FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain Memorial Day Message ~ May 30 2004

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served in
The United States Armed Forces.


Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

Memorial Day Message

Once again, we come to a Memorial Day service. And once again, I am reminded that we stand here today with a purpose.
That purpose is to recognize and remember.
And once again I am reminded that “Freedom is NOT free.”
Our country’s Freedom has been paid for again and again.

In his Gettysburg Address Abraham Lincoln said several things that are memorable.
There are two things that he said that I want to mention today.

The first is “We can not dedicate--we can not consecrate--we can not hallow-- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it,
far above our poor power to add or detract.”

While we do not stand on a field of struggle today, we live in a world filled with struggle. And we cannot dedicate, consecrate, nor hallow the efforts of men and women to obtain and maintain freedom anymore than they already have. There are no words or actions that can fully recognize the efforts and sacrifices that these people, both living and dead,
have made and continue to make.

This past year, our country once again has gone to war. The casualties were few, but for all of us and especially for the families who lost loved ones, they were too many. This war is ended, but not over. Does that sound a little strange? Well, I guess it is. What I mean is, that our Armed Forces have been Victorious in Iraq, but the war against Terrorism continues. As we all know, there are still those who, for whatever reason, want to “kill” Americans. I am sure I do not understand why. We are the most helpful, considerate, kind and honorable country in history. Please do not misunderstand, I don’t think every one in America is that way, but I do think that as a Nation, we demonstrate those attributes again and again. Americans are good people. As I look around at those to whom I speak today, I see people who have been and are willing to help not only their Iowa neighbors but also their neighbors in this country and their international neighbors as well. It is a great country and we are a great people.

The second quote from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is, “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here,
but it can never forget what THEY did here.”

Isn’t that true. Every year for the past several years, I have written and delivered this address in this very spot. Who remembers what was said? And, for that matter, why should they remember? It is not now, nor has it ever been my intent to be remembered. But we are here to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and those who still today give the ultimate sacrifice. We are here to remember those who gave themselves, not only in death, but also in sacrifice and effort. Even though they live, the things they were required to do to keep our Great Nation free have changed their lives forever.

Since this is Memorial Day, I thought I might use the word “Memorial” to define some thoughts about the men and women who have given so much to and for us.

Men: Brave men and women who fought and did many different things that were beyond what most would think themselves capable of doing. They responded to the call of their nation when needed and they MUST be remembered.

Endure: Because of their love for our country and fellow man, these people endured many hardships, both physical and mentally. Many gave their lives, all endured much.

Memory: We need to exercise our memories. Every day, we need to remind others, and ourselves
that our freedom was purchased with a cost.

Ownership: The brave ones who fought for themselves as well as for you and for me have ownership in this day and in this country. Not only do they have the right of ownership, but also they pass on to us, the responsibility of ownership. In fact, it is our country to preserve.

Responsibility/Remember: As we honor the brave men and women who have served our country, we find that we do it because it is our responsibility to remember. We have the freedom to do as we like. But along with the freedom that we have been given, comes the responsibility to remember. We acknowledge a debt of gratitude and respect for all.

I-you-me. Each one of us living in this great country is a part of the success or failure of our country. It is up to us. It is our responsibility to preserve and protect our country and it’s freedoms. I-you-me, we can make a difference.

Accountable: We are accountable to ourselves and to each other to maintain the freedoms that we have.
Memorial Day brings many people together to remember. Not only do we share in the loss of those who served their country in uniform, but also those who were so close to each of us. On this day, we perpetuate the memory of the sacrifices of the many who have given so much for each of us.

Love: We love our way of life and we have a good life.
And we love our country.

I looked up the meaning of the word “Freedom” in the dictionary. My American Heritage Dictionary says that Freedom “is the condition of being free”. That interested me so I looked up the word “Free”. And that says that to be free,
one is “at liberty, not bound or constrained”.

Many take Freedom and Liberty for granted. But we are here today to celebrate and remember the many who have helped preserve our Freedom and Liberty. This service is in their honor.

One of the reasons we observe Memorial Day is because we know that we must not forget. We know that many have made the sacrifice so that we can be here today.
We must not forget those sacrifices.

Chaplain Neal Hanley

'Rolling Thunder' Meets With President

POSTED: 3:45 pm EDT May 30, 2004

UPDATED: 3:52 pm EDT May 30, 2004

WASHINGTON -- Members of the Rolling Thunder motorcycling group revved their engines on the White House driveway Sunday during a visit with President Bush, who took about 10 bikers in jeans and leather jackets for an Oval Office tour.

The roar from bikers on the Mall nearby could be heard on the South Lawn as eight motorcycles, headlights illuminated and American flags jutting off the rear seats, rolled up the driveway to the South Portico where Bush was waiting to greet them.

Bush shook hands with Artie Muller, president of the veterans' advocacy group, and kissed Muller's rider, singer Nancy Sinatra, a veterans' supporter, who was dressed in a skirt, cowboy boots and a pair of dark shades.

Later, Bush addressed, via a telephone hookup, a Rolling Thunder rally at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in the capital.

The president noted the letter of endorsement he received from the group last week. "Artie, I thought you were going to offer me riding lessons," Bush joked, thanking Rolling Thunder for backing his re-election campaign.

"Ride safe," he told them.

Other bikers who rode up the driveway included White House budget director Josh Bolton, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson and Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi, and various Rolling Thunder leaders.

The group endorsed Bush in 2000 over Democrat Al Gore, a Vietnam veteran. This year, they chose Bush, who served stateside in the Texas Air National Guard during Vietnam, over John Kerry, a decorated veteran of the same war who is also a motorcycle enthusiast.

In November 2003, the Democratic presidential hopeful borrowed a Harley-Davidson cycle and road onto the stage of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

For the past 15 years, the group has announced its arrival with the roar of motorcycles -- not unlike the sound of the 1965 bombing campaign against North Vietnam that was called Operation Rolling Thunder.

Rolling Thunder is an organization dedicated to creating awareness of POW/MIA issues, promoting legislation to increase veterans' benefits, and volunteering time, food, and clothing to veterans and local communities. Rolling Thunder has 70 chapters and over 7,000 members throughout the United States and abroad.

"In the Oval Office, I looked you in the eye as you told me of your relentless pursuit of finding out the plight of many of our POW/MIAs, and I appreciated so much your concern, your care and your persistence," Bush told the rally. "I also want to thank you and your organization, Artie, for honoring the men and women of our military who fight today in Afghanistan and Iraq."

Gary Scheffmeyer, vice president of Rolling Thunder, said the president showed the group around his office, pointing out busts of presidents and paintings. Scheffmeyer said they chatted for about a half hour with Bush about the war in Iraq and terrorism. The bikers talked about veterans' health benefits and soldiers still missing from Vietnam.

"The search for live Americans continues in Southeast Asia," Scheffmeyer said. "There's still a possibility that there could be some live Americans there."

Bush began his day by attending a worship service at a church across the street from the White House.

Bikers For Bush

'Rolling Thunder' Meets With President