“I Am That Man” is a vigilante movie with a small “v.”
It’s also a treatise on veterans making the transition back to civilian life and a salute to those who serve.
That makes the movie refreshing, ambitious, and a bit frustrating. It’s a well-intentioned hybrid with more texture than the average shoot-em up, but some sequences could use some fine tuning.
Matthew Marsden wrote, produced, directed, and stars as John Beckett, a former Navy SEAL adjusting to life outside the combat zone. He’s got a pre-teen son (Finn Marsden) who thinks the world of him and an estranged wife (Christine Lakin) who clearly doesn’t.
Father and son spend time bonding with an elderly Jewish neighbor they treat like a member of the family. The feeling is more than mutual, which makes an anti-Semitic assault on the senior all the more harrowing.
John has a particular set of skills that could come in handy should the police fail to find the thugs who hurt his neighbor. Only, “I Am That Man” isn’t hell bent on making John the next Paul Kersey.
What follows is a more thoughtful variation on the “Death Wish” premise, one where family, friendships, and loyalty play critical roles.
Marsden’s character isn’t suicidal or drug addicted. He’s struggling with civilian life, but the film eschews the more dramatic side effects from serving overseas. PTSD doesn’t get a close up, but our hero’s stack of bills sure does. So does a marriage heading straight toward divorce court.
Little is going right in John’s personal life.
His wife moved out to teach him a lesson. His father-in-law would like to wring his neck. And we’re never really sure what happened in their marriage to make their split inevitable.
That lack of clarity isn’t a problem, assuming the home front sequences deliver on their emotional promise. Too often they don’t, leaving us with exchanges that feel perfunctory, not revealing. Marsden’s eye for finer details, displayed throughout the film, occasionally goes missing here.
Marsden the writer/director has better luck in other scenes, like whenever John connects to fellow veterans or strangers who cross his path. An early sequence where John bonds with a Vietnam War veteran is brief but poignant.
The first-time director boasts a natural eye for composition. His camera moves are rarely flashy, maneuvering around the characters in ways that enhance the story and tone.
He’s also keen enough to inject the screenplay with colorful asides, something seen in both casual exchanges and extended riffs. The film’s villains are an interesting lot, more obsessed with their bro-bonding than hateful rhetoric. These scenes should be space fillers, but “Man” treats them differently.
He’s eager to strip away any movie villain swagger from these thugs. They’re losers of the first order. Showing how ordinary they are diminishes their cultural strength.
Those atypical rhythms help paper over some of the film’s flaws.
Marsden’s performance leans toward the strong but silent type. He’s chattier than your average Charles Bronson hero, but his physical presence often speaks for him. He’s aware of his size, using it to intimidate thugs or just let his son know he’ll always be there for him.
Some subplots prove more impactful than others in “I Am That Man.” John’s strained ties to his father-in-law need more screen time. Yet his frustration with a used car dealership reveals plenty about his ability to channel military discipline when needed.
“I Am That Man” doesn’t deliver any signature fight scenes, but that brand of Hollywood excess wouldn’t fit anyway. John’s ability to defend himself is made clear, especially during an early fracas captured in a near-dark setting.
Once again, an atypical framing makes the sequence pop. It’s still frustrating to witness a scene late in the movie that feels cribbed from your average Liam Neeson flick.
Marsden’s admiration for all who serve make “I Am That Man” an imperfect but welcome addition to the vigilante genre.
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The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Hoodie

‘I Am That Man’ Review: A Veteran Vigilante Movie With A Conscience

Hollywood

Veterans

In an upcoming four-episode special for FOX Nation&#8217;s &#8220;Lara Logan Has No Agenda,&#8221; Emmy Award-winning journalist Lara Logan takes a deep dive into the untold reality of war and its aftermath — the good, the bad, and the ugly.
In &#8220;<a href="https://video.foxnews.com/v/6158326060001#sp=show-clips">America&#8217;s Veterans</a>,&#8221; Logan seeks to uncover the truths and realities all too often bypassed by the mainstream media, including what war zones actually look like today, veteran struggles and their success stories, and a behind the scenes look at what the creed &#8220;leave no man behind&#8221; really means.
Part one of the series, &#8220;A Warrior&#8217;s Faith,&#8221; drops Friday on FOX Nation, and the rest of the episodes — &#8220;A Hot Cup of Freedom,&#8221; &#8220;The Price We Pay,&#8221; and &#8220;Leave No One Behind&#8221; — air Monday through Wednesday.
The special is a long time coming for the former &#8220;60 Minutes&#8221; journalist and war correspondent.
&#8220;This idea came out of years of talking to veterans back here in the U.S. after these wars, where a lot of them were frustrated by the coverage,&#8221; Logan explained, noting that the incomplete story breeds division and misunderstanding.
&#8220;As a journalist, I&#8217;ve always looked to those areas,&#8221; she said. “I&#8217;m always interested in the full truth and the full context.&#8221;
In part one of the series, &#8220;A Warrior&#8217;s Faith,&#8221; Logan sheds light on what she&#8217;s dubbed as modern &#8220;invisible wars,&#8221; emphasizing the lack of on-the-ground media coverage.
Logan speaks with Dave Eubank, director of the Free Burma Rangers, a multi-ethnic humanitarian organization providing aid and supplies to war zones, and delves into their assistance in the 2017 military operation Battle for Mosul to recapture Iraq’s second largest city from the Islamic State.
Showing the on-the-ground reality is vital, explained Logan, because, ultimately, it leaves Washington less room to &#8220;spin.&#8221;
&#8220;We&#8217;ve had no real understanding for years now,&#8221; she said. &#8220;My concern is, if you don&#8217;t see it and you don&#8217;t see firsthand on the ground, you&#8217;re more susceptible to spin.&#8221;
As an example of the dwindling coverage from the media, Logan noted then-President Barack Obama in 2014 referring to ISIS as a &#8220;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/International/isis-years-jv-team-international-killers/story?id=40214844">JV team</a>&#8221; and claiming intelligence let him down. At the time, Obama was able to say something so off-base with reality and get away with it, at least in part.
&#8220;For example, when Obama said that ISIS was a &#8216;JV team&#8217; and intelligence agencies had let him down,&#8221; Logan told The Daily Wire, &#8220;Well, if there had been journalists on the ground covering ISIS, we would all have been showing how untrue that was. People would have seen it; he wouldn&#8217;t have been able to say it.&#8221;
&#8220;I&#8217;m not trying to shape the policy in one direction or the other; I&#8217;m tying to give people an understanding of what&#8217;s really happening,&#8221; she emphasized.
Logan added that Lt. Gen. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-doj-dropping-criminal-case-against-michael-flynn">Michael Flynn</a> testified in early 2015 that ISIS had taken Fallujah and were going to take more territory, significant territory, and they were going to do it quickly. &#8220;If journalists had been covering theses stories properly and had been on the ground and had been seeing it, they would have known and followed what Mike Flynn said. But, no, what happens is you have Obama go on TV and say, &#8216;Oh, I had no idea, my intelligence agencies didn&#8217;t tell me.&#8217; That&#8217;s just not true.&#8221;
&#8220;I don&#8217;t mean to make this personal against Obama,&#8221; the journalist explained. &#8220;It&#8217;s just an example that comes to mind.&#8221;
There hasn&#8217;t been coverage of the wars &#8220;for years,&#8221; Logan said. &#8220;It started in the Obama years – we were discouraged from investing any time in Afghanistan because they wanted out. They don&#8217;t want journalists doing the moving stories about what&#8217;s happening to Afghans.&#8221;
And currently, she said, &#8220;Afghanistan is astonishing, it&#8217;s just astonishing. We&#8217;ve made a peace deal with the Taliban. &#8230; The Taliban&#8217;s violence has gone up, it has not gone down.&#8221;
Logan, who now has children, still goes to the war zones to provide coverage when she can, but doesn&#8217;t live there as she used to. If she didn&#8217;t have children, she said, she&#8217;d still live there, because that&#8217;s how important she feels the coverage is for the American people.
In part two, &#8220;A Hot Cup of Freedom,&#8221; Logan transitions to explore a major veteran success story: <a href="https://www.blackriflecoffee.com/pages/the-ben-shapiro-show">Black Rifle Coffee</a> in Salt Lake City, Utah. The flourishing company isn&#8217;t just veteran-owned, but makes it a point to help other veterans, building their culture and community.
&#8220;We only tell one part of the story, and we tell that story over and over and over again,&#8221; Logan said. &#8220;And there&#8217;s nothing wrong with that, because it&#8217;s real and it&#8217;s part of the story. But there&#8217;s more to veterans who come back from war than just the guy who is broken and shattered and needs to be saved and helped. There are many veterans who come back and do transition very successfully.&#8221;
Veterans have told Logan they feel they are &#8220;just defined by injury and PTSD,&#8221; she said. &#8220;A lot of veterans get the feeling that people think every vet is a basketcase just waiting to do the next mass shooting. The first question journalists ask with these mass shooting is, &#8216;Oh, was he in the military? Check his military records.'&#8221;
On the flip side, explained Logan, the struggle of returning veterans – an estimated 22 veterans commit suicide a day in the U.S. – is of course real and cannot be ignored.
In episode three, &#8220;The Price We Pay,&#8221; Logan speaks with a group of California veterans who use community and surfing to cope with their injuries, both physical and mental. She also interviews Marine Corps veteran and documentarian Dustin Jones to share his story and discuss the increasing veteran suicide rate.
Logan noted to The Daily Wire that both purpose and community are vital for our returning veterans. &#8220;Everyone wants to be understood,&#8221; she explained, noting that there is &#8220;a profound sense of brotherhood and family&#8221; with our veterans. &#8220;The veterans who feel isolated are more susceptible to suicide.&#8221;
In part four of the series, &#8220;Leave No One Behind,&#8221; Logan is joined by a musician who wrote about the Angel Flights of those killed overseas, a Vietnam veteran&#8217;s mission to fulfill our nation&#8217;s promise, and a son searching for his missing military father.
The segment was especially moving to Logan, who, as a war correspondent, never missed Angel Flight boarding if she knew about it. The deceased have their units surrounding them to see them off, but Logan felt a responsibility to be there to represent the families who couldn&#8217;t attend.
&#8220;We start with the song &#8216;Angel Flight,&#8217; and that was the song I heard years ago, and it really moved me, because it&#8217;s the song about the pilots who fly those planes – it&#8217;s called an &#8216;Angel Flight&#8217; when you bring a soldier&#8217;s body home from the battlefield,&#8221; Logan explained to The Daily Wire. &#8220;I&#8217;ve been to many funerals for soldiers, sometimes for whom I&#8217;ve never met, and usually didn&#8217;t know very well at all. And I went because I couldn&#8217;t bear the thought of someone&#8217;s child leaving, being gone, and their parents, their family, not being able to be there.&#8221;
&#8220;Of course they had their unit and their teammates around them, but I used to go for the families,&#8221; she said. &#8220;If there was one out there that was happening and I was around, I never missed.&#8221;
&#8220;So when I heard the song &#8216;Angel flight,&#8217; it was such a thing for me because I&#8217;ve seen so many bodies loaded onto that flight, on the ground. And it&#8217;s so moving to think of those pilots and those crews aboard, how seriously they take that mission.&#8221;
&#8220;And I think the thing in there that I wrote, that really came from my heart and soul was, &#8216;When it happens to you, the one thing you know is there&#8217;s an Angel Flight that&#8217;s coming to take you home, that you can count on, and that your family can count on,'&#8221; Logan added. &#8220;To me, that speaks a lot about who we are as people in this country, and also in the military itself.&#8221;
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Lara Logan

