[snugs]

A Vietnam veteran holds a flag near the Vietnam Veterans Wall Memorial in Washington, D.C., May 29, 2005. Men and women, young and old, gathered in the nation's capital to watch as hundreds of thousands of motorcycle riders took part in Rolling Thunder 2005. The annual ride which began in 1988 pays tribute to those killed in Vietnam and remembers those missing from all conflicts

Donald Rumsfeld, is surrounded by bikers before speaking during the annual Rolling Thunder memorial ride at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Sunday, May 29, 2005. The Rolling Thunder event, coinciding with the Memorial Day weekend, has been focusing attention on POW-MIA issues since 1988. Riders also advocate for veterans' rights.

Donald Rumsfeld is surrounded by bikers before speaking during the annual Rolling Thunder memorial ride at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, right, delivers the keynote address Sunday May 29, 2005 at the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally in front of the Lincoln Memorial

Rolling Thunder member Bill Pucin provides security as US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld addresses the 18th annual Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom in Washington, DC. Tens of thousands of motorcycle-riders from across the United States, including many Vietnam veterans, converged on Washington Sunday for the annual 'Rolling Thunder' commemoration

A biker stands guard as Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, rear, speaks during the annual Rolling Thunder memorial ride at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington Sunday, May 29, 2005. The Rolling Thunder event, coinciding with the Memorial Day weekend, has been focusing attention on POW-MIA issues since 1988. Riders also advocate for veterans' rights.

U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld addresses a Memorial Day veterans rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, May 29, 2005. Earlier in the day, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Richard Myers had led thousands of the Rolling Thunder motorcycle riders into Washington for their 18th annual 'Ride for Freedom' and rally for veterans.

Donald Rumsfeld is applauded as he addresses a Memorial Day weekend veterans rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, May 29, 2005

Donald Rumsfeld poses with an unidentified Vietnam veteran after making a speech at the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally in front of the Lincoln Memorial, Sunday, May 29, 2005

singer Nancy Sinatra performs 'These Boots Are Made For Walkin',' Sunday, May 29, 2005, as part of the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

Donald Rumsfeld exits after addressing a Memorial Day veterans rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington

[luvie]

Woo-hoo! Look at General Myers in that great flag shirt! I like that!

[onedoug]

I guess to stand out as a Vietnam veteran in this crowd you gotta have the proper costume...uh, uniform.

Sheesh!

[JustaCowgirl]

snugs, what an awesome dose you put together today. Lots of Rummy pictures with some rough and ready Americans, and how about General Myers looking good in the motorcycle gear!!! I am blown away by that picture of him.

Did you put together those Memorial Day retrospectives yourself? If so, that's just incredible. In any case, just an awesome job. We thank you very much for doing this for us.

[Fudd Fan]

OMGoodness-- tell me that is NOT Nancy Sinatra! Ye gads and liddle fishees!

[Wolfstar]

The dude in photos #2 and #3 in the group in your post #9 was on CNN today with Judy Woodruff. He was complaining about the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Jim Nicholson. He says there's not enough money in this year's budget for veterans, or to cover the needs of the Iraq and Afghanistan vets who lost limbs. He also said Nicholson wants to close some VA facilities.

Problem is, budgets are allocated by Congress, and the facilities may be part of the latest round of proposed base closings. Once again, that's really the responsibility of Congress, but cowards that they are, they handed off responsibility for base closings to a commission years ago.

At this point, the proposals are just that -- proposals. The list of bases targeted to close has been changed in the past. It's a highly political thing. No congressman or senator wants the base in their district to close.