President Barack Obama says all Americans have a “sacred trust" with the military personnel who have served this Nation, a responsibility to reward courage and self-sacrifice with all the benefits an open democratic society can provide.
MyVetwork (myvetwork.com) provides the solid foundation for a vibrant network of support in the spirit of that sacred trust to improve the lives of not only our active duty personnel and the 600,000 veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, but all our nation's estimated 23 million living military veterans - and their families, too.
MyVetwork is already operational, with the capability to service the Veterans Community—for the first time—in three intersecting strings, known as a Trident Connection, add up to One Trusted Source for Veterans that anyone connected to the government understands is crucially needed:
Veterans community in one location. All for free.
Founded by decorated veteran John R. Campbell, MyVetwork draws on the “secret sauce” of the military, the “I’ve-walked-in-your-shoes” strength military personnel willingly share with one another, which will be a driving force behind MyVetwork.
Learn more about MyVetwork by visiting myvetwork.com or join the Veterans Community by visiting community.myvetwork.com.
Online Veterans Community: veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxcKgDocument posted by David Apperson
BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE
GOP Underestimates Conservative America
While President Obama is going about his valiant and statesman-like attempt to rescue America and restore our image at home and abroad, the GOP's politics as usual, diehard operatives are acting like spoiled brats determined to undermine the president's–and America's–effort. But in their blind attempt to regain power they seem to have forgotten one important fact–the vast majority of true conservatives are fiercely loyal Americans, and don't share their view of power at any cost.
The House Armed Forces Subcommittee held a Military Personnel hearing, today, on “Sexual Assault in the Military: Prevention.”
The subcommittee heard testimony from Carolyn Collins, program manger of the Army’s Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Program, Raymond Bruneau, manager of the Marine Corps’ Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program; Katherine Robertson, deputy manager of the Navy Installation Command’s Counseling, Advocacy and Prevention Program and Charlene Bradley, assistant deputy for the force management integration in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Prevention and Response Office.
This was one in a series of hearings that this subcommittee will conduct on the subject of sexual assault in the military, this year. The hearing today focused on Prevention Programs that are currently in place.
Chairwoman Susan Davis (D-CA) said: “Just as we have the responsibility to ensure that victims of a sexual assault receive all the support that can be provided following an attack, we also have an obligation to do all we can to prevent such attacks from ever taking place. The Department of Defense has made significant improvements in recent years, but the question we need to ask is, has enough been done?”
Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) asked the witnesses whether and why the question “do women belong in the military” was still an issue and stated that this needed to be addressed. She said there needs to be a “change in cultural attitudes” towards woman in the military, and more “effective laws.”
The prevention and after-care systems that were identified by the panel seemed focused on the woman; offering counseling for victims. There was no evidence of rehabilitation programs in place for the men who commit this offense.
Mr. Bruneau said: “People are our most important resource. Marines have a long history of taking care of their own. Which means that we do not intentionally harm one another. Nor, do we leave a comrade behind. Victims of sexual assault are entitled to our support and care and deserve to be returned to the fight as fully functioning marines. The marines as always, are committed to caring for their own, as it’s the right thing to do.”
The subcommittee showed three videos by the witnesses that have been created by and for the military in an attempt to highlight the serious nature of sexually criminal behavior.
Source:
http://talkradionews.com/2009/03/marine-corps-%E2%80%9Cvictims-of-sexual-assault-are-entitled-to-our-support%E2%80%9D/
IN OUR OWN WORDS
A Collection of Stories and Photographs
From Military Families of the
Iraq and Afghanistan Wars
To our President and First Lady
On February 27, 2009, in his speech from Camp Lejeune, President Obama said, "…my strategy for ending the war in Iraq does not end with military plans or diplomatic agendas; it endures through our commitment to uphold our sacred trust with every man and woman who has served in Iraq.... And for you and your families, the war does not end when you come home. It lives on in memories of your fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who gave their lives…. You and your families have done your duty; now a grateful nation must do ours….”
“We also know that service does not end with the person wearing the uniform. In her visits with Military Families across the country, my wife Michelle has learned first hand about the unique burden that your families endure every day. I want you to know that Military Families are a top priority for Michelle and me, and they will be a top priority for my administration…. Each of you has your own story. And that story is now a part of the history of the United States of America..."
