Current Article

A Gathering of Heroes

By Larry Johnson on September 28, 2008 at 8:25 PM in Current Affairs

I met several unheralded American heroes today and wanted to take a moment to honor them. Three in particular moved me for some unknown reason–Joseph Matula, Frank J. Matula, and Bernard Kellerman. The Matula boys are from New Jersey. Bernie Kellerman is a New Yorker. They are permanent residents of St. Avold American Cemetery, Avenue de Fayetteville, in eastern France. St. Avold is the largest American military graveyard in Europe. It is the resting place for 10,489 American soldiers.

The Matula brothers are one of 28 sets of brothers who lie side-by-side in this cemetery. Bernard Kellerman lies in rest in the next row west of the Matulas. I don’t know much about them. Joseph Matula served in the 143rd Infantry, 36 Division. He died on 11 February 1945. His brother, Frank, was in the 714th Bomber Squadron, 448 Bomber Group and survived his brother by two months. His cross carries the date, 16 April 1945. Bernard Kellerman also served in the Army Air Corps and was attached to the 450th Bomber Group. His life was taken on 23rd February 1944.

Most of the markers in the cemetery are crosses, but there are several stars of David marking the graves of Jewish Americans who died fighting to free Europe from the grip of Nazi terror.

I wondered about the family and friends they left behind. Did they have a chance to marry? Or were they pimply faced kids who gave their lives before finding romance? I am pretty sure they never met a foreign leader. I am also pretty certain none had traveled outside the United States until their country called. When they embarked on their military service I am sure each expected to return home. But they did not. I wonder how the trauma of losing these young men affected their families? I know they lived on in the memories of those who loved them.

They now lie in repose, surround by their warrior brothers. They have each other. They inhabit a space that most Americans will never visit or know firsthand. They fought for something greater than themselves and paid with their lives. It is important that we do not forget these men and others like them, who are resting in graveyards scattered around the globe.

The St. Avold Cemetery is a beautiful, serene place less than 100 kilometers from Germany. I think the best time to visit is early in the morning (the gates open at 8am) because the Sun will reflect off of the front of each cross and star of David. Although almost 50 years have passed since the cemetery was dedicated in July 1960, the grave markers are pristine and sparkle when touched by the light of the Sun. This is different than Arlington National Cemetery. There our soldiers, sailors, marines, and air force personnel are home. They are in the bosom of their nation.

The boys (and I’m sure there are some girls) lying at rest on a foreign soil are far from the homes that gave them life and taught them love for their country and duty to mankind. It is important that we remember these brave souls. Their lives are a reminder that even those not known to the public, those seemingly anonymous souls, did something important that changed the course of history and, despite the problems facing the world today, gave life and hope to future generations. May they rest in peace.

PhxNickD

Thank you

Dawnelle

yes very nice Larry!

You are a lucky guy. To be there. In person.
Inspiring I bet.

Be well, stay safe, watch your back!
Maddie

Godspeed.

As a Military Mom I think this a good time to bring up these facts so we all keep our hearts and minds on the right side of justice and truth. We owe our soldiers and Veterans so much more – no matter how racist and full of hate some here are yet still pretend they support the troops by promoting McCain.

Not only has he (McCain) refused to support the 21st Century GI Bill, which the Veterans of Foreign Wars endorsed last June, he has consistently voted against increasing funding for the Veterans’ Administration, which oversees all medical care for veterans:

– Voted AGAINST an amendment providing $20 billion to the VA’s medical facilities. [5/4/06]

– Voted AGAINST providing $430 million to the VA for outpatient care “and treatment for veterans,” one of only 13 senators to do so. [4/26/06]

– Voted AGAINST increasing VA funding by $1.5 billion by closing corporate loopholes. [3/14/06]

– Voted AGAINST increasing VA funding by $1.8 billion by ending “abusive tax loopholes.” [3/10/04

]

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/07/mccain-against-va-funding/

McCain has said “‘As a matter of fact I received the highest award from literally every veteran’s organization in America.”

Of course that was a lie. Everything this man seems to say is a lie these days.

The facts:

The recognition McCain has received from veterans groups is not “high awards” but failing grades:

— Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave McCain a grade of D for his record of voting against veterans. (By contrast, Obama got a B+.)

– Disabled Veterans of America noted McCain’s dismal 20 percent voting record on veterans’ issues. (Obama had an 80 percent.)

– In a list of “Key Votes,” Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) notes McCain “Voted Against Us” 15 times and “Voted For Us” only 8. (Obama voted for VVA 12 times, and against only once.)

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/23/mccain-vet-awards/

Support our Troops – vote Obama!

benny

yeah, obama will support the troops when there is a photo-op. lol.
http://nobho.blogspot.com/ Johnny at Work

That won’t work here.

Blue Intrigue

Why not? You have a problem with the truth?

tampagurl

Don’t you have a terribly empty feeling – in your skull?

Northwest rain

These Obamabots are sick.

Obama has no respect for the troops.

McCain knows what it is to serve his country. And he knows what it is to have a father in the military.

I trust McCain to be the CiC — Obama — no way is Obama ready, nor will Obama EVER be ready to be CiC. Obama does not respect the military, he doesn’t respect my father’s service to his country — nor does Obama respect the military families.

I’m a military brat — my first breath was military air. My uncles served in the military and so did my grandfather and their grandfathers — all the way back to the colonial era.

Obamabots are seriously mentally ill — an institution somewhere is missing a whole lot of inmates.

PhxNickD

Hey Military Mom get your facts straight and please do not just pass along bias liberal propaganda.

Not only has he (McCain) refused to support the 21st Century GI Bill, which the Veterans of Foreign Wars endorsed last June,

While he did not support the proposed GI bill he had his own version of the bill submitted, one which the pentagon backed. That bill had increased fairness to all of the men and women serving our country, not just the few who do one or two tours.

As a veteran I appreciate McCains support and actions to my fellow veterans. He does not side with propaganda, his actions are well thought out and fair to all, not a few.

Thank you for your child’s support of our country, but do not ever think someone like Obama would be in the best interest of the safety of your child.
C.S.

Support our troops? McCain was “our troops”. Soertoro/Obama was not.

Military mom you might be but many of us here have a connection to “the troops” also and our opinions differ but they are just as valid as yours.

Do not support duplicitous Soertoro/Obama; he was too busy becoming a world symbol to honor our wounded troops.

candymarl

Yes, someone who was horribly tortured because he served his country is not a troop. Obama is now a troop, a hero, etc. while never coming within whiffing distance of combat.

Remember his story that he would have served in Vietnam? Another lie. By the time he was eligible the war was over. But apparently military families don’t mind if Obama lies on the dead, the wounded, and the survivors of combat or military service.

I like Hillary and would have preferred her as a candidate. I’m well aware of what she did for veterans, especially female veterans.

What has Obama done? Wear a bracelet. Hillary set up an office for female veterans and McCain put his a$$ on the line.

But none of that counts. Because they’re not Obama. Sure he played basketball with ambulatory troops. But he couldn’t go to Landstuhl to visit the bed-ridden troops.

Obama is NOT going to “save the troops in Iraq” . He said he will re-deploy them to Afghanistan.

Does that sound like they’re all coming home any time soon? NO.

street_parade

Thanks for dropping by to drop some Obama propaganda in a solemn post devoted to dead American heroes. You Obama minions just can’t help yourselves, I guess…you’re quite sad really.
Masha9

McCain is a true hero, Barry just wears a hero’s bracelet.

IndayHill

First of all, a deserving “THANK YOU !!” to Larry Johnson, for sharing with us his beautiful article, paying tribute to our fallen heroes, whose permanent homes are in foreign countries.May they all rest in peace.

