Latest news with #DwightD.Eisenhower
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Historic Army locomotive finds new home in Abilene
ABILENE (KSNT) – Abilene is welcoming in a 1940's-era Army locomotive this week that will be added to the list of other historic engines which call the town home. The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (ASVRR) announced on June 12 that it has added a restored Alco/GE 44-ton locomotive to its collection of historic locomotives. The engine, which goes by the name of 'IKE,' was constructed in 1940 for use by the Army. The ASVRR reported the engine was originally purchased by the Arkansas Interurban line in Wichita, Kansas and later served the Army in San Bernadino, California. The locomotive takes its name from Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th president of the U.S., who was serving in the Army in the same time frame as the engine was in service. Found an arrowhead in Kansas? Archaeologist urges you to leave it alone Staff with the ASVRR and Heritage Rail Management began extensive renovation work on the locomotive in 2024. This included the addition of new wheels, a new engine, mechanical upgrades and a new coat of paint. Mary Jean Eisenhower, granddaughter of Dwight, officially christened the locomotive on Sunday, June 8 at the 1887 Rock Island Depot in Abilene. You can learn more about what Abilene has to offer with historical attractions by clicking here. 'Castle on the Kaw' for sale at $888,000 in Topeka For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Contributor: Trump's military parade and contempt for troops dishonor our service
This Saturday, a parade celebrating the Army's 250th anniversary kicks off in Washington. It will include nearly 10,000 soldiers and dozens of helicopters, tanks and armored fighting vehicles. The 90-minute event is expected to cost $45 million — factoring in the roughly $16 million for anticipated damage to roads not accustomed to such heavy tracked vehicles. In a recent interview, President Trump promoted the event, which also falls on his 79th birthday: 'We have the greatest missiles in the world. We have the greatest submarines in the world. We have the greatest army tanks in the world. We have the greatest weapons in the world. And we're going to celebrate it.' Thing is — after 25 years in the Army, from West Point to Iraq — I (like everyone else who's worn a uniform) can affirm that our equipment isn't what makes us great. Our Army and all America's armed services are made of men and women, not metal and wire. The gear always changes; the Americans who serve and sacrifice are the constant. It's not just the parade. Other recent events suggest the commander-in-chief could use a friendly nudge toward the right way to honor our military. On May 24, Trump gave a graduation speech at West Point with his red campaign hat on, veered into a five-minute story about avoiding 'trophy wives,' blew off the traditional handshake with cadets by saying, 'I'm going back now to deal with Russia, to deal with China' — and then flew straight to his golf club in New Jersey. The next morning, Trump began with a Truth Social message: 'HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY TO ALL, INCLUDING THE SCUM THAT SPENT THE LAST FOUR YEARS TRYING TO DESTROY OUR COUNTRY.' Which made his next 'weave,' during what's typically a somber speech at Arlington National Cemetery, seem almost tame: 'We have the World Cup and we have the Olympics.... Now look what I have. I have everything." Of course, neither is exactly the right tone to memorialize those who've fallen. (Who even says 'happy' Memorial Day?) But gaffes like this raise a far more important question: How should we honor our military? How ought civilians properly thank those in uniform, past and present? It can be awkward. I know from experience. I was a 24-year-old lieutenant when I got home from my first yearlong tour in Iraq. I was wearing my camo uniform when someone loudly said, 'Thanks for your service!' from about 15 feet away. I didn't know what to do, so I nodded in response. I was embarrassed at the acknowledgment. Better men whom I served with didn't come home. I'm not the first to feel that feeling. Eighty years ago, nearly to the day, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered an address in London just after the end of the Second World War. He said, 'Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in the blood of his followers and the sacrifices of his friends.' Anyone who's served in real close combat knows full well that when you're fortunate enough to get to come home, you can be proud, very proud of your service — but you never brag or boast. So here's the right way to think about honoring our military: We appreciate a modest acknowledgment — no more, never less — of our unique role in defending our country and way of life. 'No more' because we are not special. Soldiers aren't movie superheroes — if we were, there would be nothing to honor because there'd be no risk. We come to service from among you. We're the guy you sat next to in chemistry, the girl you played with on the playground. We're not always victims, we're not always villains, we're not always valorous, and we're not always victorious. We're some blend of all these things. Even George Washington, arguably our greatest general, who won the war that mattered most and protected America when it was still in its crib — worried constantly about losing. He was scared because he was human, and so have been all those since who've worn an American uniform. 'Never less' because we are unique. We train to get over our fears to fight. We go where we're sent, not where we choose. We trade soldiers' lives for our nation's protection, for objectives, for time, for military value. Nobody ever said this better than John Ruskin. 'The soldier's trade, verily and essentially, is not slaying, but being slain,' the English historian wrote in the 1800s. 