You are not forgotten.

Though it was a nearly steady rain, about 8 members of Veteran's Combat Assoc and some Shamrock MC rode their motorcycles from as far away as Swanton and Derby to be present at the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam Memorial. One die-hard from the Vietnam Veterans NE MC rode in from Maine!





Gov. Jim Douglas made a very nice (non-political) speach:


Thanks to Bill Wolf and his color guard that came from NY. This was a nice touch:


Reading of the 113 names of Vermonters that died in Vietnam:




It was a very nice service. This lady laid the wreath during the ceremony.




Despite the rain, it was a good turnout. My guess would be about 100 showed up and stood in the rain and chilly fall weather to remember all those who gave so much and all those who have yet to come home. A special thanks goes out to Marion Gray and the Vt Fallen Families and to Charlie for helping spread the word about this little known event.

If this doesn't upset you....it's probably time to check your meds.

http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_flag25.3ee2dc9.html

Now I'm a practicing Pagan. While my definition of "God" may differ from other religions, I do not feel threatened when someone mentions "God" in my presence. I do not feel I am being slighted when I recite the Pledge of Allegence, "One nation, under God", nor do I reword it to include "Goddess". When did American's get such thin skinned that we can't even translate in our minds the word "God" to mean whatever it means to us?

I'm just saying..........

After complaint in Riverside, flag-folding recitation banned at veterans cemeteries nationwide


Download story podcast

08:12 AM PDT on Thursday, October 25, 2007

By JOE VARGO
The Press-Enterprise

Through thousands of military burials, Memorial Honor Detail volunteers at Riverside National Cemetery have folded the American flag 13 times and recited the significance of every fold to survivors of those being laid to rest.

The first fold, a narrator tells relatives, represents life, the second a belief in eternal life.

The 11th fold celebrates Jewish war veterans and "glorifies the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob."

A single complaint lodged against the words for the 11th fold recently prompted the National Cemetery Administration to ban the entire recital at all 125 national cemeteries.

A spokesman in Washington said the complaint originated from someone who witnessed the ceremony at Riverside National but would provide no other details and declined to release the directive banning the flag-folding recital, saying it was "an internal working document not meant for public distribution."

Veterans are furious.

The recitation of the 13 folds of the U.S. flag can no longer be made at national cemeteries. Veterans and honor detail volunteers, such as Bobby Castillo, 85, left, and Rees Lloyd, 59, are furious.

"That the actions of one disgruntled, whining, narcissistic and intolerant individual is preventing veterans from getting the honors they deserve is truly an outrage," said Rees Lloyd, 59, a Vietnam-era veteran and Memorial Honor Detail volunteer. "This is another attempt by secularist fanatics to cleanse any reference to God."

World War II Navy sailor Bobby Castillo, 85, another member of Memorial Honor Detail 12, called the federal decision "a slap in the face to every veteran."

"When we got back from the war, we didn't ask for a whole lot," said Castillo, who was wounded in 1944 as he supported the Allied landings in France. "We just want to give our veterans the respect they deserve. No one has ever complained to us about it. I just don't understand."

The pair, part of a team that has performed military honors at more than 1,400 services, said they were preparing to read the flag-folding remarks when workers in a staff car came up to them and stopped them.

Charlie Waters, parliamentarian for the American Legion of California, said he's advising memorial honor details to ignore the edict, even if it means being kicked out of cemeteries.

"This is nuts," Waters, a Korean War veteran, said in a telephone interview from Fresno. "There are 26 million veterans in this country and they're not going to take us all to prison."

Washington's Explanation

Mike Nacincik, the spokesman for the National Cemetery Administration, said the new policy, which was outlined in a Sept. 27 memo, is aimed at creating uniform services throughout the military graveyard system.

He said the 13-fold recital is not part of the U.S. Flag Code and is not government approved. After the complaint made its way through government channels, Steve Muro, director of field operations, wrote the new policy.

Nacincik said that while the flag-folding narrative includes references to God that the government does not endorse, the main reason for the new rules is uniformity.

