Supporting the Troops

President George W. Bush consoles Ronald Klopf and Lisa West-Klopf, both of Aguanga, Calif., during a gathering of military support organizations Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007. Their son, Lance Cpl. Jeromy West, was killed November of 2006 while serving with the U.S. Marines in Iraq.

Hello All,

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We had the most amazing trip to Washington,DC with the Gold Star and Blue Star families that have come together from all over the US and joined a group called Families United-Supporting our loved ones to victory. Also the Vets for Freedom were there with us. President Bush had us all for breakfast at the White House and then opened it up for a tour. We are wearing the red shirts and the Vets are tan. The visit to Arlington National Cemetery was also very moving with few dry eyes ,even for General Pace.

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Just click this link and you can see our visit with the President. He then let us tour the White House (beautiful). He was wonderful to all of us, no matter what you think of him- he is a man of true character and compassion.

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Love,
Allison

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On August 5, 2007 at 2:00 P.M, Chapter 395, Military Order of the Purple Heart will hold a Purple Heart Day ceremony in the NH State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, NH. This program is focused on the losses New Hampshire has had in the War on Terror. Tribute will be made to both those wounded in combat, and those who have given their lives.

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The Purple Heart medal is a historic special decoration. On August 7, 1782, General George Washington, at his headquarters in Newburgh, New York became aware of the significant contribution being made by his enlisted men. At the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the signers pledged their fortunes, their lives, and their honor to the cause of liberty. Many of those men lost their fortunes and their lives. However, as General Washington reviewed his troops, he saw many enlisted men who had no fortunes, who were making significant personal sacrifice for no other reason than the cause of liberty. He was having a hard time getting them supplies, and paying them was out of the question. He issued orders for the giving of a Badge of Military Merit. It was to be given only to enlisted men for any singularly meritorious action. History has recorded the Badge being given to only three men, all from Connecticut; Sergeants Elijah Churchill, William Brown, and Daniel Bissell, Jr. This was the first decoration ever to honor soldiers in lower ranks. General Washington intended that in a patriot army, the road to glory is open to all.

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After the Revolutionary War, the decoration was not ever awarded again in the 19th century.

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World War I was a new type of conflict, both in fighting on foreign soil and dealing with new weapons of technology. Many of our Doughboys suffered from exposure to being gassed. Many of these soldiers came home, were discharged, and later developed health problems and died. These deaths continued into the late 1920’s.

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On October 10, 1927, Army Chief of Staff General Charles P. Summerall directed that a bill be sent to congress "to revive the Badge of Military Merit" so that these soldiers could be honored. The project was delayed. On January 7, 1931 a new bill was submitted for then Chief of Staff, General Douglas MacArthur. On February 22, 1932 (the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth), the War Department issued the following General Order: "By order of the President of the United States, the Purple Heart established by General George Washington at Newburgh, August 7, 1782, during the War of the Revolution, hereby revived out of respect to his memory and military achievements. "

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If Majority Leader Harry Reid can’t start pulling troops out of Iraq, he doesn’t want to start paying them anymore either.

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After an amendment to begin withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq within 120 days failed to receive the 60 votes needed to proceed, Reid set the entire defense authorization bill aside. By doing so, he shelved a 3.5 percent pay raise for all uniformed service personnel, $4 billion in equipment upgrades and a new program to treat traumatic brain injuries.

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To increase pressure on Republicans to support the measure, sponsored by Sen. Carl Levin (D.-Mich.) and Sen. Jack Reed (D.-R.I.), Reid threw the Senate into an all night session on Tuesday evening that lasted through Wednesday morning. Levin-Reid fell eight votes short, 52-47.

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“There are two things that I want to accomplish,” Reid told reporters immediately after the amendment vote. “One is to pass a defense authorization bill, but with a deadline dealing with Iraq. Once we put that together, we’ll move forward on it.”

What is wrong with these politicians??  Again, this war on terrorism is not a game – it is for our future and the future of our great America.  Why do they want us defeated?  Can the hatred for this administration be so strong??  I just cannot comprehend their lack of intelligence and reason. 
 

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So, what were you doing last Saturday? If you didn’t attend the Operation America Rising (OAR) event at Greeley Park in Nashua, let me tell you my little rockers, you missed out big time!

Gov. Mike Huckabee and his Capitol Offense band were too cool, dude! Perhaps I particularly enjoyed it because they played some of the oldies but goodies from my era….Elvis, etc., but the classic rock songs played seemed to have universal appeal and most people were stomping their feet and clapping their hands.

I personally could not keep from dancing on the grass, most of the time by myself, but thanks to one of the Blue Star Moms, Mary, I wasn’t always alone and it appeared that everyone in attendance had a really great time. Hey, at my age, I dance when I can ’cause who knows when I won’t be dancin’ again!

I was very impressed with Gov. Huckabee…no, not just his guitar playing either even though he’s very good and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself as well. Why? He did not seem like a politician at all, but a very sincere man of honesty and integrity. While I hadn’t thought about it before, I’m taking a closer look at him and his campaign for President. I liked what I sensed and felt from him……a God fearing man…..someone who will do the right thing regardless of stiff opposition and politics.

But, like I said, I need to study up on his policies, etc. since I have not made up my mind who I’m voting for to run the country….except, DEFINITELY NOT FOR ANY OF THE DEMOCRATS running. And, no, don’t blame me for the last election, I didn’t vote for the cowardly, follower rather than leader Gov. Lynch or Rep. Hodes or Shea-Porter-Pompous!

And see there were other dancers, so see the pics here from organizer Jennifer Horn’s link as she ‘splains it all very well. And, yep, as always, I teared up when Maj. Loring sang "God Bless the USA."

I liked what Cmdr. Paul Galanti said who spent seven years at the Hanoi Hilton…something to the tune that any day’s a good day when you have a door handle on the inside….he knows the price of freedom for sure.

You peaceniks out there could have learned some very valuable lessons from the event, well maybe not, if you had bothered to attend. Oh yeah, you weren’t the only no shows. Carol Shea and Hodes didn’t bother to attend either. They were probably busy serving you unpatriotic peaceniks milk and cookies instead of getting behind real Americans.

Hmmm, where’s my old 8 tracks or reel-to-reels (ask your parents) ’cause I feel like dancin’ again since I have a ton of door handles on the inside of my home. GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND FAMILIES AND ESPECIALLY OUR BLUE AND GOLD STAR MOTHERS who, as always, were incredible at the event. They, too, know the true meaning of sacrifice and support the troops and their mission!

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