By Stephen Dietrich, Managing Editor
As a conservative and an economist, I’m always reluctant to endorse any kind of new government spending or programs.
Too often, when we fork over our tax dollars and give our government a job to do, a giant mess follows.
And if there’s one place where our government has dropped the ball over and over again, it’s in the care of our veterans and fallen heroes. We see that for ourselves in the long VA lines, and the struggles many veterans still have transitioning to civilian life.
But believe it or not, there’s something that our local, state, and federal representatives can do today to better honor our men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.
They can agree to support a national Memorial Day parade. Or, at the least, they can stop trying to make money off of Memorial Day celebrations.
Today, there is a parade held annually in Washington, D.C. to honor our fallen. It’s thanks entirely to the efforts of a non-profit called the American Veterans Center that solicits donations from private citizens.
The parade receives no public assistance — in fact, the permits alone cost about $80,000 every single year.
It’s an expensive operation that has recently reached out for help.
There should be no need. It is time we demanded better from our government.
The permit fees, at a minimum, could be waived. Or our federal government could agree to kick in and support the parade.
This is the same government that spent $100,000 on a single outhouse in Alaska. You’d think we’d be able to find at least some cash to help financially support this parade.
I am a veteran of Iraq, and gravely remember the sacrifices everyday soldiers made in the service of our country. Having witnessed these sacrifices, I consider it unacceptable that our country fails to properly honor our best and bravest.
In many ways, Memorial Day has become more about cookouts and cold beer than remembering our nation’s sacred dead.
Don’t get me wrong — I plan to have friends over and sip on a cold one today myself. You’d be hard pressed to find an Army veteran who won’t!
I will also take time today to say a prayer for the souls unable to join me.
I will remember the men and women whose blood we left in the sand in Baghdad, the beaches of Normandy and the steamy jungles of Vietnam.
Today, while I welcome old friends to our home in Baltimore, I’ll also take time to impart an important lesson to my young children: The country we live in is the exception in the world; a nation truly blessed by God.
And our freedom came with a heavy tax, paid in blood and sacrifice.
We must do everything we can, at all times, to honor that sacrifice. One simple, symbolic way to start is for our government to get behind a national Memorial Day parade.
In the meantime, it’s up to us to make sure this parade keeps happening.
This Memorial Day, I hope you have fun with your friends, spend good time with your family, give praise to our God — and take a few moments to give thanks to the bravest Americans who ensured we have those rights.
— Stephen Dietrich is the Managing Editor of The Horn News. He is a veteran of the Iraq War, has a bachelors in economics, is a proud American, and is an okay dad.
yes we OWE to the VETERANS…..tell it to that idiot OBAMA ans his band of anti A merica idiots1111
Obo the assh— will do nothing for the veterans for he is not happy that they are fighting for our freedom which he is trying to take away from us. He has to be removed sooner rather than later to keep the USA great. He wants the muslims to have a place to live for free. What an assh—
Obama invites Black Lives Matter to the White house — spend that money and cancel 1 of Obama’s multi-times per year vacations to Hawaii…. give it to the VETS parade …. the VETS earned it.
I truly believe that all of are military , who go and fight for are country , and the treatment they get makes me sick . I speak from a personal standpoint my little brother was like many of you was a communication officer in the army his silent illness has taken him away I’ve lost my brother I think the government owes all of are military even if they have to take it out of ther own pockets but the VA HOSPITAL Is understaffed thank god for the WOUNDED warrior project an DAV
I support and have no problem with honoring our military in a parade, but the cost for “permits” is $80,000! Why?! It shouldn’t cost a cent!