"We are looking at consistency," Nacincik said. "We think that's important."

As for comments that the edict is an attack on religious beliefs, Nacincik said, "People are going to have their own views on that."

He said the flag-folding narrative can be read but only if families make arrangements on their own and do not use cemetery workers, which include volunteers. The U.S. government owns Riverside National, the most active national cemetery in the country with more than 8,000 burials of veterans and immediate family members each year.

A Jewish Perspective

Rabbi Yitzhak Miller, of Riverside's Temple Beth El, said he understands the government's decision to ban the recitation but believes it is a quick solution to a complex issue.

"It is a perfect example of government choosing to ignore religion in order to avoid offending some religions," Miller said. "To me, ignoring religion in general is just as problematic as endorsing any one religion."

Miller said the 11th fold, and the 12th fold, which refers to the Christian Trinity -- "God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost -- amounts to an endorsement of Judaism and Christianity. He said he would like to see a reference to "God as we understand God" mentioned in the ritual but without endorsing any specific tradition.

"To acknowledge those two without acknowledging others denigrates the patriotic men and women of other faiths who serve our country," he said.

Family Wishes

Lloyd and Castillo said they always speak to families before providing military honors to their loved ones. Honors include a rifle salute, the playing of taps and the folding of the flag. Some families don't want any honors; others decline specific parts of the ceremony. Those wishes are paramount and are always respected.

Lloyd said the 16 members of the Memorial Honor Detail he serves on have distributed hundreds of copies of the script they recite while folding the flag. They've received dozens of letters thanking them, and several mention in particular the flag-folding recitation. But now presenting families that memento isn't allowed under the directive.

Lloyd, a member of the state American Legion, said he knows Riverside National Cemetery workers are just obeying orders. The real battle is with Washington.

"We're going to fight this tooth and nail, hammer and boot," he said.

Flag folds

These meanings, not part of the U.S. Flag Code, have been ascribed to the 13 folds of American flags at veterans burial services:

1. Symbol of life.

2. Symbol of our belief in the eternal life.

3. In honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.

4. Represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.

5. A tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."

6. Represents where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

7. A tribute to our armed forces.

8. A tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.

9. A tribute to womanhood.

10. A tribute to father.

11. In the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

12. In the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.

13. When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God We Trust."

Sources: USHistory.com, other Web site

October 27, 2007

On Oct 27th, there will be a service at the Vietnam Memorial in Vermont to commemorate the 25th anniversary. I've attached a tenative schedule. For those coming from the south, take 91 North to 89. Once on 89 go past the Sharon exit and the memorial is at the next rest area. For those coming from NH...take 93 to Concord, then 89 across.
I hope to see alot of you there!

Tentative program
1:00 PM Posting of Color Guard VT - National Guard
1:05 PM Opening Prayer - Ed Jones
1:10 PM Singing of our National Anthem - Maiden VT
1:15 PM John Miner introduce our Master of Ceremony-
Rick Weidman
1:25 PM Guest Speaker - Gov. Jim Douglas
1:35 PM Guest Speaker - Gen. Richard Cody - Tentative
1:45 PM Guest Speaker - Senator Bernie Sanders
1:55 PM Guest Speaker - Congressmen Peter Welch
2:05 PM Recognizing other notables in the group
2:15 PM Reading of Names on Memorial
2:30 PM Laying of Wreath
2: 35 PM Rifle Salute
2:40 PM Taps

More Lies from Kokesh

Ok, I'm not even going to bother with repuditing the lies in this peice from Kokesh. But I want to make sure they are recorded. I didn't transfer the pics. Adam's BS is in bold

Last phrase in Kokesh's post: "Fortunately, an effort is under way to track down and hold these men accountable. Pray to whatever you believe in that they are brought to justice. And I don't just mean by a judge . . ."

Two More Members of the Gathering of Pigeons On My Shitlist

Meet Fred Peterson:
Apparently, he scuffed his elbow while beating up on Carlos Arredondo.

