My Tribute paid to the Shawnee Nation

The Greatest and Most Recognized of the Shawnees was The Great War Chief & Warrior, "Te'-cum-seh" (which means "Panther in the Sky) in Shawnee
he was killed in the Indian Wars of 1813, October near Lake St. Clair,Ohio.He was 44 years old.He is buried in an unknown, hidden place near his birth place of Pi-qua, Ohio.

4 Bands of the Shawnee Nation:
1. Loyal Shawnees
2. Black Bob Shawnees
3. Eastern Shawnees
4. Absentee Shawnees

4 Divisions in Ohio
1. Ne-qua-cha-Ke'
2. Chillicothe
3. Kis-Ka-po-Co-ke'
4. Pi-qua
(Courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society in Topeka,Kansas, 1908)

13 Clans of the Shawnees
1. Wolf - Ma'-na-Wa
2. Loon- Ma'-qwa
3. Bear- Ma'-Kwa
4. Buzzard- We'-wa-see
5. Panther- Ma'-se-pa
6. Owl- Ma'-ath-wa
7. Turkey- Pa'-lu-wa or Pe'-le-wa
8. Deer- P'sake'-the or Pe'ski-the
9. Racoon- Sha'-pa-ta or E'the-pa-Te'
10. Turtle- Na'-ma-tha'
11. Snake- Ma'-na-to'
12. Horse- Pe'-se-wa- or Me'-she-wa'
13. Rabbit- Pa'-tahe-e-ne'-the

Responsibility and Stewardship...dismal failures

"But with respect to future debt; would it not be wise and just for that nation to declare in the constitution they are forming that neither the legislature, nor the nation itself can validly contract more debt, than they may pay within their own age, or within the term of 19 years."


--Thomas Jefferson, letter to James Madison, 6 September 1789
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In these days, especially in the past three and a half months, the words of Thomas Jefferson above should have more significance than what is being practiced in our federal government. The original stewards of the lands comprising our Nation, did a much better job of management...our own Native Americans...I prefer to call them the Indians because that's what they are and were before the days of the idiocy of political correctness. They managed the land with respect, they paid their debts in full at the time they were incurred; respect and responsibility were their watchwords.

For the sake of expanding the original colonies, the Indians were hoodwinked by the government at that time and forever more taken advantage of at every turn throughout the 'settling' of the west. If the way the Indian reservations of today are managed is any indication of how the corrupt elected officials in D.C. will manage our tax dollars...we, as a Nation, a Country and People are in very sad condition with an extremely bleak future outlook. Think about this as you enjoy the accompanying music slideshow, created by the great, great granddaughter of Tecumseh, war chief of the Shawnee tribe. Thank you Hanta' Hoi, LadyHawk, Little Hawk....my Tribal Sister....Na'Wa-cum'-seh, Little Bear.

We, as a Nation should be ashamed with the way we've let our government handle the stewarship of our Country......THINK ABOUT IT!!

A Passage Thru Time

"No country upon earth ever had it more in its power to attain these blessings than United America. Wondrously strange, then, and much to be regretted indeed would it be, were we to neglect the means and to depart from the road which Providence has pointed us to so plainly; I cannot believe it will ever come to pass."

—George Washington, letter to Benjamin Lincoln, June 29, 1788


To continue with my trip around the famous or infamous battlegrounds of The Great War, after touring Ft. Douamont, we trekked in a circle east of the city of Verdun; various monuments and trenchworks were everywhere to be seen. One amazing story I have mentioned earlier was the one about the 'Bayonet Trench'; it's a fascinating story to say the least. At one point in the battle for Verdun German shellfire was so intense, so concentrated that it buried French soldiers alive in their trenches. Pictured above is the entry way into one of these trenches, it had to be barb-wired off because of souvenir hunters taking the bayonets off the buried rifles...some of the rifle barrels are still visible; a very sobering sight to say the least. The area around the trench is beautiful and serene even as the horror is heard from the buried soldiers voices; truly a stark contrast and a testament to the brave Souls that perished there.

