11th Month – 11th Day – 11th Hour: Lest We Forget!

635816320720131923-greenlight-a-vet-1

Greenlight A Vet shines a light on the impact transitioning veterans make in and out of uniform in communities across the country. (Photo: Photo courtesy of Walmart Corp.)

It’s the time to pause, pay tribute and remember those who have fought for our freedom today on Veteran’s Day. It falls on the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month of every year and many are still giving the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe.

It’s not just this day but every day we’re reminded of the dangers and horrors of war. Many of our families have an empty chair at the dinner table. Some of us will fly flags, mount poppies, put flowers on graves, tie a yellow ribbon around a tree or (new this year), shine a greenlight for a vet to acknowledge their sacrifice and say a heartfelt thank-you. Continue reading

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2015 Pat Ruppel
Acknowledgements: http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/ more...

Memorial Day – Lest We Forget

Always Faithful, Doberman, Military Working Dog, MWD, World War II Memorial, War Dog Cemetery located on Navel Base Guam - Courtesy of PhotoDropper

Always Faithful, Doberman, Military Working Dog, MWD, World War II Memorial, War Dog Cemetery located on Navel Base Guam – Photo © by Beverly & Pack – Courtesy of PhotoDropper

I remember when my father passed away in 1999. He was a WWII Veteran. They paid tribute to him by presenting a 21-gun salute and playing taps at his funeral. It was a moving ceremony for my sister and me. I know he would have been honored.

Continue reading

Beyond The Dream

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Free Image Photo ― Tony Spina/The Detroit Free Press ― Courtesy of Mia Watkins Author – Alabama Blogs and Bloggers (http://www.al.com/blogs/)

Monday, we remember Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for his commitment to freedom and equality of every human, no matter color of skin, gender, what you do or from where you come. He sacrificed his life proclaiming freedom, not with violence but with love. I believe we have made progress, since I was a kid growing up in the ‘40’s, ‘50’s and ‘60’s. But, it has been painfully slow.

It brought it all home to me on the severity of cruelty and hate, when I watched an old documentary on Turner Classic Movies the end of last year on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. It was directed by Frank Capra on WWII and why we fightContinue reading

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2016 Pat Ruppel
Acknowledgements: Martin Luther King, Jr. I Have A Drea more...