In my role as a “fair and balanced” member of the press corps, I attended the Idaho County Democratic Caucus last Tuesday evening, the first time I’ve been to one of these things. There were 179 people attending (nearly twice the attendance of their last presidential caucus), so I’m tempted to say that the Idaho County Democrats are taking this election very seriously. With my red bordered nametag (red for non-voting observers), I was invited several times (somewhat tongue in cheek I suspect) to join the Democratic Party. Thanks, but no thanks, I’ve been a somewhat contrary independent voter for well over forty years and don’t really plan to change now.
Remembering my Granddaddy’s description of California’s democratic conventions of the 1920’s and 30’s, it appears that things have changed somewhat. I didn’t really expect to see any “smoke filled rooms”, but I didn’t see any serious horse trading going on either, and nary a fist fight. This was more like an old time Sunday church social, with of course somewhat different subject material. Apparently Idaho Counties Democrats are more peaceable people than the Los Angles Irish of a few decades back. I ran into several people I’ve known for a long time, and we did get into politically related discussions, mostly with me asking questions, and they trying to explain their stance to this unreconstructed conservative.
There were signs indicating where the supporters of various candidates were supposed to congregate, and although everybody seemed nice and friendly, I rather thought I might get in a bunch of trouble if I asked where the Republican cheering section was. So, following my well developed sense of self preservation, I wandered over to the designated press and observer area and generally kept my mouth shut. I did get a bit of name recognition though, and despite my reputation as not being all that friendly to Democratic political policies, not a claw or fang came out. I guess they left whatever wide-eyed far left radicals they might have on the rolls at home for the night.
I’ve never been a fan of the Caucus system, probably because I never really understood how they operate. However, in rural areas such as this I can see where they do save the county treasury a lot of money. Holding any sort of public election, with all the mandatory polling places, election workers, and official protocol can get pretty expensive in an area with a comparatively small tax base. This caucus was short and to the point, and doesn’t require polling stations all over the county. Personally I still think I’d prefer a primary election, but the caucus took a lot less time, effort, and expense.
I don’t know of any attempt to determine actual percentages, but from looking at the crowd I would estimate that Hillary had a higher percentage of women supporters than did Obama, which I believe is happening nationwide and should be no surprise. Another thing that didn’t surprise me was the fairly large number of current or retired federal employees attending as delegates. I always did think that the Forest Service was our local hotbed of raging liberal politics. (Oops, gotta watch that “fair and balanced” part.)
Of the 167 voting delegates present, the initial tally was 113 votes for Obama, 43 for Hillary Clinton, with the remainder either for Edwards or uncommitted, about what I might expect in this rural area. Unfortunately, from my viewpoint at least, the sound system left a lot to be desired, my inexpensive tape recorder failed, and thus I missed a good part of the many speeches intended to sway delegates to one candidate or another. These speeches were deliberately kept short, and thus were “to the point”, unlike much of the long winded political oratory by the well known “big guns” we often see on TV. There’s much to be said for living out in the country where most people can generally get their point across in only a few words. The caucus chairman was also kind enough to take a few moments to explain the workings of the democratic caucus system to those of us unfamiliar with the process, which certainly eased much of the confusion on my part.
In general the speeches were of the “Why I’m for So-and-so, and you should be too” genre. I didn’t really hear anything new in praise of the Democratic presidential hopefuls, but I did sort of miss the expected heavy duty digs at the republicans in general, and George W. Bush in particular. These were of course local speakers, not the candidates themselves, or their direct representatives. Several speakers did get a chuckle from the crowd, and a round of applause, from minor comments about the opposition, but these comments were more in fun (I think) than anything else. Nor was there any of the mudslinging and cat fights we’ve seen of late from the candidates of both parties. For the most part, Hillary was described as “caring”, and “A tough lady with political experience”, while Obama was praised as a man who has fought his way up from nearly nothing to a position of national recognition and leadership.
One common thread among the speakers seems to be their candidates desire for government mandated “affordable housing”, “a fair living for everyone”, “economic stability” and “affordable medical care”, perfectly understandable and even desirable points, particularly for lower income people, that we can all easily understand. And all you might note directly descended from FDR’s “New Deal” policies. What I thought conspicuous by its absence is an explanation of just how our government, teetering on the verge of federal bankruptcy, is supposed to pay for all this without a massive tax increase and even more government borrowing. We’re talking tens of trillions of dollars here, each and every year! To my surprise not much was said about the Iraqi war, or the proposed troop withdrawals. I would have expected this to be a major point of discussion. Still, the purpose of the caucus was to select the party’s standard bearer, not to determine campaign issues.
