Let Freedom Ring

Never Forget This Boys

You get what you give in life!

You want respect you must first give respect!

You can do all things! All You need is a little faith!

Faith is an incredible dog. She was born just before Christmas in 2002, and we were lucky enough to have her in our family just 3 short weeks later. She was born to a mother dog, believed to be nearly full blooded chow, along with several other siblings. Faith wasn't the only puppy born with deformities, but because "Princess", her mother, was not our dog, we are not sure of the exact number of puppies she gave birth to. It is certain, however, that Faith was the only puppy with deformities to live.
Faith was rescued by my son Reuben on January 21, 2003, when he and his friend Johnny, the owner of Princess, jumped over the fence of the flea market area that Princess was raised to guard. Princess isn't exactly the mothering kind. She was literally terminating Faith's life because she knew instinctively that Faith was unable to battle the other puppies for a place to feed. Faith was weak, small, runtish, and mostly she was nearly dead. Reuben grabbed Faith out from under Princess and smuggled her under his jersey. He wore #63 for the Putnam City Pirates football team.
When Reuben brought Faith to us she had 3 actual legs, but the left front leg was badly deformed, placed backward, upside down, and it had more toes on it than normal dog legs. The leg was removed when she was 7 months old when it began to atrophy. People ask me if it was easy to teach Faith to walk upright...the answer is NO! It was not easy, and it was not natural. It was SUPER natural, and therefore, we have to give all of the credit to Jesus. Of course, it took a little....Faith as well.

Freedom Is Never Free!

America......

Land of the free

Home of the BRAVE!

Memorial Day At Vicksburg Military Park

Flags Flying for Fallen Veterans

Vicksburg 05/24/08 --- WLBT

Eighteen thousand flags were placed in honor of the fallen veterans buried in the Vicksburg National Cemetery. Of the seventeen thousand Union soldiers buried at the park, only five thousand are known.
Other veterans of more modern conflicts, including World War II and the Korean War, were also laid to rest there. The confederate soldiers who died during the Siege of Vicksburg are buried at the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Vicksburg.
Vicksburg National Cemetery has the largest number of Civil War interments of any cemetery in the country.
Larry Bonner, Vietnam War Veteran said, "It's a lot of grave yards, a lot of stones. It's kind of awesome". "It's nice to come visit places like this and see things like this."
The flags will stay in place through Memorial Day.

Soldiers Through The Ages
By Julie StrawJulie@wlbt.net

If you ever wanted a lesson in U.S. military history, a quick trip to the Vicksburg National Military Park would serve you well. Restored weapons and vehicles along with recreated uniforms and supplies make the "Soldiers Through The Ages" demonstration entertaining and educational.
One man in particular brings the stories of our country's past alive. Richard Gentry has been recreating the stories of American heroes for 26 years. He always wanted to serve in the military, but a cripling accident as a child kept Gentry from his dream.
"I tried to get in the Navy. I tried to get into the Army. I tried the Air Force, even the National Guard. They still wouldn't take me. I figure divine providence has another thing for me to do. So this is my passion," said Gentry.
Gentry estimates he's spoken to two million people over the last quarter century. Educating families like the Burkes.
"It was cool to see how the gun was shot," said 10 year old Kylee Burkes. Her father, MS National Guard Staff Sergeant Darwin Burkes said, "I learned a lot of new stuff from the Civil War all the way up to present day. I wasn't really in tune with some of that stuff."
"It's very interesting to see people interested in the history of a little bit of life about the soldier and also remember why this weekend is here," said Rick Martin, the Chief of Operations for the Vicksburg National Military Park.
After all it is Memorial Day weekend. Just one weekend out of the year to pause and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
"We can wake up every morning without fear and we should give thanks to them for that and not forget everyone that sacrificed all. All of their tomorrows are gone. They gave it up for us so we should remember that," said Gentry.
The "Soldiers Throught The Ages" demonstration can be seen at the Vicksburg National Military Park from 9a.m. to 4p.m. Sunday. There is an $8.00 fee per vehicle (if you have an annual pass there is no charge per vehicle).

Riderless Horse Adds Poignancy To Military Burials

Story Highlights
1) Riderless horses honor high-ranking fallen U.S. troops, government officials
2) Many recall horse with empty saddle during 1963 JFK funeral
3) Army's ceremonial "Old Guard" unit prides itself on its military funerals
4) Tradition of riderless horses at funerals dates to ancient Rome, soldier says



ARLINGTON, Virginia (CNN) -- Staff Sgt. Travis Nielsen had no idea when he joined the U.S. Army that his duty would include one of the most solemn and hallowed ceremonies in the military.

