ON VETERANS DAY, TWO DISTINCT VIEWPOINTS ON SERVICE

Remarks delivered by JP 1 Benny Ochoa

Once again we met here to honor our men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

I notice that some of the faces that were here last year are not here today. Si Dios quiere, we will see them again.

Other patriot-citizens have stepped forward and taken the oath to protect our freedoms and defend our country against its enemies.
On Memorial Day we honor those who didn’t come back home to their country or to their families.
Today, we honor those who served and who came back home.

Some carry the scars of war on their bodies. Others bear the scars in their minds. We will care for them and thank them – and you – for serving our country.

Our veterans served to make our freedoms possible.

When children play in a park in safety, thank a veteran.

When our elderly get the food and medical care they need, thank a vet.

When young girls can dream of running for president, thank a veteran.

When protesters march against war, a veteran gave them that right.

When a reporter is free to write a story for a free press, he can thank a veteran.
Today, we can gather freely and express our appreciation to our veterans because citizen-soldiers before us gave us that right.

I have been given the privilege of thanking you on behalf of our community.

God bless you and God Bless the United States of America.

MOST DECORATED MARINE (3 MEDALS OF HONOR) SPEAKS HIS MIND

"I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism.

I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914.

I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in.

I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street.

I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912.

I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916.

I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903.
In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested.

Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents.”

– U.S.M.C. General Smedley D. Butler, War is a Racket: The Antiwar Classic by America's Most Decorated Soldier

(His first Medal of Honor was presented following action at Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21-22 April 1914, where he commanded the Marines who landed and occupied the city. Maj Butler "was eminent and conspicuous in command of his Battalion. He exhibited courage and skill in leading his men through the action of the 22nd and in the final occupation of the city."
The following year, he was awarded the second Medal of Honor for bravery and forceful leadership as Commanding Officer of detachments of Marines and seamen of the USS Connecticut in repulsing Caco resistance on Fort Riviere, Haiti, 17 November 1915.

During World War I, he commanded the 13th Regiment in France. For exceptionally meritorious service, he was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, and the French Order of the Black Star. When he returned to the United States in 1919, he became Commanding General of the Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia, and served in this capacity until January 1924, when he was granted leave of absence to accept the post of Director of Public Safety of the City of Philadelphia. In February 1926, he assumed command of the Marine Corps Base at San Diego, California. In March 1927, he returned to China for duty with the 3d Marine Brigade. From April to 31 October he again commanded the Marine Barracks at Quantico. On 1 October 1931, he was retired upon his own application after completion of 33 years' service in the Marine Corps.)