I'm not even going to comment on this, but please note the use of the word "liberated."
From an anonymous poster at After Downing Street:
Cut and paste from the GOE forums.
From the pen of Fred Peterson:
I was leaving Capitol Grounds. The activity there had just about ended with the arrest of over 600 provocateurs and agents 'anti-war' of violence. There, we Eagles had organized teams of six men - mostly veterans- to protect the safety of Gold Star Moms (and Dads) from the physical threats and insults of hard-edge left socialists, Seattle anarchists, random lefty Raggamuffins and reflexive anti-Americans who made up the ANSWER Coalition …
My teams broke up at the Capitol, mission accomplished, and I was walking alone back to the Mall when I saw the photo-image of a proud young Marine in dress blues being held hostage in company not of his own choosing and affixed to a coffin not his own.
The insult to his honor and disrespect to his Corps and cause by his captors was immediately obvious and intended. These same peddlers of provocation are paid to push their coffin-prop all over the country they revile. They subvert a common will and undermine the cause and country for which this hostage-Marine had sacrificed his very life.
The captive Marine was not among his own. He was surrounded and outnumbered by those who shamelessly exploit his image and memory, disgrace his uniform, his brothers in arms, and his willing sacrifice. He would never choose such company. He needed a rescue…
I liberated his image from the midst of the hostile crowd, intending to replace it in a position of honor Arlington, where he would rest with heroes and among his own …I respectfully carried the image of the fallen Marine and was not opposed nor confronted in any way until I has walked perhaps 25 yards down the sidewalk. There, I was attacked without warning and tackled from behind by a demonstrator who crashed into my back at a full run. I went down forward, tearing pants knees and shirt sleeve and five separate wounds requiring hospital attention. The Marine's image, along with camera and sunglasses were smashed into the pavement. Before I could respond, six or so Eagles-vets were immediately pulling me away from the anti-war attacker.
Police Interviews were conducted and Eagles were asked if they wanted to prefer charges…No charges were filed by Eagles, who are unaccustomed to whining about minor injuries when they stand in defense of larger principles unappreciated - uncomprehended - by their attackers.
Two Gold Star Mothers who witnessed the entire episode and gave police statements said, "I am so proud of what you did! I wanted to do it myself …That coffin is such a disgrace to my son and all the others who have died to help others be free. Thank you so much! It made my day."
Well, actually, - those few precious words, from one who has given the full measure of issue from her own body to the defense ofour country, 'made my day' also …

Let me get this straight. By wingnut logic, this guy didn't deserve to have a picture of his own son. So this thug, Peterson, decides to steal the picture, with about five other goons as backup?
Then he plays the martyr angle, when he gets tackled trying to make his getaway. And he claims to be noble for not going to court.
Am I reading this right?

Meet Asshole Number Two:
DC BrownShirt #2: ASSholes' BLOG MODERATOR "RORY"
Submitted by Matty on Wed, 2007-09-19 17:40.
Yes, I did take a look at that "must-read" thread - where I ALSO happened to notice the following "avatar" - the little, signature picture - for the following blogger who is their forum moderator:
LogOn: "SpockWasRight"
Does that pus look familiar; from the above pics of the assault on Arredondo? You be the judge:Here it is (left); scaled to more or less the same height as a headshot cropped from one of the above, Arredondo assault pics. Same nose, same style sunglasses, same (potato-) shaped head.
Who is this prick? Well, on his personal profile page he self-identifies as "RORY" FROM CONNECTICUT.
So this guy who assaulted Arredondo is obviously from within the inner circle of the Gathering of ASSholes; he is not just some random, pissed-off neighbor. And his (first) post above smacks of pure CIA-type psy-op - just exactly the kind of professional shit-stirring you'd expect from a spook with "extensive post military travel to and residence in some 23 different countries", as claimed in his profile.
This guy - and clearly, the leadership of the Gathering of DipShits - are TRUE, PAID PROVOCATEURS - precisely that which they accuse the protesters of being - except these people truly are from a government conspiracy - probably straight from the CIA itself.
"Rory"'s profile names his "Industry" as "Communications or Media". No fucking doubt! Why, here he is "communicating" in his preferred "medium" - attempted intimidation - in DC last Saturday:It's hard to know just exactly what he was screaming, but I daresay it couldn't have been much other than: "SOMEBODY PLEASE LOCK ME THE FUCK UP AS I AM A LUNATIC GOON, WORKING FOR A FUCKING LUNATIC GOVERNMENT!"
I take one look at this asshole and I say only this:

Fortunately, an effort is under way to track down and hold these men accountable. Pray to whatever you believe in that they are brought to justice. And I don't just mean by a judge . . .

RETALIATE

This is a repost from the Gathering of Eagles website. It is currently down due to some attacks from ??? Gee I wonder who. Please DO NOT go to the IVAW website, we don't want them to get the hits. (pictures didn't come thru, but I will post them this evening.)

Thursday, October 4, 2007
Heaven Help This Guy If I Run Into Him On The Street
Courtesy of David Rubinson

The Bastard Who Jumped Carlos








Here is the bastard from Gathering of Eagles who jumped Carlos on Sept 15, seen here with his biggest supporter and good friend and pal GWB, at a White House breakfast hosting The G.O.E. and Chris Hill three days AFTER they attacked Carlos, in full knowledge and clear support for what had been perpetrated.
We can have no illusions about what we are fighting -
These are the hired Brown Shirts, organized and financed by we all know Who.
This is all part of The Plan, part of business as usual.
It's time for business as usual to be stopped.
As Cindy just wrote: Imagine.......
Chris Hill ('National Director of Ops' for the Gathering of Eagles, a pro-war advocacy group) and other members of his group verbally and physically attacked a Gold Star father of a fallen soldier who was participating in a anti-war march on 9/15. The Gold Star father, Carlos Arredondo, was marching with a picture of his fallen son when Hill and members of the pro-war group began verbally harassing him and then physically confronted him to take away the photo of his son. In the process Mr. Arredondo was knocked to the ground and kicked. Hill wrestled the photo of Mr. Arredondo's son, Alex, away from Gold Star father, claiming to have liberated it. The Gathering of Eagles Group had attended the anti-war march for the purpose of harassing and intimidating the protesters.
Three days later, the President, his wife Laura, Condi Rice, Karen Hughes, and, of course, fellow chicken-hawk Dick Cheney hosted a breakfast on the south lawn of the White House to honor pro-war groups, including the Gathering of Eagles, who they consider to be properly "supporting the troops." Although the attack on the Gold Star father was well known at the time, the President proudly takes a photo with Chris Hill to show that this is his kind of guy.
The attached photos are of Chris Hill posing with Bush on the WH lawn, and Chris Hill and fellow G.O.E. at the anti-war march.


CHRIS HILL'S RESPONSE:

Well, as you can see from the post, outright lies have not been enough for the anti-American forces. They have now resorted to a threat of physical violence against me in a public forum. Other threats have been made before this, both against me and others, but always via email, or in forums. This changes things. I assure I am taking it seriously, but not overly. Anyone who would make such a public proclamation is obviously engaging in the vilest demagoguery. I am only posting it here to prevent all of you from going to his site. That will only assure that it stays up longer. I am fervently asking that no one take any action to rebut this, in any way, shape, form or fashion. Do not post responses here or elsewhere regarding it. Do not respond to any bait regarding it. Remember the mission is what is important. We cannot jeopardize the cause. Our men and women in uniform need champions. If just one person responds inappropriately, it will be spun as if it was a coordinated, endorsed attack by our organization and all we have work so tirelessly for will be lost. Do not worry about me either. I have taken certain legal precautions and I am, now and forever, an infantryman. I will watch my six. Thank you for the support. Manchu.
--
Chris Hill
Gathering of Eagles
National Director for Operations
http://www.gatheringofeagles.org/