‘I’m Interested In The Full Truth’: Lara Logan Special Takes Deep Dive Into Reality Of War, Veteran Success Stories

The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who have traditionally placed American flags on the graves of veterans at veterans’ cemeteries on Memorial Day have been barred from doing so because of the coronavirus crisis.
The Scouts cannot perform their acts of honor because the Department of Veteran&#8217;s Affairs has banned public events at the sites, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/boy-scouts-banned-memorial-day-coronavirus-veterans">Fox News</a> reports, adding, “On Long Island, N.Y., where more than 500,000 veterans are buried at two national military cemeteries, there are demands for the VA to reconsider and rescind the ban.”
Suffolk County executive Steve Bellone told Fox News, &#8220;If we can&#8217;t figure out a way to make sure we are placing flags at their graves to honor them, then something is seriously wrong … What we&#8217;re asking the VA to do is, rather than have a blanket policy across the country, allow the national cemeteries at the local level, to make this determination in conjunction with the local health department. We will take the responsibility to say that this flag placement plan meets the state and national guidelines but give us that opportunity to do it, allow us to honor our fallen heroes.” He continued, &#8220;We just commemorated VE Day, this is the generation that lived through the adversity of the great depression, they won World War Two. What is it going to say about our generation if we can&#8217;t figure out a way to honor the greatest generation by placing flags at their graves on Memorial Day?&#8221;
18-year-old Eagle Scout Kieran Monaghan told Fox News, &#8220;It&#8217;s definitely a very emotional, kind of moving experience. Personally, my Dad is a veteran. He was deployed in Iraq for a year. It&#8217;s good to be able to pay our respects to our fallen heroes, it&#8217;s important to me, it&#8217;s important to the Boy Scouts, it&#8217;s important to the community and it’s something that I would hate to see go.” He added, &#8220;It is understandable to a point, but I don&#8217;t think that it is unreasonable to be able to put a plan together to be able to still accomplish the same thing we have done year after year, still following social distancing guidelines, having everybody masked up, with gloves on. It&#8217;s definitely doable.”
The U.S. National Cemetery Administration cited the “national emergency” as the reason that “VA national cemeteries will not be hosting public Memorial Day events,&#8221; including “mass placement of gravesite flags,” adding, &#8220;families and community members are welcome to visit national cemeteries throughout Memorial Day weekend and place individual flags on graves to honor friends and family. We ask that all visitors adhere to CDC, state and local health, safety, and travel guidelines.&#8221;
Michael Freeman, associate editor of Boys’ Life, Scouting and Eagles’ Call magazines <a href="https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2018/05/22/honoring-veterans-with-gravesite-flags-memorial-day/">advised</a> Scouts in 2018:
<blockquote>Always coordinate with the cemetery’s director when planning to volunteer. The director will know how much help is needed and where that help should be directed. The director might need flags placed at grave sites or along the main entrance, often referred to as an “avenue of flags,” or might not need any help at all.
&#8230; flags placed at graves should be erected in a uniform matter, usually one foot, centered and in front of the headstone or grave marker.
&#8230; For an “avenue of flags” display, flagpoles should be inserted and secured in an in-ground receptacle. The flags shouldn’t interfere with traffic … For all flag ceremonies, remember to follow the rules of <a href="https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2015/09/24/10-things-know-flag-etiquette/">flag etiquette</a>. These include never letting the flag touch the ground and ensuring flags are in excellent condition.
&#8230; Volunteering at a cemetery for Memorial Day is a great way to teach Scouts about national and local history, community service and patriotism. It can also be an opportunity to fulfill service hours and rank requirements, but more importantly, it’s a chance to impart a sense of respect for those who have died for our freedoms.
Remind Scouts to follow cemetery rules, refrain from rowdiness and to stay on designated paths</blockquote>
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Memorial Day Celebrations

Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts Barred From Placing Flags At Veterans’ Cemeteries On Memorial Day

Boy Scouts

Coronavirus

Girl Scouts

The annual National Memorial Day Concert on PBS will take place on May 24, the Sunday before Memorial Day, albeit with some changes because of the coronavirus.
Actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise will host the program to honor military members who died in the line of duty. The program will feature at least a dozen other well-known figures, such as Gen. Colin Powell and gospel singer CeCe Winans, and music by the National Symphony Orchestra.
“We&#8217;re excited to announce our 2020 Memorial Day show, airing on Sunday, May 24, 2020, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. E.T.,” the event organizers announced last month. “Due to coronavirus, we will not host the show from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The show will air on PBS and the Armed Forces Network and will be live streamed on Facebook, YouTube, and our website.”
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Due to coronavirus, we will not host the show from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The show will air on PBS and the Armed Forces Network and will be live streamed on Facebook, YouTube, and our website.
&mdash; National Memorial Day Concert (@MemorialDayPBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MemorialDayPBS/status/1255921927530692608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The concert, sponsored by Lockheed Martin, has taken place every year since 1989.
“The concert unites the country in remembrance and appreciation of those who gave their lives for our nation and serves those who are grieving through the mission put forward by Abraham Lincoln in his second inaugural address, ‘Let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation&#8217;s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan,’” the concert’s <a href="https://www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert/about/the-concert/">page</a> on PBS’s website says.
Sinise is a staunch advocate for military members, veterans, first responders, and their families. His Gary Sinise Foundation, founded in 2011, has built dozens of special smart homes for wounded veterans, distributed hundreds of grants to military and first responder organizations, and most recently <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-gary-sinise-launches-emergency-covid-19-combat-service-to-help-first-responders-healthcare-professionals">delivered</a> thousands of units of protective equipment to healthcare workers combating the coronavirus.
“With the continued spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) across the nation, the Gary Sinise Foundation has launched a dedicated campaign called, Emergency COVID-19 Combat Service, which addresses the needs and priorities of those it is entrusted by the American people to serve and honor, with the addition of healthcare professionals,” the foundation announced last month.
“During this public health crisis, Emergency COVID-19 Combat Service will be the gateway for providing grants to first responders in need of personal protective equipment when answering COVID-19 service calls,” the foundation said. “Financial assistance is also available to healthcare professionals, service members, veterans, first responders, and their families who have been impacted by the novel coronavirus.”
Last year, Sinise celebrated a quarter of a century advocating for injured veterans with the non-profit Disabled American Veterans (DAV). He first partnered with DAV after the group gave him an award for his performance as Lt. Dan in the 1994 film Forrest Gump.
As <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/actor-gary-sinise-celebrates-25-years-veterans-eric-quintanar">The Daily Wire</a> reported at the time: “In 2003, as part of his calling to help veterans, Sinise started a rock cover band called the ‘Lt. Dan Band.’ Through performances on military bases around the globe, Sinise hopes to let veterans and active-duty military members know that ‘there are people out there who are aware of, and who understand the importance of keeping our military families strong in difficult times,’ according to an open-letter on the band’s website.”

2018 National Memorial Day Concert

Star-Studded National Memorial Day Concert Will Continue Despite The Coronavirus

Gary Sinise

Military

On Friday morning at roughly 10 a.m., a 29-year-old man reportedly <a href="https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2020/05/10/officials-identify-alleged-gunman-sheldon-francis-delaware-veterans-memorial-cemetery-shooting/">shot an elderly couple</a> from Elkton at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear, with the 85-year-old woman dying at the scene and her 86-year-old husband dying at a local hospital on Saturday.
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A husband and wife, both in their 80s, have died after being shot at a Delaware veterans&#39; cemetery.
The 86-year-old man died at the hospital. The woman, 85, was dead at the scene after a gunman opened fire at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery.<a href="https://t.co/PmznTJcJc6">https://t.co/PmznTJcJc6</a>
&mdash; New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYDailyNews/status/1259639269280407552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The shooter, later identified as Sheldon C. Francis of Middletown by Delaware State Police, as <a href="https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-cemetery-shooting-husbad-86-wife-85-dead-20200510-ez4h67c5hrc7pfaqbu2kmxhqiy-story.html">The New York Daily News</a> reported, got into a gun battle with police which triggered him to run into the nearby woods; he was later found dead there from a gunshot wound. When Francis was allegedly running from police, he reportedly emerged from the woods into an area near the residence of Manny Vivar, who told <a href="https://6abc.com/delaware-veterans-memorial-cemetery-shooter-bear-shooting/6168892/">ABC6</a> he could hear the sounds of the firefight, recalling, &#8220;It was real rapid like &#8216;pow, pow, pow, pow, pow.’” The windshield of a police armored truck was shattered; no officers were injured.
The gunfight between Francis and the police lasted roughly six hours, according to <a href="https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2020/05/10/second-victim-friday-shooting-bear-cemetery-dies/3105094001/">DelawareOnline</a>. <a href="https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2020/05/10/officials-identify-alleged-gunman-sheldon-francis-delaware-veterans-memorial-cemetery-shooting/">CBS Philadelphia</a> added, “Officials say a memorial service took place at the cemetery just prior to the shooting, but everyone had left the grounds by the time gunfire erupted. Twelve employees were working at the cemetery at the time of the shooting and sheltered in a building.”
“The shooting prompted scores of officers to speed into the cemetery along the 2000 block of Chesapeake City Road … Images of the scene from SkyForce10 showed police responding with guns drawn, including a group of troopers crouched behind a divider on a highway,” <a href="https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/suspect-in-fatal-delaware-cemetery-shooting-idd/2391036/">NBC Philadelphia</a> reported.
Gov. John Carney commented, &#8220;Really sad news to think of that kind of event in really what is a sacred ground, the final resting place of the men and women who have served our country.” Secretary of State Jeff Bullock echoed, “Today, a moment of tragedy shattered the peaceful atmosphere of the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery. We are deeply sorry for the families and loved ones of the victims. We are thankful for the quick thinking and actions of our cemetery staff and the Delaware State Police, and grateful that no one else was hurt in this dangerous situation.”
In 2018, the staff of the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery received the Operational Excellence Award from Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Randy Reeves of the VA’s National Cemetery Administration. “The award places the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery among the top five percent of state veterans’ cemeteries in the nation,” <a href="https://news.delaware.gov/2018/10/24/delaware-veterans-cemetery-team-earns-top-honors/">Delaware.gov</a> noted. Governor Carney asserted:
<blockquote>The Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery truly is hallowed ground for those Delawareans who served their country in our armed forces, and for the loved ones who carry on the legacy of their deeds. I’ve always been extremely proud of the dedicated team that works every day to ensure that this resting place is maintained to the highest standards of excellence, and I congratulate them on earning the recognition they deserve.</blockquote>
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