Nope,, while Obama, Micheal, 2 kids and dog live like French Royalty–the latest in Socialism’s experiment in Socialism when they elected their first French Female Socialist as a President, France, a much older country than, say Germany is gone. Germany is a relatively young state, for before WWI, there was only “state-like” different city states. Once Bismarck got in, he talked Wilhelm I & II to get it together and join in WWI, which spelt doom for them. But they are a relatively young nation. Now Sweden, a really old country, since the time of the Vikings and long before is gone, conquered by Muslims and their refugees. So, Britain is barely left and David Cameron, another globalist, is allowing this to happen purposely, as is Obama but the American people are fighting against this. So, again a wait-and-see attitude. Godspeed. P. Kathy Kleiman
Redhawk, many probably won’t agree with me in this but here goes. As a veteran I’m proud of my service of over 70 years ago. However, I think the country doesn’t owe me anything. A war happened and we just happened to be there. The ones who REALLY SHOULD HAVE OUR RESPECT, especially on Memorial Day, are the ones who we had to leave behind when we came home victorious.
How about giving veterans good health care, good jobs and good housing.
Good idea
Well said
Start a national movement with Trumps help
and your ideas will see the light of day
Peter
This is one of the most important national holidays we have. I am so embarrassed that we are recovering from what Barry Soetero has done in Japan in the past week, apologizing for responding to an attack that cost many American, innocent lives.
The World has recovered from that time and the friendships and alliances were rebuilt. Being Barry Soetero, he has to get in there and stir things up again and re-ignite rage within our own citizens. The hatred grows.
A national parade in Washington being made a very big deal and somehow earning money to help our vets would be a good thing to conjure up.
Have you noticed that he seems to never be in DC for a military celebration or during Christmas? It is so sad that we do not have a Congress.
Wendell, I think we’ve all noticed that Sultan Obama isn’t there to celebrate anything even pertaining to Christianity. The guy is a Muslim, plain and simple. He worships Islam and has no time for those of us who he obviously feels are inferior non believers. The sooner we get ride of him and tear down a bunch of mosques the better. But I still have this very uneasy feeling that Obama isn’t going anywhere soon. I can’t help but think he’s going to find some crooked underhanded way to stay in office. Just think of it this way. He declares a national emergency, then declares martial law until the emergency has ended. He then says during the emergency there’ll be no elections. From reports I’ve read (I hope they’re not true) he has written executive orders enabling him to do all of those thing. I sincerely hope those who voted for him not only once but twice are happy with what they’ve helped do to destroy what was once the greatest nation in history.
LOVE TO SEE TRUMP RUN A THREE DAY TELETHON TO RAISE MONEY FOR A PRIVATE VA HOSPITAL WHERE WE LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND.
PAUL RINO MUST GO.
YOU WOULD THINK THIS CLOWN HAD WON THE NOMINATION. HE IS NOT GOING TO ENDORSE TRUMP UNTIL TRUMP BOWS TO THE RINO RATS AND CONFORMS TO THE DEMOCRAT PARTY. JUST LIKE THE RINOS. PAUL RINO HAS TO GO NOW. HE IS WASTING VALUABLE TIME. WE HAVE A COUNTRY TO SAVE. THE RINOS DID NOTHING WHILE OBAMA DID EVERYTHING TO DESTROY THIS COUNTRY.
THE SAYING IS LEAD, FOLLOW OR GET OUT OF THE WAY. IT IS TRUMP TIME AND NO TIME FOR FEINT HEARTED PHONIES. PAUL RINO MUST GO AND MATCH MCCONEEL TOO.
SPIRIT OF AMERICA PARTY
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/spiritofamericapartybook/2016/05/25/cant-put-trump-in-the-white-house-and-not-back-him-up
The Veterans Administration Hospitals need to be privatized to enable firing the DEAD WOOD.
A COST PLUS AWARD FEE CONTRACT would enable SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE TO BE REWARDED and it would still be cheaper than what we have because of the cost of Dead Wood.
Utilizing a Best Value Request For Proposal enables the companies proposing to propose better than the minimum needs. Then the contracting team decides which proposal gives the ‘best bang for the bucks’.
BTW, there should be a preference for current employees but, based on their past job performance.
Veteran’s Preference points should also be used for hiring.