'Put him in a fortress breach, with all the pleasures of the world behind him, and only death and his duty in front of him, he will keep his face to the front; and he knows that this choice may be put to him at any moment.' But just as we acknowledge this unique role, we in uniform must also equally appreciate those who make our service possible. For those in uniform aren't the only ones in America who sacrifice. Imagine the parents who send their only daughter or son into combat — would anyone dare say they do not also risk everything? Or other forms of service. My mother was a special education teacher in a poorer part of town and struggled for years to give a chance to otherwise forgotten kids. My father was among the first to join the Transportation Security Administration after 9/11. So I've seen civilians serving, even when it was hard. There are some who misguidedly claim military members have a monopoly on service. This myopia is best captured by a bumper sticker shaped in a soldier silhouette: 'Freedom Isn't Free — I Paid for It.' This claim is as flimsy as the sticker it's printed on. It ignores those who also contribute to the fullness of freedom: journalists who free the truth, doctors who free us of disease, clergy who free our souls, teachers who free us of ignorance, lawyers who free the innocent, and so many more in society who silently serve every day. After all, each soldier is the direct result of this entire community. And while basic security may be necessary for the exercise of freedom, it's certainly not sufficient to ensure 'Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.' That takes a bigger American team. It's taken me two decades to figure out how to respond to 'Thanks for your service.' I now say, 'It's been the greatest privilege — thank you for making it possible.' That doesn't cost $45 million or even 45 cents. All it should ever cost is a brief moment of direct eye contact, a few genuinely felt words — and never ever forget the handshake. ML Cavanaugh is the author of the forthcoming book 'Best Scar Wins: How You Can Be More Than You Were Before.' @MLCavanaugh If it's in the news right now, the L.A. Times' Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Trump's military parade and contempt for troops dishonor our service
This Saturday, a parade celebrating the Army's 250th anniversary kicks off in Washington. It will include nearly 10,000 soldiers and dozens of helicopters, tanks and armored fighting vehicles. The 90-minute event is expected to cost $45 million — factoring in the roughly $16 million for anticipated damage to roads not accustomed to such heavy tracked vehicles. In a recent interview, President Trump promoted the event, which also falls on his 79th birthday: 'We have the greatest missiles in the world. We have the greatest submarines in the world. We have the greatest army tanks in the world. We have the greatest weapons in the world. And we're going to celebrate it.' Thing is — after 25 years in the Army, from West Point to Iraq — I (like everyone else who's worn a uniform) can affirm that our equipment isn't what makes us great. Our Army and all America's armed services are made of men and women, not metal and wire. The gear always changes; the Americans who serve and sacrifice are the constant. It's not just the parade. Other recent events suggest the commander-in-chief could use a friendly nudge toward the right way to honor our military. On May 24, Trump gave a graduation speech at West Point with his red campaign hat on, veered into a five-minute story about avoiding 'trophy wives,' blew off the traditional handshake with cadets by saying, 'I'm going back now to deal with Russia, to deal with China' — and then flew straight to his golf club in New Jersey. The next morning, Trump began with a Truth Social message: 'HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY TO ALL, INCLUDING THE SCUM THAT SPENT THE LAST FOUR YEARS TRYING TO DESTROY OUR COUNTRY.' Which made his next 'weave,' during what's typically a somber speech at Arlington National Cemetery, seem almost tame: 'We have the World Cup and we have the Olympics.... Now look what I have. I have everything.' Of course, neither is exactly the right tone to memorialize those who've fallen. (Who even says 'happy' Memorial Day?) But gaffes like this raise a far more important question: How should we honor our military? How ought civilians properly thank those in uniform, past and present? It can be awkward. I know from experience. I was a 24-year-old lieutenant when I got home from my first yearlong tour in Iraq. I was wearing my camo uniform when someone loudly said, 'Thanks for your service!' from about 15 feet away. I didn't know what to do, so I nodded in response. I was embarrassed at the acknowledgment. Better men whom I served with didn't come home. I'm not the first to feel that feeling. Eighty years ago, nearly to the day, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered an address in London just after the end of the Second World War. He said, 'Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in the blood of his followers and the sacrifices of his friends.' Anyone who's served in real close combat knows full well that when you're fortunate enough to get to come home, you can be proud, very proud of your service — but you never brag or boast. So here's the right way to think about honoring our military: We appreciate a modest acknowledgment — no more, never less — of our unique role in defending our country and way of life. 'No more' because we are not special. Soldiers aren't movie superheroes — if we were, there would be nothing to honor because there'd be no risk. We come to service from among you. We're the guy you sat next to in chemistry, the girl you played with on the playground. We're not always victims, we're not always villains, we're not always valorous, and we're not always victorious. We're some blend of all these things. Even George Washington, arguably our greatest general, who won the war that mattered most and protected America when it was still in its crib — worried constantly about losing. He was scared because he was human, and so have been all those since who've worn an American uniform. 'Never less' because we are unique. We train to get over our fears to fight. We go where we're sent, not where we choose. We trade soldiers' lives for our nation's protection, for objectives, for time, for military value. Nobody ever said this better than John Ruskin. 'The soldier's trade, verily and essentially, is not slaying, but being slain,' the English historian wrote in the 1800s. 