World War II American military cemetery

Elderly Couple Die After Being Shot At Delaware Veterans Cemetery

Delaware

Shooting

On April 5, WWII veteran Guy Whidden decided to have his head shaved into a mohawk “as a tribute to his fallen comrades,” as well as to brighten people’s day during the COVID-19 pandemic.
96-year-old Whidden, 502nd Infantry Parachute Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division during the Second World War, enlisted his granddaughter Lydia to cut his hair, and film it for social media.
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“I would like to have my hair cut as a mohawk haircut that we cut for D-Day in France and also in Holland as a tribute to all the fallen airborne guys up in the skies,” Whidden states at the beginning of the video. “I would like to thank and challenge all of you past, present, and future airborne people &#8230; I challenge all of you, and it&#8217;s something we can do during this present problem that we have that will be solved shortly.”
After having his hearing aids removed, the buzzing began.
During his haircut, Whidden told the story about having shaved his head into a mohawk during the war:
<blockquote>In World War II, some units were able to wear mohawks, and they didn’t discourage it in the 101st, but a young buck lieutenant &#8230; wanted to impress everybody, I guess, so &#8230; the day before, he ordered me to have my mohawk cut off.</blockquote>
Whidden, recalling that he didn’t want to “cause a lot of problems,” said that he shaved his mohawk off.
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Among the comments below the video, commenter Tom Cowlishaw offered praise to WWII veterans:
“WW2 vets, in my opinion, are some of the most heart warming, positive, thoughtful people. They went through such horrors, yet they&#8217;ve come out the other side almost as if they&#8217;re blessed,” Cowlishaw wrote. “I don&#8217;t know how they seem so positive after all they saw, but I find it very endearing and [it] reminds me how lucky we all are today, to not have had to have gone through what they did. Thank you, sir, for your service, for allowing us all to be free at the expense of years of your own freedom.”
After the video was uploaded to YouTube, Lydia posted a follow-up on Facebook showing various military men taking part in the “Mohawk Challenge.”
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The Daily Wire reached out for comment, and Whidden (via Lydia on Facebook) said of the stunt:
<blockquote>Certainly some people are concerned and frightened, as maybe some of their family has passed away, and we got thinking about how we might bring some joy and fun for those sitting around the house becoming bored, but if we can have a good laugh now and then. So, we thought we’d put this out as a challenge that they might cut their hair as a mohawk to brighten spirits and bring some fun while we quarantine, and most importantly honor those who have fallen.</blockquote>
Lydia later relayed that Whidden wanted to makes sure to note that this was to honor “all fallen military, not just WWII.”
As of publication, the YouTube video has over 15,200 views and counting.
For more on Guy Whidden, you can check out this interview with him from American Veterans Center:
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Guy Whidden

WATCH: WWII Vet Recreates ‘D-Day’ Mohawk As ‘Tribute’ To Fallen And To ‘Bring Some Joy’ During Pandemic

COVID-19

World War II

Actor and musician Gary Sinise and his foundation have launched a new initiative in response to the ongoing coronavirus crisis: the &#8220;<a href="https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/emergency-covid-19-combat-service/">Emergency COVID-19 Combat Service</a>,&#8221; which is doing its part to meet the needs of first responders and healthcare professionals. Since launching just a few weeks ago, the campaign has provided over 4,700 pieces of personal protective equipment, assisted nearly 50 first responder departments and provided over $200,000 in total grants to those on the front lines of the effort to combat COVID-19.
&#8220;With the continued spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) across the nation, the Gary Sinise Foundation has launched a dedicated campaign called, Emergency COVID-19 Combat Service, which addresses the needs and priorities of those it is entrusted by the American people to serve and honor, with the addition of healthcare professionals,&#8221; a press release published on the foundation&#8217;s website reads.
&#8220;During this public health crisis, Emergency COVID-19 Combat Service will be the gateway for providing grants to first responders in need of personal protective equipment when answering COVID-19 service calls,&#8221; the foundation states. &#8220;Financial assistance is also available to healthcare professionals, service members, veterans, first responders, and their families who have been impacted by the novel coronavirus.&#8221;
In a video posted on YouTube on April 1, Sinise announced the new COVID-19 campaign:
<iframe title="Gary Sinise Addresses COVID-19 Campaign Supporting America&#039;s Heroes and Their Families" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FZA-S01xWpA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
&#8220;Since announcing the availability of First Responder grants on March 9, the Foundation has made strides in reaching departments in need of personal protective equipment and essential gear utilized in the fight against COVID-19,&#8221; the release reads. Thus far in its effort to fight the pandemic, the campaign has contributed 4,722 pieces of personal protective equipment, assisted 47 first responder departments across the nation, assisted 21 states, and provided $208,930 in grants.
The <a href="https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/mission/">mission</a> of the Gary Sinise Foundation, which the actor founded in 2011, is to serve the nation &#8220;by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need&#8221; by &#8220;creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities.&#8221;
&#8220;Freedom and security are precious gifts that we, as Americans, should never take for granted,&#8221; said Sinise. &#8220;We must do all we can to extend our hand in times of need to those who willingly sacrifice each day to provide that freedom and security. While we can never do enough to show gratitude to our nation&#8217;s defenders, we can always do a little more.&#8221;
Below are some of the <a href="https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/by-the-numbers/">contributions</a> the popular actor&#8217;s foundation has made to the nation&#8217;s defenders over the years:
<ul>
<li>61 specially adapted smart homes complete for severely wounded veterans</li>
<li>197,313+ meals served to the nation’s defenders</li>
<li>102,400+ people have attended the organization’s Invincible Spirit Festivals since 2012</li>
<li>233 emergency relief grants awarded to police, firefighters, and EMTs</li>
<li>445 essential pieces of equipment donated to first responders</li>
<li>1,135 first responder training grants</li>
<li>20 homes modified for defenders</li>
<li>16 adapted vehicles</li>
<li>17 mobility devices for veterans</li>
<li>5,250+ children of fallen military heroes and their surviving parent or guardian have joined the organization’s Snowball Express since 2018</li>
<li>488+ support concerts since 2003 in which Gary has performed, of which 273 were performed since the Gary Sinise Foundation began</li>
</ul>
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dan-crenshaw-dismantles-wapo-writers-attempt-to-rewrite-history-on-trumps-coronavirus-response">Dan Crenshaw Dismantles WaPo Writer’s Attempt To ‘Rewrite History’ On Trump’s Coronavirus Response</a>

WATCH: Gary Sinise Launches ‘Emergency COVID-19 Combat Service’ To Help First Responders, Healthcare Professionals

First responders

Supporters of President Donald Trump carried a World War II veteran to his seat at a rally for the president on Wednesday evening in Phoenix, Arizona, which quickly caught the attention of the president.
Fox 10 news anchor Kari Lake tweeted out the video and wrote: &#8220;This happened at the @realDonaldTrump rally in Phoenix. Lots of teamwork here. These men carrying a World War II veteran to his seat. Got to admit I got a lump in my throat.&#8221;
WATCH:
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This happened at the <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> rally in Phoenix. Lots of teamwork here. These men carrying a World War II veteran to his seat. Got to admit I got a lump in my throat <a href="https://t.co/E8vV8gthQn">pic.twitter.com/E8vV8gthQn</a>
&mdash; Kari Lake (@KariLakeFox10) <a href="https://twitter.com/KariLakeFox10/status/1230260022652784641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Trump responded to the video on Twitter, writing, &#8220;I AM ON MY WAY, SEE YOU SOON!&#8221;
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I AM ON MY WAY, SEE YOU SOON! <a href="https://t.co/EgUBqPNlYh">https://t.co/EgUBqPNlYh</a>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1230285216217886720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Donald Trump Jr. later recognized the moment while speaking to the crowd.
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.<a href="https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DonaldJTrumpJr</a> talks about the two gentlemen that carried the World War II Veteran to his seat at the Trump Rally.
WOW 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/8CvAzIA2Px">pic.twitter.com/8CvAzIA2Px</a>
&mdash; Benny (@bennyjohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/bennyjohnson/status/1230307204982542336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Trump Jr. tweeted about it as well, writing, &#8220;This is the America I know, this is what Trump supporters are all about and what they stand for, this is what I see at every one of @realDonaldTrump ’s rally’s. If you haven’t been I suggest you go and see for yourself.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
This is the America I know, this is what Trump supporters are all about and what they stand for, this is what I see at every one of <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>’s rally’s. 
If you haven’t been I suggest you go and see for yourself. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/qyZsnML9bu">https://t.co/qyZsnML9bu</a>
&mdash; Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) <a href="https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1230295733422571521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Hundreds of supporters President Donald Trump began lining up outside the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum ahead of the &#8216;Keep America Great&#8217; rally, with some seeking refuge from the sun under umbrellas. Residents from across the state traveled to Phoenix to catch a glimpse of the president,&#8221; USA Today <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/02/19/trump-arizona-president-rally-grand-canyon-state/4713981002/">reported</a>. &#8220;Wednesday’s rally marks Trump’s 10th visit to Arizona as a candidate or president. But he’ll likely receive a warmer welcome than in previous visits with a friendlier GOP landscape including Arizona Republicans Sen. Martha McSally, Rep. Paul Gosar, Rep. David Schweikert and Rep. Debbie Lesko.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
I’m outside the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum ahead of tonight’s Trump rally. A volunteer estimates 11,000+ people lining up to get in so far. <a href="https://twitter.com/azcentral?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@azcentral</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TrumpInAZ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TrumpInAZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/3aNYqYtqNH">pic.twitter.com/3aNYqYtqNH</a>
&mdash; Grace Palmieri 🌵 (@grace_palmieri) <a href="https://twitter.com/grace_palmieri/status/1230228147120959488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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President Trump Holds Rally In New Hampshire Day Before State&#8217;s Primary

