Honoring the Greatest Generation

Tuesday, June 6, 1944. It was perhaps the greatest moment of the greatest generation. The weather was miserable. It had been pouring down rain with heavy gusts off and on for days, and when it wasn't raining, it was gloomy and overcast. Weather reports at the time said the weather was more akin to Fall than the Summer. However, there was expected to be a brief break. It wouldn't be much of one.

 It would still be overcast and the waters choppy, but the rain would stop and the wind over Northern France would be relatively calm. The invasion had already been postponed once because of the weather. The next anticipated break wouldn't in until early July...at best. That would give the Germans additional time to reinforce their already formable defenses. Perhaps worse, it could give time for mistakes to be made. 

Meanwhile, there were some 156,000 men chomping to go. They had been honed to a razor's edge.  Many had already been loaded onto the waiting ships three days prior. Most of them were seasick from the choppy water rocking the ships back and forth and up and down. At the same times, planes---bombers, fighters and transports---sat on the ground; fueled, armed, and awaiting their green light to load up, fire up, and go. Scattered at sites all over England millions more waited for the order to go.

Many were civilian or former veterans to old for regular service, while others were military; reserve and auxiliary, both men and women. They were on ships, at airfields, sitting in radar, communication, or command stations, air raid and observation outposts which scanned the skies looking for any hint that the Germans might preempt the pending invasion. The tension was palpable. It was like thousands of rubber bands twisted to the breaking point just waiting to be released. This was Operation Overlord, the code-name for the invasion of France by the Allies. Some 15 nations were taking part in this, the largest invasion ever attempted in history.

Just across the English Channel lay France. On a clear day, you could just make out its shores. But these weren't welcoming shores awaiting its liberators. These shores represented the first visible signs of Hitler's Fortress Europe, and the soldiers behind its more than ample fortifications knew the Allies were coming; they had been for many months. They were waiting, dug in behind massive reinforced concrete barriers, and just as tense and sharp as their counterparts. Many were combat experienced. 

Waiting for the Allied troops on those not-so-distant shores was sixty combat divisions, which made up approximately 850,000 German troops and ten panzer divisions. including the famous 21st Panzer Division which was one of the two divisions which had made up the famous Afrika Korp. This was Fortress Europe, designed by Organization Todt starting in 1940 with the Fall of France, using thousands of mostly forced labor alongside highly skilled German engineers, craftsmen, and builders. 

Fortress Europe (or "Festung Europa" in German) was the name given to the Atlantic Wall; a vast series of massive gun emplacements housed near impenetrable bunkers, observation posts supported by the MG42 machine gun which could spit 1500 rounds per minute with deadly accuracy, miles of razor wire and an estimated six million landmines along the beaches and roads near Normandy. 

The overall commander was General Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt, who, fortunately for the Allies, was not among Germany's best generals. As commander of Army Group "A", he issued the "halt order" at Dunkirk allowing thousands of British and French to escape, to England. Then as commander of Army Group South during the invasion of Soviet Russia, was responsible for largest encirclements in history---the surrounding of the Germany Army by the Russians at the Battle of Kursk. Finally, he ordered a unapproved withdrawal of troops during the battle at Rostov. For his repeated failures and incompetence, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief in the West. Why you ask? Because he was also Hitler's favorite "yes man". 

General Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, the famed "Desert Fox" of North Africa, was second in command, and considered by some to be among Germany's very best generals. He was in commander of Army Group "B" and responsible for the defenses in and around Normandy up through the southern portion of the Netherlands. Other key officers included Walter Model, Paul Hausser, and Gunther von Kluge. 

Angled and sharpen telephone poles like giant pongee sticks designed to destroy gliders and other aircraft (nicknamed "Rommel's asparagus"), and 200,000 steel barriers made up of railroad tracks all along the beaches, designed to be hidden at high tide and would ripe the bottoms of landing craft open like a can of flailing sardines. In addition, there was a myriad of concrete enforced trenches and underground rail lines to quickly move men, ammunition, and other material. Beyond that were numerous barracks and other fortifications, often camouflaged as haystacks, barns or houses. Lastly was overlapping communication lines. 

The Atlantic Wall itself ran from Brittany coast in far Western France all along the Northern coastline to include Belgium and Holland. In addition, German troops had fortified the coastlines all along Denmark and Norway. This truly was a "Festung Europa". As an interesting aside, German troops had painted in minute detail everything within view from their gun emplacement on the inside walls of their bunkers right down to every bush. If something appeared which wasn't on that permanent map, it was destroyed. 

So, what do you do when the enemy knows you're coming? You distract them, and that's exactly what the Allies did months ahead of the planned invasion (code-named "Operation Fortitude). The Allies used everything trick in the book, and then some, to make the Germans believe, not that there would be no invasion, but that the invasion would take place 370 miles away, at the Pas de Calais (driving time would be roughly 6 to 7 hours). What was significant about this particular area is that it's the closest point between France and the UK. It's also where Hitler had previously considered invading England from. Thus, the Allies played on Hitler's ego by convincing him that his idea for using Calais was the correct one. 

The Allies did everything from planting false plans, notes, and letters on individuals (and even once used a corpse) knowing that they would be intercepted by the Germans which would only fed their preconceived notions. Meanwhile, unknown to German intelligence, all of their spies had been captured. Many were "convinced" to work for the British, and thus would send false reports back to Berlin.

The Allies even built up an entire fake army around General George Patton, whom the Germans believed was the best Allied general and the man most likely to lead an invasion. They even created inflatable planes, trucks, tanks, and false radio traffic for the Germans to monitor. On top of this was around the clock bombing by US and British bombers to ensure the Germans always operated under pressure. 

