Veteran's Day Scattershot Blasts November 11, 2013

First, THANK YOU to all of our Veterans, for your sacrifice, service, and standards of excellence. 
God bless you and yours on this Veterans Day!

Sadly, We Don't Do Enough for Our Veterans....
Forty Percent of our Vets are on/need food assistance....

Some Good News....Paralyzed Vet to Walk Again....
Amazing what God's gift of technology and invention can do.  Check it out!

Hundreds Attend Funeral for "Unknown" WWII Vet....
Glad to see some folks showing respect for the Greatest Generation...

Debbie Delusional At it Again....
DNC Chair Debbie WasAMan Shultz, er, Wasserman Shultz said that she believes that the Democrats will run and win on Obamacare in 2014.  She also had said earlier that she didn't think the President told a lie to the American people with "if you like your plan, you can keep it."

I Guess Everyone in Oregon Likes What They Have....
Because NO ONE has enrolled in the exchanges in Oregon!

Like Rats, Many Obamacare Fans Are Jumping Ship....
Will they use the "I was actually against Obamacare as I voted for it?" Defense?  Will they use the "well, you couldn't have expected me to read the whole bill?" idea?  The Senators up for re-election in competitive states in 2014 are starting to panic, though they still aren't offering solutions for anything other than their own growing political jeopardy.  But, didn't they hear Debbie WasAMan Shultz?  They should embrace voting for this fiscal black hole....

Mental Health Mandate Will Drive You Nuts!
From Forbes: 
So while Obamacare is driving up the cost of a policy for many Americans by 50 percent to 100 percent, the new mental health rules will make coverage even more expensive—though it’s difficult to know by how much.
The state-based mental health mandate usually operated in an environment where health insurers could deny coverage for a preexisting condition.  Obamacare is eliminating that practice.  Now people with mental health, substance abuse and behavioral issues can sign up—well, if the bureaucrats ever get the website fixed—for subsidized coverage with very few limits.
Evidence is already emerging that those who have signed up are older than average, and they will surely be sicker—because they are the uninsureds most motivated to get coverage.
Furthermore, the mental health mandate could mean that millions of additional health policies will be canceled because Obama just expanded what’s considered qualified coverage.
If the past few weeks haven’t convinced you the Obama administration never understood how the law would affect health insurance, this new effort should do it.

Bold Prediction:  Obamacare Will Be Repealed Before 2014!?!
Steven Hayward says:
Prediction: even if HealthCare.gov is fixed by the end of the month (unlikely), Obamacare is going to be repealed well in advance of next year’s election.  And if the website continues to fail, the push for repeal—from endangered Democrats—will occur very rapidly.  The website is a sideshow: the real action is the number of people and businesses who are losing their health plans or having to pay a lot more.  Fixing the website will only delay the inevitable.
Check out his rationale here....some interesting theories....

Democrat Dictatorship Disease on the March....
Days after a Republican was elected mayor of Annapolis, City Council members say they will revisit legislation that would strip the mayor’s office of much of its power.  What a bunch of sore losers!!!

Free Speech for Anyone...But Christians!
A Man was arrested in a mall for passing out tracts and talking to people...despite having done it many times before and court cases assuring him he has the right.....Read the chilling report here...

Gov. Kasich Announces Retirement of Col. Thomas Moe

Release:

COLUMBUS—Today Governor John R. Kasich announced that Ohio Department of Veterans Services (DVS) Director Thomas N. Moe will retire on July 22 after 46 years serving his state and nation.

“Having Col. Moe serve on my Cabinet over the past two-and-a-half years has been an honor,” said Kasich. “I’m grateful to Col. Moe for stepping out of retirement at the beginning of my administration when I asked him to lead DVS. He is a true American hero and we were fortunate to have him on our team as long as we did. I wish him and his family all the best.”

Highlights of Moe’s tenure at DVS include his leadership in the governor’s efforts to help out-of-work veterans and veterans returning from active duty find meaningful employment and gain new access to health care.

In 1967, as a member of the U.S. Air Force, Moe was assigned to combat duty in Vietnam. In 1968, he was captured behind enemy lines and held as a POW for over five years. Following his rescue in 1973, Moe continued his service in the U.S. Air Force until his retirement in 1995. Moe has also served as a Military Studies Fellow at the Kroc Peace Institute, University of Notre Dame and the director of the Fairfield County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Over the years, Moe has earned numerous awards and decorations for his military and public service, including two Silver Stars, two Purple Hearts, and the Bronze Star Medal for Valor. He is a member of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame and the Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor.

A Date That Still Lives in Infamy

For many, Pearl Harbor is still remembered as a "day that will live in infamy." From USA Today:

Jim Morgan was sleeping a little late on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941.

His mother, Beryl, had tried to wake him up at about 7:30, but the 9-year-old, whose family lived at the Navy base at Pearl Harbor, didn't stir until she came back about 25 minutes later.

He got up just in time to witness history out his bedroom window.