You will get better service, and care for our Vets, and it will have a lower cost.
I agree, but with President Obozo a non-veteran and anti-American at the helm we shouldn’t hold out breaths.
The guy is a disgrace when it comes to veterans affairs and especially welfare.
We all owe it to the vets. It is a travesty the people will elect lyin’ Trump who has no respect for POW’s. Trump should be sent back to Trump university to learn respect…….but he will be elected by mad max’s looking for revenge ……………
He’ll be a lot better for the vets than the current clown in charge President Obozo whose never served a day in defense of our country.
Both my Father & Father-in-Law served in WW11, I served during the Vietnam era and my Grandson has served two deployments to Afghanistan.
Trump will sure be better than anything the Democrats has to offer. At least Trump has guts enough to stand up for what is right. We have had so many in our government that do not care for our country or the people. That is why I voted for Trump. People are fed up with people like Obama and the clintons and it is time to get rid of anyone in our Government that is not working for the good of our country and for the good of the people.
Why don,t you go back to your sandcastle you phony wanna be American.
Because Trump is a lair and un-american that means I live in a sandcastle, that is very weird. I also do not support the dems, so you all can stop that nonsense. I crack up at all this hostility, there are no candidates that are worth all this effort …………by the way, go USA
I’m a veteran. My two brothers and Dad were veterans we all have used the va Doctors and hospitals my Dad die in one in Bar. Al.there times I have to wate 2 to 6 to weeks to see a Doctor. But when I do there good to me they just don’t have room and hospitals to take care of us veterans. If Obama would stop giving all this money to people that want us dead then are veterans hospitals would have money to take care of us and we could see a Doctor with out having to wate so long they could build bigger hospitals for us veterans. I hope Donald trump gets president and do something about it
While it definitely seems true that Obama is a disgrace, it is also a BIG disgrace that we as Americans no longer have patriotism and respect for our countrymen that previous generations have had. Thanks to our ‘government’ these are topics that cannot be taught in our schools anymore!
Stephen, thanks for your service and thanks for writing this article to remind us all that the reason we enjoy so much personal freedom is due to those who paid the ultimate price. I, like you, was proud to serve beside some of those warriors in battle. Today I’m proud to tell anyone who will listen about their valor and sacrifice. All to often it is portrayed that they were drafted or had no choice but you and I know that is false. Even in Vietnam the men and women I served with in 1965 were volunteers and knew full well the risk they were taking. They did it because they believed in America and because they believed it was their duty. I want people today to know the depth of those soldiers commitment. They weren’t there by accident, they were there because they choose to be.
Again, thanks for the article
ROMAD 1965
RIP YOU THAT GAVE ALL AND THANKS TO ALL THE VETERANS AND THE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING TODAY. I ONLY WISH YOU HAD A BETTER CHIEF COMMANDER.
America leads the world in militarism, war mongering and bull manure.
The first casualty in all wars in most countries is TRUTH.
Our leaders have lied to us …BIG TIME…in every war in the past hundred years.
I am really tired of old men trying to brainwash young men to die in their useless wars.
In WW2 we fought and died for “uncle Joe Stalin” and helped him install communism in a dozen countries in central Europe and also gave him North Korea in 1945. … which led directly to the Korean war.
Then came the Vietnam war…. certainly a 100% useless war by any standards. over 58,000 Americans and over a million Vietnamese died for absolutely nothing.
Then came all the useless wars in the middle east … Iraq, Libys, Syria etc.
When will we start telling people the REAL TRUTH… that most of America’s wars were totally useless adventures in propaganda bull manure.
