Hi, folks:
We've had some interesting discussions here, whether about the Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, Insight, crude oil and the refining thereof, gas taxes, laws, government, politics and just about every other topic under the sun, it seems..
Hmmm...it just occurred to me that contrary to common perception, government and politics are not necessarily the same. And oddly enough, "real life" and politics are not necessarily different!
I value this board, and want to say to all of you that even for all of our differences, most of us still have lots in common. Maybe more than we realize or want to admit.
Anyhow, I digress....what I really wanted to do was recognize those of you who have served in any branch of the United States' armed forces.
You do what you do to protect your homeland, or to protect freedom, or to protect our right to speak our minds freely or to practice our religions without government dictate. Or maybe you simply do it to protect your family; your children.
Whatever the reason, and even if there is no particular reason for you personally, I want to say THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
And for those of you who have lost a loved one in this war on terrorism or in the past, this coming Monday has been set aside as a Memorial to their service. Their sacrifice.
I know that I cannot replace your friend, husband, wife, girlfriend or boyfriend, son, daughter, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or best friend. I also realize that I will never know the true extent of your pain, sadness, or the loneliness that comes from your loss.
All I have to offer is my sincere gratitude. My thanks. My respect. And my prayers for your loved one, and for you.
Memorial day is too often thought of as the "official start of summer." Of course, it is that. But to me, it's a much more solemn, sobering day. And the gravity of that day is often lost in the pool parties, cookouts, baseball games, camping and amusement park trips, and so on. To me, it sounds strangely odd to wish people a "Happy Memorial Day." Does anybody else here feel that way too?
So I'm going to take a couple days away from this forum. But not to go join in the "holiday" festivities. I'm off to reflect. Pray. I'm not really a religious guy, but yet I will pray. I'll also shoot photos. Walk the beach, if I can find a quiet one. Maybe play and/or compose some music. But most of all, to remember.
So I want you all to know: Not everybody has forgotten. In fact, I think that most people have not forgotten; and I hope that at some point, maybe they too, will stop and remember. And maybe say a little prayer.
God bless you all, God bless our men and women in uniform, wherever they may be, and God bless America.
We've had some interesting discussions here, whether about the Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, Insight, crude oil and the refining thereof, gas taxes, laws, government, politics and just about every other topic under the sun, it seems..
Hmmm...it just occurred to me that contrary to common perception, government and politics are not necessarily the same. And oddly enough, "real life" and politics are not necessarily different!
I value this board, and want to say to all of you that even for all of our differences, most of us still have lots in common. Maybe more than we realize or want to admit.
Anyhow, I digress....what I really wanted to do was recognize those of you who have served in any branch of the United States' armed forces.
You do what you do to protect your homeland, or to protect freedom, or to protect our right to speak our minds freely or to practice our religions without government dictate. Or maybe you simply do it to protect your family; your children.
Whatever the reason, and even if there is no particular reason for you personally, I want to say THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
And for those of you who have lost a loved one in this war on terrorism or in the past, this coming Monday has been set aside as a Memorial to their service. Their sacrifice.
I know that I cannot replace your friend, husband, wife, girlfriend or boyfriend, son, daughter, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or best friend. I also realize that I will never know the true extent of your pain, sadness, or the loneliness that comes from your loss.
All I have to offer is my sincere gratitude. My thanks. My respect. And my prayers for your loved one, and for you.
Memorial day is too often thought of as the "official start of summer." Of course, it is that. But to me, it's a much more solemn, sobering day. And the gravity of that day is often lost in the pool parties, cookouts, baseball games, camping and amusement park trips, and so on. To me, it sounds strangely odd to wish people a "Happy Memorial Day." Does anybody else here feel that way too?
So I'm going to take a couple days away from this forum. But not to go join in the "holiday" festivities. I'm off to reflect. Pray. I'm not really a religious guy, but yet I will pray. I'll also shoot photos. Walk the beach, if I can find a quiet one. Maybe play and/or compose some music. But most of all, to remember.
So I want you all to know: Not everybody has forgotten. In fact, I think that most people have not forgotten; and I hope that at some point, maybe they too, will stop and remember. And maybe say a little prayer.
God bless you all, God bless our men and women in uniform, wherever they may be, and God bless America.