Memorial Day thoughts. Try and remember what it's for.

Memorial Day will soon be upon us. I wrote this for my blog initially back in 2018. But it still holds true today. _______________________

(Memorial Day - 2018)

I’ve arrived this day… this Memorial Day… to the stunning beauty… and proof of the stunning sacrifice, to the Gardens of Stone at Willamette National Cemetery, the placards of metal or their headstones attesting to the service of them all.

Flag upon flag… row upon row… the colors… green of the grass… white of the stones… bronze of the placards… red… white… and blue of the thousands upon thousands of small flags that can’t even begin to scratch the surface of repayment for that unpayable debt that we owe so many..

The wind blows, the clouds have moved away. The smells of newly cut grass, the sounds of a fountain… sprinklers share their water needed by the lawns covering those who gave their all.

The sun beats down on the faces of those who come to remember… to grieve… to think back… to recollect.

Children’s adventures, skinned knees… first day in school… that touchdown, that cheer, that first love, that graduation… their wives, their husbands, their children and loved ones of all description think back on what might have been… and could have been had they made it through…

And those lives… oh those many lives… snuffed out far, far too soon… in service of and to their country.

This is not and never will be a Day that should be devoted to store sales. Their blood demands better.

They’re missed, at least by some. I miss them all, but in the sense that each one of us who served and died in defense of this nation did so with an unbearable light of being that terrifies the darkness… the bright, shining essence of the blood shed by the young and the old who answered our Nation’s Call.

The sacrifice cannot be measured. But when I come here, I make the effort to try.

I ponder this as I speak to my brother who joined those here years ago. I look around… sometimes, a tear forms and falls unhindered to the hallowed ground where they rest.

The answers do not come. And again, the only certainly…

Is the deafening silence.

__________________________

Please... take a moment to about what this Day is about and why we have it.

And remembe

Weird. Democrats STILL don't get it. This is one political disaster they SHOULD have allowed to go to waste.

Every day that goes by, the democrats make the midterms look better for the GOP and worse for themselves. Rahm Emanuel, perhaps best known for his axiom ".... never allow a serious crisis to go to waste" SHOULD have been ignored this time. For over the last decade, democrats have had a huge problem condemning violence perpetrated by their political allies. For example, one of Gov. Tim "No Balz" Walz's biggest achievements was allowing Minneapolis to burn for 3 days before he finally acted during the democrats worship phase of their god, George Floyd. Democrats essentially remained silent during the subsequent riots.

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkin's response to the CHOP insurrection that took over much of Capital Hill in Seattle? To Trump, who only threatened to send in troops (which he clearly SHOULD have done) "Seattle is fine. Don't be so afraid of democracy." Well, again, the democrat's version of what she called "democracy" resulted in two teenagers shot to death and one seriously wounded, all 3 of them black, killed by her political allies in that obvious, textbook definition of an insurrection.

Vehicle in Seattle's "CHOP Zone" where one teen was killed and another seriously wounded.

Most recently, in the face of the criminal acts such as damaging Teslas and fire-bombing their dealerships as some sort of payback against Elon Musk (Never mind that it's primarily their fellow leftists who BUY Teslas) democrats typically sat there like Buddha and said nothing since they support these illegal activities for the most part, while steadfastly refusing to condemn the illegals committing violence and protests in many locations around this country.

Tesla dealership firebombed in Las Vegas

Keep in mind the fact that this "take it to the streets" extortion will change nothing and accomplish nothing except for ONE thing: a huge increase in political liability for their democrat defenders. And now, the out-of-touch left, desperately seeking SOMEONE to lead them, are claiming law enforcement; in this case, the deployment of Guard and Marines; MADE these people loot, burn and riot, while closing down freeways, vandalizing businesses and offices and generally making total asses of themselves.
   Once again, democrat's take it in the chops over LA riots as they continue to staunchly defend illegal aliens, criminal and otherwise. The ongoing thread of democrat reaction? Violence is fine as long as leftists perpetrate the violent acts.

Reduced to lying (Rep Maxine "Prune Face" Waters: 'There was no violence before Trump sent in the troops." It's not just that democrats lie. It's that they do it so badly.) and actually blaming the troops for the scum looting stores, and causing multiple assaults on police, Newsom and other leftists blame Trump for the violence and looting that's taken place.

Which is the political equivalent of blaming the victim for being raped.

Will they ever learn? (Those let in under Biden destroying Waymo (self-driving vehicles costing around $200K each)) and police vehicles (fully outfitted, costing roughly another $200K each) while waving mainly Mexican flags? If they want to stay here so badly, why wave the flags of the invading countries? Just another reminder of Biden/Harris's open border policies).

Waymo vehicles set on fire during LA riots.

And on top of this, Newsom got a knuckle sandwich in court yesterday when his moronic effort to force Trump to withdraw troops was denied.

I guess Newsom never did go to law school. This is one serious crisis the democrats SHOULD have allowed to go to waste.

