Honoring Private Dads

Yesterday was Memorial Day and we traveled not far to visit the gravesites of my two dads.

As my wonderful wife and I pulled into the Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, I was overcome with the grandeur and peacefulness. The long entrance was lined on both sides with numerous American flags. The trees were plentiful and majestic. The lawn was beautifully manicured. The birds were faintly whistling in the background. There were 13,000 mirroring tombstones perfectly aligned in a military "dress right dress." Tranquility was abundant.

As I parked the car, to my left I noted three women sitting on the grass surrounding the tombstone of their loved one. One of the women was leaning in to the tombstone in hopes to feel closer. My emotions were touched and I squinted to read about the person that they were missing so. I note that he died in 1995, almost 40 years after my dad. I remember thinking, does the missing them ever go away?

13,000 tombstones - from a distance, they all look the same. Yet, each tombstone is a story of a person who is missed by someone. There is a name that tells you who they are. There are dates that tell you when they lived. There is a state that tells you where they were from. And lastly, there is military information that tells you the sacrifices they gave to their country.

I knew exactly where I was going – D516. "D" is for dad. When you transpose 1 digit, 516 represents the month and year that he passed - 1/56. It was far, far too soon.

I was 4 ½ years old when Dad 1 passed away. My brothers were 7 years and 6 months old. Since I was only 4 ½, I do not remember my father very much. I remember him coming home from work and inviting me up on his lap so he could read me the comics from the newspaper. I remember him proudly bringing home the new car, a yellow 1953 Chevrolet. Everything else I know about Dad 1 is from pictures or from what happened to him in World War II.

There it is was carved into his tombstone – "BSM-PH."

BSM stands for Bronze Star Medal and PH signifies a Purple Heart. The Bronze Star is awarded to a soldier who distinguished himself by heroic or meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against an armed enemy. In order to find out more information about what specifically Dad 1 did in WWII, I requested his military records. Unfortunately they were destroyed in a fire along with many other records years ago. The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces of the U.S. who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy. Dad 1 served in France as part of the D-Day invasion. He incurred two wounds from bullets. One bullet tore off two of his fingers from his left hand. Another bullet went through his lower lip. Although soldiers from the enemy were trying to end his life, he had not yet fulfilled his destiny. He provided my sculptor’s clay and he lives now through my brothers and I. The clay is my intelligence, compassion, kindness, humor and wit. I love and miss you Dad.

My mother married Dad 2 when I was 10 years old. Although he never talked much about it, I know that he too served in World War II. I only know that he was in Italy and that he worked in the finance area. It was his intention to continue a career in the military when a surgeon’s error damaged his vocal cord. He could only whisper, but I could understand him very clearly. Dad 2 assumed the task of shaping three boys into men. I remember rebelling against all of the curfews and chores. Then I did not understand what structure was, but I do now. Dad 2 epitomized what a good man is supposed to be. How he behaved and how he conducted his life was a continuous lesson of righteousness. As an adult, I remember our annual trek to work together at the Kentucky Derby. As I watched Dad 2 interact with others, I realized that everyone liked and respected him. For over 40 years, well after I became an adult, I learned and benefited from the example of Dad 2. He sculpted the clay into the man that I am. From him I learned good values and respect for all. Dad 2 passed away in 1998. I love and miss you Dad.

Dads, I think of you both often and I am forever thankful for how you shaped me into the person and I am. Without any arrogance, I like who I am and it is because of the both of you. Yesterday was special for me because I thought of you a little more than usual. Father’s day is near and again soon I will give each of you a little extra thought and thanks.

These People, Those People, Them People

Yesterday, I was listening on the radio to Bill O’Reilly’s latest rant about the ‘elite media.’ I heard him say, "These people just hate Bush! They will say anything to make him look bad!"

After hearing that, isn’t it obvious that ‘these people’ and their ideas should be disqualified from consideration by any ‘no spin zone’ disciple?

Later the same day I punished my open mind by listening to Sean Hannity on the radio. While listening to his latest attack on the ‘evil doer’ enemies of his beloved America I heard him say, "Those people hate us because of our freedom! They have no values!"

Thanks for the insight, Sean! Since ‘you report and I decide’, I have decided to hate all of ‘those people’. Since I am supposed to be ‘fair and balanced,’ do I hate all 1.7 billion of ‘them people?’

It reminds me of when I was a child and I was being taught my early lessons in prejudice. While speaking of blacks, a close racist relative said, "Them people just don’t know their place!"

Fortunately, my mind and spirit overcame and I keenly learned to note the attempts at prejudicial influencing.

‘These people’ is not all of the media besides Bill O’Reilly. All ideas, including Bill O’Reilly's, should be considered by an open mind.

‘Those people’ is not all of the 1.7 billion Muslim populations. On 9/11 19 criminals that were supported by an estimated 1000, committed heinous crimes towards America. I know you know that. However, a lot of people don't and that scares me.

We live in a complex, ideological world. Unfortunately, the masses are looking for simple answers. Perhaps it is unintentional, but terms like ‘these people’ creates imagery that can be overstated and damaging.

Consider this:

In 1775, when Great Britain attacked the United States of America for questionable cause, those who responded to the attack of their country were called ‘Patriots’.

In 2003, when the United States of America attacked Iraq for questionable cause, those who responded to the attack of their country are called ‘Insurgents.’

Between ‘Patriot’ and ‘Insurgent’ which creates a more favorable image to you? Is there really any difference between the two?

The people in the media are the historians of the current. The labels that they utiilize create the images that they choose. At times, responsibility is absent from that choice.

Readers might wonder why Rockwell listens to the likes of Bill O'Reilly & Sean Hannity.

For an answer I quote Michael Corleone, "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer."

I do not consider Bill & Sean as 'Them People'. However, I do know that as long as they "Pied Piper" their followers with prejudicial methods, they are enemies of the open minded.

Geraldo, you've got to be faster!

5/12/2005

Martinsburg, WV - Two young boys are missing!

All available law enforcement was engaged and took part in the search. Dozens of volunteers were organized into search parties. Local media outlets were contacted. Crews aboard several West Virgina Air National Guard C-130 airplanes were asked to help. A Maryland State Police helicopter also participated in the search!

Finally, after a couple of hours, search dogs picked up the scent! The unidentified boys, both about 5 years old, were found hiding under a bed in their grandmother's home. It seems they were playing "hide & seek".

BUT WAIT! CNN, FoxNews and MS/NBC are on their way! I know there has to be more of a story here!

Quick....let's call this "The Runaway Boys!"

Greta, you go interview the mayor. Encourage him to demand that the boys reimburse the taxpayers for all of the overtime your city employees had to be paid. If they have no money tell him about community service. These boys have to be held accountable!

Scarborough, you investigate the boys and their parents. Find out if they have been convicted of any crimes....maybe shoplifting!

Bill, you find out if their families are dysfunctional. Find out if they go to church. If these people are secularlists, by golly we won't let them keep these kids and ruin their values. Afterall, we are in a culture war!

Sean, find out if the liberal judicial system has let these poor boys down. If so, find out who the judge was. We'll have his job!

Larry, you start working on your story.....call it "2 boys under the bed, what were they really doing?"

Rush, I know you aren't on TV anymore but we can't find Geraldo. Can you look into the real dirt on these kids. Find out if they are getting any government entitlements.

Dr. Phil, surely there are some "issues" to be discussed here. Is this working for you?

There! That should, cover 24/7 "news" reporting for the first week. Next week we can see if there is any link between these boys and Chandra Levy's disappreance. Hey, aren't these little boys? I wonder if they have ever been to Neverland?

Geraldo, damnit where are you?