We have you covered!      We have your back!       Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)       The American Legion (AL)       American Veterans (AMVETs)       The Marine Corp League       We have your back!       We have you covered!       Full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes!       God Bless the USA!       Ready on the left?       Ready on the right?       We have your back!       We have your back!       Got it?        We have your back!  

You've landed at Landing Zone (LZ) Liberty Grove

A Landing Zone for veterans living on Wisconsin's Door County Peninsula!

"You're half-way to the North Pole along the 45th parallel"

Stand for the "Star Spangle Banner"

Flag Etiquette

Recite: "The Pledge of Allegiance"

Military Assistance Program (MAP)

 

Order of the Day:

Read the message from our State Commander (Al Lipphardt)

Than Click here to place a link to our web site on your computer desk-top and smart phone

That'll allow you zoom into our meetings from anywhere in the world!

Eyes RIGHT ---- Heads UP! Join a VFW' post close to your home

If you live and/or work in Door County, Click here and join us at Post 8337.

Our theater of operation is on the peninsula, north of the 45th parallel

Open borders and sanctuary cities have brought us to the brink of WW3!

Kim Jong Un to Yoon "We will not hastate to use nukes in response to an attack"

Kim Jong-un's anger explodes: the United States has crossed the line (msn.com)

Russia Issues New Nuclear Warning to US at UN: 'Suicide Venture' (msn.com)

We're sitting targets for the next terrorist attack!

"VFW Post 8337 is now holding "In-person" and internet-zoomed meetings so you can zoom-in from anywhere in the world. Click here for your Zooming Instructions

 Post 8337 meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7 P.M.

Where? The Liberty Grove Town Hall

If you're a member of 8337, email your name and cell phone # to:

VFWPost8337@doorcountyveterans.com

We launch meetings between 6:30 and 7 P.M.

Click here to join in on any of our scheduled meetings.

For security reasons, all members and invited guests must be identified and vetted before being allowed to join our monthly meetings.

"Post' members and invited guests are encourage to use their smart phones, laptops and tablets to zoom into our meetings from anywhere in the world"

We recommend placing an icon on your smart-phone desktop so you can quickly log into our zoom meeting from anywhere in the world.

Zooming Instructions

Guide for running a VFW meeting:

Blank minute form with instructions:

Door County veterans Killed in Action

Door County Veterans KIA in Vietnam

Clicking on their "panel" will take you to the wall in Washington

Dan L. Pfister

Sfc. U. S. Army - Medic

Sturgeon Bay,

KIA June 18, 1968

Panel 56W line 26

RIP Bayside Cemetery

Randy W. Wagner

Corporal U.S. Army

Egg Harbor,

KIA 11/27/1968

Panel 38W line 80

RIP Egg Harbor Cemetery

David R. Schaefer

Sergeant U.S. Army

Sturgeon Bay

KIA May 1, 1969

Panel 26W line 94

RIP St P&P Institute

Richard E. Perez

Lance Corporal USMC

Washington Island

KIA September 6, 1969

Panel 18W line 49

RIP Island Cemetery

Philip M. Overbeck

1st Lieutenant US Army

Sturgeon Bay

KIA June 10, 1970

Panel 09W line 40

RIP Bayside Cemetery

 Heads UP!

  • Join the VFW post closest to your home!

www.vfw.org

Wisconsin State HQ

vfwwi.org

 

Past Commander - "Carl T"

Carl T. Carlson

Viet Nam 68 - 69

 

Past Sr. Vice Commander

Bruce "Bubba" Hanson

Vietnam 68 - 70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Public to Private Partnerships"
We're building "Public to Private Partnerships" between county' veteran organizations - Fire and Police departments across the country.

 

Boots on the Ground

We deploying "boots on the ground" in Door County from the southern county line to Washington Island.

 

Road Guarding #101

When the "Rubber hits the road", bike clubs across Wisconsin stand mission ready to act as road-guards during any large scale, life-threatening mass evacuation.

 

The Final Salute

We're recruiting and training "Honor Guards" to post the colors and give the Final Salute" at veteran funerals in Door County north of the 45th parralel.

 

We will never forget!

We're gearing up to place flags on off veteran grave sites in Door County, north of the 45th parallel.

 

MASH 8337 - AL 527

Training:  epinephrine syringe

Executive Protection:

 

 

 

 

 

Let's Roll!

