A Nation Greater than We Deserve

On Memorial Day, be thankful for the world we have — and remember those who helped us create and defend it.
There is a place near my home — in a rural county in middle Tennessee — that is especially beautiful. A dirt path leads off from the main road, through a hay field, up to an old barn nestled just at the base of a small hill. It’s like a scene from a painting. For some reason, every time I drive past (which is often), I’m struck by a sense of gratitude — for my family, for the church and school community that so enriches our lives, for the simple pleasures of peace at home — the meals with friends, the long treks to volleyball tournaments, and the joy of watching my kids struggle to train a new puppy. I’m grateful because I understand that there is nothing that I did to truly “deserve” the life I’ve been given.

Read more at National Review
(Hat tip: KimR) Read More......

Americans gave their lives to defeat the Nazis. The Dutch have never forgotten.

MARGRATEN, Netherlands — They haven’t forgotten. For 70 years, the Dutch have come to a verdant U.S. cemetery outside this small village to care for the graves of Americans killed in World War II. --On Sunday, they came again, bearing Memorial Day bouquets for men and women they never knew, but whose 8,300 headstones the people of the Netherlands have adopted as their own.

Read more at the Washington Post
(Hat tip: KimR) Read More......

Local 9/11 remembrance lacking

It was disappointing that neither the City of Corvallis, Benton County government nor the Corvallis Gazette-Times recognized Patriot Day in a meaningful way. Instead, the city chose to celebrate the 150th birthday of Corvallis (Jan. 29) on September 11th . It is surprising that all the businesses participating in the birthday celebration apparently didn't object to holding the "party" on this particular day.

We understand that Governor Kulongoski requested cities and counties in Oregon fly the flag at half staff. That was the least our community could do... as it did... the VERY LEAST.

On the other hand, the City of Albany welcomed Operation Homefront's "Freedom Walk 2007, provided security and the Mayor participated in the remembrance of 9/11 held at Timber Linn Park. Many thanks to the City of Albany, to Operation Homefront and to the businesses sponsoring this event. Read More......