Happy Memorial Day Weekend! ...:) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* HAVE A HAPPY, SAFE, AND BLESSED MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND! :) _ (_) | | | | | |_________________________________________ |*%%*%%*%%*%%*%%########################### |%*%%*%%*%%*%%*%########################### |*%%*%%*%%*%%*%%########################### |%*%%*%%*%%*%%*%########################### |*%%*%%*%%*%%*%%########################### |%*%%*%%*%%*%%*%########################### |*%%*%%*%%*%%*%%########################### |########################################## |########################################## |########################################## |########################################## |########################################## |###################################JGS#### |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | | | | | >-->From Our Friend EdLaF :) >Honor Our Vets This Memorial Day! Strength, courage and honor fill the heart of every hero who fought in America's wars. Yet, in the course of daily life, it's all too easy to set aside the thought of what others sacrificed to keep us safe and free. That's why Memorial Day was created, giving you and me time to render a meaningful honor to the sacrifices of heroes. It's the one day of the year when there is no excuse to forget. I know you'll never forget the great price of freedom. Help a Disabled American Vet http://www.dav.org/ --- ...We are most thankful to all our Vets. Thank You EdLaF! -<>- >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This Hot funny one is from our friend Johanna. Sure to tickle the fancy of all you dog lovers out there! .-" _ "-. / _ \ /`| | `\ |\ /\o/ \_o/ |;\ __ _ .-"""-. \;;\ \ `-'/ ;-._.-' , |;;;\ '--. |_ \ \ _.--'| |;;;;| | '. \ \ `-._/ /===;/..-"-. \ '. /`._ __ ___/___(( _ \ \ Y ``-\_/==;===='"`/``---' \ \ \\ \ /` \___/ |\ \ /` | | \ ; / / | | jgs / \ | | .' \_/ | Dog Eat Dog World! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dogeatdog.html --- ...LOL! Too good not to share! Thanks Johanna! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: Gail shares a touching Memorial Day tribute. Have a safe holiday weekend and let's "never forget." \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz >LEST WE FORGET by Gail Bracy We all wore them in the 70s -- those stainless steel POW-MIA bracelets. The best-dressed high school students had AT LEAST one each, and we all wore them proudly. After all, war was dirty business, and we were doing our part... by remembering. We were wearing bracelets that had the name and rank of a soldier Missing In Action or who was captured and kept as a Prisoner of War. Our bracelets told which country the soldier represented, as well. They listed where the soldier was stationed when he disappeared and his home state. There was information concerning his last-known address, so if you wanted to, you could send a note to the family, telling them that you had their son's name on your bracelet, and that you'd never forget him. That was the idea, after all -- to wear the bracelet until he came home, or simply to always remember him. I had every intention of writing to the parents of "my guy," but every effort was interrupted by important things thinks like pajama parties, dances, pep rallies, bicycle trips and county fairs. Things like summer camp, tree climbing, book reading and birthday parties. I would remember to write later. I promised myself at least weekly for a number of months that I'd write to his parents, yet never seemed to have the time or the postage stamp. There were no home computers or email messages back then. I would remember next week after final exams. Yes, I'd remember next week. This was important stuff, and I'd remember. We started choosing colleges. I wanted to find a husband and start a family. Sue was going to be a chemist. Cliff was going to be a missionary on some island in the Pacific, and Wanda was going to be a dental assistant. Joe was going to open a car repair shop and Millie was going to marry Fred and start having children. Everyone was heading out into the big world to make his/her mark. Time passed.... I'd occasionally run across my bracelet as I emptied drawers or filled boxes to go to college, my first apartment, another college, our first house. I'd remember to write after I unpacked and before classes started, babies came, jobs, changed, I was sure. This was important, and I'd remember. Part of the hesitancy was a result of not knowing what to say. It was fifteen years after high school graduation that I met John. John sported one of those stainless steel bracelets. No one wore them anymore. Memories of the Vietnam War and life in the 70s rushed through my mind in an embarrassing memory of unmailed letters and unkept promises. I remembered! I remembered the sit-ins, the protest marches, peace signs, "War is not Healthy" posters and black lights. I remembered the perfumes that were named after nature -- Wild Grasses, Ocean Mist, Warm Earth. I remembered John Denver and Annie's Song and bell-bottom pants, chokers and fringed everything. I remembered Richard Nixon's 'ending that war' for us, and how proud I was. I remembered