MEMORIALS

REMEMBER 9/11

Ronald John Hemenway
Who died in the Pentagon
September 11, 2001

PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN

We cannot escape our destiny, nor should we try to do so. The leadership of the free world was thrust upon us two centuries ago in that little hall of Philadelphia. In the days following World War II, when the economic strength and power of America was all that stood between the world and the return to the dark ages, Pope Pius XII said, “The American people have a great genius for splendid and unselfish actions. Into the hands of America God has placed the destinies of an afflicted mankind.”
We are indeed, and we are today, the last best hope of man on earth.
Ronald Reagan 1974

*****

And that's about all I have to say tonight, except for one thing. The past few days when I've been at that window upstairs, I've thought a bit of the `shining city upon a hill.' The phrase comes from John Winthrop, who wrote it to describe the America he imagined. What he imagined was important because he was an early Pilgrim, an early freedom man. He journeyed here on what today we'd call a little wooden boat; and like the other Pilgrims, he was looking for a home that would be free. I've spoken of the shining city all my political life, but I don't know if I ever quite communicated what I saw when I said it. But in my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, windswept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here. That's how I saw it, and see it still.

And how stands the city on this winter night? More prosperous, more secure, and happier than it was 8 years ago. But more than that: After 200 years, two centuries, she still stands strong and true on the granite ridge, and her glow has held steady no matter what storm.

And she's still a beacon,
Still a magnet for all who must have freedom,
For all the pilgrims from all the lost places
Who are hurtling through the darkness, toward home.
Excerpt from Ronald Reagan’s farewell speech

PRESIDENT DWIGHT EISENHOWER

Until the latest of our world conflicts, the United States had no armaments industry. American makers of plowshares could, with time and as required, make swords as well. But now we can no longer risk emergency improvisation of national defense; we have been compelled to create a permanent armaments industry of vast proportions. Added to this, three and a half million men and women are directly engaged in the defense establishment. We annually spend on military security more than the net income of all United States corporations.

This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence -- economic, political, even spiritual -- is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the Military-Industrial Complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.

We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.

Akin to, and largely responsible for the sweeping changes in our industrial-military posture, has been the technological revolution during recent decades.

In this revolution, research has become central; it also becomes more formalized, complex, and costly. A steadily increasing share is conducted for, by, or at the direction of, the Federal government.

Today, the solitary inventor, tinkering in his shop, has been overshadowed by task forces of scientists in laboratories and testing fields. In the same fashion, the free university, historically the fountainhead of free ideas and scientific discovery, has experienced a revolution in the conduct of research. Partly because of the huge costs involved, a government contract becomes virtually a substitute for intellectual curiosity. For every old blackboard there are now hundreds of new electronic computers.

The prospect of domination of the nation's scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present and is gravely to be regarded.

Yet, in holding scientific research and discovery in respect, as we should, we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific-technological elite.

It is the task of statesmanship to mold, to balance, and to integrate these and other forces, new and old, within the principles of our democratic system -- ever aiming toward the supreme goals of our free society.

Another factor in maintaining balance involves the element of time. As we peer into society's future, we -- you and I, and our government -- must avoid the impulse to live only for today, plundering, for our own ease and convenience, the precious resources of tomorrow. We cannot mortgage the material assets of our grandchildren without risking the loss also of their political and spiritual heritage. We want democracy to survive for all generations to come, not to become the insolvent phantom of tomorrow.

So -- in this my last good night to you as your President -- I thank you for the many opportunities you have given me for public service in war and peace. I trust that in that service you find some things worthy; as for the rest of it, I know you will find ways to improve performance in the future.

You and I -- my fellow citizens -- need to be strong in our faith that all nations, under God, will reach the goal of peace with justice. May we be ever unswerving in devotion to principle, confident but humble with power, diligent in pursuit of the Nation's great goals.

To all the peoples of the world, I once more give expression to America's prayerful and continuing aspiration:

We pray that peoples of all faiths, all races, all nations, may have their great human needs satisfied; that those now denied opportunity shall come to enjoy it to the full; that all who yearn for freedom may experience its spiritual blessings; that those who have freedom will understand, also, its heavy responsibilities; that all who are insensitive to the needs of others will learn charity; that the scourges of poverty, disease and ignorance will be made to disappear from the earth, and that, in the goodness of time, all peoples will come to live together in a peace guaranteed by the binding force of mutual respect and love.
- excerpt from Eisenhower’s farewell speech 1961

Play: BRING THEM HOME

If you love your Uncle Sam,
Bring them home, bring them home.
Support our boys in Vietnam,
Bring them home, bring them home.

It'll make our generals sad, I know,
Bring them home, bring them home.
They want to tangle with the foe,
Bring them home, bring them home.

