Thank You, Veterans

Thanks to the men and women of our U.S. military, past and present, for their sacrifices on our behalf.

May the families of those who have perished by blessed, and may our active duty all return home safely.

May we all strive for peace at home and abroad so fewer and maybe eventually none have to put their lives on the line.

Happy Veterans Day, all.

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Boston Marathon Solidarity

The bombings at the 117th Boston Marathon were cowardly and horrible.

I'm grateful that no one I know personally was injured in the attacks, but I feel sorrow for those affected and my thoughts and prayers continue to go out to them.

In contrast, my spirit is buoyed by the incredible response of both Bostoners and people around the country.

First, this happened, and we were all stunned and shocked and horrified.

Then this happened, and we were reminded of how strong the people of Boston and its marathon are.

Then Patton Oswalt spoke up, and Stephen Colbert intro'd his show with this.

The Colbert Report

And people all over the country joined together in support of Boston and the people affected.

Seeing this arena-wide singing of the National Anthem at the Boston Bruins game on Wed, 4/17/13, brings tears to my eyes. Beautiful song, and a beautiful response as a city.

This quote by Mr Rogers has come up multiple times in the past couple years, and I find additional comfort in his reminder of the helpers and how many more people want to do good in this world than seek to do evil and harm innocents.

God bless Boston and its people, and I hope those responsible are brought to justice soon.

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Happy Veterans Day

Especially on a day like today, I'm so proud to have military veterans in my family.

Our US soldiers serve with honor and distinction, and I consider my dad and grandpa to be heroes.

My sister posted two great pictures of them on her blog today, and I'll share them here as well.

Pops in his fancy Naval clothes

Grandpa holding my sister

I wrote a post about my Grandpa's WWII service here, if you're interested.

Both men are/were great patriots, as are all of our beloved service men and women.

God bless them!

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Maintaining 9/11 Unity and Patriotism

I was in a foreign land when the 9/11 attacks occurred.

There is a helplessness in being so far away while your countrymen are suffering.
But I knew that people in Ohio and New Mexico and Mississippi and all over my homeland probably felt the same as I did.

And in that desperate moment, our country came together in a way only heartache can cause.

It unified us.

On Sunday, a speaker in church talked about how the Great Depression and WWII galvanized that American population. Their dedication to this country justly earned them Tom Brokaw's praise as 'The Greatest Generation'.

When terrorists carried out their plot eleven years ago, they undoubtedly thought it would be a severe blow to our national pride. While the shocking brutality of their methods may have briefly accomplished that goal, our citizens bounced back with an even greater surge of patriotism and love of country.

So today, as we remember the tragedy of 9/11 in the midst of a political season, I pray that we'll remember we are all Americans, citizens of the United States.

I hope we'll treat each other as fellow patriots.
Even if we don't agree in our opinions, let's be respectful in our discourse.

Let's maintain the unity so tragically awoken in us through lost American lives on 9/11.

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Say It Ain't So! [Etta James]

It's a sad day when a music legend passes on.

Probably best known for her hit song "At Last" (video below), Miss Peaches came on the scene in 1955 with her breakout song "The Wallflower".
Despite/through bouts of addiction, she's been performing ever since.

She even won 6 Grammys during her lifetime and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

I won't attempt a comment with the clever use of "at last" being at peace or being able to rest "at last".
Her voice and music were/are too powerful for that sort of pithy punchline.

RIP Etta James.

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