BJ's blog: "Patriotic or Military related..."

YES, I'M A BAD AMERICAN by: George Carlin I Am Your Worst Nightmare. I am a BAD American. I am George Carlin. I believe the money I make belongs to me and my family, not some mid level governmental functionary be it Democratic or Republican! I'm in touch with my feelings and I like it that way! I think owning a gun doesn't make you a killer, it makes you a smart American. I think being a minority does not make you noble or victimized, and does not entitle you to anything. I believe that if you are selling me a Big Mac, do it in English. I believe everyone has a right to pray to his or her God when and where they want to. My heroes are John Wayne, Babe Ruth, Roy Rogers, and whoever canceled Jerry Springer. I don't hate the rich. I don't pity the poor. I know wrestling is fake and I don't waste my time watching or arguing about it. I've never owned a slave, or was a slave, and neither have you! So, shut up already. I believe if you don't like the way things are here, go back to where you came from and change your own country! This is AMERICA. I want to know which church is it exactly where the Reverend Jesse J ackson preaches, where he gets his money, and why he is always part of the problem and not the solution. Can I get an AMEN on that one? I think the cops have every right to shoot your sorry rear if you're running from them.. I also think they have the right to pull you over if you're breaking the law, regardless of what color you are. And, no, I don't mind having my face shown on my drivers license. I think it's good..... and I'm proud that "God" is written on my money. I think if you are too stupid to know how a ballot works, I don't want you deciding who should be runni ng the most powerful nation in the world for the next four years. I dislike those people standing in the intersections trying to sell me stuff or trying to guilt me into making "donations" to their cause. I believe that it doesn't take a village to raise a child, it takes two p arents. And what is going on with gas prices... again? I believe "illegal" is illegal no matter what the lawyers think. I believe the American flag should be the only one allowed in AMERICA! If this makes me a BAD American, then yes, I'm a BAD American.

Friday Mornings at the Pentagon By JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY McClatchy Newspapers Over the last 12 months, 1,042 soldiers, Marines, sailors and Air Force personnel have given their lives in the terrible duty that is war. Thousands more have come home on stretchers, horribly wounded and facing months or years in military hospitals. This week, I'm turning my space over to a good friend and former roommate, Army Lt. Col. Robert Bateman, who recently completed a yearlong tour of duty in Iraq and is now back at the Pentagon. Here's Lt. Col. Bateman's account of a little-known ceremony that fills the halls of the Army corridor of the Pentagon with cheers, applause and many tears every Friday morning. It first appeared on May 17 on the Weblog of media critic and pundit Eric Alterman at the Media Matters for America Website. "It is 110 yards from the "E" ring to the "A" ring of the Pentagon. This section of the Pentagon is newly renovated; the floors shine, the hallway is broad, and the lighting is bright. At this instant the entire length of the corridor is packed with officers, a few sergeants and some civilians, all crammed tightly three and four deep against the walls. There are thousands here. This hallway, more than any other, is the `Army' hallway. The G3 offices line one side, G2 the other, G8 is around the corner. All Army. Moderate conversations flow in a low buzz. Friends who may not have seen each other for a few weeks, or a few years, spot each other, cross the way and renew. Everyone shifts to ensure an open path remains down the center. The air conditioning system was not designed for this press of bodies in this area. The temperature is rising already. Nobody cares. " 10:36 hours: The clapping starts at the E-Ring. That is the outermost of the five rings of the Pentagon and it is closest to the entrance to the building. This clapping is low, sustained, hearty. It is applause with a deep emotion behind it as it moves forward in a wave down the length of the hallway. "A steady rolling wave of sound it is, moving at the pace of the soldier in the wheelchair who marks the forward edge with his presence. He is the first. He is missing the greater part of one leg, and some of his wounds are still suppurating. By his age I expect that he is a private, or perhaps a private first class. "Captains, majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels meet his gaze and nod as they applaud, soldier to soldier. Three years ago when I described one of these events, those lining the hallways were somewhat different. The applause a little wilder, perhaps in private guilt for not having shared in the burden .. yet. "Now almost everyone lining the hallway is, like the man in the wheelchair, also a combat veteran. This steadies the applause, but I think deepens the sentiment. We have all been there now. The soldier's chair is pushed by, I believe, a full Colonel. "Behind him, and stretching the length from Rings E to A, come more of his peers, each private, corporal, or sergeant assisted as need be by a field grade officer. " 11:00 hours: Twenty-four minutes of steady applause. My hands hurt, and I laugh to myself at how stupid that sounds in my own head. My hands hurt. Please! Shut up and clap. For twenty-four minutes, soldier after soldier has come down this hallway - 20, 25, 30. Fifty-three legs come with them, and perhaps only 52 hands or arms, but down this hall came 30 solid hearts. They pass down this corridor of officers and applause, and then meet for a private lunch, at which they are the guests of honor, hosted by the generals. Some are wheeled along. Some insist upon getting out of their chairs, to march as best they can with their chin held up, down this hallway, through this most unique audience. Some are catching handshakes and smiling like a politician at a Fourth of July parade. More than a couple of them seem amazed and are smiling shyly. "There are families with them as well: the 18-year-old war-bride pushing her 19-year-old husband's wheelchair and not quite understanding why her husband is so affected by this, the boy she grew up with, now a man, who had never shed a tear is crying; the older immigrant Latino parents who have, perhaps more than their wounded mid-20s son, an appreciation for the emotion given on their son's behalf. No man in that hallway, walking or clapping, is ashamed by the silent tears on more than a few cheeks. An Airborne Ranger wipes his eyes only to better see. A couple of the officers in this crowd have themselves been a part of this parade in the past. These are our men, broken in body they may be, but they are our brothers, and we welcome them home. This parade has gone on, every single Friday, all year long, for more than four years. "Did you know that? The media hasn't yet told the story." In God we Trust.

