Saturday morning

A nearly ideal, weather wise, Saturday morning in the San Diego region saw 68 motorcyclists come together in the early morning hours.  While most folks were probably sleeping in or enjoying a leisurely breakfast and second cup of coffee, these bikers gathered at a funeral home in the town of La Mesa, just east of San Diego.

Funeral home on a Saturday morning you ask?  Some might assume, with disdain in mind, that it must be for the services for "one of those bikers."  Couldn't be farther from the truth.

These bikers came to honor a fallen sailor, Petty Officer Curtis Adams, U. S. Navy, who had been shot down after stopping for who he thought was a stranded motorist.  



To honor him, these bikers would escort him to the San Diego airport for the final flight home.

Arranged by the Patriot Guard Riders, this morning's mission included bikers representing several groups.  The prevailing themes across the groups were patriotism, military service, and honoring for our men and women in uniform.  In addition to the bikers, which included some younger active duty members of the military, there were roughly a dozen cars carrying Petty Officer Adams' fellow sailors, those who had served with him.  

The package, as it is referred to, ultimately grew to 68 motorcycles, 14 cars, and the hearse.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, a prayer offered, and mission briefing provided.

At the appointed time, a flag line was set, honors were rendered, the pall bearers transferred the remains into the hearse, and the package departed and headed to the airport.  Once there, they repeated the process, rendering honors as Petty Officer Adams was delivered to the airline cargo representatives.

A somber Saturday morning, with dozens of folks, the majority of whom had never met Petty Officer Adams, coming together as patriots.

In this hyper-intense period leading up to the mid-term elections, I noticed the absence of the media and elected officials.  Damn!  A young sailor dies, gunned down in the midst of trying to do the right thing, and not one member of the media or one elected official could spare even a few minutes out of their Saturday morning.   

The real America

On this Sunday afternoon, an Honor Flight returned to San Diego.  World War II and Korean veterans, including a Woman Marine and former POW, had been to our nation's capital, where they were recognized for their service to our nation.

On this Sunday afternoon, hundreds of real Americans turned out to welcome them.  American flags were enthusiastically and unashamedly waved.  Patriotic music was played.  Red, white, and blue were the dominant colors.

Looking around, what were not seen were football players (or any other professional athletes), elected officials, leftist media, political commentators, leftist pundits, television actors, movie stars, university professors, socialist democrats, social justice warriors, or any of the others working to destroy our nation.  Present were real Americans, proudly packing in to welcome these heroes home.

It is all too tempting to bemoan the state of the country.  And make no mistake, we have some serious problems.  But the real America represented at the San Diego airport today is large in number and strong of conviction.

The real America will stop those who seek to destroy our nation. 

Not a routine Sunday

It was not a routine Sunday evening for the dozen or so  citizens who gathered at the funeral home.

While others were watching football, these patriots came together -- voluntarily -- to escort a fallen Marine to the San Diego Airport for his final airplane ride home to New York.  Shaking hands with the Staff Sergeant serving as Marine Corps Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO), these patriots expressed their condolences at the death of her Marine.

For members of the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR), giving of their time, no matter when, no matter the day, is not at all uncommon.

As volunteers all, they proudly answer the call when missions are announced.  Most are veterans.  Most are bikers.  But not all.  But what each and every man and woman shares are patriotism, unbridled pride of country, and an abiding sense of duty.  Duty to the fallen, whether it is a soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine who died on active duty or a deceased veteran who has honorably served our country.

This evening, six proudly volunteered to serve as pall bearers at the small funeral home in a quiet area of a small town adjacent to San Diego, while the others raised American flags and saluted.  Once they loaded the hearse, they formed up, with many motorcycles flying large American flags.  At the signal, they began their procession down the streets and onto the freeways for the relatively short ride to the airport, where they once again formed up and presented honors as the casket was removed from the hearse.  The pall bearers executed a slow salute, touched the casket, then placed their hands over their hearts in a final gesture of respect.

Even after the air cargo personnel had moved the casket into the warehouse, preparatory to loading it on the aircraft, it seemed the PGR were reluctant to leave their brother-in-arms.  They stood, many still holding their flags, in silent tribute.  Eventually they walked to their motorcycles and departed, one by one.

