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:
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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! :)
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>-->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/ |;\
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\ `-'/ ;-._.-' , |;;;\
'--. |_ \ \ _.--'| |;;;;|
| '. \ \ `-._/ /===;/..-"-.
\ '. /`._ __ ___/___(( _ \
\ 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."
\\ /////
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(| _ _ |)
|` | '|
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>>>___/\_^__/\___<<<
/ ||| \
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 <storm1981 at twcny.rr.com>
__________________________________________________
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
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| __________________ @ |
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| | ---=====|#O#### | (\) |
| | ` \ ) | |
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| | // o ', | | | |
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+----------------------------+
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>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.
-<>-
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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:
,-.
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|(_)|H|| O cHHHHHoooHHHHHD H
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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
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/\ /`\/\ /\
|\/ \_) (_|
`\.' ; ; `' ;`\
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|_.' ; | /)
( ''._;/`
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| |
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jgs_/___,_.:_\_
[I_I_I_I_I_I_]
| __________ |
| || | | || |
_| ||_|__|_|| |_
/=--------------=\
/ \
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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.
-<>-
\\ /////
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(| _ _ |)
|` | '|
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>>>___/\_^__/\___<<<
/ ||| \
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 ~
-<>-
.-"""-.
, (_ _ \
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jgs '._ - ._ _/
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`"'""`
>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
-<>-
\\ /////
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(| _ _ |)
|` | '|
| __ |
>>>___/\_^__/\___<<<
/ ||| \
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!
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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
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___ //////
(__|_______--/| / ///
__/ +--+| |-\| (> )/
|_|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
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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
.-.
| \ __
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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
_.-"""-._
/ _ _ \
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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
__
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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
/\
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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
. `:
: : .
__.'_ .' :
_.--' `-._.'
.-'.. .. `.
: .-. .--.`. :
: : : : : :
: :`;; :`; ; :
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`._.-' ; `.`-. ;_, _.,
: `.: ;' ;-' ;
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: : :
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!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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<a href="http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html"> FUN URLS</a>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/3a8zcw3"> HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN!</a>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class
http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/yk8q6rd"> NEW LIFE IN CHRIST!</a>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-->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:
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<a href="http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html">Home Recipes</a>
>Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE:
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