The History Behind Veteran's Day

November 11th is Veterans Day, a day to honor and "thank" all the men and women who honorably served our country past and present.  However, it has not always been known as Veterans Day. Originally it was known as "Armistice Day"; the day the which officially brought World War I, or as it was known then, the "Great War" and "The War to End All Wars" to an end. But that's not the whole story.

The German "Spring Offensive" of 1918 had recently been stalled following the Battle of Amiens, forcing the Germans back while Allied counter attacks in the Lowland nations of Belgium and Netherlands had ground to a halt, although there was still some small pockets of movement here and there. Germany still occupied territory in Belgium, Netherlands, and Northern France while the Allies had yet to cross into Germany. It appeared that after four long and bloody years, each side had come to an exhausted stalemate. Back home, each of the major  belligerent nations were facing economic collapse and civil unrest.  

Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm II (who would resign and later abdicate on November 10th), on the advice of his ministers and leading generals, agreed that it was time to end the war.  On October 3, Prince Maximilian of Bavaria, who had replaced the Kaiser as head of state, instructed German diplomats to approach representatives of France, England, and the United States (which had just recently joined the war) about a ceasefire and returning the frontiers to their original pre-war boundaries as well as notifying President Wilson on October 5th of their acceptance of his "Fourteen Points" proposal. After a short deliberation, they agreed.

Thus, on November 11, 1918, representatives of France, Britain, and Germany met in a cramped railroad car belonging to France's Marshal Ferdinand Foch, located at the Forest of Compiegne outside of the town of Compiegne, which is about 37 mile north of Paris.   At 5:45 am the Armistice or cease fire agreement was signed, bringing the war to an effective end (the Armistice was not a surrender agreement as some mistakenly have alleged).

The Germans called for the cease fire to take effect immediately. Marshal Foch, speaking on behalf of the Entente (or Allies), was adamant in his refusal. He insisted the hostilities would stop at exactly 11:00 am, which was about six hours later. Why?

Two reasons were given by Marshal Foch. First, he claimed that it would take six hours to alert front line troops and the media (Germany said they could alert all their front line units within the hour. They were less concerned about the media). Secondly, Marshal Foch thought that end of the greatest war in human history required a "poetic end". Therefore, Foch insisted that the war should end on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour. Such was his arrogance and elitism I suppose. 

Meanwhile Marshal Foch wanted time to prepared to meet with the media while his subordinates alerted various commands, some 3000 more men would needlessly die, which is something not often found in the history books.  From the conclusion of the ceremony until the armistice took effect six hours later, 3000 soldiers lost their lives to war which technically had come to an end. The majority of those sacrificed for Foch's "poetic end" were mostly Allied soldiers intent of gaining land which no longer held strategic value. Several hundred German died as well, caught off guard as they prepared to go home.

When the "War to End All Wars" was finally all over, 40 million military and civilians were dead and another 23 million combatants were wounded with the Spanish Flu already beginning to make its deadly presence felt. It would ultimately claim the lives of 500 million men, women, and children, or about 1/3 of the entire population of the planet.  

In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson signed into law a bill which recognized November 11th as Armistice Day and those who served. On May 24, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the bill which expanded Armistice Day to one recognizing all veterans of all wars. Thus, November 11th would henceforth be known as Veterans Day.

Of course, the "War to End All Wars" proved to be a illusion. Despite all the parades and celebrations, the "Treaty of Versailles", which officially brought the Great War to an end laid the seeds for the next, even greater war, in the freshly dug graves and war ravaged fields and towns of Europe. The war brought to an end the empires of Germany, Russia, and the Ottomans. It indiscriminately redrew the map of the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, creating a series crisis, wars, and conflicts which still continues. It greatly weakened the British and French empires as well while bringing the United States to the forefront as a world power. 

