Australian Government Says NO to Muslims

Verne Strickland Blogmaster / June 4, 2012

Canberra : Australia | Jan 04, 2011 at 6:51 PM PST

By DarkKnight

 

 

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard 

 

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks..

Separately, Gillard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying she supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote:

'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT.. Take It Or Leave It.

I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians. '

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'

'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!'

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.''This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE... If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'

DarkKnight is based in Santa Monica, California, United States of America, and is a Stringer for Allvoices.

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America Still Invincible? Some Seem to Doubt It. I Disagree. We've Been Tested --But Not Beaten.

Verne Strickland / Blogmaster / June 3, 2012

A decade later, 9/11 still a 'reckoning jolt'

by Bob Shiles, Staff Writer

8 months ago | 794 views | 0  | 3  |  | 

Tasha Johnson

Leonard Tootill

LUMBERTON — Ten years after the second-deadliest attack ever on U.S. soil, Americans are feeling the effects of nearly 3,000 deaths and a heightened awareness that no matter how economically and militarily strong a country becomes, it can never be invincible.

VS: This is defeatism as its worst. Our America took a blow. But beaten? No way? Then not invincible? Prove it. It seems we have a lot of Americans who count surviving an attack is tantamount to losing. Get yourselves a passport, dodo birds. Stick with your country or get the hell out. 

U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre, a Democrat from Lumberton who was in Washington D.C. that historic day, remembers how the tragedy marked the beginning of how the United States changed its view of its position in the world.

“It changed the agenda of Congress and made homeland security the new focus of the Congress. It changed the traditional thinking that oceans protect us here on the mainland of America,” he said. “… This was a profound reminder to me on how important it is that our government, president and Congress stand strong in securing the personal blessings and freedoms all of us as Americans enjoy.”

Sallie McLean, a former Maxton town commissioner, calls 9/11 a “reckoning jolt” to the country.

“This let us know that we are not indispensable. Before 9/11, there was no fear. This was the USA,” McLean said. “Now we realize that the almighty U.S. can be subjected to national crime.”

VS: The United States has never been indispensable.Indispensable means others cannot get along without us. Well, this is their weakness, not ours. And our moral military strength has never been greater. Apparently a lot of people are mistaking our value to others as their value to America. We are the leader of the Free World. When we were attacked, the Islamist killers attacked the West, Democracy, and Christianity. We have fought back -- killed Saddam and Bin Laden. We will continue to seek out and kill Muslim murders and terrorists. We are stronger -- not weaker. More determined -- not less so. We defend the Free World.

Tom Taylor, chief of Allenton’s Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years and currently a member of the Robeson County Board of Commissioners, says that since 9/11, the United States has not enjoyed the lofty world view it held on Sept. 10, 2001.

“We’re not looked up to as we used to be. Even in our own country there’s not the respect,” he said. “Young kids don’t even respect the police anymore. That’s something that didn’t exist when I was growing up.”

VS: Easy there, Mr. Taylor. You are a firefighter. If you caved so easily on your own job and responsibility, you would have quit trying after the first fire that got away. You didn't. You won't. Now buckle down there, buddy. We have just begun to fight -- whether it be against fire of terrorists. 

Taylor believes the country will be “all right,” but add that it “can’t let its guard down.”

“This (9/11) opened some eyes. It did mine,” Taylor said. “As a firefighter, that’s a day I will never forget. After all, it was firefighters who were the first to respond.”

U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, a Republican from North Carolina who was nearby when the Pentagon was attacked, said that the “devastating attacks” on Sept. 11 changed America.

“I don’t think anyone ever suspected an attack of that magnitude,” Jones said. “I knew about the threat of terrorism and I certainly didn’t expect anything of that intensity.”

After 9/11, homeland security became the No. 1 priority of the nation. McIntyre said that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security — which includes 22 agencies — was created as a cabinet level post. The Transportation Security Administration, which is responsible for regulating all forms of mass transportation, including air travel, was also created.

McIntyre and Jones both said that major security changes apparent to most Americans can be observed at the nation’s airports.

“In March of 2002, the Transportation Security Administration hired its first 80 employees, and their job was to screen luggage at airports,” McIntyre said. “Now there are 52,000 employees that supply security for all forms of mass transportation.

“Overall, improved security has worked well because there is now an expanded information-sharing system,” McIntyre said. “The intelligence community has worked together to thwart a number of terrorist plots within our borders and across the ocean where they originate.”

