Memorial Day: Remember What It's All About!

 

IMPORTANT Announcement From President Trump!

 

Shame On Our European 'Friends'? ABSOLUTELY!

From former Bush II press secretary Ari Fleischer on X:

When this is over, the western part of NATO will never be the same. Spain, England, France and Italy have sold us out, as they too often have a history of doing. Eastern European nations are the heart of NATO. They spend money on defense, know how to fight and love the US. France particularly deserves fault and blame. From supporting China and Russia at the UN to denying Americans overflight rights, they’re doing what they’ve always done - showing weakness, while cutting deals with terrorists. (The reason the US has a Marine Corps and Navy is unlike France, we refused to pay a ransom to the Barbary Pirates. France is always happy to cut a deal.) Wars have unintended consequences as nations show their true colors. NATO will never be the same, and Western European weakness and acquiescence is the cause.

A Very Important Message For Josh Shapiro

From the Republican Party of Pennsylvania:

Maybe Stay in Your Lane, Governor

Josh Shapiro is attacking Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over military decisions… calling his language “so f***ing offensive.”

Let’s be clear: Hegseth is a decorated Army National Guard Major with multiple deployments and two Bronze Stars. He’s actually served.

Shapiro? No military experience, just cringey TikToks.

The same governor clutching pearls over “offensive language” is dropping f-bombs himself.

Maybe it’s time for Josh Shapiro to stay in his lane, and leave military matters to people who’ve actually worn the uniform and know what they're talking about.

A Very Special Message From The President . . .

 

A Very Special Message From President Trump

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God Bless Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth!

🚨 JUST IN: While visiting troops for Thanksgiving, Sec. Pete Hegseth leads a prayer for Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe

“My wife and I had a chance to lay hands on and pray over Andrew last night, and I promised his mother one thing: that we would keep praying for him.”🙏🏻… pic.twitter.com/TYc393Nenp

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) November 28, 2025

Rubio's Savvy, Determined Defense Of US Interests

🚨 SEC. MARCO RUBIO on accusations Trump and Hegseth violate "INTERNATIONAL LAW" by blowing up narco-terrorists in the Caribbean 🔥

"I find it INTERESTING all these countries want us to send nuclear-capable Tomahawk missiles to defend Europe. But when the United States positions… pic.twitter.com/YLU3rlkrzf

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 29, 2025

A Heartfelt Plea To US Catholic Bishops

An Open Letter to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops 

Your Excellencies,

In light of your repeated public condemnations of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, I feel compelled to speak plainly. And I do so as a lifelong Catholic and a graduate of a unapologetically Catholic university.

Many of your statements suggest that any attempt to enforce the border or uphold immigration law is somehow un-Christian. That is not what the Church teaches, and it is not what basic honesty requires. Failure to distinguish between legal and illegal immigration is inherently dishonest.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is clear:

• “Political authorities… may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions.” (CCC 2241)

• “The common good requires peace, security, and order.” (CCC 1909)

Those lines don’t come with an asterisk. They affirm that nations—ours included—have both the right and the duty to secure their borders, regulate immigration, ensure the safety of their citizens and preserve their national identity. 

There should be no doubt whatsoever about this. Indeed, Venerable Pope Pius XII declared: "It is quite legitimate for nations to treat their differences as a sacred inheritance and protect them at all costs." Those difference include our unique history, traditions, culture, language and yes -- our borders. The Church has never taught open borders, and she certainly has never held that compassion means ignoring lawlessness or abandoning prudence.

Yet your public commentary often sounds as though any firm border enforcement policy is automatically immoral, while the chaos, exploitation, and violence surrounding the border crisis are treated as secondary concerns. And many Catholics can’t help but notice something else: the hierarchy seems to be far less vocal when American citizens suffer horrific crimes at the hands of individuals who should not have been in this country at all.

• Where were the strong statements when families lost loved ones to drunk drivers who had been deported multiple times?
• Where was the episcopal outcry when young women were assaulted, raped and/or murdered by repeat border crossers?
• Where were the pastoral letters when fentanyl—trafficked across a lawless border—killed tens of thousands in our communities?

