Wise Words

"Wait on the Lord, be strong and of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart...wait on the Lord. Psalms 27:14

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Monday, May 28, 2007

Memorial Day 2007

It is raining cats and dogs here, as has been usual for most Memorial Days here in Austin.

This is my annual Memorial Day post but first, how can you support the troops? Follow the link to a page I did last year that has A LOT of ways that YOU can support our men and women in uniform: SOS: Support Our Soldiers. God bless the troops, God bless America!

"A Nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces, but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.” These words were spoken by President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Throughout history brave men and women have risked their lives in service to our great country with courage, honor, and dedication.

God Bless our fighting men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect us and bring freedom and democracy to nations who are under a dictator's thumb, to nations whose streets run red with the foul wind of genocide, to nations who are under the rule of fanatical regimes who believe in killing one's wife, sister, daughter, mother for some imagined "dishonor" to the family so that the families "honor" can be restored. These brave military men and women bring hope to those who have had none, bring justice to those who have been unjustly condemned, who sacrifice their lives so that others can have a life to live freely for the first time. Your efforts are not in vain. They do not go unnoticed. You are not unappreciated. Thank you for all that you do. May God bless you and your loved ones today and always for your willing sacrifices.

A friend of mine who is a military veteran wrote this and allowed me to re-post it here. Thanks James!

Many of you have seen war, many of us have family who have seen war, and many of us have lost family and/or friends to war. Yet, the flag continues to fly. Amidst the rejection that this war was necessary, the democrats weak and shameful discredit to our troops, and the critics who say we can't make a difference...the flag continues to fly. Even though the enemy can hide, even though our so called Allies turn tail and run...the continues to fly.

America defends herself valiantly with the most courageous of people, with the most courageous of hearts...that's why the flag continues to fly. Our young men and women know the truth of what it means to be free, and they know what it will mean if we end up like some of those "other" countries...that's why our flag continues to fly. The history of this nation began with soldiers making a stand; They fought and died to win our freedoms, and left a legacy of honor and integrity in a constitution guaranteeing human rights to every person in the US of A...that's why the flag still flies.

And so, as our polictical leaders often seek to make a name for themselves...as our children watch and wander what will happen next, and while we all stand amazed at the events of the world today...

Our flag will continue to fly. I dare anybody, to try and make her stop flying. Give us liberty of give us death, give us freedom...or take our lives.

Don't touch my flag.

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*God Bless America*


The Music

Toby Keith - American Soldier:
Toby is a HUGE supporter of our military men and women. This song is one of the best one's I've heard from the country musicians in support of our American soldiers. Very blunt, very moving.



The second offering is the traditional bagpipe and drums verson of Amazing Grace. We had the color guard in church yesterday morning and they had a piper and drummer and it brought me to tears. Not just a little tears, but a lot of tears. There is nothing quite like hearing Amazing Grace on the bagpipes with a drum and remembering that other are out there putting their lives on the line so that I don't have to. Protecting the most precious part of my life, my daughter with their lives, sometimes leaving behind children of their own when they make that ultimate sacrifice. If it doesn't move you to tears the sacrifices they make for you and your family, you probably have a heart of stone.



Here is the best rendition of Taps I've heard, with a double trumpet solo. Beautiful!



The words to "Taps":
(Note: there are no "official" words to Taps, below are the most popular.)

Day is done,
gone the sun,
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.
Go to sleep,
peaceful sleep,
May the soldier
or sailor,
God keep.
On the land
or the deep,
Safe in sleep.

Love, good night,
Must thou go,
When the day,
And the night
Need thee so?
All is well.
Speedeth all
To their rest.

Fades the light;
And afar
Goeth day,
And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well;
Day has gone,
Night is on.

Thanks and praise,
For our days,
'Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.

Next up is the Tim McGraw song "If You're Reading This". Tim wrote this song as a tribute to the fallen soldiers and their families and he performed it beautifully at the ACM's - most people had never heard it before then. Fortunately there are a couple of videos of that song that I have found. The first one is a tribute to the soldiers that someone did to the song and the second one is from a TIVO that someone did of the ACM's and it's the original performance.

Remember to pray for our soldiers every night that God protects them and brings them home safely.

Godspeed, God bless and be safe!

If You're Reading This
If you're reading this, with my momma sitting there,
looks like I only got a one way ticket over here.
I sure wish I could give you one more kiss,
war was just a game we played when we were kids.

Im laying down my gun, Im hangin up my boots,
Im up here with God and we're both watching over you.
Lay me down...in that open field out on the edge of town,
And my soul is where my momma always prayed that it would go.
If you're reading this...Im already home.

Half way around the world,
I wont be there to see the birth of our little girl.
I hope she looks like you...I hope she fights like me
and stands up for the innocent and the weak.

Im laying down my gun, Im hangin up my boots,
Tell dad I don't regret that I followed in his shoes.
So...lay me down...in that open field out on the edge of town,
And my soul is where my momma always prayed that it would go.
If you're reading this...Im already home.