This is a view of the trench itself, if one would start to excavate around just about anywhere, they would unearth rifles, helmets and bones...this would be tantamount to desecrating a grave and is highly discouraged. Given the danger of unexploded ordinance all around the Memorial, it's not really safe to wander off into the lush wood surrounding the trench; try as hard as I could, I couldn't get a picture in my mind of how devastated the surrounding area had been during the battle. Although the A.E.F. did not take part in the battle of Verdun, I felt a deep pride, knowing my Countrymen had taken part in defending the freedom of the French and helping by doing their part in the preservation of the world as it was to become. It's just too bad that a more fair treaty at Versailles had not been attained....but then, is it possible that it wouldn't have mattered anyway and things would still have played out as they did? A good thought to ponder.

Here is a monument preserving the site of a village that had been targeted many times by the Germans and French as they fought back and forth for the ground, all the inhabitants that didn't flee were killed; a dramatic waste of human life, a whole generation of the worlds fine men were cast into battle like so much firewood into a fire...how many scientists, scholars, authors, doctors, artists, poets and other writers were lost, not to forget fathers and mothers, sons and daughters. A terrible waste of life but it was all for something that we all cherish....Freedom! If you die a free man or woman, it only matters that you've died free and fighting for what you believe in or, just a free man or woman passing after a full, free life. How many would exchange that for life under the rule of a dictator?

Montafucon, Fleurry and others that I didn't get to visit, it's all surreal as you drive on the road and read the sign saying you are now entering Fleurry or Montafucon and then the sign saying you're leaving that village...with nothing but a monument in between; very somber feeling that is.

Next time will be the west side of Verdun along with some of the Meuse/Argonne offensive.

Colonel John Walker Ripley....USMC Retired

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The family and friends of Col. John Walker Ripley said their final goodbyes during a moving funeral ceremony on November 7, 2008 at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He was laid to rest with full military honors in a ceremony that left most attendees either teary eyed or speechless. Among the honorary pall bearers was Lt. Col. Le Ba Binh who fought with Col. Ripley in Vietnam and actually witnessed the destruction of the Dong Ha bridge; the 30th Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Carl E. Mundy; Lt. Gen. Sir Henry Beverly of the British Royal Marines, a long time friend of the deceased; and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Col. Wesley Fox.



As the polished black hearse carrying the body of Col. Ripley approached the steps of the main chapel two Marine infantry platoons in dress blue uniforms with rifles and fixed bayonets snapped to attention. The seriousness of their demeanor was a clear indicator that they were just as capable of fighting a battle as they were of paying tribute to a war hero. Moments later, six more Marines, looking like they were carved out of marble, approached the hearse in a slow cadence and solemnly removed the casket. They then carried it up several flights of steps and gently placed it on the bier in the back of the chapel. “Out of the Depths I Cry to Thee” The afternoon sun filtering through the stained glass windows illuminated the incense that wafted through the air, creating a blue haze that seemed to hover over the top of the flag-draped coffin. All of this created an ethereal ambiance that was truly unique. The people I met on the previous night at the wake made up part of the crowd who packed the chapel to say farewell. As I entered that blue haze, I saw a sea of 2500 mourners, many of whom were forced to stand for the entire mass. Row after row of academy cadets, dressed in formal attire filled the balconies above, while military officers, adorned with medals of gold and silver, sat in the pews below. As the coffin was brought forward, the Naval Academy choir intoned the mournful and soul stirring lines of the De Profundis; “Out of the depths I cry unto thee, O Lord.” The plaintive chant was originally composed as an appeal on the part of the disincarnate soul pleading for mercy before the throne of God. On this day, it produced an atmosphere of added grandeur considering the stature of the man whose funeral mass we were now witnessing.



