MY NAME IS OLD GLORY

I am the flag of the United States of America.
I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up and see me.

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.

When I am flown with my fellow banners,

my head is a little higher, my colors a little truer.

I bow to no one!
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped I am saluted.
I am loved I am revered.
I am respected and I am feared.

I have fought in every battle of every war
for more then 200 years.
I was flown atValley Forge, Gettysburg,
Shiloh and Appomattox.

I was there at San Juan Hill,
the trenches of France,
in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome
and the beaches of Normandy, Guam.
Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me,
I was there.

I led my troops,
I was dirty, battle-tested and tired,
but my soldiers cheered me
And I was proud.

America has been attacked by cowardly fanatics

And many lives have been lost

But they cannot win, for I am not their ruler

I am the symbol of freedom borne from their heart

I have been burned, torn and trampled
on the streets of countries I have helped set free.
It does not hurt, for I am invincible.

I have been soiled upon, burned, torn
and trampled on the streets of my country.
And when it's by those whom I've served in battle it hurts.
But I shall overcome for I am strong.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth
and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space
from my vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness
to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hours are yet to come.

When I am torn into strips and used as bandages
for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,
Or when I lie in the trembling arms
of a grieving parent
at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,
I am proud.

MY NAME IS OLD GLORY
LONG MAY I WAVE.

Author Unknown

                                Thank You, Brother and Noble Ben Steen of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

LADY LIBERTY

Lovely Lady of Liberty, here's to you.

To the one who will always be faithful and true.

Though you are only a statue, to us you live,

And to the things that you stand for our all we will give.

Goddess of right, Goddess of might, facing the sea.

Send out the word, let it be heard, this land is free.

We dedicate our way of life to democracy,

That your light may shine on through eternity.

Lovely Lady of Liberty, here's to you.

A song dedicated to two World War ll soldiers, a salute to her on her 122nd Birthday.

(From the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Magazine, January 2009)

FROM SEABEE VETERAN JERRY SWIFT ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12th, 2008

THIS IS FROM CLAYTON HOLLISTER, COMMANDER,

OMAHA AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS

Why we are in Iraq !!!

Read it all.... think about it....... then understand why we are in Iraq!

The other day, my nine year old son wanted to know why we were at
war. My husband looked at our son and then looked at me. My husband
and I were in the Army during the Gulf War and we would be honored to
serve and defend our Country again today. I knew that my husband
would give him a good explanation. My husband thought for a few
minutes and then told my son to go stand in our front living room
window.

He said 'Son, stand there and tell me what you see?'

'I see trees and cars and our neighbor's houses,' he replied.

'OK, now I want you to pretend that our house and our yard is the
United States of America and you are President Bush.'

Our son giggled and said 'OK.'

'Now son, I want you to look out the window and pretend that every
house and yard on this block is a different country' my husband said.

'OK Dad, I'm pretending.'

'Now I want you to stand there and look out the window and pretend
you see Saddam come out of his house with his wife, he has her by the
hair and is hitting her. You see her bleeding and crying. He hits her
in the face, he throws her on the ground, then he starts to kick her
to death. Their children run out and are afraid to stop him, they are
screaming and crying, they are watching this but do nothing because
they are kids and they are afraid of their father. You see all of
this, son ... what do you do?'

'Dad?'

'What do you do son?'

'I'd call the police, Dad.'

'OK. Pretend that the police are the United Nations. They take your
call. They listen to what you know and saw but they refuse to help.
What do you do then son?'

'Dad ......... but the police are supposed to help!' My son starts to
whine.

'They don't want to, son, because they say that it is not their place
or your place to get involved and that you should stay out of it,' my
husband says.

'But Dad ... he killed her!!' my son exclaims.

'I know he did ... but the police tell you to stay out of it. Now I
want you to look out that window and pretend you see our neighbor who
you're pretending is Saddam turn around and do the same thing to his
children'

'Daddy ... he kills them?'

'Yes, son, he does. What do you do?'

'Well, if the police don't want to help, I will go and ask my next
door neighbor to help me stop him,' our son says.

'Son, our next door neighbor sees what is happening and refuses to
get involved as well. He refuses to open the door and help you stop
him,' my husband says.

