Veterans Day Archives - Hyun Jin Preston Moon

Veterans Day Memorial: Washington’s Delaware Crossing

Editor — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 07:30:00 +0000

“Against all odds” seems to be a fitting phrase for Washington’s historical surprise attack on Trenton.

The Continental Army had suffered a string of major defeats since the British had landed in full force. General Washington’s troops were pushed out of New York, into New Jersey and finally to Pennsylvania. What started out as nearly 20,000 soldiers had dwindled to 4,000. Some were captured, others defected. The British had issued a proclamation in late November offering a “free and general pardon” for anyone who would pledge their loyalty to the British Empire, which prompted many to give up arms.

George Washington leading the Continental Army

The Continental Congress was barely able to provide for the troops that remained. Many marched in tattered blankets and in bare feet. It was not uncommon to see blood in the snow where the Continental Army had marched. When they arrived in Pennsylvania, one in three soldiers were deemed unfit for combat. The numbers of these only grew as the cold set in. Many soldiers had enlistments that expired at the end of the year. The situation had gotten desperate.

In a letter to his cousin, General Washington wrote, “Your imagination can scarce extend to a situation more distressing than mine.’’

It was at this critical juncture that General Washington chose to take decisive action. He hoped to raise both the spirits of the Continental Army and support for the cause of independence. He devised a surprise attack on an outpost of Hessians, German soldiers that had been commandeered by the British, in Trenton, across the Delaware River. This plan meant over 2,400 troops, 18 cannons, and 50 horses had to cross the Delaware River under the cover of night.

Henry Knox, who had been put in charge of the operation, called it “impossible.” The weather would make it even more so. What started out as a clear Christmas night quickly deteriorated into a snowy hurricane as the Army loaded the artillery, horses, and troops on boats and ferries.

Two of the supporting arms of the attack never made it across the river.

Washington’s group was delayed by hours. Yet, Washington persevered on with his troops.

Knox would later note that “perseverance accomplished what at first seemed impossible.”

The snow continued as the troops marched nine miles south to Trenton. Washington rode up and down the lines, encouraging his men. There was worry that the gun powder would be too wet to use. Yet, Washington ordered soldiers to be ready to use their bayonets as he was “resolved to take Trenton.”

Crossing the Delaware River

The toil of lugging 18 cannons proved well worth it, as the heavy artillery secured a quick win with the surrender of the nearly 1,400 Hessians quartered in Trenton.

It provided the moral boost that Washington had hoped for. Over the next ten days, the Continental Army would cross the Delaware River once again to take on the British forces, and come back with a win in Princeton.

Later, even the British would attribute Trenton as the turning point in the Revolutionary War.

The account of Washington’s crossing has been immortalized as an important part of the American founding story. It has been retold on numerous accounts through many mediums. We might say it epitomizes the American spirit. It is a story of a ragtag group, coming together to make the impossible, possible.

There are other such stories. These stories remind us of our capacity, particularly if we have the will to see it through. Those Founding Fathers and many veterans since have given their best to secure freedom and self-determination for themselves and their future generations.

We celebrate and remember these heroes today. Happy Veteran’s Day.

The post Veterans Day Memorial: Washington’s Delaware Crossing appeared first on Hyun Jin Preston Moon.

Origins of the United States Veterans’ Day

Editor — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 06:31:31 +0000

On November 11^th every year, the United States honors the men and women who are serving and have served in its armed forces on Veterans Day.

The day was originally Armistice Day, created at the end of World War I by President Woodrow Wilson, to commemorate the end of the “war to end all wars.”

Sadly, World War I did not end all wars. World War II ensued, followed by the Korean War, the Cold War and more. Men and women of the United States Armed Forces continued to put their lives on the line, not only for the safety and liberty of the American people, but for the dignity of all people of the world.

In many ways, the founding ideals and dream of the United States behoove it to serve the world as it has. The founding fathers began the American journey as an experiment, meant to prove to the world that a people could and should self-govern, and that government should be “for the people and by the people,” upholding the inalienable rights and liberties endowed by our creator.

The United States has been a force for positive change in many ways: fighting for the right for self-determination of colonized people, investing in rebuilding war-torn nations (including former enemy nations), establishing international bodies to gather the voices of nations to collectively find solutions to peace and other global challenges, challenging totalitarian regimes and fighting for the freedoms and rights of oppressed people.

