GraniteGrok

Karen Thurston of the NH Blue Star Moms sent these pictures of "The Laying of the Wreaths" at the NH Veterans home in Boscawan, NH.  These volunteers spent a rather chilly time honoring those that gave of themselves in defense of this country.

As you celebrate Christmas and New Year's, take a moment to ponder that these brave souls, these that have worn the uniform of the United States, have made your time with family and friends possible.  

The 'Grok thanks them, and the volunteers that gave unstintingly of their time and effort.  Well done.

More pictures after the jump

(H/T: U.S. Marine Riders too!)

Continue reading "Laying of the Wreaths" »

Posted by Skip at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The 'Grok loves our vets and those that are still in uniform.  THEY are the ones, at the tip of the spear, that protect us.  We appreciate their willingness to sacrifice their lives, and the lives of their families, to keep us safe. 

It takes a special type of person to be a Warrior - a special kind of ethos.  Some might think War uncouth, unseemly,  and a throwback to a time that should be better relegated to the dustbin of history - and I would agree.  However, until that time comes when all live to leave others' their freedom and lives, Warriors will be needed. 

We are blessed to have them.

To you all, God bless; you deserve our thanks and our admiration!

(H/T: Soldier Systems)

Note: “The Warrior Song” is currently for sale to the public on iTunes for .99 cents. Every purchase supports members of the United States military, as the profits derived from its sale will be donated to the Armed Forces Relief Trust.

Posted by Skip at 6:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Guest Post by Bob Jones 

The President has received the Nobel Peace Prize . As Commander-In- Chief what will that mean to the safety of the troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, some on their 3rd and 4th deployment into harm’s way?

When the Commander-in-chief’s handpicked General, McCrystal, asks for the troops needed to stabilize areas of Afghanistan and to accomplish the goal of providing security for the people of that country, and the Commander-In-Chief has little or no contact with that General concerning his request, what message does that send to the enemy(Taliban, Al Qaeda) and to our own troops on the ground?

Will the Peace prize be the instrument used to Walk Away from the people of these regions, and from the American Troops who are serving and have served in these areas?

We know and remember well what walking away did to the Character and Honor of America after Vietnam. With many Americans the words Faith and Trust could no longer be used when discussing the use of American troops. Will this “Prize” be more proof adding to that fact?

When Wars are fought from the desks in DC, and taken out of the hands of the Generals and Soldiers sent to fight for the right reasons, then it’s time for all of us to think about the safety of the American fighting men and women. they are the true treasure of this Country.

Walking away under a banner of “Peace with Honor” will add to that black mark left on the soul of America after Vietnam, and will further undermine the Faith and Trust the American people have in their leadership, not to mention how the rest of the world will judge our ability to live up to our commitments.

Those who are fighting these Wars, and their families, do not see their Commander-In-Chief out front leading , but see him sitting behind closed doors ignoring requests for help, while discussing the “Politically correct thing” to do, and accepting symbols that may add to the picture of a Country that is weak and no longer a deterrent to evil or a place of Honor or Trust. How will that add to the safety of our children and our way of life? What strength does that offer to those around this world who wish us harm?

The “Peace Prize” could end up being a symbol that erases a way of life that was built on Faith and Trust by those who have died for their Mother America in the name of freedom.

We must voice our opinions and protect the boots on the ground from the suits in DC

Bob Jones lives in Meredith and is a driving force within the Northeast POW/MIA Network. He is a Vietnam Veteran and an Independent voter.

Posted by Doug at 6:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Guest Post by Bob Jones

Israel has released 19 Palestinian women prisoners for a 1 minute video of the Israeli soldier (Gilad Shalit) captured in 2006. Shalits freedom has become a condition for the Israelis to consider ending a blockade of Gaza which has economically paralyzed the area. The people of Israel have been updated on the continued effort to gain the release of this soldier.
 
American soldier PFC Bowe Bergdahl was taken prisoner by the Taliban in Afghanistan  in July and by reports has been sold at least twice to different war lords in the region. He has been shown in a video and we hear Nothing on follow up and are expected to believe everything that can be done is being done on behalf of this American Son. We are asked to respect the wishes of the family, which we would all do and are doing.
 
To believe the suits in DC are allowing some kind of negotiation on behalf of this American Son is a bit of a stretch when he is being hidden by terminology and reports by those in charge of the effort have been negative when discussing PFC Bergdhal. “It was his own fault and as one FOX news analyst stated, may be a deserter and the Taliban could well do us a favor”. This is respecting the wishes of the family and working to gain his release ?
 
American servicemen/women should NOT be disposable objects but the history  of the POW/MIA issue is not all positive. Repatriation or remains is NOT the answer or the desired end. Faith ,Trust and Truth are what families hope for. “Let Us Not Forget” are more than words. Semper Fi means Always Faithful..not “sometimes faithful”.
 
Israel and its people understand. WE could and should learn from their dedication to those who serve. Call your Congressman/woman, Senator today and ASK about the American “POW” being held in Afghanistan and what is being done to gain his release? If it was YOUR son ,what would you expect  and hope others would do?  What you are doing? Those who serve OUR Country should not be disposable objects. Place the letters “POW/MIA” beside the picture of your loved one and just imagine.

Bob Jones lives in Meredith and is a driving force within the Northeast POW/MIA Network. He is a Vietnam Veteran and an Independent voter.

Posted by Doug at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Never Forget! Bring them ALL home...

Guest Post by Bob Jones 

Friday is National POW/MIA Awareness Day. Interesting to note is the FACT that we have an American soldier (PFC Bowe Bergdahl) being held as “POW” in Afghanistan at this time and most Americans are not aware because of simple terminology change. The term POW/MIA was changed 15 years ago and Americans who risk their lives and are captured are NOT granted protection under the Geneva Conventions because of Terminology which is now “Missing-Captured” and where is the outcry from all those who “Support the Troops”?

Are American troops, men and women, now disposable objects not worth negotiating for ? Once captured we Americans are to sit back and wait for Remains ?

You can believe those troops there, those boots on the ground, have done and are doing everything possible for this soldier. The problem is, those in DC who direct the Wars and call for support HIDE these Americans through change of terminology. Faith, Trust and Truth..Lacking !!

Maybe all those who wave the flag and actually support the troops may on Friday the 18th make a call to your Congress Rep. AND Senator and Demand the terminology be changed to the recognized POW/MIA so as to grant any possible protection to this American Soldier. Accept the responsibility on behalf of those we SAY we care about and are grateful for. saying “Thank you for your service” is NOT enough..Do something !!

Bob Jones, who lives in Meredith,  is the Chapter 395, NHPOW/MIA Representative Legislative Officer for the Northeastpowmianetwork.org

Posted by Doug at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

.     ...

Today is the anniversary of the worst terror assault on American soil- the third major attack on the homeland by enemy forces since the end of the Revolutionary War.

September 11, 2001 is a day that everything changed. Throughout history there have been few events that, in the big scheme of things, impacted nearly every person in a nation-- even fewer that affect the entire world’s population. The events of seven years ago today did just that. Like the sacking of Rome some 1600 years back, what happened on that jarring day will be remembered until the end of time. What we continue to do (or not) in the aftermath, will likely determine the course of civilization for the next millennia. It is up to us to ensure that the Dark Ages that followed the collapse of the Western Roman civilization does not repeat itself.

If you don’t think that a calamity of that nature could befall us here in modern times, it might be wise to recall your ancient world history. When you understand the heights of civilization achieved by the Roman Empire, it is all the more incredible to contemplate the shear magnitude of its fall and aftermath. In the absence of Rome’s long nurtured institutions, the next 1000 plus years were spent trying to undo the systematic destruction wrought by the attacking barbarians working in concert with internal cultural decay.

What would a world without the United States look like? Just imagine Europe in World War II without the help of America. The European “union” flag would undoubtedly feature a Swastika as its centerpiece. By our present time, how much of the world would be “ethnically cleansed” of Jews and other so-called “undesirables”? How many millions in the Pacific Rim would be toiling today beneath the banner of the “Rising Sun” for the benefit of some Emperor-god?

A resurgent Russia is on the march. The mad mullahs of Iran work feverishly towards a nuclear bomb. Al Qaeda continues to issue threats and brainwash new footsoldiers on the Internet and through a world-wide system of mosques. China is still ruled by the communists. Make no mistake about it—without the United States; a tide of slavery and totalitarianism would most likely envelope the globe.

We must remind those who cannot see the threat—like Presidential Obama, who, as a candidate, told us he  views the Iranian problem as “small” compared to the “dire circumstances” of the Cold War-- not to forget the intentions of the September 11 murderers. On this day of anniversary, we must, as a Nation, carefully reflect on the objectives of our attackers. Never forget that our enemies’ intention was not to teach some lesson. Seven years ago, the objective was not to exact some sort of revenge. The goal was, and still is, the absolute downfall of the United States of America, along with Western Civilization, as we know it. Consider the targets. The symbolic centers of our economic lifeblood, our national defense, and our national seat of government were marked for destruction. To what end did our attackers work other than total collapse?

Those who think that I exaggerate the danger need to consider some facts. Ever since the Iranian hostage crisis in the late 70’s right on up to September 10th, the United States has been seemingly helpless in the face of numerous acts of terror and outright war perpetrated by the growing Islamic fundamentalist extremist movement: Iran hostages, Beirut barracks attack, Khobar Towers, the USS Cole attack, the African embassy suicide bombings, the  WTC bombing 93 and possibly even Oklahoma City are among the most notable. What was our response? Nothing. The U.S. couldn’t even really complete the first Gulf War. Why wouldn’t our enemies, fresh from routing the Soviets in Afghanistan and perpetrating the Somalia debacle think, that if they struck us hard and terribly enough, we might utterly collapse from the chaos sure to follow?

Just in case you’ve forgotten, here are the numbers, as found at the Wikipedia (since updated):

Excluding the 19 hijackers, 2,974 people died in the attacks. Another 24 are missing and presumed dead. The overwhelming majority of casualties were civilians, including nationals of over 90 different countries. In addition, the death of at least one person from lung disease was ruled by a medical examiner to be a result of exposure to dust from the World Trade Center's collapse, as rescue and recovery workers were exposed to airborne contaminants following the buildings' collapse.

George Bush spoke of the events of September 11th, 2001 at a ceremony remembering that other day of infamy when the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor:

“We’ve seen their kind before.  The terrorists are the heirs to fascism.  They have the same will to power, the same disdain for the individual, the same mad global ambitions.  And they will be dealt with in just the same way.  Like all fascists, the terrorists cannot be appeased:  they must be defeated.  This struggle will not end in a truce or treaty.  It will end in victory for the United States, our friends and the cause of freedom.” 

Posted by Doug at 8:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

"NO one left behind" - a hallmark of the Navy's special operations teams (as well as military units in general).  Often said, SCPO Healy willingly sacrifice his life in an attempt to save his fellow Seals in the  mountains of Afghanistan (as outlined in the book Lone Survivor by his teammate, Marcus Luttrell).

Yesterday, TMEW and I had the privilege of attending a dedication ceremony in Exeter, NH (where Dan grew up) where the town unveiled a monument to his memory and renamed their community pool and a nearby bridge to his honor:

Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

He had a young family that loved him; he didn't have to go.  But he knew that he was needed and showed us all a lesson that many tritely say "freedom isn't free".  Sometimes, it takes self-responsibility to preserve that freedom; you cannot have the latter without the former.  He showed that self-responsibility can sometimes demand "giving all".  That that originally gave us that freedom in this country did so, fearful for their families, but knew that freedom required it.

The monument is yet unfinished - the sculpture started a scant month ago.  The base is to represent the mountains of Afghanistan (better shown in other pictures). The obelisk has more info on it (after the jump).  What appears to be an unfinished "drape" will be a representation of the American flag draped over the column - once done, I will update this post.

The leis, as his family is living in Hawaii, come from a Hawaiian tradition of casting leis upon the water to free the departed souls.

More after the jump:

Continue reading ""Some Gave All" - Navy Seal Sr. Chief Petty Officer Daniel Healy of Exeter, NH did so" »

Posted by Skip at 3:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Guest Post by Sue Peterson...

