On 30 May 1868, by proclamation of General John Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic –the organization of Union veterans, the first major Memorial Day observance was held to honor those who died “in defense of their country during the late rebellion.” Known to some as “Decoration Day,” mourners honored the Civil War dead by decorating their graves with flowers.
By the late 19th century, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate Memorial Day, and after World War I, folks began to honor the dead of all of our wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. This is the day we honor those who have served in our nation’s military and have died.
Memorial Day
May 30th, 2011Episode 180
May 29th, 20115/29/2011
Episode 180
Topics
News and Comment by the Col: Confusion in the Mideast
Dave Marin: Finding Jobs for Vets
Diana Falzone on Fake Service Members
Senator Jason Allen: Memorial Day; Last Thoughts
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Episode 179
May 22nd, 20115/22/2011
Episode 179
Topics
News and Comment by the Col: My Friend, Geronimo
Shaun Wilson: KIA Children Scholarships
Bob Becker: Legion Flight 311
Rotation: Craig Larson: Veterans Administration; Last Thoughts/Point-Counterpoint
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China no military threat, they say
May 21st, 2011Seeking to counter US worries about his country’s rapid military growth, a top Chinese general said the communist nation’s defense clout lags decades behind America, and China wants warmer relations. “I can tell you that China does not have the capability to challenge the United States,” he said, adding that its wealth and military strength pale in comparison with the US, and its navy is 20 years behind. Now, if you believe this, then take into account that the US has virtually stopped all R&D in sea and air warfare—and, our ships are old while the Chinese are building new ones and doing lots of R&D. There are announced plans to reduce the size of our army by at least 40 thousand troops—and I’m sure that is just the beginning. And they have all the interest we’re paying them on all the debt we owe them to finance all the growth. Bottom line: Yes, we’re stronger now, but they’re building and growing while we’re cutting and shrinking. In a decade or two the capabilities will be very, very different.
Comparing two Presidents
May 20th, 2011 George W. Bush speech after capture of Saddam: The success of yesterday’s mission is a tribute to our men and women now serving in Iraq . The operation was based on the superb work of intelligence analysts who found the dictator’s footprints in a vast country. The operation was carried out with skill and precision by a brave fighting force. Our servicemen and women and our coalition allies have faced many dangers in the hunt for members of the fallen regime, and in their effort to bring hope and freedom to the Iraqi people. Their work continues, and so do the risks. Today, on behalf of the nation, I thank the members of our Armed Forces and I congratulate ‘em.
Barack Obama speech after killing of bin Laden: And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al Qaeda, even as we continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network. Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden. It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to ground. I met repeatedly with my national security team as we developed more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan . And finally, last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action, and authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice. Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad , Pakistan .
It’s pretty easy to identify one of these men as an appreciative leader and one as an ego-centric jerk. I leave the choice to you.