America’s legacy of service to the world is often overshadowed in the back and forth between current political divisions in the United States.

But it becomes palpable in the men and women, the U.S. veterans, who place their lives in the line of fire to secure stability not just for the United States, but for the world.

Thank you for your service.

The post Origins of the United States Veterans’ Day appeared first on Hyun Jin Preston Moon.

Honoring Grandpa: A Tribute to Veterans

Editor — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 16:00:05 +0000

Honoring Grandpa: A Tribute to Veterans

World War II Memorial in Washington D.C.

“Kinship among nations is not determined in such measurements as proximity of size and age. Rather we should turn to those inner things — call them what you will — I mean those intangibles that are the real treasures free men possess.”

Later to become the 34th President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower spoke these words during his service as a General for the United States during World War II. His sentiment reflects the commitment, both in word and action, of the United States to secure and preserve the God-given rights and freedoms of all people. From the two World Wars, to the Korean War, men and women of the United States armed forces have fought for freedom, even at the cost of great sacrifice.

In his most recent book, Korean Dream, Dr. Hyun Jin Moon discusses the importance of America’s founding ideals on a global scale saying, “The dream of America’s Founding Fathers not only gave birth to a great nation, unique in world history to that point. It also left substantial footprints throughout the world. It set out the ideal of universal human rights, freedoms, and responsibilities and made substantial sacrifices in pursuit of realizing that ideal. If America no longer takes the lead in this endeavor, who else will?”
-Dr, Hyun Jin Moon, Korean Dream: A Vision for a Unified Korea

Every year on November 11th, the United States honors the service of men and women who put their lives on the line to uphold the United States’ founding declaration. The following excerpt is a reflection of a granddaughter of a United States army WWII veteran on her grandfather’s legacy of service to his country and humanity.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” -John Fitzgerald Kennedy

This week on Veteran’s Day, we remember and honor the sacrifice and service provided by our men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces. We are surrounded everyday by real-life superheroes, not in masks with an alias, but adorned in uniform and known by titles, ranks, or a simple name. I called one of these superheroes “Grandpa.”

Every year our country sets aside one day to recognize these people but for many of us, the memory of just how much they gave is instilled in our hearts every day of every year for the rest of our lives. Some heroes will pay the ultimate price; sacrificing their lives for a country they love because of the people it holds. Others will make it home but continue to face a battle only they can fight. With the support of caring individuals these veterans will win that fight.

My grandfather was a hero who made it home to create a family who would grow to hear his World War II stories, experiences of excitement and terror. But those stories would soon be overshadowed by his exhilarating fishing stories, funny anecdotes by my witty uncles and aunts, and grandchildren who’s drawings and pictures embellished the walls. My grandpa had stuffed the WWII medals and honors into the shed, replacing memories of the fight with the things he was fighting for. Grandpa’s medals wouldn’t be recognized again for many years until after he passed away in January of 2013. He is missed every day.

Grandfather and WWII Veteran fishing with his son in Montana, USA.

Veterans like my grandfather found value in the service they provided for our country because they were protecting the fundamental freedoms and rights of their family.

Global Peace Youth-US recognizes the importance of showing our veterans their valuable service by providing opportunities for them to participate in meaningful community-driven development projects where they can interact with the community they serve. Veteran marine Nathan Sutton is the founder of Forward March, an initiative promoting the American ideal of “One Nation Under God” to the entire world as “One Family Under God.” Together, we can create a culture of service that uplifts the dignity of those who serve and those who receive the service of others.

Unable to truly express the depth of gratitude I felt for my grandpa while he was here, his heart of sacrifice for a greater purpose lives on in his family, community, and a country that was built on the rights of all people to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Remember to give a special thank you to your superheroes this week.

The original post appears on Global Peace Foundation. Global Peace Foundation is an international non-sectarian, non-partisan, nonprofit organization, which promotes an innovative, values-based approach to peacebuilding, guided by the vision of One Family under God. GPF engages and organizes a global network of public and private-sector partners who develop community, national, and regional peace building models as the foundation for ethical and cohesive societies. Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon is founder and chairman of the Global Peace Foundation.

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