Just prior to the invasion, the Allies stepped up their bombing campaign over France to further weaken the Germans. Finally, after months of planning, delays, setbacks, and mounting pressure from Stalin to open another front, it was decided by overall Allied Commander, General Dwight D Eisenhower and his staff, composed of senior Allied officers which included Arthur Tedder, Bernard Montgomery, and Bertram Ramsey, late in the evening on June 5th to go the following morning. It was then or never. The invasion was on. In private, Eisenhower composed two messages for broadcast. The first was to announce the success of the landing, which he hoped to give. The second for the all too real potential failure which he half expected to deliver.

The Allies amassed the greatest armada of ships the world had ever seen. Some 5,333 ships and landing crafts were prepared to sail. Ahead of the land assault was the aerial assault by approximately 23,400 US paratroopers from the 82nd and 101st Airborne along with British 6th Airborne and RAF Pathfinders silently coming in by glider. Their jobs would be to seize key bridges, rail points, and key crossroads in order to prevent German reinforcements from reaching the beachheads. 

In addition to being the largest naval armada in the annals of world history, there were also 3,455 operational heavy bombers, 989 operational light and medium bombers, and 3,824 fighters available on June 6th. However, due to a shortage of aircrews, not all of these flew on D-Day. Nevertheless, some 7,774 planes did fly that day (that number jumps to 9,000 if you include transports and gliders. By contrast, the Luftwaffe had available just 815 assorted planes). The sight and sound of all those planes must have been mind numbing. 

Unfortunately though, the landing took place at low tide causing the men to wade to shore yards out than anticipated since the drafts of landing craft prevented them from getting closer in to shore. As a result, hundreds of men stepped off wearing 80 pound backpacks into water over their heads; the weight of their equipment dragging them down to drown. Tanks, jeeps, and other vehicles also sank as the water was to deep or to rough. 

However, the low tide exposed the beach barricades which would had destroyed the landing craft had they tried to land at high tide. They also provided a measure of protection for the men to hide behind, saving who knows how many lives. Meanwhile, entire landing crafts were ranked by the murderous fire of the MG42s and small arms fire, often killing entire landing crews before they had a chance to step off. 

The Allies were, however, lucky in other ways too. First, many of the heavy gun emplacements were yet to be installed either or were manned by smaller caliber artillery pieces. Of the sixty combat infantry divisions and ten Panzer divisions, including key SS units, which comprised the 850,000 troops and 1,555 tanks in France at the time, the majority---the most experienced---were stationed at Port of Calais, there were only 80,000 troops at Normandy on June 6th and elements of just one Panzer division.

To make matters worse for the Germans, of the 80,000 or so troops in Normandy, the majority had little or no combat experience. In fact, most were Auxiliary and conscripts (many as young as 16) who came from the Eastern territories. Also, many of the tanks on hand weren't yet combat operational; needing repairs or refitting. Those which were working hadn't been brought up the front at previously instructed. 

Finally, the top command of German forces, including the commander for Army Group B, which covered Normandy, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, were away. Some had decided to take some extended leave time in Paris and surrounding areas, not expecting an invasion due to weather, while Rommel had returned home on a surprise visit for his wife's birthday---June 6th. Meanwhile, Hitler was so convinced that the invasion would come at the Pas de Calais, that he had given strict instructions that no units---men, tanks, artillery, or plane---could be released without his personal approval. 

As a result, the Germans were poorly prepared for any attack, but the cherry on the top of the streusel was than when it was confirmed that the attack was indeed underway, Hitler was asleep. Suffering from bouts of insomnia, Hitler had taken a sleeping pill just hours before and his aides were afraid to wake Hitler up, and so the Allies were able to establish a foothold while Hitler counted sheep (Aryan no doubt).

 By the time Hitler finally awoke, the damage had been done. Even then, he was persuaded to release only a fraction of what was available (notably the 12th SS Panzer Division and the Panzer Lehr Division). In fact, while it should had only taken about six or so hours for reinforcing Hitler's Panzer units to make the journey from Pas de Calais to Normandy, French resistance fighters were able to use the delay to, give the Allies nearly three extra days to reinforce their positions by blocking or destroying roads, bridges, cutting powerlines, ambushing soldiers, and destroying fuel depots.   

Finally, to give some additional weight to the overall complexity of D-Day, besides the 150,000+ soldiers who participated in the landing and the 5,333 ships which got them there (including 200 warships which participated in the offshore bombardment) and the 9000 aircraft which flew a total of 11,085 missions, there were 200,000 vehicles plus 1,550 tanks landed on the beaches that day along with 1,695 tons of material.

Meanwhile Allied bombers dropped 7,616 tons of bombs that night before the invasion followed by 10,395 tons of bombs during the day of the invasion. 27 amphibious tanks were sunk at Utah beach, 120 Allied ships were damaged by German shelling, plus another 59 Allied ships which were sunk. Lastly, because of overwhelming Allied air superiority, the once famed Luftwaffe was only able to get just 100 or so planes up. 

D-Day, June 6th 1944 marked the beginning of the end for the German occupation of France, and eventually for the rest of Europe". By May 1945, the war in Europe would be over, and by August the war in the Pacific would come to a close too. There's another matter we must take into consideration too. 

Field Marshall Rommel remarked, about a pending invasion of Fortress Europe, that whenever and wherever it happened, it would be the "longest day" of the war. For approximately 5000 men it was indeed their "longest day" because for them that day never ended. They were the ones who died on that day. In addition, some 15,000 French civilians living in and around Normandy also died, mostly from Allied shelling. 

On the German side, around 9000 soldiers were killed, wounded or taken prisoner including 28 generals. When calculated for the entire Normandy Campaign, which lasted from June 6 to August 30th, there were 209,000 Allied casualties. For the Germans, it was roughly 200,000. As an aside, the average age of a GI at the time was just 19 while the average age of an officer (excluding senior officers) was only 23. 

While it's hard to believe that these old men with their walkers, canes, and wheelchairs accomplished these feats for which have all but been consigned to history books and the movies, there is no doubt that 81 years ago these were men of unbreakable will and character. They lived through a depression, fought a war, and came home to remake a nation. The same can be said of all the women who served as well and those who supported the war effort at home.