Funeral Eulogies In his homily, Fr. Peter McGeory chose to bypass the stories of “Col. Ripley at the bridge.” He preferred to focus his words instead on the personal and religious side of the man. Col. Ripley was a soldier who went to mass on a daily basis when he was in town and did so with humility. “He was living proof that serving both God and country can be done with equal fidelity,” he said. His faithfulness to his wife Moline, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, was equally intense. Moline was an archetypal Southern lady who had been reduced to a wheel chair because of her illness. Father McGeory told of witnessing Col. Ripley at an Academy event one day kneeling on one knee next to his wife’s chair, gently speaking to Moline as he spoon fed her. Seeing his wife reduced to such a state caused Col. Ripley more suffering and required more strength of will than his superhuman efforts in the destruction of the Dong Ha Bridge. It would be one of the last bitter gulps from his chalice of suffering.



Captain Tom Ripley gave an equally stirring eulogy of his father after mass and also touched on his father’s religious side. He surprised the audience by telling them the proper way to use a kneeler during mass. You should not let your bottom touch the seat. “If you are going to sit, sit” he quoted his father saying. “If you are going to kneel, kneel, but don’t do both.” He then outlined some of the essential qualities of a Marine Corps leader. He must have the spirit of the attack, boldness and a receptiveness for risk taking. “If you are not comfortable operating with risk,” Col. Ripley would say, “then you need to get into a new line of work.” Academy cadets leaned with elbows against the pew in front of them soaking in every word as Captain Ripley finished with an anecdote that illustrated the loyalty of his father. In 1985, Col. Ripley lost a good friend when the commandant of the Naval Academy, Leslie Palmer died. When Col. Ripley went to pay his final respects to his friend, he was shocked to find there was no honor guard. He remedied the situation with a sacrifice that was as noble as it was arduous.“As the Senior Marine at the Naval Academy,” Capt. Ripley said, “our father stood at parade rest by Capt. Palmer’s body for ten hours. It was only after our mother called another Marine to replace him that our father would leave his friend's side.”


A Legendary Marine The Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James Conway began his eulogy with a reference to the long history of the Marine Corps and legends such as Joe Foss and Chesty Puller. "We read about their stories," he said, "but we did not have the chance to know them." “We were honored to know an authentic Marine Corps legend,” he said, “John Walker Ripley.” General Conway knew him for over 30 years and defined Col. Ripley as “a commander, a mentor, a friend” and “a consummate Southern gentleman.” A man who never got angry and the closest he ever came to using a bad word was “dog-gonnit.”“John was direct,” he said, “and you didn’t need to ask him something if you couldn’t stand the answer.” A good example of this was the heroic and politically incorrect testimony Col. Ripley gave against women in the military in June of 1992. Regarding women in combat, the Commandant quoted Col. Ripley as saying: “There are sheep and there are wolves and the wolves always win. So in the end political correctness has no place on the battlefield. There are generations of young Marine officers out there today, defending this country with that thought process in mind.” After the Commandant finished his comments, the choir intoned the Marine Corps hymn. The audience joined in and the words of this song never seemed so meaningful, since they seemed to define Col. Ripley so well. “We fight our country's battles…for freedom…and to keep our honor clean.”




Sublime Symbolism...At the conclusion of the funeral mass, the 2500 mourners followed behind the coffin as the body of Col. Ripley made one last trip across the academy grounds to the cemetery a mile away. The Marine Corps band, playing a drum beat, and two infantry platoons led the way followed by the hearse, the immediate family and friends.



