They stand for those who stood for us

Why do they gather most Tuesday mornings at Miramar National Cemetery to pay honor to virtual strangers?  

The names, ranks, and branch of the Armed Forces of veterans, previously unknown to them, are solemnly read off.  An American flag is ceremoniously opened then refolded exactly 13 precise times to form the triangular shape reminiscent of the three cornered hats worn by General George Washington and the first American Army.  Those assembled raise their flags or render a military salute. 

Veterans for the most part, patriots all, they voluntarily perform this important duty, believing individually and collectively that a military veteran should never be laid to rest without someone standing for him/her.

So they stand for those who stood for us.

They are Patriot Guard Riders.

More Gray Beard Views

Dang, but the summer is passing all too quickly.  Egad, Sturgis is upon us.  (If you don't know what Sturgis is, look up the Black Hills Motorcycle Rally).

Summer and Sturgis provide meaning to motorcycles of all makes and models rolling along virtually every roadway in the nation.  Some riders are on day trips, while others roll along on weeks' long journeys.  Another quintessential aspect of American life and freedom: the motorcycle road trip. 

It matters not the destination.  Solo or with friends.  What matters is riding.  

For me, the more time off freeways, the better.  Side roads and highways offer the best experience.  Eschew the chain restaurants in favor of the mom and pop diners.  (Hint: if there are lots of pick-up trucks in the lot, it will be a good place to grab a meal.)

Miles and smiles.  The biker's objectives.

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. 

Wednesday musings

If you were fortunate enough to watch the broadcast of the Major League Baseball All Star Game, you were also fortunate enough to see patriotism presented unashamedly.  During the opening ceremony, living Medal of Honor recipients formed a line on the infield.  Men who have been recognized by our nation for their valor on the battlefield.  (Note:  I was privileged to have served under one of them, Major General James E. Livingston, U. S. Marine Corps Retired.)

And there was a magnificent chorus, bedecked in red, white, and blue forming the image of our nation flag.  As the chorus sang our National Anthem, not one player took a knee.  The Anthem lifted, with player, spectators, and the Medal of Honor recipients rendering the proper honors.  Inspiring!

As to the game...well it turned out to be a home run derby mixed in with pitching.



  

Various gray beard views

Various recent gray beard views include shaking of one's head when reading a headline declaring our government is meeting with the DPRK to discuss repatriation of the remains of "Korean War veterans' remains."  Egad!  Some editor really does not understand matters military, confusing those Killed in Action (KIA) with the living who served in the military.  If the supposed conservative news network makes such an elemental mistake, it is no wonder other military matters are so woefully misreported.

Thinking of patriotism, the stark difference between two stories caught my attention.  From Mississippi came the story about a memorial to the Marines and sailor who perished a year ago in military aircraft mishap.  In part, the story reads, " Hundreds of relatives and friends of the 16 victims gathered for ceremonies at Mississippi Valley State University and the nearby memorial..."  I could not help but compare Mississippi Valley State University to the University of Kansas, where a defaced American flag was purposefully flown, supposedly as an artistic expression.  

Having supported the military funeral of one of the Marines who perished in that aircraft mishap, I remember the folded American flag being handed to the Marine's widow.  I remember the American flags flying from our motorcycles, as we escorted the procession to the Miramar Nation Cemetery.  I remember the Marines in Dress Blues.  There was no "artistic" expression made as a blatantly political statement that day.  But there was a class of elementary school students standing at the funeral home, some with small American flags in hand.  Hopefully none of those young patriots will be tempted to attend the University of Kansas.

Ah, yes, there are stories and experiences a plenty that get this gray bearded head to shake.  Most of the time it is in awe of the patriotic spirit seen across this great of ours.  Of course, there are also times when the head shakes come from seeing ignorance.    

Respect

The general and increasing lack of civility in public discourse, by those elected to represent us, broadcast personalities (many masquerading as journalists or entertainers), academics, and organized labor leaders should distress everyone.  Regrettably, this negative phenomenon is aided and abetted by social media, as well as much of the supposed regular media.

Inflammatory, derogatory, and plain nasty comments made in yesteryear were limited by relatively small audiences they could reach.  The world today revels in the negativity being sent literally around the world, which emboldens the commentators.  So civility retreats further and further.  

It is not a matter of free speech, either.  Do not be swayed by those flying the false flag of free speech as justifying their disrespectful, hateful, incendiary language.  Our free speech laws permit such language, but they do not justify it.

Respectfully, intelligently disagreeing with someone or some idea is the essence of our tenets of free speech.  However, the histrionics employed by all too many woefully fail to comport with those tenets.  Alas, there is nothing I can do to dissuade those who abusively and disrespectfully yammer and hammer at others.  There is nothing I can do to persuade them to act civilly and with respect, even when disagreeing.