'But Dad, I NEED help!!! I can't stop him by myself!!'

'WHAT DO YOU DO SON?' Our son starts to cry.

'OK, no one wants to help you, the man across the street saw you ask
for help and saw that no one would help you stop him. He stands
taller and puffs out his chest. Guess what he does next, son?'

'What Daddy?'

'He walks across the street to the old ladies house and breaks down
her door and drags her out, steals all her stuff and sets her house
on fire and then ..... he kills her. He turns around and sees you
standing in the window and laughs at you. WHAT DO YOU DO?'

'Daddy...'

'WHAT DO YOU DO?' Our son is crying and he looks down and he
whispers, 'I'd close the blinds, Daddy.'

My husband looks at our son with tears in his eyes and asks him
'Why?'

'Because, Daddy ..... the police are supposed to help people who need
them ... and they won't help ... You always say that neighbors are
supposed to HELP neighbors, but they won't help either . they won't
help me stop him ... I'm afraid ... I can't do it by myself, Daddy
... I can't look out my window and just watch him do all these
terrible things and, and, do nothing ... so, I'm just going to close
the blinds ... so I can't see what he's doing ... and I'm going to
pretend that it is not happening.'

I start to cry. My husband looks at our nine year old son standing in
the window, looking pitiful and ashamed at his answers to my
husband's questions and he says .

'Son'

'Yes, Daddy.'

'Open the blinds because that man ... He's at your front door
...'WHAT DO YOU DO?'

My son looks at his father, anger and defiance in his eyes. He balls
up his tiny fists and looks his father square in the eyes, without
hesitation he says: ' I DEFEND MY FAMILY, DAD!! I'M NOT GONNA LET HIM
HURT MOMMY OR MY SISTER, DAD!!! I'M GONNA FIGHT HIM, DAD, I'M GONNA
FIGHT HIM!!!!!'

I see a tear roll down my husband's cheek and he grabs our son to his
chest and hugs him tight, and says . ' It's too late to fight him,
he's too strong and he's already at YOUR front door son ... you
should have stopped him BEFORE he killed his wife, and his children
and the old lady across the way. You have to do what's right, even if
you have to do it alone, before its too late,' my husband whispers.

THAT scenario I just gave you is WHY we are at war with Iraq. When
good men stand by and let evil happen, son, THAT is the greatest
atrocity in the world. 'YOU MUST NEVER BE AFRAID TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT
EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO DO IT ALONE!' BE PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! BE
PROUD OF OUR TROOPS!! SUPPORT THEM!!! SUPPORT AMERICA SO THAT IN THE
FUTURE OUR CHILDREN WILL NEVER HAVE TO CLOSE THEIR BLINDS...'

This should be printed in every newspaper and posted in every school
in America. Of course that won't happen so we'll use the Internet. If
your blinds are closed, do nothing with this email. If they are open
I do not need to tell you what to do.

GOD BLESS!!!!!!!!!
 

This from my brother, Marv Kraus on february 2nd 2008

Here she is, the USS New York, made from the World Trade Center

She is to be commissioned on March 1st, 2008

This from my brother, Marv Kraus -

THE UNITED STATES ONE DOLLAR BILL

Take out a one dollar bill, and look at it. The one dollar bill
you're looking at first came off the presses in 1957 in its present design. This


so-called paper money is in fact a cotton and linen blend, with red and blue minute silk fibers running through it.  It is actually material..  We've all washed it without it falling apart. A special blend of ink is used, the contents we will never know. It is overprinted with symbols and then it is starched to make it water resistant and pressed to give it that nice crisp look.

If you look on the front of the bill, you will see the United States Treasury Seal.



On the top you will see the scales for a balanced budget.

In the center you have a carpenter's square, a tool used for an even cut.

Underneath is the Key to the United States Treasury.

That's all pretty easy to figure out, but what is on the back of that dollar bill is something we should all know.

If you turn the bill over, you will see two circles.

Both circles, together, comprise the Great Seal of the United States .
 
 

The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal.

It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get  it approved.

If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid.
 


Notice the face is lighted, and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the West or decided what we could do for Western Civilization.   

The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not  even close to being finished.  Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity.   

