Jan 16, 17, 18, 1991
War began in Persian Gulf Jan 16 in the afternoon here. Planes sent in undercover of night to bomb there. First reports show much damage in Bagdad and other areas in Iraq.
I feel so much pain sorrow and dismay that again during this century we are again at war. Going back 100 years or more we were still recovering from our own civil war. World War I, in which my father, John Stevenson McKeown served 1918 to 1919. Nov 11 was celebrated as Armistice Day. We were told it had been fought as "The war to end all wars" and I being in grammar school behind it with all my heart. At eleven o'clock Nov 11 in school we all had a moment of silence in remembrance of the wars successful end.
Then Hitler with his madness decided to try to take over all of Europe and in late 1930 war had struck again in Europe. Dec 7, 1941 Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Again the United States was at war. My oldest brother had been drafted in fall so was already in service. He went to officers training school became an officer was sent to North Africa then to Anzio Beach Head, Italy where he was killed by shrapnel. Later my younger brother went into service. (He could have been deferred as he was only living son but choose to go). He served in Germany doing a lot of wiping out untrusted Germans in small towns using half tracks. He came home safely but much older from his experiences.
Harry Miller my future husband became a Navy pilot. Served in South Amer., Africa, England hunting submarines. Came home after V.C. was in team to go to Japan to map coast line for invasion when V-J day came.
Then Korea - Roy Bennett Brother in Law served there in occupation force. The 1950s came Vietnam. By then our 2 older sons were old enough to register for draft. It was over before Robert was old enough.
History proves that war changes the behavior of countrys that try to take over others but that place is never really won.
I pray this won't be World War III that can be the worst war ever!!!
When will we ever learn to live together in peace, with tolerance for other races - other religions people with different ideas? Maybe this time!!!
-- Margaret "Beth" M. Miller
-- Mrs. Harry M. Miller