Free Republic

The Fraternal Order of Police, the largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers with over 330,000 members, sent a letter to President Donald Trump last week expressing “outrage and shock” that the National Park Service would fund a project honoring the legacy of the Black Panther Party. “Mr. President, as far as we are concerned the only meaning they brought to any lives was grief to the families of their victims,” wrote Chuck Canterbury, the national president of the Fraternal Order of Police. “According to our research, members of this militant anti-American group murdered 16 law enforcement officers over the...

…They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning – We will remember them…

NACO, Ariz. — Nearly 100 people gathered Thursday evening for a candlelight vigil at St. Michael’s Catholic Parish in Naco, Ariz., to remember U.S. Border Patrol Agent Nicholas Ivie and his sacrifice. Family members, law enforcement officials, local residents and members of the media attended the event in honor of Ivie, who was fatally shot around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, after he and two other agents responded to a ground sensor hit near mile marker 352 on Highway 80, in a remote area of the desert, about seven miles east of Bisbee. Rev. Seth Polley, vicar of St. John’s Episcopal Church...

One 14-year-old is using Independence Day to become both an Eagle Scout and to show respect toward the stars and stripes. Bryant Pyle will be collecting worn and tattered American flags to retire properly on Labor Day. The process will advance Pyle, who has been a Boy Scout for six years, from Life Scout to Eagle Scout. "My grandpa served in two foreign wars, Vietnam and Korea, he has a lot of respect for the flag," he said. "He would get mad seeing tattered flags being flown." Pyle learned appreciation for the flag through his grandfather, and Eagle scouting from...

FORT HUACHUCA — Creating a legacy when there isn’t much of a past is difficult. Just ask retired Army Col. Jim Kelsey. But in the military, when an order — or at least the desire of a general is expressed — it’s “yes sir,” followed sometimes by a “now what?” Kelsey, formerly a lieutenant colonel, found himself in that quandary as did others in the Office of the Chief of Military Intelligence (OCMI), some time before the Military Intelligence Corps was established on July 1, 1987. There had to be symbolism when it came to the establishment of the Corps,...

SIERRA VISTA — Monday is Memorial Day. It’s a day people will go to a cemetery; a place a loved one or acquaintance may be buried. A person who may have died in one of the nation’s wars. A place where veterans of America’s armed forces rest after their deaths years after their service. But, getting ready for that somber time means that days before, a number of activities must take place to prepare the cemeteries. Friday, such activity was happening at the Southern Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery. Part of the day’s event were centered around Michael Jones’ Eagle Scout...

SIERRA VISTA — When the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, left the nation reeling in sorrow and sadness, the ideas of how best to remember the fallen were plentiful. Flags, ribbons, flowers and other mementos adorned makeshift memorials across the nation, and locally, a giant American flag, created by Americans, for Americans, and expressing the true pride that comes with being an American, was created four days after the attack at Tucson Electric Park as thousands gathered to work on mending the wounded heart of the nation. And with such success in drawing people together back in 2001, what better...

SIERRA VISTA — A pair of events to honor veterans will be held Friday and Tuesday at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery off of Buffalo Soldier Trail. One event will honor Army Air Forces fighter pilots of World War II, seven of whom are holding their last reunion in Arizona. Included among the seven is Sierra Vista resident John Olmstead, 88, who flew on combat missions over Europe with the 374th Squadron, which was part of the 361st Fighter Group. His wife, Nancy, said age is the main reason for making this the last reunion, as the former fighter...

A group of New York City atheists is demanding that the city remove a street sign honoring seven firefighters killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks because they say the sign violates the separation of church and state. The street, “Seven in Heaven Way,” was officially dedicated last weekend in Brooklyn outside the firehouse where the firefighters once served. The ceremony was attended by dozens of firefighters, city leaders and widows of the fallen men. “There should be no signage or displays of religious nature in the public domain,” said Ken Bronstein, president of New York City Atheists. “It’s...

WASHINGTON, March 4, 2011 – The Washington Capitals NHL team and their majority owner, Ted Leonsis, hosted not only the St. Louis Blues at the Verizon Center here last night, but also service members and their families for the 8th Annual Military Appreciation Night. Navy Petty Officer First Class Max Rohn, a hospital corpsman who earned the Purple Heart for injuries suffered in Iraq, converses with Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. during the reception of the Washington Capitals 8th Annual Military Appreciation Night at the Verizon Center, Washington, D.C., March 3, 2011. DOD photo by Navy...

6/22/2010 - SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) -- More than 20 pararescuemen, active duty, retired and prior service, donned their service dress uniforms, with boots and maroon berets, and fell into formation. Local freedom riders holding American flags lined the street of the funeral procession. As their fallen commrade's remains arrived and were retrieved by honor guard members, the formation saluted him. On a bright sunny afternoon in San Antonio, the mood is far from light on this day as pararescuemen from across the U.S. paid their final respects to their fallen comrade, Tech. Sgt. Michael Flores, in a funeral ceremony at...

