Town Hall Meeting with Senator Grassley (2013)

It was snowing as I bundled into my coat, grabbed a notebook and pen, and bit into a slice of bread.  Papa and I climbed into our car and were greeted by slippery, muddy gravel roads guarded by ditches faintly reminiscent of the grand canyon--or at least the Valley of the Shadow of Death in Pilgrim's Progress. We finally reached the blacktop, which though slushy, was not nearly as slippery.

We arrived at the Eldora city hall with a few minutes to spare.  When Senator Grassley arrived, there were about 6 people.  We were warmly greeted, and in the last few minutes a stream of people poured in; including late-comers, there were over 30 people.  

Senator Grassley opened the question and answer session.

The first remarks came from a man who thanked the senator for voting against the Manchin-Toomey Amendment (Firearms Bill).  

His concern was illegal immigration.  His daughter-in-law immigrated to the country legally--though the process was difficult--and he wanted illegal immigrants to be deported.  The senator replied that he also had a daughter-in-law who immigrated to the United States from Korea, and he believed the border should be protected.

Someone asked why Senator Grassley voted against the Firearms Bill.  Senator Grassley explained it was because he didn't like the idea of gun registration because registration often leads to confiscation. There were questions about background checks and about information in the databases.  Grassley explained they were looking for balance between security (ensuring guns don't get into the wrong hands) and privacy.  The senator was adamant on protecting Second Amendment rights.

The next topic was road infrastructure.  Our road conditions, it was stated, rate from C to F.  The city of Eldora needs funds to help their roads, and they cannot get all the money they need.  Senator Grassley replied that infrastructure would most likely not come up until the next highway bill.  For a funding increase, there would have to be a consensus on increasing the gas tax.  As a result of the 2010 election, earmarks are "out."  Before then, the senator stated, he could have submitted the request to the appropriations committee, but now the money goes to the states to appropriate.

A Meals-on-Wheels delivery man was next.  He heard that funds for the program would be cut because of the sequester, and he didn't like that. 

 Then there was a man who was concerned about voter fraud.

Next, someone asked why the debt is so high.  He said he balanced his own budget and thought the government should do the same.  Senator Grassley told the man he advocated the Balanced Budget Amendment.  

The next speaker remarked that he liked how Grassley is always on time, and suggested the senator should give a seminar on timeliness to other politicians.  There was laughter across the room; most politicians are late.  Then, admitting he wasn't sure it was safe to say this so far from the door, he related that when a NBA player announced his homosexuality, President Obama called to congratulate him.  This could be expected from Democrats, but now Republicans are starting to embrace homosexuality, with former Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan most recently advocating the "right" of homosexuals to adopt children.  Why are Republicans moving left now, and if they continue, how should conservatives vote?  I could hear an "Amen" and general agreement throughout the small group.  The senator responded with a caution to those who took the stand against homosexuality to be careful to love everyone, and said people with these beliefs may be forced to form a third party if the Republicans continue in this direction.

Another man stated that he recently read an editorial saying that an official in the armed forces has said evangelical Christians in the armed forces could be dishonorably discharged.  He asked the senator to read the editorial and check its veracity.  He also asked why there seems to be no toleration for Christians.  His daughter is homosexual, he said.  But if he says anything against that lifestyle, he is criticized as a homophobe, etc.  "Why is the government trying to zip our mouths shut?" he asked.  Senator Grassley said he has heard many anecdotes about intolerance against Christians, and sometimes there seems to be more intolerance against Christianity than against other religions.  He said that in accordance with the Constitution, Congress shouldn't make any laws establishing religion, but he also noted that it seems Christians often don't stand up enough for what they believe.

The next member of the audience to speak was an elderly man who wished to comment on religion in this country.  He said he was in the Navy in 1945.  On Sunday mornings, he said, everyone went to church. When it was mealtime, everyone ate.  He remembered one time when he didn't feel like eating.  He was found in the barracks and ordered to go eat or go to the sickbay.  He went to the sickbay.  Just like everyone had to eat meals, everyone had to go to church.  After the story, the man asked about the changes to Medicare with Obamacare.