If you're reading this...there's going to come a day,
you'll move on and find someone else and that's ok.
Just remember this, I'm in a better place,
soldiers live in peace and angels sing Amazing Grace.

Im laying down my gun, Im hangin up my boots,
Im up here with God and we're both watching over you.
Lay me down...in that open field out on the edge of town,
And my soul is where my momma always prayed that it would go.
If you're reading this...Im already home.







The above video is a song from Marine Mike Corrado called "My Watch". The words are beautiful and the music poignant. Enjoy the song and the pictures of life in Iraq for the soldiers.

The Trivia

Memorial Day was founded to honor military personnel who died in The Civil War and was first celebrated on May 5th, 1866 in Waterloo New York, though it was first widely celebrated two years alter on May 30, 1868. President Johnson declared in 1996 that Waterloo was the birthplace of Memorial Day because the town had made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags. Today, Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Also, it is customary for the President or Vice-President to give a speech honoring the contributions of the dead and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.

In reading the poem In Flander's Fields, themost asked question about it is: why poppies?

Wild poppies flower when other plants in their direct neighbourhood are dead. Their seeds can lie on the ground for years and years, but only when there are no more competing flowers or shrubs in the vicinity (for instance when someone firmly roots up the ground), these seeds will sprout.

There was enough rooted up soil on the battlefield of the Western Front; in fact the whole front consisted of churned up soil. So in May 1915, when McCrae wrote his poem, around him bloodred poppies blossomed like no one had ever seen before.

But in this poem the poppy plays one more role. The poppy is known as a symbol of sleep. The last line We shall not sleep, though poppies grow / In Flanders fields might point to this fact. Some kinds of poppies are used to derive opium from, from which morphine is made. Morphine is one of the strongest painkillers and was often used to put a wounded soldier to sleep. Sometimes medical doctors used it in a higher dose to put the incurable wounded out of their misery.

About the Poppies
Where did the idea of calling Memorial Day "Poppy Day"? Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. Then in 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.


She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial Day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Moina Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women.

This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children's League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help.

Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their "Buddy" Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Moina Michae for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp with her likeness on it.

Since the late 1950's - on the Thursday before Memorial Day - the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing.

The Poetry
Perhaps the most popular poem that is quoted or recited on memorial day is this one by Major John McCrae:

In Flanders Fields


In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Another tribute to our fighting men and women is from Walt Whitman entitled:
Dirge for Two Veterans

THE last sunbeam
Lightly falls from the finish'd Sabbath,
On the pavement here-and there beyond, it is looking,
Down a new-made double grave.

Lo! the moon ascending!
Up from the east, the silvery round moon;
Beautiful over the house tops, ghastly phantom moon;
Immense and silent moon.

I see a sad procession,
And I hear the sound of coming full-key'd bugles;
All the channels of the city streets they're flooding,
As with voices and with tears.

I hear the great drums pounding,
And the small drums steady whirring;
And every blow of the great convulsive drums,
Strikes me through and through.

For the son is brought with the father;
In the foremost ranks of the fierce assault they fell;
Two veterans, son and father, dropt together,
And the double grave awaits them.

Now nearer blow the bugles,
And the drums strike more convulsive;
And the day-light o'er the pavement quite has faded,
And the strong dead-march enwraps me.

In the eastern sky up-buoying,
The sorrowful vast phantom moves illumin'd;
('Tis some mother's large, transparent face,
In heaven brighter growing.)

O strong dead-march, you please me!
O moon immense, with your silvery face you soothe me!
O my soldiers twain! O my veterans, passing to burial!
What I have I also give you.

The moon gives you light,
And the bugles and the drums give you music;
And my heart, O my soldiers, my veterans,
My heart gives you love.

Eulogy for a Veteran
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the Gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the mornings hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.

-Author Unknown

THEY SOFTLY WALK
a poem

They are not gone who pass
Beyond the clasp of hand,
Out from the stone embrace.
They are but come so close
We need not grope with hands,
Nor look to see, nor try
To catch the sound of feet.
They have put off their shoes
Softly to walk by day
Within our thoughts, to tread
At night our dream - led paths
Of sleep.
They are not lost who find
The sunset gate, the goal
Of all their faithful years.
Not lost are they who reach
The summit of their climb,
The peak above the clouds
And storms. They are not lost
Who find the light of sun
And stars and God.
They are not dead who live
In hearts they leave behind.
In those whom they have blessed
They live a life again,
And shall live through the years
Eternal life, and grow
Each day more beautiful
As time declares their good,
Forgets the rest, and proves
Their immortality.

By Hugh Robert Orr

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Meme Theme

I have a couple of memes that I am participating in that are kind of fun and pretty easy! My thanks to my very dear blogfriends Captain Picard and One4JC for these memes. Also, I am going to do a fun little exercise that I think you will enjoy!

