May this Memorial Day mean everything it should to each of us Americans. May we never forget those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to us, to support and defend out great country.
General George Washington once said, "We will be remembered by how we treat our Veterans." May we all aspire to keep his words of wisdom in our daily lives.
To all who have served or our serving in our Armed Forces. I will remember you.
I am honored to be awarded a 2011 certificate for outstanding Social Network Media for my blog, Colonial Bytes from The Colorado State Society of The Daughters of the American Revolution. I enjoy colonial history and writing about it. I invite you to check out this fun blog.
There are more pictures, this being one of my favorite. Please take the link and enjoy this extrodinary find. I was enchanted by all the work that went into this display. Many of the rocks have balance that makes no sense. I had only my Iphone with me, but stopped anyway.
Here is the photostream from the May 8th, 2011, Kirkan of the Tartan. Sponsored by the St. Andrews Society of Colorado. The rite and ritual belong to those of Scottish heritage who are not in Scotland. It is beautiful and very meaningful to see, as well as colorful and cultural.
The Kirkan of the Tartan is a blessing on the clans and their respective tartans. This is a practice not held in Scotland, that I know of. None of my Scottish friends have heard of it either, but adore that we do it.
We are so fortunate to have such a beautiful Cathedral as St. Johns Episcopal for this rite. Dean Eaton is as always wonderful and full of levity. He is a treasure to the congregation and the Denver community.
So enjoy these pictures. If you wish to see them in full screen, you may take that option by clicking on the screen and going on to flicker.
I am cautious and sensitive to add a video of the photography I did of the Denver Production of The Thorn. The telling is brought to life by many good and faithful people who gave greatly of their time, talent and money to provide such a creative production. The show was also seen in Charlotte, N.C., Dallas TX., and Colorado Springs.
It really is worth seeing. But is not for the light hearted or ignorant. It is a "Passion Play," which has a very long grim history. For hundreds of years four words, "The Jews Killed Christ," acted out, spoken out, sermonized out-inspired and legitimized pogroms, inquisition and explusions. To be frank, murder.
I was hopeful here, as I knew people involved in this telling, that it would hopefully not be so ugly. That blind hatred would not a part of this production. At the end of the last production one of the actors who played a "Pharisee" came up to my husband and myself. His face was smeared with what looked like blood. I asked him if he was okay? Have you been hurt? I further inquired of him. He looked down sad, stunned and said that one of the other actors had smeared the blood red paint on his face much against his protests. He had asked not to be smeared in this fake blood.
I was then gripped by the reality that "Passion Plays" are dangerous when shown to mere sheep, that it is the sheer ignorance of the people who act in them, or come to see them that make it so. It brought back Hilter's chilling praise for the famed Oberammergau Passion Play of 1934, I had read about in history classes. History tells us that pogroms date back to the First Crusade. Until this point European Jews largely eluded organized violence, but marauding crusaders on their way to the Middle East in 1096 stopped to slaughter Jews. One crusader's account recalls, "Behold we journey a long way to seek the idolatrous shrine and to take vengence upon the Muslims. But here are the Jews dwelling among us, whose ancestors killed him and crucified him groundlessly. Let us take vegenance first upon them. Let us wipe them out as a nation."
I am saddened to see this act of stupidity happen in front of my own eyes. Please learn about Joseph Caiphus, who was a Sanhedrin. Learn the difference between a Pharisee, Sadducees, and a Sanhedrin. Most Christians I talk to, do not know.
Look into your heart. Is this what Jesus would want you to do and think?For now is the time for Christians to disavow the history of Passion-linked hatred and show Jews and the world, "how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." (Eph. 3:18)
Whether we know it or not, our Mother's think of us everyday in some way. Whether it is in a passing thought, or in the very sight of our children. I think of my Daughter's everyday with fondness. Gone are the hard times we went through while they were growing up. I am so proud of each of them in their own special ways. I love them and would chose to be their Mother with all the happy times and challenging ones, again in a heartbeat. In my personal journey in life, this is one road I am glad I took.
Here is to strong women, may we be them, may we know them, may we raise them.
I did and that has made all the difference in the world to me.
The United States military is very proud of the long history of service of Native Americans and frequently uses imagery and icons from our shared past. Geronimo is a commonly used term in the Army and other forces to refer to bravery and invoke unit and American pride. In fact, there are many units in the Army that have Native icons and names. The newest and best helicopters all have native names to denote bravery and power. The Kiowa Warrior, The Blackhawk, The Apache, The Chinook, are all names given to our best and most powerful helicopters.
As much as people want to try and divide this country and promote their dividing views, in this situation they are completely wrong. Many Americans that have family in this country for more than five generations have Native blood running in their veins from their ancestors.
Family and friends of mine have served in the Navy, Army, Marines and other special forces. I can tell you that any and all naming with native names is done out of respect and honor. Many Native Americans have died in the service of this country, and have done many heroic things in their service to the United States. Please do not misinterprete a naming convention in the operation that killed Osama bin Laden. It was simply done to acknowledge the seriousness of the operation, and not to paint this or anyone as being racist, or even that our military is institutionally racist against Native Americans. Common sense bears out that when you are in a military opperation in a foreign country, using terms that are unfamiliar with your enemy, are in your best interest. Code names are not meant to be understood by non-natives.
For those in fits crying racial injustice, it is simply not true, you are grasping at straws and do not understand the deeply woven connections that Native Americans have provided to The United States of America. It is an insult to all of the people whom have served, both that have Native American blood and those that do not.
It was a CODE WORD people. Be offended by the people who caused 911. Osama bin Laden got better than he deserved, and the world is a much better place for the extrodinary actions of this elite counterterrorism unit of the U.S. Military known as DevGru-Seal Team Six! Hooyah!
Please....
"Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but your political correctness is killing me!"
