Remembering EV's fallen heroes

4 comments:

• Leon Ceniceros posted at 9:07 am on Sun, May 27, 2012.

  Posts: 2535

  These American Heroes of the East Valley have given the ultimate sacrifice for our Country. They along with all the Fallen Heroes of past Wars and Conflicts are deserving of our unending respect and admiration.

  There is one group of Fallen American Heroes who were never given their due. They were the 34 Crewmen of the USS Liberty who died on June 8, 1967. They gave their lives unnecessarily. Along with their 170 Navy brothers were killed and wounded not by an enemy of the United States buy by an ally, the State of Israel.

  The USS LIBERTY was in International waters, 26 miles off the coast of Egypt when it was attacked in broad daylight. The Ship was flying the Flag of the United States and was clearly marked in 6foot numbers and letters as such. The Israeli Air Force had flown over the LIBERTY repeatedly hours before the attack and the Israeli Defense Forces knew it's identity, speed, direction and position. Why it was bombed, straffed and rocketed by Israeli Mirage Fighters has never been fully explained. Not only was the Israeli Air Force involved in the attack but a number of Israeli Navy Torpedo boats fired upon and torpedoed the USS LIBERTY.

  President Lydon Johnson was involved in the Vietnam War at the time and needed the support of Democrat Senators and Congressman and consequently covered-up the attack on the USS LIBERTY as much as possible. Captain William L. McGonagle was wounded during the attack and because of his bravery and leadership was awarded our Nation's Highest Military Citation, the Medal of Honor. Sadly, the award ceremony was not conducted in the White House with President and the First Lady present. The Medal of Honor was awarded in an office at the Washington Naval Shipyard by the Secretary of the Navy (not even the Secretary of Defense or the Vice-President was in attendance). No TV or Newspaper reporters were present at the ceremony.

  45 years later there still is no Memorial at the USS LIBERTY'S home base in Norfolk, Virginia. The USS COLE was attacked in Yemen and the next year a beautiful Memorial was dedicated in Norfolk with the President of the United States, George W. Bush, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Secretary of Defense and dozens of Admirals, Senators and Congressmen in attendance.

  A US Post Office was dedicated to the USS LIBERTY and not one Administration, Senator, Congressman or even one single US Navy Officer was in attendance. The local US Navy Base refused to send their Flag Detail so a local Wisconsin VFW Flag Detail did the honors. The Dedication Ceremony was picketed by the local Jewish Council and even the Anti-Defamation League in Wisconsin tried to stop the US Post Office from being named in honor of the USS LIBERTY.

  American should honor all of her Fallen Heroes, every single one of them.

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• k33j88 posted at 3:47 am on Mon, May 28, 2012.

  Posts: 607

  Leon, you conveniently left out the fact that the Liberty was on a spy/reconnaissance mission. Israel was in the middle of the "6 day war". Americans had no right being there nor was it a mission of peace/security. The Liberty was embarked on an ill-fated mission, however nobel the "powers that be" felt it was. Yes, the loss of life was tragic, however mis-guided the mission was. This is a "black-eye", self-imposed by us, not the fault of the Israelis desire to secure its borders. War is hell, especially for those on ill-fated orders from above. And yes, those servicemen should be honored, as all who paid the ultimate price.

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• Accuracy posted at 8:53 am on Mon, May 28, 2012.

  Posts: 1910

  Memorial Day

  As we commemorate Memorial Day, let us remember the true meaning of this day that was set aside to honor the soldiers who died defending our freedoms throughout our country's history.
  
  For all, this Memorial Day, it will be an occasion for patriotism and pride. But for those mourning the loss in war of a close relative or loved one, that pride will be mingled with a deep and painful sense of personal loss. "Thank you" to the fallen and to the families and friends of those soldiers and patriots who "gave the last full measure of devotion." Without their sacrifice, there would be no liberty, security, or freedom, indeed, no United States of America. We owe you more than we can ever repay.

  On this Memorial Day, 2012, let's remember that the blessings we enjoy today were secured by the sacred sacrifices made by millions of Americans. We must not allow those sacrifices to be made in vain.

  God bless the men and women of our armed forces. God bless America!
  

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• Leon Ceniceros posted at 2:01 pm on Mon, May 28, 2012.

  Posts: 2535

  Did the commentor read my comment = the USS Liberty was in International Waters...not Egyptian waters or Israeli waters but in International waters and was flying the OLD GLORY and was clearly identified on the bow and the stern in 6 foot tall numbers and letters as a US Naval Ship of the Line.

  Memorial Day is a day where we honor America's Fallen Heroes. After all we are citizens of America.... we should owe our allegiance to America not to a Foreign Nation

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