are correct. We are, in my view, on the fast track to such a moment.
The only reason you believe this is because the Media only shows the tragedy in life and not the moments that matter. I hear firsthand reports about local families here in Colorado risking their lives to help people and save animals. My cousin’s friend is allowing people to use her land to house their animals as they evacuate.
All the local heroes no one knows about are the ones who make lives better for everyone. I’ve met people who randomly drive through Death Valley, California, with cases of water to make sure no one is stranded without water. Think about all the people who come together to search far and wide when someone goes missing.
What did we say when the Twin Towers were destroyed? “We will build them bigger.” What did we do when New Orleans was hit by the hurricane? We moved back in once clean up started.
Not to mention all of the doctors and nurses and all the other medical staff who save lives every day who don’t get thanked or appreciated except by the families they helped. Personal heroes for me? The nurses who take care of my grandma. And my grandpa who sees her every single day just to hope she recognizes him. That’s indomitable spirit. That’s the spirit that never gives up, never lets go, and always remembers that there is some good in the world and it MUST be protected.
I dont think when push comes to shove the basic make up of Americans , or humans for that matter , has changed. While we have a much easier life I think that if you take a bunch of people today, put them in the same circumstances you would find that they as group would act just as these people did.
I agree Arthur. I’ve wondered what the recent wars would have been like if there had been a draft. I remember as a youngster going to Gettysburg and seeing the supposed sight where the First held on. Being from Minnesota and a vet, I often think about the role those guys played in preserving the union. I also think of the professional athletes and celebrities who served during wars. They didn’t earn what today’s athletes earn. Too bad they don’t know about the real heroes that gave up their professional career to serve their nation. My uncle played a pick up game with Johnny Mize and Pee Wee Reese during WWII.
If there had been a draft we would have been out of afganistan and iraq years ago.
I was thinking the same thing. I wonder if American politics and culture would different. Perhaps for the better?
Yes, a draft would make the culture better. Every citizen should be required to acknowledge with service to the military his or her debt to the nation. It would be more democratizing, it would be fairer, and it would improve respect for the military.
And it might, as Bill suggests, make necessary military actions in the complex geopolitical conditions we are stuck with impossible.You all do know that with today’s attitudes, Lincoln would have been run out of office right around Antietam,with the nation screaming that keeping the Confederacy from bolting and opposing slavery wasn’t “worth it.” 2100 soldiers killed in ONE DAY?? Outrageous! Insane!
Well, Antietam was ridiculous, but it was, in the end, worth it..
I think Arthur may be unduly pessimistic, but showing grit at home fighting hurricanes is a lot different from being willing to fight enemies abroad
Jack, do you mean draft, like there was during the Vietnam war years, or do you mean an across-the-board service obligation? I frankly cannot see how either would make the culture better, but would like to hope (despite having whatever pessimism Arthur has, and then some) that the latter would have a slim chance of improving respect for military service.
The American public got spoiled by the first Gulf War and the attitude put out by some that we could win a war with out putting boots on the ground. This is something that the Air Force has be putting out for years. We also see it with the use of drones and before them cruise missles. But none of that matters becuase no matter how many drones and other high tech toys you have you still at some point have to put a soldier or a Marine on the ground and have them fight, kill and possibly die.
And most military experst would argue that Iraq was not nessesary. Not only that it divereted men , materials and focus from Afganistan which should have been our proper focus.