"I said, 'Look, Ma! There's a fire at the submarine base.' "

At that same moment, Russell Meyne was sitting down to a plate of pancakes, bacon and eggs in the mess hall at Pearl Harbor's Hickam Air Base, 2 miles away. He was hoping to revitalize himself after a night of drinking beer with his buddies, celebrating their selection to a group that would be heading to the mainland for flight training.

Suddenly, everything changed.

"The table almost bounced up and down, and all the pots and pans in the kitchen started falling on the floor," said Meyne, an Army private at the time, now 91 and treasurer of the South Carolina branch of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.

"Then the bombing got really exciting."

Meyne and Morgan are among a dwindling number of people who can talk firsthand about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. As the 69th anniversary is marked today, it coincides with a week-long meeting of the national Pearl Harbor Survivors Association."This convention is all-important for the Pearl Harbor survivors," U.S. Army Air Corps veteran Jim Donis, 91, of Palm Desert, Calif., said before Monday's meeting. "This is going to be the first time we talk about when we want to shut down the national organization."

Meyne, who lives in Irmo, S.C., plans to be in Charleston Harbor, at the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier today for a special day of remembrance.

Not that he needs reminding. He remembers every detail.

"We had a front-row seat," Meyne said.

He says he and a buddy loaded their rifles — it was all they could think to do at the time — and started shooting at a plane that was coming down smoking. He never knew whether he hit the plane, but he says it slammed into a building and killed four people.

None of the members of Meyne's company was among the 2,402 U.S. servicememembers who lost their lives that day, but he saw what happened to others who weren't as lucky.

"The guys in the harbor, when they tipped those battleships over and dumped all that oil on the water and the oil caught on fire — oh God, it was a mess," he said.

Meyne recalls the sight of soldiers running on the airfield, trying to move some of the airplanes as the Japanese planes peppered them with machine-gun fire.

"Man, they just got mowed down like wheat," he said.

At 78, Morgan, of Greenwood, S.C., is among the youngest of those eyewitnesses.

In the Navy apartments, Morgan — whose father, David Jay Morgan, was serving on the destroyer Ward and survived the attack — was in no less danger as he watched with his mom. Planes were flying directly overhead, and their building was right next to an oil tank farm. As planes flew low over their house, Morgan's mother decided to take action.

"She said, 'I don't know whose they are, but they're not ours. Let's get out of here.' "

Their car wouldn't start. So they all ran back into the house. Morgan and the neighbor kids hid in a closet under the stairs.

"All hell was breaking loose," he said.

Morgan's dad stayed in the Pacific for the whole war and made a career in the Navy, eventually becoming a commander of a transport ship in Korea and working for the State Department in Vietnam.

Meyne returned to Cleveland and spent 25 years in the insurance business before coming south in 1972.

Morgan and Meyne didn't know each other at the time, but met through the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association years later, after both moved to South Carolina.

As the years pass, Morgan hopes Americans never forget.

"You have to remember the people who were lost," he said, "the lives that were changed."

We will never Forget. God bless these survivors, as well as those who died in the line of duty, and those who would follow them to protect freedom and liberate oppressed peoples in Europe and the Pacific.

A Hero in Our Midst of the Greatest Generation: John Ditterline II

I have known John Ditterline II for over 20 years. He has attended the same church as I have during that time and is a close family friend. He has led an amazing life and the fine folks at the Brown County Press have chosen to highlight his heroics as a member of one of the USMC battalions that fought at Iwo Jima in WWII. From the Brown County Press:

John Ditterline II, is the father of five, was married to his wife Edith for more than 55 years before her passing a few years ago, and he is an Iwo Jima survivor.

In 1943 a young 19 year-old Ditterline joined the United States Marine Corps and went through his basic training in San Diego. He went on to attend 'Cook's and Baker's School' to become a cook for his fellow marines.

"I always liked to cook and I think my job as a cook was very important," Mr. Ditterline said. "I took my job seriously and did it the best I could."

After Boot Camp and a few more months of training, Ditterline was sent to the island of Maui in Hawaii to prepare for action.Eventually he was sent to Saipan where his outfit, the 2nd Armored Amphibious Battalion, prepared for Iwo Jima.

"My battalion was ready to go," Ditterline said with a smile, "I carried a gun at all times, even though I was a cook, I was ready. I'm grateful I never had to shoot anyone, but I certainly saw enough dead men while I was there."

"It was my battalion that first hit Iwo Jima, but I didn't go in for a couple days later. I was there, near the bottom of the hill where that famous picture of the raising of the flag was taken. It was my responsibility to to see that everyone got fed."

Of the six men shown in the picture three were killed during the battle. The picture was later used to sculpt the USMC War Memorial located adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery.

"At the time the picture was taken, we had no idea it would become so famous," added Ditterline.

Eventually Ditterline was sent back to California where he was honorably discharged.

"I served two years, eight months, 17 days and I'm not sure how many minutes," Ditterline said. "I got out right before Christmas.

