Editorial -- Sorry, Folks, Joe Biden’s Too Busy

On Wednesday, Second Harvest just announced that they would make massive cuts in its popular Fresh Mobile Pantry that delivered food to a number of area communities. Reducing poverty and hunger is key in reducing the number of mass shootings in this country. Poverty and gun violence are directly related. Unfortunately, Joe Biden is too busy to care that inflation, rising fuel costs, and the fact that people are cutting back on giving is creating the groundwork for even more gun violence and mass shootings. He’s too busy trying to figure out new ways to stick it to the Russians.

Recently, the City of Maryville announced that due to supply chain issues, work on the road that links up Hy-Vee with 71, South Avenue, had to be postponed from July 5th to July 25th. Supply chain issues were the reason. But don’t ask Joe Biden to care. Again, he’s too busy finding new ways of sticking it to the Russians.

On July 5th, the Maryville Forum published an interview with Sheriff Randy Strong in which he said he was angry that there was no coordinated national effort to address school safety following the mass shooting in Uvalde (TX), like working to provide each school in the country with a dedicated security officer. While it would not stop all shootings (Uvalde had a security officer), it would help.

Mr. Strong said, “And I’m just gonna say what I think a lot of other people are saying too: Shame on our government, in both parties, that have not come together to put somebody in our schools to deal with this. We could put air marshals in aircraft after 9/11, but where are we now? I think that’s an immediate quick response that you could do, that you train people, and you put them in there, and that’s their sole purpose – is to protect the children and our teachers in the schools.”

The Sheriff is doing all he can to protect the schools in Nodaway County, including Northeast Nodaway and North Nodaway, Deputies who are not on call will begin rotating among the six school districts outside of Maryville. But there is a reason why the government won’t come together to stop the madness. Joe Biden is too busy finding ways of sticking it to the Russians to care. 

These are just a few of the many real life consequences of Joe Biden’s obsession with Russia at the expense of the rest of us. I’m sure he would say that these issues are just a few of the many sacrifices that we all have to make so that we can stick it to the Russians. But Mr. Biden completely misses the point.

Back in 1928, American Legion State Commander Nee, speaking at the dedication of the new Grant City Legion building, talked about the sacrifices that 4 million young men made during World War I. This includes 80,000 who laid down their lives. (Editor -- More recent statistics put US war deaths at 116,516. This includes deaths of all causes.) Millions more made similar sacrifices in World War II. Many gave their lives, and many were so scarred that they literally had nothing more to give. What politicians like Mr. Biden don’t understand is that these young men did not make these sorts of sacrifices in a vacuum. They did so in order that their children and grandchildren would never have to fight such wars again. Mr. Biden’s boss, Barack Obama, got it right before the folks at the Military Industrial Complex got hold of him.

Maybe there is one glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. It is estimated that rebuilding costs for Ukraine will be at least $750 billion to $1 trillion after the war. The corporations and billionaires who stand to profit are going to want a piece of the action as well. They need the shooting to stop in order to begin.

VFW, American Legion to Sponsor Golf Tournament

Worth County’s veterans groups will be holding a Golf Tournament and Service Officer Event on Sunday, June 3rd, 2018 at 9 am. This event is sponsored by Worth County Memorial Post 3123 VFW and John Edgar Barnes Post 92 of The American Legion.

Event sponsor levels are as follows – Bronze ($50), Silver ($100), Gold ($150), Platinum ($200), and Diamond ($250). Proceeds will be used to fund local programs.

The VFW does the Voice of Democracy program with Worth County Seniors. For Junior High School, the VFW does the Patriot’s Pen. The VFW recognizes local teachers with Teacher of the Year awards; this can lead to a local teacher receiving statewide recognition. This year, Jonell Cook was named VFW State Teacher of the Year. The Worth County VFW also supports the VFW National Home for Children and does Veterans Service work for local veterans.

The American Legion sends local students to Missouri Boys State, where they learn about civics and how government works. They also decorate graves for Memorial Day and do Veterans Service work.
If you would like to donate, please make all checks payable to Worth County Memorial Post 3123 or John Edgar Barnes Post 92 for your chosen amount. Mail all checks to Robert D. Hull, PO Box 250, Grant City, MO, 64456.

At Grant City, World War I Heroes Remembered 100 Years Later

Grant City American Legion Commander Dr. Matt Martz recalled the heroism of John Hunter Wickersham, who gave his life during World War I during the Memorial Day Ceremony in the Worth County Courtyard Monday. Wickersham was wounded during the St. Mihiel Offensive during World War I in France on September 12th, 1918. He was severely wounded in four places by a high-explosive shell. Before receiving any aid for himself, he dressed the wounds of his orderly, and then continued to direct the advance of his men. He fired his revolver with his left hand until he finally fell and died for his wounds. In memory of his sacrifice, he received a Medal of Honor.

The day before his death, he wrote the following poem to his mother:
The mist hangs low and quiet on a ragged line of hills,
  There's a whispering of wind across the flat,
You'd be feeling kind of lonesome if it wasn't for one thing—
  The patter of the raindrops on your old tin hat.

An' you can't help a-figuring—sitting there alone—
  About this war and hero stuff and that,
And you wonder if they haven't sort of got things twisted up,
  While the rain keeps up its patter on your old tin hat.

When you step off with the outfit to do your little bit
  You're simply doing what you're s'posed to do—
And you don't take time to figure what you gain or lose—
  It's the spirit of the game that brings you through.

But back at home she's waiting, writing cheerful little notes,
  And every night she offers up a prayer
And just keeps on a-hoping that her soldier boy is safe—
  The Mother of the boy who's over there.