Recently, on a show from Walter Reed, Oprah talked about Military Families, reminding Americans that every day when we listen to the news, we hear another number, and we go on with our lives. Behind the statistics are real families. An injured service member at Walter Reed said, “No soldier comes back the same - it is a family process. Go to the floor upstairs where the injuries are not seen. They are just as injured as those with physical injuries."
As President Obama works to end the war in Iraq, and the war in Afghanistan continues, the faces and every day lives of Military Families who wait at home will remain at the center of the war and our stories will continue. During war, military family experiences are so much more than can ever be communicated in news reports, care packages, legislation, military or political strategies.
Our MYBO/OFA group, “Military Families Need Obama as We Share the Human Faces of War,” led by military parents and siblings, invites military spouses, children, grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles to be a part of "IN OUR OWN WORDS," a special collection of stories and photographs that will be presented to our President and First Lady.
"IN OUR OWN WORDS" will share the human faces of the consequences of war from the hearts and souls of those who live it everyday. It is intended to serve as a tribute to the lives of Military Families of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and will include both our inspirational and heart breaking experiences, with a special section honoring those service members who have been killed while at war. Together, Military Families will create "IN OUR OWN WORDS” with the hope that as we share our stories, it will lift us all up.
Stories and photographs will only be used in this project to be presented to our President and First Lady. They will not be distributed to any other group, organization, or the media. To learn more about how to participate in this project, please contact one of us:
Debbie: DebbieIngraham@gmail.com
Jessica: JessicaIngraham@gmail.com
Terry: Tdaniel333@comcast.net
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S BALL TO AIR ON PENTAGON CHANNELAVAILABLE ON MILITARY BASES AROUND THE WORLD
JON BON JOVI TO PERFORM
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Presidential Inaugural Committee announced today that the Commander-in-Chief's ball, honoring the country's active duty and reserve military, will be broadcast to American troops around the world on the Pentagon Channel, which is available via cable on 368 military bases and on commercial cable and satellite services throughout the United States. Overseas, the Pentagon Channel is distributed via cable and direct-to-home satellite to nearly one million troops via the American Forces Radio and Television Service.
Jon Bon Jovi will headline the talent lineup for the ball, which will be held on Tuesday, January 20th, at the National Building Museum. George Lopez will emcee the event, which also feature performances and appearances by Jordin Sparks, Miss America 2009 Kirsten Haglund, and Right On. The event is also co-hosted by the Senior Enlisted Advisors of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.
"This opportunity to honor our troops should not be limited to those who are able to be in the room with us for the evening," said PIC Executive Director Emmett S. Beliveau. "We want all our troops, around the world, to share in this special evening with the newly sworn-in President and Vice President and the excellent talent we have for the evening. Our troops deserve our thanks and our gratitude and this is one way we hope to express our thanks to those here and abroad."
"While a relatively small number of service members will be able to attend the Commander-in-Chief's Ball in person, they will represent more than 2 million men and women in uniform," said Col. Hiram Bell, director of public affairs for the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee. "Most of those service members will be able to watch the celebration on the Pentagon Channel, or later on Armed Forces Network, and we want them all to feel part of this historic event."
The Pentagon Channel will break into regular programming with live coverage of the Commander-in-Chief's Ball, including remarks by Department of Defense leadership and both the Vice President and the President. Coverage begins at approximately 8 PM Eastern time and continues throughout the evening.
The event will be produced by The iDream Company, led by entertainment executives Suzanne de Passe, Suzanne Costen, and Madison Jones, and written by Ruth Robinson. The iDream company has been recognized with Emmy Awards, Golden Globe and Peabody Awards.
Tickets are being provided free of charge to all invited guests, which includes active duty and reserve military, wounded warriors (Purple Heart recipients), families of fallen heroes, and spouses of deployed military. This event is not open to the general public.
source: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFsx
Getting our Military Families what they DeserveBy Jay Chalnick 15 January 2009
NEW YORK, NY– In his Inaugural speech, President-elect Obama will no doubt voice his intention to ensure those who have served their country in the US military get what they deserve. As he said, “This is something I care deeply about.” The team of people who built MyVetwork (www.myvetwork.com) will be among those cheering his words.
