September 11

9/11

My Heroes... Dogs

Amazing creatures are dogs. They remind me of my humanity, lift my spirit, and light the darkness. (Pictures collected from Cute Puppy widget and social media.)

My Heroes... Noah Galloway

I rarely watch reality television of any kind. I did watch the last season of Dancing with the Stars, for one reason and one reason only: Noah Galloway.

Noah Galloway is an Army Veteran. He lost an arm and a leg to a roadside bomb in Iraq. Now, he competes in Crossfit events, runs marathons, and competed in the 58-hour Death Race.

I've never heard of a Death Race. I have heard of the Spartan competitions. Yes, the DR is a part of it.

The internet is a wonderful thing. I found the article in Men's Health (it has an embedded video) :

http://www.menshealth.com/best-life/ultimate-mens-health-guy-winner

I wish I could have him as a personal trainer. I couldn't point out my physical shortcomings (torn ligaments, messed up knee, jammed arm, herniated disc) as reasons why I couldn't do something. However, he would have a much better idea on how to work around my problems.

It is men and women like Noah Galloway that leave me no way to say, "I can't." I've learned to accept limitations, some are temporary, some are not. What they've taught me is that some of the limitations I thought were insurmountable aren't. I need to say, "I'll give it a shot" before I say, "I can't."

Inspiration is a priceless gift.

My Heroes... Adam Brown...

I'm in the midst of reading his biography Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown by Eric Blehm. A man with demons of his own, who accepted Christ, and trusted God to lead him. He stumbled and stumbled and stumbled again, and each time he got up and re-found his focus.

He, and the men like him, are driven in a way I don't understand and yet admire. The women who love them are incredible, and I wish I were more like them. I hope they know I appreciate their effort and sacrifice for the softies like me. I'm not fit to shine their shoes, but I'm grateful for their strength, determination, and courage. I pray for them every day.

My Heroes... John Penn...

What a remarkable man! As I've studied the Founding Fathers, most were well educated and offered remarkable opportunities due to heritage.

John Penn's father only ensured a basic education though there was enough to secure an English education. Instead of deciding he was disadvantaged, he accepted the offer of one Edmund Pendleton to make use of his library. John Penn educated himself through reading. He determined to pursue law and at 21 years old succeeded in passing the bar, without traditional education.

He served in the Continental Congress, honorably, gladly signing his name to the Declaration of Independence. He returned to his home in South Carolina.

Cornwallis, in 1780, conducted a successful campaign against the Americans starting in South Carolina. The legislature didn't have the wherewithal to defend against the invasion. They trusted Penn so completely, they turned over the defense of the state to him. Groups of patriots harried the enemy until they gave up their march to Virginia.

Penn proved himself trustworthy and honorable. He died in his 47th-year. So young and yet not really, for the time.

Not having an education or money to attain one is fails as an excuse for not attaining an education. If you can read, you can learn. If you can't read, learn. If you have a learning disability, audio works too. I have dyslexia but have learned a number of tricks that help me.

There is no excuse to remain uneducated, and a huge debt does not need to be part of the package. Most books can be found in the Library of Congress. You can access the Library of Congress on the internet.

My Heroes... Vets...

One day is not enough to celebrate those who defend freedom.

My Heroes... Staff Sgt. Thomas A. Baysore, Jr.

He is listed on Page 2 of my Some Gave All lists. I read each name as I add it to the list. The DoD provides very little information. The Unknown Soldiers blog shared his story. He was a hero in every sense of the word. May God bless his wife and son.

http://www.unknownsoldiersblog.com/2014/09/the-porch-light.html

My Heroes... Thomas M'Kean...

His father was from Ireland, and his family moved to America before he was born. He proved himself a bright student and pursued law, as many Founding Fathers did. What I find interesting is that law inspired their fight for freedom from oppression but what they accomplished reached far beyond being a lawyer. He served in myriad positions, at the request of the people, not seeking the office for himself. In one case, the people accepted his decision to decline serving so asked him to recommend other men to serve. Those men were voted in by an obvious majority. His law firm chose to not used stamped paper to protest the Stamp Act. Serving in Congress, he also served in the military. He supported the Declaration of Independence but didn't sign it until October because he was serving with General Washington. He moved his family five times in one year because the enemy was hunting him. There were those who honored and admired him and those who disliked him to the point of seeking to impeach him when he was Governor of the Common Wealth. It remained indefinitely postponed.

I'm ever astonished by how incredibly busy these men were. They often did not seek the positions they ended up serving in. They did what needed to be done.

Carpe Diem... Charlotte...

NASCAR ~ Carl came in 4th! Woohoo! Go Carl!

I've been working on the final edit of Grace's Possibilities, coming out June 21st. I love this story.

I've also been working on Tough Luck, which I hope to publish later this week.