*********************************************
“McCain is a true hero, Barry just wears a hero’s bracelet.” Masha9

Barry wears a hero’s bracelet WITH NO PERMISSION FROM THE PARENTS !
He does not even know the name of the soldier. He had to look down & read his name. What a PHONY !!
Because I love my country, I will vote:
McCain/Palin ’08
Hillary ’12

God Bless America !!
Barry likes to copy a lot,his specialty!
athena

‘The Pledge of Allegiance’ –

by Senator John McCain

“As you may know, I spent five and one half years as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. In the early years of our imprisonment, the NVA kept us in solitary confinement or two or three to a cell. In 1971 the NVA moved us from these conditions of isolation into large rooms with as many as 30 to 40 men to a room.

This was, as you can imagine, a wonderful change and was a direct result of the efforts of millions of Americans on behalf of a few hundred POWs 10,000 miles from home.

One of the men who moved into my room was a young man named Mike Christian.

Mike came from a small town near Selma , Alabama . He didn’t wear a pair of shoes until he was 13 years old. At 17, he enlisted in the US Navy. He later earned a commission by going to Officer Training School Then he became a Naval Flight Officer and was shot down and captured in 1967. Mike had a keen and deep appreciation of the opportunities this country and our military provide for people who want to work and want to succeed.

As part of the change in treatment, the Vietnamese allowed some prisoners to receive packages from home. In some of these packages were handkerchiefs, scarves and other items of clothing.

Mike got himself a bamboo needle. Over a period of a couple of months, he created an American flag and sewed on the inside of his shirt.

Every afternoon, before we had a bowl of soup, we would hang Mike’s shirt on the wall of the cell and say the Pledge of Allegiance.

I know the Pledge of Allegiance may not seem the most important part of our day now, but I can assure you that in that stark cell it was indeed the most important and meaningful event.

One day the Vietnamese searched our cell, as they did periodically, and discovered Mike’s shirt with the flag sewn inside, and removed it.

That evening they returned, opened the door of the cell, and for the benefit of all of us, beat Mike Christian severely for the next couple of hours. Then, they opened the door of the cell and threw him in. We cleaned him up as well as we could.

The cell in which we lived had a concrete slab in the middle on which we slept Four naked light bulbs hung in each corner of the room.

As I said, we tried to clean up Mike as well as we could. After the excitement died down, I looked in the corner of the room, and sitting there beneath that dim light bulb with a piece of red cloth, another shirt and his bamboo needle, was my friend, Mike Christian. He was sitting there with his eyes almost shut from the beating he had received, making another American flag. He was not making the flag because it made Mike Christian feel better. He was making that flag because he knew how important it was to us to be able to Pledge our allegiance to our flag and country.

So the next time you say the Pledge of Allegiance, you must never forget the sacrifice and courage that thousands of Americans have made to build our nation and promote freedom around the world. You must remember our duty, our honor, and our country.”

‘I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisable, with liberty and justice for all.’

HC

Thanks Maddie for being the most disgusting Obot to date on this blog. I cannot believe how low you folks dig these days.

In your honour I am maxing out Trollfund to $2300.
Leisa

Wow,

Just when I thought the groupthinkers could not be any lower, you come along and prove me wrong.

Yeah, that distinguished vet, Kerry must of thought that McCain had something special when he wanted him to be his VP. But let us forget all about those days when the Dems loved Mac.

For all of the intrepidly vile POS reporting there is out there, there are other views that counter it. Have you ever even looked into it?

Yeah, I thought not, otherwise you would not be a cut and paste hack.

look at this:

http://vets4mccain.com/

Also, if I were you, I would do a bit more research before spreading lies. Have you not heard of Obama’s Truth ~~Mob~~ Squad? Well, that can go both ways…

For a person claiming to be a patriot, you sure do not seem to care about the rights being stolen before our eyes by your candidate and friends (and Bush is in Obama’s league… who wanted this bailout as is at 700 B, not strings attached to Paulson? Bush and Obama)

tampagurl

Obama has made them hate everyone…even the Clintons

Leisa

It is scary haw hateful some Obama supporters can be. When they get sucked into groupthink, all reasoning is gone.

I have posted this before, but I feel strongly that this is what is happening to many people who support Obama. Many of us have strained relationships because we will not get on the Obama train. Some of our friends and loved ones seem as though the invasion of the body snatchers is a real deal. They have become down right mean spirited and intolerant of any questioning about Obama.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupthink

Leisa

*how*

Okay, bedtime for me.

Good night all NQ Posters.

Goodnight Larry, thanks for sharing your stories and providing a place for those of us that believe that character matters.

I do not know of any patriot that can go to an American cemetery at home or abroad and not be moved.

IndayHill

Is that all you can say, Maddie? Liberal propaganda to the core !
Is that why you’ll vote for Obama, a confessed drug user? Drug user vs. a war hero, who suffered for several years, under the iron hands of the enemies, because he wanted to give you, your family & the country the freedom you are now enjoying & abusing?
Will you & your loved ones be safe under the watch of Obama, a friend of the Chicago thugs like Bill Ayers, Rev. Wright, dictator world leaders & crooked Wall Street CEOs ?
The country is in danger, if this crooks have the access to bring down the country’s safety.
Because I love America, I will vote
McCain/Palin ’08
Hillary ’12

God Save America !!!
No Obama for me

Maddie,

You are describing Obama, not the Honorable Senator John McCain our next president.

Take your garbage to another website and peddle it, it ain’t gonna register on this one.
navyvet48

I will never support Obama. McCain has his reasons for not voting for these bills and all are good reasons. And sometime look at the earmarks and pork attached to those bills for veterans. He stands against them and has to stay true to his stance against them. I don’t want him saying yes to anything until the 800,000 backlogged claims are completed with the personnel they have now! And I want the VA to give the benefit of the doubt to the veteran as it states in Title 38. This is not being done and it is being influenced from the top down. I am a disabled veteran who did not have a GI Bill. I was in favor of military members giving more time for these benefits as was McCain matter of fact I think they should have to give six years for their benefits like my original enlistment!). Am I bitter you bet I am especially when Ihear the young military members say I didn’t join the military to go to war or have my tour extended. WTF? What the heck do they joined the military for…to get tons of bucks for school?….NOT The other problem is the VA has still not been overhauled. I look forward to McCain getting it done. I live nearly 40 miles from a VA Center that trusts me with disdain at all times…Here is what I usually get from the VA Are you the veteran? Like a woman can’t be a veteran! Oh! I have never had a female veteran patient before! and get no gas money for that trip….I am a rural veteran….McCain has proposed that I be allowed to see my PCP for all regular care…I have to go to the VA for bloodwork at 7 am and sit there for three to four hours waiting on my doctor’s appointment. Do you do that? And of course I have to pay $6-$7 dollars for a breakfast (I am no longer reimbursed for that meal) so I can take my meds. Do you have to do that?

While we are at Bill Clinton had a horrible record where the VA is concerned. Jesse Brown told Bill if you didn’t right by veterans I will resign as VA Secretary and that is what happened.

Obama lied about his uncle’s service. He was not in the Army at all he was in the USN. I fact checked. It was really easy to do since I live in Kansas. Obama only wants a photo op and when he couldn’t get it with campaign ads, he cancelled his visit in Germany!

Larry thank you for this view of the cemetary. Though I visited in France, I was too far to visit the cemetary! It truly brought tears to my eyes!

athena

Lump in my throat…..thanks!

sandy gonzo

John McCain is an American Hero. When you read an article like this and think of the Fraud becoming the CIC it is terrifying and brings me much saddness.

ee

you are a sick puppy.

almost a sick as McPain crying about the vets knowing how much he loves them even though he gets a d- from major veterans organizations.

With all the vile crap larry has posted about Obama on his blog, even he had the decency not to make this post about the candidates.

Garfield

ee,
You are a sad example of the soulless individuals following the Evilness of Obama.

imustprotest

Obama is a magnet for scum.

Dawnelle

it’s looking that way for some

rw

and you are spawn of the anti-Christ you revere so much.

KathyNeocon

Amen.

Blue Intrigue

Larry, answering the call of your candidate’s party to run for VP is nothing like answering the call of your country to defeat Hitler. Talk about exploiting dead soldiers for political purposes! For just a second, I thought you were actually human but, no, you had to ruin what might have been a beautiful non-partisan post. You disgust me.