VFW Post 8337 - Headquarter Command

 

 

 Wake UP America!

Multiple reports indicate armed terrorist-filled caravans are heading toward Texas.

North Korea warns there'll be a dear price’ for U.S.-South Korea joint military exercise (msn.com)

 "Open borders have brought America to its knees"

The Russians are conducting war games off the coast of Alaska!

North Korea warns a 'physical clash, war' on the Korean Peninsula is just a matter of time.

Chinese Communist Party' is embedded in the heartland of America!

We're being dragged into another global war, and brought to the brink of "World War III"

New Years Day 2024: Army stages live-fire drills amid North Korea's threats.  

In Door County, call our County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO) at: 920-746-2225 and join a post close to home!

Click here and join a VFW post close to your home!

Go to our Door County Veteran Service Officer to learn more about how to join the post of your choice!

VFW Post #8337 Liberty Grove, WI VFW Post #3088 Sturgeon Bay, WI  Marine Corp League Sturgeon Bay, WI  Disabled American Veterans (Post...
American Legion Posts #527  Sister Bay, WI            American Legion Posts #72  Sturgeon Bay, WI       American Legion Posts #372 Maplewood, WI          American Legion Posts #402 Washington Island, WI
Army Navy Air Force Marines Coast Guard National Guard DAV

We're on the brink of "World War III"

 

 

Boots on the Ground

Stop!

I launched this site back in 2001, just after the 9-11-01 attack on the New York World Trade Center. Much below this point is dated material, so read it as if you where there. God Bless "Full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes."

Eyes right and page down for a KIA briefing on five of Door County's finest. 

Click here a song for the wall!

      

Their motto?  I've Got Your Back!

Their guard dog road point!.

 

 

Door County Operatins

LZ "Landing Zone" Lambeau was an awesome success!  Go to www.LZLambeau.org for details.

Page down for a tribute to others...

Dan L. Pfister

Sfc. U. S. Army - Medic

Sturgeon Bay,

KIA June 18, 1968

Panel 56W line 26

RIP Bayside Cemetery

Randy W. Wagner

Corporal U.S. Army

Egg Harbor,

KIA 11/27/1968

Panel 38W line 80

RIP Egg Harbor Cemetery

David R. Schaefer

Sergeant U.S. Army

Sturgeon Bay

KIA May 1, 1969

Panel 26W line 94

RIP St P&P Institute

Richard E. Perez

Lance Corporal USMC

Washington Island

KIA September 6, 1969

Panel 18W line 49

RIP Island Cemetery

Philip M. Overbeck

1st Lieutenant US Army

Sturgeon Bay

KIA June 10, 1970

Panel 09W line 40

RIP Bayside Cemetery

In 'Nam we seldom had a day without rain so riding wet with Rolling Thunder's 1244 or Door County's "Rubber hits the Road" only brought back memories of drying out before moving out! Don't miss our www.youtube.com video shot while our ride paused at Door County's Fallen Heroes Memorial in Sturgeon Bay.

"When the rubber hits the road"

Door County OperatinsOur primary mission was to safely deploy 5 Honor Riders with Rolling Thunder's 1244 riding out of La Crosse to LZ Lambeau while at the same time deploying 5 from KIA gravesites in Door County to LZ Lambeau on Friday, May 21, 2010. The 1244 represent the number of Wisconsin solders killed in action, missing in action, or who were prisoners during the Vietnam War. All Door County riders made it safely to LZ Lambeau. Two of Rolling Thunder's riders went down in the rain on the way to La Crosse suffering only minor injuries. Three went down in the rain during the first deployment sending one to the hospital, and one went down later in the day suffering minor injuries but totaling his bike. The FAA grounded the chopper planning to fly over the 1244. 

Door County OperatinsOur primary mission was to guard the Moving WALL while landing Door County Vietnam vets with KIA family members safely on the ground at LZ Lambeau Saturday May 22, 2010. We all landed safely in-country!

We answered roll-call, signing a parking lot size map of South Vietnam!

 

 

We reconnected with comrades and shared "war stories" and common experiences!

We hugged, saluted, and prayed with "Golden" Mothers!

Golden Mothers are the mothers of solders on the WALL!

