Lightning in the Cul-de-sac

This is my first time using the new camera without any kind of substantial light source... pretty grainy... but nonetheless, some pretty cool effects... I only wish I could have captured some of the actual fireworks.... amazing!!

click on photos to enlarge...

By the way Jeff- excellent pyrotechnics! You have outdone yourself.

Happy Independence Day!

- The Signing of the Declaration of Independence
John Trumbull 1826
oil on canvas

Our Flag Was Still There

Sunny - Hi 115 Lo 87 for Baghdad, Iraq
Thunderstorms - Hi 90 Lo 75 for Qandahar, Afghanistan
Partly Cloudy - Hi 84 Lo 58 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Ragged Old Flag, Johnny Cash

Ramble: You may want to go get a cup of coffee as this may turn into a long ramble....

As we approach Independence Day, I can't help but reflect on how much my love for this country has grown. Like some folks, the events of September 11, 2001 were a catalyst for me to take a stand and be counted among those willing to fight for our nation- to keep her free and to make sure she stands with her torch as a beacon for all to see.

We the people are so fortunate to have been born here, still others have come here seeking freedom and liberty and a better way of life. Lady Liberty has opened her arms to them.

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
- Emma Lazarus

This country is clearly a melting pot- it always has been. It should always be so.
Our ancestors came to this country for various reasons - but the one common denominator has always been to seek out a better life. We the people spoke this past week and said that the Amnesty Bill was not what we wanted-- It was blogged about everywhere...It was talked about everywhere. I'm proud to say that I include myself in the numbers that flooded the phone lines and email of our Congress. They got the message - albeit they believe us to be foolish and uninformed.

Those that believe in this great nation, look to our immigrants as a blessing. Those that believe in this great nation believe it should be sought out honestly and legally. Nothing worthwhile is easy. I believe that is why some of our greatest Americans speak with a thick accent- My mother comes to mind, one of the greatest Americans I know.

We owe it to our forefathers and those that have fought and served and even died for this great nation for 231 years to stand strong. We must continue to live free or be willing to die for it. However, how do we make sure that our children, our children's children know what this great nation is about? What she stands for?

Bill Bennett wrote a compelling piece for National Review online. As the Secretary of Education under one of our greatest President's he writes with knowledge and integrity.

Tens of millions of Americans are about to celebrate our nation’s Founding. The worrisome question is, will future generations take to this celebration the way we have for the past 231 years if they do not know the first, second, or third thing about their country?

Two years ago, the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David McCullough told the U.S. Senate that American History was our nation’s worst subject in school. The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (a.k.a., “our Nation’s Report Card”), released last month, bears that out again. Our children do worse in American history than they do in reading or math. McCullough testified we were facing the prospect of national amnesia, saying, “Amnesia of society is just as detrimental as amnesia for the individual. We are running a terrible risk. Our very freedom depends on education, and we are failing our children in not providing that education.”

Double Tragedy
McCullough is right, and it is a double tragedy: a) our children no longer know their country’s history and b) the story they do not know is the greatest political story ever told.

It is not our children’s fault. Our country’s adults are expected to instill a love of country in its children, but the greatness and purpose of that country are mocked by the chattering classes: Newspaper columns and television reports drip with a constant cynicism about America while doubts about her motives on the world stage are the coin of the realm. Too many commentators are too ready to believe the worst about our leaders and our country, and our children’s history books — and even some of the teachers — close off any remaining possibility of helping children learn about their country.

Read the rest here.

We live in a country where we can ignore everything that does not concern us. If we so choose we can fill our heads with air and watch the Paris Hiltons and the Britney Spears of celebrislutty fame. We have become greedy and self serving. We covet what our neighbors have and are willing to file bankruptcy to have the big SUV and the 3000 square foot house and all the fixin's that go along with it. We are willing to rationalize away our greed and trying to get something for free or for a cheaper price because "everyone does it." In doing this we bankrupt our children of the things that matter. Our children are our responsibility and the promise that this country will continue as the beacon of light for the rest of the world.

Dennis Prager, another man I admire a great deal will often ask his callers to his radio program, "If you could only teach your child one lesson which is more important to teach your child- To not smoke or To not cheat on a test?" Time after time it is more important to teach the child to not smoke... Health and safety are more important than raising a child to be an adult of honor, respect, and integrity.

Of late, I've been spending a lot of time with my grandparents, part of the Greatest Generation, and they often say, "It was easier when we had nothing." It's funny, these same people worked hard so that their children would not have to endure what they endured. That cycle continues. We all really want something better for the next generation, but I believe there is something to be said about having to work for it. It is appreciated times ten. There is greater satisfaction in feeling the sense that you have earned it.

On a greater scale, we are willing to work with a nation that has no time for the human condition. We import from China and we KNOW that they handle their people with an iron fist. We know that if you speak against the Chinese government or try to worship in a manner that does not serve the government, you simply disappear.

