P A T R I O T I S M

[tommie gorman]

Hell I would not mind seeing Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Mrs....Clinton, and Obama take that test. hell all of congress for that matter.

[Sequoia]

I missed 2 .The number of Presidents assassinated while in office.I could remember 3 but I wasn't sure McKinley was in office yet.

Then the how many Presidents were impeached.I wasn't sure if Clinton was actually impeached but I guess technically he was.

I like the New school prayer Coknuck.Rings true to me.

[philp]

I scored a 29 also because I keep forgetting that the encyclopedias I grew up with are now wrong about the official language of the United States. My sets of Funk & Wagnalls and Encyclopedia Britannica listed it as "English", but what do they know? 

[coknuck]

Issues in U.S. Language Policy

The Official English Question

For more than 200 years, Americans have gotten by without declaring English our official language. This raises an obvious question: Why should we do so now? Why does English suddenly need "legal protection" in a federal Language of Government Act? English Only advocates respond:

    * Language diversity is a recent phenomenon in the United States, which the Founders never had to cope with.

    * Before the last couple of decades, Americans had never provided bilingual ballots, education, publications, and similar services at public expense.

    * Native-language accommodations discourage immigrants from learning English.

    * Plenty of other countries have designated official languages to manage diversity. Why not the U.S.A.?

Let's examine the factual basis of these claims.

First, some history. Congress had never even considered declaring English the nation's official language until 1981, when a constitutional English Language Amendment was introduced by the late Senator S. I. Hayakawa. The only previous official-language legislation dates back to 1923: a bill designating "American" the national tongue. Less a patriotic gesture than a put-down of literary Anglophiles, the idea proved especially popular with Irish Americans, who saw an attempt to insult the British Empire. The measure died in Congress without coming to a vote, but was adopted by the state of Illinois (where English was quietly rehabilitated in 1969).

Notwithstanding a persistent legend that German missed becoming our official language by a single vote, American English has never been in jeopardy. In 1795, the 3rd Congress did consider and reject a petition by German Americans in Virginia to translate all federal laws into their language. A tie vote in the House of Representatives appears to have been broken by Speaker Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, a Pennsylvania German with budgetary concerns and assimilationist tendencies. Poor recordkeeping leaves much uncertainty about what role he may have played. But the Muhlenberg legend is certainly false: German was never seriously considered as an official language

[tommie gorman]

With 82% I see no good reason it can not be declared as the national language then. I sure hope they get that part over then. SOON. Cause it would be hard to learn German at this age. 

[tdawnaz]

Hell I would not mind seeing  Al Gore, take that test. hell all of congress for that matter.

al gore...omg...that would be too funny almost as funny as mr pres "i need someone to write all my sentences for me before i can speak" bush...hahaha...

oh my...my fricken wine is kickin in...glad i took that fricken test before i poured it...i dunno S#!t now...haha

don't be shy...ask me which one i missed...okay i'll tell ya...who becomes pres if pres and vice both can't serve...i didn't have a clue...speaker of the house is the answer...i also don't know who that is right now...but whatever...i got 29...don't be jealous

this was posted the other nite...way late...no i don't drink this time of day...hahaha but i'm trying to fix the derailment i caused due to my grief i was feeling...no excuse...i apologize...carry on...

[Roco]

lol I scored  18 , and I ain't sure where America is on the world map ,

and I guess a lot of Americans don't either 

[EWO]

              Cemetery Escort Duty

I just wanted to get the day over with and go down to Smokey's for a few cold ones.

Sneaking a look at my watch, I saw the time, 1655. Five minutes to go

before the cemetery gates are closed for the day.

Full dress was hot in the August sun. Oklahoma summertime was as bad as ever --

the heat and humidity at the same level -- both too high.

I saw the car pull into the drive, '69 or '70 model Cadillac Deville, looked factory-new.

It pulled into the parking lot at a snail's pace .

An old woman got out so slow I thought she was paralyzed.  She had a cane and a sheaf of flowers,

about four or five bunches as best I could tell.