One of them is Brendan Hart who left the Marine Corps in 2005, and wanted to reconnect with other veterans, people who would understand what he went through and what support he may need. Plenty of services exist, says Hart, 26, on medical leave from Dartmouth College because of a contaminated smallpox vaccine he was given while serving. But finding them was another matter. Hart launched Student Veterans of America, now one of the many military-focused groups taking advantage of www.myvetwork.com, the new online community designed specifically to facilitate the intention of President-elect Obama and others to take advantage of available technology to get to veterans the services they have earned.
MyVetwork.com is the first-ever online social network designed specifically for our military and their families that lets them shape their own community…so they can connect and interact with each other while exchanging information on getting the services and resources they need– all in one place. This has not been possible until now; MyVetwork.com provides the timely vehicle to bring to reality Michele Obama’s “vision of a system that does more to support military families, both when loved ones are deployed and long after they return.”
“Why is it that no one has ever asked the military community what they need?” says John R. Campbell, Founder and CEO of MyVetwork, and a decorated Vietnam era Marine officer. “We’ve conducted interviews across service branches, ranks and cities, and have heard time and again our service men and women want to connect with one another, share stories, exchange resources, and give and receive support. This fundamental and natural channel for sharing information is long overdue. And they want all the groups who serve them to be easily accessible, under one umbrella.”
MyVetwork invites active duty, retired, and veteran military members and their families to build their own community and interact on multiple levels of shared interests. The community is built upon a dynamic customized platform specific to the military, providing the basis for a community that’s shaped by and for its members. Member profiles and sophisticated matching algorithms make it easy for participants to find others with similar interests; make peer-to-peer recommendations; locate long lost buddies; find other parents of wounded veterans eager to exchange critical information; look for support from someone who has “walked in their boots;” give, receive mentoring or career advice; and exchange information on a virtually unlimited number of topics.
Large Veterans Service Organizations (VSO’s) like the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) with its 1.9 million members; AMVETS (600,000); and the American Legion Auxiliary (750,000) are partnering with MyVetwork to provide a new means of connection and interaction among their members. Similarly, smaller groups like VET Foundation, Army Wife Talk Radio, and The Coming Home Project; Strategic Outreach for Families of all Reservists (SOFAR) have signed on to get exposure and expand membership.
All will join the applause for President-elect Obama who seeks a “shift in attitude in the VA” to make sure those who served are getting treated with the honor and respect they deserve.”
# # #
About MyVetwork
MyVetwork (www.myvetwork.com) is a not for profit organization with 501(c)(3) status, and is free to members. MyVetwork is the exclusive trademark of MyVetwork, LLC
source: http://disabilties.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbgp
Share your ideas on any issue facing the new administration, then rate or comment on other ideas.
The best rated ideas will rise to the top -- and be gathered into a Citizen's Briefing Book to be delivered to President Obama after he is sworn in.
'Citizens Briefing Book' sample: Military Medical Coverage
In honor of military pigeons throughout history, I post on this Christmas Eve, information produced by Otto Meyer, U.S. Army (Ret), and supplied by the ARPU, on the American Hero “G.I. JOE” -
“G.I. JOE”American Hero
“G.I. JOE” is the most outstanding military pigeon in history and is credited with saving the lives of at least 100 British troops during World War II. The British 56th Brigade was scheduled to attack the city of Colvi Vecchia, Italy, at 10 a.m., October 18, 1943.
The U.S. Air Support Command was scheduled to bomb the city to soften the entrance for the British Brigade. The Germans retreated leaving only a small rear guard and as a result the British troops entered the city with little resistance and occupied it ahead of schedule.
All attempts to cancel the bombings of the city, made by radio and other means of communication, had failed. Little “G.I. JOE” was released with the important message to cancel the bombing. He flew 20 miles back to the U.S. Air Support Command base in 20 minutes and arrived just as our planes were warming up to take off. If he had arrived a few minutes later, it might have been a different story.
Gen. Mark Clark, Commanding the U.S. Fifth Army, estimated that “G.I. JOE” saved the lives of at least 100 of our British allies. In November 1946, “G.I. JOE” was shipped from Fort Monmouth, N.J. to London, England, where he was cited and awarded the Dickin Medal for Gallantry by the Lord Mayor of London. “G.I. JOE” is the only bird or animal in the United States to receive this high award.
“G.I. JOE,” a dark checker pied white flight cock, was hatched March 24, 1943, at the Pigeon Section in Algiers, Algeria, North Africa. Later he was taken to the Tunisian front, then to Bizerte, and from there to the Italian front.
