Nov 27

Glen

19 Comments

The Harold B. Estes letter is confirmed.

Harold B. Estes provided a Thanksgiving day feast for sailors away from home.

Harold B. Estes provided a Thanksgiving day feast for sailors away from home.

For the past few days an email has circulated with a letter reported to be from Chief Boatswain’s Mate Harold B. Estes who served onboard the USS Missouri and other posts during World War II.

We have learned that Chief Boatswain’s Mate Estes is a real person who does, indeed, reside in Hawaii. He is a well-known figure in Hawaii having a record of service to his community after service to his country.

If you have not read the e-mail, here is what it says:

This venerable and much honored WW II vet is well known in Hawaii for his seventy-plus years of service to patriotic organizations and causes all over the country. A humble man without a political bone in his body, he has never spoken out before about a government official, until now. He dictated this letter to a friend, signed it and mailed it to the president.

Dear President Obama,

My name is Harold Estes, approaching 95 on December 13 of this year. People meeting me for the first time don’t believe my age because I remain wrinkle free and pretty much mentally alert.

I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1934 and served proudly before, during and after WW II retiring as a Master Chief Bos’n Mate. Now I live in a “rest home” located on the western end of Pearl Harbor, allowing me to keep alive the memories of 23 years of service to my country.

One of the benefits of my age, perhaps the only one, is to speak my mind, blunt and direct even to the head man.

So here goes.

I am amazed, angry and determined not to see my country die before I do, but you seem hell bent not to grant me that wish.

I can’t figure out what country you are the president of.

You fly around the world telling our friends and enemies despicable lies like:

” We’re no longer a Christian nation”

” America is arrogant” – (Your wife even announced to the world,”America is mean-spirited. ” Please tell her to try preaching that nonsense to 23 generations of our war dead buried all over the globe who died for no other reason than to free a whole lot of strangers from tyranny and hopelessness.)

I’d say shame on the both of you, but I don’t think you like America, nor do I see an ounce of gratefulness in anything you do, for the obvious gifts this country has given you. To be without shame or gratefulness is a dangerous thing for a man sitting in the White House.

After 9/11 you said,” America hasn’t lived up to her ideals.”

Which ones did you mean? Was it the notion of personal liberty that 11,000 farmers and shopkeepers died for to win independence from the British? Or maybe the ideal that no man should be a slave to another man, that 500,000 men died for in the Civil War? I hope you didn’t mean the ideal 470,000 fathers, brothers, husbands, and a lot of fellas I knew personally died for in WWII, because we felt real strongly about not letting any nation push us around, because we stand for freedom.

I don’t think you mean the ideal that says equality is better than discrimination. You know the one that a whole lot of white people understood when they helped to get you elected.

Take a little advice from a very old geezer, young man.

Shape up and start acting like an American. If you don’t, I’ll do what I can to see you get shipped out of that fancy rental on Pennsylvania Avenue. You were elected to lead not to bow, apologize and kiss the hands of murderers and corrupt leaders who still treat their people like slaves.

And just who do you think you are telling the American people not to jump to conclusions and condemn that Muslim major who killed 13 of his fellow soldiers and wounded dozens more. You mean you don’t want us to do what you did when that white cop used force to subdue that black college professor in Massachusetts, who was putting up a fight? You don’t mind offending the police calling them stupid but you don’t want us to offend Muslim fanatics by calling them what they are, terrorists.

One more thing. I realize you never served in the military and never had to defend your country with your life, but you’re the Commander-in-Chief now, son. Do your job. When your battle-hardened field General asks you for 40,000 more troops to complete the mission, give them to him. But if you’re not in this fight to win, then get out. The life of one American soldier is not worth the best political strategy you’re thinking of.

You could be our greatest president because you face the greatest challenge ever presented to any president.

You’re not going to restore American greatness by bringing back our bloated economy. That’s not our greatest threat. Losing the heart and soul of who we are as Americans is our big fight now.

And I sure as hell don’t want to think my president is the enemy in this final battle.