HARP

No one cares what you think. How depressing is that?

TeakWoodKite

Harp: re ee; Short Ribs taste good.
Blue Intrigue

Yeah, I’m crying in my beer that Larry Johnson’s cultists don’t like me. Oh, boo hoo hoo! It amazes me that somebody who went on TV after two planes slammed into the WTC and told Katie Couric that “we shouldn’t jump to conclusions” about it being a terrorist attack can even show his face in public. Of course, if I had written a NY Times op-ed just two months prior that said America had nothing to worry about from terrorists, I don’t think I’d have been on TV in the first place.

Zorro Astor

Hey Blue! Look behind you! Boo!

Asshole.

Zorro Astor

‘Blue Intrigue’ – talk about a faggoty name. LOL

Blue Intrigue

Oh dear lord. This site really is populated by fifth graders.

KathyNeocon

Cultists!?! Pot. Kettle. Black. BO wrote the book on cults, and you’re one of the brainwashed faithful.

imustprotest

Talk about hating women in power!! I honestly didn’t realize before this election that the left hated women!

Blue Intrigue

Because I don’t think Larry should have injected politics into this post, I hate all women. Got it. As usual, you make no sense, Imus.

rw

more spawn….quick, get the fly swatter.
Firefly

Just like 0bama, his bots never met a PATRIOT they didn’t insult, demean, and throw under the bus.

0bama HATES and FEARS American patriots – and, like all cowards, he has his $7 an hour minions do the dirty work – Messiah’s gotta keep his filthy hands lookin’ clean, donchaknow!

Blue Intrigue

My father was a WWII vet who has brothers-in-arms buried in that field so don’t lecture me about patriotism.

Firefly

You’re a traitor and a liar and a zombie bot. And I’ll lecture you about patriotism every freakin’ day of the week, stupid bot. You’re scum.

Blue Intrigue

First, you need to learn the meaning of the word. Patriotism is not supporting torture. Patriotism is not sabre-rattling against – what was it, four or five nations in the debate? Patriotism is not having one standard for your candidate and another for your opponent. Patriotism is not following your leaders blindly.

Firefly

You are scum.

Blue Intrigue

You’re repeating yourself, like bad beans. But I do so value your opinion.
Blue Intrigue

Oh, and I’ll take your reply to mean that you support torture, sabre-rattling, double standards and blind allegiance, since I expressed the opposite and you think I’m scum because of it. Thanks for clearing that up.

Dawnelle

what ru on CRACK??? blue crack?

Blue Intrigue

So it’s OK with you for Larry exploit dead WWII soldiers to make a point about Sarah Palin? I’m not surprised.

PKJAYNE

Wow Blue, you are out there…….

Touching post Larry.

Blue Intrigue

So why did Larry include this:

I am pretty sure they never met a foreign leader. I am also pretty certain none had traveled outside the United States until their country called.

C.S.

I was wondering where the reference to Governor Palin was found and now I know – tea leaves! Amazing how everything is filtered through a Soertoro/Obama propaganda machine before it is spit out by the faithful.

Blue Intrigue

Yeah but when Obama scratches his face, he’s obviously flipping off Hillary or uses a phrase to describe a retread of old policies, he’s insulting Palin. But put the truth right in front of your face in black and white and you go right to denial of reality. Beautiful.

tampagurl

Hey Jerk off,

even the Obama supporters that were there, believed he did those things. That’s why they roared with laughter and applause.

Get real! you’re the one living in denial.

Blue Intrigue

Nice come back. You kiss your mother with that mouth?
tampagurl

My mother is dead asshole!
Jackie

???????
Blue Intrigue

My mother is dead asshole!

So that makes it OK to call me a j*** off? Somebody insults my mother and late father (WWII vet) every time I come on this board. So sorry if I don’t feel bad for my comment.
tampagurl

You have a lot of nerve! You come here and attack people and then pretend to be innocent.

I stand by my assessment of you.
You are a jerk off!
Blue Intrigue

I attacked Larry’s referencing of Sarah Palin. I didn’t attack anybody else unless attacked first. Hypocrite.
tampagurl

When you attack one on this site, you attack all! I think you know that but you still want to act like a Jerk!
Blue Intrigue

So what have you offered of substance, tampagurl? Please, point me to one thing you’ve written that wasn’t insulting and fact-based support of your candidate.
tampagurl

Who do you think you are? I don’t answer to you asshole!

Larry wrote a beautiful article and all you did post your bullshit propaganda.

You’re a waste of good oxygen!!

McHope

Because they are laid to rest far from home in a foreign country.

Your insensitivity to others, your hypersensitivity about anything associated with Obama and your inflated sense of the value of your own opinion is a perfect example of Obama hysteria.

Blue Intrigue

Your denial of reality is impressive.

tampagurl

Blue,

Are you always this stupid or are you making a special effort today.
McHope

Is that the best you could come up with?
I answered your question. The premise you made to justify all your insults here tonight was a sad but easily recognizable testiment to your strained connection not only to reality but to humanity.

Have some respect- self respect and respect for those who gave their lives so you have the right to spew your hate.

Blue Intrigue

Far and away, the hate on this site comes from your side. There is no way you can ever convince me that LJ was not referencing Sarah Palin. As the son of a WWII vet, I have every right to point out the exploitation and to be offended that he couldn’t help marring an otherwise decent article. I was completely ready to give him props until I saw the offensive passage.
tampagurl

Well Blue if we loved a liar, we would probably have to squeeze you to death.
Blue Intrigue

If you’re going to call me a liar, offer some proof.
tampagurl

Proof????? You invent something in your own mind and you expect me to prove to you that you didn’t invent it.

What you need is a psychiatrist!

http://NA Lee Ruth

Because, it is the truth.

VMorris

My dad and 2 of my uncles are WWII vets. My dad is for McCain. So your point is????

Blue Intrigue

Hey, if you’re OK with Larry exploiting dead WWII vets to make a political point, that’s your right. I am not OK with it.

C.S.

I saw no exploitation of WW II vets alive or dead in this article. I did see Soerotor/Obama exploiting our wounded soldiers for his benefit while disrespecting them by refusing to keep his appointment if the press and his campaign staff weren’t allowed to photo op them.

You have exposed your vitriol and bias, not Larry Johnson’s.

Blue Intrigue

LOL! Figures you’d point to something that has been thoroughly debunked. What I see is McCain pulling out that bracelet at every campaign stop to justify sending more soldiers to die for Bush’s ego.

KathyNeocon

Poor BI. You’re the Obot on the clock on a Sunday night. Couldn’t trade shifts with anyone I guess.

http://deleted Buzz Latte

We’re not okay with Obama and so you’re reason for being here would be…?

Oh, you’re just following the Obama/Alinsky handbook of divisive behavior. Behavior that is counterproductive, that is.

I

PhxNickD

Have you seen what is going on in miSSouri? We did ask our VP candidate to help us defeat the next Hitler
street_parade

WTF are you talking about? Your comment makes no sense in the context of his article.
Leisa

Have you ever been to an American cemetery in Europe? What about the German, British, Italian, Polish, Spanish or French just to name a few?

The sheer numbers of men who died in the conflicts of WWI and WWII are astounding.

These people fought for our freedoms, like the right to post our ideas on this blog. This is what keeps our country free. If we lived in a country where dissenting views were censored or those with them were punished, we would not be a free country. Is that what you want?

We are almost there, and Obama will lead the way. Do not listen to what the candidates say, look at what they do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ2DXN3aOSo

American Woman

It’s the soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the
press.
It’s the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of
speech.
It’s the soldier, not the campus
organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It’s the soldier, not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a
fair trial.
It’s the soldier who salutes the flag,
Serves under the flag and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who gives the protester the right to burn the flag.

-Father O’Brien, USMC

http://commonsensegram.wordpress.com ProudMilitaryMom

I still remeber learning this in fourth grade. Different war, but the sentiment remains.

