Happy New Year 2017!

Happy New Year!

Happy Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving to one and to all!

Happy Independence Day!

Today is July 4th, the day we celebrate our independence from Great Britain in 1776. 

Last night, our sub-division celebrated by sending off its fire-works in our private park

by the Long Lake. Not only were their spectacular colors from the fire-works, but the deafening 

booms from when they exploded seemed much louder this year and I am very hard of hearing at

my age. I was smart enough not to wear my hearing aids to the event. ;-) 

 

For all of my American friends, do have a safe and happy Independence Day! 

Memorial Day 2016

Memorial Day is a day of reflection for me. As a Vietnam Veteran, my war claimed the lives of more than 58,000 Americans. When you add the lives from previous wars and the wars that have happened since, it makes me wonder what these brave men and women would have contributed to our country had they had the chance to live and enjoy the freedoms for which they died and perhaps, what their children might have contributed as well had they been allowed to carry on to marry and have lives to live as well. 

I dwell during this Memorial Day to think about these things and to ponder what if things could have been different and we didn't have to always go to war to settle our differences?  Perhaps some day we will learn to get beyond the fighting, but until then, let us pause for a moment this year and think about those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we can remain free. I will remember them with the honor they so deserve forever.