Flags flags flags on the 4th of July 2013

 Flags flags flags ... my Air Force veteran husband displays a POW-MIA and 21 American flags every 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day. Today is perfect ... stiff breeze makes the flags fly proudly.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
July 4, 2013

Wreaths Across America ... sacrifices of troops are not forgotten

Staunton, Va, National Cemetery
Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

If you drive by a military cemetery this weekend and see tombstones decorated with fresh, handmade balsam Christmas wreaths accented with bright red bows, you will have witnessed the generosity of Wreaths Across America.

The tradition was started with 4,000 wreaths in 1992 by Morrill Worcester and continues on the second Saturday each December. This year, thousands of volunteers across the nation and around the world will lay 219,000 wreaths on military graves as a remembrance of those who sacrificed for our freedom.

Mr. Worcester's quiet donation eighteen years ago of 4,000 wreaths for Arlington Cemetery became an annual gift of love from this Maine wreath maker who recognized that freedom is not free. Because of his generosity and desire to remember those who sacrificed, he started a tradition that was fairly obscure for 12 years until a photo hit the internet in 2005 showing the Christmas wreaths on Arlington's snow-covered graves.

As the photo hit the internet with the Worcester story, an anonymous person added a caption: "Rest easy, sleep well, my brothers. Know the line has held, your job is done. Rest easy, sleep well. Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held. Peace, peace, and farewell."

Word spread quickly and wreath requests poured in for other military cemeteries around the country which led Mr. Worcester and his family to establish the non-profit Wreaths Across America with a mission to remember, honor, and teach.

What would drive this 59-year-old owner of the largest wreath producing company in the world to give away thousands of wreaths for the past 18 years? Mr. Worcester recalled that when he was a 12-year-old newspaper carrier, he won a Bangor Daily News subscription-selling contest that sent him to the Nation's Capital. The lines of white stones in Arlington Cemetery made an impression on him that never left.

Years later, Christmas 1992, the successful businessman's Worcester Wreath Company had 4,000 surplus wreaths and nothing to do with them so late in the season. Grateful that his success was due in large part to the sacrifice of American troops, and remembering the rows of white tombstones, he put in a call to Arlington Cemetery. With a handful of volunteers, they drove a truck load of wreaths to Arlington and spent the next six hours distributing them on graves, a tradition continued quietly for years by a man who did not seek publicity. The 2005 photo sealed his destiny.

Yesterday Saturday volunteers laid wreaths at American military cemeteries around the world. National Cemetery in Staunton will be included as they have in previous years. On each wreath will be a tag that reads: Through the generosity and actions of hundreds of thousands of volunteers, this wreath is donated and placed on the grave of a True American Hero. Wreaths Across America ... we make it our business to NEVER FORGET."

It's once again a reminder that freedom is not free and that Americans have not forgotten. That is the legacy of Morrill Worcester and his Maine balsam Christmas wreaths.

Cross-posted at the Washington Examiner....

"Be a man of principle" ... words to live by

"Be a man of principle. Fight for what you believe in. Keep your word. Live with integrity. Be brave. Believe in something bigger than yourself. Serve your country. Teach. Mentor. Give something back to society. Lead from the front. Conquer your fears. Be a good friend. Be humble and be self-confident. Appreciate your friends and family. Be a leader and not a follower. Be valorous on the field of battle. And take responsibility for your actions. Never forget those that were killed. And never let rest those that killed them." ~Doug Zembiec, 2nd Battalion/1st Marines (1973-2007)

Via Marine vet Wade Zirkle

Augusta residents give two thumbs up for Glenn Beck rally

Sitting under a shade tree at Arlington Cemetery, Barb and Larry Tillett were grateful for a slight breeze after making the trek from the Lincoln Memorial where the Glenn Beck "Restoring Honor" event had ended a little after 1:00. They still had an hour to wait for their bus to pick them up for the return ride to the central Shenandoah Valley.

Barb was hot after the long walk in the mid-day sun with temperatures in the 80s, a "typical hot and humid" day in DC, she said as she mopped her brow with a handkerchief soaked in water and sipped from a "Restoring Honor" bottle of water, one of several they had picked up for hydration and as souvenirs.

They had left early, at 5:00 Saturday morning, making stops along the way. Even with the pre-dawn start, their bus arrived later than many others -- "We should have gotten here by 7:00 or 8:00 to get a good spot," she laughed -- and, by the time they walked from Arlington Cemetery to the Lincoln Memorial, it was 9:00, barely an hour before the event was to begin. A huge crowd was already in place, spread across the National Mall, and few open areas were left around the jumbotrons. They eventually found a spot in the shade at the only jumbotron that was anywhere near them but the crowd was so dense there was little air and they moved on to another place where there was sound but they could not see.