Washington Islanders paused from coast to coast on the Island, organized a special service at Door County's Fallen Heroes Memorial, and reflected at the Moving WALL in honor of their fallen USMC Lance Corporal Richard E. Perez. Rick was scheduled to leave for home on September 22  when he was killed by a fragmentation grenade in Quang Nam province on September 6, 1969; sixteen days before he would have safely landed home on the Island. (Pictures by Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel photographer Ron Overdahl) Click here and check out Commander Richard Purinton's blog.

       

             

Click here and view  "Door County Veterans' Welcome Home" and    "Over Door County - Under God" videos!

Rolling Thunder escorted the Moving WALL out of town Monday morning, May 24, 2010  

Pioneer 1 packed up and moved out at high noon!

We salute our fellow veterans and applaud Door County residents for their heart warming "welcome home" and shouts of support as our Ride-for-Five wound through Door County on its way to LZ Lambeau. We cried and beamed with pride along the way! We'll never forget your signs, banners, and shouts of encouragement. Almost everyone on our "Ride-for-Five" out of Door County and our ride for 1244 out of La Crosse reported crying as they realized the welcome they knew was there but had never really felt.

I guarantee We'll never forget our welcome home.    Rich Woldt 68 - 70

 

THANK YOU OB1!

Vietnam Vets across the state thank NEWBA's President Owen "OB1" Bergwin for his support and dedication throughout the LZ Lambeau planning year.

OB1 rode with Rolling Thunders' 1244 soaked to the bone in the second wave out of La Crosse. He worked in the Rolling Thunders' food stand, attended countless meetings, and stood with us at every turn. Thanks OB1! You're a friend of veterans around the world. Any single women vacationing in Door County would be wise to have you as an escort.

                

THANK YOU Honor Riders!

Vietnam Vets were proud to ride with members of the                     TITAN MC and Door Devil Motorcycle Clubs,

Door County's "Ride for Five" with Rolling Thunder's 1244 was ridden by Owen "OB1" Burgwin for Richard Perez, Eric Peil for Dan Phister, Joe Rockwell for David Schaefer, Karen "Finger" Nicholson for Phil Overbeck, and Michael "Saint Michael" Burgwin for Randy Wagner.

Door County's "Ride for Five" was lead by Emmett VanGorver riding for Randy Wagner, Ken Suess for Dan Phister, Tim Gauthier for Richard Perez, Joe Stich for Dave Schaefer and Frank Mack riding for Phil Overbeck.

.... and with Rolling Thunder, Patriot Guard, Warriors' Watch and clubs too many to mention...  

    Rolling Thunder www.rollingthunderwi3.org

Patriot Guard www.patriotguard.org

Warriors' Watch Riders www.warriorswatch.org

           

           

Our perimeter was secure!

 Vietnam vets thank our Door Co. Business Community:

Motor Pool - Fuel & Medical Supply Depots

During "Rubber hits the Road" managers at all refueling depots carried the rank of "Full Bull!"

U.S. Hwy 57

AL Post 527 Tom Kowalski

Staging Area # 2

Ken Gobel - US Navy

Staging Area # 3

BP' Diane Hank & Shell' Lisa Anschutz

Motor Pool:

Viking Grill Owner/CEO

Dan Peterson Commanding

Medical Supply Depot

Bay Pharmacies Inc.

President/CEO

Thomas Voegele Commanding

Medical Supply Depot

Pamida  Pharmacy

President/CEO

Jim Thomas Commanding

 

Vietnam vets send a special THANK YOU to Pioneer Credit Union's CEO Tom Young, Wisconsin credit union chapter leaders, the Wisconsin Credit Union League, and members of the World Council of Credit Unions for their financial council and liquidity management support offered honor riders traveling to LZ Lambeau from across the country and around the world.

Wisconsin Credit Unions resupplied our M.P.C and Green Backs?

 

We enlisted the support of the world credit union movement. FYI: The Door County Community Credit Union, organized in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin is now a branch of the Pioneer Credit Union located two blocks due south of LZ Lambeau. Pioneer CU joined our "Unified" command to mentor our Chiefs of Finance. This helped ensure all internationally recommended internal, audit, and collection control procedures were followed. They also consulted on security and safety with our Planning, Operation, and Logistic Chiefs.

 

Thank you "Lambeau Credit Union" in Tobago, West Indies. We salute them from "Lambeau Field" the home of the World Champion Green Bay Packers! My promise made - is a promise kept!     Rich Woldt  

 

Thank you International Credit Union Risk Managers in Scotland, Ireland, England, Poland, Jamaica, South Korea and beyond... for observing and benchmarking our ability to move a segment of our population out of harms way when faced with a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or pandemic requiring a mass evacuation or the need to segment our population.

