For the Love of Freedom

Today we remember those who defend our freedom with the ultimate sacrifice.

Naval men of the USS INTREPID are buried at sea, after being hit by Japanese bombs in the Philippines during World War II in 1944. Photo Credit: National Archives

Memorial Day originally celebrated as Decoration Day where the graves of those who fought in the Civil War were decorated with flowers in honor of their service.

The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic

It wasn't until 1971 that Congress finally declared an official Memorial Day holiday to remember all of those who fought and died in American wars.

Decorating a soldier's grave in one of the black-segregated sections of Arlington National Cemetery, in Virginia. Photo Credit: National Archives

In World War II alone there were over 290,000 military members killed in battle. with another 114,000 dead by other means during the war. It's hard to imagine such a number in today's impatient world.

Friends and relatives mourn at the grave of a deceased soldier near
Jackson, Ky., in 1940. Photo Credit: National Archives

I thank God for ever single soldier, airman, sailor, and marine who gave their life to secure my freedom and the freedom of millions of people around the world. Their lives were not given in vain.

A Migraine is Nothing

Sometimes I have a pity party...and then hear a story that makes me say to myself "buck up...it ain't that bad."

A man returns to Iraq after losing his leg. What an amazing man! Go Marines!!!

It makes my migraine today seem kind of unimportant.

Prayers for Rachel's Rupert

I love Rachel Lucas' blog. I read it every single day - sometimes more than once a day. She is witty, funny, and has a wicked dirty mouth. I kind of live vicariously through her sometimes because I really don't curse (unless pushed to the very limit - usually by hubby - or traffic).

She posted today some news that affects her greatly. And therefore I feel like it affects me too. Her Rupert is leaving her ... for Baghdad.

The War on Islamo-Radicals continues - even while I live my daily life. Unaffected and unaware. I thank God for men like "Rupert" (not his real name by the way) who disrupt their daily lives and travel abroad for a future unknown. To protect and serve.

He will be in my prayers, as are all the men and women serving our great nation.

Doing Good Things

I love our military. LOVE them. For so many reasons and this story just makes me love them even more. If I had known they needed money to bring this sweet dog back to the states I would have donated. [Note - there are NO fund raising efforts right now so if someone asks for money it's a scam.]

I don't know if my dogs would walk 70 miles to find me. And we aren't in the desert with 115 degree heat.

This sweet dog was battered and bruised and completely damaged by mean people with no concern for his life. And our wonderful military men took him in, fed him a doggy's dream of chicken and pop tarts.

I'm a little concerned that the dog was going to be SHOT if the sergeant carrying for him didn't get rid of him. What the hell is that about? I know there are rules about having animals due to security ... but that just breaks my heart. I wish I could adopt all the abandoned dogs in the world. :( Our dogs bring us so much joy that it's hard for me to hear about any dog suffering.

Thankfully they managed to get this guy out of Iraq and back to the states where he will live with a new doggy pal named

A Day That Will Live in Infamy

God Bless our Veterans of WWII (and every other veteran out there). Today is the 66th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor bombing. I wasn't taught a lot about this day throughout school. I learned more on my own through books and the history channel. It's a shame that kids aren't taught more about this important turning point in the United State's history.

Did you know we only had the 18th largest military at that point? (According to the radio this morning - where they were reading from the LA Times.) We sure aren't 18th now.

This photo was taken by a Navy photography as the USS Shaw was exploding. Dec. 7, 1941.

The surprise was complete. The attacking planes came in two waves; the first at 7:55 AM, the second at 8:55. Along with the ships in Pearl Harbor, the air stations at Hickam, Wheeler, Ford Island, Kaneohe and Ewa Field were attacked. For two hours and twenty minutes, Japanese aircraft bombed and strafed these military targets. By 9:55 it was all over. By 1:00 PM the carriers that launched the planes from 274 miles off the coast of Oahu were heading back to Japan.

Behind them they left chaos: 2,335 dead servicemen, 1,178 wounded, 640 unaccounted for, 48 civilians killed. 188 planes had been destroyed and 18 ships of different sizes had been sunk or damaged, including 8 damaged or destroyed battleships. Only 29 Japanese aircraft were shot down by American return fire, most during the attack of the second wave. In one stroke the Japanese action silenced the debate that had divided Americans ever since the German defeat of France left England alone in the fight against the Nazi terror.

Quoted from Remembering Pearl Harbor

My mind reels at the horror of what the Japanese accomplished that day. I


I thank God for all those who died, who fought, who lived, and who served. Then and now.

Great quotes compiled at Remembering Pearl Harbor site, which should be remembered today!

Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.
Thomas Jefferson

To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
George Washington

Neutrality, as a lasting principle, is an evidence of weakness.
Kossuth

All Gave Some...

...Some Gave All. I love those lines and the ones that follow from a country song ...I forget the name.

No one in my family (that I know of) has given the ultimate sacrifice for their country. I know that my father's dad was in the Navy but I never knew him. My grandfather (mother's father) was an MP - stateside for all of WWII. My husband's father was in the Navy but I don't know anything about his service. And of course my hubby was in the Coast Guard for several years before joining the state patrol.

Growing up I knew next to nothing about the military - was never exposed to it and never had any reason to think about it. Life was pretty peaceful in my little world through the 80s. It's not like I watched the news.

The first "war" that affected me in any way was the first Gulf War. I was in middle school and most of the students were "anti-war." There was a walk out and I participated - but only so I could go home early. I was actually fascinated by the images on TV and watched as much as I could. Seeing the military men and the flashes of light as missiles streaked across the sky was breath taking. And "winning" as quickly as we did brought me some amount of pride - even at the age of 12. Of course I knew nothing of what was actually going on and didn't realize that we probably should have kept going.

As middle school continued I was exposed to WWII via the Holocaust. I don't recall any part of my education that focused on the military or battles fought to protect our country. The most my school did was focus on the Holocaust - and I am glad that they at least did that much. I am fascinated, horrified, and enthralled by all things WWII. I found out that my grandmother (father's side) was a working as a 'Rosie the Riveter' on air plane wings. I learned about life during the war in my maternal grandmother's life. It's amazing. We go through nothing today compared to what they sacrificed - just as civilians.

Joining the military was never even discussed as an option for my brother and me. It wasn't put down, it wasn't even brought up. Never said outright, there was always a 'last resort' type of attitude about joining. Yet every time I saw a military person in uniform I was impressed. They never seemed like losers or lower class folks. They were pressed, poised, confident. I loved it! (Not to mention how hot guys look in uniform!)

My husband definitely 'looks' like a military guy - crew cut and all. And I am so lucky to get to see him in uniform when he works. When we have kids I will make sure that they know - military service is not a 'last resort' ... it is a proud and honorable thing. Those who serve keep us safe. They stand up to dictators and fascists the world over. They sacrifice family time, personal time, and their lives so that we may be comfy and cozy in our little worlds. If my children decide to join I will be beyond proud - I will be humbled and in awe that a child of mine would make such a selfless decision.

God Bless our armed forced the world over. You are our freedom fighters and guards in this difficult and dangerous world.