I couldn't help myself.  The thought came unwanted, and left a slightly bitter taste:

"She's going to spend an hour, and for this old soldier my hip hurts and I'm ready to get out of here right now!"

But for this day my duty was to assist anyone coming in. Kevin would lock the "In" gate and if I could hurry the old biddy along ,

we might make the last half of happy hour at Smokey's.

I broke Post Attention.  My hip made gritty noises when I took the first step and the pain went up a notch.

I must have made a real military sight; middle-aged man with a small pot-gut and half a limp,

in Marine Full Dress Uniform, which had lost its razor crease about 30 minutes after I began the watch at the cemetery.

I stopped in front of her, halfway up the walk.  She looked up at me with an old woman's squint.

"Ma'am may I assist you in any way?"

She took long enough to answer. "Yes, son. Can you carry these flowers?

I seem to be moving a tad slow these days."

"My pleasure Ma'am."  Well, it wasn't too much of a lie.

She looked again.  "Marine, where were you stationed?"

" Vietnam , Ma'am.  Ground-pounder. '69 to '71."

She looked at me closer.  "Wounded in action, I see.  Well done, Marine

I'll be as quick as I can."

I lied a little bigger  "No hurry, Ma'am."

She smiled, and winked at me.  "Son, I'm 85-years old and I can tell a lie from a long way off.

Let's get this done. Might be the last time I can do this. My name's Joanne Wieserman,

and I've a few Marines I'd like to see one more time."

"Yes, Ma'am.  At your service."

She headed for the World War I section, stopping at a stone. She picked one of the bunches out of my arm

and laid it on top of the stone. She murmured something I couldn't quite make out.

The name on the marble was Donald S. Davidson, USMC, France 1918.

She turned away and made a straight line for the World War II section, stopping at one stone.

I saw a tear slowly tracking its way down her cheek. She put a bunch on a stone;

the name was Stephen X. Davidson, USMC, 1943.

She went up the row a ways and laid another bunch on a stone, Stanley J. Wieserman USMC , 1944.

She paused for a second, "Two more, son, and we'll be done"

I almost didn't say anything, but, "Yes, Ma'am. Take your time."

She looked confused. "Where's the Vietnam section, son? I seem to have lost my way."

I pointed with my chin. "That way, Ma'am."

"Oh!" she chuckled quietly. "Son, me and old age ain't too friendly."

She headed down the walk I'd pointed at. She stopped at a couple of stones

before she found the ones she wanted. She placed a bunch on Larry Wieserman USMC, 1968,

and the last on Darrel Wieserman USMC, 1970.

She stood there and murmured a few words I still couldn't make out. "OK, son , I'm finished.

Get me back to my car and you can go home."

"Yes, Ma'am. If I may ask, were those your kinfolk ?"

She paused. "Yes, Donald Davidson was my father; Stephen was my uncle;

Stanley was my husband; Larry and Darrel were our sons. All killed in action, all Marines."

She stopped, whether she had finished, or couldn't finish, I don't know.

She made her way to her car, slowly, and painfully.

I waited for a polite distance to come between us and then double-timed it over to Kevin waiting by the car.

"Get to the "Out"-gate quick. I have something I've got to do."

Kevin started to say something but saw the look I gave him.

He broke the rules to get us there down the service road. We beat her.

She hadn't made it around the rotunda yet.

"Kevin, stand to attention next to the gate post. Follow my lead."

I humped it across the drive to the other post.

When the Cadillac came puttering around from the hedges

and began the short straight traverse to the gate, I called in my best gunny's voice:

"TehenHut! Present Haaaarms!"

I have to hand it to Kevin, he never blinked an eye; full dress attention

and a salute that would make his DI proud.

She drove through that gate with two old worn-out soldiers giving her a send off she deserved,

for service rendered to her country, and for knowing Duty, Honor and Sacrifice

I am not sure, but I think I saw a salute returned from that Cadillac.

