How politics and the Pentagon are beginning to question the motives behind the novel "The 95th"
I always knew that this would happen. I always knew the time would come. I never feared it, in fact, I welcomed it, for with it, comes the chance for the American People and the good People of France and Germany to come forward to acknowledge the horrific events that ended the innocence of so many soldiers from a magnificent time.
When the novel "The 95th" was initially being released, one of the major aspects of the publicity we sought, was for the Pentagon and those inside or around it, would come forward to deny that the events of the novel ever took place. We knew the denials would come of a scandal, of men being denied medals, of files missing, of men having even fought in the 377th Regiment/95th Infantry Division. We expected swift retaliation from some, and silence from others.
Well, both have happened. There are those already calling into talk shows and interviews denying that this scandal took place. They deny that President Truman was involved. They deny that the men were forced out of the Division. They deny, deny, deny.
When confronted with peppering questions from the likes of myself, such as "show me the files, show me the records, show me the maps, journals -- show me anything", the answers are the same -- "We can't".
When I tell them "I know", they usually hang the phone up in frustration.
You see, folks, the military must deny that this scandal existed. They must deny for the sake of denial, for the truth cannot be told, as the files do not exist...they are sealed. The novel was not designed to embarrass our military, it was designed to tell the truth, to honor the men, to honor their service, and to honor their memories, since most, hell, nearly all of them have passed away. To fear the retaliation, to fear the questions, and to fear the fear is something that neither myself, or the remaining soldiers will do any longer.
We have suffered through scandals beginning in the Revolutionary War and carrying forward until today in the military. To cover them up is the good old fashioned way. World War II was the single shining moment of our history, of world history at the time. These men only asked for one thing -- respect, nothing more and nothing less.
It took almost 50 years for that to happen, and that was 1996. Here we are in 2007 and the denying continues on forward.
At least one thing is consistent -- denial is part of of military complex and will carry on as so as long as we have a country to call home.
Sometimes, vacations just don't turn out the way you hoped they would. An idyllic wilderness house boating get-a-way soon turns into a hellish nightmare...
Autumn 1940. Germany invades Britain. Newport is blitzed. Danny O’Shea’s house is bombed, his wife is killed. While taking his young son Adam to neutral Ireland, they witness an attack on a German convoy. The result is brutal.
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