A convoy of wreaths departs
12/8/08 | 41 comments

A convoy of wreaths departs


Mission with Down East roots will honor veterans’ graves
By Rich Hewitt and Judy Harrison
BDN Staff
BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY JOHN CLARKE RUSS
Army veteran James Troutt of Patten proudly holds military colors Sunday with other members of the Patriot Guard Riders as the Wreaths Across America convoy arrives outside Bangor Auditorium for a rally to honor veterans. The convoy began its journey carrying 105,000 wreaths from Worcester Wreath Co. in Harrington to veterans’ graves across the country. About 10,000 of the wreaths will be left on graves at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Troutt is the grandfather of Army Spc. Dustin J. Harris, who was killed in action on April 6, 2006 ,while serving in Iraq. Buy Photo

Tractor-trailers laden with Maine wreaths destined to grace the graves of veterans across the country left Harrington on Sunday and stopped in Bangor, where several hundred people turned out at Bangor Auditorium to pay tribute to the Wreaths Across America program and the Morrill Worcester family.

In Harrington, Kevin Woodward of Machiasport, commander of VFW Post 11553, secured the last boxes of wreaths that filled the last tractor-trailer set to travel to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Once the truck doors were closed, the volunteers headed out for the 17th time with the mission to “Remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach our children the value of freedom.”

“This is one of the greatest programs I’ve seen,” said Woodward, a Desert Storm veteran who planned to accompany the convoy as far as Bangor. “What better way to honor our fallen comrades?”

This year the program prepared 105,724 wreaths to be placed on the graves of veterans. According to Morrill Worcester, who started the program and owns Worcester Wreaths, about 10,000 wreaths are scheduled to be placed on the graves of veterans at Arlington National Cemetery during a ceremony Saturday. The rest will be delivered to 354 cemeteries and monuments across the country and 24 sites overseas, including four in Iraq.

Worcester Wreaths donated nearly 20,000 wreaths to the program. The rest were paid for by donors to the nonprofit organization Wreaths Across America, which oversees the program.

Worcester said it felt good to be headed out with the convoy Sunday morning to honor those who had made the ultimate sacrifice.

“If I had one hope, it was to be an inspiration to more people to get involved. That’s what I was trying to do,” he said. “It’s gratifying to see that there are so many people who think the same way I do.”

Worcester said 25 trucks donated by 15 companies were taking part in the program this year. Some had left before the Arlington convoy set out Sunday, so they could deliver wreaths as far away as California and Texas in time for the coordinated nationwide ceremonies Saturday. Other trucks will be loaded in the next few days to deliver wreaths to sites in New England, he said.

During a brief ceremony before the Sunday departure from Harrington, Worcester honored the companies involved, presenting plaques to the drivers present and a bronze statue to representatives from Wal-Mart, a major donor to the program.

During the ceremony, Kathryn Teresa Cross of the Gold Star Mothers Association clutched a wreath Worcester presented to her. Her son Tyler Connelly, a Navy SEAL who died in Iceland in 2002, is buried in Connecticut. Cross said she planned to place the wreath on his grave there before continuing to Arlington for the cere-mony.

Cross said she would join a friend, Ruth Stonesifer, and place a wreath on the grave of Stonesifer’s son.

“As mothers, we will join hands at the grave, and our sons will be joined together by the wreaths,” she said. “Thank you so much for remembering.”

The people who lined up outside Bangor Auditorium to greet the convoy caught sight of it about 11:40 a.m. as firetrucks from Brewer, Holden, Bangor and Harrington led it off Interstate 395 onto Main Street and then into the Bass Park parking lot.

The truck drivers blasted their horns. Police cars from as far away as Old Orchard Beach sandwiched between the tractor-trailers turned on their sirens.

Members of the Patriot Guard are escorting the convoy again this year all the way to Arlington, while members of the Emerald Society, a volunteer group of police officers from departments around the state, are providing an additional escort through Maine.

Along Route 1 in Washington and Hancock counties, fire and police departments joined the escort through their communities.

Rebecca Beal, 27, of Bradley brought her children, Julia Beal, 5, and David Beal, 8, to the event for an “educational” outing.