Here is the first meme:

Can you go to Google (the location may be slightly different to where you are in the world)? Type in your first name and the word 'needs'. For example 'John needs'. Let me know the results in the comments.

My answers are (pretty surprising on a couple):

...Nicole Needs a Boob Job (Thanks but not really, I have plenty already)

...Nicole needs a few good home-town friends to hang out with (I have some great ones!)

...Nicole needs to purge some aliens (Um, I'm sure I don't know what they're talking about here)

...Nicole needs to hit the glass harder (What glass would that be here?)

...Nicole needs to get her glow, charisma, and energy back (Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition on this one - they're right but how to go about doing it?)

...Nicole needs beers and hamburgers (Works for me!!!)

...Nicole needs a real man who is taller and bigger than her (I'd settle for just one please)

...Nicole needs is to know that there is someone in this world she can trust (With my heart you mean)

Now for the next one:

1. Go to Wikipedia and put in your birthday, without the year, in the search bar.

2. List on your blog 3 events, 2 births, 1 death and 1 holiday that happens(ed) on your birthday. 3. Then tag 5 more friends to do it!

July 5

3 Events:
1. 1865 - The Salvation Army is founded in the East End of London, England.
2. 1937 - Spam, the luncheon meat, was introduced into the market by the Hormel Foods Corporation.
3. 1989 - The sitcom Seinfeld aired its first episode. (For my many, many friends who are Seinfeld fans - though I don't know why)

2 Births:
1. 1810 - P.T. Barnum, American circus owner (d. 1891)
2. 1963 - Edie Falco, American actress

1 Death:
1. 2002 - Ted Williams, baseball player (b. 1918)

1 Holiday:
1. Isle of Man: Tynwald Day - 1266 (There weren't many and this was the most interesting one)

Now for the really fun stuff! Can you make up or do you know some book titles and authors that go together well? I had so much fun doing this one last year on Captain Picard's Journal! The below titles are examples of a collaboration between myself and someone else. Enjoy!

The Clifftop Accident by Eileen Dover
Elegant Cars by Iona Ferrari
Map Making by Easton West
Litigation Techniques by Sue Yu
A Risky Way To Earn Money by Robin Banks
The Long Journey To Paris by Francis Faraway
Hostile To Culture by Phyllis Tyne
Singing In Pubs by Carrie Okey
Ten-Pin by Bo Lingalley
A Study Of Mathematics by D. Vision & Ad Ishun
The Contingency Plan by Justin Case
My Crazy Life by Batsin D. Belfry
All About Occam by Ray Zorzedge
Anger Managment by Flip U. DeByrd
The New Existentialism by Toby Ornottoby
Inside The Bunny Ranch by Amanda Licknblow
Making Money by Bill Fold
Handling Sibling Rivalry by Sharon Sharalike
1001 Laughs A Minute by Joe Kerr
Your Heart And You by Angie O. Graham
How To Get Ahead In Life by Watt A. Nass
Trannylicious by Adam Sapple
The Wisdom of Baghdad Bob by Major Lee D. Feated
The Hollywood Diet by Annie Rexia
Superficial by Faye Slift
The Breakfast In Bed Cookbook by Hammond Eggs
Praise Him! by Hal E. Luya
The Art of Self-Defense by Holden McGroin
The Book of Party Etiquitte by Kay Ken Kofee
Which Meat To Choose? by B. Forlamb
Cooking Food Quickly by Mike Rowave
Bad Luck All Round by Des Astor & Cal Amity
Bogart: A Life In Film by Cassie Blanca
Memorization Techniques by Drew A. Blanc
The Vicar's Life by Hugh Morless
Famous Mishaps In History by Dee Zaster
Proper Sleeping Techniques by Payne N. DeNeque
Life Inside Windsor Palace by Roy L. Ball
Travel Games for Kids by Ari Deryet
A Look Inside Sapphic Society by Les Beahan
Burps, Farts and Other Rude Noises by X.Q. Schmee
Surprising Things You Never Knew by Al B. Dammd
Housebreaking Your Pet by P. Oliver DeFleur
Medicine By Any Other Name... by Jen Erick
Ten Easy Steps to Becoming A Morning Person by Eurasmus B. Draggin
Queen of the Double Wide by Iona Trailer
The Easy Guide to Family Traveling by Cara Van
Pop Psychology by Norm Al Gai
Sinking Ships by Lou Slipps
Tender Expressions by Olive Yu
How to Get More Back On Your Taxes by Lou Pole
Home On The Range by Barb Dwyer
He Said What? by Shirley Eugeste
Timeless Love Songs by Sam & Janet Evening
Semper Fi - My Life As A Military Wife by Maureen Core
The Films of Macaulay Culkin by Homer Lone
Coming Up With A Plan by Ivan Idea
A Life Down Under by Oz Tralia
Knocked Out by C. Ingstars
Help Me! by May Day
A Breeze Is Blowing by Wynne D. Weather
Sound Advice by Luke B. Foryouleep
A Substitute For Butter by Marge Areen
The Shortcut by D. Tour
Handling Hemherroids by Arsen Fyre
Plumbing For Dummies by Dwayne Pipe
The Game's Afoot by Hugh Dunitt
Manners Matter by Hugo First
Foot Fetishes by Iva Bunion
America, Land of Diversity by Mel Tingpot
The Life and Times of Snoop Dog and Willie Nelson by S. Moe Queed
Courage In the Face of Fear by Azheet Midrawrz
Robotics in the 21st Century by Anne Droid
The New Wee Willy Winky by Oliver Towne
So You're Single...Get Over It! by N. D. Nyle
The World Is My Oyster by Meg Alomaniack
The Irreverent School Boy by S. A. Creligious
All For One by Hugh Nanimus
The Flood Heard 'Round the World by Noah Zark
The Problem With Truancy by Marcus Abcent
Traveling the Orient on a Budget by Rick Shaw
From Weed to Feed - The New Salad Greens by Dan D. Lyons
I Have A Headache And Other Excuses by Yu No Funn
Huggable You by Ted D. Bear
The History of America by Lana DeFree and Homer DeBrave
The Heroes of 9/11 by Les Twee Forgett
Good Intentions by Helena Handbasket