Will democrats ever learn?

We've seen this before. Their utter humiliation at the presidential polls last November, when the Pole Dancer and Timeout Timmy were flattened has embittered them and resulted in many democrats becoming that which they abhorred so loudly and for so long, the hated (by democrats) "election denier".   

Looting stores in LA, because nothing screams "rights for illegals!" like theft on a large scale

They insist on ALWAYS being on the wrong end of the 80/20 political equation, defending illegal aliens, criminals and otherwise, their obvious open border and illegal alien voter policies, defending the gender mutilation and pornographic inculcation of children in our public schools... which have become centers of leftist programming and failures at academic outcomes... the incessant effort to revoke parental authority, but not responsibility... and now? Their incessant support of leftist political violence.

Waymo (self-driving) vehicles peacefully burning in the "mostly peaceful" riots

Another day of riots. Another day of democrat politicians condemning Trump for the violence they support. Another day of democrat politicians failing to condemn the violence or do anything about it.

When does it end? When will the people democrats allegedly govern, rise up and hold their governments accountable?

"Mostly Peaceful (tm)" illegal alien rioters being, well, mostly peaceful

Trump has made it clear that the three months of Portland riots will not be allowed to be the basis for holding communities hostage.

Picture of Portland rioters throwing firebombs at police during their "Summer of Riots."

And when will the democrats figure out that their incessant defense of the illegals, criminal and otherwise (outside the crime of being in the country under any circumstance) is going to haunt them for years?

US Senator Chris Van Hollen kickin' it with an illegal alien criminal while the victims of illegal alien crime get no love back in Maryland, Van Hollen's allegedly "home" state.
Perfect for the mid-term elections.

Is defending their open border actions and results REALLY the hill they want to die on? Is this their last stand before irrelevance?

An axiom that's stood the test of time in the political realm is that when your political opponents are trying to commit political suicide?

US Rep. Maxine "Prune Face" Waters condemns Trump for deploying the Guard and Marines in LA Riots.

Your job is to stand back and let them.

This is democrats across the nation... the "them..." doing that.

The Belle of Botox and the alleged House democrat "Leader" refusing to condemn Tesla violence

It's democrat political leadership supporting the rioters/looters. It's democrat leadership failing to condemn violence as they've failed for YEARS to condemn leftist-perpetrated violence. It's democrat leadership once again, failing to read the room.

It's the more modern day version of lemmings diving face-first over the cliff.

On one hand, it's yet another example of democrat stupidity and incompetence. On the other, it's confirmation that in most cases, democrats are unfit to govern.

As they will find out in 2026.

Trump, Newsom and Bass: all in.

With the deployment of Marines and additional National Guard, the leftists running California and L.A. HAVE to keep the riots going.

They have no choice now.

If Trump succeeds, it will be ANOTHER political disaster for both Newsom AND Bass, who proved their political incompetence in the recent fires that rocked LA.

If Trump's deployment of troops is successful, then he will get the credit and Gov. Incompetence along with Mayor Moron will look like complete idiots that Trump had to come in and bail out in SPITE of them, their opposition notwithstanding.

Trump, for his part, now MUST end these riots by whatever means he can for the same reason.

The ripple effects of this will likely determine the mid-terms and play a major role in '28, either way.

Both sides are all in. Now, we've got to see what The River will deal.

.
Devotion to duty like this is an uncommon vitrue. I understand he held that salute for a minimum of 3 hours... nonstop.

Uh-rah.

You're a tougher man than I, Marine.

By The Armorer on June 18, 2010 Permalink Comments (1) TrackBacks (0)

From this year's Rolling Thunder tribute.

The terror of finding out your son can now be a Marine.

.
Today we got the word that our son is fully qualified for enlistment into the Corps.

I'm a veteran. I served 14+ years, enlisted and commissioned, combat arms (for most of it) and combat service support in the Army.

My son wants to be a Marine. I don't want him to be a Marine. I don't want him in the Armed Forces at all.

Under other circumstances, I would have reservations, but I would support his decision.

But this isn't "other circumstances."

I enlisted during that little tiff in South East Asia back in 72. I was 17 and one day old at the time, and they weren't shipping 17 year olds. And that's good, because I was something of a klutz, and I probably would have blown myself up sometime before the middle of my 17th year.

I enlisted, frankly, because I had no where else to go. My son is not cursed with that situation.

Now, he wants to be a Marine. He's wanted to be one for quite some time. (Years, in fact) I respect and understand his desire to join. Marines are exceptional individually and as a group. If you're going to go, it makes sense to go with the best, and they are certainly among that.

But it has to matter.

Our country offers much better incentives than when I jumped in for my first 4 years. They grabbed me for $1200 for a combat arms enlistment. The base pay for the newly minted E 1 (private) was $288 a month.

Now, the VA package for college and the insurance and so on is much better.

But it doesn't do any good if you're not around to collect it or if you're not capable of going when you come back.

It has to matter.

