Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of paying attention to the situation in Ukraine due to its potential global impact, drawing parallels to historical conflicts and highlighting the risks of inaction.

Abstract

The author of the article stresses that the invasion of Ukraine by Russia should not be underestimated or ignored, drawing a parallel to the underestimation of the Iraq war's consequences. The article underscores the gravity of the situation by pointing out Russia's nuclear capabilities and the immense military power at the disposal of its leader, Vladimir Putin. It reflects on the historical fear of Russia during the Cold War era, the author's personal connections to World War II veterans, and the current lack of understanding among Americans about the scale of destruction a military force like Russia's can inflict. The author also criticizes Putin's unprovoked aggression towards Ukraine, questioning his intentions and the potential for further expansion. The article concludes by urging awareness and unity among Americans, reminding readers of the sacrifices made during WWII and the need to support Ukraine without necessarily engaging in direct military conflict.

Opinions

The author believes that the situation in Ukraine is a significant concern that should not be overlooked, likening it to the mistaken complacency before the Iraq war.
There is a clear opinion that Russia, under Putin's leadership, poses a serious threat due to its military strength and nuclear arsenal.
The article conveys a personal perspective on the historical fear of Russia during the Cold War and the impact of World War II on the author's family, suggesting a deep understanding of the potential consequences of military conflict.
The author expresses skepticism about Putin's actions and rationale, labeling his claims about Ukraine as baseless and highlighting the absurdity of suggesting Ukraine is running a Nazi regime.
The author is critical of the potential inaction by the international community, particularly the United States, in the face of Putin's aggression, and questions whether the current generation is prepared to make sacrifices for the greater good as previous generations did.
Concern is raised about the economic impact of the conflict, including inflation, rising oil and grocery prices, and the cost of supporting Ukrainian forces.
The author ponders the potential for cyber warfare and the vulnerability of Europe to Russian oil dependency, indicating a broader range of consequences stemming from the conflict.
The article calls for unity and collective action, warning against division and inactivity, and emphasizing the power of a united front, much like the one during World War II.

Why You Need To Care About Ukraine

Pay close attention to this situation.

Author’s personal photo on a visit to WWB at Camp Lejeune

Remember how everyone thought that marching into Iraq would be no big deal? That turned out to be a great mistake. Let’s not repeat it, although this situation can in no way compare.

Russia isn’t Iraq. Russia has nuclear weapons and a maniacal lunatic pulling all the levers of power available to him. And they are considerable, Russia being ranked the second most powerful military machine in the world, behind only the United States.

It’s difficult for most Americans to comprehend the material damage and human suffering a military force the size of Russia’s is capable of inflicting. Neither do most Americans alive today understand the fear that was instilled in young children growing up in America in the 1960s. Drills were held regularly in my elementary school. We were made to hide under our desks in the event we were subjected to a nuclear attack at the hands of the Soviet Union. As if a child-size desk would protect us from nuclear bombs.

We were terrified of Russia. I, for one, have never forgotten how frightened I was, expecting to be bombed at any time. I didn’t understand exactly what this meant, but I did understand it was serious due to the fearful looks I observed adults exchanging whenever this subject came up.

I, as well as most of my classmates, friends, and cousins, was the child of a WWII veteran. Drafted as a teenager in college, my father and all of his brothers were drafted, oldest to youngest into the war to end all wars. Too bad that didn’t come to be.

It took me until I was a young adult to begin to comprehend the toll WWII had taken on my father and uncles. Even when I began to figure this out, I could never completely comprehend it. One thing that was clear, only those who witnessed the carnage and destruction truly could.

Author’s personal photo. My Uncle Joe, age 96, is my father’s younger brother. He is a DDay survivor. The only direct link to my father still living. The others are all gone.

Just as I can’t understand exactly what it was like for the hundreds of Marines I’ve met since I began serving as a volunteer and fundraiser for them in 2004. I saw some of the after-effects of the carnage, but I didn’t see it happen.

No one has tried anything as brazen as Vladimir Putin’s move into Ukraine since Hitler began chewing up smaller European countries while annihilating the Jewish population, upon invading Poland on September 1st, 1939. At least no one in Europe.

How can you attack another country with no provocation? Ukraine has done nothing to Russia and poses no threat to them. I was very skeptical when our country invaded Iraq. My skepticism turned out to be well-founded. At least Saddam Hussein was known to be a notorious, murderous dictator capable of vile atrocities against even his own people. I am not implying this was justification to invade Iraq, only that such knowledge probably made it easier to sell the invasion to the American people.

The point I’m trying to make is this is not the case concerning Ukraine. No one has intimated Ukraine is guilty of anything. Putin has suggested that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, who is Jewish, is running a Nazi regime. Zelensky has pointed out this is ludicrous. Ukraine lost 8 million people battling the Nazis. This makes no sense.

I asked my parents when I began studying world history in 5th grade why our country did nothing to intervene while millions of Jewish people were being murdered at the hands of Hitler. I remember the puzzled looks on their faces as they responded, “We didn’t know.” Meaning our country didn’t know. I doubt that, but my parents were young teenagers, they probably had no idea.

That’s not the case today. We know exactly what is going on. What a horrible dilemma. We must watch as this Russian dictator rolls over a smaller country that is no threat to him. Yet we dare not send our young men back into a war that will result in consequences too horrific to imagine. A situation that would make Iraq look like practice for the real thing.

Putin might be a murderous thug, but he isn’t an idiot, I don’t think. He knows better than to attack our country. I can’t help but wonder what his endgame is. Does he only want Ukraine? Or does he intend to begin picking off other smaller countries?

And what of the innocent civilian population of Ukraine? Where can they go? How can we help them without sending our military forces? I don’t know the answers to any of my endless questions. But make no mistake. We will pay a price for this action, literally. As we continue reeling from unrelenting inflation, watch out the next time you fill-up. And grocery prices? Ukraine is a huge exporter of wheat.

The weapons and military personnel we are sending to help bolster Ukrainian forces cost money. What will happen to the people of Europe who are much more dependent on Russian oil than we are? Will they hang tough, or pressure their leaders to cave to Putin?

What about Russia’s ability to wage cyber warfare? So many questions. And none of the answers will be forthcoming anytime soon.

Putin is probably counting on the fact that the majority of today’s population is far removed from those who fought and suffered through WWII. The majority of Americans have never known hardship, not in the way generations before have. I, however, am a student of history. I have personally seen my father's war prizes. I have a ration book my grandmother had during WWII.

Everyone suffered and sacrificed. Our country had been attacked by Japan, people were willing to do without. Everything went to the war effort. Civilian needs and desires took a backseat. Are Americans willing to sacrifice for Ukraine now? What if Putin continues moving west? Will we send our young men then? Time will tell.

Don’t ignore this situation. It will affect you and bring suffering. How much we don’t yet know. There is power in numbers. Let us not disagree and divide our country. People didn’t do that during WWII. We must remember that.

Author’s personal photo with my Uncle Joe