CARTHAGE, Tunisia, May 30, 2010 – Less than a mile from the 2,000-year-old ruins of ancient Carthage, Tunisian groundskeepers worked under a bright Mediterranean sun to prepare for Memorial Day observances to honor the 2,841 Americans buried here, as well as the thousands more who gave their lives in the North Africa campaigns of World War II that laid the bloody groundwork for the Allied liberation of Europe. Abdallah Lagahre, a Tunisian stone mason, refreshes gold leaf lettering on the gravestone of Medal of Honor recipient Army Pvt. Nicholas Minue at the North Africa American Cemetery in Carthage, Tunisia, May...

12/10/2009 - MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFNS) -- Civil Air Patrol officials here will partner with Wreaths Across America officials to honor veteran memorials and grave sites Dec. 12 nationwide. Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization that recognizes the courage and sacrifices of U.S. veterans, pays tributes to many of the 25 million men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces and guarded and preserved America's freedom throughout history. Memorials and grave sites, including Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia will be adorned with remembrance wreaths provided by the Maine's Worcester Wreath Co. "Our mission is to...

Task Force Pathfinder recently built its very own mudhif to provide a location for meetings with local Iraqi leaders in a comfortable, traditional setting. First constructed in the marshes of what is now southern Iraq more than 5,000 years ago, the mudhif is a unique local meeting place assembled entirely of reeds, straw and other natural materials. Photo by Pfc. Aaron Brooks, 1st Armored Division. COB ADDER — First constructed more than 5,000 years ago in the marshes of what is now southern Iraq, the mudhif is a unique local meeting place assembled entirely of reeds, straw and other natural...

In a final call home, Army Sgt. Benjamin Sherman told his sister to tell everyone he loved them, “because I don’t know if I’ll get that chance again.” Sadly, his fears proved true. Sherman was laid to rest yesterday in his hometown of Plymouth in a funeral Mass attended by hundreds. Sherman, 21, was eulogized as a selfless soldier who did what came naturally to him when he jumped into a river in Afghanistan to try to rescue a comrade in distress. “He jumped into that river because he loved deeply, he was pure of heart, and he exhibited the...

Join Obama in honoring the dead Editorial Board Monday, November 09, 2009 President Barack Obama will be front and center at Fort Hood today to honor those killed and wounded in last Thursday's attack on unarmed soldiers preparing to deploy. That's where the commander in chief ought to be, and those who perpetrate division, anger and suspicion should have enough respect for the dead, the wounded and their families to let up for a bit. The din that followed the Fort Hood shooting was to be expected. Criticism of the nation's leader is nothing new, but in the information age,...

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.08.2009 advertisement Six decades after surviving a battle in which many soldiers froze to death, World War II veteran John Swett still dislikes the cold. This week, he and scores of surviving comrades are basking in Tucson's warmth during the national reunion of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. More than 100 of these 80- and 90-somethings, who were part of the biggest, bloodiest land fight in U.S. history, are in town for a week of sightseeing and remembrance ceremonies. It's the first time their annual reunion has been held in the Old Pueblo, hosted...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2009 – In 2005, David Dominguez of San Diego noticed casualty reports in Iraq and Afghanistan were barely making news. After several years of war, the American public had settled back into its routine. Dominguez set up a nonprofit organization to remind people of the sacrifices being made on their behalf. He called it “Freedom is Not Free.” The name Dominguez chose gave expression to his sentiment that the brave men and women serving in the military, and their families, were shouldering the price for the freedoms that all Americans enjoy. Dominguez brought his long-time friend and...

WASHINGTON, July 8, 2009 – Bright blue skies above the National Mall today belied the solemnity of the ceremony commemorating the first two American combat casualties of the Vietnam War. U.S. Army Master Sgt. Chester Ovnand and Maj. Dale Buis were the first two U.S. servicemembers killed in the Vietnam War. Their sacrifice was honored in Washington, D.C., Jyly 8, 2009, in a ceremony commemorating the 50th Anniversary of their deaths. DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “On this date 50 years ago, two men lost their lives...

WASHINGTON, June 19, 2009 – When an “honor flight” from Long Island, N.Y., lands here tomorrow with 31 mostly World War II veterans aboard, it’s likely to be met in the same manner as others before it: with much applause and fanfare. Dr. Jack Griffeth, left, served as a medial guardian on the May 4, 2009, ‘honor flight’ for veterans from Atlanta. World War II veteran William Glavic, right, who also participated in that flight, survived the sinking of the USS Yorktown during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Photo courtesy of The Honor Flight Network  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution...