Captain America's weekend plans

[clublights]

I ........ REALLY... hate to defend Obama.......... BUT......

According to Snopes ( which often does good research so it's probably true..) ..

Obama is not the first Pres in just the last 5 administrations to miss a Memorial Day at Arlington.

Bush Jr missed one ( tho he was in France for the ceremonies for the 50'th anniversary of D-Day so thats forgivable)

Clinton Missed NONE

Bush Sr. missed 4 of his 4 one in Rome and was at a cemetery south of the city.. the other three on vacation at Kennebunkport.

Reagan missed 4 of 8 1 while recovering from his attempted assassination ( forgivable). 2 while on summits (one in Moscow the one there ok .. but one in Virginia.... shoulda been at Arlington.) and one on vacation at Camp David.

AS much as I hate Obama.......... he's not doing any worse ( in this respect) then any other president in the last 30 years . (other then Clinton.... and THATS a tough pill to swallow)

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/memorialday.asp

[theGinsue]

Interesting clublights - I didn't read you post and pulled the same source for my comments.

On Memorial Day 2010, President Obama is scheduled to honor America’s fallen heroes with a speech at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Chicago, while Vice-President Joe Biden takes his place at Arlington.
Source: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/memorialday.asp

Whether he was the first President to be somewhere else on Memorial Day or not is irrelevant (IMHO). *I believe* that a President should be @ Arlington for the wreath laying, or (like Bush), be somewhere SIGNIFICANT such as Normandy, participating in ceremonies honoring our troops.

I'm sorry, but going home to Chicago and visiting the local National Cemetery isn't on par with being at Arlington. The fact of the matter is that he's only showing up to the Lincoln cemetery to avoid a total political backlash.


BTW: Not only am I a verteran who has friends that didn't come home, but my grandfather is buried in Arlington!

[ronaldrwl]

Have you been to Arlington to visit your grandfather's grave? That would be an experience. Bring a box of tissues

[BigBear]

I've gotten to play TAPS at Arlington.... barely made it through and I didn't even know the fellow.

[275RLTW]

I know that he is not the first to do this, but this is becoming a habit for him.....
http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/8627

How much disrespect will we take?

[theGinsue]

Have you been to Arlington to visit your grandfather's grave? That would be an experience. Bring a box of tissues

I was there in the third grade when he was buried there and had the honor of getting to visit his gravesite ~25 years later (1998). It was an amazing experience. I had only met him a couple of time in my youth. He was a strong man with a powerful presence. My mom idolized him. He served during WWII and Korea. He worked directly for General MacArthur and had some interesting stories. Visiting his grave, followed by the Tomb of the Unknowns was almost overwhelming.

For those that might be interested, here is some information regarding the Tomb Guards. THey are amazingly committed soldiers:
http://www.snopes.com/military/unknown.asp
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/cer...tinelsotu.html

I've gotten to play TAPS at Arlington.... barely made it through and I didn't even know the fellow.

While you didn't "know" the person, you know the sacrifice(s) this person made (even if they passed away AFTER their period of service). You KNOW they did it for all of us. Since I was a child I've never been able to lsiten to Taps without getting goosebumps. Since I served, I haven't been able to listen to it without thinking of all of those families whose loved ones will never be coming home - all for me.

I don't know how anyone can listen to Taps without getting emotional.

[BigBear]

I don't know how anyone can listen to Taps without getting emotional.

Try having to play it and keeping your emotions in check! Not easy.

[sniper7]

I personally am glad he isn't going. those fallen heroes don't deserve to have obama come to them. he is an illegal, a man that hates this country and despises everything all those who have fallen died for.
obama going to chicago is a blessing in disguise. he will get bad publicity for it, he breaks tradition, and he shows he doesn't give a shit about our military, our country and everything our soldiers today fight for.

We can remember for ourselves all those who have given everything for this country and that cocksucker and head home to the slums with his ACORN buddies.

fuck obama.