This past weekend I received a packet from the executive director of Arlington National Cemetery. The packet contained the following information:
1. A letter from the executive director
2. Call Center Family Concern Form
3. Next of Kin Phone Call Return Script
4. Phone Call Return Script Voice Mail
5. Checklist from their investigation
6. Record of Internment 1
7. Record of Internment 2
8. Decedent Information Intake Form
9. 3 Photos of his grave stone
As I reviewed the records, essentially, they matched his name to a identification number. This number then was matched to the parcel, and the parcel was matched to the master map of the burial plots. At this point, all seemed in order, until I reviewed the Decedent Information Intake Form.
The form was dated 11/30/2006 and was partially completed. In addition, the form had major misinformation. Most alarming was the funeral home section which had a location of a funeral home in Oaklawn, IL and the receiving funeral home as Arlington National Cemetery. The fact is the funeral was Heitger Funeral Services located in Jackson Township, Ohio and the receiving funeral was a funeral home in DC that we are trying to locate.
Yesterday, I had a phone conversation with the Executive Director,Kathryn Condon. I shared the information, I had discovered and she was concerned at the level if inaccuracy in the report and assured me that I would know without a doubt were my son is buried. She is very passionate about restoring the dignity to Arlington National Cemetery. She wants to talk to the families and hear our concerns and make changes. I asked her if she had read my op-ed which she said yes. I told her I would like to be part of the solution and recommended that a panel be formed by family members that she would meet with periodically to get feedback on the cemetery operations.
At this point, further investigation will need to take place to verify if Heath is actually buried were his marker is located. It's a challenging time and could consume you. I will continue to update the public as I learn more. My goal is that maybe by sharing our story and being part of the solution, another family will not have to go through this ordeal.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Today Marks the end of the Iraq War - Why does it feel so anticlimatic?
Today Marks the end of the Iraq War - Why does it feel so anticlimatic? I said to Melissa this morning, "Well today the Iraq War is over" as we drank morning coffee. Melissa said, "Yea, and our son is dead..."
It's a sobering thouhgt, but I cannot let it end there. I just can't. Heath lived his dream and became a Marine. He was such a handsome, kind hearted, intelligent and interesting person. He loved God, his family and his country with his whole heart. I am so proud of him.
I am praying for a safe return for all our troops, but I am so sad. Congratulations to all our troops, I am proud of all of you! It's the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom. God Bless America,
It's a sobering thouhgt, but I cannot let it end there. I just can't. Heath lived his dream and became a Marine. He was such a handsome, kind hearted, intelligent and interesting person. He loved God, his family and his country with his whole heart. I am so proud of him.
I am praying for a safe return for all our troops, but I am so sad. Congratulations to all our troops, I am proud of all of you! It's the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom. God Bless America,
Arlington National Cemetery - A Spectrum of Desecration
Arlington National Cemetery is considered one of America’s most sacred and hallowed grounds. We chose to have our son, USMC Pvt. Heath Warner buried there when he was killed by an IED on 11/22/2006. Having a loved one buried there is an honor and a sacrifice. When we entrusted our son to the care of this most honored cemetery, I would never have imagined, we would come to know the spectrum of desecration that exists and haunts the families of those who have loved ones buried there.
Desecration by Administration
We became aware of an investigation taking place in the summer of 2009 by friends within our Arlington community. It appeared to be an isolated situation and we were never notified of by the administration that it was more than that – an unmarked graved was discovered. On June 10, 2010, I received a phone call while I was at work from a reporter asking me to make a statement about the news conference taking place regarding the “final report”. I was stunned to find there were 211 graves identified and incidents of desecration. However, this past July I was contacted again to make a statement about the expanded investigation which estimated up to 6,600 graves may be mismarked. Since then we have learned the cemetery is not computerized and an archaic method of record keeping using three by five index cards to track the pertinent grave information.
In fact over the last three and a half years, we have never been contacted by Arlington administration. When HBO imbedded their production crew for a three month shoot for their special on the families of the fallen, we had traveled six hours to visit our son’s grave only to be surprised by a videographer. Within minutes of our walking up to Heath’s grave, we were caught off guard by being filmed upon our arrival to his grave. If we had been notified by the cemetery that this was taking place we could have at least been prepared or delayed our visit.
