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Subscribe to RSSVeteran visitors will discover we have a new look, some new features, and a new home. Let me know what you think. I understand virtually none of it except for the fact that a bunch of people worked very hard to make our blog a beautiful place that works better.
Sadly, the day got underway with some bad news around here. My friend John Finn, who would have turned 101 in just a few weeks, died in California this morning. John was the oldest living Medal of Honor recipient, and the first man to receive the medal for his actions in World War II. In fact, when John did what he did, firing at incoming Japanese planes despite multiple wounds from shrapnel and gunshots, it wasn't yet clear that we were IN a second World War. I had a glorious evening with John a few months back in Chicago—the most recent of many occasions I spent with him. He enjoyed every moment of his life—he was an American original, and a genuine American hero. I was so proud to call him my friend, and it was a genuine honor to know him. My condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace, Chief.
We hope you can join us for tonight's broadcast.
Leave a Comment:
Brian I thought I entered the TWILIGHT ZONE. This is so confussing from the old blog site. Now I did miss yesterday because I'm visiting my son but this. Ok it will take time like the last time you up dated the site.
Other surprises are Palin is now a Feminist and Rand Paul's Family have a good working history with Oil Companies and make millions. Rand even has a none profit organization made up of a board with himself/wife/family members. McCain stuck in the memory lost zone as now he is attacking Obama for spending, for 8 years McCain voted Yes on everything Bush asked for and McCain ran to give the Bailout money to the Banks.
Brian I'm glad I got 46 years to see what American Equality/Freedom is about. I'm getting tired of fighting something that idiots can't understand. I tip my hat to Barack Obama because I admire him fighting for so many Americans. I've seen evil and I prayed I'd never see it again. Yet I see it in the eyes of many Tea Party/Republicans/Law Makers. Now it's up to the young people to get the job done. Hearing the evil/hateful/filthy comments made about fellow Americans and how greedy people are writing stupid books to sale for profit. In the pass Law Makers didn't make public how they took bribes now it's all out there for everyone to see and it seems Americans don't have a problem with that.
Have a great day
Very nice, Brian!
God rest your soul, John Finn. Thank you for all you did for Americans back home!
Jackie, sorry it's confusing. We think you'll get used to it soon enough -- and isn't it nice how your comment went up right away?
Unfortunately, comment threads from yesterday aren't active anymore, but going forward the new format encourage for real-time discussions.
Cheers!
Nice to be able to hear from you, Sam Go! To us regulars it is very much like moving into a new "home", haha. But so far, so good! Whoever worked so hard on the new layout did a great job! It'll just take time.
Goodnight,
-Cary
I like the site! Its just going to take awhile to get used to the new format.
Hey Brian and all,
Love your site. So all is well? Very glad.
OK! Just wanted to tell yall things are looking fine. Saw yall today. Such a simple thing......but thought I'de 'try' to meet you-all where you are instead of a major letter-- Think I have it figured out. Always thinking of yall.
Be good! tesa
Good Evening Mr.Williams,
This website will take some getting used to at first. But as time goes by I think I will be able to get used to it.
Lisa
Great to hear, Lisa. We look forward to hearing from you!
Good Evening Mr.Williams,
A fine broadcast this evening. First of all the report by Anne Thompson concerning the oil spill disaster and the efforts by BP to clean it up. The "top kill" method being used now to put mud into the pipe to stop the leak may take some time to show any results. The underestimates of the amount of oil spewing from the pipe are staggering and seeing the reddish crude oil all over the Gulf of Mexico is terribly disturbing. The marshlands need to be protected and one hopes the ones not yet effected will remain safe from the oil slick.
The report by Mr.Todd showed how President Obama speaking at his news conference is making the crisis a top priority. Taking full responsibility for the crisis and saying the Federal Government has always been in charge. The visit by President Obama to Louisiana tomorrow to see firsthannd the damage along the coastline is vital.
The report by Kelly O'Donnell about the people directly affected by the spill speaking before Congress was heartwrenching. Seeing the photo of one of the men lost in the explosion was heartbreaking and nobody can bring any of the loved ones back of the 11 families who lost loved ones.
The passing away of John Finn a Medal of Honor recipient and a true hero was very sad to learn. Your tribute piece about him fighting against the enemy at Pearl Harbor told of a brave and dedicated soldier. He certainly was a fine person and one can understand why he stated he missed the past.
We honor John Finn and all the brave soldiers this Memorial Day.
Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to You and to All!
Lots of Love to all the "regulars"
Stay Extra,Extra Safe and Well Richard!
Safe travels overseas!
Take Care Richard and Crew!
XOXO
Wow! Nice digs....
Brian, thanks for the story about John Finn. What an American Hero! I'll bet he was an awesome friend. I raise my glass to Americans like him. I'm sure Chris will be in line to meet him when he gets to heaven.
Memorial Day - Remember the fallen, honor those that have served our country, honor those that serve today.
Well, I thought i already entered my comment around 6:30pm, and what I wrote was, "me thinks this will take some getting used to !!
Can one of you guys tell me I'm the only one with an "enter your comment box" that is still appearing (at least on my computer) on the screen after I entered my comment, which was originally entered entered about two hours ago and saw it then. . . . what the heck did I do wrong??
