These American heroes saw what was likely their last chance to visit their fallen comrades at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific ruined by a CBS television show’s crew. (TGGF)

The executive producer of CBS’ Hawaii Five-O issued a statement about their disrespect of veterans last week in Hawaii that was less than heartfelt and called accounts of the event false.  Rightfully so, the non-profit organization that escorted the World War II veterans to Hawaii is saying that far more needs to be done.

While the statement  is in theory an apology, it hardly comes across as one and in fact calls those who witnessed the crew’s actions liars.

Executive Producer Peter Lenkov disputes the fact that the cast and crew ignored the playing of the National Anthem and Taps.  However, their actions and callous disregard were witnessed by TGGF volunteers as well as the Pearl Harbor survivors that were there to pay their respects to their fallen comrades.

In the end, this comes across as a half-hearted, patronizing attempt to quell the furor and pacify those who are rightfully upset at the treatment by the Hawaii Five-O production team.

Timothy Davis, founder of TGGF, says the “apology” doesn’t go far enough.

“CBS needs to write a personal apology to EACH veteran. They excused their actions, they didn’t take ownership of their actions,” Davis wrote on Facebook.

Davis has sent a letter to CBS television (below) asking that a formal apology be sent to each veteran for the lack of respect shown to these American heroes.

We agree.

• Hawaii Five-O on Facebook
• CBS Television contact form
• National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific – (808) 532-3720

STATEMENT FROM PETER LENKOV, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, ON BEHALF OF THE HAWAII FIVE-0 PRODUCTION UNIT

On behalf of the Hawaii Five-0 production unit, we’d like to apologize to any veterans and members of the Greatest Generation Foundation whom we unintentionally offended when our events coincided.

Last week, under permit from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, we filmed a scene at the cemetery in which Commander McGarrett visits his father’s grave. When we arrived, we became aware of a memorial service for Pearl Harbor veterans taking place more than 200 yards away.

Our production crew is 80% staffed with local Hawaiians, many with ties to the military. We recognize the privilege of filming in Hawaii and we are acutely aware of the deserved respect for its culture, history and the reverence that should be afforded to all of our veterans, particularly those who served so nobly in Hawaii and at Pearl Harbor. Furthermore, the series we produce carries a demonstrative pro-military message.

Contrary to some reports, to show respect, our crew did cease production for the playing of the national anthem, taps and for the remainder of the ceremony.

When we resumed filming, we did encounter visitors from the ceremony. Any rudeness by our staff can only be attributed to haste to finish our work, not a lack of respect for men and women who have served and sacrificed for their country. And for that, too, we sincerely apologize to any that were offended.

Lauri Metrose.
Senior VP communications, CBS Television Studios
lauri.metrose@cbs.com

Lauri.

We are extremely disappointed and saddened by the events that occurred on December 09, 2011 at the National Cemetery and Memorial of the Pacific in Hawaii. CBS and Hawaii 5-0 have not only disrespected our World War II veterans. It disappoints all involved that a network and television show so dedicated to our military have not only degraded the graves of fallen soldiers by walking on them, but also insulted those who fought in defense of liberty. One Pearl Harbor Survivor, who wanted to visit graves near the production site but was refused access, said “You can’t move buddies that are buried there.”

For nearly a decade, the Greatest Generations Foundation a public 501c3 Charity has been tirelessly working to ensure that the legacies of the men and women who served in our Armed Forces are respected and never forgotten. The National Cemetery and Memorial of the Pacific is a national shrine for many of those who fought and served in the Pacific; production equipment should not be placed on gravesites knowing that someone who fought for our freedom is underneath that equipment.

On behalf of the veterans, and the Greatest Generations Foundation we request both CBS and Hawaii 5-0 to issue a formal written apology to each War veteran for their lack of respect to our nation’s heroes. The Greatest Generations Foundation is happy to provide the names of each veteran, and branch of service that will assist you in providing a written, personalized apology.

