[backtothestreets]

Good observation. Another truth, most Americans will no voluntarily fight in defense of their country, hence many men fighting in WWII were draftees, not enlistees. Of the enlistees, many signed on together with friends and relatives to serve together. There was good reason why they fought as though they really knew the fellow next to them. Often they did.

As for the flag raising itself, it was not recreated for photographic or propaganda purposes. A flag had been raised before Joe Rosenthal arrived on the summit of Mount Suribachi, but the flag was being replaced by another flag on a stronger pole at the time he arrived, and it was that moment he captured on film.

Also, the USA was not in grave threat of going bankrupt prior to the bond support activities of the three surviving members of the flag raising. The bond effort was as much a part of the overall war effort as was serving in the military, working in our factories, rationing our resources, or holding a community drive to collect paper, rubber, tin, and other commodities.

What is not nonsense is keeping the citizens locked into the fight on the home-front, and this the bond drive accomplished. It's a major element lacking in our war efforts today. It was instrumental in binding together the men serving on the front lines with his fellow citizens at home.

A sidenote on the draft: The high school graduation rates of our male population was at its peak when the draft was in place. Whatever perspective one holds of the draft, while it was in place the male population had reason to achieve higher performance in school. The alternative was often front line duty in units heavily prone to casualties.

[ansel12]

You keep writing, I'll keep reading, it sounds like you've put some thought into those times.

[LS]

I don't have the numbers handy on drafees vs. volunteers in WW II, but what you say doesn't jibe with Vietnam, where 63% of those who served were volunteers.

[truth_seeker]

"Another truth, most Americans will no voluntarily fight in defense of their country, hence many men fighting in WWII were draftees, not enlistees."

Many men fighting in the Civil war, in WWII, in Korea, in Vietnam were draftees.

I was drafted, and served.

A buddy of mine, also drafted, decided to be a gung-ho soldier since it could be a life-and-death issue. He died after 11 months in Vietnam. Helicopter doorgunner-he volunteered.

Another friend, about to be drafted simply volunteered for the draft. It allowed him to pick the time of entry, a little. He retired in 2003 as a Lt. General with 37 yrs. service in combat arms.

I think no less of the first for his service coming as a draftee. I think the General might agree with me, too.