“It’s a little overwhelming,” she said. “We’re honoring people who fought for us.”

Inside the auditorium, hundreds took part in a 90-minute ceremony to honor the wreath program and the Worcesters. Many watched the convoy’s arrival projected from a camera on the auditorium roof onto two big screens on either side of the stage.

Peggy Dean, 42, of Bangor brought a large photo cutout of her husband to the event. U.S. Air Force Sgt. William Dean, 43, of Bangor is serving as a chaplain’s assistant in Saudi Arabia. He left Sept. 6 and is due home in mid-January, she said

“I’m here to support other vets and the troops,” Peggy Dean said.

Her father-in-law, William “Bill” Dean, 73, of Bangor, who is a veteran, accompanied her Sunday. William Dean said that he has been a troop greeter at Bangor International Airport for 5½ years.

“We’ve got to stand behind our troops no matter what else is going on in the country,” he said. “It wasn’t like that after Vietnam.”

Wal-Mart owns six of the trucks that will deliver wreaths to veterans cemeteries. They operate out of the distribution center in Lewiston, Jim Farrell, general transportation manager for the facility, said.

“We have a large group of vets that work in our facility that wanted to give something back to other vets,” he said. “Because we are a national company, we’re also in a position to help give the program a lot more exposure in other parts of the country, especially the West.”

In addition to the trucks, Wal-Mart donated $85,000 to Wreaths Across America that will pay for all of the wreaths to be laid at the veterans cemetery in Fayetteville, Ark., and half the wreaths destined for a cemetery in Maryland, according to Farrell.

One of Wal-Mart’s six trucks left Maine a few days ago for Sacramento, Calif. Two trucks will deliver wreaths to the veterans cemetery in Fayetteville, and three will deliver them to Houston, Texas, according to Farrell.

This is the first year the company based in Bentonville, Ark., has participated in the program.

This is the second year Will Gosbee of Windham, N.H., has driven wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery for Hartt Transportation of Bangor. The company is sending two trucks south this year, one to Arlington and the other to nine cemeteries in southern Virginia and North Carolina.

“The trip is unbelievable,” Gosbee said. The journey includes stops for community events similar to the one in Bangor.

“We wouldn’t have what we have if not for their sacrifices,” he said. “That’s what this event is all about. That and to teach the kids about it.”

The convoy was scheduled to make stops at events in Lewiston and Portland on Sunday.

For more information, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.com.

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Comments
41 comments on this item
On 12/8/08 at 2:03 AM, Mainelyme wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Are there going to be wreaths with Lavender Ribbons to grace the graves of the veterans who were perceived to be Gay?

Or are all dead soldiers equal for their forced life ending sacrifice regardless of their sexual orientation?

Perley J. Thibodeau

Mainelymel

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On 12/8/08 at 4:42 AM, clamchowdah wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Mainelyme I can't believe you would post such mean-spirited crap! Shame on you !! My thoughts and prayers go out to all who have lost a loved one during wartime or not.

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On 12/8/08 at 5:15 AM, soldiermom wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I too cannot believe that there is any need for any sort of comment here unless it is to commend the folks donating time, energy and dedication to this effort. The troops and the families have enough to battle without reading some idiots ignorant comments like mainelyme's. Please get a life. If you have the time to think up this sort of comment perhaps you could find time to do something positive to support the Veteran's and their families. I am sure that those of any orientation would be grateful for those efforts. It sounds like you are an anti-war supporter and that is fine, but at least have respect for those that have given their life so that you have the freedom to comment in your own sick way.

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On 12/8/08 at 5:41 AM, markko wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I don't want to disrespect anyone, but could someone please explain to me how the US presence in Iraq has ever contributed to our freedom?

Give me three examples, with explanations backing up these examples.

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On 12/8/08 at 6:43 AM, bobsmith wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Does anyone else think that this whole event is just marketing ploy by Mr Worcester to improve his business? Think about it. 105,000 wreaths x $28 (or more retail valve, LL bean)= 2.9 million dollars. I think that money could be used to assist living vets......... Lets lay wreaths every other year and the off years wreathsacrossamerica can donate the 2.9 million to assist living vets?