While we appreciate the producer comments, they certainly were not heartfelt.

Yours sincerely,

Timothy Davis
The Greatest Generations Foundation
Remember Those Who Served

Previous coverage from Tony’s Rants:

• Hawaii Five-O disrespect: CBS ‘looking into the matter’ as media coverage of show’s treatment of WWII vets grows
• No word from CBS on disrespect of WWII vets, National Cemetery; Photos show crews standing on graves
• CBS’ Hawaii Five-O cast and crew disrespect World War II survivors

Latest media coverage:

• KUSA Denver:  Pearl Harbor survivors ‘shushed’ by TV show crew
• KMGH Denver: WWII Vets Say TV Film Crew Disrespectful; Hawaii Five-O Filming CBS Show During Ceremony
• ABC News: WWII Vets Outraged at ‘Ultimate Disrespect’ From ‘Hawaii Five-O’ Crew; CBS Apologizes

This statue at Punchbowl is inscribed with a quote from a letter from President Abraham Lincoln: "The solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom." CBS television's Hawaii Five-O apparently does not feel the same. (Wikipedia)

This past week the nation took time to reflect on the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.  In Hawaii, many events took place to recognize the service and sacrifice of our veterans but we have learned of a shameful display of disrespect by the cast and crew of CBS’ Hawaii Five-O television show.

Steffan Tubbs is co-host of the morning show on Denver’s News Radio 850 KOA.  Tubbs is also a true patriot supporting many military and veteran causes not just in words, but in deeds.  For the Pearl Harbor anniversary, he was escorting a group of World War II veterans to Hawaii with The Greatest Generation Foundation (TGGF).

• Update, 12/13/11, 6:00pm –  Producer of CBS’ Hawaii Five-O issues apology of sorts to WWII vets; Vets group says it isn’t good enough
• Update, 12/13/11 - Hawaii Five-O disrespect: CBS ‘looking into the matter’ as media coverage of show’s treatment of WWII vets grows
• Update, 12/12/11 – No word from CBS on disrespect of WWII vets, National Cemetery; Photos show crews standing on graves

On Friday, December 9th TGGF and Tubbs were escorting 23 old warriors to the National Memorial of the Pacific in Honolulu, ‘Punchbowl’ as it is called.  What Tubbs witnessed was a disgraceful display that attempted to hide these heroes so as not to ruin the television show’s shooting on this hallowed ground.

I won’t recount what happened that day – rather you can read Tubbs’ account of the event in its entirety below and make your own judgment.

I urge all readers to contact CBS immediately and demand that they issue an apology.  The network and the shows’ cast and crew need to be reminded that the brave men and women that have served this nation are of a much higher priority than any television show or high paid actor or actress.

• Hawaii Five-O on Facebook
• CBS Television contact form

H/T to Complete Colorado

CBS HAWAII FIVE-O CREW DISSES PEARL HARBOR SURVIVORS: A Disgrace at Punchbowl
by Steffan Tubbs
FIVE-O CREW DISGRACEFUL TO WWII PEARL HARBOR SURVIVORS
December 9, 2011
(NATIONAL CEMETERY OF THE PACIFIC – HONOLULU)

It looked strange from the moment we pulled up to the Punchbowl, a sacred Hawaiian site once the location for human sacrifice before Cook’s arrival to the islands. Our tour bus, filled with 23 WWII Pearl Harbor survivors as part of The Greatest Generations Foundation came to the beautiful location in an old crater above downtown Honolulu for a closing ceremony and presentation. The National Cemetery of the Pacific pays tribute to those veterans of all faiths who served their country, many who lost their lives during WWII.  

