Saturday, December 7, 2013

"A date which will live in infamy"

The title of this blog post is taken in part by a speech made by President Franklin Roosevelt following the attack by the Japan Imperial Navy on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.


And, indeed it is a day that has been remembered by many. It is not a national holiday in this country. It is a day to remember those that gave their life and limbs fighting to keep the states from being attacked.

It is traditional to fly the American flag at half-staff during the day and moving it back up to full staff at sunset. The flag at half-staff is to honor all those that gave their life on this day 72 years ago.

More than 2,400 Americans were killed. Those wounded totaled over 1,100. Four U.S. Navy battleships were sunk and four more were damaged. The attack also damaged or sank three cruisers, three destroyers, one minelayer and damaged 188 aircraft.

More than 60 Japanese servicemen were killed, injured or captured. The Japanese Navy also lost five midget submarines and 29 aircraft.

Memorials have been built to remember or to symbolize the day. 
USS Arizona Memorial
The USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor is a marble memorial built over the sunken USS Arizona, which was dedicated in 1962. The memorial was designed by architect Alfred Preis, an Austrian-born resident who lived in Honolulu and was placed at a detainment camp after the Pearl Harbor attack as part of the internment policy of Japanese and German Americans at the time.

USS Utah Memorial

A memorial to honor the crew of the USS Utah was dedicated on the northwest shore of Ford Island, near the ship's wreck, in 1972. The ship was added to the National Register of Historic Places and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1989. It is also Utah’s official state ship. 

The events on December 7, 1941 will forever remain in our thoughts; especially for those of us that had family and friends that died or were wounded on that day. And, for those of us that had family members joining the war which was declared because of this attack. The U.S. had no intentions of joining the war in Europe until Japan saw fit to attack us.

It is fitting to remember those that lost their life protecting us. It will always be fitting and as President Roosevelt so rightly stated, "a date which will live in infamy."



Thank you

Elaine



Credits: 













                                                   

Monday, November 11, 2013

I Salute You

Veterans Day November 11, 2013

I could have used any video for this post but this one stands out among the many. Remember Me, is a video that was uploaded to Youtube in 2006. It was created by a young teen age girl. This has to have been a young lady that had the wisdom and feeling way beyond her years.



I salute all military service personnel that have served and are serving today including their families. We owe you so much that we can never repay. Just know that we do care.

Our military service of today are all volunteers. Years ago it wasn't like this - our family and friends were drafted. Does this make a difference? 

They all serve to keep us safe no matter how they entered the service. Even when we had a draft system in this country many volunteered to go off and fight, to put their life on the line, to serve our country. Many giving their life to keep us free. 

Never forget the great service that these men and women do for you and me. 


Show your appreciation. Just use one of the links below or use a site that you already know:






There are many sites to show our appreciation to our veterans and military service personnel. If you know of one not listed above please leave a comment below with the link of such a site. 

No matter what your feelings are about war, the men and woman serving this country are not the problem. Be sure you understand this and show your discontent to the responsible entity. Never take out your frustration and disdain on those that are doing their job for all of us. After all is said and done, our veterans of yesterday and today are what has kept us free from the tyranny we now see in so many other countries.

Thank you
Elaine 


Thursday, August 22, 2013

You Do Make A Difference



Yes, I am pointing at YOU!

Do you know that you have the ability to impact someone's life every day? Do you know that you do impact someone's life each day? Yes, you do, most of the time without even realizing it.

Do you understand that you already do make a difference in someone's life?

It is not always the big things we do that we know for sure helps someone. It can be things we do as we go about our day that can have the most influence on someone else.

A simple "Thank You" may be all someone needs to make their day much better. A sincere smile. Opening the door for someone. Giving someone an unexpected gift. An encouraging word. 

All of us are important to each other not just ourself. When we realize this our lives will be so much happier and have much more meaning. We will feel good about ourself. 

I received an email today from Richard Rossbauer where he was speaking about this very thing and I started thinking about doing this post. In the email he provided a link to a very thought provoking page. It is a PDF by Ken McArthur named 'The Impact Manifesto'. The subtitle is You Make A Difference Whether You Want To Or Not. 

"You matter because, by existing, you impact 

the world every day. So consider the powerful force 
of the choices you make"

"People feel your influence countless times, in amazing 
ways you never notice. Just as the butterfly’s wings can 
change the weather, your tiny movements may create storms 
that shake the entire earth"

If you don't do anything else this day to be productive please take the time to read The Impact Manifesto...

You see to me you do matter...

Elaine

Monday, August 19, 2013

You Have One Day Left

You have one day left. How will you live it? 

Interesting question isn't it? 

We seldom think or consider that our life is short. But it is! We are consumed with everything externally like making money, partying, buying a faster car, dating the best looking sexy person. Telling our inner self to be quiet.

The people that really understand and have to face this are those that have a terminal disease. Ask them how drastically their life turns around when they have to face that they may have just one day left or their days are numbered. 



We take living for granted and assume that we have enough time to do what is really deeply important to us. We go about our life thinking:
"Oh, I will visit my family later." 
"Oh, I will call my best friend who I have not seen in a while later." 
"Oh, I will later but right now I have to make that extra buck."

