Remembering war's painful lessons

People often ask me if our tax dollars might be better spent on the environment, health care, and education rather than on defense. This is a valid question and I will take this opportunity to respond.

First, I want to point out that my colleagues and I are very concerned about social and environmental issues. Federal spending on labor, health, human services, and education has increased steadily growing by 43.8 percent during the past five years. Meanwhile, funding for the Department of Interior's varied environmental programs have also increased by 15 percent during that same period.

Having said that, I cannot close my eyes to other dangers on our planet. There are nations and organizations that are a threat to us. We should and must be prepared to prevent them from hurting our people and harming our nation.

Unlike what many would like to believe, the world is more dangerous and unstable now than it was during the Cold War. The end of the Cold War has led to an increase in factions and extremists whose actions are unpredictable. Complicating matters is the nature of America's changing relations with a host of foreign countries, and the political and economic situation within those countries. Also, other threats have emerged: the spread of ballistic-missile technology, terrorism, international narcotics, organized crime, and information warfare.

This is not simply propaganda to boost military spending. History has taught us that peace is not secured by laying down our arms and asking for it politely and diplomatically Strength, readiness, and might still make the difference. We prevent war by preparing for war.

We were not prepared Dec. 7, 1941, when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and propelled the nation into World War II. More than 405,000 Americans died in that war.

On June 25, 1950, we were also woefully unprepared when America sent troops to Korea. If we had been prepared for war, I am certain the North Koreans and the Chinese would have thought twice before crossing the 38th Parallel. Sadly the Korean conflict left nearly 37,000 Americans dead.

I have seen first hand the horror and gore of war. War is about death, sorrow and lost dreams. After what I have seen and experienced, it must be our last and only resort. For this reason, through my service as a U.S. senator, I have strived to use everything at my disposal to prevent war.

I firmly believe that the best way to prevent war is to maintain our strong, effective and capable defense. The message we send to anyone interested in challenging our strength and our conviction is-don't even think about it. This is a powerful deterrent. Furthermore, in the unfortunate event that an armed conflict does occur, a strong defense system has proven capable of bringing the conflict to a quick end.

This is not a cheap proposition. It costs money to maintain our armed forces. But I believe it is a wise investment that we should increase. The truth is we haven't.

We spend less on defense than we did 15 years ago. Military spending currently is 2.7 percent of our Gross National Product, whereas it was 6 percent in 1986.

On Memorial Day I visited Pearl Harbor and paid my respects on the USS Arizona to those who died in December 1941. As I stood on that sacred spot, I was overwhelmed by a flood of memories about that fateful day 59 years ago.

It is especially during these moments that I reflect upon those who believe we spend too much on defense. Is preventing war too much? Is saving lives too much? Is preserving democracy too much?

I pray that we will never forget their valor, and the valor of all who followed. I pray that we will do justice to their memory and do all we can to ensure that their supreme sacrifice was not made in vain. I pray the United States of America will never let down its guard or forget its painful lessons of war

By U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawaii

The author is on the Senate Appropriations Committee. He recently received the Medal of Honor-the nation's highest award for valor-- for actions in Italy during World War II.

Copyright National Guard Association of the United States Jul 2000
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