After promising she would attend the “Million Vet March,” former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin went to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Sunday–along with Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Ted Cruz (R-TX)–to support thousands of veterans demanding that President Barack Obama re-open the memorials that have been barricaded due to the government shutdown.
At the World War II Memorial, Palin said that Obama is showing a “shameful lack of respect” and a “lack of valor” by barricading the memorials to veterans from across the country that marched in Washington to demand that Congress pass a law making it illegal for the federal government to close the memorials in future government shutdowns. They reportedly chanted, “tear down these walls.”
“We were proud to stand with thousands of America’s vets and other patriotic Americans today in Washington, D.C. This morning, Todd and I met with Senators Ted Cruz and Mike Lee, and they joined us and other Americans at the World War II Memorial and then at the Lincoln Memorial, where we were met by a SWAT team in full riot gear!” Palin wrote in a Facebook post. “Watching those who have fought to protect freedom prevented by barricades from visiting these memorials to freedom was truly heart wrenching.”
Palin has said Messrs. Lee and Cruz are leading a party of “good guys” in the Senate against both party establishments that make up Washington’s permanent political class. After the Republican establishment attacked Lee and Cruz during the defunding Obamacare fight, Palin fiercely defended them for representing everyday Americans. Palin has also called for Obama administration employees to engage in acts of civil disobedience regarding the “Barrycades” at the memorials. At the march, veterans removed barricades from the memorial and took them to the White House.
Though the Obama administration officials put up barricades at the open-air memorials, they allowed thousands of amnesty supporters to rally on the National Mall, which was also supposed to be closed due to the government shutdown, last week in support of comprehensive immigration reform. On Saturday, Palin called out the Obama administration for revealing what their true priorities are during what she called a government “slim-down.”
Lee urged the crowd to “stand strong for liberty” and emphasized the memorial “belongs to the people.”
Cruz echoed Lee’s remarks.
After emphasizing that “our veterans should be above politics,” Cruz said he met with World War II veterans on “Honor Flights” last week and said they told him, “We stormed the beaches of Normandy, do they really think these little barricades [will keep us from seeing the World War II memorial]?”
Palin emphasized that Americans will now “take up the fight for freedom” and “won’t let you down”:
We’re here to show that the size of America’s heart for our veterans is immeasurable! But look around – barricades to shut down our memorials? Is this how a Commander in Chief expresses his gratitude? This “shutdown” priority proves a shameful lack of respect. It reflects a person’s lack of valor.
But, Vets, We the People have learned from you! We know America will only remain the “Home of the Free” so long as we are the “Home of the Brave!”
So, as we honor you, U.S. Military, know that our gratitude will not sleep! We will be brave! You were not timid, so we shall not be timid in calling out ANY who heart-wrenchingly would use you as pawns in a political game.
America’s finest paid the price for our freedom today. Vets, you protected us from tyranny then. Rest now, it is OUR turn to protect against tyranny again.
Ronald Reagan said, “Some people live an entire lifetime wondering if they ever made a difference in the world.” YOU, vets, need never ask that of yourselves. You made ALL the difference!
Our war memorials remind us of the cost to keep us free. YOU paid the price! Rest now! We will pick up the mantle. We won’t let you down. We now take up the fight for freedom!
Here is video of Palin, Lee, and Cruz speaking at the event from a local news report:
Twitchy, Conservatives4Palin, and reporters like WTOP’s Jamie Forzato compiled some photos from the event:
photo credit: Shealah Craighead
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