Life Spot's New Look

My blog is almost two years old and I think it is time for a "blog makeover". I have been doing a lot of research on colors and themes that are appealing to the blog audience. During my what seemed like a never ending search for just the right blog template I discovered that going back to a blogger default template was the best choice at this time.

Since I started this blog I have used custom CSS or XML templates to give it a nice look and welcoming interface. When I decided to completely redo my blog this time I could not find a template that I was happy with or fit my blogs story line.

So being the graphics artist that I am and have been for over 15 years, just like I would do in the past, if I couldn't find the perfect graphic I would create one. I have found that if you have an idea and look in your mind of what you want your blog to be, the best way to accomplish that is to go with your talent and create exactly what your imagination is telling you is the perfect look, and that is what I did.

I created the header, post dividers, footer and many more graphics and elements featured in the template that is now my new blog with a very nice and welcoming front page that keeps your attention without too many animations and colors that could discourage readers from a nice long visit.

I started with a color theme of earth tones and a graphics theme that resembles a vintage scrapbook design. More and more scrapbooking sites are popping up due to the demand for that style of elements to accent a blog or website. I found several very nice websites that offered wonderful and free accessories to help dress up any blog.

It is still a work in progress or I guess you could say under construction because I have not added the post dividers or footer yet, but will be very soon. So far I am happy with my new look and can't wait for the final product and complete template to be done and uploaded, it is going to be beautiful.

I hope you enjoy Life Spot and it's contents, topics, stories, inspirations, causes and all of what Life has to offer. My goal is to have a little spot for anyone to come visit and stay a while, relax and find your little spot in life that is full of all the important little things the news channels and "big" websites leave out.

It is the little things in life that mean the most and you will find some wonderful and special little spots right here at Life Spot, enjoy and please share with your friends and family.

                                                                                                                       

Honoring The Women of The Vietnam War!

In an era of universal polemics and political unrest – with no thought of glory, with no fanfare or public notice – 265,000 women volunteered to go where they were needed, to do what was needed. The era was known as Vietnam, and these young women, most in their 20s, risked their lives to care for our country's wounded and dying. Their humanity and compassion equalled their lifesaving and comforting skills.

For the first time in America's history, a memorial that honors women's patriotic service was dedicated in the nation's capital, placed beside their brother soldiers on the hallowed grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. It was the first tangible symbol of honor for American women. The multi-figure bronze monument is designed by New Mexico sculptor, Glenna Goodacre. It is a sculpture in the round portraying three Vietnam-era women, one of whom is caring for a wounded male soldier, stands 6'8" tall and weighs one ton.

The Vietnam Women's Memorial Project was incorporated in 1984, and is a non-profit organization located in Washington, DC. The mission of the Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation (formerly the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project) is to promote the healing of Vietnam women veterans through the placement of the Vietnam Women's Memorial on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.; to identify the military and civilian women who served during the Vietnam war; to educate the public about their role; and to facilitate research on the physiological, psychological, and sociological issues correlated to their service. The Foundation has the support of every major veterans group in the country including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and more than 40 other diverse organizations.

Diane Carlson Evans, a former Army nurse who served in Vietnam, is the founder and chair of the Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation. She became the first woman in American history to spearhead a campaign to place a national monument in Washington, DC which recognizes the contributions of military women to their country, as well as civilian women's patriotic service.

The Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation would like your help to support its mission. So far approximately 12,000 women veterans who served during the Vietnam era have been located by the Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation. The stories and experiences we learn from the women who contact the Foundation are invaluable contributions to the history of this era. Vietnam women veterans are encouraged to send in their service information and current address to the Foundation by using the Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation's Sister Search form.

The long awaited Dedication of the Memorial was made possible with a loan for its construction, design, and landscaping. The loan was substantial, but friends and supporters of the Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation did what some may have thought was impossible...they managed to pay the construction debt in full! The Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation continues to be faced with other obligations while fulfilling its program objectives. Please visit the "Your Support" page for information on how you can continue to help support the Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation.

Many of these women were wounded or killed in the crossfire. The Vietnam Women's Memorial Project has given women veterans a voice. It has helped to tell their story through the mass print and electronic media as well as in schoolrooms and universities and at conferences, seminars and conventions. As more and more Vietnam women read and hear of their sister's service, they come forward with their own experiences. Many of these women had never before shared their personal experiences with others - the pain was too deep.

Now, through their poems, songs and stories, the healing of women veterans has begun. Silent no more, women veterans have a special role in discussions surrounding a call to arms, the role of women in the military and veterans benefits. Their insights into war make their contributions in peacetime as invaluable as their heroism in Vietnam.

