And, remember the promise, the idea, the hope, the dream of what America represents to the entire world. It’s what has defined us. We must protect it as well.
From a speech JFK gave in Massachusetts before his inauguration. excerpt:
“But I have been guided by the standard John Winthrop set before his shipmates on the flagship Arbella three hundred and thirty-one years ago, as they, too, faced the task of building a new government on a perilous frontier.
"We must always consider," he said, "that we shall be as a city upon a hill--the eyes of all people are upon us."
(Also. The bible verse about a "city on a hill" is Matthew 5:14-16, which states, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden…”)
My question is "How can American military forces loyal to freedom stand up to the SS Ice Gestapo Units and protect citizens from their wanton hatred, cruelty and lawlessness?"
Well, this brought tears to my eyes and better, a great sense of pride. While all we hear about is the joy the ICE agents take in beating up elderly citizens, scaring school kids as much as they can, it is great to be reminded that there are indeed true patriots, truly good people we never hear about. And yes I have to ad my thanks for all you, Ken, and all veterans have done for us.
My grandfather was in the army till the day he died. As I watched the military brass get chewed out by the political heads I saw men of honor. I saw men of valor. They are the best trained military in the world. They will not break their oath. If Trump or Pete expect blind allegence to them they are in for a big surprise. These are volunteers. They want to be in the military. They owe no obedience to a man. We don't need to worry about our military.
Dear Lord, I hope that you are right. What I don't understand is that they don't seem to realize that people of (all) colors make up our forces, at least 55%, probably more.
"On Remembrance Day, The Trump Regime quietly took down a memorial to Black WWII Soldiers in the Netherlands, because of course he did.
The Sacrifice of 174 African Americans was wiped out because Donald Trump is a racist.
Two displays honoring Black WWII soldiers vanished from the Netherlands American Cemetery at Margraten. In a year when Washington is purging DEI and pressuring museums and parks to sanitize history, the effect lands the same: less space for Black sacrifice, more room for comfortable myths." ~source Dean Blundell, Substack
Janet, thank you for this timely quote from Dean Blundell. D.T. is the meanest kind of racist, which is shown by his murderous actions toward Black, Brown, Asian, and Indigenous peoples. He is the slave owner from 1850 who flogged his charges to within an inch of death for the least infraction, then raped their women wild as they begged for mercy. He founded the Ku Klux Klan in 1865, destroyed the subsequent Reconstruction, and burned Black Wall Street to the ground in Tulsa as he murdered hundreds there. He burned crosses and lynched and shot freedom fighters where blacks were still treated like chattel without legal recourse until the 1950's. He inspires the Imperial Dragon David Duke of the KKK and the "very fine people" on his side and welcomes neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes to his dinner table. Out of his mind he is still as bloodthirsty a criminal as any, and a limit is not set as to the damage he may do still. Greatest thanks to veterans Ken Harbaugh and Master Sargeant Washington for their selfless service to this country here as well as in other desperate lands.
In North Ameruca, on this Remembrance Day and Veterans Day, we live lives of our own chosing, free to pursue our freedom, prosperity and our rights, all under the grace of the sacrifice of those who served and fell
More and more I find myself wishing we had a national draft. Not necessarily to the military, but some form of government service. We expect too much of too few, and in our media and grasping selfish society, there are very few who think in terms of helping their fellow Americans. And very few who want to help those who want to help their fellow Americans.
The movies during the WW2 era had that constant theme. Stories of the rich, privileged men who thought they were above everyone else and forced to live with the common folks abounded. Nowadays, those rich privileged men are held up as worthies to be emulated instead of taught to be human beings.
Yes, regardless of cultural backgrounds, human beings have always communed with others. We literally create communities. That’s the very nature of our existence, the foundation of humanity, of our survival. And everyone thrives when we live in service to others.
My brother died from Agent Orange exposure in Nam. My beloved hubby died from heart damage caused in Nam, and still he served for the DOD until he died. I lost so many in Nam, a war that was used to divert our attention from crooked politics. But, I was always proud of those who served and loved America enough to die for her!
This moving tribute to those who serve doubles as a lesson in what it actually takes to be a patriot. It's a lesson many people need to learn. I'd like to see this piece find its way into school curricula related to patriotism.
This story reminded my of the Corps and all it meant to me back in the day. 50 years ago I joined the corps as a lost 19 year old trying to find my purpose. The Corps gave me that confidence, poise and solidified my determination. Thank you USMC for providing me of my center. I will always fight for our country. Even in my later years. Thanks for this story. Wish I could find the "Top" that helped me see I could change my life. I'd thank him. USMC always a part of me!