President Obama, you are the Commander in Chief.  Today we have another American Soldier that was capture, Pfc. Bowe R. Bergdahl.  He is identified as "Missing-Captured" which is the designation that was established on December 18, 2000.  The Department of Defense (DOD) issued Directive 1300.18 which eliminated the status of designation Prisoner of War (POW) for captured American Service Personnel.  They replaced it with the ambiguous designation Missing/Captured (MIA-C) or “Duty Station Unknown”.  The DOD and Pentagon changed from POW/MIA, a term all Americans understand and the term used under the Geneva Convention – shouldn’t he have the right to be classified as the Convention asks to guarantee him all help and protection possible?  The lack of action by Congress to correct this misguided step displays a lack of respect for and provides grievous insult to our service personnel, their families and loved ones who suffer this loss.

Now, this soldier joins the other 2 – Missing/Captured –
CPT Scott Speicher (Desert Storm),
SPC Ahmed K. Altaie

(Last year they found the remains of SSG Matt Maupin, who was not called a POW, but he was awarded the POW medal, how ironic is that? And also the remains of PVT Byron W. Fouty and SPC Alex R. Jimenez.)

As a mother of a soldier who served in Iraq (Baghdad) and another son deploying next year, please remember that we have the above 3 soldiers - please do not forget them ...UNTIL THEY ALL COME HOME.. ...I cannot even imagine being a parent of one of these men....again, please make people aware...we need to help the families of these soldiers.

You will note there is tracking for WWII, Korea, Cold War, Vietnam War, 1991 Gulf War. But, there is no tracking or public dissemination for Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The change in nomenclature from POW/MIA to Missing Captured & Missing In Action Where About Unknown does not afford principles or their survivors the same statutory legal benefits as granted to service members in prior conflicts. The missing personal will still be promoted at their normal longevity and allotments will still be paid to dependents but that is about as far as it goes. You can ask the family of Matt Maupin about the level of assistance they received (from the DPMO office). As a Blue Star Mom, I need to know the level of support or non-support my sons would be afforded if they were just listed as missing or captured in this current state of conflict.  We demand from you and Congress that our current military personnel and their survivors be afforded the same level rights as prior POW/MIAs were granted.

I am proud of New Hampshire and Governor Lynch (D) for signing SB148 on June 11, 2009.  This bill establishes that the state of New Hampshire recognizes the designations of Prisoner of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) as valid descriptions of casualty status and category classification for military personnel.  Governor Lynch has made NH the first state in the Union to officially declare that the only term POW/MIA is acceptable!!!

We are asking you, President Obama, to “direct the Department of Defense to recognize and designate as “Prisoner of War” (POW) not Missing/Captured”(MIA-C) any member of the U.S. Armed Forces and any U.S. citizens employed by any U.S. agency, or under U.S. Government contract, who are captured and held against his/her will.”

I am asking you to please write or call The President, your Senator and Representative, radio and papers…Let’s have New Hampshire lead the way in making this change….we can be the rock in the water that causes the ripple to spread across our United States of America.

Thank you,
Susan Peterson
Proud Blue Star Mom (x’s 2)

Posted by Doug at 6:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Just like the Americans? No way!

Liz Cheney writes in a Wall Street Journal op-ed entitled "Obama rewrites the Cold War" that

Mr. Obama's method for pushing reset around the world is becoming clearer with each foreign trip. He proclaims moral equivalence between the U.S. and our adversaries, he readily accepts a false historical narrative, and he refuses to stand up against anti-American lies.

Commenting on Mr. Obama's speech to Russian students dishing out his distorted version of Cold War history, she notes

It is irresponsible for an American president to go to Moscow and tell a room full of young Russians less than the truth about how the Cold War ended. One wonders whether this was just an attempt to push "reset" -- or maybe to curry favor. Perhaps, most concerning of all, Mr. Obama believes what he said.

Wonderful... Read the whole thing here.

[H/T: Conservative Grapevine]

Posted by Doug at 1:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Medal of Honor Winner Ed Freeman

From our friend Jack Kimball of the Granite State Patriots:

Michael Jackson dies and it’s 24/7 news coverage. A real American hero dies and not a mention of it in the news.   We're entertained by an entertainer's death, one who molested children, took drugs (and died by them), and never once proudly proclaimed himself as an American....well,

Ed Freeman 

You're a 19-year-old kid. You're critically wounded and dying in the jungle in the Ia Drang Valley , 11-14-1965, LZ X-ray, Vietnam . Your infantry unit is outnumbered 8-1 and the enemy fire is so intense, from 100 or 200 yards away, that your own Infantry Commander has ordered the MediVac helicopters to stop coming in.
 
You're lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns, and you know you're not getting out. Your family is half way around the world, 12,000 miles away and you'll never see them again. As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day.
 
Then, over the machine gun noise, you faintly hear that sound of a helicopter and you look up to see an unarmed Huey, but it doesn't seem real because no Medi-Vac markings are on it.
 
Ed Freeman is coming for you. He's not Medi-Vac, so it's not his job, but he's flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire, after the Medi-Vacs were ordered not to come.
 
He's coming anyway.
 
And he drops it in and sits there in the machine gun fire as they load 2 or 3 of you on board.
 
Then he flies you up and out, through the gunfire to the doctors and nurses.
 
And he kept coming back, 13 more times, and took about 30 of you and your buddies out, who would never have gotten out.
 
Medal of Honor Recipient Ed Freeman died on Wednesday, June 25th, 2009, at the age of 80, in Boise , ID.   May God rest his soul.

Since the media didn't give him the coverage he deserves, send this to every American you know...

THANKS AGAIN, ED, FOR WHAT YOU DID FOR OUR COUNTRY. RIP

Posted by Doug at 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Freedom Rally '07

Today marks the 21st anniversary of America’s longest and oldest continuous weekly POW/MIA vigil, held every Thursday night at New Hampshire’s official memorial at Meredith’s Hesky Park. Additionally, this day marks the 16th anniversary of the Freedom Ride. Started in 1994 by a local motorcycle club, the ride is held in conjunction with the POW/MIA Vigil as a way of bringing both attention and participation to the issue.  It was modeled after “Rolling Thunder” which takes place every Memorial Day in Washington D.C.

The Freedom Ride is held every summer during Laconia Motorcycle Rally and Race Week.   Bikers gather for the 11 mile journey that winds its way along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee.  The trip ends at Hesky Park in Meredith culminating in a special Thursday night Vigil.  According to its organizers, the sole purpose of the ride is to “keep the promise.”

This year's event will feature Carolyn Maupin, the Mother of former POW/MIA Sgt Matt Maupin.

Those who plan on participating in this year’s ride by motorcycle should arrive at the Gilford Lowe’s parking lot by 6:00 pm tonight (Thursday June 18). The lineup will start at 6:15, with the police escort-led departure for Meredith at 6:30. Of course, the event is not just for those who ride bikes. Others are encouraged to travel via 106 North into Meredith, where there is plenty of parking. Just make sure you’re there in time to get in ahead of the motorcycles, as it will be a sight to behold when they arrive. The vigil itself starts, as it always does, at 7:00 pm sharp. New for this year is a boat flotilla which will leave Fay's Marina in Gilford at 6:00PM.

Posted by Doug at 9:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Because we never forget. D-Day, or Reagan...

Posted by Doug at 8:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Guest post by Karen Testerman

Is one life more worthy than another?

Google can tell us a lot about what our media considers important and their take on the worthiness of life for ALL beings.  Consider the following:

Today I found 60,200 Google hits on the murder of abortionist, George Tiller vs. 1,040 hits covering the murder of an Army Recuriter by a Muslim convert, terrorist.  Both occurred here in the Southern states IN the United States.

A Muslim convert who said he was opposed to the U.S. military shot two soldiers outside an Arkansas recruiting station, killing one, police said Monday, June 1st.

"This individual appears to have been upset with the military, the Army in particular, and that's why he did what he did," Little Rock Police Lt. Terry Hastings said in a phone interview.

In one instance the President of the United States issued a press release stating that he was "shocked and outraged" regarding the murder of George Tiller. 

However, the Commander in Chief at the close of the day had no comment, no press release, on the murder by a terrorist of one of his personnel under his command.

This reminds me of a similar situation.  A Google search on Matthew Shepherd, the young man whose October 12, 1998 murder allegedly because of anti-gay sentiments yields 1,310,000 hits vs. 4,420 for Jesse Dirkhising, the 13 year old murdered by two homosexual men on September 26, 1999.  

Why is an abortionist who destroys life more worthy of recognition than a military man who puts his life on the line for our freedoms?  Why is a victim of a robbery who happens to be homosexual more worthy of special legislation than a child who is the victim of homosexual sodomy?

"...through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous..."  Romans 5:19

Karen Testerman is the Director of Social Policy Coalitions for Eligere Strategies.

Posted by Doug at 1:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

by Karen Thurston

Last year, the Blue Star Mothers of New Hampshire joined forces with New Hampshire Veteran’s groups, as well as other organizations and donors, to build a Reflection Fountain along the Memorial Walkway at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen.  This week marked the completion of the fountain.  The formal dedication of the Reflection Fountain is scheduled for Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 12:30PM following the traditional Memorial Day services at the cemetery.

To date, the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery has become the final resting place for over 3700 Veterans and their spouses.  The cemetery is a place of peace through its natural beauty, and is a source of pride to all the Veterans and their families.  It is also the site of many ceremonies held throughout the year designed to acknowledge all Veterans, even those not interred here. These veterans, by virtue of their service, gave the title "Blue Star Family" to their loved ones.  Those who died in service to their country bestowed the title of “Gold Star Family” on those they left behind.  The title “POW/MIA Family” goes to those families who are still awaiting the return of their loved ones. It is fitting therefore, that the bonds created by their military service will be reflected in this fountain. 

The Reflection Fountain has been designed to provide a place for all families, Blue, Gold and POW/MIA, to sit and reflect on the great sacrifice that has been made by all Veterans, past, present and future. You may ask, "Am I part of this family?" ~ The answer is a resounding “YES!”  If you have someone in your family who has served, or is currently serving in any branch of our military, you are a Blue Star Family.

The Reflection Fountain belongs to all of us, to the spouse who spends long deployments waiting to hear from his or her loved one, to the mother and father who spends sleepless nights worrying about her child, to the grandchild who is just learning that their grandparent served at Normandy, to the family that is still grieving after the loss of their loved one, to the dad who served his country in Vietnam, yet hides it from those around him, and to the POW/MIA family that waits patiently for answers to their questions.  It belongs to all of them.  The Reflection Fountain is designed to be a place where fellow veterans can find comfort and peace. 
 
Please come Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 12:30PM and join in the dedication of this beautiful memorial.

Posted by Doug at 3:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

From our friends at the Josiah Bartlett Center:

Josiah Bartlett Center Releases "Veterans In New Hampshire"
Charts service of Granite State's 122,000 Veterans

(CONCORD)  As the nation marks Memorial Day, the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy today released its latest report, "Veterans in New Hampshire", which charts the service of the Granite State's 122,000 veterans.

Using information from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Josiah Bartlett Center estimates that over 122,000 veterans currently live in New Hampshire.  124 veterans served prior to World War II, 13,600 during World War II, more than 41,5000 during the Vietnam Era, and 6,600 since September 2001.  The U.S. Census Bureau bases its estimates the annual American Community Survey, and calculates that 122,646 veterans lived in New Hampshire as of 2007, the last year for which data is currently available.  The overall survey results have a margin of error of +/- 4,350.

"As we remember those who gave their lives to defend our freedom, we're proud to salute those heroes who came home," said Lead Investigator Grant Bosse, who authored the report.  "We're proud to live among the thousands of our neighbors who put their lives on the line to defend America and make the world a safer place."

To download the report, go to NH Watchdog.

Posted by Doug at 5:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Guest Post by Joe Cantafio

When I was a young boy I remember two very important, and two very different parades in Oak Park, Illinois; the quaint little western-Chicago suburb where I grew up.

I can remember at about the age of four, walking with my Dad to the parade that marched down Ridgeland Avenue, only three-blocks from our home on South Taylor Avenue. The date was May 30th. It is still a very sweet and vivid memory of my Dad, Color Guards, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, politicians, little league baseball teams, marching bands, fire trucks and engines, police cars, war Veterans and uniformed Troops. I remember this particular parade because it wasn't the wild celebration that our 4th of July parade always was.

