Key West Lou / BLACK MARINES HONORED

For a little town, Key West has a way of honoring everyone.

Such was exemplified again yesterday when Key West payed homage to those members of Black persuasion who had served in the Marines in war time. Key West’s home town boys. Thirteen all. In World war II in the Pacific. Many at Iwo Jima.

The event appropriately took place on Memorial Day at the Key West Memorial Garden in Bayview Park. A large crowd.

I have attended a few veteran memorial events at Bayview Park in the past. Always impressed by the pride exhibited by veterans from all walks of life who now reside in Key West. Most cloaked in Key West attire. Shorts, a sport shirt, and a baseball cap. Whether World War II or Afghanistan, they all know they are part of a special group. The veterans’ one. A family unto itself.

Rescue services for those in danger on the ocean are always available in the Keys. Especially, Key West.

Saturday, a boat carrying 18 immigrants from Cuba capsized 16 miles southwest of Key West. Immediately upon being notified, the U.S. Coast Guard was out searching. Joined soon by the U.S. Air Force, the Customs and Border Patrol, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. Some coming from as far away as Tampa to assist.

Ten were saved immediately. Eight alive and two dead.

A 3 day search was conducted for the other 8 to no avail. One hundred twenty three hours involved in the search.

The search was then called off. The ocean having become the eternal home for the remaining eight.

Not a fisherman, I was unaware of the size a whale shark could be.

On this day in 1912, Captain Charles Thompson on a fishing schooner near the Seven Mile Bridge caught a whale shark. Thirty eight feet long. Weighed 26,594 pounds.

Big!

Though defeated by the fledgling United States in the late 1770’s, Britain never seemed to understand they had been beaten fair and square. Britain was always offending or denying the existence of the sovereign United States.

Another war was inevitable. Independence had to be branded into Britain’s hide so it would cease and desist bothering the U.S.

On this day in 1812, President James Madison went before Congress seeking a Declaration of War against Britain. Granted. Thus formally began the War of 1812.

One year later to the day, the War was still ongoing.

Captain James Lawrence and his vessel the USS Chesapeake were engaged in battle with the British frigate HMS Shannon.

Captain Lawrence was mortally wounded. Before dying, he admonished members of his crew: “Don’t give up the ship.”

Thus the source of those famous words.

Unfortunately, the Chesapeake was defeated.

A couple I was close with over the years in Utica were Bahrim and Ramona. Bahrim was a psychiatrist. The couple lovely and warm.

Bahrim has moved on to the next life. Ramona survives. She has to be 80 now.

We have reengaged through Facebook. She came upon this blog about a year ago.

We were both thrilled.

Our renewed friendship is tattering. Ramona buys the QAnon line that a group of Satan worshiping pedophiles are operating a child sex trafficking operation from the basement of the White House.

Her fervor amazes me.

The major polling company Ipos did a study in March re the subject matter. Their finding: Fifteen percent of Americans believe “the government, media, and financial world are controlled by a group of Satan worshiping pedophiles who run a global child sex trafficking operation.”

My beliefs equally great, except diametrically opposed to hers. I wonder how she and others in the U.S. buy the QAnon line.

Biden’s burden gets heavier by the day. Many issues to be resolved. If not, the U.S. will no longer exist in several years.

Two issues requiring immediate addressing are the filibuster and domestic terrorists.

The back of the Republican Senate must be broken. Sooner than later. The way to get it done is get rid of the filibuster.

Senator Manchin has had his 15 minutes in the sun. It is obvious bipartisanship is not working. He has his way out. He can change his mind.

If the filibuster remains, Biden and the nation will have failed. Nothing will get done. The Republicans will have won.What, I am not sure. Unless it is a a new authoritative government they want.

Biden has also to deal with domestic terrorism. Find them, their organizations, their camps, their memberships. Break them up. Arrest and try those who are seditious.

Failing to do so will result in the U.S. being run by thugs like Trump.

I was reading last night. Jumping from one person, one issue, to another. Came across Forrest Gump.

Gump’s words of wisdom never fail. Two hit me again last night. “Stupid is as stupid does” and “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”

My week ahead easy. Only 2 doctor visits. Actually one visit and a cat-scan.

It is tuesday again already. Tonight Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Join me at 9 my time. So much to share! You will enjoy my ranting and raving. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

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