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10-27-2007, 05:19 PM
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#21
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Rivet Master
1975 Argosy 24
Collierville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 727
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wheel interested
This thread's title brought to mind the Burning Man's 2008 theme, "The American Dream." I see this as very positive and forward thinking. I hope you do too. The theme will be about patriotism -- not that kind which freights the nation state with the collective weight of ego, but a patriotism based upon a love of country and culture. Leave ideology at home; forget the blue states and the red; let parties, factions and the issues that divide us fall away. Flag burning or flag worship play no part in this year's theme. Ask yourself, instead, a more immediate question. What has America achieved that you admire or feel proud of? What has it done or failed to do that makes you feel dismayed? Put blame aside, ... and dare to ask an even greater question: What can postmodern America yet give to the world?
In 2008, the Burning Man will stand atop a high-rise tower. Instead of windows, this edifice will feature images of flags that represent the countries of the world. Ranging from Canada to Chad, from Brazil to Burundi, from Vatican City to the Republic of China, these 244 symbols will shine in the night, gleaming like cut gems upon the surface of a jewel box. The United States of America will be among them. Each country can be said to represent a dream no less radiant or precious than the rest. Each nation may be viewed as a container of identity; yet each one can be said to be a glimmering illusion, an arbitrary entity defined by boundaries on a map. All of us are immigrants to Black Rock City. What can we dream America to be?
The best lessons from history are tutors to our future. I hope it teaches us to move ahead and wisely.
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I have to disagree with this statement, "Each country can be said to represent a dream no less radiant or precious than the rest.". I think not, ask some of the ordinary people in some of the communist regimes and oppressive dictatorial regimes what their dreams are. I believe you will be quite surprised by their dreams, many of which would be to get out of their present country and never look back. I served in the military and have seen what happens to the dreams of the people not in the "party" or close to the dictator's faction or family and I can promise you they don't believe the dreams of their country include them in the least. There are countries that imprison their citizens or worse for nothing more than disagreeing with who is in power, the same for those caught reading a bible or worshiping who they choose to, countries that torture, rape, mutilate their citizens if they catch even a whiff of discontent, countries where it is accepted practice to sew little girl's vaginas up and then later circumcise those same young girls without the aid of any anasthetic, I've personally seen bodies burned beyond recognition by a dictator who didn't like the tribe those he burned were from, millions have been killed under repressive regimes because they were too tall( different ethnicity) men women and children with their feet hacked off and left to bleed to death, and it goes on and on. Please don't dare to think that all countries wish the best of their citizenry or would ever let them have liberty. If a country has to keep it's people in by gunpoint then I would say their dreams for their people are all based in a cesspool. Luckily you live in a country where it's okay to say what you want instead of being jailed or killed for your comments.
America is the greatest country in the world and if you call this ideology that should be left at home, thats fine, since this is a free country but I carry mine with me every where I go. Yes I am a proud veteran of a foreign war and an even prouder American.
__________________
Different strokes for different folks!
I never learned from a man who agreed with me.
Heinlein
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10-27-2007, 05:22 PM
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#22
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Rivet Master
1975 Argosy 24
Collierville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 727
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cooperhawk
Veterans, the Inhofe Legislation now allows any veteran to "Salute" the flag and not just hold your hand over your heart. You may salute in civilian clothing. I think that this is a splendid method of showing our patriotism and allowing the public to see how many of us are veterans!
.: United States Senator James Inhofe :: Press Room :.
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I love this legislation, I was able to salute the flag during revelrie this morning at my son's Cub Scout camp out.
__________________
Different strokes for different folks!
I never learned from a man who agreed with me.
Heinlein
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10-27-2007, 06:28 PM
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#23
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The Hawk's Lair
1985 34.5' Airstream 345
BACK WOODS
, Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 922
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrmossyone
America is the greatest country in the world and if you call this ideology that should be left at home, thats fine, since this is a free country but I carry mine with me every where I go. Yes I am a proud veteran of a foreign war and an even prouder American.
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I was hesitant to say anymore and be called a "flag worshiper" again. I too have seen other cultures that I doubt some folks would believe. Thank you Mrmossyone. You said it very well.
__________________
AKA THE GUNNER
There is no "I" in the word "team," but there are four in "Platitude Quoting Idiot!"
AIRSTREAM 345 TURBO-DIESEL
VFW, LEGION, NRA
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10-27-2007, 08:26 PM
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#24
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2 Rivet Member
1969 27' Overlander
1976 31' Sovereign
Falls City
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 22
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Have faith in the next generation...
