National Museum of Military Vehicles

Hello Carbon County Republicans,

On July 8th, 2023 I went to Dubois for our Chairman training. To improve my ability to better represent our counties voice and ensure we do the things we need to do to be effective. During this trip, we had the opportunity to visit the National Museum of Military Vehicles (https://nmmv.org/). That in itself was impressive. I mean the tools, sacrifices, and history of our country is impressive to say the least. Its too bad so much is suppressed and not taught in our schools. This tour was not like most museums, it focused on the stories of our veterans, heroes, and the major conflicts that they faced. The narrative focuses on those sacrifices and how America overcame superior odds time after time.

The tour started with something from the start of our great nation, the weapon that produced the shot heard around the world. While the back story is impressive in how this piece was acquired, and the story on how this became part of our history. I will leave that to the museum that you really should schedule a tour and visit to explain.

The weapons vault and the capabilities further demonstrate when our founders was writing the second amendment, there is no question on if they knew the capabilities rifles and other firearms would have.

As we moved into World War 1, and learned about the landing craft something that stands out was the advanced weaponry of Germany. They had a machine gun that sprayed 1200 rounds a minute. If your boat happened to be the target when the front dropped, it was very indiscriminate. It did not matter what your faith was, your skill as a solider, your family circumstances. There was at least 20 rounds per second hitting all your friends around you as the bullets tour up through the middle ending your life.

We also talked about The American surrender at Bataan to the Japanese, with 76,000 soldiers surrendering in the Philippines altogether, was the largest in American and Filipino military histories and was the largest United States surrender since the American Civil War's Battle of Harpers Ferry. With the culture of Japan looking down on someone so poorly that surrendered that 20,000 ish soldiers were murdered after they surrendered. And because they had no value, as much of the world didn't value life, the Japanese's used bayonets to stab to death those that fell out of that death march or those that tried to help them.

As we explored history and was drawn in it quickly became apparent that America did not have the experience, did not have the technology, and did not have the expertise to win. This is very important, so what was the reason we accomplished so much. The answer is American Manufacturing. Think of our platform plank that states "Liberty is indivisible from economic freedom. The free-market economy is the economic system most compatible with the requirements of personal freedom and constitutional government."

Our manufacturing base was not only able to overcome our military needs and keep up with attrition. Such as when we deployed 4 aircraft carriers to the pacific and the Japanese's had 8. We lost 3 and they lost 4. In a very rapid time we produced 110 more carries fully fitted and in that same time the Japanese's could not replace the 4. Not only could we fill our needs, but our allies needs as well. Our supply chains and American manufacturing has placed us in a position where we can support a military that can win against superior fighting elements and odds.

How's our manufacturing been, as we cut deals with China. What's stopping China from following our past and results?

There was so many situations where we found victory or relief from a battle we should have lost because our enemies supply chains could not keep up. But I digress

A few things I would like to mention, especially being from Wyoming. Remember when FDR and the interment camps happened. Heart mountain ring a bell? Well, this black eye of American pride and exceptionalism leads to another piece of American greatness. Who was one of the most decorated units in Military history? That would be the 442nd. Their story is a must. The Japanese men, those American men wanted to prove their loyalty to the country. They wanted to give back to a country who's opportunity and culture was so great and provided so much to them and their families despite the wrongs being committed by our Democrat president FDR (Order 9066). They faced over 100 percent loss rate or attrition due to combat losses, and more signed up. They are American heroes, veterans, and deserve our gratitude and respect. NOT the erasing of American history.

While there is so much more I could write, I instead highly encourage you to visit this museum and hear the stories and sacrifices your self. Or the corrections to the things I may have noted wrong. I will be going again and spending another 3 hours listening, its that good.

~Chairman Metevier