Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Contact
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab US Community
    • Arab Stores Targeted
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Arab Radio Podcast intro
    • Radio Baladi Detroit
    • TwoGuys on Politics
  • Ray on Tiktok
  • Subscribe Ray’s Columns
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • United Nations UN Building Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania 2019
    UN experts warn against continued violations of ceasefire in Lebanon and urge protection of civilians Arab World
  • Zille Eizad, a Principle Software Engineer who has been with Microsoft for 9 years, resigned in protest
    Microsoft worker of 9 years resigns in protest via mass video to tens of thousands of workers Activism
  • MK Dr. Ofer Cassif (of the Hadash-Ta’al political party)
    Adalah Petitions Supreme Court Against Suspension of MK Ofer Cassif for Speaking Out Against Israeli War Crimes and Genocide Activism
  • Bernard Duhaime, Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence UN Human Rights Council
    Gaza: Peace demands justice, accountability and dignity says UN expert Arab World
  • Zohran Mamdani, New York City Mayoral candidate
    Mamdani campaign criticizes Trump billionaire Bill Ackman $1 million donation to Andrew Cuomo Activism
  • CAIR Executive Director and co-founder Nihad Awad
    CAIR Debunks Tom Cotton and Elise Stefanik’s Latest Demands for Federal Witch Hunt into Americans Opposed to Gaza Genocide American Arabs
  • Arab Center Washington DC
    Arab Center Washington DC to host Conference on Second Trump Administration Policies toward the Middle East American Arabs
  • The Arab American Foundation, launched in2 019 to educate Americans about the Arab identity and empower and connect Arab Americans, will host the "Connect Empowerment Summit" on Friday and Saturday, October 24 and 25, at the Teaeck Marriot at Glenpointe in Teaneck, New Jersey.
    Arab America Foundation to host “Connect Empowerment Summit” in New Jersey Activism
  • CNN Commentator Van Jones courtesy of Wikipedia
    CAIR Calls Van Jones Apology for Joking About Slaughtered Palestinian Children a ‘Positive But Insufficient’ Step American Arabs
  • Boats with the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza are seen moored at the small island of Koufonisi, south of the island of Crete, on September 26, 2025. (Photo: AFP/ Eleftherios Elis) Courtesy of the Committee to Protect Journalists
    CPJ calls on Israel to release journalists detained on the Global Sumud Flotilla Activism
  • Arab Center of Washington DC Fellows and affiliates analyze Palestine State recognition. Arab Center Washington DC Sept. 24, 2025
    Arab Center of Washington DC Fellows and affiliates analyze Palestine State recognition American Arabs
  • WRMEA Sept 2025 issue cover
    Video Interview Delinda Hanley of the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs Activism
  • ADC ArabCon Image
    ADC to issue awards for community leadsership at Convention American Arabs
  • CAIR Executive Director and co-founder Nihad Awad
    CAIR Wins Injunction Ordering U. of Missouri to Permit Mizzou Students for Justice in Palestine into Homecoming Parade American Arabs
  • Orland Township and logo
    Orland Township board shows concern for District 230 students American Arabs

American Legion Elects First Female Commander and Approves USS Liberty Resolution 40

Posted on August 28, 2017September 25, 2018 By USS_Liberty Info No Comments on American Legion Elects First Female Commander and Approves USS Liberty Resolution 40
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Resolution 40 calls on Congress to immediately investigate Israel’s 1967 attack on the USS Liberty and its aftermath

 

Denise Rohan was elected national commander of the two million-member American Legion at the 99th national convention of America’s largest veterans organization.

 

By Eileen Fleming

On Aug. 24, 2017, in Reno, Nev., Denise Rohan had one question for the delegates at the American Legion’s 99th national convention “Are you ready?”

Rohan’s theme is “Family First,” and that theme is based on The American Legion’s motto of “For God and Country.”

