Video: Veterans Day at the World War II Memorial
posted at 4:59 pm on November 11, 2009 by Allahpundit
A low-key tribute from Reason TV that’s no less moving for being so. Spare five minutes if you can. Actually, spare seven minutes and use the remaining two to read David Ignatius’s quietly stirring account of his time with troops in the field in Iraq and Afghanistan. It’s a nice generational bookend to the clip and resonant of Obama’s speech at Fort Hood yesterday saluting the modern American soldier as every bit the equal of those who went before him. Quote:
In truth, the U.S. military may be the most resilient part of American society right now. The soldiers are clearly in better shape than the political class that sent them to war and the economic leadership that has mismanaged the economy. (I’d give the same high marks to young civilians who are serving and sacrificing in hard places — the Peace Corps and medical volunteers I’ve met abroad and the teachers in tough inner-city schools.)
Through all its difficulties, the military has kept its stride. That sense of balance comes partly from the fact that soldiers are anchored to the American bedrock. This includes the stereotypical small towns in the South and Midwest that have military service in their DNA. But it also counts plenty of hardworking, upwardly mobile Hispanic and African American families in urban America that produce some of the best soldiers I know.
I had the pleasure of living in the military family when I traveled for 2 1/2 weeks recently with U.S. Central Command. What I heard, listening into the military’s unscripted conversations, were the wisecracks and dark humor of soldiers trying to make the best of a hard situation. But there was also the satisfaction of fighting these tough and sometimes thankless wars: The troops don’t boast about it, but they are very proud of what they have managed to accomplish.
The most gripping image: The long lines of troops waiting to receive challenge coins from Petraeus for having served two or more tours.
Blowback
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Why didn’t you mention FDR in this post?
crr6 on November 11, 2009 at 5:05 PM
I have been a soldier for 7 years, and have nearly 3 years of deployment spread out from 2003 to this month. In the interim, I have gotten married, had a son, and have another child on the way. I am incredibly grateful for this country for being worthy at its core of my service, to those who have served before me and live to tell the tale, to those who serve now, and those who hold up this country and continue to prove it a great country to call my home, while I live overseas, and the freedom I am infinitely proud, honored, and privileged to defend.
Spc Steve on November 11, 2009 at 5:06 PM
The WWII memorial is beautiful – it’s my favorite war memorial in DC.
They really did a nice job honoring those who served in a very simple and elegant way.
gophergirl on November 11, 2009 at 5:08 PM
I love the Will Rogers quote on the Honor Flight website:
“We can’t all be heroes. Some of us have to stand on the curb and clap as they go by.”
cs89 on November 11, 2009 at 5:08 PM
Looking down from Heaven my old man would be proud, as I am eternally proud of him.
fourdeucer on November 11, 2009 at 5:10 PM
The fact that it took this long to build a memorial for the Greatest Generation is an outrage. Also an outrage? We can appropriate billions for ACORN but nothing for flights that bring WWII veterans to the memorial.
What am I missing? Wasn’t this a posting about Veterans Day and WWII veterans?
amerpundit on November 11, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Great video. Love the ‘Every day is a bonus’ on the jackets.
BadgerHawk on November 11, 2009 at 5:11 PM
No dry eyes.
clorensen on November 11, 2009 at 5:11 PM
You can’t even make it one non-political post without being a tool. You truly are a sad, sad little person.
BadgerHawk on November 11, 2009 at 5:11 PM
I am an attorney with a thriving commercial law practice. Nice house. Nice car. Nice 401(k). And so on.
My son is a Captain in the Engineers. He recently finished his second tour in Iraq.
G-d, I would change places with him in a second.
Thank you to all all our vets, and to those currently serving.
__________
RJGatorEsq. on November 11, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Five minutes well spent. Inspirational even.
The above comment points out that we’ve created a new generation of vets larger than any time since Vietnam if not WWII. The difference is that society has not suffered or sacrificed as these vets have done the mission. There is no draft. As a result, today’s troops are slandered on the floor of the US Senate (Reid, Durbin, Kerry) and considered too stupid to get a real job. Our troops deserve better than the current Congress or the dithering filthy lying coward in the White House.
highhopes on November 11, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Thank you for your service and congrats on having another kid! One is hard…two is hardcore! Heh.
javamartini on November 11, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Yes of course. I was just borrowing your guy’s meme from the other day, when you freaked out because Reagan wasn’t mentioned enough re:the Berlin wall falling.
crr6 on November 11, 2009 at 5:14 PM
When are you making E-5? Remember to e-mail Ed or AP so they can update your screen name.