After World War II, “G.I. JOE” was housed in the Churchill Loft, U.S. Army’s “Hall of Fame” at Ft. Monmouth, N.J., along with 24 other pigeon heroes. In March of 1957, the remaining pigeon heroes were placed with different zoological gardens throughout the U.S.A.
“G.I. JOE” was placed with the Detroit Zoological Gardens where he died June 3, 1961, at the age of 18. “G.I. JOE” was returned, mounted, and placed in the Historical Center, Meyer Hall, at Fort Monmouth, N.J.
--- Otto Meyer, U.S. Army (Retired)--- Former Commander of the U.S. Army Pigeon Service
I dedicate this inspiring story of courage and determination of the pigeon named “G.I. JOE” to the generations of troops that will secure the success of the 44th President of the United States.
May the message of peace come to The White House and spread throughout the land.
Merry Christmas Everyone,
David Apperson, Life Cloud Discussions
American Legion - memberARPU - lifetime memberVFW - life member
Source: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxKt3
After repeated failures, $27 billion Marine Corps assault vehicle program faces critical test
DONNA BORAKAP News
Dec 14, 2008 18:06 EST
The Pentagon spent more than $1 billion and 12 years developing a high-speed vehicle made to carry Marines from sea to shore only to have it fail miserably in 2006. It was overweight, sprung leaks and constantly broke down.
The Marine Corps and contractor General Dynamics Corp. now face another critical test. A failure this week for the vehicles designed to replace a Vietnam-era fleet could doom the $27 billion program.
Any "show stopper" problems discovered during the review will be weighed to determine if the service's so-called Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle program moves forward to the next phase, Marine Corps spokesman Dave Branham said last week.
Lawmakers estimate the do-over will cost U.S. taxpayers an additional $1 billion, and the program already is deemed irrelevant by critics given the latest threats in countries like Afghanistan that have no access to water, and require more agile vehicles to navigate rocky terrain.
"Are we going to fight World War II again? Show me on the map where they are going to make an amphibious landing," said Col. G.I. Wilson, a retired Marine and contributing author to the new book, "America's Defense Meltdown," from the Center for Defense Information.............
ENTIRE ARTICE - http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post_edit/_new/hTQsD
The Pickens Plan: For those who would like to become an active participant in a solution for our nations energy needs I urge you to join with T.Boone Pickens in his quest for a cleaner planet through alternative energy.
Also see Green Wave Energy: Green Wave was founded by Mark Holmes and was formulated for viable alternative energy solutions. Green Wave Energy is promoting state-of-the-art energy-saving products and services throughout the country.
Green Wave Energy understands alternative energy technology will become “main stream” when
Call 949.645.1701 for information on how Green Wave Energy can help you save the planet.
Alternative EnergySource: David Apperson
url: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/alternative-energy
Folks, I'm an off-the-charts introvert. Otherwise, I'd be blazing a trail through my neighborhood, banging on doors for Obama. This is the closest I can come to outreach. So, if you've wandered onto this page, please, take a moment to visit my fundraising page: http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/backontrack
If you've ever wanted to honor a member of our U.S. armed forces for keeping us safe at home. Please visit http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/backontrack and help me honor one such Marine.
If you want to help Barack fix the V.A. and put an end to the homeless Vet disgrace!
If you're a runner (jogger, walker!).
If your Mom is French (U.S. naturalized, former resistance fighter, former POW).
If your Dad is a Greek-Hungarian U.S. Air Force veteran (thanks, Dad!).
If you're pro-life and know that Barack Obama will help to create a culture of life where the tragedies of abortion, capital punishment and euthanasia of the infirm will one day be unthinkable "choices."
If you're a punk rocker.
If you were born in 1961 and want to turn the page.
If you think that Polar Bears ARE endangered.
Whatever the reason you are here, supporting Barack Obama, or wondering if you should.
Please join us! Dig deep (into your heart, your mind, your pocket)! Visit http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/backontrack and offer your support.
Thank you!
We believe that Barack Obama is the right choice for us - for the soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/26355081#26355081
We are veterans who like John McCain, who served honorably, but and we continue to serve our country honorably by not using our military experiences as unjustifiable necessary shields or stepping stones. John McCain has faced and will continue to face many difficult questions that he does not have an answer for, and problems to which that he will provide no solutions to, in the 70 days between now and the election. When he uses his status as a veteran to deflect legitimate questions and concerns, it devalues not just his service to our country but ours as well.