The booming Twenties which followed gave way to an economic collapse on a global scale by 1929.  By 1933, many of the old actors had left the stage of History to write their sanitized memoirs, to be replaced by a new form of nationalism and oppression---fascism-- and new actors like Churchill, Franco, DeGaulle, Hitler, Tojo, Franklin D Roosevelt, and Mussolini, stepped onto the stage of History to assume their roles as the clouds of war once more gathered. By the time it ended in 1945, an estimated 85 million lay dead because of the failures of politicians in 1919.

Today, there's an estimated 15.8 million veterans in the United States, which comprised about 6.1% of the population. The largest segment are from the Gulf Wars. The smallest are those who survived WWII, of which approximately 120,000 are still with us. The Veterans Administrations predicts that the last of these heroes will pass into history by the early 2040's. 

At any given time, there are around 32,822 homeless veterans living on the street nationally, a record low. While that is a decrease of 7.5% over 2024, even one homeless veteran is one too many. As of 2023, there were 5.27 million disabled veterans, which is about 30% of all veterans. Some of their injuries are physical while for others, it's the result of mental trauma. such as PTSD.  

Lastly, and arguably the most tragic are veteran suicides. As of 2022 (the latest year available), there were 6,407 veteran suicides compared to 41,841 non-veteran suicides. The most common reasons are often those you don't see like PTSD, depression, stress, drug or alcohol abuse. So, this November 11th---Veterans Day---take a moment to say "thank you" to ant veteran you meet. Your appreciation goes a long way. 

If you want to know more about this article's topic, please check out the links below. If you enjoyed the article, please consider passing it along to others and don't forget to subscribe. It's free! Lastly please be sure to "like" us on whatever platform you use to read anotheropinionblog.com. It helps with the algorithms and keeps our articles in circulation. Thank you! 

Armistice of 11 November 1918

Treaty of Versailles

Causes of World Wat II

Suicide Among Veterans 

 

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

Memorial Day: Remembering Our Nation's Fallen Heroes

What does Memorial Day mean to you? As a disabled veteran, Memorial Day means a number, 400,000, and what it symbolizes. That's how many people are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The ground where these brave men and women are buried was once the property of Mary Anna Custis Lee, the wife of Confederate General Robert E. Lee and great granddaughter of Martha Washington. It was seized by Union troops near the end of the Civil War and was used as Union headquarters.

The property of George Washington's step great granddaughter was turned into a cemetery for the Union dead in June 1864 to both bury their dead and in order to prevent General Lee's family from ever returning home. It became a national cemetery in 1883. Arlington National Cemetery is also the final resting place of 5,000 unknown soldiers from this nation's many wars.

About three million people visit Arlington National Cemetery each year to see the simple white marble headstones lined up in perfect row upon row. Beneath each unassuming headstone lays men and women from every war and conflict. At Arlington rank, title, or social status means nothing. Neither does their race, religion or politics. Nothing speaks "equality" like death. But once many were famous; people like Audie Murphy, Lee Marvin, Thurgood Marshall, Robert "Bobby" Kennedy, President John F Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Medgar Evers, Lt. Colonel Virgil "Guss" Grissom, Admiral William "Bull" Halsey, and Ira Hayes.

 Yet, for every name you might recognize, there are thousands upon thousands of everyday men and women who were far from ordinary. Arlington National Cemetery is also the location of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (also known as the Tomb of the Unknowns), a tribute to the dead of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, which was originally dedicated in 1922.

Did you know that Memorial Day was first commemorated 1861 in Warrington, Virginia to honor the Confederate dead?  In 1862, the women in Savannah, Georgia followed suit in honor of their Confederate dead. In 1863, this was extended to include all those who had died at Gettysburg. 

Later, after the Civil War had come to an end, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, which had evolved from the Ladies Memorial Association, established chapters throughout the South in which to honor and remember their war dead. This was known as "Remembrance Day", though  a few states called decided to call it "Memorial Day".

In 1868, the practice which had started at Gettysburg, was increasingly adopted throughout all the Northern states. In July 1913, surviving members of the North and South gathered again in Gettysburg. This wasn't the time to fight, but to remember and honor those who had died in what was the bloodiest war in American History; a war which claimed over 500,000 lives. By contrast, World War II costs 405,399 US lives while Vietnam claimed 90,220. Compare that to Afghanistan, our longest military conflict at 20 years, which has seen a loss of 2,305 service personnel.

