Veterans Day And An Obama Sour Note

Originally celebrated as a World War One day of remembrance called Armistice Day, Veterans Day came into being as a memorial celebration of the veterans of all foreign wars in 1954. The bill changing the name of the observance was signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, former Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during World War Two.

I would prefer to simply observe the day with proper reverence and leave it at that. Barack Obama's administration has put a big crimp in that plan. Although only indirectly related to Veterans Day itself, this administration's disdain for America's religious principles and determination to fight and overcome tyranny wherever it rears its ugly head shows itself with some regularity. Obama himself went out of his way to delete the words "endowed by their Creator" in his speech about the Declaration of Independence, believing that his version was superior to that of author Thomas Jefferson's.

Obama has pointedly shown disrespect for the American flag and the national anthem by putting his hand on his crotch rather than on his heart during ceremonies. And now his minions have decided to reject the plaque proposed by Congress which would add President Franklin D. Roosevelt's D-Day speech to the World War Two memorial. The politically-correct left already removed that jaunty cigarette holder from FDR's hand on his statue, leaving the hand waving about aimlessly rather than "encourage children to take up smoking." Sneaky smoker Obama himself was complicit in that idiotic desecration of an icon. And now he wants to prevent God and FDR from appearing on a plaque at the memorial.

Robert Abbey, Obama's Director of the Bureau of Land Management (in charge of national memorials) told Congress in written testimony on the proposed bill to add the plaque: "It is not a judgment as to the merit of this new commemoration, simply that altering the Memorial in this way, as proposed in HR 2070, will necessarily dilute this elegant memorial's central message and its ability to clearly convey that message to move, educate, and inspire its may visitors." Thousands of veterans were inspired by FDR's message, but Obamists believe that prayers for victory and the invocation of God are counter-productive at the memorial. What does he think World War Two was--a college debate?

In my opinion, the lack of anything heroic or inspiring is the major flaw in the memorial. It is beautiful, with fountains and marble pillars and a great sense of tranquility. It is certainly respectful. But as a war memorial, it could be celebrating Mahatma Gandhi as easily as it could be seen as celebrating the great heroism, bravery and sacrifice made by our World War Two veterans. Compare the message that Abbey is afraid will be "diluted" (above) with the message conveyed by the Marine Corps Memorial to the heroes of Iwo Jima (right).

The plaque would be relatively inconspicuous among the memorabilia of the immense monument, but it would add the words of our wartime president, asking for God's assistance in winning a war against brutality, mass human extinction, and government tyranny. How that could possibly "dilute" the message of the memorial is entirely beyond me. Unless the message is "hide behind those marble pillars and hope the enemy will just go away." It is a war memorial, not a peace memorial. As the prophet Jeremiah said: "They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace' they say, when there is no peace."

So, in order for everyone to read what Obama would banish from the War Memorial, I have taken the liberty of reproducing FDR's entire D-Day speech and prayer below:

My fellow Americans: Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far.

And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:

Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.

Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.

They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.

They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest-until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violences of war.

For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and good will among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.

Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.

And for us at home -- fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas -- whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them--help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.

Many people have urged that I call the Nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.

Give us strength, too -- strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces.

And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be.

And, O Lord, give us Faith. Give us Faith in Thee; Faith in our sons; Faith in each other; Faith in our united crusade. Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose.

With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogancies. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister Nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.

Thy will be done, Almighty God.

Amen.

If that dilutes the message of the memorial, then so be it. It only means that the message Abbey and Obama think should be conveyed is the wrong message. FDR and the House members proposing the plaque have it right. While a grateful nation remembers, Obama and his gang choose to forget and demean.