Articles

FINALLY, RESPECT FOR POW/MIA’S AT ROGER DEAN STADIUM

Written by David DiCrescenzo on . Posted in Local News

Roger Dean Stadium has become an iconic sports venue in Palm Beach County.  People go on dates there; families, groups, and friends have outings there, have a bite to eat, and most would say it’s a great place to spend a few hours enjoying America’s Favorite Pastime.

However, in recent days, the shine of that venue has been dulled and stained with a controversy surrounding our men and women in uniform, and specifically our POW/MIAs.  The story started out simply enough when it was noticed by Mr. Frank Plescia, (a frequent patron who happens to be POW/MIA Committee Chairman for the State of Florida, Disabled American Veterans) that there was no POW/MIA flag on display at the stadium.  As a result, he contacted Mr. Alex Inman, who is the Events Services Manager and offered not only a free flag, but also a free flag pole installation by a licensed concrete contractor, which after initial attempts at contact failed, Mr. Inman declined, stating in an email, “Once again thank you for your interest in us here at Roger Dean Stadium. It was an organizational decision to graciously decline the offer.”

Decline the offer?!  This issue regards a flag that has become the symbol of the plight of our POW/MIAs; countless men and women in uniform and their families.  Names such as S/Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl; a POW that our government has virtually abandoned for political reasons in the Mid-East and Lt. Michael Behenna; a POW of the PC war at home in America come to mind.  

So many of our sons and daughters ignored by the government, and now a flag designed to bring awareness to them is brushed off with a “…gracious decline” by a venue that derives much of its revenue by many of our Veterans, their family members, and the families of those missing and held captive.   

I spoke with Mrs. Plescia concerning this and was informed that she contacted General Manager Mike Bauer, who not only reinforced the “gracious decline” of the flag, he also compared it to being no different than not flying the flag of an opposing ball club.  I was additionally informed that he stated management’s belief that honoring our military once per year during a special event is sufficient.  Since the story broke, a social media frenzy and phone call campaign has ensued and many concerned citizens as well as Veteran groups have become embroiled in expressing their outrage with the decision by the stadium to show such total disdain and disrespect to our nation’s military.

As of press time, neither Mr. Bauer or Mr. Inman have returned any of our phone calls, however I just got word that Mr. Bauer has decided to bow to the rightfully intense pressure exerted by the many that have been calling his office, and will now accept and fly the POW/MIA flag.  While The Patriots Press is glad to hear that news, we are never the less dismayed that such a report has become necessary in the first place. 

This is America, and no public venue should ever be allowed to get away with such a total lack of regard and respect for our nation and our heroes. 

Civil War Lesson

Written by David DiCrescenzo on . Posted in Local News

The Civil War.  Arguably the worst period in the history of our nation; it pitted brother against brother, friend against friend, and we lost well over 620,000 men as well as countless civilian casualties.  That is more than the combined total of U.S. casualties in all other wars.  

It was a 4 year blood bath that causes tension to this very day almost 150 years after the fact.

On Saturday, I took a drive down to Delray Beach to visit a 'Civil War Historical Re-enactment.’  Before heading down I had imagined the day to include some sort of mock battle or the like.  Instead, we got a glimpse into the daily lives of deployed Union Troops in the field.  

I’ve seen photos of the lines of tents from the Civil War, and I’ve seen photos and movies regarding all of the wars we’ve been involved with.  However, like most people that haven’t served in a military capacity, I’ve never really given much thought about the harshness of troop life in a war zone before, and I came away with a very different perspective.

Consider this; I spent several hours discussing things with Damian Wolf, (Commander, 47th New York Volunteer Infantry) and his wife Sandy, Jeff Durnin, (Lt. and Regimental Quartermaster, and second in in command) and several others in the 'camp.’  The camp was set up on the grounds of the American Legion Post on NE 6th St. in Delray Beach.  In short, it is a very nice area, and a great venue for such an event.  

However, during the time I was there, the weather changed from being a little cool to what anyone that has lived in Florida as long as I have would call downright chilly.  The wind picked up noticeably and the tents began needing a constant watch.  Mind you, several of the people were actually camping out on these grounds since Thursday and like I said, it’s been cold.  

Then I got to thinking about that and the reality of the situation, and got educated real fast.  Here I was standing in South Florida with a full belly, observing just a mild sampling of what those in the Civil War endured; except that the battles of the Civil War were not fought in the warmth of Florida where I had the nerve to feel chilly.  No, those battles were fought in Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and other areas up north where it gets very, very cold.  The soldiers in the early 1860’s on both sides suffered from lack of food and water, exposure, disease of every kind, and you name it.  They were shot up, tired, missing limbs, etc.  As in most wars, they were mostly very young, probably scared out of their wits, and wishing they could just go home.  But they couldn’t; they were soldiers and they followed orders, which meant they lived in the sort of canvas tents I visited, and braved the harshness of a very brutal war.