According to the Veterans Administration, out of the millions who served during WWII, there are approximately only 66,000 remaining, and we're losing on average 250 of these national treasures a day. Make no mistake that these men and women were indeed our greatest generation and we should feel blessed that they existed.

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D-Day Causalities: Total Allied and Axis Numbers

Figures of the Normandy Landing

Atlantic Wall

Normandy Landing

Operation Fortitude

German Air Forces on D-Day---Normandy---1944

The German Response to D-Day

Ours is Bigger Than Yours: The World's Military and the Ultimate Outcome

There’s no question that the Untied States spends more on its military---$886 billion---than the next nine nations combined. That includes China ($296B), Russia ($109B), India ($84B), the UK ($75B), France ($61B), and Germany ($67B). That’s 40% of all military related expenditures in the world by just one country---the U.S.. But is it the largest military?

America has 1.328 million men and women in uniform. India has 1.455 million active duty personnel. Russia has 1.13 million. North Korea has 1.28 million active duty personnel. Nevertheless, the largest military in the world belongs to China. Their Peoples Liberation Army has 2.04 million.

However, these numbers are a bit deceiving. Although China has the largest number of active duty troops, when reservists and paramilitary are included, China has only the fourth largest military in the world  with a grand total of 3,045,000. India’s military jumps up to third place with 4,246,000 which includes 1,155,000 reservists and 1,616,050 paramilitary units (compared to China’s 510,000 reservists and 500,000 paramilitary).

Russia has a total of 3,203,000 under arms including 1,500,000 reservists and another 569.000 paramilitary. As an aside, Ukraine has only 990,000 individuals in uniform of which 730,000 are regular military with no reservists and 260,000 paramilitary (not including those forcibly conscripted).

The world’s largest military is actually North Korea which has essentially militarized its entire military age population! It has 1,280,000 regular troops, 600,000 reservists, and a whopping 5,7 million paramilitary personnel, bring its total to 7,580,000 men and women under arms. By comparison, South Korea has 3,100,000 reservists and 3,013,000 to augment its regular military of 500,000, bringing its total to 6,613,000, making it the second largest.  

As for the United States, we have 1,315,000 active duty personnel in addition to 797,200 reservists, bringing our total up to 2,112,00 individuals in uniform. While the U.S. doesn’t officially have a “paramilitary”, we just might have something a little bit better and that’s the millions of U.S. citizens who come packing.

There’s an old expression that America could never be invaded because behind every rock, tree, and bush, will be someone with gun. Although there are no official numbers,  estimates are that approximately 32% of Americans own at least one gun. That’s about 82 million gun toting Americans.

Of those, some 14.4 million classify themselves as active hunters, meaning they’re probably a pretty good shot (additionally, some 25.87 million Americans has hunted at least once and those numbers don’t included the number of individuals who shot skeet, target shoot, and enjoy “plinking”  (shooting homemade targets like garbage can lids, bottles, cans, and the occasional speed limit sign).  

Broken down by individual household, guns can be found in 44% of households. While other countries, like Switzerland and Serbia, have high gun ownership, no other nation even comes close to the U.S. in terms of gun ownership.

As an aside, Montana has the largest percentage of gun owners of any state with 66.3% of residents owning at least one firearms followed by Wyoming with 66.2%. It’s 60% in Idaho and 59% in West Virginia, while around the Ozarks, it averages 56% of households. In Kentucky, it’s just over half with 54.6% of the population owning at least one firearm. Texas is surprisingly low, with just 46% of the population own a gun, which is less than in Maine where 47%  and Vermont at 51% owning a firearm.

In New York, despite its reputation for gun related violence, just 20% of the population legally own a pistol or rifle while in nearby Connecticut it’s 24%.  In California, 28% of it residents legally own a gun, matching Illinois. New Jersey and Massachusetts has the least with about 14.9% of the population own a gun. Finally, despite being a “Southern” state, gun ownership in Florida is only 35%. It must be due to all those Yankee carpetbaggers.

Another factor to consider, like it or not, is that guns are a part of the American persona. They go hand-in-hand with freedom and independence.  It’s just not part of our history, it’s part of our culture and our collective American mythology as a nation from the frontiersmen and “mountain men” to the Wild West and our very founding as a nation.

Firearms and the notion of self-defense from a tyrannical government was seen as so important, ownership of firearms was built into our Constitution.  As long as Americans own firearms, this country will never be invaded. But there is more to national defense than just pistols and rifles.

Who has the largest air force? In terms of most modern and powerful, that goes hands down to the United States with roughly 14,486 manned and unmanned aircraft. Russia is ranked second in the world with approximately 4,211 aircraft while China possesses 3,304. Next on the list comes India with 2,296, Japan with 1,459, and Pakistan following closely behind with 1,434. South Korea has 1,171 aircraft compared to North Korea which possesses just 951.

 It bears mentioning that the individual branches of the U.S. military have more airplanes, helicopters, and drones than the entire air forces of most countries!  For example, the U.S. Army has some 5,714 aircraft compared to entire Russia military which has a total number of planes and helicopters of 4,211. Of course, being former Navy, I have to mention that the best pilots in the world are U.S. Navy pilots.

Speaking of the Navy, who has the world’s largest seagoing fleet? In terms of numbers, the largest fleet belongs to Russia. Once virtually landlocked due to a lack of warm water ports, Russia now has a fleet of some 781 ships. It’s worth noting too that Russia built the largest submarine ever as part of “Project 941---Akula”, a nuclear powered Typhoon class “boomer” with a displacement of 48,000 tons and a length of 574 feet and a width of 75 feet, it is truly a leviathan.   

