Our country is broken.
If you don't believe me... read this.
Now... read this.
Here, folks... let's all read (re-read) the news from Boise, Idaho:
U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick is donating his frequent flier miles to the widow of Medal of Honor recipient Vernon Baker so she can attend his burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
Now no disrespect to Congressman Minnick, but while it's... er... nice of him to be willing to share his frequent flier miles (accrued via his official flights courtesy of the taxpayer I'm assuming) with the widow of an American hero, call me crazy, but I'd like to think that it would be standard operating procedure for the Pentagon to provide transportation in a case such as this.
Let's recap:
Vernon Joseph Baker's official Medal of Honor citation reads --
For extraordinary heroism in action on 5 and 6 April 1945, near Viareggio, Italy.
Then Second Lieutenant Baker demonstrated outstanding courage and leadership in destroying enemy installations, personnel and equipment during his company's attack against a strongly entrenched enemy in mountainous terrain.
When his company was stopped by the concentration of fire from several machine gun emplacements, he crawled to one position and destroyed it, killing three Germans. Continuing forward, he attacked an enemy observation post and killed two occupants. With the aid of one of his men, Lieutenant Baker attacked two more machine gun nests, killing or wounding the four enemy soldiers occupying these positions. He then covered the evacuation of the wounded personnel of his company by occupying an exposed position and drawing the enemy's fire.
On the following night Lieutenant Baker voluntarily led a battalion advance through enemy mine fields and heavy fire toward the division objective.
Second Lieutenant Baker's fighting spirit and daring leadership were an inspiration to his men and exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
You'd think... you'd hope... that a grateful nation could at least provide the man's wife, daughter, and grandson with appropriate transportation - and meals, lodging, and incidental expenses - so as to allow them to attend Vernon Baker's internment at Arlington.
God help this once great nation...
I'm literally trying - and failing - to hold back the tears as I type this...
Now... read this.
Here, folks... let's all read (re-read) the news from Boise, Idaho:
U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick is donating his frequent flier miles to the widow of Medal of Honor recipient Vernon Baker so she can attend his burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
Now no disrespect to Congressman Minnick, but while it's... er... nice of him to be willing to share his frequent flier miles (accrued via his official flights courtesy of the taxpayer I'm assuming) with the widow of an American hero, call me crazy, but I'd like to think that it would be standard operating procedure for the Pentagon to provide transportation in a case such as this.
Let's recap:
Vernon Joseph Baker's official Medal of Honor citation reads --
For extraordinary heroism in action on 5 and 6 April 1945, near Viareggio, Italy.
Then Second Lieutenant Baker demonstrated outstanding courage and leadership in destroying enemy installations, personnel and equipment during his company's attack against a strongly entrenched enemy in mountainous terrain.
When his company was stopped by the concentration of fire from several machine gun emplacements, he crawled to one position and destroyed it, killing three Germans. Continuing forward, he attacked an enemy observation post and killed two occupants. With the aid of one of his men, Lieutenant Baker attacked two more machine gun nests, killing or wounding the four enemy soldiers occupying these positions. He then covered the evacuation of the wounded personnel of his company by occupying an exposed position and drawing the enemy's fire.
On the following night Lieutenant Baker voluntarily led a battalion advance through enemy mine fields and heavy fire toward the division objective.
Second Lieutenant Baker's fighting spirit and daring leadership were an inspiration to his men and exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
You'd think... you'd hope... that a grateful nation could at least provide the man's wife, daughter, and grandson with appropriate transportation - and meals, lodging, and incidental expenses - so as to allow them to attend Vernon Baker's internment at Arlington.
God help this once great nation...
I'm literally trying - and failing - to hold back the tears as I type this...
1 comment:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=6894887&id=361997510504&comments
Say what you will about that s.o.b. Bush, but I've never had ANY doubt that the man was 100% totally sincere when it came to his love for our troops and his taking his responsibilities as Head of State, Chief of Government, and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces seriously.
I can spend all day criticizing the man for his errors in judgment and other failings, but as a Man... as a Leader... there was - and there is - a lot to respect about the way George W. Bush handled and handles himself.
BILL
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