This apparent silence is hard to ignore. And it leads many faithful Catholics to wonder whether the suffering of their own families and neighborhoods counts for less in your moral calculus than the political narratives surrounding immigration. Worse yet, it appears to align you with destructive nihilist causes that are at odds with the Church's fundamental moral teachings on issues such as the right to life and the sanctity of the family. 

Surely, you must understand the potential consequences of your actions. The truth is simple: charity does not require naïveté. Compassion does not mean abandoning common sense. And the call to welcome the stranger does not erase the state’s obligation—explicitly affirmed in Catholic teaching—to protect its citizens and maintain lawful order.

Your Excellencies, we need you to present the full teaching of the Church, not only the parts that fit comfortably into contemporary activism or appear to be in harmony with a convenient and sadly, politicized interpretation of social justice.  Immigration enforcement is a matter of prudential judgment, where faithful Catholics—and public officials—may legitimately disagree. Refusing to recognize this misleads the faithful and undermines your own credibility.

I urge you to restore balance, clarity, and fairness to the Church’s public witness on this issue. The stakes—for our nation and our communities—are too high for anything less.

Respectfully yet firmly, 

Daniel A. Cirucci

The REAL Story Behind Veterans Day . . .

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially  when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. 

However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh mont, exactly one hundred years ago today. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.” 

Soldiers of the 353rd Infantry near a church at Stenay, Meuse in France, wait for the end of hostilities. This photo was taken at 10:58 a.m., on November 11, 1918, two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect

In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and

Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and

Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

President Eisenhower signing HR7786, changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day. From left: Alvin J. King, Wayne Richards, Arthur J. Connell, John T. Nation, Edward Rees, Richard L. Trombla, Howard W. Watts 

On that same day, President Eisenhower sent a letter to the Honorable Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs (VA), designating him as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee.

In 1958, the White House advised VA's General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee's chairman.

The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.

The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

H/T: Bureau of Veterans Affairs

Click here to see lots more from the Dan Cirucci Blog.

Italian American Heritage Month: WWII Warriors

During World War II, Italian-Americans demonstrated unparalleled patriotism by enlisting in the U.S. military. Estimates suggest that between 750,000 and 1.5 million individuals of Italian descent served, comprising approximately 10% of the total U.S. armed forces. 

This remarkable participation rate made Italian-Americans the largest ethnic group to serve in the military during the war. Their commitment was not just a testament to their loyalty to the United States but also a reflection of their deep-seated values of family, community, and resilience.

Among these brave individuals, 14 Italian-Americans received the Medal of Honor for their extraordinary acts of valor. Notable figures include Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone, who earned both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross for his heroism in the Pacific, and Col. Henry Mucci, who led the daring rescue of 511 prisoners from the Bataan Death March. 

Their stories are a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by Italian-Americans in defense of freedom and democracy. We honor their legacy and the enduring spirit of service that continues to inspire future generations.

An Important Announcement From President Trump!

Donald J. Trump

@realDonaldTrump

The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years. Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP

And Now, Telling It Like It Is . . .

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth:

“Diversity is not your strength. Your strength is your unity of purpose, your shared mission, your love of country” pic.twitter.com/QNDpm8MYde

— America (@america) October 6, 2025

Trump At West Point: Serve, Sacrifice, Win!