I met John a few years ago at A Congressional Medal Of Honor reception, (my father was a Medal of Honor recipient in the Pacific campaign) I was impressed at what a clear mind he had for just being shy of 100 years old, his memory of details and names was amazing. He was a very positive and happy personality who every person I met at this gathering loved very much. He was the oldest living recipient and highly respected by his peers who also gave the ultimate sacrifices for the United States of America. he really was a very special person!
Thank you Sam Go you know me I'll just keep blogging my opinion. It was nice of you to respond again thanks.
Now Brian I remember another President who took responsability for the Contra Affair now President Obama takes full responsiblity for the Oil Leak. Funny how President Bush could never take responsiblity as he blamed anyone but himself for two Wars and a Recession. Now what is sad is how every Law Maker in Louisiana and all the shippers are demanding quick action and money for their lost, but not one did the same for those during citizens begging for help. Brian somethings wrong when fish and animals mean more then humans. We've seen the sea clean itself and we do have many other States that produce seafood but this is turning into greed. Now Louisiana wants money from Obama for their lost, while never asking Bush/Cheney for a dime.
We have many hero's that have pass and John Finn will join the others. What a long life and how blessed we are to have had his service. John has many stories and I had to listen to my Dad's Navy days during Pearl Harbor. It seems the servicemen/woman's stories are what brings people together. Now Peaches will have her stories as she still stays close to her fellow soldiers.
What's with the Stock Market these days.
Have a great evening all
I had no idea where I was when I clicked on my bookmark for the blog. This will take some getting used to but I'm sure it will be fine overall.
So sad to hear about Mr. Finn. We have lost another great American treasure.
And a couple notes from earlier broadcasts: thank you, Brian, Ann Thompson, and the teams, for keeping the environmental impact to wildlife from the oil spill in the news. Sometimes I think we focus too much on the business end of the disaster, and how us humans are affected, and the animals are overlooked. Thank you for giving them voice.
And a congrats to your college graduate, Brian! I hope she (your daughter is the older child, right?) is able to find a job sooner rather than later!
Hello to all the regular readers from yesteryear and today! ~Stephanie+_Umbro, Maine
I like the new site. Interesting that it is through newsvine now. I suppose it makes it more user friendly. Ergo...
- Matt, 22, San Diego
I have a feeling a lot more people will comment on here now that it is instantaneous. A side note, anyone interested in a light read with a touch of irony, check out this Harvard Crimson article:
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2010/5/27/assets-swifts-banks-over/
- Matt, 22, San Diego
Well, this is... different. It actually looks better on the computer than on my BlackBerry. -Which I was reading while going down I-26 in somewhere South Carolina (road trip!). Don't worry, I wasn't driving! I'm a little disappointed I still can't seem to post from my BlackBerry. Either that's a sad technical issue, or I need a smarter smartphone.
So, I would usually have more to post, but after bribing my fussy toddler with cookies healthy snacks and hearing "Are we there yet?" all day from my 4 year old, I don't have the energy to type more. -I had already typed it all on my BlackBerry somewhere on I-26!
Hi to the regulars! Don't worry, we'll get used to it!
Lori
Aww! "Cookies" was supposed to have the strikethrough feature, but it didn't work! That takes all the fun out of it. -Can I get a user manual or something?
hi everyone! our local nbc station based in west palm beach, florida also has their website a new look. let me know if this message goes through.
Good evening, Brian.
What a change! It's a new home indeed. We visit here so regularly that I do feel like I've just moved into a new place, and so far I've still got a few boxes to go through before it feels like a home again. But so far, I think it's very nice. Whoever worked so hard on it did a great job--thanks!
Speaking of homes, I'm only just getting in about an hour ago from a big family day and had to catch up on everything.
I want to send my deep condolences to you and to John Finn's family on his passing. You've talked about him here before, and I've always loved hearing his incredible stories. There is nothing that moves more than hearing their stories. Thank you for writing such a beautiful obituary on him for Nightly News Thursday night. You were very blessed to be friends with such a true American hero, and he was very blessed to have such a good friend in you. I will be thinking of him this Memorial Day weekend, along with all of our veterans and men and women in service. God Bless them all.
Goodnight and take care always,
-Cary
Hi Brian. I'd have to say I like the new look. It's definitely different.
Cool Crib
Change is sometimes good. Be careful. Stay focused and yes I will see you back on TV next week. You folks do a great job. Have as happy a holiday as you can in your line of work. May the sattelite Gods smile upon you and keep the grimlins away from the TV trucks.
Robert
Good evening Mr. Williams,
I hear of all these boats being used in the clean up effort but the only clean up I see appear to be Men and Women in white jumpsuits cleaning with plastic bags on the shores. People are anxious and I think if the news media showed video of heavy equiptment such as skimmers being used and what they are accomplishing at least people would see some positive results at hand. As of now nothing along those lines are being shown. Plastic bags picking up tar balls is not comforting when hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil are leaking into the ocean.
Please try to bring some comforting news into the living rooms of the American Public for we have been shocked to the extreme by all we have seen thus far.
Thank you,
Jay Penso