The reality is Arlington administration has no mechanism in place to communicate with the families of those buried at the cemetery. Since the investigation, families are referred to a call center that was set up this past June and staffed by civilians hired by the Pentagon. They communicate by reading scripts. The entire process is a desecration to our son’s sacrifice and our family.
Desecration by Workers
One of the most disturbing findings was that of the cremation urns found in a land fill area within the cemetery. Having lived through the experience of burying a loved one at Arlington, I still cannot comprehend how the employees who bury our loved ones could be so disconnected from the honor of their services that they could desecrate the cremated remains of our veterans by throwing them in a ditch. I can only imagine how carelessly they lower the caskets into the ground and throw the flowers on top only to move on to the next dig.
Over the years we have accepted the fact that the treasures left at the graves as tokens of love are routinely thrown away. However, it was not until we were visiting Heath’s grave on the second anniversary of his death that we witnessed first hand the desecration and disregard by the grounds caretakers at Section 60. We had arrived in the morning for a private memorial ceremony. We returned to the cemetery after lunch, to find the grounds in disarray. Wreaths, flower arrangements, pictures, tokens of loves were strewn throughout Section 60. We originally thought vandals had gone threw the graves. The reality was the grounds had been desecrated by powerful blowers and were left as we found them. Melissa and I tried to repair what we could and replace as best we could; however, we ended up calling the florist we use for Heath’s grave arrangements and she came out to help as she knew the graves better. She filed a complaint with Superintendent Mesler on that following Monday.
Desecration of Honor
Arlington National Cemetery has been known as America’s sacred grounds and reminds our country of the sacrificed lives for freedom. However, from the top administrator to the grounds keepers, from the journalist and even the tourist who visits these hallowed grounds as if attending a festival, there has been a comprehensive desecration of honor. It’s hard to watch and process. I have watched a disconnect by American’s from the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and I question if this is reflective in the treatment of our war dead. Recently, a friend forwarded to me a political cartoon by Mike Luckovich which is a parody of Abbot and Costello’s comedy of “Who’s on First”. The cartoon shows a newsstand at Arlington with a newspaper headline stating 6,600 graves mixed up before the entrance of Arlington National Cemetery. By the stand are Laurel and Hardy asking who is buried there? Who? Pathetically sad, but I do admit it gave me a very tiny chuckle, but the reality is so true. Families are left to wonder - is this my loved one’s grave?
My family has come to the conclusion that our son is heaven in a better place were we never have to worry about his care and that he is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. We may wonder, but maybe through sharing our story we can help restore the dignity that our loved one’s deserve and the tarnished reputation will be repaired and the desecration replaced with honor, valor and dignity that once defined Arlington National Cemetery.
Link to Mike Luckovich political cartoon
http://blogs.ajc.com/mike-luckovich/page/2/
Desecration by Administration
We became aware of an investigation taking place in the summer of 2009 by friends within our Arlington community. It appeared to be an isolated situation and we were never notified of by the administration that it was more than that – an unmarked graved was discovered. On June 10, 2010, I received a phone call while I was at work from a reporter asking me to make a statement about the news conference taking place regarding the “final report”. I was stunned to find there were 211 graves identified and incidents of desecration. However, this past July I was contacted again to make a statement about the expanded investigation which estimated up to 6,600 graves may be mismarked. Since then we have learned the cemetery is not computerized and an archaic method of record keeping using three by five index cards to track the pertinent grave information.
In fact over the last three and a half years, we have never been contacted by Arlington administration. When HBO imbedded their production crew for a three month shoot for their special on the families of the fallen, we had traveled six hours to visit our son’s grave only to be surprised by a videographer. Within minutes of our walking up to Heath’s grave, we were caught off guard by being filmed upon our arrival to his grave. If we had been notified by the cemetery that this was taking place we could have at least been prepared or delayed our visit.
The reality is Arlington administration has no mechanism in place to communicate with the families of those buried at the cemetery. Since the investigation, families are referred to a call center that was set up this past June and staffed by civilians hired by the Pentagon. They communicate by reading scripts. The entire process is a desecration to our son’s sacrifice and our family.
Desecration by Workers
One of the most disturbing findings was that of the cremation urns found in a land fill area within the cemetery. Having lived through the experience of burying a loved one at Arlington, I still cannot comprehend how the employees who bury our loved ones could be so disconnected from the honor of their services that they could desecrate the cremated remains of our veterans by throwing them in a ditch. I can only imagine how carelessly they lower the caskets into the ground and throw the flowers on top only to move on to the next dig.
