“These Colors Don’t Run” is a pro-troop, patriotic caravan to the nation’s capitol. This caravan is to counter the anti-war movement led by Cindy Sheehan.
For more information visit Move America Forward’s website at http://www.moveamericaforward.org/
If you are able, please join this caravan. Unfortunately, I will not be able to join, but I am still determined to do what I can to show my support for the troops.
Ok, so this isn’t actually about radio waves, but it is about radio.
I recently discovered that I can listen to radio online through iTunes and have been enjoying it completely. One of the stations I’ve been listening to is called Soldiers Radio Live. I did an online search for this and found the site where it originated. It’s related to the Army so I assume that this is what are soldiers are listening to in such places as Iraq.
Just thought I’d share that tidbit of information.
Sometimes boredom can be a good thing. Because I was rather bored tonight I went back to look at some vidoes I had seen before on Youtube. I thought I would share an absolute favorite one of mine and I hope to hear your comments about it.
As I mentioned earlier, I have started a tradition, which dates back to September 11, 2001, of writing a new poem every year on this date. This year was no exception. So, here’s the poem.
US 91101
Victoria B. Roberts
Shadow warriors board their flights
Blending in with the others on board
Though on the outside they seemed like all others
The inside bore hearts of stone
It was their intent to bring us down
To drive us to fear to tear us apart
The end of it all proved they were wrong
As the nation united in deed and in song
These shadow warriors soon took over the flights which they were on
Two of these flights exploded into the World Trade Center
Like a thunderbolt rolling in the sky
The Giant Twins both north and south
Came crashing down through smoke and ash
Elsewhere a flight soared into a portion of the Pentagon
Where men and women in uniform as well as some civilians
Were going about the business of the day
There and at the White House too an evacuation took place
Down in Florida children awaited to hear a story told by their president
A day like any other until the news broke forth to them
As the morning wore on Flight 93 was retaken by its passengers
This flight intended to bring down another icon instead crashed in Shanksville, PA
Across the country where people should be cowering instead could be seen
A nation united together by tragedy in one voice declared they would be strong
To all the world this nation became as only one city
And so was born US 91101
September 11, 2006
Earlier today, I attended a job fair in Birmingham, AL. As I went, my thoughts were “This is a large town and there’s very likely to be a lot of people there. What are the chances?” The next thought was, “Well, this is a job fair and will probably be like others I’ve attended, therefore a representative from some area of the Army is likely to be there.” When I made my way around to the various booths, I wasn’t at all surprised to see 2 representatives from some area of the Army there. One, an officer in the Army National Guard (I wish I’d paid attention to his rank as he seemed highly decorated and wearing what I assume was his dress uniform. Or maybe it just seemed so under those medals.), I actually got up the courage (though not really difficult for me to do) to go up to him and thank him for serving his country. Thinking of it now, I believe I may have just said thank you and not specified what for. However, he appreciated it all the same.
Later, I joined my brother, sister-in-law, and niece for lunch (we decided to eat out). On the way, I started noticing some flags flying at half mast. There may have been some other reason for it, but I truly believe it was because of the day.
Another thing that caught my attention actually occurred last night. My sister-in-law and I were trying to decide whether or not to attend a conference today. She wondered what the topic would be so I pulled out her conference packet and checked. The topic was “Our Sovereign God: God’s Power And Goodness in A World Of Joy And Suffering.” The speaker, Dr. Bruce Ware, mentioned September 11 a few times in his talk and furthermore indicated that it wasn’t until later that he and the others involved in this event realized that significance of the topic with the day it was to be given. By the way, I found the night’s service to be extremely good.
Going back in the day a bit…
Earlier today, I was working on my traditional poem and finding it rather difficult as I didn’t have my usual resources. As I stated in my last post, I generally rely pretty heavily on a video called “America Remembers.” here’s something I discovered as I struggled to write. “Music always seems evoke an emotional response from people. However, as I read “Feature: Snapshots of sympathy” by Al Webb, I found myself in tears.” I can still remember the very first time I read that article. It was around the time of 911 and the response it evoked in me then was the same as it was today. Had I continued to allow myself to read other articles, poems, songs, discussions, etc (which I’d collected) I may have had that same response.
Again, I want to thank all the men and women of the US Armed Forces, but especially those serving in this War on Terrorism, thank you for serving your country.