As a youngster I didn't understand the difference between the two parades, but I did notice that The Memorial Day Parade, was holier; quieter compared to the other. There were no clowns, or marchers throwing candy to the crowd, in fact, there was a certain reverence at this particular parade especially when the Troops marched by. As I sat at the privileged seat my father cleared for me on the curb, I watched the people in the crowds' eyes tear up when the WWII Veterans marched by, not realizing that their tears and respectful applause were for those men and women who saved the world about 14-years earlier.

I stopped going to parades when I thought I became too "cool" at the age of 11 or 12. I would use those American Holidays to sleep in. I was all about "me" in those days. It wasn't until the end of my freshman year in high school that it all sunk in. It was then that the meaning of Memorial Day, a day originally set aside to honor Civil War Veterans, began to sink in. That was the year my cousin Charles Genitti, USMC was killed in Vietnam.

I can remember thinking I was going to sleep-in on Memorial Day 1970, but for some reason I got up earlier than expected, showered, and walked out of the house by myself at about 9:30 AM as if I was pulled by a magnet to the parade on Ridgeland Ave. It was as if time stood still, waiting for me to return. The same patriots lined the street dress in their American colors, a bit older now, but still there, supporting their country. I stood back, behind the crowd as more of an observer this time and watched the children as their parents now let them up-front to the curb. That made me smile.

I watched the fire trucks and engines come down the street first, as the children's faces all lit up with excitement; putting their hands over their ears as the firefighters and police officers sounded their sirens as they came screaming up the street. The marching bands seemed a bit out of tune, probably like they always were, I just never noticed it when I was a kid.

Continue reading "Two Parades..." »

Posted by Doug at 8:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it...

Susie Sandager will be at the Etz Hayim Synagogue in Derry on Monday, May 18th at 6:30 PM performing her one woman dramatization of Corrie Ten Boom, the Dutch Christian who, along with her family, saved the lives of over 800 Jews by hiding them from the Nazis. Corrie’s insight and spiritual depth were instilled by her father’s faith and devotion and tested in the flea-infested barracks of a Nazi concentration camp. Adapted from the bestseller “The Hiding Place”.
 
Following the dramatization, JoAnn Magnuson, currently the USA Director of Christian Friends of Yad Vashem, will give a speech about genocides that are happening around the globe today.
 
The event has several sponsors including Christians and Jews United for Israel (CJUI),  Voice of Israel Initiative of NH (VISION) and the  Merrimack Valley Friends of Israel (MVFI).

Posted by Greg Salts at 5:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Never Forget! Bring them ALL home...

Just got this from Bob Jones of Meredith. First the news, then a letter from Bob...

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers, and one soldier as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN). The action occurred May 1 near the village of Nishagam, in Konar Province, Afghanistan, where all three were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Killed were:

Sgt. James D. Pirtle, 21, of Colorado Springs, Colo. He was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; and

Spec. Ryan C. King, 22, of Dallas, Ga. He was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

These soldiers died of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit using direct fire.

Staff Sgt. William D. Vile, 27, of Philadelphia, Pa. is now listed as DUSTWUN from this same incident. He is assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

Bob writes:

Morning,

The news item I've included with this note is the reason the terminology has to be changed. Do you see the term “MIA” any place in this DOD write up ? How can we say we care about those serving our country and at the same time HIDE the fact that one is “Missing In Action”? MIA is a designation ALL Americans understand. DUSTWUN is a designation that HIDES a fact. Do we NOT owe these soldiers every bit of protection we can offer?

The DOD has NRVER been wrong before? The lawyers at DOD care about this issue as much as the American Public would?

The MOPH (Military Order Of Purple Heart) “SHOULD” be the organization that brings this to light because WE are an Organization of Faith, Trust and Truth!!

The NH Chapter asks that our National leaders step up and make this issue of TRUST a priority TODAY. Time is has always been a factor and we have wasted enough . The Geneva Conventions refer to POWs and MIAs and NOT “Missing- Captured DUSTWUN”. Accept the responsibility and show the courage or continue to be part of the problem…it’s time.

Bob Jones

Chapter 395, NHPOW/MIA Representative

Legislative Officer

Northeastpowmianetwork.org

Posted by Doug at 9:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Ted Nugent for President!

Man, just how many great speeches WERE given on Tea Party Day, anyway? Wow!

Posted by Doug at 4:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Filed under "Never Forget!"

If you go to the stomping grounds of Senator Byrd (D-West Virginia and former KKK leader) and you are trying to find THE building you need that is called "The Senator Byrd..." whatever, you may be looking for a long time.  Talk about erecting edifices to oneself before death on the taxpayer dime!!  Oh my gosh!

It seems, according to this DC Examiner piece, other politicians want to head down that road, heaping glory and everlasting fame upon their sorry behinds.

Instead of more deserving recipients - military and first responders who have given their lives (as opposed to politicians whose only accomplishment has been to get themselves elected).

Politicians picking more politicians over REAL heroes - who knew??

Most major sports have halls of fame, but what Congress needs now is a Wall of Shame, with these five charter members: Representatives Louise Slaughter of New York, James McGovern of Massachusetts, Doris Matsui and Dennis Cardoza of California, and Florida’s Alcee Hastings. In the past half year, these five Democrats voted for naming military construction projects after sitting members of Congress, but against naming new infrastructure projects after military personnel or domestic “first responders” who died in the line of duty. Their votes on these two proposals should be forever enshrined as monuments to their own outsized egos and as examples of what is wrong with Congress today.

Last July 31, Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Tex., offered a simple amendment to the Military Construction spending bill for 2009 banning use of federal funds for a defense project or program named after a sitting member of Congress. The amendment passed easily, 329-86. (McCaul has offered bills to accomplish the same ends for all government programs, not just military construction, but the Democratic leadership buried them.) But Slaughter, McGovern, Matsui, Cardoza and Hastings were among the 86 who insisted that sitting congressmen should be able to use tax money to name buildings after themselves.

It gets worse. Last week, Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, R-Mich., sought to offer an amendment to the stimulus package to require naming new federally funded infrastructure projects in the economic stimulus bill “after (1) a member of the Armed Forces who died of a combat-related injury; or (2) an emergency response provider who died of an emergency response-related injury.” What better way to honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion – right? Yet all nine Democrats on the House Rules Committee voted to refuse to let McCotter’s amendment be considered, thus killing the amendment entirely. Among those nine Democrats were Slaughter, McGovern, Matsui, Cardoza and Hastings.

“Especially in a time of war and economic recession, it is better to honor the people who defend our liberty than the people who spend our money,” McCotter told The Examiner afterwards. Exactly. If Democratic congressional leaders have any sense of proportion, they will move quickly to revive McCaul’s bills and McCotter’s amendment and approve both as quickly as possible. Our tax dollars should honor real heroes, not pompous politicians.

We have had McCotter on Meet The New Press in the past and we were impressed with his rhetoric as he hit all the right notes with Doug and I in talking the Conservative line.  And then, on his next visit around the time of the passage of the overly bloated (even by DC standards) Farm Bill, our political ardor with the Representative dropped quicker than when a Alberta Clipper nails NH in the Winter time dropping temperatures to negative territories as we found out he voted FOR that bill (once again, Republicans saying "so much for principles!").

This stand by him, however, might tend to nudge his reputation with us to somewhere above freezing - we DO thank him for his stand on this issue!

I certainly agree with what Betsy is suggesting:

I hope that the Republican National Committee is paying attention. Perhaps such incumbents are impregnable when it comes to reelection, but can't you just picture the political ad in 2010 contrasting those two votes?

(H/T: Betsy's Page)

Posted by Skip at 7:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

An open letter to President Obama

by Debbie Lee

It is with a heavy heart for my country that I write to you today. I pray that you will be inspired, challenged, and that you will reconsider decisions that you have made in the past week since you took the oath to preserve, protect and defend our constitution.

Many in my family have taken a similar oath in the military including my sons Kristofer & Marc, my son-in-law Chris, my brother Jim and my Father.
 

"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

 
They along with every other Veteran have paid for my freedoms and the freedoms of every American. They have given and sacrificed so much. Some have paid the ultimate price as my son Marc Alan Lee did on Aug 2, 2006. He was the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq. He made the choice to stand up into the direct line of fire three times that day fighting for the rights of those who couldn't fight and bravely defending the defenseless. He told me we were making a difference in Iraq and he knew it was the right thing to do. He fought the terrorists over in Iraq so that we would not have to fight them on American soil or fear another attack on our homeland.
 
We have heard the success stories in Ramadi and the Al-Anbar province where Marc fought. He directly impacted the history of the world. My son successfully completed his mission that day but it required the sacrifice of his life to save other's. He chose to do that, he was a young man who valued others lives more important than his own.
 
I remember the day I found out I was pregnant with him, just two weeks after a divorce from his abusive Father. I had a 3 year old son and an 18 month old daughter and didn't get support from their Father. How would we ever survive? I could barely afford food for the two little ones I had, let alone another baby. There were those who told me that abortion was the solution. I already had an abortion at 17 and it would have been easy to do that again, but I had learned the hard way that abortion was taking the life of an unborn child and wasn't a solution.
 
As a single parent for most of their life, I struggled - sometimes working 3 jobs to take care of them. It wasn't easy and there wasn't any light at the end of the tunnel, but by God's grace and mercy I have three amazing children.
 
Can you imagine how different this world would have been without Marc? I still hear amazing stories of lives that have been inspired and touched by this amazing man who gave his life away so that others may live. It could even be your life that Marc spared as he fought the terrorists and brought them the justice they deserved. Marc and others just like him have fought and given you and me the gift of life by defending us against enemies foreign and domestic.
 
This past week a nation watched as you signed Executive Orders that have horrific consequences.
 
You didn't waste any time signing an order to close Guantanamo Detention Camps. My son gave up his life fighting the terrorists so we wouldn't have to face them in America ever again, and now your actions will bring these vile radical terrorist to American soil and give them the same rights as citizens of America have? 
 

Continue reading "Guest Post: A Gold Star Mother writes President Obama" »

Posted by Doug at 3:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

"Even worse than failure is to yield to shame and coercion without a struggle." Stauffenberg (left), as quoted in The Third Reich, A New History by Michael Burleigh. That's Tom Cruise on the right.

So I said to my Dad, "We should check out that new movie, Valkyrie." I should have expected his response: "Are you kidding? The Tom Cruise movie? I'm not sure I can sit through that." We ended up not going while I was on holiday with him over Christmas, and instead I went Monday night, wife in tow, to see the well-advertised flick.  

My only regret is that I didn't go see it when I was down in Florida with Dad, as I know he would have enjoyed it every much as I did. What a fantastic movie with an interesting and thought-provoking story. What makes it all the more interesting is that nearly every last bit, right down to the smallest detail, is apparently true. My guess is that most people had no idea that such actions as depicted in Valkyrie took place in real life. The disatisfaction within the German army ranks with their Fuhrer and his Nazi party was legend, especially once he started war with the Soviets. The plans for the coup as shown in the movie almost seem like they were written to make it have more of a story. Again, it's all as it really happened back in June and July of 1944. I pulled out my copy of William Shirer's Rise and Fall of the Third Reich and, upon reading a rather large number of pages devoted to Stauffenberg's exploits, verified that, other than maybe 2 or 3 insignificant details, the screenplay is an accurate portrayal of the 15th and final known assasination attempt on Hitler-- and the one that came the closest.

It makes me glad to see that Hollywood is capable of creating such a good piece of historical film, as opposed to the typical Oliver Stone "crockumentaries" with the usual distortions. It's also nice that, no matter the personal side, accomplished actors like Tom Cruise can still turn in a good performance. As to why he was picked for the lead, look no more that the photos above. How could they NOT have picked him for the role? Wrote Shirer, of Stauffenberg:

This was a man of astonishing gifts for a professional soldier... Possessed of a fine physique and, according to all who knew him, of a striking handsomeness, he developed a brilliant, inquiisitive, splendidly balanced mind.

Cruise delivered. Do yourself a favor-- go see Valkyrie. Not only will you be entertained, you'll be smarter as well. How often does that happen? I don't go see very many movies-- in fact, sometimes the span between can be measured in YEARS. This one was well worth my time, and I recommend it to anybody with a even a mild interest in history-- and, of course, anyone who likes a truly good story...

Posted by Doug at 8:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

This week marks the sixtieth-fourth anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge. That battle, known to the Germans as the “Ardennes Offensive,” started in December 1944 and was the last major German offensive on the Western Front during World War II. The German army sought to cut the Allied line in two, capture Antwerp, Belgium, and sweep north to encircle and destroy four Allied armies, with the hope of forcing the war-wearied Allies to sue for peace.

