As we approach Memorial Day, I've been thinking about Old Glory and the men who fought and died to keep her flying.
In times of triumph, trial and tragedy, our citizens unite under our flag. Deep in our bones, we recognize the flag's meaning, the price paid for all it symbolizes, and the special place it occupies in our culture and conscience.
To commemorate Memorial Day, we're going to have a little quiz. Quickly, How many wars has the USA fought from 1775 to the present? How many military deaths have occurred? What was the cost? That's a big challenge, so I'm going to supply the answer as presented by the American Legion Magazine, May, 2015.
WAR AMERICAN DEATHS COST
Revolutionary 1775-1783 4,435 (1770's dollars) $101 million
Barbary 1801-1795 &
1805-1815 35 $l million
War of 1812 1812-1815 2,260 $90 million
Indian Wars 1813-1838 &
1866-1890 1,000 unknown
Mexican 1846-1848 13,283 $71 million
Civil 1861-1865 646,392 $3,182 billion
Spanish/Amer. 1898 2,446 $283 million
Philippines 1899-1901 4,200 unknown
Mexico 1914-1919 21 unknown
World War I 1917-1918 116,516 $20 billion
Cold War 1947-1991 0 $4.65 trillion
Berlin Airlift 1948-1949 $224 million
Korean 1950-1953 36,574 $30 billion
Vietnam 1965-1975 58,220 $111 billion
Lebanon 1982-1984 265 unknown
Grenada 1983 19 unknown
Persian Gulf 1987-1988 0 unknown
Panama 1989-1990 23 unknown
Gulf War 1990-1991 382 $61 billion
Iraqi-Kurdistan 1991 5 unknown
Somalia 1992-1994 43 $221 billion
Haiti 1994-1996 4 $2 billion
Bosnia 1995-2004 1 $14.83 billion
Global War on
Terrorism 2001-present 2,355 unknown
Kosovo 1999-present 5 $9.56 billion
Afghanistan 2001-present 2,215 $825.7 billion
Iraq 2003-2011 4,491 $820 million
Operation Inherent
Resolve 2014-present 3 $8.4 million
On May 25, 2015, respectfully remove your hat, place your right hand over your heart, lift your eyes to Old Glory and thank God for every person who has ever served in our military forces.
Quote:
A war by any other name is still a war.
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Monday, April 20, 2015
PALO PINTO PARK
Once fully developed, this 4000 acre tract, rich in wildlife and botanical diversity, will join the more than 90 parks in the Texas system.
About 50 miles down the interstate from our home is the turn-off to the newest state park in Texas -- the Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. "Mountains" might be a slight stretch for these hills and canyons, but hey, this is Texas.
Texas Parks and Wildlife purchased the land with the intention of attracting visitors to camp, hike, stargaze, mountain bike, fish and ride horses.
Over the last 5 years, state park visitation has increased 10 percent. In 2013 alone there were more than 8 million visits to our parks. A recent impact study by Texas A&M showed that Texas parks generated more than $774 million in sales and supported about 5,871 jobs within the state in 1913. The state spent $74 million for state park operations, and $44 million was recovered by earned revenue. So the state's net investment was roughly $30 million which is the equivalent of about $1.13 for each Texas resident. Our parks help support our economy.
A recent poll found that 92 percent agree that parks are important to families needing an affordable recreational outlet; 84 percent view parks as essential to healthy, active lifestyles. Also 80 percent acknowledge the need to protect natural areas. The majority agree that we must do what we can to sustain a viable parks system. The poll showed that 70 percent of voters support a constitutional amendment to permanently guarantee that revenues generated from the sale of sporting goods will go to support state and local parks.
Ensuring proper, consistent funding for our parks is good for Texas and for Texans.
Quote: The best way to solve your own problems is to help someone solve his.
About 50 miles down the interstate from our home is the turn-off to the newest state park in Texas -- the Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. "Mountains" might be a slight stretch for these hills and canyons, but hey, this is Texas.