his trip to China. I remembered it all. But the warmth of the memories was soon replaced by the ice-water jolt of the realization that I had unfinished and important business. YOU know the kind -- the complete shock, embarrassment and urgency that makes your heart race and your skin crawl. The kind that makes you hear rushing wind when everything's still, the feeling that you've committed an unforgivable offense. I had forgotten to write The Letter. I had forgotten to wear the bracelet. I had forgotten my commitment to those who were missing or dead. I forgot that these people were somebody's children. I had forgotten to remember. As John fingered the bracelet and told me about his POW, I saw tears glistening in his eyes, threatening at any moment to cut a trail down his cheek and through his beard and mustache. He looked at me and said, "You know, my son graduated from West Point, and he may well be in the same position as these poor guys one day. I pray that it never happens, but if it does, and if God wills it, and my son disappears, I pray that someone remembers. We must never forget." Lt. Col. Bruce G. Johnson (USA, MI, 6/10/65, South Vietnam), please forgive me. Please forgive us all, lest we forget. -- Gail Bracy __________________________________________________ Gail says, "I live in Watertown, NY, and very much enjoy writing. One of my passions is photography, and I hope to one day combine my photos and stories in a book of my own." ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Bunni :) o o / \ / \ / \ / +--------------v-------------+ | __________________ @ | | / , ooo \ | | | ---=====|#O#### | (\) | | | ` \ ) | | | | ,;`, | | | (-) | | | // o ', | | | | | \ ' o \ /, | | / :|||: | | -ooo-------------- :|||: | +----------------------------+ [] [] unknown >A Family Story: A teacher from a primary school asks her students to write an essay about what they would like God to do for them. At the end of the day while marking the essays, she reads one that made her very emotional. Her husband, who had just walked in saw her crying and asked her what happened. She answered: ' Read this essay' "Oh God, tonight I ask you something very special. Make me into a television. I want to take its place. Live like the TV in my house. Have my own special place and have my family around me.To be taken seriously when I talk. I want to be the center of attention and be heard without interruptions or questions. I want to receive the same special care that the TV receives when it is not working. Have the company of my dad when he arrives home from work, even when he is tired. I want my mom to want me when she is sad and upset, instead of just shouting at me or ignoring me. I want to feel that my family just leaves everything aside, every now and then, just to spend some time with me. Lord I don't ask you for much.... I just want to live like every TV" At that moment the husband said ' Poor child. What horrible parents' His wife looked up at him and said, ' That essay is our son's'. -- Author Unknowm --- ...A sad but true one! Thanks Bunni! We often take the ones we love the most for granted so that ones we love and cherish the most are the ones we hurt the most. -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Scriptures Fellowship with Christ is the secret of fruitfulness for Him. Psalms 92:14 ( They shall still bear fruit in old age: they shall be fresh and flourishing.) In the midst of my troubles, peace was found in Jesus!!!! John 16:13 ( In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.) Only God could create the cosmos out of nothing. Genesis 1:21:36 (So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves.... Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image.") Pain can be a platform to share Christ. Philipians 1:12 (I want you to know brethern, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.) It's hard to hate someone when you're doing something good for him. Matthew 5:44 (But I say to you, Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you.) Keep your eyes on the Lord and you won't lose sight of life's purpose. Mark 10:45 (For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.) --- ...heartwarming! Thanks Bunni! =================================================================== >-->From TheMasti: ,-. |,-.| ||O|| O __||H|| H / _ |H||~~~~O~~~~~~.dHb.~~~.dHb.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~H |(_)|H|| O cHHHHHoooHHHHHD H \|||/H|| o "HHHHHHHF' K H|| __ "HHHHHF R H|| o /o `-./ HHHHH ><> O H|| o 7__.-'\ HHHHH __ G H|| O HHHHH __ \.-' o\ G H|| o ><> HHHHH /o `-./ /`-.__F H H|| o __ HHHHH 7__.-'\ H H||o o /o `-./HH <>< H H``oO 7__.-'\HH __ H Ho o HHHHH \.-' o\ _ H H _ _.-._ .dHHHHHb./`-.