Pearl Harbor survivors observe the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Concert Band of the West perform at the Pearl Harbor Visitor's Center during Kama'aina and military appreciation day. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the 1941 attacks on Pearl Harbor in which more than 2,400 people died. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

I admit I was not happy two days earlier on the morning of December 7 at the Pearl Harbor Memorial service. Thousands of people in attendance, yet President Barack Obama – born just a few miles from the USS Arizona memorial – was not only a no-show, but did not bother to send a written or videotaped greeting of thanks to these men. And then there was no-show Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, his bio and picture listed in the program and scheduled to deliver remarks in person. The president I can slightly understand, but the former Colorado senator? What was going on that was so important he couldn’t make it on a private government jet to attend the last and final major Pearl Harbor survivors gathering? I am not aware of the circumstances, and perhaps there was a truly legitimate reason for Salazar’s absence, but I have yet to hear it. Instead, the National Park representative on site read a bizarre partial statement from the Secretary and then stopped mid-sentence, paused awkwardly, and said, “Thank you.”

As we drove in to the Punchbowl site with thousands of graves, large U-Haul-type trucks were lined along the boulevard as people with headsets scurried about acting busier than they really were. It took me just a few seconds to realize this was a production crew from the CBS series Hawaii Five-O. Their scene had something to do with lead character McGarrett visiting his father’s grave, which in reality was surrounded by the real graves of WWII heroes. It didn’t seem right. But I let it go.

Within 30 minutes of our arrival, we conducted a small ceremony that began with the presentation of the Colors by the University of Hawaii Army ROTC. The National Anthem followed. I emceed the event and looked out on men who had been injured December 7, 1941 – they represented the USSArizona, Tennessee, St. Louis, Pennsylvania, Lexington, Medusa, Sacramento, Antares, Maryland,West Virginia, Stoddard, Tanney, Vestal and Pyro. This group of men also represented Ft. Kamahameha, Kanehoe Naval Air Station, Hickam Field, Schofield Barracks, Fort Shafter and Ford Island. At least eight were in wheelchairs. Average age: 91. The others sat in plastic chairs underneath a large, temporary tent. The cemetery representatives could not have been more respectful and there to assist.

Three hundred yards away and clearly visible to them, no one on the CBS production stopped for the anthem or any part of our program. This included the ending of our presentation – Taps and the moment of silence. I was perturbed, but because our veterans faced me, they couldn’t see the disrespect. The ceremony ended and several men hopped on golf carts to visit their fallen comrades buried in other parts of the cemetery.

Sailors assigned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Navy Detachment Honor Guard present the national ensign during the burial service of Pearl Harbor survivor (US Navy photo, Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Jack Gordon Franklin at the USS Utah Memorial)

I decided to take a closer look at the production area from the public thoroughfare and walked closer to see catering trucks, grips, associate directors, production assistants, lighting workers, countless minions and the lead director – a Hollywood-looking middle-aged man wearing a black “AD/HD” t-shirt, a play off the rock band “AC/DC.” I stopped well behind the cameras and out of view when a local production assistant politely told me to keep moving. I was not happy and told her we had WWII vets who would likely be in the area. I was told, “Sorry, sir. We rented this part of the cemetery today.” My blood started to boil, but I remained calm and moved on. As I stood behind the tent, the director yelled at everyone to: “Get out of the line of sight! If you don’t belong here, clear out!”

I made sure to go where I was basically invisible, 40 yards from the nearest camera when the director heatedly walked to me. He was not happy.

“Can you please move?” he said sternly.

“OK,” I said. “Where would you like me to go? I have Pearl survivors who are here visiting their fallen comrades at a public cemetery.”

He couldn’t have cared less and told me that if we stood behind a tent, that would be fine. He walked away completely frustrated and yelled at a local assistant: “I am doing YOUR job! You wanna come back here again? Do your job!” I felt sorry for her. It wasn’t her fault a group of vets actually came back for a real reason to this cemetery. Having been around a few movie sets, I knew this was how they were especially if the scene was behind schedule, etc. Keep in mind at this point I was alone. It wasn’t as if our entire entourage was milling about. There was only one veteran anywhere near me and was walking toward me from up the road.