The first woman elected as American Legion national commander stood at the podium and stated:

I chose purple for this year’s membership shirts to show that we are joining forces as an American Legion family. Just like all branches of the military started working together and joined forces, they purpled up over the last several years, it is time for The American Legion family to also purple up as we all work together for the common good.

Are you ready to Purple Up and show the nation that we are a family that not just takes care of our own members, we stand ready to take care of our active-duty military and their families, we take care of our veterans and their families and, in reality, when you look at our four pillars and all of our programs, are you ready to continue to take care of our entire nation’s families?

I believe we were put here, where you are today, and in the positions you hold currently for the greater good.

We are not here to judge one another. We are here to nurture and take care of one another. Families grow through love and support for one another. As an American Legion family – we need to treat each other in that same spirit – like part of our larger extended family.

Are you ready to continue to join forces as part of the nation’s largest veteran service organization’s family?

The American Legion family will stand tall next to our heroes and their families…To make a difference in someone’s life, you don’t have to be brilliant, rich, beautiful or perfect. You just have to care enough to be there.

 

Caring enough to attend the American Legion’s national conference was USS Liberty survivor, Gunnery Sergeant Bryce F. Lockwood (USMC, ret.) who worked for passage of resolution 40, which originated from Post 40 in Seattle, WA.

The passing of resolution 40 by the American Legion now aligns the nation’s largest veterans organization on the side of the USS Liberty survivors, family, and supporters in calling upon the “115th United States Congress to publicly, impartially, and thoroughly investigate the attack on the USS Liberty and its aftermath and to commence its investigation before the end of 2017, the 50th anniversary year of the attack.”

USS Liberty survivors and supporters who ‘cared enough to be there’ at the 50th reunion of the USS LIBERTY veterans, are featured in the soon to be released DVD, “We Americans and the USS LIBERTY”, which will SOON be available at the USS LIBERTY VETERANS ASSOCIATION bookstore.

Excerpts from “We Americans and the USS LIBERTY” DVD:

Larry Bowen speaks about 50 yrs. PTS

 

Sgt. Bryce Lockwood talks about PTS

 

 

Commander Lewis talks about LBJ’s Coverup

 

In an interview with NPR, Commander Denise Rohan stated:

My theme for the coming year is family first…My concern is also with our veterans and their families, our military personnel and their families. And when you look at the mission of the American Legion and our four pillars of what we stand for, we’re really taking care of our whole nation’s families.

We Americans and the USS LIBERTY are a family with a screenplay available for your download and review at AmazonStudios:

HERE

RESOLUTION
National Headquarters, The American Legion
Ninety-Ninth Annual National Convention, Reno, Nevada August 22, 23, 24, 2017

WHEREAS, on June 8, 1967, while operating in support of the National Security Agency (NSA) in international waters, properly marked as to her identity and nationality, and in calm, clear weather in the eastern Mediterranean, the USS Liberty (AGTR-5) was the target of an unprovoked attack by Israeli military forces that killed 34 members of the Liberty’s crew and wounded 173; and,

WHEREAS, in recognition of their heroic efforts during and after the Israeli onslaught, Liberty crew members were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, 2 Navy Crosses, 12 Silver Stars, 20 Bronze Stars, more than 200 Purple Hearts, and the ship’s captain, Navy Commander William. L. McGonagle, was awarded the Medal of Honor; and,

WHEREAS, the June 28, 1967 public summary of proceedings of the Navy Court of Inquiry into the attack stated: “It was not the responsibility of the Court to rule on the culpability of the attackers and no evidence was heard from the attacking nation”; and,

WHEREAS, according to Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) information reports from June and October, 1967, sources in Tel Aviv reported: “Israel’s forces knew exactly what flag the LIBERTY was flying” and Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Dayan “personally ordered the attack” on the Liberty over the objections of senior uniformed military personnel, one of whom characterized the attack as “pure murder”; and,