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On 12/8/08 at 7:20 AM, SteveyDee wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

We have a saying and it goes like this, If your not behind the troops then you can stand in front of them.

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On 12/8/08 at 7:59 AM, Gunner wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

This story is remarkable. Mr Worcester, you are a remarkable person. I'm only one person, but I thank you for what you have done.

The other comments on this whole situation shouldn't even have been posted. These are people who have nothing better to do

and do not have a clue or the respect for what our troops have done and given up for us. If it wasn't for people like you and our

military, we wouldn't have our freedom.

For the "idiot's" who posted what they posted, find another story to pick on, or find something useful to do.

Thank you Mr Worcester and all of your workers and also a big thank you to all of the volunteers.

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On 12/8/08 at 8:10 AM, downeastmom wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

bobsmith, that is a disrespectful comment. Morrell has been doing this for years with little credit. Lets give credit where credit is do and not think it is a marketing tool. I wish there were more Morrell Worcester's in the USA.

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On 12/8/08 at 8:49 AM, betelayne wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Mainelyme,Your remark shocks and saddens me.When a loved one is lost as the result of war or otherwise sexual orientation is not an issue.I assure you that Wreaths Across America does not nor ever will use lavender ribbons to identify the graves of gay veterans.I hope you ask your God for forgiveness for that terrible comment.

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On 12/8/08 at 9:08 AM, lovetheBDN wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

bobsmith since you are willing to buy a wreath to assist a living vet go to www.va.gov and donate your $28. Thanks!

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On 12/8/08 at 10:34 AM, Mainelyme wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

And I hope that all you TWO FACE HYPOCRITES ask YOUR GOD for forgivbeness in the way ALL OF YOU treated the GAY SOLDIERS when they were ALIVE!!

THEY DIED FOR YOUR USELESS FREEDOM NOT THEIRS!

TOO HELL WITH ALL OF YOU!

PERLEY J. THIBODEAU

MAINELYME

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On 12/8/08 at 10:39 AM, SteveyDee wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

We can thank ole slick Willie for the don't ask don't tell policy.

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On 12/8/08 at 10:47 AM, MelindaM wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I wouldn't treat anyone differnt because of thier sexual orientation so I really don't know wtf you are talking about Mainelyme. But I'm guessing you are gay and picked on because of it? Stop the hatred and go make a difference if it bothers you that bad. Posting nasty comments isn't going to help your cause, and by the way, just how did everyone treat them so bad anyways? Maybe your screenname says it all, mainely you!

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On 12/8/08 at 11:11 AM, Mainelyme wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

MelindaM:

You are too numb to understand if I even took the time to explain.

Your brain is so insulated against the events in other people's lives that I would much rather be Mainelyme than be Mainely You!

Perley J. Thibodeau

Mainelyme

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On 12/8/08 at 11:14 AM, Mainelyme wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

SteveyDee:

Don't ask-Don't tell only continues to allow gays to get killed for other people's freedom not their own!

Perley J. Thibodeau

Mainelyme

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On 12/8/08 at 11:42 AM, LexusI wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I participated in the Wreaths Across America last year to Arlington National Cemetery. Each state they pass through will honor the escort, as Bangor honored the escort yesterday. You can be sure that each and every participant on this journey will leave ANC with precious memories they will cherish forever. I am sorry to see how quickly others judge...

I would like to thank the Worcester Family for all they have done to make this a reality, to the Patriot Guard Riders for escorting this group through every state and to all of those who have volunteered their time to honor those who served and still serve.

Most importantly THANK YOU to all who have ever served our country - you will never be forgotten - FREEDOM is NOT FREE!

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On 12/8/08 at 11:44 AM, MelindaM wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Wow, mainely maine you really have some anger issues. You don't even know me but you are making assumtions! And I'm not numb and probobly would understand because I don't discriminate against anyone. And what events in other peoples lives do you think I'm so insulated against? I have my own life experiences I go on, no one elses. If someone is gay then so be it. I have alot of gay friends who I think are great people. As long as no one hurts or molests a child then you can do what you want. But I also know a gay man who has molested alot of children within my family and that is messed up. He has ruined alot of lives because of his sickness. Thats the type of shit I'm against! I'm would much rather be me then you cause I can find happiness in life and you can't!

