A Riddle & A Reason - Part I

For those who enjoy a good riddle.

Our soldiers embarked on a plan of sabotage: creating road blocks, destroying bridges, and using hit-and-run tactics as they began to fight their unwanted foe. Destroying certain elements of a homeland in an effort to bring freedom to it seemed ludicrous, almost insane, but it was the only way they could envision obtaining freedom for these people. And besides, they were under orders.

Little by little the enemy was forced to slow their advance until they could no longer make progress. Those who remained loyal to the old regime were systematically being destroyed or captured by our men. Within a very short period of time the Americans had the enemy at a standstill. Although we initially became the aggressors in this cause, a coalition of forces joined our ranks and a combined effort was now underway as our soldiers sought to bring democracy to a people that needed their help.

Soon there would also be the involvement of local citizens who were recruited and trained to fight along side our men. They were willing to join as it was their freedom they were fighting for. Inexperience was witnessed throughout several campaigns but the cause for which men fought became the fuel that kept them unified and dedicated to a common goal. Democracy was the dream that many were hoping would come to this land.

There were times when the battles seemed impossible to win. It was thought that only 40 to 45 percent of American citizens were behind this war for freedom. However, our soldiers never lost spirit. Insurgents came into play as an estimated 30,000 combatants arrived from nearby countries and took up arms in loyal service to our enemy.

We made mistakes such as not protecting well enough our soldiers who arrived with inferior methods for fighting such a war. Many of the commanders, although experienced in battle, were not completely ready for this immense undertaking. Battles were not being fought on an open battlefield but rather city by city and throughout the countryside. Many Americans died while we learned to adapt and attempt to reduce our potential for losses as the war continued on.

We fought fearlessly and didn’t give up hope. Our goal was to stay the course until we had won and delivered democracy to these people. Our methods got better, our soldiers became safer and eventually we began to defeat overwhelming odds. Even though coalition allies were fewer in number than our own army, we appreciated every soldier who stood by our side. The hope was that one day the efforts of this war would meet a basic human need that is born into the hearts of all men and women. Hopefully there would be a new nation with a people that could practice freely the power to control their own destiny. Countries run by kings and dictators give that freedom to only one person, themselves. This was a battle to even the score for the citizens of a new world.

The day came not long into this conflict, when a small group of soldiers, sailors, and citizens decided it was time to further their cause. Just a few days prior, there had been a public declaration of freedom and independence for the country they now occupied. In the middle of one of it’s largest cities stood a statue of the man they had come to despise. Weighing over 4000 pounds and depicting his likeness, this giant form had towered for years over an oppressed people. On this day, it would be pulled down and destroyed. This act would further solidify the bond between the Americans, their allies, and the citizen soldiers who fought together, all in spite of those who apposed this kind of action.

And last but not least, coming into play was an element of religious fanaticism. You see this was a country with a strong faction of its citizens committed to ancient religious convictions that went back thousands of years. These were men and women who took seriously their daily duty to obey a higher power and practice its influence. These citizens had actually rooted their society in their religious beliefs and it was central to their existence. For that reason, there was much debate as to whether or not they could even separate their religion from the establishment of a new government. Many saw it as an arduous undertaking and one that they could not win. Again, nothing was going to stop these people from their pursuit for freedom, democracy and the power to control their destiny.

Your challenge:
The story I've written above is an actual account. Can you figure out what war it was or is?
Soon I’ll post the answer along with my political commentary on current affairs
in America and our world.

Please leave your best guess by clicking on the “Comments” button. Also feel free to forward this particular posting to any American Soldiers you know.

JL