 China is second with 730 deep water ships, including two operational aircraft carriers (and a third on the drawing board) along with three helicopter carriers. As an aside, China also has the most modern military navy in the world, turning out more new ships than any nation. 70% of its ships were built after 2010 compared to just 25% of the U.S. Navy.

Third place belongs to North Korea with 505 ships, though analysis question their operational status given shortages of replacement parts. North Korea also doesn’t possess any aircraft or helicopter support ships (South Korea has 200 military ships). Next, in fourth place, is the United States Navy with 11 aircraft carriers and nine support helicopter carrier ships.  

The U.S. Department of Defense published a report in 2024 noting that the Navy was badly in need of a total fleet overhaul; everything from drydocking its fleet for a refit to retiring some of its submarines, destroyers, and even a carrier or two (the DoD was also critical of the wartime capabilities of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army. Only the Marines were said to be a proper fighting strength).

Following the U.S. is Sweden, which has traditionally been a seagoing nation for centuries. Sweden currently has 353 deep water naval vessels, followed by Indonesia with 333 military ships. Italy has 309 while India and Thailand have 294 and 293 respectively. The largest navy in South America is Columbia which stands at 237 followed by Mexico with 194. In Africa, Algeria has the continent’s largest navy with 213 ships. Egypt is second with 140 ships.

Speaking of submarines, at 70, all nuclear, submarines, the U.S. Navy possesses the world’s largest submarine fleet. Second place belongs to Russia with 63 nuclear and conventional submarines. The Chinese have 61, which includes nuclear and electric diesel. Their emphasis is primarily the Indian and Pacific oceans.  

In fourth place is Iran which operates 25 conventional attack and miniature submarines throughout the Persian Gulf.  Egypt has the largest submarine fleet in Africa with eight Type 209  conventional subs it acquired from Germany (who know a few things about submarines). Algeria has six and South Africa has three, also Type 209.

Lastly, nukes. What nation has the most? Russia is believed to have 5,500 nuclear tipped missiles in various stages of readiness. The U.S has some 5,000 nuclear armed missiles, also in varying stages of readiness. China too has nuclear missiles  (around 600) as does France (290), the UK (225), India (180), Pakistan (170), and Israel (90).

North Korea claims to have around 50 while Iran is desperately trying to become the newest member of “global damnation club”.  It deserves mentioning that in terms of missiles in general, Russia is also thought to possess the largest number of missiles, especially Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles or “ICBMs”, both nuclear and conventional. China is also busily expanding its missile capabilities. 

All told,  there are approximately 12,331 nuclear weapons at play, down from about 70,000 during the Cold War. These range from so-called “tactic”  or low yield warheads which have a explosive capability 20 times that of what was used as Hiroshima and Nagasaki up to a three stage thermonuclear warhead (the Soviet era “Tsar Bomba”) whose explosive output is 1,570 times that which was used on the two Japanese cities. Anyway, you look at it, in a nuclear exchange only cockroaches would survive.

Other missiles systems being made operational include hypersonic missiles which travel at Mac 5 or five times the speed of sound (and thus may be able to evade various anti-missile defense systems) as well as GBU 7a/b “bunker buster” which can penetrate 200 feet into the earth or through 20 feet of solid concrete. The EMP” of electro-magnetic pulse bomb which disrupts or destroys anything electronic or electrical  such as power grids, communication systems, computer systems, electrical circuits, and so forth.

In the final analysis, we seem to be pretty good at developing ways to kill each other. In a world where poverty, hunger, and disease is on the rise, and budgets funding social safety nets are being cut, the budget for the “defense” is virtually unlimited. We kill to gain access to and protect resources or global markets. Besides, war is profitable.

War artificially stimulate economies and reduces unemployment and regulates “excess” populations. Most of our scientific and medical advances are byproducts of weapons research (but then, so are many of our new diseases). It pits us against each other in order to protect the “haves” from the “have nots”. Hell, we’ll even kill each other over whose god or prophet is the most benign. Many of us pray for a divine or even alien intervention to put a stop to our species based insanity. But the sad truth is that no one or nothing is coming from the sky or anywhere else to save us. We’re on our own babies.

Thank you for reading "Another Opinion", the Op/Ed blog page for the "militant middle".  Here at "A/O" we truly value our readers. At A/O we seek the facts as they exist, not partisan talking points.  We hope you find our articles informative and engaging. Comments are welcome, provided they are not vulgar, insulting or demeaning.  Another Opinion is offered without charge and is directed toward all independent and free-thinking individuals. We ask, however, that you "like" us on whatever platform you found us on in order to keep our articles available for free to others. Lastly, in order to keep costs down, we depend on passive marketing, and therefore, depend on our readers to please forward our posts along. Below you will find links to the sources we used in writing this article. Thank you. 

 

The World’s Largest Armies

Mapped: US States With The Most Guns

Largest Air Forces in the World

U.S. Military Working on Rebuild Readiness and Modernize

Military Readiness

Why the U.S. Military is in Serious Trouble

Top 10 countries with the largest submarine fleets in 2025

Project 941 submarine

Which countries have nuclear weapons?

A Veterans Day Salute

 I served in the U.S. Navy immediately following the end of the Vietnam War (I worked in the Intelligence Community). Most of those I served with were U.S. Marines. While I didn't see combat, I served with many who did. I heard their stories like it was only just last year because it was. I listen to their regrets and hopes. I read their "Dear John" letters and saw the photos of newborns they had yet to meet and I sat with them as they poured their hearts out. I served with some of the greatest men and women anywhere. I also served with some serious assholes. 

While in service, I was permanently injured due negligence and compounded by  incompetence and ego, but it opened up a hereto unknown world as to how the military treated the injured. I went through medical boards, comprised of senior officers, which were about as verbally and emotionally abusive as it gets as you sit there silently in pain and not knowing what, if anything, the future held for you. 