Sunday, May 20, 2007

If You're Reading This

I must confess that I have fallen in love with the Tim McGraw song "If You're Reading This". Tim wrote this song as a tribute to the fallen soldiers and their families and he performed it beautifully at the ACM's - most people had never heard it before then. Fortunately there are a couple of videos of that song that I have found. The first one is a tribute to the soldiers that someone did to the song and the second one is from a TIVO that someone did of the ACM's and it's the original performance.

Remember to pray for our soldiers every night that God protects them and brings them home safely.

Godspeed, God bless and be safe!

I posted the lyrics on the tribute post for SSG Christopher Kiernan below but I am reposting them here so you can read them as you listen to the music:

If You're Reading This
If you're reading this, with my momma sitting there,
looks like I only got a one way ticket over here.
I sure wish I could give you one more kiss,
war was just a game we played when we were kids.

Im laying down my gun, Im hangin up my boots,
Im up here with God and we're both watching over you.
Lay me down...in that open field out on the edge of town,
And my soul is where my momma always prayed that it would go.
If you're reading this...Im already home.

Half way around the world,
I wont be there to see the birth of our little girl.
I hope she looks like you...I hope she fights like me
and stands up for the innocent and the weak.

Im laying down my gun, Im hangin up my boots,
Tell dad I don't regret that I followed in his shoes.
So...lay me down...in that open field out on the edge of town,
And my soul is where my momma always prayed that it would go.
If you're reading this...Im already home.

If you're reading this...there's going to come a day,
you'll move on and find someone else and that's ok.
Just remember this, I'm in a better place,
soldiers live in peace and angels sing Amazing Grace.

Im laying down my gun, Im hangin up my boots,
Im up here with God and we're both watching over you.
Lay me down...in that open field out on the edge of town,
And my soul is where my momma always prayed that it would go.
If you're reading this...Im already home.



Thursday, May 17, 2007

SSG CHRISTOPHER KIERNAN
February 12, 1970 - May 6, 2007




The following is put together from a couple of CenTex news articles:

1st Cav soldier's remains returned to Fort Hood for burial

WEST FORT HOOD –

"God, you were supposed to take care of him!"

The pain in Donna Kiernan's voice pierced the silence at Robert Gray Army Airfield on Monday afternoon as a flag-draped casket containing her husband's body was carried to a waiting hearse.

"You're my hero, Christopher," she yelled between mournful wails.

"I love you!"

"I'm so angry!"

Staff Sgt. Christopher S. Kiernan was killed by a sniper on May 6 in Baghdad. The 37-year-old served with the 1st Cavalry Division's 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. He joined the military in March 1990 as an armor crewmember. He served tours during Desert Storm and later, Bosnia, where he earned a Purple Heart, and in Haiti and Somalia. Chris deployed in 2004 to Iraq, where he earned a Bronze Star. He had been with the battalion since September 2005, and deployed with it to Iraq in October 2006.

Chris is the first Fort Hood soldier killed in action whose remains were flown directly to Fort Hood. Before a January policy change, Texas soldiers' remains were flown from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to Dallas or Austin. Now remains will be flown to a regional airport with 5,000 feet of runway nearest the family's home, said Lee Price, chief of Fort Hood's Casualty Assistance Center. The Kiernans lived in Killeen.

The change will ensure that families will have to travel less and that complete honors are provided for each soldier, Price said.

Before her husband's remains arrived on Monday, Donna read an e-mail Chris sent her shortly before his death, titled "The past six months in Baghdad." In it, he talked about the situation in Iraq and policies proposed by lawmakers. He slammed elected officials for passing a bill that provided a timeline for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. He asked his wife to forward it to everyone they knew, but asked it not be passed on to members of the media because his words would be misconstrued.