The origin of the “Battlefield Cross”

 

The origin of the “Battlefield Cross” dates back to before the Civil War, to a time when fallen soldiers, in the heat of battle, were buried on the battlefield. The fallen soldier’s rifle with bayonet attached would be stuck at the head of the grave and their helmet placed on top to identify the soldier. After the battle was won, their comrades in arms would return and conduct what’s now become the traditional graveside service, to include placing a makeshift headstone and flag to mark the grave, firing a “three-shot” volley over the grave, and starting during the Civil War, the playing of Taps.

VFW - Blank Minute Form:

If you're appointed to take minutes copy this "blank" minute form, fill it out on forward it to your post' secretary, who'll transcribe it and print copies for the Commander at the next monthly meeting. It's acceptable, to email minutes to your commander but "Only" to the commander. Call or text the commander to alert him/her the minutes have been sent. Always, keep a copy until the minutes have been read and approved at the next meeting.

Note:

Each entry is numbered to allow you to number and expand your minutes on the blank back side of this form! Please make sure you sign and date the form before forwarding it to the commander.

 

 

 

 

Door County Veterans Killed in Action

From the Chief

  

 

News Letters for VFW Post 8337

September 2024

We passed our inspection with almost flying colors, noting our post continues to struggle with recruiting younger member, qualified to join the VFW. Following is a copy of the minutes from our August meeting:

 

VFW Post 8337

Meeting DATE: September 3, 2024

1)     Meeting called to order at: 7 P.M.  

2)     Opening pray was said followed by The Pledge of Allegiance!  

3)     Adjutant called the roll: Commander, Quartermaster, Trustee, 2 members present, one Zoomed in during the meeting. Total of 6 plus on guest (Bruce Sorenson conducted our annual audit). We passed with flying colors. 

4)     Reading and approval of the minutes from August 6, 2024 meeting. 

5)     Quartermaster report (receipts and disbursements): We received $50 from Huehns Funeral Home, $42 from our member (Jeff Bastar) to pay a $42 bill for our PO Box. $200 bill for two laptops purchased by our quartermaster. One lap top goes to our Chaplain and the other to our new Post Commander. All read and approved!

6)     Reading of the bills: Covered in the quartermaster report.

7)     Reading of communications. There were no communications to read.

8)     Report of all committees: We again talked about our plans to recruit new members, working with the Liberty Grove fire department, Gibraltar schools, The DC Farm for Vets, AL Post 527, The American Legion Riders, Scouting groups in northern Door, etc.

9)     We had the Prayer to the National Home at 7:45 p.m.

10)  Unfinished “Old” business: We discussed our game plan for growing the post to a point all post officers can be replaced by younger veterans in our filed of membership. We also talked about what has to be done, if and when, we decide to “fold-the-post”. All member need to be involved, to include receiving a written notice allowing them time to respond.

11)  New Business: After receiving a report from  ________________________________________________________________________

12)  Good of the Order: Bruce Sorenson gave his “Inspection Report” and offered suggestions going forward. He emphasized, whatever we do, we have to inform our entire membership and give them enough time to voice their opinion and cast their vote. We have two options. We can either just “fold-the-post” or merge our entire post, to include our membership into VFW Post 3088 in Sturgeon Bay.

a.     Both options include the following:

                                                    i.     We surrender our charter, turn over our flags to the State VFW and return our guns to the Army.

b.     We liquidate both our general fund (Checking account) and our “Relief Account”.

c.      We sell our physical assets, to include selling or donating our food trailer and grill along with all associated equipment.  

13)  We had closing ceremony and closing prayer. Meeting adjourned at 8:10.

14)  Next meeting will be on October 1st at the Liberty Grove Town hall. 

Respectively submitted by: Richard Woldt

Drawing went to: We discontinued the drawing until further notice.

 

 August 2024

We continue to debate our struggle to recruit younger members. Following is a copy of your minutes from our meeting August 6, 2024 meeting:

VFW Post 8337 Minute History 2023 – 2024

VFW Post 8337

Meeting DATE: August 6, 2024

1)     Meeting called to order at: 7 P.M.