McIntyre said there is now more information sharing among federal state and local officials, as well as the general public.

“Never before has there been so much cooperation and cross-training among security agencies and law enforcement personnel at all levels of government,” he said. “Also there has been an advancement of technology to improve our efforts in fighting crime and improving our national security. As a nation we have been able to track down terrorists, not only in this country, but around the world.”

But do Americans now really feel safe?

“When I’ve been to the airport I’ve felt pretty secure,” said Tasha Johnson of Fairmont. “I think the economy is more of a problem than terrorism. The economy is worse than it’s ever been.”

Bo Biggs of Lumberton, a longtime political observer, agrees that Americans are now more concerned with economic and job-related issues than terrorism.

“Over the last few years, the fear of terrorism has started to wane,” Biggs said. “The country is now focused on other things. Homeland security is not absorbing the minds of the American people.”

But not everyone agrees.

“How can you feel safe when all of the media outlets keep telling you that someone says they are going to blow you up?” said Leonard Tootill, a Lumberton resident and retired U.S. Army veteran. “How can you feel safe when you can’t go down the street without being afraid of being shot?”

 VS:  Mr. Tootill, I'm certain you're putting too much faith is those 'media outlets'. They have you where they want you, and are sowing fear in your mind regarding imminent threats. Please take two aspirin and call me in the morning. Thank you. 

“I think we’re a little more paranoid than we used to be,” said Phillip Stephens, chairman of Robeson County’s Republican Party. “Our awareness has changed in certain areas. I think we now realize how vulnerable we can be at times.”

According to a recent poll cited by the Journal of the American Enterprise Institute, fewer than 1 percent of Americans say say terrorism is the most important problem facing the country. The poll also indicates that many Americans still believe that the 9/11 attacks indicate that terrorism is a potential concern; worry about home-grown terrorism; and believe that there will be another attack on American soil, but not in their communities.

“I think people feel they are relatively safe, but I don’t think they are complacent at all,” Jones said. “I think it’s always in the back of one’s mind that if there was one attack on our country it could happen again.”

‘There’s always going to be that fear of airplanes, obviously,” Biggs said. “Airplanes are available for kidnappings or suicidal bombings. In an airplane you have a captive number of people and fuel that can be used as a means of destruction.”

During the years since the attacks, McIntyre says he has seen many changes across the country, some positive.

“Patriotism since 9/11 has taken off to even greater levels in terms of the widespread desire to promote America, protect America, and honor America and those who serve our country in every way possible,” he said. “Not only is there a greater respect for our firefighters and rescue and law enforcement personnel nationwide, but there is a renewed and deeper appreciation at all levels for the great sacrifices being made by those who serve in our nation’s armed forces.”

Charles Britt, emergency services director for Robeson County, said that since 9/11 there has been more training requirements demanded of volunteers and professional emergency services providers. Funding has also been made available for equipment that can provide for more efficient communications and coordination between law enforcement, firefighters, and other emergency services providers in an emergency situation.

Taylor said that training has become stricter for firefighters and other emergency services providers, many of whom are volunteers.

VS: “But volunteers can only do so much,” he said. “… We need leaders that put our country first.” Yes, Mr. Taylor. We'll vote on them in November.

McIntyre said that another change he has seen since 9/11 is more Americans volunteering their services to better their communities.

“People are volunteering in their communities more than ever,” he said. “Polls on volunteering show that volunteerism has risen 10 percent since 9/11. They say that 63 million Americans perform over 30 hours of volunteer services a year, and that’s $169 billion worth of services provided … There’s an enormous sense of pride at every level among Americans wanting to give back to their communities and make America the great country it is.”

— Staff writer Bob Shiles can be reached at (910) 272-6117 or bshiles@heartlandpublications.com.

Houla massacre: who decides what is too shocking to print?

Verne Strickland Blogmaster / June 3, 2012

Don McCullin believed the full horrors of war should be exposed, as a timely film on the photographer reveals

• Peter Preston    The Observer, Saturday 2 June 2012

 

Photographer Don McCullin's view is that war must be shown
whole and shocking. Photo: Eamonn McCabe

A baby girl with half her skull hacked away; a young boy "with the
back of his head lopped like a boiled egg"; a pretty girl with, "above
her right eye, a large bloody bullet hole surrounded by a mess of
flesh and bone". These pictures, and many more like them, "were
far too shocking to print in the Times, though our failure to do so
spares the Assad regime".

