Memorial Day 2007

Normandy American Cemetery

"Let us then at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonour; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assit those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldiers and sailor's widow and orphan."

By order of
John A Logan, Commander-in-Chief
Headquarters Grand Army of the Republic,
General Order No. 11 Washington D.C. May 5, 1868

Decoration Day or Memorial Day as we currently call it was a natural outgrowth of the desire on local communities to honor the fallen following the American Civil War. General Logan Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic issued General Order No. 11 in May of 1868 bringing national recognition to the subject of honoring the nations fallen. Following World War I the day was expanded to honor all those who have died during all American Wars.

US Combat Deaths

Revolutionary War 4,435

War of 1812 2,260

Mexican War 1,733

Civil War 184,594

Spanish/American 385

WWI 53,513

WWII 292,131

Korean Conflict 33,651

Vietnam Conflict 47,369

Persian Gulf War 148

Iraqi Freedom 3,441

US Combat Deaths

So as you enjoy your day off from work and your 3-day weekend remember the price paid and more importantly remember the "Why" behind this Memorial Day.

The Girls

May 2007

We attended a wedding yesterday for the son of a friend of ours so Tammy and the girls got to dress up. The wedding like so many things these days reminded me of the unrelenting rapid progress of time. When we first met Jack & Janice their son Johnny who was married yesterday would have been in either 6th or 7th grade.

Johnny & Jasmine were married in the old Christ Church in Pensacola, Fl. It is a very neat structure located in the historical downtown section of Pensacola. The reception was held in the Museum of Commerce just a block away from the old Christ Church. The Museum was a very cool place for a reception. The museum recreates Main Street Pensacola from around the 1900's.

Thanks for the Memories

Mike V (1990-2007)

The LSU Tigers mascot Mike V passed away today. I have quite a few fond memories of gameday at LSU and the visit to Mike's cage. Of course "cage" is not really accurate since the recent renovations created more of a habitat type environment.

Mothers Day - 2007!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

"Men are what their mothers made them" - Ralph Waldo Emerson

A lot of life has happened since 1963. I doubt any of us could have remotely imagined the journey we each have enjoyed to date and I doubt any of us would be very successful predicting what the future holds.

Think Differently

"I was going to change my shirt but I changed my mind instead."
- Winnie the Pooh

I was reading the Gospel according to Matthew this past weekend and was struck by what was recorded by the author about the first teachings of Jesus. Soon after Jesus commanded Satan away following the temptations in the desert He went to live in Capernaum and "From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near." - Matthew 4:17

I read in my Vines Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words about the word "repent" as it is used in Matthew 4:17. In the original Greek the word translated as repent is metanoeo the verb form composed of meta or "after" implying a change and noeo "to perceive" signifying a change to ones mind or purpose. I really like the thought that Jesus was calling people to think differently about their lives. If you read what Jesus teaches in Matthew chapter 5 you quickly realize just how differently He wanted people to think.

As humans our actions are an outward expression of our thoughts so a changed mind should reveal itself through changed actions. As followers of Christ if we have a changed mind we should have a changed life.