We remember

Cobblestone Road Image by Mary Ellen Ecklund

Thank you to our brave men and women and thank you to one of our loyal readers for sharing this poem with us.

We salute you all.......

Cobblestone Road
by Ray Ecklund

The old men saluted, young girls smiled and they waved
As we marched out of town on that sunny Spring day
We held our chins up, just seventeen years old
As we took our first steps on that cobblestone road

We left to serve our nation, to fight our country’s wars
We went to fill our duty on those foreign shores
We left all that we knew, our family and our homes
That day we took our first steps on that cobblestone road

We met those young boys with the same fear in their eyes
We knew that some would live that day and some of us would die
We knew that somewhere a boy’s momma would cry
Along the cobblestone road

We buried our brothers in the fields right where they lay
We gathered together and bowed our heads to pray
We said a blessing for their eternal soul
Then we marched on down that cobblestone road

We marched over mountains and valleys far below
We marched through the summer heat and the winter snows
We continued ever onward, even though
We could see no end to that cobblestone road

We collected our medals and stripes upon our sleeve
Fighting for our country and the things that we believe
We brothers have traveled to every corner of this globe
Since we took those first steps on that cobblestone road

We have seen many a trouble and killed many a men
They say that you can never go home again
We carry that burden so our loved ones will never know
The pain of the march on that cobblestone road

We  long for our home valley and the chapel on the hill
We wonder if there is a candle burning there still
For those young men from so long ago
Who marched out of town on that cobblestone road

Remember them

Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.

Thank you, to all who have served America and her people. 

Texas Lone Star salutes you all, past and present.  YOU are not forgotten.

Some gave all...

Texas Lone Star salutes all who have served and the families that supported them.
YOU are our hero.

Happy Memorial Day.

Mayor where?

We saw the mayor of Dallas speak at a Memorial Day ceremony.

Mayor Moncrief wasn't present at the 80th Memorial Day Remembrance ceremony at Mount Olivet.

We heard the mayor was at city hall posing for a political postcard supporting Eric Fox in the District 3 run off.

We didn't get one.

Mrs. Silcox supports Zim, we think she's a smart lady.

Time is running out, literally. Vote on June 13th.

Memorial Day MIA

We attended the 80th annual Memorial Day service at Mount Olivet in Fort Worth last night. It was a somber ceremony on the beautiful grounds with many Veterans groups and families in attendance.

Jungas Jordan was there "on behalf of Mike Moncrief". The mayor was too busy to attend forums prior to the election (he did make it to one). Were we surprised he was too busy to pay his respect for those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom?

We asked the question yesterday if those who serve are bothered by the lack of voter participation. The speaker last night mentioned something along the same lines. He said we were in attendance because we felt it with every fiber of our being, it was something we must do, just like voting.

Later on the news we heard the sad statistic, 1/3 of Americans do not know what Memorial Day is for. How is this possible?

One of the veterans gave an interview, we liked what he had to say.

Bruscino is a member of the Lone Star Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America. He said he was there to honor the war dead, which is what the holiday is all about. Forty years after he was paralyzed, the veteran admits he feels much more appreciated in 2009 than during wartime. "I'd say that was one of the lessons that people learned: that veterans were doing their jobs. And, if they want to get mad at somebody, get mad at the politicians, not the veterans."

Moment of silence

On a local radio station today they named fallen soldiers from the metroplex. Their reading of the names is chilling. We are sure it is more so to the families of those lost. Hopefully it will remind some to pause and give thanks for all those things we take for granted. They ended the reading with, "Home of the free, courtesy of the brave". We agree and are very thankful to all serving, have served, and the families that have supported them while they did so.

We wonder if soldiers are bothered that they protect a right and a freedom we posses but do not use? (We would ask those we know, but they happen to be busy protecting us at the moment, a special thanks to our Texas boys!) A right that many people were beaten, imprisoned and even died for. What would those involved think of today's elections? (6% voted).

It was important enough to die for, but those in the coming generations wont even use it? There were many people that we have to thank for our right to vote. People don't vote in their own city elections, why on earth not? These are as important as those in Washington.

When the polls open on Election Day, every citizen over the age of 18 will be able to cast a vote. It is a right we take for granted, one that defines our nation as a democracy. But universal suffrage — letting everyone vote — did not appear overnight with the ratification of our Constitution. Two hundred years ago, you had to be white, male, and wealthy in order to vote. The three people profiled on these pages dedicated their lives to changing that fact. Without them, suffrage might still be the privilege of a chosen few.

One of those dedicated was none other than Susan B. Anthony. She got in some legal trouble because she voted for a president in 1872. You can read her speech here.

Another sad mention for Memorial Day, kids attending school Monday. What? We have gotten the same response from everyone we told. "Are you kidding?" No, sadly, we are not.

How long was Fort Worth ISD out for Swine Flu? Did those kids have to make up all those days? Are the teachers going to get paid? (We think they should, but we also think kids shouldn't make up one day, especially if that day is Memorial Day). What, exactly, are we teaching them?