"I had a lot of experiences both good and bad during my time in the service."

John was a key member of his battalion at both Saipan and Iwo Jima. He is a fine man who exemplifies the Marine Corps and Christianity. I am privileged to call him mentor and friend. In fact, it has always been my hope to do some video interviews with John regarding his service and his amazing life as soldier, pastor, and educator. It is important we catalogue and record these stories like John's because they show us how great America and her people are, and it is especially important because:

"I'm a member of the Iwo Jima Survivors Organization and every year it organizes a gettogether to reminisce. But a couple weeks ago, I received a letter that this year would be the last year for the event. I guess there just aren't enough of us left."

Ditterline proudly wears a hat which reads, "Iwo Jima Survivor."

Ditterline said he didn't talk much about his time in the war for many years but now realizes that his memories are important to America's history.

Sgt. John Wesley Ditterline said he recently attended a couple Veterans Day celebrations in the county which he appreciated tremendously.

"I have to say," Ditterline said, "the Veteran's Day observance at the Hamersville Elementary and Middle School was one of the best I've ever been to.

"It was sponsored by the 7th graders, and I felt honored to be a part of it. They recognized the Veterans in attendance and called us all up on the stage where we were personally thanked and presented with a rose. It was a very special time for me, and I appreciate all their efforts."

Kudos to the folks at Hamersville. They deserve recognition they originally didn't get in the local papers. God bless John and all the other veterans of that Greatest Generation, as well as those of Korea, Vietnam, and the Middle East Wars. I am proud to know so many veterans and thank all of them for their service.

Ninth Circuit Ruling Outrages Veterans

The Ninth Circus Court of Appeals continues its history of outrages. This time, they have ticked off veterans with a ruling regarding a scumbag who lied about his service:

Elven J. Swisher wore a replica of a Purple Heart on the witness stand when he testified that the defendant had tried to hire him to kill three federal officials.

Asked about the medal, Mr. Swisher pulled a document from his pocket to show that he was entitled to it and many others for his service in combat in the Korean War.

Mr. Swisher said the defendant, David R. Hinkson, an armchair constitutionalist with eccentric views about the tax code, had asked him how many men he had killed. “Too many,” Mr. Swisher recalled saying.

All lies. Mr. Swisher had never seen combat, had killed no one and had served without distinction. The document was a forgery. Mr. Swisher has since been convicted of lying to federal officials, wearing fake medals and defrauding the Department of Veterans Affairs of benefits for combat injuries. But the jury knew none of this, and with Mr. Swisher’s testimony it convicted Mr. Hinkson of soliciting three murders. He was sentenced to 33 years for those crimes, along with 10 years for tax evasion, and he is serving his sentence in the maximum-security prison in Florence, Colo.

When Mr. Swisher’s lies came to light, Mr. Hinkson challenged his convictions for soliciting the murders. The jury had believed him guilty of more than loose talk, he said, only because Mr. Swisher had falsely presented himself as a battle-hardened killer.

But the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in San Francisco, ruled against him last year by a 7-to-4 vote.

Mr. Swisher’s lies, the majority said, were no big deal. There was no reason to think the jury would have come out differently had it known of “Swisher’s routine, rather than heroic, military history,” Judge Carlos T. Bea wrote.

Their contempt for veterans oozing from the opinion, the Ninth Circus has faced steep criticism from veterans:

William F. Mac Swain, the national president of the Korean War Veterans Association, told the appeals court in a brief filed after the decision that “its reasoning and language are a slap in the face to veterans and jurors alike.”

The majority opinion implied “that the average American no longer attaches any significance to a veteran’s wartime service,” Mr. Mac Swain continued.

In fact, he said, jurors are likely to believe those who have sacrificed to defend them and are likely to reject the testimony of those who have falsely claimed entitlement to honors for which others have bled and died.

That was not just speculation. One of the jurors at Mr. Hinkson’s trial, in Boise, Idaho, in 2005, later said he would have voted to acquit had he known the truth.

“I was surprised to hear that Mr. Swisher was allowed to tell such lies which created the misimpression that he would be a good ‘hit man’ candidate based on having been a decorated combat veteran,” the juror, Ben S. Casey, said in a sworn statement. “These lies discredit him as a witness and therefore discredit the rest of his testimony.”

Mr. Mac Swain’s brief was prepared by John W. Keker, a prominent San Francisco lawyer who earned a Purple Heart in Vietnam. In an interview, Mr. Keker said the majority’s “dismissive and even supercilious attitude” about military service “drove me out of my mind.”

“The idea that jurors wouldn’t be tremendously affected if they knew someone had lied about getting their war decorations was just astonishing,” Mr. Keker said.

This is another reason why the Luthor Proposal from Superman: The Movie makes more and more sense each and every day.