Over the years we have accepted the fact that the treasures left at the graves as tokens of love are routinely thrown away. However, it was not until we were visiting Heath’s grave on the second anniversary of his death that we witnessed first hand the desecration and disregard by the grounds caretakers at Section 60. We had arrived in the morning for a private memorial ceremony. We returned to the cemetery after lunch, to find the grounds in disarray. Wreaths, flower arrangements, pictures, tokens of loves were strewn throughout Section 60. We originally thought vandals had gone threw the graves. The reality was the grounds had been desecrated by powerful blowers and were left as we found them. Melissa and I tried to repair what we could and replace as best we could; however, we ended up calling the florist we use for Heath’s grave arrangements and she came out to help as she knew the graves better. She filed a complaint with Superintendent Mesler on that following Monday.
Desecration of Honor
Arlington National Cemetery has been known as America’s sacred grounds and reminds our country of the sacrificed lives for freedom. However, from the top administrator to the grounds keepers, from the journalist and even the tourist who visits these hallowed grounds as if attending a festival, there has been a comprehensive desecration of honor. It’s hard to watch and process. I have watched a disconnect by American’s from the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and I question if this is reflective in the treatment of our war dead. Recently, a friend forwarded to me a political cartoon by Mike Luckovich which is a parody of Abbot and Costello’s comedy of “Who’s on First”. The cartoon shows a newsstand at Arlington with a newspaper headline stating 6,600 graves mixed up before the entrance of Arlington National Cemetery. By the stand are Laurel and Hardy asking who is buried there? Who? Pathetically sad, but I do admit it gave me a very tiny chuckle, but the reality is so true. Families are left to wonder - is this my loved one’s grave?
My family has come to the conclusion that our son is heaven in a better place were we never have to worry about his care and that he is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. We may wonder, but maybe through sharing our story we can help restore the dignity that our loved one’s deserve and the tarnished reputation will be repaired and the desecration replaced with honor, valor and dignity that once defined Arlington National Cemetery.
Link to Mike Luckovich political cartoon
http://blogs.ajc.com/mike-luckovich/page/2/
Monday, June 21, 2010
Gold Star Father Supports Congressman Boccieri's Requests of a Review and Audit of the Policies at Ohio’s National Cemeteries
As I indicated in the article in the Canton Repository recently, my wife, Melissa, and I new since last summer that there was an investigation regarding some of the graves at Arlinton National Cemetery. We were not told formally by the cemetery administration, but we heard through our informal network of friends associated with the cemetery. At that time we were told Section 60 was not one of the sections involved in the investigation.
To my surprise, the first I heard that the investigation was complete was through a reporter who had called an asked me to make a statement about the situation. At that point, I said I would get back to him and I contacted my friends who directed me to the live press conference. I learned the investigation had been concluded and there were 211 graves that had been improperly marked or were unmarked and Section 60 were my son was laid to rest was involved.
I was completely caught off guard by this for several reasons. First of all, we had never been notified directly that an investigation was taking place and that it had been completed through the cemetery adminstration. Secondly, the number of graves involved were significantly higher, 211, instead of a few graves which is what was making it's rounds through our informal network. Lastly, that the investigation included several graves from Section 60 which included the section where our son was buried. This is completely unbelieveable, unfortunate and not acceptable that a loved one should have to wonder if the grave their loved one is buried at is actually their loved one's grave.
ENSURING THE DIGNITY OF OHIO'S FALLEN SOLDIERS
I was contacted by Congressman Boccieri if I would support his requests for a review and audit of the policies at Ohio’s National Cemeteries. The press release below presents the official comments from the Congressman's office in which I did make a state of support for this review. I ask for your aupport of this effort. If this can happen at Arlington National Cemetery it can happen at any of our National Miliatary Cemeteries.
OFFICE OF U.S. CONGRESSMAN JOHN BOCCIERI
For Immediate Release
Friday, June 18, 2010
Contact: Jessica Kershaw
(202) 641-0098
ENSURING THE DIGNITY OF OHIO’S FALLEN SOLDIERS
WASHINGTON, OH – Although a Canton family’s son who served in Iraq and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery is not one of the hundreds of graves under review, U.S. Congressman John Boccieri (D-Alliance), a military member himself, today requested a review of Ohio’s national cemeteries. The audit and review asks that soldiers buried in Ohio’s cemeteries are treated with the utmost respect, in light of an Army Inspector Generals’ report showing hundreds of mismarked or unmarked graves at Arlington National Cemetery.