Then I couldn’t help but think of all the other men and women in every other war, from the Revolutionary War of 1776, the War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish American, WWI and WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf Wars.  Sure there have been some differences depending upon locale and technologies, but it doesn’t matter; all have the shared experiences of inadequate everything.  All of them have suffered greatly and given up much or all.  In the end, what General Sherman said was so true, “war is hell.”

For anyone that wants to get a taste of what life was like during the Civil War and perhaps get the same sense that I did; visit their website and check out the schedule of events by going to http://www.floridareenactorsonline.com/ and plan on visiting an event your area.  I would strongly suggest bringing the children for a real history lesson.

Palm Beach Lakes gearing up for March 12 Election

Written by David DiCrescenzo on . Posted in Local News

A lot of people in Palm Beach County don’t realize that there is an election next month.  Well there is, and in Palm Beach Lakes either David Levy, who has previously held positions on the city council and has been mayor or political newcomer James D’Loughy will be elected on March 12, 2013.

The forum, attended by several dozen, was held at the Palm Beach County Library on Campus Rd. in Palm Beach Lakes.  Shannon Armstrong, Co-Founder of the So. Florida 912 Group and Mike Reardon, President of the Palm Beach County Tea Party, made similar opening remarks concerning the real importance of local elections.  The main point stressed by both of them is that while these elections in and of themselves don’t effect things on a larger scale, the men and women who win them often start far reaching political careers where they are able to make a big difference.

The candidates were asked a number of questions regarding local issues, however it was their opening statements that made me and others in the room sit up and take notice.  

James D’Loughy is a new comer in the political arena, however, he is an accomplished business attorney and holds a degree in Political Science, with experience working on Capitol Hill, and he seeks to bring a new level of ethical governance to the council.

David Levy is a former mayor and city councilman with numerous academic degrees in the geological fields.  His political record is well known to his supporters and detractors alike, and in his opening statement, he said, “….no surprises, I’ve been here before and you know what to expect.”

Both candidates are family men with children and long established roots in the community.

Ralph Reed wows Wellington

Written by David DiCrescenzo on . Posted in Local News

Faith and Freedom Coalition Founder and President Ralph Reed was greeted to a warm reception this evening hosted by the Palms West Republican Club along with co-hosts from the Palm Beach Faith & Freedom Coalition, Today's Federated Republican Women's Club, Republican Club of Central Palm Beach County, Delray Beach Republican Club, Jupiter Tequesta Republican Organization, Republican Club of the Northern Palm Beaches, The South Florida 9-12, Catholic Outreach, and Veterans and Military Families Outreach.

The event was held at the Binks Forest Country Club and Mr. Reed delivered his message of what the Republican Party needs to accomplish if it hopes to win back the White House in 2016, and loosely speculated on how and why President Obama’s second term will likely be a disaster.

He touched on three specific areas that he believes might prove catastrophic; the sluggish economy which is affecting everything including jobs and what’s really going on with the sequestering due to the continued debt, the uncertainty of how the attack in Benghazi was handled and how that might play out, and how portions of Obamacare will be decided in SCOTUS.

He also discussed how the Republican Party must catch up to the other side with regards to early campaigning, outreach to sub-groups, and a lot more, and he brought up how President Reagan was able to reach not a majority, but enough of those sub-groups to win the election.

He closed his comments by making the point that sometimes it’s not what you say that matters so much as how you say it.  It’s a point well taken and one this reporter feels everyone can learn from.  

Ralph Reed is a man on a mission, and that mission is restoring America.

American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life This Weekend

Written by The Patriots Press on . Posted in Local News

The first Relay of the season for Palm Beach County is on February 23-24, 2013, with the opening ceremony at noon, luminaria ceremony at 6:30pm and closing ceremony at 6am, all of which will take place at Logger’s Run Middle School in West Boca.  

“This is a really moving, emotionally powerful signature event and this year I will be relaying for my father who is fighting the battle and is going to win,” said Jamie Lober, Public Relations Chairman of the American Cancer Society – South Palm Beach Chapter.  Lober said his diagnosis has given her life a brand new calling.  “I have spent the past year at the forefront of rare cancer and gynecologic cancer initiatives nationally and obviously am a spokesman for my local American Cancer Society affiliate which is a role that I means a lot to me,” said Lober.  

Essentially, Relay for Life involves celebrating the lives of those who have battled cancer, remembering those we have lost and fighting back against the disease.  “The fighting back component is one of the reasons I get up feeling so energized each day and the largest way we can do this is by advocating for more research, of which the American Cancer Society is the largest source of private, nonprofit funds in the United States second to the federal government in total dollars spent,” said Lober.  

At the event, you will find that people camp out overnight around a track surrounded by entertainment, games and neat vendors.  “Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times to acknowledge that cancer does not sleep,” said Lober.