"Rep. Michelle Bachmann particularly seemed to be capitalizing politically on the nation's focus on the memorial." Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/world-war-ii-memorial-shutdown-2013-10#ixzz2gbnS8BNW
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World War II memorial lockdown: veterans used as political pawns
This is the American government at its worst: the shutdown and then political posturing. We should not forget this scandal
By Tom Rogan, October 2, 2013
An inscription on the Freedom Wall of the World War II memorial in Washington says: "Here we mark the price of freedom".
Washington memorials are reserved for the greatest of American public servants, and the World War II memorial is one of the most special. Anchored between the Washington Monument and the Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial, the plaza guarded by 56 pillars is more than a place of remembrance. It's an immortal testament to the triumph of American ideals, even in the most terrible of circumstances. It's a shrine to more than 400,000 citizens who gave their lives for America and for the world.
It is, in short, a sacred place. At least it should be.
When the government shutdown Tuesday, barricades, yellow tape and insipid signs went up around the memorial. It was closed like other federal parks. The story of 92 veterans from Mississippi who traveled a long way to see the memorial and broke the barricades went viral and rightfully so. This is the American government at its worst. Dishonorable, vindictive and bound to bureaucratic immovability. Elderly heroes traveled thousands of miles to hear a simple message: "Go home. Your fallen brothers belong to the government now".
The visiting veterans knew that this might have been their last opportunity for a solemn pilgrimage. For us, the lockout was temporary. For these veterans, it is eternal.
Once again, we witnessed how quick American politicians are to use veterans as pawns.
Instead of immediately recognizing what the memorial means, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) embraced a callous disregard. They claimed that the shutdown had forced the lockdown of memorials and parks. That they had no other option. The facts suggested otherwise. After all, the OMB was able to assign park service officers to guard the memorial. Then they were able to call for reinforcements to supplement their guard. Yet somehow, amidst their proven contingency capabilities, they lacked the ability to provide the veterans "escorted access". As chief executive, as commander-in-chief, the president should have addressed this disgrace.
Of course, befitting the pathetic state of our national politics, the executive branch's stupidity has had warm company from Congress.
Desperate for a shutdown PR victory, Republican representatives flocked to the memorial to take advantage from the toxic imagery. In turn, desperate to counter the GOP, Democratic members then arrived. And in this meeting of adversaries, the present and absent veterans of the Ardennes, of Iwo Jima, of Midway and of a hundred other battles, thus became props in a PR war for public opinion. Yes, some in Congress went to the memorial for the right reason – to provide support to their constituents. Yet ultimately, Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann's posturing presence said it all.
Together in one place, the sick dichotomy between our military and our politicians could not have been clearer: on one side, veterans who buried personal interests to fight and die for each other. On the other side, politicians barely willing to sit together in the same air-conditioned room.
For many families though, this is personal.
Earlier this morning, I couldn't help but think about my grandfather; a veteran of Guam, Guadalcanal and Okinawa. How would this 88-year-old man, a New Yorker who gave his youth to the muddy hell of the Pacific campaign, react to seeing this sacred site now rendered a political circus.
I decided to find out and gave him a call. He was typically succinct and didn't have particularly kind words to say about the country's current crop of leaders. Let's just say that the old adage "once a marine, always a marine" extends to unconstrained words as well as intrinsic value.
The barriers at the memorial have now effectively been removed as more veterans continued to break through the barricades today. Reports on Twitter indicate that the government has backed down, at least for those who are part of the second world war "Honor Flights":
Carol B Johnson @NationalMallPIO The Honor Flights are being granted access to the WWII Memorial to conduct 1st Amendment actives in accordance with NPS regulations. 8:20 AM - 2 Oct 2013But this scandal must not pass easily from our memories. Ultimately, like the war the memorial records, some good must come of this grotesque situation.
We, the American people, must take heed of our responsibility. In the end, we're also to blame for what's happened and for what continues not to happen. We must recognize that by our political apathy, we're relinquishing our honor. That as we sit and watch TV and complain, in Afghanistan and across the world, a future generation of veterans must be wondering about the country they serve. Whether we, their fellow citizens, truly care about the burdens they bear. Or whether we care just as long as caring doesn't distract us from Breaking Bad or the latest football game.
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