As the coffin was put into place over its final resting place, the sorrowful crowd looked over their shoulders at what sounded like a plane taking off from a nearby airport. As the sound grew louder, four AV-B Harriers in a missing man formation flew directly over the flagged-draped-coffin. While the audience experienced a prideful chill, Captain Ripley choked back tears of gratitude for the enormous tribute on behalf of the United States Marines. He was unaware that his father would receive such an honor and explained for me the deeper meaning behind the gesture. Col. Ripley’s older brother Mike was a fighter pilot who flew three, thirteen-month missions in Vietnam and was considered by many to be the most tested pilot of the time. When he returned to the United States in 1971 he was asked by the Marine Corps to test fly the Harrier and was killed on one of the first runs when his plane crashed into the Chesapeake Bay. He left such a mark on the Marine Corps however that the top marine test pilot in the United States every year is presented the Mike Ripley Award in honor of him. It was one of the many symbolically beautiful gestures witnessed during the day: one Ripley hero honoring another. As the band played the Marine Corps hymn off in the distance, there was another symbolic gesture. In every other branch of the armed forces there are eight body bearers, who carry the coffin of the deceased. The Marines pride themselve in using only six. Unlike the others branches who carry the coffin at waist level, Marines carry their dead at chest level. After the fly over of the Harriers, we witnessed one more thing that makes a Marine burial unique. In a display of extraordinary strength, the six Marine Body Bearers raised the coffin of Col. Ripley to chin level as a symbol of the final respects being paid to a fellow Marine.


After lowering the coffin, the body bearers slowly grasped the American flag and pulled it taut over the top of the coffin while Father McGeory said the final prayers for the soul of Col. Ripley and sprinkled the coffin with Holy Water. The grave-like silence which had descended upon the audience was briefly interrupted by the traditional 21-gun salute. The three volleys, during wartime, were a sign that the casualties were taken care of and the fighting could resume. The painfully sad conclusion to the burial was the moment when the six Marines ceremoniously folded the American flag and presented it to Col. Ripley’s only daughter Mary: yet another symbolic gesture of thanks on behalf of a grateful nation.



Final Farewell..... At the conclusion of the ceremony, everyone was invited to a reception yet few wanted to leave. Many chose to remain close to the polished cherrywood coffin. A number of soldiers took the opportunity to give a final salute. Some kissed the eagle embedded in the top while others exhibited an almost inconsolable emotion. Col. Binh approached the bier and placed both hands on the coffin, as if seeking one final support from the man who fought so hard for his people. Overcome by grief, he mechanically fell to his knees, embraced the casket and wept profusely. I later had the chance to speak to Col. Binh. “You are no doubt moved by the remembrance of what Col. Ripley did for your country,” I asked. Being a man of few words, he simply nodded his head in mournful recognition as his eyes welled up with tears.


Before leaving the burial, I recognized a Marine who had been at the wake the night before as I sat alone in the chapel praying for the soul of Col. Ripley. I never tire of seeing the way American soldiers do the smallest things in the grandest way. This Marine entered that night, drew near the casket, removed his hat and bowed his head in prayer. He then replaced his hat squarely on his head, stood bolt upright and executed a solemn salute. After an about face, he departed the room in a decisive military fashion. Col. Ripley would have been proud of him.We spoke for a moment beside the grave and he seemed to have a need to share his feelings about the man to whom we were now saying our final goodbye. His demeanor was strikingly humble yet his upright posture and the glow of admiration in his eyes seemed to indicate a firm determination to follow in the footsteps of this great man. He was not alone. I saw the exact same look on the face of Naval Academy students who attentively followed every eulogy given for a man who is truly an American legend. While we all mourn the passing of such a legend we are consoled by the thought that his example will inspire generations to come.
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Col. John Walker Ripley
June 29, 1939 – November 1, 2008
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Our sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to the family of Col. John Ripley. May he rest in peace!

A Democratic Dictatorship?

"[T]he policy or advantage of [immigration] taking place in a body (I mean the settling of them in a body) may be much questioned; for, by so doing, they retain the Language, habits and principles (good or bad) which they bring with them. Whereasby an intermixture with our people, they, or their descendants, get assimilated to our customs, measures and laws: in a word, soon become one people."

George Washington (letter to John Adams, 15 November 1794)

Reference: The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799, Fitzpatrick, Ed., vol. 34 (American Memory Co).

