Here's an awesome video on the history of the National Anthem. You'll be in awe and truly appreciate "our" song. Just make sure you swallow the lump in your throat before you listen to the Peachtree City students sing.
The JC Booth Middle School 8th grade chorus recently performed the Star Spangled Banner at an Atlanta Braves game. This was the fourth year these talented Fayette County singers have wowed the crowds. Enjoy.
Sing it loud and sing it proud!
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Showing posts with label county. Show all posts
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Friday, September 4, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Celebrate America - June 27 at the Rock Ranch
This event features family fun attractions, amazing live shows, a rubber duck derby to benefit charity, a live musical concert, great food and a fireworks extravaganza. Admission is only $20 per vehicle (regardless of the number of occupants), or $30 per bus. Admission includes unlimited use of attractions.
Family fun attractions include: locomotive train rides, hay rides, the cow train, a rock climbing wall, inflatables, the giant jumping pillow, family bicycles, pony rides, family dodge ball, the watermelon cannon, the petting zoo, paddle boats, cane pole fishing, and much more.
There will be activities provided by the Atlanta Braves, Hawks and Thrashers, a reptile show by Jason Clark of Animal Planet, master puppeteer Peter Hart, story teller Harvey Wilson, a paintball shooting range presented by paintball-outfitter.com, a cow milking exhibition, an antique tractor display and the America I Am - African American Imprint (traveling American history museum).
The presentation prior to the fireworks will include a live concert by national Christian recording artist Andrew Carlton who will sing some patriotic tunes in addition to his own hit songs (http://www.andrewcarlton.com).
Gates will open at 2pm and the fireworks extravaganza will begin at dark. No pets and no outside food or drinks are permitted. However, a variety of great food options will be available to purchase. Food choices include Chick-fil-A sandwiches, Chick-fil-A Ice Dream, funnel cakes, hamburgers and hot dogs, Bar-B-Q Pork, ribs, pizza, cotton candy, sno cones, popcorn, ice cold lemonade, boiled peanuts and more.
Another exciting addition to the 10th annual presentation of Celebrate America is The Great American Duck Derby presented by Stepping Stones Educational Therapy Center. Thousands of rubber ducks will race down Hopeful Beaver Creek at The Rock Ranch and the owner of the winning duck will be awarded $5,000.00 (with a chance to win a million). Ducks may be adopted for $5 each on site or they may be pre-purchased on-line. (Click here to adopt a duck) Contestants in the duck derby do not have to be present to win and all proceeds from the duck derby benefit Stepping Stones (an educational therapy center that serves special needs children).
We invite your family to be a part of this event. Join us as we assemble to celebrate this land, our freedoms as Americans and those who fought and are fighting to preserve those freedoms; to 'Celebrate America'.
For more information click this link to visit www.therockranch.com.Click here for a printable flyer about Celebrate America at The Rock Ranch that you can share with friends and family - and click here for a complete 2009 schedule of events.
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Family fun attractions include: locomotive train rides, hay rides, the cow train, a rock climbing wall, inflatables, the giant jumping pillow, family bicycles, pony rides, family dodge ball, the watermelon cannon, the petting zoo, paddle boats, cane pole fishing, and much more.
There will be activities provided by the Atlanta Braves, Hawks and Thrashers, a reptile show by Jason Clark of Animal Planet, master puppeteer Peter Hart, story teller Harvey Wilson, a paintball shooting range presented by paintball-outfitter.com, a cow milking exhibition, an antique tractor display and the America I Am - African American Imprint (traveling American history museum).
The presentation prior to the fireworks will include a live concert by national Christian recording artist Andrew Carlton who will sing some patriotic tunes in addition to his own hit songs (http://www.andrewcarlton.com).
Gates will open at 2pm and the fireworks extravaganza will begin at dark. No pets and no outside food or drinks are permitted. However, a variety of great food options will be available to purchase. Food choices include Chick-fil-A sandwiches, Chick-fil-A Ice Dream, funnel cakes, hamburgers and hot dogs, Bar-B-Q Pork, ribs, pizza, cotton candy, sno cones, popcorn, ice cold lemonade, boiled peanuts and more.
Another exciting addition to the 10th annual presentation of Celebrate America is The Great American Duck Derby presented by Stepping Stones Educational Therapy Center. Thousands of rubber ducks will race down Hopeful Beaver Creek at The Rock Ranch and the owner of the winning duck will be awarded $5,000.00 (with a chance to win a million). Ducks may be adopted for $5 each on site or they may be pre-purchased on-line. (Click here to adopt a duck) Contestants in the duck derby do not have to be present to win and all proceeds from the duck derby benefit Stepping Stones (an educational therapy center that serves special needs children).
We invite your family to be a part of this event. Join us as we assemble to celebrate this land, our freedoms as Americans and those who fought and are fighting to preserve those freedoms; to 'Celebrate America'.
For more information click this link to visit www.therockranch.com.Click here for a printable flyer about Celebrate America at The Rock Ranch that you can share with friends and family - and click here for a complete 2009 schedule of events.
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Monday, September 22, 2008
Patriotic Kick-Off Continues
Photos: Starr Mill High School Choral Students and 8th Grade Chorus members from Rising Starr Middle SchoolFor the fifth year in a row the Starr’s Mill High School football home opener commenced with a patriot expression by the school’s chorus members.
Under the direction of Dr. John Odom and Ms. Julia Lotti, members of the SMHS Chorus sang an acappella version of our National Anthem; The Star Spangled Banner, from the football field end zone.
The high school students were joined by future Panther vocalists; 8th grade chorus members from Rising Starr Middle school. Unfortunately the Panther’s lost the game against the Tri-Cities Bulldogs 13-14, but they won the hearts of local patriots who attended the game.
Starr's Mill High School is located in Fayette County, Georgia.
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Sunday, September 21, 2008
Civilian Leaders Make Emotional Pentagon Memorial Visit
Civilian leaders in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference wrapped up the first day of their Pentagon visit here today with an emotional walk through the new Pentagon Memorial dedicated less than two weeks earlier to honor victims of the 9-11 Pentagon attack.
Dusk was beginning to settle over Washington as the business, civic, community and academic leaders from around the country walked among the 184 benches, each bearing the name of a man, woman or child lost in the attack.
They paused to reflect on the granite and stainless steel benches, 59 facing the Pentagon to represent the passengers killed on hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 and 125 facing the opposite direction to represent those killed in the building.
Several of the benches had flowers on them left by earlier visitors.
The stop at the Pentagon Memorial after a full day of briefings and tours was particularly meaningful for some of the JCOC participants.
David Burke, managing director of DEPFA Bank in New York, was in a building next to the World Trade Center the morning of the 9/11 attacks. He remembers going out onto the street and seeing the disaster all around him – fires burning, sirens wailing and people jumping out of windows to escape the chaos.
Burke counts himself lucky, knowing just one person personally who perished in the attack.
Walking through the Pentagon Memorial brought back painful memories of the losses of 9/11, but also memories of the kind of heroism he witnessed firsthand. "It makes you think about all the people here that day who rushed toward catastrophe when everyone else's instinct would be to rush away from it," he said, a tear in his eye.