WHEREAS, Richard Helms (Director of Central Intelligence, 1966-1973), stated in a 1984 CIA interview: “everything possible was done to keep from the American public really the enormity of this attack on an American naval vessel” and “since this is for the Agency’s record, I don’t think there can be any doubt that the Israelis knew exactly what they were doing … any statement to the effect that they didn’t know that it was an American ship … is nonsense”; and,

WHEREAS, Lieutenant General Marshall S. Carter, USA (ret.) (Director of the NSA, 1965-1969), recalled in a 1988 NSA interview that he stated at a Congressional hearing in 1967 that the attack on the Liberty “couldn’t be anything else but deliberate. There’s just no way you could have a series of circumstances that would justify it being an accident” and Carter indicated this remained his belief in 1988; and,

WHEREAS, in a 2003 affidavit published in the Congressional Record, Captain Ward Boston, Jr., JAGC, USN (ret.), legal counsel for the 1967 Navy Court of Inquiry stated: “I know from personal conversations I had with Admiral Kidd [president of the Court of Inquiry] that President Lyndon Johnson and Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara ordered him to conclude that the attack was a case of ‘mistaken identity’ despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary”; and,

WHEREAS, according to the findings, published in the Congressional Record, of the 2003 Independent Commission of Inquiry, chaired by former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, USN (ret.): “there is compelling evidence that Israel’s attack was a deliberate attempt to destroy an American ship and kill her entire crew” and “the White House deliberately covered up the facts of this attack”; and,

WHEREAS, in 2013, the Veterans of Foreign Wars adopted Resolution 423 calling “upon Congress to immediately investigate the attack on the USS Liberty by the armed forces of Israel on June 8, 1967, in order to determine the truth behind the attack, and to bring closure to the families and crew”; and,

WHEREAS, in August 1967, after the conclusion of the Navy Court of Inquiry, the American Legion adopted Resolution 508 (rescinded in 1984 without being first reviewed) declaring the published report of the Navy Court of Inquiry “fails to provide the American public with a satisfactory answer as to the reason for the attack” and stating that “The American Legion denounces and condemns Israel’s irresponsible attack” and demanding “a complete and thorough investigation of the incident”; and,

WHEREAS, according to Gurney Williams III, writing in The American Legion Magazine (“Death Strikes the Liberty“, July 1997), Congress has never investigated the Israeli attack on the Liberty; now therefore be it,

RESOLVED, By The American Legion in National Convention assembled in Reno, Nevada, August 22, 23, 24, 2017, that The American Legion calls upon the 115th United States Congress to publicly, impartially, and thoroughly investigate the attack on the USS Liberty and its aftermath and to commence its investigation before the end of 2017, the 50th anniversary year of the attack.

 

 

 

Eileen Fleming is TADN’s volunteer Health Reporter and Senior Non-Arab Correspondent 


Fleming produced the UNCENSORED “30 Minutes with Vanunu” Mordechai, Israel’s nuclear whistleblower


Contact her HERE

 

 

  • About
  • Latest Posts
USS_Liberty Info
USS_Liberty Info
USS_Liberty Info
Latest posts by USS_Liberty Info (see all)
  • Vanunu still has more nuclear secrets to spill, Israeli court declares - December 29, 2021
  • 9/11 and a 20th Reflection of That Day - September 5, 2021
  • Mordechai Vanunu: Final Annual Update and this Writers Next Steps - June 19, 2021
NVP: 33

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
Arab World, Bloggers, Commentary, Eileen Fleming, Israel, Middle East, Opinion, Palestine & Jordan

Post navigation

Previous Post: Taybeh’s annual OktoberFest to be held Sept. 16 & 17
Next Post: UAE Embassy celebrates Emirati Women’s Day in DC

