As you know, I have a few Gold Star families who are near and dear to my heart. Every fall, in August and again in October, my heart saddens just a little more for their loss. It is with great honor and respect that I remember Sgt. Robert Wesley Tucker, who was killed in action on 13 October 2005.
I invite you to read more about Wes here, in a story I wrote for Overton County News in the days after his death. I’m sharing a few photos from that moment in time as well, in addition to photos of the dedication of the Livingston, TN National Guard Armory.
To Wesley’s parents, Kim and Ted, my thoughts are with you today and always. Wes was a true American hero, and he will never be forgotten.
Third Herd, Iraq 2005 photo courtesy of John McCullouch
What is freedom worth to Americans? Is it worth the loss of friends or a job? Is it worth the loss of a home or car or societal status? Is it worth everything? Worth your life?
It’s a question that certainly must have challenged more than a few of our founders.
“What if?” they must have said. “A free Republic had never been tried. Not like this.”
Today, many Americans find themselves once again asking. “What if?”
It is on my heart, especially today, to remember another group of men who gave their answer.
Third Herd’s Bravo Team left the wire on August 22, 2005 for a reconnaissance mission at a chemical compound. They’d been stationed in Balad, Iraq for nine months – more than enough time to tally up hundreds of miles patrolled, dozens of combat raids, more than a handful of IED attacks, and a suicide bomber.
They’d been lucky, this Tennessee Army National Guard platoon. Comprised of construction and factory workers, a former Marine and former Army Ranger, and a high school teacher/football coach who’d led his players to a football state championship – and now led them in battle – they may have seemed an unlikely group.
They were Americans, whose love of country – of liberty – trumped their personal lots in life.
Each time they left the wire, thoughts of “what if” certainly entered their minds.
But they always left the wire.
No one could have known that two anti-tank mines would be detonated under the point vehicle that day.
No one could have known that the lives of two soldiers would end, a third would lose his leg and another would be thrown clear.
Yet they knew the price of freedom and answered the call that day – a call so great they were willing to die for it. Those who lived now carry the cause – for their fallen brothers and the cause of a free Republic.
By many counts, we approach a similar crossroads today. Where we as American citizens must ask ourselves, “what if?”.
On August 22, 2005, Bravo Team answered simply.
“Yes,” they’d said. “Even then.”
In the name of our Republic, in honor of those who’ve gone before us, with the spirit of freedom that lives within us, may we, too, answer in the affirmative.
“Even then.”
In memory and honor of Vic and Joey, the soldiers that fought beside them, and the families who carry on. And with unwavering respect for Third Herd. May their love of God, family, country and freedom live inside us all, that we may never forget the cost. I love you guys…
NOTE: I wrote this for Veterans Day last year, and wanted to share it again for those of you who didn’t see it then.
One of the soldiers I’ve worked with for quite a few years made a statement in regard to the Fort Hood shooting that gave me more food for thought than I suspect he’d intended.
“Amazing when something happens like this,” he’d said, “that people place soldiers on a higher pedestal than civilians.” Continue reading Veterans Day 2010
I can still picture the now-ousted Speaker of the House Pelosi walking through the crowd of patriot-protesters, arm-in-arm with a few colleagues, carrying that Alice in Wonderland gavel as Obamacare was about to pass. It was more than a slap in the face of the protesters. It was a slap in the face of freedom. In that moment (and others), she showed her true colors – showed that the will of the American people was of no matter as far as she was concerned.
Primarily because of that image, I’m not here to gloat, today (although it’s quite tempting, especially where Pelosi is concerned). I’m here to tell you about something that happened in the midst of last night’s election.
The Kentucky Senate race was called early in the evening, as Rand Paul, the king of all things Aqua Buddha, defeated Jack Conway (thank goodness). While I was busy yahoo-ing the win, one of my Facebook friends made a comment that stuck with me for some reason.
“Kentucky is in trouble now with Rand Paul elected.”
While she never verbalized it, I couldn’t help thinking that there was a certain amount of fear resonating in her words. That’s what stuck with me. I’ve known this person since childhood, and while I haven’t seen her in years, I’ve always liked her. She’s always struck me as what us southerners call, “good people.” And I didn’t like what I was reading. Continue reading The way forward
I’ll always remember as Election Day 2008 came to a close. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was very wrong. Couldn’t shake that sinking, pit-in-the-gut feeling that the sun was setting on the country I love.
Turns out that was the case for millions of us. And we weren’t wrong. For two years, now, we’ve watched as the United States of America has been steamrolled along the path to socialism/Fascism/Marxism. Call it what you will. Just recognize that our current path is un-American at its core. Tomorrow – Election 2010 – is the day we’ve waited for.
Over the past two years, we’ve watched government take-overs of private corporations and the passing of Obamacare (something evil this way comes). We’ve seen spending at levels never before reached. We now watch the national debt continue to rise and our nation’s status in the world deteriorate. All this despite the rejection of such moves by American citizens.
Around the world, the devastation of our country has been met by some with fear, as they realize that without a free America, the hopes for freedom elsewhere fade away. For others the ruination has been met with mockery. They watch as the most powerful leader of the free world bows to seemingly every other leader he meets. Unless those leaders happen to be allies, who this president greets with nothing short of disdain.
