Today the nation pauses to honor the fallen — the courageous Americans who heard the call to serve, followed it into harm’s way, and gave their all in defense of freedom. Our thoughts today are of the 54 Kansans killed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and of their loved ones, for whom loss is a daily companion. We also feel the immensity of the debt owed to all those in the armed forces who have died protecting America’s liberty and security, not just in this century but over the nation’s history. It is because of their selfless valor that Americans are able to live freely and peacefully.
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59 Comments
The energy debate should surface again next year leaving behind the old ways of doing things. Including special interest campaign money which only corrupts the discussion.
Instead cleaning up our energy sources brings with it a major economic impact throughout the state. Jobs that cannot be outsourced and training at Vo-Tech level schools. It’s a win win win…economic growth,jobs and training.
Rebuilding economies with wind power,solar power,improved hydro electric and geo-thermal makes long term dollars and sense. Citizens and communities throughout the entire state will be thankful in the end for the new economic stimulus.
It’s like creating a skilled employment future for our children. Nothing wrong with that.
Nice comments earthdoctor, but what do they have to do with our fallen heroes?
Our fallen soldiers from all the wars deserve a heroes acknowledgment, and today’s the day to give them that.
Thank you all for making this the greatest country on earth.
Thank you to every soldier that headed the call to protect our country. Especially those that paid the ultimate price of their life to provide us with the freedom we take for granted.
Thank you to the families of all our soldiers.
Today I remember how I was treated by the Wichita VA after I came back in country in 1969. I still live the pain of the female VA employee who sarcastically told me, “why should we do anything for you after what you’ve done?” She was referring to my 23 months of hostile fire pay. I was refused service for my loss of hearing.
That ain’t right LonnythePlumber. They should have done a prelimary check of your hearing prior to your service entry. They can compare that examination and your application at the VA to determine any compensation and treatment you are entitled to get.
A salute to ALL of our military men and women who served valiently - ESPECIALLY those like Lonny who were shafted by the ‘establishment’ after their service in ‘Nam. My parents served in WW2 and were welcomed home as heroes. My father-in-law in Korea - a rather lukewarm welcome home. Then my step-brother and many close friends in ‘Nam. Far too many shafted by the VA and told by possible employers “we don’t hire you druggies”.
To ALL our veterans - “Welcome Home; you have served us well”
“Today the nation pauses to honor the fallen —”
Honor we should, but we should also not forget those who have returned injured, maimed, or psychologically devastated. They come home to a country that provides very little help or hope for them to live the American Dream that they so willingly protected.
They did a check when I entered. We didn’t have ear protection for everyone in helicopters and around mortars. And they said my records were burned up in St. Louis. Would not give me a re check.
The backlog for obtaining benefits in huge. the fight to get help is so challenging that volunteers have to help fill out the paperwork.
I am grateful the public is treating veterans better now.
A U.S. soldier also was killed and two others wounded Monday in a roadside bombing in the northern Salahuddin province, raising to at least 4,082 the number of American service members who have died in Iraq since the war started in March 2003. Official count of wounded Americans: 30,329.
30,329
30,329
at least 4,082 dead
4,082
4,082
No end in sight.
No end in sight.
“”"LonnythePlumber
Posted May 26, 2008 at 9:53 am | Permalink
They did a check when I entered. We didn’t have ear protection for everyone in helicopters and around mortars. And they said my records were burned up in St. Louis.”"”
Your records did burn up in St Louis. My dad’s records did too and when he died I had to go through all kinds of hell to get him buried in Arlington despite the fact that he had his 2 Purple Hearts and other papers (Korea). I finally asked my Congressman (Bob Barr) for help and he made some calls and they were about to get official records that were still filed at the VA hospital in Wichita and I was able to get him buried in Arlington. Ask your congressman for assistance. That is why they are there.
If any of you ever have the occasion to visit DC, take a walk into Arlington. It really brings the cost home. As you look over the thousands and thousands of stones, remember that each one was somebody’s father, son, brother or even a sister or daughter. Give some thought to the fact that today we will enjoy BBQ and other things that they will never get to enjoy again. If you know a veteran, thank them for their service today.
Fill up your gas tank today so you can remind yourself why so many Americans needed to die in Iraq.
Bringing on new energy sources and pulling away from the mideast could very easily lessen the numbers of fallen soldiers. Our soldiers should not be doing war time in Iraq because no mideast country attacked the USA. It is abuse of the military and their families. Let’s bring them home and train them to do border security,with damn good pay, if we are so threatened.