However, the lack of actually being able to see Glenn Beck in person nor the late summer DC heat dampened Barb's enthusiasm for the event as she recalled the program especially the soldiers who had served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Vietnam who were introduced by Sarah Palin. Martin Luther King's niece was very inspiring, she said, and the bagpipe playing "Amazing Grace" brought tears to the eyes of many in the gigantic audience. Glenn Beck, she added, was inspirational and uplifting as he called for Americans to come together, bring God back into the public square, and be involved.

Billed as a non-political event, the audience had been asked to leave protest signs at home. A few flags, American and Gadsden, dotted the crowd. Many advertised with their tee shirts ... "AMERICA," read one while another had an American flag and others showed off a variety of messages in what appeared to be a mostly conservative crowd.

Controversy broke out earlier in the week when news sources reported August 28 as the anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech that took place at the same location as today's "Restoring Honor" event. Rev. Al Sharpton, who publicly disagreed with Beck's event, led a Saturday afternoon rally at a nearby high school that was billed as the "Reclaim the Dream" rally, seemingly unaware that Dr. King's niece was participating with Glenn Beck.

At least 1,000 buses were registered with "Restoring Honor" organizers, buses that spent the afternoon reloading passengers to head back to the places they came from across the nation. A final tally of the crowd by Park Police had not been determined but was sure to be impressive.

Meanwhile, the Tilletts were looking forward to boarding their air-conditioned bus for the trip back home to the Shenandoah Valley, content they had witnessed an historic event.

U.S. Park Police stop National Anthem ... overstepping their authority?

Let me be sure I've got this straight. A group of American high school students, members of the Young America's Foundation, singing the National Anthem on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, is wrong in the eyes of the U.S. Park Police who told them to stop?

At a time when there are problems with drugs, alcohol, and gangs, why would park police try to silence law-abiding youth showing patriotic pride? If they are not allowed to sing the National Anthem on federal property, where can they sing it?

Is this yet another case of political correctness run amuk?

Not only did the students continue singing but they were joined by tourists who were also visiting the monument.

Perhaps this latest incident strikes Americans more at a time when there is heated debate in New York City about a Muslim mosque going up near Ground Zero. While they are expected to avoid being offensive to any group or religion, Americans are being denied the same rights.

It has got to stop. As one person commented on the Fox News story:

Patriots singing our anthem because of their love of our country is bad. But wanting to put a mosque right there in sacred ground where 3000 people of all races and religions were murdered by [religious zealots] is good. Do I have this right?

Removing all traces of the Lord's Prayer, monuments featuring the 10 Commandments and anything remotely Biblical is good. ... So do I have that right? If I do have this right, someone want to tell me how I managed to wind up in this alternate universe? And can you tell me how to get back to my planet where insanity like this doesn't exist?

Actually, perhaps thanks are due to the Park Service for calling attention to a group that works with young people, educating and providing opportunities they may otherwise not have available to them. The occasion of the controversial singing was a trip to the Nation's Capital, the first many at been in Washington, DC.

Preserving liberty is an eternal vigil. Wake up, America!

Historic downtown Staunton ... American flags for Memorial Day

Downtown Staunton on Memorial Day ... American flags on Beverley Street.

Small Town USA.

Photos by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
31 May 2010

"America's got your back"

Check out Bob's post at The Journey and learn more about this tee shirt. Just think how many countries around the world this shirt applies to....

This Easter, remember our troops

A friend contacted me this past week to say her son was deploying to Afghanistan. One of our SWAC area home school graduates is currently in Iraq. In thanks to them and all our American heroes, here's a heartwarming story of patriotism passed along from a friend who anonymously pays for soldiers' meals whenever she sees them dining in restaurants....

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. "I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap," I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. "Where are you headed?" I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. "Petawawa. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan."

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time.

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch.

"No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to base."

His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. "Take a lunch to all those soldiers." She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. "My son was a soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him."

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, "Which do you like best - beef or chicken?"

"Chicken," I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. "This is your thanks."

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. "I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this." He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked. I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, an said, "I want to shake your hand."

Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, "I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot." I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. "It will take you sometime to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You."

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals."

It seemed so little....

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."

That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.

Easter blessings to all our troops ... may God be with them.

