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

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!

Memorial Day

As Memorial Day was approaching one of my cousins started posted pictures of our Uncle Estes on Facebook. 

I never got to meet my Uncle Estes because he gave his life on Tuesday, July 25, 1944 during WWII. He is buried in Normandy American Cemetery; Colleville-sur-Mer, France.

Memorial Day is a special day set aside to remember all our fallen soldiers. So I wanted to post pictures of my Uncle Estes and the medals he received.

The medals across the top L to R: The Bronze Star; The Purple Heart; The Army Good Conduct Medal; American Defense Medal WWII; European - African - Middle Eastern Campaign Medal WWII; WWII Victory Medal.

The small medals on the bottom right are mini versions of the top row to wear on their uniforms, as are the bars in the middle above the brass plate.

I don't know what the other's are.

~oOo~ 

Happy Memorial Day!

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.

Flag Day

Freedom’s Waving Shield

Michael McGlynn, Edison, NJ

Submitted April 2011

from ushistory.org

Our flag is more than just a symbol of a nation brave and free.

And it’s so much more than just an emblem proclaiming liberty.

Old Glory is truly a monument as its pillars rest on high ideals.

Dedicated to those who pass the staff of freedom’s waving shield.

We carried it proudly throughout history to wherever duty called.

From the dark days at Valley Forge to Yorktown’s thunderous fall.

Gallantly streaming over Fort McHenry through that perilous night.

Proved to the world we’re here to stay in the early morning light.

Fluttering in the fields of Gettysburg to engage all who would enslave.

Under its unfurled colors our full measure of devotion is what we gave.

Intrepidly leading the way in battle against oppressors' imposing will.

From the Halls of Montezuma to its valiant charge up San Juan Hill.

From the great crusade at Normandy to the summit of Suribachi it flew.

Waving out a clear warning to tyranny that the fight is coming to you.

It followed us ashore in Korea; over the skies of Vietnam it streaked.

Across Iraq’s sea of endless sand to Afghanistan’s mountainous peaks.

Guiding us clearly through the fog of war as we liberated many lands.

Defending man's inalienable rights and the republic for which it stands.

Flying over our heroes’ graves promising our mission will never cease.

As we wield our banner onward in the relentless pursuit for peace

~oOo~


In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777. The June 14 date is also when Congress adopted "the American continental army" after reaching a consensus position in the Committee of the Whole. (taken from Wikipedia)

Thanks You Is Not Enough!

NO, FREEDOM ISN'T FREE
(Author & photographer unknown)
I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.

I looked at him in uniform;
so young, so tall, so proud.
With hair cut square and eyes alert,
he'd stand out in any crowd.





I thought how many men like him
had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil;
how many mother's tears?

I thought about a graveyard at the bottom of the sea.
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.





I heard the sound of Taps one night,
when everything was still.
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times
that Taps had meant 'Amen.'
When a flag had draped a coffin
of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children,
of the mothers and the wives,
of fathers, sons and husbands
with interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea.
Of unmarked graves in Arlington .
No, freedom isn't free.

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 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 special thanks to every man and woman who has ever put on a uniform to protect our freedom and our wonderful nation.

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).

URGENT REMINDER...

Please remember to vote!

Important Reminder!

Voting
by Bernard Howe

Voting is our given right,
which men have died to keep.
Voting shows our peoples might,
so our country won't get into deep.

But there are those who never vote,
and constantly seem to complain.
Patriotism they don't promote,
and their rights they choose to abstain.

Every vote does really count,
to let our officials know.
For their actions they must account,
or their ratings will never grow.

So come next election time,
go cast your vote with pride.
Voting doesn't cost a dime,
plus the out come you help decide.


So please, every one remember to vote tomorrow!

Never Forget

We must never forget!

Thanks to all our American Heros

~oOo~

God Bless America

Fun on the 4th!

I hope everyone had a wonderful July 4th!

I spent to whole day with my hubby & daughter. We just lounged around the backyard. Audrey & Rudy both cooled off in a kiddie pool (very cute). 

Here's some random pix from the day!

 

Even Bear joined in on the relaxing day.

As usual... good food!

The foil pouches contain potatoes with a little salt, garlic powder & butter

Then the Porterhouse, of course.

Delicious!

How about some fresh chopped pineapple....OMGoodness!
If you have only had canned pineapple, you have never tasted pineapple before. Quite amazing!

The other necessities of the day. Pretzels for snackin', suncreen a must, and the old asthmatics inhaler (that would be me)

It was a perfectly wonderful day here in SW Ohio (a little muggy, but nothing like it can & has been).

Be Thankful We Are Free!

"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!

Today's Mail

Last Tuesday we got our letter telling us that we would

get the Census 2010 in our mail this week.

Well here it is...

As you can tell it's a little longer than "How many people live at your residence?"

I'm off to fill it out!

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

"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!

Thank You!

NO, FREEDOM ISN'T FREE
(Author & photographer unknown)
I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.

I looked at him in uniform;
so young, so tall, so proud.
With hair cut square and eyes alert,
he'd stand out in any crowd.


I thought how many men like him
had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil;
how many mother's tears?

I thought about a graveyard at the bottom of the sea.
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.


I heard the sound of Taps one night,
when everything was still.
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times
that Taps had meant 'Amen.'
When a flag had draped a coffin
of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children,
of the mothers and the wives,
of fathers, sons and husbands
with interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea.
Of unmarked graves in Arlington .
No, freedom isn't free.

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. Buried during WWII in Normandy American Cemetery; Colleville-sur-Mer, France).