"Veteran's Day--What will YOU be doing???"

11/8/01 | Some guy in Utah

[michaelje]

Bump

[12B]

I have to work but afterwards I'll probably drop by the Rhein across from Nierstein to see if any oldtimers show up.

Last year I went to St. Avold which is truly, truly humbling. In '98 I went to Remagen and got to drink many biers with veterans from both sides who were partying in a Gasthof. Couldn't convince our guys to stop using the word "kraut" though.

[MudPuppy]

The Quantico Young Marines will be at the Quantico National Cemetery to set up for the ceremonies & support our veterans.

Marine Corps Base Quantico will provide ceremonial support to the Potomac Region Veterans Council for its Veterans Day Ceremony at Quantico National Ceremony, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m.

MCB Quantico Commanding General, BGen. Joseph Composto, will provide opening remarks for the guest speaker, LtCol. Robin Higgins, USMC (Ret.), and the Quantico Marine Band will provide ceremonial music. In addition, the Base Ceremonial Platoon will provide a color guard and firing detail. All Marines, Sailors, civilian employees and family members are encouraged to attend the event.

[centexan]

I'll be defending America.

Thank you for your service. I'll visit the cemetary and make sure my Dad's flag is in good shape - he was a WWII B-17 Vet who died on Veteran's Day. Then I'll probably watch "The Story of GI Joe" with my kids. It's based on the Ernie Pyle story about my Uncle's death in Italy during that campaign.

[Teacher317]

Here's a thread discussing the rather remarkable celebration at our public school...
complete with a gunfire salute to the fallen, a few prayers, and speeches by veterans!

[LadyX]

My church is having a single service instead of two this Sunday, to honor all veterans!

The center front section will be reserved for veterans and their spouses, and I will sit there proudly as a veteran of the Korean Conflict, USMC.
It so happens my daughter's mother-in-law, my good friend, served in the 50's also, and will be there with me.

Afterward they are having a reception for us in the activity center.

Another treat is this afternoon at 2 p.m., my grandson has invited me to be at his school gymnasium to be honored!
His Air Force ROTC Unit is sponsoring it, complete with the school band playing and drill teams performing, followed by cake and drinks aferward.
He loves to show me off, especially to the cute little Right Guide on his squad!

It will be a double dose for me, the U.S. Marine Corps Birthday tomorrow!!

[Billie]

I will be posting a tribute to All Freeper Veterans and Active Servicemen/women on Sunday, called "A Few of FR's Finest" - I hope you'll look for it.

[North Coast Conservative]

From 10AM to 1PM the Patrick Henry Chapter of the Free Republic will be in the MUNY lot outside Cleveland Stadium demonstrating for support of the President of the United States and Operation Infinite Justice/Enduring Freedom.

Posters, Flags, and a Bullhorn and a lot of enthusiasm.

If you live in Northeast Ohio and can spare a little time come join us on Veteran's Day to remember veterans past and present, POWS/MIAS of all wars, support the administration of GW Bush, and telling the men and women in all services that we are behind them 110 percent.

In God We Trust.....Semper Fi

CMSGT Garcia, (Dad), I miss you terribly.

[B4Ranch]

Reform the Veterans Administration System!

View Current Signatures - - - Sign the Petition

To: President George W. Bush, Congress and House/Senate VA Committees

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation." --George Washington

It is time for the archaic VA system to undergo a major overhaul. Veteran’s rights are non-existent. We demand the right to access the federal court system as well as to have the right to secure representation without limits the VA now restricts us to. The laws that prohibit the payment and use of legal counsel in our claims process severely cripples the Veterans Right to “due process under the law”. This law clearly violates the civil rights of Veterans. We as Veterans want a fair and just system that affords us all the civil and judicial rights and freedoms enjoyed by the rest of the population. We do not currently have access or the privilege to such a system. We are not only denied such access, but the US Attorney, Civil Rights Division, fails to investigate Veterans civil complaints regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs. We are told (unofficially of course) that the US Attorney is the VA’s Attorney, yet when another citizen has their civil rights violated, the Justice Department gladly steps in. We are asking for our right to “due process” under the laws and the Constitution we swore to defend.