GUEST COLUMN: "A Tribute to Ohio’s Veterans" by State Rep. John Adams

As a veteran of the Navy SEALs, supporting the United States military and honoring our veterans is one of my priorities as a legislator. This week, all Ohioans will have the opportunity to pay special tribute to our men and women in uniform who have served in the U.S. military. Veterans Day falls on November 11th each year and is an opportunity to honor the nearly 915,000 veterans who currently live in Ohio.
Throughout the years, the American dream has been safeguarded by our military members who have served in all reaches of the globe, from Pacific jungles to the deserts of the Middle East. These brave individuals voluntarily put their lives on the line to protect their families and neighbors back home, and it is important to never take their sacrifices for granted.
Veterans Day was originally a celebration of the end of World War I, when an armistice between the Allies and Germany was declared on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. However, after World War II and the Korean War, the holiday was extended to honor all living American veterans who served in the military during war or peacetime.
This Veterans Day, the annual wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. Many people in our community will proudly fly their Stars and Stripes in front of their homes to signify the unwavering resilience of the American spirit, as well as the freedoms that so many service members have died protecting. Locally, Ohioans will celebrate with parades and festivities to pay homage to those within our community who have answered the call to duty.
On this day, everyone within our community—veterans, actives and civilians—will be united by patriotism and our American pride. We have so much to be thankful for, and this is just one opportunity to thank the selfless heroes who truly understand the price of freedom. In honor of the long traditions of this holiday and our great nation, I will continue to proudly support our veterans and all those who continue to serve today.

OH-08: VFW-PAC Endorses Boehner

VFW-PAC Endorses Boehner

GUEST COLUMN: "Governor’s Careless Leadership Hurts War Heroes" by St. Rep. John Adams

By State Rep. John Adams

Serving in the United States Armed Forces is one of the noblest sacrifices a person can make for our country, and those who have fought for our nation deserve our upmost respect and gratitude. When these individuals return from overseas, many face hurdles that will haunt them for the rest of their lives, including physical disabilities or emotional scars. As they attempt to assimilate back into everyday life, it is the duty of Ohio’s leaders to give them as many opportunities as possible to succeed.

However, on the 40th anniversary of D-Day, Governor Strickland allowed crucial funding for a veterans’ assistance program to slip through his fingers, despite months of warnings from the U.S. Department of Labor that these dollars were at risk of being cut. Due to this negligent oversight, the state lost nearly $530,000 in federal funding for the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program, which helps disabled veterans re-enter the workforce by pairing them with career counselors and offering job-placement services.

The loss of these Disabled Veterans Outreach Program funds is a blatant slap in the face to our vets and only occurred because the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services failed to meet federal requirements to hire and retain vocational counselors. For the chief executive of the State of Ohio to allow this sort of indifference to occur within one of his agencies is shocking. It’s clear that Strickland’s priorities not only fail to align with job creation and retention, but also do not include veterans’ services or protecting some of our most vulnerable Ohioans.

His incompetence will be devastating to nearly 1 million veterans who currently live in Ohio. Approximately 75,000 veterans utilize the program’s services each year, and more than half of these veterans were able to find employment as a result of the program. The Buckeye state has the sixth-largest veteran population in the entire nation, but the governor has carelessly neglected another opportunity to create jobs while at the same time putting our local veterans at risk.

As a Navy veteran, I am offended that Governor Strickland has shown a lack of commitment to our men and women in uniform. His ineptitude is typical of his administration, yet uncharacteristic of leaders who actually care for the citizens who elected them. I will continue to fight to protect those brave Ohioans who answered the call to duty and now need our care and assistance.

Darrell "Shifty" Powers

This is a touching note I received in my email this morning. I am not normally one for forwarding a would be chain mail, but it moved me deeply and I wanted to share it with everyone.

I did a little research and could not find the original source, nor did I find very much on the the details of this great man, but I admire him none-the-less.

- Tom S.

***************************

Shifty volunteered for the airborne in WWII and served with Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Infantry. If you've seen Band of Brothers on HBO or the History Channel, you know Shifty. His character appears in all 10 episodes, and Shifty himself is interviewed in several of them.

I met Shifty in the Philadelphia airport several years ago. I didn't know who he was at the time. I just saw an elderly gentleman having trouble reading his ticket. I offered to help, assured him that he was at the right gate, and noticed the "Screaming Eagle", the symbol of the 101st Airborne, on his hat.

Making conversation, I asked him if he'd been in the 101st Airborne or if his son was serving. He said quietly that he had been in the 101st. I thanked him for his service, then asked him when he served, and how many jumps he made.

Quietly and humbly, he said "Well, I guess I signed up in 1941 or so, and was in until sometime in 1945 . . . " at which point my heart skipped.

At that point, again, very humbly, he said "I made the 5 training jumps at Toccoa, and then jumped into Normandy . . . . do you know where Normandy is?" At this point my heart stopped.

I told him yes, I know exactly where Normandy was, and I know what D-Day was. At that point he said "I also made a second jump into Holland, into Arnhem." I was standing with a genuine war hero . . . . and then I realized that it was June, just after the anniversary of D-Day.