Thus, what had started off as a day to remember the Confederate war dead, had become the public act of remembering all of our nation's war dead. Although generally known as "Declaration Day" for all the flowers, ribbons, and banners starting around 1882, people gradually returned to the name, "Memorial Day", which had become the most common by the end of World War II. So, in 1967, the "Day of Remembrance" and "Declaration Day" were officially changed to "Memorial Day".

In addition to remembering all those who sacrificed their lives for this country, let's also not forget that we lose, on average, 20 veterans a day to suicide, often as a result of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), service connected injuries (especially among post active duty disabled veterans). That's about one suicide every hour of every day. Most are between 55 and 74 years of age. The states with the highest rates of suicide are Texas and Florida.

 Some find they are unable to cope with the memories and nightmares of war, or from their injuries and the constant pain. Many are divorced, or struggled to hold on to a job. Some turn to drugs or alcohol.  There are approximately 180,000 veterans now serving time in prison or jail. Ultimately, they see no way out but to take their own lives.

We also need to remember that on any given night there are an estimated 40,000 homeless veterans living on the street. Homeless veterans make up just under 10% of all homelessness. 57% are white while 26% were black. 85% are listed as non-Hispanic. The rest are multiracial. Approximately 89.5% are men. The states with highest number of homeless veterans are California, Florida, Texas, and New York, but every state and nearly every community has homeless veterans or those with temporary shelter.

My generation, the Babyboomers, has witnessed the passing of the last veterans from the Spanish-American War, World War I, and with an average of 245 World War II veterans dying each day, we'll likely to see them last of them pass by 2043 according to VA statistics. Veterans of the Korean War aren't far behind.

 We are also the Children of the Cold War.  We witnessed the assassination of the Kennedy Brothers and Rev. Martin Luther King Jr, the Watts Riots, the anti-War Movement, the Civil Rights Movement, the Bay of Pigs fiasco, the Cuban Missile Crisis, as well as the landing on the moon. Many of us fought in jungles of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Tonkin Gulf, while others were Freedom Riders or marched in streets to fight another war. Some burned draft cards. Some burned bras, while some burned churches.

 Some of our parents recall the Great Depression and witnessed the lost of the last veterans of the Civil War. Many may even remember their fathers, uncles, or perhaps older brothers going off to war in the Pacific or Europe or their mothers working long grueling hours in factories to keep the country going and their family together. Thank you to all those faceless "Rosies" who are still here and who have passed. Meanwhile, our parents, while still children, would gather scrap or do whatever they could to help out.  We were all in it together.

 We, as a People in this still young nation, have witnessed and endured much. We owe much to those who sacrificed their hopes, their dreams, and their tomorrows for our sake and that of our children and their children. Memorial Day should be a day where we come together not just with family or friends, but also as a nation to remember those who gave everything for this nation and our freedoms; freedoms which are now under attack from many corners both outside and inside this great country of ours. We should also remember those who are still fighting their own personal wars---the homeless veteran, those who suffer daily with their injuries, and those who battling their own demons.

 Lastly, as I do on each Memorial Day, I'll end with a very special poem, "In Flanders Field", which was written in 1915 by Canadian Lt. Colonel John McCrae, which was inspired by his experiences during the Second Battle of Ypres during World War I. The battle lasted from April 22 through May 25th. During that battle, chlorine gas, a deadly airborne poison, was first introduced by the Germans to break the deadlock being fought in the stench of the trenches. That single battle claimed the lives of over 112,156 young men (their average age was just 19), although we will never be know the exact number, but if we did, it would no doubt be much higher.