In his letter to Acting Under Secretary of Memorial Affairs Steve Muro, Boccieri requests a review and audit of the policies at Ohio’s national cemeteries which include the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, located within the 16th congressional district, and the Dayton National Cemetery.
Boccieri says, “I am writing you today in memory of the fallen soldiers from Ohio who earned the right to be laid to rest in our state’s national cemeteries and to request your assistance in assuring that these sacred places honor their memories…I know we both share a deep commitment to honoring the memories of the brave men and women who have served our great nation, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure their final resting places are those of enduring dignity.”
Scott Warner, father of fallen Iraq War veteran Heath Warner who is from Canton and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, supports Boccieri’s effort to ensure the dignity of soldiers at Ohio’s national cemeteries. He said, “No family should be wondering if the grave of their loved one is mismarked or unmarked. I believe it would be prudent that our national military cemeteries review their policies, procedures, and they have the technology to keep an accurate accounting of our buried military.”
Boccieri’s Letter to the Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs is Below:
***
Friday, June 18, 2010
Under Secretary Steve Muro
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420
Dear Secretary Muro,
I am writing you today in memory of the fallen soldiers from Ohio who earned the right to be laid to rest in our state’s national cemeteries and to request your assistance in assuring that these sacred places honor their memories.
As you know, it is a great comfort and honor to our nation’s soldiers and their families when a veteran is laid to rest at one of our national cemeteries. Unfortunately, according to a recent report from the Army Inspector General, hundreds of graves at Arlington National Cemetery have been mismarked, unmarked or moved without notifying the families of the soldiers.
Like many across our nation, I was deeply disturbed and angered with the mismanagement that allowed this tragic situation to occur. While the mismanagement that led to these unacceptable circumstances has been dealt with swiftly at Arlington Cemetery, more must be done to restore confidence in our national cemetery system.
While I believe the men and women working at Ohio’s cemeteries are as committed as I am to honoring the memory of our fallen heroes, now is the time for a thorough review of the policies at Ohio’s national cemeteries. That is why I am requesting a review and audit of the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery and Dayton National Cemetery —to verify that they have not been subject to similar discrepancies and confusion.
I appreciate your attentiveness to this matter. I know we both share a deep commitment to honoring the memories of the brave men and women who have served our great nation, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure their final resting places are those of enduring dignity.
Sincerely,
John Boccieri
Member of Congress
To my surprise, the first I heard that the investigation was complete was through a reporter who had called an asked me to make a statement about the situation. At that point, I said I would get back to him and I contacted my friends who directed me to the live press conference. I learned the investigation had been concluded and there were 211 graves that had been improperly marked or were unmarked and Section 60 were my son was laid to rest was involved.
I was completely caught off guard by this for several reasons. First of all, we had never been notified directly that an investigation was taking place and that it had been completed through the cemetery adminstration. Secondly, the number of graves involved were significantly higher, 211, instead of a few graves which is what was making it's rounds through our informal network. Lastly, that the investigation included several graves from Section 60 which included the section where our son was buried. This is completely unbelieveable, unfortunate and not acceptable that a loved one should have to wonder if the grave their loved one is buried at is actually their loved one's grave.
ENSURING THE DIGNITY OF OHIO'S FALLEN SOLDIERS
I was contacted by Congressman Boccieri if I would support his requests for a review and audit of the policies at Ohio’s National Cemeteries. The press release below presents the official comments from the Congressman's office in which I did make a state of support for this review. I ask for your aupport of this effort. If this can happen at Arlington National Cemetery it can happen at any of our National Miliatary Cemeteries.
OFFICE OF U.S. CONGRESSMAN JOHN BOCCIERI
For Immediate Release
Friday, June 18, 2010
Contact: Jessica Kershaw
(202) 641-0098
ENSURING THE DIGNITY OF OHIO’S FALLEN SOLDIERS
WASHINGTON, OH – Although a Canton family’s son who served in Iraq and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery is not one of the hundreds of graves under review, U.S. Congressman John Boccieri (D-Alliance), a military member himself, today requested a review of Ohio’s national cemeteries. The audit and review asks that soldiers buried in Ohio’s cemeteries are treated with the utmost respect, in light of an Army Inspector Generals’ report showing hundreds of mismarked or unmarked graves at Arlington National Cemetery.