Anyway, after the second and final tally, it was reported that Barrack Obama had 121 votes, which comes to 72.5% of the Idaho County Democratic vote, at the upcoming state Democratic convention. Not exactly a clean sweep, but close enough.
Thank you folks, it was an interesting evening, and I for one appreciate the chance to learn a bit more about the American political process.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Change
In My Opinion – by Bob Fogarty
It appears that the current buzzword in American politics is “Change”. I’ve also noted that the candidates from both political parties are using it in the sense of “it’s time for a political change in Washington, and I’m the best bet”. Well, yes, change is in the air, and it’s high time I’d say. President Bush is finishing his second term in office and now we have a constitutionally mandated change in the regime. However, changing from one party (in this case the Republicans) to the other side of the aisle (the Democrats) doesn’t appear that it’s going to be the answer to our problems. I’ve hears the term “Republicrats” a number of times, and used it myself, as an indicator that the two primary political parties have nearly merged in their goals. This is of course only partially true. Over the last few years the neoconservative republicans have been on a spending spree unprecedented in our history, ignoring the fiscally conservative wing of the party. The Democrats for their part have been weeping and wailing about all that federal spending, but since they’ve become the majority party in congress the spending continues unabated. Both parties have become the free wheeling high rollers so beloved of special interests.
They do differ in their response to the War on Terror however. While the Republicans apparently want to continue their “Romp and Stomp” all over the Arab world, the Democrats want us to come running home with our tails between our legs. Neither option will do the United States any good whatsoever, merely making us an even more inviting target for the terrorists. Both parties pay lip service to the problem of border security, but aren’t doing anything about it. The Republicans want to continue their self proclaimed authority to spy on American citizens, the Democrats continuously wail about that spying violating our civil liberties, while in the meantime the NSA continues reading our mail and the FBI is still checking up on our library cards. Both parties are all in favor of continued illegal immigration, the republicans for “cheap labor” apparently, while the democrats seem to like the idea of even more under privileged (read Democratic) voters, despite the fact that the American public has responded to amnesty for illegal immigration with a resounding NO, several times!
Both parties blame the other for our nation’s financial woes, conveniently not mentioning that congressional free spending has been pushing us to the verge of national bankruptcy for decades. Fiscal moderation apparently isn’t something taught to budding politicians anymore. We might keep in mind that the collapse of the Soviet Union was brought about by government bankruptcy, not by the number of tanks and planes in the US inventory. The soviets printed money like it was going out of style, with nothing to back it except vague promises. The US Federal Reserve has been doing the same thing to us for over two decades. The soviets were burdened with an enormous, ineffective, and very expensive bureaucracy, something else our federal government seems to favor. Despite all their bragging, the soviet educational system was an abject failure. Our federal control of the US educational system is today failing our kids, and our nation.
The public, in the meantime, has been taken to the cleaners in the form of taxes upon taxes, and a few government mandated corporate profit schemes as well. The Republicans are preaching a massive tax cut, with no corresponding cut in spending. I expect they’ll want to run the presses overtime printing even more valueless paper money. For their part, the democratic presidential candidates are proposing to increase our taxes, which I’m sure congress will find a way to spend on even more pork and earmarks. They’re also proposing that the government require everyone in the country to have some sort of private health insurance, which would be a windfall for the insurance companies. ‘Course they don’t seem to have any suggestions about how we (John Q. Citizen) are supposed to afford that high priced insurance.
It would seem however, that even after seven years of being severely bashed by almost everybody, President Bush still has a sense of humor. Either that, or he’s slipped his trolley completely! In his January 28th State of the Union message he said, “The actions of the 110th Congress will affect the security and prosperity of our Nation long after this session has ended. In this election year, let us show our fellow Americans that we recognize our responsibilities and are determined to meet them. And let us show them that Republicans and Democrats can compete for votes and cooperate for results at the same time.” A moment later he said, “…we must trust people with their own money and empower them to grow our economy”. Congress recognizing its responsibilities!? Or that the two major political parties might co-operate over anything besides wrecking the country!? And the concept of allowing Americans to keep their own money certainly wasn’t something he picked-up in Politics 101 or in lectures covering “tax and spend”! Overall, I thought those lines were good for a real belly laugh.
