Memorial Day Tribute To A Fallen Marine

Billy Spencer was shot and killed while trying to drag his commanding officer, who was shot by a sniper, to safety. A truly heroic act of sacrifice.

May we not forget the sacrifices made by those who have come before us.

I have never been able to think of the day as one of mourning; I have never quite been able to feel that half-masted flags were appropriate on Decoration Day. I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, because those whose dying we commemorate rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it. We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did. ~Benjamin Harrison

Independence Appears To Have Leanings Towards Dependency

Enjoy the 4th my fellow Americans!
Here is a question for you: How do you celebrate Independence Day on July 4th?

Caring For Our Own: An American Icon

Joseph Patrick Dwyer, 31, died of an apparent overdose in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. After breaking down the door to Dwyer's home, officers found him surrounded by empty cans of aerosol-gas dusters and prescription pills.

Dwyer, a private first-class medic, became an image of the Iraq war after a picture showing him carrying an injured Iraqi boy away from a fire fight ran on the front page of several newspapers in 2003, just after the invasion of Iraq by coalition forces.

"He was just never the same when he came back, because of all the things he saw," Matina Dwyer said. "He tried to seek treatment, but it didn't work."

You can read more here.

Some questions:
-Is this the government's fault? Our society's? His?
-Should military who served in wars have more mental care available to them?
-Is he responsible for his own death or do others share in the blame?
-Is he a symbol of America in more ways than one?

Unpatriotic Or Just Rushed?

The Dolphin-Steelers game was without any pregame ceremonies save for the coin toss. The game was delayed due to rain and lightening and the NFL gave instruction to start as soon as possible. When asked why there was no National Anthem they said it would have taken more time to get a PA system out to the center of the field.

There is no law or mandate that the National Anthem must be played before all sporting events, it just is.

You can read more here.

Some questions:
-Do you find this offensive?
-Should time have been taken to play the National Anthem along with the other pregame ceremonies?
-What are the risks that come with not singing the National Anthem, if there are any?
-Do you think this will upset any veterans?

Flag Desecration = Hate Crime

On the island of Orcas, off mainland Washington State, a hate crime has been performed. Two nights in a row, vandals have snuck into the cemetery and burnt US flags, stole US flags and replaced US flags with home made flags bearing the mark of the swastika. Even under watch, the cemetery was breached and vandalized. These acts were performed on the graves of dead servicemen who fought for their country and for the freedom we enjoy today.

You can read more here.

Some questions:

-What are your thoughts on flag burning?
-Do you think that it is acceptable to protest in such a way as this?
-What are your thoughts about showing dissatisfaction about our current conflict while still honoring those who are fighting in it? Is there a good way to seperate the two?
-What do you think should be the punishment that these vandals should undergo if any?
-If you are a Veteran, what are your thoughts on this? How does this speak to you?

Memorial Day

Here is a tribute video to a fallen soldier.

Here are some audio accounts from our soldiers themselves.

Here are some pictures of Pearl Harbor during and after the suprise Japanese attacks.

Some questions:

-Have we forgotten what Memorial Day is about?
-What did you do to pay homage to those who serve to protect you?
-Do you treat Memorial Day as just another day off or do you utilize it to show a Veteran your appreciation?