I saw appointed military lawyers (JAGs) and senior officers humiliate the injured and barter away their lives away with no more care than ordering a pizza. I worked very hard to help those I could get justice, and continued to do so after I got out for many years. I suppose that made me an "undesirable" in the eyes of some, but not to those I was able to help get medical treatment or disability. 

But this is Veterans Day. For all those who served or are currently serving, I salute each and everyone of you. Even the assholes. I'm proud to call you brothers and sisters in arms. Each passing year makes you ever more dear. For those who will serve in the future, our nation is in your hands. Protect it well. Keep it safe. I hope that you may never have to fire a shot in anger, but if you do, do it in the name of freedom and with the knowledge that you are part of our nation's best. 

Lastly, we should take a moment to remember all those who served before us. If we should say anyone's name out of respect, it is surely theirs. We stand on your shoulders and your accomplishments. We owe each and everyone of you a debt that can never repay. Thus, we remember you and your bravery, your courage, and your honor. Thank you.    

The Importance of Veterans Day

 A repost from November 10, 2018

82 million. That's the number, give or take a few hundred thousand here or there. 82 million. Written out, it's just an eight and a two followed by six zeros. A really big number, but not overly impressive in a day and age where we talk about a Gross National Product (GDP) of $20.3 trillion dollars, or a national debt of $21.6 trillion dollars or a national revenue of $3.6 trillion dollars. But those are financial numbers; figures so large that it's hard for the average American to wrap their head around. However, the 82 million I mentioned, while smaller, is perhaps an even more significant number than the national debt or rate of unemployment or interest or whatever else.

So, just what is this 82 million that makes it so special? Simply this. It represents the number of American military personnel who've died in the defense of this country. It represents individual lives lost do to war and the anticipation of war. It represents individuals dreams, hopes, and aspirations lost forever. It represents lost smiles, laughter, and conversations. It represents lost potentials; potentials which could have created jobs, make new discoveries, or cured diseases. The 82 million also represents the lost of fathers, brothers, sisters, sons, wives, and daughters, not to mention aunts and uncles. Its represents a lot of lonely days, nights, months, and years, and doesn't even begin to cover the number of tears shed for each one of those lives. The sad or perhaps profound thing about that number is that it's only an approximation; a "best guess" since it doesn't cover those who suffered daily for years from the injuries suffered in war, either physically or mentally; individuals who died as a result of diseases, chemicals, or unsuccessful surgeries. It also doesn't include the disabled who, while alive, continue to suffer their entire life for service to this country.

Yes, it's true that they receive a modest amount of monetary compensation and somewhat reasonable medical care (varying greatly from medical facility to medical facility). In fact, thousands die annually just for waiting for medical care. A 2005 Veterans Affairs report from the Inspector General estimated that some 300,000 veterans died while waiting for medical care. At a single VA facility in Los Angeles, 100 former servicemen and women died while awaiting treatment...in 2017. That was 43% of those on the waiting list.

Auditors found that 82% of veterans waited a month or longer for an appointment, with the average wait time being three months. Given the ages and health condition of many of these veterans, that's simply longer than they have (almost 50% of all veterans are 75 or older). Worse is that incorrect or fraudulent record keeping have kept some veterans from seeking medical care from civilian doctors or treatment centers.

In the United States approximately 130,000 and 200,000 homeless veterans existing in the streets on any given night. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, that represents in the area one quarter of all homeless individuals. While veterans comprise just of 1/3 of the total US population, homeless veterans comprise 43% of all homelessness. That figure doesn't cover those who are able to obtain short term temporary shelter. To make matters worse, the Veterans Administration predicts that at least 400,000 veterans will experience homelessness during the years.

Ninety seven percent of homeless veterans are men. 46% are 45 years of age or older with 41% being between the ages of 30 and 50. While just 3% of homeless veterans are women, they are more likely to be married and to suffer from some sort of mental illness. 46% are white males while 45% are black or Hispanic. 47% are Vietnam Era veterans; 15% are pre-Vietnam while 17% are post-Vietnam. 67% served three or more years in the military while 89% earned a Honorable Discharge. 85% have a high school diploma or GED compared to just 56% of the general population. Lastly, and more tellingly, 76% of all homeless veterans suffer from drug, alcohol, and/or mental illness; of these, many are unable to get or keep the help they need as a result. 18% of all adult suicides are a veteran.

In terms of general demographics, there are approximately 18.5 million veterans in the US today with three states, California, Texas, and Florida have over one million veterans each. 1.6 million of these are women. 6.7 million are Vietnam War veterans. 78% of all veterans are white, white 11.6% are black. 6.1% are Hispanic and 1.6% are Asian. 0.7% are Native American with the remainder being some other race. There are 4 million service connected disabled veterans (including yours truly).

Veterans Day grew out of Armistice Day which marked the end of World War One. Of the 4,743,826 Americans who served in that war, none are alive today. Of the 16 million US service personnel who served in World War II, only 496,000 remain (they are all in their 80's or older), and we're losing around 348 every day. Let that sink in for a minute or two. Those young men and women you see in those documentaries are all in their 80's and 90's. They were the "Greatest Generation" in every sense of the word, and yet we're losing them at a rate of just over 14 "heroes" (in my opinion) an hour...of every single day.

Let's look at another interesting figure for a moment. There has been a few politicians of late calling for or encouraging violence while blaming the other side for not being "civil". The result has been a serious increase in acts of violence and intolerance of differing opinions. In some cases, there have been threats of physical harm (or death), acts of vandalism, mass shootings, and so forth. In short, the US is starting to look like the era just preceding the Civil War. In fact, historians and political scientists will tell you that American is more broadly and more deeply divided at any time since the late 1850's. We are being divided at every possible point while politicians and various faux groups are fanning the flames (thank you Citizens United). Do we really want that; another Civil War? I don't think so.