Shenandoah County GOP dinner ... Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling shared the stage with a Republican elephant. You've heard the saying, "The elephant in the room...." This huge stage prop shared the speaking platform with Friday night's speakers. Bill Bolling was the keynote ... and he did not ignore "the elephant in the room." He looked at it, pointed it out and laughingly said, "This is a happy elephant ... a strong elephant ... a conservative elephant." Dinner guests laughed ... it was a hoot.

The Lt. Governor went on to talk about last year's historic Republican wins in Virginia, admitting that a change in the national mood helped Virginia candidates move from an election outlook of +7 Democrats ... to an election night reality of +12 Republicans for a 20-point swing.

People, he said, are scared to death about the future of their country ... Washington is making promises and spending money we don't have. The national debt per household when Obama took office was $56,000; currently it is $72,000 per household; it is projected to be $170,000 per household by the year 2020.

Americans, he said, sent a message with Republican wins in Virginia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts in November of 2009. In 2010, Americans can change the direction of our country.

When we are Republicans, he said, we win. When we are Democrat Lite, we lose. We loved Ronald Reagan because he made us believe it was morning in American.

We have to reach beyond the GOP. Most people in Virginia today, he said, are not Republicans or Democrats. They are independents. They are worried about their jobs, their families, how they will survive. "We can win every part of Virginia if we stick with our beliefs," he said.

Leaders are those who lift us up rather than tear us down.

In 2010, Virginia Republicans were energized. We won. As the Lt. Governor's voice rose and echoed throughout the Yellow Barn, he emphasized that the government is subservient to the people ... not the other way around! "The future of America is in our hands. America will continue to be the Greatest Nation on Earth!"

Those in the crowd jumped to their feet in a standing ovation for a man who has been in Virginia leadership for years ... a man who came from humble beginnings ... a man who understands what Patrick Henry meant when he implored his fellow Virginians, "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"

Many thanks to Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling as he continues to inspire me in my volunteer work ... and as he continues to inspire others around the Commonwealth.

Photos by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
26 March 2010

Patrick Henry on overreaching government

"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government -- lest it come to dominate our lives and interests."
--Patrick Henry
Virginia Patriot

Job well done, U.S. Troops ... please remember our military

U.S. Troops in Afghanistan

As we debate health care in the United States, our military men and women continue to fight in Afghanistan. Is President Barack Obama paying attention to them? Or is he merely interested in his legacy?

Please say a prayer for our troops ... and please thank them for their service when you see them on the streets.

Want to send a care package to them? Move America Forward has not forgotten our troops and has been sending care packages for years:

You can help make the daily routine of our troops serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay a little better. This Easter season, as we at home give thanks and welcome spring and the fresh rebirth that comes with it, show your troops serving overseas in a time of war that you are re-committed to another year of supporting them and their efforts!

To add a touch of Easter greetings, we have included items that will remind our troops of the holidays and make them feel right at home. Our Easter Package comes with Jelly Belly Jelly Beans, a favorite Easter treat and Gobstoppers Easter Egg jawbreakers. We also now have officially licensed NASCAR Bug Buttons that will not only repel pesky insects but also let our troops root for their favorite drivers!

And don't forget that our Easter care packages still come loaded with all the favorites that our troops appreciate from our previous other care packages, like Premium Gourmet Coffee and Genuine Oreo Cookies and thick meaty beef jerky!

They are over there for us ... we should be here for them.

The "F" word at Saturday's rally ...

... was "Freedom."

Freedom was the word of the day at Saturday's DC rally to make a last stand to plead with Democrats to vote "no" on mandatory health care and not sell out the United States of America and her citizens.

The Tea Party Express is almost ready to kick off their latest road trip from Searchlight, Nevada, home of Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid ... and their message to Democrats is, "Vote for health care today ... and we will vote against you in November."

Harry Reid tanks in polls

That could be a real threat as 60% think the country is going in the wrong direction. Harry Reid's seat is ranked as "lean Republican" as his numbers sink lower and lower with the latest poll showing voters leaning 38% for Reid and 51% for his opponent in the Nevada senate race.

Obama tanks in polls:

Barack Obama's poll numbers are in the tank, thanks to his fist jamming health care down the throats of American citizens, with a whopping 56% against him.

Majority of Americans against health care:

Another poll shows a whopping 55% of Americans do not want mandatory government health care ... only 35% do want it.

Congress tanks in polls

Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid's Democrat Congress is now bottoming out with the lowest rating ever recorded. Those numbers, according to Gallup, have 80% DISAPPROVING of Congress while 16% approve.

Barack Obama, Harry Reid, and Nancy Pelosi are leading the lemmings over the cliff....