Moving tribute to war dead
Town dedicates War Memorial at its new park on the harbor
MOUNT PLEASANT — The town went all out Sunday to dedicate its new War Memorial.
About 500 people turned out for the nearly two-hour ceremony at the town's new park near Patriots Point.
A C-17 flew overhead to get the show under way. A cannon and rifles fired at the end.
The Post and Courier
Audience members are seated around the War Memorial sculpture that was unveiled at the Mount Pleasant Waterfront Park on Sunday. About 500 people attended the ceremony.
Speakers included two Medal of Honor recipients, the chief of staff of the U.S. Strategic Command and a United States senator.
The highlight was the unveiling of the sculpture near the walls with the names of 74 men from Mount Pleasant who have died in wars. The sculpture is of a sitting woman who is holding a folded American flag. It was created by Raymond Kaskey, who is known for his World War II memorial pieces in Washington, D.C.
Children of three Mount Pleasant men who died in Afghanistan and Iraq — Edward J. Murphy, Richard
G. Cliff Jr. and Adam McKamey Wenger — pulled off the sheet covering the sculpture.
Retired Brig. Gen. Hugh Tant, who grew up in Mount Pleasant and was chairman of the War Memorial Study Committee, explained why they chose the female figure.
"She is the strength of our nation," he said. "Along with God, she is the one the dying soldier cries out to on the battlefield."
After the ceremony, Robin Hardee of West Ashley, the daughter of a Pearl Harbor survivor, said she was impressed.
"I had tears in my eyes," she said. "I know moms who have lost sons. They need to be remembered, too."
Will Dickson of Mount Pleasant, a Navy veteran, agreed.
"I guess it just meant a lot to me," he said after the ceremony. "Everybody deserves to be recognized."
The Medal of Honor recipients who attended were retired Army Col. Robert Howard and retired Marine Maj. Gen. James Livingston.
"We must earn the precious sacrifice they have given," Howard said.
"God has always blessed America," said Livingston, who lives in Mount Pleasant. "The issue is choices. What have we done with that blessing?"
Previous story
Town honors combat fallen, published 7/5/09
Maj. Gen. Abraham Turner, chief of staff of the U.S. Strategic Command, was born and raised in Mount Pleasant.
"Let us not forget that freedom isn't free," he said in his remarks.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and an Air Force Reserve Colonel, used the opportunity to take a swipe at liberal opponents in Washington, and he got a round of applause for it.
"America is worth dying for because you can start with nothing and have it all," he said. "America is not worth dying for if we take what you've earned and give it to somebody else you don't owe."
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lillycollette (anonymous) says...
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and an Air Force Reserve Colonel, used the opportunity to take a swipe at liberal opponents in Washington, and he got a round of applause for it. [:] "America is not worth dying for if we take what you've earned and give it to somebody else you don't owe."
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Not only was this remark in bad taste-they were bloody strange words coming out of Graham's mouth-or any other pseudo conservative yap.
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS IN FAMILY COURT THROUGH GOVERMENTALLY PROTECTED CRIMINAL ACTS OF FRAUD.
What about the tax paying victim who was illegally forced to support the bastard of another man born to a woman that the tax payer was not married to?
("America is not worth dying for if we take what you've earned and give it to somebody else you don't owe.")
This is exactly what S.C. has done!
July 6, 2009 at 7:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
Graham's office ignored this complaint when it was sent to them.
July 6, 2009 at 7:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SC_DOC (anonymous) says...
The war Memorial is a beautiful tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We owe a debt of gratitude to those currently serving in our armed forces and here is an excellent way to demonstrate this:
http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/shor...
July 6, 2009 at 8:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Grinder (anonymous) says...
I suggest you also keep in mind the dozens of Town of Mt. Pleasant Public Services workers who toiled all weekend to make everything go smoothly. No raises for us, and soon no overtime, just straight pay. Wake up Mt. Pleasant residents, a tax raise is inevitable if you want to keep what you have and continue enhancing the area.
July 6, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suec (anonymous) says...
lilycollette,
what in the heck does child support have to do with this?
All it takes is a DNA test to prove paternity.
July 6, 2009 at 9:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
brownpw (anonymous) says...
"... a cannon and rifles ..." ?
Well, we can't expect the 'Newsless Courier' to be able to count to two, can we?
July 6, 2009 at 10:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
The Sweetgrass basket Pavilion dedication 2 hours earlier was pleasant. The Gospel group sang "Change Gonna Come" by Sam Cook and President Obama was mentioned in a positive context along with Congressman James Clyburn.
If you were paying attention, it was pretty easy to figure out which event you belonged at. The Sweetgrass dedication was a positive, inclusive event which focused on the rich Gullah Geechee culture which is such an important part of the Lowcountry.
Afterwords, the conservatives had a traditional liberal bashing flag waving gathering.
Everyone's needs were met in their own way at their own, separate events. Excellent planning on the part of the town.
I was able to enjoy the Sweetgrass Pavillion dedication and was home before I had to hear anyone tell me how unAmerican I am because I'm a libera Demcrat. Perfect.
July 6, 2009 at 10:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
flinsc (anonymous) says...
Some of those baskets were on sale, half off at $100, what a deal.
July 6, 2009 at 11:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Larz13 (anonymous) says...
