The Tomb of the Unknowns: Fix or Replace?

For a Memorial With Cracks, Fix or Replace? - New York Times

The fate of the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery is uncertain this Veterans Day weekend, as the Army has yet to decide whether to replace or repair the 75-year-old monument, which is marred by several large cracks.
Under consideration for years, the idea of replacing the monument has pitted conservationists, who think the original structure should be restored, against those who say that replacing the tomb is inevitable and will properly memorialize America’s fallen soldiers.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has led a campaign against replacing the tomb, and has contacted members of Congress and asked people to write the superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery, John C. Metzler Jr.

“This is probably the most important war memorial in America,” said Richard Moe, the trust’s president. “It has served since 1932 for Americans to come and grieve for their lost loved ones, and there is absolutely no reason for it to be replaced.

“Even though there are cracks in the marble,” Mr. Moe continued, “they are purely cosmetic and can easily be repaired.”

The tomb, formerly known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, is guarded 24 hours a day, and there are over 2,000 wreath-laying ceremonies there each year. Every president has paid a visit since the memorial was created.

“It is the Army’s position that it is imperative to act while that marble is available,” he said, referring to marble from the Colorado quarry. “We can cosmetically fix it, but eventually the cracks and the weathering are going to get so bad you won’t be able to do that without it having a shabby appearance. And that is unacceptable for the Tomb of the Unknowns.”

The report rejects leaving the cracks. Calling the monument “deeply flawed,” the report said that to repair it was not in keeping with the cemetery’s mission to “maintain the tomb monument’s condition and appearance in a manner that fully reflects the honor, dignity and reverence for those whom it represents.”

But, the report continues, “Arlington National Cemetery has determined that the tomb monument replacement will have an adverse effect upon the Tomb of the Unknowns. Removal and replacement of portions of the original monument will diminish the integrity of the monument’s design, materials, workmanship and possibly association.”

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Monuments to Wimpdom

American Thinker: Monuments to Wimpdom

* The Vietnam Veterans' Memorial. Designed by college student Maya Lin, it was unveiled in Washington, D.C. on Veterans' Day 25 years ago. It's a black granite thingy-a long, plain wall that lines a big hole dug 10 feet into the ground. It lists the names of the war's 58,000 fallen Americans and . . . nothing else.

* The Flight 93 National Memorial. The National Park Service has decided to erect the "Bowl of Embrace," in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, where United Flight 93 crashed to earth on September 11, 2001. Here's the plan: For their heroism in overpowering four Islamic hijackers and foiling their attempt to destroy the White House or the Capitol, the passengers are to be honored with . . . an empty field. It's little comfort that the field is surrounded by a stand of red maple trees planted in an arc that eerily resembles the crescent of Islam. The design's original name: "The Crescent of Embrace."

* The National September 11 Memorial. On the spot where New York's mighty World Trade Center stood, the Lower Manhattan Development Corp.'s anointed designer, Michael Arad, decrees that there be . . . an American eagle? How about a statue of the three firemen raising the American flag over the rubble? Heck no. Just two huge, square, "reflecting" pools. Maybe you can gaze at your navel through them. In a complex slated to cost $1 billion, this urban swamp is called "Reflecting Absence."

Absence, indeed. What these modern war memorials have in common with each other is nothing. They portray nothingness. They have no people in them, never mind men carrying guns or swords, statues of Winged Victory, or even doves of peace. Just death and names -- grief without glory.

Much as the academics love this kind of talk and this kind of architecture, something in the public spirit reviles before it. We all die, so to offer voids to the memory of our heroes, and to list deaths without comment about what they did in life is an assertion of meaninglessness, of pointlessness. It is to say, "You sacrificed for others -- but that's not worthy of mention, because now you're just as dead as anyone else."

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"It's a Pittance of Time" on Rememberance Day

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"America is not at war. The Marine Corps is at war, America is at the mall."

Is America at War? | Mitch Lewis

Soldiers live by the warrior ethos: * I will always place the mission first. * I will never accept defeat. * I will never quit. * I will never leave a fallen comrade behind. These are the values they live by. Time and time again, they throw themselves into the breach to accomplish what needs to be done. Soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors are enduring extreme hardship and danger to accomplish the mission they’ve been given in Iraq and Afghanistan. Pundits tell us that Americans are weary of the war. They are tired of it. They want it to go away.

Unfortunately, making decisions out of stress, discomfort or anxiety is a horrible idea. Soldiers and Marines quickly learn that paralysis and fear never get you out of a jam or accomplish what needs to be done. Success requires keeping your head in the game and your eyes focused on the goal, even when everything is going to hell around you. Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it is the ability to think and act despite your fear.

We cannot make decisions about this war based on fatigue, anxiety or self-interest. The stakes are too high for that. If the news is disturbing, don’t look at it until you can read it with your head instead of your gut. Eventually, find the courage to read beyond the “if it bleeds it leads” headlines. Choose to base your thinking on your intellect and will instead of on your weariness or fear. Choose to look beyond your own needs to the needs our nation and our world. As a nation, choose whatever strategy or course of action you think best achieves the greatest good and the members of the armed forces will execute it. Be courageous; the members of the armed forces that serve you are more courageous still. You cannot ask too much from them. They will march through hell if you are behind them.

