The Week Just Passed:

The Longest Day

Taliban Terrorists  Given “Get Out of Jail Free” Card

Must Read: Michael Gerson’s Column on “Obama’s global war on straw men”

The Pen is Mightier than the Pixel

Salute: John Harrigan of Sussex County, A Veteran’s Best Friend

Salute: Bill Koch, Great Swamp Refuge Manager

The Longest Day

"For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and good will among all Thy people. " – Franklin D. Roosevelt, June 6, 1944

Seventy years ago today, more than 150,000 troops from the United States, Britain, and Canada landed on beaches in Normandy, France on what will always be known as D-Day.  June 6, 1944 will forever live in memory as the day on which the forces of freedom, united in a common cause, began to beat back the terror of Nazi tyranny that had enveloped Europe.

In announcing the beginning of the invasion, President Franklin Roosevelt took to the radio, as he had so many times before, to speak with the American people.  But this time he did something different.  He didn’t give a speech.  Instead, at that solemn moment, with so much hanging in the balance, he offered a prayer, which can be heard in thisrecording.  

The National Archives and the U.S. Army have assembled outstanding online exhibits that draw on historic photographs, film, and documents to mark this historic anniversary.

Let us pause to remember the sacrifice of all those who participated in the D-Day invasion, especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of peace and freedom, and to their families and loved ones.

Taliban Terrorists Given “Get Out of Jail Free” Card

President Obama’s decision to give a “Get of Jail Free” card to five of the most dangerous Taliban leaders in custody at Guantanamo has increased the threat to long-range stability in Afghanistan and the Middle East and puts American lives and interests at much greater risk.

In its lead editorial yesterday, the Wall Street Journal clearly and concisely explains why “President Obama's decision to swap five Taliban killers for the return of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has morphed from a debatable policy decision into the Administration's latest political fiasco.”

The President’s troubling decision to circumvent the law by failing to consult with Congress before releasing five senior Taliban leaders has raised serious questions about his true foreign policy goals and his understanding of the very real threat our country faces from global terrorism and its supporters.

Must Read: Michael Gerson’s Column on “Obama’s global war on straw men”

Michael Gerson, a Washington Post columnist and former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, penned an excellentcolumn this week analyzing President Obama’s speech last week at West Point.  It is a “must read” for all those who are concerned at the erosion of American leadership in the world.

The Pen is Mightier than the Pixel

The increasing reliance on electronic forms of written communication is threatening to render handwriting obsolete.  As someone who values handwritten communication for the personal touch it conveys (I still personally sign every letter that leaves my office and pen handwritten notes by the dozens every week) I found this article about the benefits of handwriting to be of great interest.  I hope you will too.

Salute: John Harrigan of Sussex County, A Veteran’s Best Friend

Along with many veterans, and an especially large number of my fellow Vietnam veterans, I had the honor last weekend to attend the groundbreaking for the new Northern New Jersey Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Sparta. 

This new, non-profit cemetery will eventually provide the final resting place for more than 14,000 American veterans from Sussex, Warren, Morris, and Passaic counties. 

No one deserves more credit for the creation of cemetery than Sussex County’s John Harrigan.  As this article explains, John has been working for years on this project.  He and his Association, with the major assistance of the Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and of many other supporters and contributors, are ensuring that the veterans who will one day rest here will be accorded the honor they are due for their service to our country.

I salute John for all that he does for our fellow veterans.  He truly is a veteran’s best friend!

Salute: Bill Koch, Great Swamp Refuge Manager

After 43 years of faithful and dedicated service “conserving the nature of America” as a valued leader at the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, including 30 years as refuge manager at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Bill Koch is preparing to enjoy a well-earned retirement.

Anyone who has enjoyed visiting the Great Swamp has seen the results of Bill’s dedicated work.  His vision, leadership, commitment, and perseverance helped transform the Great Swamp into one of the premier wildlife refuges in the world.   Although his day-to-day presence will be missed, I was very pleased to learn that Bill intends to remain involved in the Great Swamp. 

I salute Bill for all he has done to ensure that this natural treasure is preserved for generations to come! 

To learn more about the Great Swamp or to plan a visit, click here.