A lot of Americans don't realize that the Civil War (1861-1865) was the bloodiest war that the US has ever fought. The Korean war cost 36,516 American lives. The Vietnam War took 58,209. WWI claimed 116,516 souls, while WWII resulted in the deaths of 405,399 American servicemen and women. Yet, the American Civil War, which ended over 153 years ago, still holds the record with 620,000 died, not including those who died of disease or injury later, and we are still feeling ramifications from that war all these years later. We're suddenly seeing the destruction or defacing of monuments and memorials, the removal (and prohibition) of Confederate flags and symbols, as well as the dropping of mascots and changing of school names, streets, and the rewriting of American history all in the name of political correctness.

Why, after all these decades and all these generations is this happening? It wasn't an issue at the end of the war when feelings were running high. It wasn't an issue during Reconstruction. It wasn't an issue when the 13th Amendment was enacted. It wasn't an issue during the Spanish-American War, World War One, World War Two, the Korean War, or even Vietnam. It wasn't an issue during the Civil Rights Era, with the Freedom Riders or any of the great Civil Rights leaders, during the Watts riot or the Chicago Police Riot of 1969. It wasn't an issue during the latter 1960's or 1970's either. It wasn't even an issue during the mid 1970's and forced busing. In fact, by the late 1970's race relations were actually pretty decent overall.

The point, of course, is that these calls for violence, intolerance, restrictions on free speech (not everyone's, just certain groups and individuals), protests, vandalism, all organized and paid for by shadowy political organizations, the media, and various politicians, have the potential to ignite a war which would surpass the Civil War. Do we really want that? So far, the ideological Right and Center have been very quite while the far Left has been on "hate-fest". These are mostly naive young adults who are full of themselves and determined to impose their views and ideas on everyone else, even if it means various forms of domestic terrorism, all dressed in their black hoodies and hiding behind masks. Aren't they just the cutest?

The corporate owned media seems intent on encouraging them while downplaying or ignoring their actions. That doesn't mean the Right gets off scot-free. They too have been engaged in name calling like accusing the Left of trying to impose "socialism" or Communism which is utter nonsense. As anyone who's bothered to read a history book knows, "socialism" and Communism both prohibit Capitalism, with the rich usually murdered. Now, what do you think the chances of Wallstreet folding are? What do you think the chances of America's ruling financial elite suddenly and willingly giving up their wealth, the power, or their control are? Yeah, see my point?

At the same time, the Left likes to call President Trump "Hitler". Anyone on the Right (or whom they disagree with) for that matter a "Nazi", which is just as silly. They also accuse anyone they disagree with as being a "Fascist", yet they are the ones engaging in Brownshirt behavior. However, even if it were slightly true, then they wouldn't be any one of them not in prison, in a concentration camp, or simply stood up against a wall an shot. In short, they wouldn't be afforded the opportunity to peacefully protest or verbally attack anyone.

America is, as you know by now, an Oligarchy whose ruling elite are a small percentage of very wealthy individuals and corporations. Their goal is control pure and simple. They already control business, the media, the government, both political parties and their politicians. They use the US military as their personal enforcers to ensure governments and groups fully "cooperate" and that everyone remains on the Petrodollar which keeps the US economy afloat. What they need from us is chaos. They need to divide us every way possible and to create a situation to bad that we demand the government "do something", and trust me they will, but not in the way you hope or expect.

In truth, we are in a new war. Not quite a Marxist "class" war, or a race war. It's not a gender war, or one of religion, a war to subvert our laws, or even of "American" vs. "non-American". It's a war to fictionalize us at every step; to break our moors from family, Faith, community, ancestral, regional and even national pride until we have no one left to turn to but the State. The State will provide for us, protect us, educate us, nurture us, and even bury us. All is requires is our obedience and submission. To put it another way, the Left wing of the ruling Oligarchy wants to impose a softer and kinder form of Fascism with us becoming their serfs. The Right wing of the ruling Oligarchy wants to impose a more restrictive form of Fascism with us becoming their serfs. See the difference?

The war were engaged in now, whether we acknowledge it or not, is for the present and future of America; whether we return to a Constitutional Republic or continue down the road to some form of Fascism (for comparison, read up on the late Roman Republic). 82 million Americans gave their lives for our freedom. Countless others have given their minds and bodies. Many more struggle through their own private hell. We should honor them on more than just one or two days a year. We owe them this country and our freedom for all they've done. Don't let a handful of greedy individuals, politicians, and special interest groups take it away from them...or us.



IG report: 300,000 Veterans Died While Waiting for Health Care at VA

Inaccurate VA wait times preclude thousands of vets from getting outside care, probe finds


National Coalition for the Homeless: Homeless Veterans

National Coalition for Homeless Veteran: FAQ About Homeless Veterans

California National Guard Reneges on Reenlistment Bonuses

There are just some things I can't abide by. Topping the list is thieves and liars, so you can imagine my dismay when I read that that the California National Guard was sending notices out to approximately ten thousand former service men and women of the California National Guard and instructing them to return their re-enlistment bonuses...ten years after the fact! According to a spokesperson, the bonuses were paid out by "mistake". The Guard claimed that they were in need desperate need of certain military specialties, especially with experience due to not just low recruiting and training times but also due to high turnovers (and burnouts). As a result, they were authorized to offer reenlistment bonuses ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 for a four year reenlistment (these soldiers were, at the time, still on active duty and most were still stationed overseas, and in particular, in Afghanistan and Iraq). However, due to a clerical error (which may or may not have been intentional since the individual who actually made the error was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to 30 months in prison). Nevertheless, the reenlistment bonus was offered to all specialties rather than those with specific shortages. Now, ten years later, the Army has identified those individuals who took the offer and reenlisted and is demanding the money back. Speaking not just as a Navy veteran, but a disabled veteran, that just ticks me off.