I asked Shifty if he was on his way back from France, and he said "Yes. And it's real sad because these days so few of the guys are left, and those that are, lots of them can't make the trip." My heart was in my throat and I didn't know what to say.

I helped Shifty get onto the plane and then realized he was back in Coach, while I was in First Class. I sent the flight attendant back to get him and said that I wanted to switch seats. When Shifty came forward, I got up out of the seat and told him I wanted him to have it, that I'd take his in coach.

He said "No, son, you enjoy that seat. Just knowing that there are still some who remember what we did and still care is enough to make an old man very happy." His eyes were filling up as he said it. And mine are brimming up now as I write this.

Shifty died on June 17 after fighting cancer.

There was no parade.

No big event in Staples Center.

No wall to wall back to back 24x7 news coverage., ala MJ


No weeping fans on television.

Let's give Shifty his own Memorial Service, online, in our own quiet way. Please share this message with everyone you know. Especially to veterans.

Rest in peace, Shifty.














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A Touching Soldier's Speech--Memorial Day

Memorial Day

Project Promise Update

Release:

PROVIDENCE, R.I. .- ProjectPromiseSoldier.com is in the final days of its first virtual fundraiser to help homeless and wounded veterans through the Soldiers' Angels/Valour IT project. The virtual fundraiser allows people to contribute with ease without needing to leave their home. "This fundraiser is more than just money; it is about thanking the men and women who serve every day to protect our freedoms." Christine Hunsinger, Project Manager for Project Promise Soldier.

Project Promise partnered with Rhode Island Company, Premier Legend, to design and produce Project Promise pins and medals to reward those who make donations. The design is based on a photo taken by AP photographer Laura Rauch.

"One of the inspirations behind forming Project Promise was how we fell in love with the stories told by different people about what soldiers, veterans and Veterans' Day meant to them and people's desire to say thank you to those who serve in our armed forces," Hunsinger said. "Whether it is the man who speaks with awe about his father's service in World War II, or people who talk about the pain they still feel about the treatment soldiers returning from Vietnam received, or the little girl who told us about how her mother took her and her siblings to the Veterans' Day parade every year to teach her the importance of saying thank you."

Project Promise

Release:

Project Promise will hold their first fundraising event, beginning November 7th and running through November 12th and you don't have to leave home to participate. The kick-off event will be a virtual gathering on the website projectpromisesoldier.com where visitors can read essays, watch videos and offer their own comments on what Veteran's Day means to them. The site is set up to take donations. Part of the proceeds will benefit Soldiers' Angels/Valour IT project, helps provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers recovering from hand wounds and challenges related to TBI, PTSD and other severe injuries.

"This Veteran's Day, every person can take the time to read what people across the country are doing to thank our soldiers and veterans and contribute to Project Promise. This is not just a cause people should pay attention to once a year; Project Promise directly helps the soldiers who earned our respect and gratitude. The money goes to our homeless veterans and our soldiers, who today, face new challenges unknown in previous generations." (Ret.) Colonel David Hunt, Bestselling Author of "On the Hunt" and Fox News Contributor.

"One of the inspirations behind forming Project Promise was how we fell in love with the stories told by different people about what soldiers, veterans and Veterans' Day meant to them and people's desire to say thank you to those who serve in our armed forces. Whether it was the man who speaks with awe about his father's service in World War II, or people who talked about the pain they still feel about the treatment soldiers returning from Vietnam received, or the little girl who told us about how her mother took her and her siblings to the Veterans' Day parade every year to teach her about the importance of saying thank you. The stories span generations and location and are unique in every way except one: they all speak of the need to say thank you and keep an unspoken promise to those that fight to protect us. That unspoken promise factored strongly into our mission," said Christine Hunsinger, project manager for Project Promise. "Everything we do, involves these stories."

Project Promise partnered with small business, Premier Legend, to design and produce Project Promise pins and medals to reward those who make donations. The design is based on a photo taken by AP photographer Laura Rauch. On March 21, 2003, the first day of the ground war in Iraq, India Co. launched an attack on a mechanized unit in Az Bayer, Iraq. During the battle, a fellow Marine gallantly carried a wounded soldier out of the line of fire. Laura was able to capture that moment on film in a brilliant piece of photography.

The tools used to make the pins were made by Shiban Anthony is a W.W.II veteran who completed 30 missions, bailed out MIA 7 times and holds the Distinguished Flying Cross and begins his story, "Here is a kid, not quite 18 years old, from 45 Atwells Ave in Providence, R.I., in the middle of the Pacific Theater flying in a B-29 on a mission to bomb Japan. My worldly background and experience was zero."

The pins are made by Joe Anthony, Shiban's son, a Vietnam Era veteran.

"It has always been a dream of mine to give something back to the military. Over the years, I've realized how important my military training was in helping me to become the person I am. Throughout my life, I have always been proudest of my military service," said Joe.

