Americanism

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Americanism November

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

November is a great month with a couple of holidays one being Veterans Day and the other being Thanksgiving. This month’s Americanism focuses on a great American hero George S. Patton. 

George Patton was born on November 11, 1885 in a family with an extensive military lineage. Patton attended the Virginia Military Institute and West Point. He was a student of fencing and even competed in the 1912 summer Olympics in Sweden. Patton’s first combat action came in 1916 in the Pancho Villa expedition. This was the first campaign to use motorized vehicles for the American forces. George was later in the Tank Corps in WWI. George was skilled at leading motorized vehicles into war and wrote doctrine concerning the use of tanks in warfare. Rising through the ranks Patton served in numerous staff positions throughout our great nation. At the time of WWII he commanded the 2nd armored division. Patton led various campaigns throughout his storied career, Operation Torch, Allied invasion of Sicily and the Battle of the Bulge. Patton was known for his no “BS” position, he was very aggressive and was even removed from command for slapping some shell shocked officers. During the allied occupation of Germany Patton was named the military governor of Bavaria. This is where the trouble started he was removed from command for his disparaging remarks toward the Soviet Union. 

He command the US 15th Army for two months prior to a serious automobile accident that claimed his life in December 1945. 

Patton’s successes were often overshadowed by his public statements. He was a great man, great American and a skilled leader. He is a highly decorated war hero, with a passion for victory. 

Friends and fellow Elks our way of life has a very high price, often paid with blood, sweat and tears and sometimes with the ultimate sacrifice. May the good Lord bless you and keep you until we meet again. 

Fraternally,

Thomas Carns

Americanism Chair

DVP, SEC