BadgerHawk on November 11, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Hats off to my father. He flew in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He’s 88 now and a great role model. Not too many left with those qual’s. Happy Vet’s day.
rjoco1 on November 11, 2009 at 5:15 PM
My beloved Army has the most universally despised system for promotion to the junior NCO ranks under the sun. Hopefully I will see points drop to attainable levels in the near future.
Spc Steve on November 11, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Reagan wasn’t mentioned by Obama during a speech regarding the fall of the Berlin Wall that Reagan helped push forward. This was a post about aging veterans expressing emotions at the WWII memorial dedicated to their service.
Bit of a difference that even mindless liberals should be able to decipher. Guess I overestimated your mental capacity.
amerpundit on November 11, 2009 at 5:17 PM
There are not too many of these old guys left. My father and his three brothers served in the war. My husband’s father was in Patton’s army. He came back with an astounding 6 bronze stars.
Back in those days everyone knew someone who served in the military and most families knew someone who died on foreign soil.
Terrye on November 11, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Maybe the best video or link HotAir.com has ever posted. Thank you for sharing.
nickj116 on November 11, 2009 at 5:17 PM
God bless them, our greatest generation!!
cubachi on November 11, 2009 at 5:19 PM
You’re active, right? Promotions are a b!tch in the Guard, because so many of the positions are held by Military Technicians (the M-F positions require National Guard service). You have some guys who stay in 20 years and only make E-6, just because there’s nowhere to go until guys retire (it takes 25 years as a Tech to draw retirement benefits).
BadgerHawk on November 11, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Ye
Get a hobby–other than cruising public toilets and posting here.
As usual, you’re ignorant and dishonest: The Berlin Wall ‘fell’ because of Reagan and Thatcher’s leadership; FDR and Truman were presidents during WWII. Only a sick little uneducated mind would make the connection
Janos Hunyadi on November 11, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Well, seeing as this is VETERAN’S DAY, and not the anniversary of V-J or V-E Day, it seems perfectly appropriate to keep the focus on the veterans.
Keep trying with those tu quoques, though. I’m sure you’ll eventually find one that sticks.
Purple Fury on November 11, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Oh, and my anger of Obama from that Berlin Wall speech had to deal with the fact that he talked about himself but failed to mention one of the guys, a president, who actually pushed for its collapse at the time.
amerpundit on November 11, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Translation: “Since I hate the military, I can’t say anything nice here about them on the day we honor them, so will try and hijack the thread by changing the subject to Bonzo.”
Epic FAIL, as usual.
Del Dolemonte on November 11, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Why am I arguing with a moron in a thread that’s supposed to be honoring veterans of WWII? Sorry, guys.
amerpundit on November 11, 2009 at 5:22 PM
I saw this on you tube and it just brought me to tears. The Reunion of American soldiers on the 75th anniversary of Gettysburg. It was a tribute, the music and the old photos and the old men are just something to see. All gone now. Check it out.
Terrye on November 11, 2009 at 5:23 PM
Yup, I’m active. But the points system is still so vague, taking the MOS as a whole, rather than how each unit needs NCO positions. As an example, I’m pulling a squad leader position as a SPC, because we’re short NCOs, even though points indicate that the MOS as a whole is balanced.
Spc Steve on November 11, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Pathetic.
Terrye on November 11, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Yes and no as to the outrage of it taking this long to build a memorial. The WWII vets I know pretty much have lived their lives with the attitude that they did what needed to be done and their service was “unremarkable” compared to the rest of society. Oftentimes they are wrong in that regard. I personally, like the fact that it took so long for us to create a WWII memorial because we appreciate it more. Nearby there is a monument to the AEF erected shortly after WWI. Anybody care to tell me where it is located? Anybody? The WWII memorial will not suffer the same oblivion.