Although it ended up being unsuccessful, the offensive nevertheless tied down huge amounts of Allied resources, and the initial slow response of the Allies to the resulting gap (“bulge”) in their lines cost them many months in the timetable to finally wrap up the war in Europe. Despite several years of war, and the general feeling following the success of the Allied push starting months earlier with D-Day that the war with Germany was in its final stage, the surprise Battle of the Bulge ended up being the largest battle the United States Army had fought up to that date.

At the start of the battle on December 16th, the American forces in the zone numbered 80,000 men, 400 tanks and 400 guns. The Germans outnumbered the stunned Americans at the start of the offensive with 200,000 men, 600 tanks (which were superior to ours in all accounts), and 1900 heavy artillery guns. When the battle officially ended on January 15th, 1945, the American/Allied forces sustained 78,000 casualties with 8,607 dead, 21,144 captured or missing and 47,139 wounded. 733 tanks were lost. The Germans suffered 68,000 casualties with 17,236 dead, 16,000 captured or missing and 34,439 wounded. The Germans also lost 700 tanks, leaving many deserted on the battlefield for lack of fuel.

On December 16th, recently recovered from a Dec. 2nd Purple Heart wound, a young Camille E. Pepin of Woonsocket, RI found himself in the thick of some of the heaviest fighting in the European theater- facing the German enemy at its most desperate point, willing to do almost anything to defend the final approaches to the Fatherland. He describes the situation. “You went on with so much fear… So much thought of never coming back. You didn’t want to be reminded of home because you didn’t think you were coming back. I remember the screaming shells all around. The rockets at night- every night… and the smell. The smell of powder and burning pine. There was death all around. Landmines everywhere. You needed to follow paths with wires to avoid stepping on one. It really was, as they say, HELL WITH ICICLES… the surrounding woods, no matter where you were, were filled with dead, frozen bodies.”

Young Pepin spent an extended period of heavy combat in and around St. Vith during the Bulge and continuing after into the German heartland, all the way through to the end of hostilities in Europe. Fighting in the Bulge was actually a part of the larger campaign in which he participated- one less famous—but in fact, more deadly-- that had been going on for many weeks prior to the start of the German offensive.

Continue reading ""Hell With Icicles"" »

Posted by Doug at 1:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Wreaths of Remembrance 2007 (GG file photo)

Last year the Blue Star Mothers of NH (BSMNH) decorated the NH Veterans Cemetery with "Wreaths of Remembrance" in conjunction with the "Wreaths Across America" event. This year they wanted to bring the solemn beauty to every community in NH. The Blue Star and Gold Star Mothers of NH, along with the Ladies VFW, are working with Wreaths Across America to carry this tradition further and are seeking to have as many NH towns as possible participate in this year's ceremony.

The Blue Star moms, along with many veterans' groups will be working together with the people to hold their own ceremony at their town's War Memorial on December 13th at 12:00pm-- the same time and date as the National Program being held at Arlington National Cemetery.

To accomplish this will require the involvement of all the local VFW Posts, other posts, and individual citizens in the towns. If you would like to consider sponsoring your town for this honoring of our Veterans please contact the BSMNH Vice President at bluestarmothersofnh@yahoo.com.

This is the list, thus far, of NH communities participating in this year's "Wreaths of Remembrance":

Continue reading "[Bumped- Today is the day!] "Wreaths of Remembrance"" »

Posted by Doug at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

“On the morning of December 7, 1941, that Fleet’s planes bombed all the US military air bases on the island (the biggest was the US Army air base at Hickam Field), and the ships anchored at Pearl, including ‘Battleship Row’. Nearly every plane on the ground was destroyed; only a few fighters got airborne and opposed the attacking planes. Twelve battleships and other ships either were sunk or damaged, 188 aircraft were destroyed, and 2,403 Americans lost their lives. The battleship USS Arizona exploded and sank with a loss of over 1,100 men, nearly half of the American dead.”

“Yesterday, December 7, 1941- a date which will live in infamy- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”

“As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.”

“Always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.”

In his December 9th radio address to the Nation President Roosevelt said,

“The sudden criminal attacks perpetrated by the Japanese in the Pacific provide the climax of a decade of international immorality. Powerful and resourceful gangsters have banded together to make war upon the whole human race… Together with other free peoples, we are fighting to maintain our right to live among our world neighbors in freedom and in common decency without fear of assault…. We are now in this war. We are all in it- all the way. Every single man, woman, and child is a partner in the most tremendous undertaking of our American history. We must share together the bad news and the good news, the defeats and the victories- the changing fortunes of war.”

The similarities in the accounting of the two infamous days cannot be overlooked. Sixty seven years ago, the president predicted “absolute victory.” In the present time, our President has done the same. On December 7th, 2001, President Bush, in a speech commemorating Pearl Harbor Day said,

“Our war against terror is not a war against one terrorist leader or one terrorist group.  Terrorism is a movement, an ideology that respects no boundary of nationality or decency.  The terrorists despise creative societies and individual choice -- and thus they bear a special hatred for America.  They desire to concentrate power in the hands of a few, and to force every life into grim and joyless conformity.  They celebrate death, making a mission of murder and a sacrament of suicide.  Yet, for some reason -- for some reason, only young followers are ushered down this deadly path to paradise, while terrorist leaders run into caves to save their own hides.”

“We’ve seen their kind before.  The terrorists are the heirs to fascism.  They have the same will to power, the same disdain for the individual, the same mad global ambitions.  And they will be dealt with in just the same way.  Like all fascists, the terrorists cannot be appeased:  they must be defeated.  This struggle will not end in a truce or treaty.  It will end in victory for the United States, our friends and the cause of freedom.” 

“I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.”

The following statements come from those who will be our leaders as of 1/20/09:

“Our message to the president is clear. It is time to begin ending this war -- not next year, not next month -- but today.”

“What I am opposed to is a dumb war. What I am opposed to is a rash war.”

Posted by Doug at 8:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I got this early this morning from our good friend Blue Star Mother Sue Peterson:

Good morning everyone - I started to write a note to you about Veterans Day and turned on the computer and found this from my friend - Debbie- a Gold Star Mom - so needless to say, this is what I would like to share with you today.  To all  the Gold Star Families  and all the Veterans that are reading this - thank you so much - we as a country owe all that have fought to protect and secure our liberty, justice, and freedoms.  I will never forget!

Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
 
A 'war veteran' (from Latin vetus, meaning "old")^[1] is a person who has or is working in the armed forces.
 
Our Vets: Heroes...Defender's of Freedom...Warriors...Protectors

They are our sons, our daughters, our husbands, our wives, our Mother's and Father's. Their your neighbor, your teacher, your police officer, your Doctor, your nurse, your Pastor. They are young and old, tall and short, and from every ethnic background. They live in cities and rural communities, in the North, the South, the East, the West.
 
Some served one tour and others a lifetime. Some during times of peace yet others in the bloodiest battles of Germany, France, Korea, Viet Nam, Iraq, Afghanistan, or other countries of turmoil. Many have sacrificed their limbs, their eyes, their future and many have sacrificed their lives. Yet they all seem to have a common thread of selfless valor that runs through their veins. They are true patriots who because they deeply love their country, their families and their freedoms that they courageously prepare for battle so if they are called to defend this nation that they so love they are ready. 
 
I visited Fort RoseCrans National Cemetery in San Diego yesterday and placed flowers and a flag on my sons grave. My Mighty Warrior, Marc Alan Lee, the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq 8-2-06. As I drove in the main gate they had 6 extra flags at the base of the huge flag pole. The wind was causing the flags to appear as though they were standing proudly at attention. As I sat on Marc's grave and processed through the different emotions of pride, of love, of emptiness I glanced up the hill through the rows and rows of marble headstones to the flags that were majestically flapping in the extreme wind. So many have given so much to make sure that those colors still fly boldly representing "One Nation under God," and the freedoms that we have in America. Freedoms we enjoy because of all of our Vets whether Sailors, Marines, Soldiers or Airmen, our Vets who deeply gave.
 
I know the price of freedom and I understand the sacrifices that our troops have given. They have done that for me, for you, for this nation. They didn't do that for rewards or medals or recognition, but today, please join me as our nation chooses to remember collectively and thank them and celebrate who they are and what they have selflessly given. I choose to do that every day because they are my HEROES and I am so grateful!
 
I am attaching Marc's last letter home that we have called his "Glory" letter. You will be inspired and moved.  He challenges us to do random acts of kindness and I would ask you, in his memory, to honor our Vets today by picking up the check for their meal, coffee, groceries or whatever you can. Be generous! It's a small token of our appreciation for all they have sacrificed. These are my heroes and they have given so much not expecting anything in return. Attend a parade, thank them, shake their hands, give them a hug from a grateful nation.
 
Don't forget those who are deployed. Send a care package, e-mail a card, check on their families. Please remember the families of the fallen who gave it all and share your gratitude and love with them.
 
Thank you to everyone of you who has served or who is serving. You are my heroes and today I celebrate you and honor you for all you have sacrificed and given for me and my freedoms.
 
Celebrating Our Vets,
 
Debbie Lee

Marc's last letter home:

Continue reading ""For those who fight to protect it, freedom has a flavor that the protected will never know."- Unknown" »

Posted by Doug at 8:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

Cyrus the Great

by Amil Imani

Once again October 29th is rolling around. And once again, free people all over the world celebrate the memory of Cyrus the Great, the author of mankind’s arguably greatest document, the first Charter of Human Rights. This benevolent king, ruling over a vast empire of diverse people, enshrined in the Cyrus Cylinder, nearly three millennia ago, the principles that define and protect human dignity.

Cyrus Cylinder

It has been well over four years since the International Committee to Save the Archeological Sites of Pasargad initiated a massive celebration for the International Day of Cyrus the Great all over the world. For the past four years, especially, the courageous Iranian people have gathered by the tomb of Cyrus the Great, to commemorate this momentous international event, despite numerous intimidations and harassments by the agents of the Islamic Republic.

Cyrus the Great’s recognition of human rights, irrespective of any and all considerations, was instrumental in advancing the social and cultural precepts of the diverse people throughout the vast expanse of his empire. Although ethnically Persian, the benevolent king considered himself a trustee of the diverse nationalities of his kingdom. Parochialism and ethnocentrism were alien to this visionary monarch. 

In the same way that Cyrus the Great considered all people members of the same human family, the human family of today holds the great trailblazer of human rights as one of its own. The vast plateau that is the presently encompasses Iran has been inhabited by the most diverse people of any region of the planet. Yet, in adherence to the lofty principles of Cyrus, these people found unity in diversity. They remained loyal to their own unique heritage and successfully linked it to a larger loyalty. The present Iran is a living testimony to this remarkable togetherness where ethnic Persians, Turkic, Kurds, Lurs, Turkmen, Baluchis, Arabs, and others live as one people.

Cyrus’ Charter of Human Rights is the first written document which stipulates that all humans have universal inalienable rights, without regard to any and all demographic considerations such as ethnicity, nationality and religion.

Continue reading "Honoring Cyrus the Great and his Charter" »

Posted by Amil at 7:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Major Kirk Luedeke

[Ed. note: It's been a while, but we are pleased to welcome our milblogger, Major Kirk, back to the pages of GraniteGrok. See his prior dispatches from Iraq here...]

I just reached a small personal milestone- my 180th day home since the 4th Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division- Task Force Dragon- redeployed to Fort Riley from the Rashid District in Southern Baghdad. Life has been great for me, but hit me the other day that I really didn’t have a lot of visibility on what’s been going on in the old Iraqi neighborhoods since we departed in April.

It took a recent 60 Minutes segment by Lesley Stahl on CBS about the March and April battle for Sadr City- one that occurred out of our sector, but happened while we were still in Baghdad and in the process of handing over responsibility for Rashid to our counterparts- the 1st “Raider” Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division. The story is extremely well done and if you haven’t seen it, take a look (I’ve posted the link below).

The segment brought back a lot of memories for me. We saw some spillover in attacks directed at us by renegade Shia special groups criminals as a result of the fighting to our east across the Tigris. In fact, on the very night he arrived by Chinook helicopter my public affairs counterpart was standing next to my desk when a 107mm rocket screamed over the FOB Falcon wall and landed close to our brigade headquarters building. It exploded, violently spraying the structure with lethal shrapnel, shattering windows and shaking the foundation. Nobody was killed that night and there were only a few minor injuries, but the attack served as a wakeup call for all of us- we were short but our tour wasn’t over.