Thus, Martin Fletcher in his brilliant front page report on "The
Tipping Point" for western revulsion over the Houla massacre in
Syria last week – and an inevitable question. What is far too
shocking to print? Does one tasteful RIP shot of a murdered
toddler do the job?

And, by happenstance, an answer comes in McCullin, a new film
about the searing war photographs Don McCullin took for the
Sunday Times and the Observer three and more decades ago.

Don worked in black and white. He never flinched over killings
piled high. His view of war was and is that war is so shocking
it must be shown whole. And then came a moment when even
a preview audience of journalists winced: a young Biafran mother,
her breasts hanging loose like empty sacks; a baby in the final
stage of death.

Too searing, too dreadful for comfort? Only if your own snug
cocoon of ignorance is more important than feeling humanity's
pain.

House rejects sex-selection abortion ban -- which would have saved many unborn female babies from premature death in the womb.

 By JIM ABRAMS / May 31, 2012

http://www.charlotte-sun.com/sunnews/portcharlotte/3893189-455/sunnewspapershouserejectssex-selectionabortionban.html.csp 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Thursday fell short in an effort to ban abortions based on the sex of the fetus as Republicans and Democrats made an election-year appeal for women’s votes.

The legislation would have made it a federal crime to perform or force a woman to undergo a sex-based abortion, a practice most common in some Asian countries where families wanting sons abort female fetuses.

It was a rare social issue to reach the House floor in a year when the economy has dominated the political conversation, and Republicans, besieged by Democratic claims that they are waging a war on women, struck back by trying to depict the vote as a women’s rights issue.

“It is violence against women,” said Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., of abortions of female fetuses. “This is the real war on women.”

The White House, most Democrats, abortion rights groups and some Asian-American organizations opposed the bill, saying it could lead to racial profiling of Asian-American women and subject doctors who do not report suspected sex-selection abortions to criminal charges.

“The administration opposes gender discrimination in all forms, but the end result of this legislation would be to subject doctors to criminal prosecution if they fail to determine the motivations behind a very personal and private decision,” White House spokeswoman Jamie Smith said in a statement. “The government should not intrude in medical decisions or private family matters in this way.”

The bill had little chance of becoming law. The Democratic-controlled Senate would likely have ignored it, and the House brought it up under a procedure requiring a two-thirds majority for passage. The vote was 246-168 — 30 votes short of that majority. Twenty Democrats voted for it, while seven Republicans opposed it.

The bill’s author, Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., said before the vote that regardless of the outcome, the point would be made. “When people vote on this, the world will know where they really stand.”

Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the House’s No. 2 Democrat, said he thought the bill was introduced because “somebody decided politically that this was a difficult place to put people in.”

The legislation would have made it a federal offense, subject to up to five years in prison, to perform, solicit funds for or coerce a woman into having a sex-selection abortion. Bringing a woman into the country to obtain such an abortion would also be punishable by up to five years in prison. While doctors would not have an affirmative responsibility to ask a woman her motivations for an abortion, health workers could be imprisoned for up to a year for not reporting known or suspected violations of the ban on sex-based abortions.

An earlier version of the bill also made it illegal to abort a fetus based on race.

“We are the only advanced country left in the world that still doesn’t restrict sex-selection abortion in any way,” said Franks, who has also collided with abortion-rights groups recently over a bill he supports to ban abortions in the District of Columbia after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Franks and others say there is evidence of sex-selection abortions in the United States among certain ethnic groups from countries where there is a traditional preference for sons. The bill notes that while the United States has no federal law against such abortions, countries such as India and China, where the practice has contributed to lopsided boy-girl ratios, have enacted bans on the practice.

Lawmakers “who recently have embraced contrived political rhetoric asserting that they are resisting a ‘war on women’ must reflect on whether they now wish to be recorded as being defenders of the escalating war on baby girls,” said National Right to Life Committee legislative director Douglas Johnson.

His group, in a letter to lawmakers, said there are credible estimates that 160 million women and girls are missing from the world due to sex selection.

But the Guttmacher Institute, an organization that favors abortion rights, said evidence of sex selection in the United States is limited and inconclusive. It said that while there is census data showing some evidence of son preference among Chinese-, Indian- and Korean-American families when older children are daughters, the overall U.S. sex ratio at birth in 2005 was 105 boys to 100 girls, “squarely within biologically normal parameters.”