This Memorial Day contact Rep. Tiahrt’s office and thank him for spitting on veterans by voting against the GI Bill. Remember, corporate profits and tax cuts for the rich are more important than caring for those lucky enough to survive through America’s colonial wars.
It is appropriate that we pause to recognize the sacrifices of our military men and women who have made and sustained this great country.
May we never refuse to honor the service of those brave Americans who have sacrificed even if we may not always agree with the cause.
Cutting wayyyyy back on gasoline use can be accomplished using a variety of options and hopefully reduce road maintenance expense at the same time.
Shopping on foot or bicycle is far less expensive than a new hybrid automobile. Personal experience tells us Burley offers plenty of choices to make commuting life easy. Go to Burley on google which displays many practical options.
We have used our Burley as a stroller and shopping cart while walking and of course a bike trailer for hauling children,shopping or both. Many times our children would read as we chauffeur them around.
Hybrids are excellent sources of city travel as well but do cost a bit more. Biking and walking is cleaner than a hybrid.
More roads do not diminish congestion instead further complicate matters. The saying goes build more roads more cars will come. Not the greatest thought. More roads cost all taxpayers more tax dollar money from now until forever. The tax dollar cost of construction and maintenance of roads is obscene.
Then comes the issue of our carbon footprints which will be a challenge. Taking cars off the roads as often as possible of course would help matters of costly maintenance, congestion and pollution a great deal. However all of us like to visit, shop and we must get to work. In order to reduce the need for more roads and massive traveling by automobile the community needs to offer and/or create other means which are practical and attractive to us humans.
Considering more roads are not truly the means by which to reduce our cost of living,reducing congestion or reducing the size of our carbon foot prints perhaps the time has come to focus on:
1.Providing safe passage on Lawrence sidewalks
2. Public Transportation
3. Building and connecting hike and bike paths that lead to public schools,parks,grocery
stores and downtown or other shopping areas.
4. Commuter Trains
5. Commuter Bus
Many communities are heading in this direction according to what I read. It also came to my attention while attending a city commission like meeting with our daughter who lives in the KCMO/JOCO metro area. This meeting was hosted by three mayors representing three neighboring communities. The issue of wide sidewalks/ walkability arose during a rehab project discussion in which the developer was asked to install wider sidewalks to meet the communities new focus on walkability. Why 3 mayors? Three different communities are literally neighbors.
The tax dollar cost of construction and maintenance of roads is obscene. Roads get deep into our tax dollar wallets. Pork barrel spending is corrupt.
I’m beginning to think earthdoctor is a bot, as he has posted several times on the memorial day thread with an irrelevant subject to the topic.
Either that or he’s crudely insensitive.
Seems likely to be both. The good news — the “nic” is listed first!
“They’re all Wasted”.
Since we are trading American Blood for oil, earthdoctor’s posts may be more relevant than it seems at first….
DavidB
Posted May 26, 2008 at 11:34 am | Permalink
Since we are trading American Blood for oil, earthdoctor’s posts may be more relevant than it seems at first….
——————
Explain how those posts are relevant for those soldiers who died in previous wars?
Or were Civil War, Spanish-American War, Bosnia, WWI, WWII, Korean and Vietnam about oil?
David, please fill everyone in on your statement that “we are trading American blood for oil”. I’d like to know the evidence that you have and your thought process to arrive at that conclusion.
I wonder what Iraq’s oil production was before 2003 as compared to now.
Before 2003 Saddam was able to devalue oil prices by flooding the market with cheap oil. This upset folks like the oil companies, oil executives like Bush and Cheney, the Bin Laden family (Pappy Bush’s business partners), etc. By removing Saddam the oil companies have a better control on the oil market and can better manipulate prices to their advantage.
And all this was accomplished for free. The taxpayers foot the bill and soldiers die for the companies without having to be on the payroll.
Evidence Maggie?
Maggot forgot to include the evil Scandanavian oil drilling teams in Iraq. No doubt an oversight on his part.
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE
I watched the flag pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze;
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform,
So young, so tall, so proud;
With hair cut square and eyes alert,
He’d stand out in any crowd.
I thought… how many men like him
Had fallen through the years?
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers’ tears?
How many pilots’ planes shot down
How many died at sea
How many foxholes were soldiers’ graves
No, Freedom is not Free.
I heard the sound of Taps one night,
When everything was still;
I listened to the bugler play,
And felt a sudden chill;
I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant “Amen”
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend;
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands.
