“Here we mark the price of freedom” is the message etched on the Freedom Wall at the WWII memorial in Washington. Yet, our government denies us freedom to visit this open-air, public venue.
Locking out elderly WWII veterans and other people from sacred sites is the ultimate of political muck.
Not too far away, white-crossed graves of over 300,000 fallen brethren line the Arlington National Cemetery.
These brave warriors gave up their lives for our freedoms. They must be turning over in their graves.
One such warrior in the cemetery is Marine icon Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone (1916 - 1945). He was the only Marine to receive both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross during World War II.
Basilone was honored "For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty . . ."
On February 19, 1945, a Japanese mortar killed Gunny Basilone at Iwo Jima. He, along with scores of others, paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. An estimated 411,000 Americans were killed and 600,000 wounded in World War II--this is the main reason why the WWII memorial was established.
Considering effects of the current shutdown of government services--which could have been avoided--the question is, at what price is freedom today, and who is truly free?
Some pay heavily without certain freedoms (taxpayers), and others receive payment with freedoms and privilege (government operatives and welfare cheats).
According to law, some government personnel and their staff receive paychecks during the shutdown, while denying the freedoms and rights of brave veterans who served our country.
To be fair, there are still some compatriots within the beltway. As of last count, at least 58 members of Congress are donating their checks to charity, and either putting them back into the Treasury or not accepting them at all.
Nevertheless, denying access to the WWII memorial, the Statue of Liberty and other devoted sites are more examples of big government posturing as the ruling class, and the denigration of American citizens as its subjects.
Whatever the case or political leanings, punishing veterans is especially vile.
Washington smacks of Chicago styled politics.