Walter Maciejowski, 90, from Massachusetts soon caught up and I quickly tried to run interference so he wouldn’t get yelled at as he stood there in his cream-colored Pearl Harbor Survivors cap. Walter was clueless and was just amazed at the technology. He whispered in my ear as the scene was about to begin 75 yards away. We both stood exactly where the director had told me to stand.

Two minutes later, another guy with an earpiece came up and simply asked us to leave. Period. He was polite, and I politely retorted: “This is a public place and its Pearl Harbor week. These men have made it possible for you to shoot here today. Plus, this is where your director placed us.”

He told me he agreed but to please leave with Walter. Oh, he did offer to get us a water or soda to enjoy as we left. We declined.

I told Walter we had to go, and we started to walk away as lead actor Alex O’Laughlin and Terry O’Quinn from Lost did their scene. As we moved out, yet another woman came up to us and with a fake smile told us Walter couldn’t take any pictures.

“Our actors get very skiddish around still cameras, sir.”

“Funny, and yet they act in front of them,” I said, ticked off because we were already leaving.
I wish he hadn’t done it, but Walter asked if they by chance had a hat for him. To his face, she said, “I doubt it but I will try.” She never did.

Pearl Harbor survivors, retired Lt. Cmdr. Louis Conter from USS Arizona, right, and retired Capt. Jack Evans from USS Tennessee, talk as they arrived early for the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day. (U.S. photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark Logico/Released)

We continued to walk down the road and now 300 yards from where we had stopped previously. At that moment, yet another production assistant, this one in his 20s and with frizzy blonde hair, told us we couldn’t stand near the graves because we were in “the line of sight” of the actors. This was physically impossible. We were back near the podium where our ceremony had been held, and oh, we were behind a tree. I let this kid have it with a few select, powerful adult words and basically told him what he could tell his director. I give you my word we were NEVER in the way, NEVER loud and followed every instruction.

It gets worse.

The TGGF program had brought 24 red roses to place at the gravesites on the opposite side of the Punchbowl. The program crew actually had one of their men wearing a backpack and earplug walk through – infiltrate – our rose-laying ceremony hushing everyone.

It was a disgrace.

He ruined the somber mood and my blood was now beyond boiling. Thankfully most of our vets were so focused on placing their roses they didn’t catch what was going on. This moron laughed as he communicated with some other crewmember on the other side of the cemetery via his cell phone headset. About this time, a caterer walked over grass and flat headstones, through our vets gathering, with a plate of blackberries and salmon for the actors to snack on.

We loaded our bus after the roses were placed and the vets climbed on and took their seats. Our oldest Pearl veteran 96, youngest 88. One of our crew guys asked the production guy in the backpack if, as we left, one of the actors could take two minutes to hop aboard during a break in shooting to say hello to our veterans as we drove past. Word came about three minutes later via an earpiece, “No.”

That didn’t surprise me.

I stayed at the front of the bus with Tim Davis, president and founder of TGGF. He told me to let the vets know what had happened, but I’d already made up my mind I most certainly would. I took the bus microphone and informed the vets in a nutshell what happened. Many of them booed, and then I told them as we drove by, if they felt the urge, to give the CBS crew a one-fingered military salute.

We rolled past and about half our veterans flipped everyone off as we rolled out of the Punchbowl. We all had a good laugh and most agreed we should write CBS and boycott the show and its sponsors.

Having been in the news business nearly 22 years, I understand how the crew was just doing a job and there’s big money involved. Shows have to be shot, actors coddled and issues down to rain and daylight come into play. And then, there’s common sense and respect.

It would have been an issue if all 24 veterans and 10 staff had come near their “set” (again, on tops of graves of fallen soldiers) and were loud and in the way. Instead, it was just one or two that went to see the on-location production. They didn’t speak, and of course were much friendlier than I was. However, I know many of them were upset. I also thought about the tax incentives this production much receive from taxpayers!

The guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) completes a pass-in-review alongside the USS Arizona Memorial during the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day.(U.S. photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark Logico/Released)

Perhaps you side with the production team, simply trying to film a scene at an historic location. Regardless, I hope I’ve conveyed how this is just how it is at the end of 2011: people, often consistently, do not show their elders the proper respect they deserve. Of all the weeks of the year – Pearl Harbor week – where fewer than 200 arrived on Oahu for their final goodbye, this was the time for CBS, Hawaii Five-O and the average American to rise up and go the extra mile to accommodate these men. To show respect. To say thank you.

Production on such a grand scale isn’t free. To that I say: neither is freedom.
In honor of these men and to show your support, I urge you to share this on Facebook, Twitter, at church, at your poker game, at schools, at work. This shouldn’t be a quiet little island secret. Let people know via social networking. Stealing a line from a colleague: Hawaii Five-No!

Mahalo,
Steffan Tubbs
Newsradio 850 KOA, Denver. Colorado’s Morning News co-host
Board member, The Greatest Generations Foundation (www.tggf.us)
steffantubbs@clearchannel.com
Twitter: @tubbskoa
Newsroom: 303-713-8500

Update 12/13/11 – Local Hawaiian media is picking up on this story now and the national media will soon as well.

Be sure to see the updated story we posted yesterday with photos here: No word from CBS on disrespect of WWII vets, National Cemetery; Photos show crews standing on graves

KHNL: Hawaii Five-O crew angers WWII vets at Punchbowl

KHON: Vets felt disrespected by Hawaii Five-0 crew

For 236 years men and women have stepped forward and answered the nation’s call to arms.

From the bloody birth of our nation to a devastating war that would pit brother against brother and threaten to tear the country apart, veterans have served.

From a time when a cowardly attack at Pearl Harbor woke a sleeping giant to another, similar event 60 years later on our shores in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington DC, veterans have answered the call.

Not all have served in combat but they have served with distinction and honor.  These men and women are the real “1%” – the ones who have stood up for something greater than themselves.

They chose not to whine or cry about the hand life dealt them or their own failures and inability but instead saw an opportunity.  Our veterans did not point their fingers and blame others.  They instead donned the nation’s uniforms proudly and bettered themselves, served their fellow man and defended freedom across the globe.

The legacy of these men and women is seen not only in the peoples they liberate and protect but also close to home.

In my own family, my dad served in Guam in the Air Force.  My brother and I served in the Navy and I did a tour in the Persian Gulf.  At this very moment my nephew is ‘boots on the ground’ in Afghanistan.

My family is not unique however.  Many have seen grandfathers, fathers and sons serve our nation as the values they hold dear are passed on to subsequent generations.

The lessons of honor, courage, commitment and love of God and country are part of the very fiber that makes up our veterans and have formed the backbone of this great nation.  Whether they served at home or abroad, behind a desk or in a jungle or desert, veterans have made a difference and for that we are grateful.

Rudyard Kipling famously wrote:

God and the Soldier, we adore,
In time of danger, not before.
The danger passed and all things righted,
God is forgotten and the Soldier slighted.

Today we honor our soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and Coast Guardsmen and we thank them for their service.  It is our solemn promise to them that they will not be forgotten and they will not be slighted.  That is the least we can do.

Thank you to our veterans.

Since the birth if this nation the United States Marine Corps has been the ‘first to fight’ and defended our nation at home and abroad.  Today, November 10, 2011, we take the time to mark the 236th birthday of the Corps and we are humbled by their extraordinary service through the ages.

I served in the Navy and we oftentimes made fun of Marines calling them ‘jar heads’ and a lot of other less than nice names – and they certainly returned it in kind.  However, I always had a profound respect for the leathernecks and the level of devotion they had to the Corps and their country.

Honor, courage and commitment are the Marine Corps core values and the men and women that earn the right to wear the uniform of the USMC embody those three words.

