Operation: Help-A-Hero #6WardChicago

I'm sorry I didn't trot this out on Memorial Day which is one of those holidays that we celebrate the sacrifices of America's military personnel & veterans. If you have an item to donate to homeless - or transitioning from homeless - military veterans you can do so at any Aldermanic office, any Jewel-Osco store or select Chicago Park district locations. A complete list is available at www.cityofchicago.org/helpahero

If you've subscribed to either Ald. Sawyer's or Ald. Beale's e-mail distribution lists you will see variations of the flyer below. If you want more information call your Alderman's office. This flyer contains the contact information for Ald. Sawyer.

Refer to the flyer below to see what items to donate.

Happy Memorial Day

Photo via The New Yorker

After the odd weather we had from that late heavy snow in February to the unseasonably cold weather in April to the wetness of this month we have finally arrived at the unofficial start of summer. Hopefully you all are enjoy the nice weather of the weekend and of course having a nice BBQ on this Memorial Day. Have a happy and safe one!

Should the United Nations be involved with maintaining peace on Chicago's streets?

[VIDEO] Over the years on this blog, we've seen some semblance of discussion regarding crime in Chicago. More specifically there have been those who wanted martial law in some parts of the south side - especially for example along 79th Street in Chatham.

Among other solutions to the issue of violence is bringing in the United Nations. Normally this diplomatic organization that seeks to maintain the peace of the world engages in a number of hotspots around the world. Richard Boykin - a west side Cook County commissioner - wants the UN to intervene in the violence occuring in Chicago's streets.

While above, I have a video from the Dec. 15th edition of FOX News' Special Report I'm also going to share a post from Chicago's Hottest Blog.

Thank you @RichardRBoykin for fighting against violence in Chicago:https://t.co/gMjMzTY7fX

— Jim Allen TV (@jimallenTV) December 17, 2017

Huge thank you to Commissioner Richard R. Boykin for shining a light on violence in Chicago while in New York at the United Nations.

As everyone knows, Chicago is in a public health and safety crisis. Gang violence that somewhat mirrors sectarian violence in foreign countries has taken over Chicago.

Even the President of the United States, Donald Trump has been mentioning the violence in Chicago. Since January 1, 2017 to the present, over 3,000 people have been shot in Chicago, and over 600 people have been killed!

Yes, Chicago needs serious attention and resources.

The need for attention & resources much agreed. My doubts are no different than asking for the Nat'l Guard to patrol city streets. Does the UN really care about issues of warring gangs on city streets? Does gang warfare represent a serious danger to the peace of the world?

It's great to use the UN to bring attention to the issue of Chicago violence - especially as President Trump seeks to point to Chicago as a disaster. We definitely need to find ways to get the city to really tackle this issue and make our streets safer. Something is not working and it's a problem when the thugs are using their guns as we head into winter.

BTW, just had to add that the blog 2nd City Cop had something to say of course...

Boykin obviously has no idea of the federal laws and Constitutional hurdles that would have to be overcome to have any sort of foreign forces operating within US borders, armed or unarmed. Not to mention Rules of Engagement and other such concerns. Add in the constant headlines of corruption, rape and sex trafficking that follow the UN everywhere and you have a recipe for disaster upon the disaster that already is the south and west sides.

Ah, so Chicago is know for corruption just add more corruption from foreign forces. Regardless Boykin brought attention to the violence issues in Chicago.

Happy Veteran's Day

Via RAGE ig

Today is Veteran's Day for all of our Veterans and current military. Today we honor you all and thank you for your current or past service.

Also today I will share this ig post featuring Black servicemen from Official Black Wall Street

Happy Veterans Day to those who served, and those who honorably did so while Black! ✊🏾 Tag a Black Veteran-owned business below👇🏾

A post shared by Official Black Wall Street (@officialblackwallstreet) on Nov 11, 2017 at 8:32am PST

Happy Memorial Day

On this occassion we'll honor the Buffalo Soldiers who are members of the US Army's 9th & 10th Cavalries. This unit was active from roughly the end of the Civil War all the way through the second World War. They were given the names by the various Native American tribes of the west as a term of respect comparing their courage with the fighting spirit of the buffalo.

Some of this information and the above painting was retrieved from the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of Delaware.

National Guard help curb street violence, do you agree?

Lt. Gen. Russel Honore

This article caught my eye today:

At the news conference at the Chicago Military Academy in the Bronzeville neighborhood, [former US Army Lt. General Russel L. Honore] spoke out against the gun violence that affects the lives of so many of the students.

Honore was mild in his tone and fell short of demanding action. Instead he suggested a strategy he thinks could work.

To tackle the violence here, Honore said, the state police and other law enforcement agencies could lend a hand to local police. And the National Guard could take over routine duties, patrolling the streets and handling traffic, while police concentrate their efforts on solving crimes and increasing their presence in troubled neighborhoods.
...
"Trust me, we can tap this down," Honore said of the shootings. "It would take a commitment, and it's not going to be popular. Many people are going to say why are you bringing that to my community? (But) do you want law enforcement or do you want people shooting day and night and destroying the lives of innocent people like the little girl who lost her life here a few weeks ago?"
...
"We should do whatever it takes to end the violence, so we won't have to feel scared," he said. "These kids have guns. We need experienced people that can stop them."

BTW, even Police Officer and former Aldermanic Candidate Richard Wooten has something to say:

When he's not working as a Chicago police officer, Richard Wooten said he's in the neighborhoods — Auburn Gresham, West Chesterfield and Chatham — helping residents develop neighborhood watch groups.

"Crime in Chicago is just running rampant," said Wooten, who does community work as part of his own organization, the Gathering Point Community Council. He attended Honore's news conference.

"This is going to require more than just the Chicago Police Department," he said. "We are in a state right now where we need not only to get the community activated and mobilized and dealing with the issues in their community, but somewhere along the way, we're going to have to tap into some federal funding."

Still, I would say the last thing we would want is to get the National Guard on our streets. Hopefully what the city is facing at the moment doesn't even warrant that. But what say you on this subject?

Happy Memorial Day...

2011, is the 150th anniversary of the US Civil War so in honor of that conflict a painting of the 54 Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment. This army unit was portrayed in the film Glory starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, and Cary Elwes.

Well the weekend is already off to a wet start. Hopefully this day will allow you to take part in any outdoor plans on Memorial Day!

Happy Veteran's Day

We would like to mark this federal holiday in honor of those who have served or are currently serving our nation in the armed services. We would like to thank all for their service!

It's Veteran's Day

A quick shout-out to our Veteran's today. If your children are out of school on this day, let us remember why they have today off. Also a shout-out to currently serving men and women in our armed services.

Roughing it part of tour

More about our heroes over there in Afghanistan from the Tribune, the two gentlemen one of whom hails from our very own Chatham neighborhood. I suppose a follow-up to the photograph taken of them over there. Once again keep our troops in your thoughts!

Two soldiers in Afghanistan

I'm not going to post that pic here since it's Tribune property, unless of course they wouldn't object. Anyway one of these soldiers in the pic, Spc. William Pippin, 23, hails from Chicago's Chatham neighborhood. He's photographed with another Specialist from Chicago's west side in Afghanistan.

The 4th of July holiday has just passed, but if we may for a moment give a thought and prayer to those who are currently serving in the military, especially if they are in war zones in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Thanks and my they be blessed!