Friendly News
As Memorial Day approaches let us stop and thank our service men and women who fought for our freedom. Our hearts go out to these brave ones that never knew if they would come home alive or dead. . These Americans gave so that we would live to see another day.
I remember several years ago the news told of a reward was offered for killing an American, so
Today I ask you,
What Is An American?
An American is English, or French or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish, Polish or Greek . An American may also be Canadian, Mexican, African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Australian, Iranian, Asian or Arab, or Pakistani or Afghan.
An American may also be Comanche, Cherokee, Osage, Blackfoot, Navaho, Apache, Seminole, or one of the many other tribes known as native Americans.
An American is Christian, or he could be Jewish, or Buddhist, or Muslim. In fact, there are more Muslims in AMERICA than in Afghanistan. The only difference is that in America they are free to worship as each of them chooses.
An American is also free to believe in no religion. For that he will answer only to God, not to the Government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for God.
An American lives in the most prosperous land in the history of the world. The root of that prosperity can be found in the Declaration of INDEPENDENCE, which recognizes the God given right of each person to the pursuit of happiness.
An American is generous. Americans have helped out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need, never asking a thing in return.
When Afghanistan was over-run by the Soviet army some 36 years ago Americans came with arms and supplies to enable the people to win back their country.
As of the morning of September 11th, Americans had given more than any other nation to the poor in Afghanstan. Americans welcome the best of everything…. the best books, music food etc. But they also welcome the least.
The national symbol of America, The Statue of Liberty, welcomes your tired and your poor, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores, the homeless, tempest tossed. These in fact are the people that built America.
Some of them were working in the Twin Towers the morning of September 11,2001 earning a better life for their families. It’s been told that the World Trade Center victims were from at least 30 different countries, cultures and first languages, including those that aided and abetted the terrorists.
So you can try to kill an American if you must. Hitler did. So did General Tojo, and Stalin and Mao Tse-Tung, and other blood thirsty tyrants in the world. But, in doing so you would be killing yourself. Because Americans are not a particular people from a particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, is an American.
In ending I want to take time to remember John Roberts, Billy Dean Thomas, Joseph Light and many more that gave their all. Also, To Roy Wilkinson, Joe Webb, Kenneth Stoneking, Ted Wilkinson, Roger Martin, Tim Zeller, and so many men and women who fought for you and me.
To the young men and women who are fighting yet today……THANK YOU for your service.
My Deepest Sympathy is sent to B.J.McCoy, Bill Spencer and their families with the passing of their Mama Faye. May you feel Godás arms around you as you face the days ahead.
Sure hope your gardens are doing well. We was late this year because of the rain but better late than never.
Please say a prayer for my daughter, Diane, and her husband Matt as they fly this week to Scottland for the wedding of their son and my grandson Spencer Kinnard. Tennille has always dreamed of a Fairy Tale Wedding so she chose a Castle in Scottland where her great, great, great Grandfather helped lay the cornerstone. I am so excited for them and only pray the best for them. I am sure we will have pictures. Many Blessed years to Spencer and Tenneille.
My Get-Well Wishes are sent to………..Vickie Bowen, Fred Busch, Ethel Goff ,Loretta Underwood, Ron and Shirley Wilkinson, Debbie, Lorraine Owens, Terry and Irene Boop, Frank and Leona Stull. Carolyn Boston, Martha Michaels, Terry Starkey, Bob Boston, Darla Steele, Erica Martin, Carol and Randy Stout, Barb Smith, Sharon LeMasters, Lola Bailey, Geneva Cumbridge,, Lois and Larry Spencer
My Friendly Hello is sent to ……………..Debbie and Maynard Brannif
Mt Angel Award goes this week to………………….. Every Man or woman who served in the Armed Forces
The thought for the week………………….All gave some and some gave all.
In closing this week, I again want to remind you to be safe during the Alumni and Memorial Weekend and I am including this article written by Steve Winters a few years ago.
She still stands, along the Ohio River like a lighthouse. She calls you home by the laughter that you left behind in her now silent halls. Standing strong yet weakened by age she defies time. Can you hear her?
She holds all our fondest memories, stored safely inside her walls. It is a bond between you and a building that no one can explain, Yet you hear her calling. Each year around Memorial Day, we harken back to our youth. At the corner of these memories is SHS.
Although she lies abandoned by time, she still stands strong and proud. She never asked anything of you but she does hope that you will remember her.
She calls silently to you.
Come Home!!!!!!!
Written with permission.
Also this one written with permission…..
Never Say Goodbye,
Because Goodbye
Means Going Away,
And Away means.
Forgetting and,
Forgetting S.H.S.
Is Not An Option!!!!