The Project Promise on-line event runs from November 7th through November 12th at projectpromisesoldier.com.

Project Promise is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to aiding soldiers and their families. Proceeds from the event will be benefit Project Promise and three other charity partners: The New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, The Rhode Island VA, and Soldiers' Angels/Valour IT project.

OH-15: Vets for Freedom Ad Supporting Stivers

VIDEO: Ad from Vets for Freedom

Boehner Delivers Remarks to American Legion

This just in...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today delivered remarks to the American Legion as part of their 48th National Washington Conference. The speech focused on the Global War on Terror as well as important issues facing America ’s troops, veterans and their families. Following are Boehner’s remarks as prepared:

“I’m privileged to have the chance to speak to you today. On behalf of all the members of the House Republican Conference, welcome to Our Nation’s Capitol. There are many ways for Americans to serve their country, but there’s no form of public service more noble than service in the United States armed forces. Thank you for the service you’ve given, and continue to give, to our country.

“Elected officials in the United States have many responsibilities. But they have no responsibility more important than honoring and protecting the men and women who wear the uniform of our military. Our nation is founded on freedom. If we fail to honor those who defend and sacrifice for our freedom, our freedom will not endure. And our nation will not survive.

“There is a Latin phrase I’m fond of: ‘Facta, Non Verba.’ In English, it means ‘Deeds, Not Words.’ Members of Congress would do well to remember this phrase in the weeks ahead as we begin policy debates that affect our troops and veterans. It isn’t enough to simply say we support our troops and veterans. What matters is that we prove it through our actions.

“How do we prove it? There are many ways we can prove it. Let me submit a few for your consideration. We honor our troops by honoring what they fight for and giving them the every tool they need to succeed in their mission. We honor our troops and veterans by ensuring their sacrifices are made for a victorious cause. We honor our troops by ensuring they’re greeted with open arms and the enduring gratitude of a nation when they come home and return to civilian life. These are the things I’m going to touch on today.”

HONORING WHAT THEY FIGHT FOR

“Our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are fighting to make every American safe. They are fighting a vicious, bloodthirsty enemy. Some in Washington spread the myth that al-Qaeda in Iraq is not the same terrorist organization that attacked the U.S. on 9/11. This is false – and perpetuating this myth diminishes the cause for which our troops are fighting and giving their lives.

“Al-Qaeda in Iraq is an organization of terrorists – led by international terrorists from outside of Iraq – who have pledged their allegiance to Osama bin Laden and vowed to ‘follow his orders in jihad.’ Al-Qaeda in Iraq is not a homegrown organization of Iraqi Sunnis. It was founded, and IS led by, international terrorists from places such as Jordan , Syria , and Egypt who report directly to bin Laden. According to U.S. Major General Kevin Bergner, ‘there is clear connection between al Qaeda in Iraq and al Qaeda senior leadership outside Iraq .’ The leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq have gone to great lengths to pretend they’re homegrown, even creating a fictitious character to pose as their leader and hiring an actor to portray him in audio recordings.

“Our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are driven by exactly the same thing that drove American soldiers in the Revolutionary War more than 230 years ago: a love of freedom, and a desire to protect their families and neighbors and the country they love. They volunteered to serve. They believe in their cause. They’re heroes. They’re doing an outstanding job. Our nation owes them its unequivocal, unflinching, unapologetic support – and it shouldn’t be shaped by election-year politics.”

THE CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE

“This is an election year, and that means promises are being made to win votes. Case in point: some of the presidential candidates are promising immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces in January 2009. Surrender is not an option – and even the presidential candidates talking about it know it. The war is winnable. The success of the surge – which Sen. McCain supported all along – proves it. And the consequences of failure would be devastating.

“Some of my colleagues have stopped talking about the surge, and starting talking instead about the ‘economic cost’ of the war against al-Qaeda in Iraq . This is the new rationale for retreat: we should surrender to al-Qaeda in Iraq , because it would be good for our economy.

“There certainly HAS been a cost to this war, and it is a human cost that dwarfs any economic cost. The life of every American soldier is a precious, precious gift – and we have paid that cost dearly, in the form of 4,000 brave American lives. These Americans did NOT die in vain. They died for freedom. They died to liberate an oppressed people. They died to protect the people of the United States of America against an enemy whose ultimate goal is the destruction of innocent American lives. To suggest America should now abandon the cause for which these 4,000 Americans fought and died – instead of finishing the job and ensuring our troops return on success – shows disrespect for the sacrifices our troops and their families have made for five long years.

“The notion that surrender in Iraq would be good for our economy is also debunked by history. Does everyone remember the economic boom we experienced in the 1970s when politicians overruled our military commanders, and withdrew American forces from Vietnam ? Of course not, because there was no boom. If anything, most Americans remember the post-Vietnam years as a time of economic turmoil – rising prices, declining job growth, and a general feeling of ‘malaise.’ Success in Iraq is our only viable option.”