As to the outrage of not funding flights into DC for the vets. I’ll only mention that the people at National (Reagan National if you aren’t an old-timer like me) do a great job of making it a big deal when WWII groups arrive. They announce the arrival and encourage travelers to greet the vets as they de-plane. That, at least, is something.
highhopes on November 11, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Like a stray dog pooping in your yard, it shows up to make a pest of itself.
Even the commies at Google showed a little honor, why can’t you?
Bishop on November 11, 2009 at 5:28 PM
AP
Thanks for posting this video. We were leaving an event last year and on the way to the car we passed by this group and I went through my wallet and my husband’s wallet to add to their helmet. It felt good then. I feel even better now seeing them in DC. And it reminded me to make a search of my wallet for the card one of the gentlemen gave me so that I can donate again.
journeyintothewhirlwind on November 11, 2009 at 5:28 PM
What is wrong with you?
jimmy the notable on November 11, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Just watched the video – crying at my desk.
gophergirl on November 11, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Heh. I had to force myself to apologize in a thread yesterday for allowing myself to get derailed. It happens.
Yeah, and before we ramped up our op tempo that never would have been a problem. Your unit doesn’t have an E-5 slot? Different unit. That’s a lot tougher now because commanders are reluctant to let guys leave for another unit early solely for promotion reasons. And it’s a lot tougher, obviously, to build your points when you’re deploying every two or three years.
I’m in a branch that only has about 8 O3 slots in the entire state. You can sit as an LT for 5 or 6 years waiting for a slot to open up. The only alternatives are to change branches or move to another state when a slot opens.
BadgerHawk on November 11, 2009 at 5:31 PM
That event is similar to what we see at the WWII memorial. Individuals in their 80s and 90s making a final trip to see a memorial honoring their service.
highhopes on November 11, 2009 at 5:32 PM
They’re all over on the main HA Veterans’ Day thread, paying tribute to the military there.
Oh, that’s right, they’re not.
What makes this so sad is that just a few weeks ago they were the ones accusing us of hating America, after we lost the Olympics.
But they have so few brain cells to begin with that they can’t even remember that far back.
Del Dolemonte on November 11, 2009 at 5:35 PM
I have to salute my deceased father here.
An Irish immigrant who came to America in 1926, he immediately went out to enlist in the US Army the day after Pearl Harbor, even though he was in his late 30s. He loved America and wanted to give back to her what she gave to him. To this day, I’m convinced that nobody loves America more than an immigrant who was blessed enough to be able to come here.
He landed at Oran, Algeria and slogged for 36 months through the North African, Sicilian, and Italian campaigns. He suffered through the battle of Montecassino and took part in the liberation of Rome. He finally ended up at “Leghorn” (Livorno), Italy at the end of the war with 6 combat stripes on his right sleeve. He was actually reported KIA not once, but twice during the war, but that’s another story.
He would never, ever talk about what happened to him. He proved the maxim that the closer you are to the front, the less you want to talk about it. But I don’t think he would have don’t anything differently.
He didn’t come home with a chest full of medals, but to me he was a hero and one of the finest human beings I have and will ever know.
RIP Dad! I salute you and all your comrades!
NavyMustang on November 11, 2009 at 5:37 PM
In the case of active duty, when promotion comes down, they look at the MTOEs as a whole, then the proportion of NCOs to soldiers across the entire army, before the publish points for promotion for E-5 and E-6. So there might be a top-heavy platoon somewhere screwing up the whole business, for all I know. But as an example, unit-level supply is a position that there is simply no need for E-6s in the Army. So points are always maxed. I have a couple friends in that position. Points might fluctuate for me. They see 798 every month.
Spc Steve on November 11, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Right on.
BadgerHawk on November 11, 2009 at 5:40 PM
That is a very moving video.
d1carter on November 11, 2009 at 5:45 PM
Thanks for posting the vid. I miss my grandpa and appreciate spending a few minutes with his generation.
tuffy on November 11, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Somewhere on the burning black sand of Iwo Jima is a small patch of earth where my uncle, my namesake and a Marine, died in February 1944. Somewhere in the vast Pacific is a small patch of water where my father, USAAF, died in 1943. And in a million other somewheres in a hundred other places, both near and far, there are little patches of earth where those who came before us paid the terrible price for the legacy that we now squander with such blinding abandon.