We’ve all heard of the huge national budget each year, and the media is constantly reminding us about congressional pork and earmarks. Wasteful spending and its rabid defense has been a trademark of congress since creeping socialism in the form of FDR’s “New Deal” first hit the streets. Now, if a democrat wins the presidency, it seems that we’re probably going to get a Canadian style socialized medical care system. Don’t get sick under that program, it might be a couple of months, or a couple of years, before a doctor sees you. At the same time I’m not very hopeful about a federally mandated medical insurance program either. After all, something like 30% of Americans don’t have any medical insurance, simply because they can’t afford it. So now, at the snap of congressional fingers, we’re all going to miraculously have the extra few hundred dollars a month to spend on medical insurance? What a deal for the insurance companies!! “But it’s free, it’s free!” the socialized medicine proponents shout from the rooftops. Sorry boys and girls, “TANSTAAFL”, There Ain’t No Such Thing As A Free Lunch. Somebody’s going to get stuck with the bill, and in this case it’s going to be the taxpayers, again, for only a “few” hundred billion dollars each year.
Certainly any change in the wrong direction, as proposed by liberals and so many Republicans is a step backwards. But there are changes we know must come about. We know we face enemies who want to kill us. We know American jobs are going to Mexico, China, and India. We know our schools are failing our kids. We know our borders are severely leaking. And the proponents of change in Washington aren’t doing much more than rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Perhaps there really are two Americas, the Washington beltway… and the rest of us.
It appears that the current buzzword in American politics is “Change”. I’ve also noted that the candidates from both political parties are using it in the sense of “it’s time for a political change in Washington, and I’m the best bet”. Well, yes, change is in the air, and it’s high time I’d say. President Bush is finishing his second term in office and now we have a constitutionally mandated change in the regime. However, changing from one party (in this case the Republicans) to the other side of the aisle (the Democrats) doesn’t appear that it’s going to be the answer to our problems. I’ve hears the term “Republicrats” a number of times, and used it myself, as an indicator that the two primary political parties have nearly merged in their goals. This is of course only partially true. Over the last few years the neoconservative republicans have been on a spending spree unprecedented in our history, ignoring the fiscally conservative wing of the party. The Democrats for their part have been weeping and wailing about all that federal spending, but since they’ve become the majority party in congress the spending continues unabated. Both parties have become the free wheeling high rollers so beloved of special interests.
They do differ in their response to the War on Terror however. While the Republicans apparently want to continue their “Romp and Stomp” all over the Arab world, the Democrats want us to come running home with our tails between our legs. Neither option will do the United States any good whatsoever, merely making us an even more inviting target for the terrorists. Both parties pay lip service to the problem of border security, but aren’t doing anything about it. The Republicans want to continue their self proclaimed authority to spy on American citizens, the Democrats continuously wail about that spying violating our civil liberties, while in the meantime the NSA continues reading our mail and the FBI is still checking up on our library cards. Both parties are all in favor of continued illegal immigration, the republicans for “cheap labor” apparently, while the democrats seem to like the idea of even more under privileged (read Democratic) voters, despite the fact that the American public has responded to amnesty for illegal immigration with a resounding NO, several times!
Both parties blame the other for our nation’s financial woes, conveniently not mentioning that congressional free spending has been pushing us to the verge of national bankruptcy for decades. Fiscal moderation apparently isn’t something taught to budding politicians anymore. We might keep in mind that the collapse of the Soviet Union was brought about by government bankruptcy, not by the number of tanks and planes in the US inventory. The soviets printed money like it was going out of style, with nothing to back it except vague promises. The US Federal Reserve has been doing the same thing to us for over two decades. The soviets were burdened with an enormous, ineffective, and very expensive bureaucracy, something else our federal government seems to favor. Despite all their bragging, the soviet educational system was an abject failure. Our federal control of the US educational system is today failing our kids, and our nation.