Andy, thank you for the great post. While not having travelled w/ our children outside of the Great State of Texas, we have attempted to indoctrinate, yes, read that as brainwash, the minds of our children to the "God, family, country" philosophy.
Our local [public] school district has done an excellent job with presenting the most awe-inspiring Veteran's Day services during the school session, giving summarized history lessons and offering nationally-known keynote speakers during the ceremony. They also recognize by name each former veteran from our hometown, living and dead, in a muster format: someone is present who will stand for that person. The entire event is put on by the student body, with student council, FFA, FCCLA, 4-H, band, and student athletes officiating over the service. And yes, the local clergy also takes part.
Furthermore, the school has adopted an informal "Thank a Vet" campaign. It's so cool to see your kids go shake hands with and thank a uniformed military man while shopping in Wal-Mart.
These are truly awesome achievements for a small Texas town of 606 souls. However, I would like to think that our town is not alone in these endeavors. While the mainstream media would have us think that national pride is going down the drain, the not-so-mainstreamers [Airstreamers too] will quietly and respectfully maintain the dignity of our veterans and their sacrifices.
__________________
"Train a boy in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not swerve from it." --Proverbs 22:6.
"A fairly bright boy is far more intelligent and far better company than the average adult." --John B. Haldane
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10-27-2007, 08:30 PM
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#25
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Rivet Master
1951 21' Flying Cloud
1960 24' Tradewind
West Coast
, BC
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,790
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"Lest We Forget"
Andy,
Thank you for your post. Just the fact that you not only noticed this but then took the time to start this thread is awesome.
My mother's only brother was killed in the war, leaving a family of 9 sisters and his mother who was already widowed and struggling to support a family. That left a scar on the family that never quite healed.
The United States of America, in particular, has been the flag bearer and shining light for freedom around the world. The sacrifice has been huge, it has never stopped, and the USA continues to be an inspiration to the rest of the world. Sadly there is no light at the end of this tunnel. As Andy typed his message it is highly likely that people were dying in a war.
Regrettably most of today's youth have been for the most part heavily insulated from war due to the sacrifices of others. They don't understand it the way we did as children - the way things are communicated today seems to be very clinical and impersonal.
IMHO - if the vast majority of veterans volunteered to go to a school classroom and talk to the students about what Lest We Forget and the wearing of the poppy is all about, and about how that veteran made the commitment and what that meant, I believe very quickly those students will understand, and scenes like Andy witnessed will start to disappear. This is happening in many areas today, but I believe that they are only a small part of the country (yours and mine by the way). Some areas do an extraordinary job of sharing the experiences of the vets, but many schools have probably never had a vet come to address them (I hope I'm wrong, but that's my belief).
I believe it is the responsibility of those who truly know, who have fought for freedom, to share that message in a meaningful way. It is not a big commitment, but the impact of doing this could be significant.
I suspect few if any of those people Andy witnessed consciously meant to be disrespectful, or hopefully not, but with time the magnitude and the horror has been muted and people do not know any more how to even show the respect that is due. They don't see that on TV, or on the video games, and I don't know if they "get the message" when they are taught about war in a classroom. It's just another part of a bunch of lessons they have to learn out of a book and the way it's portrayed on TV and their video games it's almost exciting.
Go to your local school as a veteran and volunteer to tell the students about what Lest We Forget means and why you wear a poppy.
Be sure to them about your own involvement and what that means for those students. Having someone who's "been there" come to class and talk about what they experienced and how that has changed that person for the rest of their life makes it real and brings it alive for them. Now there's a face to the story and the lesson. It could be as simple as a Q&A if that's what you are comfortable with, but they need to hear it from people who have a story to tell.
That's what I believe needs to happen for what it's worth. We want people to understand and to show the respect that is owed, but we need to tell them in a more personal way than I believe they are getting it today.
Barry
__________________
Barry & Donna
Life is short - so is the door on a '51 Flying Cloud (ouch)
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10-27-2007, 11:02 PM
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#26
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Rivet Master
1987 29' Sovereign
Sparta
, Tennessee
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 509
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Andy,
Appreciated your post on the Arizona. Have never been there but, I think it should elicite the same somber response that the Tomb of the Unknown does at Arlington.