Please read the whole thing here.

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Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps

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Marines have earned a beer, no matter what their age.

So, let me get this right. They can join the military in time of war, go to Iraq, fight and die for us, but they can't be trusted to have a beer?

The News Journal - www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com - Mansfield, OH

A dispute currently pits the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, California, against MADD. The Corps wants Marines serving under the age of 21 to have the right to consume alcoholic beverages. MADD is steadfastly opposed, and is spear-heading efforts to block the Corps from accomplishing this feat. The issue at the heart of this confrontation extends far beyond the base limits of Camp Pendleton and the borders of California. It needs to be addressed nationally, and as soon as possible for the benefit of the men and women serving in all the U.S. Armed Forces. MADD is misguided. Military men and women of any age have earned the right to assume the privileges of adulthood by their demonstrated levels of courage, commitment, sacrifice and responsibility. Denial of the legal consumption of alcohol to those in uniform under the age of 21 is preposterous and disrespectful, especially because a large share of those in the U.S. Armed Forces are between the ages of 18 and 21. It is time for the hypocrisy of the current system to end. It is time for federal -- not state and local -- legislation to be enacted to permit present and former military service members -- including active duty, Reserve and National Guard members under the age of 21 -- to be able to show a valid military ID to be served or to purchase alcohol.

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Hugs, kisses, tears of joy greet returning soldiers

When Sgt. Michael Inchausti left for Iraq on Aug. 21, 2006, his son was but a babe in arms.

On Thursday, the 86th Signal Battalion soldier returned to the fort after a 15-month deployment to find a mini-me coming toward him dressed in a tyke-sized Army uniform
and combat boots, albeit with much longer hair on his head than dad’s.

Sgt. John McBride holds daughter Madison on Thursday at Barnes Field House. McBride returned to Fort Huachuca with fellow soldiers of the 86th Signal Battalion after 15 months in Iraq.

In 2006, Dominic Inchausti was a 3-month-old who was sound asleep in his father’s arms before the soldier boarded an airplane at Libby Army Air Field for the Middle East.

What was waiting for the soldier was a bundle of energy who ran around the gym floor at the post’s Barnes Field House as his mother, Sierra, occasionally caught up with him before the now 18-month-old child escaped from her.

Mom and son were waiting, along with hundreds of other spouses, children, other family members and friends, for more than 300 soldiers of the battalion to return.

More than 600 people, including soldiers of the 11th Signal Brigade who had not deployed, filled bleachers on one side of the gym.

Although planes returning soldiers to the fort usually land at Libby, this time the pilot of the civil commercial contract aircraft opted for Davis-Monthan.

“They’ve left Tucson,” one message broadcast throughout the gym announced.

A few cheered.

“They are leaving I-10 (Interstate 10)” was another message, greeted by a few more yells.

“They are going through Huachuca City,” which led to a growing amount of excitement as the cheers became louder.

“They’re on the fort,” which brought a really loud outburst.

A short time later, nearly 70 motorcycle riders of The Patriot Guard could be heard outside the gym as they cruised by and revved their engines.

A few in the audience who had a line of sight to see outside saw the nine buses carrying the soldiers go by, which led to screams of joy.

The bikers escorted the buses part of the way.

The greeters excitedly buzzed as they waited for the official arrival.

But first the motorcyclists came in, many carrying American flags.

They were greeted by cheers, almost like the yells were a warm-up for the main event — the soldiers.

The ceremonial entrance of the 86th’s soldiers created pandemonium as everyone in the bleachers stood and screamed.

A prayer and the playing of the national anthem was all that was involved in the formal ceremony.

Looking at the people in the bleachers, Pollett asked all the family members to come onto the floor of the gym and go up to a blue line.

“Don’t cross the blue line,” Pollett said.

Praising those who had supported their soldiers and provided for their children, he didn’t want any to fall and mar the welcome home.

The general then assumed command of the battalion. With a loud order of “dismissed,” soldiers ran to their families and families and friends to the soldiers.

For awhile it was mixed mayhem as the two sides looked for each other.

Small groups gathered, hugging, crying and laughing.

During the initial excitement after the official aspects of the ceremony were over, Ba’Ann George, a 3-year-old girl, slept on the floor off the side of the gym. Her father wasn’t returning. Her mother brought her and her brother to the ceremony because their father is a member of the 11th.

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Apache Rips Insurgent On Bridge…Run!

Hattip to OE!

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All 3 Kids of Wounded Iraq Vet Die in Car Crash on Way to Visit Him in Hospital

All three young children of a wounded Iraq veteran have died following a car accident that happened on their way to visit their father in a hospital.

Three weeks after his two siblings died in the Oct. 13 accident, 9-year-old Tyler Johnson died Saturday at Children's Medical Center Dallas.

Army Spc. John Austin Johnson was waiting for his wife, Lisa, and the children to visit him at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio when the crash occurred on Interstate 10 about 12 miles east of Ozona.