He also wrote about the people of Iraq and how the troops must build their trust. He said the withdrawal timeline tells these people that the Americans are leaving and never coming back.

"These people will never forgive us," Chris wrote.

Donna went on to say that American soldiers need help and without additional troop support, more "will pay with their blood and their lives." Chris did just that, she said, and the soldiers in his unit were hurting. She knows many who are on their second and third deployments, and the ones who are in Iraq are exhausted and fatigued.

Chris' death means it's time for politicians to stop taking vacations and get to work, Donna said adamantly. They need to work 18-hour days, sleep four hours and then go back out for another day like the soldiers are doing in Iraq, she added.

During training, the "gloves are off," Donna said, but in battle the soldiers are held back and "must be proper while the cowardly so-called insurgents use their religious mosque to hide out and build weapon caches.

"The insurgents are upgrading their weapons and experience," she said. "They want to kill American soldiers." She put responsibility on the Iraqi people, saying it is time for them to be held accountable for meeting deadlines set by the American government.

"It's time for the Iraqis to take charge of their own country and take responsibility if they fail to meet the deadlines they are supposed to meet," she said.

She read a portion of the email: "By telling them we are leaving and never coming back, means the terrorists will continue to do what they do, because who cares? America is leaving anyway. These people will never forgive us."

The letter went on to explain how the Iraqi people seemed to appreciate the U.S. troops and their efforts. Donna said Christopher believed immediate withdrawal is not the answer.

"It's not going to be ended by bullets. It's going to be ended by negotiations and it's going to be ended by making Iraqis responsible. It's no more free ride. It's time for them to take responsibility. And my husband paid with his life and his blood," she said.

As the family struggles to cope with their personal loss, Donna made sure her late husband's words are not falling on deaf ears.

"A soldier who lost his life, these are his words I read to you, his words, and he went there to make a difference and you know what? They're making a difference, and that's what people need to know," she said.

To see photos, learn more about Staff. Sgt. Christopher Kiernan, or to share thoughts and memories, visit www.killeenfunerals.com .
__________________________________

Soldier sends message to wife

Staff. Sgt. Christopher S. Kiernan sent his wife, Donna, an e-mail titled "The past six months in Baghdad" shortly before his death on May 6.

"This is what a soldier says," Donna said. "Not a senator, congressman, Republican or Democrat."

The following excerpt from that e-mail was provided by Donna Kiernan:

"This week, the elected officials passed a defense bill with a timeline for withdraw of troops. I can just say thank you to them for caring about us, also telling the enemy that America is going to quit just made my job harderis is not the answer These decisions would have been made behind closed doors, without the media, it may have been a good decision. To work with these people, we must first build their trust. Once you have that, you can get a lot of things done. By telling them we are leaving, and never coming back means the terrorist(s) will continue to do what they do, because who cares? The Americans are leaving! These people will never forgive us. I feel that this whole thing could have been handled differently and more professionally. I am smart enough to know that there is nothing I can do (to) stop this, but I will just do my best to make it work so I can feel proud of what I have done over here to make a better life for these people."

Biography

Staff Sergeant Christopher S. Kiernan was killed in action in Baghdad, Iraq on Sunday, May 6, 2007.

Sgt. Kiernan was born in Charlotte, NC on February 12, 1970. He was an incredible person who possessed a special gift of effortless kindness and endless generosity. He would often give his time and resources to others in need while never asking for anything in return. The way Chris lived his life is a valuable lesson for all of us to cherish.

Chris attended King's Grant Elementary, Lynnhaven Junior High, and graduated from First Colonial High School in 1988. He enlisted in the US Army in 1990 and became a member of the armored corps. In 1991 he drove his tank in the front lines of Desert Storm. He went on to serve tours in Bosnia, Haiti, and Somalia. In 2004 he served in Iraq and was deployed there again in 2006. Throughout his military career, Chris was stationed at Fort Knox Kentucky, Erlangen Germany and Fort Hood Texas. He was awarded a Purple Heart during his service in Bosnia and a Bronze Star during his first tour in Iraq.

Chris leaves behind a grieving family and community, both military and civilian. His loving wife, Donna East Kiernan of Killeen, Texas, his parents, John and Margaret Kiernan of Virginia Beach, his grandfather, William Murray of Virginia Beach, his sister, Kathleen Dwyer, her husband, Greg Sultuska, their daughter Harly Grace of Destin, FL, his brother, Sean Kiernan and his wife, Corbie of Cambridge, MA, as well as extended family and friends who will mourn his loss forever.

The family would like to thank all of his friends who have shared so many wonderful stories about Chris that we had forgotten or had never heard. These memories and all the laughter and joy Chris gave us will be treasured forever.

