WHAT MATTERS

Barbara Ward-Finneran

Friends who are always there.

Facing the "pain".

Turning dreams into plans. 

Celebrating your strengths.

Actions rather then reactions.

Knowing "baby steps" count. 

Allowing yourself to sometimes give into temptation. 

Loving with all your heart - even when it hurts.

Watching sunsets. 

Keeping the promises that you make to yourself!

HE SAID... Friends and Other "Unions"

Tony Walker

Friends... For the past 20 years I've been in a Union. Being in a Union has taught me a ton about solidarity, standing up for what's right, & supporting your fellow Union Brother/Sister. I use this mindset in my everyday life, not just with Union related issues.

I'm not sure if living my everyday life this way is the way to go. In a Union, if your Union Brother/Sister is in a pinch, you support that person. You're expected to support that person. 

With that engrained in my head, I live my whole life this way. If a friend is in some kind of trouble I try to find a way I can help. If a friend is being screwed over by someone else, I don't support the person doing the screwing. My problem is I don't get that back.

Is it wrong to expect a friend to back you when you're the one getting screwed? Is it wrong to say to your friend, "Hey.... this person really screwed me & I didn't deserve it. I expect you to show me some support." Are the friends who don't step up in the wrong for not stepping up and being supportive?  Is this a matter of a friend showing their true colors in a time of need?

I was talking to someone recently about this. This person admitted that she couldn't support a friend who was having trouble with another person because she doesn't like confrontation. She admitted she would like to tell the person to go scratch but she didn't have it in her. Is this person wrong? Should we just accept this or should her friend be pissed for not getting the support that's needed?

What do you think...???

CURIOSITY LAND ROVER LANDS ON MARS

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

NASA's attempt to land Mars rover, Curiosity this morning, was a huge success. There was much cheering and congratulating in Mission Control at NASA in California. The rover, and the thousands of NASA workers, survived the dreaded "seven minutes of terror" when so many things could have gone wrong, but nothing did!

The landing process, involved a sky crane and the world's largest supersonic parachute, allowing the spacecraft carrying Curiosity to target the landing area that scientists have chosen. This type of landing had never been attempted before.

The rover began its journey to Mars 8 months ago. Today it begins its mission to investigate Mars, searching for signs of life from the past and sending information to scientists to evaluate the possibility of it sustaining life in the future. Curiosity's first stop will be Gale Crater, which may have once contained a lake. After at least a year, the rover will arrive at Mount Sharp, in the center of the crater. The rover will drive up the mountain examining layers of sediment. This process is like looking at a historical record because each layer represents an era of the planet's history.

SUPPORT A FALLEN HERO

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Westboro Baptist Church Protesters

They're at it again! Westboro Baptist Church plans to demonstrate at the funeral of Specialist Justin Horsley who was killed in Afgahanistan on July 22,2012. Horsley and another soldier,Pfc Brendan Salazar, died from wounds inflicted by an IED (improvised explosive device).
Horsley's remains were transported to Melbourne Airport yesterday. A huge outpouring of support has already begun as hundreds of local Military personnel and supporters were on hand to greet the  21-year-old Army Spc. Justin Louis Horsley as his remains arrived at the Melbourne International Airport, Fla., early Saturday morning Aug. 4.

"This is a somber occasion, we have a fallen comrade and we are here to respect him in a dignified manner," said Brig. Gen. Anthony Cotton, commander, 45th Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.

Patriot Guard Riders participate in the procession of Army Spc. Justin Louis Horsley.   The Patriot Guard as a buffer
between the general public, possible protesters and the grieving family and friends. Horsley a Palm Bay, Fla. resident was one of four members of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Caserma Ederle, Italy, killed when their patrol encountered an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Pul-E Alam, Afghanistan July 22. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Peter Dean) 

On Wednesday, when Westboro plans to protest at Horsley's   funeral, thousands of people will be there to form a human barrier   to shield the family from the protesters. They will stand in silent respect, totally ignoring the Westboro people,carrying no signs     and wearing blue or red. They will stand to show their admiration and gratitude to a fallen hero and his family.
I will be standing in that crowd with          many of my friends. We will silently      support this American soldier and his  grieving family. We will not make any   contact or engage in conversation with the members of the Westboro group because we want to guard and respect the solemnity of this day. This day is about Specialist     Justin L. Horsley and his having made the ultimate sacrifice.

In my personal opinion, a funeral is no place for a protest.        This family is suffering deeply from the loss of their son,    brother, and friend. Their grief is profound enough without adding to it. Can    you imagine how the family             felt when they read  "Thank God for IED's"  I don't think         God, or anyone else could condone inflicting such pain              on another human being, especially the family of a hero.

I hope that everyone who can possibly participate in the         Human Shield for Justin Horsley, will be there             Wednesday at 11am at Ammen Family Cremation               and Funeral Home, 950 Malabar Road SE, Palm Bay, FL .  Check out the web page for the Human Shield.

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/events/104878369660009/