Congratulations Corporal William Kyle Carpenter, Medal of Honor Recipient!

President Barack Obama shakes hands with retired Marine Cpl. William "Kyle" Carpenter after awarding him the Medal of Honor, Thursday, June 19, 2014, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Today, June 19, 2014, Corporal Carpenter was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Obama at a ceremony in the White House in Washington, D.C. Corporal Carpenter will be the eighth living recipient to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan. He served as a rifleman in the U.S. Marines. He was medically retired as a Corporal due to his wounds. Carpenter is credited with attempting to shield a fellow Marine, Lance Cpl. Nick Eufrazio, from a grenade blast in combat operations in Afghanistan on November 21, 2010. He lost his right eye and spent over two years recovering from other injuries. Both Marines survived the blast but suffered major injuries. Corporal Carpenter is currently attending the University of South Carolina in Columbia.  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13 NIV).

RIP, Casey Kasem!

I remember listening to Casey and the Top 40 many years ago while I was in the inventory.  He kept me awake when I drove home from the naval base in Virginia back to South Carolina. His signature sign-off was, "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars."  You did good, Casey!

 

Happy Father's Day!

I commend you honorable men who sacrificed and got things accomplished with the best of your abilities to provide, protect and care for your families!  God bless you!  God bless the father's that are stressed, weary, exhausted, hurt and frustrated by dealing with the demands of this world to be responsible role models for their children.  God bless the new fathers who had no previous models to accept the new role of being responsible for the children they have brought into this world and will just have to follow their instincts and not abandon their loved ones. God bless the "baby daddies" to accept their responsibilities and stop making excuses for not having their own father in their lives.  We can not ignore the women behind all of these men who encourage, support and engage in a truthful, honest conversation to let these men that they are not in this world alone.  Faith with time and patience are just a few requirements to make men strong.  God and prayer at the forefront of any relationship with make us all stronger.

RIP, Ruby Dee!

Ruby and Ossie - Photo by Chester Higgins, Jr./NYT

Another phenomenal woman, Ruby Dee transitioned to a higher level. Ruby Dee passed today at 91! She's meeting with her husband, Ossie, about a new stage play which they will be again the leading characters. Ossie Davis, also her stage partner passed away in 2005 at the age of 87.  Ruby and Ossie participated in 11 stage productions and five movies during long parallel careers – the two together they helped pave the road for two generations of black performers.  They were also both active in civil rights and a classy couple. They were the Ashford and Simpson of the stage. Our prayers are with them and their family!

Nothing As Powerful As A Changed Mind - Bishop T. D. Jakes!

Time spent well worth listening to!  You are never to old to listen and learn.  Some of us are still learning the hard way.

June 6, 1944 – D-Day!

In preparation for the invasion, artillery equipment is loaded aboard LCTS at an English port. Brixham, England.
1 June 1944. Photo by Nehez. SC206438

Today, June 6, 2014, marks the 70^th anniversary of the military term D-Day which a planned military operation began. June 6, 1944, was the day that allied forces joined together to take the fight to their enemies in Western Europe. The US, with the British and Canadian forces, some 156,000 of them landed on five beaches spreading along a 50-mile stretch of France’s Normandy area. It took a great deal of planning to deceive the Germans of the invasion but it worked. Nevertheless, there were thousands of casualties and some 4,000 plus deaths.  These brave people gave their all so that we can have the freedom we have now. Franklin D. Roosevelt was President at the time but died in 1945. It was the time that WWII was coming to an end.

Despite the freedoms, we have some of us have taken them to the extreme.  We disrespect our current President publicly with no apologies because of free speech.  Even though if we had lost the war would our free speech be abolished?  Would I be able to write this blog?  We have the right to bear arms but in some areas in America we can flaunt it in the government’s face and take our guns in public settings not under threat but intimidating to others. What will happen when good guys stand their ground against other good guys? Will a misunderstanding be resolved peacefully or with gunplay? How many innocent people will be affected? What do we do when our politicians are more concerned about their personal interests than for the people? The real winners are the arms dealers. They promote fear and increase gun sales. A vote is a powerful weapon when you have thousands, it can change the political environment. Let's hope people use common sense.

The President is facing more controversy for trading a soldier for five terrorists. I don’t have the complete details on how Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was captured and the reasons behind it. It seems that he might not get a hero's welcome. He might not receive anything favorable. But he is home! As for the terrorists, have we forgotten the drones? If anything, those guys will be looking over their shoulders as long as they live.  Our combat soldiers returning home will carry much more than that for the rest of their lives.  They lost friends, fellow soldiers and seen things they couldn't help but see.  The VA and their families will have to deal with PTSD and other mental disorders that can put those soldiers on the edge. Pray that they don't commit suicide or homicides.

We also need to be concerned about the shootings and stabbings here in America. There is a litany of murders taking place across college campuses and homes.  First Responders have to be extremely careful while carrying out their duties.  I wonder if those soldiers who died for this country in past and current wars expected this kind of reaction from the people and country they died for.

Kingdom - Common featuring Vince Staples! Adult language!

Common is an intellectually, socially-conscious rapper. "Kingdom," his latest song, is a profound exploration of religion and violence in Chicago. Harsh language but very thought provoking.  This is the first time I ever used sound cloud. Our young people are longing for guidance and love!