Today is the traditional observation of Memorial Day in the US. Originating during the Civil War, the observance was made official on 5 May 1868, and rearranged to make a three-day weekend in 1968. There are a number of observances in the area, but the one I attend is at the Willamette National Cemetery atop Mt. Scott in Portland. Atop the mountain is an amphitheater, with a view to the valley below. There are some 150,000 graves on the grounds, and thanks to local Boy Scout troops, every one has a flag.
The program usually runs about an hour and a half, with speeches by local dignitaries, including a Senator and a Congressman. Local drum and bugle corps and bagpipers provide the music, along with singers. The program strikes a nice balance between solemnity and patriotism, as most speakers keep their remarks mercifully short. The exception this year was former Blazer broadcaster Bill Schonely, who spoke for some time, even as the rain started to fall. This time of year in western Oregon is usually cool and grey, and today was no exception.
The 172nd Fighter Wing puts in an appearance about halfway through the program, but this year operational considerations delayed them, so they flew over in the middle of America the Beautiful, which worked out. A civilian group flying vintage aircraft overflew the site performing the ‘missing man’ maneuver. I suspect this wasn’t part of the plan, because the event wasn’t on the program, and they interrupted the MC. There is an invocation and a benediction, and at the end there is a 21-gun salute with howitzers, and the playing of Taps.
There were about three dozen veterans in the audience, ranging from WW II to the present day. It won’t be too long before there aren’t any WW II or Korean War vets at all, so it was nice to see young children spend a few minutes with them.
During the speeches, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and 2nd Inaugural were quoted, but one speaker quoted Gen. George C. Marshall. When asked during WW II if America had a secret weapon, Gen. Marshall replied “Yes, we do have a secret weapon. We grow the best damn kids on the planet.”
There are four Medal of Honor winners interred in Willamette National Cemetery, two of whom were killed in action. It’s fitting that today we remember them, and all the ‘best damn kids’ who gave up all their tomorrows.
Sfc. Kaufman distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. On the night of 4 September the company was in a defensive position on 2 adjoining hills. His platoon was occupying a strong point 2 miles away protecting the battalion flank. Early on 5 September the company was attacked by an enemy battalion and his platoon was ordered to reinforce the company. As his unit moved along a ridge it encountered a hostile encircling force. Sfc. Kaufman, running forward, bayoneted the lead scout and engaged the column in a rifle and grenade assault. His quick vicious attack so surprised the enemy that they retreated in confusion. When his platoon joined the company he discovered that the enemy had taken commanding ground and pinned the company down in a draw. Without hesitation Sfc. Kaufman charged the enemy lines firing his rifle and throwing grenades. During the action, he bayoneted 2 enemy and seizing an unmanned machine gun, delivered deadly fire on the defenders. Following this encounter the company regrouped and resumed the attack. Leading the assault he reached the ridge, destroyed a hostile machine gun position, and routed the remaining enemy. Pursuing the hostile troops he bayoneted 2 more and then rushed a mortar position shooting the gunners. Remnants of the enemy fled to a village and Sfc. Kaufman led a patrol into the town, dispersed them, and burned the buildings. The dauntless courage and resolute intrepid leadership of Sfc. Kaufman were directly responsible for the success of his company in regaining its positions, reflecting distinct credit upon himself and upholding the esteemed traditions of the military service
Sp4c. Dahl distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a machine gunner on a gun truck near An Khe, Binh Dinh Province. The gun truck in which Sp4c. Dahl was riding was sent with 2 other gun trucks to assist in the defense of a convoy that had been ambushed by an enemy force. The gun trucks entered the battle zone and engaged the attacking enemy troops with a heavy volume of machine gun fire, causing a large number of casualties. After a brief period of intense fighting the attack subsided. As the gun trucks were preparing to return to their normal escort duties, an enemy hand grenade was thrown into the truck in which Sp4c. Dahl was riding. Instantly realizing the great danger, Sp4c. Dahl called a warning to his companions and threw himself directly onto the grenade. Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his safety, and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, Sp4c. Dahl saved the lives of the other members of the truck crew while sacrificing his own. Sp4c. Dahl’s conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity at the cost of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit and the U.S. Army.

A sampling of Letters to the Editor that have appeared over the last couple of months:
Health Care
There are many, many other letters with the same misconception: that uninsured people walk (or are carried) into an ER, receive treatment, and walk out, with nary a financial obligation to trouble their irresponsible little heads. The fact is that the moment you leave the hospital, the letters and phone calls from the various providers start. Medical services are like any other business transaction: the benefiting party has a legal (and moral) obligation to pay the service providers. Medical service providers can, and will, make all legal efforts to recoup their costs. Folks who don’t come to terms with their obligation are going to find their credit scores damaged, which will negatively affect their ability to get a loan, a place to live, and ability to get a job.
I’ve had to receive emergency medical care with and without insurance. The times I haven’t had insurance, I paid what bills I could, and arranged payment plans for the rest. Sometimes it took a few years, but everybody was paid in full. I currently have a primary care physician who doesn’t accept insurance, so his prices are very reasonable. His treatment model is to use the most cost-effective (not necessarily the best) treatments and drugs. It’s sort of like government-run healthcare, except I pay cash for everything, and I don’t have to wait for weeks to see him.
Medical providers are required by law to provide emergency treatment to the uninsured, but there’s no corresponding absolution of obligation on the part of the patient.
A Plan I Like
Searching for a Point
From someone by the user name patsherman comes this:
Fun with numbers, but I’m not seeing a point here. The people are represented in the lower chamber (House), and the states are represented in the upper chamber (Senate). Each state’s House delegation is based on Census data, so the number of Representatives from each state will likely change every decade. Even in 1787 the states were of disparate size, so the purpose of allowing a fixed number of Senators from each state was that the smaller states would have parity with the larger states. I’d say the Founders did an excellent job of foreseeing changes.
Let’s move on:
Ms. Sherman is careful to use the number 13 as her basis, because any Constitutional amendment would require the approval of three-fourths (38) of the state legislatures. What she’s overlooking is the fact that before an amendment can go to the states, it has to get out of Congress. Any Constitutional amendment must pass by a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress. Here is where the most populous states have a significant advantage in shaping legislation. California alone controls 12% of the votes in the House, while the 13 smallest states combined control just 4% of votes. The fact that hundreds of ill-considered Constitutional amendments have died in Congress shows that the system works.
And honestly, if you’re going to complain about something, at least propose some sort of solution.
At the Movies
I watched Goldeneye last night, and some thoughts occurred. We all know the story, so let’s go right to the notes.
It’s still a fun movie.
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Posted in Commentary, Humor, medical | Tags: Commentary, Humor, medical