First off, this was an administrative mistake. The soldiers in question were unaware of the error or the Army's critical need for only certain specialties. Secondly, the California National Guard was authorized by the Pentagon to made the offer in good faith, which the soldiers had the option to accept or decline based on their own personal circumstances. Thirdly, the soldiers who accepted the Army's offer upheld their end of this contractual agreement. In fact, more than a few upheld their end of the deal. They lost limbs, suffered head, neurological or psychological injuries (some of which may well be permanent) while others died as a result of the acceptance of the offer. Now, the Guard and Pentagon wants to say to these men and women (or their families) "Our bad. Sorry about that. Please return the money or we'll garnish your wages"? Seriously? What about the four years they gave---do they get that back? What about the trauma or injuries? Do those go away when they return the money? What about those who died? Do they get their loved ones back? My purely personal advise to these individuals and/or their families is to tell the Guard and Pentagon "Hell no. Kiss off" and get the nastiest meanest attorney they can find.

Listen, I've had my own personal experience dealing with the military and they can be real pricks. They will threaten you (verbally and in my case, physically), they will try to intimidate you, they will play the part of your best pal and tell you whatever they think you want to hear just to get the money. They are not to be believed and certainly not to be trusted. When I was in the Navy, I had been repeatedly injured. As a result I was to be medically discharged. I had a Lt. Commander (and medical doctor) demand that I "voluntarily" sign a statement releasing the Navy from any responsibility for my injuries, otherwise I would "pay the consequences", and they indeed tried...very hard and repeatedly. I was threatened, bullied, and even roughed up a bit by a "discharge adviser" (a very large Marine sergeant), followed by more medical reviews. I still refused. Finally, I was sent for a medical review board, which was seriously more like the Inquisition. All that missing was the Grand Inquisitor, Torquemada!

I was flown from my duty station (which was near a major Naval hospital in Oakland) to the Naval base in San Diego California where I was put up overnight. The next morning I reported to "my" Navy appointed attorney---a young female JAG officer. How she managed to pick me out of a crowd of around 100 sitting in a waiting room I still don't know. When we went back to office, another JAG officer---a young male jock type---joined us. Turned out he was representing the other side in my case! After propping up his feet on her desk and discussing lunch and their weekend plans, they discussed my case and how it would be handled as if I wasn't even there. Seriously. Near the end of their discussion, the jock commented on the motorcycle I rode up on. I politely informed him that I didn't ride bikes. His response was less than civil and he started accusing me of "lying to a superior officer". My response was professional, but he understood my original answer in no uncertain terms. I later learned that this was part of the "befriending" and intimidation process.

After he left, I was informed that I would appear before group of senior officers---Navy and Marine--- some medical and some not in the morning; oh, and I could "expect to be called everything but short". I was also informed that I was so say nothing---absolutely nothing---and she would handle everything as "my" attorney. Boloney. The hearing process was more like a kangaroo trial. I was seated in end of a long rectangular table. There was a stenographer to my immediate right with a tape recorder in front of me. "My" attorney was to my left. At the other end of the table sat three Marine senior officers and four senior Navy medical officers and the motorcycle loving attorney from the day before with a tape recorder in front of them.

The interrogation and berating lasted for about two hours with "my" attorney occasionally answering technical questions such as dates or names. At the end I was asked if I had anything to say for myself (as if I had purposely arranged to injure myself repeatedly). "My" attorney smiled and said "no" and that "I would abide by their decision" and I would "place myself in their hands"---like hell I would. I then let these "gentlemen" know what I thought of their proceedings and lack of professionalism, and then I responded point by point (I had been taking notes plus I had done my own research before flying down), in more of a professional manner than they addressed me I assure you. Needless to say, there was some stunned individuals in that room. While I awaited their decision, I had learned that my treatment was typical of those who went before medical boards. So, I spent the next seven or so months helping every individual I could---Navy and Marine---learn about and fight these medical boards. I was prepared. Most aren't. They served with honor and courage. Now they're injured at no fault of their own. They are expecting the military to take care of them, not treat them like a liability on a ledger sheet---a cost to be written off. After I received their decision, I personally filed an appeal which took another six months. Meanwhile I continued to fight on behalf of fellow sailors and Marines until I was medically discharged.

My point in telling you this rather personal information is simply this. While the military can and is usually a good deal for the vast majority of young men and women, there are instances when they will eat their own. My case is an example of where they tried and something got caught in their throat (probably my middle finger). The Guard's demand that these reenlistment bonuses be returned "or else" is another such example. These men and women signed a legal and binding contract with the Guard, who countersigned the same legal and binding contract. These men and women upheld their end of the bargain; some paying the ultimate price. Brigadier General Michael S. Tucker had previously said, back in 2007 when the mistake was first becoming public, that wounded veterans would not be required to return the bonuses, yet it seems that demand letters for repayment are going out to all who signed regardless. This is wrong on so many levels folks. The Guard and the Pentagon needs to deal with their mistake internally to make sure it doesn't happen again, but leave this brave individuals and their families the hell alone. They did what was asked of them and more. That can and should be all that's ever asked of them.


UPDATE: Secretary of Defence Ash Carter has ordered the Pentagon to cease further efforts to collect the reenlistment bonuses effective October 26, 2016 (Pentagon Suspends Efforts To Collect Reenlistment Bonuses From Soldiers). In a rare case of the "doing the right thing" thanks in large part to public pressure, there will be no further attempt by the Pentagon to pressure veterans who signed the reenlistment contract to return up to $25,000 in reenlistment bonuses and money used to pay school loans. As for the few who returned the money, there has been no word yet as to whether the Pentagon will return the money or if the veteran and/or their family are out of luck.


