The purpose of this page is to offer encouragement or even inspiration for the core of your soul; that which will guide you through thick and thin. In my life I have gone through several "phases." What you see here represents the synergy of all that I have become, as of today. I expect that as I move forward on life's timeline, I will adjust and refine this. 

For another perspective on America, click here. Or, read this excerpt from a Romanian Newspaper. The article was written by Mr. Cornel Nistorescu and published under the title "Cntarea Americii" meaning "Ode To America," on September 24, 2002 in the Romanian newspaper Evenimentul zilei ("The Daily Event" or "News of the Day").

Ever wonder just exactly how you were supposed to display the American Flag? Or what the "rules" are? The American Legion, one of the premier organizations of Veteran men and women whose lives have been on the line for every American, have it here. Perhaps you don't know the flag as well as you would like. Click here and let me introduce you.

Click here to watch a streaming video presentation entitled "Remember the Blood of Heroes..." It was sent me be a dear, retired military aviator friend, whose values are very much in line with mine on patriotism, duty and honor. The gift of the Internet allows me to stay in touch with such fine people, and to accept the occasional vector to things like this. It will probably be best viewed on a high-speed line.

This was sent to me by a friend. I am sure it came from the unknown wilds of the internet, yet it says what many of us feel so well, I simply copied and pasted it here, verbatim.
 

I sat in a movie theater, watching "Shindler's list," and asked myself, "Why didn't the Jews fight back?"

Now I know.

I sat in a movie theater, watching "Pearl Harbor" and asked myself, "Why weren't we prepared?"

Now I know.

Civilized people cannot fathom, never less predict, the actions of evil people.

On September 11, dozens of capable airplane passengers allowed themselves to be overpowered by a handful of poorly-armed terrorists because they did not comprehend the depth of hatred that motivated their captors.

On September 11, thousands of innocent people were murdered because too many Americans naively reject the reality that some nations are dedicated to the dominance of others.

Many political pundits, pacifists and media personnel want us to forget the carnage. They say we must focus on the bravery of the rescuers and ignore the cowardice of the killers. They implore us to understand the motivation of the perpetrators. The major television stations have announced they will assist the healing process by not re-playing devastating footage of the planes crashing into the Towers.

I will not be manipulated. I will not pretend to understand. I will not forget.

I will not underestimate the intelligence of our adversary who patiently planned and meticulously orchestrated a devastating act of war.

I will not forget that the terrorists desire a world society where women are chattel and freedom is forbidden.

I will not isolate myself from my fellow Americans by pretending an attack on the USS Cole in Yemen was not an attack on me.

I will not be appeased with pointless, quick retaliatory strikes like those perfected by the previous administration. I will not be comforted by "feel-good, do nothing" regulations like the silly "Have your bags been under your control?" question at the airport.

I will not forget the liberal media who abused freedom of the press to kick our country when it was vulnerable and hurting.

I will not forget that ABC TV anchor Peter Jennings questioned President Bush's motives for not returning immediately to Washington DC and commented, "We're all pretty skeptical and cynical about Washington."

I will not forget that CBS anchor Dan Rather preceded President Bush's address to the nation with the snide remark, "No matter how you feel about him, he is still our president."

And I will not forget that ABC's Mark Halperin warned if reporters weren't informed of every little detail of this war, they aren't "likely - nor should they be expected - to show deference."

I will not be influenced by so called, "anti-war demonstrators" who exploit the right of expression to chant anti-American obscenities.

I will not forget the moral victory handed the North Vietnamese by American war protesters who reviled and spat upon the returning soldiers.

I will not be softened by the wishful thinking of pacifists who chose reassurance over reality. I will embrace the wise words of Prime Minister Tony Blair who told Labor Party conference, "They have no moral inhibition on the slaughter of the innocent. If they could have murdered not 7,000 but 70,000 does anyone doubt they would have done so and rejoiced in it?"

There is no compromise possible with such people, no meeting of minds, no point of understanding with such terror. Just a choice: defeat it or be defeated by it. And defeat it we must."

I will force myself to:

-hear the weeping

-feel the helplessness

-imagine the terror

-sense the panic

-smell the burning flesh

-experience the loss

-remember the hatred

I sat in a movie theater, watching in quiet reverence as the blood of young soldiers turned the sands of the Normandy beach red in "Private Ryan" and asked myself, "Where did they find the courage?"

Now I know.

We have no choice. Living without liberty is not living. -- Author Unknown.

"We'll Go Forward From This Moment," the September 12, 2001 column by Mr. Leonard Pitts, Jr. of the Miami Herald. I don't know anything about Mr. Pitts or his politics, but he and I see eye-to-eye on this.

"Meet Me in the Stairwell" from the wilds of the internet. I got it from my niece, Grace, out in Aspen.

Does the statement, We've always done it that way ring any bells... ? Click here for some history on why human nature does this to us all.