Instead of "The End".... just think of "Taps".

As a final thought on my part, let me share a favorite prayer:

"Lord, keep our servicemen and women safe, whether they serve at home

or over seas. Hold them in Your loving hands and protect them as they protect us."

Let's all keep those currently serving and those who have gone before,

in our thoughts. They are the reason for the many freedoms we enjoy.

"In God We Trust"

Sorry about your monitor, it made mine blurry too !  -  Jim

[tdawnaz]

nice story ewo...this is my fav topic...right ahead of funny stuff...

tmn appreciates all the contributions to this salute to our country and our servicemen...i still drop in to my dad's vfw for a beer when i'm on that side of town...luv those guys...and they luved him...

this topic is just a reminder to all to never forget what they do for us...whether we like what they're doing or agree with the reason...whether they agree with it...they do it selflessly...

[tommie gorman]

Yep, they serve for little pay so we can do what ever we please.

Nothing makes me prouder than to honor a veteran.  Other than to see my girls pledge alleginace to the flag. (at all ball games if nothing else that is worth the admission )

In reality it is the best part about going to the VA hospital. I get to see loads of veterans. And if they are in the right mood they even have  good story to tell.

[Roco]

some English Patriotism  , it came about because schools were advised not to celibrate St.Georges day

as it could offend ethnic minorities ,

Don't say you're English

From the Queen's Royal Lancer's Website:

                motto, Death or Glory

Goodbye to my England, So long my old friend

Your days are numbered, being brought to an end

To be Scottish, Irish or Welsh that's fine

But don't say you're English, that's way out of line.

The French and the Germans may call themselves such

So may Norwegians, the Swedes and the Dutch

You can say you are Russian or maybe a Dane

But don't say you're English ever again.

At Broadcasting House the word is taboo

In Brussels it's scrapped, in Parliament too

Even schools are affected; staff do as they're told

They must not teach children about England of old.

Writers like Shakespeare, Milton and Shaw

The pupils do not learn about them anymore

How about Agincourt, Hastings, Arnhem or Mons

When England lost hosts of her very brave sons.

We are not Europeans, how can we be?

Europe is miles away over the sea

We're the English from England, let's all be proud

Stand up and be counted- Shout it out loud.

Let's tell our Government and Brussels too

We're proud of our heritage and the Red, White and Blue

Fly the flag of Saint George or the Union Jack

Let the world know - we want OUR ENGLAND BACK !!!!

[tommie gorman]

Damn straight Roco. Patriotism does not have a country, but it does show pride in the one that you love. And that is so true of all great countries, we are supposed to "OVER" accomodate visitors. Not sure why. 

By the way, I like it a lot. (wasn't sure if you could tell ) 

[tommie gorman]

This is what I really call a super hero. He just does not quit.  Boy our soldiers are a great bunch of guys.

Copied from Military.com email. 

AF Family Helps Purple Heart Recipient

April 24, 2008

Air Force Print News|by TSgt. Mike Hammond

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas - Staff Sgt. Matthew Slaydon lay motionless on a dusty road in Iraq, his body riddled with shrapnel after an improvised explosive device exploded about 2 feet from his face. His left arm hung by a couple of tendons and his face was unrecognizable. His friends worked frantically to save him from an early grave.

Sergeant Slaydon, an explosive ordnance disposal technician from the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., was critically injured Oct. 24, 2007, while serving to protect convoy routes in Iraq. The explosion left him completely blind. His left eye was gone. Doctors amputated his left arm above the elbow. He also suffered a collapsed lung and numerous facial fractures and lacerations in the attack.

A terrorist's bomb may have blown Sergeant Slaydon's body apart that day, but since then, a lot of people have helped him keep his life together.

An Agonizing Trip

Days after the attack, Sergeant Slaydon's wife of more than eight years, Annette, made the difficult flight to meet her badly injured and unconscious husband at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

"It was an agonizing trip," Mrs. Slaydon said. "I had hardly eaten or slept in the three days since I heard of his injuries."