During funeral processions at Virginia's Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, Nielsen walks the riderless horse, a powerful military symbol that stands among the highest honors for the fallen.
Images of the so-called caparisoned horse, often referred to as the "cap horse," remain emblazoned in the memories of millions of shocked Americans who watched President Kennedy's funeral procession shortly after his 1963 assassination.
According to Army tradition, a ceremonial horse is led by a "cap walker," like Nielsen, in a procession with boots set backward in the saddle's stirrups. In addition to high-ranking government officials such as the president, the cap horse honor is reserved for officers of the rank of colonel or above.
The tradition dates "to Roman times, or Genghis Khan," Nielsen said, "as a high honor bestowed on high-ranking fallen warriors." Watch Nielsen lead a riderless horse at Arlington »
The ancient riderless horse ceremony didn't include backward boots, he said, but it did include an unusual meal.
"They were shrouding their horses or putting him in battle armor or escorting the fallen to their grave," Nielsen said. "When that was done, they would eat the horse, and they would have a big feast."
Today "the boots facing backward symbolize [that] the fallen won't ride again and [the rider is] looking back on his family one last time," he said.
Nielsen serves with the ceremonial Caisson Platoon of the 3rd U.S. Infantry regiment, also known as the Old Guard, based at Fort Myer, Virginia, near the cemetery. Formed in 1784, the Old Guard ranks as the oldest active duty unit in the Army.
"Memorial Day weekend is very busy around here," said Nielsen, who joins Old Guard comrades in the annual tradition at Arlington called "flags in."
"We are responsible for going out in the cemetery and placing the American flags on all the headstones."
Platoon soldiers rarely know any details about the troops or civilians they honor.
"Sometimes someone who served with the fallen or maybe went to [military] academy with them will come up to you and tell you what a great guy they were," Nielsen said.
When choosing Old Guard members, commanders "want guys who are punctual and disciplined and picky about the way they look and the way their horses look," he said.
The focus of much of Nielsen's duties involves drilling and training horses such as Kennedy, a cap horse whose previous career involved running around harness racing tracks.
Cemetery ceremonial horses are washed and brushed until their coats have a bright sheen. Saddles and brass are buffed and polished until they shine like mirrors.
Ancient caissons that carry flag-draped caskets are cleaned and readied for a day of service.
As for the soldiers, Old Guard members' woolen uniforms are flawless and take hours to prepare, as each inch is inspected again and again.
Uniforms are pressed and ironed. Shoes and brass are polished and shined.
"In the winter, it can get pretty cold out there," Nielsen said. "In the summer -- it's no joke -- the summers get extremely hot. There will be heat indexes of 100 to 115 degrees."
Nielsen described his duty as rewarding. "We carry America's heroes to the final resting place," he said.
Soldiers in formation lead the procession. An Army band plays, and the unit marches to muffled drums.
The caisson passes, led by six horses, either black or white. The horses' harnesses jangle and the caisson wheels rumble through the hallowed paths of Arlington.
Bringing up the rear of the procession is Nielsen, leading Kennedy.
They pass in formation directly behind a flag-draped casket carrying the body of a soldier or Marine; Navy and Air Force officers do not use cap horses at burial ceremonies.
After a casket is carried to a burial site, the caisson and cap horse depart.
Nielsen and Kennedy head back to the stables alone, to prepare for another ceremony.
All About Arlington National Cemetery • U.S. Armed Forces

Have a GREAT summer --- I know your teachers will!

BE SAFE AND HAVE TONS OF FUN!

No more lectures, no more books, no more teachers dirty looks!

I am a teacher's assistant by the way not a teacher..... so I may throw a dirty look at you if you act up at summer camp LOL!

Lest We Forget

Thank You Doesn't Seem Like Enough!

Please Remember All Those Who Serve And All Those Who Served....

It Is Because Of Their Service And Sacrifice

You Are Free!

Good Luck On Finals

I know this is a couple of days late guys..... but the sentiment was there all along..... PROMISE!

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

1)STUDY

2)GET ENOUGH REST
3)EAT A GOOD BREAKFAST

4)TAKE A PENCIL OR TWO (SHARPENED WOULD HELP)WITH YOU

5) TAKE ALL NEEDED EQUIPMENT (LIKE CALCULATORS IF ALLOWED ETC)

6)PRAY

7)CHECK OVER EVERY QUESTION TWICE

8) DON'T FORGET YOUR NAME AND DATE ON EACH PAGE

9) HAND IT IN

10)PRAY SOME MORE

11) FORGET ABOUT IT ----- IT IS OVER, DONE, FINI!

Need Your Email Addresses Again

Our computer had to be redone so I lost all my email addresses and websites due to the reboot! Please send your email addresses to my bellsouth address (ask me or Ms Sherri for it) ..... Thanks guys and gals

National Police Week May 12 -16

Enforcement Officers Week.
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day is Thursday.
Honor those who put their lives on the line everyday to "Serve And Protect"
Mrs Tracye's grandfather John Pat Malone Sr. was one of those officers who died in the line of duty and our nephew and cousin Jonathan Prewitt is a rookie cop. So honor those who have given all for you by flying your flags on Thursday and thank a cop!

Don't Forget Em!

Remember The Dogs and other pets when sending storm aid to areas hit by tornadoes and flooding this spring!They are victims too and they suffer in silence ---- because they have no voice to say "I'm homeless; I am hungry; I am afraid; I am hurt! Help me!" Well after seeing the above photo on CNN--- I want to be their voice! Please send along with flood buckets and other storm aid; milk bone dog biscuits; heartguard heart worm chewables; dog and puppy chow; cat and kitten chow; cat litter; hamster and gerbil food; any other pet supplies you can think of! If the red cross and salvation army will not take it find someone who will (ASPCA or PETA) ...... Thanks and I will get off my soap box now!

Happy Mother's Day -----

"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother."

- Abraham Lincoln

MCT2 Practice Tests Link

http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/acad/osa/mct2_practice_tests.html

Here is the link for Math and Language Arts MCAT Practice tests ..... hope this will help you all get prepared for next week!

Remember to get a good night sleep before the tests; eat a good breakfast and concentrate on the questions and all reading! It is not a race---- check your work---- no cell phones! Good luck!