John McCrea volunteered to serve as a gunner and medical officer for an artillery unit. Following the battle, which left many of the local towns and villages in smoldering ruins, McCrea was stunned one early morning by how quickly the crimson red poppies had bloomed on freshly covered graves and the eerie silence. I suspect there's a good deal of truth in it since he had just personally bury a close friend, Alexis Helmer, who had been killed on May 2nd. The poem, written then following day, was originally published in 1919. So, without further ado, here is "In Flanders Fields",

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

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

 

U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Report: Veteran SuicideRates By State

 

United States Military Veteran Suicide

When Will the U.S. Lose Its Last WWII Veterans?

How many Americans have died in U.S. wars?

From Enlisted to Incarcerated: Why Some Veterans End UpBehind Bars

Remembering Memorial Day

What does Memorial Day mean to you? For most people, I think it means the "official" start of Summer. It's means that public pools are open (except here in Louisville, where Mayor Fischer plans on keeping them closed; his "punishment" for the Metro Council and the residents of Louisville for shooting down his 300% tax increase to make up for a budget shortfall due to his misspending of taxpayer money, but I digress). For the average American, I think Memorial Day means cookouts, the start of summer vacations, a long weekend, the ending of another school year, and spending lots of time outdoors doing yard work or gardening.

For me, Memorial Day means 400,000. That's how many people are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The land where these brave men and women are buried was once the property of General Robert E. Lee. The estate was originally owned by George Washington Parke Custis, the adopted grandson of George Washington. His daughter, Mary Anna Randolph Custis, married General Lee. It was seized by Union troops near the end of the Civil War and was used as Union headquarters. It was turned into a cemetery for the Union dead in June 1864 in order to prevent General Lee from ever returning to his family's home. It was later turned into a national cemetery in 1883. Arlington National Cemetery is also the final resting place of 5000 unknown soldiers from this nation's many wars.

On average, about three million people a year come to visit Arlington Cemetery; to see the white marble headstones lined up in perfect row upon row. Beneath each headstone lays men and women from every war and conflict. At Arlington rank, title, or social status means nothing; death treats everyone equally. However, some were well known in life like Audie Murphy, Lee Marvin, President John F Kennedy, Medgar Evers, Lt. Colonel Virgil "Guss" Grissom, General George C Marshall, Joe Lewis and Senator John Glenn. But for every name you might recognize, there are thousands of everyday men and women who were anything but ordinary. It is also the location of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (also known as the Tomb of the Unknowns), a tribute to the dead of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, which was originally dedicated in 1922.

Some of you may not know that Memorial Day was first commemorated 1861 in Warrington Virginia to honor the Confederate dead. In 1862, the women in Savannah Georgia followed suit in honor of their Confederate dead. In 1863, this was extended to include all those who had died at Gettysburg. Later, after the War between the States had concluded, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, which had evolved from the Ladies Memorial Association, established chapters throughout the South in which to honor and remember their war dead. This was known as Remembrance Day, although in some states it was called Memorial Day.

In 1868, the practice which had started at Gettysburg, was increasingly adopted throughout all the Northern states. In July 1913, surviving members of the North and South gathered again in Gettysburg. This time it wasn't to fight, but to remember those who had died in what was the bloodiest war in American History. A war which claimed between 620,000 and 850,000 men. By contrast, World War II was responsible for 405,399 US lives.

Nevertheless, the act of remembering the nation's war dead was firmly established, though generally known as "Declaration Day" for all the flowers, ribbons, and banners starting around 1882. Gradually, more people returned to the name, Memorial Day", which had become the most common name by the end of World War II. So, in 1967, the Day of Remembrance and Declaration Day officially became known as Memorial Day.

In addition to remembering those who gave their lives for this country, lets also not forget that we are losing on average 20 veterans a day to suicide, often as a result of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), service connected injuries (especially among post active duty disabled veterans). Some find they are unable to cope with their experiences in combat or with their injuries and turn to drugs and alcohol.

Also, we need to remember that on any given night there are an estimated 40,000 homeless veterans on the street. Homeless veterans make up just under 10% of all homelessness. 57% are white while 26% were black with the rest being multiracial. 85% are listed as non-Hispanic. Approximately 89.5% are men. The states with highest number of homeless veterans are California, Florida, Texas, and New York, but every state and nearly every community has homeless veterans or those with temporary shelter.

My generation, the Babyboomers, has witnessed the passing of the last veterans from the Spanish-American War, World War I, and with an average of 372 World War II veterans dying each day, we'll likely to see them last of them pass as well. We are also the Children of the Cold War, and of Vietnam. We witnessed the assassination of the Kennedy Brothers and Rev King, the Watts Riots and social unrest, the anti-War Movement, the Civil Rights Movement, the Bay of Pigs fiasco, the Cuban Missile Crisis, as well as the land on the moon. Some of our parents recall the Great Depression and witnessed the lost of the last veterans of the Civil War. They may even remember their fathers, uncles, and perhaps older brothers going off to war in the Pacific, in Europe, or in Korea. We, as a People, have witnessed and endured much, however, we owe much to those who sacrificed their hopes, their dreams, and even lives for our sake and that of our children and their children.

Memorial Day should be a day where we come together not just with family or friends, but also as a nation to remember those who gave everything for this nation and our freedoms; freedoms which are now under attack from many corners both outside and inside this great country of ours. We should also give thanks to those who are still fighting their own private war---the homeless veteran, those who suffer daily with their injuries, and those who are struggling to overcome their own demons.

Lastly, as I do each Memorial Day, I'll close with a very special poem, "In Flanders Field", which was written in 1915 by Canadian Lt. Colonel John McCrae, which was inspired by his experiences during the Second Battle of Ypres during World War I. The battle lasted from April 22 through May 25th. During that battle chlorine gas, a deadly poison, was first introduced by the Germans to break the deadlock being fought in the stench of the trenches. The battle claimed the lives of some 112,156 young men (the average age was 19), although the exact number will never be known, but if it were, it would no doubt be much higher.

John McCrea volunteered to serve as a gunner and medical officer for an artillery unit. Following the battle, which had also completely leveled some of the local towns and villages, he was stunned one early morning noting how quickly the crimson red poppies would bloom on freshly closed graves and the eerie silence according to one story. I suspect there's a good deal of truth in it since he did personally bury a close friend, Alexis Helmer, who had been killed on May 2nd. The poem was originally published in 1919. So, without further ado, here is "In Flanders Fields",

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

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


Memorial Day

United States military veteran suicide

How many homeless veterans are living in the US?

'Tis the Holiday Season: The Safest Charities to Donate To

Well, it's that time of year...again...when people's attention turns to thoughts of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin or maybe pecan pie, and of course, Macy's Parade along with the usual football games. It's also a time where we start seeing Christmas commercials (ad nauseam) not to mention Christmas trees and decorations damn near everywhere! Kids methodically compiling their Christmas list ("Naughty List" be damned). But, it's also when we start thinking in terms of family and the gathering of our little group.

People, on average, are a little more friendlier (except when shopping in which case it's everyone for themselves). Maybe it's the lights. Maybe it's the snow on the ground or crispness of the air. Maybe it's the message this season brings for those of you who are Jewish or Christian. Whatever it is, we also tend to think a bit more about those who are less fortunate than we are. Sure, we see the individual standing on the street corner with the mandatory "will work for food" or "homeless veteran" signs year around. The more cynical among us of course wonder if they really would work for food or if they're actually a veteran or simply looking for a handout in order to score some drugs or booze. Nevertheless, this time of years seems to make us want to drop our guard, albeit just a little.

However, given human nature, it's also the favorite time of the year for crooks and thieves too, but for very different reasons. It's when they finding stealing packages from front porches,shopping carts and the backseats of cars the easiest. It's when we are so pre-occupied with other matters that we fail to notice our pocketbooks or who is around us in the parking lot. It's also when stores experience the most shoplifting and robberies. Stores are typically packed with high end seasonal goodies like jewelry, perfumes, clothes (especially coats), not to mention in demand toys, video games and equipment.

