Profile of a Hero on Memorial Day

Memorial Day 2022 is here. I'm remembering Gunny Johnny Basilone, USMC today. He gave his life for the country he loved on the first day of the furious Battle of Iwo Jima. That was 19 Feb 1944.

His heroic three-day stand during the fierce Battle for Henderson Field on Guadalcanal made him a Marine Corps legend. And it was on Iwo Jima 16 months later that John gave his last full measure of devotion. 

This hero is the only marine from WWII who received both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. You can read both citations near the end of John's Wikipedia entry. Follow the link found below.

Honestly, where do you find men like this?

An entry on Wikipedia is often long on information but just a bit dry. Here's more about Johnny from a tribute site that puts Gunny Basilone's story in a more human context.

I am not able to attend any event on this Memorial Day. But thinking of our heroes here at home.



"Bulldog Ben" Basile

© 2022 Ben Lawrence Basile

Murdered Kids, Lame Excuses

Yes, there has been another horrific school shooting. In Texas this time. It took at least 18 innocent lives including one teacher.

The call to enact some kind--any kind--of sensible laws and/or regulations to address the never-ending string of mass killings in our schools is being heard in every corner of our heartsick Nation.

But I promise you that nothing will be done. Nothing at all.

A clear majority of America wants some kind of sensible gun regulation. But nothing will be done.

Reich Wingers and Ammosexuals will say the usual stuff: they'll offer thoughts and prayers. They'll say that now isn't the time to think about such things. They say we should stop politicizing such tragedies. 

The NRA will make hundreds of calls to the legislators they've bought off and sic their lobbyists on any who may be wavering.

The leadership of the QOP in both houses of Congress will sniff around, making sure that none in their caucus will turn on them and vote with those evil demon-rats, go full commie on the Nation and vote for... wait for it... vote for background checks for people who want to buy guns!

They'll say that the true liberal agenda is to take away our guns, they say, blah, blah blah...

Yeah, it'll go like that. As it has after every mass shooting, whether it's school children who're lying still in pools of their own blood or their unlucky parents and friends. Or anyone.

It's tragic. It's horrific. It's all too familiar.

And it's not going to change.

"Bulldog Ben" Basile

© 2022 Ben Lawrence Basile 

For details about this tragedy unfolding in Uvalde, Texas, follow this link.