It is the demand of the following undersigned Veterans, Family members and Friends of Veterans, that the Congress enacts legislation that restructures the VA claims and Medical care process to allow the following changes.

1. The timely and fair adjudication of Veterans claims for compensation, without prejudice or malice.

2. Legal representation at all stages of the Veterans claims process. Removal of all restraints that prohibit the hiring and payment of private legal counsel necessary to prove the Veterans case.

3. Access to the Federal Court System closely mirroring the same guidelines as the Social Security claims process. This is to include the adoption of time limits and right to counsel policies that are currently in use by the Social Security Administration.

4. An end to the practice of 'Blanket Denial" of administrative tort claims that are filed as a result of injury at VA Medical Facilities. The Department of Veterans Affairs shall be held accountable in Civil Court for the actions and malpractice of its employees and Administrators.

5. The addition of oversight committees that are responsible for the investigation of Veterans Claims of injury and malpractice at VA Medical Facilities. These committees shall be composed of Veterans, Non VA Physicians and Non VA Lawyers. This will help curtail the practice of complaints that are "swept under the rug" and ignored by VA Administrators. In addition, VA Hospital Administrators and Directors would be required to turn over all letters of complaints filed by Veterans and their family members, along with a description of what remedy was given to alleviate the problem, to accreditation committees evaluating that facility for fitness and quality standards. Hospital administrators would be held accountable for fair and just remedy of these complaints. A failure to comply with this process would be considered a performance standard that directly relates to bonus payments and pay raises.

6. That competent, timely and safe medical and psychiatric care is provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to all Veterans.

7. The registration and competency testing of ALL VA Physicians with the respective State Board of Medical Examiners, In the State that they are actively working in, not just the state they are licensed in. A basic requirement shall be that VA physicians, Nurses and Technicians be able to communicate in English so that they may effectively communicate with patients in both spoken, and written form.

8. That VA Facilities be required to turn over all documents and records in a timely and complete manner in order to assist a Veteran to accomplish the proper adjudication of his/her claim and to facilitate the care of the Veteran by outside providers. This shall include severe criminal penalties and civil liability for the destruction or altering of official medical and administrative files by VA employees and administrators.

9. That the Congress enforce the decisions of the Veterans Court of Appeals and the Board of Veterans Appeals upon VA Regional Offices and the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

10. That the US Attorney, Civil Rights Division, "cease and desist" the practice of ignoring Veterans Claims of Civil Rights Violations committed by the Department of Veteran Affairs against Veterans and investigate and prosecute all violations. We as Veterans deserve "equal and fair protection under the law" the same as the rest of the citizens of this country. The Justice Department needs to recognize Veterans as a part of that population.

11. We ask that The Congress enact legislation to restore the Rights and Dignity to those who served and to protect those rights from the constant erosion that has taken place. We ask that a system be enacted that guarantees the compassionate and respectful treatment of those who served this country. We ask that the respective Veterans Affairs Committees in the House act on these issues to insure that future enlistees that choose to serve their country have a guarantee that their service will not be forgotten or held in disrespect once they are discharged from active duty. We ask that they can expect competent, timely and safe medical care along with compensation for injuries received while defending this country in both peacetime and combat situations.

It is time to overhaul this broken and grossly unfair system. We ask for fairness, respect and dignity.

It is due to the sacrifices of the Veterans of this country that the rest of the population enjoys the rights and freedoms they have come to know and cherish, it is time for the Veteran to be afforded these same rights as well as the right to “due process” under the Constitution.

"IT IS THE SOLDIER, NOT THE POET, WHO GIVES US FREEDOM OF SPEECH. IT IS THE SOLDIER, NOT THE REPORTER, WHO GIVES US FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. IT IS THE SOLDIER, NOT THE CAMPUS ORGANIZER, WHO GIVES US FREEDOM TO PROTEST. IT IS THE SOLDIER WHO SERVES BENEATH THE FLAG, WHO SALUTES THE FLAG AND WHOSE COFFIN IS DRAPED BY THE FLAG, WHO GIVES THE DEMONSTRATOR THE RIGHT TO BURN THE FLAG." Sincerely,

The Undersigned

CLICK HERE TO SIGN

View Current Signatures

_______________________________________________________________

The Reform the Veterans Administration System! Petition to President George W. Bush, Congress and House/Senate VA Committees was created by USA Veterans and Supporters of USA Veterans Rights and written by John Ferguson, Veterans Activist, Phoenix, AZ. This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no express or implied endorsement of this petition by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. The petition scripts are created by Mike Wheeler at Artifice, Inc. For Technical Support please use our simple Petition Help form.