Stores are often stocked with part time temporary employees just trying to earn some additional pocket pockets to fill out their own special day. The majority don't make much more than minimum wage, but even if they did, they're not going to risk life and limb for a temp job. They don't have a vested interest in whether that particular store gets robbed or not. Besides, that's what store and mall security are for. Of course, with few exceptions, neither are going to risk a brawl or worse, getting shot over a pair of sneakers or jeans. In addition, in most cases, they really can't do much more than "detain" the individual until the cops get there (in the case of mall security, many of them are retirees. They couldn't do anything even if they wanted to).

Nevertheless, there is another kind of criminal I want to talk about. In my opinion, these are perhaps the worse of the lot since they prey on our sympathies. They tug on our heart strings with all sorts of "tales of woe" and the promise that your dollar or quarter or whatever was just the one they needed to make things all better, be it cure some cancer, house a disabled veteran or feed a single woman with children, when in truth they do little or none of this. As an aside, 40% of all donations to charities come during this time of year.

Now while some of these so-called "charities" do extend a hand (albeit a weak one) to the group they're purporting to help, the percentage is criminally small. Meanwhile, their senior officers and solicitors are raking in the big money. Their biggest concerns are how to keep the public from finding out (don't want to kill the golden goose) and where to park the money so that they can avoid paying the most taxes. Maybe it's just me, but I have a serious issue with these types of crooks. I can't stand to see people taken advantage of, especially seniors, children, the mentally and physically handicapped, and "my" veterans. If you brought it on yourself, that's one thing, but these individuals are often the most vulnerable. So, I did a little checking around and compiled my own "Good" and "Naughty" lists.

I've listed the percentage of money which actually reaches their targeted group where possible. So, without further ado, let's start with the "Naughty" list. We'll begin with the list published in May 2018 by SmartAsset, a financial advisement company.

1. Kids Wish Network
2. Cancer Fund of America
3. Children's Wish Foundation International
4. American Breast Cancer Foundation
5. Firefighters Charitable Fund.

In addition, SmartAssets mentions some others which seem to be popular for our area in the Ohio Valley such as American Association of State Troopers, United States Deputy Sheriffs' Association, The Veteran Fund, the Firefighters Burn Fund, and the Children’s Leukemia Research Association. SmartAssets reports that of the 50 charities they list, $1.35 billion in donations was raised, with $970 million going to folks collecting the money. They also said that the percentage of money which actually reached the individuals in need ranged from zero dollars to a high of just 11% (the average was around 8%).

A Daily KOS report from December 2016 stated that Kids Wish Network spends only 2.5% on its targeted group (which is presumably children). The Children's Wish Foundation International spends 10.6%. The American Breast Cancer Foundation spends a pathetic 2.2% while the Firefighters Charitable Fund returns 7.4% to firefighters. The Cancer Fund of American directed just 1% to cancer patients (I'm pleased to add that the fund is now dissolved). Nevertheless, I should mention a couple of others which appears on their list simply for their audacity.

Woman to Woman Cancer Foundation, which supposedly helps women with various types of cancer, directs only .03% to these women in need. The International Union of Police Associations (AFL-CIO) give a criminally ridiculous 0.5% to law enforcement. Next is the Children's Cancer Recovery Foundation, which raised $38.5 million dollars in 2016 but gave these kids just 0.7% of the money. Lastly is Project Cure. They raised $53.8 million dollars (2016), but 0.0% reached their intended group.

Consumer Reports, a highly respected consumer oriented product ratings and review magazine, published their own list of "questionable" charities in December 2017. Since they break theirs down into eleven categories, I'll list just a few from some random areas.

1. SPCA International, New York (Animal Welfare)
2. Noah's Lost Ark, Ohio (Animal Welfare)
3. Cousteau Association, New Hampshire (Environment)
4. Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, Virginia (Veterans)
5. World Villages of Children Foundation, Maryland (Int'l Relief and Development).

In addition to publishing their own "low rated" charities as they call them, Consumer Reports also list comparative "high rated" charities in the same category next to them to make it easier to compare. By the way, the majority of these same charities appear on different sites, though with a different ranking.

