We Must Never Forget

Once again the 911 anniversary is upon us.

Let resolver forget..

• those lost that horrible day

• their family, friends and coworkers that survived

• our glorious nation that came together in one resolve

Thanks to the Hero's

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Thanks Is Such A Small Word

Remember

by Brittany Vigoreaux

American soldiers sacrifice so much,

All for the freedom of our country.

Leaving their families and heading off to war,

Not knowing what the future holds.

Working day and night

Determined to stay strong.

Watching friends be killed every day

Letters from home inspiring them to keep fighting

So little is given to them

Although there is little to do,

For those who have died in war

We can still remember

Remember all the men who have died.

Remember all the battles fought

Remember all the tears families cried

Remember it was freedom the soldiers brought

To this very day soldiers are under-appreciated

Veterans Day is the day

For the dead, living, and fighting soldiers

To be remembered

~oOo~

Enjoy Your Freedom

and

God Bless Our Troops

~oOo~

A very special thanks to my dear husband Rudy for his service in the Navy, my uncles Joe, Hubert, Arnold, Curtis, Estes (whom I never met, he gave his life on Tuesday, July 25, 1944. He was buried during WWII in Normandy American Cemetery; Colleville-sur-Mer, France), my cousins Kevin, Brenda & Sandi, and my brother-in-law Jeffrey. 

Never Forget

We must never forget!

Thanks to all our American Heros

~oOo~

God Bless America

Back to Mom & Dad's (belated update)

Well after our wonderful time together for the 4th, Husband/Daddy said bye once again to his wife and daughter. We were headed back to my mom & dad's on the 5th.

Mom had an appointment at her doctors from her oral surgery. The doctor said she was doing pretty good. Now we needed to get her strength up from not being able to eat.

The 6th brought sadness. My uncle Hubert died. 

He's my mom's brother, she's the youngest of 10.  My mom & uncle Athel are the only ones left now. It wasn't a total surprise but it is always a shock when a family member dies.

So that weekend Audrey & I watched mom & dad's dog & cat while they went out of town for the visitation and funeral.

Happy Independence Day!

"The Star-Spangled Banner"

During the War of 1812, the British captured
the city of Washington, setting fire to the Capitol building and the White
House.

In the blaze of cannon fire, Francis Scott Key, a lawyer living in Georgetown, could still see an American flag waving over Fort McHenry. When
the bombing suddenly stopped during the night, he had no way of knowing if the
flag was still there or if the American stronghold had fallen to the British.
But at dawn the American flag became visible, still intact over the fort.

Key was inspired to write a poem. His brother-in-law took it to a
printer and copies were circulated around the city.

"The Star-Spangled Banner" was adopted as our national anthem on March 3, 1931.

Star-Spangled Banner
Written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812
Oh, say can you see
By the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed
By the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars
Through the perilous flight
O'er the ramparts we watched
Were so gallantly streaming
And the rocket's red glare,
The bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the night
That our flag was still there.

Oh, say does that Star-Spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen
Through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host
In dread silence reposes.
What is that which the breeze
O'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows,
Half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam
Of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected
Now shines on the stream:

Tis the Star-Spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band
That so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war
And the battle's confusion
A home and a country
Should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out
Their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save
The hireling and slave
From the terror of flight,
Or the gloom of the grave!

And the Star-Spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh! Thus be it ever
When free men shall stand
Between their loved homes
And the war's desolation;
Blest with victory and peace,
May the Heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made
And preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must,
When our cause it is just,
And this be out motto:
"In God is our trust!"

And the Star-Spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
~oOo~
Enjoy Your Freedom
and God Bless Our Troops.
~oOo~ Thank you to all the men and women that have fought to keep us free!
A very special thanks to my dear husband Rudy for his service in the Navy, my uncles Hubert, Arnold, Curtis and Estes (whom I never met because he gave his life on Tuesday, July 25, 1944. Buried during WWII in Normandy American Cemetery; Colleville-sur-Mer, France).