“Wasted away again in Mortaritaville,” I later deadpanned to my fellow PAO Dave (no, I wasn’t calm and collected enough to do it in the heat of the moment), and unfortunately for us, there would be other attacks to come at Falcon. A few days later, we would even get trapped in the Green Zone for several hours, compliments of some of the mortar and rocket attacks from Sadr City which forced the U.S. to take the action depicted on 60 Minutes.

When we left Iraq in late April, the battle had already started to move away from our collective consciousness, so seeing that story some six months later reminded me about how disconnected I’ve become from the events and life that I spent 430 days experiencing in 2007-08.

Being there, I was immersed in a never-ending news cycle. Even if my focus was on monitoring the various events and stories coming out of our area or Iraq/Afghanistan, I had a steady pulse on news from around the world as well. Never in my life have I felt more connected than I did in my job while deployed to Iraq.

So, fast forward to October 2008;

Continue reading "Dragon Soup Blog: Get yourself connected" »

Posted by Major Kirk at 2:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When The Eldest was in Iraq with the Marines, every day I prayed that I'd never see the Government car come into the driveway with the appointed Officer and NCO then walking up the path. With the Youngest now at Army boot camp, I may well dread the sound of any car pulling in.  My sympathies go out to all of those families that have had that fateful visit.

Tonight, I just learned that a National Guardsman from one of our local towns made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of freedom.  Franklin (NH) Mayor Ken Merrifield sent the news:

FRANKLIN MAYOR ORDERS FLAGS TO HALF STAFF
 
FRANKLIN, NH - In honor of National Guardman and former Franklin Police Sergeant Scott Dimond, Franklin Mayor Ken Merrifield has ordered flags lowered to half staff at all city and school buildings immediately. Dimond died in Afghanistan from injuries received in an attack on a military convoy Monday evening. The Mayor urged Franklin residents and businesses to lower their flags as well.
 
"The City of Franklin is heartbroken at the loss of Scott Dimond, and we offer our deepest condolences to the entire Dimond family," said Mayor Merrifield. "As a law enforcement professional and as a soldier, Scott always made himself a shield between the people he served and any danger." The Mayor recalled conversations with Dimond at the polls during various elections. "He was a funny and likeable guy, and we'll all miss him very much."
 
Corporal Dimond was 39 years old and deployed in January as part of an embedded tactical training team in Afghanistan.
 
"Scott was a credit to the Franklin Police Department and to his country. His sacrifice will not be forgotten in the City of Franklin," Merrifield added.

WMUR, our local TV station, has more:

FRANKLIN, N.H. -- A National Guard soldier from Franklin has been killed in Afghanistan.

Cpl. Scott Dimond, 39, died as a result of injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device.

National Guard officials said Dimond was traveling in a military convoy that came under enemy attack on Monday near Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Scott's family during this time of deep sadness," said Maj. Gen. Kenneth Clark, the adjutant general of the New Hampshire National Guard. "May they take some comfort in knowing that Scott was committed to serving others, both as a former police officer for the town of Franklin and a citizen-soldier."

Dimond was a soldier with C Company, 3rd of the 172nd Mountain Infantry Regiment. He was deployed in January as part of a New Hampshire National Guard embedded tactical training team working as mentors to the Afghan army and police force.

"Cpl. Dimond served his state and his nation with dignity, courage and honor," Gov. John Lynch said in a written statement. "He was a hero who sacrificed protecting all of us. On behalf of the citizens of New Hampshire, our deepest sympathies go out to the entire Dimond family."

Dimond joined the National Guard in 2006. He was a police officer with the town of Franklin from 1988 to 2006.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Cpl. Dimond," said U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes in a written statement. "He served his country with honor and made the ultimate sacrifice defending our nation. My thoughts are with Cpl. Dimond's family and friends during this incredibly difficult time."

Godspeed, sir, and may He watch over your family.  We are honored and stand in awe of your service.

Posted by Skip at 9:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

"The Rock" in Meredith, NH's Hesky Park

Our friend Bob Jones of the Northeast POW/MIA Network sends the following heads up regarding a special event to take place tomorrow in Meredith, NH recognizing the Nation's POW/MIAs:

September 19th is national POW/MIA recognition day. The “NH Original POW/MIA Memorial” in Meredith’s Hesky Park “The Rock” has been the hub for POW/MIA information and recognition.

“The Rock” will have a small symbol placed there for the day. A small bag with lemon, a pinch of salt, a rose, matches and red ribbon. The Lemon to remind us of the bitter fate of those CAPTURED…POW’s. The Pinch Of Salt reminds us of the tears shed by those missing and their families. The Rose reminds us of the LIFE of each POW/MIA. The Matches, to keep the fire burning in the name of Faith and Trust and the Red Ribbon is a symbol of our Determination and Responsibility to “ALL” POW’s/MIA’s Past, Present and Future.

9 small POW/MIA Flags will surround The Rock  symbolizing NH being the 9th State in the union and Meredith “The Rock”, the NH Original POW/MIA  State Memorial.

Blue Star Mother of NH president Karen Thurston tells us that

POW/MIA Recognition Day is a day of remembrance and hope for the speedy and safe return of American Prisoners of War, and those still Missing in Action. It also seeks the return of the remains of fallen soldiers.

The first official commemoration of POW/MIAs was July 18, 1979. It was the result of resolutions passed in Congress. The first national ceremony was held on this date. Over the next several years, it was held in varying dates of the year. Finally, in 1986, The National League of Families proposed the third Friday in September as a day to recognize and remember POW/MIAs. This date was selected, as it is not associated with any wars. Each year, the president of the United States issues a proclamation on this day.

She asks everybody to

please take a few moments Friday to remember our missing soldiers, and those held as prisoners of war. Attend a ceremony in your area. Say a prayer for POWs and MIAs. Also, write to your senators and congressman to urge continued and increased effort towards bringing every service man and woman home.

Never Forget! Bring them ALL home...

 

Posted by Doug at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

.     ...

Today is the anniversary of the worst terror assault on American soil- the third major attack on the homeland by enemy forces since the end of the Revolutionary War.

September 11, 2001 is a day that everything changed. Throughout history there have been few events that, in the big scheme of things, impacted nearly every person in a nation-- even fewer that affect the entire world’s population. The events of seven years ago today did just that. Like the sacking of Rome some 1600 years back, what happened on that jarring day will be remembered until the end of time. What we continue to do (or not) in the aftermath, will likely determine the course of civilization for the next millennia. It is up to us to ensure that the Dark Ages that followed the collapse of the Western Roman civilization does not repeat itself.

If you don’t think that a calamity of that nature could befall us here in modern times, it might be wise to recall your ancient world history. When you understand the heights of civilization achieved by the Roman Empire, it is all the more incredible to contemplate the shear magnitude of its fall and aftermath. In the absence of Rome’s long nurtured institutions, the next 1000 plus years were spent trying to undo the systematic destruction wrought by the attacking barbarians working in concert with internal cultural decay.

What would a world without the United States look like? Just imagine Europe in World War II without the help of America. The European “union” flag would undoubtedly feature a Swastika as its centerpiece. By our present time, how much of the world would be “ethnically cleansed” of Jews and other so-called “undesirables”? How many millions in the Pacific Rim would be toiling today beneath the banner of the “Rising Sun” for the benefit of some Emperor-god?

A resurgent Russia is on the march. The mad mullahs of Iran work feverishly towards a nuclear bomb. Al Qaeda continues to issue threats and brainwash new footsoldiers on the Internet and through a world-wide system of mosques. China is still ruled by the communists. Make no mistake about it—without the United States; a tide of slavery and totalitarianism would most likely envelope the globe.

We must remind those who cannot see the threat—like Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama, who views the Iranian problem as “small” compared to the “dire circumstances” of the Cold War-- not to forget the intentions of the September 11 murderers. On this day of anniversary, we must, as a Nation, carefully reflect on the objectives of our attackers. Never forget that our enemies’ intention was not to teach some lesson. Seven years ago, the objective was not to exact some sort of revenge. The goal was, and still is, the absolute downfall of the United States of America, along with Western Civilization, as we know it. Consider the targets. The symbolic centers of our economic lifeblood, our national defense, and our national seat of government were marked for destruction. To what end did our attackers work other than total collapse?

Those who think that I exaggerate the danger need to consider some facts. Ever since the Iranian hostage crisis in the late 70’s right on up to September 10th, the United States has been seemingly helpless in the face of numerous acts of terror and outright war perpetrated by the growing Islamic fundamentalist extremist movement: Iran hostages, Beirut barracks attack, Khobar Towers, the USS Cole attack, the African embassy suicide bombings, the  WTC bombing 93 and possibly even Oklahoma City are among the most notable. What was our response? Nothing. The U.S. couldn’t even really complete the first Gulf War. Why wouldn’t our enemies, fresh from routing the Soviets in Afghanistan and perpetrating the Somalia debacle think, that if they struck us hard and terribly enough, we might utterly collapse from the chaos sure to follow?

Just in case you’ve forgotten, here are the numbers, as found at the Wikipedia:

Excluding the 19 hijackers, 2,974 people died in the attacks. Another 24 are missing and presumed dead. The overwhelming majority of casualties were civilians, including nationals of over 90 different countries. In addition, the death of at least one person from lung disease was ruled by a medical examiner to be a result of exposure to dust from the World Trade Center's collapse, as rescue and recovery workers were exposed to airborne contaminants following the buildings' collapse.

George Bush spoke of the events of September 11th, 2001 at a ceremony remembering that other day of infamy when the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor:

“We’ve seen their kind before.  The terrorists are the heirs to fascism.  They have the same will to power, the same disdain for the individual, the same mad global ambitions.  And they will be dealt with in just the same way.  Like all fascists, the terrorists cannot be appeased:  they must be defeated.  This struggle will not end in a truce or treaty.  It will end in victory for the United States, our friends and the cause of freedom.” 

Posted by Doug at 8:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here at the 'Grok, we remember our fellow citizens that had their lives taken from them by a group of Islamofascists just because we do not believe as they do.  Because we believe in the Rule of Law instead of Shar'ia Law.  Because we believe that everyone has the right to believe as they wish versus a "convert, submit, or die" choice.  That we all should be Muslim, and we say

No!

Never forget.  We honor their memory.  We remember Eugun Lazar as part of 2006's The 2,996 Project.
 

Update: Go over to Weekend Pundit 

Posted by Skip at 8:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

TILTON, NH – The annual American Legion “Spirit of the Eagle” POW/MIA Vigil will be held in the American Legion Park at the New Hampshire Veterans Home (NHVH) in Tilton from Saturday, September 6 to Sunday, September 7, 2008. The opening ceremony will begin at 11:00 AM on Saturday and the closing ceremony will take place at 11:00 AM on Sunday.

Chuck Lewis, past Department Commander of the American Legion for New Hampshire and a member of the NHVH Therapeutic Recreation staff, says, “The purpose of the POW/MIA Vigil is to honor the commitment and the sacrifices made by this nation's Prisoners of War and those who are still Missing in Action, as well as their families. We have the highest regard for their service and we want to make sure they are never forgotten.”

The American Legion for New Hampshire coordinates the event and seeks volunteers to stand watch throughout the 24 hours of the vigil. “Each watch is only 15 minutes long,” explains Lewis, “but sometimes it is difficult to get people to volunteer for a shift in the middle of the night. It’s pretty impressive to see some of our residents standing out there or sitting in their wheelchairs in honor of their fellow soldiers.” Lewis adds, “This event is open to the public and we would love to have more people attend and stand watch.” People can contact Chuck Lewis at (603) 455-5047 if they have questions or would like to volunteer.

The New Hampshire Veterans Home was established in Tilton in 1890 as the Soldier’s Home for Civil War Veterans.  One of just four New Hampshire nursing homes to win the 2007 Quality of Life Award from the NH Department of Health & Human Services, the modern facility is home to 200 men and women who have served their country and fellow New Hampshire citizens.  The mission of NHVH is to provide high quality, professional long-term care services to the Granite State’s elderly and disabled veterans.  NHVH is the only long-term care facility in the Granite State that is dedicated exclusively to veterans.

