Day, King thank soldiers, urge patriotism

(Photo by Titus Landegent) Col. Bud Day, right, the nations's most decorated war veteran with a Medal of Honor and 69 other medals, spoke to area soldiers and veterans at a hunt and hog roast event Saturday. Rep. Steve King also spoke. [Click to enlarge]

Col. George "Bud" Day, America's most decorated living war veteran, spent the day pheasant hunting with soldiers from the 113th Cavalry in Le Mars and the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City, along with Rep. Steve King (R) in western Plymouth County.

The day concluded with a hog roast at Hole N' the Wall Lodge where both Day and King spoke, thanking soldiers for their service and calling them to patriotism.

(Photo by Titus Landegent) United States Rep. Steve King (R) spoke out against national health care and cap and trade laws during a hog roast honoring area soldiers hosted at the Hole N' the Wall Hunting Lodge near Akron. About 100 people gathered for the event. [Click to enlarge]

Day, a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and twice a prisoner of war, touched on a little of his own history and the reasons he's an active Republican today.

"(When I came back from Vietnam) people were spitting on soldiers when they should have been walking them home from war," he said. "If people are hating on somebody, they shouldn't be hating on soldiers."

Today, the republic of the United States is currently under attack, Day said.

"A lot of people are being silent when they ought to be talking. We need to be heard," he said. "Get on the telephone, get on the fax, send an email or a lot of emails."

Members of the military serve their country on tours of duty, but they need to be involved at home, too, he said.

"I hope they decide they're going to take some action," Day said. "People in uniform do more than just go to war. We in a war here, too."

King, who coordinated the event, said it was an honor to be in Day's company.

"It's an intergenerational transfer of patriotism," King said after the gathering. "How many of these soldiers will tell their grandchildren they shook the hand of the most decorated veteran in the country."

King also spoke out against enacting cap and trade laws, nationalizing health care and offering amnesty to immigrants.

The federal government, he said, has already nationalized several big banks and dished out billions of dollars in stimulus money. Those missteps, as he called them, could be recovered from, but going for cap and trade laws, national health care or amnesty for immigrants could not be, he said.

"We've got to restore and refurbish the pillars of American exceptionalism," he said.

King thanked the soldiers at the event for their military service.

"You've been at the front lines, many of you," he said. "We have a great future. These are the kind of people our country is built upon."

Lt. Col. Neil Stockfleth, of the 185th Air Refueling Wing, attended the event with his son, who is also a member of the 185th.

"I think it's a wonderful event, seeing great Americans like this supporting our military," he said. "And Col. Day, what an example for anyone, especially people in the military."

Col. Brian Miller, of the 185th Air Refueling Wing, said that while there is talk of low troop morale, he sees a different picture.

"I'm here to tell you the Iowa National Guard are proud to go over there, and we're ready to go," Miller said.

Lt Col. Damian Donahoe of the 113th Cavalry thanked King and Day for hosting the evening.

"It does mean a lot to soldiers when you take time to listen to them," Donahoe said. "As we head into missions in the future, we thank you for your support."