Inside the Beltway: Rolling Thunder founder never forgets his mission for POWs, MIAS, vets

NEWS AND OPINION:

Rolling Thunder is revved and ready. Indeed, the nation’s capital has been reverberating with the thud of several hundred thousand motorcycles, assembled for the annual Ride for Freedom on Sunday, piloted by patriots who have a mission on their minds. Despite the spectacle of noise, power and prowess, none of these riders forgets that the Washington visit draws attention to the visceral question of POWs and those still missing in action, along with the ongoing needs of military veterans.

“This is a demonstration, not a parade,” say the organizers.

“We will never forget,” says former Army Sgt. Artie Muller, who founded the group almost three decades ago and named it after Operation Rolling Thunder — the code name for the U.S. bombing campaign against North Vietnamese targets in the mid-1960s. The huge organization has specific sentiments about current policy; among other things, the plainspoken Mr. Muller is concerned about the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office, currently in a state of reorganization, he says.

“Has anything been accomplished, or is it a process of files being moved from pile to pile?” he asks. “The office has the locations of aircraft crash sites and possible locations of remains, but the investigation moves so slowly that surviving family members may be deceased before a resolution is brought about. The current administration has done nothing to assist the POW/MIA issue.”

Mr. Muller has other stark concerns, shared by many security-minded folk who also warn against a weakened U.S. military in this day and age.

“Our active military members are proudly serving and protecting the United States of America, while this administration is constantly cutting the defense budget,” he continues. “Why are the ranks of the military being decreased — especially since our military is constantly involved with other countries’ problems? Also, why does the U.S. constantly give money to other countries that loathe us? We are not caregivers or peacemakers for every country in the world.”

ONE FOR THE ACES — AND THE OSS?

A grand group of heroic fliers gets deserved applause: The Congressional Gold Medal was collectively presented to American fighter aces at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday — these are military pilots credited with destroying five or more confirmed enemy aircraft in aerial combat in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

More than 60,000 fighter pilots flew in that period, but fewer than 1,500 are designated aces. The medal itself features a quartet of pilots, an ace of spades and military wings, inscribed with the words “duty, courage and aggressiveness.” Official bronze reproductions are available through the U.S. Mint, incidentally. Consult with USmint.gov.

And a very respectful aside to the decision-makers on future recognitions: The OSS Society, a viable nonprofit, is still seeking consideration for a Congressional Gold Medal to be presented to those who served in the Office of Strategic Services — the World War II-era forerunner of the CIA and U.S. Special Forces. Precious, original OSS members are still among us and still more than willing to don a tuxedo and attend the society’s annual autumnal gathering.

But there is promising news. Charles Pinck, the group’s president, advises that legislation seeking the award will be introduced shortly in the House and Senate. Sen. Mark Warner, Virginia Democrat, and Rep. Bob Latta, Ohio Republican, are the key legislative point men here.

“Those who served our country in OSS deserve to be honored for their heroic, pioneering contributions to our nation. This year is the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, and not many of these brave OSS veterans are still with us. We should recognize their service and their valor with the highest honor Congress can confer,” Mr. Warner tells Inside the Beltway.

NOT EXACTLY THRILLED

“Voters aren’t happy with the way President Obama is fighting the radical Islamic State group, and increasingly suspect that ISIS is winning the war in Iraq,” states a Rasmussen Reports survey released Thursday.

It found that 43 percent of likely voters believe ISIS is winning, up five points from 38 percent two months ago. Just 18 percent now think the U.S. and its allies are winning, compared with 25 percent who felt that way in mid-March, the poll says, adding that 29 percent of the respondents still think neither side has the advantage.

The survey of 1,000 likely voters was conducted May 19-20.

BUMPER PATROL

“I want to grow my own food but I can’t find any bacon seeds.”

— Bumper sticker spotted in Fredericksburg, Virginia

THE RUMBLE OF INFRASTRUCTURE

Yes, now that a record 37.2 million Americans are all trying to reach the beach at once this weekend, the holiday traffic is bad. But there is at least a little reward here: The U.S. Travel Association reports that all this movement translates to a $12.3 billion direct boost to the U.S. economy. That’s about $330 per person.

“Gas prices are low, the economy is getting better, and people have money to spend and places to go,” says Roger Dow, CEO of the organization. But he also says somebody must tend to the “crying needs of our transportation infrastructure.

“Our research shows that within a decade, the average daily traffic on many of nation’s busiest highways will be equal to Labor Day, traditionally one of the most-driven times of year,” Mr. Dow predicts. “There’s similarly bad news for our largest airports, many of which are already experiencing Thanksgiving-like passenger volumes a day or two during the average week.”

WEEKEND READING

“Bin Laden’s Bookshelf.” Yes, that is the actual official title given to the “sizable tranche of documents” just released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The assortment was gleaned from Operation Neptune Spear, the successful raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on May 2, 2011. See it for yourself here: DNI.gov, listed under “newsroom.”

WEEKEND REAL ESTATE

For sale: Casa Paradiso, Las Vegas, Nevada. Five-acre Mediterranean-style compound includes 18,000-square-foot home with seven bedrooms, 14 baths; double-height ceilings, handmade wood and stone floors, massive beams, custom 8-foot doors. Family rooms, dining rooms, library, office, 14,000-square-foot recreational building with indoor hockey rink, fully lighted baseball diamond with perimeter netting, complete home theater, 15-foot-deep swimming pool with waterfall and spa. Custom kitchen with pizza oven, two stainless steel outdoor kitchens; “no expense spared.”

Priced at $25 million through CasaParadisoLasVegas.com.

POLL DU JOUR

• 61 percent of likely U.S. voters say they “do not trust” the political news they get from the mainstream press.

• 59 percent say that news coverage of the 2016 presidential campaign is biased.

• 48 percent say “media bias” is a worse problem than “campaign cash” in major elections.

• 36 percent say the coverage is biased to help Hillary Rodham Clinton’s campaign; 55 percent of Republicans, 39 percent of independents and 17 percent of Democrats agree.

• 23 percent overall say the coverage will damage Mrs. Clinton’s campaign; 13 percent of Republicans, 20 percent of independents and 35 percent of Democrats agree.

• 23 percent overall say reporters will offer unbiased campaign coverage; 21 percent still trust the political coverage.

Source: A Rasmussen Reports survey of 1,000 likely voters conducted May 17-18

• Have a productive and meaningful Memorial Day weekend; thanks for reading Inside the Beltway.