KEY WEST VIETNAM MEMORIAL

Yesterday was Veterans Day. I attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Vietnam Memorial to be constructed in Bayview Park. I am glad I did. It was a proud and happy experience.

I would estimate about 400 in attendance. Of that number, roughly 150 Vietnam veterans. Vietnam veterans are in their 60s and early 70s today. Most were attired Key West style. I am sure most would have worn their uniforms if they still fit. Many had pinned to their tee or sport shirts medals they received for their Vietnam efforts. Their heads covered by their former military cap or a VFW cap.

Vietnam was a bad war from the public’s perspective. No one liked the war. It was extremely unpopular. Protests galore. All ages, all stations in life.

Parents did not want their children dying in a war they could not understand. Many parents took their college children and sent them off to Canada. The U.S. still had the draft at the time. Those that went to Canada preferred to be wanted criminals. Anything not to go to Vietnam.

When the soldiers returned from their Vietnam tours of duty, there were no crowds to welcome and cheer them. Their return consisted of insults and being spit upon. These returning soldiers never were rewarded with glory for their efforts.

In recent years, the Vietnam stigma has been removed. Vietnam warriors are welcomed and respected everywhere. The Key West Vietnam Memorial such a recognition.

The Vietnam vets at Bayview yesterday appeared proud. They carried themselves in a proud fashion. When the Star Spangled Banner was played, their salutes were sharp. They were also a happy group. I was happy for them. I was proud to be with them and share their joy for the Memorial soon to be built.

My blog talk radio show last night. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

My discussion of a new Princeton study drew the most response. The Princeton study concluded American democracy no longer existed. It had slipped away from the people. Replaced by an oligarchy. Rule by the wealthy elite.

The question for you and I becomes…..How do we get back to the American way of life as we knew it?

Enjoy your day!

YESTERDAY TODAY

Wow! Did I screw up yesterday!

For some inexplicable reason, I thought yesterday was Veterans Day. I wrote about Veterans Day. I also wrote about the Vietnam Memorial groundbreaking at Bayview Park. Both events today.

To compound the situation, I was at Bayview Park at 11 yesterday for the groundbreaking.

Old age must be creeping in.

It will be back to Bayview Park this morning at 11.

Other than the trip to Bayview, I spent the day working on tonight’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Interesting topics. Like protestors in Toulouse, France dumping feces on government buildings…..by the truckload, Pepsi, Fed Ex, and Proctor and Gamble using little Luxembourg to avoid U.S. taxes, Gorbachev’s belief a new cold war in the making, Russia and China in a new gas/gas line deal together, Venezuela using fingerprint scanners to ration foods, and more.

I had difficulty sleeping last night. Turned on the TV. A movie was starting. I watched the 1920s silent film The Sheik starring Rudolph Valentino. The movie was supposedly his greatest work. Women went crazy over Valentino in the movie. Understandably. He was a charmer and lover. However, he was not an Arab. He looked like a 1920s ethnic off the streets of New York. Which means I thought he looked foolish riding a horse across the desert sands clothe in a sheik’s attire with a big grin on his face.

The United Nations has been in business since just after World War II. Over the years, the popularity of the U.S. has diminished within the organization.

Over those same years, the UN has been constantly critical of what it perceived to be improper conduct around the world. The U.S. was rarely if ever mentioned in such a context. Till recently.

This past year there have been three situations. One, the Detroit water problem where the UN felt required to issue a statement saying water was a fundamental right. The same statement was critical of the treatment of Detroit blacks.

More recently, a UN study stated that 1/3 of America’s children live in poverty in 60 million American homes.

Ferguson is next on the table. Michael Brown’s parents left yesterday for Geneva. They are scheduled to appear before a UN Human Rights Commission.

The fact that the UN is now talking about the U.S. is embarrassing in and of itself. The fact that it perceives the U.S.’s wrongdoings similar to those found in third world countries even worse. It is a reflection of the disintegration of our society as we once knew it.

Enjoy your day! Remember, TODAY is Veterans Day!

 

THE WAR TO END ALL WARS

World War I. Popularly referred to at the time and immediately thereafter as the war to end all wars. Turned out to be poor judgment. Mentally reference all the wars since 1918.

To honor those who fought in World War I, President Woodrow Wilson decreed that November 11 would henceforth be celebrated as Armistice Day.

The name Armistice Day derives from November 11, 1918. On that day, the Allies and Germany signed a document known as the Armistice which as a practical matter ended World War I. Fighting ceased on day.

Subsequent Presidents and Congress decided that Armistice Day should include all veterans. Armistice Day became known as Veterans Day to reflect the change.

A  proper recognition. However, there is some sort of joke involved in the thought that World War I was the war to end all wars. Man will never be war free. It is part of his psyche to seek out/participate in war. War is intrinsic in man’s nature.

Key West will enjoy its Veterans Day Parade this afternoon. The parade route will run opposite to that of Fantasy Fest. The parade will start at the southernmost end of Duval and end at Front Street.

More significant than the parade will be the groundbreaking at Bayview Park for a Vietnam Memorial. Well deserved. Late in coming in most communities.

I remember the Vietnam war. I was practising law. Married and the father of four. The war was not a popular one. Many protests against the war. When those who fought returned home, they were greeted not with cheers but jeers. Some spit upon.

The Vietnam vets never received the glory they had earned. Time heals all wounds, however. In recent years, our country has recognized its wrongs in this regard. The people of the United States now go out of their way to acknowledge and honor these veterans who were dishonored.

The power boat races ended yesterday. It was dark and gloomy. Threatening rain. Actually did rain in Key Haven. Poured. I decided to skip the races and do something else.

The something else turned out to be a late afternoon lunch at No Name Pub. Always a good time. As anticipated, the place was packed. Rain seems to attract a larger than usual crowd to the Pub.

Enjoy your day!