SEPTEMBER 11th - A PRAYER FOR UNITY

Reverend Wintley Phipps

We pray today that from the ashes will rise a new spirit of beauty and unity in America.
Already, all across this nation our hearts have been knit together into a new tapestry of one America.
Because of this tragedy, we have been bound together by a silver chord of hope and brotherhood and sisterhood.
What was meant to drive us apart has really drawn us together.

May we always remember.

And so today we ask, God, that you would wipe the tears of all in need of comfort.
That you would warm the heart of one who would grow cold from bitterness.
That you would lift the head of that one who is bowed down in sadness.
That you would touch the discouraged and remind them that love will always conquer hate.

We thank you, God, for making us such a resilient people. We know that we are.

And we pray now for the strength to rise again, to build again, and to live free from fear.
We pray that you will help us rebuild our broken lives and mend our broken hearts.
We pray that you will give us the courage to face evil and the faith to believe that good will never be defeated.

Hold us close to your heart.

And through our tears, and through our sorrow, may we all see a new vision of a new tomorrow.

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

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.

Osama bin Laden has been killed!

It has been reported that Al-Qaida mastermind Osama bin Laden is dead!

The Associated Press has reported this as of 11:17pm May 1, 2011, 

as have all other major news networks.  

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Let us pause to remember how our world was changed in an instant.  How so many lives were lost on 9/11/01 and in all the days since those horrific events.  The men and women who serve our country and continue to make the ultimate sacrifice for all of us and our freedom. 

GOD BLESS ALL THOSE WHOSE LIVES WERE TAKEN OR FOREVER CHANGED!

GOD BLESS & PROTECT ALL THOSE WHO SERVE OUR COUNTRY! (Now more then ever!)

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

NEVER, NEVER FORGET!

UNITED WE STAND!

Though we are many, though we are diverse, though we have different faiths

 and views; Democrats, Republicans and otherwise...

we are Americans and we will stand united, one nation under God!

Demlicans or Republicrats?

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

I’ve decided to form a new political party!  I think I’ll call it the Republicrat Party ( or the Demlicans – we can vote on it later).  I came to this decision recently and as a result of a post I made on my profile. It set off a bit of a debate between me and a dear friend of mine. Fortunately for me, this friend is an educated, mature woman who, although she strongly disagreed with my post, didn’t let it offend her or influence our friendship. I was greatly relieved, and it gave me pause to think.