I’ve been proverbially “sick as a dog” this weekend either from stomach flu, or some food poisoning, not sure which. Spending so much time in bed, I almost forgot to put up my flag today. My neighbors must have wondered why this disheveled man with messed up hair and a three day beard was in a bathrobe out in front of my house this morning.
I put up my flag to remind myself, my family, and my neighbors how much we have to be grateful for, and how much we owe the people that have fought to keep our freedoms. Though lately, the war has changed from one of guns and bombs to one of bureaucracy and paper.
On the plus side, we could live here:
Nighttime satellite photo of North and South Korea. Note the one light in North Korea.
There’s a great list on Listverse about the psychotic leader of North Korea: Top 10 Crazy Facts About Kim Jong Il
This one was a hoot:
The “Fact”: He is the best natural golfer in history
In 1994, it was reported by Pyongyang media outlets that Kim Jong Il shot 38 under par on a regulation 18-hole golf course – including 5 holes in one! That score is 25 shots better than the best round in history, and is made even more amazing by the fact that it was his first time playing the sport. It’s said Kim Jong Il would routinely sink 3 or 4 holes in one per round of golf, and – lucky for the PGA – he has since given it up.
He lies better than Tiger Woods, and that’s saying something.
I’m thankful we live in America, where if you hear a whopper like that, you can at least laugh about it without being executed.
I wonder if “Tamino” or Eli Rabbet bothers to fly a flag on memorial day? Here’s to hoping that they do.
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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
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. They were started most often by greedy little men in office by choice or lineage. (Politicians or Royalty) The men and women that gave their all or parts of their all were victims of the wars just as the civilians were. Being a veteran I can tell you that there is no honor to be gained by war and there are no soldiers that want war. There was once a captured soldier that was asked by his captors why he fought so hard. He was held in his own country by and invader. His answer was “Because you are here.” Most times the soldier has no choice, especially the citizen soldier.
Bill Derryberry
“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!
Yes, to all our American friends down south, have a great Memorial Day.
In doing research for a historical fiction series that I’m writing, I came across the lament of an army general in 1940 about the patriotism of his young soldiers. They were, in his view, not as patriotic nor as ready to sacrifice as his own (WWI) generation. Of course, those non-patriotic slackers that he was complaining about are known today as the greatest generation. Sadly, they’re dying off at the rate of about 1200 per day. I think the generation serving today would give their grandfathers a run for their money though.
Mr Lynn, Dad is coming for a good visit in a couple of weeks and I will do just that. I have now a DVD camcorder and will see if he will sit and talk for a while. While his body is starting to let him down his mind is still as sharp as always. I am very fortunate to have him. I do plan to make the most of our time together while helping my wife recover from her back surgery. ( she is doing well)
Thankyou for the thought. I have been depending on my memories of his stories and recolections over the years. Today is a wonderful day for remembrances.
Bill Derryberry
———-
So what about the other countries that have memorial days?
In honor of my Uncle Joe, whom I never knew, here is a photo of him standing next to his plane, taken the day before he went MIA on a bombing mission to Shumshu Island in the Kuriles, flying out of Attu in the Aleutians.
http://i45.tinypic.com/34o25xv.jpg
According to the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office, as of mid-2009 there were still 74,213 U.S. servicemen still unaccounted for from World War II. This day is for them, as well as all who have fallen in service to their country.
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.
In my experience the people who serve in the military are professionals, doing a tough job in usually extremely tough circumstances. I have nothing but respect for the military in ALL first-world countries, especially the US who took upon themselves the role of global peacemakers after WW2.
Memorial day is important, and it is very important to NEVER FORGET. Sometimes we get so wrapped up with daily life that we forget why we have what we have. It is the job of the military to protect our society and our way of life, it is our job to make sure the next generation knows this.
Never forget. Never forget the lessons of what would happen if there was not a group of people ready to defend what we are.
On December 7 1941, the US experienced an unscheduled dismantling of several ships at Pearl Harbor. On September 11 2001 the US experienced an unscheduled demolition of two buildings most symbolic of her economic might. Both events were responded to in kind.
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 the son of a now-departed WWII naval officer (Pacific command, Honolulu), I want to thank you, Anthony, for your sentiments and actions.
Sorry about the bug, try the BRAT approach (bananas-rice-apples-toast) to slow things down.
BTW, I bet that N. Korea has a really low per-capita carbon footprint!! Is that where some want to take us?
Cheers to all, Happy Memorial Day and thanks to our vets!
Headley,
I don’t know where you live, but here in central Scotland we don’t need permission from anyone to fly any flag we fancy, so long as it isn’t one that we are not entiteled to.
(For example I couldn’t fly the standard of The Duke of Rothsay because I’m not him.)
We need planning permission to put up a flag pole over a certain height, though. Mine is lower.
Anthony –
As a VN vet, I much appreciate you starting this topic.
Warm regards,
Al
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.
Get well soon, Anthony!
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.
“Though lately, the war has changed from one of guns and bombs to one of bureaucracy and paper.
Not true:
05/29/2010 Kerrville [Texas] Marine killed in Afghanistan
“A Marine from Kerrville who worked to get back into shape for combat duty after nearly losing his leg in Iraq was killed this week in Afghanistan, family members said Friday.”
“Marine Cpl. Jacob Leicht, who was home-schooled and had lived in the Kerrville area for about seven years, died shortly after stepping on an explosive Thursday, said his older brother, Jonathan Leicht of Kerrville. The Marine would have turned 25 on July 4.”
“The Associated Press was reporting Saturday that according to its count, Leicht is the 1,000th U.S. serviceman killed in and around Afghanistan.”
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.
I look at the same DMSP imagery of the Korean Peninsula everyday at work and it constantly reminds me of how blessed Americans truly are in the world.
Thank you to all those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for us.
From north of the border, I’d like to wish you and yours a happy and safe Memorial Day 🙂
Thank you for this post, Anthony. I have Old Glory flying as always. Today I remember my great uncle and godfather, who was wounded while flying as a waist gunner on a B-24. My grandfather is still around at 98, though barely. He served in the Philippines and carries more scars inside than on the outside. He experienced things no man should have to see. While he survived the war, he gave his life in a different way, with underemployment and alcoholism. Let us remember all those who gave everything today.
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!
A special thanks from Belgium to the heroes of the past.
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