We have all heard the stories of in-bedded 'moles' from the 'former' USSR, planted here in the USA; true or false, it brings much cause for concern. How better to usurp a County's Government than to get a 'mole' in place and have them not only strive for, but to achieve the highest position in that Country's Government? Conspiracy Theory? For a fact, I normally do not accept conspiracy theories but I'm not naive to the point of discounting them completely; instead, I'll let you decide for yourself...have a look, link

If any of this comes to pass then you'll understand where the Title of today's blog originated; as it stands now, the liberal left has the White House, The House and Senate....it will not take long to overtake the Supreme Court and then we'll be in over our heads. You see, only in a free, democratic, open society can this happen...in order for this to happen in most foreign countries they use a coup...either military or a radical group aided by para-military groups (black panthers come to mind along with the nation of islam), nation of islam you ask? Have you seen the bodyguards that surround farrakhan? Don't ever think that's just a handful, there are way more than the eye can see.

If our President-elect holds true to his ideas of mass spending, we'll be bankrupt in a very short time, countries who've invested in the USA T-Bills will call them in along with whatever other debt we owe....the 'Wimpy Syndrome' of "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday, for a hamburger today" will not satisfy them and....boom, USA, belly up without a shot being fired. Corruption, like the evil cancer, has to be diagnosed early and cut out; maybe term limits in the House and Senate could be a step in the right direction, the 'cancer' of class warfare could be cut out by putting in a flat tax that would be fairer to all citizens. Universal health care is not a solution, it only adds to the financial problem, forcing businesses, large and small, to provide health care for all employees will force them out of business...then what happens to jobs and the influx of revenue from income taxes? Yep, it dries up, the un-employment lines grow and the 'soup de jour' will be weed, coffee will be brewed from tree bark until the environmentalists go bobby-bat-s**t.

All is not doom and gloom....remember that if we can catch this early enough it can and will be avoided...once again I'd admonish y'all to.....

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Wake up America and Gir 'R' Done!!

Armistice Day...11th Hour, 11th day...11th Month

"That the people have a right to keep and bear arms; that a well-regulated militia, composed of the body of the people trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defence of a free state; that standing armies, in time of peace, are dangerous to liberty, and therefore ought to be avoided, as far as the circumstances and protection of the community will admit; and that, in all cases, the military should be under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power.

"Recommended Bill of Rights from the Virginia Ratifying Convention,27 June 1778

Reference: The Debates of the Several State..., Elliot, vol. 3(659)

Blessings to you, Honored Vet! Thank you.

My thoughts and prayers are with so many today. I'm reminded of my hometown in New Mexico where an entire city block of the Civic Center is filled with row upon row of American Flags. A veritable Old Glory Forest. VFW members and the VFW Auxiliary see to this on every National day of special observance. Memorial Day, July Fourth, Veterans Day. Veterans of all wars will attend today...many in wheelchairs because their gallantry occurred many years ago and age has taken its toll. Some will be in wheelchairs or on crutches because their bravery was tested at the cost of arms and legs. But all wearing their campaign ribbons and service medals. Their faces will be somber, their eyes reflecting men and women who have seen too much horror, endured too much pain. Most of all, they'll carry mantles of dignity and pride because they gave their all when their country needed them most. Today, they sit or stand in quiet humility, but their hearts swell with pride in their service and love of their country. This scene will be repeated across our land today. And many, many of us will feel gratitude that America produced such valiant men and women. We will offer up prayerful hope that these heroes did not sacrifice in vain. We pray that, when needed, America can still find dedicated warriors to serve a just cause.

In the town where I now live, Nature is bombarding us with cold rain and wind. But the town's Veterans' Day Parade will go on. People will line the streets, wrapped in parkas and raincoats, waving American Flags.

Because we care. Thank God, Americans still care.

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On this day, I pause to remember all that have served and are still serving....on this day as well as Memorial Day and The 4th of July, I also hold a special place in mind and heart for those who served but no longer walk among us....be it from giving their all in defense of our great Nation or because age has claimed so many more.

Also on this Day, I remember being able to fulfill a lifelong dream of going to exactly where a lot of the battles leading up to Armistice Day took place; Verdun, Belleau Wood, Chateau Thierry....I spent a night in Verdun, just outside City Center, another night in Chateau Theirry overlooking the River Marne; I walked along the River Saar which was in Germany at the time of The Great War. Walking the streets of Verdun the remnants of shellfire was still evident on many buildings....makes one wonder how survival was possible for any human being, let alone the gallant fighting men of the allies and Germany. All the Memorials, cemeteries and still visible trench works are a testimonial to all the fighting men who valued Freedom over tyranny.