It was Franklin 's belief that one  man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything.

'IN GOD WE TRUST' is on this currency.




The Latin above the pyramid,  ANNUIT COEPTIS, means,    
'God has favored our undertaking.'

The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, 'a new order has begun.'    

At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776.
(MDCCLXXVI)

If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully,



you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery  in the United States    

It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery, and is the centerpiece of most hero's monuments.    

Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States, and it is always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean.

The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons:

First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it.   

Secondly, he wears no material crown.  We had just broken from the King of England.

Also, notice the shield is unsupported.  This country can now stand on its own.   

At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor.

We were coming together as one nation.   

In the Eagle's beak you will read, ' E PLURIBUS UNUM', meaning,  'one nation from many people'.

Above the Eagle, you have thirteen stars, representing the thirteen  original  colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away.  Again, we were  coming together as one.
 
Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons.  He holds an olive branch and arrows.

This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace.

The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows.

They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number.   This is almost a  worldwide belief.

You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor.

But think about this:
 
13 original colonies,

13  signers of the Declaration of Independence,

13 stripes on our flag,

13 steps on the Pyramid,

13 letters in the Latin above,

13 letters in 'E Pluribus Unum',

13 stars above the Eagle,

13 bars on that shield,

13 leaves on the olive branch,

13 fruits, and if you look closely, 13 arrows.   

And, for minorities: the 13th Amendment.

I always ask people, 'Why don't you know this?'  Your children don't know this, and their history teachers don't know this.   

Too many veterans have given up too much to ever let the meaning fade..   

Many veterans remember coming home to an America that didn't care.

Too many veterans never came home at all.

Share this page with everyone, so they can learn what is on the back of the UNITED STATES ONE DOLLAR BILL, and what it stands for... Otherwise, they will probably never know...

SEMPER FI

Leading the fight is Gunnery Sgt. Michael Burghard t, known as "Iron Mike" or just
"Gunny". He is on his third tour in Iraq ... He had become a legend in the bomb
disposal world after winning the Bronze Star for disabling 64 IEDs and destroying
1,548 pieces of ordnance during his second tour. Then, on September 19, he got
blown up. He had arrived at a chaotic scene after a bomb had killed four US soldiers.

He chose not to wear the bulky bomb protection suit. "You can't react to any sniper
fire and you get tunnel-vision," he explains. So, protected by just a helmet and
standard-issue flak jacket, he began what bomb disposal officers term "the longest
walk", stepping gingerly into a 5ft deep and 8ft wide crater.

The earth shifted slightly and he saw a Senao base station with a wire leading from it.
He cut the wire and used his 7inch knife to probe the ground. "I found a piece of red
detonating cord between my legs," he says. "That's when I knew I was screwed"

Realizing he had been sucked into a trap, Sgt Burghardt, 35, yelled at everyone to
stay back. At that moment, an insurgent, probably watching through binoculars,
pressed a button on his mobile phone to detonate the secondary device below the
sergeant's feet. "A chill went up the back of my neck and then the bomb exploded,"
he recalls. "As I was in the air I remember thinking, 'I don't believe they got me.' I was
just ticked off they were able to do it. Then I was lying on the road, not able to feel
anything from the waist down."

His colleagues cut off his trousers to see how badly he was hurt. None could believe
his legs were still there. "My dad is a Vietnam vet who's paralyzed from the waist
down," says Sgt Burghardt. "I was lying there thinking I didn't want to be in a
wheelchair next to my dad and for him to see me like that. They started to cut away
my pants and I felt a real sharp pain and blood trickling down. Then I wiggled my toes
and I thought, 'Good, I'm in business.' "As a stretcher was brought over, adrenaline
and anger kicked in. "I decided to walk to the helicopter. I wasn't going to let my team-
mates see me being carried away on a stretcher." He stood and gave the insurgents
who had blown him up a one-fingered salute. "I flipped them one. It was like, 'OK, I
lost that round but I'll be back next week!"