'Put him in a fortress breach, with all the pleasures of the world behind him, and only death and his duty in front of him, he will keep his face to the front; and he knows that this choice may be put to him at any moment.' But just as we acknowledge this unique role, we in uniform must also equally appreciate those who make our service possible. For those in uniform aren't the only ones in America who sacrifice. Imagine the parents who send their only daughter or son into combat — would anyone dare say they do not also risk everything? Or other forms of service. My mother was a special education teacher in a poorer part of town and struggled for years to give a chance to otherwise forgotten kids. My father was among the first to join the Transportation Security Administration after 9/11. So I've seen civilians serving, even when it was hard. There are some who misguidedly claim military members have a monopoly on service. This myopia is best captured by a bumper sticker shaped in a soldier silhouette: 'Freedom Isn't Free — I Paid for It.' This claim is as flimsy as the sticker it's printed on. It ignores those who also contribute to the fullness of freedom: journalists who free the truth, doctors who free us of disease, clergy who free our souls, teachers who free us of ignorance, lawyers who free the innocent, and so many more in society who silently serve every day. After all, each soldier is the direct result of this entire community. And while basic security may be necessary for the exercise of freedom, it's certainly not sufficient to ensure 'Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.' That takes a bigger American team. It's taken me two decades to figure out how to respond to 'Thanks for your service.' I now say, 'It's been the greatest privilege — thank you for making it possible.' That doesn't cost $45 million or even 45 cents. All it should ever cost is a brief moment of direct eye contact, a few genuinely felt words — and never ever forget the handshake. ML Cavanaugh is the author of the forthcoming book 'Best Scar Wins: How You Can Be More Than You Were Before.' @MLCavanaugh
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Georgia's Fort Eisenhower named Fort Gordon again
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WSAV) –President Trump has made the call to change Fort Eisenhower to Fort Gordon. Nearly two years ago, the base was renamed to honor President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Now it's once again Fort Gordon, but not for Confederate General John Gordon. The return t the name Fort Gordon is to honor Master Sgt. Gary Gordon who was recognized for his valor during the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia in 1993. In 1994, Gordon was posthumously given the Medal of Honor for his sacrifice. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
France 24
12-06-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Trump to flex muscle with huge military parade
Long fascinated with military pomp, Trump has openly envied the military spectaculars seen in cities from Paris to Moscow and Pyongyang ever since his first term as president. The $45 million parade is officially being held to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US army, which commander-in-chief Trump this week called the "greatest fighting force ever to walk the face of the Earth." But critics say the parade is more about Trump than the army. Protesters have pledged to rally on Saturday against what they call Trump's growing authoritarianism, at a time when he just ordered troops into Los Angeles after demonstrations against his immigration policy. So-called "No Kings" rallies -- named after the idea that America's Revolutionary War against the British was to free the country from monarchs and autocrats -- are planned in dozens of cities, including just outside Washington. But Trump is unrepentant. The president said on a visit to the Fort Bragg army base on Tuesday that "we want to show off a little bit" with the parade, and vowed "very big force" if protesters try to disrupt it. He made the comments in an extraordinary speech that breached the usual separation of politics and the military and saw Trump goad troops into jeering his opponents. 'Big birthday party' Trump's long-cherished parade plans are also rare for a country which has traditionally preferred to avoid displays of military might on its own soil. The parade will be the biggest in Washington since 1991 after the first Gulf War -- and before that for the inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1949, the army said. Nearly 7,000 army soldiers will march past historic landmarks including the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the White House. Roaring overhead will be a fleet of more than 50 helicopters including Apache gunships, giant twin-rotor Chinook transport choppers and sleek Black Hawks. Around 150 military vehicles -- including 28 M1A1 Abrams battle tanks, 28 Bradley armored vehicles and 28 Stryker vehicles -- will rumble along the route. Following the parade, the army's Golden Knights parachute team will jump in and present Trump with a US flag. Troops have been moving tanks and other hardware into place throughout the week. "I think the reception here is going to be very warm," US army Colonel Kamil Sztalkoper told AFP during a media preview. "Who doesn't like a big birthday party when you're 250 years old?" 'Believe in democracy' But the display of American muscle is also a flex of Trump's own strongman image as commander-in-chief, at the start of a second term when he has been pushing US presidential power further than ever before. Trump has been obsessed with having a parade since his first term as president when he attended France's annual Bastille Day parade in Paris at the invitation of Emmanuel Macron in 2017. Back then he was put off by the huge cost, then estimated at $92 million, and warnings that heavy tanks could damage Washington's streets. This time, the army says metal plates will protect the roads. At the time it also sparked comparisons to similar events in autocratic countries like Russia, China and North Korea -- comparisons which have resurfaced in his second term. Peter Loge, director of George Washington University's School of Media, said the American aversion to such displays went back to the earliest days of US independence. "We were founded by a group of merchants and farmers who were tired of a standing army invading their streets in the name of keeping them safe," Loge told AFP. "We've always looked down on grand military parades in Russia across Red Square or in North Korea, because we're not like that. We're Americans, and we believe in democracy, not in military shows of force." Trump's show of US military might does however come at a time of mounting international tensions.
