Since jesus came into my heart thank you, soldier. My prepared text today was to have been make thy name be remembered in all generations, but i think im going to depart from my prepared sermon. While i was listening to the sergeants solo, i kept looking up at our service flag. I was thinking of the men who serves. I see some of them here this morning. Private roberts, sergeant jackson, lieutenant carter, and, um, um private parks, first class. First class is right. I was over at the uso the other night and i met somebody i hadnt seen in quite a long time. The last time i saw this man, well, one of my members treated me to a ticket to Yankee Stadium to see joe lewis versus mack smaley. In 1 minute and 49 seconds, an american fist won a victory, but it wasnt the final victory. No. That victorys going to take a little longer and a whole lot more american fists. Now, those two men that were matched in the ring that night are matched again, this time if a far greater arena and for much greater stakes. Mack smaley, a paratrooper in the nazi army, men turned into machines, challenging the world. Joe lewis, training for the fight of his life. This time, its a fight not between man and man, but between nation and nation. Its a fight for the real championship of the world, to determine which way of life shall survive, their way or our way. And this time, we must see to it that there is no return engagement, for the stakes this time are the greatest men have ever fought for. And what are the stakes . The american states. The german stakes, the survival of the nazis, the gospel according to hitler. Im not going to read all of this, but there are one or two things in this book that will interest you. I quote. What is denied to us the german fist must take. If our forefathers had made their decisions by the same pacifist nonsense as the present day does, we would possess but a third of our existing territory. Further, he says, from time to time, the illustrated papers show how a negro has become a lawyer, a teacher, perhaps even a minister. It never dawns on the degenerate middle class america that this is truly a sin against all reason, that it is criminal madness to train a born ape until one believes one has made a lawyer of him. This book was written 20 years ago. The plan which it foreshadowed has become a reality. And the nazis now instruct their disciples in terms such as these. We must strive by any means to conquer the world. Any methods are permissible. Lie, betray, kill, kill and kill again, kill the slams, the russians, the pols, the czechs. Dont stop, whether you have an old man, a woman, a girl or a boy. Kill. If we want to create our great german empire, we must exterminate everybody who stands against us. The liberty of the whole earth depends on this contest. Americans have always guarded liberty, the seed to fruit in boston, and that city is the granary Burial Ground 1660. Within this ground are buried the victims of the boston massacre, march 5th, 1770. The first to die in the boston massacre was chris versatox, long is freedom called, the wise contend, dear to our country shall your fame extend. While to the world, the lettered stone shall tell where caldwell, attox, gray and maverick fell. A conquered bridge, san francisco, helped to fire the shot heard around the world. At bunker hill on june 17th, 1775, gun belonged to peter salem, a colored man who carried it at lexington, concord, and bunker hill. And with it shot major pitcairn. And on Christmas Day 1776, when all but the bravest hearts had lost hope, prince whipple took his place alongside those who pushed on. In the winter of 78 at valley forge, George Washington wrote, our soldiers have been a week without food. They are naked and starving. We cannot enough admire their unshakeable patience and loyalty. Here samuel haynes, thousands of others left their fleeting footprints in the snow. In this war, the people of the new world won their independence. They joined hands and 13 colonies became the United States. Then the people of the new republic began to build. Together they pioneered and together they made territories into states. By 1812, a wilderness was becoming a great nation. Then came war. At lake erie, Tyler Thompson heard the admiral say the words we have met the enemy and they are ours. And at new orleans, when general jackson said, by the eternal they shall not sleep on our soil, thomas woot was there. America began to build ships. Then came 1861. A government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this earth. With malice toward none, with charity for all. Then america began to rebuild. Ive been working on the railroad all the livelong day take care of everything, you know what i mean. Whats the matter, jim, you quitting . Man, im going to cuba. Cuba . Yeah with the ninth regiment United States cavalry. Jim fought in the spanishamerican war at santiago, cuba, the ninth and tenth cavalry, the 24th and 25th infantry, added to their long record new mettle, courage and valor. I am jim. After we cleaned up in cuba, we went on with building factories, cities, everything. As for me, well, i went to panama, a little job. A little job connecting the atlantic and pacific. A little job. And in france, jim wasnt there, but his sons were. Building up the 813th pioneer regiment near marseille. The 332nd labor battalion and 808th pioneer register manet near radun. Fighting with the eighth ill no on the swasone front, 322nd on the plains of hong kong. 371st at busey farm. The 369th in the argonne. 369th fought on the line of fire for 191 days. Not a man ever captured, not a foot of ground ever lost. The First American troops to receive the quad agere, the 369th. And for action above and beyond the call of duty, many received honored medals. When they had cleaned up in france, the boys came marching home. Among them was henry johnson, who was one companion, needham roberts, killed and captured 28 germans for which the french nation decorated them for exceptional bravery. And there were those among the honored at arlington, samuel washington, walter waters, william fox, john sims, charles young, colonel, United States army. And to their memory, sermons in stone and bronze, tributes of a grateful nation. To commemorate their heroism and sacrifice of all colored soldiers who served in the various wars engaged in by the United States of america, that a lasting record shall be made of their unselfish devotion to duty. And in france, at busey farm, the french people erected a memorial to the 371st infantry. This stone in the ground on which it stands are dedicated to the negro troops who fought and died here on april 21st, 1918. 23 years later, on june the 15th, 1941, an invading german ar army, yes, the nazis destroyed our monuments in france, but our monuments here stand and will always stand. The founder of tuskegee institute, booker t. Washington, 1856 to 1915. He lifted the veil of ignorance from his people and pointed the way to progress through education and industry. The late George Washington carter, honored in the chemistry of agriculture, and the men and women building the monuments of tomorrow law, connected judge in new york city courts, serving his second tenyear term. Explorer, the only other american with admiral peery when our flag was planted on the north pole. Medicine. Leading new york city surgeon. Father of the blues, financier and publisher, contributing to the war bond drive. Education. Principal of a new york city public school. Curator, schaumburg collection of literature, international prizewinning sculptor. Singer. Men and women in every walk of life, all trained and educated in schools like howard the shine light, hampton will thyshine, tuskegee will shine light till the sun goes down and the moon comes up, my light will shine the Olympic Games have begun. The best athletes in the world have come to berlin, and 51 nations are represented here today. The six fastest sprinters of the world are getting ready. Owens, america. Boshmeyer, germany. And metcalf of america. He challenges likeoff metcalf comes up, but owens wins in 10. 3 seconds. Metcalf of america. Then the high jump. Wein weinkats, germany. Japan. He drops out, too. 2. 03 meters high. Thats 68. Ben johnson of america. Ben johnson of america, a new olympic record of 68. Second, al gooden of america, third, america. The tree of liberty has borne these fruits. Its a mighty tree with roots deep in the ground of america. Its fame has spread to the four corners of the earth. Men of every faith, color, tone, have helped to nourish it and to sew its seed in new ground. All men stand in admiration of it, except the nazis, fascists, and the japanese militarists, but well flip a new order. There is not a man alive who does not know the crimes of these adventurers. In europe. By order of the German Army High command, thousands of innocent men, women, and children have been shot and hanged. In asia, the Japanese Army there are those who will tell you that japan is the savior of the colored races. On december 7th [ gunfire ] the people of the world have risen in one great mass to bring to justice the ring leaders responsible for these crimes. And americas army, in every branch of the service artillery, tank, quartermaster, engineer dont forget the infantry. Yes . My boys in the infantry. Hes up there, third from the left in the bottom row. I got a letter from him last night. Hes an officer. Robert . Did he get to be an officer . Yes. It says so right here. Dear mama, at last its happened. Im an officer, lieutenant robert a. Brunson, infantry. Dont it sound good . Of course, i havent got my bars yet, but im on my way to officers candidate school for four months, and if i pass the examination and graduate and get my commission, ill be an officer. Now, i can do it, mama. If i could go through those first 13 weeks the way i did, i can go through anything. That morning at the railroad go, i didnt know which side was up, but misery sure loves company. When i said goodbye to you, i was laughing, but i wasnt tickled. And the first thing i heard when i stopped at some place in the middle of no place all right, men, on behalf of the United States army and the Reception Center here at this camp, were glad to welcome you here today and into the United States army. We are glad to see all of your happy, smiling faces. Our fellows during the few days youll be