A family liaison officer from Sergeant Slaydon's EOD shop at Luke AFB, Staff Sgt. Ryan Winger, accompanied her on the flight to see her husband for the first time.

"It was very rough emotionally. There was no way I could've handled all the details without Sergeant Winger's help," she said.

When she finally arrived and saw her husband for the first time since he left for the fateful deployment, she couldn't believe her eyes.

"I just kept looking at him and looking at him ... his whole face and head was so swollen ... and really, the only thing I could recognize was the top of his head," she said.

A Little Help From Their Friends

Sergeant Slaydon was not regularly conscious for the first three weeks after the attack. He would have no memory of the days ahead, but Annette soon discovered she was far from alone.

A combination of people and resources has been at her service since the moment she found out her husband was wounded. A team of Air Force members, along with financial support from the Air Force Aid Society, has "made it possible for me to spend most of my time with my husband, instead of dealing with bills and other distractions," Mrs. Slaydon said.

In the early hours of Oct. 31, 2007, the Slaydons arrived in San Antonio, where Sergeant Slaydon would continue treatment and begin rehabilitation at Brooke Army Medical Center.

"Before the engines on that plane even shut off completely, Chief Page was on board," Mrs. Slaydon said, referring to Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Page, 12th Flying Training Wing command chief master sergeant. "He introduced himself and said, 'You're in Air Force country now -- I've got you,' and he gave me an EOD coin to give Matthew so he'd have a coin on him," she said.

"When I met Chief Page, it was the first time I really thought everything would be OK ... eventually, at least."

With Chief Page was Senior Airman Dan Acosta, a fellow EOD Airman who was also severely wounded by an IED in Iraq on Dec. 7, 2005. Airman Acosta took over family liaison officer duties from Sergeant Winger, who returned to duty at Luke only after being assured his comrade was in good hands. Mrs. Slaydon said Airman Acosta and his wife have been incredibly supportive and helpful since they can personally relate to the various challenges the Slaydons face each day.

"The first several weeks were very chaotic," Mrs. Slaydon said. "I was there with Matthew the whole time I could be. My days were spent going to the hospital and back, and then I would go home, do essential things like laundry, and go to sleep. Then, I'd get up and do it all over again."

Easing the Burden

As the couple faced severe hardships, many more people reached out to them.

For instance, Army policy would be to permanently move an injured soldier to San Antonio during treatment. This would have been a hardship for the Slaydons, if not for the help of Senior Master Sgt. Debra Westmoreland, a member of the AETC command action group. Sergeant Westmoreland met the Slaydons while getting background information for a Purple Heart presentation ceremony. She helped ensure they could keep Luke as their home station. Since then, she's helped them with numerous other issues and treated them like family, according to Mrs. Slaydon.

The sacrifice required of families such as the Slaydons goes well beyond the physical injuries and emotional difficulties. There is a heavy financial toll as well.

"Back home in Arizona, I'm a paralegal and I bring in a good paycheck," Mrs. Slaydon said. "But being here with my husband, I'm not collecting that check anymore. We also own a house there, so there are mortgage payments to think about."

That's where the Air Force Aid Society lightened the load.

Steve Mayfield, at the Randolph AFB Airman and Family Readiness Flight, arranged for the AFAS to fund the Slaydons' house payments for a couple of months. Air Force Aid also took care of some unexpected expenses that came up, like termite treatment on the home.

"It was hard to ask for help," Mrs. Slaydon said. "We're very self-sufficient and good with our money. It can be hard to get over your pride to 'stoop' and ask for financial assistance, but Mr. Mayfield explained the aid was a benefit my husband earned through his service -- even before he was wounded. That made me feel better about it."

Meanwhile, back at Luke, Sergeant Slaydon's co-workers, along with the base and local communities, pitched in as well. They quickly raised more than $3,000 to help the family, according to Capt. Matthew Hileman, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron EOD Flight commander.