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Will we Americans wake up and hold the torch high? Or shall we allow it – and freedom- to fall?
30yrdem-not any more

Just a month to go folks…lets fight for our rights and freedom.

Jess Terr

McCain Phonebank https://secure.johnmccain.com/secure/signup.aspx?txt_homeemail=Email+Address&actionzip=Zip&x=53&y=22

30yrdem-not any more

I do not do phone bank calls anymore…Obama freaks started praying on the other end of the line and I stopped making calls..if they weren’t praying for me they were cussing me out…

imustprotest

Yes my husband has been making calls today and he got some really nasty Obama supporters. One called him a name that he won’t even repeat to me. Like I said, Obama attracts scum.

Steve_in_KC

A very moving article, Larry. Thank you for reminding your readers about American Heroes.

I almost hate to add political comments to it, but it does drive home the point that heroes should not be led by cowards or frauds.

I do not count in my list of heroes men who say they “would have joined, but there was no war.”

Blue Intrigue

Don’t worry about adding political comments. Larry made it political:

I am pretty sure they never met a foreign leader. I am also pretty certain none had traveled outside the United States until their country called.

As if Sarah Palin had half the courage of these brave men and women.

imustprotest

You don’t get it and you never will….maybe if you lay off the kool aid, I don’t know. GEEZ….cultists are really the worst.
Jess Terr

Such an unworthy little troll.

If it had an iota of the Love of America that Sarah Palin has, it could not accept the $6.75 (less if it is female) per hour it collects from the Thug Squad.

McCain/PALIN

COUNTRY FIRST!!!

Blue Intrigue

Yes, she loves America so much that she supports Alaskan secessionists.

TeakWoodKite

You need to read Abe Lincoln.

imustprotest

Teak…do you have the number for the Truth Squad? I want to make a citizen’s arrest of Blue Intrigue for lies against Sarah Palin!

imustprotest

Nevermind I’ll do it myself….Blue you don’t have a right to be silent….everything you say or didn’t say will be used against you in the court of Obama. You do not have the right to an attorney or even the right to go to the bathroom until Obama okays it. Now sit down, shut up and get in line.
TeakWoodKite

I saw it written in yellow snow on the road to Purhoe Bay from Anchorage.

imustprotest

LOL!
Blue Intrigue

Are you sure it wasn’t on Palin’s $25 million road to nowhere?

TeakWoodKite

Positive, the number was toll free. 1 800 no obama

PKJAYNE

lmao teak!

churl

Got your facts wrong, dude.

Blue Intrigue

Great rebuttal! So, prove to me that she hasn’t addressed the AKIP convention, that her husband wasn’t registered AKIP, and that Mark Chryson hasn’t been involved in her campaign.

Masha9

That smear has already been debunked. It’s a lie and you know it. Oh! but I forget. You’re an obot…lying is what you do best. You learned from the master.

Blue Intrigue

No, it has not been debunked. All that was shown was the she wasn’t registered AKIP. But her husband was and she has expressed her support and Mark Chryson has been involved with Palin up to his eyeballs.

tampagurl

It has to been debunked! Fact check it, don’t be so lazy.
Bellevue_NW_Voter

An Alaskan friend tells me that a significant portion of Alaskans, possibly greater than 50%, have secessionist leanings. It is not considered especially radical or unpatriotic up there, but is sort of a frontiersman’s self-sufficiency “state pride” kind of thing. Yes, those people think THAT differently than the New England elite.

I don’t want Alaska to secede, but to bring some of that culture of frontiersman self-sufficiency to Washington doesn’t seem like a bad idea. By “self-sufficiency”, I don’t mean everyone for themselves. I mean, developing a good economy, and if the returns from it are great enough, distributing some of the profits back to citizens, as Alaska does with its oil income.

I mean reducing our dependence on foreign investors that buy our debt.

I mean bringing back more resource-based, manufacturing-based jobs to America — if that means a bit more trade protectionism than in recent years, to bring foreign goods’ prices closer to those of American-made goods, so be it. The family that shops at Wal-Mart will be worse off for a while, but the tariffs paid by the importers will go right into the government to help us stabilize the budget deficit and maybe even begin to pay it down. And that will ultimately have a positive effect on the economy (ref: Clinton years, balanced budget, etc.).

ACT

So you have had the courage to send your children into war?

You take that lightly?

Sarah Palin’s son is willing to put his life on the line so you have the right to come to a website like this and be an ass.

I am so proud of him. Of you….Not so much.
IndieDogg

An you are the arbiter of these things, Blue Intrigue? You know those soldiers do you? Well, you certainly don’t know Sarah Palin.

You can see into this woman’s heart and pass judgment on her bravery? I doubt it.

You don’t like what Larry said so who cares. He said it. It’s the truth. You’re for the other team so you don’t like it. Well, so what?

What do you hit back with, some reasoned analysis? A point worth hearing? No. You’re merely regurgitating your campaign’s mantra, like a magpie. Governor Palin’s stupid. All of her children are illigitimate and the whole family sleeps with each other. They live in a trailer behind the Governor’s mansion. And now, Governor Palin has no courage. How the hell would you know?
You people make me ill. Speaking of cowards, check the mirror.

You’re a hack. Courage? You honestly don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.

The only thing you have demonstrated here about courage, or honor, or depth of character is your own — lack thereof.

If you don’t want to vote for her, don’t vote for her.

But, the need to denigrate someone you don’t know and certainly know nothing about (she has the highest approval rating of any Governor in America but, somehow, you know her better than her own constituents), is simply pathological. The need to lower others to feel better about yourself because you can’t stand on your own.

If your messiah is the second coming, why not go celebrate with your fellow disciples? What is the need to spout nonsense on a site that obviously isn’t in the market? What are you accomplishing, leading more sheep to your flock? I can’t imagine how. By insulting them?

Take it somewhere where somebody’s buying it.

Blue Intrigue

Governor Palin’s stupid. All of her children are illigitimate and the whole family sleeps with each other. They live in a trailer behind the Governor’s mansion.

You got all that from my comment? Well here’s what I got from yours:

Obama is a Muslim who isn’t qualified because he’s responsible for everything his Christian pastor said. Obama is a Communist. Obama is a Marxist. Obama is a Fascist. Everybody in Chicago knows everybody else and is responsible for everything everybody else has ever said and done. Obama’s birth certificate is a fake and I would link you to the truth but it had to be scrubbed from this website and another one that links to it. Larry knows all the October surprises that the GOP has in store and he’s the only one who knows the truth despite being wrong about 9/11, the London bombings and pretty much everything he’s ever written about.

don tufts

and if you ask thease scum to refute rezkos slums in obamas district or how obama ramroded the legislation that changed the hospital board from 15 to 9 members either they dont answer or they insult.for once give me your reason blue why obama wanted that board changed from 15 to 9 ,either that or stuff your head up your —.
Zorro Astor

Oh crap. Underage children fighting again.
Masha9

You finally got something right!
steel magnolia

No, but Obama believes in Black Liberation Theology and has so for 20 years – anti-white, anti-semitic and anti-America. Deny that! That is the doctrine preached at Trinity! Deny that! That is his pastor’s philosophy and his pastor was his “spiritual mentor” and “like an uncle” for 20 years. Deny that!

That doesn’t bother you? Or would it be okay if we elected a KKK member to the Presidency as long as he denounced the Klan last year?

Blue Intrigue

No, Black Liberation Theology does not bother me because, unlike you, I understand what it means. And since you mention the KKK, they were out in MS Friday night. Guess who they were supporting?

workingclass artist

STFU Blue Latrine…..sheeeshe!

Good Article Larry. The photographs were quite nice of the cemetary. If you have more of them it would be good to sse them. The landscape looks quite beautiful….which should offer soe small comfort to the families of those soldiers. It is alwaysgood when an american can visit and pay homage. It does a heart good….Thankyou for including us on you thoughtful commentary on what must have been a powerful experience.

