sure we realize the seriousness of this situation, and the necessity of a complete all-out victory. To let nothing prevent a wholehearted united effort on the part of the people of America in cooperation with the Allied Nations to the end that this war may be speedily and conclusively won.

"3. To help the people of America realize their obligation in the peace which will follow this war. To find that obligation soberly with our feet on the ground in the light of our experience of previous wars and remembering the mistakes made at previous peace conferences. To help see that we write a just and a lasting peace and are ready as a people to fulfill our responsibilities to the world. To see that this desire to fulfill our responsibilities does not lead us blindly into a super government which will take away many of our rights and privileges as a free people, nor into any sort of a coalition which will provide an international police force which may harass the people of America.

"4. To preserve constitutional government here in this country. This is not a partisan question. It must be faced by every citizen regardless of the party to which he owes his political affiliation. Both parties have had a part in the parade away from constitutional government. Both parties have had a part in creating the almost endless number of commissions and bureaus which today threaten the freedom of a great people. Surely both parties must have a responsibility in finding a way out of this involvement and back to a constitutional government--a government of the people, for the people, by the people. The necessity for sacrifices in time of war must not be used as an excuse to take representative government away from the people of America. Veterans who fought have a great stake in this America that is ours. It is our job to help the people of America preserve that stake.

"And so I end my year as I started it--with our beloved country at war. The new year opens into a critical era with dark and trying days ahead. We will need to be a courageous people. We will need to have a great leadership. We will need to realize our part as individuals.

"...May I close this, my final report to you, with my conception of a veteran's creed:

" ' This is my land. From its fertile soil I have drawn my strength until I am the strongest nation of free men on earth.

" 'This is my country. Here my forefathers founded a way of life which is the envy of all mankind.

" 'This is my government. Under its benevolent protection I enjoy rights and privileges such as are enjoyed by no other man. From it, I have drawn much. To it I owe all that I am, all that I may ever be."

Written in 2006? A commentary on the current war?

No. This was published in "The Forty and Eighter," an American Legion Magazine in 1943.  It is contemporary because we have the same enemies against our sovereignty and our superiority. Let all that hate it perish.
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