When in England at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire building by George Bush. He answered by saying, 'Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return. It became very quiet in the room. There was a conference in France where a number of international engineers were taking part, including the French and Americans. During a break one of the French engineers came back into the room saying 'Have you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he intend to do, bomb them?' A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: 'Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck.. We have eleven such ships; how many does France have?' Once again, dead silence. A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S. , English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of Officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English.' He then asked, 'Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?' Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied 'Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German.' You could have heard a pin drop. AND THIS STORY FITS RIGHT IN WITH THE ABOVE... A group of Americans, retired teachers, recently went to France on a tour. Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on. "You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously. "Then you should know enough to have your passport ready." The American said, "The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it." "Impossible. Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France !" The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained. "Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in '44 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find any Frenchmen to show it to."

Man took a flight, he was finally coming home, Feeling more relieved than any man has known, He spent so long, in a place that most fear, And when that plane landed down came a tear, Plane door opens still in uniform he stands, Nervous and confused, about stepping back on home land, He follows the others, checking each face for grief, But all that he noticed was the faces had relief, He steps off the plane and people were there, The Soldier astonished could do nothing but stare, They greeted him with open arms, a hug, and a sign, That said thank you soldier, your life for mine, Soldier walks still in uniform, down the street, He passes a man walking, he looks down to his feet, The man looks to him and stops him in his place, Only the Soldier and him, the man spits in his face, Soldier again with a tear, he asks only why, The man returns with an answer, a brutal reply, I do not respect you for the things that you've done, Soldier just listens as the man cuts him to none, Soldier said Sir, can I show something to you, Man says sure thats what you need to do, He lifts up his shirt, hand trembling as it rose, The man watched but with an upward nose, The man looks down and in his sight he sees, Three bullet wounds, as big as can be, The soldier said Sir..now let me tell what these are, Not freedom, not war, but everlasting scars, Now Sir you may not respect me, but I do as I am told, And each command I am given, I follow being bold, Now these three bullets I hold with out fear, Cause each ones has a reason, those reasons I want you to hear, He points to the first and says this ones for my family, No one can take them from me, Then to the second, he says with pride, This ones for my comm rads and the ones that died, Now Sir let me tell you what this last is to, This is one is for my nation, my honor, and you, And I want you to know that you may not like me, But other soldiers and I, be all we can be, So Dont respect me you have that right, And that my friend is the reason I fight, The man looked at him with a tear in his eye, He said please forgive me, I knew not the reasons why, The Soldier with a smile, looked back at the man, Said I am a US Soldier, I do what I can, And as he walked away, his face still with a smile, Thats what makes what I do worth while, Thanks to the American Soldiers!!!

1918 World War I, then normally referred to simply as The Great War (no one could imagine any war being greater!), ended with the implementation of an armistice [temporary cessation of hostilities—in this case until the final peace treaty, the infamous Treaty of Versailles, was signed in 1919] between the Allies and Germany at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, 1918. 1919 November 11: President Wilson proclaims the first Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…" The original concept for the celebration was for the suspension of business for a two minute period beginning at 11 A.M., with the day also marked by parades and public mettings. 1920 On the second anniversary of the armistice, France and the United Kingdom hold ceremonies honoring their unknown dead from the war. In America, at the suggestion of church groups, President Wilson names the Sunday nearest Armistice Day Sunday, on which should be held services in the interest of international peace. 1921 Congress passes legislation approving the establishment of a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. November 11 is chosen for the date of the ceremony. According on October 20, Congress declares November 11, 1921 a legal Federal holiday to honor all those who participated in the war. The ceremony was conducted with great success. 1926 Congress adopts a resolution directing the President to issue an annual proclamation calling on the observance of Armistice Day. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, most states establish November 11 as a legal holiday and at the Federal level, an annual proclamation is issued by the President. 1938 Congress passes legislation on May 13 making November 11 a legal Federal holiday, Armistice Day. The United States has no ‘actual’ national holidays because the states retain the right to designate their own holidays. The Federal government can in fact only designate holidays for Federal employees and for the District of Columbia. But in practice the states almost always follow the Federal lead in designation of holidays. 1941- 1945 1950- 1953 World War II and the Korean War create millions of additional war veterans in addition to those of the First World War already honored by Armistice Day. 1954 On June 1, President Eisenhower signs legislation changing the name of the legal holiday from Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day. 1968 Congress passes the Monday Holiday Law which established the fourth Monday in October as the new date for the observance of Veteran’s Day. The law is to take effect in 1971. 1971-1975 The Federal observance of Veterans Day is held on the fourth Monday of October. Initially all states follow suit except Mississippi and South Dakota. Other states changed their observances back to November 11 as follows: 1972- Louisiana and Wisconsin; 1974- Kentucky, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, South Carolina, West Virginia; 1975- California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming 1975 Legislation passed to return the Federal observance of Veteran’s Day to November 11, based on popular support throughout the nation. Since the change to the fourth Monday in October, 46 states had either continued to commemorate November 11 or had reverted back to the original date based on popular sentiment. The law was to take effect in 1978. 1978 Veteran’s Day observance reverts to November 11.