GIVING OUR TROOPS THE RESOURCES TO SUCCEED

“Next week, General David Petraeus will return to Capitol Hill to report to Congress on the progress and way ahead in Iraq . Some of my colleagues have pointed to a ‘recent uptick in violence’ in Iraq . Didn’t the same thing happen right before General Petraeus’ last trip to Capitol Hill?

“The surge has been a clear success. But as Gen. Petraeus recently said, al-Qaeda remains a dangerous enemy in Iraq . We have to continue to pursue the terrorists until they’re permanently defeated. The General says we have to continue to build on what’s been accomplished, so the Iraqis can make political reconciliations and provide basic services to their citizens. He’s asked Congress to send him the resources needed to finish the job.

“I expect President Bush will endorse the General’s request. And the Congress needs to act on it without delay. Our troops need these resources to succeed in their mission and return on success.

“There will be politicians who view the troop funding bill as an opportunity for pork-barrel spending. Remember last year, when some in Congress tried to load the troop funding bill with money for spinach, peanut farmers, and tropical fish? They’ll be back. This bill is for the troops. It’s about keeping our troops and our nation safe. We shouldn’t pork it up.”

ENDURING GRATITUDE FOR OUR TROOPS & VETERANS

“The success of the Petraeus strategy has allowed us to begin bringing some troops home. More than 20,000 of our troops are already coming home. One Army brigade combat team and a Marine Expeditionary Unit have already redeployed, and will not be replaced. Another Army brigade is redeploying now, and will not be replaced. And in the coming months, three additional brigades and two Marine battalions will be redeployed.

“Instead of talking about retreat, we should be putting our energy into making sure these men and women return home to the loving arms of the nation they left – and making certain ALL our veterans feel the enduring gratitude of those they fought to protect. This is why the Republican budget for the coming fiscal year provided $49.2 billion for veterans’ health care in fiscal year 2009 – $1 billion more than the Democratic budget. Unfortunately, the Republican budget was defeated.

“My hope is this doesn’t signal a return to the record we saw under the last Democratic majority in Congress. From 1965 to 1995, total annual veterans’ spending in constant dollars only grew an average of under 2 percent. By contrast, the veterans’ budget has increased 94% since 1995, the year Republicans became the majority. The veterans medical care budget also increased nearly 90% in the same period.

“We also need to strengthen and modernize the GI Bill. I’m hopeful both sides of the aisle can work together to craft a new GI Bill that reflects the changed world we live in. The American Legion was the driving force behind the original GI Bill during World War II, and I know we can count on the Legion to advocate today for a program that meets today’s needs.

“Thank you for the privilege of addressing you today. And again, on behalf of House Republicans and the millions of Americans we serve, thank you for what you’ve done for our country.”

“Operation Turncoat”

American Legion:

Washington, DC (July 12, 2007) - “Operation Turncoat” is how the leader of The American Legion described the rhetoric coming from some of the nation’s leading lawmakers concerning the troop surge and question of withdrawal from Iraq.

“Violence is down in two key areas where the ‘surge’ is focused - Baghdad and Anbar,” National Commander Paul A. Morin said. “Also, the Iraqis have provided three trained brigades of their own as promised. Eight of the 18 benchmarks are showing progress. It’s too early to measure the other benchmarks before September.

“All this talk on Capitol Hill about ‘responsible redeployment’ is nothing more than irresponsible political rhetoric,” Morin said. “Congress should be more concerned with victory in Iraq than defeat in their home states and districts next year. They were elected to make tough decisions to protect America , not their political careers.

“This movement to withdraw our troops, before they’ve had the chance to finish the mission they are well capable of finishing, amounts to an impatient political media stunt I’d call “Operation Turncoat,” he said. “Some benchmarks have been met and some aspects of the ‘surge’ are working but have been little reported by the media.”

The American Legion believes that Congress is ill suited to micromanage the war, and it should leave battlefield and strategy decisions to the Commander in Chief and his field commanders. “Give the troop surge a chance to succeed,” said Morin. “They just got there last month. Congress must allow the troops a chance to stabilize an unstable region, especially after having just voted two months ago to continue the war. Personally, I think our troops will get the job done if we will just let them do it.”

Congress passed a 2007 war-spending bill in May that identified 18 benchmarks for security, economic and political reforms in Iraq . These benchmarks are to be measured in September when Gen. David Petraeus gives his progress report to Congress as agreed upon.

“There is no more important issue right now than sustaining a strong national defense,” Morin said. “Premature withdrawal and timelines severely jeopardize our national security. This is not a war without end. Our men and women can be victorious. And there is no greater way to honor our fighting men and women in uniform than by ensuring they have the resources, time, patience and support of the American people as they can complete this mission.”

Boehner Warns of Scam Targeting Military Families

Via email:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman John Boehner (R—West Chester) today warned of a scam targeting military spouses, preying on the fear that their husband or wife has been grievously injured in Iraq .

