Wait,
the CinC’s gonna blow-off Memorial Day?
Frikkin’ MEMORIAL DAY?!
Vice President Biden will deliver remarks to families of fallen military service personnel in Arlington, Va. President Obama has no public appearances.
Sorry, I have no words.
This had better be a reporting mistake.
Per Billy Ray’s comment (14), I followed the links and found a likely source of the article’s confusion:
Official Website (as of 5/25/12 2115 EDT):
This year, the Secretary of Defense will host over 2,500 Vietnam Veterans, Gold Star family members, wounded veterans from military and other hospitals, and other distinguished guests. Veteran Service Organizations associated with the Vietnam War, each branch of the military services, as well as the Office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and other governmental leaders will also have representatives attending the event. [President not mentioned]
White House:
This Memorial Day, we honor the men and women who have defended our nation, and mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. On Memorial Day, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will participate in an event at Arlington National Cemetery. The President, Vice President, First Lady and Dr. Biden will also attend an event at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Prior to these events, the President and First Lady Michelle Obama will meet with Gold Star Families.
Today’s DoD Press Release (PDF via official website):
Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta will host the President at a ceremony on Monday, May 28, 2012, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to thank and honor America’s Vietnam veterans on behalf of a grateful nation.
I apologize. Too ready to believe the worst, I reckon.
Thanks, Billy Ray.
La vérité. Tojours la vérité.
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39 Comments!
I’m just going to go take a pill and not leave a comment. Guys in black suits knocking on the door annoy me…….
Way back when, the first ceremony of memorial was described as follows:
“This was the first Memorial Day. African Americans invented Memorial Day in Charleston, South Carolina. What you have there is black Americans recently freed from slavery announcing to the world with their flowers, their feet, and their songs what the War had been about. What they basically were creating was the Independence Day of a Second American Revolution.”
The irony is thick on this one.
He’ll probably have a hangover after watching the race on Sunday.
Either that, or we’ll turn on the news to find out he’s made a secret trip to visit an overseas memorial, like Normandy.
But I prefer the hangover theory.
Maybe it is an error. Or maybe he is having a private meeting with a veteran’s group or families of fallen soldiers.
Hey, I can HOPE.
Didn’t he try this before and had to back off?
DougM may have no words but I think Obama has one and that’s – FORE!
From 1947 until 1955, as a grade school kid, we loaded on buses on “Decoration Day” and visited every cemetary in our township to plant litte American flags and flowers on all veteran graves from WW,I,WWII and Korea.
Sometime, since that time,
DecorationMemorial Day became a 3 day weekend and the beginning of summer.Personally, I am glad OBoBo will not honor America`s veteran gravesites—-w some bullshit words (…written by another…). He. ain`t. qualified! [...not even in Kenya...]
^ Yeah, there’s that.
Still, it’s his friggin’ JOOOOOOOB!
Jess (2)
I did not know that.
iD (3)
Let’s hope so on the secret-trip thing.
Considering what he thinks of the military, his absence is probably for the best.
This is good. obama won’t contaminate any events. Biden is a jerk. He was a Vietnam draft dodger. That probably saved a neccesary fragging.
How far down the govt. chain of command do you have to go to find someone worthy of leading the official Memorial Day events? obama-no, Biden-no, Boehner-no, Reid-no, – - – - – - ?
I remember Clinton’s first Memorial Day as prez. As he took to the podium a large group of vets, mostly Nam vets, did an about face and turned their backs to him.
Captain Bullshit’s mere presence, nevermind his braying, bumbling TOTUS words, defaces National Cemeteries IMHO. OTOH, it is his job, and he could take off any other day pretty much at his discretion. I think it’s just more in your face “I hate America” by him. He’s pond scum, lazy pond scum at that.
^^ “This was the first Memorial Day. African Americans invented Memorial Day in Charleston, South Carolina. What you have there is black Americans…..
Sounds like more resume enhancement by race pimps.
Local women were “decorating” Confederate graves in Hollywood Cemetery here in Richmond and Blandford Cemetery near Petersburg during the ACW before Appomattox, and a woman named Pierpont made an occasion of it in Hollywood Cemetery in May 1866.