A SOLDIER'S PRAYER Written by his sister Mary Rogers In loving memory of my brother, Lance Corporal Jerry E .Metcalf who was killed in a rice paddy in Vietnam on June 15,1967. Time has not erased the emptiness. As the soldier looked down from the heavens above down on the earth and the land that he loved He saw its beautiful mountains, its rivers and streams the land of opportunity, of freedom and dreams Then he looked down at the red, white, and blue The flag he defended, being burned by a few His heart began aching; his eyes filled with tears Dear God, Tell me the reason for the flames and the sneers? What has happened to my people, where is their pride? Have they forgotten we carried that flag as we died? That flag was our symbol of a land free and true For hundreds of years it has carried us through If there ever was anything for which this country stood It was the flag that told others our land was free and good Have you forgotten my mother who cries over my grave? Or the imprisoned others, so strong and brave? We fought for our country, many lives for that flag Yet you dare let them burn it and call it a rag? We gave the gift of freedom, unselfishly for you and your own Are your eyes so blind that this dishonor you condone? That flag cannot burn, you just can't let it be Please stop this nonsense and listen to me Let it fly proudly, please protect it from harm Let it be unfurled over cities and farms If you allow to happen, if you let it burn You are killing America and the honor thousands fought proudly to earn I wish I could be there, I'd try to find a way But my days with you were taken, so I can only pray That God will give you guidance, and the strength to decide, The flag we died for shall not burn, but fly with reverence and pride

Here is something Every American should know. Until I read this, I didn't know, but I checked it out and it's true: We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings. Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia . The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army. The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals was born. The words are: Day is done. Gone the sun. From the lakes From the hills. From the sky. All is well. Safely rest. God is nigh. Fading light. Dims the sight. And a star. Gems the sky. Gleaming bright. From afar. Drawing nigh. Falls the night. Thanks and praise. For our days. Neath the sun Neath the stars. Neath the sky. As we go. This we know. God is nigh I too have felt the chills while listening to "Taps" but I have never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse . I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along. I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before. Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country. Also Remember Those Who Have Served And Returned; and for those presently serving in the Armed Forces.

Dear Sergeant, An Iraqi brought a gun to kill He told his friends that it was cool, And when he pulled the trigger back, It shot with a great crack. Sergeant, I was a good soldier, I did What I was told, I went to school, I got straight A's, I even got promoted fast But Sergeant, when I went on patrol today, I never said See u later, I'm sorry Sergeant, I had to go, But Sergeant, please don't cry. When the Iraqi shot the gun, He hit me and another, And all because the Iraqi Got the gun from his leader. Sergeant, please tell my parents; That I love them very much, And please tell my lady ; my girlfriend; That it wasn't just a crush. And tell my twin brother; That he is the only one now, And tell my dear sweet grandmother; I'll be waiting for her now, And tell my boys; That they always were the best; Sergeant, I'm not the first, I'm no better than the rest. Sergeant, tell my mom; I won't show up for leave And never to forget this, And please don't let this pass. Sergeant, why'd it have to be me? No one deserves this, Sergeant, warn the others, Sergeant I left without my cross And Sergeant tell the medics; I know they really did try, I think I even saw a medic Trying not to cry. Sergeant, I'm slowly dying, With a bullet in my chest, But Sergeant please remember, I'm in heaven with the best, I died like the rest Sergeant I ran as fast as I could, When I heard that crack, Sergeant, listen to me if you would, I wanted to go to college, I wanted to try things that were new, I guess I'm not going with my boys to Brazil, I wanted to get married, I wanted to have a kid, I wanted to be an dad, Sergeant I wanted to live. But Sergeant I must go now, The time is getting late, Sergeant, tell my lady, I'm sorry but I had to cancel the date. I respect you all, I always have, I know; you know it's true, And Sergeant all I wanted to say is " DUTY FIRST " No mission to difficult, no sacrifice to great There are only 2 forces that have every been willing to give there life for you an American Soldier and Jesus. Jesus save's your soul and the American soldier gives you freedom. ****In Memory of All the Fallen Soldiers in Iraq **** Please if you would, Pass this around, I'd be happy if you could, Don't smash this on the ground. If you pass this on, Maybe people will cry, Just keep this in your heart, For the people who didn't get to say "Good-bye".