As I climbed the tower in the Ossiuary by Verdun, with all the bones inside the 'basement' of that huge, impressive Memorial....I could almost hear the voices of the fallen lying all together, friend and foe alike...intermingled for eternity....cry out to do anything and everything possible so that the carnage not be repeated. I heard the same voices calling out at the 'Bayonet Trench' where so many French soldiers were buried alive, still with rifles in hand, by horrendous shellfire. The voices that called out from Fort Douamont and Fort Vaux, strong points defending Verdun carried the same message. Does anyone hear these voices? Does anyone care what these men went through for over 4 years other than real Patriots and Veterans? It seems that, no, no one listens...there will always be someone with a grudge...real or perceived...willing to sacrifice men's lives to gain what? Nothing.

I guess the point of all this is, we cannot allow any force...foreign or domestic...to infringe our freedoms; there will, thank God, always be men and women who are willing to insure that the many will be protected...sadly, by the Few. After all the years that have passed since 11Nov18, our world has endured another World War, the Vietnam War that ravaged that Nation from '45 to '75, the war in Korea, that is still not ended...only a cease-fire exists; will it resume again? Quite possibly given the circumstances of our Nation at this time. The ongoing war to defend our Freedoms and way of life here and now in America....I'm reminded of the line from the movie "A Few Good Men".....upon being charged with complicity in the death of two Marines, Colonel Jessup told the defense attorney..."all you've done here is weaken a Nation". Right or wrong is not the point....sacrifices always have to be made to ensure Freedoms; the USA, as a whole, know nothing of these sacrifices...only the Veterans who have seen 'The Dragon', felt the earth tremble from 'The Elephant' and said goodbye to close friends and Warriors after a firefight.

Think about it and Remember the Fallen.

Shamefull Conduct and Mystery

"There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations."

James Madison (speech to the Virginia Ratifying Convention,16 June 1788)

Reference: Bartlett's Quotations (352)

This has been kicking around in one form or another for quite some time, I for one, am not a conspiracy theorist but this does beckon some question and investigation. If proven true, the ramifications would be incredulous. Bob Dylan said it in his song, "The times they are a changing", it's now compulsory at least here in Florida, to show a birth certificate for drivers license renewal...why then is it not part of the paperwork process to get vetted to run for President of the one true, leading Nation in the Free World? How simple can it be to quell the rumors and innuendo surrounding this issue to just show the vault copy of a birth certificate; unless there is something to hide. One candidate offered 'transparency' in government, the other produced 'transparency'...you decide which did what.



What have we reduced ourselves to with this video? Are we showing a 'united front' or just showing how far our Nation has degenerated? This is the kind of stuff that went on when Castro took over Cuba, when the Nazi's burned books and celebrated 'Krystal Night' prior to WWII and at the beginning of the Holocaust. Behaviour like this is common place in third world country's, not in the United States of America...at least not up till now. This is not what my generation's Fathers fought WWII for, nor why the Korean and Vietnam Wars were fought.

Why was the lone McCain/Palin supporter arrested? Because he had a toy sword stuck in the back of his shirt? Or was this a harbinger of what's to come of our freedom of speech and assembly? Makes me wonder what damage that raucous crowd did in 'celebration' of obama's victory, did the overturn cars, set fires and other vandalous acts? In my humble opinion, all that was accomplished in Philadelphia was the world got a real good look at how far we, as a Nation, have degenerated....what do you suppose they think of us now? These acts only steeled al-qaeda's and people who hate us to continue to destroy our Nation and it's way of life....our forefathers and our very own fathers did not fight for our freedoms to be thrown out the window like this; 7Dec41 may live as a date in infamy but 4Nov08 will live as a date the USA will regret for whatever time it has left.