Memorial Day ~ I'm looking forward to an early morning memorial, flag raising, and pancake breakfast at church. I'll be sharing dinner with my sister and her husband and their family. On this day, may we remember all those military men and women who died in the service of our country. All gave some; some gave all. May their families be blessed.

My Heroes... Unknown Soldiers...

Monday is Memorial Day. God bless these families...

http://www.unknownsoldiersblog.com/2014/05/the-meaning-of-memorial-day.html

http://www.unknownsoldiersblog.com/2014/05/brothers-forever-maggies-prayer.html

http://www.unknownsoldiersblog.com/2014/05/remember-fourteenth.html

All gave some. Some gave all.

My Heroes... George Ross...

George Ross was the son of a preacher who believed in educating his son. George went into law and distinguished himself in the service of others.

When the question of the patriots came to his attention, he joined them without hesitation.

He treated others with respect, regardless of their skin color or politics. He was honorable and compassionate and died too young, age fifty.

He served "without money and without price." When he was offered a hundred and fifty pounds sterling for his services in the legislature, he refused the gift. How things have changed.

I want to be honorable, to stand for what is right and true without vindication.

My Heroes... Unknown Soldiers...

This particular post hit me a little harder. I don't know these people. I know they did something I could not. The reasons don't matter. As I read about 2nt Lt. Justin Sisson, I realized I'd typed his name on my Some Gave All list, page 2, along with Spc. Robert Pierce. Such a small world. God bless their families.

http://www.unknownsoldiersblog.com/2014/04/mothers-fathers-and-sons.html

My Heroes... Unknown Soldiers...

Again. I read last week's post and needed to share. God bless our troops.

http://www.unknownsoldiersblog.com/2013/08/here-among-us_19.html

http://www.unknownsoldiersblog.com/2013/08/adapt-and-overcome.html

My Heroes... Lance Cpl. Jason Barfield...

Thanks to The Unknown Soldiers blog for sharing a little of this man's story:

http://www.unknownsoldiersblog.com/2013/08/every-day-is-good-day.html

May God bless his wonderful family for raising an amazing man.

My Heroes... Sgt. Joshua Ashley, his dog, and his mom...

http://www.unknownsoldiersblog.com/2013/07/joshs-dog.html

I cannot imagine the loss of this amazing mother. I'm grateful she raised a son with honor, courage, and deep sense of responsibility. She supported a man who inspired others. God bless her and all the mothers and fathers and families and friends who love and support true heroes.

My Heroes... John Morton...

Considering the low mortality rate for women surviving childbirth, I'm amazed at the number of Founding Fathers who lost their fathers at a young age.

Fascinating. I remember watching the movie 1776, and having a sense the story wasn't quite right. I hadn't realized they'd so maligned John Morton, though I shouldn't have been surprised.

John Morton was supportive of the Patriots from early on. His was the deciding vote, and he did not take it lightly, but his was not the vote of a man wishing anonymity, which was suggested in the movie.

Sadly, he also died at a relatively young age, only 54, with a large family. He was well loved, and his loss was felt greatly.

Note to self: Remember to do your own homework, especially when the little niggling in your soul whispers something isn't quite right.

The Unknown Soldiers blog, The Gentle SEAL:
http://www.unknownsoldiersblog.com/2013/07/the-gentle-seal.html

Independence Day...

Freedom isn't free.

Men and women lived, fought, and died for Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

The USO posted the above on FB to be shared. The below picture was on a freeshare site.

I love Lee Greenwoods "God Bless the USA."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZZf619DIpo&feature=share

My Heroes... Never Forget...

Over at The Unknown Soldier blog the concern was expressed that we are forgetting those who are lost in the war on terror:

http://www.unknownsoldiersblog.com/2013/06/dont-forget.html

The war is not over.

I'm on page 2 of keeping a record of the names the Department of Defense releases as "causalities."

http://ladyhawkhollow.blogspot.com/p/some-gave-all-2.html

http://ladyhawkhollow.blogspot.com/p/some-gave-all.html

I've only been keeping the list since October 2, 2011.

Yesterday was an anniversary. The story I read in Marcus Luttrell's book "The Lone Survivor" profoundly changed my life. I participated in the moment of silence. This was posted by Frog Performance on FB:

My Heroes... The Fallen...

Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods were ex-SEALs who understood honor and courage and lived it to the end. They were told to stand down, twice, when they heard the gunfire. They couldn't do nothing, knowing help was needed. They knew no one was coming to help them. They could have stayed safe. Instead, they chose to run to the fight to help Sean Smith and Christopher Stevens. They knew there would be no aid, but they needed to do what they could. Help was available. Help was waiting for permission. Permission was never given. In fact, help was denied, repeatedly. May God bless the mourning families.