Born: February 12, 1970
Place of Birth: Charlotte, North Carolina
Death: May 6, 2007
Place of Death: Baghdad, Iraq
Occupation: U.S. Army

MEMORIAL DONATIONS
Memorial donations can be made to Second Chance Animal Shelter; 5501 Clear Creek Rd., Killeen,TX 76549 or Operation Homefront-Texas, 100 Schertz Parkway Suite C, Schertz,TX 78154

Ok, on a personal note, this is HUGE here for us in Austin - just down the road from Killeen. I've been listening to the local country station this morning and his funeral procession will be coming down I-35 around 12:30 to Ft. Sam Houston. Many people are going to line the highway to show their respects. I am too. That's during my lunch hour and I work right off of 35 - like within walking distance. The radio DJ's talked to his wife Donna and had the interview on the radio and she was so angry over the soldiers' treatment by our congress and media. The DJ's of this station said they get hate calls and hate email all the time for their staunch pro-military stance and they said that they will NEVER apologize for it. Every single one of them support the war and support the soldiers and while they wish this would get wrapped up quickly, they do not want there to be a premature pull-out until the job is done. They were totally unapologetic for their support and it was beautiful to listen to. This is the #1 country station here and among the top 5 stations in Austin.

Tim McGraw sang a song at the ACM's that he wrote himself about the soldiers that have given their lives over there and that had many in tears. It's not out anywhere as far as a recorded single but I hope it is soon. They played it on the radio and it had me in tears again. I've included the lyrics for it.

Tim had 98 mothers onstage with him that have lost children in the war.

If You're Reading This
If you're reading this, with my momma sitting there,
looks like I only got a one way ticket over here.
I sure wish I could give you one more kiss,
war was just a game we played when we were kids.

Im laying down my gun, Im hangin up my boots,
Im up here with God and we're both watching over you.
Lay me down...in that open field out on the edge of town,
And my soul is where my momma always prayed that it would go.
If you're reading this...Im already home.

Half way around the world,
I wont be there to see the birth of our little girl.
I hope she looks like you...I hope she fights like me
and stands up for the innocent and the weak.

Im laying down my gun, Im hangin up my boots,
Tell dad I don't regret that I followed in his shoes.
So...lay me down...in that open field out on the edge of town,
And my soul is where my momma always prayed that it would go.
If you're reading this...Im already home.

If you're reading this...there's going to come a day,
you'll move on and find someone else and that's ok.
Just remember this, I'm in a better place,
soldiers live in peace and angels sing Amazing Grace.

Im laying down my gun, Im hangin up my boots,
Im up here with God and we're both watching over you.
Lay me down...in that open field out on the edge of town,
And my soul is where my momma always prayed that it would go.
If you're reading this...Im already home.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

On another personal note, I brought back from my really great weekend trip with Emily a lovely case of acute bronchitis and a touch of the flu. For those of you who read me frequently, you know that I struggled with acute bronchitis quite a bit between the week before Christmas (actually at that time it wa bronchopneumonia) through mid(ish)-February. I haven't done much blogging but will be back at it when I'm feeling better.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Happy Mother's Day Weekend

I am outta here for the weekend with my wonderful daughter!

I wish all the mothers out there a wonderful and blessed Mother's Day on Sunday!

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

STARBUCKS NO MORE!



Call me crazy, call me insane, call the men in the white jackets. The fateful day has finally come and I am boycotting Starbucks.

I love Starbucks. I am a major fan of their Venti Caramel Frappuccino with EXTRA Caramel. So why will that delightfully creamy concoction never pass these lips again?

Why am I boycotting Starbucks?

Lately it has become apparent that Starbucks is yet another in a long line of anti-Christian, pro-left/liberal establishments that cares nothing about offending someone like me. A conservative Christian with a strong sense of morals and ethics who doesn't agree with the World but rather the Word.

My dear friend Jack Kinsella put it so well in his daily briefing today. In the interest of space, I won't post all of it but I will post the first part of it.

* * * * *

It is a shame. Despite the fact it is overpriced, I confess that I always LIKED Starbucks coffee. But I will never put another penny into Starbucks coffers.

Starbucks has launched an incomprehensibly stupid promotion in which it posts selected messages submitted by its customers on various subjects.

I seldom get outraged the way I was when I read a story, complete with a photo of the offending cup* [with quote displayed], in the Cincinatti Post yesterday.

Under the heading, "The Way I See It", Starbucks published the following *[on the cup]:

"Why in moments of crisis do we ask God for strength and help? As cognitive beings, why would we ask something that may well be a figment of our imaginations for guidance? Why not search inside ourselves for the power to overcome? After all, we are strong enough to cause most of the catastrophes we need to endure."

The quote was written by Bill Schell, a Starbucks customer from London, Ontario, Canada, (where else?) and was included as part of an effort by the Seattle-based coffee giant to "collect different viewpoints and spur discussion."

I did a bit more digging and found the following quote from a Starbucks coffee cup in a related story on WorldnetDaily:

"My only regret about being gay is that I repressed it for so long. I surrendered my youth to the people I feared when I could have been out there loving someone. Don't make that mistake yourself. Life's too d**n short."