Our own government has money to give in aid to our enemies-The damned ragheaded Iranians, he damned raghead Syrians, back stabbing nations
that many of us Veterans know of, but they don’t have the money for a national Memorial Day parade, a national Veterans Day parade, but yet they can give themselves a big fat pay raise, but to our senior citizen, our veterans of which I am both-A Viet Nam era veteran, U.S. Navy and a senior citizen
that is 62 years old. We have the worst all time Secretary of State who is married to a former Figurehead who is a draft dodger that has two tax free government pensions, and we have retired civil service workers who bought their military time back, retired veterans that served 20 or more years in
the Armed Forces whose retirement is taxed, while that damned POS [email protected]&Ch Hitlery Killery ROTTON Clinton has two taxe free retirement pension and is a double dipper, but for a Veteran, a senior citizen, it’s go to hell. If a national Memorial Day parade as well as a national Veterans Day parade is to become a reality, the best chance for that is with Donald Trump. All of my fellow Veterans, let’s elect Donald Trump in November.
SEMPER FI TO ALL OUR FALLEN HEROS.
I just faxed my senators and representative that, as a WWII vet, It is disgusting that they are so willing to let the President give away in the Trans Pacific Trade Agreement what over1,000,000 dead and wounded of my generation sacrificed for. It is even more disgusting that our President apologizes to a former enemy for the consequences of a war that they initiated. The reason that WWII was the last war we ever won is that we had a common sense president (not the one I voted for) who knew how to save many American lives by bringing the Japanese to their knees. Never since then have you seen a scene like the one on the deck of the Missouri with an enemy signing a peace treaty. And never again will you see it when we have a leader like the present one who does not have the leadership skills to lead a pack of wolves with a side of beef under his arm.
Before anyone goes off on me here me out please!!! As a Pastor I know this is evident: Just look at our public schools; I disagree with this Parade being sponsored by the Federal Grovermet. Now if the people that run
OPT to receive Federal Money; they then must accept and. operate the Parade as the Government dictates!! We know from rulings handed down from the SCOUS. Rulings handed down in regaurds of who has must be alowed to particapate in all activities!!! So I would suggest to keep it funded by private funds or the Parade that is meant to honorable could turn into parades you see in California!!! Just my thought!!! And yes I did serve!!! May Good Bless America once again!!!
The hell with parades and dog and pony shows. What do we accomplish with parades? We should as a nation demand that the freedom and the constitution for which they died be respected rather than eviscerated. That the promises made to those who came back be fulfilled rather than compromised those things are not accomplished with parades but with pressure put on the corrupt leaders of our nation.
I hope I live long enough to be able to get through the month of May just once without some one sending me a Happy Memorial Day e-mail or hearing someone wishing people a Happy Memorial Day.
It’s bad enough I’m reminded every May and every November that very few Americans know the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day, but expecting me to remain silent about the growing trend to turn Memorial Day into some sort of celebration is asking too much. I usually chagrin and bear it, but I’m getting too old to care who I piss off from one day to the next, so if you’re one of those fools who sends me a Happy Memorial Day e-mail or wishes people a Happy Memorial Day, listen up!
There is nothing Happy about Memorial Day. That’s why it’s called M-e-m-o-r-i-a-l Day! Memorial Day is to be commemorated, not celebrated. Memorial Day is supposed to be a day of quiet reflection, remembrance, tribute and rendering honors to those who have given their lives ensuring you nitwits can have the freedom to be able to take full advantage of the rights their deaths secured for you, one of which is the freedom to make ignorant statements like Happy Memorial Day.
Believe it or not, Memorial Day was not placed on calendars to remind you that summer has officially begun. Memorial Day is not the first day of Get Drunk While Pretending To Be An Outdoorsman At Your Cabin season. Memorial Day was not created by General Motors so their dealerships could have a Three-Day Used Car Clearance Blowout. Memorial Day is not intended to be the first day of National Burn That Burger Month.
Memorial Day is supposed to be commemorated on May 30th … not May 28th, May 29th or May 31st. It makes no difference what day of the week the 30th falls, that’s when Memorial Day is supposed to be observed. However, the United States Congress changed the date in 1971 to the last Monday in May to give Americans yet another 3-day weekend. After all, what’s more important … one-hundred-plus years of American tradition or giving Americans one more 3-day weekend to have a few brewskis while driving to see Yellowstone with the wife and kids?