Like Burke, Judge Carol Hansen of the Oklahoma Court for Civil Affairs, felt a personal connection to the Pentagon Memorial. She and her neighbors in Oklahoma City experienced what until 9/11 had been the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil on April 19, 1995.
Hansen reflected on the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum that honors the 168 people killed in that attack, and said she hopes the Pentagon Memorial helps bring solace to those who lost loved ones there. "But how do you ever really find solace after something like that?" she said. "It's something none of us can really say we understand, because we just can't."
Other JCOC participants who walked among the memorial called it a fitting tribute to the memory of those lost on 9/11. "It's meaningful and it's elegant. It's a good place to reflect," said Alan Bersin, chairman of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority in California. "This is really extraordinary."
Earlier in the afternoon, Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England told the participants it's critical that the United States stand up to violent extremists who attacked on 9/11 and have every intention of attacking the United States again.
"Do you know why 3,000 people died that day?" he asked. "We lost 3,000 people that day because the guys who did it didn't know how to kill 30,000 or 300,000 or 3 million. But they would have if they could have."
England said the only way to confront the terrorist threat is head-on. "I am absolutely convinced that if we ever get off the side where we are no longer on the offense, we will be in serious trouble," he said. "When [extremists] are on the offense and we are on the defense, we lose. You cannot play defense, not in the United States of America."
The JCOC participants visited the Pentagon today before beginning a weeklong trip through U.S. European Command to observe military operations aimed at stopping terrorists and other threats.
The first U.S. defense secretary, James V. Forrestal, created the JCOC in 1948 to introduce civilian "movers and shakers" with little or no military exposure to the workings of the armed forces. Nearly six decades later, it remains DoD's premier civic leader program.
Participants are selected from hundreds of candidates nominated by military commands worldwide and pay their own expenses throughout the conference. JCOC participants are selected from hundreds of candidates nominated by military commands worldwide and pay their own expenses throughout the conference.
This is just the second year that the conference has included visits to U.S. installations overseas.
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
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Dusk was beginning to settle over Washington as the business, civic, community and academic leaders from around the country walked among the 184 benches, each bearing the name of a man, woman or child lost in the attack.
They paused to reflect on the granite and stainless steel benches, 59 facing the Pentagon to represent the passengers killed on hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 and 125 facing the opposite direction to represent those killed in the building.
Several of the benches had flowers on them left by earlier visitors.
The stop at the Pentagon Memorial after a full day of briefings and tours was particularly meaningful for some of the JCOC participants.
David Burke, managing director of DEPFA Bank in New York, was in a building next to the World Trade Center the morning of the 9/11 attacks. He remembers going out onto the street and seeing the disaster all around him – fires burning, sirens wailing and people jumping out of windows to escape the chaos.
Burke counts himself lucky, knowing just one person personally who perished in the attack.
Walking through the Pentagon Memorial brought back painful memories of the losses of 9/11, but also memories of the kind of heroism he witnessed firsthand. "It makes you think about all the people here that day who rushed toward catastrophe when everyone else's instinct would be to rush away from it," he said, a tear in his eye.
Like Burke, Judge Carol Hansen of the Oklahoma Court for Civil Affairs, felt a personal connection to the Pentagon Memorial. She and her neighbors in Oklahoma City experienced what until 9/11 had been the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil on April 19, 1995.
Hansen reflected on the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum that honors the 168 people killed in that attack, and said she hopes the Pentagon Memorial helps bring solace to those who lost loved ones there. "But how do you ever really find solace after something like that?" she said. "It's something none of us can really say we understand, because we just can't."
Other JCOC participants who walked among the memorial called it a fitting tribute to the memory of those lost on 9/11. "It's meaningful and it's elegant. It's a good place to reflect," said Alan Bersin, chairman of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority in California. "This is really extraordinary."
Earlier in the afternoon, Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England told the participants it's critical that the United States stand up to violent extremists who attacked on 9/11 and have every intention of attacking the United States again.
"Do you know why 3,000 people died that day?" he asked. "We lost 3,000 people that day because the guys who did it didn't know how to kill 30,000 or 300,000 or 3 million. But they would have if they could have."
England said the only way to confront the terrorist threat is head-on. "I am absolutely convinced that if we ever get off the side where we are no longer on the offense, we will be in serious trouble," he said. "When [extremists] are on the offense and we are on the defense, we lose. You cannot play defense, not in the United States of America."
The JCOC participants visited the Pentagon today before beginning a weeklong trip through U.S. European Command to observe military operations aimed at stopping terrorists and other threats.
The first U.S. defense secretary, James V. Forrestal, created the JCOC in 1948 to introduce civilian "movers and shakers" with little or no military exposure to the workings of the armed forces. Nearly six decades later, it remains DoD's premier civic leader program.
Participants are selected from hundreds of candidates nominated by military commands worldwide and pay their own expenses throughout the conference. JCOC participants are selected from hundreds of candidates nominated by military commands worldwide and pay their own expenses throughout the conference.
This is just the second year that the conference has included visits to U.S. installations overseas.
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
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Thursday, September 18, 2008
Patchwork Quilt Salutes Fallen U.S. Military Women
Photo: (Left to right) Donna J. Birtwistle, Mavis Olsen, Marlene Wallace and Penny Eakin stand before their patchwork quilt at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, Sept. 17, 2008. The quilt honors military women who've died during the global war on terrorism. Defense Dept. photo by Gerry J. GilmoreA red, white and blue patchwork quilt commemorating the 113 U.S. military women who've died during the global war on terrorism was unveiled for public view at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial today.
The hand-sewn quilt features a stars-and-stripes motif that displays the names of the fallen within the stripes. It was crafted by 10 women from several small communities in the Pacific Northwest, with additional support provided by another 16 women, also from Oregon or the state of Washington.
Fourteen of these women traveled to Arlington National Cemetery to attend the unveiling ceremony held inside the women's memorial. The quilt will be displayed inside the memorial until January or so, when it will be taken for display at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals.
Retired Army Staff Sgt. Donna J. Birtwistle, a former military nurse from Moro, Ore., said she began thinking of making the quilt this spring after attending a military veterans group meeting. Then, she said, her community was saddened by the loss of Army Cpl. Jessica A. Ellis, who died in Iraq on May 11. Ellis was from Bend, Ore., about 135 miles south of Moro.
Birtwistle, who sews, found a sponsor to provide the quilted material and solicited volunteers from across the area to cut and sew the cloth. Work began June 10 and the quilt was completed about a month later. Birtwistle eventually contacted the women's memorial to see if the quilt could be displayed there.
The colorful quilt "is all hand-made," Birtwistle said proudly. It's important to honor military women who've fallen in conflict, she said, because they, too, serve in harm's way alongside their male counterparts.
"They are just as tough and just as hardy as the men are," Birtwistle said of military women.
Mary Anne Macnab from Wasco, Ore., said the quilt also was created to comfort grieving families and "to honor these women who've made the ultimate sacrifice."
