Americans: Fly your flag

Regret not being able to put a flag on my late Father-in-law’s grave this year. 500 mi
away. Patton’s 3rd, Normandy, The Bulge, Remagen, Berlin. All from one of five Shermans….
The Greatest Generation is slowly fading away…
REPLY: We thank him and honor his memory – Anthony

As a Canadian, I fly the Maple Leaf in front of my house 24/7/365. 🙂 I hope all that flapping doesn’t cause global warming.

Daily lurker of the site, but infrequent poster. Enjoy my visits here very much.
Sorry to hear you are under the weather, Mr. Watts. I wish you a speedy recovery.
I fly the Canadian Red Ensign outside my home, but appreciate your gentle reminder this morning. I have replaced her with the Stars and Stripes today, in honour of your Memorial Day.
God Bless America.
REPLY: Thank you Colin, most sincerely. America thanks you too. – Anthony

You’re lucky to be able to fly your flag. In the UK we need planning permission from the local council to fly our national flag and it is routinely refused because of the offence it might give to foreigners or immigrants.
REPLY: I’d fly it anyway to spite the blighters. – A

My flag went up at 12 noon as I am unable to fly it at half mast until noon as prescribed by custom. I am fortunate thought that my father is still with us at age 92.
Dad was a merchant marine during the war and served during the entire war in the Pacific. He has some very good memories and I wish I had a better way to record them.
I thank God for men and women that are willing to sign that blank check to our nation payable to include life for the sake of our country. Pray for our men and women in service and their families now.
Bill Derryberry

Ha ha! Bloggers critical of you must hate America!
REPLY: Not neccessarily, but the way those two guys (Tamino and Rabbet) act sometimes, it does make one wonder. It would be refreshing to see them display some patriotism once in awhile, instead of a constant stream of invective and snark. For example, a fellow who is regularly critical of me, Ed Darrell, posted something similar on his blog at Millard Fillmore’s Bathtub. I left a comment that I agree with him.
http://timpanogos.wordpress.com/2010/05/31/this-is-memorial-day-please-fly-your-flag/
So no, your theory is disproven. People who are critical of me don’t automatically hate America. They still have the opportunity to illustrate their patriotism and gratitude for the men and women who gave their lives for the greater good , and I hope they will. – Anthony

Douglas DC
May 31, 2010 at 9:57 am
I took my three sons to Omaha Beach when they were teenagers to show them what Americans did for us. Hopefully there is part another generation of British citizens who acknowledge the sacrifices made by American families helping us to defend our freedom.
We thank them and honor their memory.

“…disheveled man with messed up hair and a three day beard…”
That’s me!
I’m flying my stars and stripes here in Germany, as every such US holiday. Never got any complaints about it.

Tamino is busy writing facts lists

So Memorial Day is the day that Americans take cheap shots against the patriotism of those that they disagree with?
I did not know that.
REPLY: No, just to remind them to give them the opportunity to honor America and it’s veterans. I’m hopeful that we can all at least agree on that. Like with Ed Darrell, above – Anthony

“He lies better than Tiger Woods, and that’s saying something.”
I disagree because IMHO a good lie has to have some plausibility and be able to fool most people. Kim can’t kid most of the N. Koreans about his golfing prowess; they’re just to frightened to laugh hysterically! AGW used to be a good lie!

Tim Lambert says:
May 31, 2010 at 11:30 am
“So Memorial Day is the day that Americans take cheap shots against the patriotism of those that they disagree with?
I did not know that.”

———-
So what about the other countries that have memorial days?

Just wanted to pay my respects to the thousands of brave American soldiers who gave their lives to defend freedom. Here in the UK we don’t forget what that meant for so many of them.
God bless.

Kim’s golf score? Oh, you bet that’s accurate. Just ask his impartial, foreign scorekeepers – Phil Jones and Mike Mann. . .oh, wait, the scorecard has gone missing.
Happy Memorial Day Anthony!

As a Canadian, I just want to say how much I admire and respect my American neighbours.
Keep doing what you do best and keep us all free.
God bless all americans today.

Some of us here in the UK also remember Korea.
We give a heartfelt thank you to al those who lost their lives fighting for freedom, whether they were US, UK, French or indigenous Korean – and who ever else may have been there who I missed.
Rest in peace.