I am proud to have served beside many Marines during my time in service and have grown to know many more since.  To all Marines, happy birthday.

Semper Fidelis, Devil Dogs!

Please take the time to watch the video below.

The Commandant of the Marine Corps and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps present the 236th Marine Corps birthday message and honor the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and how the events shaped the lives of Marines past and present.

In 1993 President Bill Clinton said, “When word of a crisis breaks out in Washington, it’s no accident that the first question that comes to everyone’s lips is: ‘Where’s the nearest carrier?’”

None of the United States Armed Forces has the capability to bring to bear the nation’s military might with such force and on such short notice as the Navy.  With 2/3 of the world covered by water, the Navy is tasked with the enormous responsibility of patrolling the oceans from beneath, on the surface and above.

The Navy does not have an official motto however “Non sibi sed patriae” – Not self but country – is often used as such.  It is a fitting phrase and a significant one that highlights the devotion to duty all sailors, past, present and future, represent.

Today marks the 236th birthday of the United States Navy and I wish all of my fellow shipmates near and far happy birthday.

Despite what some local politicians may think, this is not the place for campaigning.

Those who served and are serving in our nation’s military are some of the finest citizens our nation has to offer.  It is no wonder that politicians pander to – and often exploit them – for their own benefit.  Sadly that is happening right now in the current local election cycle.

It is a recurring theme played out across the political scene.  Politicians give lip service to veterans and the military while only doing so when it serves them.

Locally, most politicians across the political spectrum have shown themselves to be patriots and supporters of veterans and show an appropriate level of respect.  Sadly there are exceptions.

Here in Thornton in recent years we have seen a person running for city council who joined a local veterans group only to bolster their resume leading up to the election.  They then disappeared once elected and in fact would later try to vote against support for the group.

A few years ago the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall was displayed in our city and tens of thousands of veterans and citizens came to honor our nation’s heroes.  At the solemn opening ceremony a state representative brought operatives in bright red campaign shirts in a stunning display of poor taste.

Recently an extraordinary sculpture was unveiled at the Thornton Veterans Memorial.  The winged angel, Grace,  is a tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to this nation.

At the dedication, a purposely non-partisan, non-political event put on by a non-profit foundation, politics were once again on full display.

One candidate for office was taken aback when it was explained that pictures with officers of the memorial foundation were not to be used for political purposes.

This of course is something that should really go without saying.  There is a time for politics and this type of event is not it.  Show your respect, have some dignity and honor our veterans – without the politics.

Disregarding common sense, another candidate that is running for mayor of Thornton waited less than 48 hours before posting a picture to his campaign’s Facebook page of himself with the sculptor in front of the memorial (without the artist’s permission).

Val Vigil touts his political experience as an asset but the display (below) shows a distinct lack of appropriate judgment and is in poor taste.  Maybe that political experience isn’t worth all that much.  Voters need to look elsewhere for the next Thornton mayor.

Show some respect.  Veterans, our memorials and our events are not campaign tools.

Using veterans as a political prop? Poor form and bad taste.

Approval of Obama has been sinking amongst the electorate for good reason.  Veterans and the military, always wary of a leftist president, give the president even lower marks and his snubbing of our nation’s heroes is sure to hurt his stature further.

Since taking office, the president – like most liberals – has provided lip service to the United States military and those who have worn this nation’s uniforms.  Beyond that, he has done little.

He famously falsely claimed his father was a veteran.  Not long after taking office he proposed charging service-connected injured veterans for their care and he allowed the release of photos of our war dead while sheltering those of Osama bin Laden.

His recent decision to golf on Memorial Day rather than properly paying homage to the nation’s fallen was a slap in the face.  This is of course also the same teleprompter president that famously honored Navy corpse-men.

