Gov. Murphy forgets veterans… directs flags to be flown at half-staff for Trenton lobbyist

February 6, 2019 is the 120th anniversary of the end of the Spanish-American War.  A war fought against the Empire of Spain that directly led to the liberation of Cuba and the eventual independence of the Philippines.  3,549 American soldiers, sailors, and marines died in that war.

46 years later, General Douglas MacArthur and the American military liberated the Philippines, which had been under occupation by the Empire of Japan.  On February 5, 1945, General MacArthur entered the capital of Manilla. The liberation of the Philippines cost the United States military 13,884 dead and 48,541 wounded.

Apparently, these sacrifices are meaningless to Democrat Governor Phil Murphy… or at least unworthy of recognition.

Democrat Murphy chose February 5th to announce his order that on February 6th “all U.S. and New Jersey flags be flown at half-staff at all state buildings and facilities in honor of the late Barbra ‘Babs’ Casbar Siperstein.”

Siperstein was a well-known LGBTQ lobbyist and Trenton insider.  As the Democrat’s announcement puts it: “A ferocious champion for the LGBTQ community, Babs was a dedicated advocate who worked tirelessly to advance transgender equality rights that have changed and saved many lives,” said Governor Murphy. “Although we lost Babs, her memory and spirit will continue to live on.”

Well Governor, we lost a lot of good citizen-soldiers in the Spanish-American War and in the Liberation of the Philippines.  They should be remembered too.