As is my tradition, I have already begun to write what has now become my annual poem in tribute/in memorial to September 11, 2001. However, this year is slightly different as I am away from home and am not able to rely on my usual sources of inspirations. On of my favorites, is America Remembers. I hope this doesn’t sound morbid as it shouldn’t. I want to relive that day in order to write a poem that truly captures, in hopefully new ways, the events and emotions of that day. The reason why America Remembers is a favorite of mine is because it tells the story of 9-11-01 by speaking to not only the media, but also people like me (just every day sort). I also like the music that was chosen. I don’t know the name of it or if it even has a name, but it is VERY powerful, VERY moving, and VERY emotional. I think the music itself evokes the emotions I need to write the poems. If I can just have that combined with the pictures and stories I can find online, that’ll be enough.
What more can I say at this time? Not really all that much, but don’t be surprised to see other entries here today.
As I typed that last bit, a thought suddenly occurred to me. Today is Monday, September 11, 2006. Next year it will be Tuesday, September 11, 2007. A rather frightening thought if you ask me. Thank goodness for our military forces. While I’m on that subject, this goes out to all the men and women in uniform, but especially to those serving in the war on terrorism: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR KEEPING US SAFE!!!!
For sometime now, I’ve been waiting for this date to come. I knew about June 6 and what happened on this day. However, it didn’t occur to me until I was preparing for class today the overall significance of this date.
It was Tuesday, June 6, 1944 that Operation Overlord was put into affect. It just so happens that today is Tuesday, June 6, 1944.
I wish I had realized this a week or so ago. If I had, I would have sent to the newspaper something I had written a few years ago about this date. I’m including it here.
AMERICA’S INVOLVEMENT AT NORMANDY
This is a speech that I gave in one of my history classes and I thought it was perfect for today.
By: Victoria B. Roberts
It is Tuesday, June 6, 1944. The troops of three countries arrive in Normandy, France prepared to invade the Germans. These countries came together to work out a plan of invasion which they called Operation Overlord. These three countries were Great Britain, Canada, and the United States of America. This day was to be the beginning of the end of the second World War.
The plans for Operation Overlord began in the summer of 1943. This plan was for troops from three countries to attack the Germans by land, by air, and by sea. This invasion was to begin in Normandy and spread across Europe to Germany. The operation was coordinated by the British Lt. General Frederick Morgan and his staff. The American General, Dwight D. Eisenhower was chosen to be the Supreme Allied Commander in 1943. It was his job to lead the Allied forces into Normandy where they would begin to invade the Germans and thus defeat them.
The troops of Great Britain, Canada, and the United States met on the coast of England and prepared for D-Day. There were more than 2,800,000 Allied soldiers who boarded more than 10,000 planes and thousands of vessels. The plan was that each group would break off and invade different parts of France. The beaches, which were to be invaded, were given code names. Americans were to land and fight on the beaches of Omaha and Utah.
Paratroopers were the key to setting the stage for the actual invasion. Two American airborne divisions landed near Utah beach to set the stage for attack. They were to capture the main roads and bridges around Utah and throw the Germans, who were in the area, into confusion.
Utah proved to be a difficult battle. Weather conditions separated the two U.S. airborne divisions so that several smaller battles were fought instead of one large battle.
The problems in the way the parachuters were forced to land actually worked in their favor. The Germans were confused By the American parachuters’ landing pattern and were rather slow in their fighting.
There were also problems at Omaha Beach. The storm had left its mark as a cloud dropped down into a fog to hide the shore from outside view. The waters near Omaha were dangerously rough. Many of the dual-drive tanks, which were to be part of the ground assault, arrived late or never arrived at all.
The invasion of Normandy was successful and proved to be the beginning of the end of the second world war. The allied forces pushed across Europe to Germany and fought until the last German had surrendered unconditionally.
It is obvious from an earlier attempt by the British and the Canadians, that the Allies could not and would not be successful in winning World War II if it had not been for the American entrance into the war.
The day, Tuesday, June 6, 1944 will long be remembered and never forgotten.
(This was originally posted on another site on the day that the State of the Union speech was given.)
I thought it was about time to post something here and this turned in to the perfect time. I want to share some thoughts about one favorite portion from the “State of the Union” address Bush presented last night.
Some of you might be wondering, “What does that address have to do with the American Wars?” Actually, I believe quite a bit. The main reason being that Bush actually spoke in great lengths about our current war on terrorism (I’ll save my thoughts on that for a bit later).
He said something in particular that I believe is worth quoting here.
Bush: Marine Staff Sergeant Dan Clay was killed last month fighting in Fallujah. He left behind a letter to his family, but his words could just as well be addressed to every American. Here is what Dan wrote: “I know what honor is. … It has been an honor to protect and serve all of you. I faced death with the secure knowledge that you would not have to…. Never falter! Don’t hesitate to honor and support those of us who have the honor of protecting that which is worth protecting.”
I think that says it all.