Related Posts

  • Palestinian Leader Dr. Hanan Ashrawi. Photo courtesy of the PLO
    Ashrawi: Palestinians will not surrender to permanent dispossession and subjugation Arab World
  • Christian religious medallions
    Taybeh’s annual OktoberFest to be held Sept. 16 & 17 Arab World
  • The Sultan Ahmed Mosque Istanbul, Turkey
    A Turkish stadium harbours a stark message for multiculturalism Arab World
  • Palestinian Oktoberfest in Taybeh Sept. 24, 25 Arab World
  • Palestinian, Israeli, and International Activists March for Justice for Harun Abu Aram Arab World
  • Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese leaders lament death of Metropolitan Philip Saliba American Arabs

More Related Articles

Comedian Ramy Youssef courtesy of his Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ramysfaceboo/ “Ramy” cable series melds Arab world reality with every day American life Bloggers
Israel’s Damnation and Living Death of Vanunu Mordechai, Nuclear Whistleblower Arab World
Oral Language: Social exclusion & identity affirmation Abdennour Toumi
Israel boards anti-embargo boat in international waters Arab World
Justin Amash In final vote before primary election, Amash votes for America over Israel American Arabs
Sheikh Abu Qatada ( AP) Jordanian agents arrest well-known anti-ISIS salafist Sheikh’s son Ali Younes

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Ray Hanania's 4 times a week columns at https://RayHanania.com at Substack

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Netflix Mo Series courtesy of Wikipedia
    Mo Amer’s “Mo” on Netflix is more than just a great comedy series
    September 6, 2025
  • Photo courtesy of Journalist Abdennour Toumi
    France: Political Compromise vs Political Instability
    August 28, 2024
  • Zakia Restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia
    Arabs eat Middle East food like they are making love
    June 27, 2024
  • Zwar lamb kabob and kufta with white and yellow rice
    Zwar ranked the Best Middle East restaurant in Chicagoland suburbs
    June 8, 2024
  • Pictured: Rahm Emanuel, Afghan activist Salman Aftab who was co-chair of the Iftar dinner, and several non-Arab Muslim leaders. Also pictured is Ald. Joe Moore. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania for Arab News
    Comprehensive look at the failings of former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel
    January 18, 2024

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

The Lightning Strike Radio Sun 8-10 AM

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio Show
Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio Show
  • NEWS
  • United Nations UN Building Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania 2019
    UN experts warn against continued violations of ceasefire in Lebanon and urge protection of civilians
    October 17, 2025
  • Zille Eizad, a Principle Software Engineer who has been with Microsoft for 9 years, resigned in protest
    Microsoft worker of 9 years resigns in protest via mass video to tens of thousands of workers
    October 15, 2025
  • MK Dr. Ofer Cassif (of the Hadash-Ta’al political party)
    Adalah Petitions Supreme Court Against Suspension of MK Ofer Cassif for Speaking Out Against Israeli War Crimes and Genocide
    October 15, 2025
  • Bernard Duhaime, Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence UN Human Rights Council
    Gaza: Peace demands justice, accountability and dignity says UN expert
    October 15, 2025
  • Zohran Mamdani, New York City Mayoral candidate
    Mamdani campaign criticizes Trump billionaire Bill Ackman $1 million donation to Andrew Cuomo
    October 15, 2025
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • NEWSWIRE
  • United Nations UN Building Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania 2019
    UN experts warn against continued violations of ceasefire in Lebanon and urge protection of civilians
    October 17, 2025
  • Zille Eizad, a Principle Software Engineer who has been with Microsoft for 9 years, resigned in protest
    Microsoft worker of 9 years resigns in protest via mass video to tens of thousands of workers
    October 15, 2025
  • MK Dr. Ofer Cassif (of the Hadash-Ta’al political party)
    Adalah Petitions Supreme Court Against Suspension of MK Ofer Cassif for Speaking Out Against Israeli War Crimes and Genocide
    October 15, 2025
  • Bernard Duhaime, Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence UN Human Rights Council
    Gaza: Peace demands justice, accountability and dignity says UN expert
    October 15, 2025

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2025 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme