strathspey@strathspey.org:27484

RuddBaron

A letter

Sept. 23, 2001, 8:45 p.m. (Message 27484)

Here is an open letter to America. Please read it, spread it around,
submit it to your local newspapers for publication, share it, forward
it, etc.

s/RBJ

From the Office of the Commander Emeritus
Georgia Chapter
The George S. Patton, Jr. Historical Society

 22nd September, 2001
 Dear Fellow Americans,

 I would like to discuss our recent events and current situation in America
 from a unique historical perspective. Specifically, I would like to look at
 it from the perspective of the philosophy of a great American, General George
 S. Patton, Jr. In addition to being a loyal patriot and one of the greatest
 Generals in American and World history, General Patton was a first-rate
 historian. This contributed greatly to his success in warfare, and even today
 there is much that can be learned from his maxims, writings, and actions.
 Quotations I include in this letter are sayings of Patton unless otherwise
 noted. On the 11th of September the first attack was made, and it will most
 likely not be the last. We are fighting an enemy that is unlike any other. I
 have heard many say "Bomb Afghanistan back to the Stone Age." While this is
 an understandable sentiment, an air campaign alone will not defeat this
 enemy. Commandos alone cannot defeat this enemy. The terrorist networks have
 such an intense hatred for America that it is difficult for most Americans to
 understand. General Patton wrote The Secret of Victory in 1926, and in it he
 stated that "it's the cold glitter of the attacker's eye, not the point of
 the questing bayonet, that breaks the line." Our enemy has an intense resolve
 to destroy us. It is so intense that they are glad to commit suicide to
 further their "cause." In order to defeat this enemy, every last citizen of
 this country must develop this "cold glitter" in their eyes, and the resolve
 that we all do whatever we must in order to win and eradicate the enemy. Even
 more than the Japanese of WWII whom my grandfather fought, the terrorists are
 prepared to fight to the last man. As in Vietnam, they hide in caves, not
 choosing to fight in conventional battle. This is not a conventional battle.
 We cannot afford to fight it that way. 

 I have also heard some say that this attack on New York and Washington, D.C.
 was so simple; in fact, it was so simple that anyone could have done it.
 Indeed it was quite simple. That is a basic combat tactic. It was simple; it
 was direct. The terrorists trained as pilots in our country on the very
 planes they would soon be using as makeshift cruise missiles. They rode the
 flights they would later hijack in order to learn weaknesses in security,
 when and how to strike, and other vital points. They had the element of
 surprise. That is basic combat tactics. Our adversaries have significant
 capabilities. We must not underestimate this fact, and therefore we must
 "never let the enemy pick the battle site." If we do not take the initiative,
 "[we'll] be playing into his game on his terms and fitting right into his
 plans." Perhaps one of Patton's most famous sayings is highly appropriate:
 "Grab 'em by the nose and kick 'em in the ass." This is true for any battle,
 and it is what must be done in our current situation. 

 We must expect the enemy to attempt more such attacks on American soil in the
 near future. "A large part of the decision-making process depends not only on
 the information you possess about the enemy, his movements, and his
 capabilities, but also on your past experience and knowledge." Patton
 asserted that "because of [his] intense study of history, [he has] a
 countermove for every move the enemy might make." We must be aware of the
 methods our enemy use and what they have done in the past. The attack on the
 World Trade Center is a spectacular example. The people of this great Nation
 must be prepared for more such attacks, take precautions for them, and fight
 them. We know they operate in an attempt to instill fear in us and disrupt
 our business and daily lives. We must accept this and the possibilities of
 what can happen. "Do not take counsel of your fears." Fear only gives the
 enemy the edge. Let fear be the problem of our enemy, and we'll have the
 edge. It's going to take resolve to win this war.

 Patton said "it is better to fight for something in life than to die for
 nothing." We the People must be willing to stand up for our nation, our
 homes, our families and friends, and "never give up until [we] have attained
 the top or the grave." My family has been in this great land for ten
 generations. Others are recently naturalized American citizens. All came here
 in search of freedom and a better life. We must all decide right here and now
 if this idea and spirit we call America just a casual idea to be cheered when
 convenient, or is it truly worth having and protecting. We must resolve that
 our current feeling of intense patriotism shall never be diminished, even in
 the face of future attacks from our enemy; and those attacks will come. This
 war will be fought and won not only by our gallant fighting forces, but by
 every citizen of this great nation. We must be determined to fight if another
 airliner is hijacked. Remember that there are many passengers on a plane, but
 few hijackers. We must be determined to fight to defend our homes and our
 communities. We must be determined to support our government and our military
 in their efforts to hunt down and exterminate terrorists, eradicate their
 support networks, and destroy governments which support these networks. This
 will not be an easy task, but we must be determined. 

 If General Patton was here today, and indeed if the Framers were here, I
 believe they would all be thoroughly impressed with the unity our country has
 shown in the past two weeks. The General proposed that "it is the
 unconquerable soul of man, and not the nature of the weapon he uses, that
 ensures victory." Our resolve is going to be tested as it has never been
 tested before. This enemy does not understand reason and does not respond to
 negotiation. No amount of love and compassion will change their attitude. We
 did not ask for this situation, but Americans have always risen to the
 challenge. Now is the time for all Americans to become true patriots and
 stand shoulder to shoulder against this evil enemy of all humanity. God bless
 America.

 Pro Deus et Patria,
 Sir Rutherford B. Johnson, CCS, MCS
 Commander Emeritus,
 Georgia Chapter
 The Patton Society