They didn’t become the Greatest Generation by being shrinking violets.
From the WashingtonFreeBeacon.com:
A group of World War II veterans in an Honor Flight group Tuesday knocked over barriers imposed during the government shutdown at the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., to get inside.
After having arrived by way of an Honor Flight (please click the link to read about this great organization, and check my post here), various WWII veterans decided that, “government shutdown” or not, they were not going to be kept from their memorial.
And shutting down a memorial like this — open as it is on the mall — required not just somebody at a gate or single barricade. Oh no; it required purposeful barriers physically lugged into position. See the photos.
The WashingtonTimes.com also wrote:
By David Sherfinski, The Washington Times
A group that included elderly veterans forced their way into the World War II Memorial on Tuesday in defiance of a federal government shutdown that had closed the monument.
The memorial on the national Mall was closed along with most of the city’s memorials and museums after Congress failed to reach a federal spending deal by midnight Monday.
Allow me to interject the obvious now, at this point: these memorials were closed not because they were the most costly items to run in the government, but because Mr Obama purposely wants to hurt and negatively impact as many American citizens as he possible can, for the temerity of the GOP in not bowing to Mr Obama’s every whim.
Federal park rangers and federal police, perplexed, don’t know what to do about all those damned pushy WWII veterans. Arresting men in their 80s and 90s, in wheelchairs, might be bad for Mr Obama.
The Demorats and Mr Obama are in charge in DC. It was their decision to close the monuments and parks. Oddly enough, however, you do not see their salaries or perks impacted in any way whatsoever. That’s because they don’t want to make themselves hurt; they want to make you hurt. Obama and his sycophants simply utilize sophistry.
Continuing:
Dozens of people, including several in wheelchairs, made their way on to the grounds of the monument just before noon as police officers, National Park Service personnel and tourists watched.
The group, which arrived in four buses, was part of an “honor flight” that brings veterans to the District to see the memorial. They were accompanied by a handful of members of Congress. Among those present were Rep. Steven M. Palazzo, Mississippi Republican; Rep. Steve King, Iowa Republican; Rep. Louie Gohmert, Texas Republican; and Sen. Roger Wicker, Mississippi Republican.
But here’s the best part:
Mr. King’s spokeswoman confirmed to The Washington Times that he distracted the guards, giving the veterans the chance to break through.
Good for Rep. King, that’s the last group of Veterans that should be insulted like this.
They don’t care about a shutdown. They just care about honoring their friends and comrades and paying their respects.
BZ
But, but, but, it is a policy! Hope this encourages every tourist and visiting group in D.C. to push past the barricades. Can we say, “Power to the People?”
You can indeed.
But power only comes from not one or two; but from MANY.
E pluribus unum.
BZ
Good for them! And ‘I’ am proud of them for going ahead!!!
Myself as well.
BZ
I recently have become a state employee at a Veteran’s Home as a Charge Nurse. It is an absolute honor to serve these men who have served our country. I sat on the side of the bed with a gentleman the other day who has dementia. I thanked him for his service and he was so thankful that he was able to serve his country. I am not sure if what he told me was accurate, but he shared some of his experiences and he shared them in a humbling manner.
Thank you kindly. There are so few of them left, why do them this disservice as they come to see their memorial?
BZ
Okay, I have to ask. Why do they need to “shutdown” a place that is in the open. It’s not like this is the Smithsonian museum, where actual maintenance and security need to happen. This is a bunch of statutes and columns in a pubic park. When the govt was open for business, what additional thing occurred that is not occuring now? In fact, out govt had to expend money and effort to close this thing, in setting up a bunch of barriers, and then having govt employees, cops, rangers, whatever stand around telling people the park is closed and keeping them from looking at it…WTF.
This is nothing short of vindicitive obama and his ilk making the people hurt. I bet obama loves the fact that the unwashed masses no longer tramp through HIS HOUSE, which if I read right, has not been opened to the public (who pay for the damn thing) since the last shutdown fiasco.
I can tell you one thing. If these Veterans were 50 years younger, things would be different. I can only imagine how disgusted these men are.
I am a huge world war two buff and have read tons of books on the subject. Not just the war, but on hitler and his minions and their tactics. From what I read, hitler didn’t have the balls to do half the crap obama has done in the last 5 years. The only reason hitler still holds the top spot over obama, is the mass killings of jews and dissidents. However, obama is only 5 years in. At this same amount of time, hitler was still beloved by most. Hitler came to power in 1933 and in 1938, was Time Magazine’s man of the year. So obama still has time to surpass hitler in tyranny, and I am betting, he is going to try.
“Okay, I have to ask. Why do they need to “shutdown” a place that is in the open?”
My point precisely. Because DC wants to “hurt” its citizens. Which, with this group of WWII veterans, is pure nonsense and quite insulting.
BZ
I almost wish that the veterans HAD been stopped AND arrested when they refused to stop, which I am confident they would have. The lamestream media would NOT have dared to belittle their efforts. It would have been a delight to see obummer getting the shitty end of THAT stick!
I am watching for news of Vietnam vets going down to do the same thing. I WILL BE THERE if it happens. I only live 12 hours away, and my car holds 5 comfortably! Does anyone know for sure what the gun control laws are like down there?
Be very careful. DC gun laws are extremely onerous.
BZ
Yeah, that figures. Maybe I’ll leave them home, might be tempted to use 1 otherwise.
Joe, please read:
http://washingtonexaminer.com/warning-d.c.-cops-under-orders-to-arrest-tourists-with-empty-bullet-casings/article/2535216