Month: November 2020

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What Am I Thankful For?

As Thanksgiving approaches, and I begin the ritual of pie making, I take a moment to consider that for which I have to be thankful.
So Many Struggles
It’s been a tough year for many people. The signs of struggle are everywhere. Some struggle with employment or housing. Others fight addiction or abuse. And still, others have been victims of unnecessary violence. When I stop and think of those that have run head-on into obstacles that prevent them from being happy I will be thankful that I can consider my troubles and realize that they are minor in comparison to many others.
Finding Thankfulness in Family
This Thanksgiving I give thanks for my family even though we can’t all be together this year. I’m thankful we each share the day with loved ones and that we are all healthy. I hope each of you has someone special with which to share your day.
And the Kindness in the World
I’m also thankful for the kindness I see in the world. It is a shame that the media doesn’t promote more of what we see as the good in our neighbors. In my neighborhood, we see a local restaurant open for the day specifically to prepare a wonderful meal for the homeless and less fortunate in our community. There are many people in communities around the country offering the same charity. What beautiful souls exist in our midst. Thank you for sacrificing your holiday to share with those in need.
Thankfulness in Hope
Finally, I’m thankful for the hope that exists in the world. It’s the hope we share that binds us together and offers us the chance to make a difference in the world. Hopefulness breeds kindness and love. We could use more of those gifts in our world.
Thanksgiving Wishes
I hope each of you is with loved ones on this Thanksgiving day. I’m grateful for each person who has touched my life this year, and I hope each one recognizes those that have touched your life and made it a little better. It has been a year of blessing for me. I have come across obstacles that have challenged me and forced me to grow. I’m thankful for those that have walked with me and helped me on my journey. I look forward to continuing my journey and welcome the company as I travel.
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We Remember – The Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Veteran’s Day isn’t to be a memory,  but a day to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives and livelihood. We may not set aside the memories and respect we expressed only days ago. The gestures may remain silent for another year, but they remain in our hearts. As we step ahead in time, we look at this day November 13, 2020, as we remember another milestone in history. We look upon this day as a day when veterans of one era finally receive the respect they deserve. They receive the respect that for more than a decade was silenced, by a narrow-minded view, that certain men and women didn’t deserve respect because they fought an unpopular war.
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It is on this day in 1982 that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated. The “Wall” as people commonly refer to it has become an icon. The black granite “v” shaped wall is a symbol of love and loss, war and peace, and the unending cycle of war. The Memorial is inscribed with 57,939 names of those who never came home from Vietnam.  The “Wall” has become a gateway to forgiveness. It is a place where the protesters and defenders meet and remember a time of turmoil that separated a people who before the war were friends. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a place that offered the initial healing. It is one of the most visited memorials in the nation’s capital. I will take a moment today to remember not only the sacrifice our military endured in Vietnam but the humiliation people subjected them to when they returned home. I salute each of you today; those who look upon the names on the Memorial, and those whose names are inscribed within the black granite. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. My heart goes out to you who suffered in silence. I wish peace for you in your lives. Fair Use Notice: This article could contain some copyrighted material whose use has not been authorized by the copyright owners. We believe that this not-for-profit, educational, and/or criticism or commentary use on the Web constitutes a fair use of the copyrighted material (as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Fair Use notwithstanding we will immediately comply with any copyright owner who wants their material removed or modified, wants us to link to their web site, or wants us to add their photo.
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A Sacred Salute

We offer our veterans a salute of respect and honor today. Let‘s salute all those who sacrificed their existence to secure our freedom, and give thanks to those who endured the pain and hardship of war, so we may feel secure.

Many people blindly walk through life. They go about our day not thinking about the choices they have and the voice they take for granted. We have a voice because of our veterans. Each of us is endowed with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; freedoms secured by our original forefathers. We enjoy these rights at the expense of those who live if not fearlessly; they live sacrificially.

From, the Revolutionary War to the Wars in the Middle East that continue to plague the world. Our Veterans along with our Allies, continue to police the world and offer a choice to those willing to step up and defend the freedoms we often forget about.

Today we offer our thanks to the men and women who keep the peace. I offer my gratitude along with thanks to all our service people. I thank their families too, for their sacrifice.

May your sacrifice be the light that shines in the darkness and spreads love across the globe. 

Photo by Holly Mindrup on Unsplash

Fair Use Notice: This article could contain some copyrighted material whose use has not been authorized by the copyright owners. We believe that this not-for-profit, educational, and/or criticism or commentary use on the Web constitutes a fair use of the copyrighted material (as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Fair Use notwithstanding we will immediately comply with any copyright owner who wants their material removed or modified, wants us to link to their web site, or wants us to add their photo.