The National Moment of Remembrance was started to encourage all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation. Of course, it’s been a dismal failure. I mean, c’mon, you expect Americans to pause for an ENTIRE MINUTE to remember those who died serving the people who are too busy to pause for ONE ENTIRE MINUTE? Are you nuts?
It’s bad enough American Civics is no longer taught in American schools. It’s bad enough most Americans ignore Armed Forces Day. It’s bad enough that very few civilians know that May is National Military Family Appreciation Month. It’s bad enough few Americans understand that Veterans Day is now intended to honor all those who have worn a uniform serving in this nation’s Military, especially those still living. But it’s pitiful that most Americans can’t seem to comprehend that Memorial Day is the one day a year when we are asked to remember those who gave their lives for this country.
Let me repeat that … they gave their LIVES. Most of them were teenagers or in their twenties. Many of them left behind a spouse after being married for a very short period of time. Some of them left behind infant children who grew up never knowing one of the two people who brought them into this world with the good fortune of being born a free person. All of them had plans for a full and long life, but they interrupted those plans because they knew that serving their country, and the risks that commitment entails, was more important than life itself.
Their dreams and their expectations ended suddenly on a battlefield in some foreign land, or in a training accident at home or abroad, or during a secret mission to ensure this country is not attacked without warning. Some of them are buried in unmarked graves on foreign soil or rest forever in the sea. Some became missing in the fog of war and will never be accounted for.
Is it too much to ask that Americans pause for one day every year to recognize those who gave the last full measure of devotion? Are we as a nation so selfish, so lazy, so ignorant of the reality of the price of freedom, that we can’t set aside even one day to acknowledge the sacrifice of each and every one of our honorable dead? Apparently it is too much to ask. Apparently expecting Americans to relinquish even one day of basking in the sun while swilling beer is too much of an imposition. Let’s face it, most Americans prefer a Happy Memorial Day.
For those of us who served, and for the families and friends of those who gave their lives, Memorial Day will always be the one day a year when we publicly honor our buddies, our brothers, our sisters, our sons, our daughters, our fathers, our mothers, our nieces and nephews, our cousins … all those who perished, their young lives cut short, while serving America … while fighting next to us … while protecting you. The rest of the year, we remember them in private. We remember them daily. We will never forget them.
And I suppose all of that is Obama’s fault?
The only thing that’s Obama’s fault is that he is not a true American,but claims we should have America’s values.The only one he has is give everything away until the country turns into a cess pool.
I agree with 95% of your points and I think it was well said. I suspect that kind of passion comes from being a veteran yourself or having lost a loved one in the military. I to served in Vietnam and I lost two of my family members in combat. You’re right, we think of them daily and we will never forget. I do believe that a parade is the proper way to honor them and to communicate to the youth what price is required to procure and maintain freedom.
I thank you for saying what a lot of us are thinking.
Every veteran I see I shake their hand including my dad who served during the Vietnam war. I served during Desert Storm but stayed in the US during that time.I owe a debt of gratitude to all those brave men and women who currently serve or who served before me. God bless our troops.
George K. My sentiments exactly! I get more disgusted every year when I see what Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day have been turned into. Due to our messed up public school indoctrination system and the commercialization of everything imaginable I doubt if young people today know or care about what the meaning of these days was intended to be. Just another three day weekend and everything on sale.
Thank you for a well written piece.
Master Sergeant, U.S. Army (Retired 15 years ago after 35 years of service)
George, this was beautifully written and I thank you for the reminder of what Memorial Day is really all about. We as a nation take so much for granted, and don’t really stop to appreciate what our deceased Vets have died for. We have become a selfish people who seem to think only of ourselves.
As beautiful as a parade for our Vets is, so many do not really stop to think of the purpose of the parade. It should be about all and only the Vets. They should all gather together young and old and have a parade with just them in every town or city in the USA.