Grinder-
You know if you do not like your job, you can find another. With a 12%+ unemployment rate, the town probably would not have much difficulty in back-filling your position with people who appreciate having a job in these times.
July 6, 2009 at 11:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WSM (anonymous) says...
wjhamilton3 wrote:
"If you were paying attention, it was pretty easy to figure out which event you belonged at. The Sweetgrass dedication was a positive, inclusive event which focused on the rich Gullah Geechee culture which is such an important part of the Lowcountry."
_______________________________________________
Hate to say it, but the snobbery...intended or not...oozes from your words.
I suppose a war memorial dedication was not high-brow enough for you? You make the case for people who point out "libera Democrats" like lepers. It is a shame. I have been in combat alongside Americans of all political stripes. Some are quite "libera." What amazes me is that somehow these people are not really "Americans," because they did not say "no to war," and do not belong at the same table with their like political bretheren.
You should say "no to war," as it is the sum of all evil. It is the absolutely last response that we should have. Equally, if we are forced to the contest of arms, then we are morally committed to win, and then win efficiently and quickly to stop the flow of blood.
I find the lady figure to be quite appropos. Have you ever watched a human being die in a violent manner? It is universally human, in that in most cases you will see the reverse progression of maturity of an adult through childhood to infancy. They all invariably want their mother, almost without exception! As that soul slips into enternity, you see that scared created being leaving the world in the same manner it came in: scared and wanting comfort. Sadly, most never have it. It is usually alone and in chaos and terror.
Enjoy your baskets and social self-awareness. Its been paid for. In blood.
July 6, 2009 at 2:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
Governor Palin informed me last Summer that the only real contribution to the country is military service and my 30 years of work on community projects, charities, youth activities, highway cleanups and everything else was just inconsequential garbage at the Republican Convention. She could not have made it clearer.
She's entitled to her opinion. I just avoid her brand of pep rally. I'm grateful to the men and women who serve my country, but I'll not assent to the political mechanism which hijacks their service to our country and employs it to shove a right wing economic, religious and political agenda down my throat.
July 6, 2009 at 2:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
counterpoint (anonymous) says...
Co-opting a dedication/memorial service for political posturing is wrong no matter who does it.
July 6, 2009 at 4:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Larz13 (anonymous) says...
WSM-
Inside the beltway, they call them "elitists".
July 6, 2009 at 4:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JLake (anonymous) says...
Completely agree counterpoint.
However I think Graham's use of humor was appropriate. And when I say humor I am referring to that part in his speech when he referred to himself as a conservative.
Got a good laugh out of that one.
July 6, 2009 at 4:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
Suec: Whether or not DNA can prove paternity is not the issue.
The issue is-officers of the court colluding and conspiring to illegally deny the victim any and all rights to a paternity test-and even a hearing on the merits.
The criminals in the case just got together and ALLEGED that the victim agreed to what they were doing.
Graham said, "America is not worth dying for if we take what you've earned and give it to somebody else you don't owe."
AND -- THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS IN FAMILY COURT THROUGH GOVERMENTALLY PROTECTED CRIMINAL ACTS OF FRAUD.
duh --- DO YOU GET IT NOW?
July 8, 2009 at 7:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
PS:// If you do not comprehend please feel free to rely on Dial-A-Prayer. Miracles do still happen.
July 8, 2009 at 7:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
For anyone else who may question the existence of SHAM DIVORCES and SHAM MARRIAGES and PUBLIC CORRUPTION in the marriage industry:
http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/fami...
Sham divorces are not limited to issues of immigration:
There is precedent for collusive divorces being vacated for fraud (see Family Law Prof Blog post of July 26, 2006); however, recent news stories regarding sham divorces emphasize the role of third parties (THIRD PARTIES) in preventing sham divorces or reversing their financial outcomes.
The Connecticut Post reports that federal prosecutors have requested to intervene in the divorce proceedings filed by the wife of Walter Forbes, former chairman of Cendant Corporation, who is serving prison time for one of the biggest accounting scandals in U.S. history. The feds allege that the divorce is an attempt to evade a $3.275 billion restitution order. The couple have been married for 27 years. Walter was convicted and sentenced in January 2007.
In another recent news story reported by ABC news in Houston, Continental Airlines is suing nine pilots who allegedly obtained a sham divorce in order to trigger a cash pension payout to their ex-spouse, who they subsequently remarried. In a lawsuit filed in Federal Court, the company alleges the pilots obtained uncontested divorces in which the pilot would assign 90-100% of their pension benefit to the other spouse, who was then able to obtain a Domestic Relations Order (DRO) in state court that resulted in the Continental pension play paying out a cash lump sum to them. After receiving the pension payout, almost all of the pilots and their ex-spouses remarried.
July 9, 2009 at 6:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn...
VANDERVORT v. VANDERVORT
2006 OK CIV APP 34
134 P.3d 892
Case Number: 99595
Decided: 12/30/2005
Mandate Issued: 04/13/2006
DIVISION II
THE COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, DIVISION II
The majority found that the "The statutory ground of incompatibility does not permit the court to dissolve a marriage merely because its termination is desired by one or both parties.... Incompatibility must be established "by proof, objective in its character, of causes to which marital disharmony is attributed [and cannot be] bottomed on a mere subterfuge or after-thought [without] a substantial foundation."
July 9, 2009 at 6:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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