__F _ _,-._(_)(H H,-(_)-(_)-(_),dH,-(_)H(_),-(_).,-(_)(_)-(_),-.H Krogg >Japanese Inspirational Story... The Japanese have always loved fresh fish. But the waters close to Japan have not held many fish for decades. So to feed the Japanese population, fishing boats got bigger and went farther than ever. The farther the fishermen went, the longer it took to bring in the fish. If the return trip took more than a few days, the fish were not fresh. The Japanese did not like the taste. To solve this problem, fishing companies installed freezers on their boats. They would catch the fish and freeze them at sea. Freezers allowed the boats to go farther and stay longer. However, the Japanese could taste the difference between fresh and frozen and they did not like frozen fish. The frozen fish brought a lower price. So fishing companies installed fish tanks. They would catch the fish and stuff them in the tanks, fin to fin. After a little thrashing around,the fish stopped moving. They were tired and dull, but alive. Unfortunately, the Japanese could still taste the difference. Because the fish did not move for days, they lost their fresh-fish taste. The Japanese preferred the lively taste of fresh fish, not sluggish fish. So how did Japanese fishing companies solve this problem? How do they get fresh-tasting fish to Japan? If you were consulting the fish industry, what Would you recommend? Here is How Japanese Fish Stay Fresh: To keep the fish tasting fresh, the Japanese fishing companies still put the fish in the tanks. But now they add a small shark to each tank. The shark eats a few fish, _= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =_ ~= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =~ = = " Sharks in a = = Goldfish Bowl " = ~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ = = \. |\ = = \`.___---~~ ~~~--__ __ = = //~~----___ (_c_nn~~~ ><_o> __ = = ' |/' ><_o> = = o = = o O = = . o /| ./ = = <>< . __--~~~ ~~---___.`/ = = <>< ~~~mm_e_) ___----~~\\ = = `\| ' = = = = , . . = = _\(l/.-==---.__.. _ = = = =_= = = = = = = = = =_= -cfbd- ~= = = = = = = = = =~ But most of the fish arrive in a very lively state. The fish are challenged. Have you realized that some of us are also living in a pond but most of the time tired & dull, So we need a Shark in our life to keep us awake and moving? Basically in our lives Sharks are new challenges to keep us active and lively. =================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Jo Ann :) ( (_) ### . (#c __\|/__ #\ wWWWw \ \-. (/. .\) /\ /`\/\ /\ |\/ \_) (_| `\.' ; ; `' ;`\ `\; ; . ;/\ `\; ; ;| \ ; .' ' ; / |_.' ; | /) ( ''._;/` | ' . ; |.-' .:) | | ( .' : | |,- .:: | | ,-' .;| jgs_/___,_.:_\_ [I_I_I_I_I_I_] | __________ | | || | | || | _| ||_|__|_|| |_ /=--------------=\ / \ | | America is in trouble and the reason is our abandonment of the Christ of The Cross. America had for the first 200 years been the force used of the Lord for the spreading of the gospel. Our Morality and Character as a nation was the beacon for the world. In the last 35 years our churches have compromised and failed to stand for the Biblical Standards that protected us for 200 years. Pray for our country, that we as a nation will return to the Foundational Biblical Principles for the future of our children and grandchildren. Hosea 4:6, Isaiah 5:13 & Proverbs 14:34-35 Beautiful pictures!!!!!!!!!!! Hope you score 100 The sentence at the end of this page tells you how to score 100. Enjoy the pictures! Visit Here... Christ's Life http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesuslife.html I'm not ashamed. He is the only one that can save this country and they want him removed from the government. Our great nation will not stand if we delete HIM from all aspects of our government as the atheists want. Jesus Test This is an easy test, you score 100 or zero. It's your choice. If you aren't ashamed to do this, please follow the directions. Jesus said, if you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father. 'This is the simplest test. If you Love God, and are not ashamed of all the marvelous things he has done for you.. Send this to other people... --- ...Wonderful! Thanks Jo Ann! =================================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: * * *%%* ,,,,, *%%* *%%%%%* W*W*W*W *%%%%%* *%%%%%%%* {//"\\}*%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%*{{/6.6\}}*%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%*{{( = )}}*%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%%*}}}}) ({{{{*%%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%* {{{{ }}}} *%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%* We are each of us *%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%* angels with only one wing*%%%%%* jgs *%%* And we can only fly *%%* * embracing each other. * -Luciano Decrescenzo >GUARDIAN ANGELS By: Joseph J. Mazzella I believe in guardian angels. Since I was a boy I have felt watched over, loved, and protected by my unseen friends and I am so thankful to God for them. I have had far too many near misses with hurt and harm over the years for it to be mere luck. I guess my guardian angels are keeping me around for a reason and I will do my best not to make their work too hard in the future. I also believe in guardian angels because I have seen one in action over the years. My oldest son graduates from high school this Spring. Through all of his years in school he has struggled with Autism. It has made it difficult for him to learn, to relate to others, and to function in this world. Thankfully, though, he has had a guardian angel with him every step of the way. His aide has been there with him through all