Sincerely,

Harold B. Estes

I e-mailed the editor of Fore and Aft Magazine and received, in part, this reply:

I have known Harold for many many years, and I can personally vouch for the letter, and that Harold B. Estes did indeed author and mail the letter you reference to the president and also to about 50 or so VIPs on his mailing list. He told me personally what he was up to before it went in the mail, and some of those on his list who’ve received a hard copy of same have even shown me theirs!

Please give his correspondence the widest possible circulation you can and encourage others to perform the same.

Sincerely,
Rick Terwilliger
Publisher
Fore ‘n Aft Magazine
www.ForenAftMagazine.com
FNAMagazine@hawaii.rr.com

The letter from Chief Boatswain’s Mate Estes is real and sent by a real person.

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19 comments so far

  1. Brenda

    November 28th, 2009 at 10:37 am

    Excellent letter . I hope Obama pays heed to this plea (if he ever sees the letter) as the sentiments are in the hearts of many Americans and we are all concerned in what direction Obama is taking us……certainly not the direction those that elected him thought, but unfortunately the direction those did not vote for him where concerned he would go. His election was run like a Mesiah leading the unthinking cult to doom……….I hope we don’t all pay for this misguided road he is taking us down. WAKE UP AMERICA

  2. robert lee, sr.

    November 28th, 2009 at 11:24 am

    As a veteran of the only war we ever lost, I echo Mr. Estes’ sentiments. Our commander-in-chief is providing shaky and uncertain leadership, and appears to be more concerned with political fallout than the war itself. Until recently, I have been tremendiously proud to be an American and even put my life on the line for my country. Now, that pride has turned to embarassment if not shame. Unlike Michelle who didn’t find her pride in America until her husband was in the presidential race, I lost mine about the same time. Robert l. Lee, Lt Col, USAF (ret)/

  3. roger james

    November 28th, 2009 at 11:33 am

    Dear Mr. Estes,
    I am in my seventies now, so I have been around the block too. While I admire your patriotism, and also rather dislike some of the Obamas’ statements or some of his actions, I feel it is prudent to comment on some of them–perhaps he meant we are not a nation entirely of Christians, as we have citizens from nearly everywhere and many are of other, yes, and even no religious persuasion. Our constitution and bill of rights give all Americans the opportunity to practice or not practice religions. A blanket statement of arrogance seems a flippant remark and probably should not have been uttered, but Mrs. Obama has the right to free speech and she is not the president here. I was not aware that Mr. Obama apologized to any leader before performing a protocol-vetted act of public greeting; and while we are on the subject of murder, have any or all of the officials duly met been convicted of it, just as our bill of rights protects the rights of the Muslem man in question.

  4. Brenda

    November 28th, 2009 at 12:03 pm

    To Roger James….re his statement that “Michele Obama is not President”………she is the WIFE of the President and therefore needs to watch her P’s & Q’s. We all know that what comes out of her mouth receives much publicity and reflects not only her opinion but the opinion her husband and our Presidents.

  5. Phyllis S.

    November 28th, 2009 at 1:50 pm

    This needs to be sent to Glenn Beck. He may just read it on air.

  6. Glen

    November 28th, 2009 at 4:13 pm

    “…perhaps he meant we are not a nation entirely of Christians, as we have citizens from nearly everywhere and many are of other, yes, and even no religious persuasion. Our constitution and bill of rights give all Americans the opportunity to practice or not practice religions.”

    He actually did say that we are not just a Christian nation in his speech. Since he affixed his signature to hate crimes legislation, however, we know how he feels about Christians. Christianity is “old school.” We have new religions to take its place. New religions that give us an increase in teen pregnancy, if they were lucky not to have been aborted in the first place. New religions that say that we should take away from those who work hard to give to those who want to sit on their rear ends and worship Oprah. This nation was founded as a Christian nation and many of the concepts of the Constitution come out of the morality found in the Holy Bible. But, dang the Constitution, bull health care coverage or else.

  7. Patriot Pastor Garrett Lear

    November 28th, 2009 at 5:01 pm

    My sentiments as well Harold.
    The Obamas should be very thankful for what they have been given here. They in all likelihood would not have had such a life elsewhere.
    I have 389 years of ancestry in America and B.H. O bama does not speak for me or my kin.
    Aloha, my wife is from Maui and i lived in Hawaii for about 15 years.