Not a routine Sunday by any means.  

Americana

Americana

Staging for the Pine Valley Days Parade

Those who would want folks to believe Americana no longer exists are sorely mistaken.  All they need do is visit small town America.

In July alone, two small towns east of San Diego held parades, each of which was filled with American flags, cheering, and respect and love for our country.  No one was forced to come out to these celebrations, because friends and neighbors willingly sought out the events.

Unlike some liberal events, no one was paid to attend.  No activists were bused in from out of town, if not out of state.  No protesters drove all night from San Francisco to disrupt the activities.

Indeed, local people came out to honor a fellow patriot and combat veteran.

Wearing the straw hat in the back seat is Jack, a Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War.

Yeah, Americana is alive and well all across the country, so do not buy into the opinion of some that it is dying out.  Nothing could be farther from the truth. 

Armed Forces Day 2018

Saturday May 19, 2018 is Armed Forces Day.

It should not be confused with Memorial Day or Veterans Days.

On Armed Forces Day we recognize those currently serving in uniform, often far from home and going in harm's way.  Volunteers all, they stand for what is right, serve along side their brothers and sisters, and represent the best of our nation.  

Publicly and privately we should thank them for their service.

Far from ordinary

For the vast majority of our fellow citizens in La Mesa, California, it was most probably an ordinary, average Thursday.  Nothing memorable.  Simply routine.  However, for one family, the day was traumatic, as they laid to rest their husband, father, grandfather.

At the funeral home, the family was joined by volunteers from the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR), who came to honor and pay their respects to a veteran, "standing for those who stood for us."

Some of the PGR went ahead to the Miramar National Cemetery, preparing to honor the arrival of their fellow veteran by standing a flag line.  Others escorted the procession as it made its way to the cemetery, American flag flying from some of the motorcycles.

At the committal shelter the volunteers, mostly veterans, formed another flag line to honor their brother.

  
This they did in supporting the family and (in this case) the Navy Honor Guard.

Not one of the PGR volunteers was acquainted with the veteran they were honoring this day.  There were no connections; no links to serving on the same ship at the same time.  The only shared experience was having served our great nation.

Indeed, it was not a ordinary, routine, or average day for the family.  Nor was it an ordinary, routine, or average day for the PGR members.  In fact, for this Patriot Guard Rider it was far from it.  How can one not be touched by the raw, gut wrenching emotion displayed by a grandson?  Hearing his anguished sobs and seeing the obvious pain.  The tears of the family members, with their voices catching during comments about their loved one touched us all.

No, it was not an ordinary, average, or routine day.

It was an important day, as strangers voluntarily came together to honor a fellow veteran.  As they do countless times during the year.  The race, ethnicity, gender, age, cultural, and other socially prominent identifiers used by all too many to separate us matter not to the PGR.  The only identifier that matters is that one who is or has served honorably was being laid to rest.

Tomorrow there will be another mission, with another following on Tuesday.  And another, then another, and another.

No routine, average, or ordinary days.   

Unbridled generosity, unabashed patriotism

Motorcyclists (aka bikers) are some of nation's most generous folks.  Every weekend, across the country, bikers come together to ride for a cause.  

Some rides support recognizable causes, like "the cure."  Other rides are local poker runs to support individual needs.

For a few dollars, the biker usually has the opportunity to win or get a little something -- maybe a t-shirt -- while enjoying a ride in the company of like minded motorcyclists.  The proceeds from the run go to the designated cause or purpose.  But it much, much more than simply dropping some dollars into the collection bucket.  

Sharing the American born and raised love for independence embodied in the biker culture, they come out on their rides to be part of an experience.  Maybe a few dozen riders.  Maybe a few hundred.  Maybe a few thousand.  Maybe along country roads.  Maybe on freeways and highways.  All part of the experience of a charity run of one type or another.  Occasionally the run provides an opportunity to show the larger community their generosity, like a toy run prior to Christmas.