The japanese were simply put, the wealthy haves of their society and we should expect nothing more than what you observed. It is the same for our own young people from the well to do segments of our society. They are not in Iraq today, & they weren't in Vietnam. We no longer know our geography, history, etc. so I am not surprised to see the response of Americans as well.
Your eyes see but, it is your heart & soul that places the value on the situation. If our society deems it unnecessary to teach gratitude & respect for the ultimate sacrifice to country, then we get exactly what you have
described. I don't blame the young americans as much as the society that is so weak that it cannot preserve these values we hold so high.
I am an inactive boy scouter today but, for the last 20 years, the troops I have been involved with have taught these values and have made troop attendance at cemetaries on veterans day a matter of importance. If one of the folks with the hats on were an ex boyscout, then I would be very dis-appointed.
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10-28-2007, 12:09 AM
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#27
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Rivet Master
1956 26' Cruiser/Overlander
1967 17' Caravel
Newport
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,058
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wheel interested
This thread's title brought to mind the Burning Man's 2008 theme, "The American Dream." I see this as very positive and forward thinking. I hope you do too. The theme will be about patriotism -- not that kind which freights the nation state with the collective weight of ego, but a patriotism based upon a love of country and culture. Leave ideology at home; forget the blue states and the red; let parties, factions and the issues that divide us fall away. Flag burning or flag worship play no part in this year's theme. Ask yourself, instead, a more immediate question. What has America achieved that you admire or feel proud of? What has it done or failed to do that makes you feel dismayed? Put blame aside, ... and dare to ask an even greater question: What can postmodern America yet give to the world?
In 2008, the Burning Man will stand atop a high-rise tower. Instead of windows, this edifice will feature images of flags that represent the countries of the world. Ranging from Canada to Chad, from Brazil to Burundi, from Vatican City to the Republic of China, these 244 symbols will shine in the night, gleaming like cut gems upon the surface of a jewel box. The United States of America will be among them. Each country can be said to represent a dream no less radiant or precious than the rest. Each nation may be viewed as a container of identity; yet each one
can be said to be................................................ ........................... .................................................. ................................................
.................................................. .................................................
.................................................. ....blah, blah, blah
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AAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gulp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry Carol..................................
Richard here , not Robin.
I have bitten my tongue a million times after reading threads like this on the forum. I came here first to seek trailer/mechanical type info, and later for rally and camping-buddy connections and have (with few exceptions: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...tml#post338706) rarely strayed into vaguely related topics. Robin kinda stole my online airforums identity once I showed her what was happening here, but that's O.K.; you get one of us, you get both!
This "theme" however, makes me want to create my own separate forum I.D. so that I may respond without causing some sort of identity crisis/confusion, but is this what I really come to this forum for??? While the Burning Man event is certainly Airstream related, next year's theme is incredibly politically charged, despite their insinuation that it is not. Yet, there it is, on this forum (and other online sites) for all to see.
Does it even belong in this thread?
mrmossyone and The Flintstones posts are closer to reality than the manipulative, touchy-feely, brainwashing "theme" attached to Burning Man '08.
As I've said before...... Gosh, did actually COMMENT on something? I must be over-tired!
......sorry
__________________
KB1UFH
KB1UFI
"Reality Is The Leading Cause Of Stress"
"There are only five great men in the world and three of them are hamburgers."
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10-28-2007, 01:29 AM
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#28
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Rivet Master
2007 23' International CCD
Lapeer
, Michigan
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,080
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No reason to be sorry Richard. I didn't think I'd hit on total agreement. I appreciate your expression. But tis true the thread title did remind me of what I had read and I thought I would share it. It may not be Airstream related but I do think it fits in the context of this thread in as much as the original post was neither Airstream related. I don't see the theme I related as a negative though myself. I usually stay away from these threads too but this time I thought as long as it was brought up and I was reading it and aroused by it, I would make what I felt was a post of positive thinking. However I am not certain why issue would be taken with such a broad and even theme, as to whether it be the giving of equal respect to people of other countries or whether it is admitting that Americans also have room to grow and learn. ???
I come in peace with food for thought and have respect for all the posters. I find these topics divisive and super charged. Couldn't hold my tongue either. Perhaps these threads should also be invisible and have their own subforum as do the games.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rgesch
AAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gulp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry Carol..................................
Richard here , not Robin.
I have bitten my tongue a million times after reading threads like this on the forum. I came here first to seek trailer/mechanical type info, and later for rally and camping-buddy connections and have (with few exceptions: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...tml#post338706) rarely strayed into vaguely related topics. Robin kinda stole my online airforums identity once I showed her what was happening here, but that's O.K.; you get one of us, you get both!