Other women involved in the quilting project who attended the ceremony included Mary Lou Massie and Marlene Wallace of Wasco; Sharon Simantel, Mavis Olsen, Sheila Weber and Marylea Sanders of Moro; Elizabeth Hazel, Camille Hurd and Linda Simkus of Goldendale, Wash.; Penny Eakin of Grass Valley, Ore.; and Julie Cordahl of Cle Elum, Wash.
Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Wilma L. Vaught, president of the Women's Memorial Foundation, thanked the women for the quilt and for their efforts on behalf of military women.
"We are just grateful that your towns had the foresight to let all of you come who have worked on this quilt, so that you could be here and see it go on display here," Vaught told the women.
Vaught then introduced Army Brig. Gen. Loree K. Sutton, a long-time supporter of the women's memorial. Sutton is the director of the Defense Center of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury.
Sutton saluted the quilters' efforts to honor fallen military women.
"Let us renew our dedication to making their sacrifices count," Sutton said. "We shall always remember."
The hand-sewn quilt features a stars-and-stripes motif that displays the names of the fallen within the stripes. It was crafted by 10 women from several small communities in the Pacific Northwest, with additional support provided by another 16 women, also from Oregon or the state of Washington.
Fourteen of these women traveled to Arlington National Cemetery to attend the unveiling ceremony held inside the women's memorial. The quilt will be displayed inside the memorial until January or so, when it will be taken for display at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals.
Retired Army Staff Sgt. Donna J. Birtwistle, a former military nurse from Moro, Ore., said she began thinking of making the quilt this spring after attending a military veterans group meeting. Then, she said, her community was saddened by the loss of Army Cpl. Jessica A. Ellis, who died in Iraq on May 11. Ellis was from Bend, Ore., about 135 miles south of Moro.
Birtwistle, who sews, found a sponsor to provide the quilted material and solicited volunteers from across the area to cut and sew the cloth. Work began June 10 and the quilt was completed about a month later. Birtwistle eventually contacted the women's memorial to see if the quilt could be displayed there.
The colorful quilt "is all hand-made," Birtwistle said proudly. It's important to honor military women who've fallen in conflict, she said, because they, too, serve in harm's way alongside their male counterparts.
"They are just as tough and just as hardy as the men are," Birtwistle said of military women.
Mary Anne Macnab from Wasco, Ore., said the quilt also was created to comfort grieving families and "to honor these women who've made the ultimate sacrifice."
Other women involved in the quilting project who attended the ceremony included Mary Lou Massie and Marlene Wallace of Wasco; Sharon Simantel, Mavis Olsen, Sheila Weber and Marylea Sanders of Moro; Elizabeth Hazel, Camille Hurd and Linda Simkus of Goldendale, Wash.; Penny Eakin of Grass Valley, Ore.; and Julie Cordahl of Cle Elum, Wash.
Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Wilma L. Vaught, president of the Women's Memorial Foundation, thanked the women for the quilt and for their efforts on behalf of military women.
"We are just grateful that your towns had the foresight to let all of you come who have worked on this quilt, so that you could be here and see it go on display here," Vaught told the women.
Vaught then introduced Army Brig. Gen. Loree K. Sutton, a long-time supporter of the women's memorial. Sutton is the director of the Defense Center of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury.
Sutton saluted the quilters' efforts to honor fallen military women.
"Let us renew our dedication to making their sacrifices count," Sutton said. "We shall always remember."
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Thursday, September 11, 2008
Isakson Statement on Anniversary of Sept. 11 Terror Attacks
U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today released the following statement on the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks:
“Seven years ago terrorists struck the heart and soul of our country. They attacked our families, our friends and our fellow Americans. Those attacks changed this nation. Today, we dedicate a memorial to the victims at the Pentagon, but it’s important for us to pause and remember all of those innocent victims who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
It’s also essential to show gratitude to our first responders who put their lives on the line to save so many others on that terrible day. Our police, our firefighters our and emergency medical professionals risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe. They are truly America's first line of defense.
“There is no doubt that Sept. 11 was a wake-up call. I’m so proud of our country and especially our men and women in the armed forces. It is imperative now more than ever that we remain diligent and continue our efforts against terrorism to protect our homeland and fight for freedom around the world.”
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“Seven years ago terrorists struck the heart and soul of our country. They attacked our families, our friends and our fellow Americans. Those attacks changed this nation. Today, we dedicate a memorial to the victims at the Pentagon, but it’s important for us to pause and remember all of those innocent victims who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
It’s also essential to show gratitude to our first responders who put their lives on the line to save so many others on that terrible day. Our police, our firefighters our and emergency medical professionals risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe. They are truly America's first line of defense.
“There is no doubt that Sept. 11 was a wake-up call. I’m so proud of our country and especially our men and women in the armed forces. It is imperative now more than ever that we remain diligent and continue our efforts against terrorism to protect our homeland and fight for freedom around the world.”
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Chambliss Honors Those Lost on September 11, 2001
U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R- Ga., today released the following statement in remembrance of the seventh anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. A Congressional Remembrance Ceremony is scheduled to take place at the U.S. Capitol today.
“As we reflect today on the tragic events that occurred seven years ago, we must honor those we lost and we must stand together as a united front, remembering that our freedom and security should not be taken for granted. Our enemies may plot evil acts against us, but no act of terror will ever crush the American spirit. America has a long and proud history of determination and success that has always prevailed. Since September 11, 2001, we have relied heavily on members of our Armed Services, the National Guard and Reserve, our nation’s first responders and law enforcement personnel. They are true professionals who are dedicated to ensuring that America is safe and secure for future generations. Julianne and I join all Georgians in remembering those who lost their lives in those senseless attacks and those who have perished while defending our freedom. We will continue to pray for their families and loved ones as well as this great country in which we live.”
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“As we reflect today on the tragic events that occurred seven years ago, we must honor those we lost and we must stand together as a united front, remembering that our freedom and security should not be taken for granted. Our enemies may plot evil acts against us, but no act of terror will ever crush the American spirit. America has a long and proud history of determination and success that has always prevailed. Since September 11, 2001, we have relied heavily on members of our Armed Services, the National Guard and Reserve, our nation’s first responders and law enforcement personnel. They are true professionals who are dedicated to ensuring that America is safe and secure for future generations. Julianne and I join all Georgians in remembering those who lost their lives in those senseless attacks and those who have perished while defending our freedom. We will continue to pray for their families and loved ones as well as this great country in which we live.”
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September 11th, 2008
The following is an introduction to Parents of War: Surviving the Folded Flag (Casualty Coping & Courage Through the War on Terror) by Deborah Tainish which will be released January 2009. On September 11th we thought it was the perfect story to share. For more information no the book, www.survivingthefoldedflag.com
Introduction
In memory of U.S. Navy Electrical Tech 1, Ronald John Hemenway
“Death leaves a wound no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
Irish Proverb
Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and ensuing wars against radical Islam, many memorials have been created to honor all who have died. As a parent of one who died in battle against terrorists, and as a writer, I feel it my duty to also contribute to the memorials and history of our current times, to assist by leaving behind information and stories related to parents of war, their heroic children, and the heroic journeys trod following the deaths of their children who sacrificed for us all in the defense against radical terrorists.