  8. Glen

    November 28th, 2009 at 10:18 pm

    By life elsewhere, do you mean, oh, I don’t know, Kenya?

  9. Brenda

    November 29th, 2009 at 10:22 am

    Phyllis S…………Thanks for the suggestion. It has been sent to Glen Beck.

  10. Tamara

    November 29th, 2009 at 9:47 pm

    I also hope Obama reads this excellent letter. Its a little “iffie” though since he didn’t notice the 2 million people on his front lawn.

  11. Brenda

    November 30th, 2009 at 9:24 am

    I do not vote for a party but for the person, and might add, did not vote for Obama, but was willing to give him a chance once elected. I am also a senior citizen (emphasize CITIZEN). Although raised in London during WWII and came to the USA in my late teens I have also served my time in the Airforce Reserves.

    I was not the biggest fan of either Bush but frankly Obama scares the hell out of me!

  12. Richard Grey

    November 30th, 2009 at 11:36 am

    I find it hard to believe that people (including the person elected President) do not have a clue about history. I’m 80, while not competeing with Boatswain’s Mate Estes, I have also lived in Hawaii – and have never visited the Arizona Memorial as too many of our friends are there. Still, I’ve never seen a person that has tried to buy his way into success, while impoverishing the country. I’m looking forward to the younger citizens realizing that there is “no free lunch” and they, or there children will have to pay Obama’s bills – he and I will be dead before they become due.

    D

  13. Richard Grey

    November 30th, 2009 at 11:38 am

    If Obama is the best that the younger voteres can do – then Obama and I will laugh as the bill becomes due after we’re dead.

    D

  14. Glen

    November 30th, 2009 at 12:10 pm

    This is a fact these “younger voters” don’t understand. In fact they will pass that loving gift onto their next generation.

  15. Joshua Lipana

    November 30th, 2009 at 3:15 pm

    That was a wonderful letter.

  16. Brenda Reichel

    December 1st, 2009 at 12:37 am

    I know Harold Estes too. What he says is true, and he is a humble and caring man here in Hawaii. I pray this country wakes up to what is happening. I hope Harold’s letter gets sent around the world and back many times over.

  17. Alex

    December 15th, 2009 at 12:28 pm

    I’m a US Citizen and ex. Soviet Union retired military officer (captain) living in USA. Harold, THANK YOU, I shake your hand.

  18. Jean Rhoads

    January 30th, 2010 at 5:16 pm

    You really can’t compare World Wars I&II to our “war” on terrorists. The world wars were winnable, and you could tell when you won. Somebody surrendered. There is no end to the terrorists. There is always someone to take their places.Technically America is not a Christian nation. Christianity is only 1 of many religions in the US. The people who claim to be Christians need to act like they believe the teachings of Jesus. The world is different than when this man was younger. We get in on all the world’s catastrophes. The other countries look to us for new energy ideas, global warming solutions, earthquake relief, etc. In his day and when I was young (I am 74), we gave no thought to using less oil. Global warming…what’s that? There are lots more people in America now with a widening gap between the rich and the poor. We have a bad attitude toward immigrants now. It used to be all right for them to come over and pick our strawberries and tomatoes. Good paying manufacturing jobs are gone. I am afraid things are more complicated than when Mr. Estes was young. He sees things like they were and never will be again and doesn’t like what he sees now. America IS mean-spirited when our Christian leader calls other nations the “axis of evil”. If Mr. Estes wants to blame someone, he needs to include Congress, also. So many of them seem to be more attuned to being supported by big corporation money and getting re-elected than serving America’s needs. Because Mr. Estes and his fellow soldiers fought for America, he and I are both free to express our opinions, and that is what we have done.

  19. Brenda

    January 30th, 2010 at 6:37 pm

    Mrs.Rhoads everything you said is very true. Thank you for your insight and comments. I hope you become a regular reader of my Blog and participate in discussions. Thanks again.

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