the difficulties, through all the triumphs, through all the pains, and through all the joys. She was there when he first started to speak in sentences. She was there when he first started to read. She was there when he first started to make friends and play with the other children. She helped him through every frustration he faced and comforted him through every bit of sadness he had to endure. She helped him to become the happy and loving soul that he is today. She loved him, cared for him, guided him, encouraged him, and watched over him. She has been his aide, his friend, his second mother, and his guardian angel. Words can never express all the good that she has done for him. All I can say to her is "Thank you so much for being such an angel in my son’s life." There are many guardian angels in our lives. Some are unseen, but some walk with us and help us everyday. Take the time then to thank God for all the guardian angels in this world. Take the time as well to thank all the guardian angels that touch your own life. But most of all take the time to be a loving, joyous guardian angel yourself to every hurting heart that needs you. -<>- \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz >* My Marine Hero * I only noticed him out of the corner of my eye. I knew he was a Marine from the cut of his uniform, with it's tightly pressed military creases. Then I heard him, speaking low with a kind of hiss. He was not speaking to me. He was speaking to my Sergeant, who was the Non Commissioned Officer, in charge of the Military Information Booth, at San Francisco International Airport, where I served as a Navy WAVE, during the Vietnam War. I heard his tortured attempt to speak. "Hep nee, peesss!" (Help me, please!) He struggled with every word. I was grabbing my purse to take a much needed break, but I was caught by his struggle to make himself understood. I could hear the irritation in the sergeant's voice, as she demanded that he "speak up!" I paused, as he began again, "I-nee-to-change-ny-tickek!" I understood every painful word he said. He needed to change his ticket. What was wrong with my NCO? "I CAN'T understand you!" She said, irritated. "Speak up!" How rude! I thought. I turned, putting down my purse, and I looked at him, again beginning his struggle to speak. And, no wonder. There stood a tall, strong Marine Officer, perfect in his pristine uniform, missing half his jaw! My God, I thought! What is she thinking?! Excuse me, Sir. I can help you." Without thinking, I shoved my Sergeant aside and maneuvered my way in front of her. I could see the man's teeth through the wire that held his face together. I was of no importance, a lowly seaman apprentice, but I knew what this man needed. Someone, who cared enough to listen. I studied his eyes. I saw the pain, and I felt his humiliation. Soul to soul, I knew what to do. I smiled. A big, welcoming smile. "Yes Sir! How can I help you?" Painfully slow words, tortured and slurred, escaped from his wired mouth. I listened with all my heart, and I watched his eyes. Dear God, help me to understand! I prayed. And I did understand him, more than I can express. I gave him the directions he needed, and his eyes smiled his thanks. When he walked away, I called a friend at United Airlines, who adopted him immediately, taking great care with his situation. I thanked God for this opportunity to help a real hero. However, I also knew I was in trouble. I looked at my Sergeant, feeling anger rise in me, at her rudeness and total lack of sensitivity. She stared at me, and she said, "I could put you on report." Her eyes narrowed. Without thinking, I blurted out, "...and, I could put YOU on report, Sergeant, for insubordination to an officer!" My eyes spit fire, as I hurtled the stack of report chits towards her. "Be my guest!" I said, as I grabbed my purse. "I'll be on break." And I left. I went on to supper, as I knew it would be a long night. I was troubled, however, now that my "dander" was down, at the thought of going to Captain's Mast, for my insubordination to an NCO. I was certain it would be very unpleasant. As I neared the United Airlines counter, I saw him again. His luggage was being checked, and his back was towards me. Then, as though someone had told him I was there, he turned, and he looked at me. Our eyes met, for an eternity. Then I smiled. This soldier and hero, in the United States Marine Corps, pulled himself up to his full height, and with all the military perfection in his being, he gave me a sharp, military salute! I was thrilled! WAVES normally did not salute indoors, especially, when they were not wearing their cover (hat), but I pulled myself to attention and returned that salute. Moving on to the cafeteria, I walked a little taller. I felt more like a lady than I ever had before in my whole life! And...just a little bit...I felt like a hero, too. ~ The author is Jaye Lewis who wonders after 35 years if the Marine and her paths will cross again. She was twenty-one years old at the time and her Sergeant never did put her on report. Now, she is a retired Navy wife and Vietnam veteran who hopes we remember, in our present war, that the Marines and all our Forces, hit the ground running, so that we don't have to. She lives and writes in the beautiful mountains of southwestern Virginia. Jaye's website can be visited by going to www.entertainingangels.org ~ -<>- .