Sometime in the near future, if the current leadership of this country achieve many of their policy goals, we are all going to have to look at our lives and decide one way or the other whether or not we have the courage to redeem the desperate hope that all those men and women had for us. Whether or not we can somehow muster the courage to “Deserve this!”.
They were willing to die for freedom. Martin Luther King was willing to spend his life in jail for freedom. What will we be willing to do for freedom? It would be the most grotesque irony to win freedom for Iragis and Afghanis over there, and lose it for Americans here.
What are we willing to do……really?
Lew on November 11, 2009 at 5:47 PM
They sure understood the meaning of Service, and that seems to be their most common attribute.
fourdeucer on November 11, 2009 at 5:50 PM
God Bless every one of them. They will never be forgotten.
Shame it took so long for a WW2 memorial to be built, but it’s there for countless future generations to reflect on.
JetBoy on November 11, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Poss Dupe -
A shout out to my dad; WWII (Pacific/USS Columbia) and Vietnam vet. One of his brothers was lost at sea. He told me he would like to see the WWII memorial before he died, so I got tickets and took him and my mom up there. I had bought him a WW II Vet cover, and beginning at the airport it was truly moving to me – the number of people who came up to him and said they wanted to shake his hand. At Arlington, I had arranged for him to put a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown in honor of his brother. Most moving to me was the older lady who came up to him, tears in her eyes, and said “Thank you for what you boys went through for us.” Thanks daddy, for giving us the land that we have. I am sorry we have squandered it.
Larry Mishoe
USN – Ret
Larr on November 11, 2009 at 5:51 PM
You are absolutely right. So, here goes:
Manazanar
unclesmrgol on November 11, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Can’t spell right. So here goes again:
Manzanar
unclesmrgol on November 11, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Oops. Missed it. Third try’s the charm:
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
unclesmrgol on November 11, 2009 at 5:55 PM
To my dad and my ex-husband, who served in Viet Nam.
Thanks.
AnninCA on November 11, 2009 at 5:55 PM
Believe it or not, I was there this past Saturday with a bunch of other folks cleaning it up. One of my co-workers was walking by it a couple of months ago and she was heartbroken at the condition it’s in. So, she took it upon herself to organize a cleanup. There are still folks around who care. But you’re right. The WW I vets, like Korea, are a forgotten bunch who need to be honored also.
Anyway, there is an organization which is trying to build a national WW I memorial. Check out their website. http://www.wwimemorial.org/.
NavyMustang on November 11, 2009 at 5:57 PM
I had an uncle who was at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed. My other uncle was captured with his Navy comrades and had to dig their graves and their heads were cut off. My dad was in the Navy on the Saratoga in the Pacific. I had many who served in WW11. None are alive now.
There are so precious few left from WW11. Any alive should be given the ut-most honor.
Any Veteran past and now needs our heart thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
It is wonderful I can come on HA and give my honor to my family who were in WW11. Hubby was in VN and today, I gave him a ‘special thanks’ for his service.
L
letget on November 11, 2009 at 6:00 PM
But especially to your dad, right? ;-)
Kidding, kidding.
nickj116 on November 11, 2009 at 6:02 PM
Because FDR had nothing to do with the holiday.
Veteran’s day was originally Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War 1, not 2. Congress re-named it Veteran’s Day in 1954.
JeffWeimer on November 11, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Thanks for posting this video, which I saw earlier today at “The Corner.” At the time, I was saddened by the fact that my own dear dad, a Yankee flyboy of admirable courage and integrity, never himself saw the monument nor would live to see today’s heartwarming video. This was a fitting tribute to all of the veterans on this special day. To see family and dedicated patriots show their gratitude was uplifting.
onlineanalyst on November 11, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Nice.
BadgerHawk on November 11, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Thank you all who have served and serve today…
God Bless You All!
Seven Percent Solution on November 11, 2009 at 6:15 PM
Thank you Lew. I see we are of an age.
I wear our flag, a Sarah Palin sized one. My yard flies our flag. No one meets me for more than five minutes without understanding how great our legacy is. And I vote. Contribute my mite to conservatives.
These are the small things I do. And all can do. In honor to our veterans every day.
Flying 50 Star American
Caststeel on November 11, 2009 at 6:16 PM
The Saratoga! Old Torpedo Junction!