The public, in the meantime, has been taken to the cleaners in the form of taxes upon taxes, and a few government mandated corporate profit schemes as well. The Republicans are preaching a massive tax cut, with no corresponding cut in spending. I expect they’ll want to run the presses overtime printing even more valueless paper money. For their part, the democratic presidential candidates are proposing to increase our taxes, which I’m sure congress will find a way to spend on even more pork and earmarks. They’re also proposing that the government require everyone in the country to have some sort of private health insurance, which would be a windfall for the insurance companies. ‘Course they don’t seem to have any suggestions about how we (John Q. Citizen) are supposed to afford that high priced insurance.
It would seem however, that even after seven years of being severely bashed by almost everybody, President Bush still has a sense of humor. Either that, or he’s slipped his trolley completely! In his January 28th State of the Union message he said, “The actions of the 110th Congress will affect the security and prosperity of our Nation long after this session has ended. In this election year, let us show our fellow Americans that we recognize our responsibilities and are determined to meet them. And let us show them that Republicans and Democrats can compete for votes and cooperate for results at the same time.” A moment later he said, “…we must trust people with their own money and empower them to grow our economy”. Congress recognizing its responsibilities!? Or that the two major political parties might co-operate over anything besides wrecking the country!? And the concept of allowing Americans to keep their own money certainly wasn’t something he picked-up in Politics 101 or in lectures covering “tax and spend”! Overall, I thought those lines were good for a real belly laugh.
We’ve all heard of the huge national budget each year, and the media is constantly reminding us about congressional pork and earmarks. Wasteful spending and its rabid defense has been a trademark of congress since creeping socialism in the form of FDR’s “New Deal” first hit the streets. Now, if a democrat wins the presidency, it seems that we’re probably going to get a Canadian style socialized medical care system. Don’t get sick under that program, it might be a couple of months, or a couple of years, before a doctor sees you. At the same time I’m not very hopeful about a federally mandated medical insurance program either. After all, something like 30% of Americans don’t have any medical insurance, simply because they can’t afford it. So now, at the snap of congressional fingers, we’re all going to miraculously have the extra few hundred dollars a month to spend on medical insurance? What a deal for the insurance companies!! “But it’s free, it’s free!” the socialized medicine proponents shout from the rooftops. Sorry boys and girls, “TANSTAAFL”, There Ain’t No Such Thing As A Free Lunch. Somebody’s going to get stuck with the bill, and in this case it’s going to be the taxpayers, again, for only a “few” hundred billion dollars each year.
Certainly any change in the wrong direction, as proposed by liberals and so many Republicans is a step backwards. But there are changes we know must come about. We know we face enemies who want to kill us. We know American jobs are going to Mexico, China, and India. We know our schools are failing our kids. We know our borders are severely leaking. And the proponents of change in Washington aren’t doing much more than rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Perhaps there really are two Americas, the Washington beltway… and the rest of us.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
VFW
Last week my wife and I had the opportunity to attend the Veterans of Foreign Wars Mid-Winter Conference held in Boise. Despite having been a sometimes active VFW member since the mid-seventies, I’ve never been to one of these shindigs before, I really didn’t know just what to expect, and the conference was an eye opener for this ‘ol country boy. For one thing, I got to meet a lot of VIP’s (including the National Commander George Lisicki), and I learned a lot about the internal workings of the organization. I also got a much better idea of just how serious the VFW is about our military veterans who are still serving America in non-military ways.
While the VFW and the American Legion are two of the better known veterans organizations, there are plenty of other groups out there. A quick search of the internet reveals more than 40 organizations nationwide that are currently recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs as veteran’s service organizations. Many people consider these veterans organizations to be marching and drinking societies, where the members (generally a bunch of old soldiers), do little more than sit around the clubhouse swilling beer and telling the same tired old war hero stories that everyone’s already heard dozens of times. And I’ll admit that happens, with a very few members, and on rare occasions. But these groups are a lot more than just social clubs. They are after all, Service Organizations. Personally I’m much more familiar with the VFW than any other group, so I’ll speak about them, but remember that the following generally pertains to all veterans organizations.
The VFW provides numerous services to both veterans as well as to active duty military personnel and their families. Each post has a service officer readily available to assist veterans, members and non-members alike, in filing for their veterans benefits, whether it’s for a service connected disability, GI Educational benefits, vocational rehab, military life insurance, or whatever. The three main efforts of the VFW Military Services department are, the Military Assistance Program which has helped fund Farewell and Welcome Home gatherings for military units worldwide. Operation Uplink, which provides free, pre-paid phone cards to service members, and Unmet Needs, which can give a one-time grant of up to $2,500 to qualifying service members and their families that are experiencing financial hardship.