There remain only approx. 10 years to continue to thank those who fought for our freedom in the 1939-45 war. Hang out that flag whenever you can.
this last week, the UK honored those who took part in the Dunkirk rescue. most of the folks present at the commemoration were 90+ years old.
I urge you, British, American & other allied nationalities – to think about what you can do in the short time that remains, to show some gratitude for the sacrifices made, that have given us the prosperity and immunity from military conscription that has prevailed since 1945 (at least so in the UK).
Thank ’em all some way, somehow – and continue to voice your views on those principles of democracy that were fought for all those years ago – by continuing to oppose those liberty-raping policies that result from the most outrageously flawed buggeration of science/ taxation scam that the democratic world has ever experienced.
we just had an election in the UK and lo-and-behold, the ONLY party that rejects AGW is the British National Party – a fascist right wing, Hitler-like entity that our grandfathers would have repulsed. God help democracy.
Long live the right to free speech & debate on those things that really matter. Amen.

From north of the border, I’d like to wish you and yours a happy and safe Memorial Day 🙂

what the heck do those brave WW2 military folk think of the rape on democracy that the pro-AGW camp is making. Those chaps fought for our freedom!

Harry Lu says:
May 31, 2010 at 11:28 am
Wiki:
Flying the flag
The Union Flag can be flown by any individual or organisation in England, Scotland or Wales on any day of their choice. Legal regulations restrict the use of the Union Flag on Government buildings in Northern Ireland. Long-standing restrictions on Government use of the flag elsewhere were abolished in July 2007.
That’s the theory – however the red, white and blue have been deemed to be offensive by the boys in blue (which presumably has been deemed non-offensive)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1270230/Pensioners-red-white-blue-election-protest-poster-branded-racist-police.html

My great uncle on my father’s side was an aerial photographer in the Pacific theater in WWII. His plane was shot down over Burma, and he spent the rest of the war in a Japanese POW camp. He never talked about it. While he didn’t die physically for his country, he certainly was a casualty of war.

Thanks for a beautiful post and comments. My father was a bombardier in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He has been gone four years now. My family honors his memory and all those who have given so much for this country’s and the world’s freedoms. Best wishes for a speedy recovery

News just in. Israeli soldiers attack “peaceful” polar bears protesting against global warming. World leaders condemn Zionist plot to warm planet.
I could be joking but that’s really how bad journalism is these days. The Left need a victim all the time to further their agendas and if the victim can’t be found then it will be created.
Happy Memorial Day!

You are being decieved.

Anthony, here in Australia it is unfortunately becoming cool to be anti-American. But some of us remember what the US did in World War II and what our country owes to her. Some of us remember how the US – having seen off a treacherous attack on Pearl Harbor and a brutal battle against the savage Japanese militarists of that time (not of today I hasten to add), and having shed blood to save Europe from a genocidal Nazi regime – then instigated the Marshall Plan to rebuild Germany and Japan. I cannot think of a more outstanding display of generosity of spirit in all history. It worked – neither Germany nor Japan will threaten anybody in the foreseeable future and Japan is now a major trading partner and good ally of this country. Vietnam controversies tended to obscure these points, and I think Johnson in particular mishandled it, trying to fight a guerilla war with conventional tactics. But: look at what happened to places like Cambodia when Uncle Sam pulled out completely. Iraq proved controversial here but a major factor in this was the media’s misreporting of Duelfer’s CIA report. He did say that few WMDs were found. But he also said that Saddam was doing his best to retain his WMD programs, i.e. his production facilities for them, and that he intended to activate these as soon as possible, using money from the corrupt UN food-for-oil program for this purpose. He would have had to have been dealt with sooner or later. Ironically, much Australian anti-US sentiment is fuelled by elements of US society like its politically correct media, Hollywood radical chic, the flaky Michael Moore and of course its fanatical Green movement. And briefly, with my protestant cap on: I don’t necessarily subscribe to all the antics of US ‘religious right’ figures like the late Jerry Falwell; but I also don’t like a fanatical religious leftist like Jim Wallis, who treated the fleeing Indochinese refugees with contempt as mere consumerists. When is the US media going to start asking his type a few hard questions? He gets a hero’s welcome from the Australian media when he comes here. It makes me puke.