In addition to their incredible generosity, bikers are extremely patriotic.  Indeed, many are veterans.  Each May, one large group of bikers leaves Los Angeles, heading to the nation's capital, in a massive demonstration that patriotism never goes out of style.

The destination for Run to the Wall is Rolling Thunder.

From across the nation, tens of thousands of bikes roll through the streets of Washington DC to pay homage to those lost in Vietnam and those missing in action.  And to our servicemen and -women.  Flags flying in testament to the very freedoms embodied by riding a motorcycle.

Whatever some may think, the overwhelming majority of bikers are known for their unbridled generosity and unabashed patriotism. 

Paying respects

I don't know how many bikes showed up, but overheard others say it was between 80-100.  On an otherwise quiet Saturday in Ramona, California, a (really) small town east of San Diego, California, the distinctive rumble of Harley-Davidson motorcycles filled the air.  

As distinctive as was the sound, equally noticeable were the countless American flags, large and small, proudly flying from the bikers.  (Contrast this with a high school in Iowa that apologized where its students wore patriotic attire to a recent basketball game.)  Looking at the bikers, military insignia, patches, and service ribbons adorned their vets.

These bikers (more on them later) were gathering on a Saturday morning to pay their respect to US Army soldier PFC Simmons.  They lined their bikes up by the mortuary, preparing to escort PFC Simmons to the church where services would be held.  And then on to the cemetery where he would be laid to rest with full military honors provided by the US Army.

The bikers were predominately military - active duty, retired, and veterans.  From oldest to youngest, the ages spanned five decades and multiple wars.  Some are known to have been awarded the Purple Heart medal for wounds received in combat.  Regardless, they came together in solidarity to recognize a brother none had met.

Looking around, I did not see one elected official.  I did see active, veterans, and military retirees giving of their personal time to ensure this soldier would be shown the respect he earned as a member of our nation's military.  

The elected officials may not think it was important enough to give of their time, but these military (active duty, retirees, and veterans) certainly did.

After Taps and a final salute, some of the bikers gathered to break bread at a local establishment.  During the routine post mission banter, serving as a release from the high emotions of standing for the fallen, one retired sailor exclaimed that when Taps played, there wasn't a dry eye to be had.

20 somethings and 70 somethings shared a moment this Saturday.  Several hours of their time contributed to paying their respect to a fellow warrior, gone before his time.  All the while cognizant there are other fellow warriors currently going in harm's way.

With less than one-half of one percent of our nation serving in uniform, all too often their sacrifices are unknown to the majority of the nation.  Today these bikers made sure the family of Army PFC Griffin knew his sacrifice was not and never will be forgotten.

One picture

This one picture speaks to the bond of Marine Corps camaraderie.

Semper Fidelis

An outrageous affront

Today's announcement that President Obama commuted the sentence of Private Manning is an outrageous affront to all those serving or who have served honorably in the Armed Forces.  Manning is a criminal, found guilty and sentenced by a court martial.  The full sentence should be served.

It is outrageous this Commander-in-Chief takes such action, clearly and forever breaking faith with our men and women in uniform.  By his action, Obama clearly and unequivocally shows his disdain for the members of the military, their honor, their service, their sacrifice, and the oath they took upon entering our military.

Make no mistake, this action was socially motivated.  No legal or military purpose is served by commuting the sentence of a former soldier who deliberately stole classified information and provided it to unauthorized others.  In other times it is conceivable Manning could have received the death sentence.  Of course, in other times, other Presidents of the United States admired and revered the Armed Forces.

It is particularly galling, given that this week we laid to rest Major Griffiths, U. S. Army at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.  He died while a POW during the Korean war and his remains were just recently identified.  Posthumously awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and POW medals, Major Griffiths represents all the best of our Armed Forces.  Obama's action today effectively denigrates and insults Major Griffith's service and sacrifice.

When neither a Private (Manning) or General (Cartwright) are held fully accountable for their illegal actions, because of the decision of the president of the United States, something is sorely amiss in our nation.  

Shame on you, President Obama.

20 January 2017 Update  

Though Obama's action re Manning remains an outrageous affront, at least Bergdahl will have to face the military trial for his actions.





