The American Spectator

Reader Mail

Memorable Reunions

8.21.08 @ 12:01AM

REUNION AND REMEMBRANCE
Re: Mark Tooley's Over Here, Over There:

In 1990 I covered a reunion of the Army's famous Rainbow Division, which served with distinction in both world wars, and was made famous by a fanciful Jimmy Cagney movie called The Fighting 69th. Some of those veterans entered federal service via the Ohio National Guard, and I interviewed a few of them.

One man, who clearly did not like reporters, sat alone in a corner while his comrades ate lunch. As he talked to me he grew angry, not at me, but at the way events unfolded at a pair of Ohio State Fairs.

"When we were first federalized they formed us up and took us to the state fair," he said. "We got a lot of applause; girls kissed us, people couldn't do enough for us." He served in France, and came home after the war ended. After a long pause he told me the rest of it. "A bunch of us went to the fair again in 1920. We went in uniform and people turned away from us. We embarrassed them." Sixty-nine years later, his pain was still audible.

There was no way to verify the story. I've lost the notes I made then, and 18 years later I don't even recall his name. But I believed him then and I believe him now. He had no reason to lie.

The story is moving under any circumstances, but its effect was amplified by another reunion I'd witnessed eight weeks earlier, at Kent State University. It was the 20th anniversary of the 1970 anti-war demonstration on that school's campus, which ended with the death of four students, now martyrs to any cause any left wingnut deems important. Its "theme" was reunion and reconciliation, and its star performer was former Senator George McGovern. At a press conference before the ceremonies began, a reporter was gauche enough to ask if any member of the Ohio National Guard had been invited to participate in this eventful reconciliation. The answer was no, of course. To this day, I regret not asking McGovern if events that took place in Cambodia after America left had changed his mind about America's Southeast Asian experience and his opposition to it.

I'm glad Mr. Buckles enjoys the respect and attention he deserves. I hope it comforts some of the men who, after doing their duty, didn't get the aid and comfort they merited. After the danger has passed most soldiers are ignored or forgotten or dismissed as old news; that's tragic. May it not happen to those coming home from the Middle East.
-- Edmund Dantes

DNC DISASTER
Re: Lisa Fabrizio's All-American Otherness:

Will the real Barack Barry Hussein Soetoro Obama please stand up?
-- Gretchen L. Chellson
Alexandria, Virginia

Certainly, McCain leaves much to be desired but Obama is not a viable alternative. Aside from his obvious lack of qualifications, what we know of his background and past associations is enough to steer clear of this man, just as we want nothing to do with the Clintons.

We need a true patriot who will stand up for true Americans. Democrats always take the stage with empty-suit opportunists. Their "vision" for making America great is a lie. Nothing about them makes me feel secure that their intention is to do something that will benefit this country or its citizens, but rather it's about the consolidation of power by taking it away from the people through taxation and regulation and to continue to expand a bloated government (their version of creating jobs). The Democrats are the "actors" and the script is the same; use race, religion and sex to create resentment to divide the nation, be vague where they stand on the issues, promise lots of hand-outs and rely on the corrupt news media to help dupe the masses. We've seen this movie already and most are not buying it. For those that do, read about what goes on in the U.K. They have so many laws and regulations governing behavior it's hard to get through the day without being charged with discrimination or a hate crime. The taxes are just stifling, crime, including rape, is rampant and if you attempt to take it upon yourself to protect your family or your property from criminals you're likely to be arrested yourself for violating their rights. And most horrifyingly, sharia law is being tolerated and even considered for adoption by the Archbishop of Canterbury. True British folks shocked at what's happened to their country who have the means are looking to get out. (I don't want to sound too melodramatic but that's our destiny if we allow it to happen.)
-- John Nelson
Hebron, Connecticut

Too bad that Rielle Hunter wasn't tapped to create that film on Barack Obama's "otherness." She has first-hand knowledge of one of the forms such a commodity can take.

At least Hunter could get off the dole of John Edwards' friends temporarily.
-- Evelyn Leinbach
Colorado

When Robert Stacy McCain and Liz Fabrizio are poking fun at Obama you know he's in trouble despite all the help from the MSM. Don't be fooled by the polls or the media propaganda Obama is in trouble and it has absolutely nothing to do with race. Obama is a bad candidate and Hillary's supporters are going to think twice before casting a vote for audacious change when 2012 isn't that far away.
-- LCDR (Chaplain) Michael Tomlinson
1st Battalion 2d Marines
Camp Habbaniyah, Iraq

CLEAR SAILING
Re: Robert Stacy McCain's Overrated Obama:

Letter to the Editor

topics:
Taxes, Education, Trade, Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Bill Clinton, Mainstream Media, Religion, Abortion, Environment, Books, Law, Military, Iraq, Russia, NATO, North Korea, Energy, Oil, Unions