@ nanny_govt_sucks says:
May 31, 2010 at 2:00 pm
I’m sorry Nanny that you feel that way about our military but the wars weren’t started by the men and women that sacrificed for us.
It takes two to tango. There are those that give the orders, and those that follow the orders. I think Donovan said it best… please see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC9pc4U40sI
Also, there’s the classic scene from “The Americanization of Emily”… Enjoy some of the best of James Garner this Memorial Day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i00Jiiak0UE

Perhaps you should read Kipling instead of paying attention to Hollywood. Apparently you are one of those is very good at enjoying your freedoms, but very poor at defending them.
Tommy
I WENT into a public ‘ouse to get a pint o’beer,
The publican ‘e up an’ sez, “We serve no red-coats here.”
The girls be’ind the bar they laughed an’ giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an’ to myself sez I:
O it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, go away”;
But it’s “Thank you, Mister Atkins,” when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it’s “Thank you, Mr. Atkins,” when the band begins to play.
I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but ‘adn’t none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music ‘alls,
But when it comes to fightin’, Lord! they’ll shove me in the stalls!
For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, wait outside”;
But it’s “Special train for Atkins” when the trooper’s on the tide,
The troopship’s on the tide, my boys, the troopship’s on the tide,
O it’s “Special train for Atkins” when the trooper’s on the tide.
Yes, makin’ mock o’ uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an’ they’re starvation cheap;
An’ hustlin’ drunken soldiers when they’re goin’ large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin’ in full kit.
Then it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy how’s yer soul?”
But it’s “Thin red line of ‘eroes” when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it’s “Thin red line of ‘eroes” when the drums begin to roll.
We aren’t no thin red ‘eroes, nor we aren’t no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An’ if sometimes our conduck isn’t all your fancy paints:
Why, single men in barricks don’t grow into plaster saints;
While it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an “Tommy, fall be’ind,”
But it’s “Please to walk in front, sir,” when there’s trouble in the wind,
There’s trouble in the wind, my boys, there’s trouble in the wind,
O it’s “Please to walk in front, sir,” when there’s trouble in the wind.
You talk o’ better food for us, an’schools, an’ fires an’ all:
We’ll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don’t mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow’s Uniform is not the soldier-man’s disgrace.
For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Chuck him out, the brute!”
But it’s “Saviour of ‘is country,” when the guns begin to shoot;
Yes it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ anything you please;
But Tommy ain’t a bloomin’ fool–you bet that Tommy sees!
Rudyard Kipling

This post isust another reminder that – on both sides – much of the global warming debate is a proxy for the culture war.
I honor the sacrifice of my elder relatives and other Americans, in my family and my community. Neither offended by nor impressed by others’ desire to do so in a public way. To each his own, which is exactly what freedom is about.

To David Elder: perhaps you should consider just how many UK lives have been lost in defence of freedom – far more than the US!
Perhaps you should consider just how long it took the USA to enter WWII!
This country,my country, was on its knees before the USA took part.
Don’t forget the Marshall Plan either:something that left my country still on its knees!
We honour our dead in a solemn and dignified way: we do not,unlike certain elements of the USA, honour our dead in a jingoistic way!
In particular I refer to the Google slogan currently posted: I find this to be both distasteful and upsetting.
Yes, honour your dead but please do it in a manner that is both respectful and meaningful.
And finally David consider the roots of your own country and those of the USA.
Perhaps you still have something to learn.

Anthony, so sorry to hear of your bug. Just proves it happens to the best of us.
God bless Americans lying their lives on the line and those who have died doing so.
Have said a mouthful today so signing off so you can rest, hope you kick it fast! (Gotta go watch these simply amazing ROVs, I want to know who is handling the logistics!)

It is with great pride that we honor our fallen military forebearers by flying the flag on Memorial Day, the 4th of July, etc., …but I do lament that it is almost impossible to find an American flag that is “Made in America.”