#######################################################################

Program Information Officer

NH Veterans Home

139 Winter Street

Tilton, NH 03276

(603) 527-4847

www.nh.gov/veterans

Posted by Doug at 8:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

From our friend Karen Thurston:

The New Hampshire Blue Stars have recently joined with New Hampshire Veteran’s groups and many other donors to complete the final steps in erecting a Reflection Fountain on the Memorial Walkway at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen.  The Reflection Fountain will be dedicated by the generosity of many donors to the NH Blue Star, NH Gold Star and POW/MIA Families. 

The Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen is the final resting place for many Veterans and conveys peace through its natural beauty and is the source of pride to all the Veteran's families.  Many ceremonies throughout the year are held here to acknowledge all Veterans, even those not interred here.  All these veterans, by their service, gave the title of "Blue Star Families" to their loved ones.  It is so fitting that the bonds that military service creates will be reflected in this fountain. 

The area with the fountain will provide a place for all families, Blue, Gold and POW/MIA, to sit and reflect on the great sacrifice that has been made by our Veterans. You may ask, "Am I part of this family?" ~ Yes, if you have had someone in your family who has served or is currently serving in any branch of our military.

The Reflection Fountain belongs to all of us ~ a place where spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts and uncles, and fellow veterans will find a source of comfort.
 
The funding for the first phase of the fountain is complete.  The final phase of funding will cover the site preparation for the fountain, the addition of granite benches, granite pavers, a plaque for dedication of the Fountain to New Hampshire Blue Star, Gold Star and POW/MIA Families. Any additional monies will be held for the maintenance of this fountain, as well as offsetting an outstanding balance on the Prisoner of War Monument that is located on the Memorial Walkway. 

Continue reading "Donations Needed to Finish the Job..." »

Posted by Doug at 3:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Marc Alan Lee
First Navy SEAL killed in Iraq 8-2-06

Are You Leaving Your Mark?

by Debbie Lee

Aug 2, 2006 is a day that changed my life forever. Many of you have those days that you remember that were life changing. For most of us we remember our graduations, the day we married the love of our life, and the birth of our children. These events will always bring a smile to our face and joy to our hearts. Our lives were greatly impacted and the overall impact has been a blessing. Not that our jobs don't bring frustrations and headaches at times, our spouses at times cause us to question our sanity, and our teenage children sometimes cause us to yearn for the empty nest, but overall we reflect and remember the good times especially on the birthdays or anniversaries.
 
The anniversary that I remember today isn't one that your first response is that of blessings and laughter, trust me I've already shed many tears today. Today I remember 2 years ago when I recieved a visit from a Navy Chaplain bringing me the most dreadful news I have ever recieved. When you have children serving in the military you know that a visit from a Chaplain only means one thing, death. The loss of child's life according to the experts is the hardest death to deal with. I have lost a Father, a husband, and a son and I will agree dealing with the death of my son has been the hardest by far.
 
I have spent the morning looking back at pictures from Marc's arrival home in his flag draped coffin, his funeral at Fort Rose Crans, his memorial service in Hood River, his pictures in Iraq, and his pictures growing up. While I mourn those two years without his smiling face, his bear hugs, his contagious life and playful antics, I am thankful and remember the 28 years that his life engraved on my heart and left his mark. How many of us can say we left our mark on this world? My Marc left his mark on every life that he met. :O)
 
As I looked through the pictures this morning I was reminded of all of the people who have touched my life during the past 2 years since Marc's death. God has been soooooooooooooo faithful to me and used so many of you to touch my life in such a special way. I am so grateful for everyone of you whether your impact has been great or small. Whether you are the President, a General or a new born child. I'm not even going to try to list all of you or how you have impacted my life as this letter would go on forever. Some of you have been their daily and others may have been a one time encounter. Many of you have prayed faithfully! I know that the way you have touched my life has helped me get through another day, week, month or year. I am so very thankful!
 
As we reflect on Marc today lets remember what he gave. Marc gave his laughter, his love, his smile, his faith, his determination, his love for this country, his humor, his love of life, his support, and Marc gave his life.
 
I know most of you have probably read Marc's last letter home, but I feel it is fitting to include it again today as we reflect on the two year anniversary of his death. There are also several memorial videos on you tube just type in Marc Alan Lee. If any of you have special memories of Marc I would love it if you would email those to me so that I can remember them forever.
 
We are a blessed nation to have men and women just like Marc who are willing to give it all for you, for me, for this nation. Those are the heroes of our nation that need to be honored. As I remember Marc today I also remember all of those who have served in our military, and those who gave it all. God Bless those mighty warriors, my heroes!
 
Counting my blessings,
Debbie Lee
 
PS:Thank you Marc for giving it all! Your are home son, and I will see you when I get there!
 
Marc's last letter home:

Continue reading "Guest Post: "My Marc left his mark on every life that he met..."" »

Posted by Doug at 1:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

“Summer’s here and the time is right for dancing in the streets. There’ll be swinging swaying laughing, playing…” 

Freedom Rally '07

In addition, there will be some serious business going on as well. Because, as we set about enjoying summer, we can’t forget that the only reason we’re able to do so is due to the efforts and sacrifices on the part of the American soldier and his/her family. Be they past or present, whether at sea, land, or in the air, at the end of it all, it is those who serve that first attained, and now protect and defend, the freedoms we take for granted. Republican or Democrat, there is no denying that quite often during our Nation’s history we were threatened and, whether everyone agreed to the true nature of the threat and the appropriate response or not, there was the American soldier, fulfilling the assigned duty.

Whether the conscripts of days past, or the volunteers of today, we should all be thankful for their service, and, most important of all, must never forget those who did not return. To do otherwise is to dishonor their ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the rest of us. Just imagine… in a way, they died so that we might live. Who else, save for occasional random heroic acts of individuals in some situation and, of course, Christ Himself, has done this?

It is for these men and women that we must take time from swinging, swaying, and laughing. Oh, we should be in the streets, but not dancing. Oh no—it’s time to take to the streets with a clear purpose and cause: remembering those who haven’t come home. And I’m not just talking about those who died… I’m also talking about those who literally have not yet come home—those that are both prisoners of war, and missing in action. While death is hard enough, just imagine being a family member of a soldier who is lost altogether—not knowing whether their loved one is indeed passed on, or maybe out there, somewhere… alive.

It is for these people, both soldier and family, that we take to the streets this summer. For those held prisoner, or missing: known by most people as America’s POW/MIAs.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of America’s longest and oldest continuous weekly POW/MIA vigil, held every Thursday night at New Hampshire’s official memorial at Meredith’s Hesky Park. Additionally, this summer marks the 15th anniversary of the Freedom Ride. Started in 1994 by a local motorcycle club, the ride is held in conjunction with the POW/MIA Vigil as a way of bringing both attention and participation to the issue.  It was modeled after “Rolling Thunder” which takes place every Memorial Day in Washington D.C.

Continue reading "Mark your calendar: POW/MIA Freedon Ride Thursday" »

Posted by Doug at 6:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Heroism knows no boundary or time.

We thank God that there are those amongst us that continue to put themselves in front for the rest of us, risking life, limb, and families for the safety of us all.  Our State's motto - Live Free or Die - says it right and General Stark is right - there are worse things than death: oppression, totalitarianism, the denial of the right to be free. The willingness of some to give into those evils, for mere momentary gain or life, shows no honor at all.  Those that wish to enforce such things upon others is evilness defined.

Today, we give honor and homage to those that stood for us in the past and to those that continue to stand firm for these ideals today and defend us from that evil.

We at the 'Grok thank them for their sacrifice and are in awe of that sacrifice. God bless and keep you all. 

(H/T: drawing at Michelle) 

Posted by Skip at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A note, bronze horse, and a single rose left byThe Wall in DC (photo by Doug)

If you live in New Hampshire, and are looking for some way to properly "celebrate" Memorial Day Weekend, you should consider taking a trip to view The Moving Wall currently residing in  Constitution Park, Route 25 East, West Ossipee. Hosted by The Moving Wall Committee of Ossipee, this traveling half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a Service Mark of the Vietnam Service Veterans, Inc. and has been touring the country since 1984.

The preamble of the Vietnam War Memorial declares it dedicated

"IN HONOR OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES WHO SERVED IN THE VIETNAM WAR. THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES AND OF THOSE WHO REMAIN MISSING ARE INSCRIBED IN THE ORDER THEY WERE TAKEN FROM US."

The Moving Wall is open 'round the clock until the closing ceremonies at 6:00PM Monday and is free of charge to attend. The event is fully staffed with information and assistance available to all comers. Visit the website of the national group here for more info about the monument itself. Google or mapquest Constitution Park on Route 25 West Ossipee for directions to get there.

I have been to the Wall in Washington DC and found it to be a profoundly moving experience. I expect the trip to The Moving Wall will be much the same...

Note left by young child at Wall in DC: "To all of you- I don't know you but even though you are lost you are not forgotten." (photo by Doug)

 

Posted by Doug at 10:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

SSGT Matt Maupin

We would be remiss if we didn't take a moment to join with the thousands who recalled the life of Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin, former Iraq war POW/MIA, over the past weekend. A little over a year ago, we posted a piece marking the third anniversary of Matt's capture featuring a note from NH Blue Star Mother Sue Peterson. Among the words she wrote were these:

I had remembered slightly about a soldier that was captured and either a POW/MIA.  This information was stored way in the back of my mind...I am sorry to say.   After becoming a Blue Star Mom, I went to the National BSM's website and clicked on POW/MIA and read about the numbers that are still missing.  I went to the parents' website and was moved to tears to think that as a Mom I could "forget" a son that was a POW/MIA.  I emailed Keith, the father of Matt, and told him I was sorry and that I would never forget Matt or the others. 

Just prior to would have been the fourth anniversary, Matt's remains were found in Iraq, not far from where he was captured back on April 9th, 2004. He would be a POW/MIA soldier no longer. He would finally come home.

As reported by the AP via Google, 

Military workers and supporters from across the country joined in memorials Sunday for a slain Army reservist who had become a poignant picture of the war in Iraq after he was captured by insurgents.

Officials estimated that about 10,000 people walked past Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin's casket during a weekend visitation at a civic center in Clermont County, east of Cincinnati, where he grew up. Another 4,000 headed Sunday to Great American Ball Park, home of the Cincinnati Reds, for an afternoon memorial service billed as a celebration.

Indeed. Matt Maupin might be gone from this earth, but he is definitely not forgotten.

It's a celebration because his death was just a transition into a new life," The Rev. Dale Ellens, an Army chaplain, said at the service. "Today marks a day of both sadness and joy."

[snip]

"Matt Maupin was the all-American kid," said retired Lt. Gen. James Campbell, representing the Army at the service. "We are so proud of you. You have served your country with honor and distinction."

[snip]

"In his service, he became a son to all of Batavia and a son to all of Ohio," said Gov. Ted Strickland. "The Maupins heard the prayers of people from across the state and across the world."

And we'll continue to hold them in our prayers and promise we will do our small part to see that Matt's sacrifice is neither forgotten, nor in vain... May God Bless the Maupin family in their time of grief.

Posted by Doug at 8:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Thanks to our friend Blue Star Mother Sue Peterson, who wore his POW/MIA bracelet, the story of missing soldier Matt Maupin was known to us. Last April 9th, we noted the third year of his capture with a short letter written by Sue asking readers to remember Matt and his parents in their anxious time of waiting.

Sadly, Sue passed along a note this evening pointing us to this story reporting that Matt's Dad Keith

said at a news conference in suburban Cincinnati that an Army general told him DNA testing had identified the remains of his son, Sgt. Keith Matthew Maupin, or "Matt" as he was commonly known.

We agree with Sue who writes,

May God bless the Maupins and give them peace knowing that Matt dwells in the house of the Lord forever!

 

Posted by Doug at 9:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Along with the recent publicity involving the approval of a Gold Star Mothers' memorial statue in Manchester, there is, sadly, a bit of controversy. While it's unfortunate that this is the case, the points being made are worth consideration, and need to be aired. Our friend, NH Blue Star Mother Karen Thurston explains...

The NH Gold Star Mothers Memorial Association uses the name NH Gold Star Mothers; yet have no Gold Star Mothers on their committee. The NH Gold Star Mothers Organization is not part of nor should they be confused with the NH Gold Star Mothers Memorial Association. The misuse of such an honored name has caused a great deal of confusion around the state.