They want to test their weaponry,
Bring them home, bring them home.
But here is their big fallacy,
Bring them home, bring them home.

There's one thing I must confess,
Bring them home, bring them home.
I'm not really a pacifist,
Bring them home, bring them home.

If an army invaded this land of mine,
Bring them home, bring them home.
You'd find me out on the firing line,
Bring them home, bring them home.

For defense you need common sense,
Bring them home, bring them home.
They don't have the right armaments,
Bring them home, bring them home.

The world needs teachers, books and schools,
Bring them home, bring them home.
And learning a few universal rules,
Bring them home, bring them home.

So if you love your Uncle Sam,
Bring them home, bring them home.
Support our boys in Vietnam,
Bring them home, bring them home.

Words and Music by Pete Seeger
© 1966 Storm King Music, Inc.

Remember Pat Tillman


WE’RE THE MEN WHO SAILED THE LIBERTY

It seems like it was yesterday, that Israeli-Arab war.
We were on a peaceful mission more than 12 miles from the shore.
But the treachery of politics stooped to its lowest skill.
One hundred seventy one they'd wound. Thirty-four of us they'd kill.

Chorus: We're the men who sailed the Liberty. Our country we served well,
But we were betrayed by Washington and put through the fires of hell.
In broad daylight old glory flew. It could be clearly seen
As the attack was launched on us by Israel's war machine.

For six hours their reconnaissance flew right over us.
They were our good friends, so we gave them all our trust.
They flew so close they waved to us. It couldn't have been an error.
Their two hour attack made on us was plain deliberate terror.

At first it was the faster planes that made the strafing runs.
Their rockets, shells and bullets took out our defensive guns.
Then came the slower aircraft dropping napalm as their bombs.
And the list grew longer sent to sobbing wives and moms.

The Saratoga launched its aircraft. They would soon be overhead.
But traitor politicians said our blood could be shed.
They sent them back to their ship, as we bled, burned and died.
Then to cover up their treachery to the whole shocked world they lied.

As the blood thickened on the deck, their torpedo boats closed in.
They blew a house sized hole where our Israeli flag had been.
In that cavern made of twisted steel twenty-five of us had died.
This because our President was on the other side.

They machine-gunned stretcher bearers as they made a mercy round
Trying to help the men who kept the ship from going down.
They even shot the life-rafts as we put them in the sea.
They didn't want survivors. That was clear as it could be.

Their commando helicopters came in close for an assault.
They were in full battle gear, but the attack came to a halt.
They learned we launched our aircraft. They thought they were on the way
And if the attack continued the world would learn the truth that day.

A periscope was standing by, very close to our ship.
As the assault came to an end, into the sea we saw it slip.
We forgive you Amberjack for not coming to our aid,
But not the DC hacks that made your pictures be "mislaid".

Two Israeli pilots refused to fire on a friend.
They were sent to prison. Their careers brought to an end.
One so poorly treated he's confined as if a beast.
Those who don't believe us should cry out for his release.

American Jews were in our crew. Some were among the dead.
So don't say we are prejudiced for what is being said.
We've had it with the traitors on both sides of the sea.
Right in our highest office was our worst enemy.

Israel made no request to send our ship away.
Attacking planes were unmarked. Who they were we could not say.
But Johnson knew before us, that it was Israel.
If he was in on what they did, he's probably down in hell.

The Maine, the Lusitania, Pearl Harbor and some more,
Were setup situations to drag us into war.
If the Liberty was sunk and not one of us survived,
Were they going to blame the Arabs, so we'd fight on Israel's side?

Oh, come on you say, not in our White House
Has there ever been one who could be such a louse.
They're the "leaders" we elect. They don't do things that way.
Don't you hear of their wonders, right before election day.

In nineteen seventy-one, 14 went to Phnom Penh,
To do a job for Nixon. The best that he could send.
Did he give them all a medal, with some special words he said?
No. He sent another group, to kill them all instead.

Like the men who sailed the Liberty, our country's been betrayed.
Type in, "Chip Tatum's Black Ops". See the web page that he made.
See how our "leaders" lie, right in the people's face.
What goes on in Washington is a national disgrace.

Politicians can't be trusted, no matter where they "serve".
If we let them get away with this, we'll get what we deserve,
A gang of lying traitors who will sell out on the spot.
They will take away our freedom and everything we've got.

In Israel and over here we should hang our heads in shame
For the politicians we put in that really share the blame.
Not just for our suffering and the silence placed on us,
For even now they show us they do not deserve our trust.

The survivors from the Liberty are not going to go away,
Congress must investigate. They have much more to say.
Will you give them a helping hand, and send your reps a note.
Someday one of yours could be, their sacrificial goat.
- Tom Fusco

REMEMBER THE USS LIBERTY

Email me: tom@wolfkiller.net

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