Copies of a photograph depicting his defiance, taken by Jeff Bundy for the Omaha
World-H erald, adorn the walls of homes across America and that of Col John
Gronski, the brigade commander in Ramadi, who has hailed the image as an
exemplar of the warrior spirit. Sgt Burghardt's injuries - burns and wounds to his legs
and buttocks - kept him off duty for nearly a month and could have earned him a
ticket home. But, like his father - who was awarded a Bronze Star and three Purple
Hearts for being wounded in action in Vietnam - he stayed in Ramadi to engage in the
battle against insurgents who are forever coming up with more ingenious ways of
killing Americans.

Are you proud enough to send this on?

(There was a picture from the Omaha World Hearld showing Iron Mike giving the Insurgents the bird with his pants blown off.)
 

THIS FROM JIM TURNER ON DECEMBER 14TH, 2007

Wouldn't it be fitting if this went completely around the world!.....

This needs to make headline news...not some of the other junk that makes the news these days!!! L ike the Rosie O'Donell war of words...celeb weddings...who's not wearing undies...etc.

If you agree, please pass this along.

It's a tough, but heartwarming story...with a picture of John Gebhardt in Iraq.

John Gebhardt's wife, Mindy, said that this little girl's entire family was executed. The insurgents intended to execute the little girl also, and shot her in the head...but they failed to kill her. She was cared for in John's hospital and is healing up, but continues to cry and moan. The nurses said John is the only one who seems to calm her down, so John has spent the last four nights holding her while they both slept in that chair. The girl is coming along with her healing.

He is a real Star of the war, and represents what America is trying to do.

This, my friends, is worth sharing with the WORLD! Go for it!! You'll never see things like this in the news. Please keep this going. Nothing will happen if you don't, but the American public needs to see pictures like this and needs to realize that what we're doing over there is making a difference. Even if it is just one little girl at a time.

James Gates U. S. Navy



THIS FROM FRED WYANT ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2007

This from fellow ALR - PGR Rider Chuck Fattig

Please read, this story really will make you think of Duty, Honor, Country and the Freedoms that we have. The price that was paid by some, So all may live in Freedom and Peace.

Semper Fi

Chuck Fattig

 

This from Sir Knight Ron Grass -

>FASCINATING!
You Might Not Ever Guess

Captain Kangaroo passed away on January 23, 2004 as age 76 , which is odd, because he always looked to be 76. (DOB: 6/27/27 ) His death reminded me of the following story.

Some people have been a bit offended that the actor, Lee Marvin, is buried in a grave alongside 3 and 4 star generals at Arlington National Cemetery . His marker gives his name, rank (PVT) and service (USMC). Nothing else. Here's  a guy who was only a famous movie star who served his time, why the heck does he rate burial with these guys? Well, following is the amazing answer:

I always liked Lee Marvin, but didn't know the extent of his Corps experiences.
 
In a time when many Hollywood stars served their country in the armed forces often in rear echelon posts where they were carefully protected, only to be trotted out to perform for the cameras in war bond promotions,

Lee Marvin was a genuine hero. He won the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima There is only one higher Naval award... the Medal Of Honor

If that is a surprising comment on the true character of the man, he credits his sergeant with an even greater show of bravery.

Dialog from "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson": His guest was Lee Marvin Johnny said, "Lee, I'll bet a lot of people are unaware that you were a Marine in the initial landing at Iwo Jima ..and that during the course of that action you earned the Navy Cross and were severely wounded."
 
"Yeah, yeah... I got shot square in the bottom and they gave me the Cross for securing a hot spot about halfway up Suribachi. Bad thing about getting shot up on a mountain is guys getting' shot hauling you down. But Johnny, at Iwo I served under the bravest man I ever knew... We both got the cross the same day, but what he did for his Cross made mine look cheap in comparison. That dumb guy actually stood up on Red beach and directed his troops to move forward and get the hell off the beach. Bullets flying by, with mortar rounds landing everywhere and he stood there as the main target of gunfire so that he could get his men to safety. He did this on more than one occasion because his men's safety was more important than his own life.

That Sergeant and I have been lifelong friends. When they brought me off Suribachi we passed the Sergeant and he lit a smoke and passed it to me, lying on my belly on the litter and said, where'd they get you Lee?' Well Bob.. if you make! it home before me, tell Mom to sell the outhouse!"