         

Giving to their community

As the nation digests the election results, life goes on.  The sun came up on the morning of 9 November and each day since.

One of those days was Saturday 12 November, characteristically sunny and warm in San Diego.  A large group of bikers, many of them veterans, didn't take advantage of the day to go to the beach, play golf, watch college football on TV, or simply laze around the house.  They set out to give back to their community and more.

After breakfast at the El Cajon Harley Davidson dealership, they rode in four groups to the Miramar National Cemetery, where they stopped to honor those laid to rest there.

Their next stop was the Marine Corps Reserve Center & Headquarters of the 4th Tank Battalion, where the bikers dropped off the hundreds of toys they had collected for the Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots Program.  A small dent in the overall goal of 58,000 toys for children in the San Diego region, but a dent nonetheless.

Before returning to the Harley dealership for lunch, at the request of Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant Castillo, the bikers did a surprise slow ride by the home of the father of a fallen Marine.  By their action, the bikers were saying to this Gold Star family that the loss of their son and their sacrifice are not forgotten.

Unlike some who were protesting the election results in parts of the country, these bikers, veterans, and patriots came together for a purpose bigger than themselves, giving back to the community and a Gold Star parent.

Take the opportunity to learn

Much is being said and written this weekend about actions instigated by a professional football player choosing to protest by not standing during the playing of the National Anthem.  

He definitely has a right to protest.

But I wonder if he's taken time or opportunity to learn about what the flag means to so many Americans?  And the impact of his protest on these Americans?

Maybe he'd learn something if he visited Miramar National Cemetery.  Particularly during a military funeral.

Or visit Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.

Or attend a military funeral in small town USA.

Or talk with the family of a Marine who has deployed multiple times overseas.  (In the lower right corner of the pick-up truck rear window, it reads, "Deploy #10," meaning this Marine was returning from his tenth deployment.)  Like the vast majority of Americans, Ms. Kaepernick can't comprehend what a military deployment means and its impact.)

 

Or maybe he could join in welcoming home a Marine Corps unit from an overseas deployment.

Maybe Mr. Kaepernick could learn something of the value of the symbol of our nation at one of these locations or events.


Stipulating there is indisputably much to be done in the area of racial and ethnic relations, I nevertheless disagree with the form of his protest.  But it is unimportant and inconsequential if I agree or disagree.  However, it would be positive for forms of protests to be carefully considered beforehand, which may not have been the case.  

It is my sensing Kaepernick's upbringing and formative years of his youth were focused not on patriotism, but on developing and honing God given physical talents and athletic skills in pursuit of that NFL contract.  Good for him, living the American dream.  If this sensing is correct, he should not be blamed or criticized for his ignorance of the enormous feeling of disrespect created by the form of his protest.

Sadly, those who have and are serving our nation may miss his message in their outrage to its form.

To help him understand, there are opportunities to learn.  Reach out, visit a military cemetery, attend a military funeral, attend a welcome home ceremony for a military unit, talk with a veteran (I'd volunteer in an instant), read some history.  
Take the opportunity to learn so your protest can be put in context.

With my comrades, we served so to protect the rights of all Americans, including the right of free speech, upon which the ability to protest is built.  We may not agree with that free speech, but we proudly served to ensure the right for all Americans.

And we proudly wave the American flag.  

  

A military unit returns from deployment

As most of the nation enjoyed the first Saturday after Labor Day, I joined nearly two dozen fellow Patriot Guard Riders in supporting the homecoming celebration for VMM-166 (Rein), a Marine Corps squadron based on the V-22 Osprey aircraft.

Once we'd lined up the bikes outside the wire near the squadron's hanger at MCAS Miramar in San Diego, we walked through an enormous crowd awaiting the return of their warriors.  We had the privilege of standing our flag line in front of the temporary railing holding in the wives, husbands, children, parents, brothers, sisters, and friends gathered there.  Speaking with one lady, she emphatically told me I'd better not block her view of her "little boy."  Smiling, I offered he's no longer a little boy.

