“Old men declare war. But it is the young who must fight and die.” — Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States of America
In the past few years, the world has seen several conflicts around the world, some of which have turned into full-blown wars. Whether it is Russia-Ukraine or Israel-Palestine, thousands of people – civilians and soldiers – have lost their lives due to conflicts started by the governments and ruling parties of these nations. Last on the list is the war in Iran, which erupted over the weekend after the US and Israel launched strikes on the ground, and the situation quickly escalated as Tehran fired back.
Quote of the day by Herbert Hoover
In today’s quote of the day, we reflect on former US President Herbert Hoover’s view of wars, as he said during his presidency.
“Old men declare war. But it is the youth who must fight and die,” said Herbert Hoover in 1944, when the world was on the brink of World War II.
What does the quote mean?
The quote basically talks about the cost of war with humanity.
The first part of this quote of the day says, “Older men declare war.” This means that political leaders, who are usually old, and their governments are the ones who usually declare wars from their offices. They are usually the ones who decide to start wars.
Then he says, “But it is the youth who must fight and die.” This part of the quote suggests that young people who are usually registered in the nation’s military or army are at the forefront of the war. They are most at risk of facing the wounds of war and most likely to die fighting for their countries. Typically, it rarely affects those who declare war.
Why does it matter now?
This quote takes on importance during the current situation in the Middle East as several countries are now involved in the Iran war.
Three U.S. service members were killed and five others were seriously wounded during U.S. strikes on Iran, the military said Sunday, marking the first U.S. casualties.
US President Trump said there could be more victims in the coming days.
“We pray for the full recovery of those injured and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen,” Trump said in a video posted Sunday afternoon on his Truth Social platform. “And unfortunately, there’s probably going to be more before it’s over. That’s what it is. There’s probably going to be more, but we’re going to do everything we can where it’s not.”
In the roughly six-minute video, Trump called those killed “true American patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation as we continue the righteous mission for which they gave their lives.”
Older men declare war. But it is the youth who must fight and die.
He said the US would avenge their deaths.
Trump earlier told the Daily Mail in a telephone interview on Sunday that the US soldiers killed were “great people”.