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On 12/8/08 at 12:24 PM, Mainelyme wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

MelindaM

Give the GI Bill and other rights awarded to veterans who played the role to the equally entitiled veterans who were put out of the service after an uncompleted distinguished career for being reportedly gay.

As for your relative molesting young children, he wasn't gay he was a pedophile, there's a vast difference!

You and your other relatives should have put a stop to it when you first perceived that this was going on.

By not warning the children of what dangers faced them all of you were equally responsible for their abuse!

Mainelyme

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On 12/8/08 at 12:33 PM, LexusI wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

If you have personal issues to discuss...please do it somewhere else...this is a HONOR MISSION...please do not dishonor it!

Thank you,

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On 12/8/08 at 12:51 PM, Mainelyme wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

LexusI

This may be a personal issue to you but, it's a personal issue to millions of other American Citizens who are directly involved, too!

Cry on somebody else's shoulder we're talking fighting and dying for basic human rights here!

Perley J. Yhibodeau

Mainelyme

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On 12/8/08 at 12:53 PM, Mainelyme wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

On 12/8/08 at 12:51 PM, Mainelyme wrote:

LexusI

This may be a personal issue to you but, it's a personal issue to millions of other American Citizens who are directly involved, too!

Cry on somebody else's shoulder we're talking fighting and dying for basic human rights here!

Perley J. Thibodeau

Mainelyme

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On 12/8/08 at 12:53 PM, lovetheBDN wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

MelindaM & Others

I would just ignore Mainelyme comments. No matter what the article is about there are a few on here including Mainelyme , SteveDee who ALWAYS write antagonistic comments. I have just learned to ignore them over time and don't even read them. I think Mainelyme, SteveDee and a few others are actually one in the same person and write to stir the pot - unfortunate that the BDN lets this happens as I love reading well thought out comments but I guess these types of forums also attract these type of people.

To the volunteers who helped decorate, transport and organize this event - Well Done!! Thank you for remember the lives of those who served our country. May you have a blessed Christmas!!

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On 12/8/08 at 12:59 PM, SteveyDee wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

lovetheBDN, I didn't say anything bad. I've been very good.

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On 12/8/08 at 1:28 PM, MelindaM wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

We all should be proud of the volunteers who made this happen. Makes me proud to be an american knowing they care so much to honor everyone who gave thier lives fighting for a cause they believed in. Just sad how people jump to conclusions on things they know nothing about. I would certainly support helping people get all they are entitled to if they indeed did thier part. Wouldn't be fair to deny someone anything based on race or orientation if they earned it. Treat everyone equal and give them what they deserve! And just for the record, we were the victoms, not the one turning a blind eye!

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On 12/8/08 at 2:21 PM, Mainelyme wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I have a friend who received a Distinguished Flying Cross for having flown 9 missions over German occupied territory in World War Two.

He's ninety two years old now and can't receive any kind of pension from the United States Government because he finally admitted that he was gay and got a "Less Than Honorable Discharge" for his heroic efforts to keep America free..

And yet the VFW has always been full of hopeless drunks who drank their way through the war, and their equally good time wives and girl friends who are all along for the ride.

Don't tell me I don't know what's going on-You're telling it to the wrong person!

Perley J. Thibodeau

Mainelyme

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On 12/8/08 at 4:01 PM, dbaker wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I felt lucky to have been on Rt.1 yesterday morning to witness this Convoy headed for Arlington.....what a remarkable sight it was to see cars pulling over, flashing lights, honking horns and even people standing on the side of the road waving and saluting as this rally passed thru their towns.

MainelyMe: as usual your comments were not even related to the article at hand and didn't make any sense.

bobsmith: Who cares? He's been doing this for 15+ years...according to your fuzzy math thats $2.9 million this year...thats quite an advertising budget!!!

markko: You wanted three examples...easy

1.) There has not been one successful terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9-11-2001

2.) There has not been one successful terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9-11-2001

3.) There has not been one successful terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9-11-2001

After January 20th we might not be able to say that!!!

