The pictures it made my blood boil.
Last week, a group of World War II veterans, now in their 80s and 90s, arrived in Washington, D.C. for a long-awaited visit to the World War II Memorial commemorating their service. They were met with barricades, yellow police tape and US Park Police.
By order from the Obama administration’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB), park police denied them entry, arguing that the government shutdown required the closure of all parks and monuments. (Democrats refused to pass Republican-sponsored legislation to authorize funding for national parks during the budget impasse.)
This is a malicious move. And completely unnecessary. But across the country, the government has barricaded entrances to outdoor monuments, citing a lockdown. The wide grassy slopes, the open pavilions in front of marble monuments, monuments that were never blocked even in the middle of the night, are now closed. As Rep. Hastings, a Republican from Washington state, noted: “These are places without doors and gates. Yes – the Obama administration is doing everything in its power to put up barricades and hire people to man them to keep people out.”
The World War II Memorial is usually open 24 hours a day and never closes. Until now.
This shutdown is a affordable political trick designed to “stick it” to the American public and make the shutdown “as”painful‘ as possible. President Obama puts politics before principle and has no qualms about punching our veterans in the face.
These veterans arrived in Washington, D.C. on an all-expenses-paid “Honor Flight,” a private program that honors World War II veterans for their service by including travel to Washington, D.C. to visit their Memorial. Anyone who has ever witnessed the moving arrival of an Honor Flight knows well the significance of these visits. Some veterans employ wheelchairs; others go to lend a hand. Everyone relishes the presence of their peers – a community of soldiers who fought and remember together.
For many, the Honor Flight is the first opportunity in decades to see their combat comrades. Few have seen the World War II monument (built in 2004). private fundsironically).
Last week, these heroes took on the police in the park and showed their mettle. Accompanied by several representatives of Congress, they tore down the yellow police tape and he moved the railings aside. Proudly “they”by storm” to the barricades, entered and paid tribute to the memory of their fallen brothers and the courage of their fellow soldiers.
Interestingly, after initially refusing, the park police stood by and allowed it veterans come in. One officer expressed his frustration with the Administration’s order, saying, “I have no intention of enforcing a ban on stopping or detaining a group of 90 World War II veterans… I am a veteran myself.” But after the veterans left, the barricades remained wired closed to prevent the re-entry of other veterans or ordinary Americans.
What’s next?
How to save your family: Demand accountability
Let’s honor our veterans and demand that the Obama administration end this farce. Open our monuments. (Yes, these are OUR monuments!) Our veterans do not deserve to be pawns in Obama’s political chess game.
An honor flight with a group of veterans from Toledo, Ohio will arrive in Washington on October 9vol. The park police told them they would be arrested if they tried to enter. Honor Flight Northwest Ohio President Lee Armstrong
It’s high time to put an end to the Administration’s political games. Push back. Raise your voice in honor of our veterans.
Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin has the right idea. He ordered for his state employees to keep parks and monuments open with state funds. Republicans on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Chairman Darrell Issa of California and Republican John Mica of Florida, have increased political pressure on the administration, demanding responses from the National Park Service. They want an accounting of the money spent closing the monuments and securing their closure, and are requesting relevant documents (such as correspondence regarding the decision to close the monuments) pending the House inquiry.
It is time for the White House to take responsibility to the American people. They can start by showing respect for our veterans.
