The good looking gent with the winning smile and the Medal of Honor around his neck is Command Sergeant Major Jon R. Cavaiani, US Army Special Forces. I had the distinct honor and pleasure to hear him speak at a Support the Troops rally in Philadelphia recently. The citation for the actions which resulted in his being awarded the Medal were also read aloud. The Sergeant Major could not have been more humble concerning the award. In fact, in his speech he referenced it not at all. He spoke of the valiant young soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines currently fighting for the country, and the importance of supporting them fully. He spoke of emigrating to the United States from his native Ireland as a young boy. He spoke of the greatness of the United States and the love of country exhibited by all those who have worn the uniform; in peace time or in war. Sergeant Major Cavaiani spoke of making the ultimate sacrifice, and remembering those who have. The Sergeant Major did not tell those of us assembled in Northeast Philadelphia that the United States is a great country, in grave danger, in a dangerous world where carnivores are intent on destroying us. The Sergeant Major did not have to tell those of us standing there that information because we already know. The too small crowd assembled was nearly all veterans, with a handful of ardent, long-time supporters. We get it. We know that threats do not go away because we might wish it so.
The second and third photos were taken less than a week after the first. They were taken in New London, CT outside the gates of the Coast Guard Academy. The people holding the signs are supporters of A.N.S.W.E.R., a militant anti-American group that hides behind a facade of respectability. A.N.S.W.E.R. trumpets their concern for the troops, and a desire to eradicate racism. As the signs so decidedly demonstrate though, what they are truly concerned with is forcing an anti-American, politically correct, ultra-leftist agenda down the throats of the rest of us.
A couple hundred of us, once again mostly veterans with ardent supporters interspersed amongst us, stood across from A.N.S.W.E.R.'s assembled supporters as they waved Che Guevara flags and hurled insults at us. We were called "baby-killers," "war-mongerers," "bomb-makers," "sexist, racist, homophobes," and "hicks." We were chastised for not enlisting; never mind that 90% of those present have served. We were excoriated for being too dense to understand that if we just love people, war will go away. We were informed that they support the troops. Of course, as the Coast Guardsman and their families made their way past the A.N.S.W.E.R crowd not one hand was extended, nor was one greeting offered.
The assorted speakers on A.N.S.W.E.R.'s side of the street sceeched foul comments about the President and Vice President. They accused them both of war crimes. They called them liars and criminals and demanded that they be impeached. All the while repeatedly shouting that it is A.N.S.W.E.R. and its supporters who truly support the troops. It apparently has escaped these people that you cannot call the President of the United States a terrorist and say you support the troops doing his bidding. You cannot separate the Commander-in-Chief and his charges. They are by definition and nature mutually inclusive.
Gathering of Eagles was formed in response to concerns for our War Memorials in DC, specifically the Vietnam Wall. We were concerned that it and the other memorials would be defaced during yet another anti-everything American rally that A.N.S.W.E.R. had planned in Washington, DC. "Oh no," the assembled leftists cried, "We would never deface a memorial." Well, do a simple Google search of their actions at New London, CT and you will most certainly find a photograph of the Coast Guard Academy's sign receiving some anarchist sprucing up. "It's only chalk," they said. "What's the big deal," they continue. "Don't you want peace?" The point is that it goes to respect. Respect for country and those who serve it; something the overwhelming majority of this group seems to be lacking. The kids among them can almost be forgiven, and the 60's holdovers are simply pathetic, but they are all clueless as to what threats we, as a country, face. A more disparate group than white, Republican males were killed on 9/11.
A sign that was prominent in its size, if not its artistic character caused me to smile. In single line, marker lettering on a piece of large, yellow cardboard had been written, "Draft Young Republicans." Many of us recognized the irony and responded with something to the effect of, "You don't have to draft us, we enlist." Better than 80% of registered voters in the active duty military are republicans. Not because we hate liberals, but because we cherish the American tradition and the Republican Party more closely mirrors that; although lately the Republican's actions have been questionable on that score. What unites the Gathering of Eagles and our supporters is not a political ideology, but rather a love of, and for, the country. We see not a cause for shame, nor a reason to apologize when we see the flag. That's why American flags proliferate on our side of protests, and drag the ground or fly upside down, if they even exist, on A.N.S.W.E.R.'s.
I know not where we will go from here. I do not know if the Gathering of Eagles will become the vehicle for positive change I envision. I do know though, that as long as it exists I will champion the cause, and counter A.N.S.W.E.R. wherever and whenever they congregate. The reason I know I will do this leads me back to where this post started; back to the Sergeant Major. In more than 600 days of captivity as a POW of the North Vietnamese, after helping to extract his men at the cost of his own freedom, the Sergeant Major never lost his love, nor faith in the greater good of the country. If after all he has sacrificed, and after hearing him say he would gladly endure it again if it would make a difference in the lives of those serving now, how can I do anything but stand up, salute Old Glory and give it my all?
