Figure 1.--Here we see The Roosevelt family with the grandchildren. after the United States declared war on Germany, all four ofv his sonns volunteered. Notice the flags there are only thrre stars, apparentQuenten had just joined up anf his srars is not yet added. These wre bkue stars. Edith was a Blue Star Mother four times over. These flags were hung in front windows all over Ameica. The Blue Stars were for servicemen. Tragically when families lost their sons and hubandss-- Gold Stars appeared.

Former President Roosevelt at the outbreak of World War I expressed sympathy with the Allies and denounced the neutrality policy adopted by President Wilson. Just as the world fell into the calderion of War, however, Roosevelt was frustrated that he saw his influence turning to impotence--even within the Reoublican Party. Roosevelt believed America should at least prepare for war. He advicated training Arnmy troops and preoparing the Navy. President Wilson wanted to keep America neutral and sty out of a Europeans war. He famously insisted, "There is such a thing as a man being too proud to fight." Roosevelt believed neutrality would inecitably fail. And after the Germans sank the British liner RMS Lusitania in whuch Americans were killed (1915), Roosevelt was astionished that and saw America's lack of involvement as 'inconceivable'. As the War progressed, Roosevelt became a pasionate advovate for America entering the War on the Allied side. He was apauled by the revelations of the Zimmerman telegram. He actually called President Wilson a 'coward' for keeping America neutral. Wilson after being reelected in a close vote (1916) moved to seek a negitiated settlemebt of ghe War. The Kaiser, however, sought a military sollution. As Wilson had warned the Kaiser, the resumtion of unconditional submarine warfare would mean war. When America finally entered the War (1917), because there had been no preparations, as Roosevelt had warned, the United States did not have an Army ii could immediately commit. It would be a year before the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) could be committed to combat and even then it was not yet fully prepared for combat. Roosevelt wanted to enlist. President Wilson denined Roosevelt the possibility of participating in any official capacity. The former President had to watch his four sons (Theodore Jr. Kermit, Archibald and Quentin), head off to war in his stead. All his four sons enlisted and served with destinction. This made Edith a Blue Star Mother four times over. Teddy Jr, Archibald, and Kermit were all wounded. Teddy Jr joined up again in World War II and died after leading the Utah Beach operation at Normandy. Quentin tragicall was killed in the War.

Created: 4:47 AM 6/21/2023
Last updated: 4:47 AM 6/21/2023