Texas Parks and Wildlife purchased the land with the intention of attracting visitors to camp, hike, stargaze, mountain bike, fish and ride horses.
Over the last 5 years, state park visitation has increased 10 percent. In 2013 alone there were more than 8 million visits to our parks. A recent impact study by Texas A&M showed that Texas parks generated more than $774 million in sales and supported about 5,871 jobs within the state in 1913. The state spent $74 million for state park operations, and $44 million was recovered by earned revenue. So the state's net investment was roughly $30 million which is the equivalent of about $1.13 for each Texas resident. Our parks help support our economy.
A recent poll found that 92 percent agree that parks are important to families needing an affordable recreational outlet; 84 percent view parks as essential to healthy, active lifestyles. Also 80 percent acknowledge the need to protect natural areas. The majority agree that we must do what we can to sustain a viable parks system. The poll showed that 70 percent of voters support a constitutional amendment to permanently guarantee that revenues generated from the sale of sporting goods will go to support state and local parks.
Ensuring proper, consistent funding for our parks is good for Texas and for Texans.
Quote: The best way to solve your own problems is to help someone solve his.
Friday, April 17, 2015
SEROTONIN
Do you suffer from "moderate to severe" sadness, tension, lack of energy or motivation? Countless Americans do.
Mood-related issues keep doctors, counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists busy dealing with suffering patients. Why?
Modern life dictates that many people are exposed to almost constant stress. Our electronics are always on stimulating our minds day and night. We deal with increased traffic congestion, the roller coaster stock market, the possibility of terrorist attacks and the whims of Mother Nature. Our bodies are constantly revved up and ready to take action.
Health experts believe that the results of this unrelieved pressure is that our supplies of serotonin -- the brain's feel good hormone -- are constantly depleted. A lack of serotonin allows anxiety and worry to take over.
To help you stay calm, positive and focused, try these natural serotonin boosters:
QUOTE: For peace of mind, resign as general manager of the universe.
Mood-related issues keep doctors, counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists busy dealing with suffering patients. Why?
Modern life dictates that many people are exposed to almost constant stress. Our electronics are always on stimulating our minds day and night. We deal with increased traffic congestion, the roller coaster stock market, the possibility of terrorist attacks and the whims of Mother Nature. Our bodies are constantly revved up and ready to take action.
Health experts believe that the results of this unrelieved pressure is that our supplies of serotonin -- the brain's feel good hormone -- are constantly depleted. A lack of serotonin allows anxiety and worry to take over.
To help you stay calm, positive and focused, try these natural serotonin boosters:
- Get some sunshine. You need at least 20-30 minutes of sun 3 times a week. Take a walk outside if you can.
- Exercise. Aerobic exercise triggers serotonin production.
- Eat fatty, cold-water fish like salmon or tuna 2-3 times a week. Or take a high-quality fish oil supplement. St. John's Wort works for some. And serotonin is available over-the-counter in tablet form.
QUOTE: For peace of mind, resign as general manager of the universe.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
LUCKY ME
I'm happy that I had the privilege of living during the time of Walter Cronkite, Bob Hope, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Mickey Rooney, Esther Williams and Reverend Billy Graham.
I well remember the Sunday in December, 1941 when President Franklin Roosevelt announced in a voice of determined reason that Japanese planes had bombed the U.S. fleet in Hawaii. He told the people of our nation to unite in a common cause of work and sacrifice so that our freedom and way of life could be preserved. He said every man, woman and child would do their part to win the coming war, and they did. Our young men joined the military services in droves, and our women learned to use rivet guns.
President Harry Truman kept a sign on his desk that said, "The buck stops here." He lived his life by that motto. When his term ended, he packed Bess in their own car and drove to the house in Independence, MO that Bess inherited from her parents. Air Force 1 and the Secret Service were not required.