nanny_govt_sucks says:
May 31, 2010 at 10:48 am
Too many wars have been waged for perverted purposes to make me a big fan of the military.
nanny_govt_sucks says:
May 31, 2010 at 2:00 pm
(I’m sorry Nanny that you feel that way about our military but the wars weren’t started by the men and women that sacrificed for us. )
It takes two to tango. There are those that give the orders, and those that follow the orders.>>
Those who know me are well aware that statements with which I strongly disagree often provoke sarcasm and caustic wit from me. I’ll not insult those who gave their lives that so many of us, you amongst them, can today live in freedom by engaging in such a response. It may take two to tango, but eight million people were slaughtered in concentration camps by the Nazis in WWII. They offered no provocation. They were plucked, unarmed, from their homes and marched to the death camps. Their only sin was to have been born of the wrong religion or the wrong ethnicity. Though they did not fight, they were murdered, be they elderly or new born babes.
Despise war. It is the tool of those who are evil to force their will upon all others. But do not insult the memory of those who perished to stop them, nor that of those who continue to serve in the event they are needed with your naivety. When an invader marches into your town with the intent of taking you and your family to be put to death, you will be glad of the armed soldiers who stand in their path. May such a terrible thing never happen to you, but if it should, perhaps then you will understand the fear and despair of those who had no one to stand for them, and who perished as a consequence. Today is not a celebration of war. It is a day of sadness and respect for those who sacrificed, for they, were they alive today, would stand in the path of the invader to protect you, even though no fan of their’s do you be. It is so easy to say in song or poetry that war begets war. Only a fool believes that an invading army will act with kindness and respect if they are not opposed, and only the naive disrespect the memory, past and present, of those who would give their lives to oppose them.
For those who died and for those who served, and for those who serve today, might I quote from someone who is regarded by many as the greatest military mind of all time:
“Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.”
~ Sun Tzu; The Art of War
God bless America
May she stand firm in freedom’s cause this century as she did in the last.

Among other things, I am the Chaplin for a new American Legion Post. Here is my comment for Memorial Day:
Not long after 9-11, a Chaplin with the New York Fire Department wrote an editorial for the Wall Street Journal. It was a long time ago and I didn’t keep a copy, so I am paraphrasing.
The Chaplin was in attendance at the Twin Towers on 9-11. As is usual practice, he offered prayers to the firemen as they went to fight the fire. Later, he was thinking about the event and he was struck at the percentage and the attitudes of the Firemen. It seemed to him that, if only subconsciously, they knew that they were going to die. And they went anyway.
On this Memorial Day, I would like to suggest that we all take a moment from our celebrations and offer a short prayer of remembrance and thanks.
“Our Dear Lord,
We ask that you bless the Men and Women who put themselves in harm’s way on our behalf. Please welcome the Fallen into your house and heal their wounds for they have made the ultimate sacrifice as did your son Jesus. We also ask that you give comfort and strength to the loved ones left behind for they have also sacrificed for us.
We are truly blessed by those that serve.
We ask this in the name of your son, Jesus.”
Respectfully Submitted,
Jon Jewett, Chaplin
American Legion Hunter-Morris Memorial Post 911

May the Stars and Stripes fly proud on this day of national remembrance… Like our Aussie ANZAC day. A day for reflection on what we have…. and what we must always be ready to fight for.

The military doesn’t start wars. Politicians do;

… and the politicians are owned by the banksters. And the banksters have no interest in quick, efficient warfare. There is immense profit to be made in fueling both sides of a conflict. So, the military is a pawn in this game, serving the needs of immensely wealthy banking families, and not really defending US soil at all, and extending conflicts into never ending engagements. When was the last time the military went after these domestic enemies, anyway? Is not the printing of Federal Reserve notes counter to the Constitution that you are sworn to protect and defend? That is happening ON OUR SOIL. That’s a memorial day I will celebrate in earnest – the one where the military turns against its bankster puppet masters.

Precinct 201 says:
May 31, 2010 at 7:21 pm
…
Jon Jewett, Chaplin
American Legion Hunter-Morris Memorial Post 911

With all due respect to you, did you mean “chaplain”?

Sir, your smugness is unbelievable. For all it matters to scientific enquiry you may fly your country’s flag upside down as long as your maths is correct, and it doesn’t do you any good when you fly the flag every goddamn day if your maths is rubbish.
Denigrating bloggers who have exposed your blunders for their supposed lack of patriotism is shameful.
REPLY: Meh, what’s shameful is that these two bloggers have not the courage to put their own names to their words. Just like you. Be upset if you wish, I don’t give a care. – Anthony

In Australia in despite of the loony left historical revisionists trying to degrade and and re-write our history. Our day, ANZAC day, continues to grow bigger every year, with our young people marching and carrying the flag of rememberance and gratitude.
Though myself a hermit and a non participant, always have a long moment of contemplation and shed a tear for the sacrifice of those who gave us our modern world. Thus also I remember your Memorial day and say my prayer “Thanks to the Yanks” Australia has a greeting between old friends. G’day how you going you old
bastard. A friendly greeting between equals, the American officers during their time in OZ took this on board and started the old bastards club. This still exists and raises money for good causes and does good deeds. Those of us unbrainwashed by newspeak and newthought remember. Thank you America