I have to take a journey back in time this Memorial Day, in order to find inspiration from heroes who gave their lives so that I can live mine, in the “land of the (relatively) free.” For me this Memorial Day is especially poignant, because if we are not careful, we will lose the country for which they gave their lives. We are in the hands of a coterie of leadership consisting of men and women who are not only squandering the legacy of these dead warriors, but who appear to be on a fast track to deliberate destruction of that legacy.

The president of the country is not even bothering to honor these fallen heroes, by attending the traditional services at Arlington Cemetery. Some may say that other presidents have done the same thing. Not too many other presidents have unloaded such a total package of devastating disregard for the species known as Americans. However, I agree with the president’s decision to go on vacation instead of going to Arlington Cemetery. Arlington is hallowed ground. I don’t see the president having much in common with the heroes buried there. If he feels out of place in such a setting, by all means he should skip the ceremony. Dead men cannot applaud.

Anyway, onto the tribute to heroes! “Veteran journalist” – he is a Marine Vet – Phil Brennan, in It's over the top time, introduced me to Marine Sgt. Maj Dan Daly, of World War I fame. He inspired: “Come on, you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever?” I love “my” Marines! Sgt. Maj. Dan Daly sounded off at a time when political correctness had not yet been cooked up in a cauldron of idiocy. I am going to join Mr. Brennan in his call to Americans to wake up and save their country, by borrowing Sgt. Maj. Daly’s cry, addressed to my fellow Americans:

“Come on you sons (and daughters) of bitches! Do you want (this nation) to live forever? Then charge its enemies (at the ballot box)!”

I hope that my pastor does not throw me out of the congregation for emulating the colorful language of Sgt. Maj. Dan Daly! Even if he did, I would do it again. It is good to be in the company of real men, with, to use my new favorite expression, coglioni.

Phil Brennan is no slouch himself. He is one of the “greatest generation,” and we are blessed to have him still with us. I came across this birthday article that Mr. Brennan posted on July 4, 2006, on his upcoming 80^th birthday. He described it thus: “On July 8, in the year of our Lord 2006, I will celebrate my 39th birthday – for the 41st time.” I knew that there was another reason why I like Mr. Brennan, besides his writing! I too celebrate the same birthday every year. In the same month as his birthday, I celebrate my 23^rd birthday, but always for the first time. Somehow for me, the clock has stopped at 23, and stubbornly refuses to budge. Mr. Brennan is also following me on Twitter and I am honored to have real class in my Twitter universe!

Courtesy of Char, I found out about the race to get surviving members of the greatest generation to record their experiences for posterity, through race to remember. The following describes how the project works.

“The project enlists volunteers--friends and family members of veterans or members of the public--through a Web site, www.loc.gov/vets. The site provides links to supply kits, profiles of veterans and instructions on how to conduct interviews. In many cases, the interviews are the first time the veterans have ever opened up and spoken about their experiences.”

I am not surprised that this is the first time that many of those veterans have “opened up and spoken about their experiences.” Whenever I have had the good fortune to meet any Vets, invariably they are self-effacing, almost shy. There is no braggadocio whatsoever. They served. They were proud to do so. They do not trade on that service.

My unpaid “researcher” Carolyn, brought this link to my attention, and as she stated, someone went to a lot of trouble to set it up. Instead of “someone,” it is about thirty persons who are listed as contributors to the virtual Vietnam wall. Visitors to the site can search to locate a Vietnam Veteran simply by name. This site appears to be a real labor of love. It is wonderful to see any gesture of goodwill towards those Vietnam Vets who served.

I will never forget what I have heard and read about their treatment, upon their return “home.” Many of those who led the charge to besmirch the service and reputations of these troops, may think that they have gotten off easily, because they actually profited materially from their efforts. It could be sooner, later, very late, but they will be introduced to the twin brothers, as I call them, of “karma,” and “retribution.” I hope the guilty parties will be able to withstand their day of reckoning as many of the Vietnam Vets steeled themselves to withstand the sneers, the spit, and other acts of degradation. Other Vets, already broken down by their ordeals during war, were mentally and emotionally unable to cope. Their blood is on the hands of their tormentors. By the way, the twins will also visit those who stole the cross-shaped Mojave Desert War Memorial.

Fort Hood – that name will no longer be said without reliving the alleged slaughter perpetuated by one of its own, who was not one of a band of brothers. Although the Major who allegedly did the deed, was practically blowing the smoke from the barrel of his gun as he shouted the usual Muslim proclamation at the end of a kill, I still must say “alleged.” These days, I could get brought up faster on charges than the time it took him to allegedly mow down 14. It is going to be interesting to see if those who gave their lives, or more specifically had their lives taken from them, will have justice applied, or if the “Vietnam Syndrome” will kick in, and the alleged killer will become the undeserving “victim.”

Technically, this tribute is to American Vets, but I had to include this story found on the Website of Michael Yon, about the death of Staff Sgt Olaf Schmid , in Afghanistan. I was very impressed with what I read about this British soldier, who was on a bomb squad, and by himself, responsible for detonating 64 bombs. His wife Christina summed up her husband: “Oz was a phenomenal husband and loving father who was cruelly murdered on his last day of a relentless five-month tour."

