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 in service. I see some of them here this morning. Private roberts. Sergeant jackson. Lieutenant carter. And 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 maksymilian. In one minute and 49 seconds, an american fist won a victory. But it wasnt the final victory. No, that victory is 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 in a far greater arena and for much greater stakes. Max schmeling in the army, men turned into machine, 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 stakes. The german stakes. The foible 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 half ape into one that the plan which it foreshadowed has become a reality. And the nazi 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 slobs, the russians, the poles, the czechs. Dont stop, whether you have an old man, a woman, a girl or 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 the outcome of this contest. Americans have always guarded liberty. The seed took root in boston. In that city 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 mcadams. As long as freedoms cause the wise contend, dear to our country shall your fame extend. While to the world, the lettered stone shall tell, where caldwell, caldwell, addox, gray and matthews fell. 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 pit carn. And on christmas day, 1776, when all but the bravest hearts had lost hope, prince whippel 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 unshakable patience and loyalty. Heres samuel haynes, thousands of others left their bleeding 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 ethel currys immortal words. We have met the enemy and they are ours. And in new orleans, when general jackson said, shall not sleep on our soil, Thomas Wilson was there. America began to build ships. Then came 1861. The government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from this earth. Th with malice towards none, with charity for all. Then america began to rebuild. Ive been working on the railroad, all the livelong day hello boys. Whats the matter, jim . You quitting . Man, im going to cuba. Cuba . Yeah with the 9th regiment United States cavalry, horses. Jim fought in the spanishamerican war at santiago cuba, the 9th and 10th cavalry, added to their long medal, courage and gallantry. Im jim. After we cleaned up in cuba, we went on with building factories, cities, everything. As for me, well, i went to panama. Got a little job. A little job connecting the atlantic and pacific. A little job. And with persian and france, jim wasnt there, but his sons were. Serving with the 813th pioneer regiment near marseille. The 332nd labor battalion and the 808th pioneer regiment near v verdun. Fighting with the 8th illinois on the swason front, 372nd on the plains. 371st at busey farm. And the 369th in the argan. The 369th fought on the line of the fire for 191 days. Not a man ever captured. Not a foot of ground ever lost. The First American troops to receive the 369th. And for action above and beyond the call of duty, many received honored medals. When they cleaned up in france, the boys came marching home. Among them was henry johnson, who with one companion, needham roberts, killed 4 and captured 24 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 simms, charles young, colonel, United States army. And to their memory, sermons and 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 has been made of their unselfish devotion to duty. And in france, 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 army yes, the nazi destroyed our monuments in france, but our monuments here stand and will always stand. The founder of ktuskegee institute, booker t. Washington. He lifted the veil of ignorance towards his people and pointed the way to progress through education and industry. The late George Washington carver, honored in the chemistry of agriculture. And the men and women building the monuments of tomorrow, law, elected 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 collector of literature. International prizewinning sculptor. Singer. Men and women in every walk of life, all trained and educated in schools like howard, hampton, tuskegee the Olympic Games have begun. Owens, america. Germany. And metcalf for america. Metcalf for america the mens high jump. Ryan kurtz, germany. Japan. He drops out, too. 2. 03 meters high. Thats 68 inches. Ben johnson of america. A new olympic record of 68, second, america, 12 for america. The tree of liberty has born 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, and tone have helped to nourish it and to sew its seed in new ground. All men stand in admiration of it. Except the nazis, the fascists, and the japanese military. There is not a man alive who does not know of the crimes of these adventurers. In europe by order of the german army of 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 the 7th the people of the world have risen in one great mass to bring to justice the ring leaders responsible for these crimes. In americas army, in every branchs of service, artillery, tank, Quarter Master, engineer dont forget the infantry. Yes . My boy is in the infantry. Hes up there. Third from the left on the bottom row. I got a letter from his last night. Hes an officer. Robert . Did he get to be an officer . Yes. He says so right here. Dear mama, at last its happened, im an officer. Lieutenant robert a. Bronson, infantry. Dont it sound good . Of course i havent got my bars yet, but im on my way to Officers Candidates 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, 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. Very glad to see all of your happy, smiling faces. Now, fellas, during the few days that youll be 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. You were a machinist on the construction of gun and gun parts. Thats right. What machines did you operate . I operated boring mills, tube grinders, drill presses, planes, and 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 and 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 and 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. Regarding the salute, man, 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, hes 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 forefinger above the center of the right eye. Make sure your thumb is along side your hand. 