NEWS AND OPINION:
Let’s have three cheers for this upcoming event.
A long-awaited ceremony to present the Congressional Gold Medal to the Ghost Army — the secret, inventive and unique World War II units that used creative deception to fool the Germans on the battlefields of Europe. The public recognition will take place at the U.S. Capitol on March 21.
House Speaker Mike Johnson will host the event, along with other House and Senate leaders and the sponsors of the 2022 legislation authorizing the award.
There are just seven surviving members of the Ghost Army — several of whom are expected to attend the ceremony, along with the families and descendants of other Ghost Army veterans.
The seven members are James “Tom” Anderson of Dover, Delaware; Bernard Bluestein of Hoffman Estates, Illinois; John Christman of Leesburg, New Jersey; George Dramis of Raleigh, North Carolina; William Nall of Dunnellon, Florida; Seymour Nussenbaum of Monroe Township, New Jersey, and John Smith of Woodland, Michigan.
The ceremony itself will culminate a nearly 20-year effort by lawmakers and volunteers of the Ghost Army Legacy Project to raise awareness and win recognition for the little-known Army units that played a unique but unheralded part in the Allied victory in World War II.
The very existence of these warriors — who made use of inflatable tanks, sound effects, radio trickery and impersonation — was classified until 1996. Visit them at GhostArmy.org.
“What made the Ghost Army special was not just their extraordinary courage, but their creativity,” said Rep. Annie Kuster, the House sponsor of the bill authorizing the medal.
“Their story reminds us that listening to unconventional ideas, like using visual and sound deception, can help us solve existential challenges like defeating tyranny,” the New Hampshire Democrat said in a written statement.
Other primary bill sponsors include Sens. Susan Collins, Maine Republican, and Edward Markey, Massachusetts Democrat.
TRUMP’S LATEST
Former President Donald Trump continues to remain at the center of the upcoming presidential election, his presence reinforced by his daily public outreach — which comes complete with some emphatic capitalization and exclamation points.
“Drop out of the race? The party has just begun! When they impeached me TWICE, they thought you’d ABANDON me. When they arrested me and took my mugshot, they PRAYED you’d throw in the towel,” Mr. Trump advised in a public campaign outreach.
“And when they ERASED me off the ballot, they were hoping, begging, PLEADING I’d drop out of the race. But here’s what they don’t know,” he declared in his message before entering into all capital letters for the conclusion:
“I’ll never give up! I’ll never surrender! Because of your support, we will Make America Great Again!”
THE PRIMARY PRESS
One good thing about the New Hampshire primary election on Tuesday: It gave the press something to do in the run-up to the event — which is often seen as a prelude to the national election in November.
A few headlines from the last 24 hours:
“New Hampshire primary will test Trump’s front-runner status” (The Associated Press); “The 2024 New Hampshire primary is on Tuesday: Here’s what to know” (CBS News); “Biden’s name won’t appear on New Hampshire ballots” (The Guardian); “Trump’s lead over Haley widens to double digits in New Hampshire” (CNN); “New Hampshire primary: What would a win mean to Trump or Haley?” (Reuters); and “NH primary tracking poll has Trump leading Haley by 19%” (NBC Boston).
And a few more: “Ahead of New Hampshire primary, underdog Nikki Haley gets one-on-one race with Donald Trump” (The Wall Street Journal); “Authorities map out potential threats ahead of New Hampshire primary” (ABC News); “New Hampshire’s shifting population could shake up presidential primary, a new analysis finds” (New Hampshire Pubic Radio); and “Fake Biden calls use artificial intelligence to urge Dems to stay home on Tuesday” (New Hampshire Union Leader).
THINKING AHEAD
Wreaths Across America is a national nonprofit group whose year-round mission is to remember our fallen military, honor those who currently serve, and teach children the value of freedom, according to a mission statement.
Each December, the organization organizes a tribute to the nation’s heroes by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in all 50 states. Those tributes took place in 4,225 locations across the country, including Arlington National Cemetery.
The group’s work starts early. The organization has already revealed its theme for 2024 — which is “Live With Purpose,” with the tribute date set for Dec. 14.
“Over the course of the last year, and then especially on the escort to Arlington last December, I listened to people who had gone through great adversity, and they’d taken that adversity and turned it around as a call to action to spend the rest of their lives making sure that every day was meaningful and that they lived with purpose,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, in a written statement shared with Inside the Beltway.
“For me, to live with purpose is a mindset,” she said.
Find the group at WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.
POLL DU JOUR
• 45% of U.S. adults say former President Donald Trump would win the 2024 presidential election if President Biden were the Democratic candidate and Mr. Trump were the Republican candidate.
• 84% of Republicans, 44% of independents and 10% of Democrats agree. 48% of men and 42% of women also agree.
• 32% overall say Mr. Biden would win a Trump-Biden rematch.
• 4% of Republicans, 19% of independents and 73% of Democrats agree. 34% of men and 31% of women also agree.
• 23% overall are not sure who would win a Trump-Biden rematch.
• 12% of Republicans, 37% of independents and 18% of Democrats agree. 18% of men and 27% of women also agree.
SOURCE: An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,660 U.S. citizens conducted Jan. 14-16.
• Follow Jennifer Harper on X @HarperBulletin.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.