Yesterday, President Donald J. Trump addressed more than 1,000 graduating cadets of the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he delivered an inspiring message of service, sacrifice, and winning. Here are the highlights: “Hold on to your culture and your traditions because that’s what makes something really great — and that’s what’s made the Army great, the culture and the tradition. Whether we’re talking about a battalion, a business, a sports team, or even a nation, history has shown that in many ways, culture is destiny — so do not let anyone destroy the culture of winning. You have to win.” Watch   “Instead of stock options ... you chose honor and you chose sacrifice. Instead of business suits and dress shoes, you chose muddy boots and fatigues and keeping yourselves in shape — because West Point cadets don’t just have the brightest minds, you also have the bravest hearts and the noblest souls.” Watch   “The job of the U.S. Armed Forces is not to host drag shows, to transform foreign cultures, or to spread democracy to everybody around the world at the point of a gun. The military’s job is to dominate any foe and annihilate any threat to America — anywhere, any time, and any place.” Watch   “From Lexington to Yorktown, from Gettysburg to Sicily, and from Inchon to Fallujah, America has been won and saved by an unbroken chain of soldiers and patriots who ran to the sound of the guns, leapt into the maw of battle, and charged into the crucible of fire to seize the crown of victory — no matter the odds, no matter the cost, no matter the danger.” Watch   “Every cadet on the field before me should savor this morning because this is a day you will never, ever forget. In a few moments, you will become graduates of the most elite and storied military academy in human history and you will become officers in the greatest and most powerful Army the world has ever known.” Watch   President Trump recognized cadet Ricky McMahon: “In 2004, when Ricky was just a little boy ... his dad, Lt. Col. Michael McMahon, made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation in Afghanistan. Today, Lt. Col McMahon rests not far from here in the West Point cemetery. Last year, two decades after losing his father, Ricky placed a gold chip from his dad’s 1985 class ring into a crucible along 87 other rings with it of past West Point grads that were melted down to forge those now worn by the Class of 2025 ... Each of you will carry Michael’s memory with you always as you continue the legacy he gave.”   President Trump recognized cadet Chris Verdugo: “Last January, when more than 1,000 cadets volunteered for an 18-and-a-half-mile march on a freezing winter night, cadet Chris Verdugo completed the task in two hours and 30 minutes flat — smashing the international record for the competition by 13 minutes ... That really is the definition of Army strong.”

It Ain't No Toy; It's The US Marines, Baby!

Marines perform boarding exercises with JETPACKS and landing on a high-speed ship. This is very cool 😎 pic.twitter.com/fNxU7oPUtE

— 🇺🇲 Gunner 🇺🇲🫡 (@Steve1055K) April 26, 2025

Vance To Visit Key Base In Greenland

On Friday, Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance will travel to the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland to receive a briefing on Arctic security issues and meet with U.S. servicemembers. Pituffik Space Base is the Department of Defense’s northernmost installation. The Base, which is operated by the United States Space Force’s 821st Space Base Group, supports missile warning, missile defense, and space surveillance missions. 

The strategic partnership between the United States and Greenland has long played a vital role in our national and economic security. During World War Two, the United States established over a dozen military bases in Greenland to defend the North Atlantic from Nazi incursion. During the Cold War, the United States committed additional resources to Greenland to defend against Soviet missile attacks. In the decades since, neglect and inaction from Danish leaders and past U.S. administrations have presented our adversaries with the opportunity to advance their own priorities in Greenland and the Arctic. President Trump is rightly changing course. 

The Vice President and Second Lady’s visit to Pituffik Space Base will take place in lieu of the Second Lady’s previously announced visit to the Avannaata Qimussersu dogsled race in Sisimiut.

More Support For Trump's Stand On Ukraine!

Support continues to roll in for the unwavering commitment of President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Vance to the American people and the Trump Administration’s relentless pursuit of peace.

Speaker Mike Johnson: “Thanks to President Trump - the days of America being taken advantage of and disrespected are OVER. The death and destruction of the Russian-provoked war needs to stop immediately, and only our American President can put these two countries on a path to lasting peace. President Zelenskyy needed to acknowledge that, and accept the extraordinary mineral rights partnership proposal that President Trump put on the table. What we witnessed in the Oval Office today was an American President putting America first.”
 
Secretary of State Marco Rubio: “The only person on the planet who is actively trying to bring an end to this conflict is named Donald Trump, the President of the United States.”
 
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz: “It’s not clear that Zelenskyy truly wants to stop the fighting. He came in, even though he was warned not to, determined to litigate all of that … This was the wrong approach, wrong time in history, and definitely the wrong president to try to do this.”
 
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard: “Thank you @realDonaldTrump for your unwavering leadership in standing up for the interests of the American people, and peace. What you said is absolutely true: Zelensky has been trying to drag the United States into a nuclear war with Russia/WW3 for years now, and no one has called him on it. Thank you, Vice President @JDVance for speaking out so forcefully and clearly, about the necessity of diplomacy.”
 
