Category Archives: Patriotic Stuff

The Backstory of largest free-flying American flag

by

1

For Flag Day, Fox News did an interesting and heartfelt story on the largest American flag, which hangs from the George Washington Bridge on patriotic holidays.

The bridge boasts the largest free-flying flag in the world – it’s 60 by 90 feet and weighs 450 pounds.

Port Authority electrician Chris Bonanno said that the flag would cover a full-sized basketball court. He also explained that one star on the flag is about 3 feet tall.

***

The flag is stored in a fiber glass tube that runs from the top to the bottom of the bridge’s arch.

The tube helps shield the flag from the elements and from thousands of drivers who pass under it, likely unaware that it’s there.

The flag usually flies for just one day at a time – but after 9/11, it flew for a full month at Ground Zero.

Hat tip: Aunt Margie

Memorial Day 2015

by

3

It’s Memorial Day – but please don’t put a “Happy” in front of it like the clueless, tactless @TheDemocrats. Memorial Day is a somber day – a day to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our freedom.

For many vets, remembering those sacrifices, stings.

Marine Corps vet Jenny Haskamp wrote in the Chicago Trib about her mixed feelings this Memorial Day weekend.

I didn’t know why I was upset, at first. I paused, and while I was sitting there contemplating my outburst, I heard a commercial on the radio screaming through the tinny speakers.

“Beaches, beats and BBQs!” it said. “We’re your Memorial Day station with everything you need to kick off the summer in style!”

That’s when it hit me. I’m angry. I’ve come to realize people think Memorial Day is the official start of summer. It’s grilled meat, super-duper discounts, a day (or two) off work, beer, potato salad and porches draped in bunting.

But it shouldn’t be. It’s more than that.

***

A friend reminded me that plenty of people use the weekend the way it was designed: to pause and remember the men and women who paid the price of our freedom, and then go on about enjoying those freedoms.

But I argue not enough people use it that way. Not enough people pause. Not enough people remember.

Pause to remember this Memorial Day.

Via my Aunt Margie, the true story of the recovery of 19 US Marines Killed in Action on Makin Island in WWII and their return home to Arlington National Cemetery 58 years later.

Warning: This is a bit of a tear-jerker.

The Old Guard places over 228,000 flags at Arlington National Cemetery:

Soldier’s from the US Army’s Old Guard placed over 228,000 flags at Arlington National Cemetery to honor fallen soldiers.

SEE ALSO:

Twitchy: ‘Never forget’: Katie Pavlich, others highlight Rolling Thunder weekend in D.C. [photos, vine]

Happy Independence Day!

by

3

The U.S. Army Chorus performed The Battle Hymn of the Republic at the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Library in April of 2013.

Here”s some Independence Day trivia to impress your friends with via The International Business Times:

What day did most signers of the Declaration of Independence actually sign the document?

Aug. 2, 1776.

How many people signed the Declaration of Independence on July Fourth?

Two

Three of the first five presidents died on the Fourth of July:

John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. Adams, the second president, and Jefferson, the third, died on the same day in 1826, the 50th anniversary.

Which president was born on the Fourth of July?

Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president, in 1872.

What other countries celebrate the Fourth of July?

Denmark, England, Norway, Portugal and Sweden. Denmark  Danes and Norwegians celebrate American Independence Day because thousands emigrated to the U.S. in the early 1900s. Other European countries, like England, Portugal and Sweden, hold celebrations near American military bases and or spots frequented by American tourists to boost travel during early July.

I did not know that. More at the link.

Another thing I did not know courtesy of Twitchy: : Wow, America is 2014 years old today!

There’s a bunch of people saying this. If it’s a joke, I don’t get it.

See Also:

The Conversation for some Independence Day Quotes From America’s Founding Fathers.

Newsbusters: For the Fourth, 5 Songs You May Not Know are Un-Patriotic

Memorial Day 2014

by

0

Remembering our fallen heroes who courageously served our country in the US armed forces – here’s an original Memorial Day anthem by Milwaukee’s own Glen Shulfer: America:

 

 

SEE ALSO:

Michelle Malkin: Memorial Day 2014: Land of the free because of the brave

Senator Ted Cruz: We Must Carry on the Torch of Freedom

Veterans Day 2013: Honoring America’s Heroes

by

2

This Veterans Day we honor the courage and dedication of all who have served our nation and defended our freedom.

