Donald K. Allen for President

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Monday, November 12, 2007

I attended the Regional Chamber of Commerce “Honoring Our Veterans Luncheon” Thursday.  The keynote speaker was a Blackhawk helicopter pilot with the West Virginia National Guard.  He recently returned from a 20-month deployment, most of which was in Iraq with his base in Baghdad.  He pointed out that we only hear and read 15% of what is actually going on in Iraq, and although the information is true, nothing is being said about the wonderful achievements that are taking place there and the many good things that are being done by our servicemen and women.  Much of our news media has become a political arm of the opposition party, and it only publicizes that which serves their agenda to discredit the reigning administration.

Yesterday was Veterans Day.  You need to understand that the young men and women who voluntarily serve our country, protecting our freedom and way of life, are of the same caliber as those of “The Greatest Generation” who stormed the beaches of Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima, and Normandy.  Many are still in their teens, as were many during previous wars, yet they all share the same creed of duty, honor, and country.  Their first loyalty, however, is to their buddies – the ones who serve in their unit and share their foxholes.  You never let your buddy down.  This obligation keeps them going day after day until their work is done and they return home.  Keep in mind regarding the war in Iraq and Afghanistan that during World War II our servicemen and women were on active duty for the duration of the war, however long that may be, plus several months.  Today when your service term is up, you go home.  What’s impressive is how many of our veterans reenlist to go back again.  America has the very best.

There are basic principles of respect that I have learned through the years.  My grandfather taught me that if I didn’t have anything good to say about someone, I shouldn’t say anything at all.  Another thing I learned was that you’ll never build yourself up by putting someone else down.  When I saw “Band of Brothers” on TV there was an incident wherein a captain failed to salute a major he disliked.  The major called him on it and said that the salute was for the rank, not the man.  Yet every day for the past seven years Democratic members of Congress have disregarded these simple principles, accusing the President of all sorts of heinous acts and calling him a variety of foul names.  Likewise, Republicans try to blame their opponents for everything from the Katrina disaster to lack of support for our military.  Isn’t it time an independent stepped forward to calm the waters and bring respect and dignity back to our capital?  The eyes of the world will be watching this election to see if Americans vote in yet another divisive politician or if they choose to try a totally fresh approach.  Lou Dobbs Tonight mentioned that he is looking for an independent candidate.