So today, we ask not as Veterans for Obama, but as Veterans of America that Sen. McCain respect the service of his fellow POWs and combat veterans, and stop cheapening their service by hiding behind his own."
~@~ http://vetsforobama.org/ ~@~
I endorse Barack Obama for President:
David AddlestoneU.S. ArmyVietnam VeteranWashington, D.C.
John BruhnsUS Army Operation Iraqi FreedomPhiladelphia, PA
Dave EvansUS Marine CorpsRepublic of VietnamCharleston, West Virginia
Robert G. GardU.S. ArmyVietnam and Korean War VeteranRockville, MD
Richard KlassU.S. Air ForceVietnam VeteranArlington, Virginia
Noel KochU.S. ArmyVietnam VeteranRockville, Maryland
Michael LeaveckU.S. NavyVietnam VeteranWashington, D.C.
Demond MullensU.S. ArmyOperation Iraqi FreedomNew York, New York
Bobby MullerU.S. Marine CorpsVietnam VeteranWashington, D.C.
Jeff PeskoffU.S. ArmyOperation Iraqi FreedomFort Carson, Colorado
Garret ReppenhagenU.S. ArmyOperation Iraqi FreedomDenver, Colorado
George RobertsU.S. Marine CorpsVietnam VeteranWashington, D.C.
Lorin WalkerDaughter of Capt. Bruce Walker, MIA RVNPreston, Washington
Tomas YoungU.S. ArmyOperation Iraqi FreedomKansas City, Missouri
I believe Senator John McCain should hold one of his famous Town Hall meetings with the individuals mentions above and their fellow soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen.
This won't make John McCain or Joe Lieberman very happy and they must be positively fuming over at The White House (or in Crawford or whereever Dubya is vacationing this week).
Colin Kahl of the Centre for a New American Security (CNAS) says things are not nearly as rosy as John McCain is portraying them on the campaign stump or Bush is saying in the Rose Garden. Kahl recently returned from Iraq and held a press briefing this week
Kahl reports that US civilian and military officials in Baghdad are genuinely worried that Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has become "over-confident" about his military capabilities, explaining his demands to the US over the proposed status of forces agreement on the rules governing US troops in Iraq. Al-Maliki appears to have won some internal battles in the Iraqi government in the past six months, so he now firmly controls the intelligence apparatus and has military operation centres under his authority throughout the country.Even worse, Al-Maliki is not only refusing to incorporate the Sunni Arab Awakening Councils or "Sons of Iraq" into the Iraqi security forces, he seems to be planning to fight them. These are Sunni Arab militias, many former Salafi or nationalist guerrillas, who act as US mercenaries by fighting Qutbist vigilantes who call themselves “al-Qaeda in Iraq.”
The Awakening Councils are the biggest threat Baghdad faces and that after Americans are drawn down in Iraqi, al-Malaki’s allies say it will be necessary to "take care of them.”Bush is so mad at al-Malaki’s stance on US troop restrictions and his demand for a withdrawal timetable that he sharply warned al-Maliki that without a SOFA he would have to pull out US troops by Jan. 1, 2009. US troops operating in Iraq with no agreed legal framework would be constantly open to murder and other serious legal charges.Muqtada al-Sadr is turning his Mahdi Army into a civilian social-work force under strong Iranian pressure. The Iranians seem to be convinced that the Mahdi Army was becoming a pretext for the US to stay in Iraq – understandable since the Bushies are blaming Iran for everything Muqtada did. In fact, Iran is mainly allied with Abdul Aziz al-Hakim and his Badr corps paramilitary, which has become the backbone of al-Maliki's security forces; Iran thus has multiple reasons for trying to get rid of the Mahdi Army as a military force.But there may be a third reason Iran pressured al-Sadr. Reports – rumours, mostly – keep circulating that there is a secret, informal agreement between Bush and Khamenei that if the Mahdi Army quietens down, the US will talk to Iran, refrain from bombing the nuclear facilities at Natanz and will forestall an Israeli attack, as well. Kahl's information is another challenge to the propaganda that the Bush’s escalation "worked." Among the things that "worked" were Iran becoming even more influential in Iraq and al-Maliki getting hold of his own government.Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times reports that Georgia and other allies with relatively large troop contingents in Iraq are leaving, making it difficult for the US to draw down its troops at the rate Petraeus originally envisioned for this year. US forces will likely have to step in to replace Georgian troops in Kut and British soldiers in Basra.At the same time, the newspaper reports that the al-Anbar desert is still very dangerous and full of seedy operators: Insurgents and smugglers. This is one reason why a Marine was killed Thursday in al-Anbar. The mostly-unreported return of violence in the big, dangerous province has delayed the planned turn-over of security duties to Iraqi security forces there by the US military.
