Remember what a debt we owe to these heroes this July 4th!

As we draw closer to the 4th of July, I've got one simple request. As you celebrate this Independence Day, will you take a moment and remember those who served and those who sacrificed? It can be as simple as a brief pause, a silent prayer, a toast or an offer of thanks.


I would like to share with you a unique story of one man's 4th of July and how it gave him a special meaning that he will carry for the rest of his life.

I first heard the name Tim Michael on July 4, 1983 while attending helicopter flight training at Fort Rucker, Alabama with Tim's brother, Mark.

The 4th of July festivities were in full swing for everyone except Mark. Hoping to cheer him up, I went to dinner with Mark that evening. He produced a photograph of his brother, Timothy Shawn Michael (right), sitting in a helicopter in Vietnam. The photo spoke volumes. Young and tired, 10-foot tall, rugged and bulletproof. The kind of pilot everyone at Fort Rucker wanted to become. I wanted to meet Tim and ask him all the questions a young man asks a veteran about war.


Mark told me Tim was killed on the 4th of July 1969 in Vietnam. I didn't need to ask Tim anything about war. I had an indelible answer to the age old question, "What is it like to be in a war?" A young man gets killed, his brother still feels the loss more than a decade later; a photo, distant memories and a name on a wall are all that remain.


The 4th of July hasn't been the same for me since that day. Tim's picture and Mark's anguish for his lost brother have visited me every year. I don't dread the visits. I think about the photographs I sent to my brother, posing in the same way, feeling like I imagine Tim did in 1969. I thank God my brother and I see each other every day at work. But the time we spend together on the 4th of July has a special meaning for me that I'll never tell him about.


Some day I'll visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. I'll look for the only name I know on the massive piece of black granite and shed tears for a man I never met.


Stories like this one help us all to remember what a debt we owe to these heroes. That's why we are building the Education Center at The Wall across the street from the Memorial. With your support, this facility will be a place where future generations can discover these stories and honor the values that make this country so great.

Sincerely,


Jan C. Scruggs
Founder and President


P.S. Every year that passes since the Vietnam War makes it more challenging to help new generations understand those turbulent, traumatic times. It's also more challenging to keep the memories of fallen heroes alive.

That's why I'm hopeful that you'll give online so that these names will never be forgotten. Thank you for you commitment to VVMF's work that you make possible.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Bobby!

Today is my step son's birthday, Bobby Green who is in Heaven.

He left us two years ago to go where he could be our Guardian Angel and watch over all of us. I know he is especially paying attention to his little Sister, Ashley and her two babies, AJ & Abby who are three years old and three months old. He also has a big job of keeping an eye on his younger Brother, Jeremy who likes to have fun, sometimes too much but he is a great kid and doing really good. Ashley, Alan & the babies are doing great as well. We all love and miss you Bobby, keep up the great job you are doing as our Guardian (who is 24 today), It's hard to imagine you being 24 years old but harder to realize you are not here. I miss you every day and what keeps me positive is knowing you are ok and that you will make sure your Sister and her babies are all good and your Brother is good. We will all see you someday, you can stop by and visit anytime. Just being funny with you as you are always laughing and making everyone laugh, that's how I see you when I picture you now, is laughing, stay that way!

Join EFF and say no to Internet censorship.

Say No To Online Censorship! Freedom of Speech & Press!

http://twibbon.com/join/Say-No-to-Online-Censorship

Governments around the world are proposing laws that would severely limit our right to free expression. In the United States, lawmakers have rashly proposed a law that would threaten many news reporting agencies. Sadly, we expect to see similar efforts in other countries over the coming weeks and months. When governments, individuals or companies choose to turn their backs on protected speech, we all lose. Now is the time to stand up for your rights. Join EFF and say no to Internet censorship.

Taurus Man and Sagittarius Woman...

Often times the Taurus is confounded by the Archer's wildness. The Taurus spends its time trying to figure out what makes the Sagittarius tick. The Sagittarius does not spend the same time trying to plumb the depths of Taurus. It appears that Taurus is fairly simple to understand.

Hopefulness was invented by Sagittarians, spawning new optimistic dreams, woven with strands of aspiration. Taurus is in a practical, somewhat gloomy, almost pessimism. Taurus watches Sagittarius and sees a sign that says: “Caution”. Taurus is not fearful of Sagittarius, more like “wary”. If these two get together, Taurus will have to make the adjustments. If Taurus demands changes of Sagittarius, the Archer will feel that they are being asked to make changes for no good reason, other than that they are being profoundly misunderstood and judged.

Sagittarius is seeking justice and fairness, and in that mode, they feel they can say and do what they wish. That is their “raison d'être”. You might be able to restrict the Archer's misbehavior, but certainly not their “being”.

Taurus sees an adventure in Sagittarius. These two signs will party, play and be very good friends. There is much to be learned from one another. They will have similar ideas and share common goals. Sagittarius will be instantly attracted to sensual Taurus. Taurus will stick with Sagittarius in sickness and in health. Sagittarius will feel at home with Taurus. Taurus will find Sagittarius independence very attractive. This is a highly rewarding combination that has both long and short term potential. Before they know it, they could fall madly in love. Taurus is serious and sensual. Sagittarius considers Taurus a keeper and friendship will be evident long after the attraction has ended. You will learn more about yourselves in this relationship. It's worth the insight.

Patient Taurus, normally sweet and winsome, may be forced to lose its legendary wicked temper, just to get Sagittarius' attention. Sag can defend itself well, rear up, neigh and winnie with great drama. However, its sense of fairness won't let it lie too much, though it might make noise. The archer could feel cramped and dampened by the Bull's critique.

The Taurus will need to loosen up.
The Archer not to mind a little restraint.
Life in the end is repetitive and mundane, and so is Romance itself.
This factor asks the question: "Can we be bored together over the long term?"
It is difficult to imagine the Sagittarius letting things get boring.

The Sagittarius need for freedom and to go off traveling will arouse the Taurus temper and awaken the possessive/jealous streak inside.