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea,
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No. Freedom is not Free!
Kelly Strong
The San Francisco Chronicle report –
Thousands of Iraqi and Afghanistan veterans are returning home only to become casualties of war - at their own hands. Suffering from psychiatric injuries, 1,000 veterans under Veterans Administration care are attempting suicide each month. Almost 40 percent of the young men and women returning from combat almost have proven mental health injuries that include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, major depression and traumatic brain injury.
But when they seek help, disabled veterans face a claims system so mismanaged and inefficient that they often must wait more than five years for any assistance. The Department of Veterans Affairs is choking on a backlog of some 600,000 unresolved benefits claims. Even after their eligibility has been established, thousands of veterans cannot obtain adequate mental health treatment. While they wait for the care they are owed, veterans are dying. About 126 veterans per week commit suicide. Vast numbers of veterans are living with mental illness, sometimes so severe that they are unable to work. Nationally, about 154,000 veterans are homeless on any given night and twice that many are homeless at some time during the year.”
“I tremble for my country when I think that God is just” — Thomas Jefferson
August 31, 2005
CORONADO, Calif. — President Bush answered growing antiwar protests yesterday with a fresh reason for US troops to continue fighting in Iraq: protection of the country’s vast oil fields, which he said would otherwise fall under the control of terrorist extremists.
“You can imagine a world in which these extremists and radicals got control of energy resources,” he said at a rally… “And then you can imagine them saying, ‘We’re going to pull a bunch of oil off the market to run your price of oil up unless you do the following. And the following would be along the lines of, well, ‘Retreat and let us continue to expand our dark vision.’ ”
Bush said extremists controlling Iraq “would use energy as economic blackmail” and try to pressure the United States to abandon its alliance with Israel. …he suggested that such radicals would be “able to pull millions of barrels of oil off the market, driving the price up to $300 or $400 a barrel.”
September 16, 2007
Alan Greenspan claims Iraq war was really for oil
AMERICA’s elder statesman of finance, Alan Greenspan, has shaken the White House by declaring that the prime motive for the war in Iraq was oil.
“I am saddened that it is politically inconvenient to acknowledge what everyone knows: the Iraq war is largely about oil,” Greenspan says.
Sources: .boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/08/31/bush_gives_new_reason_for_iraq_war/
timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article2461214.ece
washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/04/AR2006110401025.html
Well let’s see, you can use MonkeyHawk’s figures from a newspaper or one can read the official report from the Inspector General’s office of the Veteran’s Administration. It’s 1000 suicides per year on the entire population of 25 million veterans, not 1,000 per month on Iraqi returnees.
Ya know…
Just saying…
http://www.va.gov/oig/54/reports/VAOIG-06-03706-126.pdf
Fighting to protect the supply of oil to this country is not what I would call “fighting a war for oil”, Dave.
But let’s say we were threatened with our oil supply being cut-off, are you saying that would that not be worth fighting over?
One honors warriors by giving them noble and honorable duties. They are not honored by using them to carrying out a radical ultra right wing geo-political agenda.
Simply waving a flag in the air is not enough to honor our fallen men and women.
Outlander, if Ecuador cut off our supply of bananas then you’d use that as a justification to invade Ecuador.
I guess that means Japan was justified in invading America since we cut off their supply of steel and oil. Let’s issue an apology to Japan for causing them to invade America.
Hey Maggot, don’t you have to escort more babies to be aborted?
Why are you and David B trashing this thread meant to honor the dead heroes of our country? Some of these men and women died 100 years before you were born.
What does your narrow, biased agenda have to do with their deaths?
Regular-
Those that died in battle died in part, that Maggotpunk and DavidB can speak their peace. I am sure that those that perished are pleased in them doing so. So in a way, they honor those vets by their taken the opportunity of free speech.
DavidB
Posted May 26, 2008 at 1:45 pm | Permalink
One honors warriors by giving them noble and honorable duties. They are not honored by using them to carrying out a radical ultra right wing geo-political agenda.
Simply waving a flag in the air is not enough to honor our fallen men and women.
*********
Ans simply bitching about what you see as the politics of today is not even to honor them either, now is it? What have you done today to honor them?
true, true Mr. littlejohn…
Point made.
Well met and time to weed the garden…(ugh)
With 4,000 dead, 30 - 40,000 wounded, our soldiers in the line of fire in the longest war in US history, discussing this war IS my way of honoring them.
You go stick your flag on your car and convince yourself that you doing something important.