On the "Good" list, we turn to Charity Navigator, which is a highly reputable evaluator of charities of all types. They rank and score each charity according efficiency, accountability, financial performance, and transparency. Here's who ranked the highest on their list:

1. Direct Relief (100%)
2. Map International (100%)
3. Matthew 23: Ministries (100%)

Three others, Samaritan's Purse, The Conservation Fund, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation each earned a score of 98.23. You can find more highly rated charities on their site, which is linked below.

Charity Watch, another high caliber charity evaluator known for in-depth investigation of charities also publish their list of the best charities. Since they list theirs by individual categories, I pulled a few from various topic. As before, I've included a link to their site so you can check any specific charity you're interested in.

1. PetSmart Charities (A+)
2. Fisher House Foundation (A+)
3. Wounded Warriors Family Support (A)
4. National Council on Aging (A+)
5. Center for Constitutional Rights (A-)

Some other important charities which deserve mentioning are the American Indian College Fund (B+), Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind (A), the National Rifle Association (A+), the Government Accountability Project ---GAP (A), Habitat for Humanity International (B+), Coalition for the Homeless (A-), and the Starlight Children's Foundation (A-).

As a community activist for close to 40 years, I've always felt the need to give back to my community, especially when it came to my fellow disabled veterans. I've always been willing to donate. In fact, I've been lucky enough to have the means to give. The problem has always been to whom? It seems that everyone has their hand out. My biggest concern was ensuring that the money or whatever I donated actually went to those I intended it for. Hucksters, Scammers, and old fashioned "Shysters" do more than just steal from us, they steal from those who need help the most. They are literally taking the coat off of someone's back and food out of the mouth of some senior or child. Hope this article will help you ensure that your hard earned dollars go where you want to too and keeps it out of the hands of the lowlifes.


The 50 Worst Charities in America---How to Keep from Being Scammed

Best and Worse Charities for Your Donations

25 of America's worst charities, how to find the good ones and where Trump's charity stands

Charity Watch: Top Rated Charities

Charity Navigator: Top Ten Lists

Veterans Day and Why it Should be Special

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 we have 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...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" or 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

Memorial Day Remembrances

Several years ago, when I was commander of my DAV chapter, we were awarded a special medal of appreciation for our service by a non-profit group who aids veterans. I felt honored to receive the award but slightly embarrassed by the attention as were most of the members in my chapter. But, we smiled politely and accepted the award, complete with the best salute we could manage, and with all the humility we could muster. Afterwards, the presenter, came up to me and wanted to thank me for my service and for being an example of a "true American hero". To be honest, I was taken slightly back; maybe even a little put off by her comment. I smiled and thanked her again for the medal, but politely pointed out that I wasn't a hero. I went on to explain that the bravest---the real heroes---were usually the ones who don't come home. They were the ones who went above and beyond to risk all, not so much for God and Country like in the movies, but for their fellow soldier, shipmate or airman. I doubt any of those mostly young men and women, if they could speak to us now would have ever thought of themselves or their actions as heroic. Real "heroes" are like that. They do the job which needs to be done. That's it.

Noting a bit of disappointment in her expression, I pointed out that I have known a few who I would consider heroes who did make it home. I told her about an acquaintance I had the honor to make on my first day at my new duty station, Naval Station Treasure Island, which was located right in the middle of the San Francisco Bay between San Francisco and Oakland. I was asked to escort an older, somewhat rough looking Senior Chief to a special ceremony being held on the Island. There really wasn't anything special about him I thought. He was of medium height and heavy---solid---built with a slight beer belly; tanned with the usual tattoos in his arms. I could tell that he was quite used to giving orders and expecting instant results. I seriously doubt anything less than perfection would earn you a memorable butt chewing. So, while we were waiting (and to break the boredom), I asked the Senior Chief what the ceremony was all about. It turned out that this was his retirement ceremony. He said that as a boy he had always wanted to go to sea, so he had left home at 16 and lied about his age to join the Navy. After completing boot camp, he opted not to go home for his two weeks leave and instead wanted to go on to his first duty station and do some exploring (by that, I assume he wasn't talking about the usual tourist traps and was more interested in the two legged sights). So, off he went. He arrived on base and reported in; being given a billet assignment at one of the transient barracks. After settling in, he said he took a stroll around the base just to get his bearings and then decided to hit the sack after chow and a quick shower. The next morning, he planned to head off into town to start this two week leave. That day was Saturday December 6, 1941. The place was Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. His life, and the lives of countless others would be forever changed just 10 hours later.