Volunteers should pick them up from their homes and nursing homes as well as family as
many are old and handicapped and should be picked up and driven to the parade site where they can be placed in vehicles and driven down our Main Streets so everyone, especially children, can see what their freedom cost.
There should be as many empty chairs on flatbeds to show how many never made it back home from every town. All the MIA’S and POW’s We don’t need anything but Vets in a parade, no Little Miss or anything else, just Vets. We, as free Americans need to give them the love, honor and respect that they deserve. There should never be a charge for a parade. That in itself is an abomination. What price can one pay for a life lost for our freedom.
Our government needs to do more for our Vets and use the money wasted on the illegal immigrants that are allowed to enter our country illegally. Our Vets have earned the right to age gracefully and get the medical care they deserve without having to wait in long lines for treatment or appointments or dying in the street for lack of jobs or homes.
Weather you volunteered or were drafted, you served and we should appreciate all who served in whatever capacity. God Bless America and our Veterans. Thee will never be enough that we can do to repay them for their service and the horrors they went through losing their buddies in battle.
Do our veterans deserve better? Hell yes! On the other hand they took the job so there are others that deserve better too. In my opinion there are no Sacred Dead. War is the devils work encouraged by evil greedy men. All wars at their base are bankers wars. Profit and plunder are their chief motive. It is sad that so many valuable lives are lost to the greed of our leaders. Honor our soldiers, yes. Deify the wars, never. War is evil!
George K,
Thanks for your comments. Too bad this comment page does not reach many people.
A friend of mine had a brother in the FBI that said our vets were treated great. This caused a huge argument . I asked if he’d seen the thousands of homeless vets on the streets. They can’t afford the medical help they need or food or housing. How can anyone think they are being taken care of? There is so much waste in our government on unnecessary things yet these people are in poverty. I truly hope we can start getting our priorities straight. I’m praying that Trump will get this situation taken care of.
Jan:
I am a disabled Vet of the Vietnam war. and have had much experience with the VA. I neither agree nor disagree with the comments that you have made here concerning the homeless Vets, but I do wish to state that it is not entirely the VA’s fault. My father was a veteran in WW2 and also Korea. He and my mother divorced when I was young because he drank a lot and mistreated the family. He finally became a statistic that you are talking about. The VA in Eastern Tn has what most folks refer to as “The Soldiers’ Home” where the VA takes in homeless Veterans, gives medical care, shelter, and food. The only thing asked is that the Veteran obey the rules which are not that strenuous, but includes such things as no alcohol. Also, the vet will be asked to work (when able) for the VA in some capacity. My father checked into this facility and out again two or three different times when he was alive, but he refused to adhere to the regulations and chose the street instead. Because of his stubbornness and alcoholism, he eventually died on the street of Cirrhosis of the Liver and heart failure.
Folks I am not blaming or defending anyone, but The VA is not 100% responsible for the problems that the Vet faces. I know, for I also have had my share of problems with the VA. The biggest problem the VA has is the Bureaucracy. For example a Vet may be cheated out of benefits or rated lower than he should be, so that some administrator can drive that expensive new limousine or as you may already know, The Vet is inundated with red tape to the point that he just gives up trying to get into the VA. Folks, I have had to go through torment with the VA concerning my medical problems. I would gladly do without compensation myself if it would help my brothers in arms, but all it does line the pockets of the blood sucking parasites that pull the strings.
