Tell 'em I'm Coming!

Yesterday was Memorial Day.

As I have for the past several years, I appeared for the short but poignant service held at the Tombstone American Legion Post 24. I noted, as in years past, that in attendance were a handful of legion members. It was not all of our members. Although nearly two hundred citizens turned out for a recent tax protest, I noted no more than four or five of the locals and tourists had taken the 15 minutes of time set aside to honor the memories of the fallen. I was angry. Damn angry. I still am.

I am disgusted. I am incensed that Americans, less than 500 yards away, would continue doing business-as-usual, having their make-believe gunfights in their wannabe cowboy clothes and selling their cheap-assed trinkets, all within earshot of a bugle blowing taps for the dead. Gunny Bill even announced the service on Allen Street, giving everyone there full notice. What the hell is wrong with you people?

I considered the idea of heading downtown and causing a public ruckus, disrupting business-as-usual, like when Jesus overturned the tables of the moneychangers in the temple. I decided to postpone that plan, and post this to my blog instead. Blogging is great therapy.

Tombstone, which thrives on the freedom to travel, to be entertained and to make money, would not exist but for the sacrifices of our veterans and soldiers. I really would like to know why the *uck people will spend hours and hours working, acquiring, having fun and protesting tax increases, yet will not take even a quarter of an hour to honor those who gave some, or all, to allow them to do so. Indeed, I had one report of a local actor, who really thinks he's Doc Holliday, who continued arrogantly strutting down the street while the National Anthem was being sung right next to him. Somebody should have dropped his punk ass right there.

I invite you to help me manage my anger. I invite each and every one of you who, again, failed to appear to honor those who died for you, to post your reasons to this blog. Some of you may even have valid reasons, but I'm betting you don't. Before you do post your reason, though, why don't you take a side trip to a video posted by Capt. Bill. It may be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ervaMPt4Ha0&feature=related

When you come back here, which I doubt you will, tell us why you didn't think it important to honor those who graced you with your freedoms. You won't post your reasons, though, because you know them to be bullshit. The best I can hope for is that you now feel lousy and guilty and will resolve to not let this happen next year.

If ya'all don't show up next year, I will be really angry. If we have a repeat of this and former years, Ihave a message for Tombstone:

"Tell them I'm coming, and hell's coming with me."