Her statement reminds us that there are also the survivors who are left to pick up the pieces, sometimes literally. At Military.com , there is a listing of charities that help Military families in the US.

Memorial Day is supposed to be the day set aside to honor the Military dead, but I am constrained to continue with a “tradition” I began last year, when it was brought to my attention, a type of “death” being forced upon troops who are still living. The “death” with which they are being confronted is death of livelihood, reputation and freedom – for doing their duty. They are not brought back from the war theater in body bags, but in shackles. The situations are the same, only the names change. By the grace of God, they get the better of the enemy. Then their government tries to get the better of them. Marine Sgt. Maj. Dan Daly would have been brought up on charges every other day in this current environment. I wonder how he would have reacted to being told about the proposed “medal of restraint,” for restraining from wiping out the enemy, or whatever the heck it is called. He probably would have performed “surgery” on the medal and showed the presenter an orthodox view of the sky.

Afghanistan, surpassing Iraq, has caused more troops to join the heroes to be honored in May, instead of being celebrated in November. This blog outlines the increase in the number of IEDs and the corresponding increase in the number of troops killed by those lethal IEDs, set by cowards who shall not be called terrorists. This report, with its tale of the state of care given to Vets by the VA, is disturbing. Please tell me that it is not true. I thought that the prior article was disturbing? My disturbance level is threatening to go off the charts at this recounting of the effects of psych drugs. According to the report, Vets are dying in their sleep from psych drugs. Death on the battlefield – death by psych drugs – death by lack of care…how do we count the ways? Do we even deserve such service and dedication?

My friend, journalist/writer Joan Swirsky, fount of knowledge, first alerted me to the case of 1LT Michael Behenna . Another Memorial Day is upon us. Michael is still at Leavenworth, where he just spent his 27^th birthday, waiting for an appeal of his case, as outlined at Defend Michael. He is there languishing with fellow troops, part of the Leavenworth Ten. I can still remember reading Joan’s article and becoming more incensed by the minute. I sent off the following e-mail to other friends:

In a message dated 5/25/2009 11:54:36 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, Eichristmas@aol.com writes:

Folks,

I hate to interrupt the barbecue, but this is too important to wait. The article below, forwarded by Char, and written by Joan, tells the story.

Joan:

Thank you, thank you, for spotlighting this! May God bless you for using your talents in defense of His country!

My first reaction in reading the story, is that it is a replay of Lt. Col Chessani and the other Haditha Marines, Ramos and Compean and all of the other "servants" who got served up on a platter of political correctness, and persecuted for doing their jobs too well. It is one outrage after another, coming from the cretins who make up the Ruling Class!

The new name is Ist Lt. Michael Behenna. I am wondering why he was sent to escort this terrorist thug to the thug's house, by himself. Was this a set up? If this is the current policy, one soldier escorting a terrorist thug, then it needs to change!

I am so angry that I am ready to let my evil self out and call a curse upon this nation, that its young will refuse to "serve" any more and put themselves in harm's way to lose limbs, lives, or be persecuted with jail time! They should instead go into politics and learn how to screw their country!

But I will control my anger, or better yet, turn it into something positive. I am going to write to Lt. Behenna and I am going to send what little I can afford for his defense.

Michael Behenna #87503

1300 N. Warehouse Road

Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027-2304

I admit it. I am still very angry! This young Ranger has received a prison sentence longer than his own age! Maybe the new plan is to release known terrorists or suspected terrorists from Guantanamo Bay, and incarcerate American troops, one Ranger or one Marine at a time!

I just stopped and said prayer to God to be with this young man. Please if possible at around 4 p.m. today, let us all stop and say a prayer for him. Imagine what is going through his mind.......

Remember:

The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.

...cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of government; destroying afterwards the very engines, which have lifted them to unjust dominion.

...and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty.

Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.

President George Washington - September 17, 1796

I have calmed down considerably from the angry person who wrote that e-mail, but I am still as resolved to follow this story. I am still wearing my Defend Michael bracelet. He is still metaphorically wearing his government issued bracelets. Meanwhile terrorists have been freed from Guantanamo Bay, to kill more American troops.

Joan was also the first to send me word of the three Navy SEALs, who recently won their freedom, after undergoing a Court Martial: Navy SEALs Face Assault Charges for Capturing Most-Wanted Terrorist.

I also have to thank her for sending me an e-mail in which was written the history of the Flag-draped coffin. This Legion Post link, gives a thorough explanation. I received an education.

So, let us enjoy the hotdogs, the sodas, the potato salad, and all of the other tasty items which mean Memorial Day is here. But, let us not forget the real price of the fun we will be having, because we are blessed to have a steady flow of defenders of our freedom. Stop a moment and remember. The price was paid by those reposing at the cemetery that the president declined to visit, reposing throughout this land, and in various countries in Europe.

We get to experience the 1st fold of the flag, the symbol of life. They get the 8th fold as their tribute because they have entered “into the valley of the shadow of death.” May God rest their souls and grant them eternal rest. May He also grant the citizens of this nation the wisdom to appreciate the legacy they preserved for us, and honor their memory by keeping it intact. We do not? The 8th fold will become the symbol of this nation.