National Prayer Day

May 1, 2008
National Day of Prayer

Have you heard this on the news? Have you heard it at work? Have you read it in the newspaper? I think not! Folks, let me tell you I have heard more hoopla over Sweetest Day, Grandparents Day, and St. Patrick's Day. What gets me is only a portion of this great county we live in can celebrate these days. Never heard of Americans from Italy celebrating St. Patrick's Day with the same zeal as my Irish friends...have you? Mom and Dad don't celebrate Grandparents Day 'cause they have their own days to celebrate. What I am getting at is what has got to be one of the most important days of the year and nobody seems to be celebrating it, or at least a very few. This is not just Catholic Day, Jewish Day or even Muslim Day or Baptist Day. We in America what ever faith we are can certainly celebrate National Day of Prayer.

Why aren't the TVstations announcing it or the newspapers printing it. Hey America! National Day of Prayer!! One day every free American can celebrate. C'mon folks for once in your life do something a little different perhaps, say a prayer. I know my G-d won't mind receiving an extra one or two and I am sure the Jewish G-d, and the G-Ds of the other faiths will have some time to listen also.

Some may say this is blasphemy because there is only one G-d, but I think you get my point. Take a moment, ask a friend or relative or for goodness sakes someone you don't even know. Give thanks for living in the GREATEST county on Earth, The United States of America. And, while you're at it you might just remember the 140,000 young men and women in the military currently fighting to keep us free and safe, giving us the chance, without fear of reprisal, to pray any doggone place we want. Better yet, call your local TV and radio station and ask them where the coverage on National Day of Prayer is. I think I will. So in keeping with my thought of National Day of Prayer I, ABNPOPPA, am going to pray now for all of you and the soldiers, and the leaders of all the countries, and people of all faiths for a better tomorrow......Will you say a prayer for someone now, here's your chance.........

G-d Bless,

ABNPOPPA

Children of ABNPOPPA & ABNMOMMA

This blog was not meant to be a running diary of my life and family however, it was strongly pointed out to me by a good friend we had more children. My friend pointed out my other children may feel left out since they had not been mentioned as my posts have been of my son, Jacob, who is with the 2-319th AFAR, 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION. I tried to explain to my friend our other children received the same attention when they excelled only not over the world wide web.

This I find quite hard,but easy to do as our other two children are safe and secure in the US of A and not in the military. So now if you do simple math you know we have 3 children. They are two young men and one lovely daughter, all adults with families of their own. I wrote a story once and described them in this manner.

I was married to a beautiful, younger woman who graciously allowed me to help her raise 3 wonderful children; they are, Aaron, the elder, a carpenter by trade and a builder of ,strong sound buildings and homes. He took time to build ABNMOMMA and me a beautiful home. One we had been wanting for the first 20 years of our marriage. As I say to people who visit it, Aaron was the ramrod, I just wrote the checks. I am always careful to point out his signature door arch that he has put into every home he has built. He is quite the perfectionist and creative in his work. He has given me the next line in my family generation and an athlete. His son, Ryan, the spitfire is a soccer player extraordinaire, in poppa’s eyes or course. And his daughter is always willing to talk with poppa on the phone, and sometime never stop.

Our daughter, Sarah, is by degree a teacher, or rabbi in Hebrew. She worked her way though college and earned two degrees. One in what my un-political correctness terms as Special Education. Because of her I have grandchildren who can “sign” at 5 years old and have vocabularies better than old ABNPOPPA. She is the first child in my family to go to college and earn a four year degree. The whole family is exceptionally proud of her and what she has accomplished. Although educated she and her husband decided that raising a family in a Christian home was more important therefore, she is a stay at home mom. Her husband is a farmer, provider, father and good Christian man who believes in being a helpmate as was intended by G-d. I am extremely proud to call him my son-in-law and never worry about my daughter or the grandchildren.

Of course, if you have read my Blog you know of Jacob, the warrior, who has taken up the sword to protect the clan and homeland. Jacob could have been Joshua save the fact his great grandfather was named Jacob.