Fostering patriotism and honoring America's veterans, whether it’s on Memorial Day, Independence Day or Veterans Day, is part of the VFW's philosophy. Public commemorations hosted by VFW Posts worldwide cultivate an appreciation of the responsibilities and benefits of being an American. The flags you see lining Grangeville’s Main Street on national holidays are purchased, maintained, posted, and recovered by members of the VFW and American Legion. Our local Memorial Day ceremonies are hosted by the VFW and Legion as well. Flags and flag etiquette are important components of the VFW's Citizenship Education program. Every year, hundreds of thousands of students participate in the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen contests, garnering more than $3.4 million in scholarships and incentives. Additionally the VFW honors an outstanding scout each year through the VFW Scout of the Year Scholarship program. The VFW has a longstanding tradition of community service, working closely with other organizations such as Boy Scouts of America, America Supports You and America's Promise-The Alliance for Youth. Constructive community service is a founding VFW tenet benefiting education, the environment, health sciences and civic projects. The VFW's citizenship education program is designed to stimulate an interest in America's history, its traditions and institutions, as well as promote patriotism. The VFW also works closely with the National Rifle Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, International Association of Firefighters and the Salvation Army.
There are numerous projects and services that VFW Posts and its Auxiliaries offer to promote citizenship in the local community and educational facilities. Besides the VFW's outstanding scholarship programs, Posts and Auxiliaries across the nation work with youth in scouting, sports, ROTC and military cadet programs. By providing leaders, funding, sponsorships and other resources, the VFW and its Auxiliaries encourage millions of America's young adults to higher ideals and greater personal achievement.
Among all the flowers that evoke the memories and emotions of war is the red poppy, which became associated with war after the publication of a poem written by Col. John McCrae of the Canadian Army following WW I. The poem, "In Flander's Field," describes blowing red fields among the battleground of the fallen. For more than 75 years, the VFW's Buddy Poppy program has raised millions of dollars in support of veterans' welfare and the well being of their dependents. The poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. In 1923 the VFW decided that VFW Buddy Poppies would be assembled by disabled and needy veterans who would be paid for their work to provide them with some form of financial assistance. Today, VFW Buddy Poppies are still assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA Hospitals nationwide.
Just who are these veterans anyway? Well, they’re your friends and neighbors, along with probably more than just a few relatives. The VFW was started by returning veterans of the Spanish-American war, and has included veterans of every war this nation has been involved with ever since, including the current unpleasantness in Iraq and Afghanistan. They’re people who once wore the uniform of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Nowadays there are a lot of women who are full members of the VFW as well. They’re all people who once, at great personal risk, served this nation in uniform, and today, now in civilian clothes, continue to serve our country. They’re simply Americans, who, timeworn as the phrase may be, are patriotic citizens who strongly believe in the greatness, the strength, and the promise of our country.
Volunteering our time, efforts, and even our hard earned money is an American tradition that dates back to colonial days, with the militia and firefighting being the best known historically. Yet how many pioneers, arriving at their new home, found the neighbors quickly gathering to help build a cabin or raise a barn? If someone was sick or injured the neighbors again responded, to gather in a crop, do the chores, or care for the family. We have a quite admirable national culture of helping ourselves, our relatives, our neighbors, and the community. Veterans organizations are nothing more than a fraternal extension of that culture.
If you’re a veteran, and not a member of the VFW, perhaps you should consider joining. If so, please contact me, and I’d be glad to help get you started. If you’re an inactive member, perhaps you should get active again.
Veterans, forever serving.
While the VFW and the American Legion are two of the better known veterans organizations, there are plenty of other groups out there. A quick search of the internet reveals more than 40 organizations nationwide that are currently recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs as veteran’s service organizations. Many people consider these veterans organizations to be marching and drinking societies, where the members (generally a bunch of old soldiers), do little more than sit around the clubhouse swilling beer and telling the same tired old war hero stories that everyone’s already heard dozens of times. And I’ll admit that happens, with a very few members, and on rare occasions. But these groups are a lot more than just social clubs. They are after all, Service Organizations. Personally I’m much more familiar with the VFW than any other group, so I’ll speak about them, but remember that the following generally pertains to all veterans organizations.
