Reluctant Politician

The last American veteran of World War I – Frank Buckles – died last week less than a month after his 110th birthday. His service and those of all American soldiers is being disrespected by Congress after refusal to allow Buckles to allow to lie in repose within the Capitol Rotunda.

World War I marked the turning point in America. Our country went from being a secluded nation to stepping out onto the world stage and extending our military might onto the European continent for the first time. Some might say that this moment in time is when America first became a superpower. Frank Buckles was more than a man – he was a symbol of what it meant to be an American early in the 20th century.

Frank Buckles had to lie about his age in order to join the Army at just 15 years old. In August of 1917 he was sent to Europe and served as an ambulance driver. Buckles raised to the rank of corporal before the war ended. After the war he went to work in the shipping industry and was captured by the Japanese in the Philippines during World War II. He was held as a prisoner of war for more than three years before being freed by U.S. troops.

As the number of soldiers from World War I became fewer and fewer, Buckles took up the cause of getting a national memorial located in Washington D.C. which would be dedicated to all those who served in World War I. While our nation’s capital has memorials dedicated to the soldiers of World War II, the Korean and the Vietnam wars, there is no such memorial for World War I veterans. And that is a complete and utter shame.

After Buckles death on Feb. 27, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-West Virginia, introduced a resolution in the Senate that would have allowed the use of the Capitol to honor the country’s last “Doughboy” by lying in honor within the Rotunda. That the legislation was later blocked by House Speaker John Boehner. Although Boehner’s aides have denied that such is what happened, the fact remains that Buckles will not lie in state within the nation’s Capitol. That is a disgrace. More than 116,000 American military personnel were killed during World War I. They should be honored, not only by allowing Buckles to lie in honor, but also by the creation of a prominent national World War I memorial in Washington D.C.

On the day marking 100 years since his birth, it seemed like a fitting time to post this entry dedicated to former President Ronald Reagan. This was written on the day of his funeral nearly seven years ago.

Friday, June 11, 2004

9:58 p.m.

This is the first entry of what I hope will become regular entries into my personal dairy. The funeral services for former President Ronald Reagan are just wrapping up at his Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. What an amazing day of final farewells for a great man. I really feel for his wife, Nancy. She crossed the country twice and has been by Ronnie’s coffin throughout the entire week of events commemorating President Reagan. She has been so composed and comforting, demonstrating depths of courage, fortitude and compassion beyond what anyone had any right to expect of her. She is an incredible woman to have made it through such difficult times with such grace. Tears came to my eyes many times throughout the services today, but she remained composed publicly up until the last time she approached the casket and said good-bye to her beloved husband.

Nancy Reagan says her final goodbyes to President Ronald Reagan. Source: www.news.navy.mil/search/photolist.asp

Reagan’s funeral is the first state funeral I have witnessed – via CNN quite naturally. Journalism is the field I turned my back on nearly 10 years ago, yet it is the television news channels I turn to when major events happen and seem to go days without turning the channel.

Back to the subject I had in my mind when I started this, before it disappears among the jumble of my own thoughts and outside stimulus. I felt little when former President Richard Nixon died a few years ago. His Presidency was a time of my youth when politics were something adults paid attention to while us kids played. But Reagan’s Presidency was one I can recall. I may not have agreed with all of his actions but I do respect him as a man and thank him for having had the courage and desire to ascend to the Office of President and serve his country for eight years.

I’ve often said that those who are qualified to run the country are to smart to run for President. It is with complete faith in these words that I believe Reagan was the exception to that. He did what he thought was right – not just for our country, but for the entire world.

The outpouring by the public was awe-inspiring. I imagine that more than one percent of the total population of the United States paid their respects, either by walking by his casket while it laid in state in California and Washington D.C., or by lining the roads as he made his long final journey. He inspired American citizens to believe in the greatness of our country and it’s potential. (continue reading…)

Dear Democrats & Republicans,

The level of animosity each has for the other has reached the point beyond being absurd.

The same can be said for most of the world’s religions.

Everyone just needs to learn to get along. Treat each over as equals. Find some common ground. Acknowledge and respect each other’s opinions and accomplishments. Only then can true progress be made toward advancing all of humanity.

Sincerely,

One seriously fed up citizen

Terrorists who want to overthrow the United States government must now register with South Carolina’s Secretary of State and declare their intentions — or face a $25,000 fine and up to 10 years in prison. The bill was passed in South Carolina as the Subversive Activities Registration Act.

I often find myself wishing to replace our present politicians, however, I am residing in Florida. Can I still register anyway? And come one, South Carolina, a FIVE DOLLAR registration fee. Seems awful cheap. You’ve got to cover the cost of processing of the paperwork. I thought our government wanted to take money away from terrorists? Come on. Let’s raise the registration fee to at least $100.

See full details and actual language of South Carolina’s new law at the NowPublic.com website. Direct link to the posting: http://bit.ly/93lR4O