RESPICE…ADSPICE…PROSPICE…
LOOK TO THE PAST…PRESENT…FUTURE…

TeakWoodKite

H/T WorkingClass Artist;

workingclass artist

Hey Teak….Hru doin ?

TeakWoodKite

Like a Mattise and you?

Dawnelle

lol good one “latrine”

for sure

Blue Intrigue

Yeah, potty humor is about the level of sophistication that you can grasp.

tampagurl

Blue,

“Don’t let you mind wander – it’s far too small to be let out on its own.

Leisa

No, it’s mind has already been flushed down with the blue chem that is supposed to cover up stench…

Jillie

you don’t think it takes courage to do what she is doing? even you have to see how much she has to put up with, how much her family has to put up with, simply by accepting a nomination for public office.

i think she is extremely courageous, and whether she wins or loses, she will always be a symbol of one tough woman to me.

workingclass artist

A call to serve is what it is…nuff said…

Jackie

It takes more courage to offer up ones child to war than to serve yourself. not that you would know.

My father would have happily gone to his death in Iraq than send his son. Sarah Palin sent her child to the war with love and courage only a mother can know. She did it infront of the world with no privacy for her doubts and fears.

Try it some time. Until you walk in her shoes keep your ignorant mouth shut.

Blue Intrigue

I’m not the one who brought Sarah Palin into this – and she didn’t belong in it in the first place. I’m offended that Larry tried to equate Sarah Palin to those brave soldiers who lie across the sea. He could have chosen to write something non-partisan but it’s not in his nature to be decent.

C.S.

Oh yes you did. There is no mention in this article of Governor Palin. You saw the secret coded message that others did not. You wrote her name. You accused the author of “trying to equate Sarah Palin to those brave soldiers”, not him.

We saw a tribute to those who had paid the ultimate price to keep their country free so that you were free to insult the mother of a soldier fighting for his country to insure your right to insult his mother.

Bellevue_NW_Voter

For what it’s worth, I did not think of Palin when I read the words in question.

I thought, wow, when these kids did this, most of them were probably doing something so much bigger than anything they’d ever done before in their lives, and they were doing it for Allied leaders they’ve never even met.

Blue has a plausible argument, but at least one person (me) saw something different when she read the words.

Leisa

Those with small brains and limited experiences are easily offended.

Blue Intrigue

Yes, those who have been offended by my pointing out LJ’s obvious Palin reference have proven your point beyond dispute.

Leisa

Comment by Blue Intrigue | 2008-09-28 22:35:26

I’m not the one who brought Sarah Palin into this – and she didn’t belong in it in the first place. I’m offended that Larry tried to equate Sarah Palin to those brave soldiers who lie across the sea. He could have chosen to write something non-partisan but it’s not in his nature to be decent.

You have not made your money her tonight.

Leisa

*here*

looking for integrity

I think you should look at WHY McCain criticized some of these bills, and you should look at Obama’s own position. He could care less.

I live in Obama’s back yard honey, and I’ve been driving through the neighborhoods around Hyde Park for 3.5 years. They get prgressiveley worse. If he can’t do anything here what makes you think he can do anything for this nation? Actions speak louder than words and he hasn’t shown any.

Zorro Astor

Right on! Tell it like it is!

street_parade

Dear God man you think that statement references Gov. Palin? The same statement could be and WAS made about Barack Obama.

Just so you understand, this post was about people who died in World War II, who never made it back home and are buried in France. It is to honor THEM!!

You guys are paranoid freaks of the highest order. Who ARE you people?

Jess Terr

Offered for some measure of respect that NObama does not have. The American whose name he couldn’t recall.
We can remember him and honor him, his brothers in arms, and thank them for their service and sacrifice to America. May God bless their sacrifice to America.

http://www.militarycity.com/valor/2002247.html
d2d

Larry, this is a great reminder about what this election IMHO is truly all about. Mr. Kellerman and the Matula boys had a Commander In Chief who had experience to lead the US Armed Forces to fight and end WWII with dignity and honor.

Following the invasion in Iraq, a preemptive strike I never, ever agreed with, I witnessed the sheer ineptness of Rumsfeld and Bush in providing the necessary leadership our brave men and women so desperately needed. I was appalled by the lack of armor on our equipment that could have prevented untold senseless deaths or loss of limbs. So much of this debacle infuriated me and I felt hopeless and helpless.

Day after day my sense of honor and integrity and reality were battered by the horror and propaganda that was being fed to me by the MSM. I couldn’t do a whole lot about it then, and now I can.

I will never place an “X” in front of any Presidential candidates name who lacks military experience or skill/experience that is equivalent.

And I’ll be damned if I’m going to be bullied by my party to vote for someone with such inexperience and ineptness! Not going to happen…EVER!!!

I firmly stand with my brothers and sisters of the armed forces.
Cat in NJ

I fear young Americans, and future generations, will revert to the Vietnam-era perception that troops who serve during wartime are just destructive, programmed robots, or are heartless monsters … you know,
“baby killers”. Obama strikes me as the kind of “leader” who will invoke this mindset into American youth. He has no qualms about dissecting and mocking each line of the Pledge of Allegiance. We can’t forget his flag-stomping buddy, and the rest of his despicable mentors and associates.

Vladimir Lenin put it succinctly. “All that is necessary to destroy a nation is to capture the minds of a single generation.”
Larse12

This is off topic but a good article for everyone to read:

http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2008/01/obamas_nation_o.html

Zorro Astor

We got the arabs on the inside, we got the arabs on the outside. Cozy.

John

CNN Story: “Clinton hesitates to call Obama a ‘Great Man.’”

Can someone tell me what the FUCK Barack Obama has done in his life to deserve being called a “Great Man” by ANYBODY? ESPECIALLY a legitimately great man like Bill Clinton???

Is this the latest requirement of the Clintons- they must refer to Obama as a “Great Man?” Jesus Christ, is there no end to this garbage?

VRWC – Authoritarian Left Dept.

What great things has Obama done?

“I’ve been fighting alongside ACORN on issues you care about my entire career. Even before I was an elected official, when I ran Project Vote voter registration drive in Illinois, ACORN was smack dab in the middle of it, and we appreciate your work.” – Barack Obama, Speech to ACORN, November 2007

I keep wondering whether ACORN, with its red tee-shirts, is the nucleus of that civilian national security force as strong, powerful, and well-funded as the military that Obama mentioned that he, as President, would seek to institute.
workingclass artist

Ehemmm…Nemo Dat Quod Non Habet…
No One Gives What He Does Not Have…
WJC would hesitate because this defies logic. Greatness in men and women is based in our culture on DEEDS Barky’s accomplishments are so minimal that I wouldn’t think they merit mention yet beyond 3 simple facts.
1.First AA Senator from Ill.
2.First AA editor of Harvard Law Review.
3.First AA candidate for POTUS that was selected not elected….

Wisewoman

You are wrong about Obama being the first AA senator from Illinois. Carol Mosely Braun, a black female was first. She was legitimately elected with black and white, democratic and Republican support, especially women.

Mr. Natural

Clinton hesitates to call Obama a ‘Great Man.’”

This is a new age. It is more profitable and quicker to manufacture the appearance of greatness than to endure the slings and arrows of a life well fought.

Chicago Joe

Can any one of the trolls tell me one thing Obama has done to make him great? Great manipulator? Great fund-raiser? Yeah, he’s great at those things. But nothing whatsoever the man has done makes him great in any way in the service of anyone but himself.

Zorro Astor

Can any one of the trolls tell me one thing Obama has done to make him great?

Well he’s a change agent. LMAO

benny

maybe Clinton can call obama a crate-man.

Doester

Thank you for sharing.

I have a couple of questions if you would be so kind to answer them.

Why are the U.S. soldiers buried there and not in the U.S.?

Are their names listed on the Wall in DC?

bobason

These soldiers died in the European theater during WWII and were buried where they fought.