Starbucks has a disclaimer on its website that says, "The opinions put forth by contributors to “The Way I See It” do not necessarily reflect the views of Starbucks."

Starbucks has evidently expanded into the deli business, since that is usually where one goes if one is looking for baloney. What do you bet that nobody will send me an example of a Starbucks cup that opposes abortion?

Or one that discusses sexual abstinence outside of marriage? Or, horror of horrors, one that expresses a view that being gay isn't normal?

The dictionary defines "normal" this way: "In behavior, normal means not deviating very much from the average."

If even 10% of the population is gay, (a figure disputed as wildly inflated) then by definition, 90% of the population is not. If 50% constitutes 'average' then does it not follow that 90% vs 10% constitutes "deviating very much from the average"?

Or is arithmetic to join language on the trash heap of political correctness? Orwell would have been proud.

Starbucks also offers a place on its website where customers can offer up their own words of "wisdom" or, alternatively, render their opinion about the comments that Starbucks selected for publication.

Make no mistake about it. Starbucks SELECTS the opinions that it claims "do not necessarily reflect their corporate views." They admit in their FAQ page that comments must 'fit within the scope of our editorial guidelines." What ARE their 'editorial guidelines?'

I searched their website in vain looking for the answer to THAT question. But I doubt rather seriously that the comment I posted at Starbucks will fit within those editorial guidelines, (whatever they may be):

"Regarding "The Way I See It"

"Here's the way I see it. Your disclaimer that it isn't your opinion is meaningless. You wouldn't have published an anti-gay opinion on your cups. You wouldn't have published an anti-abortion opinion on your cups. But you DID publish an anti-God message by Bill Schell. Hard for me to believe.

I used to buy Starbucks coffee every time I passed one of your stores. My wife used to buy Starbucks coffee at the grocery store. The operative word here is "used to."

You clearly care nothing about offending ME. I will not only boycott all things Starbucks, I will encourage everyone I know to do the same. I am outraged.

It matters not whether you publish my comment. I will never know. It's a shame. I liked your coffee. A lot more, evidently, than you liked my business."
. . .

* * * * *

*[these are my additions to the above article for clarification]

What Jack wrote is so true. You will never see a slogan on Starbucks that is anti-abortion, or anti-radical Muslim or any of the other anti-"far left" viewpoints, only those that are anti-Christian, anti-"right wing" and anti-traditional values. After all, haven't you heard? The only groups that are fair game anymore for attacking are the fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians and the Jews. Everyone else is "off limits" but you might as well call us a piñata because the hits just keep on coming.

So, it is a matter of principle for ME that I am starting this boycott on Starbucks because of this direction that they have decided to take in not caring if they offend someone like me, or Jack, or YOU. Goodbye Venti Caramel Frappuccino. I knew you well. We had some great times together over the years.

Actually, I'm not too broken up over it.

After all, there's always the Dunkin' Donuts Iced Latte or DQ's MooLatté. And anyway, taking a stand for my faith and personal beliefs is more important than any chilled concoction from a company who could care less about offending me.

If you want to sign your name to the Starbucks Boycott or grab one of the Starbucks No More! icons as shown below for your site, click HERE or on one of the icons below.

Starbucks No More! Medium Icon:
I'm Boycotting
Starbucks!


Starbucks No More! Small Icon:
I'm Boycotting
Starbucks!



Take a stand for your rights as a conservative Christian, or as someone who feels that your right to believe in God and proclaim it is being threatened by the increasingly hostile anti-God, anti-Christian, anti-traditional values sentiments embraced and encouraged by major corporations/companies out there who pander to the loud minority voices such as Starbucks, FORD Motor Company, Disney, AT&T – the list is endless. Ever notice that it's progressively only a free speech right when it's not a conservative Christian espousing their beliefs or talking about their faith?

Take a stand for your beliefs! Let them know that they can't silence us just because they don't like what we have to say. Change in the world starts with one person, then catches on to two, then four – and so forth and so on. If we put our collective efforts behind it, together we can be even louder and make our voices HEARD!

Note:
If you want to share your opinion with Starbucks, here is the link:
http://www.starbucks.com/retail/thewayiseeit_comments.asp

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

HOW much did you say that was?

UGH! Nothing sucks worse than paying for car repairs. Ok, well almost nothing sucks worse. Before you think I had another accident, no, I didn’t. Many months ago I was at the store and when I came back outside the driver’s side rear light cover was shattered on the ground. No note, someone just had hit it out and left. I didn’t have the 100+ bucks it was going to take to replace it. Well, last week my brakes started making a grinding noise – not every time I would brake, but on uneven surfaces, plus I need new tires so I took my vehicle in on Saturday to get that take care of. It’s Tuesday, I still don’t have my mini-van back. I was told on Saturday that I might not be able to get it back that day but that they would have it ready for me "tomorrow" (meaning Sunday). I thought that was a little odd that a service department was open on Sunday, but since a lot of dealerships around here are open on Sunday I didn’t think too much of it. So, I called on Sunday when I didn’t hear anything and, as Gomer Pyle would say...surprise, surprise, surprise, wouldn’t you know it, they were closed on Sundays.