For two years, we’ve put up with the growing corruption and hi-jacking of freedom. I think it’s safe to say we’ve had enough. We’ve been called old, white racists and Christian extremists, hate-mongers, ignorant and unenlightened, gun-clingers, tea-baggers and astroturf. Black conservative Americans have been called sell-outs and Uncle Toms – traitors to their race.
We conservatives know something the left can not conceive, though – we don’t judge our fellow Americans by the color of their skin. We judge people by the spirit of freedom in their heart – by the content of their character. We know that when left alone to pursue individual greatness, we thrive, regardless of how they may try to divide us. We don’t need more government. We don’t need nanny-states. In fact, we don’t need much at all. Because we’re self-reliant – free to succeed or fail – then try again. We don’t give up.
Because know what we believe. Moreover, we know why. We know freedom is never more than a generation away from extinction. This experiment that is a free Republic requires a consistently vigilant citizenry. Which is precisely the reason we’ve waited all these long months for tomorrow.
As Americans, as believers in the Constitution of these United States, we’d forgotten that. We’ve never known anything but freedom and took it for granted. We thought nothing could take our freedoms away. As it turns out, we are a bigger threat to our own freedom than any foreign enemy could ever be. Looking back, we knew better. And we all know the story of “fool me once…”
Whether Democrats, Republicans or Independents, our actions over a hundred or so years have seen us letting our country down. As our 20th president so aptly stated, “Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature.”
Tomorrow, we answer Garfield, demanding that the qualities that make us exceptional are also the qualities possessed by those who represent us. Remember, it didn’t begin with Obama, nor will the threats to freedom ever shirk away and go silently into the night – and in many ways, our work is just beginning.
Tomorrow, we move forward. Election Day 2010 is here. It’s time for a new dawn.
With a short five days to go before arguably one of the most important election in our country’s history, it’s difficult not to notice how many nanny-stater bans are being passed these days. From candy taxes and soft drink seizures to a ban on toys in McDonald’s Happy Meals, we are consistently being nudged toward lifestyles chosen by leftist elitists.
And so it continues today as I bring you the attack on potatoes. Some of you may think I’m kidding. I never am – at least about this stuff. Apparently, others aren’t kidding either.
The health arm of the National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Medicine have not only recommended that the USDA stop those who receive WIC (Women, Infant and Children Program) from buying spuds with federal greenbacks, they’re also pushing to limit the potatoes served in school lunch programs that are backed by the USDA. The thinking is, by limiting or banning potatoes, people will be forced (key word) to eat healthier foods. Seems some study showed the need for more “leafy greens and other vegetables”. (See the full story here). What it all boils down to is you people are eating too many tater tots for someone else’s liking. But there’s more (of course there is). Continue reading Politicians, potatoes and polls
If ever there has been a more timely (and time-efficient), cut-to-the-chase video that highlights some of the most provocative reasons to vote, I am unaware of it. As many of you know, this montage is but the tip of the iceberg. The future of the Republic is in our hands. Make your voice heard daily – and make it heard at the polls in November.
My heart still breaks all these years later, remembering the terror attacks on September 11, 2001. But this video reminds me of the strength of the American people, and the spirit of this great nation. Never give in. Never give up.
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the self-proclaimed visionary of the Cordoba Islamic Center, appeared on “Larry King Live” last night, using words that appeared eerily akin to a threat veiled with a smile. Here are a few of the highlights of Soledad O’Brien’s interview with the imam.
“If we move from that location, the story will be the radicals have taken over the discourse. The headlines in the Muslim world will be that Islam is under attack.”
Well, that’s interesting! What radicals? The Americans, on American soil, who think this vision of yours is at the least a slap in our faces, and at the most a cryptic code to the Muslim world that you will defeat the American Infidels? Are those the radicals you’re talking about? And as far as Islam being “under attack” do you really mean that Islam will declare war on the American Infidels? Note to Rauf: The real radicals, radical Islam, already did that. Can’t you just feel the peace, love and tolerance for America!
Rauf went on to say:
“…had I known [the controversy] would happen we certainly would never have done this… we would not have done something that would create more divisiveness.”
Yet, that is precisely what he’s doing. I don’t think it takes a mental heavy-weight to know that the location of this mosque might be a touchy subject. In fact, one has to wonder if such divisiveness was a part of the plan.
Of course, he didn’t mind condemning the planned Koran burning in Florida, set to coincide with the anniversary of 9/11. (And for the record, I don’t agree with that, either.)
“With freedom comes responsibility,” he said. “This is dangerous to our national security and is also the un-Christian thing to do. … Jesus said to love your enemy. We are not your enemy.”
First, maybe Rauf should listen to his own words, and realize his own responsibilities instead of building his “super center” in such close proximity to the location where 3,000 Americans were murdered by radical Islamic terrorists. Second, would Rauf mind defining how a book-burning, on American soil, where Americans (albeit misguidedly) plan to practice something they have a right to do, will threaten national security? Do you mean that (yet again) the Muslim world will declare jihad against America? Third, are we your enemy, Rauf, or are we not? Was that just a slip of the tongue?
You ask for tolerance and acceptance, Rauf. Yet you show none. You implore Americans in no uncertain terms to essentially shut up about your mosque, back off, or face the wrath of Muslims the world over.
Thanks for once again reminding Americans how peaceful your religion is.
http://familysecuritymatters.org