This "theme" however, makes me want to create my own separate forum I.D. so that I may respond without causing some sort of identity crisis/confusion, but is this what I really come to this forum for??? While the Burning Man event is certainly Airstream related, next year's theme is incredibly politically charged, despite their insinuation that it is not. Yet, there it is, on this forum (and other online sites) for all to see.
Does it even belong in this thread?
mrmossyone and The Flintstones posts are closer to reality than the manipulative, touchy-feely, brainwashing "theme" attached to Burning Man '08.
As I've said before...... Gosh, did actually COMMENT on something? I must be over-tired!
......sorry
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10-28-2007, 07:30 AM
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#29
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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I wonder how respectful American tourists are when they visit Hiroshima or Nagasaki. I wonder if hats are removed there. People forget about the past, most people only think about today. As a society, WE have all lost servility and respect for each other. WE have forgotten about so many of the values that were second nature just two generations ago. Just spend an hour at a busy mall and watch how many people hold the door for the next person or how many just walk through without noticing anyone is around them. Watch how many people actually say thank you when someone does something for them. WE have become very self absorbed. Our society has gotten very relaxed about formalities such as taking ones hat off at a memorial or even during the national anthem. I don't see how WE are ever going to go back to the way it was. Cultural revolution is always possible.
In the 1960's OUR society changed radically. A large part of OUR society revolted against the War in Vietnam. A large part of OUR society turned it's collective back to violence. For the first time in OUR history a voice was heard that had never been aloud to speak. Freedom became a new concept in the 1960s, it became an inalienable right that WE didn't have to die for. Freedom was something WE just had to tune in to.
My father was in Vietnam when I was a child. I had no idea what or where Vietnam was. But every night I sat in front of the TV, footed pajamas, glass of milk and moms cookies... watching the TV because Walter Kronkite might show my Dad on the news while he talked about that place where my Dad was. The news started with; "Today in Vietnam, twenty Vietcong insurgents, ten NVA regulars, and four Americans soldiers were killed, two Airmen are missing in action" And then they would show some clips of helicopters flying in some troops, followed by some troops on the ground and then that was it. My Dad flew helicopters so that was what I was tuned in to. I remember when my Dad came home. I remember watching him walk down the stairs from the plane, I remember the Hippies with their signs. I remember one woman spitting on my Dad, and calling him a baby killer. I also remember the coffins coming out plane, with the flags draped over them. Now almost 40 years later, I watch the news and have flashbacks of my childhood. Instead of Vietnam they say Iraq, instead of Walter, it's Katie. But someone is still killing insurgents, and someone is still killing US. I never would have thought that in my life time I would see history repeat itself. I hope that my daughters never have to see todays events repeat themselves. I hope that they never see people killing innocent people because their God is better. I hope that my daughters never have to see OUR country invade another country because WE think differently than they do. Unfortunately, I know that they will see history repeat itself again, I have.
I do not mean to diminish the heroic actions of our veterans. I always thank them even though I do not believe in war. I thank them, because most people never do. Because they did, what I am not able to do.
I realize that there are some that I have offended by what I have said. You are welcome to slam me for my beliefs, I can take it. I know that no matter how hard we try were cannot bomb the world to peace.
Well enough out of me... I have leaking windows to go fix.
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10-28-2007, 07:41 AM
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#30
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Rivet Master
2016 23' International
Centennial
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,684
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Thanks for the great post Andy!
Having recently watched "The War" on PBS, I really had my eyes opened to the realities of World War Two and the suffering. I am so intensely proud to be an American. Your post and more like it are needed to carry the message throughout our entire society. We all need to learn, be thankful, and be respectful to those who lost their lives so we can be free now.
Steve
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10-28-2007, 07:59 AM
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#31
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4 Rivet Member
2006 16' International CCD
New York
, New York
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 268
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In
Americans, please don't let things like the "Arizona Memorial" be forgotten.
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I cannot support Andy's original post strongly enough - we must remember, we must teach our children, and we must support those who offer their lives to our country today.
My family and I visited the Arizona Memorial earlier this year - it is an incredibly moving experience. Most of the visitors were respectful though there definately is a tension between the Memorial's roles of tourist attraction, educational center, and gravesite.
That said...