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/Ferguson/petition.html

[Teacup]

Post 43

What time? We just might go. Thanks Mudpuppy.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Decorated Vietnam Vet Arrested Guarding War Memorial and American Flag in Solana Beach CA
Thread #1
Thread #2
Thread #3
Thread #4
Thread #5
Vet Reunited with his dog! #6

[michigander]

Robert Udell, a World War II and Korean War veteran, helps himself to raise his elbow
Thursday, Nov. 8, 2001, as he salutes the flag during the Veterans Day parade in Los Angeles.
Many veterans say they feel renewed by the outpouring of patriotism across the country after
the Sept. 11, attacks and the war against global terrorism. Last week, President Bush issued a
proclamation to declare Nov. 11-17 as National Veterans Awareness Week. Children on the
right are students from the John Thomas Dye School. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

---

GOD BLESS AMERICA!
GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS!!!

[michigander]

Rekindled Patriotism Overflows at Veterans Day Ceremonies Across the Country

By Michelle DeArmond
Associated Press Writer
Published: Nov 9, 2001

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Brimming with a renewed sense of patriotism and respect for the military, Americans across the country are turning out this holiday to honor veterans and remember the heroes from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Many say they are attending Veterans Day celebrations with a new kind of pride and veterans say they are enjoying more respect. Speakers are drawing special attention to Americans fighting in Afghanistan and the firefighters and police officers who died in the World Trade Center.

"I think it's a different response and more respect for veterans because of what happened September the 11th," Councilman Nate Holden said after attending a ceremony at the Veterans Affairs hospital in West Los Angeles. "The average person, including the veterans, is becoming more appreciative."

At a song-filled ceremony Friday in Hollywood Hills, firefighters and police officers sat prominently on the stage next to a plaque memorializing the Sept. 11 attacks.

Barbara Alderson Raga brought her 12-year-old daughter, Suzie, to the ceremony at Forest Lawn Memorial Park for the first time.

"I think certainly in the context of what's going on in the world, this is of great interest," Raga said as she gazed up at World War II fighter planes in the Condor Squadron flying over.

In O'Fallon, Mo., as many as 1,500 people are expected Sunday for the dedication of a new veterans' memorial that consists of a "platoon" of bronze boots.

Veterans said they weren't anticipating so many participants before Sept. 11.

Sheldon Hartsfield, president of the Mid Rivers chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, said he is greeted warmly when he's out in public these days, and is thanked more strongly for his service when he appears on behalf of veterans' groups.

Wallace Levin, chairman of San Francisco's Veterans Day parade, said he expected this year's event to one of the biggest ever.

"I think that Veterans Day has never been as important as it is this year," he said. "I just hope it helps the morale of our troops and our people. The front lines this time are not just in Afghanistan, they are in New York and Washington. The war is in America."

Veterans Affairs department: http://www.va.gov/vetsday/index.cfm

Veterans of Foreign Wars: http://www.vfw.org

AP-ES-11-09-01 1845EST

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Marine Corps Birthday Thread

[Snow Bunny]

Thank you for the link and the great post and information.

[Snow Bunny]

God Bless you my friend. I am so very blessed to know you.

[Republic]

I try to remember vets everyday.

Driving up 65 today from Louisville towards Indianapolis, I stopped by a gas station to fuel up. Going inside to pay, I noticed the attendent was missing an arm. I wondered if he were a vet and asked, he said yes, that he had lost his arm in Vietnam. I thanked him for his service and told him I would be thinking about him on Veteran's Day. And I will.

[cookcounty]

What will I be doing on Veteran's Day? Same thing as almost every other veteran--- working a full day to pay the taxes so that all those non-veterans can have a paid day off!