The clown running the show gives "shout outs" to a bunch of civilians when a large number of his soldiers, men and pregnant women, have just been slaughtered.

He takes 90 days to make a self-evident decision and then provides only some level of what's needed when the roar became so loud that even a moron like Obama couldn't ignore it.

He calls his soldiers a "damn good photo op."

And my son wants to go into the middle of this?

He wants to join up and put his life on the line for an utterly clueless, uncaring moron who views him, if anything, as cannon fodder for his political agenda?

It has to matter.

And I can no longer see where it does.

But my son is a man and the decision is his. I will support him no matter what.

Don't do it. Not now. Not until it matters.
.

Red River 44: Angel Flight

.
First and foremost, a hat tip to Knottie's Niche, a Gold Star Mom's site "that's still dedicated to the troops and their mission."

My son is doing everything he can to become a Marine. He's a man now and has to make his own decisions. He wants Light Weapons Infantry...

It is some small comfort to know that if they have to bring him home at some point, there are people are out there that will not only understand, but who will handle this most important task in a way that reinforces that what we're doing really, really matters, and is really, really important.

I hope that day never comes. But I know that if it does...


.

It's 9/11. Does anyone remember?

.
I'm not the most eloquent of individuals, and I recognize that few will read my words from this humble effort.

That a relative few will ever read this does nothing to stop the question from needing to be asked: It's 9/11. Does anyone remember?

This is a deeper question then the surface scratching that many might respond with. "Of COURSE I remember... how could anyone forget?"

How, indeed.

It didn't take the leftists long. Some of the more Ward Churchill types forgot within moments, blaming this country for it's own attack. Others, of the scummier "truther" type, most notably Obama's fellow communist Van Jones, didn't take long to forget.

Democrats around the country began to forget as soon as they figured out ways to make political gains with their lies, exaggerations, and insults to our brave men and women... notably that scum bag Dick Durbin calling us Nazis, or that sick bastard Harry Reid who gutted troop morale by solemnly telling us that the war in Iraq was already lost... and that the fabulously successful "surge" was doomed to failure.

No, it didn't take long at all for a certain segment of our society to forget the bottomless pain this attack caused.

I peruse the TV schedule for today. Few shows dedicated to the pain of that day are scheduled to be aired today. Little is being done to cause reflection, or provide reminders of the horrific enemy facing us.

Why isn't it? Why is the slaughter of thousands of us in minutes so unimportant that we cannot seem to focus on this issue for, say, a single evening, once a year?

We NEED to be reminded. We NEED to see that special, called "9/11," shot on the spot by two French film makers who just happened to be in the area, filming fire fighters when their attack took place.

This film was directed by Jules and Gedeon Naudet, and NY firefighter James Hanlon. The Naudet brothers intended to film a documentary on "probie" firefighter Tony Benetatos. The firehouse Benetatos was assigned to was just blocks from the World Trade Center.On the day of the attacks, the Naudets turned their cameras to the horror unfolding around them. Only they were able to film from within the Trade Center as the second tower was hit, and as it collapsed.

Have you seen it? Have you heard it?

They were inside Tower One, filming the fire-fighter response. Their video of frightened but determined and professional fire fighters stands as a testament... to courage. It shows the last pictures taken of dozens of men and women rushing up narrow stair wells to save hundreds trapped above them... an effort that, ultimately, cost them their lives as well.

The sounds. Oh my God, the sounds. The sounds of the bodies hitting the roof of the portico. The BOOM of someone who had to jump or fry to death where they stood on the 100th... 101st.... on up to the roof of the Towers because they could not come down... and were going to die much more horrific deaths if they stayed.

The sounds after the buildings collapsed.... the incessant "tweeting" sound that never seemed to stop.

I don't remember if they film addressed it, but that sound was the sound of hundreds of devices carried as a part of firefighter gear so the wearer could be found if they didn't move for a certain period of time.

And those bodies were not moving.

So much has happened since that fateful day, 8 unbelievable years ago.

I have a son who has badly wanted to become a Marine for years, now. This afternoon, we're going to go chat with a recruiter. He wants Light Weapons Infantry. This ain't a great time to want that.

As a veteran of 14 years service in the Army, it might sound odd when I say that I do not want him to enlist.

It's not that I fear for him in that regard. I was 17 and a day old when I enlisted during that little tiff in SE Asia... and once my son becomes 18, he will be man enough to make his own decision.

But it has to matter. It has to mean something. And under the current regime that has their grip on this country; under a senate that would sell him out in a minute and a House that views the military as a sick joke, I fear that it will not matter.

And when he comes back... if he comes back... who will be tasked with putting him back together again?

So, here we are. Do you remember, yet? Can you feel the pain, the anger, the fury?

Or is it, as I suspect, a victim of the video-game, reset button mentality infecting us; and a leftist government that hates the military they supported when it came time to send them while they were busy plotting to undermine them every step of the way as our brave men and women did their bidding?

Do you remember?

I do.

9/11.

Never forget.
.