I can, most assuredly, choose to associate with those who treat one another with respect.  Even when disagreeing about important issues, these with whom I choose to associate would never treat one another without respect.  Respect born of shared beliefs, sacrifices, service, and experiences.

These with whom I choose to associate are American military veterans.  At Patriot Guard Rider missions, for example, topical issues are discussed, at times with divergent views expressed.  Again, even when strongly held opposing views are shared, it is done so with absolute respect.

Once more, our military veterans stand as exemplars for the general population.  They embody RESPECT.       

Ignorance and distance

Recently a staffer for a purportedly major publication ignorantly asserted that the tattoo on the arm of a Marine Corps wounded warrior depicted a Nazi emblem.  Said staffer was excoriated by many, so I'll not pile on.  The episode does, however, highlight the general ignorance of and distance from our military.

Discounting for the moment the anti-military mindset of many on the left, there can be no argument that with less than one-half of one percent of our citizens serving in the military, ignorance of matters military abounds.  It abounds because most families have no real experience with the military.  Some have even written of this status that military service is becoming more and more a family business, with the sons and daughters of active duty and veterans forming the largest segment of new enlistments.

Whether or not that is accurate, the overwhelming simple ignorance of military service, indeed service to the country of any kind, is growing more and more foreign to generation after generation of Americans.  Apart from the cultural ramifications, it is offered that there is a real national security concern.

It is all too easy for those ignorant of military service, either because they did not serve or their children do not serve, to advocate sending our military into harm's way.  Such advocates do not, as the saying goes, have any skin in the game.  They will gladly, even blithely speak of sending the sons and daughters of others overseas to take on our foes.  And so the cycle perpetuates itself.

Fewer and fewer Americans serving in a military more and more often sent into harm's way by those more ignorant of and more distanced from the armed forces.

This is not a good situation for our nation.    

Pausing and remembering

Much is being written and said about the true meaning of Memorial Day and the associated three day weekend for many.  Most of the sentiment correctly advocates honestly taking the time to really think of the enormity of this National holiday, even as its popular celebration is moved to Monday from the actual date of 31 May.

I join those criticizing the blatant commercialization.  It is sad to see red, white, and blue proliferate the advertisements for the sake of profit.  It is repugnant to read or hear ad copy conveying that it is somehow patriotic to buy this or that product on this particular day.  Of course, the very American freedoms our servicemen and women died for also provide the basis for this rank commercialization.

It occurrs that most of those writing and speaking about the inappropriate use of the holiday and/or strongly advocating embracing its true meaning are from a very small (and getting smaller) segment of the population: active duty military personnel, veterans, and families of the fallen.  And that is a great shame in and of itself.

For some of us, the faces of individual soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines personify Memorial Day.  

We may be the ones observed standing off to the side at various celebrations.  Perhaps with a tear in our eyes.  Or perhaps gathering with those of similar experiences.  

Pausing and remembering.   

Memorial Day, Run for the Wall, and Rolling Thunder

With Memorial Day just around the corner, hundreds of bikers are riding towards our nation's capital, as Run for the Wall, the brainchild of retired Marine James Gregory, makes its way to Rolling Thunder.  

One patriotic artist captures these uniquely American events and expressions of unadulterated love of country.

Renowned artist David Uhl superbly captures the essentials of Rolling Thunder: patriotism, service & sacrifice, American bikers, and independence.  

Marine Staff Sergeant Chambers is now an iconic element of the day.

And the realized vision of one man, Artie Muller.

Some people are indeed animals

Some folks are either terribly naive, enjoy exceptionally sheltered (maybe exceptionally privileged) lives, or are incredibly foolish.  Washington Post opinion writer E. J. Dionne is one of these folks.

In a recent piece he opines, "It’s never right to call other human beings “animals.”  This, of course, refers to comments made by the President in referring to the notorious gang MS-13.  Dionne weakly attempts to acknowledge some folks might not be suitable for taking home to mom.  " No matter how debased the behavior of a given individual or group, no matter how much legitimate anger that genuinely evil actions might inspire, dehumanizing others always leads us down a dangerous path."

How can one write "dehumanizing others" who wantonly kill as something dangerous?  There are people in this world who are so evil, so depraved that the violence they visit on the innocent rightfully deserves and earns the animal descriptor.  History is full of examples, large and small.  

Dionne and other of his ilk pontificate that all are inherently good.  They are the ones who appease.  They - for example, Obama - self-righteously, sanctimoniously, and arrogantly tell us that if they can just speak with the truly evil, they have the ability to change them.  Nonsense.  