2)     We Zoomed our meeting as both Commander and Quartermaster were out of town.   

3)     Opening pray was said followed by The Pledge of Allegiance!  

4)     Adjutant called the roll:  Quorum 6, to include Commander, Quartermaster, 2 Trustees and 2 members.

5)     Reading and approval of the minutes from July 2, 2024 meeting. 

6)     Quartermaster report (receipts and disbursements): Read and approved:

7)     Reading of the bills: We had no bills.

8)     Reading of communications. We had no communications.

9)     Report of all committees: We discussed getting the trailer off our balance sheet. The proposal to involve the Al Johnson family has fallen through, as we’ve not heard back. We discussed the downside of going that route. At this time we’ll look for an alternative such as donating the trailer to the Liberty Grove fire department. Chaplain will develop a plan and discuss it with Sister Bay/Liberty Grove’ fire chief. 

10)  We had the Prayer to the National Home at ___________________________________.

11)  Unfinished “Old” business: Quartermaster continues to study and learn. Doing the best he can at 79 years old.

12)  New Business: We we’re told to expect an inspection conducted by Bruce Sorensen at our September 3, 2024 meeting. Quartermaster with be prepared. Asks all trustees to be present at that meeting as we need signatures.

13)  Good of the Order: We discussed holding our meeting at the Mink River Basin. Quartermaster will talk to the owners of the Mink River Basin to make sure there is a separate room we could use and there would be not additional charge. 

14)  We had closing ceremony and closing prayer. Meeting adjourned at _______________ _____________________________________________________________.

15)  Next meeting will be on September 3 at the Liberty Grove Town Hall: _____________________________________________

Respectively submitted by: Richard Woldt

 

 

 

This site is managed by combat veterans attached to our "Risk Management Learning Center"

FYI: Following the "Incident Command System (ICS)" and/or the National Incident Command System (NIMS), the local  Fire chief is always the first "Incident Commander" during any life threatening event.  to Private (veteran of our armed forces) Partnerships" and  between on the ground    the front lines and reinforce our veteran organizations at home.   

Let's all get down on our knees and pray for peace.

 

 

 The Star Spangle Banner!

Rich Woldt & Lee Patza

Saigon Vietnam 1968 - 1970

Cousins: Both  Vietnam Vets, proud members of VFW Post 8337 standing mission ready to fight for our freedom and independence.

HQ Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACVn)

January 11, 1969

"Door County had 5 solders killed in action during the Vietnam War"

Randy Wagner, Lee Patza and I left Egg Harbor about the same time. Lee landed in Vietnam March 23, 1968, Randy on September 11, 1968 and I landed on November 10, 1968. Randy was killed by a demolition bomb on November 11, 1968 the day after I landed at Long Bien Ben Hue.

David Schaefer, son of Roy and Helen (Rohr) Schaefer, Sturgeon Bay, landed in the Mekong Delta as part of the Ninth Infantry Division on March 1, 1969 and was killed 61 days later on May 1, 1969; leaving three brothers; Steve, Rick and Mark and paternal grandmother, Nellie Schaefer behind. I remember hanging out with David at his family's Shell Station on Jefferson where he spent many hours working on his '62Corvair. 

Sergeant Schaefer was awarded several medals posthumously for valor in combat. The Silver Star with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster. The first was for picking up an armed Vietcong grenade from beneath a wounded soldier and hurling it away, where it exploded shortly thereafter. The second was for courageously leading an attack against a Vietcong bunker where he took machine gun fire that cost him his life. Also awarded were the Bronze Star and Bronze Star first Oak Leaf Cluster for meritorious achievement while participating in sustained aerial flight in support of combat forces and the Purple Heart.    

Rick Perez, Washington Island,  was scheduled to leave for home on September 22  (we called it  "DEROS" to "CONUS" or "Date Expected to Return from Overseas to Continental United States"). He was killed by a fragmentation grenade in Quang Nam province on September 6, 1969; sixteen days before he would have safely landed at home on the Island.   

Dan Pfister, born in Jacksonport, had been in the Army since 1955. He was the oldest and first Door County vet to be killed in Vietnam.  Dan and I were attached to the same MACVn command.  We called him a "Brown Boot" because once you're in Nam for over a week you're boots are red-brown from the mud in the rivers. Dan was a medic on an operation out of Binh Thuan when he was first listed as  MIA but than the same day (June 18, 1968), his body was recovered and he was official reported as Killed in Action.