VFW National Commander Richard Eubank was rightfully insulted by the administration’s choice to not send a representative of appropriate stature to their convention.  Eubank wrote, “It is an insult of the highest magnitude that for the first time in the history of the VFW, the White House has apparently decided that this great and iconic organization of combat veterans and all of its members are not worthy of its notice by not at least offering a first-tier speaker  from the administration.”

Perhaps given the president’s past treatment of veterans and the military,  it isn’t all that surprising to see him snub the VFW.

One thing is certain:  I and other members of the VFW will not forget his actions.

I was a sailor once and am proud to have been one of many who have worn our nation's uniforms.

This came my way via email and having served proudly in the U.S. Navy, I like it quite a bit. It was originally penned by Vice Admiral Harold Koenig, USN (Ret), M.D. and is called Reflections of a Blackshoe. For sailors it harkens back to months spent on a ship in the middle of the ocean, our time in exotic ports, and the men and women we served with that we are proud to call our shipmates.

I like the Navy,
I like standing on the bridge wing at sunrise with salt spray in my face and clean ocean winds whipping in from the four quarters of the globe – the ship beneath me feeling like a living thing as her engines drive her through the sea.

I like the sounds of the Navy – the piercing trill of the boatswains pipe, the syncopated clangor of the ship’s bell on the quarterdeck, the harsh squawk of the 1MC and the strong language and laughter of sailors at work.

I like Navy vessels – nervous darting destroyers, plodding fleet auxiliaries, sleek submarines and steady solid carriers.

I like the proud names of Navy ships: Midway, Lexington, Saratoga, Coral Sea – memorials of great battles won.

I like the lean angular names of Navy ‘tin-cans” Barney, Dahlgren, Mullinix, McCloy, -mementos of heroes who went before us.

I like the tempo of a Navy band blaring through the topside speakers as we pull away from the oiler after refueling at sea.

I like liberty call and the spicy scent of a foreign port. I even like all hands working parties as my ship fills herself with the multitude of supplies both mundane and exotic which she needs to cut her ties to the land and carry out her mission anywhere on the globe where there is water to float her.

I like sailors, men from all parts of the land, farms of the Midwest, small towns of New England, from the cities, the mountains and the prairies, from all walks of life. I trust and depend on them as they trust and depend on me – for professional competence, for comradeship, for courage. In a word, they are”shipmates.”

I like the surge of adventure in my heart when the word is passed “Now station the special sea and anchor detail – all hands to quarters for leaving port”, and I like the infectious thrill of sighting home again, with the waving hands of welcome from family and friends waiting pierside.

The work is hard and dangerous, the going rough at times, the parting from loved ones painful, but the companionship of robust Navy laughter, the ‘all for one and one for all’ philosophy of the sea is ever present.

I like the serenity of the sea after a day of hard ship’s work, as flying fish flit across the wave tops and sunset gives way to night.

I like the feel of the Navy in darkness – the masthead lights, the red and green navigation lights and stern light, the pulsating phosphorescence of radar repeaters – they cut through the dusk and join with the mirror of stars overhead.

And I like drifting off to sleep lulled by the myriad noises large and small that tell me that my ship is alive and well, and that my shipmates on watch will keep me safe. I like quiet midwatches with the aroma of strong coffee – the lifeblood of the Navy – permeating everywhere.

And I like hectic watches when the exacting minuet of haze-gray shapes racing at flank speed keeps all hands on a razor edge of alertness.

I like the sudden electricity of “General quarters, general quarters, all hands man your battle stations”, followed by the hurried clamor of running feet on ladders and the resounding thump of watertight doors as the ship transforms herself in a few brief seconds from a peaceful workplace to a weapon of war – ready for anything.

And I like the sight of space-age equipment manned by youngsters clad in dungarees and sound-powered phones that their grandfathers would still recognize.

I like the traditions of the Navy and the men and women who made them. I like the proud names of Navy heroes: Halsey, Nimitz, Perry, Farragut, John Paul Jones.

A sailor can find much in the Navy: comrades-in-arms, pride in self and country, mastery of the seaman’s trade. An adolescent can find adulthood.

