Posted on 10/01/2013 8:24:42 PM PDT by M. Thatcher
TOLEDO -- Locally in the Glass City, we can see the affects of the government shutdown at our museums, monuments, and national parks. The gates are closed and locked, denying access completely to the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.
TSA employees were still working at Toledo Express Airport, but when WNWO called the TSA to find out if they would be affected, there was a message that said the public relations representative did not have access to her voicemail or email due to the government shutdown.
In a letter from Marcy Kaptur's office in the 9th District, it read, "...only services deemed essential for the safety of human life and protection of property will be continued."
But for a group of World War II vets visiting the national memorial in Washington D.C., an all expense paid trip which is called an "Honor Flight," the shutdown was not stopping them from seeing the tribute that was inspired by them.
"It just goes to show you why we won World War II," says Honor Flight of Northwest Ohio President Lee Armstrong.
Many elderly veterans, some in wheelchairs, broke through the barriers set up around the memorial, as police, park service employees, and tourists looked on.
"The Germans and the Japanese couldn't contain us. They weren't going to let barriers contain them today. They wanted to see their memorial," says Armstrong.
Honor Flight of Northwest Ohio has a trip scheduled to depart from Toledo next Wednesday, October 9.
"We will make the call this Friday to determine if the flight is still a go, or if we will have to re-schedule," Armstrong explains.
He says they are considering going ahead with the trip even if the government is still on shutdown, but when he called the parks service, he was told they would face arrest.
Armstrong says, "I said, are you kidding me? You're going to arrest a 90/91-year-old veteran from seeing his memorial? If it wasn't for them it wouldn't be there. She said, 'That's correct sir.'"
When he asked for her name, he says she did not give it to him and then promptly hung up the phone.
99% of veterans on Honor Flights have never had the opportunity to see the memorial that is devoted to their service.
Through October, the are over 35,000 veterans scheduled to visit the site, more than 900 in the next five days alone.
It may all be waiting in limbo if the government can't complete their job.
Whenever someone spouts off that “our military will never do X”, I always think of the Bonus Army.
RE Pic:
Exactly what they predicted what would happen if we got complacent...
Well, the politicians have shown up for the photo op.
I don't think Obama's kneepad brigade realizes how this can escalate and backfire.
If a vet is arrested, it might not make much news. But, if one is injured during an arrest, the kneepad media can't ignore it.
I really hope that it doesn't escalate, and some wannabe Rambo on the Park Police starts waving around a gun. That video will certainly go viral, and Obama will have to start looking for a country for a long-term visit.
So true. America has to rally soon. .
“...America has to rally soon. ...”
I’d say it’s already begun, Art...
Arguably, some of those operators in place may have been left over from FDR's days. You may be aware that several years ago there was quite a discussion about John Kerry's father, who worked at the State Dept during that era, and his political inclinations. Growing up at the Kerry dining room table probably accounts for Sen Kerry's world view.
Vets gather and sing “AMAZING GRACE” at the memorial
http://weaselzippers.us/2013/10/02/vets-sing-amazing-grace-at-wwii-memorial/
How about a chorus of “We Shall Overcome” and “The Star Spangled Banner” too...
LOUD... with like, bullhorns and amplifiers and stuff...
There is some evidence that Patton and Eisenhower, both junior officers, each argued with MacArthur, who was in command, about the use of tear gas and bayonets. That record, however, may be no more than an after the fact attempt to preserve their otherwise remarkable military careers.
Refusing to obey a presidential order conveyed by one's superior officer would end a military career, of course, and that raises the point that concerns me:
Will military officers pause long enough to assess the circumstances and, if warranted, honor their oath to defend the Constitution, or will they simply proceed with their best interests in mind?
That it would.
It’s time we did more than that. We have the Second Amendment for a reason.
I find it most discouraging of all to see low-level NPS employees doing the work without question. I personally know several people who would call in sick rather than blockade the WW2 memorial against veterans, but I suppose every organization has its bad apples and mindless order-followers. I imagine the number of losers is higher, being this is the DC area.
I bet you're right. A similar thought crossed my mind today. Is the MLK memorial open?
My guess is that President Obama knows that from his days as a community organizer.
This is not a battle he can win.
"Over? Did you say 'Over'? Nothing is 'Over' until we decide it is. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? - Hell No !!! ...
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