Memorial Day - Remember Those Who Have Paid the Ultimate Sacrifice

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As the mother of a soldier who returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, I am so grateful that he suffered no injuries and has had no lingering mental effects. He did however, lose one member of his unit while he was in country, so I dedicate this post and this weekend to SSG Edwin Rivera and all the other members of the Military who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service to our country.

 

God bless them for volunteering to protect the United States of America buy doing whatever was asked of them... and blessings and sympathy to their families for all they have sacrificed.

 

To them I dedicate the following songs.....

 

 

As you have your picnics and family fun at the beach or wherever, please remember those who serve our country now, in the past, and those who lost their lives doing so.

God bless our Military and God bless the USA.

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Veterans Day 2012 ~ Remember and Honor

 

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On this day of remembrance, please be thoughtful of all of our veterans who bravely served so that we can live in the greatest country in the world, with all the freedoms that enjoy.

 

Please also keep in mind those who are still serving and are away from their families, and say a prayer that they all come home safely, soon.

 

I would like to give a shout out to my father and Uncle Raymond who served in the Air Force, and of course my son, Nikolaus, who is in the Army Reserves now, and spent a year in Afghanistan. I am so proud of you and thank you for your service and am so blessed that you all came home safely to our family.

 

Uncle Ray in Korea

 

 

Nikolaus in Afghanistan

God bless all of you who serve and have served to protect us and our country, and God bless America.

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Delivering One Final Gift!

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I received this email from a friend of mine, and I had to share it with all of you... It moved me to tears. Just remember what we can all accomplish when we work as a community.





Remember to keep in mind those men and women who keep us safe and secure and are far away from their families facing danger and the chance that they may never return.

God bless our troops!

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Happy Holidays to You All

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To those of us who are Christian, today is a very special day in that we celebrate the resurrection of our savior, Jesus Christ. I am wishing all of you celebrating Easter, a very happy day with whomever you are with, and that you are all surrounded by love and joy.

For my Jewish friends, I want to wish you a joyous Passover... From my research and my own personal bible studies, I have learned the story of Passover as follows (taken from Chabad.org):

"After many decades of slavery to the Egyptian pharaohs, during which time the Israelites were subjected to backbreaking labor and unbearable horrors, God saw the people’s distress and sent Moses to Pharaoh with a message: “Send forth My people, so that they may serve Me.” But despite numerous warnings, Pharaoh refused to heed God’s command. God then sent upon Egypt ten devastating plagues, afflicting them and destroying everything from their livestock to their crops.

At the stroke of midnight of 15 Nissan in the year 1313 BCE, God visited the last of the ten plagues on the Egyptians, killing all their firstborn. While doing so, God spared the Children of Israel, “passing over” their homes—hence the name of the holiday. Pharaoh’s resistance was broken, and he virtually chased his former slaves out of the land. The Israelites left in such a hurry, in fact, that the bread they baked as provisions for the way did not have time to rise. Six hundred thousand adult males, plus many more women and children, left Egypt on that day, and began the trek to Mount Sinai and their birth as God’s chosen people."

I wish the same for my Jewish friends as I do for my Christian friends, love and joy as you celebrate with your family and friends.


I would like to ask everyone today to please remember those who are away from their loved ones protecting our country and our freedoms and say a prayer for their safe return as soon as possible.

Happy holiday, thank you for being my friend!!

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Let's Never Forget The True Heroes - Meet Landon

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I received this via email from a friend of mine in Connecticut and wanted to share it with you all. I have to say, to me, this is the most touching, heart wrenching, meaningful photo I have seen.

Meet Landon.

His father, Marine LCPL Carpenter, gave his life defending our country in Afghanistan earlier this year, a month before his son was born.

 

Baby Landon's Mom wants his story to be known. Take a moment to share this photo with your friends and reflect on the price of freedom.

Never forget the price of freedom!

{Disclosure: I could find no reference to the authenticity or not of this photo, however I do know that this happens MUCH too often, so I wanted to share it with you anyway as the sentiment means so much to me.}

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Remembering the 1st Happiest Day of my Life: Happy 24th Birthday Nikolaus William Murowsky

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Twenty-four years ago today, my world changed for the better. One of the most wonderful things ever happened to me... I was blessed to become the mother of a precious little man named Nikolaus William. I was immediately in love! I never knew that kind of love existed, or the kind of joy when those beautiful blue eyes looked into mine with such trust and love.

He grew to be a fabulous little boy and then a wonderful big brother.....

Always the Disney Fan



Reading to his little brother, Alexander


As he got older, he was always so sweet to people of all ages, including his grandfather who he truly loved.