After the defeat of Germany in WWII, when the Nazi prison camps were inspected, five-star General Ike Eisenhower told the photographers to take pictures of every detail from every angle. He feared people in the future might say the atrocities never happened.
Walter Cronkite, the legendary news anchor for CBS 1962-1981, always signed off, "And that's the way it was." With integrity and accuracy he reported the facts without self-aggrandizement. We could trust Cronkite.
Bob Hope's family never celebrated Christmas on December 25. Bob was always away entertaining the troops. He took the stage and the microphone and made them forget about pain and loss and death for a brief time. And he did it with no clanging, crashing band or almost-naked, screeching vocalists.
Mickey Rooney gave us wholesome movies with a moral message like Black Stallion, Boys Town, National Velvet and the Andy Hardy series. This pint-sized, giant box office star's career spanned 80 years. He made almost 20 movies -- none of them were X-rated.
Esther Williams, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's sycronized swimming star, taught us the artistry and skill of performing in water. The studio spent a fortune on creating an elaborate pool where her movies of grace and beauty were filmed. Her costumes were elegant, flattering one-piece swimsuits. She said she had no wish to appear in "two Dixie cups and fishing line."
The life of Rev. Billy Graham, an unwavering man of God, speaks for itself. No comment from me is necessary.
I'm grateful to have witnessed and been a part of the accomplishments of these members of the Greatest Generation.
QUOTE: It's the little things of life that determine the big things.
I well remember the Sunday in December, 1941 when President Franklin Roosevelt announced in a voice of determined reason that Japanese planes had bombed the U.S. fleet in Hawaii. He told the people of our nation to unite in a common cause of work and sacrifice so that our freedom and way of life could be preserved. He said every man, woman and child would do their part to win the coming war, and they did. Our young men joined the military services in droves, and our women learned to use rivet guns.
President Harry Truman kept a sign on his desk that said, "The buck stops here." He lived his life by that motto. When his term ended, he packed Bess in their own car and drove to the house in Independence, MO that Bess inherited from her parents. Air Force 1 and the Secret Service were not required.
After the defeat of Germany in WWII, when the Nazi prison camps were inspected, five-star General Ike Eisenhower told the photographers to take pictures of every detail from every angle. He feared people in the future might say the atrocities never happened.
Walter Cronkite, the legendary news anchor for CBS 1962-1981, always signed off, "And that's the way it was." With integrity and accuracy he reported the facts without self-aggrandizement. We could trust Cronkite.
Bob Hope's family never celebrated Christmas on December 25. Bob was always away entertaining the troops. He took the stage and the microphone and made them forget about pain and loss and death for a brief time. And he did it with no clanging, crashing band or almost-naked, screeching vocalists.
Mickey Rooney gave us wholesome movies with a moral message like Black Stallion, Boys Town, National Velvet and the Andy Hardy series. This pint-sized, giant box office star's career spanned 80 years. He made almost 20 movies -- none of them were X-rated.
Esther Williams, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's sycronized swimming star, taught us the artistry and skill of performing in water. The studio spent a fortune on creating an elaborate pool where her movies of grace and beauty were filmed. Her costumes were elegant, flattering one-piece swimsuits. She said she had no wish to appear in "two Dixie cups and fishing line."
The life of Rev. Billy Graham, an unwavering man of God, speaks for itself. No comment from me is necessary.
I'm grateful to have witnessed and been a part of the accomplishments of these members of the Greatest Generation.
QUOTE: It's the little things of life that determine the big things.
Friday, April 3, 2015
STEROID TESTING
It's time to end steroid testing in high school athletes.
The state of Texas knew years ago that its program to test high school sports participants was not a fruitful use of resources. The program was well-intended, but its execution was ineffective.
In it's first year, then Sen. Dan Patrick called the program "a colossal waste of taxpayer money." He was right.