Looking at the crowd, the ladies were dressed to the T.  The children were carrying signs for their dads.  Fathers looked a little relieved.  And moms appeared to be on the verge of tears.  

We set our line, rehearsed the commands, and stood ready.  While waiting, several Marine F/A-18 aircraft took off, which is always inspiring.

Pretty soon the distinctive sound, the thumping rhythmic beating of the air, told of approaching rotary wing aircraft.  Then, overhead above the hanger could be seen four CH-53 aircraft, as they banked and entered the landing pattern.  They were followed by two groups of MV-22s, in flights of six and four aircraft.  

The crowd was cheering wildly as we came to attention and raised our American flags to Present Arms.  The cheering continued as our flags flowed in the wind.  

No one, REPEAT, no one took a knee here.

Once all the aircraft had landed, they taxied to their spots, with perfect Marine Corps precision, in front of the hanger.  On command, all aircraft simultaneously shut down their engines, leaving just the whines of the APUs filling the air that had moments before pulsed with the sound of large rotor blades.

With obviously well planned and ingrained military cadence, the aircrew and passengers from the lead aircraft, piloted by the unit Commanding Officer, marched in line to a point approximately 50 meters in front of the hanger, here they stood at Attention.  Then, will typical military precision, the crews and passengers from every other aircraft formed up and marched down to join the lead crew.  The formation started from the aircraft furthest from the hanger and as it passed each successive aircraft, another line of crew and passengers joined in, so the formation grew in size as it approached the hanger.

Finally, the large formation marched up and took its place behind the initial line of Marines.  Standing at attention, the Sergeant Major then turned about and reported the unit was formed to the CO.  He took command and in turn faced about and reported the unit to the Commanding General, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

VMM-166 (Rein) had officially returned from deployment.  

After the CG departed, the CO then turned about and dismissed the command.  This was the highlight of the day, as Marines broke towards the hanger and the families and friends broke out of the hanger in their search for loved ones.

We stood aside, our mission complete.  I, for one, simply watched the reunions.  Mere words can not adequately describe the unabashed joy seen on the faces around me.  

Since less than one-half of one percent of the nation serves in our military, the overwhelming majority of the country has absolutely no idea how important this day was to the hundreds of Marines, sailors, and their families and friends.  Nor does the majority of the country take time to truly appreciate the sacrifices these men and women and their families make, day in, day out.

For this retired gray beard, being a small part of welcoming home VMM-166 was simply an outstanding way to spend some time this sunny Saturday. 

Footnote: Perhaps if Kaepernick had been standing with us today, he would appreciate why the American flag means so much.          

   

If utterly confused, you are not alone.

If utterly confused, you are not alone.

As what passes for the media, both left leaning and right leaning, pumps out opinions and purposefully slanted stories thinly disguised as "news" to suit their personal objectives, what are citizens to think?

Story after story and article after article seem more designed to inflame that to inform.  In pursuit of the aforementioned personal objectives, common decency has been shed in favor of sensationalism by unfounded accusation.  Honesty in reporting gone by the wayside, joining judgment, ethics, and integrity as traits no longer attributable to the press.

In our nation where the press once served an invaluable and honorable role, we citizens are now subjected to pummeling by social media driven drivel.  What once would have never risen to the level of publication now is given false credence by an over anxious group of individuals more intent on self promotion than truth, justice, and the American way.

Reiterating an earlier point, this sad state exists in both left leaning and right leaning media.

Where no offense exists, they seek to create it.  Where no law has been broken, they define actions as criminal.  Instead of reporting facts so the populace can exercise its considerable judgment, they spoon feed carefully and deliberately edited story lines.  Utterly disgusting.

Beyond the disgust, however, is the disservice done to the nation.  The battling personalities create and sew confusion and discontent, normally with an indignant sense of superiority.

Capitalizing upon this abhorrent phenomena, political entities of all types cite the tons of drivel as facts in their pursuit of power.

Some use the power of the media's considerable megaphone to declare objectivity is no longer required.  Others use the power to deliberately inflame and incite.  And some others are clearly crude, base, uncouth, shameless, vile, and despicable.

No wonder citizens are confused regarding what the media portrays as newsworthy.             

