September 11, 2001

"America was targeted because we are the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve. I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us spoken in Psalm 23, 'Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil." ~President George W. Bush, September 13, 2001

September 11, 2001

America Remembers

Welcoming Them Home

Saturday I attended the ceremony in Leo that welcomed home a local hero, Brandon Long. Brandon is a young man who, for whatever reasons, chose to join the Marine Corps. He was sent to Afghanistan and it was there that in December of 2010 he stepped on an IED which cost him both of his legs.

Although we had only a brief conversation and a quick chance to snap a picture, I felt privileged to have the opportunity to meet him. I was in awe of him. He is young, only my age or maybe even slightly younger, yet his bravery, confidence, and tenacity go beyond that of most people I know. I don’t know much about his past, but I do know that the day he signed up for the Corps was a day that America gained a hero. Along with many others, he bravely answered the call of his country and went to war. There he saw things that no one should see, yet he did it with a strength that blows me away. There, with others, he fought his hardest and for us he sacrificed not only his limbs, but life as he knew it was dramatically changed.

I have a friend who has been deployed in the mid-east multiple times. He’s over there again. Honestly, I am awed by him, mainly because I could never imagine doing what he does. This goes for every single man and woman who gives of themselves to serve in the military. The courage and bravery that they have are more than I can imagine.

When these brave people come home we ought to use every chance to welcome them in the biggest ways possible. Whether it is lining the dive way of an American Legion to welcome home a wounded veteran, standing in an airport with signs, balloons, and patriotic t-shirts as a military person walks off a plane, or standing in a cemetery paying our final respects to one who has paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, we ought to give some of our time and effort for these dear people who have given so much so that we can live in the greatest country in the world.

Welcoming Home a Hero

Yesterday a hero came home. He was alive, yet would never, ever live life the way he had in the past. You see, Brandon Long was in the Marines and deployed in Afghanistan last December when he stepped on an IED and both of his legs were blown off at the knees. Amazingly he survived, and yesterday he was welcomed home with a hero's welcome. The festivities began at the airport where he was welcomed by his high school's marching band. There was a huge procession of motorcyclists and emergency vehicles that led a 30-some mile procession to the Leo American Legion, post 409 that hosted a huge ceremony for him.

I did not go to the airport, however, I did go to the American Legion. Click here for some pictures from the ceremony at the airport. Below are some pictures that I took.

~Flags lined both sides of the driveway~

~Motorcycles starting the procession~

~A bagpiper led Brandon up the driveway~

~Sweet Marine hummer~

~Here comes Brandon!~

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day in America was designed as a day to honor those who have served, are serving, or have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. There are tributes, rallies, parades, cookouts, family get together's, baseball games, eating, and on the list could go. Unfortunately, many people do not take the time to remember the sacrifices that were paid so that we have the chance to live in the freest country in the world.

This weekend for me was spent in a flurry of activity. I was in Ft. Wayne (a city 45 minutes west) three times, Goshen (a city about 45 minutes north) twice, and South Bend (a city about 1 1/2 hours northwest) once! The weather included one incredibly bad storm, one tornado warning and horrible storm, and sun and heat. My car died in Ft. Wayne and is still there at the moment, I have a bad case of sun burn, and all in all, I have a weekend packed with memories and laughter that I would do all over again given the chance. Below are pictures that were snapped during this wonderful time in my life.

~In the WOWO studio with Pat Miller~

I was given the chance to be in studio with Pat on Friday afternoon during his talk show, it was great fun!

~With my friend Brandi~

We met at the mall and went out to eat at Red Lobster after the show on Friday.

~ARMAD Rally for the Troops in Ft. Wayne~

On Saturday was the rally for the troops by ARMAD, "Amature Radio Military Appreciation Day"

~Fort Wayne TinCaps Game Saturday Night~

Unfortunately we were rained out

~Sunday~

Sunday was a bit hairy because I was stuck in Wal-Mart during a tornado warning. This picture was taken in the Wal-Mart parking lot during that time.

~Monday~

I had spent the night in Goshen and went to South Bend very early on Monday morning to walk in a parade.

~TinCaps Game~

We were able to exchange our tickets for Monday's game. Unfortunately they lost after a four game winning streak. We had a lot of fun though!

Day 6: A Moment I Want to Relive

I have put quite a bit of thought into this moment. I have thought over my life and the cool things I have done and the awesome places I have been. I have been in the White House, seen the Statue of Liberty, I have met Michael Reagan (President Reagan's son), and seen President Bush in person. I have been to many concerts, and met many famous musicians. I have been in the catacombs and seen the Colosseum. I have traveled from the East to West Coasts, seen three oceans and the Gulf of Mexico. In my young life I have been blessed to have done of lot of travelling and met so many important people - and not only met them, but had actual conversations with them, some of whom I have become good friends with.

Despite all of that there is one moment, or rather a few hours, in my life that I would love to relive. That was in March of 2003 when Glenn Beck came to Auburn, IN and did a Rally for America. At the time I was only 12, but I still vividly remember the electricity that was in that building, the crowd that was double what had originally been anticipated, and the uniting of 20,000 people in love and support of our great country. I remember being awestruck during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner as thousands upon thousands of blue-collar, hard working, loyal, patriotic Americans sang that beloved anthem. The hush that went over the crowd as someone prayed, and the cheers that went up as the brave men and women of our military were recognized have stuck in my mind as if it were yesterday. In all the day was spectacular, and one I would love to relive. Simply remembering the day and writing about it has made goose bumps appear on my arms and chills are running down my spine. It was a day that I will never forget, for in that crowd was a young 12 year old, who loved her country, and during that day my loyalty for her was bolstered, and my love for her became undying.

America may not always be the great country that she has been -- in fact she seems to be going down a steep and slippery slope at an alarming pace. However, I have faith that God will still bless my country if we simply remember Who is in control and turn everything over to Him.

May God richly bless America.