As you might have noticed our children's name all are Biblical which was somewhat intended. I wonder though about their occupations. A carpenter, a rabbi, and a warrior, do you believe G-d works in strange ways? Hmmm?

Where have all the Great American ICONS Gone?

ICON: An important and enduring symbol: One who is the object of great attention and devotion;*

There is going to be a lot of buzz over the next couple of weeks with the passing of Charlton Heston. Charlton Heston like John Wayne, Audey Murphy, Presidents Truman, Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Reagan, General Douglas MacArthur and General George Patton was a true American ICON. You see you don’t have to be a man of war or a president to be an ICON. You can also be a man of peace. Another one just came to mind, actually two, the Reverend Billy Graham and Bishop Fulton J. Sheen. An ICON can be a woman like Shirley Chisholm Black or Betsey Ross, or Clara Barton, Rosa Parks, or Grandma Moses.

These men and women were leaders in their respective fields. Some were heroes, some were movie stars, some made statements of sorts that changed the way this county grew and became a world leader. They all believed in America and the American Way of Life. They believed fiercely in their cause. They believed with hard work and a strong will they would and could help make this county better for all people. All were looked up to and respected for their Honesty, Character, Integrity and belief in this county. A belief that they had been born in the greatest county in the world. A country where everyone had a chance to excel and be the best at what ever they choose. The choice was theirs. A country God had smiled on and had given opportunity that is only found in the United States of America.

As I look around with the passing of Charlton Heston I ask myself, who will take his place? Who are the ICONS of America now? Do I look to Hollywood with their self-centered egotistical actors? Do I look to Washington DC for those who think they are elite and powerful? Who will take up the torch? Who will my grandchildren remember like I did of the Bishop Sheen’s, John Wayne’s and Charlton Heston's? I look over the county side and see no one. I ask myself, is it I who have set the bar too high that no one can measure up? Have my hero ICONS set the standard so unattainable that no American can now measure up? Who and where will the next Great American ICON be, where will he or she come from?

Silently I wait.

* The American Heritage^® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

What Soldiers are Made Of

We have all heard American Soldiers are the best trained, best equipped and best led soldiers on Earth. They are made of something that only an American Soldier has. That something is born and bred into them. You can't buy it, you can't manufacture it, and it sure doesn't come in pill or capsule form. I have seen paratroopers jump from planes I swear I could throw a baseball up and hit. I've watched them tumble, roll, get up, gather up their 70 plus pounds of gear and run across a field just to hear their cadre say "Way to go Airborne!" Some of them barely are tall enough to keep their reserve chute from dragging the ground. Some them are probably outweighed by the gear they carry to survive in combat. But, their heart is as big as the very sky they fall so effortlessly from.

Who are they? What are they made of? Just flesh and blood, like you and me. But, with something inside them you can't name, some kind of drive that only a few have. One minute they are under fire from the enemy in life and death situations. The next they smile at a child that knows only he is hungry and the " American soldier" has given him something to eat, a smile and a pat on the head. Or maybe the soldier has just smiled at a puppy which reminds him of his child's puppy, safe and free in Anytown USA. He has been asked to do things he never thought he could or would do. He has pushed his body to the limit and then pushed again. He has accomplished that which he would have thought un-doable. Then shortly thereafter knelt to pray with his comrades for a successful mission and everyone of them is ok.

Ask them why they do what they do and you will get many answers. Words like Pride, Patriotism, Freedom, Family, Tradition are words you will likely here. I assure you when you pin them down they will say something like "it's just something I have to do, I don't really know why." If you have read my previous post you know about my son's battle buddy, Kody. If not, read it now, this post will make more sense.