WATCH: Trump Supporters Carry World War II Veteran To His Seat At Rally

Donald Trump

Oklahoma, a state that sits in the unique crosshairs of the South, Midwest, and Southwest regions of the nation, is one of the most reliably Republican states in the country. In 2016, Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in every single county in the Sooner State, ultimately accumulating a whopping 36+% total statewide margin of victory. In fact, no Democratic presidential candidate has won a single county in Oklahoma since Al Gore (who still lost the state to George W. Bush by a 21+% margin) in 2000.
Now, seeking to both capitalize upon President Trump&#8217;s overwhelming popularity in Oklahoma and raise money for veteran organizations, Republican state legislators in the Oklahoma Senate are proposing the introduction of a new &#8220;MAGA&#8221; specialty license plate.
&#8220;Two Republican state senators in Oklahoma proposed a bill that would create specialty license plates that showcase the president’s campaign slogans, a move that could violate federal campaign finance laws,&#8221; The Hill <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/478943-oklahoma-senators-propose-new-maga-specialty-license-plates">reports</a>. &#8220;Sens. Nathan Dahm (R) and Marty Quinn (R) penned the legislation, which would make state license plates that say &#8216;Make America Great Again&#8217; (MAGA) and &#8216;Keep America Great&#8217; available for purchase.&#8221;
&#8220;Proceeds from the &#8216;MAGA&#8217; and &#8216;Keep America Great&#8217; license plates won’t go directly to the president’s reelection bid, but instead they’ll be split between two veterans groups: The Warriors for Freedom Foundation and the Folds of Honor Foundation,&#8221; the outlet continues.
What&#8217;s more, the <a href="https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/government-and-politics/state-senators-propose-maga-license-plate-options-for-oklahomans/article_9115e015-7e7c-58a1-8f69-56891f0d5424.html">text of the bill</a> expressly contemplates the president&#8217;s involvement in the license plate design process: &#8220;The license plates shall be designed in consultation with the corporation or entity designated by Donald J. Trump for such purposes.&#8221; And as the New York Post <a href="https://nypost.com/2020/01/18/oklahoma-lawmakers-propose-maga-license-plates-to-raise-money-for-veteran-groups/">notes</a>, the proposal &#8220;authorizes the Oklahoma Tax Commission to issue the plates &#8216;to any person wishing to demonstrate support for the proclamation made by Donald J. Trump.'&#8221;
As far as cost, the Washington Examiner <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/oklahoma-lawmakers-propose-maga-and-keep-america-great-license-plates-to-support-veterans">reports</a> that &#8220;[m]otorists would be charged a fee of $35 per year, and $20 of that fee will be donated to two local veterans groups.&#8221;
In a &#8220;Fox &amp; Friends&#8221; appearance this morning, Sen. Dahm <a href="https://video.foxnews.com/v/6124908061001#sp=show-clips">explained</a> that he chose The Warriors for Freedom Foundation and the Folds of Honor Foundation as the bill&#8217;s two specified veterans groups of choice because they are two groups to which Trump has donated directly in the past.
The overtly partisan nature of the &#8220;MAGA&#8221; license plate will all but assuredly raise the eyes of federal election officials, however. &#8220;These are political slogans,&#8221; Columbia Law School professor Richard Briffault told <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/01/18/okla-senators-want-maga-license-plates-which-might-violate-federal-campaign-finance-rules/">The Washington Post</a>. “This has the look and feel of using state resources to support a political candidate, which seems improper &#8230; and possibly illegal.&#8221;
The bill would, of course, require the approval of both houses of the Oklahoma legislature and the ultimate signature of the governor before its enactment into law.
As also noted by The Hill, the same two Republican state senators who introduced the license plate proposal have also proposed a piece of legislation that would rename an Oklahoma portion of historic Route 66 as the &#8220;President Donald J. Trump highway.&#8221; As noted by the Oklahoma Senate&#8217;s <a href="http://www.oksenate.gov/news/press_releases/press_releases_2019/pr20191105a.htm">official website</a>, Sen. Quinn said of the bill: &#8220;Oklahoma is in the heart of America. Its conservative values of freedom, liberty and limited government are what our country was built on and has made America a strong nation and President Trump continues to fight for these values.&#8221;

State Flag flies over Oklahoma State Capitol, Oklahoma City OK

Oklahoma State Senators Propose ‘MAGA’ License Plate

Oklahoma

Earlier this week, a clip of Medal of Honor recipient retired Staff Sgt. David G. Bellavia <a href="https://www.dvidshub.net/video/693124/medal-honor-recipient-joins-pentagons-hall-heroes?fbclid=IwAR0LgjVXgkUNekPvmpXtlLFOdCLQY2GINC2JQFiU1HtDTHmkwi9fdLJMSyw">speaking</a> in June about our nation&#8217;s enemies and American strength went viral in light of the current heightened tensions with Iran.
As he was inducted into the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes in June, Bellavia warned that &#8220;threats against the U.S. such as North Korea, Iran, and al Qaeda aren’t going anywhere, and cautioned against starting a war again the U.S. if they don’t want someone else to raise their children,&#8221; <a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2019/06/27/watch-medal-of-honor-recipient-david-bellavia-talk-about-the-threats-america-still-faces/">Military Times</a> reported at the time.
&#8220;The threats to our nation, they don&#8217;t sleep,&#8221; said Bellavia. &#8220;They&#8217;re watching our every move: Iran, Russia, China, North Korea, ISIS, al Qaeda — they may be watching this right now.&#8221;
&#8220;Our military should not be mistaken for a cable news gabfest show,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;We don&#8217;t care what you look, we don&#8217;t care who you voted for, who you worship, what you worship, who you love. It doesn&#8217;t matter if your dad left you millions when he died or if you knew who your father was. We have been honed into a machine of lethal moving parts you would be wise to avoid if you knew what&#8217;s good for you.&#8221;
“We will not be intimidated,&#8221; Bellavia warned. &#8220;We will not back down. We’ve seen war.&#8221;
&#8220;We don’t want war, but if you want a war with the United States of America, there is one thing I can promise you, so help me God: Someone else will raise your sons and daughters,&#8221; the Medal of Honor receipted concluded.
The clip, only a portion of Mr. Bellavia&#8217;s remarks, was posted online Monday and has since racked up well over 4.5 million views.
Bellavia is one of seven Operation Iraqi Freedom Medals of Honor recipient — the first of whom is still alive.
&#8220;It was his actions during Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah that earned him the nomination,&#8221; <a href="https://time.com/5614183/david-bellavia-medal-of-honor-iraq-war/">TIME</a> magazine said of Bellavia. &#8220;He and his squad were dispatched to search a block of 12 houses where multiple insurgents were reportedly hiding. The squad found nothing in the first nine houses but once they got to the 10th, they were ambushed. Two insurgents armed with machine guns were waiting for them.&#8221;
&#8220;As some of his men suffered injuries, Bellavia provided suppressing fire, forcing the enemies to take cover. This allowed the soldiers to make their way out of the building,&#8221; the magazine continued, adding: &#8220;After calling in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle to provide suppressing fire, Bellavia decided to go back in the building, where throughout the house, killed four insurgents and wounded a fifth. One of them was in hand-to-hand combat.&#8221;
Trump praised Bellavia for his &#8220;extraordinary courage&#8221; during the ceremony.
“David today we honor your extraordinary courage, we salute your selfless service and we thank you for carrying on the legacy of American valor that has always made our blessed nation the strongest and mightiest anywhere in the world,” Trump said.
“David often tells young people that Americans don’t want to fight but if someone picks a fight with us we will always win because we don’t fight for awards and recognition,” the president added. “We fight for love of our country, our homeland, our family and our unit and that’s stronger than anything the enemy has.”
On Tuesday, Bellavia discussed the ongoing situation with Iran on radio station WBEN.
&#8220;The Iraq War Veteran pointed to the lack of immediate response from Iran as a sign that they understand the power of the US Military, and how it compares to their own situation,&#8221; <a href="https://wben.radio.com/articles/bellavia-military-strike-on-iran-wont-hurt-recruitment">WBEN</a> outlined.
&#8220;People realize that at any moment men and women can be called to do their job in the military, and I think we take that for granted,&#8221; Bellavia said on the radio show. &#8220;They&#8217;re so good at it, that no one really wants to mess with us. There&#8217;s a lot of people that might talk a big game and other countries can make threats, but when the rubber hits the road the United States warrior is going to be okay and their training and the way that they present themselves is a deterrent to attacking our interests and our citizens.&#8221;
WATCH:
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&quot;We will not be intimidated. We will not back down. We’ve seen war. We don’t want war, but if you want a war with the United States of America, there is one thing I can promise you, so help me God: someone else will raise your sons and daughters.&quot; &#8211; Staff Sgt. David G. Bellavia <a href="https://t.co/2liRsjxrGd">pic.twitter.com/2liRsjxrGd</a>
&mdash; Wojciech Pawelczyk 🇵🇱🇺🇸 (@PolishPatriotTM) <a href="https://twitter.com/PolishPatriotTM/status/1214336126535831555?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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View Mr. Bellavia&#8217;s full remarks, below:
<iframe title="Pentagon Hall of Heroes: Staff Sgt. David G. Bellavia&#039;s Speech" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LRXrEiBeOXo?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