Whenever you were born there were people convinced that the youth of its age were irreverent and disrespectful and that 'jazz and liquor', 'comic books and rock and roll', or 'drugs and the internet' were destroying the moral fiber of our country. Most of the youth I know in person (as opposed to knowing about through the media) are bright, caring, and concerned about improving the world around them.
My grandparents came to America from a variety of backgrounds - Holland in the 1600s, England in the 1700s, Italy in the 1880s, and Hungary in the 1910s. I am grateful that they were able to come to America in a time when anyone willing to work hard in persuit of the American dream was welcomed as an asset instead of shuned as a threat.
I have seen Americans visiting Japanese shrines and temples behave worse than the Japanese I saw visiting the Arizona. A lack of understanding of foreign cultures is all too common. And all too tragic.
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10-28-2007, 09:23 AM
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#32
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Moderator
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,255
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ljmiii
Whenever you were born there were people convinced that the youth of its age were irreverent and disrespectful and that 'jazz and liquor', 'comic books and rock and roll', or 'drugs and the internet' were destroying the moral fiber of our country. Most of the youth I know in person (as opposed to knowing about through the media) are bright, caring, and concerned about improving the world around them.
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This is the truest statement I have seen in this thread. I hate to see the actions of the few laid at the feet of all youth in the country and say 'look how awful you kids are'! I volunteer with 4H and the kids are smart, caring, responsible, compassionate, patriotic, and just all around good kids. They will be good adults. Not perfect, but good, just like we try to be.
I think America is going to be just fine.
__________________
Stephanie
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10-28-2007, 09:54 AM
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#33
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Rivet Master
Las Vegas
, Nevada
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 626
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Andy- Thank You
Pie- Very well said and if we all would pursue your words how better life could be.
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10-28-2007, 10:04 AM
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#34
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Liquid Cooled
2017 27' Flying Cloud
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
near Indy
, Indiana
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 745
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At least they're visiting.
This is going to sound a little disjointed, but it does tie together.
Black Tom Island, Kingsland NJ, Marston Moor, Naseby, Smithfield, Ghent, Monmouth Courthouse.... People live near, pass by, and ignore these sites every day.
For that matter it appears as if the site of Braddock's defeat - an event of tremendous eventual importance to the career of Washington (and not just him, but Gates & others as well) & thus the formation of the United States (Churchill opined that no one else could have held the army together during the Revolution) - is now a mix of residential & industrial areas. On 9 July 1855, who stood on third base of that softball diamond on what appears to be the actual site of the battle?
Google Maps view of Braddock's defeat
We visited Shiloh this spring and our kids threw breadcrumbs to the fish at the bloody pool. We also walked through the woods near Sherman's HQ, near where AS Johnston was shot, and tried in vain to find the pit described by various contemporary accounts (Ambrose Bierce). The kids had almost no appreciation for it, but they'll remember a little. They'll remember that we took them.
Ultimately, Pearl Harbor has more in common with the Lusitania (including nearly the same number of dead) than it does Naseby, Ticonderoga, or especially the Coral Sea. It was a trigger - and a dramatic trigger no doubt, but the trigger could have been any number of other things.
At least they're visiting. That they think of it is of vastly more importance than precisely what they think of it.
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10-28-2007, 02:56 PM
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#35
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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Today I went to Antietam National Park. On Sept. 17 1862, 23,000 men died there in less than 14 hours. We stood on a road where 5,000 men died in four hours. No one in our group spoke above a wisper all afternoon, we were all speachless.
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10-28-2007, 06:29 PM
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#36
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Old Paint, rolling again.
1973 Argosy 20
Lorain County
, Ohio
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 556
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In
...Veterans and those of us that still care, should always be proud to honor those that gave their lives for us to be free...Andy
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All give some and some gave all...
Sacrificing selflessly for others deeply touches me. My prayer today is especially for those that have never known a parent because they gave all in the service of our country. Peace be with you.
Thanks Andy for the reminder,
Steve
__________________
Have you never questioned those who travel? Have you paid no regard to their accounts- Job 21:29
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10-28-2007, 06:46 PM
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#37
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Rivet Master
2012 28' International
Currently Looking...
New Orleans
, Louisiana
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,077
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 62overlander
I wonder how respectful American tourists are when they visit Hiroshima or Nagasaki. I wonder if hats are removed there. People forget about the past, most people only think about today.