Philip Overbeck, Son of Henry and Thea, brother of William and Charles and Michael and Margi and Elizabeth and Jennifer; a 1965 graduate of Sturgeon Bay High School, was the fifth and last Door County vet to be Killed in Action on June 10. 1970. Phil was a paratrooper serving with the 173 Airborne Brigade, Company B-4, 503 Infantry when he was killed by an explosive device while on an operation out of Binh Dinh.  Phil's brothers William and Charles are both Vietnam vets. 

Lee landed safely back in the U.S. February 9, 1969. I was scheduled to go home November 10, 1968 but extended my tour to get the --- who killed Randy. I landed back in the U.S. January 10, 1970.

 

Door County' Veteran Operations

Would not have been possible without the hard work and support of so many over the past year. Following are just a few critical liaisons.

From Door County's Veteran Service Office
From Iraq
From 1st Sergeant Thomas Blohowiak and his 372 Engineer Company...
and VFW District 8 Commander Steve Conto
with the 372 Engineer Co. (VERT)
The line at the WALL ran through LZ Lambeau.
Panel Patches by: Woody West
From Wisconsin National Guard and             Emergency Management
From Wisconsin Department of Homeland Security
From leaders of the World Credit Union Movement

From Lambeau Credit Union in Tobago

From Door County's Sheriff and our local and State Emergency Management
From bikers across the State
From front-line firefighters
From LZ Lambeau planners and organizers

From fellow bikers across the US

From Northeast Wisconsin Bikers Association Members

From Door County Motorcycle Clubs
From local radio stations
From my fellow VFW Post 8337 members

From the Door Devils of Door County!

They're covering our back!

Door Devil rider Emmitt's sister-in-law was engaged to Randy when he deployed to Nam. Randy was killed the day after I landed in country.

LZ Lambeau vets will be flying Vietnam era aircraft!

We'll be building ramps for the wall the week before!

Flyovers were friendly!

We're bonded through generations of military service

We'll never be caught off guard again!
Choppers provided LZ Lambeau air cover!
Door County Honor Riders answered roll-call well trained, properly equipped, and mission ready to roll!
Disclaimer: As Nixon would say, I want it made it "perfectly clear" that operations launched from this site are by one old Vietnam Vet who's only interested in putting back together the lives of his comrades who've been wounded too often by politicians more interested in their re-election than standing up for the Christian principals on which our country has been built. 

If my lack of tact or unconventional tactics offend you, I apologize. It is precisely because of my passion at times that I must clearly state so there can be no misunderstanding; "I do not in any way, shape, form, or fashion represent any veteran post of which I'm a member, nor do I represent any credit union or credit union affiliate for whom I've been privileged to work"  If you or any of your associates chose to follow any of my recommendations or adopt any of my protocols, you do it at your own risk. Now that that has been said, Let us proceed full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes!

Rich Woldt - Proud Army Strong Vietnam Vet

 

 

As each deployment started so it closed with a prayer to our "Eternal God!" 

 

Prayer: Eternal God!

Written by: Pastor Roger Falk

AMVET Post 51

Prayed Graveside:  0600 Hours May 21, 2010

Eternal God, Supreme Commander of us all, Lord of the far-flung battle line, to whom all ranks of life report, we bow before you with reverent hearts and in sublime faith, knowing that you lead us on in death as you do in life.

Once again you ordered servants of our country to lay down their arms and dwell forever with the unnumbered multitude. Mindful of service nobly done, you have called them to everlasting rest. You have sealed their lips. You have called them to eternal peace.

Hear now the sorrows of those who mourn. Touch their tired hearts with healing. Protect them with your holy care. Keep clean and bright in memory the splendid flame that now has flickered out!  Shelter us with your divine compassion. Join us with those whose daily lives are an offering to duty and their native land. Inspire us by their example that we may die worthy of like service. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ who gave his life as a sacrifice for all mankind. Amen.

 

For once I have to come to President Obama's defense. He doesn't deserve the heat he's taking over the change in funeral protocol that replaces "On behalf of the President" with "On behalf of the  "Secretary of Defense" Click here and you make the call.

But I will not cut him any slack for his apology to Afghanistan's President Karzai when our troops unintentionally burned copies of the Koran.

Click here for an apology that's more to my liking.