-"""-. , (_ _ \ /| ____ _ )= `) ) ,"";, |(| ()___>===(()====( ( (//``;\\ (| ||~\__ `) ( ) ;|| || `==\--`.-; ;|| \\ / |`-._, ;\\ , `---;` / `._`\\ ,/| >~~~~`._ `"` |(| / ' `""---.....___ (| | '. ' _ . ``\ \ '-. '- . _ / \ '. - ._`\ '. '. '-.. _/ jgs '._ - ._ _/ `-..__ .-'` `"'""` >ECHOES OF KIND WORDS A little boy said to his father, "Let's play darts. I'll throw the darts and you say, `Wonderful!'" Here is a boy who was not afraid to ask for the encouragement he needs. Maybe we all have something to learn from him! Inspirational author and educator, Fr. Brian Cavanaugh, relates a story about the devastating effects of discouragement. Dante Gabriel Rossetti, the famous 19th Century poet and artist, was once approached by an elderly man who asked him to look at a few of his sketches and drawings. The gentleman wanted to know if the artist thought they were of any value. As gently as possible, Rossetti told the man that the sketches were of no value and showed little talent. He apologized for the harsh assessment but said that he believed he should be honest. The visitor was disappointed but asked the artist if he could take a look at just a few more, which were all done by a young art student. Rossetti looked over the second batch of sketches and immediately became enthusiastic over the talent they revealed. "These," he said, "oh, these are good." He went on to say that the young student shows much promise and should be given every help and encouragement, as he may have a great future if he will study and work hard. The old man was deeply moved. Rossetti asked, "Who is this fine, young artist? Your son?" "No," replied the visitor sadly. "It is I - forty years ago. If only I had heard your praise then. For you see, I became discouraged and gave up too soon." Mother Teresa wisely said, "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." Sometimes it may be enough to just say, "Wonderful!" By Steve Goodier -<>- \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz >The Boys of Iwo Jima (From the book: Heart Touchers "Life-Changing Stories of Faith, Love, and Laughter) by Michael T. Powers Each year my video production company is hired to go to Washington, D.C. with the eighth grade class from Clinton, Wisconsin where I grew up, to videotape their trip. I greatly enjoy visiting our nation's capitol, and each year I take some special memories back with me. This fall's trip was especially memorable. On the last night of our trip, we stopped at the Iwo Jima memorial. This memorial is the largest bronze statue in the world and depicts one of the most famous photographs in history -- that of the six brave men raising the American flag at the top of Mount Surabachi on the Island of Iwo Jima, Japan during WW II. Over one hundred students and chaperones piled off the buses and headed towards the memorial. I noticed a solitary figure at the base of the statue, and as I got closer he asked, "What's your name and where are you guys from? I told him that my name was Michael Powers and that we were from Clinton, Wisconsin. "Hey, I'm a Cheesehead, too! Come gather around Cheeseheads, and I will tell you a story." James Bradley just happened to be in Washington, D.C. to speak at the memorial the following day. He was there that night to say good-night to his dad, who had previously passed away, but whose image is part of the statue. He was just about to leave when he saw the buses pull up. I videotaped him as he spoke to us, and received his permission to share what he said from my videotape. It is one thing to tour the incredible monuments filled with history in Washington, D.C. but it is quite another to get the kind of insight we received that night. When all had gathered around he reverently began to speak. Here are his words from that night: "My name is James Bradley and I'm from Antigo, Wisconsin. My dad is on that statue, and I just wrote a book called Flags of Our Fathers which is #5 on the New York Times Best Seller list right now. It is the story of the six boys you see behind me. Six boys raised the flag. The first guy putting the pole in the ground is Harlon Block. Harlon was an all-state football player. He enlisted in the Marine Corps with all the senior members of his football team. They were off to play another type of game, a game called "War." But it didn't turn out to be a game. Harlon, at the age of twenty-one, died with his intestines in his hands. I don't say that to gross you out; I say that because there are generals who stand in front of this statue and talk about the glory of war. You guys need to know that most of the boys in Iwo Jima were seventeen, eighteen, and nineteen years old. (He pointed to the statue) You see this next guy? That's Rene Gagnon from New Hampshire. If you took Rene's helmet off at the moment this photo was taken, and looked in the webbing of that helmet, you would find a photograph. A photograph of his girlfriend. Rene put that in there for protection, because he was scared. He was eighteen