OMNI
GRASSROOTS MILITARISM, ARKANSAS, NEWSLETTER #3,
Compiled by Dick Bennett for a Culture of
Peace, Justice, and Ecology
(#2, Dec. 29, 2016)
Contents of Grassroots Newsletter #3
Introduction
Northwest
Arkansas Regional “Our Community” Phone Directory/Yellow Pages 2016-2017, the Cover
for Veterans
Local Newspaper Record of Grassroots
Militarism
Memorials,
Monuments and Museums to Celebrate War and Militarism (2008-2017)
American
“Valor” and Honoring “Heroes” (2009-2016)
State of
Arkansas Tax Support
State of
Arkansas Medical Support
Benton
County Support: Veterans Services Office
Local
Military Industrial Complex
Militarism
Promotion in Schools and Universities
Businesses
and other Institutions Supporting Militarism
Public
Officials Promoting Militarism
INTRODUCTION
Northwest
Arkansas Regional “Our Community” Phone Directory/Yellow Pages 2016-2017:
The
Cover: “THANK
YOU VETERANS FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE.”
No attempt is made to explain what service is
provided, what has been the sacrifice.
That’s the hidden point of this prominent cover: the organizer of the
Directory assumed all readers would share that assumption; that is that nobody
would question the necessity and the value of the interventions and invasions
of several dozen nations by the
USA. An informed and critically
thinking citizenry is not expected. Essential questions are never asked: Is it
admirable service to attack and kill large numbers of civilians who have not
attacked the USA, nor had their governments?
Have the volunteer soldiers sacrificed, or have they been
sacrificed? Have the consequences of this service and
sacrifice been beneficent for the world, or have more wars and increased chaos
ensued? Here in the pro-war, automatic thinking is the
groundrock upon which US militarism is constructed
The issue of sacrifice deserves more comment.
For example, the new book, The Rise of the Military Welfare State by Jennifer Mittelstadt (Harvard UP, 2015) tells us about the
extraordinary social support system the Pentagon provides its volunteers. “Since the end of the draft, the
U.S. Army has prided itself on its patriotic volunteers who heed the call to
“Be All That You Can Be.” But beneath the recruitment slogans, the army
promised volunteers something more tangible: a social safety net including
medical and dental care, education, child care, financial counseling, housing
assistance, legal services, and other privileges that had long been reserved
for career soldiers. The Rise of the Military Welfare State examines
how the U.S. Army’s extension of benefits to enlisted men and women created a
military welfare system of unprecedented size and scope.”
As you see the subject of US militarism is
enormous in scope. I treat it therefore
under a variety of topics hoping to touch upon at least many of the main
subjects.
For example, see:
PENTAGON BUDGET NEWSLETTER # 2.
APRIL 18, 2014. http://jamesrichardbennett.blogspot.com/2014/04/pentagon-budget-newsletter-2.html This is only one of a dozen newsletters on
different aspects of the Pentagon.
OMNI DRONE/ASSASSINATION NEWSLETTERs # 19, July 15, 2016.
http://jamesrichardbennett.blogspot.com/2016/07/drone-watch-19.html But
http://jamesrichardbennett.blogspot.com/2016/07/drone-watch-19.html But
“What Service Were You In?” Newsletters. Here’s #4: http://jamesrichardbennett.blogspot.com/2016/02/service-how-did-you-serve.html
Counter-recruiting Newsletter #2: http://jamesrichardbennett.blogspot.com/2008/06/counter-recruiting-newsletter.html
Nevertheless, grassroots militarism—military
promotion from the towns and states as distinguished from federal militarism—is an important subject, particularly because it
is so neglected, so unobserved, so taken for granted. If it means that the public assumes the
necessity of a thoroughly pro-military nation just as important as public
schools, then we are in danger.
What
follows is a sampling from the local newspaper of grassroots militarism. No wonder the editor of the latest phone
directory assumes strong public consensus regarding the service and sacrifice
of our volunteer military. The assumption saturates the newspapers
daily.
Memorials,
Monuments and Museums to Celebrate War and Militarism (2008-2017)
“Farmington City Council offers help for
veterans’ memorial” (NWAT, 10-14-08)
“Veterans Monument Unveiled in Farmington”
(NWA Times, 5-31-09)
“Winter Preparations. Story on cleaning Bella
Vista Veterans Wall.” (ADG, 12-2-09)
“National Guard to get new center”
(1-24-2010) Bentonville center, no cost given
“North Little Rock Library selected for
memorial site” (ADG, 2-1-10)
“Military Park is Worth Enhancements.” (NWAT,
2-17-10) Pea Ridge park.
“Post office takes name of Vietnam War hero.”
(ADG, 8-12-13)
“Budget cut puts Jacksonville military museum
in a pinch” (ADG, 1-16-17)
“Gold Star families memorial sought at
Capitol” (ADG, 1-30-17)
“(Arkansas Military) Museum Seeks Greater
Interest.” (NWAT, ?)
US Combat
Valor and Honoring War Heroes (2009-2016)
Jack
Stephens, owner of the Northwest Arkansas Newspapers, arranged for writers in
the chain to recount the stories of
“American Valor,” US troops in combat.
Fifty-four were published in 2009, twelve more in 2010 in the NW Arkansas Times. As a whole, the series is a major effusion
of patriotism for war. I responded to
the series in 2010. “‘We Are Winning,' Two Wars, Two Colonels, and
a General.” Free Weekly (January 28, 2010).