In years to come, when sailors are home from the sea, they will still remember with fondness and respect the ocean in all its moods -the impossible shimmering mirror calm and the storm-tossed green water surging over the bow. And then there will come again a faint whiff of stack gas, a faint echo of engine and rudder orders, a vision of the bright bunting of signal flags snapping at the yardarm, a refrain of hearty laughter in the wardroom and chief’s quarters and messdecks. Gone ashore for good they will grow wistful about their Navy days, when the seas belonged to them and a new port of call was ever over the horizon.

Remembering this, they will stand taller and say,

“I WAS A SAILOR ONCE. I WAS PART OF THE NAVY, AND THE NAVY WILL ALWAYS BE PART OF ME.”

While the military's code of honor stands far above that of civilians, they are being forced to compromise their values by leftist politicians. (Department of Defense)

The United States military holds itself to standards that far exceed those in the civilian world.  They should serve as a model for the rest of the nation and yet leftist politicians see it as a proving ground for social experimentation.

On a farewell tour in Afghanistan, outgoing Secretary of Defense Robert Gates got an earful from one Marine about the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT).

“Sir, we joined the Marine Corps because the Marine Corps has a set of standards and values that is better than that of the civilian sector. And we have gone and changed those values and repealed the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy,” the sergeant said to Gates during a Q & A.

“We have not given the Marines a chance to decide whether they wish to continue serving under that. Is there going to be an option for those Marines that no longer wish to serve due to the fact their moral values have not changed?”

Certainly members of the military should not be given the chance to ‘opt out’ which is the answer Gates gave.  However the pointed questioning highlights the consternation amongst members of the U.S. military and this forcing of a leftist agenda upon them.

The repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was done in the waning moments of the last Democratic controlled Congress.  Leftists knew that forcing the military to accept gays within their ranks was controversial and not supported by Americans so they waited until their last minutes in office to pass the measure.

Now the military is forced to accept as ‘normal’ something that is anything but and which is not even accepted in society.  As that Marine in Afghanistan alluded to, shifting opinions within society do not change whether something is right or wrong.

President Obama pays his respects on Memorial Day. (TonysRants.com)

For members of the United States military and military veterans, two holidays hold special significance – Memorial Day and Veterans Day.  On the same day Gallup released a poll showing President Barack Obama’s approval rating low amongst these groups, his observance of Memorial Day itself highlights why.

Across the board in all age groups Obama’s approval rating averages 10 points lower with veterans and active duty members as compared to nonveterans.  Even in the critical 18 – 29 age group, Obama fails to crack a 45% approval rating amongst those associated with the military.

The numbers aren’t entirely surprising as the military usually dislikes Democrat presidents.  Liberals’ disdain for the military and its mission is readily apparent despite their lip service to the contrary.  They are typically weak leaders unwilling and unable to properly wield America’s power.

Worse than that, their lack of respect for those that put their lives on the line every day has been seen over and over again.  The manner in which Obama chose to observe Memorial Day yesterday highlights this.

After taking part in the traditional ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Obama apparently decided that a round of golf was appropriate.  This was his 70th game since taking office 28 months ago and the second Memorial Day he has observed by playing on the links.  The good news is that he didn’t golf with his prostitute soliciting golfing buddy Robert “Bobby” Titcomb this time.

It is interesting to note that the foreign press has caught on to the inappropriateness of Obama’s Memorial Day activies.  Nile Gardiner of The Telegraph writes, “The least the president can do on Memorial Day is spend the whole day with veterans and servicemen’s families while acknowledging their sacrifice.”

I suppose one could draw parallels between driving a golf cart on the fairway carrying a 9 iron and avoiding sand traps to patrolling Kabul or Baghdad with an M16A2 in an armored vehicle worrying about IEDs.  Maybe those that have fought and died for this great nation should be thankful the president could take a couple hours to honor them before golfing.