David Bellavia

WATCH: Medal Of Honor Recipient Speech Goes Viral As Tensions With Iran Escalate

Al Qaeda

Foreign Policy

Medal of Honor

Middle East

Radical Islamic Terror

On Friday, actor Chris Pratt announced a <a href="https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/thetomorrowwar?pc=fb_organic_tomorrowwar&amp;utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=bcgfm_tomorrowwar">new contest</a> meant to benefit an important charity called the <a href="https://braintreatmentfoundation.com">Brain Treatment Foundation</a>, which focuses on veterans.
Pratt, who has been routinely <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tv-guide-warns-readers-about-chris-pratts-james-barrett">hit</a> by left-wing media outlets for his outspoken <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-chris-pratt-gives-powerful-acceptance-speech-amanda-prestigiacomo">Christian</a> <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-chris-pratt-reads-lukes-gospel-disneylands-paul-bois">faith</a> and seemingly <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tv-guide-warns-readers-about-chris-pratts-james-barrett">conservative values</a>, is an avid supporter of those who&#8217;ve served in the armed forces.
In his latest effort to support veterans, Pratt asks folks to chip in $10 for a chance to hang out with the actor on the set of the Pratt-starring film, &#8220;The Tomorrow War.&#8221; All proceeds from the <a href="https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/thetomorrowwar?pc=fb_organic_tomorrowwar&amp;utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=bcgfm_tomorrowwar">contest</a> will be directed to the veteran-focused Brain Treatment Foundation, which provides &#8220;support for brain health initiatives relating to treatment, rehabilitation, research and public education.&#8221;
The organization&#8217;s mission &#8220;is to improve quality of life by providing multi-faceted programs that promote healing for the veteran, ultimately creating a positive impact that reaches beyond each individual to their family and surrounding community.&#8221;
“You and a friend get flown to Atlanta, put up in hotel, super fancy, it will be awesome,&#8221; Pratt announced, in a video posted to his Instagram account. &#8220;We’ll be best fiends, we’ll be texting each other, sending each other pics, and you can make all your others friends jealous.&#8221;
“We’re gonna raise a bunch of money for this great foundation called the Brain Treatment Foundation,&#8221; he continued, adding, &#8220;On top of that, me, Skydance, and Paramount, are gonna be kicking in some cash, as well. We’re gonna raise them a bunch of money, so join in!”
To enter, Pratt asked folks to <a href="https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/thetomorrowwar?pc=fb_organic_tomorrowwar&amp;utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=bcgfm_tomorrowwar">click this link</a>, which he posted in his Instagram bio.
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</a> 
 <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B5LIUa8p0hB/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">So excited to finally announce our new contest! Click the link in my bio for your opportunity to come visit me on the set of @thetomorrowwar $10 is all it takes for a chance to become my new best friend on set in Atlanta. We cover everything! Flights, hotel, food! JUST IMAGINE!! You and a couple friends get flown to come meet me, yell action, heck we may even out you in the movie!!! (handful of restrictions apply-check rules by clicking the link in my bio!) All proceeds benefiting an extraordinary organization. @braintreatmentfoundation Heck yeah! Love you! I’ll be seeing somebody soon!</a>
<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prattprattpratt/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> chris pratt</a> (@prattprattpratt) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2019-11-22T16:14:24+00:00">Nov 22, 2019 at 8:14am PST</time>
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In a statement to The Daily Wire, Brain Treatment Foundation&#8217;s Kara Williams heaped praise on the &#8220;Guardians of the Galaxy&#8221; star for his authentic dedication to veterans.
&#8220;We are proud that Chris has selected us as a beneficiary, not because of his celebrity status, but because he is genuine in his consistent support of the men and women who honorably protect our country and write a blank check for our freedom, up to and including the cost of their life,&#8221; Williams said. &#8220;Chris does this regardless of popularity or political environment and we are proud of what he represents and who he is as a man.&#8221;
&#8220;There aren’t words to express how blessed and grateful we feel to be given the opportunity to raise awareness for traumatic brain injury [TBI],&#8221; the organization&#8217;s statement continued. &#8220;TBI is nothing less than cruel in the silent way it slowly robs combat veterans of their quality of life. It’s truly devastating to those who incur this injury and their families, affecting their ability to function in everyday activities of life. Funds raised from this contest will provide brain health treatments for combat veterans that aren’t otherwise available to them.&#8221;
&#8220;May God continue to bless this amazing country!&#8221; added Williams.
Earlier this month, Mr. Pratt honored his veteran older brother, Cully, in honor of Veterans Day. In the heartfelt post, Pratt encouraged others to “&#8217;look at our veterans for who they are, actual people, with siblings and parents, with children and funny pasts&#8217; and, in doing so, &#8216;approach our relationships to them with compassion and understanding,'&#8221; <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/chris-pratt-posts-terrific-tribute-to-his-veteran-brother">The Daily Wire</a> noted.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/chris-pratt-posts-terrific-tribute-to-his-veteran-brother">Chris Pratt Posts Terrific Tribute To His Veteran Brother</a>

Chris Pratt

AMERICA’S ACTOR: Chris Pratt Hosts Contest To Support Veterans Charity

Charity

Football star J.J. Watt is already well known for his charity, having raised and given tens of millions to hurricane victims in his adopted home town of Houston, Texas, but he&#8217;s now extending his commitment to helping others to the veteran community, pledging to use the proceeds from his new Valor 2 shoe line to fund Honor Flight.
Honor Flight&#8217;s mission is to &#8220;transport America’s veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honoring those who have served and sacrificed for our country,&#8221; according to their website. Honor Flight is best known for honoring World War II veterans &#8212; a mission that grows in urgency every day as the generation that fought in World War II slowly passes away &#8212; but they&#8217;ve now expanded to help veterans of the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
Their drive is simply &#8220;to show our nation’s veterans the appreciation and honor they deserve,&#8221; they say, and they provide the trips for veterans free of charge.
Watt&#8217;s Reebok shoe line, the Valor 2, is designed to honor his grandfather, a Korean War vet, according to <a href="https://www.wearethemighty.com/military-culture/jj-watt-honor-flight-shoes?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1">We Are The Mighty</a>, and Watt designed the shoe in his honor.  &#8220;The proceeds that would normally go to Watt for his work on the shoe will instead go to the Honor Flight Network, along with an additional $25,000 kicker from Reebok.&#8221;
Watt announced the partnership with Honor Flight in a video posted to social media.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
JJ III Valor Edition
Inspired by Grandpa Watt
All of my proceeds go to the Honor Flight which takes war veterans on a trip to D.C. to visit the monuments and brings them back home to a proper Welcome Home. 
Available tonight at midnight.<a href="https://t.co/FfXs88iNQQ">https://t.co/FfXs88iNQQ</a>
Thank you 🙏🏼🙏🏼 <a href="https://t.co/YAAjinRTod">pic.twitter.com/YAAjinRTod</a>
&mdash; JJ Watt (@JJWatt) <a href="https://twitter.com/JJWatt/status/1193715040831991808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Valor 2 shoe retails for around $100 and &#8220;features the Korean War stripe on the back along with [Watt&#8217;s grandfather&#8217;s] name tape and unit, right up to the division level.&#8221;
This is the second partnership Watt has inked with a veteran&#8217;s organization. Sales of the &#8220;Valor&#8221; shoe &#8212; the 2018 edition from Watt&#8217;s line &#8212; benefitted the Navy SEAL Foundation.
Charity seems to be a mission for Watt, who isn&#8217;t playing football at the moment, thanks to a season-ending injury he sustained during the Houston Texans-Oakland Raiders game back in late October. Watt is believed to have a torn pectoral muscle, and announced an abrupt end to his 2018-2019 run on Twitter.
&#8220;This game can be beautiful and it can also be brutal,&#8221; Watt said. &#8220;Absolutely gutted that I won’t be able to finish the season with my guys and give the fans what they deserve. I truly love this game and can’t stand letting you guys down. Thank you for all of the thoughts &amp; well-wishes.&#8221;
Instead, Watt has been busy connecting with fans, even publishing his personal phone number on Twitter and encouraging fans to contact him through text message,<a href="https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/J-J-Watt-gives-Twitter-his-phone-number-asks-14847827.php"> according to the Houston Chronicle</a>.
In 2017, Watt raised more than $40 million to help residents of Houston rebuild following Hurricane Harvey. Conscious that he was using other people&#8217;s money alongside his own, Watt gave an update on the Hurricane Harvey fund back in August, telling <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/08/29/texans-jj-watt-hurricane-harvey-funds-homes-built-meals-houston">Sports Illustrated</a> that the money &#8220;helped rebuild more than 1,183 homes in the Houston area. More than 971 childcare centers and after school programs have also been rebuilt and recovered with the money, which have helped more than 108,000 kids, and over 239 million meals have been distributed to victims of the hurricane.&#8221;
Watt won the NFL&#8217;s coveted Walter Payton &#8220;Man of the Year&#8221; award for his generosity but lost out on the Muhammad Ali &#8220;Sports Humanitarian&#8221; award. That trophy was presented to anti-racism demonstrator, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

JJ Watt

Hero: NFL Star JJ Watt Will Use Profits From His Reebok Shoe Line To Fund Honor Flight

The following is satirical.
It was a wonderful Veterans Day at colleges around the country. Students gathered around the Veterans Tree singing old Veterans Carols like “I Hope I Don’t Get Killed Defending the Rights of People Who Don’t Even Appreciate those Rights, Fa la la la la.”
College students were taught special Veterans Day lessons. For instance, some young people were startled to learn there were other ways to be a hero than screaming at someone on Twitter — although some of those other ways sounded kind of dangerous, so maybe it’s best to keep your heroism confined to Social Media for now.
After all, what’s the point of getting wounded over things like the First Amendment when free speech just lets you say upsetting stuff? And why on earth would you risk getting killed over freedom of religion when God is so mean to gay people? And, of course, getting shot over the right to bear arms is crazy since, once guns are banned, no one will have to get shot at all.
College students were also surprised to learn about such Veterans Day subjects as World War II, where race-obsessed, anti-Jewish, big government supporters who called themselves National Socialists somehow turned out to be the bad guys. How weird is that? Today, anyone who isn’t a race-obsessed anti-Jewish big government national socialist is worse than Hitler.
But then World War II was in the old days when Hitler wasn’t Donald Trump but instead was Hitler, and you couldn’t even call him Hitler on TV because he would kill you because he was Hitler instead of Donald Trump, which is just plain confusing.
Although sometimes, it’s true, soldiers do bad things like shooting &#8220;austere religious scholars,&#8221; mostly college students enjoyed Veterans Day because they got a holiday from gender studies class and could stay in their dorm rooms watching porn instead and wishing they could ask someone on a date without getting expelled. And isn’t that the American life our veterans fought so hard to preserve?
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/58280">Washington Post Changes Headline About Terrorist Leader’s Death, Calling Him An ‘Austere Religious Scholar’</a>

U.S. Flag F-35 Fighter

College Students Learn How Veterans Fought For Dumb Stuff Like Rights [Satire]

