JFK'S Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, was in  France  in the early 60's when DeGaulle decided to pull out of NATO.  DeGaulle said he wanted all  US  military out of  France  as soon as possible.

Rusk responded, "Does that include those who are buried here?"

DeGaulle did not respond.

You could have heard a pin drop.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 
When in England, at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of  Canterbury  if our plans for  Iraq  were just an example of  'empire building' by George Bush.

He answered by saying, "Over the years, the  United States  has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders.  The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not 
return."

You could have heard a pin drop.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

There was a conference in France where a number of international engineers were taking part, including French and American.

During a break, one of the French engineers came back into the room saying, "Have you 
heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to  Indonesia  to help the tsunami victims.  What does he intend to do, bomb them?"

A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: 

"Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are 
nuclear powered and can supply emergency  electrical power to shore facilities; they have three  cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck.  We have eleven such ships; how many does  France  have?"

You could have heard a pin drop.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

A  U.S.  Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S., English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies  At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of officers that included personnel from most of those countries. 

Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English. He then asked, "Why is it that  we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than 
speaking French?"

Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied, "Maybe it's because the Brit's, Canadians, Aussie's and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German." 

You could have heard a pin drop.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

AND THIS STORY FITS RIGHT IN WITH THE ABOVE...

Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in  Paris  by plane.

At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on.

"You have been to  France  before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked sarcastically.

Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to  France  previously.

"Then you should know enough to have your passport ready."The American said,

"The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it."

"Impossible. Americans always have to show their passports on arrival in  France !"

The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look.  

Then he quietly explained, ''Well, when I came ashore at  Omaha   Beach  on D-Day in 
1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find a single Frenchmen to show a passport to."

You could have heard a pin drop.

The following was sent our way from Wayne Gilliland, Cpt, USAFR

On Jeopardy! the other night, the final question was "How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the Tomb of the Unknowns?"

All three missed it. This is really an awesome sight to watch if you've never had the chance, very fascinating.  

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the Tomb of the Unknowns and why?  

21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.  

2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?

21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1.

3. Why are his gloves wet?

His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not?  

He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

5. How often are the guards changed?

Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?  

For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10' an d 6' 2' tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30.'

Other requirements of the Guard: They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives.

They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way.

After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only  400 presently worn.

The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.  

The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.  

There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.  

The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame.  

Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.


ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.  

In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment.

They respectfully declined the offer, 'No way, Sir!' Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson.

The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.

God Bless and keep them.  

It's no secret that the F.S.O.P. regards Motor City Madman, Ted Nugent as a one-of-a kind, truely unique, outspoken individual.

Nugent, aside from being an over the edge rocker, avid hunter and 2nd Amendment proponent, Uncle Ted is a true patriot. The dude bleeds Red, White and Blue 24/7.

Being the unorthodox American Patriot that he is, he naturally performs a rendition of the star Spangled Banner...his way.

If you want to hear Old Glory honored Wango Tango style,

>>> Click Here >>>

If you have happened to have tuned in to the New Orleans Saints/Tampa Bay Buccaneers football game yesterday, you may have been treated to the talents of Madeleine Bourgeois, singing our National Anthem.

This is especially PIG-Worthy because Madeleine's waaaay proud grandfather is not only a dedicated and prolific PIG contributor, but also a family friend of PIG's publisher.

We especially admire Madeline's poise under pressure with not just the tens of thousands of spectators in the Super Dome, but the television audience as well.

Well done, Madeleine.

Now, would you all rise as Madeline honors America with her singing of the National Anthem.

>>> The Star Spangled Banner >>>

Madeleine made her debut with the NORD Crescent City Lights Youth Theater (CCL) as Debbie in Everything About School (Almost) in August, 2009.  With CCL, she sang the role of the Shepherd Boy and was a member of the children's chorus in the New Orleans' Opera production of Tosca in October 2009.  In February she will appear as "Annie" in the musical Annie with JPPSS.  She has sung the National Anthem at Zephyr games and will be singing at Tulane games later this week.  She is in the 4th grade at Metairie Academy for Advanced Studies where she is in the talented in theatre, music and art programs.  She has also appeared in Seussical with JPPSS and Miracle on 34th Street, A KidSummer Night's Dream, and Honk with JPAS. Madeleine was a member of the New Orleans Children's Choir for 3 years and JPAS Choir for 2 years. She has danced with Kelli's Kreative Dance for 6 years. Madeleine's favorite thing about performing on stage is "the excitement and the energy I feel."