Johnny, I'm not lying, Sergeant Keeshan was the bravest man I ever knew.

The Sergeant's name is Bob Keeshan. You and the world know him as Captain Kangaroo."
 
On another note, there was this wimpy little man (who just passed away) on PBS, gentle and quiet. Mr. Rogers is another of those you would least suspect of being anything but what he now portrays to our youth. But Mr. Rogers was a U.S. Navy Seal, combat-proven in Vietnam with over twenty-five confirmed kills to his name. He wore a long-sleeved sweater on TV, to cover the many tattoos on his forearm and biceps.  He was a master in small arms and hand-to-hand combat, able to disarm or kill in a heartbeat.
 
After the war Mr. Rogers became an ordained Presbyterian minister and therefore a pacifist. Vowing to never harm another human and also dedicating the rest of his life to trying to help lead children on the right path in life. He hid away the tattoos and his past life and won our hearts with his quiet wit and charm.

America's real heroes don't flaunt what they did; they quietly go about their day-to -day lives, doing what they do best They earned our respect and the freedoms that we all enjoy.

Look around and see if you can find one of those heroes in your midst.

Often, they are the ones you'd least suspect, but would most like to have on your side if anything ever happened.

Take the time to thank anyone that has fought for our freedom. With encouragement they could be the next Captain Kangaroo or Mr. Rogers

 

FROM NOBLE CAPTAIN AL PETERSEN

Subject: Real Judge

Remember the guy who got on a plane with a bomb built into his shoe and
tried to light it?

   Did you know his trial is over?
   Did you know he was sentenced?
 
Did you see/hear any of the judge's comments on TV or Radio?
Didn't think so.
Everyone should hear what the judge had to say.

   _ Ruling by Judge William Young, US District Court._


Prior to sentencing, the Judge asked the defendant if he had anything to
say.  His response: After admitting his guilt to the court for the
record, Reid also admitted his "allegiance to Osama bin Laden, to Islam,
and to the religion of Allah," defiantly stating, "I think I will not
apologize for my actions," and told the court "I am at war with your
country."

Judge Young then delivered the statement quoted below:

January 30, 2003, United States vs. Reid.

Judge Young:   "Mr. Richard C. Reid, hearken now to the sentence the
Court imposes upon you.

On counts 1, 5 and 6 the Court sentences you to life in prison in the
custody of the United States Attorney General.  On counts 2, 3, 4 and 7,
the Court sentences you to 20 years in prison on each count, the
sentence on each count to run consecutively.  (That's 80 years.)

On count 8 the Court sentences you to the mandatory 30 years again, to
be served consecutively to the 80 years just imposed.  The Court imposes
upon you for each of the eight counts a fine of $250,000 that's an
aggregate fine of $2 million.  The Court accepts the government's
recommendation with respect to restitution and orders restitution in the
amount of $298.17 to Andre Bousquet and $5,784 to American Airlines.

The Court imposes upon you an $800 special assessment. The Court imposes
upon you five years supervised release simply because the law requires
it. But the life sentences are real life sentences so I need go no further.

This is the sentence that is provided for by our statutes.  It is a fair
and just sentence.  It is a righteous sentence.

Now, let me explain this to you.  We are not afraid of you or any of
your terrorist co-conspirators, Mr. Reid.  We are Americans.  We have
been through the fire before.  There is too much war talk here and I say
that to everyone with the utmost respect.  Here in this court, we deal
with individuals as individuals and care for individuals as individuals.
 As human beings, we reach out for justice.

You are not an enemy combatant.  You are a terrorist.  You are not a
soldier in any war.  You are a terrorist.  To give you that reference,
to call you a soldier, gives you far too much stature. Whether the
officers of government do it or your attorney does it, or if you think
you are a soldier.  You are not----- you are a terrorist.  And we do not
negotiate with terrorists.  We do not meet with terrorists.  We do not
sign documents with terrorists.  We hunt them down one by one and bring
them to justice.

So war talk is way out of line in this court.  You are a big fellow. But
you are not that big.  You're no warrior.  I've known warriors. You are
a terrorist.  A species of criminal that is guilty of multiple attempted
murders.  In a very real sense, State Trooper Santiago had it right when
you first were taken off that plane and into custody and you wondered
where the press and the TV crews were, and he said: "You're no big deal."

