Topic: Veterans

Out again! Eternal flame extinguished on apathetic election day

By Christine Anne Piesyk | August 9, 2008 |

The darkened flame mirrors both voter ambivalence and the loss of a sense of honor.

The flame is out -- again!

Light’s out. Again.

Just when we thought the Eternal Flame was finally going to remain lit, its blaze was doused again — on election day.

Apart from being completely irritated and totally digusted with a city that can’t seem to get its collective act together long enough to keep one itty-bitty little thing ablaze (such as a monument that honors all American soldiers), there is another irony, one that I, as an American citizen, find disgusting.

The city seems to have no problem lighting the flame for commercial events. The flame blazed when the new downtown fountain was lit. It blazed during the last three Riverfests and Rivers and Spires festivals. It blazed when nothing was going on downtown but city government as usual. Because we (Clarksville Online) check every single day, we know when the flame is lit. And when it isn’t.

It was off on the fourth of July, even as the Vietnam Vets staged a striking ceremony honoring their fallen. It was re-lit after the 4th of July passed, and blazed right up until the eve of primary election day. It has been lit while the Legion Street-turned-Strawberry Alley construction is underway. Now the city managed to keep the new streetlights ablaze throughout the daytime hours this entire week. Water continues to flow through the lovely new fountain on Public Square. Only the flame, the best and brightest of our symbols, seems eratic. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues, News, Opinion, Politics | 1 Comment »

Wingmen plan benefit ‘Poker Run’

May 29, 2008 |

The Wingmen Motorcycle Club will sponsor a Poker Run On May 31 to benefit the Veterans Temporary Emergency Assistance Program, which provides financial assistance to active and retired servicemen and their dependents. Assistance is provided for basic needs including housing costs, food, utilities and medicine. VTEAP operates solely on donations and money raised through events such as this.

The run will be launched between noon and 2 p.m. from Buddies on the by-pass at Appleton’s HD, with the run ending at 6 p.m. at the Wingman Motorcycle Clubhouse at 3437 Pembroke in Oak Grove, KY. Free hamburgers and hot dogs will be served at the clubhouse. Card games and prizes are also offered. For more information, call Robert Warren at 905-0366.

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Events | No Comments

Memorial Day: Remember, honor the fallen

By Christine Anne Piesyk | May 25, 2008 |

Though summer is a month away, Memorial Day has become the traditional launch date for the summer season, with all the accompanying hype about barbecues, picnics, the end of school for many, the start of vacation season for many others.

And while all of that is true, we need to take the time to remember and honor the reason we have this holiday: our veterans and our soldiers on active duty.

War has littered America’s historical landscape, beginning with the Revolutionary War that forged the democracy we live in. The Civil War bloodied our own soil in a way that World Wars I and II, Korea and Vietnam, did not, though those wars took an enormous toll on American soldiers and their families. There have been other battles along the way, inclduing the much more recent and controversial Gulf Wars I and II (a.k.a the Iraq war). «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Politics | No Comments

House GOP review for 4/10/2008

By Tennessee Republicans | April 11, 2008 |

The House GOP Review is a weekly feature that gives Tennesseans an in-depth look at what our Republican state legislators have been working on this week, and a glimpse into what’s planned for the coming week at our state house

Consensus reached on cable bill

Legislative leaders reached a consensus this week on the much-anticipated “Competitive Cable and Video Services Act.” Legislators held a press conference this week to announce that they had come to an agreement, stating that all parties involved were pleased with the progress that was made, and that consumers would be the real winners of the hard work.

Representatives from the competing cable industries have worked on a compromise with legislative leadership for the past 14 weeks. The bill was put on hold a year ago, with the legislature adjourning before a decision was reached. It passed House Commerce Committee this week, and is now headed to Finance, Ways and Means. Leaders said they believe the passage of the bill will expand competition, jobs, choice for consumers, and investment in Tennessee with broadband infrastructure.

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | No Comments

Unlit Eternal Flame dishonors all veterans

By Bill Larson | March 16, 2008 |

Saturday was the fifth anniversary of the launch of the invasion of Iraq. Since the 2003 invasion America has suffered the grievous loss of some of it’s best, brightest, and most patriotic citizens. As I noted just a few days ago, the casualties of this war had reached 3987; 84 of those were from Tennessee, 4 from Clarksville.

As many of you know, I have in the past written articles strongly disagreeing with the Iraq war. I still oppose it and will continue to protest until it is finally ended, and the last American soldier has safely returned home. Now that we have made that clear, I must make something else clear.

 I have nothing but the highest respect for the dedication and the totality of the sacrifices that the soldiers serving our country make. As someone who has served in the military I understand that those who serve in our military are not granted the privilege of being able to cast a moral judgment about the legitimacy of the wars they are ordered to fight, and they share none of the blame so richly deserved by those who intentionally lied us into this conflict.

So on Saturday around dusk I went to Public Square in downtown Clarksville Tennessee in order to conduct what amounted to a one person vigil honoring those lives which have been lost in this unjust and immoral war in Iraq. I said my silent prayers for the souls of those no longer with us, and my continuing prayer for the safe return of those who are still in harms way.

After I was finished, I went for my camera. It is frequently said that a picture speaks a thousand words, so I will let the picture I took speak loud and clear, “Someone has a lot to answer for!” Fuel the flame; honor our soldiers.

Sections: Issues, Opinion, Politics | 1 Comment »

Demand Action For Our Veterans

October 11, 2007 |

The budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs is officially late. Instead of working to get it passed, Congress is caught up in a furor over Rush Limbaugh’s latest comments and MoveOn.org’s most recent ad.

With the help of grassroots supporters, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans for America Action fund is running this ad to break through the clutter. If you’re interested in getting involved, whether you’re a veteran or a concerned civilian visit their web site.

As a recent report from the Government Accountability Office reveals, seven months have passed since the Walter Reed crisis and serious problems in veterans’ care remain.

As of October 1, the veterans’ budget is late. Until it is approved, the VA will be forced to ration care.

Now, it’s up to the President and Congress to approve the budget. Add your name to the statement, and demand they take action.

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues, Opinion, Politics | No Comments

Political music videos

By Bill Larson | March 30, 2007 |

Here’s a collection of protest music as a continuation of our Dear Mr. President article from the other day. Each of the videos below pose questions which deserve answers, but will likely never receive one from this administration. Oh well, I guess we can look forward to the next one in 2008.

Eve of Destruction

Barry McGuire’s classic anti-war song, Eve of Destruction. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Politics | No Comments