The NRSC released a video message from some of our veterans in Congress:

Here is a heart-felt video message via the George W. Bush Presidential Center from former Commander in Chief G.W. Bush:

Senator Ted Cruz released the following message in honor of our nation’s veterans:

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the fighting between the Allies and Germany ceased. Today, we commemorate that moment by thanking our veterans who have continued the quest to preserve our peace and freedom.

We should all be proud of our country’s long tradition of service. General John J. Pershing eloquently expressed his thanks in a letter to the troops who helped win the “war to end all wars,” that is just as relevant now as it was then.

Pershing wrote, “By willing sacrifice of personal rights; by cheerful endurance of hardship and privation; by vigor, strength and indomitable will, made effective by thorough organization and cordial co-operation, you inspired the war-worn Allies with new life and turned the tide of threatened defeat into overwhelming victory.”

We are so fortunate that throughout history, millions of Americans have come forward to fight tyrants, fascists, communists, and terrorists to keep us free.

Still, we live in a violent world, where the freedoms we enjoy remain exceptional to millions of less fortunate forced to abide by brutal dictators, oppressive regimes, and cultures of intolerance.

The persistent threats of terrorism at home and abroad are reminders of how precious it is to be an American and how fiercely our rights must be protected.

We are blessed to live in a society where men and women continue to fight for our flag. Since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, more than 3 million Americans have volunteered to defend their country, knowing full well the risks they may face. More than 50,000 are serving in Afghanistan right now.

They, like millions of veterans before them, are willingly putting themselves in danger to keep us safe.

Thank you.

President Calvin Coolidge once said, “The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.” He was right.

Please join me on this Veterans Day in saying a prayer of thanks for our veterans. And, please find a veteran. Grab their hand. Look them in the eye and tell them, “Thank you for your service.”

We will never be able to express enough thanks for the troops, but they must always know they are treasured.

May God bless the veterans, may God bless all those who continue to protect our country, and may God bless the United States of America.

A friendly reminder:

#MillionVetMarch: Fed Up Vets – Remove Barrycades – Head For #SpiteHouse – Video – Live Streaming Coverage

by

3

Live streaming video by Ustream

million-vet-march-2-700x475

Pic Via Independent Journal

There is a lot of chatter on twitter and elsewhere this morning that the MSM is ignoring the massive Million Man March, this morning in Washington DC, but Fox News was there covering the demonstration for Fox and Friends – calling it a “big story out of DC, this morning.”

Weasel Zippers has live-streaming video, here.

This soggy demonstration started off in the hundreds, but now as of late morning had reached the thousands, and the protesters are now headed with their barrycades to the White House.

Sarah Palin, Ted Cruz and Mike Lee were in attendance…

The Truckers are there, too:

Vets carrying the barrycades to the White House:

SEE ALSO

Twitchy: ‘It belongs to the people!’ Sarah Palin and Sens. Cruz, Lee address Million Vets March [pics]

Twitchy: #1MVetMarch: Barrycades down! Spite House barricades no match for Million Vets March [photos]

Tea Party Command Center: Photos from the Million Vet March

Washington Times: UPDATED: “Million” vets are in DC to demand their monuments be opened

The Blaze: ‘WE ARE MARCHING TO THE WHITE HOUSE’ TO RETURN THE BARRICADES: ‘MILLION VET MARCH’ DESCENDS ON WASHINGTON

Live updates to follow…

At the White House, demonstrators chanted, “we the people” and “our house!”

Vets with bullhorns taunt Obama: “The world doesn’t like you! Even Putin doesn’t like you!”

The Blaze: ‘WE ARE MARCHING TO THE WHITE HOUSE’: ‘MILLION VET MARCH’ DESCENDS ON WASHINGTON, BARRICADES TORN DOWN