And, fellows, she's the hero of this great, big ugly war,
  And her prayer is on the wind across the flat,
And don't you reckon maybe it's her tears, and not the rain,
  That's keeping up the patter on your old tin hat?

Another soldier who gave his life was recognized by Dr. Martz. Mark DeAlencar was shot and killed by small arms fire while fighting in eastern Afghanistan last month. He left behind a wife and five children. Dr. Martz noted that DeAlencar, told to lose weight to reenlist, did so.

“Our enemies want us dead,” said Dr. Martz. “Our armed forces are doing all they can to protect us. The children of fallen warriors will grieve long after the guns fall silent.”

Dr. Martz noted that some gave their lives in humanitarian causes. In 1975, as South Vietnam was falling, President Ford authorized Operation Babylift, an operation to evacuate orphans from that country and place them in foster homes in the US. Over 2,500 children were relocated during the course of that operation. During that operation, a C-5A Galaxy plane had the locks of its rear loading ramp fail. Frantic efforts by the crew of the plane were not successful and 138 people were killed, including 78 children and 35 Defense Attache Office Saigon personnel. 173 people survived, and all of the surviving orphans were flown to the US. The pilots, Captain Dennis “Bud” Traynor and copilot Captain Tilford Harp, both survived and were awarded the Air Force Cross for extraordinary valor after their actions were credited with the survival of the 173.

Lloyd Ridge gave the prayer and benediction. Joe Marshall led a salute to the deceased veterans. The Worth County Mixed Choir sang the National Anthem and “In Flanders Fields.” Ralph Kobbe played “Taps.”

Afterwards, a singing contest was held at the Senior Center. Dora Martz was first, followed by Unique Brown and Rachael Brown. John Kollitz also performed a couple of numbers before heading to a couple of concerts in Iowa. Dora Martz and Unique Brown sang “Jesus Loves Me” together, while Dora sang some songs as well.

Jared Simmons Sent to Boys State

Jared Simmons was sent to the Boys State this year, the Grant City American Legion announced at their regular meeting Thursday. The Legion sends one Worth County student to that event annually.

Seven members were present: Jeremy Dale Baker, J.W. Harding, Jack Cottrell, Ralph Kobbe, Bob Hull, Harold Fletchall, and Wilbur Osborne.

Ralph reported that he had gotten some more names for the War Memorial Project.

New officers were elected for this year. Officers elected were Jeremy Dale Baker (commander), J.W. Harding (adjutant), Wilbur Osborne (treasurer), Joe Marshall (chaplain), Ralph Kobbe (Sgt. at Arms), and Jack Cottrell (vice-commander).

The legion furnished flowers for Alice Ridge, Ed Costin, and Terry Meek. The legion received $145 from memorial donations in memory of Ed Costin.

Harold Fletchall closed with prayer.

Grant City Legion to Update War Memorial in Spring

Seven members were present at the Grant City American Legion meeting Thursday, J.W. Harding, Wilbur Osborn, Jack Cottrell, Ralph Kobbe, Andy Cottrell, Jeremy Dale Baker, and Joe Marshall. Fundraising ideas for the Legion were discussed. The Legion decided to hold cookouts at some of Ralph Kobbe's auctions to help supplement membership funds. The group agreed to postpone the election of new officers until March, when they will seek to have more members present. The election of new officers will take place during the regular March Meeting, March 6th at 7:00 p.m. at the Grant City Hall.

The Legion decided to continue with the War Memorial update for the memorial on the east side of the Courtyard. The project will be completed in spring with volunteer labor. Ralph Kobbe said that he had gotten some names for the project; he said that he was still seeking names of people who lived in Worth County and who served in the military during conflicts. Persons with names can contact Ralph Kobbe at (660) 582-6820.

Grant City Legion to Sponsor Cub Scouts

The Grant City American Legion met for its regular monthly meeting Thursday, September 5^th.

The American Legion is back doing veteran funerals by family requests. Andrew Pickering and Joe Marshall are coordinators for all veteran funerals. 

The Legion is also sponsoring Cub Scout Pack 62. The Baptist Church dropped sponsorship of the Scouts because the national organization is now accepting gay scouts. At the request of the pack, the American Legion unanimously agreed to sponsor them. The Legion had sponsored Pack 62 as early as 1919 for many years. 

The scouts will now meet at the Scout Cabin north of the Baptist Church that the Legion built for them several years ago. The Scouts will rebuild the inside of the Cabin at a future date as an activity.

16 Attend Grant City Legion Dinner

16 people attended the Grant City American Legion dinner at the Oldtowne Cafe Thursday evening. People attending were Andrew Pickering, Commander Dwayne Staton, Kaye and Evanell Havner, Jack and Jean Cottrell, Ralph Kobbe, J.W. and Clara Harding, Will Brown, Lloyd and Alice Ridge, Bob Hull, and Ron and Verla Damman. The Legion approved making the event an annual dinner. J.W. Harding thanked the Boy Scouts for helping to decorate the graves this year for Memorial Day. Andrew Pickering closed the gathering with prayer.

Grant City Legion Receives Americanism Citation

The Grant City American Legion received an Americanism citation from the National Americanism Commission for the year 2010-2011 for outstanding community service. They were also recognized for achieving a 103.56% membership increase for the year 2011-2012. Grant City American Legion meets every 1st Thursday at 7:00 at the Grant City Hall. The next meeting date is October 4th. Sons of the American Legion, for people who are male descendants, adopted sons, and stepsons of American Legion members, meets every 2nd Thursday at the Grant City Senior Center. The next meeting date is October 11th. The Legion and Sons of the American Legion are always looking for new members; to join or for more information, contact Dwayne Staton at (660) 564-7151.