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I went to both sites in 1972. I was in the Navy and in Dress Uniform, it was a strange feeling. I was very respectful and was very sad about the loss of life and felt it was awful. I still have the book I purchased describing the museum tucked away in a drawer. It was the same feelings I had almost every day when I went to muster on the fan tail of the destroyer I was riding and looked at the Arizona Monument when we were in port at Pearl Harbor.
__________________
Jim N5TJZ Air# 174
2012 International Serenity 28
2005 Safari 25 SS Traded
1968 Globetrotter Sold
2011 F150 Ecoboost
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10-28-2007, 07:53 PM
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#38
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3 Rivet Member
1962 24' Tradewind
Colorado Springs
, CO
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 161
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I agree, those folks should have taken off their hats and shown more respect. I think they just might not have the same perspective as we do at the memorial. I've seen just as much disrepect perpetrated at Japanese memorials as well, by Americans (and others, including Japanese) no less.
I'm sure a simple reminder from an usher or attendant would have made them more reverent, but the truth is, anyone, going to anyone country's memorial, should show reverence, whether they know the customs or not (remove hat, remove shoes, etc). Just take your cue from everyone else around you, if they are being quiet and take of their shoes, then you should too. It's simply a matter of respect and it's sad to see that violated at any place of reverence.
Being a veteran, I've had the fortune to visit many, many, historical, religious, military, and cultural sites. I've seen them both respected and disrespected by everyone, regardless of race, color, or creed. I just want to point out that in my experience, whether or not you show respect depends more on the individual, than what group they belong to.... and the only way to give them the perspective they need to appreciate the moment, is through educating them.
I know the anger you felt, and I know how you couldn't sleep that night thinking about it, I've been there, but here's what I did. 3 years ago, my battle buddy and I happened upon an incredible fortune. We got to tour Babylon. Yes, that Babylon. This never happens, this was straight out of our history text books. The tour cost 2 US dollars, seriously. Even more incredulous? ...the guide for the tour was the actual archaeologist who has been excavating the site for the past 30 years. His whole life dedicated to this one site and he never got paid for it. He had Saddam literally tell him to paint the walls blue, and when the archaeologist got on his knees and begged "Sir, these walls are the oldest in the civilized world". Saddam said "Do it, or I will kill your family". Needless to say, he painted the walls. But, I digress....anyway, it's just the 3 us of, touring the site, and we come across another small group of soldiers (nationalities witheld), posing with their weapons drawn, like conquering heroes, on the "Lion of Babylon" statue. Not only was this terribly disrespectful, but I felt personally embarrassed. Instead of showing my anger, I called over the group and introduced them to the archaeologist. After they heard the significance of this site and his personal story.... they apologized! I never told them to show respect, they learned it.
Next time you're at a place of reverence and you get angry because you see someone being disrespectful, that's because you know something that they don't. It's not your job to tell everyone to act properly, but an education they learn from you that day, will last a lot longer than a scolding.
__________________
Craig
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10-28-2007, 08:37 PM
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#39
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Rivet Master
1969 31' Sovereign
Broken Arrow
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,455
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Your right Andy we should never forget.
However; I also remember a long time ago when “adults” (including my parents) were wondering what is this world coming to with the rock music, weird hair dos and in their opinion kids out of control compared with “their” generation.
Now I have the same thoughts about this younger generation as my parents had about mine!
I hope that’s a good sign.
Garry
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10-29-2007, 12:04 AM
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#40
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Rivet Master
2007 23' International CCD
Lapeer
, Michigan
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,080
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I want to make an observation here. My mother worked on a military post and then later was hospital chairman of her VFW for the VA hospital. I was a member of the junior unit and though I was too young my mother brought me into the hospital where she visited the paraplegics and brought them personal items and small gifts that the junior unit made to cheer them. My aunts and mother and I marched in the parades, sold poppies, made displays. My father served in a fox hole and drove jeeps across mine fields and guarded prisoners, my uncle was machine gunned across the chest being part of the first push and was on disability all his life. My husband served in the Navy and sailed extended deployment on an oil tanker and a missle carrier in the Mediterranean during hazardous times. Both my children were born in a Naval hospital and we lived on base. I understand what sacrifice and duty is to serve one's country.
People misdirect their anger or grievances towards those that they feel are irreverant or idealistic instead of directing it where it is properly due towards the actions of those that fill the memorial tombs. Those there gave their lives for honor. We should live ours with honor, respect and tolerance in as much as it is in our power to do so. That is fitting tribute.
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