If I am asked what we are fighting for, I can reply in two
sentences. In the first place, read more

If I am asked what we are fighting for, I can reply in two
sentences. In the first place, to fulfil a solemn international
obligation . . . an obligation of honor which no self-respecting
man could possibly have repudiated. I say, secondly, we are
fighting to vindicate the principle that small nationalities are
not to be crushed in defiance of international good faith at the
arbitrary will of a strong and overmastering Power.

It seems like such a terrible shame that innocent civilians have to get hurt in wars, otherwise combat would be read more

It seems like such a terrible shame that innocent civilians have to get hurt in wars, otherwise combat would be such a wonderfully healthy way to rid the human race of unneeded trash.

We will fight them in the air, land and sea, and their aggression
will achieve nothing but failure.

We will fight them in the air, land and sea, and their aggression
will achieve nothing but failure.

The history of those who shed those other tears, the history of those anonymous millions, is what Terkel wants readers read more

The history of those who shed those other tears, the history of those anonymous millions, is what Terkel wants readers and listeners to come away with. What's it like to be that goofy little soldier, scared stiff, with his bayonet aimed at Christ? What's it like to have been a woman in a defense-plant job during World War II? What's it like to be a kid at the front lines? It's all funny and tragic at the same time.

Everyone's a pacifist between wars. It's like being a vegetarian between meals.

Everyone's a pacifist between wars. It's like being a vegetarian between meals.

Waging war we understand, but not waging peace, or at any rate less consciously so.

Waging war we understand, but not waging peace, or at any rate less consciously so.

Never advise anyone to go to war or to get married.

Never advise anyone to go to war or to get married.

O great corrector of enormous times,
Shaker of o'er-rank states, thou grand decider
Of dusty and old read more

O great corrector of enormous times,
Shaker of o'er-rank states, thou grand decider
Of dusty and old titles, that healest with blood
The earth when it is sick, and curest the world
O' the pleurisy of people.

War paralyzes your courage and deadens the spirit of true manhood.

War paralyzes your courage and deadens the spirit of true manhood.