Yesterday was the big opening day for The Center for the Intrepid and Fisher Houses 3 and 4 at BAMC.  I think the best way to tell about it is to start from the top, and give you a "blow by blow".  We arrived at just after 9:00 a.m., and headed toward the festivity HQ, a media infested swamp of cables and cameras under humongous canopies erected in the parking area adjacent to CFI and the newest members of the Fisher House network. 

The first thing I noticed was the huge red carpet in front of the seating.  The purpose for it became apparent during the ceremony...and it was NOT for Senators McCain or Clinton, nor was it for the so-called "star power" Michelle Pfieffer or Rosie O'Donnell.  It was for those who have earned recognition!

"The GIs crossed a red carpet in front of more than 3,000 people outside the new state-of-the-art rehabilitation center, some in wheelchairs, others limping on crutches. As they took their seats the clapping grew heartier, occasionally punctuated by whoops, whistles and hoo-ahhs. "

We clapped until our hands were sore...which is nothing when you saw that these heroes were more than "sore"!  The published story missed several important details, for one; they didn't tell the reader that the soldiers entered under raised sabors, nor was there one single mention of one of the speakers who received TWO standing ovations, General Peter Pace.  He made a statement in his speech that will never leave me, I'll paraphrase, "I hear these heroes talk about "losing" a hand, or a leg, or their sight.  I'm always quick to tell them that they did not "lose" it, they GAVE it in service to their country."  That brought us all to our feet clapping wildly! 

There was another speech that is very notable.  It was a speech by Arnold Fisher, the multi-billionaire contractor, on a scale with Donald Trump in construction, but in a class of his own when it comes to the service of his country and our military.  In the case of this great American, the San Antonio Express got it right;

"New York real estate developer Arnold Fisher, who helped spearhead the project, took issue with others who have asked why private donors funded the Intrepid center, rather than the government. Some critics, including former Clinton administration adviser Paul Begala, have chastised Republicans for funding billions in tax cuts but not the Center for the Intrepid.

"Why would we want our government to do that which we could do ourselves in half the time, at the half the cost and twice the quality?" Fisher said. "

Sitting in the audience, I hollered, "Did you hear that, Hillary?"  Who me?  Confrontational?  I did try hard not to be, as you'll see here: 



I kept a soldier and a structural pillar between she and I.  This photo was taken after the speech portion of the program, as hubby and I were trying to tour the Center for the Intrepid.  As usual, Shrillary was going the wrong way, and it brought the tour to a halt.  She passed by us shortly after, and the sour look on my face told her I held her in no high regard. 

The one thing I noticed while she was speaking to the military folks in front of me was her animation.  Folks, the woman has been taking acting lessons from someone!  I've known enough folks, and have had enough personal and literary understanding of this woman, and the only time she's animated is when she is furious with some fool for going against her perception of what should be happening.  The rest of the time she's the Ice Queen from Hell...we saw that during the time she was on stage.  Her stony and icey demeanor was actually blamed by many for the temperature going DOWN shortly after she arrived with her entourage;



Which brings me back to the speeches.  When Shrillary was introduced to speak, I told hubby that I'd needed to use the "facilities" for awhile, and now was the perfect time for me to excuse myself.  I turned my back on her, and left...as the congregation was giving a mediocre patting of hands to welcome her to the podium.  Hubby told me later that she got a mild "polite" applause, and that she'd not said a dadgum thing!  I was gone longer than anticipated, because of some VERY interesting conversations with an airman and some nurses back from Iraq, which I'll talk about later, but I also missed Senator McCain's speech, which hubby said received a HUGE applause during the speech, and a standing ovation at the end. 

After taking care of "business", during Shrillary's speech, I approached an airman with wings on his collar.  I told him that I could not possibly thank every one of the military attending, but I wanted to thank him.  He told me "Thank you, Ma'am" and went on to say, "I wasn't as nervous flying over Baghdad as I am right now."  "HUH?" I asked.  "Why?"  He told me that he was in charge of the scheduled fly over, to consist of a variety of aircraft being utilized in the war, and because the speeches were "going long", his circling aircraft were concerned about fuel.  My first thought was, "Imagine that, politicians interfering with military...go figure!" 

I was freezing at this point, and thought I'd grab a cup of coffee for hubby and me, and entered the hospitality tent.  As I walked in, I was immediately warmed!  Ahhhhhh....I headed for the coffee urns, and excused myself to three military nurses standing around the table holding the cream and sugar.  Over hearing their conversation about having just returned from Iraq, I asked them about what their treatment from Iraqis was like.  One of the lady nurses said that the "poor" folks responded well.  Translation:  The downtrodden Shi'ia were receptive, but the "rich", i.e., Saddamists would go ask a male janitor about a patient before they would inquire of a female. 

Chatting with these ladies was a revelation, especially when one told us of an incident of a wounded soldier who begged to have someone kill him.  Why?  The orders were to stop for NO REASON!  She said the military, be it Army, Marine, etc., tell their ground troops to stop for "NOTHING".  She told us, paraphrasing, "Imagine you are a 19 year old recruit, and some guy comes out holding a baby, and casually tosses the baby in front of your humvee?"  When the soldier stopped, his entire platoon was wiped out in an ambush, leaving him the sole survivor.  Now while your blood is boiling, because this is who/what we are facing, let me remind you of this story.  Hanoi Jane is back in the news, a veteran from Iraq is spat upon, and called a baby killer.  Sound familiar?  For friends of my generation, BTDT comes to mind!  Do you morons not understand who our enemies are?  Apparently NOT!  Anyone paying ANY attention knows who the baby killers are, and it is NOT our military!

Now, going back to a quote from the program, I want to remind you of Arnold Fisher's statement,

"Why would we want our government to do that which we could do ourselves in half the time, at the half the cost and twice the quality?" Fisher said. "

Let's see what Americans (over 600,00 American donations from $1.00 to over $20 million ) can do without government.


This "surf pool" is amazing, and patients learn to control their bodies and environment while strengthening their remaining limbs.  Yes, you read that correctly.



Did I mention there is also a climbing wall, and a prosthetic manufacturing area among the many MANY state-of-the art, unprecidented equipment/labs/therapy areas included in this amazing tool for our military? This facility is also equipped with everything that can train the newly disabled military personnel to return to their troops, or to return home to become productive in their communities.  Americans, with the leadership of folks like the Fisher family, will come to the fore.  Americans, without government assistance, and without interference, will make the difference that will win this war!

What a day!