MAY 25, 2009: Memorial Day

Today is more than just a day off from work and a reason to fire up the grill.

Memorial Day is a day to remember and respect the brave men and women who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.  

In California we have a unique way of expressing our gratitude.  In November 2008, Arcata voters passed ballot Measure F (No Military Recruitment Initiative) with 72.59% approval. Measure F makes it unlawful for military recruiters to initiate contact with anyone under the age of 18.  A similar initiative, Measure J, was also passed in Eureka on the November 2008 ballot, with 56.16% of the vote.  Both measures were put on the ballot by citizen initiative.  We’ll see if these measures will stand up over time.  

Earlier in May, The San Francisco School board voted 4-3 to restore JROTC (Junior Officer’s Training Corps) recruiting efforts in district schools before its scheduled phase out in the next few weeks.  This is a battle that has been on going since 2006 when the school board voted to ban the JROTC in city high schools. 

In January, the Berkeley City Council passed a motion directing a city clerk to send a letter to the Berkeley Marine Corps Recruiting Center notifying them that they are considered “unwelcome intruders”.  In the same City Council meeting, they also voted to approve a noise and parking permit for Code Pink to aid in their anti-military protest of the recruiting center.   In February the City Council did backtrack on some of the more controversial wording in the letter.

On a positive note, Congressmen Howard “Buck” Mckeon (R-CA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) introduced the Veterans Educational Equity Act (H.R. 2474), which insures veterans in states like California are able to use their full G.I. Bill benefits to which they are entitled.  Currently, the bill has been referred to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.  

California is home to some of the most active anti-military radicals.  The agenda of a small disillusioned few will sometimes win out over the majority of us who honor and respect our military.   It’s up to us to fight and stand up for them as they have for us. For those in the minority who think it’s vile to recruit for the armed forces, who will protect your freedom of speech when it’s down to an army of none?  It’s easy to ridicule and mock their bravery and sacrifice from the comfort of a soapbox firmly planted on American soil.

Today and everyday, if you enjoy the many freedom’s we are blessed with in our country, thank a veteran.  Take a moment and remember those who have sacrificed more than we can ever imagine.  Without the brave men and women who serve our country, I for one would find it a lot harder to sleep at night.