~oOo~
In God We Trust

Pray for America!

The Word "Thanks" Just Isn't Enough!

I received this in an email, I had to share!
Happy Memorial Day!

~oOo~

 As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my cart of groceries towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood of his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the door open. The old man was looking at the engine. I put my groceries away in my car, and continued to watch the old gentleman from about twenty five feet away. I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm walking towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too, and took a few steps towards him. I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something. The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade. He then turned back to the old man. I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying: 'You shouldn't even be allowed to drive a car at your age.' And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.

I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief, and mop his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine. He then went to his wife and spoke with her; he appeared to tell her it would be okay. I had seen enough, and I approached the old man. He saw me coming and stood straight, and as I got near him I said, 'Looks like you're having a problem.' He smiled sheepishly, and quietly nodded his head. I looked under the hood myself, and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me. Looking around, I saw a gas station up the road, and I told the old man that I would be right back. I drove to the station and went I inside. I saw three attendants working on cars. I approached one of them, and related the problem the old man had with his car. I offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and help him.

The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine), I spoke with the old gentleman. When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a Marine too. I nodded and asked the usual question, 'What outfit did you serve with?' He said that he served with the first Marine Division at Guadalcanal, Peleliu, and Okinawa. He had hit three of the worst ones, and retired from the Corps after the war was over. As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me. I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card. He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it, and I stuck it in my pocket. We all shook hands all around again, and I said my goodbye's to his wife. I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station.

Once at the station, I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me. One of them pulled out a card from his pocket, looking exactly like the card the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then that they were Marine Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me. I said I would and drove off.

For some reason I had gone about two blocks, when I pulled over and took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long time. The name of the old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name was written: 'Congressional Medal of Honor Society'. I sat there motionless, looking at the card and reading it over and over. I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together because one of us needed help. He was an old man all right, but it felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage, and an honor to have been in his presence.
(story from an unknown source)

(Present day variations of the Medal of Honor L to R: Army, Navy/Marine, Air Force)
(photo from cmohs)

Remember, as we celebrate another Memorial Day, many men like this man gave you, and all of us, FREEDOM for America.Thanks to those who served and still serve, and to all of those who supported them, and who continue to support them.

America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the Mall.

If you don't stand behind our troops, PLEASE feel free to stand in front of them!

Remember, Freedom isn't Free. Thousands have paid the price, so that you can enjoy what you have today.

(photo from unknown resource)

~oOo~



A very heartfelt thanks to my dear husband Rudy for his service in the Navy, my uncles Joe, Hubert, Arnold, Curtis and Estes (whom I never met because he gave his life on Tuesday, July 25, 1944. Buried during WWII in Normandy American Cemetery; Colleville-sur-Mer, France). Special thanks also to my brother-in-law Jeffrey, my nephew Keith, and to all my cousins who have served. A BIG thanks to every man and woman who has ever put on a uniform to protect our freedom and our wonderful nation.

Thanks

Remember

by Brittany Vigoreaux

American soldiers sacrifice so much,

All for the freedom of our country.

Leaving their families and heading off to war,

Not knowing what the future holds.

Working day and night

Determined to stay strong.

Watching friends be killed every day

Letters from home inspiring them to keep fighting

So little is given to them

Although there is little to do,

For those who have died in war

We can still remember

Remember all the men who have died.

Remember all the battles fought

Remember all the tears families cried

Remember it was freedom the soldiers brought

To this very day soldiers are under-appreciated

Veterans Day is the day

For the dead, living, and fighting soldiers

To be remembered

~oOo~

Enjoy Your Freedom

and

God Bless Our Troops

~oOo~

A very special thanks to my dear husband Rudy for his service in the Navy, my uncles Joe, Hubert, Arnold, Curtis, Estes (whom I never met, he gave his life on Tuesday, July 25, 1944He was buried during WWII in Normandy American Cemetery; Colleville-sur-Mer, France), my cousins Kevin, Brenda & Sandi, my brother-in-law Jeffrey. 