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. 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. Fall in all right, men. Strip down completely, put every piece of civilian clothing that you have into that bag. Now, 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 woollen socks. All right, now you try on your green herringbone fatigue hat first. Thats the green hat with the brim on it. Try it on. If it fits, put it into your barracks bag. 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 a 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 those clothes, youll wash it. 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. Away, hut. To the right, hut. Left flank hut. Right flank hut. Left hut. Left, hut. Left, halt. Left flank, halt. Right flank, halt. Hut, hut. Then came the crosscountry marchin marching. 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, they got doctors. Some of the best in the country. Specialists in every field. And now a dental clinic, 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 broadside of a barn. It was fun. Its not all work. Theres football. Baseball. Boxing. And, oh, yes, pingpong. 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 soldiering that was beautiful to behold. And salt forward march hut, two, three, four, hut, two, three, four. And youd better tell uncle everett to keep joke iing, beca these girls have forgotten 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, men proposes and gi disposes. And the next morning, i was out there like the rest of them, getting tough. In this mans army, they want you to be tough. But 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 gi report i think youll all be interested in. This is a official statement from the war department. In the present world war, there are more than 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 those commissions and taken their place from those who have come from rotc schools and the greatest of all military institutions, west point. Mama, the next time youll see me, ill be wearing an officers uniform, ready to get in there and get this war over with. Thats a promise. Youre loving son, robert. Thank you, mrs. Bronson, thats a promise millions of americans have made. Thousands have put it into action. And 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 flyers. Taking their place at the controls of our fighter planes. 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 airfields of berlin and tokyo. In the far north, seasoned soldiers are toughening themselves for they know 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. And the men we knew as tailors, printers, bricklayers, cooks, entertainers, helicopterer, bellboys, School Teachers and farmers are today soldiers in a modern army. Tank men, gunners, radio operators, and motor mechanics. Every man is schooled in the meaning of teamwork. Every man qualified to replace any of his teammates at any time. Any man ready to do his share. The engineers, the fighting builders ready to build bridges, highways, railroads, ports, and landing fields. The Quarter Master who moves troops and supplies, who provides food, fuel, and clothing. The men who supply the means of communication, telegraph, telephone, and radio, the cavalry. Ready to patrol, scout. The tank destroyers. Ready for swift and decisive action. Hardhitting antiaircraft machines ready to hit missiles out of the skies. And the infantryman, the backbone of the army. This training has met the asset 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 fall supplies. More and more food, equipment, and ammunition must reach our troops in the battle areas. More airports, landing fields, docks, bridges, and roads must be built. Our troops must build them through the swamps of the south pacific. The snows of the far 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. Meyer levine. Dory miller. Soldiers who knew no fear. Men who would defend even unto death the land of their burden. 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. Oh, 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. 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 cspa cspan3. The president s. From public affairs. Available now in paperback and e book. Presents biographies of every president , organized by their ranking, by noted historians, from best to worst. And features perspective into the lives of our nations chief executives and leadership styles. Visit our website, cspan. Org t cspan. Org thepresident s to learn more about each president and historian featured. And order your copy today, wherever books and ebooks are sold. Next on lectures in history, university of minnesota professor sage matthew 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 sought to police certain nations and ethnic groups, yet faced criticism for how it treated its own dissenters and minorities. This is just over an hour. Good morning, everyone. So, this morning, were going to be talking about or rather, we will begin our conversation about neutrality. That conversation will last over the course of several lectures, so well wrap up other countrys neutralties. But this morning, were going to really focus on what neutrality looked like and meant for the americans, especially in the first half of the war. So, the thing that i want you to understand the most, and this is really vital, because