Authorities said Lisa Johnson over corrected the steering in her sport utility vehicle when she encountered a gust of wind on the drive from El Paso, and the vehicle rolled at least four times.

Two-year-old Logan and 5-year-old Ashley died at the scene. Tyler suffered massive head injuries. The mother survived.

Investigators blamed the accident on a combination of high speed, drowsiness and powerful wind, but said Lisa Johnson was driving at the speed limit.

Johnson, who is stationed at Fort Bliss, survived five brushes with improvised explosive device blasts during two years in Iraq, Schmidt said last month. The latest caused a traumatic brain injury and he speaks with a severe stutter.

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More on the Oakland airport that kept the Marines out of the terminal

CYA time. MSM has been ignoring this for days. This is a blatant blame the victim article, though, they leave the truth to the second to last sentence.

Oakland airport keeps Marines out of terminal in Oakland stopover

Marines arriving on a military charter flight on their way home from Iraq were barred from entering a passenger terminal at Oakland International Airport to greet family and friends because of security concerns, airport officials acknowledged Tuesday.

Some of the 200 Marines on board wanted to meet and greet family and friends at the Oakland passenger terminal before continuing on to their base in Hawaii, but that request wasn't made in advance by the military's charter airline, North American Airlines, or its ground handler, Hilltop Aviation, said airport spokeswoman Rosemary Barnes.

As a result, the Marines weren't allowed in the passenger terminal, although they were allowed to get out of the plane to smoke, stretch their legs or go to the restroom, said airport officials, who apologized for the incident. "With different information, there would have been a different outcome," Barnes said.

The airport said the Marines were not screened by Transportation Security Administration agents after they arrived in New York on a flight from Kuwait. That factored into the decision to exclude them from the passenger terminal, officials said. But the TSA said the Marines had been screened by U.S. Customs.

"At no time were servicemen and women prohibited from entering the sterile area of Oakland International Airport by TSA personnel or regulations," the federal agency said.

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Oakland refuses to let returning soldiers into terminal

Marines and Soldiers Returning from Iraq not allowed into Oakland terminal

On September 27th 204 Marines and soldiers who were returning from Iraq were not allowed into the passenger terminal at Oakland International Airport.Instead they had to deplane about 400 yards away from the terminal where the extra baggage trailers were located.

This was the last scheduled stop for fuel and food prior to flying to Hawaii where both were based. The trip started in Kuwait on September 26th with a rigorous search of checked and carry on baggage by US Customs. All baggage was x-rayed with a "backscatter" machine AND each bag was completely emptied and hand searched. After being searched, checked bags were marked and immediately placed in a secure container. Carry on bags were then x rayed again to ensure no contraband items were taken on the plane. While waiting for the bus to the airport, all personnel were in quarantined in a fenced area and were not allowed to leave.

The first stop for fuel/food and crew change was in Leipzig Germany. Troops exited the aircraft and took a bus to a reception area in the terminal, where there was a convenience store, phones, Internet and restrooms. As we exited the bus we were given a re-boarding pass. Three troops remained on the plane with the rifles and pistols. There was no ammunition on the plane and the bolts of the rifles had been removed. After about 2 hours troops re-boarded the plane and flew to JFK in NY.

At JFK the procedure was similar to Germany, 3 troops stayed on the plane to guard weapons while the rest deplaned. At the gate we were each given a re-boarding pass and spent about 1.5 hours in the terminal, at which time we re-boarded and flew to Oakland.

As we came in for the final approach to Oakland a Lieutenant who served in Afghanistan with the same unit in 2006 mentioned how when they landed in Oakland they were not allowed in the terminal. He said, "they made us get out by the FED EX building and we had to sit out there for 3 hours". He also indicated he was almost arrested by the TSA for getting belligerent about them not letting the Marines into the terminal.

Well, the same thing happened again. This time we did not park by the FED EX building, instead we were offloaded near the grass that separates the active runway from the taxi ramp, about 400 yards from the terminal. When we inquired why they wouldn't allow us in the airport they gave us some lame excuse that we hadn't been screened by TSA. While true, the screening which we did have was much more thorough than any TSA search and was done by US Customs. Additionally, JFK didn't seem to have a problem with our entering their terminal, nor did security in Germany.

It felt like being spit on. Every Marine and soldier felt the message loud and clear, "YOU ARE NOT WELCOME IN OAKLAND!"

More Here

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Blackwater training some Canadian troops

Why Canada's troops are among the best trained in the world...... they find trainers who know what they are doing.

Blackwater training some Canadian troops

Select Canadian soldiers have been sent to Blackwater U.S.A. in North Carolina for specialized training in bodyguard and shooting skills. Other soldiers have taken counterterrorism evasive-driving courses with the private military company now at the centre of an investigation into the killings of Iraqi civilians and mounting concerns about the aggressive tactics of its workers in the field.

But Canadian military officials say the company was selected because it is a leader in its specialty areas, which range from weapons training to executive protection. The company boasts on its website that its instructors are "ranked the best in the world."

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