You are no big deal.

What your able counsel and what the equally able United States attorneys
have grappled with and what I have as honestly as I know how tried to
grapple with, is why you did something so horrific.  What was it that
led you here to this courtroom today?

I have listened respectfully to what you have to say. And I ask you to
search your heart and ask yourself what sort of unfathomable hate led
you to do what you are guilty and admit you are guilty of doing?  And, I
have an answer for you.  It may not satisfy you, but as I search this
entire record, it comes as close to understanding as I know.


    It seems to me you hate the one thing that to us is most precious.
    You hate our freedom.  Our individual freedom.  Our individual
    freedom to live as we choose, to come and go as we choose, to
    believe or not believe as we individually choose.  Here, in this
    society, the very wind carries freedom.  It carries it everywhere
    from sea to shining sea.  It is because we prize individual freedom
    so much that you are here in this beautiful courtroom.  So that
    everyone can see, truly see, that justice is administered fairly,
    individually, and discretely.  It is for freedom's sake that your
    lawyers are striving so vigorously on your behalf, have filed
    appeals, will go on in their representation of you before other judges.

    We Americans are all about freedom.  Because we all know that the
    way we treat you, Mr. Reid, is the measure of our own liberties.
     Make no mistake though.  It is yet true that we will bare any
    burden; pay any price, to preserve our freedoms.  Look around this
    courtroom.  Mark it well.  The world is not going to long remember
    what you or I say here.  The day after tomorrow, it will be
    forgotten, but this, however, will long endure.

    Here in this courtroom and courtrooms all across America, the
    American people will gather to see that justice, individual justice,
    justice, not war, individual justice is in fact being done.  The
    very President of the United States through his officers will have
    to come into courtrooms and lay out evidence on which specific
    matters can be judged and juries of citizens will gather to sit and
    judge that evidence democratically, to mold and shape and refine our
    sense of justice.

    See that flag, Mr. Reid?  That's the flag of the United States
    of America.  That flag will fly there long after this is all
    forgotten.  That flag stands for freedom.  And it always will.

    Mr. Custody Officer.  Stand him down.

    So, how much of this Judge's comments did we hear on our TV sets?
     We need more judges like Judge Young, but that's another subject.
     Pass this around.  Everyone should and needs to hear what this fine
    judge had to say.  Powerful words that strike home.  God bless America

THANK YOU, PETE

 

SEABEE INFORMATION

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Save The Date !!! Save The Date!!!

The NMCB-15 Navy Seabee Ball July 18  & 19, 2008

Theme: Welcome Home Celebration 2008

Host City: Kansas City

Site Hotel:
Hilton Garden Inn Independence
19677 E Jackson Drive, Independence, Missouri, USA 64057
Tel: +1-816-816-350-3000 Fax: +1-816-816-350-3535

More Rooms Reserved in a Block at:
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
INDEPENDENCE-KANSAS CITY
19901 E VALLEY VIEW PKWY
INDEPENDENCE, MO 64057 UNITED STATES
Hotel Front Desk: 1-816-7958889 | Hotel Fax: 1-816-7951734

When calling hotels request the block for the US Navy Seabee Reunion
to get the best rate!!!

More Details and Website to follow.

Hope to see you there, Navy Seabee Ball Committee 2008
 
 
I posted this on the Yahoo Site  this morning. So the word is out to Mark Your 2008 Calendars.
 
Lori will you please  Post this as it's own separate page on the Battalion Site Thank You. Libby 

 

FROM SEABEE VETERAN JERRY SWIFT ON THURSDAY OCTOBER  5TH, 2007

                                   Deployed Address for NMCB 15 Det 1
Personnell.
>
>
> > Dan Seaman
> > NMCB-15 DET 1
> > FPO AA 34099-0701
> >
> > Don't use my rate/rank.  They don't want us to use our rates/ranks on
our
> snail mail.
     Dan Seaman

 

FROM SEABEE VETERAN JERRY SWIFT ON WEDNESDAY  JULY 11TH, 2007

This from Stephen Spann on June 7th, 2007

This from Jerry Swift on June 6th, 2007

This from Seabee Jim Milam

Twas the night before Christmas, the ship was out steaming,
Sailors stood watch while others were dreaming.