Well, obviously he survived and went on to spend the next 30 years in Navy. He was in nearly all the major engagements, and would later be involved in Korea and Vietnam. After his active duty enlistment was up, he was allowed to join the reserves. But as for all sailors, the day came when it was finally time to disembark from his remarkable career, and there was me sitting next to this remarkable gentleman awaiting the signal to escort him into his retirement. That, I said was someone I would define as an American Hero. I went on to point out that our chapter had two individuals who survived the infamous Bataan Death March, and opted to remain in the military. Both would go on to fight in Korea and one fought in Vietnam. Then there was another individual that most people would take little note of. He was slight, about 5'5" and small built and seemed to keep a tan year around. He was always smiling with a slight twinkle in his eye. He spoke with a slight but undistinguishable accent. As a child of about 9 years old, this non descript individual survived a long brutal march, leaving him an orphan along the way, to the Nazi concentration camp of Bergen Bilsen.

After the war, he was permitted to leave Germany, and having nowhere to go, was sent by the British to the little island of Cyprus, where, again, he was kept behind a fence and barbed wire while awaiting permission to emigrate to British controlled Palestine. After waiting months, he was finally granted permission. He was placed in local kibbutz where he tended crops and look after the animals. However, as he soon learned, danger was just as likely to be two legged as four. Not only was his kibbutz attacked and sabotaged by Arabs, so were most of the other kibbutz's too. It wasn't uncommon to see the crops destroyed or the animals set free or simply killed. Sadly, it wasn't unusual for one of the kibbutzniks to be shot at or worse. So, even though he was still a young teenager, he joined the underground (and illegal) para-military Haganah. In 1948, he was called upon to fight in Israel's War of Independence (he also drove around Israel's famous first president, David Ben Gurion).

Shortly after the war (and I assume hoping for some stability and peace) he immigrated to the US and became a US Citizen. It wasn't long before he received a certified letter from the government. It was his draft notice. Despite pleading his case, he belonged to Uncle Sam for the next four years and off to Korea he went. Apparently accepting the inevitable, he decided to make it a career. He would go on to do multiple tours of duty in Vietnam and ultimately was given a disability discharge to go with his 20+ years of service. We also had an individual who was awarded a two star Combat Infantry Badge. Prior to serving in Korea and Vietnam, he did a tour of duty at the Nuremburg Trials and would later serve as a guard over former Reich Minster Albert Speer and Rudolf Hess. He too would received a disability discharge as all of us had.

I went on to point out that we had several others who had equally remarkable careers. These are individuals that I regard as heroes. Each were basically unremarkable men who preformed remarkable acts of courage and valor, much to their own surprise. I went on to point out that those who claim to be "heroes" rarely are. They are usually individuals who, for whatever reason, lack that special something that marks a hero, yet crave the recognition and attention. It's like those who dress up as military, usually complete with a chest full of metals, and show up at parades, malls, or other events and pose for pictures or try to get something for nothing (that is, until they get called out by the real deal and then they scurry away like roaches in the light. These individuals cheapen the honor of those earned their ranks and ribbons and should be called out every time).

So, after listening to my little spiel, I think they went away a little wiser; at least I hope so. But be that as it may, while you are celebrating your long weekend, the hamburgers and hotdogs, the "adult" beverages, the swimming pools, and everything else that goes with Memorial Day, please take a moment to recall all those who sacrificed their youth, their limbs, their bodies, their minds, and all too often, their lives to make your celebration possible. Share it with your children so they will learn too that with freedom comes responsibility and courage.