The citizens of America have been blessed with a country of freedoms built on sacrifices made by selfless men and women of prior generations who brought us into the 21st century feeling safe and secure in our individual personal lives. That is until the morning of September 11, 2001.
On that day, the personal worlds of many families became twisted and torn as hot steel folded and fell at New York’s Twin Towers and at the Pentagon. My friends Shirley and Bob Hemenway were one such family.
Living in Shawnee, Kansas, Shirley was driving her grandson to school that morning. With time to spare before going to work, she stopped at a friend’s home for a brief visit. As she pulled into the driveway, her cell phone rang. On the other end of the line, Shirley’s daughter, Sheri, asked her mother’s whereabouts. After learning that her mother had just parked in the friend’s driveway, Sheri told her that the Pentagon had been attacked. Shirley didn’t understand what her daughter was talking about until she entered her friend’s home and saw the fall of the Twin Towers on television, followed by a picture of the “hit” on the Pentagon. The mother of six was dumbfounded as her cell phone began ringing with one call after the other from her children. That is, all but one. Shirley’s son, U.S. Navy Electrical Tech 1, Ronald John Hemenway was one among the personnel that worked in the western side of the Pentagon, the E-Ring, which was the point of attack.
All Shirley could ask was, “What in the world is going on?”
When her son Paul called, she told him to go to her home and tell his dad, Bob, what was happening. By the time Paul reached his parent’s home, a reporter showed up at the door, at which time Paul told him he had to leave.
By noon Shirley and Paul met at their family’s church to pray with their pastor. All that was known in those early hours of September 11, 2001, was that no American citizen watching television could have ever imagined the horror that had beset our nation. Terrorists had crashed jet airliners at 8:46 and 9:03 a.m. EST against New York’s World Trade Center where the spread of jet fuel, balls of fire and smoke was incomprehensible as our nation began grieving what was to become more than 3000 dead. By 9:37 a.m., American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon and killed one hundred and twenty five Pentagon personnel and all 64 on board the plane.
By 10:03 Flight 93, intended for the White House, was diverted by American heroes on board who had learned of the prior three crashes. Through their efforts and sacrificing them selves, the plane crashed into a field 80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.
After their prayers at the church, Shirley and her son Paul returned home where the call came in from the Department of Navy. By evening, with the Hemenway family gathered, five Navy personnel arrived and reported that ET1 Ronald John Hemenway was missing.
Ronald had joined the Navy in November, 1994 at the age of thirty. In August, 1994, Ronald, still single, had left his mom a note saying that he was out looking for a job, and would not return home until he had found one that offered a true career. When he returned later that evening, he told his family he had joined the Navy. At first they believed he was kidding.
Ronald’s life had begun on July 25, 1964 in Alaska where his dad worked in telecommunications. The third child, Ronald was a gift after the death of Shirley and Bob’s second son at six months old. Ronald graduated from high school and subsequently attended the University of Alaska in Fairbanks for two years. Shirley describes her son as having been a “braniac” who loved reading, especially encyclopedias. He wasn’t into sports, but he gained a love for horses after taking photographs of them for his college photography class, which led him to attending an equestrian school.
During Ronald’s early twenties, the Hemenway family moved to Shawnee, Kansas due to Bob’s job transfer. In Shawnee, Ronald never found work that he felt would lead him into a life career that he enjoyed. Joining the Navy in 1994 became his answer. Ronald graduated at the top of his class from Electronics School in Great Lakes, Illinois, and was awarded the Distinguished Military Graduate award. With such honors, he was allowed to choose his duty station on the USS La Salle in Gaeta, Italy. He arrived there in May, 1996.
While in Italy, Ronald met the woman that would become his wife, and became father to a son and daughter. By March 2000, Ronald’s request was accepted for assignment to work for the Chief of Navy Operations at the Pentagon.
Shirley and Bob Hemenway had been thrilled that their son and his family were back in the states and closer to them. But 9-11 changed all of that.
After the Hemenways received the visit from Naval personnel telling them their son was missing, a naval casualty assistance communications officer was assigned to assist them with concerns. After spending a week in limbo following the attacks, the Hemenway’s and their daughter-in-law were flown to Crystal City, Virginia. All families of those killed at the Pentagon were living at the Sheraton Hotel awaiting word of the recovery of their loved one’s remains. The Red Cross assisted with lodging and meal costs for the families while they also received support from chaplains, support dogs, and a daily briefing from the General that kept them apprised of developments. After any remains were found, identified, and returned to families, they chose to hold memorials, have burials at Arlington, or return to their homes for funeral services.
As days turned into weeks, and the FBI chose to cease the searching, the Hemenways were one of five families whose loved one’s remains were never recovered. On December 8, 2001, Shirley and Bob received a military death certificate from the Department of the Navy, and two Gold Leaf insignias.
On January 12, 2002, a cold but sunny day in Shawnee, Kansas, a memorial service was held for Ronald at the Hemenway’s church, Hope Lutheran. A ceremony followed at their home with bagpipes and the raising of a flag onto the twenty-five foot flag pole that had been set by Ronald’s brothers on September 12, 2001.
Shirley and Bob have since traversed their journey with support from their church family and TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors of military personnel) headquartered in Washington, D.C. They had made acquaintance with TAPS founder Bonnie Carroll during their stay at the Sheraton in Crystal City while waiting with hope for the recovery of their son’s remains.
After learning that Bonnie was from Alaska and that her husband, Brigadier General Tom Carroll, had been killed in a plane crash, the Hemenways and Bonnie had an immediate connection. Through Bonnie’s sincere care and invitation, Shirley and Bob made their first visit to the TAPS National Military Survivors Seminar in D.C. during Memorial Weekend, May 2002.
As months passed, families across the Unites States were cast into facing the incomprehensible deaths of children and other military family members fighting the subsequent wars against terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq. By 2004, Dave and I had been visited at our home by this uninvited guest of death when our oldest son was killed in battle. Over Memorial Weekend, 2005, Dave and I met Shirley and Bob during our attendance at the TAPS annual survivor’s seminar. The location was at the Doubletree hotel across from the Pentagon, which was fully repaired by September 11, 2002.
Through our meeting, we became bonded parents through terrorism and war. Afterwards, we remained in touch through e-mail and subsequent visits to the annual TAPS event.
Shirley informed me that on September 10th and 11th, 2008, families of those killed in the Pentagon would come together for a special ceremony. Through tears, on 9/11/2008 I watched C-Span’s live coverage of the ceremony and unveiling of the Pentagon Memorial comprised of benches etched with names of each of the those killed in the Pentagon and those on American Airlines flight 77 that will forever provide remembrance to those who died at the hands of wickedness. A memorial that will provide to future generations not yet born an acknowledgement that out of twisted concrete and steel came The Phoenix Project responsible for raising funds and creating this lasting monument as proof of the ability of our nation’s people to rise together from the ashes to never forget the injustice that befell our nation and families on 9/11/2001. Each individual that died that awful day will be memorialized by way of a bench with their name etched into the concrete. The benches will remain placed in rows at the western side of the Pentagon.
Through this book I am able to share journeys of courage and coping by military families across our nation who sent sons and daughters to war, and said final good-byes holding a folded flag. These are also stories of bitter-sweet pride of parents as they share insight into the lives of their warrior children. Children who grew from the little boy or girl next door to men and women who volunteered to defend our nation, and others, against terrorism by serving in the different branches of the United States Military.
For me and all those who contributed to this book, our greatest hope is that our children never be forgotten, that our journeys to get up everyday and find purpose will help others who follow our path, provide inspiration to any reader, and for the people of the United States to be reminded of the sacrifices made to ensure their freedoms.
May our nation never forget that an evil enemy strives to destroy our way of life and cherished freedoms as the terrorists attempted to do on September 11, 2001 when they made such horrendous efforts to crush us by destroying a major financial center, killing the innocent, and leaving raw grief to be endured by families such as the Hemenways.
May our nation never forget that freedom never has, and never will be free, or without the sacrifice of those willing to volunteer service for a cause greater than themselves.
-Deborah H. Tainsh
Gold Star Mom
---
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Introduction
In memory of U.S. Navy Electrical Tech 1, Ronald John Hemenway
“Death leaves a wound no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
Irish Proverb
Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and ensuing wars against radical Islam, many memorials have been created to honor all who have died. As a parent of one who died in battle against terrorists, and as a writer, I feel it my duty to also contribute to the memorials and history of our current times, to assist by leaving behind information and stories related to parents of war, their heroic children, and the heroic journeys trod following the deaths of their children who sacrificed for us all in the defense against radical terrorists.
The citizens of America have been blessed with a country of freedoms built on sacrifices made by selfless men and women of prior generations who brought us into the 21st century feeling safe and secure in our individual personal lives. That is until the morning of September 11, 2001.
On that day, the personal worlds of many families became twisted and torn as hot steel folded and fell at New York’s Twin Towers and at the Pentagon. My friends Shirley and Bob Hemenway were one such family.
Living in Shawnee, Kansas, Shirley was driving her grandson to school that morning. With time to spare before going to work, she stopped at a friend’s home for a brief visit. As she pulled into the driveway, her cell phone rang. On the other end of the line, Shirley’s daughter, Sheri, asked her mother’s whereabouts. After learning that her mother had just parked in the friend’s driveway, Sheri told her that the Pentagon had been attacked. Shirley didn’t understand what her daughter was talking about until she entered her friend’s home and saw the fall of the Twin Towers on television, followed by a picture of the “hit” on the Pentagon. The mother of six was dumbfounded as her cell phone began ringing with one call after the other from her children. That is, all but one. Shirley’s son, U.S. Navy Electrical Tech 1, Ronald John Hemenway was one among the personnel that worked in the western side of the Pentagon, the E-Ring, which was the point of attack.
All Shirley could ask was, “What in the world is going on?”
When her son Paul called, she told him to go to her home and tell his dad, Bob, what was happening. By the time Paul reached his parent’s home, a reporter showed up at the door, at which time Paul told him he had to leave.
By noon Shirley and Paul met at their family’s church to pray with their pastor. All that was known in those early hours of September 11, 2001, was that no American citizen watching television could have ever imagined the horror that had beset our nation. Terrorists had crashed jet airliners at 8:46 and 9:03 a.m. EST against New York’s World Trade Center where the spread of jet fuel, balls of fire and smoke was incomprehensible as our nation began grieving what was to become more than 3000 dead. By 9:37 a.m., American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon and killed one hundred and twenty five Pentagon personnel and all 64 on board the plane.
By 10:03 Flight 93, intended for the White House, was diverted by American heroes on board who had learned of the prior three crashes. Through their efforts and sacrificing them selves, the plane crashed into a field 80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.
After their prayers at the church, Shirley and her son Paul returned home where the call came in from the Department of Navy. By evening, with the Hemenway family gathered, five Navy personnel arrived and reported that ET1 Ronald John Hemenway was missing.
Ronald had joined the Navy in November, 1994 at the age of thirty. In August, 1994, Ronald, still single, had left his mom a note saying that he was out looking for a job, and would not return home until he had found one that offered a true career. When he returned later that evening, he told his family he had joined the Navy. At first they believed he was kidding.
Ronald’s life had begun on July 25, 1964 in Alaska where his dad worked in telecommunications. The third child, Ronald was a gift after the death of Shirley and Bob’s second son at six months old. Ronald graduated from high school and subsequently attended the University of Alaska in Fairbanks for two years. Shirley describes her son as having been a “braniac” who loved reading, especially encyclopedias. He wasn’t into sports, but he gained a love for horses after taking photographs of them for his college photography class, which led him to attending an equestrian school.
During Ronald’s early twenties, the Hemenway family moved to Shawnee, Kansas due to Bob’s job transfer. In Shawnee, Ronald never found work that he felt would lead him into a life career that he enjoyed. Joining the Navy in 1994 became his answer. Ronald graduated at the top of his class from Electronics School in Great Lakes, Illinois, and was awarded the Distinguished Military Graduate award. With such honors, he was allowed to choose his duty station on the USS La Salle in Gaeta, Italy. He arrived there in May, 1996.
While in Italy, Ronald met the woman that would become his wife, and became father to a son and daughter. By March 2000, Ronald’s request was accepted for assignment to work for the Chief of Navy Operations at the Pentagon.
Shirley and Bob Hemenway had been thrilled that their son and his family were back in the states and closer to them. But 9-11 changed all of that.
After the Hemenways received the visit from Naval personnel telling them their son was missing, a naval casualty assistance communications officer was assigned to assist them with concerns. After spending a week in limbo following the attacks, the Hemenway’s and their daughter-in-law were flown to Crystal City, Virginia. All families of those killed at the Pentagon were living at the Sheraton Hotel awaiting word of the recovery of their loved one’s remains. The Red Cross assisted with lodging and meal costs for the families while they also received support from chaplains, support dogs, and a daily briefing from the General that kept them apprised of developments. After any remains were found, identified, and returned to families, they chose to hold memorials, have burials at Arlington, or return to their homes for funeral services.
As days turned into weeks, and the FBI chose to cease the searching, the Hemenways were one of five families whose loved one’s remains were never recovered. On December 8, 2001, Shirley and Bob received a military death certificate from the Department of the Navy, and two Gold Leaf insignias.
On January 12, 2002, a cold but sunny day in Shawnee, Kansas, a memorial service was held for Ronald at the Hemenway’s church, Hope Lutheran. A ceremony followed at their home with bagpipes and the raising of a flag onto the twenty-five foot flag pole that had been set by Ronald’s brothers on September 12, 2001.