—-
I guess if Canada (our biggest supplier) decided to not sell us their oil, we’d have to bomb ‘em back to the Ice Age.
Top US suppliers of oil: eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/data_publications/company_level_imports/current/import.html
Hey, just because the Bushies are too incompetent to get Iraq back up to Saddam Hussein’s poor production levels doesn’t surprise me at all…
DavidB
Posted May 26, 2008 at 2:16 pm | Permalink
With 4,000 dead, 30 - 40,000 wounded, our soldiers in the line of fire in the longest war in US history, discussing this war IS my way of honoring them.
You go stick your flag on your car and convince yourself that you doing something important.
wOW. sUCH AS SACRIFICE. Such an honor. I am so sure they would appreciate it. I don;t have a flag on my car. I call on the widows of those slain in battle. I call on the wives of those that are gone to war, I buy drinks and meals for veterans. I shake their hand and say thank you. I am sure they appreciate you bitchin on a blog a LOT MORE. Sarcasm off.
Longes war in history? HWho the hell are you kidding? Ever hear of Viet Nam?
HOnor the vets by learning something. THen doing somehting
Bush says he’s humbled by soldiers’ courage
AP - President Bush thanks soldiers for their “ultimate sacrifice” and notes a few by name as he honors the fallen on Memorial Day
He could have at least read off all 4000+ names.
But probably has a golfing event to get to.
Ha, Phantom thought Monkeyhawk’s article on the open thread about President Bush resuming golf after 5 years off was real!
Written in 1990, 18 years ago,
‘Make Fuel Efficiency Our Gulf Strategy’
http://www.rmi.org/images/other/Security/S90-26_MakeFuelEffGulf.pdf
“Are we putting our kids in tanks because we didn’t put them in efficient cars? Yes: we wouldn’t have needed any oil from the Persian Gulf after 1985 if we’d simply kept on saving oil at the rate we did from 1977 through 1985.” (continues)
God Bless all those who have served and continue to do so.
May God Bless all the families of those follen Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen.
What, are you saying bush didn’t really resume the game?
On another note, bush is pulling his Chamberlin appeasement tactics!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080526/pl_nm/iraq_conference_dc_2
U.S., Iran and Arab neighbors to meet on Iraq
This is not an appropriate subject to debate the war or politics in. As most of the people here know I rarely pass up an opportunity to take a dig at the Republicans but I don’t feel it is right to do so under Remember The Fallen. Let’s us all just put aside the politics today and honour those who have given it all.
If you missed hearing the US Army Band and Chorus welcome Pope Benedict XVI at the White House Rose Garden ceremony on 15 April, get a load of these high school kids. One of the fathers recorded it, added some graphic enhancements to the recording, and posted it on the web. The song, of course, is the “Battle Hymn Of The Republic.” It will send a few shivers up your spine.
http://www.greatdanepromilitary.com/Battle%20Hymn/index.htm
Thanks you for those who went before us and those to come behind. We live in a great nation because we are a nation of great men. I give them honor today.
My Tears Dry on Their Own (amy winehouse). I’ve made today and Veterans day hard for myself on my own. It’s not just the two soldiers who died while I was with them, or the ones lost from friendly fire, but also the orientals that are not here because of me.
Volunteering at the Va has helped me more than anything. They are very nice and the vets are grateful. Just a half day once a week really makes a difference.
I can remember wheeling the vets without any legs from the VA nursing home to the Chapel and what a good attitude they had. Set the standard for a soldier.
Or, as bush would encourage us, Mount the flag, and get out and do your part, hit the memorial day sales!
DEAD HEROES “HONORED” BY PRESIDENT WHO HAD THEM KILLED
Yes, that’s a harsh headline.
But I’ll ask you to forgive me because, as a Veteran, there isn’t a day on the calendar that causes my hatred — and I do indeed mean hatred — of George W. Bush to bubble over the top more than Memorial Day.
“On Memorial Day, we honor the heroes who have laid down their lives in the cause of freedom, resolve that they will forever be remembered by a grateful Nation, and pray that our country may always prove worthy of the sacrifices they have made,” reads Bush’s official Memorial Day proclamation, issued by the White House on Thursday.
The Chickenhawk-in Chief says a lot of things that make this Vet’s blood boil but stuff like saying that he prays “…that our country may always prove worthy of the sacrifices they have made” is almost vomit inducing.
This statement comes from the same man who himself began dishonoring the sacrifices of all Veterans in such huge ways in March of 2003, when he invaded Iraq behind a veil of lies and deceit and started spilling barrels of military and civilian blood to start a war with a country that posed no threat whatsoever to our national security. These stirring words of remembrance come from an administration that began with a stolen election in 2000, which goes entirely against what I was taught way back when I was in the U.S. Navy, which was that part of the “way of life” we were protecting was symbolized by the ability of all of our citizens to have their votes counted.
“These courageous and selfless warriors have stepped forward to protect the Nation they love, fight for America’s highest ideals, and show millions that a future of liberty is possible,” continues Bush’s proclamation. “Americans are grateful to all those who have put on our Nation’s uniform and to their families, and we will always remember their service and sacrifice for our freedoms.”
The words Bush puts forth are true — it’s him being the one to say them that I find so sickening and personally offensive.
It is positively nauseating to have George W. Bush ever talk to us about “America’s highest ideals” when his administration has started a bloody war for no reason, imprisoned those suspected of being “terrorists” without trial or benefit of legal counsel, tortured prisoners in America’s name and done everything but grab the original U.S. Constitution from the National Archives and run it through a paper shredder.
I also don’t believe for one minute that the majority of the planet now holds our country in such extreme contempt because we’re right and they don’t understand our “highest ideals.” This Veteran will go to his grave believing that the years 2000 through 2008 were a dark time in our history when much of what I believed when I served in uniform was made invalid and debased. — Bob Geiger
I wonder if Mr. Geiger would care to repeat his speech in Iraq or Afghanistan in front of a few thousand military?
I doubt it. Political hacks like Geiger are search for the extra buck and want their ‘cow bell’ rung to feed their ego.
Bob Geiger? Pretty provocative idiocy there Monkey.
I notice you are frequently alleging respect for our military, but then cynically using them as a platform from which to hurl political insults.
Seems rather inappropriate and borderline cowardly.
Mother, mother There’s too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There’s far too many of you dying
You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today
Father, father
We don’t need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don’t punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what’s going on
What’s going on
What’s going on
What’s going on
Father, father, everybody thinks we’re wrong
But who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don’t punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What’s going on
What’s going on
Tell me what’s going on
I’ll tell you what’s going on
—————
Sometimes I miss the “long hairs.”
“Remember the Fallen” just don’t let the public see them on TV.
Because BushCo. knows full well that night after night of seeing greiving families and crying kids with no dads would hasten the end to their war-for-the-rich in Iraq.
So, just like Pravda in the old Soviet Union, the corporate media refuses to show information critical of the paramount leaders.
Phil Ochs - I Ain’t Marching Anymore
Oh, I marched to the battle of New Orleans,
at the end of the early British wars.
the young land started growing,
the young blood started flowing.
but I ain’t a-marching anymore.
Oh I killed my share of Injuns in a thousand different fights,
I was there at the Little Big Horn.
I heard many men a-lying,
I saw many more a-dying.
but I ain’t a-marching anymore.
It’s always the old to lead us to the wars,
always the young to fall.
Now look at what we’ve won with a saber and a gun.
Tell me is it worth it all?
For I stole California from the Mexican land,
fought in the bloody Civil War.
Yes, I even killed my brothers,
and so many others.
but I ain’t a-marching anymore.
For I marched to the battle of the German trench,
in a war that was bound to end all wars.
Oh I must have killed a million men,
and now they want me back again.
but I ain’t a-marching anymore.
It’s always the old to lead us to the wars,
always the young to fall.
Now look at what we’ve won with a saber and a gun.
Tell me is it worth it all?
For I flew the final mission in the Japanese sky,
set off the mighty mushroom roar.
but I saw the cities burnin’,
and I knew that I was learnin’,
that I ain’t a-marching anymore.
CelticKin–
Don’t lament the loss of the long-hairs.
Check out John Mayer “Waiting for the Change to Come” or James Blunt “No Mercy” or Pink “Hey, Mr. President.”
CapnAmerica,
Or perhaps some of us don’t like seeing the dead being used for political purposes by the likes of you…
Fix the VA. It sucks.
P.S. I suppose a clever person could use me of using the dead for poltical purposes–but the passage was quoted for the reason the dead guy was intending.
Rest in peace, Mr. Gilliard.
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[...] into harm??s way, and gave their all in defense of freedom. Our thoughts today are of the 54 Kansanhttp://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2008/05/remember-the-fallen/City marks 44th Memorial Day program The Daily ReporterFrom the War for Independence to Operation [...]