They are NOT listed on the wall in DC, because the wall is part of the Vietnam Memorial. Different war.
don tufts

the wall in dc carries only the names of those who fell in southeast asia during the vietnam war.the soldiers,airmen and saliors that died in WWII for the most part are buried in regional cemataries that were consolidated after the war so bringing the boys home would have just opened old wounds in family.they are sleeping forever with their brothers in arms in ground deeded to the us by the gratefull nations of europe.another very moving place to honor thease men is either above the beaches at normandy in france or the punchbowl national cematary in honolulu,hope this helps.

workingclass artist

Not sure but I think there are proposals to add more monuments to the area adding walls for Korean Vets and I think there is a new WWW!! proposal. I remember when the design for the Viet Nam Wall went in and was so shocking aesthetically….It turned out to be most probably the most effective modern memorial in how Personal and Dignified it is. I have been to Arlington and the Wall. At both I cried at the sheer power and grace of both. I searched for and found the name of the soldier who was a big brother of the girl I went to school with growing up. These memorials are so necessary for all of us as these soldiers are part of us. They come from us. They fight for us. Larry is right…We must never forget. The Healing Power is to honor the sacrifice and seek to do better as a nation. This has always been the case. With each successive war we have learned from them and have strove to do better….It is part of our national character. I was moved by this article and the story of these brothers.
Zorro Astor

I’ve been to the preparation grounds for D-Day. It’s a nice quiet area and not much to see but there are a lot of vets who come back with spouses and friends. When you hear the tales of how things were from locals you can almost hear the planes taking off and landing. Eerie!
C.S.

We still have sailors entombed on the Arizona in Hawaii.

The USS Arizona serves as the final resting place for many of the battleship’s 1,177 crew members who lost their lives on December 7, 1941.

Those who visit the Memorial believe it is as emotional as visiting Arlington or the European cemeteries but say the sight of oil still leaking from the ship makes it so very real to them. I wonder if Soertoro/Obama has ever been there, or to Arlington. I know he looked totally bored at the site of the Twin Towers marking the 6th anniversary and his wife who made every campaign stop with him skipped the event.

Bellevue_NW_Voter

When I had a stopover in Hawaii on the way from the US to the south Pacific, I only had 5 hours, and time to do one thing in Honolulu. I went to the Arizona Memorial.

It is not as imposing as Arlington, with its seemingly unending rows of white stones. But it is in-your-face real. You can indeed see oil still seeping from the ship, a turret, etc. There is a wall containing the names of those who sacrificed, grouped by branch of service, and multiple people stopped and stood there for quite a long time. They probably were, like me, reading EVERY name, because I felt that the least I could do was to take the time to acknowledge each person individually.

just me

The walking wall was in our town a few years ago at a festival……

What a wonderful creation….. I too cried whilst reading all the names of the brave men and women.

Having had a brother serve 26 yrs in the military it brings home what every name engraved on the wall means….
They fought to give us the freedom, we need to cherish every moment.
Not one life should be taken in vain

True American heroes :

May they rest in peace and may we always remember they gave their lives to save us all….

Jackie

At the time there was no ability to repatriate the remains of soldiers fighting over seas. All resources we had were dedicate to keeping the Military supplied and taking wounded home to the USA when they were able to travel.

THere are massive cemetaries in France, Germany, and North Africa as well as many in the Philippines and other Islands in the Pacific Theater.

I have visited all the European ones. They are profoundly moving. You really start to get the level of sacrifice required to defeat Hitler when you walk among the pristine rows of crosses and stars. It is sobering.

Palin would get it Obama would seem bored and figit just like he did at Ground Zero on 9/11.

just me

I have visited the American cemeteries in the UK

http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/ca.php
Joseph B Kennedy Jr is laid to rest here. Brother to the President

http://www.madingleyamericancemetery.info/

http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/bk.php

Visit the sites there is a media video to listen

http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries.php

just me

Beautiful diary Larry

May all our brave men/women rest in peace.

K Bentley

Thank you, Larry. I have visited Arlington on a few occasions and wondered the same thoughts. Our heroes. Somehow, I think many Americans have lost a core value, and that is honor.

When I heard Obama speak of the lapel pin and painted over the American Flag on his plane, or when he displayed a false seal, I immediately pegged him for traitor. It’s his falsehood, his habitual lying and empty pandering. His followers are of his kind.

I think of the celebrities that praise and support him, and the money they have made in our country. They see a minority, although not fit to lead this nation, as a tribute to some false injustice.

All of those graves signify freedom for these people yet they lack honor and integrity towards their country.

What is happening to the American people?

Zorro Astor

painted over the American Flag on his plane

He did what?

If this is true then I can’t help feeling he was trying to send a message to a certain group. Or two or more.

Hi! This is your Manchurian Candidate! All is well – never fret! Bye for now!

athena

He replaced the waving American flag on the tail of his plance with his campaign logo -

Mandelay

Thanks, Larry.
http://www.governuts.us Agust304

Larry. I give to you the two words I wish they could have come home to hear.

Thank You

Zorro Astor

Larry’s winning the kudos this evening! He also seems to have had a nice trip and enriched his life and that of others in a fashion I’ve come to expect of him. Have a safe trip home, Mr Johnson!

HARP

TROLLS…Try and let this poem sink in your thick skulls.

JUST A COMMON SOLDIER

(A Soldier Died Today)

by A. Lawrence Vaincourt

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,

And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,

In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.

And tho’ sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,

All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.

But we’ll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,

And the world’s a little poorer, for a soldier died today.

He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,

For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.

Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,

And the world won’t note his passing, though a soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,

While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,

But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land

A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,

Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?

A politician’s stipend and the style in which he lives

Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.

While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,

Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.

It’s so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,

That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know

It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,

Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,

Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?

Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend

His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,

But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier’s part

Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor while he’s here to hear the praise,

Then at least let’s give him homage at the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,

Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.

http://JohnMcCain.com An Ex PUMA is an oxymoron

TROLLS…Try and let this poem sink in your thick skulls.

That’s physically impossible. Their tinfoil hats prevent it.
PhxNickD

Thank you Harp
Zorro Astor

I like how it paints the grunt as the hero and the politician as the enemy. We sure need a new world order – no more politician leaders. We need administrators – we need people we can trust!

wodiej

God Bless every single person who has served and is now serviing in the military to protect our country which stands for liberty and justice for all. It’s about democracy and what is good.

I don’t know what exactly is to become of Obama supporters who are so fucking shameless that they will desecrate even the blood of those who died so their stinking, stupid asses could live in freedom in this country. To come onto this post that is a sincere, heartfelt tribute to the military and make it political is ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING.
TeakWoodKite

One the earliest memories was visiting Arlington. These Americans far from home are sentinal.

Thank you Mr. Johnson for honoring them.

I don’t why , but lately I’ve been wondering;

Who is saving Private Ryan?
bert

A very sensitive and touching post. May we never forget.
http://investigatebarackobama.wordpress.com/about/ kat in your hat

Aww, I forget our people buried overseas. Makes me feel a little sad they are so far away.

I wonder how many Americans have died in battle since our country began?

I look at my grandparents’ war photos and I find them so interesting–I really respect my grandpas.

Well,

To Joseph Matula and Frank J. Matula from New Jersey, and Bernard Kellerman from New York:

Thank you.
Pamela

You have got to check out this link. If this proves to be true, I will never watch television again! Putting higher ratings ahead of our country would just be the last straw for me! We all know the MSM has this information on Obama, and now we might know why they are waiting to divulge it! Here is the link: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2092781/posts

I encourage you to send it to everyone you know.

d2d

yeah, i saw the post earlier and gave a heads up to TD. if there is any truth to this then my god the fourth estate has sold its soul. and for what? the almighty dollar!

disgusting if true. simply disgusting.

tampagurl

Well, I’d like it to be true but I don’t deal in
unnamed sources. I’ll take it more seriously when they name sources.

Firefly

Our Fourth Estate have become TRAITORS to our country. They probably have been for years – at least since 2000.

But whatever they know about the criminal 0bama, the republicans and the McCain campaign have to know too – Giuliani and his thugs dug up mountains of criminal dirt on barky a long time ago.

John McCain MUST USE IT NOW. He doesn’t have a choice.