Shirley and Bob have since traversed their journey with support from their church family and TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors of military personnel) headquartered in Washington, D.C. They had made acquaintance with TAPS founder Bonnie Carroll during their stay at the Sheraton in Crystal City while waiting with hope for the recovery of their son’s remains.
After learning that Bonnie was from Alaska and that her husband, Brigadier General Tom Carroll, had been killed in a plane crash, the Hemenways and Bonnie had an immediate connection. Through Bonnie’s sincere care and invitation, Shirley and Bob made their first visit to the TAPS National Military Survivors Seminar in D.C. during Memorial Weekend, May 2002.
As months passed, families across the Unites States were cast into facing the incomprehensible deaths of children and other military family members fighting the subsequent wars against terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq. By 2004, Dave and I had been visited at our home by this uninvited guest of death when our oldest son was killed in battle. Over Memorial Weekend, 2005, Dave and I met Shirley and Bob during our attendance at the TAPS annual survivor’s seminar. The location was at the Doubletree hotel across from the Pentagon, which was fully repaired by September 11, 2002.
Through our meeting, we became bonded parents through terrorism and war. Afterwards, we remained in touch through e-mail and subsequent visits to the annual TAPS event.
Shirley informed me that on September 10th and 11th, 2008, families of those killed in the Pentagon would come together for a special ceremony. Through tears, on 9/11/2008 I watched C-Span’s live coverage of the ceremony and unveiling of the Pentagon Memorial comprised of benches etched with names of each of the those killed in the Pentagon and those on American Airlines flight 77 that will forever provide remembrance to those who died at the hands of wickedness. A memorial that will provide to future generations not yet born an acknowledgement that out of twisted concrete and steel came The Phoenix Project responsible for raising funds and creating this lasting monument as proof of the ability of our nation’s people to rise together from the ashes to never forget the injustice that befell our nation and families on 9/11/2001. Each individual that died that awful day will be memorialized by way of a bench with their name etched into the concrete. The benches will remain placed in rows at the western side of the Pentagon.
Through this book I am able to share journeys of courage and coping by military families across our nation who sent sons and daughters to war, and said final good-byes holding a folded flag. These are also stories of bitter-sweet pride of parents as they share insight into the lives of their warrior children. Children who grew from the little boy or girl next door to men and women who volunteered to defend our nation, and others, against terrorism by serving in the different branches of the United States Military.
For me and all those who contributed to this book, our greatest hope is that our children never be forgotten, that our journeys to get up everyday and find purpose will help others who follow our path, provide inspiration to any reader, and for the people of the United States to be reminded of the sacrifices made to ensure their freedoms.
May our nation never forget that an evil enemy strives to destroy our way of life and cherished freedoms as the terrorists attempted to do on September 11, 2001 when they made such horrendous efforts to crush us by destroying a major financial center, killing the innocent, and leaving raw grief to be endured by families such as the Hemenways.
May our nation never forget that freedom never has, and never will be free, or without the sacrifice of those willing to volunteer service for a cause greater than themselves.
-Deborah H. Tainsh
Gold Star Mom
---
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Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
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---
Monday, September 8, 2008
Thousands Take Part in National America Supports You Freedom Walk
An assembly of thousands gathered this morning at the entrance of Arlington National Cemetery, the starting point of the fourth annual National America Supports You Freedom Walk.
Ending at the Pentagon, where a hijacked airplane killed 184 people when it barreled into the building on Sept. 11, 2001, the Freedom Walk in the nation's capital is one of 330 similar processions around the world that will take place in all 50 states and 12 foreign countries.
Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon R. England told the crowd today's walk not only commemorates the attacks on America that occurred seven years ago this week, but also represents a day for Americans to commit themselves to the preservation of freedom.
"That day we lost 3,000 people of 60 nationalities," England said. "I've concluded that we lost 3,000 people that day because the terrorists did not know how to kill 30,000 or 300,000 or 3 million, but they would have if they could have, and they are still [trying].
"We wake up as a free people every morning, and that's not by accident, and that's not by chance," he continued. "We wake up free every morning because great Americans put who put on the uniform of our country for 230 some years have gone forward to protect and defend those freedoms."
England thanked servicemembers who protect and defend American liberty, and praised the sacrifices made by their families.
"We have, as a nation, an amazing debt of gratitude to all these people who have given their lives for these many years for our freedoms and for the freedoms of future generations," he said, drawing applause.
In addition to the Freedom Walk, today represents the beginning of a week of commemorative events, including the dedication of the Pentagon Memorial -- a two-acre park near the point of impact with an illuminated bench and lighted reflecting pool dedicated to each victim -- that will take place on the seventh anniversary of the attack.
Following the opening remarks, columns of walkers wearing Freedom Walk tee shirts headed south, skirting the Potomac River on the opposite bank of American icons like the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument, en route to the Defense Department headquarters.
America Supports You, a Defense Department program that connects citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families, hosted the event, which attracted a reported 10,000 participants, according to Pentagon Channel figures.
The one-mile walk culminated in the south parking lot of the Pentagon, where Marine General James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addressed the crowd from a raised stage.
Cartwright thanked those who participated in the event, which included walkers representing many states across the country, homefront groups manning kiosks in the Pentagon lot and country music performers the Oak Ridge Boys.
"And then a word to those who are not here for all the reasons that there are: deployed forward, sacrifices," he said. "All of the things that they do, whether they're in uniform or civilian, to support this nation and serve us so that we can get up every day free."
Cartwright, citing those around the world participating in Freedom Walks, expressed awe at the evolution of the event.
"When you think that this started four years ago, and now we're up to 330 of these types of events in which we acknowledge, and America acknowledges, service to this nation: that's a pretty big thing," he said.
---
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---
Ending at the Pentagon, where a hijacked airplane killed 184 people when it barreled into the building on Sept. 11, 2001, the Freedom Walk in the nation's capital is one of 330 similar processions around the world that will take place in all 50 states and 12 foreign countries.
Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon R. England told the crowd today's walk not only commemorates the attacks on America that occurred seven years ago this week, but also represents a day for Americans to commit themselves to the preservation of freedom.
"That day we lost 3,000 people of 60 nationalities," England said. "I've concluded that we lost 3,000 people that day because the terrorists did not know how to kill 30,000 or 300,000 or 3 million, but they would have if they could have, and they are still [trying].
"We wake up as a free people every morning, and that's not by accident, and that's not by chance," he continued. "We wake up free every morning because great Americans put who put on the uniform of our country for 230 some years have gone forward to protect and defend those freedoms."
England thanked servicemembers who protect and defend American liberty, and praised the sacrifices made by their families.
"We have, as a nation, an amazing debt of gratitude to all these people who have given their lives for these many years for our freedoms and for the freedoms of future generations," he said, drawing applause.
In addition to the Freedom Walk, today represents the beginning of a week of commemorative events, including the dedication of the Pentagon Memorial -- a two-acre park near the point of impact with an illuminated bench and lighted reflecting pool dedicated to each victim -- that will take place on the seventh anniversary of the attack.