TomR: That’s probably why The Big 0 won’t be at any Memorial Day events.
McCain would be welcome, though. Speaking of which:
Romney to speak in San Diego on Memorial Day
“SAN DIEGO — Presumed Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney will be joined in San Diego Monday by the party’s 2008 nominee, Sen. John McCain, at what is billed as a Memorial Day Tribute at the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center.”
He’s not even playing golf? That would be a sacrifice.
I hate iWon as much as the next conservative, but in the interest in the truth, this passed on by a buddy in my organization, Popasmoke:
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Memorial Day, May 28, 2012
Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta will host the President of the United States and thousands of Vietnam Veterans and their families at a special ceremony on Monday, May 28, 2012, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The ceremony will remember our fallen heroes and thank and honor America’s Vietnam Veterans and their loved ones on behalf of a grateful nation. This ceremony will serve as the beginning of an ongoing 13-year effort by the Department of Defense to partner with communities across the United States to thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families for their service, sacrifice and valor in hometowns across America. Invited guests include Vietnam Veterans, Gold Star families and leadership from the military services, Cabinet and Congress. There will also be an area open to the public at 20th and Constitution.
The Memorial Day ceremony marks the beginning of the national commemoration of the Vietnam War’s 50th anniversary program and is a joint effort between the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the National Park Service and the Department of Defense. The event at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall will begin at 1 p.m. EDT and be broadcast nationally on C-SPAN, the Pentagon Channel and other networks. The ceremony includes a wreath-laying by veterans and national leaders, a moment of silence, music and ceremonial elements and a scheduled flyover of military aircraft that will include helicopters and a B-52 bomber. In addition to President Obama, the Secretary of Interior, Ken Salazar, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Senator Chuck Hagel; Jan Scruggs, Founder and President of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and other dignitaries are scheduled to speak and participate. Emmy and Golden Globe award winning actor, Tom Selleck, a Vietnam-era veteran, will serve as master of ceremonies.
The ceremony is the first event in the ongoing DoD Vietnam 50th Anniversary Commemoration Program that will partner with other federal agencies, veterans groups, state, local government and non-government organizations to:
· Thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action, for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans.
· Highlight the service of the armed forces during the Vietnam War and the contributions of federal agencies and governmental and non-governmental organizations that served with, or in support of, the armed forces.
· Pay tribute to the contributions made on the home front by the people of the United States during the Vietnam War.
· Highlight the advances in technology, science, and medicine related to the military research conducted during the Vietnam War.
· Recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by the allies of the United States during the Vietnam War.
Attending the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial:
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial will be closed to the public at 6 a.m. on May 28 and will reopen after the ceremony concludes at about 3:30 pm. Road closures will include Constitution from the Memorial Bridge to 15th Street, Henry Bacon Drive, and 23rd St. from Constitution to Independence. It is strongly suggested that visitors use public transportation. More information on road closures will be announced by the National Park Service.
Public attendance: There is limited seating for the public (approx 3,000 seats) in the “Blue†seating area near The Wall. All guests must pass through security check points near 21st and Constitution Ave. in Washington, DC.
How to Arrive & What to Bring:
Arrive no later than 12:30 p.m. on Monday May 28, 2012
Security will be restrictive and each person attending in viewing areas will need to successfully pass through a magnetometer. Restrictions will apply, as to what can be carried into the viewing areas: no bottled water or food, no knives, no weapons of any type, no sharp metal objects such as nail files, etc. will be allowed past the security screening points.
There are several ways you can get to the entrance on Constitution Avenue near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for the ceremony:
If you drive, be aware that parking will be extremely limited in D.C. and Constitution Avenue will be closed.
The Metro’s Orange and Blue lines stop at Foggy Bottom and Farragut West, both approximately a 20 minute walk from The Wall.
Taxis can drop off on Independence Avenue near the Lincoln Memorial.
All guests must show photo ID to enter.
Security will close entrances at 1:00 pm. After 1:00 pm, no one will enter.