The editor of the Free Weekly
at the time was Susan Porter.
The
following includes samples of Stephens’ Valor series, and miscellaneous
reports.
Wesley Millett. “Man’s Cover Fire Saves Lives.” (NWArkansas Times, 11-13-09).
“Countdown to Christmas.” (ADG, 12-18-09). Support the troops editorial.
“Local chapter of military officers honored”
(NWAT, 12-27-09).
“Honoring Military Heroes.” (ADG, 12-13-09). Wreath
laying event in Fayetteville.
“Navy Doctor Saves 30 Lives Close to Fighting”
(NWAT, 4-19-10).
“Convoy of Military Vehicles Planned.” (NWAT, 4-30-10). Veterans parade.
“Guardsmen Save Two: Veteran Snipers Rescue
Green Berets During Shootout” (NWA Times,
5-31-10)
“Run for the Fallen to Be Saturday” (ADG, 8-20-10). Run of remembrance for killed soldiers.
“Event Thanks Guardsmen, Families” (ADG, 10-4-10).
“Marine Stays Calm During Fighting (NWAT, 10-25-10)
“Soldier Wins Silver Star for Combat Heroism
in Aghanya (NWAT, 12-27-10).
“Christmas Honors Set in Fort Smith “to place
wreathes on the graves of soldiers”. (NWAT,
12-5-12).
“Ceremony Remembers 47 Arkansans Killed While
Serving in Wars-“who died doing Their Patriotic Duty” (ADG, 5-6-13)
“Let’s Honor Our Heroes“ (ADG, 10-21-16). “A small building.in Perryville, Ark. will
now bear the name of a soldier..”
“Korean War Veterans Honored.” (NWAT, 11-14-16). “Homage to the Slain: Ark. Veterans Honored
for Service. (NADG, 11-3-16)
“Forgotten no more: One parade that
remembered Arkansas Grunts.” (ADG, 11-21-16).
Korean war soldiers honored.
Korean war soldiers honored.
State of
Arkansas Tax Support
“State income-tax exemption for military
pensions backed” (ADG, 1-27-17)
“Push for tax exemption, senator says to
veterans.” (ADG, 1-12-17) income tax exemption proposal for veterans
State of
Arkansas Medical Support
Hunter Field.
“Facility for Vets Opens.
State-run Nursing Home to Accept First Resident Today.” NADG (January
31, 2017).
Benton
County Support: Veterans Services Office
Patrick Robinson appointed to head the VSO.
Local
Military Industrial Complex
“Huntsville Plant gets F-16 Contract.” (ADG,
5-21-10)
Militarism
Promotion in Schools and Universities
“War Stories Shared: Students Read Poems, Letters Thanking Veterans”
(NWAT, 12-22-13)
Publisher ranks UAFS ‘military friendly’ (ADG,
11-27-16) University of Arkansas “Military Friendly”
Letter from Clark Taylor, Military Science at
UA Fayetteville. No date.
Businesses
and other institutions supporting militarism
“Appreciation.” (NWAT, 1-10-10) TME Inc.
Presented with award for support of the Marine Corps League.
“Discounts, freebies offered to vets and
voters in Little Rock.” (ADG, 11-8-16) Businesses offer discounts and free
goods or services to veterans
Soldiers on Service Dogs. Bank of
Fayetteville. No date.
AETN Salutes Arkansas Veterans. No date.
Public
Officials Promoting Militarism
“Officials pledge support for local military”
(NWAT, 11-17-09) Bentonville public officials make
pledges of support.
“Senator: Spending Cuts Needed: Boozman
Speaks at Rotary Club.” (NWAT,
8-31-11) Cuts to social programs, but not military.
“Work for Veterans Highly Appreciated” (NWAT, 11-21-13). Sen.
John Boozman Letter Praising Veterans’ Parade.
Contents: Grassroots Militarism, USA, Fayetteville, AR,
Northwest Arkansas, Arkansas Newsletter #2
Context:
US War Budget 2017
“$611
Billion Defense Policy Bill Signed.” NADG
(Dec. 24, 2016).
US
Culture of War the Capillaries of Militarism and Empire
Keeping
War Alive: Institutions, Activities Supporting the Wars
Battle
Re-enactments in Arkansas
Naming
Post Offices: Navy Seal
Vets
Stories Archived
Arkansas Military Veterans’ Hall of
Fame
Armed Forces Honor Day
Monuments
Keeping
Veterans Alive,
Veterans
Administration Hospital in Fayetteville, AR
JROTC
at Ft. Smith
Honor
Flight
Statue
for Col. Darby
Keeping
Ark Military History Alive
Patriotic
Corporate/Business: Wal-Mart
Casino
Gifts to Vets
Commodification
of Vets
Google
Search
Hastings
and Dick on “Service”
Television: Militarism in Homes
PENTAGON
PROPAGANDA MACHINE
Television:
GO ARMY Advert Campaign
Mittelstadt,
The Rise of the Military Welfare State
Television/PBS
PBS
in Arkansas, Pentagon Propaganda Machine in Our Living Rooms
PBS
Pro-Vets, Pro-War, Pro-Empire
Lidia Celebrates Vets “Defending”
“America”
Two Silver Star Medal Winners “Defend”
“America”
END GRASSROOTS MILITARISM NEWSLETTER #3, February
18, 2017
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