In his letter to Acting Under Secretary of Memorial Affairs Steve Muro, Boccieri requests a review and audit of the policies at Ohio’s national cemeteries which include the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, located within the 16th congressional district, and the Dayton National Cemetery.
Boccieri says, “I am writing you today in memory of the fallen soldiers from Ohio who earned the right to be laid to rest in our state’s national cemeteries and to request your assistance in assuring that these sacred places honor their memories…I know we both share a deep commitment to honoring the memories of the brave men and women who have served our great nation, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure their final resting places are those of enduring dignity.”
Scott Warner, father of fallen Iraq War veteran Heath Warner who is from Canton and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, supports Boccieri’s effort to ensure the dignity of soldiers at Ohio’s national cemeteries. He said, “No family should be wondering if the grave of their loved one is mismarked or unmarked. I believe it would be prudent that our national military cemeteries review their policies, procedures, and they have the technology to keep an accurate accounting of our buried military.”
Boccieri’s Letter to the Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs is Below:
***
Friday, June 18, 2010
Under Secretary Steve Muro
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420
Dear Secretary Muro,
I am writing you today in memory of the fallen soldiers from Ohio who earned the right to be laid to rest in our state’s national cemeteries and to request your assistance in assuring that these sacred places honor their memories.
As you know, it is a great comfort and honor to our nation’s soldiers and their families when a veteran is laid to rest at one of our national cemeteries. Unfortunately, according to a recent report from the Army Inspector General, hundreds of graves at Arlington National Cemetery have been mismarked, unmarked or moved without notifying the families of the soldiers.
Like many across our nation, I was deeply disturbed and angered with the mismanagement that allowed this tragic situation to occur. While the mismanagement that led to these unacceptable circumstances has been dealt with swiftly at Arlington Cemetery, more must be done to restore confidence in our national cemetery system.
While I believe the men and women working at Ohio’s cemeteries are as committed as I am to honoring the memory of our fallen heroes, now is the time for a thorough review of the policies at Ohio’s national cemeteries. That is why I am requesting a review and audit of the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery and Dayton National Cemetery —to verify that they have not been subject to similar discrepancies and confusion.
I appreciate your attentiveness to this matter. I know we both share a deep commitment to honoring the memories of the brave men and women who have served our great nation, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure their final resting places are those of enduring dignity.
Sincerely,
John Boccieri
Member of Congress
Friday, April 16, 2010
A Poem to Ponder
As I prepare for the upcoming Memorial Day events I ran across this poem. It reminds me of the moments that haunt me and my family. I am aware of a sadness that follows us forever.
They Lay At Final Rest
by Del "Abe" Jones
They lie in flag draped coffins
War's time for them, is done
But, for their family and friends
The battle has just barely begun.
Some may have had babies born
That they will never get to know
Some, fiancees wait to marry them
But fate, would not let it be so.
Some parents bury their children
Not right, in the scheme of things
Just one, of the many horrors
That mankind's warring brings.
They fought for their god and country
They proudly answered duty's call
Along with all their comrades in arms
But, sadly, these just gave their all.
The haunting sounds of Taps
And a three volley, gun salute
An Honor Guard in uniform
At attention, standing mute.
The flag will be folded reverently
Presented to those left behind
A small token from a grateful nation
But, relief from grief is hard to find.
Their name added to a roll of Heroes
With all those who have gone before
And there seems to be no ending
To all those to be sacrificed to war.
They Lay At Final Rest
by Del "Abe" Jones
They lie in flag draped coffins
War's time for them, is done
But, for their family and friends
The battle has just barely begun.
Some may have had babies born
That they will never get to know
Some, fiancees wait to marry them
But fate, would not let it be so.
Some parents bury their children
Not right, in the scheme of things
Just one, of the many horrors
That mankind's warring brings.
They fought for their god and country
They proudly answered duty's call
Along with all their comrades in arms
But, sadly, these just gave their all.
The haunting sounds of Taps
And a three volley, gun salute
An Honor Guard in uniform
At attention, standing mute.
