THE GREAT EXPERIMENT ENDURES : MEMORIAL DAY 2012

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

This Memorial Day, I wanted to find something special to share that would not only remind our readers of the service and sacrifice of our veterans, but that would remind them of what those veterans fought to preserve and defend. Please take just 2 minutes of your time to view this short presentation called "The Great Experiment Endures". The clip is NOT Republican or Democrat, it is AMERICAN. ttp://www.upwithamerica.org/

After viewing, you might be interested in the following multi media page "The Making of America, The Early Years".
On this page, clips of famous movies such as Amistad, The Patriot, 1776 , and Gettysburg present a window to the soul of the American Experience. (Just a heads up, if you navigate to; other areas of this site, some are less "bi partisan".)http://www.upwithamerica.org/multimedia.html

I firmly believe that it is time for a new generation of Patriots to come forward. I want people to feel the pride and patriotism they do after viewing "The American Experience"at EPCOT for the first time, or after visiting the Lincoln Memorial and all the great monuments in Washington DC. I want people to stand when Veterans march by in the parade and clap for them. I want to see an American Flag flying from each home on Memorial Day and all US holidays! I just want people to forget about political parties and hidden agendas and be Americans again.

My husband says I'm an incurable optimist, and I guess that's true. I will never give up on believing in the ideals and foundations upon which this country was formed.  I know times change, people change, and government must change too, but that doesn't mean we need to give up the vision our forefathers had for this country.

Today we remember those who fought for our FREEDOM. Some of them made the supreme sacrifice so that we might live, work, and enjoy the fruits of our labors in a country that respects and values its citizens and offers them the opportunity to better their lives and those of their children. Let's work together to insure that our government and our citizens continue to work towards that same objective so the sacrifice of these men and women will not have been in vain.

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction ... It must be fought for, protected and handed on for them to do the same." - Ronald Reagan (1911 - 2004)

Memorial Day - A Reflection on Honor, Sacrifice and Duty

by Senator Tom Harman

Memorial Day may conjure up images of a nice, relaxing three-day weekend. Maybe you will go biking or boating; have a picnic or simply just take it easy. But be sure you take a moment to remember the brave men and women who have lost their lives fighting for our country.

Having served myself in the United States Army as a lieutenant in the 4th Infantry Division, I cannot help but remember America’s fallen heroes and the tremendous sacrifices made by their families for our freedom. Memorial Day is a day our nation sets aside to honor the courageous acts of these soldiers, sailors, aviators and marines. Often times while still in the prime of their youth, countless numbers of these young Americans were willing to pay the ultimate price to defend freedom – their lives.

Originally called Decoration Day, this holiday was first proclaimed by General John Logan in May of 1868. General Logan ordered all men under his command to spend part of the day decorating the graves of fallen soldiers.

On Monday, May 25th, we will pay tribute to those who gave their last great measure of devotion to liberty. Throughout the country Americans will pay their respects to those who lost their lives in service to our country. Let us not forget that the precious freedom we are so fortunate to enjoy here in America was purchased with the lives of those brave men and women who served our country in times of war. An excerpt from the dedication plaque on the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial, located on the grounds of the State Capitol in Sacramento, sums up the sacrifice of our brave soldiers, "All Gave Some, Some Gave All."

The Memorial is located in a park like setting not far from my Capitol office. This quiet, lush setting is a popular lunchtime destination where people can relax and admire the beauty of the Memorial’s circular design. The bronze sculptures depicting scenes from daily life during the Vietnam War are riveting. Viewing the 5,822 names engraved on twenty-two black granite panels fills me with awe. Each engraved name is a sobering reminder of the dead and missing California Vietnam Veterans.

All around the world Californians continue to risk life and limb to defend liberty. The men and women of our armed forces currently on duty in Afghanistan and Iraq should be in the thoughts and prayers of each of us as we celebrate Memorial Day.

http://cssrc.us/web/35/publications.aspx?id=6160

*I believe the Senator's words apply to all 50 states! Well said Senator! MPA

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

We are the home of the FREE 

because of the BRAVE!

 We remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice!

United we stand... TO THANK AND TO SAY WE REMEMBER YOU!    

Thank you and God's blessings to all those who do and have served and their families.

FREEDOM ISN'T FREE!  THANK YOU ALL!

"For love of country they accepted death… "

~James A. Garfield

"And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier’s tomb, and beauty weeps the brave."

 ~Joseph Drake

"The patriot’s blood is the seed of Freedom’s tree."

~Thomas Campbell

"These martyrs of patriotism gave their lives for an idea."

~Schuyler Colfax

"We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them."

~Francis A. Walker

EATERY IS OPEN FOR MEMORIAL DAY - Patriotic Flag Cake

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Want a super easy but star studded dessert for Memorial Day? Try this Patriotic Flag cake. There are several variations to please every dessert lover!

 

You can buy a flag shaped pan like mine, or simply use a rectangular pan. Either way, people will love your patriotic spirit!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray pan with Baker’s Secret or grease and flour.

Ingredients:

1 box vanilla cake mix

4 egg whites

1/3 cup oil

1/3 cup sour cream

1 cup water

Mix all ingredients, pour into pan a and bake for 30 – 40 minutes or until golden brown and cake springs back to touch. Cool for 20 minutes then invert on platter.

Icing:

 50 fresh blueberries, 2 pints fresh raspberries, 1 can vanilla icing, 1 cup cool whip.             

Mix canned icing and cool whip well. Frost cake and put remaining icing in a pastry tube. Place 50 blueberries on left top corner of cake (10 across , 5 down). Place raspberries to represent red stripes. In the “in between” rows, pipe white icing florettes for the white stripes. Pipe a border around the entire base of the cake. Chill before serving.
* My favorite variation: Use devil's food cake mix instead of white and replace fresh raspberries with Cherry Pie Filling!

Happy Memorial Day!

SUNDAY TRIVIA - Inspired by Memorial Day

Did you know...

Memorial Day was first called “Decoration Day” because of the practice of decorating soldier’s graves with flowers.

The cultural beginning of summer is associated with Memorial Day, although the official solstice is actually in June. Many people use the weekend to plant flowers or to take a vacation. This cultural summer season traditionally lasts until Labor Day which is the first Monday of September.

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance of those who have died serving our country.

The Indianapolis 500 has been held on Memorial Day weekend since 1911

Memorial Day - The Forgotten Service

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Dedicated to my father, Lieutenant JG William F. Cunningham ,USMM

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 30 in 2011). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service. For many years, one of the services, the one that held the record for the highest casualties during WWII, was totally forgotten and unappreciated. That service was the United States Merchant Marines.

The Merchant Marine is a civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Navy, but not a uniformed service, except in times of war when, in accordance with the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, mariners are considered military personnel. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill into law granting veteran status to merchant mariners who served in war. Prior to such legislation, they did not receive veteran's benefits.

Lunch Time Poll

Dawn Boyle

The unofficial kick off to summer is just days away. The pressure is on for fabulous plans with BBQ and cocktails on the menu.

Are you ready for bikini season to begin?


Do you have spectacular plans for the weekend?


Are you hitting the beach?

Tell us what is going on in your neck of the woods!

No Matter How Long & Hard A Winter Is...

SPRING IS SURE TO FOLLOW

Dawn Boyle

Welcome to the Northeast! Today we woke up to another picturesque Winter Wonderland. It was only a few days ago when the temperature hit 60' and the kids wanted to wear shorts. We have to remember - it still is winter! February is normally the month when we get the most snow. The few inches we have been coated with today is nothing.