They lived in a crowd with racks tight and small,
In a 80-man berthing, cramped one and all.
I had come down the stack with presents to give,
And to see inside just who might perhaps live.

I looked all about, a strange sight did I see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stockings were hung, shined boots close at hand,
On the bulkhead hung pictures of a far distant land.

They had medals and badges and awards of all kind,
And a sober thought came into my mind.

For this place was different, so dark and so dreary,
I had found the house of a Sailor, once I saw clearly.

A Sailor lay sleeping, silent and alone,
Curled up in a rack and dreaming of home.

The face was so gentle, the room squared away,
This was the United States Sailor today.

This was the hero I saw on TV,
Defending our country so we could be free.

I realized the families that I would visit this night,
Owed their lives to these Sailors lay willing to fight.

Soon round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on Christmas Day.

They all enjoyed freedom each day of the year,
Because of the Sailor, like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve on a sea, far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The Sailor awakened and I heard a calm voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice."

"Defending the seas all days of the year,
So others may live and be free with no fear."

I thought for a moment, what a difficult road,
To live a life guided by honor and code.

After all it's Christmas Eve and the ship's underway!
But freedom isn't free and it's sailors who pay.

The Sailor say's to our country "be free and sleep tight,
No harm will come, not on my watch and not on this night.

The Sailor rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent, so still,
I watched as the Sailor shivered from the night's cold chill.

I didn't want to leave on that cold dark night,
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.

The Sailor rolled over and with a voice strong and sure,
Commanded, "Carry on Santa, It's Christmas, and All is Secure!"

HONOR, COURAGE AND COMMITMENT



-----------------------------
Happy Holidays from
- VetFriends.com -
-- Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard --

 

Remember it Well!

This from Wade Kendle on October, 19th 2006

The Washington Monument

One detail that is not mentioned, in DC, is that there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument.

With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc... This is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this historical information.

On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, are displayed two words: Laus Deo. No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.

Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want to share this with every one you know. But these words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched top the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America.

Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, un-noticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.

So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say "Praise be to God!"

Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo Praise be to God!"

From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant ...a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.

A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice.

Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God!

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy ."One Nation, Under God."

I am awed by Washington's prayer for America. Have you never read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on!

"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Laus Deo!

When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo", its location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: "Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1)

It is hoped you will send this to every child you know; to every sister, brother, father, mother or friend. They will not find offense, because you have given them a lesson in history that they probably never learned in school. With that, be not ashamed, or afraid, but have pity on those who will never see this because someone failed to send it on.

(Thank You, Mike Berger, for sharing this.)

PATRIOT DAY OBSERVANCE

VETERANS MEMORIAL GARDEN

Antelope Park

Lincoln, Nebraska

Sunday, September 10th, 2006, 7:00 P.M.

This from Our Seabee Veterans of Nebraska Secretary, Jim Miller on Wednesday August 2nd, 2006

        THE RED SKELTON PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The following words were spoken by our late Brother Red Skelton on his television program as he related the story of his teacher, Mr. Laswell, who felt his students had come to think of the Pledge of Allegiance as merely something to recite in class each day. 

Now, more than ever, listen to the meaning of these words.



"I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?"

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country

and two words have been added to the pledge of Allegiance...

UNDER GOD

Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said

that is a prayer

and that would be eliminated from schools too?


God Bless America!

FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

     Thirty-one words which affirm the values and freedom that the American flag represents are recited while facing the flag as a pledge of Americans'  loyalty to their country. The Pledge of Allegiance was written for the 400th anniversary of 1892, of the discovery of America. A national committee of educators and civic leaders planned a public school celebration of Columbus Day to center around the flag. Including a script for ceremonies that would culminate in raising of the flag was the pledge. So it was in the 1892 Columbus Day programs that school children across the country first recited the Pledge of Allegiance this way:

" I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Controversy continues over whether the author was the chairman of the committee, Francis Bellamy- who worked on a magazine for young people that published the pledge- or James Upham, who worked for the publishing firm that produced the magazine. The pledge was published anonymously in the magazine and was not copyrighted.