Well, well, well. It seems as if somebody, or some entity of idiots just stepped on the toes of a sleeping giant called WE THE PEOPLE. Determined to enrage this notoriously cranky giant, the Capitol Hill Clown Posse tried to toss a few turds past WE THE PEOPLE.

We'll give you crooks props for getting away with what you have done, thus far, you Beltway rattlesnakes, but WE THE PEOPLE have had enough of your double dealing, backstabbing bunch of pirate tactics.

We here at The F.S.O.P., believe you have underestimated AND insulted the intelligence of the hardworking, WE THE PEOPLE populace. WE THE PEOPLE that have some remaining brain cells, didn't fall for your bailout plans, reform plans, ignoring Main Street while stroking Wall Street's "member".

The thing that chaps WE THE PEOPLES' hides is your arrogance and deaf ears towards the folks you claim to represent.

It's time for The F.S.O.P. to shut up and display what the patriotic American's who took it to the streets have to say.

On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream,
'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore,
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave,
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us as a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

. . . . . . Some Gave All . . . . . .

What is this thing that makes us go and do the things we must?
It's duty, honor, country, patriotism - true and just.
What is this splash of white I see o'er the hills of this great land?
It is the relics of our heritage and a past we hope to understand.

Listen to the drumbeat of history and you hear the sullen toll,
Of soldiers marching down through time and feel the honor of their role.
Marching to the cadence of a grand and glorious band,
The fate of civilization was held in the hollow of their hand.

They've stood in stilted, struggle against a scurrilous foe,
Some gave all – all gave some – that freedom we may know.
The freedoms that we take for granted and the liberty that is mine,
Has cost someone so dearly somewhere along the line.

We can hear the drone of bagpipes as they play "Amazing Grace",
And see the flag draped coffin as another takes his place.
They donned the yoke of duty, some shed blood in the sand,
Their memories are kept alive by a splash of white upon the land.

The splash of white is the headstones that stand in mute attest,
Mark the ground where they now lay and say they now have rest.
These are the sacred symbols of a hallowed ground so pure,
We must keep alive their memory and thus their cause endure.

. . . . . . Some Gave All . . . . . .

He was there at the first of things, he will be there at the last,
He has subdued the serpent and the scepter has been passed.
Living 'neath a canopy of virtue and grace,
And 'Death before Honor' is written on his face.

I am humbled by the courage of those who've stood the test,
And came through, though not unscathed, and we are truly blessed.
With him he carries the scars of the battles he has fought,
And he has paid a price so dear for the freedom he has sought.

Standing on the ramparts and holding fiend at bay,
This is a sacred ritual he lives from day to day.
He has been wreathed in hardship while standing in the gaps,
And has shown unshackled valor from reveille to taps.

. . . . . . The Meaning Of It All . . . . . .

So when you see the metals of the soldier passing by,
Take a moment to think of his story, of where he has been and why.
The ribbons tell a story of his service to our land,
That he has summoned up he courage to rise and take a stand.

They tell of someone and who has slept upon a jarring ground,
On rolling seas, in muddy fields, and chaos all around.
Flying o’er the battlefield or guarding home front shores,
Standing sentry on a wall. These all are daily chores.

They say he made the sacrifice and left the comforts of life,
And has been sprinkled with a suffering that comes with worldly strife.
They tell of sorrow, separation, and many other story,
But no true soldier ever wears them for his own personal glory.

Once you’ve borne the burden of service and answered duty’s call,
The change is forever, and you can now stand tall.
For those who have fought for it and the enemy once faced,
Freedom has a flavor the protected will never taste.