GREEN LIGHT, MAC, GREEN LIGHT!

Zorro Astor

McCain doesn’t like to play dirty. He doesn’t much like Obama but he’s got his own dignity.

Firefly

Telling the truth that will save this country is NOT playing dirty. It’s what he has to do.

Zorro Astor

I’m going to punch holes in that story.

1. Keep it confidential when it’s on the Internet for anyone to find? If you found it then the girlfriend at MSNBC can find it too. So much for that sentiment.

2. The spectre conjured up is of a top-down conspiracy. That has to be kept secret. Where any whistleblower could come forward at any time. A secret it seems a lot of people in the organisation are aware of. I find that just a bit incredible. ‘Incredible’ in the true sense: difficult to believe.

3. I don’t think MSNBC or any outlet of the MSM can have info not already available at NQ or similar sites. It’s instead a question of the MSM going for the research that’s already been done. There is little that we don’t already know about the MSM will ever be able to uncover.

tampagurl

I agree Zorro!

Zorro Astor

Hey tampagurl!

Zorro Astor

See below. This one’s too easy to punch holes in. Parent’s posted this twice.

Hillary the President

In honor of all soldiers —

“Here, Bullet” by Brian Turner

Here, Bullet

If a body is what you want,
then here is bone and gristle and flesh.
Here is the clavicle-snapped wish,
the aorta’s opened valves, the leap
thought makes at the synaptic gap.
Here is the adrenaline rush you crave,
that inexorable flight, that insane puncture
into heat and blood. And I dare you to finish
what you’ve started. Because here, Bullet,
here is where I complete the word you bring
hissing through the air, here is where I moan
the barrel’s cold esophagus, triggering
my tongue’s explosives for the rifling I have
inside of me, each twist of the round
spun deeper, because here, Bullet,
here is where the world ends, every time.
http://anvp.typepad.com/soldier4hillary/ soldier4hillary

Thanks Larry! Wonderful post. Its’ nice to see a positive article about soldiers without the word “warmonger”
noepiphany

this was just posted on riverdaughter:

“John Batchelor just reported that Barack Obama wrote a letter to the State Department asking that Nadmi Auchi (bankrolled Saddam Hussein and was involved in postwar Iraq pillaging) be allowed back in the country.”

Zorro Astor

That’s very known. Oh yeah. You didn’t know? Oh yes he did.

Zorro Astor

That’s the Lorraine American War Cemetery I believe? It’s up in the northeast of France.

Try this link to Google Maps for further photos etc

Good on Larry!
John Smith

Please don’t worry about the polls.

There is no way Obama can win. Republicans by far are not going to vote for him and the party identification even in 2006 was 36% Republican, 38% Democratic, 26% Independent. 2006 is the year that the republicans lost the congress and of course who could forget Katrina. In addition, the party identification as a republican was at a all time low that year. The stuff that Obama stands for, the Republicans will not support. The so called “White people” support McCain over Obama by something like 9 points and they make up 80% of the electorate according to 2006 exit poll (It was 77% in 2004). Now the talking heads would have you believe that there will be a big black turn out. But what everybody is forgetting is that blacks only make up 13% of the population. So whatever turnout they think they will get it won’t be much more then what they got in 2006 or 2004 which is about 10% to 11%. Further more, black population is concentrated mostly in southern states that McCain is winning no matter what the pollsters would have you believe. Now there is no evidence that Democrats will turn out in greater numbers then republicans. The republicans have been improving their numbers at the exit polls since 1996. The democrats held no more then a 4% advantage in the polls during the last 12 years and that number is down to 2% in 2006 and was 0% in 2004. So if republicans are going for McCain and independence are breaking for McCain then why are the polls in Obama’s favor you might ask. That is because the pollsters assume that there will be a 10% more democrats voting then republicans. The reason there was a bounce in the polls for McCain after the republican convention is because the pollsters reduced the bias to 5 points and McCain took the lead. Now they moved it back to somewhere around 10%. Does anybody think that people are changing their party identification that quickly? I provided links to all the polls from where I have been getting the information. Please let me know if I mad any mistakes.

Zorro Astor

The so called “White people” support McCain over Obama by something like 9 points and they make up 80% of the electorate according to 2006 exit poll

Well yeah. Look at ordinary demographics. Another clue: women last I looked represented just over 50% of the electorate!
vee

I sincerely hope you are correct. My concern is that GWB is such a negative that people have lost rationality and will vote for Obama out of anger at the Repub administration. Obama’s campaign has been regularly touting their superior get out the vote organization. I am not sure it is all just bragging though. I fear there is some real substance to what they are saying. I get the impression that the Repubs are not as geared up.

John Smith

That use to be true before Palin came on board. But it is true that they are not as well funded as Obama.
McHope

60,000 at Palin’s rally last week.
The base is energized.
Leisa

You know, with the Democratic controlled congress having lower approval ratings that Bush, it seems that voters are not paying attention.

http://JohnMcCain.com An Ex PUMA is an oxymoron

Excellent thoughtful article Mr. Larry.
Jackie

Thanks Larry this will be the first Veterans day in 12 years that I have not gone to one of the European Cemetaries to post flags and give prayers of thanks for the sacrifices of these people.

I will go to Arlington this year.

Your words were wonderful and the thought important.
Linda

Thank you.
dopealope

Another side benefit to a McCain administration is you will have a lot more dead “unheralded American heroes” to visit and use as fodder for your sappy self-indulgent posts !!!

Zorro Astor

Another 14yo whose parents aren’t home tonight.

Blue Intrigue

This coming from the guy or girl who called my name “faggoty”. You obviously stumbled onto this site because you thought it was called “No Quarters” and thought “Great! I can save my quarters for Peter Piper Pizza!”

tampagurl

Go crawl back in your hole dopey!
PKJAYNE

Your name is appropriate for you.
Firefly

Every 0bamabot that comes here with the ridiculous pretense of some kind of “moral authority” makes me laugh – they’re just SCREAMING the fear – loud and clear – 0BAMA’S GONNA LOSE! Pu-leeze – everybody knows 0bama’s morals are beneath scum.

Come out, come out, little vermin bot – emerge from your darkness – step into the light – admit the scum of your ways and the moral depravity of your candidate.

Blue Intrigue

Yeah, the ten point lead Obama will have on Tuesday has us all a-sceered!

Leisa

Dewey wins!

Seattle Moss

On my 10 mile walk today the only Obama stickers I saw were on foreign cars and on un mowed lawns.
I was particularly angry today
and shouted once in while Country First!
It was lonely out there…

Until I came upon a bumper sticker on the back of an RV

Freedom is not Free!!

I had a nice talk with that retired Colonel

I told him thanks!
and that the time has come again to defend our freedom.

The Colonel told me thanks!
and then said..

Go get um champ!

Zorro Astor

On my 10 mile walk today the only Obama stickers I saw were on foreign cars and on unmowed lawns.

Classic!

Zorro Astor

When they embarked on their military service I am sure each expected to return home.

I’d substitute ‘hoped’ for ‘expected’. This is a tragedy. All war is a tragedy. A crime. OTOH I can see Larry someday being awarded a Pulitzer or similar prize. He really touches our hearts. Bravo, Larry!

Blue Intrigue

Yeah, a “Roxanne Pulitzer” for blowing his own horn.

just me

Well you seem to like blowing your empty horn..
Clear off go spend your time in oblowland your not welcome here

just me

hope your caught in your own blowback.

http://nobho.blogspot.com/ Johnny at Work

There are trolls claiming McCain has received a D- from Veterans Groups?

What veterans groups would that be? Obot Vets from Mom’s Basements?

There are only two Vet groups that matter, The American Legion, and Veterans of Foriegn Wars, the rest are made up BS.

Here are the FACTS from that LIBERAL bastion, factcheck.org.

McCain has “received every award from every major veterans’ organization in America.”

He won the 1995 Congressional Award from the VFW and that is the only award the group specifically gives to legislators.