Mandatory National Service

Published views advocating national service of various types have surfaced, including from General McChrystal, Eric Navarro, and Karen Whitney.  They are on the right path, but don't take the concept far enough.  

The nation needs to implement mandatory national service for all able bodied citizens.  Underscoring the last word, mandatory national service and its ensuing benefits must be available only to citizens of the United States of America.

At age 18 or 60 days subsequent to graduation from high school, whichever occurs last, all able bodied citizens will be required to serve a period of three consecutive years of mandatory national service.  All forms of national service will include introductory in residence training, aka "boot camp."  This introductory training is described later. 

National service will include serving in one of the existing programs, some of which will be converted from volunteer status, for example:

• Armed Forces
• Peace Corps
• Greatly expanded Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA)
• US Army Corps of Engineers
• National Park Service
• Fish and Wildlife Service
• Bureau of Land Management
• US Forest Service
• US Geological Survey
• National Resource Conservation
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency
• US Bureau of Reclamation
• Americorps
• Volunteer Generation Fund per Serve America Act
• Americorps National Civilian Community Corps
• Volunteers in Service to America
• Federal Emergency Management Agency Corps
• Note: State and local governments may choose to opt in, by providing state and locally funded positions ccomparable to those listed above.

Every component of the national service will include the following ancillary elements during introductory training, which will be conducted at residential sites (as done by the military during basic training):

• Personal financial management training.
• Consumer skills training, such as house buying, car buying, comparison shopping, credit card management, Internet security, etc.
• Citizenship skills training, such as applying for employment, resume construction, job interview skills, filing tax returns, voting, etc.
• Remedial English language arts, math, and writing for those identified by entry level evaluation during introductory training.
• Administration of interest inventories to help our citizens identify for which fields of employment they are best suited. 
• Applying for college or trade schools.
• GED certificates for those who have not graduated from high school.
• Internships with applicable businesses.  

Only upon successful completion of a three consecutive year stint in national service will citizens be eligible for:

• Federal student financial aid,  
• Federal grants of any kind,
• Federal unemployment insurance,
• Federal health care subsidies,
• Federal employment,
• Federal home loans, 
• Election/appointment to federal office, or
• Any of the 2,302 forms of assistance listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.   

In addition to the above direct benefits, other indirect benefits of mandatory national service include:

• Identifying as American citizens.
• Earning federal benefits.
• Earning employment experience.
• Learning workplace teamwork.
• Leadership.
• Exposure to individuals from outside of ones immediate environment.
• Contributing to the nation, leading to developing citizenship. 
• Gaining three years of crucial maturity before entering higher education, trade schools, or the employment market.
• Exposure to different parts of the country.
• Exposure to various fields of employment.
• Development and enhancement of adult social skills.
• Learning which fields of employment may suit the citizens best.
• Learning to manage personal finances.
• Reduction of student debt.
• Preparation for higher education or trade school.

This program employs our youth as soon as they have completed or departed high school, provides skills often noted as missing in the entry level workforce, enhances academic skills where needed, directly contributes to the welfare of the nation, builds effective citizenship, and breaks from the current approach.  Federal benefits will be earned, rather than simply provided, and citizens will identify as Americans.  

Veterans from different eras

Military veterans from different eras have and are pursuing a virtually identical past time - motorcycling.

The warriors who came home from World War II, purchased bikes, and grouped together are not a lot different from those from the nation's recent wars who have followed suit.

They prefer to associate with those who share similar experiences, as well as unbounded patriotism.

The wording on t-shirt worn by one young vet captures it well.  "If my patriotism offends you, your lack of a spine offends me." 

The camaraderie they learned and depended upon while in uniform is found in their biker clubs of today.  

Along with the aforementioned camaraderie and patriotism, like their forefathers they believe in integrity, honesty, hard work, earning your way through life, straight talk, the Second Amendment, brotherhood, directness, freedom, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, standing for the National Anthem, saluting the American flag, honoring the fallen, and having a good time together.

Even though from different generations decades apart, the two groups of veterans are amazingly alike.  And we certainly need more of them.