Education

Satire

Brit Hume doesn&#8217;t mince words.
The former anchor of the Fox News nightly show &#8220;Special Report&#8221; weighs in daily on the goings on in Washington, consistently hitting the nail on the head. He did so again on Monday when he ripped the University of Virginia for canceling its 21-gun salute tradition held each Veterans Day.
“As an alumnus, I am embarrassed. What pantywaists,” Hume wrote on Twitter.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
As an alumnus, I am embarrassed. What pantywaists. <a href="https://t.co/9vMYRUzlUS">https://t.co/9vMYRUzlUS</a>
— Brit Hume (@brithume) November 11, 2019</blockquote>
For the last decade, UVA — designed by Thomas Jefferson — has held a 24-hour ceremony by ROTC cadets, which concluded with a 21-gun salute. The salute is the highest gun salute the U.S. military can perform, usually for heads of state or on special occasions. The number decreases in other salutes, depending on the rank of the recipient.
The decision was made by the Provost&#8217;s office and the colonel of UVA&#8217;s ROTC program for several reasons.
&#8220;One is that it would be disruptive to classes and two unfortunately with gun violence in the U.S., there was some concern that we would cause a panic if someone heard gunshots on grounds,&#8221; said UVA President Jim Ryan.
Ryan said the salute &#8220;is not a required, or even typical, part of Veteran’s Day ceremonies — as opposed to Memorial Day ceremonies, which are specifically dedicated to those who have lost their lives in service to our country.&#8221;
&#8220;Given that the plans are already in place for this year, we will follow the event organizers’ recommendation to proceed without the 21-gun salute in our Veterans Day Ceremony. Following this year’s ceremony, however, we will work with our ROTC officers and cadets to take a closer look at options for our Veterans Day events, including those that would enable us to re-introduce the 21-gun salute to the program,&#8221; Ryan said.
Other alumni were also unhappy with the school&#8217;s decision.
&#8220;As a mom of a current 4th year, I’m embarrassed by their decision. So they are telling us that very smart college kids would be upset by an announced, pre-planned 21 gun salute? On Veterans day. Ridiculous,&#8221; one Twitter user wrote.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en">
As a mom of a current 4th year, I’m embarasssd by their decision. So they are telling us that very smart college kids would be upset by an announced, pre-planned 21 gun salute? On Veterans day. Ridiculous.
— Rebecca (@Rebecca47630789) November 11, 2019</blockquote>
Wrote another: &#8220;How &#8216;we&#8217; reached the decision? The buck stops with you. Score one for the snowflakes.&#8221;
Another wrote: &#8220;As a @UVA #UVA student veteran, thank you for marginalizing my community. That is a direct, unmitigated slap in the face to those of us who have served, and especially to those of us who have served and lost. I am deeply sorry that you decided to make this incorrect decision.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
How “we” reached the decision? The buck stops with you. Score one for the snowflakes.
— Dwight Carlisle (@DwightCarlisle1) November 10, 2019</blockquote>
&#8220;I am very disillusioned, very upset, and very surprised that they would make such a decision,&#8221; Jay Levine, who went through the ROTC program, told local station <a href="https://www.nbc29.com/story/41290220/uva-faces-backlash-for-removal-of-21gun-salute-from-veterans-day-ceremony">NBC-29</a>.
&#8220;Freedom isn&#8217;t free,&#8221; Levine said. &#8220;There&#8217;s a cost and that cost is born by the veterans and the families of those veterans.&#8221;
<a href="https://www.dailyprogress.com/opinion/opinion-editorial-uva-should-accommodate--gun-salute/article_5773c34f-028b-5d89-82c6-46c4a3277061.html">The Daily Progress</a>, a newspaper in Charlottesville where UVA is located, printed several letters blasting the school&#8217;s decision.
The decision, one letter-writer wrote, sent &#8220;an unfortunate message about students: That they are too fragile, too delicate, too distractible to deal with the ‘interruption’ of the salute. That they are too insular, too wrapped up in their own worlds to comprehend and accept this longstanding practice. That they must be protected from the reality that exists outside academia.&#8221;
<div class="subscriber-only">
<blockquote>The reality is that this nation has a long and respected tradition of honoring veterans in public displays, including the 21-gun salute, the highest of honors.</blockquote>
</div>
<div class="subscriber-only">
<blockquote>The reality is that UVa is out of step with many in this community, which it aspires to lead, by its decision to downplay the Veterans Day program.</blockquote>
</div>

University of Virginia Rotunda

‘PANTYWAISTS’: Brit Hume Blasts Alma Mater UVA For Ending Veterans Day 21-Gun Salute

Brit Hume

University of Virginia

In honor of Veterans Day, Chris Pratt, beloved by middle America as one of the few big names in Hollywood willing to defend traditional values and openly discuss his faith, posted a statement on Instagram on Monday expressing his admiration for his veteran older brother, Cully, and urging his followers to &#8220;look at our veterans for who they are, actual people, with siblings and parents, with children and funny pasts&#8221; and, in doing so, &#8220;approach our relationships to them with compassion and understanding.&#8221;
&#8220;This is my older brother Cully. #happyveteransday,&#8221; Pratt declared on Instagram Monday in a post that includes a picture of his brother in uniform.
&#8220;I always wanted to be exactly like him. We were the same size despite our three year difference in age so as a kid I would wear the same clothes he wore, literally the day after he wore them — picking them up off the floor in his room. What can I say? He knew how to match and I liked the smell,&#8221; continues Pratt, famous for his self-deprecating humor. &#8220;One day his friends started to notice and he kindly urged me to wear my own clothes.&#8221;
&#8220;He is a good big brother,&#8221; writes the &#8220;Jurassic Word&#8221; and &#8220;Guardians of the Galaxy&#8221; star. &#8220;He’s always led with love. Growing up we wrestled for hours every day and smashed every bit of furniture in the house but never actually fought. He taught me everything. He put up with me and my incessant hyperactivity and forced his friends to do the same.&#8221;
&#8220;I say all this to point out that he’s a real person,&#8221; Pratt explains. &#8220;And the more we can look at our veterans for who they are, actual people, with siblings and parents, with children and funny pasts- the more we can approach our relationships to them with compassion and understanding.&#8221;
&#8220;My brother didn’t join the Army because he wanted to be Rambo,&#8221; he continues. &#8220;He joined because it was an opportunity for a hard-nosed kid who couldn’t afford college, somebody who wanted to get the hell out of his small town and probably wanted his own clothes.&#8221;
&#8220;We have the greatest armed forces the world has ever seen,&#8221; Pratt stresses. &#8220;It’s made up of real people who joined for myriad reasons. Brave men and women who sacrifice a whole hell of a lot. Today is their day. So celebrate a veteran today.&#8221;
&#8220;Today I celebrate Cully, as well as my cousin Curtis, Uncle Steve, Uncle Skip, second Cousins, Joey, Ryan and Alex, besties Jared and Jeffrey, all those I’ve fished for hunted with, those who’ve blessed me with their challenge coins as I’ve encountered them on press junkets and in my travels, the many in the film industry working both in front of and behind the cameras,&#8221; Pratt concludes. &#8220;To those currently serving and those out thanks for your service. We appreciate you!&#8221;
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<a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4ueswlJoLc/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">This is my older brother Cully. #happyveteransday I always wanted to be exactly like him. We were the same size despite our three year difference in age so as a kid I would wear the same clothes he wore, literally the day after he wore them- picking them up off the floor in his room. 🤷🏼‍♂️ What can I say? He knew how to match and I liked the smell. One day his friends started to notice and he kindly urged me to wear my own clothes. He is a good big brother. He’s always led with love. Growing up we wrestled for hours every day and smashed every bit of furniture in the house but never actually fought. He taught me everything. He put up with me and my incessant hyperactivity and forced his friends to do the same. I say all this to point out that he’s a real person. And the more we can look at our veterans for who they are, actual people, with siblings and parents, with children and funny pasts- the more we can approach our relationships to them with compassion and understanding. My brother didn’t join the army because he wanted to be Rambo. He joined because it was an opportunity for a hard nosed kid who couldn’t afford college, somebody who wanted to get the hell out of his small town and probably wanted his own clothes. We have the greatest armed forces the world has ever seen. It’s made up of real people who joined for myriad reasons. Brave men and women who sacrifice a whole hell of a lot. Today is their day. So celebrate a veteran today. Today I celebrate Cully, as well as my cousin Curtis, Uncle Steve, Uncle Skip, second Cousins, Joey, Ryan and Alex, besties Jared and Jeffrey, all those I’ve fished for hunted with, those who’ve blessed me with their challenge coins as I’ve encountered them on press junkets and in my travels, the many in the film industry working both in front of and behind the cameras. To those currently serving and those out thanks for your service. We appreciate you! 🙏♥️🇺🇸</a>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" href="https://www.instagram.com/prattprattpratt/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> chris pratt</a> (@prattprattpratt) on <time style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;" datetime="2019-11-11T13:07:38+00:00">Nov 11, 2019 at 5:07am PST</time>
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Pratt also linked to his Instagram post on Twitter:
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This is my older brother Cully. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/happyveteransday?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#happyveteransday</a> I always wanted to be exactly like him. We were the same size despite our three year difference in age so as a kid I would wear the same clothes he wore, literally… <a href="https://t.co/5WSJnRkZEA">https://t.co/5WSJnRkZEA</a>
— chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) <a href="https://twitter.com/prattprattpratt/status/1193877964024360960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Response online to Pratt&#8217;s tribute to his brother has been overwhelmingly positive, many thanking him for taking a moment to honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans.
&#8220;Let’s hope people listen to what you just said sir,&#8221; wrote one fan. &#8220;We all need to respect, love and be eternally grateful for every single man or woman who has ever served our countries. No matter what political party you belong to. We all owe respect, and gratitude for these selfless people.&#8221;
&#8220;Beautifully stated about being real people,&#8221; wrote another. &#8220;My spouse is a police sergeant, and it saddens me how people forget they are humans with lives. Blessings to all the veterans.&#8221;
&#8220;Love it Chris!&#8221; exclaimed another. &#8220;Amazing tribute!&#8221;
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tv-guide-warns-readers-about-chris-pratts-james-barrett">TV Guide Warns Readers About Chris Pratt’s ‘Problematic’ Offscreen Life</a>

Chris Pratt Posts Terrific Tribute To His Veteran Brother

On Monday, the University of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson, will celebrate Veterans Day, but unlike the last ten years, will not hold the 21-gun salute portion of its ceremony.
<a href="https://www.whsv.com/content/news/UVA-faces-backlash-for-removal-of-21-gun-salute-from-Veterans-Day-ceremony-564675281.html">WHSV</a> reported that the ceremony “marks the conclusion of a 24-hour vigil by ROTC cadets and has included the 21-gun salute for more than a decade,” adding, “The Provost&#8217;s office, in conjunction with the colonel of UVA&#8217;s ROTC program, made the decision.
As Jennifer Kabbany notes at <a href="https://www.thecollegefix.com/citing-gun-violence-uva-cancels-21-gun-salute-portion-of-veterans-day-ceremony/">The College Fix</a>, on Saturday, university President James Ryan issued a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/presjimryan/posts/3044536965576032?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARDPpwNGDfket1yRbXGGGGoePkVXmqHWSGEgH_b1BMX2e5xy2xvXG3OXLEZ-YJR883591Tfmvv6t-wr9g1SWRswjevZqB1w611Q1srgptlD6XLvKmRz3x2Zvt4Ej9xPG-Ilh0GSqQMGWDHCgsWYRH5KS8Vlmg2Vn_2M44_UKBnYSp">statement on Facebook</a> explaining the decision. Ryan wrote in part:
<blockquote>As the son of a father who served in the Navy during the Korean War, I share views of the importance of honoring the men and women who have served in our armed forces. I fully support and am honored that UVA hosts a 24-hour vigil and Veterans Day ceremony put on by our ROTC programs each year.
Related to this year’s ceremony, the Provost’s Office and Col. Michael Hough, commanding officer of UVA’s Air Force ROTC detachment, worked closely together in making the decision to eliminate the 21-gun salute for two reasons: first, to minimize disruptions to classes, given that this event is located at the juncture of four primary academic buildings and is held at a time that classes are in session; and second, recognizing concerns related to firing weapons on the Grounds in light of gun violence that has happened across our nation, especially on school and university campuses.</blockquote>
Ryan noted that the salute “is not a required, or even typical, part of Veteran’s Day ceremonies — as opposed to Memorial Day ceremonies, which are specifically dedicated to those who have lost their lives in service to our country.” He concluded, “Given that the plans are already in place for this year, we will follow the event organizers’ recommendation to proceed without the 21-gun salute in our Veterans Day Ceremony. Following this year’s ceremony, however, we will work with our ROTC officers and cadets to take a closer look at options for our Veterans Day events, including those that would enable us to re-introduce the 21-gun salute to the program.”
Kabbany pointed out that several letters were printed in The Daily Progress that criticized the university leaving out the 21-gun salute, including one pointing out that in the university’s rotunda, plaques exist honoring hundreds of alumni who were veterans and killed in wars America fought.
Another, longer missive stated that canceling the salute sent “an unfortunate message about students: That they are too fragile, too delicate, too distractible to deal with the ‘interruption’ of the salute. That they are too insular, too wrapped up in their own worlds to comprehend and accept this longstanding practice. That they must be protected from the reality that exists outside academia.”
A third critic echoed, “How ‘we’ reached the decision? The buck stops with you. Score one for the snowflakes.”
In 2017, plaques honoring University of Virginia students who fought for the Confederacy were  <a href="https://wina.com/news/064460-plaques-that-honor-confederate-veterans-removed-from-rotunda/">removed</a> from the Rotunda.  AS <a href="https://uvamagazine.org/articles/turning_point">UVA Magazine</a> noted, a resolution from the Board of Visitors to take down the plaques asserted that none of the more than 50 students or alumni who veterans of the Union Army or Navy had been recognized on the grounds for their service. The resolution pointed out that plaques on the façade of the Rotunda honored students or alumni who died in wars from World War I through the Iraq War.