"There is nothing the EOD community and the Air Force family will not do to help those who risk their lives defending their country," the captain said. "Their sacrifice is a debt we truly cannot begin to repay."

"The support from my home unit at Luke has really allowed me to focus on healing," Sergeant Slaydon said. "They've come out to visit me, they've been taking care of my house along with friends and neighbors, not to mention helping Annette in the early days after I was injured."

Finally, at a national level, John Beckett, of the Air Force Survivor Assistance Program, has worked closely with the Slaydons to get them through current issues and help them look toward the future.

"He's personally called to check on us regularly, and been a huge help to us," Mrs. Slaydon said.

The Road Ahead

Sergeant Slaydon's recovery is still a work in progress. He's learning to cope in total darkness. He has been fitted with a prosthetic for his left arm and is trying to get used to that.

Despite a schedule full of medical and therapy appointments, community reintegration events, and public speaking engagements, he was able to clear some time on his calendar for the one he loves. He and Annette renewed their marriage vows April 11. That was important to them, because in a future full of uncertainties, they could only be sure of their love for each other.

"A big challenge for me in the near future will be transitioning from active duty to medically retired," Sergeant Slaydon said. "Not so much the paperwork, but just being ready to leave active duty. I loved being in Iraq on patrols, manning a gun, defeating the enemy's most dangerous weapons. So it'll be a different life ahead."

Sergeant Slaydon said he's looking to go back to school to obtain a doctorate in clinical psychology. He wants to work for the Veteran's Administration in the field of post-traumatic stress disorder so he can help other people just like his Air Force family helped him.

"The bottom line for me is -- yeah, I could sit around on the couch and collect a check for the rest of my life, but to hell with that," he said. "I want to do something and still make a difference."

I am at awe really.

[Roco]

Hmmm the UK doesn't seem to have the equivalent to the purple heart ,

I guess the old, so you lost arm, equates to "it's only a flesh wound " and that is a sad way of looking at it,  young lives destroyed , 

some history on the UK's Queens Royal Lancers , founded in 1759 and used the lance and horse , and used in WW1 in the same way against the machine gun ,

the big worry was the loss of horses , 

now out in Iraq using the chalenger tank, so we have moved forward a bit ,

Damn straight Roco. Patriotism does not have a country, but it does show pride in the one that you love. And that is so true of all great countries, we are supposed to "OVER" accomodate visitors. Not sure why. 

By the way, I like it a lot. (wasn't sure if you could tell ) 

yeah  thanks Tommie the Brits have no loyalty to the ground we are on , only to the Queen and fellow Brits ,

BTW we have had our election for the mayor of London today , and the British National Party (BNP) seems to be doing well , folk are sick of all this P.Correct  bending over backwards stuff, it could get interesting ,

cap badge from the Queens Royal Lancers , and their todays horse and lance,

[tommie gorman]

Now this is the way to fly a flag.

To tell the truth, that would almost tempt me to want to try skydiving just to be able to do that. And have a pic of me doing it too. 

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iCz3BA-oNlY

[tdawnaz]

that was awesome

[EWO]

Truly great.  Thanks Tommie

[mudmanc4]

Big flag, cool!

[coknuck]

Nice!

[tdawnaz]

who says testmy.net isn't patriotic...just look at the big flag we're flying...THIS TOPIC...so many awesome posts in this topic...have u gone thru here lately and re-read some of these...WOW

[tommie gorman]

who says testmy.net isn't patriotic...just look at the big flag we're flying...THIS TOPIC...so many awesome posts in this topic...have u gone thru here lately and re-read some of these...WOW

Not in recently as in lately, but I have several times though. Its a great topic and thread. Its taken its tolls too. But it is still flying there too. 

[tdawnaz]

AND...stays on topic

[tommie gorman]

I thought this fit here. And I approve of it too. 

[mudmanc4]

I wish every one in the world would watch this video.   

TWICE !

[tdawnaz]

hey i'd vote for him...