Post by rosa on May 17, 2009 6:01:52 GMT -7
Here's snil on NPT again...
Memorial Day – a dream with a deadline
by Tim Collins
In 2007 Fort Bliss National Cemetery was xeriscaped as a cost saving, water conservation measure. Our elected officials were called upon to stop this. Time passed and the issue went away, but the cemetery remained unshod with grass.
Posted on May 16, 2009
“We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic. “
General Order #11
In 2007 Fort Bliss National Cemetery was xeriscaped as a cost saving, water conservation measure. A few voices were raised in disappointment and anger. Our elected officials were called upon to stop this; to reverse the decision and to restore the grass landscaping.
Time passed and the issue went away, but the cemetery remained unshod with grass.
As I reflect on the upcoming holiday, I have decided that leaving Fort Bliss National Cemetery as it is is unacceptable. We are failing in our duty to the more 685,000 men and woman who died in battle for this country since The American Revolution; to their families who will always remember them; and to those serving in uniform today.
Fort Bliss National Cemetery is the final resting place for over 46,000 of these honored souls. Included in that number are four recipients of the Medal of Honor:
-- Staff Sergeant Ambrosio Guillen, (Korean War), U.S. Marine Corps
-- Corporal Benito Martinez, (Korean War), U.S. Army
-- Corporal Frank Brattling, (Indian Campaigns), Company C, 8th U.S. Cavalry
-- Private George Hooker, (Indian Campaigns), Company K, 5th U.S. Cavalry
El Paso County is home to over 50,000 military veterans including over 32,000 retirees.
Fort Bliss is home to over 21,000 active duty military and supports over 67,000 family members of both active duty and retired service personnel.
I know that within a community such as this, there are enough people who agree that we should honor our debt to these brave servicemen and the families they left behind. If our government cannot or will not provide a final resting place that fully honors the service these men and women provided this country, and an environment that is welcoming and comforting to the survivors they left behind; then we will fulfill this duty ourselves.
In the book, "The One Minute Manager," the author says a goal is a dream with a deadline. Let us then convert this dream for Fort Bliss Cemetery into a goal by committing to having a full developed and funded plan for tranforming Fort Bliss National Cemetery in place by Memorial Day 2010.
“…If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.
… let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan. “
General Order #11
If you care about this issue and wish to help achieve this goal, please contact me at ftblissgrass@yahoo.com. All are welcome, but people with experience in landscaping, and dealing with military/government bureaucrats will most certainly be needed.
***
Tim Collins is a business development manager, and calls himself a fiscal conservative and social liberal Independent voter who proudly has called El Paso home since 1999.
Memorial Day – a dream with a deadline
by Tim Collins
In 2007 Fort Bliss National Cemetery was xeriscaped as a cost saving, water conservation measure. Our elected officials were called upon to stop this. Time passed and the issue went away, but the cemetery remained unshod with grass.
Posted on May 16, 2009
“We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic. “
General Order #11
In 2007 Fort Bliss National Cemetery was xeriscaped as a cost saving, water conservation measure. A few voices were raised in disappointment and anger. Our elected officials were called upon to stop this; to reverse the decision and to restore the grass landscaping.
Time passed and the issue went away, but the cemetery remained unshod with grass.
As I reflect on the upcoming holiday, I have decided that leaving Fort Bliss National Cemetery as it is is unacceptable. We are failing in our duty to the more 685,000 men and woman who died in battle for this country since The American Revolution; to their families who will always remember them; and to those serving in uniform today.
Fort Bliss National Cemetery is the final resting place for over 46,000 of these honored souls. Included in that number are four recipients of the Medal of Honor:
-- Staff Sergeant Ambrosio Guillen, (Korean War), U.S. Marine Corps
-- Corporal Benito Martinez, (Korean War), U.S. Army
-- Corporal Frank Brattling, (Indian Campaigns), Company C, 8th U.S. Cavalry
-- Private George Hooker, (Indian Campaigns), Company K, 5th U.S. Cavalry
El Paso County is home to over 50,000 military veterans including over 32,000 retirees.
Fort Bliss is home to over 21,000 active duty military and supports over 67,000 family members of both active duty and retired service personnel.
I know that within a community such as this, there are enough people who agree that we should honor our debt to these brave servicemen and the families they left behind. If our government cannot or will not provide a final resting place that fully honors the service these men and women provided this country, and an environment that is welcoming and comforting to the survivors they left behind; then we will fulfill this duty ourselves.
In the book, "The One Minute Manager," the author says a goal is a dream with a deadline. Let us then convert this dream for Fort Bliss Cemetery into a goal by committing to having a full developed and funded plan for tranforming Fort Bliss National Cemetery in place by Memorial Day 2010.
“…If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.
… let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan. “
General Order #11
If you care about this issue and wish to help achieve this goal, please contact me at ftblissgrass@yahoo.com. All are welcome, but people with experience in landscaping, and dealing with military/government bureaucrats will most certainly be needed.
***
Tim Collins is a business development manager, and calls himself a fiscal conservative and social liberal Independent voter who proudly has called El Paso home since 1999.