Tommy and Gina are in Ukraine

An American cultural reference from the music of the 1980s, Tommy and Gina represent the spirit of our unalienable rights and pursuit of happiness. Tommy and Gina have always lived in America as part of the middle class. They shouldered our tax burden, built America and defended us time and again. This mix of youthful spirit and adolescent angst is not bound by time, geography, race or ethnicity. If you look closely, you can see them in Ukraine.

On February 24, 2022, Russia unjustly invaded Ukraine attacking its population centers with impunity. The world bore witness to the dead, dying and defiant civilians in the streets. Heroism in the face of hatefulness and disregard for human decency. Russian President Vladimir Putin has twice threatened the global community with nuclear weapons. A developing axis of evil now taunts the civilized world.

Wearing a green t-shirt and using modern technology, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy inspired the globe with his declarative statements and resolve. Under his leadership, the Ukrainian Civil Defense/ Territorial Defense Force mobilized their people to fight, survive and repel the unwarranted invasion. As of mid-March 2022, Ukraine’s history is still being written. I never believed Adolf Hitler’s occupation of the countries he invaded would have been successful. Over time, the entitlement of certain unalienable rights and pursuit of happiness by all men would have prevailed.

Will the war spread to other European countries? Will it come to American shores? Will the developing axis of evil strike preemptively? America has faced this quandary before in the 20th Century.

Originally created in 1916, President Franklin Roosevelt reestablished the Council of National Defense in 1940. The war in Europe was raging. Adding to the tensions, Americans were seeing reports about the civilian bombing campaigns. They were worried about attacks on U.S. Cities. In a letter to President Franklin Roosevelt, New York City Mayor Fiorello La Guardia wrote:

“There is a need for a strong Federal Department to coordinate activities, and not only to coordinate but to initiate and get things going. Please bear in mind that up to this war and never in our history, has the civilian population been exposed to attack. The new technique of war has created the necessity for developing new techniques of civilian defense.” – Source U.S. Homeland Security

President Franklin Roosevelt responded to these growing concerns creating the Office of Civilian Defense (OCD) in 1941. Local offices were established across the country. The local partnerships were the strength of this program. This program was a force multiplier for local governments. It created groups of resources that could be activated in response to an attack or natural disaster. Across the country, people from all walks of life got involved to fulfill their civic duty.

At the end of WW II, most officials agreed the threat of an attack on the continental United State had receded. The office was abolished by President Harry Truman. Then, following a series of reports that studied the bombing campaigns during WW II, Congress enacted the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950. The Civil Defense programs would continue to evolve and change through the 21st Century.

The Cuban missile crisis in 1962, validated the need for ongoing programs to prepare the population for an attack or natural disaster. In 1965, Hurricane Betsy struck the Louisiana coast. In 1969, Hurricane Camille struck the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Wade Guice the Director for the Harrison County Civil Defense and his team are credited with saving thousands. The hurricane evacuation plans developed by the Harrison County Civil Defense and their partners were successful.

The 1979 Three Mile Island nuclear accident demonstrated the need to improve intergovernmental communication, coordination and planning. In response, President Jimmy Carter established the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Following the September 11th attack, FEMA was integrated into the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as was the United States Coast Guard and other agencies. These domestic programs have served the nation well though some of the greatest disasters of our time.

Made-up of people from all walks of life, the Ukrainian Civil Defense has reminded the world who Tommy and Gina are, what they stand for, and what they bring to the table.

Sources: FEMA, Homeland Security, Declaration of Independence and John Bon Jovi

- Tom M.

Civil Defense