July 4th and I find myself independent of almost 50 lbs. this year. With the first goal of reaching 250# before China, I am only 2 lbs. away with 20 days to go. With three different celebration gatherings in 30 hours I'm hoping not to completely blow it.
As time permits, I will expound upon the details of my (our) weight loss program. I say our since my wife is supporting me in doing this with me. Before we finish we will have shed over 100# combined. More on this later, Ed
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Celebration
The 4th of July. It is a day of rememberance as well as celebration. I used to believr that if creatures from outer space were to come that night, they would determine the earth's air had too much sulpher for them and leave us alone. The fireworks, parades, and gatherings with family & friends is all so exciting, almost a rushing in (finally) of Summer. It is important to remember the sacrifices so many have made so we could enjoy our freedom. Following are a few clips from two of my favorite actors on the subject.
The pledge by Red Skelton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPbIls0iOnI
And this from John wayne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jf3MQpffBc&NR=1
And TAPS
One version of the origin of the song:
It all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moan of a soldier who lay mortally wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach the through gunfire, the captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The captain lit a lantern, suddenly he caught his breath and went white with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier, it was his own son.
The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, he enlisted in the Confederate Army. The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status. His request was partially granted. The captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for the son at the funeral. That request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. Out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The father chose the bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of his dead son's uniform. This wish was granted.
This music was the haunting melody we now know as "Taps"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usk81XVsE9o&feature=related
Here are the words to TAPS:
Verse 1:
Day is done,
Gone the sun,
From the lakes,
From the hills,
From the sky,
All is well,
Safely rest,
God is nigh.
Verse 2:
Fading light,
Dims the sight,
And a star,
Gems the sky,
Gleaming bright,
From afar,
Drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Verse 3:
Thanks and praise,
For our days,
Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.
As with most of this countries patriotic songs, Taps is as much a prayer as it is a song. What better words for our fallen comrades to rest with than "This we know, God is nigh."
The pledge by Red Skelton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPbIls0iOnI
And this from John wayne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jf3MQpffBc&NR=1
And TAPS
One version of the origin of the song:
It all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moan of a soldier who lay mortally wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach the through gunfire, the captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The captain lit a lantern, suddenly he caught his breath and went white with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier, it was his own son.
The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, he enlisted in the Confederate Army. The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status. His request was partially granted. The captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for the son at the funeral. That request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. Out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The father chose the bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of his dead son's uniform. This wish was granted.
This music was the haunting melody we now know as "Taps"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usk81XVsE9o&feature=related
Here are the words to TAPS:
Verse 1:
Day is done,
Gone the sun,
From the lakes,
From the hills,
From the sky,
All is well,
Safely rest,
God is nigh.
Verse 2:
Fading light,
Dims the sight,
And a star,
Gems the sky,
Gleaming bright,
From afar,
Drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Verse 3:
Thanks and praise,
For our days,
Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.
As with most of this countries patriotic songs, Taps is as much a prayer as it is a song. What better words for our fallen comrades to rest with than "This we know, God is nigh."
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