First time at new house



Last visit with grandpa





















Then as he got older and graduated high school, he decided to serve his country by joining the Army Reserves and was sent overseas to do his tour of duty in Afghanistan. Even getting a promotion while in country. Making this mama SO PROUD!

Saying good-bye at the airport before he went to Afghanistan

Receiving a medal for Soldier of the Cycle
at his Basic Training graduation

Bill and Nik after his Basic Training graduation

Official US Army Photograph

 In Afghanistan

Now as he continues to serve our country whenever he is called, he is also taking classes to be and EMT/Paramedic and trying to get a job in a local police department. He works so hard and makes me so proud. So, Nikolaus, I just want you to know how very proud both Pop and I are of you and how much we love you.

Wishing you a wonderful birthday and all the happiness in the world. Love to you TTM&B!!

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Southwood, FL Family Wins National Contest for Their Christmas Light Display

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The home of Derek and Courtney Whitis in SouthWood, which has been drawing spectators to its colorful and musical light display for weeks, has won the Good Morning America Big Bright Holiday Lights showdown contest. The visual display is accompanied by a four-minute soundtrack that plays a portion of the song for each branch of the military.


While the display will likely send the Whitis family’s electric bill sky high, Courtney Whitis says that the cost of the display is “nothing in comparison to what the troops do every day for our freedom.” She goes on to say, “We did this just to pay tribute to those who have served, are serving and will serve in the military protecting our freedom.”


Here is the winning home, I love it:




It is SO moving and a wonderful tribute to our troops. The Whitises seek to raise awareness and money for the Semper Fi Fund, which provides assistance for wounded soldiers in their recovery process. Those who would like to donate can visit semperfifund.org.

Let us continue to pray and support our troops and their families not only this time of the year, but all year long as they fight and sacrifice for our freedoms.

Merry Christmas to you all.

{Additional information provided by: Tallahassee.com}

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Veteran's Day ~ 11/11/11

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On this very unique Veteran's Day, I ask you all to take a moment during the day to remember all of those who serve our country, to thank them for all they sacrifice so that we have the freedoms we have.

Please take a special moment to remember those who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms.

Also keep in mind their families today as they remember the loss of a brother, sister, mother, father, son, daughter, etc. What an unselfish thing they have done for all of us. They must be hurting today with their memories. God bless them all.

As for my favorite soldier, I am grateful that you made it home safely from your tour in Afghanistan and I am so proud of the man you have become.

So to all of our troops serving now and who have served, thank you so much for all you have done. I am praying for all the active duty troops to come home safely soon. And a final prayer for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, God bless you and your families.

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10th Anniversary of the Day our Lives Changed Forever 9/11/01

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Today we will all be thinking about where we were and what we were doing 10 years ago when our lives changed forever. From that point on, it would always be before 9/11 or the attack and after 9/11 or the attack. Things would never be the same: security, travel, life in general....


I had just started a new job the day before and didn't know anyone that I worked with, but instantly became bonded with these people in our grief and unity as Americans. I was worried about not being able to reach Bill who was working on the Connecticut shoreline just across from Long Island Sound. I couldn't get in touch with him by phone - either by cell or land line, and with each news report or rumor my stomach and heart ached more and more...


I was finally able to talk to him and to my children around 5pm that day and couldn't wait to leave work, just so I could hold them in my arms.  Then we all sat on the couch and watched TV in silence and shock with the rest of the country. We cried. We stared. We couldn't believe what was happening. We watched as America's Finest and Bravest risked and lost their lives to try and rescue their fellow Americans from burning and collapsing buildings in New York and Virginia... We heard how fearless Americans saved countless lives by stopping hijackers in Pennsylvania by taking down their plane and sacrificing their own lives.

We all came together as Americans... giving until it hurt: money, blood, food, water, anything and everything we had. Flags flew everywhere, my house included.....

Then we tried to get back to normal, as normal as we could. The late night comedians went back to work so that the terrorist wouldn't win!





Little by little we returned to our daily routine never to forget what happened and those we lost.





So as you go about your day today, please take a moment to fly your flag and to remember those that lost their lives 10 years ago today, the innocent civilians, the heroes "just doing what they do," and those amazing Americans in Pennsylvania. Also keep in mind those of our military who are fighting the terrorists who attacked us that day and who protect us every day so we can have the freedoms we have every day.

God bless you all and God bless America.





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June 6th - Anniversary of D-Day

{Image Courtesy: pbs.org}

I originally posted this on 6/6/10, but felt it was important enough to repost it today. Please keep in mind those who fight every day for our freedoms and for the families who have lost loved ones in the continued battles all over the world. God bless our country and our troops!