Following the opening remarks, columns of walkers wearing Freedom Walk tee shirts headed south, skirting the Potomac River on the opposite bank of American icons like the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument, en route to the Defense Department headquarters.
America Supports You, a Defense Department program that connects citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families, hosted the event, which attracted a reported 10,000 participants, according to Pentagon Channel figures.
The one-mile walk culminated in the south parking lot of the Pentagon, where Marine General James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addressed the crowd from a raised stage.
Cartwright thanked those who participated in the event, which included walkers representing many states across the country, homefront groups manning kiosks in the Pentagon lot and country music performers the Oak Ridge Boys.
"And then a word to those who are not here for all the reasons that there are: deployed forward, sacrifices," he said. "All of the things that they do, whether they're in uniform or civilian, to support this nation and serve us so that we can get up every day free."
Cartwright, citing those around the world participating in Freedom Walks, expressed awe at the evolution of the event.
"When you think that this started four years ago, and now we're up to 330 of these types of events in which we acknowledge, and America acknowledges, service to this nation: that's a pretty big thing," he said.
---
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---
Patriotism: What Degree Are You?
By Randy Gaddo
On this, the seventh year after the unprecedented terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, I have cause to ponder what the letter and intent of the word Patriotism really means to people.
The reason I ponder this is that on Sept. 6th a diverse group of organizations and individuals put forth significant effort to hold a Patriot Day event at Falcon Field in Peachtree City. Patriot Day was declared by Presidential Proclamation since 2002 as a day to remember the lives lost on Sept. 11th, 2001 and to re-ignite the passionate unity and Patriotism that Americans felt in the immediate aftermath. It is also an opportunity to acknowledge and thank those who physically defend the country.
In this city of 35,000, about 400 were in attendance. That’s about 1 percent of the population. It is interesting and, perhaps, meaningful that in American history, about 1 per cent of the population has served in the military expect during times of war, when that percentage was somewhat higher.
The Patriot Day event had been well publicized in local media, on web sites, via email distribution lists and by other means. There was a 2nd Annual Freedom Walk held in conjunction with the event and about 150 people walked in that – more than last year, but still not the quantity anticipated.
Many people put in a lot of time planning and preparing for this event. A senior at Sandy Creek High School organized the Freedom Walk. Three music groups prepared selections, including a middle school band that had to prepare in the rush of a new school year. Middle and high school young men and women practiced to perform honors to the flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The Dixie Wing of the Commemorative Air Force detail cleaned their hangar to be site of the event. A dedicated guest speaker brought a rare and insightful message to those fortunate enough to hear her.
But her message should have been heard by thousands of citizens, not just a few hundred. Why, on an occasion where American Patriotism should be ringing forth like the Liberty Bell once did, why were there only a handful of citizens on hand to hear?
Patriotism is one of those ethereal terms that can mean many things to many people. Generally, it applies to love and devotion to one’s country.
The concept of Patriotism isn’t generally applied to any other physical entity other than one’s country. You aren’t “patriotic” about your family, though you are loving and devoted to it. School children aren’t “patriotic” about their school, though they can support it. So we’re talking about love and devotion to one’s country.
Let’s face it, most countries couldn’t exist without Patriotism, which is normally driven by common goals and/or beliefs. How could a country survive the many challenges it faces if not for a common love and devotion that is in the heart of every citizen?
Patriotism can have many degrees of intensity. I submit that the ultimate degree of Patriotism is a willingness to sacrifice the warmth and safety of one’s own home fires to deploy abroad prepared to fight and die for one’s country. Perhaps an even higher degree is to promote the peaceful and free principals that your country stands for and help another country achieve them at the risk of your own life.
The minimum degree of Patriotic intensity would be supporting those who are prepared to engage in the highest degree. I think one means of showing support would be to attend local events held to celebrate Patriotism.
Based on turnout here, about 1 percent of the citizens care enough to carve out a couple of hours a year to celebrate Patriotism at the lowest degree. Again, an interesting parallel; only about 1 percent care enough to volunteer their lives to serve at the highest degree of Patriotism. I wonder about the other 98 percent.
Children often learn from their parents’ example. Leaders often set the example for their followers. If parents and leaders don’t set the example of Patriotic expression for our youth and followers, who will?
There’s an adage that asks: If a tree falls in the woods and there is no one there to hear, does it still make a sound? I think a similar adage could be coined for Patriotism: If Patriotism lives but there are only a few there to hear it, does it live at all?
I think every American needs to look into his or her own heart and ask: “In what degree of Patriotism am I living?”
---
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Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
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---
On this, the seventh year after the unprecedented terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, I have cause to ponder what the letter and intent of the word Patriotism really means to people.
The reason I ponder this is that on Sept. 6th a diverse group of organizations and individuals put forth significant effort to hold a Patriot Day event at Falcon Field in Peachtree City. Patriot Day was declared by Presidential Proclamation since 2002 as a day to remember the lives lost on Sept. 11th, 2001 and to re-ignite the passionate unity and Patriotism that Americans felt in the immediate aftermath. It is also an opportunity to acknowledge and thank those who physically defend the country.
In this city of 35,000, about 400 were in attendance. That’s about 1 percent of the population. It is interesting and, perhaps, meaningful that in American history, about 1 per cent of the population has served in the military expect during times of war, when that percentage was somewhat higher.
The Patriot Day event had been well publicized in local media, on web sites, via email distribution lists and by other means. There was a 2nd Annual Freedom Walk held in conjunction with the event and about 150 people walked in that – more than last year, but still not the quantity anticipated.
Many people put in a lot of time planning and preparing for this event. A senior at Sandy Creek High School organized the Freedom Walk. Three music groups prepared selections, including a middle school band that had to prepare in the rush of a new school year. Middle and high school young men and women practiced to perform honors to the flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The Dixie Wing of the Commemorative Air Force detail cleaned their hangar to be site of the event. A dedicated guest speaker brought a rare and insightful message to those fortunate enough to hear her.
But her message should have been heard by thousands of citizens, not just a few hundred. Why, on an occasion where American Patriotism should be ringing forth like the Liberty Bell once did, why were there only a handful of citizens on hand to hear?
Patriotism is one of those ethereal terms that can mean many things to many people. Generally, it applies to love and devotion to one’s country.
The concept of Patriotism isn’t generally applied to any other physical entity other than one’s country. You aren’t “patriotic” about your family, though you are loving and devoted to it. School children aren’t “patriotic” about their school, though they can support it. So we’re talking about love and devotion to one’s country.
Let’s face it, most countries couldn’t exist without Patriotism, which is normally driven by common goals and/or beliefs. How could a country survive the many challenges it faces if not for a common love and devotion that is in the heart of every citizen?
Patriotism can have many degrees of intensity. I submit that the ultimate degree of Patriotism is a willingness to sacrifice the warmth and safety of one’s own home fires to deploy abroad prepared to fight and die for one’s country. Perhaps an even higher degree is to promote the peaceful and free principals that your country stands for and help another country achieve them at the risk of your own life.
The minimum degree of Patriotic intensity would be supporting those who are prepared to engage in the highest degree. I think one means of showing support would be to attend local events held to celebrate Patriotism.