With a glad heart, I extend my thanks to your Dad, and all your from your family who served.
Lost my Dad in 2005. Marine, turned 18 in 1945 on Okinawa. Too many gone. Bless then all.
Allahpundit – thanks for posting this!
juanito on November 11, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Heroes…every last one. God bless them!
csdeven on November 11, 2009 at 6:32 PM
To any and all veterans present, please accept my apology on behalf of the fools in my generation who voted for Obama.
You saved this nation from jackboots and pseudo-samurai fanatics, and we’re about to vote it all away.
Dark-Star on November 11, 2009 at 6:39 PM
Thank you to all our Veterans.
That video was very moving.
Yes, 30 yrs ago my WWI Grandfather would tell the WWII “youngsters” in his retirement community that every Veterans Day.
batterup on November 11, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Barring a miracle, their freedom won’t last much longer. If Obama doesn’t finally get around to doing the old French Defense en masse, he or somebody else will surely call them home later when the domestic unrest finally passes the level of angry words. And neither of those nations are in any shape to keep themselves free from being overrun by Islamic nutcases.
Dark-Star on November 11, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Assume for just a moment that something like freedom for the Islamic World is indeed attainable with an intelligent enough strategy and a strong enough commitment. If we vote away freedom in America, who will there be left to stand up for it anywhere?
Anybody? …….the silence is thunderous!!!!
In the greatest speech never spoken, Abraham Lincoln labeled America “the last best hope of Earth” and it still is. If we lose it here, then everyone loses it everywhere!
Think about that. And take a good long look in the mirror. What are you willing to do?
Lew on November 11, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Stirring video. Thanks to reason.tv for it. And thanks to all our Veteran Patriots who served our country for our freedom. We so appreciate you! We pray for you all today!
Christian Conservative on November 11, 2009 at 7:40 PM
No dry eyes here – beautiful video. To all our Veterans – Thank you.
corvettelady on November 11, 2009 at 8:38 PM
The film got me going, and then the comments have me looking for my box of kleenex! God bless all who have gone before us and made the ultimate sacrifice. My late husband served on the Enterprise during Viet Nam. I am so proud of the amount of vets we have here at HA. I’m always mentioning that fact to others.
To those of you who have lost your loved ones, thank God, they answered the call, and gave their all…
lovingmyUSA on November 11, 2009 at 10:17 PM
I went to the NYC Veterans Day Parade to pay tribute to our American warriors. Here’s some pics.
God bless the US Armed Forces.
Urban Infidel on November 11, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Yes. Those are awesome pictures, thank you for sharing them.
batterup on November 11, 2009 at 10:42 PM
My father was with Patton [Ol' Blood and Guts] for most of the drive across Europe. He was at the liberation of Ohrdruf.
You can tell the kidnapping, torturing, Holocaust denying, fake president, Much-mooed Ah-sneezed-on-muh-dinner-jacket, I will never submit.
FREEDOM!
Blacksmith8 on November 11, 2009 at 11:13 PM
The Anchoress has a moving tribute to a WWII vet, good reading. Be sure to click on her links at the end of the article.
http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/theanchoress/
And here are some still photo’s of WWI–the war to end all wars–and the original reason for Armistice Day.
http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-37025.html
lovingmyUSA on November 11, 2009 at 11:29 PM
I lost the last link in my family to WWII in August, when my grandfather passed away.
I don’t usually get emotional at funerals, but when the director presented my grandmother with the Flag, I couldn’t help it.
These men did so much for this nation, and expected exactly JACK in return.
wv619 on November 11, 2009 at 11:53 PM
MY MANY THANKS to all current and former vets that laid their lives on the line for their brethren.
Do not buy into the spin that you only did it to save your ass or your buddy in the fox hole with you. You did it for US and we won’t forget.
Take ‘em out.
OkieDoc on November 12, 2009 at 12:10 AM
I can’t see my screen for the tears.
For my uncle Harry
Company K, 105th Infantry Battalion, 27th Infantry Division
Killed in action July 1st, 1944, Saipan.
RIP
G-d bless each and every one who have served.
J.J. Sefton on November 12, 2009 at 6:18 AM
Lovely video. God bless our wonderful vets.
Rosmerta on November 12, 2009 at 12:29 PM