Gwinnett GOP Celebrates Memorial Day with Barbeque, Special Guests Gen. William Livsey, US Army (retired) and Fulton GOP Chairman Shawn Hanley
The Gwinnett County Republican Party held their annual Memorial Day celebration barbeque at the Dacula High School, just following the Dacula Parade. The parade was well attended and ended with a long line of tractors. Much candy was thrown and the US flag was displayed, proudly on floats, by spectators, including many of the children in attendance. I just love seeing a display of Patriotism, especially with this upcoming generation.
Although there were some heated discussion and debates as to whether it was appropriate for a party to hold a fundraiser and have candidates speak, the focus on the event was that of patriotism, freedom, and the countless vets who have given some or all for the sake of our beloved country.
Leaders stated that they were lucky to break even so this is no way was really a fundraiser. It certainly was well worth the price! The event was catered by Williams Barbeque and was indeed good barbeque as always. Leaders were well pleased with not only the turnout but the focus being on Memorial Day and not campaigning, at least in the usual way.Sponsorship was also provided by candidates and the Fulton GOP.
Initial estimates were around 300 people, including candidates and campaign staffers. Many candidates had tables and were campaigning on some level, but most were just there in attendance and not really campaigning, presumably out of respect for the occasion. They should be applauded, although the primary is 6 weeks away with early voting starting less in than 24 hours, much respect was given to the occasion. Although the normal excitement by many who were supporting their candidates, with fervor, was present, I was overwhelmed with the priority given to the holiday and patriotism.
After the doors opened and essentially a meet and greet with candidates, the event started with a presentation of the colors by the Gwinnett County Sherriff's Department who did an impeccable job, with military precision. The Pledge was led by a young sailor, recently back home from deployment and the National Anthem was led by Gary Black. The invocation was given by Melvin Everson who did more than just lead us in prayer, but thanked all of the vets in attendance, from one vet to another.At 3pm, the National moment of silence was observed..
After an introduction and opening remarks given by Gwinnett GOP Vice Chair, Gen William J. Livsey, Jr. (US Army, Ret.), the key note speaker was introduced. A little on Gen. Livsey's background includes being a graduate of North Georgia College, earning his officer's commission in June 1952 as Lt. in the Army. He later earned an Masters in Psychology from Vanderbilt and Infantry Officer Basic and Advance courses. He was first in class at the US Army War College, which is quite remarkable given the intensity of this course. He served later as a leadership instructor at West Point. His combat experience began as a Platoon Leader in Korea in 1953 and later as a company commander with the 30th Infantry at Ft. Benning until 1961, Commander of the 2nd Armored Rifle Battalion, 36th Infantry, 3rd Armored Division in Germany. His list of assignments carries on through 1983, followed by his retirement in 1987. Probably most notable, was the assignment of Deputy Commanding General of the US Armed Forces Command and Commanding General 3rd at Ft. McPherson, and than from 1983 until his retirement as CINC UN Command, CINC Combined Forces Command, Commander US Forces Korea and Commanding General 8th Army. He is highly decorated including Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak Leaf Cluster, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star (with V Device), among many others.
Although he was the key-note speaker, highly decorated, and deserving of a great deal of honor and respect for his own contributions, he thanked vets and gave a call for us all to honor our veterans all across this country. This starts in Dacula, Georgia, and every hometown across this great nation.
He remarked on the war plan for Afghanistan in 1983 that he constructed, which even than as he said "it was easy to get in and very hard to get out". He gave a timeline and American behaviors which is disappointing.
At the end of World War II, when American Soldiers returned home, they were met with a ticker-tape parade down 51st Ave. Just a few years in 1957 at the end of the Korean conflict, there was a welcoming party, but much smaller and no parade. Just a few years when troops returned home from Vietnam, not only was there no parade or welcoming party, but troops were spat upon, and met with sneers and jeers. He recounted the Tribute to The American Soldier:
The U.S. Armed Forces
(Soldiers,Sailors, Marines,Airmen,National Guard,
Reservists, Coast Guard....) defends our rights and keep
our country Free and Safe! It is our responsibility as
AMERICANS to Honor, Respect, and Support our Troops!
His comments centered around a renewal of our sense of patriotism, our respect for the land of the free that we enjoy, and respect and honor for the sacrifices that many have made, across the globe for our sake. His introduction and the conclusions were both met, dutiful so, with standing ovations.
Next Shawn Hanley, Chairman of the Fulton County Republican Party, was introduced and first recognized that Gen. Livsey's was a very difficult speaker to follow. Mr. Hanley also thanked our vets after remarking he was a Marine and came from a family of proud Marines. He than described an organization, started by President Ronald Reagan, called the International Republican Institute who is charged to build democracy and free systems of voting and politics in other countries. He shared a story of his time with the organization in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan, being a Muslim country, places little value in women. He was charged to help build the political system and structure. He did not live on base, but among the Afghan people and worked very closely with them. Many of the Afghans that worked with Americas did so under grave danger for their very life. You have to understand that although a bit more stable, this was a volatile region with things happening on the streets that even in US movies we have no concept of what things are like. One lady in particular was in so much danger, that a false fortified front was constructed that looked like a beauty parlor store front, specifically to guard her against being "one of those working with Americans". So each day, this young lady would go to work, in the "beauty parlor", out of the back door through the security detail. She was in a great deal of danger, and being a woman, she was also writing the country's new constitution. That’s right folks, a woman, in a Muslim country, where little value was given to contributions of women, wrote the country's constitution. This is just one of many examples of the contributions towards freedom that America makes all over the world.
"All gave some, and some gave all". This is a phrase that gives me chills every time I hear it as I know what sacrifices are like and I know why it is necessary. We enjoy and too quickly forget the freedoms that we have, so much so that we take it for granted, often not even aware academically, let alone fully appreciate the freedom we take for granted. It is our job to not only honor those serving across the world for the United States, but appreciate the freedoms that we enjoy. In our country, we can question our government, we are free to worship the religion of our choice, or not at all. We are free to make most of our own choices, no matter how bad they might be. This is a central reason why Obamacare is being fought so fervently.
Freedom is not free folks, it has come after much blood shed, loss of life or limb, starting with our revolutionary war and continues to this day. This freedom and protection comes at a cost. We not only protecting our freedoms but spreading freedom across the world, liberating those who live under communistic rulers or dictators who's government's control the very information and to some extent, even the very thoughts of their citizens.
Think about this tonight people as you are worrying about missing an episode of your favorite show, who should have won American Idol, or protesting your government on the side of the street, or arguing with your husband or wife over the best place to take the family for dinner. Be thankful for this freedom and know it has come at the life of many Americans, all across the world, who have done so without question, without protest, but out of loyalty to our country and a belief in defending this freedom we enjoy.
To all of the veteran's and their families who are serving, have served, and especially those that have given the ultimate sacrifice, thank you for your service and thank you for my freedoms and liberties. May God bless you and may you be now in God's light among the other great leaders of our country, including the founding fathers that fought so hard to build this country. May He be with you.
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