with us here at this camp, youll be converted from a civilian into a fullfledged soldier. Youll be interviewed by someone who will inquire into your past life before you came into the army. 9 a machinist, the construction of guns and gun parts. Thats right. What machines did you operate . I operated barring mills, tool grinders, drill presses, plains, and all in forward, hut hut, hut, hut, hut pick it up, pick it up company, halt but i dont want to give you the impression that its only for religious services and advice that you can come to the chaplain. You can come to him at any time. For example, if you get in trouble with your girlfriend and she doesnt write you anymore, you want to know how to propose, why, just come see the chaplain and hell give you some advice. Or if you get in trouble with your first sergeant, you want to know how to handle him, just come around and see the chaplain and hell give you some advice. Or if youre financially embarrassed, why, thats simple, too. Just come around and see the chaplain, and hell give you some advice. Our chaplain has just told you how to get along in this mans army. Its my painful duty to tell you what will happen to you if you dont get along. It isnt a form of civility. Its merely a form of recognition used between members of the military service. The average man when he first learns to salute, its awkward. Its a strange gesture to him, and he feels shy. He usually sneaks his hand up in this manner and gives a brokenhanded salute, or lowers his eyes gently like a shy maiden and salutes like that. When you salute an officer, stand erect like a soldier. Bring your hand up to your forehead in a military manner, tip of the forefingers above the center of the right eye. And make sure your thumb is alongside your hand, because if its out here, they may misconstrue it. Then cut the hand sharply to the side. Dont let it drop down like a dead fish. Sit down. Put your feet in the machine. One l on a 10 1 2. Put your foot in here. Stand up now, pick up both weights. Put the weights back, sit down. Step down, put your shoes on and go in the next room. All in pull up all right, men, strip down completely. Put every piece of civilian clothing that you have into that bag right there. When youre completely stripped and have everything into that bag, put on a set of summer underwear, a pair of shorts, a pair of white woolen socks. All right . Now you try on your green herringbone for head first. Thats the green hat with the brim on it. Put it on. If it fits, place it into your barracks bag. Now, dont mind if its a little loose. But i made it. All of us made it. They put us through so many twists and turns, we didnt know whether we were coming or going, but uncle sam did. We were going. He put us on the train that same afternoon for the replacement center. We kept passing troop trains going back and forth all over the country. We finally arrived at the place called military secret. But this much i can tell you it was cold. And even before we had a chance to thaw out, they had us in the school of the soldier. The sergeant gave it to us straight. You sleep in that bed, youll make it. You wear them clothes, youll wash them. You walk on that floor, youll clean it. Theres no service here. You understand that . And i bet right now, mama, i can make a bed better than you can. But before i have a chance to get the bed warm, there i was. In the beginning, the new hands were all feet. Right feet. Forward. To the rear, forward. Left flank, forward. Right flank, forward. Left. Hut, hut, hut. Left, flank. Forward. Right flank. Rear. Rear. Hut, hut, hip. Then came the crosscountry marching. Right left forward halt take a tenminute break. It was tough. Hiking, drilling, tent pitching, general orders. The tougher the day, the shorter the night, but you get used to it. And if you cant take it, theyve got doctors. Some of the best in the country, specialists in every field. And in our dental clinic, we have a work, but even so, this is one kind of drilling no soldier likes. But after all the making beds and peeling potatoes and drilling and marching, they give you a rifle and teach you to shoot it. In no time at all, i could hit the broad side of a barn. It was fun. Its not all work. Theres football, baseball, boxing, and, oh, yes, ping pong. If you want to read, theres a library. Can you imagine me listening to poetry . But it came in good. The very next day, i got a chance to use it. We were sent on a detail to a nearby camp. I saw some soldier that was beautiful to behold. Forward, hut three, four, hut two, three, four, hut one, two, three, four and youd better tell uncle to quit joking about them, because these girls forgot more about jeeps and trucks than hell ever know. And the next day was saturday night. She was very nice, mama, a real apple pie girl, just the right size and everything, just the kind you like. But in the army, man proposes and g. I. Disposes. And the next morning i was out there like the rest of them, getting tough. Hut hut, hut, three, four in this mans army, they want you to be tough. Tough. And i mean tough. And tough in the army means a good fighter who can stand up against a strong enemy and beat