Let me tell you about one soldier. Son of a former Marine and barely old enough to shave. At 19 he was one of the first surge paratroopers to enter Baghdad, not in the safe "Green Zone". On the border of the notorious Sadr City. His unit spent their first months kicking in doors, and I might add, kicking "butt" (sorry Chaplins). Patrols that lasted 3 days with little or no sleep. The chow was the wonderful MRE's. You know what? These soldiers were happy to have them! Did they complain about them? Hell yes! Have ever eaten an MRE? Most of these soldiers say "it doesn't taste too bad." But, cardboard tastes good if you put enough ketchup on it! Did they go on? Hell yes! Did they do their job to 110% of their capability? Hell yes, and then some more!

After 13 months this kid of soldier gets the message his father has passed away. He is on his way home, sad as the occasion may be, but home. No more mortars, IED'S. No more patrols where you don't know what is behind the next door or around the next corner. He spends his time at home with his family and lays his Marine father to rest. Now he has to pick up the pieces of his life and go on with his head held high. That's what his father would have said. "I'm in a better place now he would have told him. You have to take care of you now."

He has his ticket back to Fort Bragg, his home base. Home in the US of A. SAFE, HOT SHOWERS AND CHOW! What more could you ask for after what he has been through. Ride it out for a month until his unit gets back. What does this solider do? He requests to go back to his unit, they are still at the Combat Outpost and have a month to do. He gets a ticket, flies 18 hours, grabs some chopper rides and is back with his unit. Would you have done it? Do you have the guts to do it. I have asked myself that question many times since I found out about it.

Did this soldier take the easy way out, Hell no! He's an American soldier, an American Paratrooper, he has pride, faith and a heart that knows no boundaries. This, is what the American soldier is made of. You can't label it, you can't touch it, and you can't put a name on.

So, the next time you see someone in a military uniform, dog gone it, don't be afraid, walk up to them and say, Hi, I just want to thank you for my FREEDOM and keeping my family safe! The next time you go in "Harm's way" I'll be praying for your safe return. Who knows after you say it a couple of times you might just start a new revolution!

I waited to post this until the 2-319th Black Falcons arrived home last week. They are safely on the ground arriving at 0441 Hrs. , 4:41AM, Wednesday , March 19th.

Welcome home! and Thanks!

Thank You.

This post is pre-written and will be posted as soon after BOG (Boots on the Ground) return date for my son, March 17th as possible. Unlike most of my posts is is relatively short but needs to be said.

My wife bore me a son
We gave the war a boy
God gave me back a man
Thank you Lord

To all the people who have supported me and my family and my son for the past 15 months no "Thank you" is enough but, it's the only thing I have to give. Your prayers and support helped me through some very tough times. I wish to name a few of you here and if I have forgotten someone please forgive me.

In no special order

Airborne Dad, theonepercenters.blogspot.com, Mighty Mom, texassiren.blogspot. com, Pastor Ed Boston, Dotherighthing blogspot.com, Infantry Dad, infantrydad.blogspot.com, Chaplin Lynn, worthmysalt.blogspot.com Pastor (Chaplin,retired) Flesher, greencastlebiblechurch.org, Don and Sue, Uncle Don, St. John Lutheran Church members, Sarah, my daughter, and all the members at Hope Bible Church, Walmart employees, George, Betty, Pat, Patricia, Steve.

Barb F and Dave P of Greencastle. may your sons be safe from harm.

Subvet, agangershome.blogspot.com, all the kind and wonderful people who have seen my "Proud Parent" lapel pin and asked me to send my thanks to my son. I feel like the people at these dumm award shows on TV. Sarah, my daughter, and all the members at Hope Bible Church, At work, Jennifer, Steve, Mary Mac, my boss, "J", who has put up with my moods (?) , Jackey, Charline, Margene, Teresa, Ian, Mary C, Debbie, Alice and Otto, Charlie C, Darrel, my other brother, Jeff, even if he likes the 20 car, Dayngr, dayngrzone.blogspot.com.