I have supported the idea and the effort of the group for the Gold Star Mother Statue. The work the committee has done should be commended. However they have not included those they are claiming to honor: the NH Gold Star Mothers. Many of the NH Gold Star Mothers have asked that the memorial be placed at the NH Veterans Cemetery.

The concerns that surrounded this project from the start have been given to the committee and they have been all but ignored. When the requests of the mothers were brought to the committee, one of the reasons given for placing the memorial statue in Stanton Park was the Gold Star Mothers Memorial represented the living and not the dead. The committee was asked about security and development of the park, which will be needed not only for "NH Gold Star Mothers Sunday", but also "National Gold Star Mothers Sunday", along with the "Blue to Gold" services held to honor these mothers. We were told that neither would be a concern. Really? How do we know this for sure?

The NH Gold Star Mothers have asked that the statue be placed at the NH Veterans Cemetery Memorial Walkway, where many have laid their children to rest. Here, a Mother will not witness anti war protests. The Veterans Cemetery Walkway is where she can visit her child in peace and not worry about being safe. The memorial statue will always be cared for and be protected and never have to be moved. The NH Blue Star Mothers in support of our sisters, knowing very well that we at anytime could join their ranks, support them in wanting the Memorial Statue placed at the NH Veterans Cemetery. 

This is a statue of honor and should be treated as such.

Karen Thurston
Blue Star Mothers of New Hampshire

Posted by Doug at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

.... (?)

..

DERRY – U.S. Democratic Rep. Carol Shea-Porter accused President Bush of fear-mongering yesterday, insisting the nation is not more vulnerable to a terror attack without the electronic surveillance legislation he wants in place.

"This really is a big scare tactic. Nothing terrible is going to happen" New Hampshire's 1st District representative said at a town hall meeting in Derry's Municipal Center.

Really? How does Ms. Shea Porter know this? Does she believe that the lack of further attacks following September 11th, 2001 is simply because our enemies have somehow seen the light? Let's remember Osama bin Laden's words from his 1996 "Declaration of Jihad against the United States" in which he takes note of how he and his followers will engage the US:

Continue reading ""Fearmongering" and "Scare Tactics" [Updated]" »

Posted by Doug at 10:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBacks (0)

President Bush in Stratham, NH August 2004 (photo by Doug)

In his latest radio address , President Bush rightfully cranks on House Democrats for skipping town after a grueling 2-1/2 day workweek without reauthorizing the FISA legislation-- an important tool in the fight against those who would do our Nation harm...

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. At the stroke of midnight tonight, a vital intelligence law that is helping protect our nation will expire. Congress had the power to prevent this from happening, but chose not to.

The Senate passed a good bill that would have given our intelligence professionals the tools they need to keep us safe. But leaders in the House of Representatives blocked a House vote on the Senate bill, and then left on a 10-day recess.

Some congressional leaders claim that this will not affect our security. They are wrong. Because Congress failed to act, it will be harder for our government to keep you safe from terrorist attack. At midnight, the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence will be stripped of their power to authorize new surveillance against terrorist threats abroad. This means that as terrorists change their tactics to avoid our surveillance, we may not have the tools we need to continue tracking them -- and we may lose a vital lead that could prevent an attack on America. 

In addition, Congress has put intelligence activities at risk even when the terrorists don't change tactics. By failing to act, Congress has created a question about whether private sector companies who assist in our efforts to defend you from the terrorists could be sued for doing the right thing. Now, these companies will be increasingly reluctant to provide this vital cooperation, because of their uncertainty about the law and fear of being sued by class-action trial lawyers.

For six months, I urged Congress to take action to ensure this dangerous situation did not come to pass. I even signed a two-week extension of the existing law, because members of Congress said they would use that time to work out their differences. The Senate used this time productively -- and passed a good bill with a strong, bipartisan super-majority of 68 votes. Republicans and Democrats came together on legislation to ensure that we could effectively monitor those seeking to harm our people. And they voted to provide fair and just liability protection for companies that assisted in efforts to protect America after the attacks of 9/11.

The Senate sent this bill to the House for its approval. It was clear that if given a vote, the bill would have passed the House with a bipartisan majority. I made every effort to work with the House to secure passage of this law. I even offered to delay my trip to Africa if we could come together and enact a good bill. But House leaders refused to let the bill come to a vote. Instead, the House held partisan votes that do nothing to keep our country safer. House leaders chose politics over protecting the country -- and our country is at greater risk as a result.

House leaders have no excuse for this failure. They knew all along that this deadline was approaching, because they set it themselves. My administration will take every step within our power to minimize the damage caused by the House's irresponsible behavior. Yet it is still urgent that Congress act. The Senate has shown the way by approving a good, bipartisan bill. The House must pass that bill as soon as they return to Washington from their latest recess.

At this moment, somewhere in the world, terrorists are planning a new attack on America. And Congress has no higher responsibility than ensuring we have the tools to stop them.

Thank you for listening.

Posted by Doug at 10:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

There was a total of about 1500 wreaths that were place on each gravesite today.  It was an amazing day watching over 200 volunteers tie red ribbons on the wreaths, load trucks, and place them on the headstones of our Veterarns.  Please click here and here for more pictures.... I am still overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support for our Gold Star Families, Veterans, and the respect for each of our fallen heroes...May God bless ya'll richly...

.

Posted by Doug at 8:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

“On the morning of December 7, 1941, that Fleet’s planes bombed all the US military air bases on the island (the biggest was the US Army air base at Hickam Field), and the ships anchored at Pearl, including ‘Battleship Row’. Nearly every plane on the ground was destroyed; only a few fighters got airborne and opposed the attacking planes. Twelve battleships and other ships either were sunk or damaged, 188 aircraft were destroyed, and 2,403 Americans lost their lives. The battleship USS Arizona exploded and sank with a loss of over 1,100 men, nearly half of the American dead.”

“Yesterday, December 7, 1941- a date which will live in infamy- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”

“As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.”

“Always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.”

Continue reading "Days of Infamy. What a difference sixty six years makes..." »

Posted by Doug at 8:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Continue reading "New Hampshire's Gold Star Mothers Day" »

Posted by Doug at 2:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

To my friends...
 .
Following is a link that I would like you to visit.  It is the link to Matt's parents' web site www.yellowribbonsupportcenter.com.
. 
I had remembered slightly about a soldier that was captured and either a POW/MIA.  This information was stored way in the back of my mind...I am sorry to say.   After becoming a Blue Star Mom, I went to the National BSM's website and clicked on POW/MIA and read about the numbers that are still missing.  I went to the parents' website and was moved to tears to think that as a Mom I could "forget" a son that was a POW/MIA.  I emailed Keith, the father of Matt, and told him I was sorry and that I would never forget Matt or the others.  Keith told me about Bob Jones, Laconia, (NH) that has a vigil for the POW/MIA's every Thursday (no matter the weather).  So, my friendship with Bob began.  This gives you a little background on how I came to know more about Matt and the others.
.
The purpose of this email is to ask that you please send his parents a note to that says you will not forget Matt - it will be 3 years ago on Monday, 4-9-07 - that they had no more contact with their son.  (He was captured on 4-9-04).  Those of us that are parents, we never give up hope and as a Mom of a soldier serving in Iraq, I cannot even imagine being a parent of one of these men...again, please do not forget them - UNTIL THEY ALL COME HOME....we need to help the families of these soldiers.
.
I pray that your message to his parents will bless them and let them know that they are not alone and that, here in New Hampshire, Matt will not be forgotten.
.
God bless you all...please feel free to pass this on to others...thank you.
. 
Susan
1DC

. 
"Should we feel at times disheartened and discouraged, a simple movement of the heart toward God will renew our powers.  Whatever He may demand of us, He will give us at the moment the strength and courage that we need".   

Posted by Doug at 8:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (1)

Leftist activists who march to the Pentagon next month will discover that their path won't be as clear as it has been in the past.

The group, led by Cindy Sheehan, Jane Fonda, Ramsey Clark and their ilk, plan to gather March 17 at the Vietnam Memorial Wall to begin a march to protest America's involvement in the Iraq war. The date marks the fourth anniversary of the war's beginning.

This time, however, protestors will see objectors if they spit on Iraqi veterans again, or throw paint on a war memorial. This time, they will encounter a buzz saw of Vietnam veterans and supporters who will gather to protect the Wall, and show their support for U.S. troops. The counter-protestors are calling themselves the Gathering of Eagles.

"… An eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks. The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it."

An unknown author wrote that description, but it describes how the veterans see their mission. They are angry that the Wall is being used as a jumping off point for a political protest and they are gathering to protect it from another storm of anti-war activists.

NEVER FORGET!!!

Posted by Doug at 8:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Greetings From Rancho Mirage
Ben Stein | February 05, 2007

.

Dear Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, National Guard, Reservists, in Iraq, in the Middle East theater, in Afghanistan, in the area near Afghanistan, in any base anywhere in the world, and your families:

.

Let me tell you about why you guys own about 90 percent of the backbone in the whole world right now and should be happy with yourselves and proud of whom you are.

.

It was a dazzlingly hot day here in Rancho Mirage today. I did small errands like going to the bank to pay my mortgage, finding a new bed at a price I can afford, practicing driving with my new 5 wood, paying bills for about two hours. I spoke for a long time to a woman who is going through a nasty child custody fight. I got e-mails from a woman who was fired today from her job for not paying attention. I read about multi-billion-dollar mergers in Europe, Asia, and the Mideast. I noticed how overweight I am, for the millionth time. In other words, I did a lot of nothing.

Continue reading ""We cannot live for a week without you"" »

Posted by Doug at 1:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Continue reading "The American Soldier. Veterans Day" »

Posted by Doug at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today is the Marine Corp's Brithday - Number 231.  All Marines everywhere have just, are, or about to be celebrating the Birthday.  Tales of friendship, comradeship, and just plain tall tales will be swapped.

Heroism?  Indeed.  I just spotted this at CNN.  Given the topic, I am reproducing it here:

Marine Corporal Jason Dunham - RIP.  Thank you for your selfless service.  If only more of us understood and lived the principles of honor, unselfishness, and caring....Godspeed.

(CNN) -- President Bush announced on Friday that the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration, will be awarded posthumously to Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham.

In April 2004, Dunham was leading a patrol in an Iraqi town near the Syrian border when the patrol stopped a convoy of cars leaving the scene of an attack on a Marine convoy, according to military and media accounts of the action.

An occupant of one of the cars attacked Dunham and the two fought hand to hand. As they fought, Dunham yelled to fellow Marines, "No, no watch his hand." The attacker then dropped a grenade and Dunham hurled himself on top of it, using his helmet to try to blunt the force of the blast.

Still, Dunham was critically wounded in the explosion and died eight days later at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland.

"As long as we have Marines like Corporal Dunham, America will never fear for her liberty," Bush said Friday as he announced that Dunham would receive the award. Bush spoke at the dedication of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Virginia.

"His was a selfless act of courage to save his fellow Marines," Sgt. Maj. Daniel A. Huff of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, was quoted as saying in Marine Corps News that April.

"He knew what he was doing," Lance Cpl. Jason A. Sanders, 21, of McAllester, Oklahoma, who was in Dunham's company, was quoted as saying by Marine Corps News. "He wanted to save Marines' lives from that grenade."

In various media accounts, fellow Marines told how Dunham had extended his enlistment shortly before he died so he could help his comrades.

"We told him he was crazy for coming out here," Lance Cpl. Mark E. Dean, 22, from Owasso, Oklahoma, said in Marine Corps News. "He decided to come out here and fight with us. All he wanted was to make sure his boys made it back home."

"He loved his country, believed in his mission, and wanted to stay with his fellow Marines and see the job through," Vice President Dick Cheney said when speaking of Dunham's heroism at a Disabled American Veterans conference in July 2004.

The Scio, New York, native would have been 25 years old on Friday.

In a letter urging Bush to honor Dunham with the Medal of Honor, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, called the Marine's actions "an act of unbelievable bravery and selflessness."

Dunham's story was told in the book "The Gift of Valor," written by Wall Street Journal reporter Michael Phillips.

Dunham will be the second American to receive the Medal of Honor from service in Iraq.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith was the other, honored for action near Baghdad International Airport in April 2003, in which he killed as many as 50 enemy combatants while helping wounded comrades to safety. Smith was the only U.S. soldier killed in the battle.

Posted by Skip at 6:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

From BlackFive comes this story of yet another Hero that unselfishly made the decision that his mates were more important than himself.  He put himself last in the grand scheme of things; his team mates will never forget him.

