Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Patriotism

Front Line Forum

Michael Yon has inaugurated a new feature on his weblog to enhance coverage of the War on Terror – FRONT LINE FORUM.

Greetings,

Today we open a new frontier. My site gets much traffic and exposure, making this an excellent venue for our people in harm’s way to tell their stories. Please click here http://flf.michaelyon-online.com/ for our first story from a soldier in Iraq. The story is well written and complete with photos.

If you know someone at war who would like to submit a story to FLF, many people are waiting to read it. Photographs are encouraged.

Please spread the word about the Frontline Forum–there are graphic links and related resources in the Press Room off the FLF main page.

Respectfully,

Michael Yon

(Clarification: Many people have assumed I am in Iraq. I am in Afghanistan. My first dispatch from Afghanistan will be published in about two days.)

Michael Yon

UPDATE: The first article in the new forum is a hit! A home run actually! Blogger TF Boggs submitted an excellent story about some Iraqi kids and families.

10 Apr 2006 by Blogosphere Islamic Terrorism Military Patriotism

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

“The doors of this library are open now and all are welcome. The judgment of history is left to you, the people.” — Ronald Reagan, Remarks at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Dedication (November 4, 1991)

Damsel and I finally took the opportunity to visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library which is about an hour’s drive from here. We arrived mid-morning and began our long-overdue tour. We were greeted by a passenger shuttle van in the parking lot the moment we got out of the car. A very nice gentlemen drove us to the front door of the library. When we got inside, we saw the gift shop. Near the entrance to the shop was this portrait of President Reagan – not in oil or watercolors, but entirely out of jelly beans!

We toured the galleries and saw a virtual history of president Reagan as well as other things that interested him. We learned things we never knew about the life and interests of President Reagan. We also saw an exhibit of the Oval Room as it appeared in Reagan’s tenure. A number of docents stationed throughout the galleries answered questions and called our attention to special attractions. Left: The tail section of former Air Force One

As we emerged from the galleries, we walked into a giant hangar where we saw Reagan’s Air Force One aircraft, a former Marine One helicopter, Reagan’s Presidential limousine, another gift shop and an Irish Pub!

We walked out into the garden on the west side of the library; a bigger-than-life bronze bust of the Gipper smiled down on us as we approached the Berlin Wall monument. An actual segment of the infamous wall stands tall and awe-inspiring in spite of the panoramic vista in the distance. A replica of the White House Lawn and walkway lead to the Reagan Family Tomb where one of the best presidents ever to hold the office lies in repose.

We sure had a great day visiting the library and museums! We’re already planning our next visit since there is always going to be those little things you may have missed the first time through. We give this place two thumbs up and five stars on our places to recommend that you visit.

We’ll close this article with an excerpt from the Gipper’s timeless Berlin Wall speech:

Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall!

And now the Soviets themselves may, in a limited way, be coming to understand the importance of freedom. We hear much from Moscow about a new policy of reform and openness. Some political prisoners have been released. Certain foreign news broadcasts are no longer being jammed. Some economic enterprises have been permitted to operate with greater freedom from state control.

Are these the beginnings of profound changes in the Soviet state? Or are they token gestures, intended to raise false hopes in the West, or to strengthen the Soviet system without changing it? We welcome change and openness; for we believe that freedom and security go together, that the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of world peace. There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace.

General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall! (Click to read the entire speech.)

All photos courtesy and © Damsel

20 Mar 2006 by California Patriotism People

I Want My Country Back!

Every once in a while, I read something in the blogosphere that is worth giving special mention here, even though it’s on other blogs. Today, while surfing around the ‘sphere I ran across an interesting and inspiring piece from Rick Roberts, a conservative radio personality. You can read it in it’s entirety on Rick’s blog on the KFMB website at I Want My Country Back.

This is an excerpt from Rick’s article:

“I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!”- By Rick Roberts

And I want America to be America. All of those opportunities, all of those things that made her great, I want those returned to the forefront. If you want to come to this country we welcome you with open arms. We simply ask that you abide by our laws. I don’t want you to snub your nose at our laws, then take advantage of our opportunities, and then cling to the constitution most of which you can’t even read because you don’t speak the language.

Picture credit: KFMB/Rick Roberts

[read it all]

Via Big Dog’s Weblog

03 Mar 2006 by California Law and Order Patriotism

Washington’s Birthday

Today is the 274th anniversary of the birth of George Washington.

From WikiPedia:

George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799)

George Washington was the successful Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783, and later became the first President of the United States, an office to which he was elected, unanimously, twice and remained in from 1789 to 1797. Washington first gained prominence as an officer during the French and Indian War and as a leader of colonial militia supporting the British Empire. After leading the American victory in the Revolutionary War, he refused to lead a military regime, though encouraged by some of his peers to do so. He returned to civilian life at Mount Vernon.

In 1787, he presided over the Constitutional Convention that drafted the current United States Constitution, and, in 1789, was the unanimous choice to become the first President of the United States. His two-term administration set many policies and traditions that survive today. After his second term expired, Washington again voluntarily relinquished power, thereby establishing an important precedent that was to serve as an example for the United States and also for other future republics.

Because of his central role in the founding of the United States, Washington is often called the “Father of his Country”. Scholars rank him with Abraham Lincoln among the greatest of United States presidents.

22 Feb 2006 by Patriotism People

We Interrupt all this Gushing . . .

. . . to bring you a great article by a great soldier. This is one of the best that we’ve read in a while. Just read AMERICAN CITIZEN SOPHISTRY From American Citizen Soldier

About the author (in his own words):

BUCK SARGENT is the nom de guerre of an infantry team leader and noncommissioned officer on active duty in the United States Army. He was deployed to Afghanistan from 2003-2004 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and is currently serving in Mosul, Iraq on a yearlong combat tour. He is a University of Texas graduate, a fire-breathing conservative, and a diehard patriot. He is also pro-victory and will support any party or persons who are like-minded.

13 Feb 2006 by Islamic Terrorism Military Patriotism

Over Four Million Never Forget Hits

Today, there have been over four million hits on the Never Forget Tribute. It only passed three million about January 16th, so it got over a million hits in less than a month! The graphic (to the best of my estimation) is seen on over three hundred sites worldwide. Thanks for all those who display it, and thanks to the folks at North American Patriot for their continued generosity in providing the bandwidth for distribution.

05 Feb 2006 by Blogosphere Cyberspace Islamic Terrorism Never Forget Patriotism

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