UN Ambassador-designate Elise Stefanik: “President Trump will ALWAYS stand up for the American people - especially in the Oval Office. Peace through strength is back on the world stage because of President Trump’s bold and strong leadership.”
 
Sen. Eric Schmitt: “Zelensky was probably used to talking this way to American leaders. Apparently, no one told him that things have changed. The age of America Last foreign policy is over. From this day forward, it’s going to be only America First.”
 
Sen. Lindsey Graham: “I have never been more proud of the president. I was very proud of JD Vance, standing up for our country.”
 
CNN’s Scott Jennings: “All Zelenskyy had to do today was put on a tie, show up, smile, say thank you, sign the papers, and have lunch. That’s it — and he couldn't do that.”
 
Marc Thiessen: “There was no ambush. Z was set up for success. All he had to do was not get into a public fight and sign the minerals deal.  Not hard. A lot of work went into making a successful moment possible and he blew it and then refused to apologize.”
 
Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller: “The way that President Trump defended Americans after YEARS of being fleeced and abused and taken advantage of and taken for granted — millions of American hearts swelled with overflowing pride today to watch President Trump put Zelenskyy in his place.”
 
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: “[Zelenskyy] refuses to recognize the practical reality of this war. It has been going on for years, his countrymen are dying, and the people who have been funding this effort — the American people — are sick and tired of footing this bill.”
 
Rep. Victoria Spartz: “It’s such a disservice to the Ukrainian people to play hero and politics and trying to increase his rating ... Being so insulting to the American people after how much was done by us for Ukraine and for Europe, I can't believe it.”
 
Rep. Kevin Hern: “President Trump is determined to end the war in Ukraine. He is determined for the world to get back at peace, as it was when he was in office before.”

Every American Should Watch This Two Minutes

#BREAKING Former hostage Keith Siegel released this video message to President Trump:

"My name is Keith Siegel, and I am a 65-year-old American citizen. I love country music and I love pancakes on a Saturday morning.

But that was my previous life. Since February 1st, I am a… pic.twitter.com/S8c5qjYucR

— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) February 14, 2025

Former hostage Keith Siegel released this video message to President Trump: "My name is Keith Siegel, and I am a 65-year-old American citizen. I love country music and I love pancakes on a Saturday morning. But that was my previous life. Since February 1st, I am a newly released Hamas hostage. I am a survivor. I was held for 484 days in unimaginable conditions, and every single day felt like it could be my last. President Trump, you are the reason I am home alive. You are the reason I was reunited with my beloved wife, four children, and five grandchildren. Thank you for your continued fight against terror and for your bold leadership that brought me and many others back home to our families, to safety and to security. When I was in Gaza, I lived in constant fear, fear for my life and my personal safety. I was starved and tortured both physically and emotionally. When the war intensified, the terrorists who held me treated me even worse than usual. The terrorists kicked me, spat on me, and held me with no water, no light, and no air to breathe. Mr. President, once again your leadership, power, and authority are necessary to enforce the cease-fire and put an end to the unnecessary daily dangers and to the lives of innocent hostages and civilians. Your leadership and strength will ensure the agreement is honored by all sides. That is what will allow all 76 hostages to return home to their families.

I trust your strength and leadership, Mr. President. The helpless hostages in the dark, cold tunnels in Gaza also trust you. Please bring them home." 

Border Czar With A Lesson For The Pope

Border Czar @RealTomHoman rejects Pope Francis' immigration critique:

"I’ve got harsh words for the Pope. Pope ought to fix the Catholic Church...He wants to attack us securing our border? He has a wall around the Vatican, does he not?
So he has a wall to protect his people… https://t.co/6YsYNSTmJL pic.twitter.com/3k4DblQGom

— Michael Haynes 🇻🇦 (@MLJHaynes) February 11, 2025

Hegseth: Fort Liberty? No, It's FORT BRAGG!

Biden spent $40M to rename Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty for political correctness.

Hegseth reversed it:
pic.twitter.com/bikOgU0ebw

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) February 11, 2025