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On 12/8/08 at 5:01 PM, Mainelyme wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

dbaker:

My comments are on topic and they do make sense.

If you sob sisters would look around you'd see people suffering and in need who are still alive, and then if you had any compassion at all you'd really have something to cry about!

Perley J. Thibodeau

Mainelyme

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On 12/8/08 at 5:10 PM, Mainelyme wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

As for 9/11.

I have a friend who was working in the basement of the World Trade Towers on both occasions that they were bombed.

Believe me he's been emotionally troubled ever since.

However, people like all of you are so busy publicly displaying your false emotions as a means for personal attention that none of you can be bothered to talk to my friend because he was afflicted with Autism to begin with.

The departed have now gone on to their reward.

Trying being considerate to those who are in need of a simple kind word right here on earth!

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On 12/8/08 at 5:13 PM, skyhawk wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

mainelyme, I think you are some kind of a nut beside being an idiot. Why take up the space on here ,just go dig a hole and junp it it and pull the dirt in over you. I can tell you never servered your country. You are what we call a slacker !!

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On 12/8/08 at 5:14 PM, skyhawk wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

severed

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On 12/8/08 at 5:14 PM, Mainelyme wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

And yes, I have a lot of friends and they are all in need of kind attention that you ghoulish grave defacers wouldn't give to the dead even when they were still on this side.

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On 12/8/08 at 5:44 PM, Mainelyme wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

skyhawk

I would but, I'm afraid people like you would want to put a wreath over me!

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On 12/8/08 at 5:55 PM, LincolnMOM wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Marketing ploy? Mr Worcester doesnt exactly have a great track record for being a honest businessman...so it could be to cover up his downfalls. BUT even so...it still is a kind generous gesture.

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On 12/8/08 at 6:28 PM, RocketScientist13 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Wow... In reply to Mainelyme, a solider, is a solider, is a soldier. Why does their sexual orientation matter anyway? They fought for us REGARDLESS!

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On 12/8/08 at 7:00 PM, Mainelyme wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

RocketScientist13:

That's the message!

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On 12/8/08 at 7:17 PM, bobsmith wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Yes it's a marketing ploy, if not Worcester Wreath would use only American wokers instead of illegal aliens (remember last year the check scam that worcester's workers were running) that make the wreaths. or about wreaths that were made from land that Worcester illegally harvested (article in the BDN about two months ago), You guys just keep drinking the Kool-aid

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On 12/8/08 at 7:30 PM, LincolnMOM wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I remember alot of charges against Mr Morrill Worcester...he even paid a friend of mine 4 weeks of bounced paychecks knowingly. He hires illegal aliens, was charged for illegal dumping and cutting on other landowners property without permission...among a few.

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On 12/8/08 at 7:32 PM, LincolnMOM wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The sad part is there is many other hard working wreath compaines that DONATE wreathes also...and why do we not see their names in the paper and over the news?????????????

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On 12/8/08 at 7:50 PM, Knightscross wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Very sad and pathetic that Illegal Aliens made these wreaths. Pay the Illegals crap then donate wreaths. Good sales scheme and free advertising.

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On 12/9/08 at 5:45 AM, MDIROB wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I knew lot's of folks who were gay while I spent my 12 years in the army. During "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" including my company co and xo. They were just smart enough to not go running thier mouth about it. Did it effect my service? No.

Mainely, if it such an issue for you. Let your little gay friends know that they can serve honestly, JUST DON"T LET THIER LIPS RUN FASTER THAN THEIR BRAINS!!!!!!!!!

R

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On 12/9/08 at 6:19 AM, markko wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

dbaker, you are obviously on some sort of relaxant. I asked for three examples with explanations. You gave one example (which while a convenient diversion is wrong).

I can just as easily write:

Iraq/Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11.

Iraq/Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11.

Iraq/Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11.

Iraq has nothing to do with further attacks, unless you count today's Iraqi war orphans who will surely be plotting in the future.

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