UVA Cancels 21-Gun Salute Honoring Vets On Veterans Day

An 84-year-old veteran of the Korean war who also served as a police officer for decades was relieved of his job as a crossing guard and had his guns seized after criticizing a school resource officer (SRO) for allegedly leaving his post during school hours.
Stephen Nichols, who worked as a crossing guard in Tisbury, Massachusetts, was eating at Linda Jean’s restaurant in Oak Bluff and speaking with another patron when a waitress reportedly overheard part of their conversation. As the <a href="https://www.mvtimes.com/2019/10/11/crossing-guard-relieved-duty-guns-seized/">MV Times</a> reported, Nichols said he was discussing the SRO’s alleged visits to Xtra Mart to get coffee when children came to school in the morning. Nichols said that he told his friend that someone could “shoot up the school” as the SRO was “leaving his post.”
Nichols, who was a Morse Code specialist for the U.S. Army, told the MV Times, “When I was in the U.S. Army, and it wasn’t just me, it’s anybody who’s in the U.S. service, if you are on guard duty for eight hours, you didn’t leave that position. … And I’m just so accustomed to that, that when I see someone who’s supposed to be protecting kids … leave the school unguarded — if you’re on guard duty, you stay there.”
The waitress reported Nichols to the police two days later, prompting Police Chief Mark Saloio and another police officer to relieve Nichols from working as a crossing guard while he was at the job , then going to Nichols’ home and confiscating his firearms license and guns, as the MV Times reported.
Nichols, who said he has been licensed for firearms for over 60 years, told the MV Times that Saloio “told me to hand [the firearm license] over so I took it out of my wallet and handed it to him,” adding that no paperwork was given to him regarding the stripping of his firearms.
Linda Jean’s owner Marc Hanover, who said he’s known Nichols for decades, called the events “absolutely outrageous,” adding that his waitress “overreacted.” Hanover also spoke with Andy Marcus, who was the person Nichols had conversed with, and said Marcus “assured me there was never a threat made.” Marcus called the affair “absurd,” adding that Nichols never threatened the school and that no other employee at the restaurant thought Nichols was threatening the school. Noting that Nichols was a veteran police officer and constable, he concluded, “He loves kids. It’s almost like of all the people … ”
Nichols, a widower for two years who has 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, concluded, “I would never, ever, ever, harm a child … I just need something to do to get out of the house and I love the kids.
Saloio met with Nichols on Columbus Day to offer his job as a crossing guard back to him. <a href="https://www.nraila.org/articles/20191021/veteran-criticizes-police-practices-gets-guns-and-firearm-license-seized-by-chief-of-police">NRAILA</a> reported that an attorney who represents Nichols told the MV Times that Nichols intended to file an appeal to secure the return of his firearms.  NRAILA continued, &#8220;Meanwhile, Nichols was informed that his grandson, who manages a Worcester gun shop, is ‘going to be allowed to come down and take the weapons and sell them for me.’ As it stands, Nichols has yet to receive his license or firearms back.”
NRAILA added, “Because there was no proven justification for depriving Nichols of his legally owned firearms, commentators are citing the situation as a cautionary tale against ‘red flag’ firearm seizure laws.”
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Oak Bluffs Harbor

Elderly Vet Has Guns Seized After Criticizing School Resource Officer For Allegedly Leaving His Post

Guns

Massachusetts

President Donald Trump revealed on Wednesday that the hardest part of his job is having to write letters to the parents of soldiers that have been killed and having to see the pain and suffering from the parents as they see their child returned to the United States in a coffin draped in a U.S. flag.
Trump&#8217;s remarks inside the White House come as the U.S. decided to pull its forces back from an area in Syria, which has allowed Turkish forces to invade the area where they are reportedly attacking the Kurds.
&#8220;The hardest thing I have to do, by far, much harder than the witch hunt, is signing letters to parents of soldiers that have been killed,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;And it&#8217;s not only that &#8212; in areas where there&#8217;s not a lot of upside, if there&#8217;s any upside at all, and in many cases, it&#8217;s only downside.&#8221;
&#8220;The hardest thing I have to do is signing those letters. That’s the hardest thing I have to do. And each letter is different,&#8221; Trump continued. &#8220;We make each letter different. And last week, I signed five of them for Afghanistan; one in Iraq; one in Syria, from two weeks ago. And sometimes I call the parents. Sometimes I see the parents. I go to Dover, when I can, but it&#8217;s &#8212; it&#8217;s so devastating for the parents that &#8212; you know. It&#8217;s so devastating when they bring that boy or young woman out of the back of those big, powerful planes in a coffin, and the parents are there.&#8221;
Trump has been widely criticized by both Republicans and Democrats for his decision to pull forces out of the area, with many stating that the U.S. was &#8220;abandoning&#8221; its Kurdish allies.
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The hardest thing I have to do as President&#8230; <a href="https://t.co/6bzwh78I00">pic.twitter.com/6bzwh78I00</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1182075837962690560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
Partial transcript of Trump&#8217;s remarks:
But it was time to bring our soldiers back home. So I see &#8212; and I will tell you: The hardest thing I have to do, by far, much harder than the witch hunt, is signing letters to parents of soldiers that have been killed. And it&#8217;s not only that &#8212; in areas where there&#8217;s not a lot of upside, if there&#8217;s any upside at all, and in many cases, it&#8217;s only downside.
And especially when that solider was killed in a Blue-on-Green attack. You know what that is, right? That’s where a solider being trained or whatever turns his gun on an American solider. &#8220;Here, son. Take your gun. You know how to use it.&#8221; And he takes the gun and he turns it. And he shoots one &#8212; we have many of them in Afghanistan &#8212; in particular, in Afghanistan.
The hardest thing I have to do is signing those letters. That’s the hardest thing I have to do. And each letter is different. We make each letter different. And last week, I signed five of them for Afghanistan; one in Iraq; one in Syria, from two weeks ago. And sometimes I call the parents. Sometimes I see the parents. I go to Dover, when I can, but it&#8217;s &#8212; it&#8217;s so devastating for the parents that &#8212; you know. It&#8217;s so devastating when they bring that boy or young woman out of the back of those big, powerful planes in a coffin, and the parents are there.
You know, we have people that do that. That’s what they do. They &#8212; they work that. They accommodate everybody. That’s what they do. They an incredible job. And they said &#8212; I said, &#8220;The parents seemed to be okay.&#8221; I&#8217;ll get there early. &#8220;The parents seemed to be okay.&#8221; &#8220;Well, actually, sir, they aren’t.&#8221; &#8220;No, no. The way they’re talking. They&#8217;re really okay, aren’t they?&#8221; &#8220;Sir, you never know until the back of that massive cargo plane opens up.&#8221; And they walk down holding a coffin with four or five great soldiers on each side of it, representing our various forces. That you never know.
And then I see it. And I see people that were smiling, &#8220;Oh, Mr. President, thank you for being here. Thank you for being here.&#8221; And I think they&#8217;re doing great. And then, twenty minutes later, we&#8217;ll be outside when that big plane pulls up and that door comes down, and they are walking the coffin with their boy inside this coffin with an American flag over the top. And they&#8217;re walking that coffin down this ramp. And I&#8217;ve seen people that I thought were really incredible the way they were ta- &#8212; I didn’t even understand how they could take it so well &#8212; scream, like I&#8217;ve never seen anything before. Sometimes they&#8217;ll run to the coffin. They&#8217;ll break through military barriers. They&#8217;ll run to the coffin and jump on top of the coffin. Crying mothers and wives. Crying desperately.
And this is on these endless wars that just never stop. And there&#8217;s a time and there&#8217;s a place, but it&#8217;s time to stop.
And just to finish, last Friday, I went to Walter Reed. And I gave out five Purple Hearts to incredible young men &#8212; in this case, all men. And they took a beating. Beautiful people. They took a beating. One couldn’t be there because the beating was so great that he was at a totally different part of the world. He lost a leg. He lost an arm. Ryan. He had tremendous damage, beyond even what these young folks went through.
But I&#8217;ll tell you what: For me, it&#8217;s very hard when I see that. It&#8217;s very hard. It&#8217;s easy to talk tough. You know, tough guys. All of these tough guys. &#8220;Let&#8217;s keep fighting. Let&#8217;s keep fighting.&#8221; If they had to go to Walter Reed &#8212; where they do unbelievable work. I have to tell you, these doctors are unbelievable. You know, it&#8217;s easy to say, &#8220;Oh, they&#8217;re not the…&#8221; They&#8217;re the best in the world. I&#8217;ve never seen anything like it.
One young man, last week, had his nose rebuilt. And they said it was in a thousand pieces. And, I said, &#8220;So where were you hurt?&#8221; He said, &#8220;My face, sir, was almost obliterated.&#8221; I said, &#8220;You have a better face than I do.&#8221; (Laughter.) And he said, &#8220;Sir, I had a doctor who was unbelievable, and they put it together.&#8221; They said &#8212; he said “a thousand fragments.” Now, I don’t if that’s even possible. But a thousand fragments. And they put it together.
And his father, who was crying, came up to me and said, &#8220;You&#8217;re not going to believe this, but my son didn’t have a great-looking nose and now his nose is better.&#8221; (Laughter.) Okay? It&#8217;s an amazing thing.
But when you see these &#8212; and the Purple Hearts &#8212; you see this kind of thing &#8212; and I see a lot of it at Walter Reed. And, again, the job those doctors and the people do at Walter Reed, it&#8217;s something to be commended.
Thank you all very much. Thank you.

