The broadening of honor and recognition of local residents on the granite monument in the Veterans Memorial Park to include all who served in the military was most appropriate. A call to duty and sacrifice in support of America first came during the Revolutionary War and has occurred many times during the past two centuries of Bethlehem history. 

Below is a list of military engagements from America's past with statements in quotes, i.e. echoes of history, that reveal the passion and ideology of the time. Together, they summarize the military history of our country.

Take time to reflect on this list and renew your appreciation of the foresight of our American leaders and the sacrifice of our soldiers who answered the call to duty.  

Military Engagements and Echoes of History

Revolutionary War
1775-1783

Engagement with British started June 17, 1775 in Charlestown, MA. In 1783 Britain recognized its former colonies as an independent nation 

"That among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"

"I regret that I have but one life to give for my country" 

"Give me liberty or give me death"

"War of Independence" 

"Paul Revere's Ride" 

"Bunker Hill" 

"These are the times that try men souls"

"One, if by land, two, if by sea" 

"I have not yet begun to fight" 

"A Republic, madam, if you can hold on to it!"

War of 1812
1812-1815 

U.S. declared war with Britain in 1812 over the matter of impressments (seizure of American seamen for service in British Navy). War ended after battle of New Orleans in 1815, even though a peace treaty had been signed. 

"Don’t give up the ship!"

"Mr. Madison's War"

"Second War of Independence"

"We have met the enemy and they are ours"

Indian Wars of the 19th Century 

Conflicts resulted from U.S. policy, after War of 1812, to force the relocation of Indians to territory west of the Mississippi. During 1840s to 1880s, U.S. seized control of the Indian Territory to clear a route to the west. The reservation system established during this period. 

"Indian Removal Act of 1830" 

"Little Big Horn"

"Wounded Knee Creek" 

"Custer’s Last Stand"

Mexican War
1846-1848 

Texas Rebellion of 1835-36 led to establishment of the independent Republic of Texas. Annexation of Texas by U.S. in 1845 led to war with Mexico. 

"You can go to hell – I’m going to Texas!"

"Remember the Alamo" 

"Chapultapec"

Civil War
1861-1865 

April 12, 1861, Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter. May 26, 1865, the Confederate army surrendered. 600,000 fatalities Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves. 

"Government of the people, by the people, for the people"

"Gettysburg Address" 

"Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"

"Slavery" 

"No other terms than unconditional and immediate surrender"

"War is Hell"

"It is well that war is so terrible, or we should grow too fond of it"

Spanish American War
1898 

War with Spain started due to Cuban struggle for independence, the sinking of the ship Maine, and American imperialism. The Philippines were invaded and ceded to U.S. who paid the Spanish $20 million. 

"Remember the Maine"

"Manifest Destiny" 

"San Juan Hill"

Filipino Insurrection
1899-1902 

Started when a U.S. sentry shot a Filipino soldier and a bloody war ensued. 120,000 U.S. troops involved. 

"First War for Humanity"

World War I
1917-1918 

U.S. declared war on April 6, 1917 and sent troops into battle raging in Europe since 1914. Armistice was declared November 11, 1918. 

"The world must be made safe for democracy"

"Lusitania"

"Doughboy"

World War II
1941-1945 

A Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 brought the U.S. to war in a conflict that started in Europe in 1939. The war ended on September 2, 1945. 

"Older men declare war. But it is youth that must fight and die"

"Pearl Harbor"

"A day of infamy"

"Battle of the Bulge"

"We will accept nothing less than full victory!"

"Rosie, the Riveter" 

"Take her down!"

"I shall return"

Korean War
1950 - 1953 

U.S. troops, under the banner of the United Nations, joined in defending South Korea against an invasion of communist forces in the north, later supported by China. 

"38th parallel" 

"Old Soldiers Never Die"

Vietnam War
1957-1973 

North Vietnam, a communist regime, attacked two American torpedo boats in the Gulf of Tonkin in August 1964. By 1969, 543,000 U.S. troops were involved. By 1975, all of Vietnam was under Communist control. 

"We went; we didn’t ask why; our country called; and we were proud"

"Domino Theory"

"Lest we forget…"

"Hanoi Hilton" 

"Search and destroy; clear and hold"

Grenada
1983 

As part of an effort to reverse the tide of Marxist revolution in Central America and the Caribbean, the U.S. invaded the island of Grenada, after Marxist rebels overthrew the government.

Panama Invasion
1989 

On December 20, 1989, U.S. troops invaded Panama to arrest General Noriega on drug charges, restore democracy, and protect American lives. The conflict lasted only for days. U.S. troops numbered 27,000, the largest military operation since Viet Nam.

Cold War
1945-1991 

From the mid-1940’s to the early 1990’s, the US and its allies were in an ideological conflict with the USSR and its allies. It ended with the collapse of Communist regimes in Eastern Europe and the reunification of Germany. In 1991 the USSR dissolved Russia and other Soviet republics emerged as independent states. 

"We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship. 

"Arms Race"

"Cuban Missile Crisis" 

"Berlin Wall" 

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall"

Persian Gulf War
1991 

Iraq invaded Kuwait in August, 1990. An international coalition of forces, led by the US, drove Iraqis from Kuwait during fighting in January and February of 1991. 

"Desert Storm"

"Stealth Bomber"

Somalia
1992 - 1995 

As part of a United Nations mission to distribute food to a war-ravaged nation, the U S sent a contingent of Marines to Magadushi in February 1992. They were withdrawn in March 1994, after 30 were killed and 175 wounded. Troops returned in February 1995 to cover the departure of a United Nations peacekeeping force.

September 11, 2001 

"Another day of infamy"

"Enduring freedom" 

"Whether we bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to our enemies"