Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Children at the Pentagon on 9/11/01
This is little-known story from the Pentagon on 09/11/2001: During a visit with a fellow chaplain, who happened to be assigned to the Pentagon, I had a chance to hear a first-hand account of an incident that happened right after Flight 77 hit the Pentagon. The chaplain told me what happened at a daycare center near where the impact occurred. This daycare had many children, including infants who were in heavy cribs. The daycare supervisor, looking at all the children they needed to evacuate, was in a panic over what they could do. There were many children, mostly toddlers, as well as the infants that would need to be taken out with the
cribs. There was no time to try to bundle them into carriers and strollers.
Just then a young Marine came running into the center and asked what they needed. After hearing what the center director was trying to do, he ran back
out into the hallway and disappeared. The director thought, 'Well, there we
are - on our own.' About 2 minutes later, that Marine returned with 40 other Marines in tow. Each of them grabbed a crib with a child, and the rest started gathering up toddlers. The director and her staff then helped them take all the children out of the center and down toward the park near the Potomac and the Pentagon. Once they got about 3/4 of a mile outside the building, the Marines stopped in the park, and then did a fabulous thing - they formed a circle with the cribs, which were quite sturdy and heavy, like the covered wagons in the Old West. Inside this circle of cribs, they put the toddlers, to
keep them from wandering off. Outside this circle were the 40 Marines,
forming a perimeter around the children and waiting for instructions. There
they remained until the parents could be notified and come get their children . The chaplain then said, "I don't think any of us saw nor heard of this on any of the news stories of the day. It was an incredible story of our men there. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. The thought of those Marines and what they did and how fast they reacted; could we expect any less from them? It was one of the most touching stories from the Pentagon. Remember Ronald Reagan's great compliment: "Most of us wonder if our lives made any difference. Marines don't have that problem." God Bless the USA , our troops, and you. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." It's the Military, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press. It's the Military, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.
It's the Military, not the politicians that ensures our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
It's the Military who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and
whose coffin is draped by the flag. If you care to offer the smallest token of recognition and appreciation for the military, please pass this on and pray for our men and women who have served and are currently serving our country and pray for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
"I expect to pass through this world but once;any good therefore that I can do... let me do it now...for I shall not pass this way again."
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Happy Birthday USA!
Friday, June 18, 2010
We Celebrate Our 50th Wedding Anniversary....
I had just graduated from high school and a few days later Edward had graduated from University of Georgia with a teaching degree.
I had $300.00 to spend on a wedding. About $150.00 went toward wedding dress material, flowers, gifts, etc. My sweet Aunt Gladys made my dress. The remaining money was spent on curtains, bedspreads, etc., things for our home.
Our first meal was Ham with Raisin Gravy and vegetables. On our way to Amelia Island, Florida we got in a National Guard Convoy....we were waved around truck after truck with lots of horn blowing and hats waving. What a way to go! We continue to vacation at Amelia Island with our daughters, their husbands and eight grandchildren. The week of July 4th finds us making many memories.......
Because Father's Day weekend is so busy, our daughters and church family hosted a reception for us on Sunday afternoon, June 13th. Many, many friends came to enjoy the afternoon with us. A basket of cards were given to us and we continue daily to receive more cards.
Our granddaughter, Ellie, played the violin superbly ...our twin granddaughters, Erin and Elisabeth sang 'I'll Be There' beautifully. Erin presented a power point slide show from our births until the present complete with music of our era and captioning. We experienced a wonderful afternoon with family and friends.

Monday, May 24, 2010
Have You Come Across Any Blue Roses?
Having four visiting family members, the wife was very busy, so I offered to go to the store for her to get some needed items, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags, detergent, and Clorox. So off I went.
I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies, and headed for the checkout counter, only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man who appeared to be about sixteen-years-old. I wasn't in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud voice, "Mommy, I'm over here."
It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged, and also startled as he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said, "Hey Buddy, what's your name?"
"My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother," he responded proudly. "Wow," I said, "that's a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Steve."
"Steve, like Stevarino?" he asked.
"Yes," I answered. "How old are you Denny?"
"How old am I now, Mommy?" he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle.. "You're fifteen-years-old Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass by."
I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles, and school. I watched his brown eyes dance with excitement because he was the center of someone's attention. He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section.
Denny's mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking the time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn't even look at him, much less talk to him. I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something I have no idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
I told her that there are plenty of red, yellow, and pink roses in God's Garden; however, "Blue Roses" are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a Blue Rose and if someone doesn't stop and smell that rose with their heart and touch that rose with their kindness, then they've missed a blessing from God.
She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked, "Who are you?"
Without thinking I said, "Oh, I'm probably just a dandelion but I sure love living in God's garden."
She reached out, squeezed my hand, and said, "God bless you!" and then I had tears in my eyes.
May I suggest that the next time you see a BLUE ROSE, don't turn your head and walk off. Take the time to smile and say Hello. Why? Because, by the grace of GOD, this mother or father could be you. This could be your child, grandchild, niece, or nephew. What a difference a moment can mean to that person or their family.
From an old dandelion!
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
"People will forget what you said, People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
Saw these 2 on church signs:
You've "done" everything under the sun; now try doing
everything for the "SON"!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Alexander's trip to the ER.....A Tribute to Mothers....

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Monday, April 12, 2010
Signs of Spring around our home.....
Friday, April 2, 2010
An Easter Prayer For You.....

