As we honor and remember what Abraham Lincoln called "the last full measure of devotion", let us also remember that we are doing this work, at least in part, to honor their sacrifice and to ensure that it was not in vain. I continue to be a proud member of this Hopium community and it is my honor to work beside you all in this fight for our country. Onward!
Thank you for this tribute to our history and honor as a democracy. And your Tug memories sweetly reminded me of all the beloved pups who’ve shared life with me.
Thank you Simon. And thanks for the Tug photos. Nice to have your humanity and love for your family of two leggers AND four leggers be part of our community. Also... everyone, see Heather C.R 's post today and her new project of 1 minute videos depicting Americans who have been building and protecting OUR DEMOCRACY since the beginning. She has a new slogan: "We Are America!" Maybe we can use it too. And spread it everywhere....
When I feel like giving up this fite I think of my German grandfather who jumped ship in NYC after he was told everyone in his submarine had to join the NAZI party or be arrested. He later signed up to serve w/US troops and fought for the Allied forces in the Philippines.
I have a German background, as well as Canadian. My parents’ siblings on both sides fought in WW2. I used to think most Americans had a similar experience. It’s part of the reason I’ve been so confounded by choices Americans have made about leadership in this century.
I always watch PBS's Memorial Day Concert. It is a wonderful tribute to All the Hero's of the Wars that were fought. Some are no longer here, and many other's are there, being honored. It always "Tugs" at my heart and I do cry! Thank you Simon, for the great pictures. Tug is is definitely special, and I can see why You and the family miss him very much. I have lost many of my own and had a difficult time.
Thank you for sharing. Tug was adorable and clearly was a very happy guy! And thank you for bringing the entire Hopium community together in solidarity of democratic values. And for reminding us there is light, even in pervasive darkness.
Will always remember the summer my parents took us to DC. Standing in the Lincoln Memorial, my mother reading the words with tears running down her cheeks she was so moved. A beautiful and stately city.
I am disgusted at the sight of the Three Stooges - Trump, Vance & Hegseth - presiding over the ceremony at Arlington.
What a disgrace.
Oh, Vance just crossed himself.
Yes, he's just so splendidly holy.
The only way to wash this image from my brain is to turn to "The Best Years of Our Lives," from what I believe is possibly the most perfect screenplay ever penned (by Robert E. Sherwood).
I got misty-eyed looking at photos of Tug, knowing how much Simon loved him, and how much I loved the dogs in my life that are no longer here.
We’ve just returned from the Memorial Day ceremony at our tiny local cemetery in Tiffin, Iowa. A beautiful day on a lush green hill side with flags fluttering and a dazzling array of colorful blooms on dozens of graves.
Who should show up? Our trump-enabling congresswoman, Mariannette Miller-Meeks! Aaak!
I thought she was going to speak and I would be forced to politely listen to her lying about how she honors our beloved veterans, all the while knowing that she is allowing this regime's cuts to the VA, arbitrary firing of generals for “wokeness”, treating our troops like pawns in tRumpy’s disastrous efforts to shore up his tough guy facade, and countless other dishonorable acts.
Luckily, she simply listened to the prayer and the reading of the names of those veterans buried in our cemetery, then slithered off after the 21-gun salute and mournful rendition of Taps.
She had to wait to back out of her parking spot for our car to pass so I was able to look her in the eye and give her a thumb’s down: I don’t know if she was expecting a lot of positive attention at this ceremony but she sure didn’t’t get it!
Hi Marcia - I'm from Iowa originally and know Tiffin and your area of the state! Let's defeat Miller-Meeks this year! What a loser she has been. I live in Peoria now, but I'm really hopeful for many candidates in Iowa. The last place I lived in Iowa was up by Decorah, Rob Sand's hometown, where he is well-loved for obvious reasons. Turn Iowa blue!
Today, my husband and I honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion, including my husband’s cousin, by casting our VBM ballots for NJ’s primary.
We will continue to respond peacefully and forcefully to those who threaten the foundational principles of our country.
I just looked at the 2024 After Action Report. It seems obvious to me why Ken didn't release it right away - from an academic's point of view, the numerous sloppy errors and lack of source material definitely support Ken's comments about it and his ultimate decision not to release it immediately. Whoever produced the Report just didn't do a great job. I'm glad Ken released it now so folks can see what the issues with it were. Ken's in a very difficult position, and I support both his vision and his leadership. Happy Memorial Day, friends. Here's to our country and our service women and men.
Thank you for the photos of Tug. My cat turns 2 tomorrow. My previous cat was diagnosed with cancer and died around the time of the turmoil about Biden’s departure from the campaign. Tough times.
As we honor and remember what Abraham Lincoln called "the last full measure of devotion", let us also remember that we are doing this work, at least in part, to honor their sacrifice and to ensure that it was not in vain. I continue to be a proud member of this Hopium community and it is my honor to work beside you all in this fight for our country. Onward!
Thank you for this tribute to our history and honor as a democracy. And your Tug memories sweetly reminded me of all the beloved pups who’ve shared life with me.
Thank you, Simon. I really enjoyed the pictures of Pug! I'm writing postcards to Ohio voters today.
