Legislator says vets shouldn’t be denied access to WWII Memorial in DC

Editor:

If you have ever been to The Mall in Washington D.C. and visited the WWII Memorial then you know the feeling of pride to be an American. I cannot imagine what these heroes feel when they stand inside the memorial and those horrific memories of that time come flooding back.

I have noticed during my life, those who fought in WWII never speak of their memories. It is only recently that my father-in-law mentions WWII. He served as a machine gunner on a tank under General Patton. He mentions no details, just some general information, but it shows in his eyes that after 70 years those unforgettable memories are as if they happened just yesterday.

Here is a generation born during the Roaring Twenties and the mob’s influence, surviving the Great Depression as children and young teens only to go to war in the prime of their lives to fight pure evil. They sacrificed their innocence and lives to defend our country, the Constitution and to free millions of people around the world from suppression and tyranny. They sacrificed a great deal, as do all who serve, never expecting gratitude or worship. They gave their lives to end evil in the world and keep America free.

How does this current administration repay these Veterans’ sacrifices? By denying these veterans access to an open-air, free-to-enter memorial, honoring what they accomplished in WWII.  Many thanks to Representatives Louie Gohmert (TX) and Michele Bachman (MN) for doing the right thing by going down to the memorial and removing the barricades, allowing these Veterans to enter a memorial dedicated to their sacrifices. These veterans stood united and sang “Amazing Grace,” what a true American moment.

How did our leaders react, by bringing in armed guards, making the barricade taller and denying all access to these heroes? These dignified American Veterans deserve so much better from our country.

What sadness these WWII Veterans must feel to watch their country roar down the evil road of big suppressive government, the very thing they fought and many died to defeat, I can only try to imagine. The world owes these individuals and their sacrifices a tremendous debt, but even a simple Thank-you from time to time would be nice. Instead history books are being rewritten minimizing their accomplishments.

As someone who grew up in a free America and enjoys all that it has to offer, I say Thank-you Veterans for allowing me this opportunity. Tell your stories so that the truth will live on because the current leaders are trying to make everyone forget your true American Patriotism.

Isn’t it ironic that it takes 90-year-old war heroes to remind us what America is about. So when you stand and pledge allegiance to our country, think of these Veterans and how they are still standing up for our country.

God Bless America, God Bless our troops and God Bless those who fought for us during our finest hour.

Donald Allport
Gaines
Orleans County Legislator At-Large