Thank You So Much!

Remember

by Brittany Vigoreaux

American soldiers sacrifice so much,

All for the freedom of our country.

Leaving their families and heading off to war,

Not knowing what the future holds.

Working day and night

Determined to stay strong.

Watching friends be killed every day

Letters from home inspiring them to keep fighting

So little is given to them

Although there is little to do,

For those who have died in war

We can still remember

Remember all the men who have died.

Remember all the battles fought

Remember all the tears families cried

Remember it was freedom the soldiers brought

To this very day soldiers are under-appreciated

Veterans Day is the day

For the dead, living, and fighting soldiers

To be remembered

~oOo~

Enjoy Your Freedom

and

God Bless Our Troops

~oOo~

A very special thanks to my dear husband Rudy for his service in the Navy, my uncles Joe, Hubert, Arnold, Curtis and Estes (whom I never met, he gave his life on Tuesday, July 25, 1944. He was buried during WWII in Normandy American Cemetery; Colleville-sur-Mer, France).

Never Forget

We must never forget!

Thanks to all our American Heros

~oOo~

God Bless America

Thank You Veteran's!

Freedom is not Free

by Ashley Persyn

There is a price we pay for freedom

For it is not truly free

But rather paid for by the contributions of veterans

To buy our liberty

As their blood drains from their body and runs like a river through the grass

Over the years it's forgotten, war is placed in our past

I don't think we all realize the importance veterans play

as they voluntarily serve America each and every day

We should honor the veterans for they act like a shield

Protecting us from danger, keeping America healed.

So if you would take a second to commemorate

You will instantly see

We owe veterans our gratitude

For they are the reason we are free

~oOo~

Enjoy Your Freedom
and
God Bless Our Troops.

~oOo~

A very special thanks to my dear husband Rudy for his service in the Navy, my uncles Hubert, Arnold, Curtis and Estes (whom I never met because he gave his life on Tuesday, July 25, 1944. He was buried during WWII in Normandy American Cemetery; Colleville-sur-Mer, France).

A Somber Day Eight Years Ago

We must never forget!

Thanks to all our American Heros

~oOo~

God Bless America

Thank You!

They Did Their Share
By Joanna Fuchs

On Veteran’s Day we honor
Soldiers who protect our nation.
For their service as our warriors,
They deserve our admiration.

Some of them were drafted;
Some were volunteers;
For some it was just yesterday;
For some it’s been many years;

In the jungle or the desert,
On land or on the sea,
They did whatever was assigned
To produce a victory.

Some came back; some didn’t.
They defended us everywhere.
Some saw combat; some rode a desk;
All of them did their share.

No matter what the duty,
For low pay and little glory,
These soldiers gave up normal lives,
For duties mundane and gory.

Let every veteran be honored;
Don’t let politics get in the way.
Without them, freedom would have died;
What they did, we can’t repay.

We owe so much to them,
Who kept us safe from terror,
So when we see a uniform,
Let’s say "thank you" to every wearer.

So thanks to every man & woman who has served our great country, so we can be free.

A very special thanks to my dear husband Rudy, my uncle Hubert, my uncle Arnold, my uncle Curtis and my uncle Estes (whom I never met because he gave his live on Tuesday, July 25, 1944. Buried during WWII in Normandy American Cemetery; Colleville-sur-Mer, France).

Remember Those Who Serve

Not the Hoped for Homecoming

His family, friends and community never forgot or gave up. Yellow ribbons are still found all over the county. They can be found tied around trees, fence posts & door knobs, worn on lapels and displayed on cars. Anything you can tie, pin or stick a yellow ribbon on has been adorned. Businesses still have his picture hanging in view to remind us to pray for him, his family and all our soldiers.

"He" is Sgt. Keith Matthew "Matt" Maupin. An Army general told his parents Sunday that their son's remains had been found. Maupin had been listed as missing-captured in Iraq April 9, 2004 (Full story & photos).

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his parents, family and friends.