NARAL Pro-Choice America president Nancy Keenan said that while her group has long opposed reproductive coercion, “the Franks bill exploits the very real problem of sex discrimination and gender inequity while failing to offer any genuine solutions that would eliminate disparities in health care access and information.”

Marcia Greenberger, co-president of the National Women’s Law Center, said the bill fosters discrimination by “subjecting women from certain racial and ethnic backgrounds to additional scrutiny about their decision to terminate a pregnancy.”

“Doctors would be forced to police their patients, read their minds and conceal information from them,” said Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y.

Republicans also used the bill to continue their ongoing criticism of Planned Parenthood, citing a video taken by the group Live Action purporting to show a Planned Parenthood social worker advising a woman on how to determine if her fetus was female before she terminated the pregnancy.

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Civitas Poll: NC Voters Say, 'Drill, Baby, Drill'

May 31, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jim Tynen (919) 834-2099
James.Tynen@NCCivitas.org

The newest Civitas Poll reveals widespread support for developing North Carolina’s oil and natural gas resources.

Over two-thirds (68 percent) of likely voters support some type of drilling with nearly half (48 percent) of them saying the state should drill both offshore and on land for oil and natural gas. Another 10 percent favor drilling only on land, with the same amount favoring offshore drilling alone. Only 23 percent of those polled were opposed to both kinds of drilling.


“The voters  of North Carolina understand the benefits of using the natural resources found right here,” Civitas President Francis De Luca said. “Energy exploration means good jobs now and plentiful energy in the future. The General Assembly should listen to the voters and ignore propaganda from a clique of special interests trying to prohibit the use of natural resources found right here.”

The Civitas Poll is the only regular live-caller poll of critical issues facing North Carolina.  For more information on Civitas polling, see http://www.nccivitas.org/category/poll/.

Full text of question:
Currently in North Carolina there is a total ban on drilling for Natural Gas and Oil. The legislature is considering lifting that ban. Would you support lifting the ban to allow:
10%     Offshore drilling for oil and natural gas
10%     Drilling for Natural Gas on land
48%     Both
23%     Neither
9%       Don’t Know

For the full results and crosstabs, click here.
This poll of 600 registered 2012 general election voters in North Carolina was conducted May 19-20, 2012 by National Research, Inc. of Holmdel, NJ.  All respondents were part of a fully representative sample of registered 2012 general election voters in North Carolina.  For purposes of this study, voters interviewed had to have voted in at least one of the past three general elections (2006, 2008, 2010) or be newly registered to vote since November 2, 2010.

The confidence interval associated with a sample of this size is such that: 95 percent of the time, results from 600 interviews (registered voters) will be within +-4% of the “True Values.” True Values refer to the results obtained if it were possible to interview every person in North Carolina who had voted in at least one of the past three general elections or is newly registered since November 2, 2010.

More information on the Civitas Institute is available at www.nccivitas.org, or contact Jim Tynen at (919) 834-2099.

This message was sent to vernestrickland@aol.com from:

Civitas Institute | 100 South Harrington Street | Raleigh, NC 27603

I've Learned: No Taboo Topics with God

Verne Strickland Blogmaster / May 27, 2012

by GodLife on May 27, 2012
From the series Prayer Letter

Scripture: "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." Hebrews 4:16

Tiptoeing around God

What's taboo in your household? For my mom's family, you couldn't talk about politics. It would just get too heated. For some it's religion, for others it's money, and so on. Everyone has their list of things you "just shouldn't talk about." The problem is we transfer that over to God...maybe more so even than anyone else. We think God is easily offended or only wants to hear certain praises over and over again. And so we only talk to Him about certain things, and the depth of our relationship isn't that, well...deep. But that's not how David saw Him, and David was the one person God called "a man after My own heart." Acts 13:22
In fact, here's just some of the things David talked about to God:

• the gruesome details of his physical ailments Psalm 31
• how depressed he was Psalm 38
• how he wanted God to defend him against his enemies Psalm 35
• his deep regret for sins he had committed Psalm 51
• his wonder and amazement at God's creation Psalm 8

Your Perfect Parent

David knew—and God wants you to know—there's nothing too taboo to talk about with Him. God Himself, in the Bible, talks about sex, religion, politics, health, money, relationships, hopes, dreams, emotions, and more. One of the things I love about my mom is that I can talk to her about any emotion. Deep depression, extreme anxiety, fear, jealousy: there's nothing to which she says, "Oh no! I can't handle that!" Instead, she lets me vent, empathizes with me, and then helps me. And with my dad, there's no problem I could bring him that he wouldn't be big enough to help me with. Now that's just a miniscule picture of how incredibly loving and all-powerful God is!
Like a compassionate mother, God says: "Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!" Isaiah 49:15
And like a "Can-do-anything father", God says: "I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for Me?" Jeremiah 32:27

Feeling like Esther?

He wants you to come to Him as the loving and powerful God He is—everyday, for every need you have! But you might feel like Esther did, when she was facing her scariest moment. Her people were about to be exterminated, but she was so afraid to tell her husband, the king, because they hadn't talked in a while and she didn't know how he'd react. Maybe you feel that way with God: not having talked in a while and not knowing how He will receive you. But Mordecai, her uncle, pushed her to go talk to him, and here's what happened:

On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. Then the king asked, "What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you." (Esther 5:1-3)

God's Open-door Policy

I am pleased with you. What can I do for you? That is exactly what God says to you when you come to Him. He loves when you come to talk to Him, no matter what it's about. Maybe it's your brother's illness, or your broken heart, or what to do about a new job. There's no issue that's either too hard for God or too ugly. He has a completely open-door policy with you, His beloved child, and wants you to talk to Him! Jesus said to His followers, "At that time you won't need to ask Me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and He will grant your request because you use My name." John 16:33

Come to Him Today!

What do you need to talk to God about today? Don't be afraid like Esther. The king was more than happy to grant her request! And your King, God, is even more happy to have you approach His throne and ask for what you need. I want you to picture God as your King on a great golden throne, and you coming in down a long runway to approach Him. Maybe you're nervous and don't know how He'll react. But then I want you to imagine a great big smile spreading across His face and Him saying, "I'm so happy to see you! What is it that you need? I love you so much!" How do you feel? And what would you say?
Take a moment right now in the Comments to tell your King what you need from Him—the thing that's on your heart that maybe you've been afraid to talk about. Remember: there's nothing too taboo for God, and there's no bad time to approach Him. He loves you so much and wants you to feel comfortable talking to Him—all the time, starting today!
This article was a prayer letter email sent out every week. You can sign up to receive the prayer letter in your email by signing up here.

Memorial Day 2012: "This flag is presented by a grateful nation."

Verne Strickland Blogmaster / May 25, 2012

Members of the 86th Airlift Wing honor guard conduct a flag-folding ceremony at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, 2009.

Zachary Ehren

Founder and Editorial Director, The Traveling Yeti

Posted: 05/25/2012 11:05 am

I sit in the break room rehearsing the lines over and over. The fluorescent lights, white walls, drinking fountains and lunch tables make me feel like I am sitting in my high school's cafeteria. But instead of sitting with my old classmates, I am surrounded by men in uniform and VFW members.
The next service will be for a WWII veteran.

"Say the first line 5 times. Then say the second line 5 times. Then say the last line 5 times," Cooper says to me.
This flag is presented by a grateful nation...This flag is presented by a grateful nation...This flag is presented by a grateful nation...This flag is presented by a grateful nation...This flag is presented by a grateful nation,

it is an expression of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service rendered by your loved one... it is an expression of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service rendered by your loved one... it is an expression of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service rendered by your loved one... it is an expression of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service rendered by your loved one... it is an expression of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service rendered by your loved one.
Please accept my sincere condolences. Please accept my sincere condolences. Please accept my sincere condolences. Please accept my sincere condolences. Please accept my sincere condolences.

I did as he said and by the time I finish saying all three lines, five times each, totaling fifteen lines, my brain is too tired to think about the anxiety. But, nonetheless, the anxiety is there. I can feel my stomach continually tighten underneath my dress greens.

"Don't worry; I was nervous the first time too. But the nerves go away and you will be able to say it just fine."

The sound of Cooper's words comfort me but I can only half listen to what he is saying. I am repeating the lines over and over in my head. The thoughts are so loud and fast that everything outside of my head sounds like background noise.

This flag is presented by a grateful nation,

I had participated in countless veterans' funerals in the past two weeks. Sometimes there were more than four in one day. I was able to make it through so many services because I did not have to look or interact with the bereaved during the last two weeks.

My sole responsibility was to take the flag off of the coffin with my fellow soldier performing the funeral with me. I would then fold the flag into a perfect triangle. My partner would tuck the other end of the flag into the corners and make sure it looks like a giant, blue paper football covered with stars. The flag would then be taken from me and presented to the next of kin.

it is an expression of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service rendered by your loved one.
Folding the flag was more work than presenting it, but I did not have to speak to the next of kin when folding. I did not have to look into their eyes and see their sorrow. I did not have to hold myself back from giving them a hug and trying to comfort them without just the use of my words.

All of my anxiety and continuous repeating of the lines make the thirty words that need to be said feel like I am required to publicly state the entire WWII memoir, With the Old Breed.

Please accept my sincere condolences.
It is time to make the way down to the benched service area where the funerals are performed. Polacek, Cooper and I wait at the end of the driveway for the family to arrive. The funeral procession shows up and we salute the hearse as it approaches. I can see the flag on top of the coffin through the windows as it passes. We wait for the pallbearers to unload the coffin, then the three of us drop our salute.
I unconsciously went through all of these moves while I consciously kept repeating the words over and over in my head.
This flag is presented by a grateful nation,
Polacek and I walk to opposite ends of the coffin where we raise another salute when Cooper begins to play taps. My heart gradually begins to beat faster.
it is an expression of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service rendered by your loved one.
Once taps finishes, Polacek and I pick up the flag while my heart is under the impression that my body is running.
Please accept my sincere condolences.
Polacek begins folding.
This flag is presented by a grateful nation... This flag is presented by a grateful nation... This flag is presented by a grateful nation...
Each fold he gets closer to me.

Thisflagispresentedbyagratefulnationforthehonorableandfaithfulservicerenderedbyyourlovedone
My heart thinks my body is in a full sprint.
This flag by a grateful nation service and honorable presentation of your loved one
Both my mind and heart are on overdrive.
Please accept my MOST HEARTFELT AND MOST HUMBLE CONDOLENCES YOU WILL EVER HAVE FROM SOMEBODY! EVER!
Polacek finishes folding the flag and I tuck in the corners. I manage to see past the numerous television screens blaring different messages in my brain, and notice Polacek giving me a look. The look is telling me that I do not need to worry and that the next forty-five seconds will go exactly how the Army would expect.
I take the flag and my head goes silent. No words. No lines.
The next of kin, a middle aged man that is probably the veteran's son, is sitting in front of where I am standing and I approach him slowly. I do not have any courage to look at his face and I do not dare look anywhere near his eyes.
I kneel down in front of him.
................................
All of the words I had countlessly repeated in my head are lost in the cosmos of my brain. The motors are burnt out and no words come out of my mouth. Time ceases to exist. I heard and felt every heartbeat. Every pair of eyes in attendance at the funeral feel like individual sources of heat radiating in my direction.
I look up and see this man's eyes. My heart aches when I see his sorrow as he is holding back tears.
The eternal five to ten seconds end and I know something needs to be said. My mouth starts moving without any assistance from my brain.

"The service from your loved one will never be forgotten from the continued memories by you and your family. Keep him in your heart and always cherish the service he provided for all of us to live comfortably and enjoy our beautiful country. Please accept my sincere condolences."
At least I had managed to get the last part correct.

I stood up and saluted him, then marched back towards the end of the driveway where Polacek and Cooper were waiting for me. While marching, I go over the last five minutes in my head. I was disappointed with myself that I had a mental collapse and blanked on almost everything I had rehearsed prior to the service. But, I am happy that what I did say was something that came from my heart and not was written on a card that was issued to me.

When witnessing a veteran's funeral, a person will notice that every move is made with robotic precision. This is created by the discipline the military has taught every soldier from their first day of service. Nonetheless, every soldier that has the honor of performing this service can feel the humanity and the strong emotions that are tied to that task.

 The faces of the soldiers are expressionless, but their hearts are closely connected to each veteran that has passed away. Every day countless veterans leave us, and every person that has served in uniform mourns their loss.

I do not know the person that is being buried at Rittman National Veteran's Cemetery this morning. But I know that this person fought in one of the greatest wars our world has ever known, so my country and the rest of the world would not have to live under fascist rule. For that, I am forever grateful.