Blue Water Navy

Posted my Rossie as received in an email:

Good afternoon,

I was asked to write something in an effort to express the desire that we take a minute to consider that which has confronted us, and the frustration we all sometimes feel in dealing with our struggles. So here it is:

This Day

Today is a day we celebrate a man who unified a group of people who had been treated as second-class citizens. As we think about the events of the next few days, of a man’s call for unity, of a better America, we realize that there are some who do not share that vision, that dream, or that belief…


I say to you all, today, as our country moves forward with hope in this man’s dream, we Veterans, who have defended our country at all costs, who have fought and died for our republic, must realize something we know deep in our hearts and souls…we must put aside every difference which has separated us so often, and begin to join in the process we have so many times defended; to act, to stop talking the talk, and begin walking the walk.


There are many of us who do so without thinking about it; standing up for our veterans, meeting them at airports, giving them a hug and saying “Welcome home”. There are those that pass information of concern, instructions on how to seek help, whether it is to file a claim, or an appeal, or to seek counseling for that which follows us from the battlefields. And yet, it seems it is not enough.


We have been abandoned too long…by our Presidents, past and present; by our Judges, at every judicial level; and by our lawmakers, at each and every turn…


We have watched as the Executive Branch as employed secrecy, denial, and political influence to hide what they have done, and continue to do. We have watched as the Judicial Branch has failed us repeatedly, with a misguided sense of their role in checks and balances, and we have seen a Legislative Branch, who have only listened to the “don’t rock the boat” crowd, and have put aside those they sent (or approved to be sent) to war.


It is time to act, to demand an end to the wanton slaughter of our young men and women; it is time to act, to demand an end to separation of Veterans into services, ranks, classes, wars and eras, combat and non-combat. It is time to act, so we are no longer considered second-class citizens.


It is not possible to fight and defend a position without non-combat support, it is not possible to sail a ship without the mechanic insuring the engines perform at maximum, or to fire artillery without someone insuring that sufficient rounds are purchased, transported, and replenished. To win a war, every veteran, at every position, on every base, in every rank must pull together for the common purpose, whatever that stated purpose is.


We cannot, must not forget that ‘no man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.’ ‘…any man’s death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind, and therefore, never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.


While these words are well known to many, and ladies they also apply to you, they are no less as important now as were they then. But there is more…for the words go on: “Neither can we call this a begging of misery, or a borrowing of misery, as though we were not miserable enough of ourselves, but must fetch in more from the next house, in taking upon us the misery of our neighbors.” No indeed, we who have served, the wives and children of those that served, or waited, or lost, we have had plenty of misery of our own, or seen it!


There are so many who have addressed the issues they have faced, and when successful, they pass or have passed on that success so that others may have it too. There are too many to name, both issues and people. The question is are you one of these, or do you rant and rave and do nothing?


We must act now, we must stop the misery that too many have been a part of, and do as that man whose life we celebrate this day and unite, to put aside any and all differences which those who have sought to do us continued harm have fed, seeking to reap the harvest of that division, which is no less than apathy, or antagonism, or despair.


Why should every online group join together you ask? An astute retired female colonel who had gone to work for a politician told me one day that politicians pay attention to only two things, money, and numbers. Why do politicians seek the VFW or DAV? Why is IAVA the most successful Veterans organization today?


It is not just that they have money or powerful backers, they have banned together to form a powerful voice for today’s their membership. One does not have to agree with their politics or anything else to see this.


Congressman Filner was on SVR Radio on Wednesday night. His message was loud and clear. He is trying to get the word out on Dr. Phil, on the steps of Congress, on radio shows to the American people that the government is not taking, has not taken care of our returning warriors, and that it is time to stand up and make it known, that there is power in numbers, and that if we want success, now is the time to stop reminiscing, ranting, and being negative and contact everyone whom will listen.

We will find contacts, fax numbers, phone numbers, we will discuss issues and ways to impact current legislation, and we will act!
Just one question, for each of you to answer; “Are you ready to join us and begin to act, begin to unite, begin to succeed?”
I will seek to put this on as many websites as possible. May God speed you to a better day.

Kurt Priessman, MSgt, USAF (Ret)
Veteran Advocate, Proud Father of an IAVA Vet

There is always strength in numbers. For as large as our membership is, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that all congressional representatives and senators can be written and notified requesting support for Filner's new legislation supporting the Blue Water Navy. Each of you should, at this time,shoud be writing your congressional representative and your two senators. Duplication of effort is OK - the greater number of letters these people get; the better. Don't leave it for the next Vet - do it now while the new congress is getting settled in! J.Rosso














J.

Unity !
I agree, Many times one can loose site of the TREE, for the forrest.
In the "Good Book" there is reference That says;
“we have around us many people or voices that tell us to believe thus or so. So let us run the race before us and never give up. We should put aside our differences that get in the way or hold us back.” (paraphrased)

This or these are Veterans issues that affects All BLUE WATER VETERANS.

Lead on Comrades.

For me, I am informing all of my Federal Elected persons and urging support of/for BLUE WATER NAVY VIETNAM VETERANS.
Yours in Faith,