Dionne, Obama, Pelosi, and countless others are very fortunate to live in this great country, sheltered from the violence mankind visits on itself.  This liberals, in their smugness, have thankfully not personally seen or experienced such violence against themselves or their loved ones.  Had they, it is a certainty they would not be politicizing this latest matter.

As an aside, these are the same liberals who all too liberally throw out descriptors such as evil when referencing those with whom they disagree.

Any thug or group of thugs responsible for wanton violence has earned being called animals.    

A Marine retires

Sergeant Major Kasal, United States Marine Corps, has retired from active duty.

He is a true American hero, whose name some may not recognize.  His image in one of the most widely identifiable photographs from our recent wars is most certainly recognized.

May he enjoy fair seas and following winds in retirement.

Semper Fidelis.

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.

On the road again

Spring came to most of the nation, even if some late unseasonable storms played havoc in portions of the country.  Nevertheless, as spring passes and summer approaches, the bikers across the states begin hitting the highways and byways and planning for the next road trip.

  

Here in the southwest, the Laughlin River Run informally marks the beginning of the serious riding season.  Of course, the area's prevalent weather encourages and permits year 'round riding.  The serious riding, however, comes late spring and into the summer and early fall.

For patriots and Vietnam veterans, the annual Run for the Wall in May is a must do, bucket list ride.

For the rest of us, thoughts of open, virtually traffic free roads dominate. 

Whether riding solo or two up, the annual road trip is singularly important.

Away from urban sprawl, perhaps along the coast line, or rolling along in valleys and over mountains, the real biker contemplates the open road.

As written of earlier, the experience actually indescribable to one who has never thrown a leg over a motorcycle.  Apart from the freedom accorded a rider, who is out in the elements.  This physical expression of independence is unlike anything else.  Yes, the so-called biker image may play into it for some.

And, to be honest, the looks one receives out on the road are uniquely satisfying, whether at the road side eatery, when stopped for gas, or while just resting between miles.  Young boys, eyes wide in amazement.  Adult males, middle-aged and older, with their woulda, coulda, shoulda envious stares.  Yep, those looks contribute to the experience.

But the best part for this old gray beard is simply rolling along the empty-to-near-empty road, with the sounds of the bike accompanying the basic pleasure of riding a motorcycle.  

   
I, for one, am narrowing down the when and have opened discussions with my lifelong buddy and fellow rider as to where.  The northwest?  Arizona, when it's cooler?  Who knows.  By June, however, the when and where will be set and serious planning underway.  Can't wait.

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.   

Quintessentially American

Freedom, in all forms, is quintessentially American.  It is the foundation upon which this great, even unparalleled, country has been built.  When the first settlers arrived centuries ago (no, they did not "discover" a continent already home to indigenous populations of what we now call Native Americans), they came seeking freedom from government oppression.

Then, as the documents declaring and forming our country were written, freedom was the core value.  The Bill of Rights could just as easily be called the Bill of Freedoms, so imperative is the very sense of freedom.

Yes, much has changed over the years.  Industrialization.  Technology.  Medicine.  Transportation.  Flight.  Communication.  Just some of the facets of American life to have changed.  In each area, freedom can be seen.  Freedom from illness.  Freedom from manual labor.  Freedom from bigotry and racism.  Freedom to speak and write.  Freedom to openly communicate across great distances.  Even freedom from the very bonds of gravity.  Freedom from, and freedom to.  Essential elements of the American way of life.

Freedom of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Yet, from this vantage point, it seems the lessons of our rich history of freedom have been lost on all too many.  Particularly those inclined to seek elected office and, recently, inclined to pose as journalists and activists.

Rather than embrace the concept of unique American freedom, they seek to restrict it.  Every aspect of our lives is impacted by some level of government working at  limiting our freedoms.  And the main stream media and activists bay loud and long wanting to limit someone else's freedoms.  How we got to this point is unclear, but it is certain we are there.

Fortunately, common sense and American values are beginning to turn the tide.

For example, one of the basic freedoms involves being a child.  Yet some have convinced themselves and others that parents can't safely raise their children without government mandates.  Without excessively restrictive government oversight.  

When a child is not be allowed to walk to the store without his/her parents being accused of child abuse, then our nation is in serious trouble.  The overly controlled child of today will be an ineffective adult tomorrow. 

Fortunately, Utah has seen the error of this approach and recently corrected its laws in what is termed "free range parenting."  

Applaud this move, because it both embraces American freedom and works at ensuring children grow up to become productive adult members of society, not so-called snowflakes that can't care for themselves.