Our Homeland...Patriotic Production

Charlie & I attended our church's "Our Homeland" production last night and it totally 'blew me away'!
The lighting and the tribute to the armed forces which placed all those who have served as 'special guests' made it a very meaningful event. In addition a 96 yr. old veteran of WWII with many medals and awards for bravery, played his harmonica while uniformed military members from all branches stood at attention in respect and honor. The music, message and lighting produced by the Praise Choir and Tech Teams were some of the best I've ever seen!
I left in tears.
My heart was broken that somewhere in life, we as citizens of this great land have lost the fervor of the heart that once was 'normal' in American Patriotism. Yes we get glimpses of it from time to time but it once was as normal as....breathing!
It was not just the 'military' that was considered 'patriotic'....it was the citizens, the common ordinary person on the street.
Where has that gone? Why has it disappeared? Where are the young people that understand the history of our past as a nation, under God?
These are the questions that brought tears to my eyes and sobs from my soul as poor Charlie tried to console me as I said again and again, "It breaks my heart, it breaks my heart, I can't stand it....because it is breaking my heart."
Being a military wife and family places me at a disadvantage in being 'objective'.
Love for my country, love for my family, love for my God is the reason I live!
Today I am actually 'in mourning' ......and prayer while crying out to my Lord....HELP!
Now I am reminded of a scripture, a promise that I/we can bring as a 'reminder' before God as I/we pray... won't you please join me in this....

2 Chronicles 7:14 New Living Translation (NLT)

..."If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal and restore their land."

Please see the short video below...The Band KISS ~ Wow!!!
Seems our country has tossed these songs away also
It will do your heart good to hear this one.
This was filmed in Iraq at a USO tour of a USMarine Base.
Play it and spread it to every single person you know.
Click on or copy and paste the link below.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=5MtdIO23MKM
You can't help but sing with them....

God Bless American and all our troops...

Silent Heroes.....Volunteers Honor Memorials...

Americans show respect by volunteering to wash and clean the marble, bronze and stone at the Vietnam and Korean War Veterans Memorials.

To SFC Jose Rodriguez, cleaning the memorials connects wars past and present.

“My Dad was a Vietnam Veteran, and I am a Veteran of the war in Afghanistan.”

From Freedom Team Salute - News...

Volunteers Honor Memorials

They rise before dawn to pay a special tribute to the fallen. Men and women, some Veterans and their families, gather at the Vietnam and Korean War Veterans Memorials to show their respect by washing and cleaning the marble, bronze and stone. It is a labor of love and remembrance.
“This is an honor without exception,” explained William DeBlander of Rolling Thunder, the men and women who publicize POW-MIA issues. DeBlander has been cleaning the memorials for eight years. He also organizes the cleaning among his fellow Rolling Thunder members.
Nine different groups take turns showing up at the memorials before sunrise. The cleaning goes on from April through October, from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Sundays. A U.S. Park Ranger rolls up in a golf cart to whichever memorial is scheduled for cleaning and hands out hoses, brushes and soap. At both memorials, volunteers safely move artifacts, such as letters, flowers and pictures, before cleaning the walls and statues.
As the sun breaks over the U.S. Capitol, the volunteers toil away. The scrubbing of the wall seems like a seamless coordinated movement and the hoses sometimes catch a rainbow in their spray. Early-rising tourists take pictures of the endeavor. At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial one morning, a volunteer brought the Park Ranger the ashes of a Vietnam Veteran that had been left at the wall. At the Korean War Veterans Memorial, a Korean man stopped taking pictures of the cleaners and picked up a brush to help.
Volunteers scrub the wall at the Korean War Veterans Memorial despite a rainstorm.

The Three Soldiers statue at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial gets scrubbed down.
“I just got off work and this means a lot to me,” said SFC Jose Rodriguez as he worked a brush in his Army Combat Uniform at the Vietnam Memorial. To Rodriguez, who is stationed at the Pentagon, cleaning the memorials connects wars past and present. “My Dad was a Vietnam Veteran, and I am a Veteran of the war in Afghanistan.”
At the Korean War Memorial, Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Ed Bredbenner walked around with a cup, picking up cigarette butts and other small pieces of debris.
“It’s the least you can do,” he explained about his cleaning duties. “It’s what’s right.”
The volunteers are dedicated to their cause. One dark morning at the Korean War Memorial, nine people showed up despite a rainstorm. At the Vietnam Memorial, the National Anthem was sung nearby to start a local triathlon. Everyone stopped and put their hands over their hearts, caps were removed. No one moved until the anthem was finished. And then it was back to work.

Arlington At Christmas

Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. Of Harrington , Maine . The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.

We Give Thanks for Our Military Forces Everywhere...

The right time to play this........

http://www.cpmsglife.org/tg/2006tdm1..html

See Slide Show for Veterans Day....

My Cousin, Don Fortner, Playing TAPS Yesterday for the "Veterans Day Ceremony" in Apalachicola. Special 'blessed' gift...

See Slide Show tribute...
http://www.military.com/veterans-day/veterans-day-slideshow.html?ESRC=army-a.nl