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No one likes war. War is a horrific affair, bloody and expensive.
Sending our men and women into battle to perhaps die or be maimed is an
unconsciounable thought.
Yet some wars need to be waged, and
someone needs to lead. The citizenry and Congress are often ambivalent
or largely opposed to any given war. It's up to our leader to convince
them. That's why we call the leader "Commander in Chief."
George
W's war was no different. There was lots of resistance to it. Many in
Congress were vehemently against the idea. The Commander in Chief had
to lobby for legislative approval.
Along with supporters,
George W. used the force of his convictions, the power of his title,
and every ounce of moral persuasion he could muster to rally support.
He had to assure Congress and the public that the war was morally
justified, winnable and affordable. Congress eventually came around and
voted overwhelmingly to wage war.
George W. then lobbied
foreign governments for support. But in the end, only one European
nation helped us. The rest of the world sat on its hands and watched.
After
a few quick victories, things started to go bad. There were many dark
days when all the news was discouraging. Casualties began to mount. It
became obvious that our forces were too small. Congress began to drag
its feet about funding the effort.
Many who had voted to
support the war just a few years earlier were beginning to speak
against it and to accuse the Commander in Chief of misleading them.
Many critics began to call him incompetent, an idiot, and even a liar.
Journalist joined the negative chorus with a vengeance.
As the
war entered its fourth year, the public began to grow weary of the
conflict and the casualties. George W's popularity plummeted. Yet,
through it all, he stood firm, supporting the troops and endorsing the
struggle.
Without his unwavering support, the war would have surely ended, then and there, in overwhelming and total defeat.
At
this darkest of times, he began to make some changes. More troops were
added and trained. Some adviser were shuffled, and new general
installed.
Then, unexpectedly and gradually, things began to
improve. Now it was the enemy that appeared to be growing weary of the
lengthy conflit and losing support. Victories began to come, and hope
returned.
Many critics in Congress and the press said the
improvement were just George W's good luck. The progress, they said,
would be temporary. He knew, however, that in warfare good fortune
counts.
Then, in the unlikeliest of circumstances and perhaps
the most historic example of military luck, the enemy blundered and was
resoundingly defeated. After six long years of war, The Commander in
Chief basked in a most hard-fought victory.
So, on that
historic day, October 19, 1781, in a place called Yorktown, a satisfied
George Washington sat upon his beautiful white horse and accepted the
surrender of General Cornwallis, effectively ending the Revolutionary
War.
WHAT? Were you thinking of someone else?
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