years old. Boys won the battle of Iwo Jima. Boys. Not old men. The next guy here, the third guy in this tableau, was Sergeant Mike Strank. Mike is my hero. He was the hero of all these guys. They called him the "old man" because he was so old. He was already twenty- four. When Mike would motivate his boys in training camp, he didn't say, "Let's go kill the enemy" or "Let's die for our country." He knew he was talking to little boys. Instead he would say, "You do what I say, and I'll get you home to your mothers." The last guy on this side of the statue is Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian from Arizona. Ira Hayes walked off Iwo Jima. He went into the White House with my dad. President Truman told him, "You're a hero." He told reporters, "How can I feel like a hero when 250 of my buddies hit the island with me and only twenty-seven of us walked off alive?" So you take your class at school. 250 of you spending a year together having fun, doing everything together. Then all 250 of you hit the beach, but only twenty-seven of your classmates walk off alive. That was Ira Hayes. He had images of horror in his mind. Ira Hayes died dead drunk, face down at the age of thirty-two, ten years after this picture was taken. The next guy, going around the statue, is Franklin Sousley from Hilltop, Kentucky, a fun-lovin' hillbilly boy. His best friend, who is now 70, told me, "Yeah, you know, we took two cows up on the porch of the Hilltop General Store. Then we strung wire across the stairs so the cows couldn't get down. Then we fed them Epson salts. Those cows crapped all night." Yes, he was a fun-lovin' hillbilly boy. Franklin died on Iwo Jima at the age of nineteen. When the telegram came to tell his mother that he was dead, it went to the Hilltop General Store. A barefoot boy ran that telegram up to his mother's farm. The neighbors could hear her scream all night and into the morning. The neighbors lived a quarter of a mile away. The next guy, as we continue to go around the statue, is my dad, John Bradley from Antigo, Wisconsin, where I was raised. My dad lived until 1994, but he would never give interviews. When Walter Kronkite's producers, or the New York Times would call, we were trained as little kids to say, "No, I'm sorry sir, my dad's not here. He is in Canada fishing. No, there is no phone there, sir. No, we don't know when he is coming back." My dad never fished or even went to Canada. Usually he was sitting right there at the table eating his Campbell's soup, but we had to tell the press that he was out fishing. He didn't want to talk to the press. You see, my dad didn't see himself as a hero. Everyone thinks these guys are heroes, 'cause they are in a photo and a monument. My dad knew better. He was a medic. John Bradley from Wisconsin was a caregiver. In Iwo Jima he probably held over 200 boys as they died, and when boys died in Iwo Jima, they writhed and screamed in pain. When I was a little boy, my third grade teacher told me that my dad was a hero. When I went home and told my dad that, he looked at me and said, "I want you always to remember that the heroes of Iwo Jima are the guys who did not come back. DID NOT come back." So that's the story about six nice young boys. Three died on Iwo Jima, and three came back as national heroes. Overall, 7000 boys died on Iwo Jima in the worst battle in the history of the Marine Corps. My voice is giving out, so I will end here. Thank you for your time." Suddenly the monument wasn't just a big old piece of metal with a flag sticking out of the top. It came to life before our eyes with the heartfelt words of a son who did indeed have a father who was a hero. Maybe not a hero in his own eyes, but a hero nonetheless. Michael T. Powers HeartTouchers@aol.com Copyright © 2000 by Michael T. Powers -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Proud Of Our Troops 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops2.html Lest We Forget 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lestweforget2.html Our Valuable Anchor! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Christ's Bell! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bell.html Daily With The Troops 2 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/daily2.html Ray's Freedom Rock! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/freedomrock.html Whale Rescue 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whalerescue2.html Lighthouses Of The World! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lighthouses.html Grand Canyon Skywalk http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/skywalk.html Tierpark Leopard Cubs http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/leopardcubs.html -<>- >From Our Friend Wesley :) ripped : duolingo http://duolingo.com/ --- ...Looks promising! Thanks Wesley! -<>- >From Our Friend KarenF: Beautiful site www.mamarocks.com Today's pages: Wind ChimesSweet Life http://www.mamarocks.com/mamas_links_48t.htm --- ...A long time fav of mine too! I aspire to have as much traffic! Thanks KarenF! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html If You haven't joined LynnLynn's mailing List yet, send a blank e-mail to LynnLynns-links-subscribe@Yahoogroups.com ================================================================ ___ ////// (__|_______--/| / /// __/ +--+| |-\| (> )/ |_|ooo+--+|_| /_ / `-------' |_, // |___/ unknown >A Vastly Improved Outlook Story Editor: by The Traveler Joyce Schowalter California, USA My siblings had planned this spring 2004 pack trip through the Grand Canyon for two years. I was breaking up with a man I adored, yet no way would I miss this trip. Mr. Wonderful called the day before the trip to say he wasn't going -- so I should make my own arrangements to get to Arizona from California. That was something of a problem. I'm far from wealthy, and my 52-year-old eyeballs aren't up to driving in unfamiliar territory. But a family edict is a family edict: I made it. The canyon was spectacular, the weather perfect, the company a hoot. Although we're all middle-aged and several decades from our last wilderness experience together, we comported ourselves quite competently. Sore, tired, yet full of a sense of having accomplished a small miracle, we gathered at a restaurant back on top of the canyon rim for a celebratory dinner. Halfway through, my brother-in-law looked me square in the eye and said, "We're not taking you to the airport." I was flabbergasted! We'd all met in Phoenix, and driven four hours into the canyon together. One naturally assumed we'd return to the airport to catch our respective flights home together. Apparently my flight, an hour and a half before the others, would entail everyone leaving at 9:30 a.m. versus 11 AM, and that just wouldn't work for them. Or something. Eccentric family dynamics notwithstanding, there was neither taxi service nor shuttle vans from the canyon to the airport. I'd just spent the week backpacking. I had no cash. My credit card was maxed out. My sibs were unsympathetic. I was broke, physically exhausted and spiritually drained. And I was stranded. In tears, I walked back to the hotel to try to figure out how to get home. I walked into the lobby at night, totally distraught. The woman at the front desk noticed my sniveling and asked what was wrong. When I told her, she went into action. Roberta W grabbed a phone and started calling. The Phoenix tour bus wasn't running, so she called her son. He couldn't get away to drive me, so she called a co-worker. As I watched slack-jawed, she arranged to switch shifts with him the next morning. "Be here at eight tomorrow, I'll take you. Go get some sleep." She showed up on the dot, and gathered my stuff into her van. I'll bypass the personal travails this dear woman was dealing with, and the challenges she's overcome. The long drive into Phoenix was filled with her wonderful stories and cheerful observations. Not only did I make my flight in plenty of time, I did so with a vastly improved outlook on life and its vicissitudes. I've no idea what motivates a person to spend her day off driving across a state in aid of a clueless stranger, but Ms Whitt's astounding generosity put the previous evening's pettiness into a perspective I have not forgotten. I'd like to publicly thank her for the lesson she imparted. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Kidwarmers: THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY _.-, __.' | ., ,'_ _ | :` ; |'_` '_`|' : ,' |(o) (o)| ; ; `| A |' ; ; _..| `-' |..'.' .'.--. .--' .'.' | | | : | | : | | | `.`. ; : `' Y . Y | | | | | | ; | : / | \ jgs ; | : /_____|_____\ Raleigh, 2, is very proud of his cousin Skyler who left recently for a church mission in Madagascar. Occasionally Raleigh's parents ask him where Skyler is, and he usually responds "on a mission" or "Madagascar." The last time his mother asked him, he really surprised her by replying, "He's at the gas station. He's putting gas in his car. Don't bug him, Mom." It took Raleigh's mother some time to figure out "mad a gas car!" -- Kaly Shippen (mother of Raleigh) of Idaho Falls, Idaho Callie was 2 when her grandparents took her to the beach for the first time. She had been to a pool, but never to the beach. When they got close enough to see the water, she asked with wide eyes, "Grandma, whose big swimming pool is that?" -- Sandy Sasser (grandmother of Callie) of Goldsboro, North Carolina .-. | \ __ ( `\ / | \ \ / | | | `\ / / | |\ \ /` / / | | \ \ ./' / / | | \ \ / _/| | | | \ \ /' _/ | | | | \ \ /' / / ) | ( \ \ / / / / ( \ \ \ / / / / \ \ ) ) / / / / \ \ | | / / / / \ \ | | / / / / \ \ | | / / / / \ \ | | ( / / /' \ \| | | / /' /' \ \ /`. |`. \/' /' \ `-;-;-; /' `\ < > .-"-. .-\ / .' ,__ ` \ | | \ /\ | |__ \ |_ \ _.------.._| o\ | |o`|\_ ,-`. `. | | | |''`'-._._ _.-'. `:_|.__|/`'.-- - ;_ ` ' ' ``--.```--.. \/`..--''' ; `-. .-``. -.,-..__._.._._.__. ;`-. ' `. `; | | | .' ` `. `-.| | | _' `.._ . `--''`_.-' ``--._`-...-'" jgs ;: ; Ethan, 6, had been through a rough week of being sick and had a lot of doctor's appointments and blood tests. On the way to one of his appointments, he asked his mother, "Are we going to the doctor's again?" She replied yes. Ethan said, "Good! Are they going to put my blood back in?" -- Tricia Olmstead (mother of Ethan) of Hillsdale, Michigan _.