One of history’s lessons is that the free world must stand tough against totalitarianism, as symbolized by the Soviet Union, or suffer the consequences of aggression. An example of the need for a strong defensive response came when the Russians imposed the Berlin blockade three years after World War II. Only by the heroic allied “Berlin Airlift” were the United States, British and French able to thwart a Soviet plan to take full control of the occupied city. The 35th anniversary of the airlift currently is being noted. The Soviets had been a wartime ally of the West in defeating Germany but they complicated the four-party postwar occupation of that country with “obstruction and aggression” which American President Harry Truman called “the most bitter disappointment of our time.” On June 24, 1948 the Soviets, hoping to force Berliners into submission and crowd out the other occupiers, blocked all highways, railroads and waterways into the Western-occupied sectors. But the Allies were not about to leave Berlin. Withir- two days, they started their airlift of food and coal to supply 2’/: million people, a feat considered next to impossible. Their determination and commitment to freedom paid off. After nearly 11 months, the Russians conceded defeat, lifting the blockade May 12, 1949. The allies continued the airlift until Sept. 30 to build stockpiles. Few among the Western allies had thought the division of Germany would be permanent, But the Soviet Union, understandably bitter about the Nazi invasion of their homeland early in War II, carried its ruthless leadership in Germany to extremes. Ten years after their unsuccessful blockade, they demanded that the allies withdraw from Berlin within six months and that it be made a demilitarized free city, They threatened and harassed air and ground traffic, but the allies again stood firm. The Communists built their infamous wall between the two Berlins in 1961 to prevent East Germans from escaping to the West. The next year they gave East Germany nominal control over East Berlin, but today the wall still represents a sad chapter in suppression of freedom. One can only speculate to what extent Soviet influence might have expanded in Western Europe had not the Allies stood fast against the Berlin Blockade and other Communist maneuvers. In the East and elsewhere in the world the Communist shadow has grown bigger and more ominous – and continues to do so. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan late in 1979 continues an ongoing outrage against the human rights of a valient nation. It is a shame that so great a portion of Americas productivity must go into military arms and defense preparations – conventional and nuclear – especially in the face of huge budget deficits and crucial needs in other areas. However, with the Soviet Union’s continuing military buildup and aggression, we have no choice. Peace through strength isn’t the solution to all problems, but under the circumstances, it is vital to free-world stability and our future national security.