President Donald J. Trump

WATCH: Trump Reveals What The Hardest Part Of His Job Is During Emotional Speech

Syria

On Thursday, combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) was confronted by two veterans from progressive anti-Trump activist group Common Defense.
Taping the interaction, the two men, identified by <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/gop-rep-dan-crenshaw-tries-hide-elevator-while-confronted-combat-veterans-over-his-support-1460313">Newsweek</a> as U.S. Army veterans Jason Hurd and Purple Heart recipient Alan Pitts, questioned Crenshaw’s &#8220;courage&#8221; for supporting President Donald Trump. The men told the Republican that there have been numerous &#8220;impeachable&#8221; offenses and &#8220;crimes&#8221; committed by the president that Crenshaw is ignoring.
&#8220;How can you let a criminal like Donald Trump run roughshod over our democracy and shred everything that you and I fought for?&#8221; one of the Common Defense activists asked the congressman. &#8220;Like c’mon, man. How can you just sit there idly by and not do your duty? We need your leadership right now. You cannot be complicit in this man&#8217;s crimes. It is immoral.&#8221;
&#8220;I know you&#8217;re here to make a video,&#8221; Rep. Crenshaw told him, before being interrupted.
&#8220;You are not stepping up to the plate,&#8221; the man tells Crenshaw, adding, &#8220;How are you gonna let [Trump] just cozy up to dictators?&#8221; Raising his voice, the man shouts at Crenshaw, &#8220;How are you gonna just let him lock kids in cages? Like, c&#8217;mon, dude!&#8221;
Crenshaw looks at the man and tells him he needs to &#8220;calm down.&#8221;
&#8220;Are you kidding me?&#8221; the activist shouts back.
Crenshaw sternly and calmly replies, &#8220;No.&#8221;
&#8220;You need to get your courage back!&#8221; he tells Crenshaw.
&#8220;Courage? You want to talk to me about courage?&#8221; the congressman responds.
&#8220;Yes, we are talking to you about courage,&#8221; the men tell Crenshaw, noting that they are fellow combat veterans.
Crenshaw admonishes the men for &#8220;yelling and screaming&#8221; instead of discussing the issues before heading for a private elevator at the Cannon House Office Building.
&#8220;Read the Mueller report!&#8221; the activist tells Crenshaw, entering the elevator. &#8220;There are ten impeachable obstruction offenses,&#8221; he claims.
&#8220;This is a member-only elevator,&#8221; Crenshaw tells him. &#8220;You got to make your video. You didn&#8217;t come here to have a conversation. … As veterans, we should be smarter about how we talk about things.&#8221;
The doors momentarily close with one of the veterans joining Crenshaw. &#8220;Now that we don&#8217;t have video anymore —,” the rep can be heard saying before the doors are fully opened up by the man with the video camera. &#8220;I thought we were gonna have a real conservation for a second.&#8221;
&#8220;You&#8217;re gonna let a criminal get away with our democracy,&#8221; the Common Defense activist shouts. &#8220;He is a criminal.&#8221;
&#8220;You are repeating things; it&#8217;s not a conversation,&#8221; Crenshaw responds.
The Republican then gets out of the elevator and walks away from the men, being told he&#8217;s not doing his &#8220;duty.&#8221; The last moment on video is Mr. Crenshaw telling the men to &#8220;keep walking.&#8221;
According to Common Defense&#8217;s website, one of the group&#8217;s active campaigns centers around <a href="https://commondefense.us/campaigns/">impeaching President Trump</a>.
&#8220;When the Commander in Chief himself has put our democracy at risk and committed numerous crimes, we cannot afford to take half-measures. As veterans, the oath we swore to uphold the Constitution leads us to one conclusion: Donald Trump must be impeached,&#8221; the site reads. As noted by Newsweek, the organization was &#8220;founded in 2016 by &#8216;veterans who oppose Trump&#8217;s corrupt agenda of hate.'&#8221;
Crenshaw lost his eye during his third deployment from an improvised explosive device (IED) blast.
&#8220;Dan was hit by an IED blast during a mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan,&#8221; the Republican&#8217;s <a href="https://crenshawforcongress.com/about/">campaign website</a> explains. &#8220;He was evacuated and awoke from his medically induced coma learning that his right eye had been destroyed in the blast and his left eye was still present, but badly damaged. Dan was completely blind and the doctors did not believe he would ever see again. Tara stood by him every day and night, keeping faith and praying he would see again. After several difficult surgeries, he eventually regained sight in his left eye, a miracle according to the head surgeon.&#8221;
The freshman congressman served two more deployments following the serious injury and has received recognitions including two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.
WATCH:
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">GOP Rep <a href="https://twitter.com/DanCrenshawTX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DanCrenshawTX</a> hid in an elevator today when combat vets confronted him about his support for Donald Trump.
We’re standing up for our democracy and holding Trump&#8217;s cronies accountable. Join us: <a href="https://t.co/1pTmoYMH1d">https://t.co/1pTmoYMH1d</a> <a href="https://t.co/5VKiPN8mpa">pic.twitter.com/5VKiPN8mpa</a>
— Common Defense (@commondefense) <a href="https://twitter.com/commondefense/status/1174836424631300098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Dan Crenshaw

WATCH: Combat Vet Dan Crenshaw Accused Of Lacking ‘Courage’ By Anti-Trump Veterans, Smacks Them

Gary Sinise, the actor famous for portraying Lieutenant Dan in the movie &#8220;Forrest Gump,&#8221; is celebrating 25 years advocating for the non-profit organization Disabled American Veterans (DAV) this week.
Sinise began advocating on behalf of veterans after receiving an award from DAV commending him for his performance as Lieutenant Dan, a wheelchair bound veteran who struggles with alcoholism and mental illness after coming home from Vietnam, according to a press release by the <a href="https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/blog/2019-08-21-gary-sinise-and-disabled-american-veterans-dav-celebrate-25-years-of/">Gary Sinise Foundation</a>.
“Your superb performance brought awareness of the lifelong sacrifice of disabled veterans back into public consciousness in a remarkable positive way,” read the award.
The press release also notes that since receiving the award, Sinise has supported the DAV in a variety of capacities, including as the spokesperson when the organization was advocating to construct the Americans Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in the nation’s capital. “The memorial honors veterans of the armed forces of the United States who were permanently disabled during the course of their national service,” the release continues.
Dennis Joyner, a former national commander for DAV, speaks highly of Sinise, saying, “I don’t know of any other actor or actress that played a role and then adopted it as part of their personal life,” says Joyner in a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=44&amp;v=mnFOskzcjio">video</a> released by the Gary Sinise Foundation. “Twenty-five years later, and he’s still at it.”
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In 2003, as part of his calling to help veterans, Sinise started a rock cover band called the “Lt. Dan Band.” Through performances on military bases around the globe, Sinise hopes to let veterans and active-duty military members know that “there are people out there who are aware of, and who understand the importance of keeping our military families strong in difficult times,” according to an open-letter on the band’s website.
At a performance featured in a Gary Sinise Foundation promotion video, Sinise says, “It was an honor to play Lt. Dan, I guess it was in some ways — you know when Lt. Dan talks about his destiny, I kinda feel like there was something at play there, that I would get to play that part.”
Serving veterans at more than 100 offices across the country, DAV has helped over 11 million veterans with filing claims benefits, according to DAV’s 2017 <a href="https://www.dav.org/wp-content/uploads/2017_Annual_Report.pdf">annual report</a>. More recently, DAV has started sending mobile service offices (MSO) to help veterans who are attending college understand how to file benefits claims, and has hosted virtual career fairs to help veterans pursue new careers.

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Veterans

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WATCH: Trump Supporters Carry World War II Veteran To His Seat At Rally

Oklahoma State Senators Propose ‘MAGA’ License Plate

WATCH: Medal Of Honor Recipient Speech Goes Viral As Tensions With Iran Escalate

AMERICA’S ACTOR: Chris Pratt Hosts Contest To Support Veterans Charity

Hero: NFL Star JJ Watt Will Use Profits From His Reebok Shoe Line To Fund Honor Flight

College Students Learn How Veterans Fought For Dumb Stuff Like Rights [Satire]

‘PANTYWAISTS’: Brit Hume Blasts Alma Mater UVA For Ending Veterans Day 21-Gun Salute

Chris Pratt Posts Terrific Tribute To His Veteran Brother

UVA Cancels 21-Gun Salute Honoring Vets On Veterans Day

Elderly Vet Has Guns Seized After Criticizing School Resource Officer For Allegedly Leaving His Post

WATCH: Trump Reveals What The Hardest Part Of His Job Is During Emotional Speech

WATCH: Combat Vet Dan Crenshaw Accused Of Lacking ‘Courage’ By Anti-Trump Veterans, Smacks Them

Actor Gary Sinise Celebrates 25 Years Of Veterans Advocacy

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Veterans

‘I Am That Man’ Review: A Veteran Vigilante Movie With A Conscience

‘I’m Interested In The Full Truth’: Lara Logan Special Takes Deep Dive Into Reality Of War, Veteran Success Stories

Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts Barred From Placing Flags At Veterans’ Cemeteries On Memorial Day

Star-Studded National Memorial Day Concert Will Continue Despite The Coronavirus

Elderly Couple Die After Being Shot At Delaware Veterans Cemetery

WATCH: WWII Vet Recreates ‘D-Day’ Mohawk As ‘Tribute’ To Fallen And To ‘Bring Some Joy’ During Pandemic

WATCH: Gary Sinise Launches ‘Emergency COVID-19 Combat Service’ To Help First Responders, Healthcare Professionals

WATCH: Trump Supporters Carry World War II Veteran To His Seat At Rally

Oklahoma State Senators Propose ‘MAGA’ License Plate

WATCH: Medal Of Honor Recipient Speech Goes Viral As Tensions With Iran Escalate

AMERICA’S ACTOR: Chris Pratt Hosts Contest To Support Veterans Charity

Hero: NFL Star JJ Watt Will Use Profits From His Reebok Shoe Line To Fund Honor Flight

College Students Learn How Veterans Fought For Dumb Stuff Like Rights [Satire]

‘PANTYWAISTS’: Brit Hume Blasts Alma Mater UVA For Ending Veterans Day 21-Gun Salute

Chris Pratt Posts Terrific Tribute To His Veteran Brother

UVA Cancels 21-Gun Salute Honoring Vets On Veterans Day

Elderly Vet Has Guns Seized After Criticizing School Resource Officer For Allegedly Leaving His Post

WATCH: Trump Reveals What The Hardest Part Of His Job Is During Emotional Speech

WATCH: Combat Vet Dan Crenshaw Accused Of Lacking ‘Courage’ By Anti-Trump Veterans, Smacks Them

Actor Gary Sinise Celebrates 25 Years Of Veterans Advocacy

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