-"""-._ / _ _ \ / (9) (9) \ /_, ,_\ | \ / | _ \ \._____./ / __ \`\ \ \___/ / _| \ \ `\ /\ /\ \ / | `\/ /`'-----'`\ \/ / |_|\/ / \ / / /| |\_/ \___/ | | \ \ . | | \ \| | | | | `. .' | \ `-.___.-' / `\ | /' jgs `\ | /' .-.-.`\ | /'.-.-. (,(,(,`^ | ^`,),),) '-'-'-----`-----'-'-' Elijah, 8, had his hair cut by his Aunt Susie. When he came to show his mother his new haircut, she asked, "Did you tell Aunt Susie thank you?" Elijah replied, "No, but I did her a favor afterwards. I got her the broom!" -- Tanya Redfield (mother of Elijah) of Minnesota Lake, Minnesota __ / \ __ .---. _ / / _.~ \ \ `. / \ / /.-~ __/ `\ \ | | |/ .-~ __ \ \ | | | .'--~~ \ \ \ | | ` ' _______/ \ \ | ` / .--. \ \ | ` / \ `.\ \ \ / `\ \ \ `\ ( \ \ \ > ,-.-. \ `. \ / | \ \ \ . \ /___| O |O\ , .-. \ ; | /` `^-.\.-'`--'/ \ `; | | / `\ \ | `. `--..____,' \ `. | `._ _.-'^ \ . / `|`|` .-.\ / | | \ `\ / | | `\ ` | | | \ | | | .-. | | | \ `. \ | | `\ \ | | \ \ | | \_____ :-'~~~~~'-' ; /____;``-. : <____( `. ; \___\ ; .' /``--'~___.-' /\___/^/__/ / /' /`/' \ \ `\ \ `\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ ______ \ \ ___\ \'~``______)> jgs \ \___ _______ __)> _____\ \'~``______)> <(_______.._______)> Bennett lives in Qatar and his grandparents are staying in Nevada. One day the phone rang and Bennett picked it up. After he realized it was his grandparents, he asked, "Pa, how old are you today?" His grandpa said, "Almost 69." Bennett replied, "Oh, you're old. When are you going to start using a cane?" Later in the conversation his grandpa asked, "May I speak with your mom, Bennett?" He quickly replied, "Sure, she's your daughter. But I warn you when she starts talking there's no telling when she will stop!" -- Teena D. Olido (mother of Bennett) of Doha, Qatar Savannah Rose, 6, was spending the day with her grandmother. The day was going much too fast and her grandma said, "Oh, no! It is almost time for Papaw to get home from work." Little Rosie asked, "Where does Papaw work?" Grandma replied, "At the VA." Rose thought for a moment and then said, "Oh, where they make the juice!" -- Brenda Agan (grandmother of Savannah) of Elizabethton, Tennessee /\ / / /\| | | | |/\ | | / / | ` / `\ (___ _.-> ,-.-. _.' | \ \ / _____| 0 |0\ | /` `^-.\.-'`-._ | | `-._ | : `. \ `._ `-.__ O.' _.--, \ `._ __.^--._O_..-' `---, `. `\ /` ` ` `\ `, `\ | | : ; | / `. ___|__|___ / `. ( ) / `---.:____...---' `--------`. / ( `. __ `. | `---------' _ / \ \ | .-. _._ (_) `--' \ | ( ) / \ \ \ `-' \ / ;-._ \ `-' \ .' `. /`. `\ `\ _.-'`-. `.___ | `-._ `\ `\.-' `-. ,--` \ `--.___ ___`\ \ ||^\\ `._ | ``----'' `. `\ `' ` `--; \ jgs `. `. //^||^\\ //^||^\\ ' `' ` ' ' ` Garrett, 5, is quite mature for his age. Anytime his parents ask him to do something he turns into a tough negotiator. When his Nana saw the negotiations in process, she suggested to his parents that they not fall into Garrett's trap. She told them that their requests do not need to be negotiated. The adults all agreed to correct this behavior. About three hours later Garrett's mother politely asked him to do something. He attempted to enter heated negotiations. Getting nowhere, he ran to his dad. With his hands on his hips, he said, "Dad, I've had to put up with Mom ALL my life. Just how much longer am I going to have to go through this!" He threw his hands in the air, exited the room... and proceeded to do what his mother had asked him! -- Deborah Thompson (Nana) of Killeen, Texas Brennan was trying to get to play with a new toy his younger brother Blake had just received for his third birthday. Blake was not letting him play with it or touch it. Brennan went over and tried to take it away and got in trouble. After about five minutes, he went back over to Blake and said in a very serious tone, "Blake, Blake, listen, I have something to tell you. WE need to share... God wants us to!" -- Michael Langford (grandfather of Blake and Brennan) of Pierce City, Missouri ========================================================== >-->NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE . `: : : . __.'_ .' : _.--' `-._.' .-'.. .. `. : .-. .--.`. : : : : : : : : :`;; :`; ; : `.`O;' `O;.' : .' .---. .--. ; . : '._ :' ; :: : .-`-.; . .' .': `. ``` `. :-' : : `-.__ ._ _.' : ; : ;``` : `. _.-.' . ``-._ : `.-' : : `-. : _.: ` `-._ `, `._.-' ; `.`-. ;_, _., : `.: ;' ;-' ; : ``.___.' : : ;_..--' `. ; `-.__ ...' : : : jgs :-:__; : : : .-~~~--..__: : :___..---.. .'.' : `, :,' : `; ; `: _.'`._ :,' `~~~'----'' `'-.____....' THE FUTURE IS YOURS, IT BELONGS TO YOU, WITH FAITH IN GOD AND IN YOURSELF, TOO. NO HILL'S TOO HIGH, NO MOUNTAIN'S TOO TALL, FOR WITH FAITH IN THE LORD, YOU CAN CONQUER THEM ALL. ALL THAT YOU WISH FOR, THAT IS HONEST AND TRUE, THE LORD WILL CERTAINLY GIVE TO YOU. NOT ALWAYS THE WAY YOU MOST DESIRE, BUT ALWAYS HE GIVES WHAT YOU MOST REQUIRE. SO ACCEPT WHAT HE SENDS, BE IT 'BITTER OR SWEET', FOR GOD KNOWS BEST WHAT MAKES LIFE COMPLETE. GREAT IS YOUR GLADNESS AND RICH YOUR REWARDS WHEN YOU LEARN TO ACCEPT THE WILL OF THE LORD! -HELEN STEINER RICE >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food andd DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do :) Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE: Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************