Hopefully, someone from the campaign attended the briefing or read accounts of it so Barack can come out swinging tonight in the first "debate" of the race.
An important read for military folks...
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=56694
A similar interview with McCain is also on the Stripes.com site for comparison.
I wanted to write this morning to say how encouraged I am to be a Barack supporter. I hung around the site last night and this morning and I have found that the people I reached out to were supportive of a friendship with me. I wanted to thank Vince for the extra note suggesting that I get involved at a local level. I would like to do that.
I’m disappointed that my best friend and lover is not a Barrack supporter … one of my main goals is going to be converting him over. He can be pretty stubborn, but me too. I would like to do a lot more reading to be able to respond to his concerns directly.
In these days of the All Volunteer Army, I fear too many Americans are oblivious to the sacrifices of our servicemen and women on our behalf. I am pleased to see several new groups and the growth of existing groups dedicated to Veterans, active duty soldiers and their families supporting Barack Obama for President: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/vetshome
Friends and families of our soldiers can help them make sure their vote will be counted in the upcoming Presidential Election for their Commander-in-Chief. Let them know about the Military Voter Services Web site: https://military.overseasvotefoundation.org/overseas/home.htm
Also, here in New Mexico, we would like to identify Veterans and active-duty military and their families who are supporting Barack Obama and would like to know about future veteran-related events in the next few months. For more information or to get on a contact list, please send your name, mailing address, home/cell phone, rank, branch and dates of service and email address to Jim_Buhaug@msn.com.
Here is a powerful new video "How You Ended the War" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frR0qklU1_o. Watch it, then make a donation to Barack Obama's campaign. We cannot wait any longer to bring good judgement and sanity back to the White House.
Can you believe a right-wing guest on one of the T.V. Cable News shows, actually attacked of ALL things, "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood", the PBS CHILDREN's Program! The idiot claimed that it "made Baby Boomers' Children into (GASP!) "LIBERALS & LEFTIES".
My son watched Mr. Rogers when he was a little boy, & like Mr. Rogers, my son has served our Country in the Military (U.S.NAVY). Mr. Rogers was a TRUE Patriot, he served in the U.S. MARINE CORP. during World War II. Besides being a beloved friend to MILLIONS of American children over the Years, he was also a Minister.
Mr. Rogers never BRAGGED about being in the Marines or W.W.II. I learned about it only because I watched a Biography story on T.V. about him. He wasn't a "Cowboy", he didn't "swagger" around & boast arrogantly about himself, as some Politicians we all know have done, to get elected, to get power, to get rich (Duke Cunningham).
It is wonderful that even though Mr. Rogers died a few years ago, new generations of American kids can watch "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, as it is still being shown on Public Television, still teaching kids how to be the kind of people our Nation needs!
To this Right-Wing Nutcase, & to ALL the "Chicken Hawks" who never have & never will serve their Country by JOINING THE MILITARY, or the PEACE CORP., or any other form of Public Service; who do nothing but slouch in their cozy Recliners, criticizing those who DO join the Military, or who DO serve their Country in OTHER ways, like Mr. Rogers with his Children's T.V. show "calling", or like Sen. BARACK OBAMA's serving his Community & then as a Senator, I say, "SHAME ON YOU!"
Mr. Rogers was a helluva PATRIOTIC & brave American, which is more than I can say for any of the Chicken Hawks who are always eager to send OTHER people's children to fight in Wars, so they can "get rich QUICK" in War Profiteering schemes back on the "HOME FRONT", when they never served in the Military themselves!
And THANK GOD for "Liberals & Lefties"-- as well as Independents & "Moderate" Republicans! Who ELSE is capable of repairing & cleaning up the disastrous MESS after "Leaders" like George "DUBYA" Bush & "DICK" Cheney screw everything up? Certainly not the Mr. Rogers critic!
So "To All Who Serve our Nation, "WE SALUTE YOU!"
