Rainy - Hi 56 Lo 46 for Northern KY, USA
Song of the week: Time of Your Life, Green Day
Ramble:
I have always found comfort in pomp and ceremony- the steadfast ritual of tradition. With age, it has become more meaningful. From baptisms to weddings to funerals the symbolism of what is done and said can be quite moving.
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A plan for a funeral must be in place when the president takes office. However, once he has left office the president and his family sit down and design a detailed funeral. The funeral is a reflection of the man and his first lady. (Tuck that away in a recess of your mind for future consumption.) The men and women that carry out these orders for the family are the most compelling- the most profound...in the simplest of terms they are carrying out orders, but with that they are showing the utmost respect for the fallen comrade or fallen leader... If you have ever been to a military funeral, the silent precision of the changing of the guard gives chills and brings tears.
Our nation is so young... We have only had 43 presidents... 43... That is one hell of a small club. In that time we have fought in 11 wars. The deadliest was the Civil War with nearly 620,000 lives lost. Our ugliest moment in time was our fight within....................
It has been said and I concur that President Ford was a decent man- kind, honest, humble. As a nine year old, I remember his voice more than anything-- soothing.... comforting... His voice was that of a great uncle or grandfather.
"I assume the Presidency under extraordinary circumstances.... This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts."
When President Ford took office- it proved once again that our government works. No, he was not elected- not as Vice President, nor as President, but a series of events brought him to this most exclusive of clubs and it is the chain of command that our brilliant forefathers had the insight to put in place. Our government did not stop... Yes, we were coming out of Viet Nam and the scandal of Watergate... Our flag had been witness to much worse... President Ford was the man to bring calm to our nation. The feeding frenzy needed to end and end it he did.
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But what I remember most vividly and fondly are the family moments and their dog having puppies...
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We live in such an amazing country. We live in an amazing time. WE have a responsibility to the next generation to leave it better than the way we received it. We live in a time when the enemy is no longer defined by a border- a nation... It is our responsibility to remain vigilant. We owe it to our founding fathers who fought so couragously for our independence and freedom.
We owe it to our great great grandparents that endured a nation that was ripped apart in a time of great inner turmoil. I have no doubt President Lincoln was our greatest president. A lesser man would have crumbled. He knew what our nation stood for.
And, we owe it to the greatest generation... the generation that fought a war against an evil tyranny-- that put everything aside to remember Pearl Harbor...a generation that sacrificed so much...
As I look back in reflection at 2006, I must look forward to 2007. It appears we are approaching a fork in the road. I will remain vigilant and stand by my convictions that my family raised me to uphold.
What will our nation do? Where is she headed?
We are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of Nature has placed in our power... the battle, sir, is not to the strong alone it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.
-Patrick Henry
Blogs and Links to Check Out This Week:
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H/T: BlackFive and Little Green Footballs
* Military District of Washington - Guardians of the Nation's Capital
* Military District of Washington - The MDW is responsible for administering of state funerals. Visit this website to learn more about the funeral, the schedule, "the why'd they do that's...."
* Ford Presidential Library and Museum - A letter from Mrs. Ford can be found here. Photos of President Ford courtesy of the Ford Presidential Library and Museum. Please click on photo to enlarge.
* U.S. Torture and Atrocities - Visit this site... you can see all the awful things that are happening in Iraq.... really... go... I love our servicemen......
* Goomba News Network - Last May we lost one of the best bloggers- Nickie was kind, giving and so bloody funny. His blog, Nickie Goomba, was one of the funniest around. He hit serious topics too--- I still miss him. Thankfully, some of his familia have put the GNN back on the blogosphere... enjoy.
* Earth Cam - New York City - Watch the ball drop on Times Square.
Time of Your Life
Another turning point
A fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist
directs you where to go.
So make the best of this test
and don't ask why.
It's not a question
But a lesson learned in time.
It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
So take the photographs
and still frames in your mind.
Hang them on a shelf
In good health and good times
Tattoos and memories
and dead skin on trial.
For what it's worth,
it was worth all the while.
It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
I wish you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!