Today is the anniversary of the Allies invasion of France on June 6, 1944 which was a triumph of intelligence, coordination, secrecy, and planning. The bold attack was also a tremendous risk, but ultimately it succeeded because of individual soldiers' bravery in combat. By nightfall, more than 9,000 Allied soldiers were dead or wounded, but more than 100,000 had made it ashore, securing French coastal villages.

Please remember these men who risked their lives and those who gave up their lives so that we could have our freedom. God bless you all and God bless America.

Until next time..... Lorie

[By the way, if you have a chance, check out all the interesting information on D-Day at the pbs.org site, it is very informative, plus has copies of letters from deployed soldiers to their loved ones.]

{Images courtesy: aol.com}

Happy Memorial Day

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As we all celebrate Memorial Day today with our families, having picnics, swimming, laughing, playing and whatever else you may be doing, please remember to take the time to think about what today is really about.



Photo Credit

Please remember those who have fought and died for our freedom and those who continue to serve. Thank you!




BTW, if you have a moment, I found a wonderful site that speaks to the true meaning of the day and has some truly beautiful photos: Fallen Heroes.

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Armed Forces Day ~ May 21st

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It was President Harry S. Truman who wanted to set aside a single day for all Americans to come together to thank the members of the military for their service and sacrifice in support of our glorious country.

So, on August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day stemming from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department ~ the Department of Defense.

Today, or any day if you see a member of our wonderful, ALL VOLUNTEER, military please say THANK YOU for their service and sacrifice that they and their family go through on behalf of our country and each and every one of us.





Here is a special tribute to all of them....

God bless America!

{Information Received from Department of Defense}

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Shake Hands With a Hero

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I just saw this on my friend Noelle's blog. Now if you know me, you know that I do whatever I can to help support our troops. This is something super easy that we can all do to show love to our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen.


Please head over to Noelle blog to see what you can do, it's so easy, that I expect all of you would be willing to do it:

Jumpin-Beans: Shake Hands With a Hero


Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

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Monday's Music Moves Me ~ Tribute to our Military

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(First let me apologize for being late, I had a horrible migraine yesterday and had to go to bed early.)

Welcome to Monday's Music Moves Me the fantabulistic music meme hosted by me, Dolly from XmasDolly, Larry from Cakeblast and Callie from Jamerican Spice and this week is Freebie Week!


With all that has happened in the last week, I have been thinking a lot about the men and women who serve in our military and sacrifice daily for our freedoms. Also, I was thinking of those troops yesterday on Mother's Day who were separated from their families. So, today, I want to post some songs in honor of those brave men and women who volunteer to keep us safe.

When I'm Gone ~ 3 Doors Down




American Soldier - Toby Keith





And if you'll indulge this Army mom.....

Army Theme Song

What's on your mind this week? Let us know ~ we'd really love to know, here's all you have to do:


First step: Head on over to You Tube, or anywhere you get your music videos and post them on your blog! Upcoming themes are to you LOWER RIGHT of XmasDolly's blog.

Second Step: Grab our "Monday's Music Moves Me" Button, mine is on my right sidebar, or off of any of the hosts' sites.

Third step: SIGN THE LINKY - Follow your hosts, grab their buttons too when you visit them and show them some love by leaving a comment.. (mine is on my right sidebar above the 4M button)

Final step: Go visit the other Rockers on our Linky and PLEASE show them some love by leaving them a comment, you know you like comments, they do too!


Once you write up your post, link up with us (on any of the host's blog - they are all connected) and you may be chosen as our SPOTLIGHT DANCERS like this week's lucky couple in our #1 and #2 linky spots.....

Beth of Seeking My Sanity ~~ and ~~ Amanda of Blogger Broadcast

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Now, don't forget to sign the linky, visit the participants, and leave a comment - you know you like them, so does everyone else. For more Monday music fun, visit Amanda, Lady Estrogen, and my friend Denise at Run DMT.

ROCK ON MY FRIENDS!!

We're very sorry to say there has been some people not playing along, and just signing our linky so other people will stop by their blogs for giveaways or whatever! Unfortunately, these bloggers will be justifiably deleted without prejudice or notice. Leave a comment, grab our button, or follow us. If you don't want to post a video, you can post a link to a video, or post some lyrics, but please - at least attempt to make it music related. Thank you for your understanding.

*** Just one thing to note... We are family friendly blogs and while we don't want to censor anyone, we do ask that you keep your songs rated PG13 or less.

Thank you very much!***