Tug (definitely not a pug 😀)
Thank you Simon. And thanks for the Tug photos. Nice to have your humanity and love for your family of two leggers AND four leggers be part of our community. Also... everyone, see Heather C.R 's post today and her new project of 1 minute videos depicting Americans who have been building and protecting OUR DEMOCRACY since the beginning. She has a new slogan: "We Are America!" Maybe we can use it too. And spread it everywhere....
When I feel like giving up this fite I think of my German grandfather who jumped ship in NYC after he was told everyone in his submarine had to join the NAZI party or be arrested. He later signed up to serve w/US troops and fought for the Allied forces in the Philippines.
I have a German background, as well as Canadian. My parents’ siblings on both sides fought in WW2. I used to think most Americans had a similar experience. It’s part of the reason I’ve been so confounded by choices Americans have made about leadership in this century.
Thank you so much for the photos, including the ones of Tug! He looked very trim and fit, which may have contributed to his long life.
Deferment by George Bilgere
My friends came back from Vietnam
and some of them were pretty messed up
and others got carved into a wall.
And the ones who were alive wrote about
napalm and land mines and carpet bombing
and I wrote poems about my sensitive soul.
And the ones who were dead wrote about
burning babies and rice paddies full of blood,
while I read Leaves of Grass.
They wrote about twelve-year-old whores
with hand grenades in their purses,
they wrote about My Lai and Rolling
Thunder and a necklace made of human ears,
while I composed a villanelle
about my father’s love of Puccini
which appeared in a fairly good journal.
Nowadays my friends come back from Vietnam
raving about the pho curry,
the Bún cha. You should go, they say.
The pad thai is to die for.
I always watch PBS's Memorial Day Concert. It is a wonderful tribute to All the Hero's of the Wars that were fought. Some are no longer here, and many other's are there, being honored. It always "Tugs" at my heart and I do cry! Thank you Simon, for the great pictures. Tug is is definitely special, and I can see why You and the family miss him very much. I have lost many of my own and had a difficult time.
Thank you for sharing. Tug was adorable and clearly was a very happy guy! And thank you for bringing the entire Hopium community together in solidarity of democratic values. And for reminding us there is light, even in pervasive darkness.
Will always remember the summer my parents took us to DC. Standing in the Lincoln Memorial, my mother reading the words with tears running down her cheeks she was so moved. A beautiful and stately city.
I am disgusted at the sight of the Three Stooges - Trump, Vance & Hegseth - presiding over the ceremony at Arlington.
What a disgrace.
Oh, Vance just crossed himself.
Yes, he's just so splendidly holy.
The only way to wash this image from my brain is to turn to "The Best Years of Our Lives," from what I believe is possibly the most perfect screenplay ever penned (by Robert E. Sherwood).
I got misty-eyed looking at photos of Tug, knowing how much Simon loved him, and how much I loved the dogs in my life that are no longer here.
We’ve just returned from the Memorial Day ceremony at our tiny local cemetery in Tiffin, Iowa. A beautiful day on a lush green hill side with flags fluttering and a dazzling array of colorful blooms on dozens of graves.
Who should show up? Our trump-enabling congresswoman, Mariannette Miller-Meeks! Aaak!
I thought she was going to speak and I would be forced to politely listen to her lying about how she honors our beloved veterans, all the while knowing that she is allowing this regime's cuts to the VA, arbitrary firing of generals for “wokeness”, treating our troops like pawns in tRumpy’s disastrous efforts to shore up his tough guy facade, and countless other dishonorable acts.
Luckily, she simply listened to the prayer and the reading of the names of those veterans buried in our cemetery, then slithered off after the 21-gun salute and mournful rendition of Taps.
She had to wait to back out of her parking spot for our car to pass so I was able to look her in the eye and give her a thumb’s down: I don’t know if she was expecting a lot of positive attention at this ceremony but she sure didn’t’t get it!
Hi Marcia - I'm from Iowa originally and know Tiffin and your area of the state! Let's defeat Miller-Meeks this year! What a loser she has been. I live in Peoria now, but I'm really hopeful for many candidates in Iowa. The last place I lived in Iowa was up by Decorah, Rob Sand's hometown, where he is well-loved for obvious reasons. Turn Iowa blue!
Today, my husband and I honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion, including my husband’s cousin, by casting our VBM ballots for NJ’s primary.
We will continue to respond peacefully and forcefully to those who threaten the foundational principles of our country.
Thank you, Simon, for this deeply touching piece, for bringing clarity and
balance to this essential day. And for sharing Tug!
I just looked at the 2024 After Action Report. It seems obvious to me why Ken didn't release it right away - from an academic's point of view, the numerous sloppy errors and lack of source material definitely support Ken's comments about it and his ultimate decision not to release it immediately. Whoever produced the Report just didn't do a great job. I'm glad Ken released it now so folks can see what the issues with it were. Ken's in a very difficult position, and I support both his vision and his leadership. Happy Memorial Day, friends. Here's to our country and our service women and men.
Thank you for the photos of Tug. My cat turns 2 tomorrow. My previous cat was diagnosed with cancer and died around the time of the turmoil about Biden’s departure from the campaign. Tough times.