Then there was someone wanting more money from the government for small towns and small businesses.

Healthcare was the next topic.  A lady who works at a clinic told how the new mandatory electronic records are expensive.  She said that insurance premiums are skyrocketing, especially for independent people who buy their own insurance.  Deductibles are often so high that people don't want to go to the doctor even if they have insurance.  The senator explained how all insurance plans will have to fit into Obamacare.

My notes

A teacher spoke next.  He said he was planning to bring his students, but school was cancelled because of the storm.  He said that the most common sentiment his students expressed was frustration because Congress is often in deadlock and the two sides have trouble compromising.  The senator offered to Skype with the class later, and said the solution to this would be a "long answer."  Congress represents the people, he explained, and the grassroots are very polarized.  Years ago, he said, 80% of the people got their news from the 3 major networks.  Now only 20% do.  The rest of the people listen to extreme conservative talk shows or extreme liberal talk shows, Fox or MSNBC, or the internet, so they are very divided on their opinions.  Congress reflects this.

There was more discussion about immigration.  Senator Grassley held up an 844 page book; it was the senate bill about immigration that he had to read that week.  He also said there were 23 more pages of amendments which added another zero to the cost, raising the price from an hundred million to a billion.  He again emphasized the need to secure the border.  A member of the audience said the border should have been secured a long time ago, and how would the border be judged as secure?  The senator replied that if 90% of those who tried to cross the border turned back or were apprehended, it would be considered secure. There was discussion on drones and fences.  Someone commented that we are all descendants of immigrants if our ancestors hadn’t crossed the Bering Strait; the legal immigration process was much too hard now and should be easier.

A chance was given for the press to ask questions.  Laura Smith of the Times Citizen asked the senator to comment on the situation with North Korea.  Senator Grassley said what we needed to know was if the young dictator was trying to act tough to impress his military leaders or if he really wanted to start a war.  North Korea's  nuclear capability is improving, he said.  "What precautions should the government take?" Ms. Smith asked.  The senator responded that precautions had already been taken by sending reinforcements to that area.  

Senator Grassley had to leave for meetings in other towns.  He shook hands with various supporters and made his way for the door.  We left, driving through treacherous roads toward home.  

It was interesting to listen to my neighbors' concerns and Senator Grassley's responses.  The problems today are quite troubling. 

 I left with the impression that Grassley firmly supports the second amendment and a balanced budget and even if I don't agree with him on everything, he genuinely wants to represent his constituents--and does a good job at it.  

I Will See God

In Job 19:25-27, Job says, "I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another..."

Job suffered greatly.  He lost his fortune; he lost his children; he lost his health.  Yet he had this hope, "I will see God!"  James 5:11 says, "Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."  God rescued Job from his troubles and gave him twice as much as he previously had.

Things may not always go well for you in this life, but remember this, you will see God.  Live so that on the day you see Him, your heart will fill with joy.  Live so that He will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."  

In Romans 8:18, Paul says, "I reckon the the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."  Everything may not seem to go well; someday we may die, but we have a hope that is steadfast and sure: our Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ.  Nothing on this earth can  be compared with His gift of eternal life.  Nothing on earth can separate us from His love.

My prayer for today is, "Lord Jesus, give us the strength to trust you fully and completely.  Give us the joy of your Holy Spirit, and help us to have the faith to know that someday we will see you in your glory."

I know I will see God.  The world may be hopeless and confused, but I will see Jesus and everything will be all right.

My Lamp

"Thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.  For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall."  --2 Samuel 22:29-30

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  --Psalm 119:105

In Isaiah 42:16, God promises, "I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known:  I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight.  These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them."  

2 Corinthians 4:4 tells us that "the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."  Before I was saved, I was spiritually blind.  [But] "God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

God wants to take our confusion, our fears, and the darkness of death that surrounds us, and fill our hearts with his glorious light, peace, and joy.  He is the good shepherd.  He wants to lead us in straight paths.  We must read His word, the Bible, the roadmap to life.  He is the light of the world.

