Month: May 2015

Intro:  First “Memorial Day”- spring 1865.  May 30, 1868 was declared “Decoration Day”…honor graves of our brave.  In 1971, Congress moved date to last Monday in May- not popular- critics note detraction from seriousness of occasion, for a 3 day holiday!  Since 1950’s, a pres. Vp has made a speech and placed wreath at tomb of unknown soldier.  The Civil War marked the most horrific event in America’s history.   Our boys fighting and killing OUR BOYS!  On Nov 19, 1863, cold and damp, a piece of land was dedicated to those boys who fought in one of the fiercest battles- only 2400 people lived in Gettysburg, PA…but 75000 Conf. and 97000 Union fought for 3 days, with 51000 casualties.  The greatest president of our nation was invited to speak:…

While today is a national observation to honor mothers, for many, we don’t need such a reminder because hardly a day will pass that our hearts are not filled with sweet memories of blessings received from our moms.  This deep and abiding love and admiration, however, usually did not spring up in early childhood.  As our lives expanded and we married and our own kids came along, well now, those experiences with feelings of exasperation, exhaustion and down-right anger, oh yeh, that’s when mom's “talks” and patience really sink in!  Today, consider briefly three mothers who raised sons: Jochebed – a captive in Egypt, raised her son, Moses to be the son of another woman, the king’s daughter.  Yet, when Moses grew up, he refused to be called Pharoah’s daughter’s…

The radio talk show guy broke our bedroom quiet; the red glare on the clock face said 3:00 AM. Only two things in my life are appropriate for a 3 o’clock wake up…fishing or hunting…Yet, here it was, and I was even out of bed and grabbing my electric shaver. Sweet “Dollie” was also up and heading for the kitchen. “Want coffee?” she asked. “Just water and a peanut butter cracker,” I replied. My early morning quick start ups, typically fishing or hunting days, begin with a small pack of peanut butter on cheese crackers and a bottle of water. Today would be no exception; I was scheduled for a two day business meeting in Kansas City, and my flight left at 6. In my twenty-nine years of financial services…