For more information on the Vietnam War Commemoration visit the official website at http://www.vietnamwar50th.com and for information and directions to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, contact VVMF at (202) 393-0090 or via e-mail at vvmf@vvmf.org
“He. ain`t. qualified!”
COL Jerry Sir! I believe we both agree that Teh Won wouldn’t make a pimple on a private’s ass.
Anyone here have any thoughts on how Biden is going to gaffe the ceremony?
By opening his mouth.
Any one other than me remember his first Memorial day as POTUS, when he said “This day is to honor our fallen soldiers, many of whom are in the audience today”?
He’s probably huddled with his Tele-Promp-Ter folks trying to figure out how to make Memorial Day all about himself.
In D.C. Barry is heard saying to SS: What is that pounding humm I hear?
SS says “From a Porch that gathers on the West Coast. Stay in Sir (soory I have to even address you that way). Saftey.”
Folks this is rhetorical I know—but talk about sticking it up the military’s ass. Come. On. Barry! you just can’t get any more flagrant than that! You m-fer.
# 14 Wish I could be there— Was once on a visit. Never forget!!!
Let’s hope that next Memorial Day some other president will be speaking. It’s a safe bet that whomever that might be, he’ll be a lot more welcome anyway.
They are sending in Biden this year so that next year Obama has a chance to not be the bottom of the barrel in quality
(yes, I firmly believe that he will be re-elected).
^^^^^ Hush yo’ Mouth!
#14
“Restrictions will apply, as to what can be carried into the viewing areas: no bottled water or food,…”
WTFF?? Ever hear of heatstroke??
Thank you, Billy Ray (14)
That’s good to hear.
I’ll do some double-checkin’ and update the post.
My org., Popasmoke.com always has a big tent and display for the Mem. Day and Marine Corps Birthday/Veterans Day celebrations at the wall.
Personally, I’m glad BHO isn’t going to Arlington; it would be disrespectful to sully that hallowed ground.
Thanks, Billy Ray. That’s an admirable mission.
I haven’t been to The Wall for a few years.
Last time was for Gathering of Eagles.
Haven’t been to Rolling Thunder for over ten years.
Long ride from here, and my crash-pad-couch lady got married, so …
Billy Ray: Thanks for the update. Here’s a link to the Washington Examiner story:
Obama to salute Vietnam Memorial
(That’s “salute” in figurative, analogous terms.)
The story leads off with a photo of Reagan at the Memorial, 1983. Here’s the lead paragraph (my emphasis):
“President Obama will become the third president to salute the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, bringing his reelection year effort to woo vets to the “Wall” on Memorial Day, May 28.”
With The Big 0, it’s “all about me”, about getting re-elected.
It’ll be the 50th anniversary of the Viet Nam war. Those of us of a certain age, who remember that little unpleasantness, will probably be surprised (like me) at how long ago that was. More than half the US population was born after it ended, and so, to them, it’s ancient history – along with Thermopylae and the Fall of Troy.
Speaking of how long ago the Nam war was….
When some of us were still in high school in 1965, we were then closer in time to WWI that we are now from the Vietnam scrape.
Time flies once you’ve had all that much fun.
Its all a photo op just the same for the m-fer and Biden and the whole regime. Look what the dickwads are doing all during the military budget hearings.
They are the ones who should be apologizing, to our troops, to the entire nation.
I remember the neighbor who died in Viet Nam.
I vividly remember, engraved in my memory, the tears in his father’s eyes when he came over to tell my parents.
Pray that God will once again bless America.
Yea-ah you are correct Billy Ray. But WWI didn`t have no fucking Jane Fonda!
^^And, Colonel, it created “Der Teufel Hunden”, of whom, my Grandad was one.
I don’t use the word often, but Jane Fonda is a B$&ch C$&t.
Rally hate her, Sir. Sorry for the blue language, it’s “Unbecoming”…..
Marines, Wollf, can be dressed up; you just cain`t take em anywhere………….
So true, Sir…. Or at least in polite company….
^ Wollf
They ain’t designed to be diplomats.
Be glad they can be house trained.
^^ yeah, But….. I have managed to make my Lovely Wife think that “Toilet Seat Up” is better……. Beat that one!