Here is a personal story of my own that you may or may not be interested in. After suffering for forty years with headaches and loss of work concerning my eye injury, I developed Angle Closure Glaucoma. I had already begged them to remove the eye for forty years but they refused, stating that something my happen to my other eye and I would need to keep that one. Notwithstanding, the pain was unbearable and as a result, other things happened that I don’t have time to explain here. Well, they opened the ports two or three times in my eye with laser surgery. the last time I had a problem I asked him once again to remove it and once again he refused for the same aforementioned reason and I stated to him that I was already totally blind in that eye and what he was saying made no sense. He then stated that he would do an injection into the eye which would take away all the pain but still let me keep my eye…….. See where this is going?…. No eye, more compensation but if they can leave the eye in my head, it is still an eye, so No more compensation! Well, he did the injection and informed me that if I had any problems to come back. …. I had LOTS of problems and the next morning I drove the 100mi back to see him. when I got there, he didn’t want to see me and I was dying with pain. That’s when I went to a local doctor who seemed to be very angry stating that “Your eye should have been removed 40yrs ago”!
When he removed the eye, I thought that I had stepped into heaven….. ZERO pain. After this I had to go back to the VA doctor for a compensation review. He threw the paperwork together haphazardly and it became lost for weeks before I finally ran it down myself and guess where it was? The paperwork was in an entirely unrelated department about a miles walk from where it was supposed to be; when asked what was wrong they said that one of the boxes was not checked by the doctor, so the paperwork just went to purgatory and laid on a desk until I chased it down. The man told me that he intended to put it in the trash if no one else claimed it…….. GOOD GOVERNMENT WORK! Folks, it is crap like this that is the problem with the VA!
One last note. Folks we Veterans do not want to be enshrined, all we want is a fare shake in life, just like everyone else. There is no difference in my eyes, (or should I say EYE) between a Veteran and any other Patriot for we all have a heart for our Country, just give us a fare shake that’s all we expect.
GOD BLESS all the VETERANS who are still serving, those precious souls who are in Heaven and those who have returned home many of them who are in dire need of medical attention. I am so thankful for your courageous service.
Parades are mostly to boost the moral of the public. It’s just a show. Looks/sounds nice but does little to actually help the veterans. The next day after the parade is over and getting cleaned up the problems still exist for veterans. Not trying to be a party-pooper. And I’m a veteran, but not combat veteran.
FOREVER GREATFUL to The Fallen
NEVER FORGOTTEN —
ALWAYS REMEMBERED!
While lying in my hospital bed in Guam after being medevaced from Cam Rahn Bay, I heard a nurse mention the date. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and asked for a confirmation. “It’s April 4th” she said, with a smile. I replied that today is my birthday. WOW! All of them scurried away and came back with a cupcake with one candle in the middle, sung to me happy birthday, and just threw a party right there in the room. The next day I was on my way Stateside heading eventually to Fort Gordon, but stopped over in Alaska for one night. When we flew into Alaska, there were nurses came aboard to see if anyone needed medical attention. I told them what the nurses had done in Guam the day before and one of them left and came back with another cupcake saying, well you have crossed the international date line and today is April 4th. So once again I was given a birthday party.
Today, I feel so blest as I look back and note all these little things that mean so much. And I just have to say Thank You Lord for the good people of the world, who take the time to do what they can for us when we are down, thank you for teaching us and reminding us, even if we have to have a memory jogger such as turning 21 twice. Thank you God for our Nation, and all the patriots that vote to keep her free.
Please God, make America great again! Put prayer and Bibles back in our schools and in homes, and in our Government! Put a right heart back in to the Citizens!
It will take a privatized health care to get rid of the dead wood at VA. The demos and RINOs both work for big corporations not the People.
As a Korea Veteran I totally agree with the comments by the other recent Vets. We need to take one day out of the year to honor our fallen Veterans and remember that we enjoy our FREEDOM because of thier sacrafices. If we do not revistit our history, we will probaly relive it. Keep America strong, carry a big stick and walk softly.
Lets put a box on the IRS form to fund a national Parade on Memorial Day.
I would suggest that Horn readers look up Rudyard Kipling’s poem “Tommy”. It’s a lament about the treatment of British soldiers in the 1800s by their snobby countrymen. But the poem speaks the truth about what is happening to American veterans today.
I’m a vet & everywhere I’ve lived there’s been a Memorial Day Parade. Why a change?