Nor should we.  As with Sgt Paul Smith and Sgt Peralta, we should be filled with pride that America still is blessed with men like these.  I am still upset that our media, in its struggle to undermine the war and President Bush, cannot hold back long enough to honor those that only wish to protect their comrades.

I stand in awe of men like PO2 Monsoor. 

The following is the recounting of PO2 Monsoor's funeral by Froggy. 

I had the distinct honor and privilege of attending the memorial service for PO2 (SEAL) Michael Monsoor yesterday at the First Presbyterian Church in San Diego.  Being in the presence of so many true warriors to celebrate the heroic death of one of our own was utterly humbling and poignant.  Information about Mike's death in Ramadi on 29 Sep 06 has been sketchy in the media, but the story of this man's service and his death is one that deserves not only to be told, but to be celebrated and certainly never forgotten.

First of all, Mike grew up in Garden Grove, CA (Orange County) with his parents and two brothers and one sister.  His father is a Vietnam veteran and one of his brothers served in the Marine Corps.  Speaker after speaker at the service took special care to recognize Mike's family and to make the connection between his character and his family's quiet service and patriotism.  One of Mike's teammates said, "These are the people that I'm fighting to protect."  I spent a few moments with his mother afterwards and her grace and composure under such difficult circumstances clearly demonstrated the genesis of Mike's own calmness and resolve under fire and inspired me to continue to instill these traits in my own children.

SEAL Team THREE deployed to Iraq last Spring and within a month of arriving, Mike had already distinguished himself. As one of the platoon machine gunners, Mike made quite an impression on the battlefield.  On May 9, 2006 a teammate was shot in the legs, immobile, and exposed.  Suppressing enemy fire with his M60, Mike fought his way to his wounded comrade's position and dragged him out of the line of fire while maintaining constant pressure on enemy insurgents with his weapon.  That action earned him a Silver Star... in the first month of his first deployment.

Fast forward to the final weeks of that deployment and Mike along with two fellow SEALs were occupying an overwatch position on a rooftop in the Mulab district of Ramadi which is basically the most dangerous neighborhood of the most dangerous city in Iraq.  A hidden enemy managed to toss a grenade onto the rooftop near the three SEALs, and Mike without hesitation warned his comrades verbally before placing himself in a position to block the lethal blast of the grenade from killing his teammates.  One of the SEALs he saved said that Mike's countenance was completely calm and he showed no fear only resolve.  No short timer's disease infecting this man, he had only a couple of weeks remaining in the deployment and he did not flinch at the moment of truth.

On the rostrum, all three SEALs whose lives Mike personally saved hobbled up together to thank Michael and his family for their very existence and to show their family's gratitude for sparing them the grief that Michael's family is now experiencing.  I have never witnessed something as special and inspiring in my entire life-I have never even heard of such a thing happening before.  Michael's sister Sara told of a vision that she had upon hearing the news that her brother had died a hero's death saving his brothers.  She said that she saw a puzzle missing its final piece being completed by an unseen hand and that its visage was that of her brother.  His actions, his deeds, his sacrifice were the culmination of a lifetime of preparation to go forth into combat and distinguish himself above and beyond the call of duty. 

Michael was a Christian man, raised in the Catholic Church and was often seen attending Mass before leaving the FOB on operations.  His parents named him after the Archangel Michael-the great protector whose mission was to protect the world from the satanic forces of evil.  Saint Michael's Day is celebrated on September 29, the day Mike gave his life for his friends.

I will be meeting with my Congressman next week in order to advocate that Mike is nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Posted by Skip at 8:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Update 2:

Can I claim both right and wrong?  See the comment by one who knows better than I!

======================================

Update 1:

Charlie has returned from deployment! 

And he is Marine, not Army (sorry!  REALLY sorry!)

-Skip 

====================================== 

As per normal, I was just surfing the 'Net last night.  Can't stand watching most TV shows, especially ABC, CBS, and NBC.  I'd rather try to pick up something new or read something interesting as opposed to the dribble that passes as TV nowadays (yes, I have cable, and generally stick to TLC, Discovery, and networks like that).

Just saw that another man has been activated, Charlie over at Op-For.  A new site (not much older than GraniteGrok), it is part of the stable of the milblogs I read pretty much every day.  Godspeed, Charlie, and may He keep you safe.

I've never met him....I can read that he is an officer in the Army, but no other detail.  The only thing I know is that he has heeded the call again....the first time when he decided to be an officer, and again when the call came, he again went ("went / sent" confused? Read here).  So why do I write?

I never served.  I never went to any boot camp.  I never underwent the trials, tribulations, or the difficulties of military service (nor reaped the rewards). But as a Dad, reading this announcement from Op-For, it hit home.

Hard, very hard.

My son was just discharged from the Marines (knee injury).  We praise God that he came home safely, and we pray for those families whose sons and daughters have not. He also heeded the call, enlisting into the Marines.  I remember when as SSgt Chessier picked him up to bring him to MEPS Boston.  The Most Esteemed Wife and I walked him down to the SSgt's car at the end of the driveway.  We went through the obligatory hugs and trite words; I shook hands with SSgt Chessier, and thanked him.  They got into the car, backed out of the driveway and turned to go up the hill.  A beep, a wave; then he was gone.

The Most Esteemed Wife and I just held each other at the end of the driveway.  My Mom finally walked past us, the only communication a quick glance, my eyes locking momentarily with hers.  Then she quietly got into her car, and drove away.  Not a word was spoken; none were needed.

We continued to stand there, arms wrapped around each other for what seemed a very long time, very quiet.  For us, a seminal moment - our oldest had just left to make his own way in the world. The reality crashed down upon us of what he was now embarking upon, that he may sacrifice the full amount of what might be required.  He left, knowing full well where he would most likely be sent (he was).  In that split second, we aged a lifetime; a tiny baby had grown into a man - we had just been thrust harshly into middle-age by reality.  Our false delusions of still being "young" fell aside in an instant - we aged perceptibly in a flash.  I felt old...

We stood there until we no longer could. 

I support Charlie.  Godpeed, Charlie.  

But now I realize that I was not alone at the end of my driveway. 

For now I, along with millions of others like me, stand with his Dad at the end of his driveway.

Been there, cried there.

Posted by Skip at 9:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (1)

Posted by Skip at 7:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The 2,996 Project was activated with the coming of the fifth year anniversary of America being attacked in a large scale terrorist operation by Islamofascists..  Bloggers from all over and of all political persuasions, each taking on the responsibility of honoring a single victim, are participating to keep the memory of the victims' alive and show their families that we will not forget their sacrifice and loss!  I am humbled that GraniteGrok has been allowed to participate, and wish to honor Eugen Lazar in this fashion.

Again, we express our sorrow for his family and loved ones, as we do for all of the other families whose lives were shattered forever by those who hate our way of life. 

There are also other memorials being activated - for instance, please check out Flags Over the 48 project (H/T: Gary, of Boy Scout Troop 47 in Tewksbury, MA) 

             9/11/2001

 Eugen Gabriel Lazar, barely able to speak English, had immigrated to America with his Romanian parents in 1985 when he was 11, the family determined to escape communism.

"We came to this country and he knew only a few words," recalled Elena, who lives in Glendale, Queens, with her husband, Alecsandru. "Romania was Communist at the time and that's why we came here. Not for money. Because of communism, and this country was free."

He was a child with a million questions. How does our body work, his mother once recalled him asking their pediatrician back in Bucharest when he was 3. When we stop walking, what makes us stop? "All these questions," said Siu Chong, his girlfriend. "He was always wondering how everything works, always seeking for knowledge."

In June 1992, Lazar was one of 33 Queens high school students named as a Leading Scholastic Achiever in the annual New York Newsday High Honors Competition for the borough.

With a quick mind and insatiable curiosity, Eugen mastered his studies at Grover Cleveland High School in Queens and earned a college scholarship to Cooper Union (NY), where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in engineering.

For two years, Eugen, an only child who lived in Queens with his parents, worked as a computer programmer with eSpeed, a company owned by Cantor Fitzgerald (this was the bond-trading firm located in Tower One at the World Trade Center that was so decimated by the plane attack). When he got to his 103rd floor office on Sept. 11, he e-mailed his girlfriend. By the time she read his message, it was too late.

"My heart is broken," Elena Lazar said, sobbing about her only child, whom she buried on Monday. "He was such a wonderful boy."

Approximately fifty alumni  of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art worked in the World Trade Center towers. Eugen Lazar was included among the first confirmed deaths.

He had other interests as well.  Fascinated by music and how people hear it, he was building his own speakers. He was a cook and a baker. He and his girlfriend liked to make crepes together; in Paris, they watched closely to see how they were made. They had even tackled chocolate fondue.

That girlfriend, Sui Chong, a graphic designer, and he had met while on a camping trip in the Catskills years earlier.  However, it was not until learning years later that she no longer had a boyfriend, that he sent her an e-mail message asking her out for pizza), still misses him.

Their first date took place at Lombardi's, a SoHo restaurant, and Sui remembered that night. "He was so perfect for me".  It became the couple's favorite restaurant and had returned once again Monday night before the fateful blast.  "Ironically, we had dinner there," Chong said, barely able to finish her sentence through her tears, " . . . and it was our last date."

He was 27 at the time of his murder.

(This has been compiled by using materials found from Google and Yahoo searches, with much of the material from New York newspapers.  My thanks to them).

Posted by Skip at 10:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (1)

Here at GraniteGrok, we are big believers in history (especially the "...doomed to repeat it" part.  This posting will be the first of a series on a REAL war time reporter during WWII as retold by Ken, a new contributor to GraniteGrok!  We hope that you enjoy it, and learn something from it.  -Skip

And That's The Way It Was...

Perhaps today's journalism majors aren't required to pass a course in American History.  It seems that journalism schools don't care about the past, at least not the war-time past.  According to a report on FoxNews, five prominent journalism school deans said that The New York Times' decision to publish sensitive - heretofore secret - details of a U.S. program to track terrorist financing with the cooperation of the financial industry-owned SWIFT organization was "in the public interest."  And that made it a-okay...or so our future journalists are being taught.  My question:  When did "in the public interest" and "interesting to the public" become synonymous?

It wasn't always this way.

Continue reading "And That's The Way It Was..(Part 1)" »

Posted by Ken at 6:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Doug at 11:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

 I just saw this at www.lucianne.com - it pretty much sums up how I feel today.  More on that later when I get my thoughts in order.

Hat Tip to Lucienne.com! (and once I learn a little bit more, will set up the proper linkage I know that I should be doing). 

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American G.I. / Marine / Sailor / Airman / Coast Guardman [slight edit to mention all branches- Skip].
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.  Thank them both today.

Posted by Skip at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sargent York in WWI, Audy Murphy in WWII. Newsreels and movies richly honored them. It used to be the norm to see reports of the bravery and courage of those in our Armed Services:

Today, I ask “where are our heroes?” Why does our media refuse to show us the dedication and unselfishness of those that serve? Frankly, I believe it is partisanship, that the Powers-That-Be believe that by honoring our military is tacitly acknowledging something they do not wish to support - war.

This is not about supporting or opposing a war. This goes beyond politics. We need to keep in mind that their sacrifice, courage, bravery, and devotion (notions seemingly judged to be quaint nowadays) are qualities worthy of awe.

“Be proud of being an American. Our father came to this country, became a citizen because it was the right place for our family to be”. These are the words of Sergeant Rafeal Peralta’s last letter to his younger brother.

Continue reading "Acknowledging Heros" »

Posted by Skip at 5:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With Memorial Day upon us, it seems a fitting time to share some thoughts and reflections regarding a recent trip with my children to Washington, D.C. One of the sites we visited was the newly-dedicated World War II memorial. It was nothing less than breathtaking. The strength and might and heroism that was the “greatest generation’s” America and her soldiers has been captured for posterity and quite impressively depicted in an appropriate work of monumental art. The grand design is simultaneously simple yet majestic in its homage to the brave soldiers who fought and died in the defense against world domination by evil dictators and regimes. Additionally, this latest addition to the monuments gracing the nation’s capital boldly radiates the sense of unity and single-purposeness that characterized the America of that time. I proudly stood with awe and respect of my American forebears, honoring the memory of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Continue reading "Lost, Never Forgotten" »

Posted by Doug at 7:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)