Truth is often obfuscated in our time, but He is the way, the truth and the life.  Christ is omniscient and omnipotent.  And Jesus promised, "whosoever followeth after me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life."

Let us pray as the psalmist prayed, "O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles."  (Psalm 43:2)  

Jesus Christ is our Lamp and our Hope in a dark world.

What I Learned From Westerns: Gun Control

Movies, shows, and books are created with a purpose.  The screenwriter/author wants to get a point across, and while you may be watching/reading just for entertainment, the screenwriter is trying to give you a message--perhaps good, perhaps bad.

One recurring message I've noticed in old Westerns is about the dangers of gun control.

The Rifleman: The Anvil Chorus
     This show demonstrates that although gun control may be first instituted with good intentions, people with bad intentions can quickly use the situation for their own good.

"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms...disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes...Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man."  --Cesare Beccaria (Crimes and Punishment)

Wanted Dead or Alive: The Tyrant

"One of the ordinary modes, by which tyrants accomplish their purposes without resistance, is, by disarming the people, and making it an offense to keep arms."  --Joseph Story, 1840

"To disarm the people... was the best and most effectual way to enslave them."  --George Mason

"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined."  --Patrick Henry

 In most towns in the old Westerns where gun control was enforced, it was enforced because a gang was in power and they were afraid an armed populace would take away their power: see also Black Saddle: Client Travers and (Part 2)

Throughout history when wicked men who want to enslave the populace and enjoy complete power are in authority, they do institute gun control.  For example, Nazi Germany under Hitler instituted the 1938 German Weapons Act.  

I could go on about the importance of the Second Amendment and man's inherent right to self-defence, but this post is mainly for the benefit of those who already acknowledge these rights.  As we approach another anniversary of the "Shot heard Round the World" fired at Lexington green in resistance to the British attempt to confiscate arms from Americans, I thought it was great to see a few shows from back in the good old days when propaganda went the other way.

In closing, enjoy this Glock commercial.  With an armed populace, criminals don't appear to stand much of a chance.

"Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom."-- John F. Kennedy

Wilbur and Orville Wright

"Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible," Lord Kelvin, President of the Royal Society announced in 1895.  Charles Duell, Commissioner for the US Office of Patents, stated in 1899, "Everything that can be invented has been invented."  Perhaps he had forgotten that in the first century A.D. Julius Frontinus had said the same thing: "Inventions reached their limit long ago, and I see no hope for further development."

Even Wilbur Wright in 1908 admitted, "I confess that in 1901, I said to my brother Orville that man would not fly for fifty years...Ever since, I have distrusted myself and avoided all predictions.".

Wilbur Wright was born 146 years ago today--on April 16, 1867--in Indiana.  Orville was born in 1871.  Neither received high school diplomas: Wilbur did not get his after 4 years of high school because of a sudden move, and Orville dropped out of school after his junior year to start a printing business in 1889.  He and Wilbur had designed and built their own printing press.  They started a weekly newspaper called The West Side News in Dayton, Ohio.  Orville was listed as the publisher and Wilbur as the editor.  In 1890 the paper became a daily, The Evening Item, but this lasted for only 4 months, and the Wrights shifted their focus toward commercial printing.

In 1892, they opened a bicycle repair and sales shop, and in 1896 they began manufacturing their own brand of bicycles. They used their earnings from these endeavors to fund their interest in flight.  They paid close attention to the research of Otto Lilienthal of Germany, who experimented with gliders until his death in a glider crash in August of 1896.  They read and studied all they could about the experiments of other inventors in the aeronautical field.  The death of another inventor, Percy Pilcher, in a hang-gliding crash reinforced their views that a reliable method of pilot control was the key to success.

In 1900, the brothers journeyed to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina to begin their experiments.  Their first experiments focused on the glider.  They made wind-tunnel tests with over 200 types of wings, and gradually worked to improve glider design.  They also discovered the true purpose of a movable vertical rudder, and developed three-axis control with wing-warping for roll (lateral motion), forward elevation for pitch (up and down) and rear rudder for yaw (side to side).

