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We’ve been told repeatedly since 2008 that Barack Obama is a genius. He is the smartest man ever to hold the presidency. Sure enough, he proved it almost immediately after he was sworn into office — he won the Nobel Peace Prize! (Even though he couldn’t deliver the Olympics for his hometown of Chicago.) Yes, he is fawned over by the elite. Chris Matthews told the nation he gets a “tingling sensation up my leg” when Mr. Obama speaks. His adorers consider him the “anointed one” or some type of secular “messiah.” He even has the power to redefine “success,” as he continues to label his “stimulus” bill even though it has saddled us with debt and the loss of four million jobs. He is worshiped and glorified by people who have no frame of reference. He does nothing wrong.

Except say the U.S. has 57 states (YouTube.com), confuse Memorial Day with Veterans Day or any number of other gaffes that would’ve left Conan O’Brien in business if it was a conservative president making the embarrassing pronouncements. Now comes this: We know he can’t give a speech without a teleprompter, but a teleprompter can’t pronounce words for you. So, just the other day, even with the ‘prompter working, the commander-in-chief showed his ignorance of the military he leads by mispronouncing “corpsman” as “corpse-man.” Watch and hear for yourself. With what kind of feeling does it leave you?

He’s commander-in-chief, but can he create a new rank? Maybe a “corpse-man” buries the dead?

The retired Army Lt. Colonel who was the commandant at the military high school I attended would tell us that the purpose of giving people off from work and school on holidays was so we would remember the significance of the day and perpetuate it. So, remember, dear readers, today is Veterans Day, not Memorial Day. Too often the days are considered synonymous (see Military.com). While we should always keep in our prayers, especially after recent events, those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and their families and friends who bare an unthinkable emptiness in their lives, let’s remember today is the day to thank all those who served and returned.

For many, however, coming home didn’t mean instant joy. Whether through an unspeakable stress, severe physical injury or a prejudice of an ungrateful people, our veterans have carried a burden beyond the battlefield. Let’s be sure to thank them today, and all days, for their selflessness, while still keeping those who committed the ultimate sacrifice in our prayers. Then, maybe, we’ll learn to keep certain holidays for the intentions of which they were meant.

So, Happy Veterans Day to all those who proudly wore the uniform of our great nation. To those who bravely served, and still bravely serve, their fellow Americans in defense of our country and freedom around the world, we proudly offer you our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt and sincerest thanks. To those who served or still serve as Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Air Men, Reservists, and in the Coast Guard and National Guard, we offer a salute to your heroism and service to our country and freedoms.

Click here for a slide show tribute to our vets.

Click here to learn more about the holiday and how we can thank them.

We Stood For Freedom
Roger J. Robicheau
Former U.S. Army Specialist Fifth Class

We stood for freedom just like you
And loved the flag you cherish too
Our uniforms felt great to wear
You know the feel, and how you care.

In step we marched, the cadence way
The same is true with you today
Oh how we tried to do our best
As you do now, from test to test
How young we were and proud to be
Defenders of true liberty.

So many thoughts bind soldiers well
The facts may change, not how we jell
Each soldier past, and you now here
Do share what will not disappear
One thought now comes, straight from my heart
For soldiers home, who’ve done their part.

I’m honored to have served with you
May Godly peace, help get you through
And now I’ll end with a request
Do ponder this, while home at rest
America, respect our day
Each veteran, helped freedom stay.

©2002 Roger J. Robicheau/TheHolidayZone.com 

We realize the nomination for the Democrat presidential nomination is a tooth and nail fight, but if Senator Barack Obama really is the presumptive nominee, why is he trying to one-up rival Senator Hillary Clinton? You may remember during her First Lady days (I know, we try not to remember) she channeled Eleanor Roosevelt.

As of yesterday, in New Mexico, Senator Obama had his own paranormal experience. Of course, he should have super powers since he’s the Democrat “messiah” according to Chris Matthews and other liberal lightweights. Speaking to a Memorial Day gathering in Las Cruces, he said:

On this Memorial Day, as our nation honors its unbroken line of fallen heroes — and I see many of them in the audience today . . . . (See the video for yourself, here.)

He then went on to talk almost entirely about veterans. This man, who wants to be Commander-In-Chief, is either clueless and does not not know the meaning of Memorial Day or sees ghosts. Predictably, only the conservative blogosphere and talk radio have picked up on this. That’s okay, senator, you may be able to see ghosts, but the public finally is seeing right through your transparent self. 

The senator surely has a gift, alright, and he keeps giving it. Instead of “messiah” we should call him the ”The Gift That Keeps On Giving” because he continues to gaffe. Hey senator, read our our post from yesterday! Memorial Day honors those who gave themselves up in battle for our country, not living veterans!  

Is this what we’re getting from our public education theses days?

Could anything have better proven our point? Would it even be fair to ask the senator who Veterans Day honors?

Nothing irks me more than our cultural illiteracy — and of all of our massive misunderstandings of American culture, nothing has come to be more misunderstood in recent years as Memorial Day.

It’s almost understandable since most people get their education from the media, most of whom could not be more unqualified. Every year, for the last several years, this weekend no exception, it’s the same mantra. I can’t tell you how many times this weekend already I’ve heard or read on the radio, television or in print: “Thank the troops this weekend, thank a vet.”

Yes, we should always thank our soldiers, seamen, Marines and airmen; and members of the Coast Guard, National Guard and reserve units; and veterans of all the service branches. Our police and firemen as well. But that’s not the meaning of Memorial Day.

From the American Heritage College Dictionary:

me•mo•ri•al — n. Something, as a holiday, intended to celebrate or honor the memory of a person or event.

Me•mo•ri•al Day — n. May 30, observed in the United States to commemorate members of the armed forces killed in war, officially observed on the last Monday in May.

The point being: We should always thank our vets and active duty military; they are with us now and are constant reminders of the sacrifice and diligence needed to protect our country and preserve our freedom. Plus, they have their own days: Veterans Day (November 11) and Armed Forces Day (May 17). But Memorial Day, as those very same vets will tell you, is to honor those no longer with us, who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of America. Those who birthed our freedom and left us with it intact, and a society in which we can be so carefree as to picnic, sunbathe and vacation on what is such a solemn day. From the Revolution to Iraq and Afghanistan.

We can’t thank them in person. The least we can do, one day a year, is to honor them and pray for them, as well as for the families of service men and women recently departed. We should do it more often than once a year. But at least one day. Today. Memorial Day.

MEMORIAL DAY
by
C. W. Johnson

We walked among the crosses
Where our fallen soldiers lay.
And listened to the bugle
As TAPS began to play.
The Chaplain led a prayer
We stood with heads bowed low.
And I thought of fallen comrades
I had known so long ago.
They came from every city
Across this fertile land.
That we might live in freedom.
They lie here ‘neath the sand.
I felt a little guilty
My sacrifice was small.
I only lost a little time
But these men lost their all.
Now the services are over
For this Memorial Day.
To the names upon these crosses
I just want to say,
Thanks for what you’ve given
No one could ask for more.
May you rest with God in Heaven
From now through evermore.