The hyped up rhetoric that is taking place between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jung Un is leading down a dangerous path.

For 20 years, Un and his predecessors have pushed the development of nuclear weapons and missiles capable of launching them to sites as far away as the United States. Meanwhile, the U.S. has consistently denounced the country’s nuclear progression but stopped short of taking military action to bring it to a halt.

North Korea is now a nuclear power with the capability of striking our country and its allies with missiles loaded with nuclear bombs. After stricter UN sanctions were approved recently, they declared the ocean waters near Guam, a U.S. territory, as a destination for a first missile launch site. Trump met the threat with a promise of “fire and fury such as the world has never seen.”

War under the best of circumstances is not a pretty sight as evidenced by those of us who lived through World War II.

Millions of American families were torn apart as their husbands, fathers and brothers were called into military service to fight for their country. They fought with great courage and determination under horrific conditions, and even though victory was theirs to celebrate at the end, it came with heavy casualties. Many died on the battlefields, others suffered injuries and many of those who returned home were left with hurtful memories they seldom talked about.

Those who were left behind had to make sacrifices as well. Stay-at-home wives and mothers became factory workers. They supported the war effort by making ammunition, sewing military clothing and packing C-rations. They went to and from work in car pools to conserve fuel and promoted U.S. War Bond drives. They adapted to austere lifestyle changes in support of a rationing program that placed strict limits on essential commodities such as gasoline, sugar and leather goods.

Children, too, played an important role in support of the war. They used their pennies, nickels and dimes to purchase U.S War Stamps and collected scrap iron to make jeeps. tanks and battle ships. They reluctantly accepted toys made of wood instead of metal at Christmastime and sponge cake made from sorghum syrup as an afternoon snack. Sugar free candy was not available. Candy shelves were empty except for Jaw Breakers and Bit-of-Honey bars.

Clif Knight is a staff writer for the Hartselle Enquirer.