Now, I told the young buck who took my vehicle that I needed it back Monday for work and I was assured that I would have it back by then. Not the case.

So, now I have been using my mom’s vehicle to take her to work and then get myself to work. Em has been sick AGAIN this week. Odd that she seems to get sick a lot when she’s at her dad’s. Lots of coughing and stuff. She does well when she’s with me but she has come back from her dad’s the last couple of times with coughing and stuffyness – the time before this weekend with viral tonsillitis. It could be the roll of the dice but it makes me wonder if there is something over there that has been changed or added that she is allergic to or that is making her sick. At least I haven’t had to take Em to school on top of all this stuff.

So, back to the vehicle. I called yesterday and, hmmmmm, surprise, surprise, surprise again, they didn’t even have me in the system. At that point, I, ahem, may have gotten a little testy and loud. “WHAT DO YOU MEAN I’M NOT IN THERE AND YOU CAN’T FIND ME! I DROPPED MY MINI-VAN OFF SATURDAY. YOU HAVE MY KEYS!”

The person on the other end of the line started to stammer a little by this point. “Yes, ma’am, I’m sure it’s here somewhere. I, um, I, well, we just have to find it. Um, can I call you back in a few minutes?”

So, then after he calls back saying that yes, they did find my vehicle (I should HOPE so!), he then said that the light cover – the LIGHT COVER alone – would be 174.00. ‘Scuse me? HOW much did you say that would be?! Well, that on top of the tires, on top of the alignment, on top of the brakes, and I’m coming out of there 900.00 lighter at least, if not closer to 1,000.00. So there goes my tax return. Not only that, but the tires they were going to put on yesterday? They only had 2 in stock. The others are coming in from another city today, hence the reason I do not have it back yet.

VERY BIG SIGH!

The only so called “bright” side of this is that he is going to give me some sort of discount on the total for #1 the inconvenience of being told that my vehicle would be ready Sunday, when they are clearly closed on Sunday and #2 for having to wait an extra day for tires that they should have had in stock. I can only imagine what the total is going to be, probably not a whole lot taken off, but if God is merciful right now, it will be a good little bit taken off the total. I still have to pay Emily’s tuition and deposit for summer camp – another 900+ dollars total.

It sucks being poor but I am so very thankful that I had my tax refund to fall back on for my vehicle – though that means no MP3 player for me that I was hoping to get, and paying for my plane ticket to KC for my birthday in July will have to be placed on hold...again.

Speaking of MP3 players, which one would you recommend that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg? I’d like an FM tuner on it and one that’s not so bulky. Maybe by December I can have enough to get one for a Christmas present for myself. That is if I have a job after August 31. I still don’t know if my job is going to keep me on after the contract fully transitions over to the new company in charge of that contract.

LORD give me strength!

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Thankful Thursday

I listen to the sound of the rain fallin' down my window
Praying for a gentle wind...
~Celine Dion


So, the rain is pouring down here in Austin. I'm looking out the sliding glass door that faces the back yard, watching the lightening brighten the night in shades of purple and white, seeing the rain pour off the edge of the roof in a silver stream...plugging my ears after the more violent lightening strikes b/c I HATE loud cracking thunder. Have since I was a child and still do to this day. Low rolling thunder is good, heavy rumbles aren't too bad, but the cracks that split the night with their sharpness to the point where they make you cringe or jump, yeah, hate it.

So, it's been a while (since January) that I've done a Thankful Thursday/1000 Gifts post and, frankly, it seems like things to be thankful for - other than the same daily stuff - have been few and far between lately. But, in order to focus on the good, you have to stop looking at the bad and today I am in need of a HUGE dose of thankfulness to just pull me up out of the doldrums so here is this week's Thankful Thursday/1000 Gifts post.



~1 Thessalonians 5:18~ Give thanks to God in all circumstances (no matter what they may be), for this is God's will for you (who are) in Christ Jesus.

My Peace I Leave With You



Thankful Thursday: What Nic is thankful for this week


My cousin Lisa who has become one of the most amazing, truly transformed Christian woman. Not only is she the closest cousin to my age and my favorite cousin (out of over 40 cousins) and always has been but she has become someone I trust implicitly to be able to give me truly Godly advice. I have become so appreciative of her.
Friends who make you laugh and who are always willing to dance with you.
Sleep blessed sleep - which has been in short supply lately.
The ability to be a mother b/c being a mother gives my life purpose. Most of everything I do, I do for Em.
Good food and plenty of it when millions in the world go without for days and weeks.
Getting fit in a fun way that also teaches me to defend myself and my loved ones.

(If you participate, leave your link in the comments and I'll post it below; or, you can post in the comments)


Click here for the Thankful Thursday code

Click here for Chrixean's blog

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