In 1903, the powered Wright Flyer 1 was built with spruce, muslin for wing coverings, wooden propellers, and a gasoline engine developed in their bicycle shop.  The propeller drive chains were supplied by a manufacturer of heavy-duty automobile chain-drives.  The Flyer had a 40.3 foot wingspan and weighed 605 pounds; it's engine was 12 horsepower  and weighed 180 pounds.  In all, the Flyer cost less than a thousand dollars (in contrast with the more than $50,000 the U.S. Government gave to Samuel Langley to develop his unsuccessful man-carrying powered flight machine the "Great Aerodrome.")

The brothers suffered from delays because of broken propellers, the engine stalling, and various difficulties.  Finally, on December 17th, Orville made the first controlled, powered, and sustained heavier-than-air human flight of 120 feet in 12 seconds.  Two more flights were made the same day of 175 feet (Wilbur) and 300 feet (Orville) at about 10 feet above the ground.  In the last flight of the day, Wilbur covered 852 feet in about 59 seconds before the plane hit the ground with minor damage.  However, later in the day it was whipped severely by the wind, damaged, and never flew again.  Five men witnessed the flights, but the flights did not generate public excitement.  The Dayton Journal at first even refused to publish the story.  

In 1904, they built the second Wright Flyer and continued their experiments at an airfield they set up at Huffman Prairie, a cow pasture about 8 miles from Dayton.  The Wright brothers began withdrawing from their bicycle business to focus all the efforts on the improvement of their invention.   They built the third Flyer in 1905 with important design changes which improved stability and control and soon were able to make long flights ranging from 11 to 24 miles.

Since few people had seen their early flights, there was widespread skepticism.

In 1908 Wilbur flew demonstration flights in France and Orville in Washington D.C.  Flyers had been modified to include a passenger seat, so they were able to take a passenger with them.  They catapulted to world-wide fame overnight due to French enthusiasm, and former doubters issued apologies and praised their invention.  On September 9th, Orville made the first hour long flight.  However, on September 17th, Orville and his passenger Thomas Selfridge crashed.  Selfridge was killed, becoming the first airplane crash fatality,  and Orville was badly hurt, suffering a broken leg, 4 broken ribs, and 3 fractures in his hip.  Stunned by the accident, Wilbur redoubled his efforts in France and set new records for altitude and duration.  In 1909, Orville and their sister Katherine joined him in France and they became the three most famous people in the world for a time.  The kings of Spain, Italy, and England came to watch Wilbur fly.  When they returned to the U.S., they were invited to the White House and President Taft presented them with awards.  They sold an airplane to the U.S. Signal Corps for $30,000.  Wilbur flew in New York City's Hudson-Fulton Celebrations, circling the Statue of Liberty, making a 33 minute flight up and down the Hudson River, and solidly establishing the brothers' fame in the U.S.

However, the rest of the brothers' lives did not come without problems, they fought patent struggles and lawsuits, and their preoccupation with legal issues stifled their work on new designs.  

The Wright Company was incorporated in November of 1909.  The brothers sold their patents to the company for $100,000 and also received a third of the shares plus a royalty on every airplane sold.  The Wright Company flew the first commercial air cargo on November 7, 1910: 2 bolts of dress silk.  

Wilbur died of typhoid fever at the age of 45.  His father Milton wrote of Wilbur: "A short life, full of consequences.  An unfailing intellect, imperturbable temper, great self-reliance and as great modesty, seeing the right clearly, pursuing it steadfastly, he lived and died." 

Orville lived until January 30, 1948, when he died of an heart attack.

In 1965, the brothers were inducted into the Hall of Fame for Great Americans.

The Wright brothers are a great example of ingenuity.  They were not afraid to attempt the impossible.

Book Review: Memoirs of the Second World War (Part 8)

The Battle of the Ardennes was the last German offensive of the war.  According to Churchill, it was won primarily by the "staunch fighting qualities of the American soldier."