We can see this same example in third world countries. There are countless charities wanting to feed the starving children of the world. And yes it is awful and horrific. However, they are starving by design. Get rid of the oppressive communist and socialist governments that are keeping their people in ignorance and poverty and you will see an end to starvation.

We the people are a dichotomy. We are in a struggle with ourselves. We are facing an enemy within our own borders that must be neutralized otherwise we can look to the European countries as to what our fate will be. Dependency on the government and socialized anything will eventually destroy this nation and we must rectify this.

At the same time we must fight an enemy that hates us simply because we exist. There is no question in my mind this war must be won despite ourselves. The liberals have said this is a lost cause and now Republicans are getting wobbly. The events in the United Kingdom this past weekend are yet another wake up call to us. WAKE UP!! I want our government to pay attention to the 2nd Amendment. I will maintain my right as an American citizen to keep and bear arms, but I also expect my government to maintain our militia. Give our soldiers what they need to win this war against terror!!

I anticipate as do many others there will be an attempt to stifle our voices. The Fairness Doctrine will be our penance for shutting down the Amnesty Bill. Our soldiers need us to support them, not just by proclaiming, "We support you" but we need to rise up again and make sure that our government does as we ask. Secure our borders and fund our troops so we can win this war. Let them fight this war.

Mine is but a small voice but I will use it to my fullest ability.

So, on Wednesday, take a moment and look at our American flag...

She is indeed a grand old flag... She symbolizes everything that is good in this nation of ours and please....

Remember...

Tell your child about her... about how our flag IS still there...



Happy Independence Day.

The Star-Spangled Banner

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
- Francis Scott Key

Have a great week everyone!

Deerfield Township Lights Up the Fourth of July

Kyle asked that I pass this along so if you are in the Cincinnati area on July 4---- stop by!!


Deerfield Township Lights Up the Fourth of July

Deerfield Honors Veterans Committee Holds Flag Raising at Veterans Park


June 27, 2007 – Raising the flag on the Fourth of July is always a poignant event, but this year it is particularly significant for the Deerfield Honors Veterans Committee. The group will hold a flag raising ceremony at 10 a.m. on July 4, 2007, to mark progress made to the Deerfield Honors Veterans Memorial Park. Keith Maupin, father of soldier Matt Maupin, will attend, as well as members of the Yellow Ribbon Foundation and the national group Let Us Never Forget.

The Deerfield Honors Veterans Committee was recently able to add lights to the flagpole, which will allow the flag to fly continuously, and in a few weeks the concrete slab around the flagpole will be in place. Committee members are also working to add a monument with paver stones for tri-state fallen heroes of the Iraqi and Afghanistan war. The next phase of construction at the Veterans Park will include a bell tower.

Deerfield Honors Veterans Committee still needs donations and encourages everyone to be a part of this lasting tribute to our heroes. Please mail a check, payable to Deerfield Honors Veterans, Inc., to 7818 Woodside Court; Maineville, Ohio 45039. See the plan for the park and purchase pavers online at www.deerfieldhonorsveterans.org.

For more information contact Director of Public Relations Fran M. Klatte at 513.701.6958 ext. 1102.

Deerfield Honors Veterans

Tomorrow is Independence Day

Last Updated 9/24/05

Sunny Hi 113 Lo 87 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny Hi 90 Lo 68 for NKY, USA

Song of the week: Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue -- Toby Keith
--- If the video doesn't start, just hit your refresh key... Now... turn up the volume and get everyone out of bed!!!! It is going to be a fantastic day!!


...And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

As we reflect on our Nation's birthday, the words above were an oath that our Founding Fathers promised to each other. They were willing to give up everything. My question to you-- How many of us today would be willing to do the same thing-- give of our lives, loves, material possessions and something most of us don't even consider today... Our honor? I consider myself very fortunate because I have been surrounded by patriots- men and women of honor my entire life.

This weekend, as we celebrate the 4th of July, our Independence Day, please take a moment to remember all those that came before us that had a vision of liberty and freedom. Take a moment to remember and pray for our men and women in the armed forces today. Pray for their families and friends.

It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag."

- Father Dennis O'Brien, Chaplain, USMC


Learn about the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence.

You can find some of our local heroes here and here.

Kaziah the Goat Woman paints portraits of fallen heroes for free.

Celebrating Freedom

Our great nation was almost lost 142 years ago. For a very special remembrance and tribute, please visit The Beacon - Informed Patriotism.


This blog is dedicated to the following people:

*My Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather, Captain Israel Jones - Revolutionary War, served under General Washington -- how cool is that???