I have to mention this guy by himself for being one heck of a human being and one hell of a photographer, Andrew Craft,acraftphoto.blogspot.com/. I must tell you why. An exploded IED photo was posted on the net by Mr. Craft. It was near where my son was stationed. I had not heard from my son for a couple of days. I em'd Mr. Craft who was kind enough to em back and tell me NO servicemen had been hurt in the explosion. My anxiety level dropped to zero with his email. Thanks again Andrew. He does great work in my humble opinion.

Finally a special thanks to my daughter-in-law, Ally. What a girl, she bleeds Red, White (opps) and Blue and Army green (?), I am an old guy remember! She has put up with my 15 months of guidance, hmm, and said nary a word. She has been there for "our soldier" All The Way!!

To anyone I forgot I apologize. Thanks to all and

God Bless America

Dilemma

For those of you who have read my thoughts, rantings, and raves I thank you. For those of you who have not maybe you are better off. I come to ask, oh boy here it comes, HELP! No I don't need money,you are off the hook. If you have read my first post I say this is not a red blog or blue blog. I just try to make it a blog that on occasion will be interesting, make people think and comment. Therefore give me information I may not have (aka comments).

We are currently in the midst of a a very long (winded) presidential campaign. Too long in my ever so humble opinion but, that's another story. Here's where I need your help. My candidate for the highest office in this land dropped out! Now I have to decide between currently 3 people, but in November 2 people. I am looking for why or why not to vote for a particular candidate. If you haven't all ready figured it out I am not a straight line party guy. I vote for the person whom I think will be the best for the America, not personally for me. My thoughts are if it's good for America, it's probably good for me. That is OK for me.

Being a male, sometimes chauvinist pig, ladies first. Sorry Gloria S. I ain't changing at this age!

Hilary Clinton: Don't really know much about the woman save what I hear and read. She's about my age, which is good. Don't need too young or too old of a president. She likes giving everyone health care. That is good. Being associated with the medical profession for over 30 years I don't know any person who has not received medical treatment when they really needed it. Who's going to pay for the health care? She stood by her man during some pretty tough times. That says to me she is capable of making a commitment and standing by it. Why she was so committed on that one I am not sure. She really has never managed anything that I know of, that's not good. She's a US Senator that, isn't a recommendation in my book.

Barack Obama: Don't really know much about him either. First time Senator with no significant mention of his record in the Senate. Seems to like to make people feel good. I have heard his speeches about raising minimum wages, that would be nice. If I pay a stock person at Wal-Mart more money to stock the shelves doesn't that make the cost of the merchandise go up? He got an endorsement from Louis Farrakhan, but rejected it. That seems reasonable. He doesn't place is hand over his heart during the National Anthem (saw the video). He doesn't wear a flag lapel pin. I don't wear a Flag lapel pin however, I am not running for the Presidency of the United States. If he wore it for political purposes that wouldn't be good. By not wearing it he shows commitment, that's good. He's a US Senator that, isn't a recommendation in my book.

John McCain: The first thing that comes to my mind is "war hero". My heart goes out to him for all he has suffered. Is being a "war hero" a qualification for the most powerful post in the world? He's from Arizona, never been there, hear it's got a lot of sand and is pretty hot and dry. I don't know what his management qualifications are. I will interject the thought, doesn't being President of the United States require some management experience? None of the candidates have any that I see. Some of the people say he's too old. Experience is not bad. My father-in-law is 76 and sharp as a tack. He doesn't always go along with party lines. Is that good or bad? Commitment keeps coming to mind. Is that good or bad? He's a a US Senator that, isn't a recommendation in my book.

Folks, there is my dilemma. Can you help me? I really would appreciate you comments and opinions. Now how many people ask you for your opinion?

Kody, May G-d Bless /What are You Thinking Barbra Walters?

My original post that was started on 02/12/08 follows however, I have something much more important than my diatribe against Jane, the traitor, Fonda and Barbra, the moron, Walters. Please bear with me.