Based on turnout here, about 1 percent of the citizens care enough to carve out a couple of hours a year to celebrate Patriotism at the lowest degree. Again, an interesting parallel; only about 1 percent care enough to volunteer their lives to serve at the highest degree of Patriotism. I wonder about the other 98 percent.
Children often learn from their parents’ example. Leaders often set the example for their followers. If parents and leaders don’t set the example of Patriotic expression for our youth and followers, who will?
There’s an adage that asks: If a tree falls in the woods and there is no one there to hear, does it still make a sound? I think a similar adage could be coined for Patriotism: If Patriotism lives but there are only a few there to hear it, does it live at all?
I think every American needs to look into his or her own heart and ask: “In what degree of Patriotism am I living?”
---
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Fayette Front Page
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Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
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---
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Patriot Day 2007 Videos - See next post for info on Patriot Day 2008
Thought we'd share some videos from last year's Patriot Day in Peachtree City! We'll post one, then links to the others. Some are the bands playing, some are the speakers...
Whitewater Middle School Band, Patriot Day Peachtree City
Rising Star Middle School Band, Patriot Day Peachtree City
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t5sHS7EF_o
Patriot Day 2007, Peachtree City, Nick Snider, Patriotism 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1qe53iVzFY
Patriot Day 2007, Peachtree City, Nick Snider, Patriotism 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJwsoCd2az4
Patriot Day 2007, Peachtree City, National Museum Patriotism
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEbOodALEXY
Dr. George Dillard's Opening Prayer, Patriot Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NiBoFB5GMA
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Whitewater Middle School Band, Patriot Day Peachtree City
Rising Star Middle School Band, Patriot Day Peachtree City
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t5sHS7EF_o
Patriot Day 2007, Peachtree City, Nick Snider, Patriotism 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1qe53iVzFY
Patriot Day 2007, Peachtree City, Nick Snider, Patriotism 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJwsoCd2az4
Patriot Day 2007, Peachtree City, National Museum Patriotism
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEbOodALEXY
Dr. George Dillard's Opening Prayer, Patriot Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NiBoFB5GMA
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PTC Patriot Day Scheduled for September 6
Guest Speaker Transitioned From Army Helicopter Pilot to Middle School Principal Patriotic music, vintage military aircraft and equipment and people walking to celebrate Freedom will highlight this year’s Peachtree City Patriot Day September 6 at the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) hangar at Falcon Field.
Starting at 9 a.m. at the intersection of TDK and Dividend, Sandy Creek High School senior Caitlin Dillon will lead the 2nd Annual America Supports You Freedom Walk. People can demonstrate their support for the men and women fighting for our freedom by participating in the one-mile walk, which will begin at 9 a.m. at the intersection of TDK and Dividend in Peachtree City. The public is encouraged to participate. Those interested in walking can register their name and how many will be attending by email at: Ptcfreedomwalk@yahoo.com.
The walk will end at the CAF hangar at Falcon field, where the Patriot Day celebration takes place. The end of the walk actually kicks off the Patriot Day event, which features live patriotic music, vintage military aircraft, vehicles and equipment, a special guest speaker and more. The CAF will host tours of its vintage aircraft and vehicles at their hangar area.
This year’s guest speaker is Bennett’s Mill Middle School Principal Rae Presley-King. She has been principal since 2001 when the school opened. The road that led her there is one that few people have traveled. After graduating from Howard University in Washington on an Army ROTC scholarship she began Army aviation training and eventually became a pilot and platoon leader in charge of an OH-58 helicopter unit in Germany. She spent eight years flying in the army before following her instincts to education.
Bennett’s Mill Middle School Band will be one of three featured music groups that will entertain the crowd. Also performing will be Music Alive!, a local singing group who has a wide repertoire of patriotic songs and a long tradition of pleasing audiences in the south Metro area. The Peachtree Wind Ensemble will present a patriotic program including a song entitled “Flight of Valor,” which memorializes the heroics of passengers and crew of Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.
By Presidential proclamation, Patriot Day is a day to reflect on the events of September 11, 2001, when more than 3,000 people were killed by terrorists in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.
The “Freedom Walk” is an event, first started in 2005 by Pentagon employees to commemorate the people who were killed there, as a reminder of the continuing Global War on Terror and to renew commitment to freedom and the values of our country.
Last year 255 communities participated across the nation, and every state was represented along with 8 nations overseas. What began as a small gesture became a new national tradition.
“We would love for everyone to be a part of it!” said Freedom Walk coordinator Caitlin Dillon, a Sandy Creek High School senior. She organized the first Freedom Walk in Peachtree City last year after having participated in one the year before in another city.
Call the Recreation Department at 770-631-2542 for further information on any of these events.
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Starting at 9 a.m. at the intersection of TDK and Dividend, Sandy Creek High School senior Caitlin Dillon will lead the 2nd Annual America Supports You Freedom Walk. People can demonstrate their support for the men and women fighting for our freedom by participating in the one-mile walk, which will begin at 9 a.m. at the intersection of TDK and Dividend in Peachtree City. The public is encouraged to participate. Those interested in walking can register their name and how many will be attending by email at: Ptcfreedomwalk@yahoo.com.
The walk will end at the CAF hangar at Falcon field, where the Patriot Day celebration takes place. The end of the walk actually kicks off the Patriot Day event, which features live patriotic music, vintage military aircraft, vehicles and equipment, a special guest speaker and more. The CAF will host tours of its vintage aircraft and vehicles at their hangar area.
This year’s guest speaker is Bennett’s Mill Middle School Principal Rae Presley-King. She has been principal since 2001 when the school opened. The road that led her there is one that few people have traveled. After graduating from Howard University in Washington on an Army ROTC scholarship she began Army aviation training and eventually became a pilot and platoon leader in charge of an OH-58 helicopter unit in Germany. She spent eight years flying in the army before following her instincts to education.
Bennett’s Mill Middle School Band will be one of three featured music groups that will entertain the crowd. Also performing will be Music Alive!, a local singing group who has a wide repertoire of patriotic songs and a long tradition of pleasing audiences in the south Metro area. The Peachtree Wind Ensemble will present a patriotic program including a song entitled “Flight of Valor,” which memorializes the heroics of passengers and crew of Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.
By Presidential proclamation, Patriot Day is a day to reflect on the events of September 11, 2001, when more than 3,000 people were killed by terrorists in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.
The “Freedom Walk” is an event, first started in 2005 by Pentagon employees to commemorate the people who were killed there, as a reminder of the continuing Global War on Terror and to renew commitment to freedom and the values of our country.
Last year 255 communities participated across the nation, and every state was represented along with 8 nations overseas. What began as a small gesture became a new national tradition.
“We would love for everyone to be a part of it!” said Freedom Walk coordinator Caitlin Dillon, a Sandy Creek High School senior. She organized the first Freedom Walk in Peachtree City last year after having participated in one the year before in another city.
Call the Recreation Department at 770-631-2542 for further information on any of these events.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Community News You Can Use
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