To some of those who replied to “MUST BE THE TEACHER,” particularly Uncle Sam…here’s a news flash: The United States did NOT win the war(s): Neither W.W.I or W.W.II…the ALLIES won those wars, and that means, Americans, Canadians, Australians, the British, the French Resistance, and a whole bunch of other folks. It is said that the Russians lost more men in W.W.II than all other combatants combined. Tell the families of those soldiers that America won the war.<BR><BR>In addition, millions of European soldiers had died in both wars before America even became involved. After W.W.II, while America pumped billions of $ to rebuild both Japan and Germany, the Brits were still on meat rations until well into the ‘50’s, surely wondering where their friends, who were more than willing to use their capital as a base of operations, had gone to.<BR><BR>I once heard a old, French gentleman say, “The Americans; what great soldiers! It’s too bad they make it to every war two years too late…”<BR><BR>I’m an American and proud of it on many levels and for many reasons. But when the Americans hit the European beaches in W.W.I they called out, “Lafayette, we are here!” because America had promised that someday we’d return the enormous favor to the French for coming to our fledgling nation’s aid in the War for Independence.<BR><BR>It is this whole, “America saved the world,” song and dance that boils below the surface of a lot of the negative feedback that a few Americans get while traveling in Europe and the rest of the world. In the future, stow your attitude in your old kit bag and shut up.<BR>

I've seen this before. Go away.

I haven't seen it before, and I rather like it...there's lots of repeating done on this page every day, what's your problem,Haven't? Strike a nerve, did it?

...And the Allies didn't do squat til the U.S. came into both wars. Thanks to us you aren't walking around in jackboots, eating schnitzel and drinking sake.

Yo, Dude...don't try and imitate the real Uncle Sam!<BR><BR>Find your own fake moniker...now!!

This is a travel board not a soap box.

Sure, Buzz. Everyone helped, but the simple historical fact is that the Allies would not have prevailed without (initially) the supplies and (finally) the men provided by the US. I suppose one could argue that the US couldn't have done it alone either, but it's a moot point as that just wasn't the situation we all found ourselves in.<BR><BR>Yes, the Russians and others suffered apalling losses, but to paraphrase Patton (remember him?) the object of war is not to die for one's country but to make sure the other guy dies for his. One can't judge the value of a country's contribution to winning the war by counting headstones.<BR><BR>And it would be good to remember that the French had their own selfish reasons for helping the US in our war of independence, just as we had our own selfish reasons - along with some altruistic ones - for helping Europe in WWs I and II.<BR><BR>So no, I won't bring along any attitude when I travel in Europe (that's a travel comment, just in case the self-appointed Fodors purity police didn't catch it) - never have - but neither will I use revisionist history to minimize what this country has done and continues to do to ensure that Europeans and others live in freedom.

Mike,<BR><BR>And all the people said..."Amen"!!!

Right, Mike, like there are 1500 British soldiers going to Afghanistan now to take care of what the US army can't/doesn't think would be politically expedient/ to do.

I am glad to see an American write this. I have heard several Americans say "You'd be speaking German if it wasn't for us." And I was surprised that this seemed to be such a common sentiment. Even on this website that was someone's response to a rude stewardess on Air France. I am glad that those WWII statements aren't every American's come back for every situation. <BR>Lots of people lost their lives in both wars, not just Americans. And I'm sure as someone said, the Americans couldn't have one the war by themselves. Also, many countries joined the war that were not directly in the lines of attack, and could potentially have decided to sit it out. I'm sure everyone (positively affected) by the allies winning the war are eternally grateful to all those who fought, but I don't think it is something that should be rubbed in peoples faces.

I'm reminded of that Monty Python ( has new meaning after the movie Full Monty ) skit - "who else doesn't want to march back and forth across the square - back and forth..." every time one of these military braggart threads appear. Yawn.<BR>And while we're at it - the WWII memorial shouldn't be built on the Mall - it belongs in Arlington. But of course not as many people would see it - and that's what it's really all about. <BR>

Anon,<BR><BR>Given that the WWII vets saved the world, they can put the memorial anywhere they want...and it is ABOUT honoring them...the greatest generation!<BR><BR>Uncle Sam

Fed, the Brits are wonderful people, our closest allies, and staunchest supporters in the current war on terrorism. Their commitment to operations in Afghanistan has been outstanding. I would never think or say anything to disparage the value of their contributions, nor my appreciation for them.<BR><BR>That said, if you truly think that they are headed to Afghanistan to "take care" of something the US is unwilling to do, you are sadly mistaken - they are part of operations that are led and directed by the US, whether overtly or covertly. And if you truly think that they are headed to Afghanistan to "take care" of something the US military "can't" do - as in "is unable to do militarily" - you are either having sport with us all or are delusional.

I found it very funny during the Gulf War, reading the U.S. papers online while I was living in the UK, and then opening up the British papers. The US papers would talk about a certain battle, etc., and give the details. The British papers would invaribly have huge headlines "BRITISH LEAD ATTACK IN IRAQ". Didn't matter if there was one Brit fighting or 200, they always lead the attack somehow.<BR><BR>My wife grew up in England, and she said that it wasn't until she was about 16 and started reading history books on her own that she had any clue that Americans were even involved in WWII. She said her school books didn't really mention the U.S., and put full emphasis on the fact that England won the war. And apparently, when Brits say "the war", we're all supposed to assume they mean WWII. Guess there have never been any other wars.

That's odd... I remember as a child our Sunday afternoon TV schedule on the BBC seemed always to be showing an American World War Two movie... and my brother and his friends used to enjoy playing at American soldiers so in my world everyone was aware of the American involvement in WWII.

Mike: The Brits are your closest allies? Hmmm, have you forgotten your neighbours to the North? Just like your president when he was thanking the world after 9/11. News flash, we are not an extended part of your country. We are a separate nation. And no, we do not all live in igloos.<BR><BR>Here's a thought: The US did not get involved in WWII until Pearl Harbour was attacked. "What if" that never happened.

what does this have to do with travelling anyways?

Hey Canadian<BR><BR>We had been shipping Britian war material for a couple of years before Pearl Harbor.<BR><BR>Damn, I thought you guys were part of the USA, oh well.<BR><BR>You know what????? You should be part of the USA considering our nukes, "that we pay for", protect your smug butts. Maybe you should just pay us protection money.<BR><BR>See ya later neighbor

Canadian - You are correct, my friend, and I most humbly offer my apology. The original discussion centered on the European theater in WWII and I was thinking "over there" when I wrote my earlier message - that's not an excuse, just an explanation. Canada and the US share the longest undefended border in the world and we can both be proud of that. I have been fortunate to travel extensively (XXX, are you paying attention?) in your beautiful country, which parenthetically has resulted in a modest but proudly displayed collection of Inuit art in my home, and I know full well that you are neither an extension of the US nor populated by solely by Eskimos (yes, I do know that's not a proper term) and hockey players.<BR><BR>In response to the hypothetical you posed, my own guess is that developing events would soon have drawn the US into conflict with the Axis powers regardless of the Pearl Harbor attack, which admittedly did accelerate the process.<BR>

American: whatever......<BR><BR>Mike: Have you been up North?