KY Gov. Bevin declares April 6 WWI Centennial Day

KSVS 12 ^ | 4/6/17 | Steve Pobst

[fungoking]

Governor Bevin has designated April 6, 2017 as World War I Centennial Day in Kentucky.

One hundred years ago the U.S. declared war against Germany's Imperial Army to enter WWI.

The proclamation officially begins more than two years of events to commemorate the Great War and the thousands of Kentuckians who sacrificed to help bring the war to an end.

"The Kentuckians who bravely fought to protect and defend the fate of the free world during World War I may no longer be with us, but the legacy they left behind cannot be forgotten," said Gov. Bevin. "We are thankful for their sacrifice, and proudly honor their memory."

Kentucky was one of only 16 World War I encampments, Camp Zachary Taylor in Louisville, where more than 150,000 men were trained for service in WWI.

Two men with Kentucky backgrounds were awarded the Medal of Honor for valorous service in WWI: Captain Samuel Woodfall and Sergeant Willie Sandlin of Buckhorn, Ky.

At least six men from Kentucky served in the legendary U.S. Army unit nicknamed the Harlem Hellfighters and were awarded the Croix de Guerre by the Government of France for valorous service in World War I: Private Bert Beckham, Private Robert Wooten, Private Bradley Logan and Private Ionia Harris, all of Shelbyville, Private Leonard Todd of Finchville, and Private John Ray Carter of Anderson County.

[fungoking]

In 1916 Woodrow Wilson ran one of the most dishonest political campaigns in history. Having only been elected by the Republicans splitting their vote between T. Roosevelt and Taft in 1912, Wilson feared that the voters would turn to the republicans if they believed that the United States would be joining the war.

So, Wilson campaigned as the peace candidate with his famous “He kept us out of war” slogan, even though he believed there was no way out of US involvement. The best he could hope for was to delay US entry until after his reelection. One month after he took the oath of office (before the 20th Amendment changed the term from March 4 to January 20) Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany.

Some historians maintain that by delaying US entry into the war for his own political interest, Wilson delayed the end of the war. They argue that this extension led to the deaths of tens of thousands of French, American, British, and German (and other nations) young men who otherwise would not have been in combat had Wilson acted in 1916 when he knew US entry was inevitable.

So why does history give Wilson a pass? My best guess; he was a democrat and became a hero to liberal historians for his domestic policies, just like the present mess in Libya, Syria, etc.

[NRx]

Wilson was hands down the worst president in US history. And our entry into a war that was none of our business was our worst, and most tragic foreign policy mistake.