The VFW provides numerous services to both veterans as well as to active duty military personnel and their families. Each post has a service officer readily available to assist veterans, members and non-members alike, in filing for their veterans benefits, whether it’s for a service connected disability, GI Educational benefits, vocational rehab, military life insurance, or whatever. The three main efforts of the VFW Military Services department are, the Military Assistance Program which has helped fund Farewell and Welcome Home gatherings for military units worldwide. Operation Uplink, which provides free, pre-paid phone cards to service members, and Unmet Needs, which can give a one-time grant of up to $2,500 to qualifying service members and their families that are experiencing financial hardship.
Fostering patriotism and honoring America's veterans, whether it’s on Memorial Day, Independence Day or Veterans Day, is part of the VFW's philosophy. Public commemorations hosted by VFW Posts worldwide cultivate an appreciation of the responsibilities and benefits of being an American. The flags you see lining Grangeville’s Main Street on national holidays are purchased, maintained, posted, and recovered by members of the VFW and American Legion. Our local Memorial Day ceremonies are hosted by the VFW and Legion as well. Flags and flag etiquette are important components of the VFW's Citizenship Education program. Every year, hundreds of thousands of students participate in the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen contests, garnering more than $3.4 million in scholarships and incentives. Additionally the VFW honors an outstanding scout each year through the VFW Scout of the Year Scholarship program. The VFW has a longstanding tradition of community service, working closely with other organizations such as Boy Scouts of America, America Supports You and America's Promise-The Alliance for Youth. Constructive community service is a founding VFW tenet benefiting education, the environment, health sciences and civic projects. The VFW's citizenship education program is designed to stimulate an interest in America's history, its traditions and institutions, as well as promote patriotism. The VFW also works closely with the National Rifle Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, International Association of Firefighters and the Salvation Army.
There are numerous projects and services that VFW Posts and its Auxiliaries offer to promote citizenship in the local community and educational facilities. Besides the VFW's outstanding scholarship programs, Posts and Auxiliaries across the nation work with youth in scouting, sports, ROTC and military cadet programs. By providing leaders, funding, sponsorships and other resources, the VFW and its Auxiliaries encourage millions of America's young adults to higher ideals and greater personal achievement.
Among all the flowers that evoke the memories and emotions of war is the red poppy, which became associated with war after the publication of a poem written by Col. John McCrae of the Canadian Army following WW I. The poem, "In Flander's Field," describes blowing red fields among the battleground of the fallen. For more than 75 years, the VFW's Buddy Poppy program has raised millions of dollars in support of veterans' welfare and the well being of their dependents. The poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. In 1923 the VFW decided that VFW Buddy Poppies would be assembled by disabled and needy veterans who would be paid for their work to provide them with some form of financial assistance. Today, VFW Buddy Poppies are still assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA Hospitals nationwide.
Just who are these veterans anyway? Well, they’re your friends and neighbors, along with probably more than just a few relatives. The VFW was started by returning veterans of the Spanish-American war, and has included veterans of every war this nation has been involved with ever since, including the current unpleasantness in Iraq and Afghanistan. They’re people who once wore the uniform of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Nowadays there are a lot of women who are full members of the VFW as well. They’re all people who once, at great personal risk, served this nation in uniform, and today, now in civilian clothes, continue to serve our country. They’re simply Americans, who, timeworn as the phrase may be, are patriotic citizens who strongly believe in the greatness, the strength, and the promise of our country.
Volunteering our time, efforts, and even our hard earned money is an American tradition that dates back to colonial days, with the militia and firefighting being the best known historically. Yet how many pioneers, arriving at their new home, found the neighbors quickly gathering to help build a cabin or raise a barn? If someone was sick or injured the neighbors again responded, to gather in a crop, do the chores, or care for the family. We have a quite admirable national culture of helping ourselves, our relatives, our neighbors, and the community. Veterans organizations are nothing more than a fraternal extension of that culture.
If you’re a veteran, and not a member of the VFW, perhaps you should consider joining. If so, please contact me, and I’d be glad to help get you started. If you’re an inactive member, perhaps you should get active again.
Veterans, forever serving.
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