May God bless Top and his son. Thank you for your service, vets. My father was a vet and in the MC for over 20 years. Semper Fi. He started in Quantico, VA at OCS and is at ANC now.
He went to Viet Nam the day after RFK was assassinated. I remember going with him. my mom and brothers to take him to the airport and the quiet grieving of other passengers. People spoke in whispers.
He was stationed in Chu Lai, with the Black Knights flying F-4's as a squadron leader doing recon for the ground troops. He returned home safely after 14 months and never spoke of his time there. He was quieter and his hair had turned pure white.
I remember seeing a particular plaque on the den wall in our home of a medal and commendation he had received for what he did on a Christmas Day. I don't remember all that it said, but I remember thinking while we were sitting around the Christmas tree with other family opening gifts, he was saving our troops lives and risking his own; it was the contrast.
He died of a terrible disease attributed to agent orange many years later with a touch of dementia thrown in from a past stroke.
So, thank you for most vets for your service. To the ones like kegsbreath and betraying our citizens and doing FDJT's bidding, I say F OFF.
One of your most meaningful posts ever Ben. Remembering our veterans is what keeps me going through our current struggles. We all know somebody, and are likely related to somebody who served, and in extremely dangerous conditions, often returning with some sort of physical or other damage....... or not returning at all. How COULD we give up, when they have already given so much - and then CONTINUE to give, as this article demonstrates?
Thank you for all you continue to do in service of our country and fellow citizens. Your contributions range far and wide and are effective even when it seems you're screaming into the abyss. Thank you for speaking truth. You're an inspiration.
I hope they remember their oath to the Constitution. They are our last defense.
Yes. Follow your oath, not the oaf!
Well said, Mike Hammer!
That was awesome! 😆
And, remember the promise, the idea, the hope, the dream of what America represents to the entire world. It’s what has defined us. We must protect it as well.
From a speech JFK gave in Massachusetts before his inauguration. excerpt:
“But I have been guided by the standard John Winthrop set before his shipmates on the flagship Arbella three hundred and thirty-one years ago, as they, too, faced the task of building a new government on a perilous frontier.
"We must always consider," he said, "that we shall be as a city upon a hill--the eyes of all people are upon us."
JFK THE CITY UPON A HILL SPEECH - FULL TRANSCRIPT
https://www.jfklibrary.org/node/11516
(Also. The bible verse about a "city on a hill" is Matthew 5:14-16, which states, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden…”)
My question is "How can American military forces loyal to freedom stand up to the SS Ice Gestapo Units and protect citizens from their wanton hatred, cruelty and lawlessness?"
Happy Veterans Day to you Ken and To All Our Veterans across America. You are our heroes.
Well, this brought tears to my eyes and better, a great sense of pride. While all we hear about is the joy the ICE agents take in beating up elderly citizens, scaring school kids as much as they can, it is great to be reminded that there are indeed true patriots, truly good people we never hear about. And yes I have to ad my thanks for all you, Ken, and all veterans have done for us.
Tears here too. Thank you, Ken, for your wise and kind words.
Beautiful, touching post. Thank you for this tribute and remembrance!
My grandfather was in the army till the day he died. As I watched the military brass get chewed out by the political heads I saw men of honor. I saw men of valor. They are the best trained military in the world. They will not break their oath. If Trump or Pete expect blind allegence to them they are in for a big surprise. These are volunteers. They want to be in the military. They owe no obedience to a man. We don't need to worry about our military.
Dear Lord, I hope that you are right. What I don't understand is that they don't seem to realize that people of (all) colors make up our forces, at least 55%, probably more.
And in the USA, to their ongoing shame:
"On Remembrance Day, The Trump Regime quietly took down a memorial to Black WWII Soldiers in the Netherlands, because of course he did.
The Sacrifice of 174 African Americans was wiped out because Donald Trump is a racist.
Two displays honoring Black WWII soldiers vanished from the Netherlands American Cemetery at Margraten. In a year when Washington is purging DEI and pressuring museums and parks to sanitize history, the effect lands the same: less space for Black sacrifice, more room for comfortable myths." ~source Dean Blundell, Substack
Another thing to add to our To-Do list when Trump is gone -- restore those memorials.