In 1992, McCain also won the VFW’s Americanism Award, which is “awarded to an individual for outstanding contribution to Americanism principles.”

The American Legion awarded McCain “at least three or four Legislator of the Year Awards”.

Finally, the VFW and American Legion do not endorse political candidates. However, the VFW has a PAC that has endorsed McCain in every race in which he has run since 1984.

Where are Obambi’s Awards and Endorsements?

Nuff Said.

http://JohnMcCain.com An Ex PUMA is an oxymoron

Where are Obambi’s Awards and Endorsements?

The same place where pink unicorn milk is made into cheese: the land of Not.
Really?

The DAV(Disabled American Veterans), one of the many vet groups that rate Obama higher than McCain on vet issues would be thrilled to know they don’t matter.

They’ll be excited to hear that you think they are made up bullshit since they have been around almost 100 years. Other groups also rate Obama higher, but I guess since a lot of them are Iraq/Afghanistan veterans they are just made up too

http://nobho.blogspot.com/ Johnny at Work

Oops…. I forgot about DAV. Mea Culpa.

Here is McCains DAV endorsement.

Retired Airman 1st Class Griffin Dalianis, a top aide to the Disabled American Veterans, will help the Republican’s campaign build a veteran outreach program. And the campaign announced a veteran chairman in each county.

“John McCain has spent his lifetime answering the call to serve, both on and off the battlefield,” Dalianis said. “His record of fighting for veterans’ benefits is unmatched and I am honored to work on his behalf.”

http://www.thenewhampshireprimary.com/news/2007_04_12_news_nation_1.html

You do realize that McCain is a disabled vet, don’t you?

Now, where are those endorsements for Obambi?
Idiocracy08

I would like for any of those disabled veterans to look me in the eye and tell me they can IN GOOD CONSCIENCE support a man who treated Max Cleland so disrespectfully.

Jackie

This is off topic, Sorry.

It came to my attention that in April before Governor Palin gave birth to Trig she was asked to participate in a documentary film about Extraodinary Women.
For 3 days she was followed around her home and office by the cameras. Much of the footage has been seen on Fox and CNN.

How is it that at FRENCH documentary film maker knows of Sarah Palin as an Extraordinary Woman and the DNC and MSM did not???

Glenn Beck knew. Get some perspective folks–Palin made an impact big enough to be known outside our nation as a Governor.
Most Americans can’t name the governor of their own state. I’m just sayin.
DaddysDarlin

How lovely your words are. I am touched, thank you and God Rest the Souls of all who lie there.
http://nobho.blogspot.com/ Johnny at Work

There is also a US Memorrial Cemetary outside of Manilla in the Philippines.

The graves of all the WWII Army and Marine Vets who died while Island Hopping to Japan were relocated to this cemetary.

There is a rotunda that has the names of all the Navy and Marine vets lost at sea etched into the marble.

I had the honor being guided by a very greatful Philipino Gentleman.

Words cannot describe the feeling of walking among those brave souls.

Their sacrifice can never be repaid, only honored.

I’ve also been to Punch Bowl, Golden Gate National Cemetary and Arlington National Cemetary.

They died to keep and protect our way of life, our freedoms, and our Democracy. We honor them by doing our part to never let that slip away.

There is no glory in war, only death. And there is no glory in being right, only in doing right.

I highly recommend visiting any of these sacred places when you are in the area.
street_parade

I am lucky and get to go to Europe regularly and have been to the American cemetary in Normandy. It is a very emotional experience, the number of graves – row after row of them is pretty overwhelming. It sits above Omaha Beach.

You leave the cemetary and go out into a free and prosperous Europe. You rarely think about it, but they gave everything so that we could have that.

Rest in peace.
http://deleted Buzz Latte

Yes, and clueless Obots sit in basements harassing keyboards and register dead people for ACORN unaware that those soldiers bought them their freedom to do so.

But, it’s not fly to think about that.

NO! It’s not cool to stand up and think for yourself, because Obama is the answer.

But then so was McGovern, Dukakis, Gore, Carter, Kerry, and Rezko for Obama.

I wonder if Obama will send Rezko a Christmas card or would that be against the hammer and sickle handbook of communism?
http://medusa2.wordpress.com Medusa

A very moving post, thank you Larry.
Like many of my generation, my father and four uncles served in WWII. My father was in the Pacific, my uncles, including identical twins, served in Europe.

I think of them often, teenage boys fighting a war.

One of the things I like best about NQ are these kind of posts. It helps put everything else into perspective.

I’m sorry the Bots came to defecate–classless group of cretins.
http://NA Lee Ruth

Hey, Blue Intrigue, who would you like for Obama to be friends with, Mark Chryson or Bill Ayers?

Hmmmm

Blue Intrigue

What Ayers did was forty years ago. Mark Chryson is advocating for the secession of Alaska today

tampagurl

wow! What a lame statement. You’re beyond stupid!
navyvet48

Oh! Well there are secessionists in Montana too! I just give them their say! and have a chuckle later on! Much ado about nothing!

http://NA Lee Ruth

Rezko is talking to the feds. This could get very interesting.
Retired

Not to forgive his sins, of which there are more than a few, but Colin Powell may have expressed it most eloquently when he said:

“Far from being the Great Satan, I would say that we are the Great Protector. We have sent men and women from the armed forces of the United States to other parts of the world throughout the past century to put down oppression. We defeated Fascism. We defeated Communism. We saved Europe in World War I and World War II. We were willing to do it, glad to do it. We went to Korea. We went to Vietnam. All in the interest of preserving the rights of people.
And when all those conflicts were over, what did we do? Did we stay and conquer? Did we say, “Okay, we defeated Germany. Now Germany belongs to us? We defeated Japan, so Japan belongs to us”? No. What did we do? We built them up. We gave them democratic systems which they have embraced totally to their soul. And did we ask for any land? No, the only land we ever asked for was enough land to bury our dead. And that is the kind of nation we are.”

And I pray we fundamentally remain that nation, despite our very human mistakes.

http://nobho.blogspot.com/ Johnny at Work

We are not perfect. But we are a hell of a lot better than what is in second place.

Watch the last minute of this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akLlxxWaJZM

socalannie

Beautiful post Larry. Thank you!
Prem

Thank you, Larry, for this beautiful post that is a loving remembrance and reminder to us all about all the truly self-less acts of courage so many Americans have performed for our freedom. The photos are lovely. Thank you for those, too.

God bless all those individuals and their families for their service to our great country.
Sue

Thank you Larry. That was a beautiful post.
Sassy

We can never pay the debt we owe these heroes…but we must preserve the inheritance they bestowed on us!

God Bless America and keep her free!

McCain/Palin
Patrick Henry

Well Done Larry..I appreciate the sensitivity and thoughts you shared with your article and Pictures..

I Hope and Pray that Wars on that scale never happen again..the Loss of so much Life is tragic and Sad..

Hitlerrand his Followers were Lunatics..and I Pray that there will Never be another Attempt to Conquor the World through WAR again..and that we will stay on a path toeard Freedom..and respect for Human Life..

thanks..LC
navyvet48

Thank you again Larry. It reminded me of visiting my Dad’s grave in the Massachusetts National Cemetary in Bourne, MA for the first time 2 years ago. He was a Navy veteran from the Korean War. I followed in his footsteps, the only woman in my family to serve our country!
HARP

Is that you Fidel?
Firefly

TRUTH SQUAD! TRUTH SQUAD!
Zorro Astor

‘Big Max’ is a nickname his friends use sarcastically to ridicule him. As one of them told me confidentially:

The only things big about Big Max are his ego and his mouth!
VMorris

No doubt she’s been paid off by the Obama campaign.
Zorro Astor

Sorry, don’t have much time to troll tonight.

Aw shit, bummer dude! We love beating up on trolls! You come back soon, ya hear! Ask your mother if you can use her computer tomorrow evening! We’ll be waiting! ROFL
benny

lol
http://JohnMcCain.com An Ex PUMA is an oxymoron

Don’t you mean Schutzstaffel?