The flag will be folded reverently
Presented to those left behind
A small token from a grateful nation
But, relief from grief is hard to find.
Their name added to a roll of Heroes
With all those who have gone before
And there seems to be no ending
To all those to be sacrificed to war.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Not Just Another Saturday
This past Saturday I was driving and listening to the radio as I usually do. On the news break, it was reported that an official ceremony was taking place in Iraq. The Marines were leaving and transferring their presence to the Army. The ceremony was taking place in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq.
I knew the day would eventually come that this chapter of my life would come to a close, but it is so bittersweet, painful, sad and scary. This was the last part of Heath's life while he was alive. It's so hard to let go, but I am thankful that the very area that Heath was killed was also the place the Marines ended their service in the Iraq War.
I know this news clip probably passed by with little attention, but for me it had my complete attention. I pray that this pacified area will spur other areas to continue to move forward with peace. This was not just another Saturday for me but the turning of the page and ending of one chapter in my life and hopefully the start of another chapter. Thank you to all our Marines and
God Bless,
Scott
I knew the day would eventually come that this chapter of my life would come to a close, but it is so bittersweet, painful, sad and scary. This was the last part of Heath's life while he was alive. It's so hard to let go, but I am thankful that the very area that Heath was killed was also the place the Marines ended their service in the Iraq War.
I know this news clip probably passed by with little attention, but for me it had my complete attention. I pray that this pacified area will spur other areas to continue to move forward with peace. This was not just another Saturday for me but the turning of the page and ending of one chapter in my life and hopefully the start of another chapter. Thank you to all our Marines and
God Bless,
Scott
An Amazing Day!
This past Friday I attended the National March for Life walk in Washington DC. What an amazing day. I attended the event with Fr. David Durkee and other members of Queen of Heaven parish and the Pro life National Youth Congress. Needless to say, I was on a charted bus full of teenagers. I have not done anything like that in a long time and it was a lot of fun.
At the rally prior to the walk I was inspired by several things. First of all this was my first march and I could not believe the sea of people who came from all over the country to attend this event in late January. Second of all, there were so many youth present. They were so much fun and shared their enthusiasm was contagious. The hope of our future is in our youth and I saw that first hand.
On Wednesday before I left for DC, I phoned in to the Gus Loyd Show on the Catholic Channel. The conversation centered on the election of Scott Brown to the United State Senate from the state of Massachusetts. In the midst of the GOP celebration, I learned he was a moderate on pro life issues among other things. During my call, I expressed my concern that conservatives should have to always elect GOP moderates as the lessor of two evils when presented with a liberal democrat and a moderate republican. I realize as in this special election that there are times this is necessary, but what unnerved me on my phone call was that callers after me said there was no way a pro life candidate is electable. Talk about being stumped, I could not believe what I was hearing.
After attending the March for Life in DC, I believe there are pro life candidates who do not have to compromise their views and are electable. Face it GOP if you think your moderate, middle of the road approach to electing candidates is going pull off the next Presidential election then you are brain dead. Conservatives are done with that and furthermore, will not tolerate that any longer. Get with the program and wake up.
God Bless,
Scott Warner
At the rally prior to the walk I was inspired by several things. First of all this was my first march and I could not believe the sea of people who came from all over the country to attend this event in late January. Second of all, there were so many youth present. They were so much fun and shared their enthusiasm was contagious. The hope of our future is in our youth and I saw that first hand.
On Wednesday before I left for DC, I phoned in to the Gus Loyd Show on the Catholic Channel. The conversation centered on the election of Scott Brown to the United State Senate from the state of Massachusetts. In the midst of the GOP celebration, I learned he was a moderate on pro life issues among other things. During my call, I expressed my concern that conservatives should have to always elect GOP moderates as the lessor of two evils when presented with a liberal democrat and a moderate republican. I realize as in this special election that there are times this is necessary, but what unnerved me on my phone call was that callers after me said there was no way a pro life candidate is electable. Talk about being stumped, I could not believe what I was hearing.
After attending the March for Life in DC, I believe there are pro life candidates who do not have to compromise their views and are electable. Face it GOP if you think your moderate, middle of the road approach to electing candidates is going pull off the next Presidential election then you are brain dead. Conservatives are done with that and furthermore, will not tolerate that any longer. Get with the program and wake up.
God Bless,
Scott Warner
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