Janet, thank you for this timely quote from Dean Blundell. D.T. is the meanest kind of racist, which is shown by his murderous actions toward Black, Brown, Asian, and Indigenous peoples. He is the slave owner from 1850 who flogged his charges to within an inch of death for the least infraction, then raped their women wild as they begged for mercy. He founded the Ku Klux Klan in 1865, destroyed the subsequent Reconstruction, and burned Black Wall Street to the ground in Tulsa as he murdered hundreds there. He burned crosses and lynched and shot freedom fighters where blacks were still treated like chattel without legal recourse until the 1950's. He inspires the Imperial Dragon David Duke of the KKK and the "very fine people" on his side and welcomes neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes to his dinner table. Out of his mind he is still as bloodthirsty a criminal as any, and a limit is not set as to the damage he may do still. Greatest thanks to veterans Ken Harbaugh and Master Sargeant Washington for their selfless service to this country here as well as in other desperate lands.
In North Ameruca, on this Remembrance Day and Veterans Day, we live lives of our own chosing, free to pursue our freedom, prosperity and our rights, all under the grace of the sacrifice of those who served and fell
We haven't forgotten pur oath. Whether we say it loudly or just plain act upon it.
We veterans have served our country because we honestly love our country.
Part of that service will be to fight until our last breath.
We'll always be there on the front lines with you.
Thank you Sheila!
More and more I find myself wishing we had a national draft. Not necessarily to the military, but some form of government service. We expect too much of too few, and in our media and grasping selfish society, there are very few who think in terms of helping their fellow Americans. And very few who want to help those who want to help their fellow Americans.
I agree. Not necessarily military service but service. It would open minds, hopefully give a sense of pride in helping others.
The movies during the WW2 era had that constant theme. Stories of the rich, privileged men who thought they were above everyone else and forced to live with the common folks abounded. Nowadays, those rich privileged men are held up as worthies to be emulated instead of taught to be human beings.
Yes, regardless of cultural backgrounds, human beings have always communed with others. We literally create communities. That’s the very nature of our existence, the foundation of humanity, of our survival. And everyone thrives when we live in service to others.
Happy veterans day to all the good ones.
My brother died from Agent Orange exposure in Nam. My beloved hubby died from heart damage caused in Nam, and still he served for the DOD until he died. I lost so many in Nam, a war that was used to divert our attention from crooked politics. But, I was always proud of those who served and loved America enough to die for her!
It's hard to choose, but Viet Nam might have been our worst and most devastating war because vets were not supported when they returned.
It was such a horrific tragedy.
This moving tribute to those who serve doubles as a lesson in what it actually takes to be a patriot. It's a lesson many people need to learn. I'd like to see this piece find its way into school curricula related to patriotism.
Thank you to all our Veterans today and every day. ❤️
This story reminded my of the Corps and all it meant to me back in the day. 50 years ago I joined the corps as a lost 19 year old trying to find my purpose. The Corps gave me that confidence, poise and solidified my determination. Thank you USMC for providing me of my center. I will always fight for our country. Even in my later years. Thanks for this story. Wish I could find the "Top" that helped me see I could change my life. I'd thank him. USMC always a part of me!
And I can say the same about the US Army.1970-1972.
May God bless Top and his son. Thank you for your service, vets. My father was a vet and in the MC for over 20 years. Semper Fi. He started in Quantico, VA at OCS and is at ANC now.
He went to Viet Nam the day after RFK was assassinated. I remember going with him. my mom and brothers to take him to the airport and the quiet grieving of other passengers. People spoke in whispers.
He was stationed in Chu Lai, with the Black Knights flying F-4's as a squadron leader doing recon for the ground troops. He returned home safely after 14 months and never spoke of his time there. He was quieter and his hair had turned pure white.
I remember seeing a particular plaque on the den wall in our home of a medal and commendation he had received for what he did on a Christmas Day. I don't remember all that it said, but I remember thinking while we were sitting around the Christmas tree with other family opening gifts, he was saving our troops lives and risking his own; it was the contrast.
He died of a terrible disease attributed to agent orange many years later with a touch of dementia thrown in from a past stroke.
So, thank you for most vets for your service. To the ones like kegsbreath and betraying our citizens and doing FDJT's bidding, I say F OFF.
Sorry, not sorry.
One of your most meaningful posts ever Ben. Remembering our veterans is what keeps me going through our current struggles. We all know somebody, and are likely related to somebody who served, and in extremely dangerous conditions, often returning with some sort of physical or other damage....... or not returning at all. How COULD we give up, when they have already given so much - and then CONTINUE to give, as this article demonstrates?
Thank you for all you continue to do in service of our country and fellow citizens. Your contributions range far and wide and are effective even when it seems you're screaming into the abyss. Thank you for speaking truth. You're an inspiration.