According to a report, a person with an American accent calls a military spouse identifying herself as a representative of the Red Cross. The spouse is told that her husband or his wife has been injured in Iraq and evacuated to Germany . The caller states that doctors cannot start treatment until the patient’s Social Security number and date of birth are verified.

“It is unconscionable that someone could be so degraded as to prey on the worst fears of a military spouse,” Boehner said. “Identity-theft scams, whether they are targeting military families or senior citizens, are a danger to us all. We must be alert to phone calls, e-mails and letters from strangers seeking personal and financial information. These scams should be reported immediately to the proper authorities.”

Representatives of the Red Cross contact military members or their families directly only in response to an emergency message initiated by a family member, according to a Red Cross release. Families of injured troops are contacted by the Department of Defense regarding the service member’s condition.

It is a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison for an individual to falsely pose as an agent of the Red Cross to solicit, collect, or receive money or material.

Military spouses who receive a phone call reportedly from the Red Cross asking for personal and/or financial information should not reveal this information. The call should be immediately reported to the local family readiness group or military support organization.

Veterans to Congress: Secure Our Borders Now!

INDIANAPOLIS, May 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The nation's largest veterans organization is calling on Congress to reject proposed legislation that would grant "fast track" citizenship or amnesty to the 12-20 million individuals who are in this country illegally. Instead, The American Legion advocates aggressive enforcement of immigration laws and stronger border security as a means to reduce the illegal population in the United States.

The American Legion's National Executive Committee, meeting in Indianapolis, Ind. on May 9-10, outlined a five-point strategy to address illegal immigration. It includes:

-- Securing the borders and coastline points of entry

-- Removing the jobs magnet by imposing and enforcing employer sanctions

-- Eliminating most social services benefits for illegal immigrants

-- Promoting a strategy of attrition through enforcement

-- Effectively screening and tracking foreign visitors in the U.S.

"We are not against legal immigration and never have been," said National Commander Paul A. Morin. "It is what made this country what it is today, and no one can dispute that. But the system is broken and it needs fixing, and the solutions being tossed around by some members of Congress are not in the best interest of this country."

The failure of the federal authorities to enforce our immigration laws has invited the criminal element to our society. Alien gangs operate in most, if not all, major U.S. cities. Human and drug smuggling operations are prevalent along our southern border. Document fraud and identity theft are rampant among the illegal population. And throughout the country, prisons are overcrowded or full, with about 30 percent of those incarcerated being illegal immigrants.

The American Legion does not believe the answer to solving the illegal immigration problem is to make illegal aliens legal. "Rewarding illegal behavior sets a dangerous precedent and only encourages more to ignore our country's laws. It swells our population, puts an undue burden on American taxpayers and presents a significant national security risk," Morin said.

The American Legion is a veterans organization of 2.7 million wartime members, many of whom have served overseas, many in Third World countries. They have seen poverty, political instability, disease and war. The sacrifices they have made give them a perspective on national security issues that many Americans do not have. And today, they see and understand the threat that open borders present to their homeland.

A comprehensive white paper of the organization's strategy is being made available to Legionnaires around the nation so they can activate their communities to demand that Congress act responsibly to effectively to protect America's borders.

Get Serious - Piecemeal Approach to Fund War Wrong, Says American Legion

WASHINGTON, May 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The leader of the nation's largest veterans organization today voiced his organization's strong opposition to Congress' piecemeal funding approach to the war in Iraq.

"Don't nickel and dime the men and women you placed in harm's way," said Paul A. Morin, national commander of The American Legion, to those Members of Congress responsible for funding the Global War on Terror.

Earlier this year, Cmdr. Morin wrote to the congressional leadership asking for timely passage of the President's Emergency Defense Supplemental Appropriations to fully fund the on-going cost to fight the Global War on Terror.

"Wake up!" warned Morin. "Our troops have their hands full fighting for their lives and don't have time for the kind of 'political gamesmanship' that the Commander in Chief and the military leadership are having to endure."

Turning to the spoiled terrorist plot to attack Ft. Dix, NJ, Cmdr. Morin said, "Is there any doubt in anyone's mind that the threat is real? Will blood shed on American soil be the only proof that terrorism is real?"

The American Legion adopted Resolution 169 mandating full support for the Commander in Chief, the Congress, the military leadership, and, most importantly, the service members. "The Global War on Terror is not about partisan politics, it is about the survival of freedom," Morin explained.

"By turning away from real threats to democracy anywhere in the world there is a direct threat to freedom everywhere."

"To the leadership of Congress, my message is very simple: pass the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to fund the war through the end of the fiscal year," he said. "Take it to the floor of Congress for a public debate, then vote on America's role in the Global War on Terror."

"Those ready to surrender should speak up, vote and stand by their decision," Morin added. "Those who are willing to win this conflict can do the same so that 'We the people' can have the final say."

Founded in 1919, the 2.7 million-member American Legion is the nation's preeminent service organization for veterans of the U.S. armed forces, including active duty, National Guard and Reserves, and their families.