* My Great Great Great Grandfather, Robert Wilcox Jones - Civil War

*My Great Grandfather, Haven P - USN - WWI
*My Great Grandfather, Arthur S - Army National Guard - WWI, Alsace Lorraine Front and Argonne Forest, France
*My Great Great Uncle Earl Jones - USMC - WWI
*Rob C's Great Grandfather Fred Hutzel - USA - WWI, Rainbow Division

*My Grandfather, James R. P - USMC - WWII, Solomon Islands
*Michael's Grandfather, Louis Friedhof - USA - WWII
*My Great Uncle Calvin P - USA - WWII
*My Great Uncle Dick Davis - USA - WWII, Normandy
*My Great Uncle Dickie P - USA - WWII
*Rob C's Uncle Herbert Hall - USA - WWII, Darby's Rangers. POW - Escaped
*Rob C's Grandfather Robert L. C Sr. - USA - WWII, Battle of the Bulge
*Rawland Patrick "Pat Crosby - Retired USA - WWII, served under General Patton at the Battle of the Bulge, Korean War
*Robert Allen Johnson - USMC - WWII, Midway, Guadalcanal, Okinawa

*My Great Uncle Junior (Arthur) S - USMC - Korean War

*My dad, Ted M. P- USMC - Vietnam
*My Uncle Steve P- Retired USMC - Vietnam War
*My Great Uncle Charlie S - Retired USMC - Vietnam War
* My Great Uncle Tommy S - USMC - Vietnam War & Retired USAF
*My Great Uncle Denny S - USA - Vietnam War
*My Great Uncle Rex P - USA - Vietnam War
*Kyle S - USMC - Vietnam War
*Tom B - USN - Vietnam War
*Charlie D - USN - Vietnam War
*My Great Uncle Darrell C - USMC - Vietnam
*Rob C's father, Robert L. C Jr. - USMC - Vietnam War

*Anita I - USMC - Persian Gulf War
*My 2nd cousin - Darren C - USN - Persian Gulf


*Mike E - USA
*My cousin Jim P - USMC
*My brother in law Sam Y - USA
*Russell S - USA
*John K - USMC
*Michael D - USA
*James Kevin P - USMC
*John A - USA
*Mark B - USAF
*Murray R - USA

a humble prayer for those that gave the ultimate sacrifice:

*Pat Tillman, KIA - USA - Afghanistan

*Paul R. Smith - KIA - USA - Iraq, Medal of Honor Recipient

*Taylor B. Prazynski, KIA - USMC - Iraq

*Nick Erdy, KIA- USMC - Iraq

*Timothy J. Hines Jr., died from wounds sustained on 6/19, 7/14/05 - USA - Iraq

*Ronnie D. Williams, KIA 7/18/05 - USA - Iraq

*Timothy Michael Bell Jr., KIA 8/3/05 - USMC - Iraq

*Michael Cifuentes, KIA 8/3/05 - USMC - Iraq

*William Brett Wightman, KIA 8/3/05 - USMC - Iraq

*Christopher J. Dyer, KIA 8/3/05 - USMC - Iraq

*David Kreuter, KIA 8/3/05 - USMC - Iraq

*Casey Sheehan, KIA, 4/4/04 - USA - Iraq

*Ken Welch, KIA, 9/20/84 - USA - Lebanon



and a special prayer for those currently serving:

*Cpl Mitchell Neil "Mikey" Price - USMC
*Spc Keith Scott - USA
*Sgt Kris Petrosky - USA
*Tech Sgt Chris Ryan - USAF
*Lt. Cmdr Scott Boisvert - USN
*SSgt. Matt Maupin, MIA/POW - USA Iraq
*Our Commander in Chief George W. Bush
***and All military bloggers that are keeping us in touch...
*Samantha Colling's "little" brother, Cpl Francis Louis "Frank" Arnold - USMC
*SGT John Furman - USA - Mosul, Iraq
*SGT Michael O'Rourke - USA - Baghdad, Iraq
*Michael McVey - USMC - Baghdad, Iraq
*LCpl Stephen R. Thompson - USMC - Iraq, Purple Heart Recipient

To those currently serving: You need to know that I and countless others stand behind you and support you and your mission. I am deeply grateful and profoundly humbled by your courageous service to our great country. May God bless you and keep you safe.

If I have omitted anyone, I am truly sorry. If I have printed something erroneously or incorrectly, please let me know so I may correct it. One thing I have found out about these guys--- "Y'all don't talk about it..."

Lastly, I would like to add to this list and see it grow... so if you know someone that is serving in the military or has served in the military, please send me their information and I'll just keep adding to the list...


On Monday---Have a happy Independence Day and remember to fly the flag.

Have a great week!!!

**The link to the tribute for Pat Tillman is quite moving and I highly recommend you view it. However, it must be noted that I do not endorse the author's position on our stance on the war in Iraq. I respectfully disagree with Chris Valentine and as I have mentioned in this post, I support our armed forces and their mission.


My Papaw


Uncle Steve, 1970 in full gear, Vietnam


My Uncle Charlie is standing in the back on the left. 1961 in Patras, Greece.


My Grandfather watching as my Dad is being inducted into the Marines. 1963


My Uncle Calvin is on the right. On the back of the photo, it reads, "This is one of the boys with me. I am still dirty. I just got off from work so you will have to overlook the dirt and the silly grin I got on my face. Love Calvin"


Old Glory