A three-day Celebration of Patriotism and Courage, November 10-12, 1993, in Washington, D.C. highlighted the dedication of the Vietnam Women's Memorial on November 11, 1993 near the Wall of names and the statue of the three serviceman at the site of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Thousands of Vietnam veterans, their families and friends joined the nation in honoring these brave and compassionate women.

Click here for a complete chronology of the Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation.

Memorial Day 2012

• The History of Memorial Day
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• The original name for the holiday was Decoration Day.
• Memorial Day is set aside to honor those who died in our Nation's service.
• Originally started to commemorate the deceased of the Civil War.
• Waterloo, NY was declared the official birthplace of Memorial Day by President Johnson in 1966.
• Over two dozen towns claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day.
• Southern women are said to have started the tradition of decorating the graves of Confederate. Soldiers with flags and flowers.
• Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5th, 1868.
• A General, not a President, declared Memorial Day.
• Memorial Day was first observed on May 30th, 1868.
• Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May.
• The first state to recognize the day was NY.
• On the first, official Memorial Day a large ceremony was held at Arlington National Cemetery and flowers were placed on the headstones.
• Most southern states refused to recognize the day officially until after WWI.
• After WWI the Day was adjusted to celebrate the deceased in all wars.
• A National Holiday Act was signed by Congress in 1971, ensuring a three day weekend for the Federal Holiday.
• Texas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Tennessee, all have separate days to honor the South's Civil War hero's.
• Red poppies are the unofficial flower of Memorial Day.
• The VFW was the first veterans' organization to sell poppies nationally.
• The "Buddy" Poppy Program sells imitation poppies made by veterans.
• Memorial Day parades were once a standard of the day.
• In 2000 the National Moment of Remembrance was initiated.
• The National Moment of remembrance asks that all Americans at 3:00 pm, pause from any action to somehow honor the deceased of our many wars.
• In 1951 the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began the placement of 150,000 flags at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. This tradition still stands.
• In 2004 Washington D.C. held its first Memorial Day parade in over 60 years.
• Memorial Day is the, unofficial, beginning of summer activities.
• US death tolls for Memorial Weekend are higher than almost any other weekend.
• On Memorial Day the flag should be flown at half staff until noon and full staff the rest of the day.
• Hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists descend on Washington D.C. each Memorial Day in a parade of appreciation for fallen soldiers, MIA's, and POW's. This tradition started in 1988 with 2,500 motorcyclists.

http://www.inthelighturns.com/history-memorial-day-infographic.html

History of National Nurses Week!

May 12th is Florence Nightingale's birthday. 

National Nurses Week is celebrated every year beginning May 6th and ending May 12th. Join us in celebrating the men and women who serve this country by caring for its citizens.

1953 Dorothy Sutherland of the U. S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare proposed to President Eisenhower to proclaim a "Nurses Day" to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s mission to the Crimea. However the proclamation was never made. National Nurses Week was observed, regardless, in 1954 from October 11 - 16 thanks to a bill sponsored by Representative Frances P. Bolton. A bill for a National Nurses Week was introduced in 1955 to Congress, but still, no action was taken. 1965 The International Council of Nurses (ICN) began celebrating "International Nurse Day". The House of Representatives presented a resolution in 1972 to President Nixon to proclaim "National Registered Nurse Day". Again, no action was taken. In January of 1974, ICN proclaims that May 12 (the birthday of Florence Nightingale) would be "International Nurse Day".

In February, President Nixon proclaims National Nurse Week.  After that, in 1978 New Jersey Governor Brendon Byrne declared May 6 as "National Nurses Day" for his state. Then in1981, the ANA (American Nurses Association) rallied with other nurses associations to support a resolution initiated by nurses in New Mexico, through Congressman Manuel Lujan, to have May 6, 1982, established as "National Recognition Day for Nurses".

In February 1982, the ANA Board of Directors formally acknowledges May 6, 1982 as "National Nurses Day". This action confirmed a joint resolution of the United States Congress designating May 6 as "National Recognition Day for Nurses".

On March 25th 1982, President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation officially declaring May 6, 1982 as "National Recognition Day for Nurses". In 1990 The American Nursing Association Board of Directors expanded the recognition of nurses to a week-long celebration, declaring May 6 - 12, 1991 as National Nurses Week. In 1993 the ANA Board of Directors designated May 6 - 12 as lasting dates to observe National Nurses Week.

http://www.nursesweek.org/