     According to some accounts of Bellamy as author, he decided to write a pledge of allegiance, rather than a salute, because it was a stronger expression of loyalty-- something particularly significant even 27 years after the civil war ended. "One Nation indivisible" referred to the outcome of the civil war, and "liberty and justice for all" expressed the ideals of the Declaration of Independence.

     The words "my flag" were replaced by "the flag of the United States" in 1923, because some foreign-born people might have in mind the flag of the country of their birth, instead of the U.S. Flag. A year later, "of America" was added after "United States". No form of the pledge received official recognition by Congress until June 22, 1942, when it was formally included in the U.S. Flag Code. The official name of the Pledge of Allegiance was adopted in 1945. The last change in language came on Flag Day in 1954, when Congress passed a law which added the words "under God" after "One Nation".

     Originally, the pledge was said with the right hand in the so-called "Bellamy Salute", with the hand resting first, outward from the chest, then the arm extending outward from the body. Once Hitler came to power in Europe, some Americans were concerned that this position of the arm and hand resembled the salute rendered by the Nazi Military. In 1942, Congress established the current practice of rendering the pledge with the right hand placed flat over the heart.

     Section 7 of the Federal Flag Code states that when not in military uniform, men should remove any headdress with their right hand, and hold it at the left shoulder, thereby resting the hand over the heart. People in military uniform should remain silent, face the flag and render the military salute.

     The Flag Code specifies that any future changes to the pledge would have to be with the consent of the President.

     The Pledge of Allegiance now reads:

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION  UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.  

(This paper was first read in Liberty Lodge #300 by our Worshipful Master W.B. Wade Kendle).

                        The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Interesting facts about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Sentinels  of the Third United States Infantry Regiment "Old Guard" :

                                                           

1.   How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the   Unknowns and why?

21 steps.  It alludes to the 21 gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or dignitary honoree.

2.   How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return  walk and why?

       21 seconds, for the same reason as answer number 1 above.

                                                                                                                                     
3.   Why are his gloves wet?

       His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

                                                             
4.   Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time, and if not, why not?

       No, he carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face, and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

5.   How often are the guards changed?

       Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

6.   What are the physical requirements for service as a guard?

       For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10" and 6' 2" tall, and his waist size cannot exceed 30."

Other requirements of a Guard:

A guard  must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.   They cannot swear in public FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES, and cannot disgrace the uniform, or the tomb, in any way. After TWO YEARS, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

The shoes worn by the guards are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Each guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready, and dresses in front of a full-length mirror preparing for guard duty.

The first six month of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are, and where they are interred.

Among the notables are:  President John F. Kennedy, President Taft, Joe E. Lewis (the boxer) and  Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy
(the most decorated soldier of WWII), of  Hollywood fame.

More Interesting facts about the Tomb of the Unknowns itself:

The marble for the Tomb of the Unknowns was furnished by the Vermont Marble Company of Danby, Vermont. The marble is the finest and whitest American marble, quarried from the Yule Marble Quarry located near Marble, Colorado, and is called "Yule Marble". The Marble for the Lincoln memorial and other famous buildings was also quarried there.

The Amphitheater at the tomb is inscribed:

"HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD"

Some people think that when the Cemetery is closed to the public in the evening that this show stops. First, to the men who are dedicated to this work, it is no show.  It is a "charge of honor." The formality and precision continues, uninterrupted, all night.  During the night time, the drill of relief and the measured step of the on duty sentry remain unchanged from the daylight hours.

On the ABC evening news, it was reported that, because of the dangers from Hurricane Isabel approaching Washington, DC, those assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They refused. "No way, Sir!", was their unanimous reply. Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment - it was the highest honor that can be afforded a military person.

To these special men, the continuity of this post is the key to the honor and respect shown to these honored dead, symbolic of all American unaccounted for American combat dead. The steady rhythmic step in rain, sleet, snow, hail, heat, cold, must be uninterrupted. Uninterrupted is the important part of the honor shown.

Since 1930, The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24 hours a day,
365 days a year.

God Bless and keep them.

IN GOD WE TRUST

Thank You, Eldon Ogorzolka, for the thought and pictures

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