"Oh, I will, I will, I will... later

And we put things off sometimes until it is too late. Don't allow this to be you. Make a list of those nagging thoughts that you know deep down that you want to do and do them. The joy will overwhelm you. You will smile from deep within. 

Do it now!

We never know how long we have. We never know long our loved ones have.

Elaine   

PS This post is not made to depress you but to get you to move in a direction that will bring more happiness and satisfaction to your life and to the lives of those you think about the most.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

13 Gun Salute

Yankee Doodle by A. M. Willard also known as The Spirit of 1776
"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more." John Adams in a letter to his wife, Abigail Adams on July 3, 1776 

John Adams might have gotten the date wrong by two days but he was correct in his statement.

Thanks to the Committee of Five of The Second Continental Congress for finalizing the document that we call The Declaration of Independence:
Thomas Jefferson of Virginia
John Adams of Massachusetts
Roger Sherman of Connecticut
Robert Livingston of New York
Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania

There were 56 signers.


July 4th, also known as Independence Day, is the day we celebrate our decision to be free from outside dictators. A day we declared our separation from England and her control. A day we celebrate the birth of a new nation, The United States of America. 

Preamble to The Declaration Of Independence:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." 

If you have never read the Declaration of Independence maybe you should. I reread it to do this post and couldn't help but compare some of it to today.  Interesting correlation. http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/index.htm

As we celebrate our freedom and liberty let's be safe and remember the price that has been paid to preserve this. 



“If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.” Jefferson

“Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom.” Adams

“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Franklin


"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." 1954 version


Elaine











Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committee_of_Five
http://www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm

Sunday, May 26, 2013

A Day Of Remberance

On this final Monday of May we are reminded of those that gave their life to serve. From the time of our Civil War to and through this day we commemorate all of the lives that are lost to the efforts of war. No matter what name that might have been given to that war. 

Memorial Day 2013

What drives a person to serve our country in such a way? Pride? Integrity? Love of country? Selfish-less? Gratitude? Need to help others? Courage? Faith? Right thing to do? Ability to sacrifice? No matter what it is we should always be thankful for those that do serve. We must do this. Let's never turn our backs from these brave souls.

Not to many of us like to see our family members nor friends go off to fight for some cause. But they do, and it is our responsibility to give them every bit of support that we can muster. We can support those serving and still hate the battle.

Today, May 27, 2013 we give our thanks and gratitude to all those that gave their life to give us our ability to live as we do.

"Soldier, rest! Thy warfare o'er,
Sleep the sleep that knows no breaking,
Dream of battle fields no more,
Days of danger, night of waking."
Sir Walter Scot



Partial listing of wars involving the United States of America:
American Revolutionary War
Northwest Indian War
Franco-American War (Quasi-War)
Barbary Coast War
Tecumseh's War
War of 1812
...
Mexican-American War
American Civil War
Spanish-American War
...
World War I
World War II
Cold War
Vietnam War
Gulf War
War On Terror

If you would like to see all of the list of wars just follow the above link. You will probably be blown away as I was.


The words may seem trivial and small but they are from my heart:
Thank You!!!

Elaine




  

Saturday, May 11, 2013

A Mother's Special Day

Wishing all Mothers, Step-Mothers and Grandmothers a Blessed Mother's Day





"What a Friend We Have In Mother"
Author Unknown

"What a friend we have in Mother, who will all our secrets share.
We should never keep things from her, tell her all and she'll be there.
Oh, what tender love she gives us, when in sorrow or despair.
Tell her gently, whisper softly, she will listen, she'll be there.

Day by day as she grows older, she's the nation's guiding star.
Don't forget the prayers she taught you, you will need them where you are.
Though her hair has turned to silver, send her flowers sweet and fair.
Drop a card or send a letter, she'll be waiting, she'll be there.

When her eyes have closed to slumber, gently kiss her icy brow.
Fold her hands upon her bosom, she will rest in heaven now.
When your days are dark and dreary, and your cross is hard to bear.
Do not let your memory fail you, think of Mother, she'll be there."

I lost my Mother many years ago. Actually 48 years ago. (I decided to calculate it.) My goodness, it doesn't seem that long ago that I remember her taking care of me when I cut my finger with a reed. Yes, I had to have stitches. I was always into something. When she allowed me to take things apart to see how they worked. When she watched as I was thrown into the pool to learn to swim. (A friend of ours told her that was the best way for me to learn to swim.) I have not forgotten that lesson in life.

For all of the good times we had together, you are missed.

Mother, You are truly missed.


"6 years: Mom knows everything!
8 years: Mom knows alot!
12 years: Mom really doesn't know everything!
14 years: Mom knows nothing!
16 years: Mom, what mom!
18 years: Mom is outdated!
25 years: Maybe Mom knows!
35 years: Before deciding, let's ask Mom!
45 years: I wonder what Mom thinks!
75 years: I wish Mom was here to ask he...r!"
- xlasax




The yellow rose is for my wonderful Step-Mother. She will never know just how much I feel blessed that she came into my Father's life and eventually became my Step-Mother. For over 45 years she has put up with my shenanigans, love of life, ups and downs and just growing up. She has been there...

I leave you with this humorous Mother's Day video




Please remember to tell your Mother, Step-Mother and Grandmother just how much you care. Don't just send flowers or a card. If possible, talk to her and let her know that you love her for all that she has given  you.

Elaine