MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

Thanks to all who enjoy this blog. 
I will try to make it more interesting in the New Year.

This being Christmas Eve, the night of the star, I am including O Holy Night for your enjoyment.


I hope you all have a great New Year and you and your family prosper and thrive.


MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Please click on O Holy Night for your greeting!

WHAT WE NEED - - -

Columbine Student's father 12 years later

Guess our national leaders didn't expect this, hmm? On Thursday, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful. 

 

 

They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness... 

  

The following is a portion of the transcript:

 

 "Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women.  We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence.  The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain.  Their blood cries out for answers. 

"The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field.  The villain was not the club he used.. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart. 

"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA.  I am not a hunter.  I do not even own a gun.  I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death.  Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended.  If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent. 

I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy -- it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies!  Much of the blame lies here in this room.  Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves.  I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best. 

> Your laws ignore our deepest needs, 
> Your words are empty air. 
> You've stripped away our heritage,
> You've outlawed simple prayer. 
> Now gunshots fill our classrooms, 
> And precious children die  
> You seek for answers everywhere, 
> And ask the question "Why?" 
> You regulate restrictive laws, 
> Through legislative creed.. 
> And yet you fail to understand, 
> That God is what we need! 

"Men and women are three-part beings.  We all consist of body, mind, and spirit.  When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc.  Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history.  Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries.  This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation?  We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence.  And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs -- politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA.  They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties We do not need more restrictive laws.  Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors.  No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre.  The real villain lies within our own hearts.

"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school.  I defy any law or politician to deny him that right!  I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools.  Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain.  Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him.  To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA -- I give to you a sincere challenge...Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone!

 

My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen again.      

Darrell Scott

 

Do what the media did not --- let the nation hear this man's speech. Please send this out to everyone you can.
God Bless

SPRING EVENT

Walk For Veterans Walk-A-Thon
"They Marched for Us, Let’s Walk For Them"

The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion in New York State are proud to announce the 4th Annual Walk-A-Thon to benefit the 13 Veterans Administrative Medical Centers in New York State, the 5 New York State Veterans Homes, the Fisher House in Albany, New York and help support the need of veterans returning from areas of conflict from across the globe. The Walk-A-Thon will take place on April 14, 2012, in a city near you.

This Walk-A-thon will benefit the Veterans residing at each of these facilities, assist in their care and meet some of the needs of their family members while they are visiting. These funds will help voluntary service departments purchase personal hygiene products, board games, home computers, DVD’s, coffee makers, movies passes, tickets to sporting events, phone cards, along with renovating and upgrading recreation and therapy equipment. Funds are always needed for the upkeep of the Fisher House. The Fisher House provides veterans families a place to stay at no charge while their loved ones are receiving medical care at Stratton Veterans Administration Medical Center. The New York State Veterans Homes are assisted living homes for veterans. Recreational and social donations are always welcomed and improve the quality of life for our Veterans residing there.

With the amount of veterans returning from active duty from the conflicts in the Middle East these young men and women need the services provided at our VAMC’s in New York State and  their families need help adjusting to their loved ones medical condition suffered in our time of war. Let’s not forget our aging veterans who have served our country in the past. They with no doubt deserve the best in recreational and socialization programs that can be offered to them.

This Walk-A-thon will be held all across New York State on April 14, 2012. It will take place in all the major metropolitan areas as well as other cities and towns in New York State. The public is encouraged to participate. Please seek out the support of community organizations such as Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops, local 4 H organizations, college fraternities and sororities for example. We have a goal of raising at least $120,000.00 during this day which can be obtained by pledges, donations from individuals and business.  With your support and love for our country this figure can easily be doubled. All donations and pledges need to be sent to: Detachment of New York Sons of the American Legion, 112 State Street, Suite 1300, Albany, New York 12207. Please make out all checks payable to Detachment of New York Sons of The American Legion and put in the memo line Walk-A-Thon.

Any questions can be answered by contacting:
 Robert Cox at 315-685-4871, e-mail at bobcox47@msn.com

or Diane Gerber at 718-273-4769 , e-mail icannone@aol.com 
We thank you in advance
for your support and please remember
“Our Veterans Are Our Greatest Resource”.

Military Tribute

Here is a timely video of our military service people. 

Click below to see video:

http://www.tvkim.com/watch/649/kims-picks-a-christmas-tribute-to-our-military

Please keep our military in your prayers at this Christmas season when many are separated from their families. May God bless and keep them safe to return home soon.

 Long may our flag wave over our great nation.

God Bless the USA