Guard seeks federal aid for California soldiers told to return bonuses
http://www.sltrib.com/home/4502674-155/guard-seeks-federal-aid-for-california


Veterans forced to return reenlistment bonuses
http://www.haystack.tv/v/veterans-forced-return-reenlistment-bonuses


California National Guard Orders Veterans To Return Bonuses
http://www.democracynow.org/2016/10/24/headlines/california_national_guard_orders_veterans_to_return_bonuses


Returning Bonuses to Wounded Vets
http://ableveterans.com/returning-bonuses-to-wounded-vets

Two Corpsmen I Once Knew

Growing up in the late 60's and 70's, I can honestly say I had friends of just about all stripes. They were black, Irish, Chinese-French, Italian, Native American, Greek, from India, and some were just "mutts'. A few were Catholic, some were Hindi, a couple were Jewish, but most were Protestant of various denominations. Some were so dirt poor that they could only hope to move up to public housing. A few were from wealthy families, but the majority were somewhere in the Middle Class. Most seemed to come from stable families, while a few quickly became "survivors" . It wasn't really until I was stationed in San Francisco during the mid to late 1970's that I met with my first exposure to gays, and I was on the receiving end.

Two friends and I (along with our girlfriends at the time) had ventured into Castro District. Unbeknownst to us, Castro was considered the "gay" side of town. All we knew (or cared about) was really good and cheap food. We had found a little Greek sandwich shop, and while waiting on our order, we suddenly heard a huge commotion and everyone took off outside. Naturally, we walked outside and much to our provincial Southern and Midwestern awe, we were ground zero in San Francisco's 2nd Annual Gay Pride Parade. It was one on the most amazing events I ever saw for oh so many reasons! Later, my girlfriend and I went walking to look at the most beautifully restored Victorian era homes. Suddenly, we noticed we were being stared at; then came cat calls and a more than a few loud snide comments directed at us. We suddenly became self conscious about our holding hands. For the first time in my life, I knew what it felt like to be the subject of ridicule. We had many more experiences after that. Most was positive, some not so much.
It was during the parade that I recognized two individuals who were participating and ---shall we say---"provocatively dressed" , and more importantly, they saw me. These two individuals were active duty Navy Corpsmen and my boss was the base commander. In those day, a single word (especially from someone in my position) would have resulted in their detention by base security. They would have been confined in a security holding cell and received immediate General Discharge (less than Honorable) with 24 hours. What to do? My job was to report it. My lack of exposure made me slightly fearful and yet, I found myself intrigued at why they would put themselves at such risk.

Upon returning to the base that afternoon, I stopped by my office, were I had access to the personnel records. I fixed myself a cup of coffee and notified base security across the hall that I was there catching up on some work. While I pulled their files, I wondered what they might thinking about now. Both were First Class Petty Officers; just one step below the coveted rank of Chief. Both had, up to point given at least 12 years of their lives to the military. Was now all in vain? Neither knew me very well, but they most certainly knew who I was and who I worked for.

Both individuals had volunteered for military service. A rarity in the Vietnam Era where very few stepped up to fight for a war no one wanted except the politicians and industrial-military complex. Most were drafted. LBJ and Nixon had proven to be failures and liars. Jimmy Carter, despite being a former Navy, was quickly proving himself inept (within a year, he would remove all doubts and secure that distinction for himself until recently). One was from the Midwest like two of my friends while the other grew in Florida just as I had done. Much of their service record was unremarkable, except for one interesting section.

It seems that both if these men, who graduated near the top of their "A" School class as Corpsmen, asked to be stationed in Vietnam with Marine Corps units on the ground. That was serious "in-your-face" duty. that no one wanted . It was unbearably hot, dirty, and incredibly dangerous work. A good place to be if you wanted to die young. Their personnel reviews were all top notch, with several letters of commendation. I found a few notes addressed to their respective commanding officers from Marines whose lives they had saved (or who had saved or tried to save the lives of one of their buddies). I was starting to see a very different picture than what I had imagined. It was in Vietnam that they shared a common duty assignment. It must have been there that they first meet.

After rummaging through more pages, reviewing applications for various awards and ribbons that I decided I had read enough. That Monday, I walked over to the dispensary and asked to meet with both of them privately. When they walked in, I could almost see their hearts drop. Their faces went pale as they almost involuntarily glanced around for base security. There was an eternal moment of silence before one asked if they were to be arrested (I wondered if they realized that they were almost involuntarily reaching out to touch each other's hand? No matter). I paused for a moment. For me not to do anything carried its own ramifications for me. I could face a similar scenario as both them. After all, it was not just against Navy policy. It was against policy of the US Armed Forces. But how could I say anything? How could I not say anything? What moral right did I have to say who one could be in love with? Isn't that what the world needed more of? I certainly didn't understand it. How could someone not like girls I thought? I was the base liaison to the Jewish Community in the Greater Bay Area. I thought of the Jews, and the Gypsies, and yes, the gays in Nazi Germany and the conquered territories. How many millions were shot, gassed, or burned just for being different? Wasn't destroying their careers the modern equivalent?

Quietly, as if I was now suddenly drawn into their secret, I explained that I had reviewed their personnel files. They had led an exemplary service to this country. I asked what their plans were? Would they go back go after their time in the service? Both indicated they knew they'd never make Chief, and it was only a matter of time until someone found them out. They fully knew and excepted the risk. They had both contrived to be stationed in San Francisco, which was one of the few places they felt "safe" (which is why they also lived off base). They didn't know if they would go back home. No one there would ever accept them they said. Until then, they wanted to make their home in Northern California and continue in their medical profession. After all this, all they wanted was each other and to help strangers. Wow. I shook their hands and thanked them again for their service to the Navy; the Marine Corps; and to this Country and left the room; shutting the door behind me and leaving them to each other.

As I walked back to my office, taking the long way along and watching the waves break along the breakers, I wondered if I had made the right decision. What it was someone else who had seen them? Would they had made the same decision? Would someone be making a similar decision 20 or 30 years later? Would someone's sexual orientation in the military even be an issue then? For me, it didn't affect me or my sexuality. I still liked girls...a lot. All that mattered to me was whether the individual next to me could and would do their job to the best of their ability. My life was in their hands and theirs was in mine. That was the definition of comradeship.