him to the draw. And after a hard week, a soldier welcomes a sunday. This morning, i have a g. I. Report. I think youll all be interested in. This is an official statement from the war department. In the present world war, there are nearly five times as many men with High School Education in our armed forces than were in world war i. This has meant an increase in officer candidates. Official figures tell us, in the present war there are three times as many colored officers as in world war i. From a score of different schools, many have earned their commissions and taken their place alongside those who come from any one of the hundreds of rotc schools and the greatest of all military institutions, west point. Mama, the next time you see me, ill be wearing an officers uniform, ready to get in there and get this war over with. Thats a promise. Your loving son, robert. Thank you, mrs. Brunson. Thats a promise millions of americans have made. Thousands have put it into action. In every camp, men are getting their final workout. At tuskegee, more pilots are earning their wings. In a short while, these young officers will be fullfledged combat fliers, taking their place at the controls of our fighter planes. They, high above their native land they fly. Tomorrow, what a surprise the nazis will get when black, brown, yellow, and white men, all americans, land on the air fields of berlin and tokyo. In the far north, seasoned soldiers are toughening themselves, for they know that in a fight against all that is evil, truth must be ready, ready to strike hard and often. No waiting for weather or temperature. Any weather can be good weather. Any temperature can be right. When men know the meaning of their job and are determined to get it done, come what may. Fire and the men we knew as tailors, printers, bricklayers, cooks, entertainers, carpenters, bell boys, school teachers, farmers, are today soldiers in a modern army, tank men, gunners, radio operators, and motor mechanics. Every mans schooled in the meaning of teamwork. Every man qualified to replace any of his teammates at any time. Every man ready to do his share. The engineers, the fighting builders, ready to build bridges, highways, railroads, ports, landing fields. Quartermaster who moves troops and supplies, provides food, fuel, and clothing. The men who supply the means of communication, telegram, telephone and radio, the cavalry, ready to patrol, scout, harris. The tank destroyers ready for swift and decisive action. Hardhitting antiaircraft, ready to knock the metalsmith out of the sky. And the infantrymen, the backbone of the army. Hit that fire [ gunfire ] this training has met the acid test of war. Across the pacific, across the atlantic, the shadow of defeat hangs over the axis partners as the allies liberate town after town. But the job isnt finished. This is only the beginning. To win the final victory over germany and japan, our blows must be dealt harder and faster and with all our strength. There can be no letup in the full supplies. More and more food, equipment, and ammunition must reach our troops in the battle areas. More airports, landing fields, plows, bridges, and roads must be built. Our troops must build them through the swamps of the south pacific, the snows of the far nor north. Over the mountains of india and across the rivers of europe. Build them in record time and under enemy fire. Build them right into the heart of berlin and tokyo. Robert brooks. Colin kelly. Meier levine. Dori miller. Soldiers who knew no fear, men who would defend even unto death the land of their birth, soldiers who believed in this great country. To the enemy, our country is something to destroy. Our homes, our right to worship god, our little belongings, something to crush, to shackle, to plunder. O god, we thank you for this land which our fathers have helped to build. Grant that we may, with your help, be worthy of this heritage. And in our turn, enrich it for our children so that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this earth. Our soldiers marching off to war its our flag of freedom my country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty of thee i sing last summer, Purdue University in lafayette, indiana, hosted a conference called remaking american political history. Tonight on American History tv, beginning at 8 00 eastern, a night of programs from this gathering with a panel of historians looking at u. S. Politics and government, from the earliest days of the american republic. Watch American History tv tonight and over the weekend on cspan3. With the federal government at work in d. C. And throughout the country, use the congressional directory for Contact Information for members of congress, governors, and federal agencies. Order your copy online today at cspanstore. Org. Next on lectures in history, university of minnesota professor sage mathieu teaches a class about neutrality and what that concept meant in world war i america. She explains how neutrality did not mean inactivity as the u. S. Sold materials to both the allied and central powers, helping both sides continue the fight. She also talks about how the u. S. Viewed itself as the defender of democracy and