Something to be Proud of

This is my dad, in his sailor suit when he first joined the navy.  He is standing with his grandfather, my great-grandfather.  My great-grandfather came across the Atlantic ocean to America from Denmark when he was very young and stayed when his family went back.  There is something to be said for having vision like that.  This picture was taken before my dad ever met my mom.  He is a veteran for helping to build submarines when the Vietnam war was being waged.  It's a good feeling to know that there are people out there will to give of themselves to be more than they are individually.  I am proud to be in a family that realizes the value of sacrifice and vision.

The Wild Blue Yonder

I love me some soldiers.  I love that they risk their lives to protect a way of life that most people take for granted (including me sometimes).  I love that my dad was in the Navy and that I have family now serving and that my son wants to be a soldier when he grows up.  It is no wonder then that when I get a chance to attend a military air show that I attempt to make time if possible.  This year we got to go to the March Air Reserve base's airshow with some friends and it was awesome.  We showed up just in time to see the Patriot jets fly in formation all over the skyscape above us and also got to see a plane that can hover in mid-air, a water drop demonstration, lots of trick fliers and the culmination was an impressive show by the Thunderbirds.  It was sunny and warm and we a perfect day spent with family, exposing our kids to the lives that protect us on a daily basis.

Happy Veterans Day

Thank you to all of the American Soldiers who have fought to protect what society is often trying to tear apart...

Thank You

To all veterans, current servicemen, and those families that sacrifice to let their loved ones defend our freedom, 1/365th of our lives to honor your sacrifice just doesn't seem sufficient. You are appreciated and Thank you for letting us live that life that you have worked so hard to defend.

Labor Day

I understand that Labor Day has it's foundations in the trade unions and labor forces in New York back in the late 1800s and, other than being related to the military involvement in the Pullman strike, it really has no military background. But Labor Day often reminds me of Memorial Day since both seem to be the bookends of summer. So today I am thinking along military gratitude lines and watched a film on Utube that a friend of mine sent me the link for recently.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do:
Forgotten Star Spangled Banner Verse

I am grateful every day for many things. The military and our freedom provided by them is one of the many blessings we all should be grateful for.

For those of you interested, it's actually the FOURTH verse...here's the full lyrics by Francis Scott Key -

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
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 in 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 who 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 freemen shall stand
Between their loved home 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 our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Patriotism

I came across some quotes on patriotism that I found particularly thought provoking today and thought I would share them:

The government is merely a servant -- merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them. ~Mark Twain

To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. ~Theodore Roosevelt

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it. ~Mark Twain

If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin. ~Samuel Adams

I am certain that nothing has done so much to destroy the juridical safeguards of individual freedom as the striving after this mirage of social justice. ~Fredrich August von Hayek, Nobel Laureate of Economic Sciences 1974 (you know, back when they gave them for doing something of value)

Where've We BEEN?

I know you're wondering why in the world it's been so long since I've posted. Well, we have a very good reason. On September 21 my grandmother's husband of 30 years passed away. The very next day we headed north in the minivan to be there for grandma. It took more than 26 hours for us to get there, but it was entirely worth the drive to see how grandma's eyes lit up when she saw us. I could tell she was having a hard time of things and it was nice to be able to take her mind off of things, if only for a little while. We got to see here four days while we were up there so that was fun.Another unexpected advantage was that I got to see my first military funeral (her husband was a Lieutenant in the Navy). The service was very moving and included the flag ceremony & presentation and the playing of taps on the bugle. I went to thank the military men after the ceremony but was so touched that of the whole speech I had prepared all I could get out was a little sniffle and "thanks". To make things even more impressive, the bugle player, as he shook my hand, said "Oh ma'am, you have no idea. It is my honor." What an incredible bunch of guys. I have so much admiration for those serving in the military.
But we are home now, hopefully for a while, and I'll try to catch up on my posts.

Remember

I watched this first one with my little girl this morning and it still brings tears to my eyes.

6 Year Anniversary

Another Good Reminder

Another week gone by

It's amazing how the time is flying these days. We have been so busy this summer that it seems like I'm just barely blinking and now it's almost over. Last weekend was another fun one. Hubby & I joined several friends at the river for a 6 hour raft barge trip. Here's a couple highlights:
1) The theme was patriotism so we encouraged all such things accordingly
2) It was really nice to see some friends that we haven't seen in a while3) It was hot and several people got burned, but the cool water kept us happy
4) Probably the biggest highlight however, was feeding a herd of wild burros
Another memorable weekend in a very memorable summer. Thanks Nana & Grandpa for watching the kiddos so we could take some time together. We had a great time.

Happy Indepence Day!

Best Time of Year

I just LOVE the fourth of July. It might be my favorite holiday. Sunshine, swimsuits, lemonade, fireworks, patriotism...yep, it's my favorite. I hope you all have great plans to celebrate your weekend and freedom. Here's a few links to some songs to get you in the mood:

It's America - great song, plus it's sung by Rodney Atkins, bonus!

God Bless the USA - kind of a cheesy video, but still a great song

American Soldier "Freedom don't come free" - I love that line.

Marchfield

Last Thursday the kids and I went down to Marchfield Air Museum to look at the planes with some mom friends and their kids. Several times we had driven by at 60+ miles an hour, on our way to the SD Zoo, but never had stopped to appreciate the aircraft up close. Both kids loved getting to sit in the pilot seats, play with the controls, and get right up next to the planes. My favorite part was the discussion the oldest and I had before going into the museum:
Me: "This is pretty neat, huh?"
Her: "Yeah"
Me: "Honey, do you know why these planes are here?"
Her: "Nuh uh"
Me: "Do you know what brave means?"
Her: "Yeah"
Me: "Well, there's these brave men, called soldiers who fly in planes like these and protect us so that we can do things that we like to do and not worry about being safe."
Her: "Oh"
Me: "Do you understand?"
Her: "Yeah"
Me: "Why are the planes here?"
Her: "So that solders can fly them to keep us safe"
Me: "That's right, and these planes are here to remind everyone of all the soldiers who have flown in them to keep us safe. We're pretty lucky to have soldiers to watch out for us, huh?"
Her: "Yep"

The conversation was so serious for her and very touching. She's such a neat kid. Oh yeah, the planes & helicopters were neat too...

Blog updates

You may have noticed that I've changed a few things on this blog:
1) to the left, you can now see what I'm spending most of my time blogging about
2) if you missed a day or two, you can now click on the time span in a list format

And best of all:
3) I have permanently added a quote by Roosevelt at the bottom of my blog that I heard a long time ago and was said even longer ago but still holds true today (especially here in Southern California). This is a good reminder that to be an American one must have unilateral loyalty. Period. I am 50% Danish but you wouldn't see me going around telling people I'm "Danish-American" nor would I ever hang any flag other than Old Glory on my home (which I proudly do).

There's only one flag worth waving. Those who don't believe that do a disservice to this country and all loyal Americans.