Folks there is still a war going on and with the Presidential race in the forefront of the news if you don't dig deep sometimes you tend to forget about it. Even more important is how the war affects families. I received a phone call yesterday from my daughter-in-law. Her husband is currently in Iraq. She had some sad news for me indirectly about the war. For those of you unfamiliar with the military every soldier has a "battle buddy". They, quite simply, look out for one another. Being a parent of a soldier I have had the pleasure of meeting many fine young men and woman assigned to the 82nd AIRBORNE DIVISION. One of these young men was PFC Kody Anderson, my son's "battle buddy". When you are a parent with a child in "harms way" you live from day to day expecting the worse and hoping for the best. Your daily prayer includes,please G-d don't let me see a military car pull in my driveway. You never worry about yourself and what might happen if something happens to you or what affect it might have on your soldier.

Unfortunately yesterday, 20 year old Kody Anderson, my son's "battle buddy, had the equivalent of the military car in the driveway. Yesterday, Kody was informed by his superiors, his father had passed away. Folks, if you know me personally you know my passion for our young men and women at war. Imagine what this young soldier is going through. Thousands of miles from home, defending the county he lives,loves and believes in, doing his best to follow a family tradition of patriotism that his father, and his best friend, have set for him and he receives notice of his father's passing.

I have only one request of all of you who read this post,forward it to someone who will pray for Kody and his family. He is a fine young man, a good Christian, and in the future he and his family will need all the Hope and Prayers we can give him.

G-d Bless your dad, Kody, He was one hell of a Marine!


Folks, somehow this Fonda/Walters thing seems a little insignificant now.


First off I am going to remind everybody I have a son currently serving in Iraq and my opinion may be somewhat slanted but, I don't think so. According to this forward by my friend Barbra Walters in going to honor Jane Fonda as '100 Women of the Century'. Now I am not sure what that means but I have a few expletives that might cover it. To the Chaplains, Pastors, and religious people who read this I will apologize now.

Ms. Fonda is in my humble opinion, is a traitor to every man or woman who has every worn a uniform in the United States Military. She has posed with the North Vietnamese while good people like Senator John McCain, (not an endorsement) was being beaten and forced to live in squaller and sleep on concrete floors. She continues her anti-American attitudes by protesting against the War on Terror which regardless of your personal feelings about the war in Iraq, murdered nearly 3000, that's 3000, Americans in New York City and Washington DC and a field in Pennsylvania. She refuse to acknowledge her role in the continued mis-treatment of the POW'S in Vietnam and states that our good soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan have murdered civilians and children.

In a speech to Duke University students in 1970, Fonda told the gathering, "If you understood what Communism was, you would hope and pray on your knees that we would someday become Communist." Upon returning to the United States, Fonda told the world press that U.S. prisoners of war were being well treated and not tortured. Again, I refer to Senator John McCain, ask him of his treatment. Her outrageous claims were later exposed when American POWs were finally freed and told of years of agonizing tortures and inhuman treatment. Fonda responded, not with an apology, but with an accusation calling our returned POWs "liars and hypocrites."



What are you thinking Barbra Walters?

You have a Son

"You have a son", those were the first words the Doctor said to me after my wife gave birth to our second child. "You have a son", my, what awesome words. As my wife held him and I looked on the joy of a son began to take form. Our first child was a beautiful girl. A son, baseball, Boy Scouts, fishing, cars, girls, oops! All the things a macho guy can think of to do with his son.

Then it was my turn to hold "my son". This tiny little child, so helpless and totally dependent on.....ME! Oh my.......dependent on me. At this time my wife had put her career on hold and was going to be a stay at home wife. That made this 6 plus pound skinny child my responsibility. He was so long and skinny I nicknamed him Mr. Bones, much to the chagrin of my wife. And so it began the thought process of what I was going to do for this child that G-d had given us. As time went by I did my loyal best, sometimes not good enough, sometimes too good if that is possible, and on occasion I hit it just right. Church was one of the just right.