Since the program began in 2008, the state has spent $10 million to catch only a handful of students, after testing more than 63,000. Despite the hefty price tag, critics point out that the Texas plan made mistakes early on, failed to test for many common kinds of drugs and was too easy for cheaters to exploit.
Others argue that the testing results prove that steroid use among teens is not a widespread problem. Indeed, it is far less common than other kinds of drug and alcohol abuse that pose far greater risks to a larger universe of teenagers.
$10 million would go a long way toward adding classrooms to our crowded schools, repairing roofs and updating bathrooms and cafeterias.
It's time for the Legislation to put those state dollars to better use.
The state of Texas knew years ago that its program to test high school sports participants was not a fruitful use of resources. The program was well-intended, but its execution was ineffective.
In it's first year, then Sen. Dan Patrick called the program "a colossal waste of taxpayer money." He was right.
Since the program began in 2008, the state has spent $10 million to catch only a handful of students, after testing more than 63,000. Despite the hefty price tag, critics point out that the Texas plan made mistakes early on, failed to test for many common kinds of drugs and was too easy for cheaters to exploit.
Others argue that the testing results prove that steroid use among teens is not a widespread problem. Indeed, it is far less common than other kinds of drug and alcohol abuse that pose far greater risks to a larger universe of teenagers.
$10 million would go a long way toward adding classrooms to our crowded schools, repairing roofs and updating bathrooms and cafeterias.
It's time for the Legislation to put those state dollars to better use.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
CINDERELLA, SNOW WHITE, RAPUNZEL, ET CETERA
If you rub elbows and toes with children, you will learn that a "princess fixation" runs rampant in the land.
As an aunt to five, mother to three, and grandmother to nine, I can recite whole chapters about fairy tale princesses and other beloved children's heroes.
More than 70 years ago, I began with Three Little Pigs, Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Bean Stalk, Charlotte's Web and The Little Engine That Could. While the boys enjoyed these, the girls were indifferent. But when I added the stories about princesses and magic kingdoms, the girls became big fans.
Now I'm once again reading about beautiful, mistreated young maidens who eventually triumph over cruelty and hardship. As I read these old fables to three great-grandchildren (three more are on the way), I acknowledge that fantasizing about being something we will never become is not a bad thing. These make-believe tales carry lessons that transcend cultures and generations. The beloved stories are a way to teach our children that they can remain unbroken even in the most difficult circumstances.
As all my girls grow up, they aren't concerned about the arrival of a prince, a glamorous ball or even living happily ever after. Yes, they play dress-up with wands and high heels. They covet Rapunzel's long hair and Queen Elsa's voice singing "Let It Go". But as they grow older and experience more, they know these pretend kingdoms are not the real world.
Every generation eventually learns the normal constraints of a normal life. By first grade most of us know to leave fantasy behind. So why clip wings before it's time?
As an aunt to five, mother to three, and grandmother to nine, I can recite whole chapters about fairy tale princesses and other beloved children's heroes.
More than 70 years ago, I began with Three Little Pigs, Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Bean Stalk, Charlotte's Web and The Little Engine That Could. While the boys enjoyed these, the girls were indifferent. But when I added the stories about princesses and magic kingdoms, the girls became big fans.
Now I'm once again reading about beautiful, mistreated young maidens who eventually triumph over cruelty and hardship. As I read these old fables to three great-grandchildren (three more are on the way), I acknowledge that fantasizing about being something we will never become is not a bad thing. These make-believe tales carry lessons that transcend cultures and generations. The beloved stories are a way to teach our children that they can remain unbroken even in the most difficult circumstances.
As all my girls grow up, they aren't concerned about the arrival of a prince, a glamorous ball or even living happily ever after. Yes, they play dress-up with wands and high heels. They covet Rapunzel's long hair and Queen Elsa's voice singing "Let It Go". But as they grow older and experience more, they know these pretend kingdoms are not the real world.
Every generation eventually learns the normal constraints of a normal life. By first grade most of us know to leave fantasy behind. So why clip wings before it's time?
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