Meanwhile, trouble was fomenting in Greece.  The Liberation of Greece began in very early October when British commandos arrived.  On October 4th, British troops occupied Patras.  The Germans evacuated Athens on the 12th, and on the 14th, British paratroopers occupied the city.  Greece was in ruins; the Germans had destroyed roads and railways in their retreat.  The British were warmly welcomed, and British soldiers willingly went on half-rations to increase the food supply for the populace.  By the 11th of November, Greece was almost completely free.  Then the Communists started making trouble.  They were ordered out of Athens.  The new Greek government tried working on a guerilla disarmament agreement (with the Communists leading on the measure), but then the Communists ministers resigned.  The remaining ministers decreed to dissolve the guerilla forces.  The Communists tried to seize Athens, and the country was launched into a civil war.  They seized almost all police stations in the city, murdering the police officers.  Churchill ordered British troops to intervene.  Hand-to-hand fighting was the rule against a strong enemy.  Churchill left for Athens on Christmas eve to meet with the Archbishop.  The Archbishop became regent.  The insurgents were driven out, and by mid January the British troops were in control.  A truce with the communists was signed on January 11th.  

The Yalta Conference was held in February.  Churchill's main concern at this conference was about the Soviet domination of eastern Europe and the fate of Poland.  Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill interchanged nearly 18,000 words about Poland at Yalta.  After the three parted ways, Churchill saw his friend Roosevelt for the last time aboard the Quincy.

Churchill was with General Montgomery to watch the Rhine crossing.  All went well.  Churchill urged the Americans to get to Berlin before the Russians did, but the Americans were unconcerned about the Russians.  As the weeks passed after Yalta, it became apparent that the Soviets would not carry out the agreements on Poland.  The Communists also took over Rumania.

Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, and Truman replaced him. 

The Germans surrendered to the Western Allies wholesale in Italy.  Partisans shot and hanged Mussolini.  On April 13th, the Russians took Vienna.  The US Army came within 60 miles of Berlin on the 12th, but here they stopped.  Four days later, the Russians attacked Berlin and surrounded it on the 25th.  The US 1st Army met the Russians near Torgau, on the Elbe, and Germany was cut in two.  

On April 22nd, Hitler made the decision to remain in Berlin.  Goering assumed that Hitler's resolve to stay in Berlin meant he was abdicating.  He asked for confirmation of this and if he was to take over; he was promptly dismissed.  He and 100 Luftwaffe members were taken prisoner by the Americans.  On April 30th, Hitler shot himself.  Goebbels poisoned his own children, and then ordered SS guards to shoot him and his wife.  Bormann disappeared trying to sneak through the lines after sending a message to Admiral Doenitz telling him he had been appointed by the Fuhrer to take over.  Hitler's remaining staff fell into Russian hands. Himmler was arrested by the British on May 21st.  He bit a cyanide pill he had hidden in his mouth during interrogation on the 23rd. 

Admiral Friedeburg signed the surrender of all German Forces in Northwestern Germany, Holland, the Islands, Schleswig-Holstein, and Denmark.  The Germans played for time so as many troops as possible could hurry to the Western front to surrender to the Western Allies instead of to the Russians.  They even tried to surrender the Western front seperately, but failed.  On May 7th at 2:41, the Germans finally signed total unconditional surrender with hostilities to cease at midnight May 8th.


Once the Germans surrendered, in Churchill's words, "The main bond of common danger which had united the Great Allies had vanished overnight.  The Soviet menace, to my eyes, had already replaced the Nazi foe."  Churchill telegraphed to Truman, "An iron curtain is drawn down upon their front.  We do not know what is going on behind."

Churchill urged a conference between Truman, Stalin, and himself as soon as possible.  Truman and Stalin delayed the meeting till mid-July.  On July 17th, he learned from Truman that the atomic bomb was now a reality.  They made plans for the defeat of Japan and discussed the future boundaries of nations.  Unfortunately, "Frustration was the fate of this final Conference of 'the Three.'"  Churchill states that the boundaries that resulted after the peace were "never and would never have been agreed to by any Government of which I was the head.  Even at Potsdam the matter might perhaps have been recovered, but the destruction of the British National Government and my removal from the scene at the time when I still had much influence and power rendered it impossible for satisfactory solutions to be reached."