Mr. Bones grew and had a normal childhood going to pre-school, primary, and high school. He developed fierce sense of loyalty to his friends and little sister as he called her. He grew to 5'9" while she topped 5"4" on a stretch. He was sent to the Principals office in the third grade for hitting another child who kept picking on his best friend and waited one day after the school bus had pulled away to take on another student who was calling his "little sister" names. It is a fine line between standing up for a cause and allowing an injustice to continue. We made it through high school with only a couple minor scraps with the local law enforcement officials. Always it appeared his sense of loyalty was the culprit.

After graduation from high school he moved out began a time of when he called I would ask first, does this require a Doctor or an Attorney. It was a very difficult time for my wife, my son, and me. But somehow we made it because G-d has a plan for everyone. I just failed to understand that at this time. After a while we got back on the right road and had wonderful conversations. One such conversation was what was on the other side of the farthest star in the Universe another was the standing joke, Does rattlesnake really taste like chicken or does chicken taste like rattlesnake? We became like a couple of buddies but always father and son. And then...9/11.

A young man named Chris Tillman, a professional football player was killed in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban. He had joined the Army after giving up a pro football career. My son asked me why? I could only answer he felt it was something he had to do. My son would occasionally inquire about my military service during the 60's and that of my father's a WWII veteran and my grandfather a World War I veteran. I would answer the questions but failed to see the underlying motive. Then the day came. At his apartment without his wife there he said, "Dad, I joined the Army today. I took the oath" Awesome responsibility. Why I asked. His reply was simple and loyalty shone through again. "Because if I don't go, who will?"

It's been one year to the day since my son left for Iraq and his loyalty to his family, friends, the Army, his county and his G-d continues. I cannot say enough good about him and the awesome responsibility he has taken on and cannot say enough good things about him nor how proud of him I am. Although he will always be my "son" he has grown to be my best friend and brother in arms.

G-d speed Jacob, be safe and come home soon.

Love Pops

ATW

Worth My Salt: What American Soldiers Are Made Of

Worth My Salt: What American Soldiers Are Made Of

DISHEARTENING

A sad experience happened to me yesterday and it's been bothering me every since. Actually in reality it has been coming on for a long time. Not years mind you but at least for the last several years. I would imagine this subject will be written and talked about many times in the next several days however, to me this year it has really hit home. Why? I think I know but I am really not sure so I will not discuss my personal feeling's, only my observations. It's Christmas, a Joyous time of the year, people say.

I work for a government agency and have been a government employee long enough to pull the plug shortly. Now the people in my office where I work in my little cubicle give the impression of religious righteousness. I am certain in their hearts and minds they are. I certainly believed I was, until today. The first office birthday party I attend started with a prayer. My goodness in a government office I thought! Emails of "Praise the Lord" and Thank G-d, and you are in my prayers are quite familiar. One employee is even a ordained minister. Christmas cards abound! Wow you say, this sounds like a great place to work, very meaningful and thoughtful co-workers. This IS the perfect place to work. Therein lies the problem. It's NOT.

As I was hanging up the 15th Christmas card I had received from my co-workers I noticed only one front of the cards had a religious theme. This struck me and I looked and read the inside of each of the 15 cards. Thirteen of the cards did not mention the true reason for Christmas, one mentioned "being blessed" and one, sadly to say only, one reported the GOOD NEWS, the birth of the baby Jesus. Only one! The real and true reason for the Christ Mass. The birth of the Son of G-d, Jesus Christ, the one who died for us. So sad I mumbled to myself. As I drove home, it was dark, I began to look for Nativity displays. I didn't count because it became apparent quite quickly, many more Santa displays in the front yard than the baby Jesus.

I am not here to criticize anyone. I am only pointing out "The reason for the season" has not been highjacked by the big retail corporations. Many of us, myself included, have willingly let it be gently pulled from our grasp by our willingness to spend more, shop on the Sabbath, outdo last years giving and be certain no one is left out. Have we become Teflon believers? Are we willing to take back control of the most significant event of Christendom. I am. Are you?


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