WWII Vets Break Through Shutdown Barriers
During the recent government shutdown, a group of feisty World War II vets managed to do what Congress failed miserably to do for another 15 days – reopen a part of our shuttered government. The National Mall and parks in Washington D.C. were closed to visitors. But on day one of the shutdown, CNN reported that "busloads of World War II vets, many in wheel chairs, broke past the barricades to visit the World War II Memorial as onlookers applauded." As the cameras rolled and several Members of Congress were busy trading blame, a line of vets rolled past security officers "who willingly stepped aside," CNN reported.
TSCL feels the closing of the World War II Memorial is a prime example of backwards Administration priorities. Access to that memorial should never be barred in the first place. Its construction was funded heavily by donations from the public rather than solely by tax revenues, and many donations came from Notch Babies who formed the bulk of the fighting forces during World War II. In fact, TSCL members and supporters alone donated over $56,749 for the World War II Memorial Foundation.
TSCL thanks those who donated, and remembers those who fought in World War II. Read one such remembrance, “My Friend Paris” contributed by TSCL member, John Seavers.
Sources: "Vets Break Past World War II Memorial Barricade," Laura Koran and Ashley Killough, CNN, October 1, 2013.