Yes, on July 26 was the British election.  His party lost.  He could have taken a few days to resign so he could be able to present the Japanese surrender to the people, but he realized Britain needed to be immediately represented by proper authority.  So at 7 o'clock he tendered his resignation to the King.  He thanked the British people for their support through all the long, hard years.

Churchill tells in the epilogue of his time after the war, the speeches he delivered warning of the terrible iron curtain, the time he spent painting, the origins of NATO, and various other world events: the communist takeover of China, Indian independence, the Korean war, Israeli/Palestinian and Arab conflicts, etc.

I better stop writing or else my book review is going to be a book itself!  Memoirs of the Second World War is an excellent book, and I definitely recommend it to every student of history.

Book Review: Memoirs of the Second World War (Part 7)

The landing on the beaches of Normandy met with less opposition than was expected and the casualties were much lower than had been feared.  By June 10th, General Montgomery reported that he was sufficiently established ashore to receive a visit.  Churchill, along with General Marshall and others, crossed the channel to lunch with him in France.  Within the first 6 days, 326,000 men; 54,000 vehicles; and 104,000 tons of stores had been landed.

The Germans had been thoroughly confused by British deceptions.  They even suspected that there might be another major landing and that Normandy might only be a preliminary and subsidiary one, so they avoided sending all their forces to meet the invasion.  The Allies advanced, and the French Resistance was a great help.  There was, however, fierce fighting.  

On the night of June 12-13, the first flying bombs fell on London.

On August 7th, the Germans launched a counterattack.  They failed with extraordinary losses.  Soon, the Germans evacuated all they could across the Seine.  On August 20th, Patton crossed the Seine near Mantes; the French Underground revolted and the police went on strike.  There was street fighting in Paris.  On August 23rd, the French 2nd Armoured Division under General Leclerc was ordered to take Paris.  The Germans capitulated and the city was swept into rapturous demonstrations.

Alexander's armies in Italy were pressing toward the river Po.  The British wanted to put all their effort into the struggle in Italy, deliver a most formidable blow there, and perhaps even reach Vienna before the Russians.  The Americans, however, wished for a landing in the French Riviera.  The American plan prevailed.

In the east, the Russians were flooding into Poland and the Balkans.  On July 22nd, they had crossed the river Vistula and broken into German defences east of Warsaw.  At 5 pm on August 1st, the Warsaw Uprising began.  In spite of British and Polish pleas, the Soviets did not give any significant help to the rebels.  The British flew air drops of supplies over many miles (however insufficient), but the Soviets would not even give the British planes engaged in this task landing fields.  The city was ruined and the heroic Poles finally surrendered to the Germans on October 2nd.  Of the Polish Underground Army's 40,000 men and women, 15,000 were dead.  As Churchill aptly put it, "When the Russians entered the city 3 months later, they found little but shattered streets and the unburied dead.  Such was their liberation of Poland."

Churchill recounts the struggle in Burma and the Battle of the Leyte Gulf.

The liberation of Europe continued, with General Eisenhower assuming direct command of the land forces in Northern France on September 1st.  The Germans were retreating in bad order, and the biggest problem proved to be keeping the Allied Army supplied.  The Allies entered Brussels on September 3rd.  Everywhere in Belgium they received a splendid welcome and help from well-organized resistance.  On September 4th, they entered Antwerp.

  By the 9th, Pas de Calais, with its flying-bomb launching sites had been cleared.  The 12th American Army Group took Charleroi, Mons, and Liege.  In a fortnight they had freed all Luxembourg and Southern Belgium.  By the 12th of September, they had closed up to the German frontier on a sixty-mile front and pierced the Siegfried Line in one place.  Next, they won a couple bridgeheads over the Moselle.

  But then enemy resistance stiffened.  Supplies were stretched to a limit, and a pause was necessary.

See Part 8 tomorrow.