David Barton of WallBuilders reports on the following legislation pending in Congress (more information is available through the WallBuilders):
In the latter months of 2007, there was a flurry of incidents attempting to censor America's religious heritage (e.g., the capstone at the Washington Monument, the flag folding ceremony in the Veterans' Department, the flag certificates from the Architect of the Capitol, etc.). In each case, citizens learned of the incidents and in large numbers made their feelings known; each policy was promptly reversed.
In response to those (and other) incidents, Congressman Randy Forbes of Virginia has 
introduced a Congressional Resolution affirming America's Godly heritage through dozens of documented historic examples.That measure,
H.Res.888, declares its two-fold purpose:
Affirming the rich spiritual and religious history of our Nation's founding and subsequent history and expressing support for designation of the first week in May as "American Religious History Week" for the appreciation of and education on America's history of religious faith.
The House has agreed to consider and debate this excellent resolution. There are three things you can do to help:
Call your Member of Congress and ask him or her to co-sponsor H.Res.888
Call Randy's office (202.225.6365) and thank him for standing up for our religious heritage. (All folks appreciate encouragement, but especially those on the front lines of battle.)
It will remind Americans what God has done for them and instruct the next generation about God's hand in America's history.
Posted by Walt as Patriotism, US History at 12:24 AM EDT
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March 6, 2008
USA Patriotism! (http://www.usa-patriotism.com) announces … that a broader group of Americans who are 18 years old and over will now be recognized for their patriotic efforts in its new Patriots Honor Hall located at http://www.usa-patriotism.com/hall/.
David Bancroft, founder and owner of USA Patriotism!, explains…
"Shortly, after announcing that USA Patriotism! will recognize students through the 12th grade whose patriotic extra curricular efforts met certain requirements . . . it became very obvious that there were many adult Americans who deserved the same tribute for their patriotic endeavors that might have occurred over several years or more.
Therefore, Patriots Honor Hall was developed for those special hearted, committed adult Americans who meet its requirements . . . with the hope that some may one day be honored as a Great American Patriot . . . which involves being selected by a board of fellow Americans who are notable patriots themselves.
Moreover, I can see situations where a parent and his or her child being recognized at the same time in Patriots Honor Hall and Student Patriots Honor Hall, respectively . . . as patriotic efforts like supporting the troops have involved parents, children, and even grandparents over a sustained period of time . . . talk about a wonderful patriotic family story, as well.
And while Patriots Honor Hall will have key links to Student Patriots Honor Hall, they both will remain separate due to different requirements and application process.
All involved with USA Patriotism! look forward to seeing every deserving fellow Americans and their patriotic efforts being listed in Patriots Honor Hall . . . with all being in very fine company with the students, stars, troops, heroes, and other remarkable patriots honored at USA Patriotism!"
USA Patriotism! is a non-political, patriotic showcase with a mission to foster better awareness, reinforcement, and display of love and pride of America by her citizens with the hope of developing a better understanding and friendlier attitude about the USA from citizens of other countries. Patriots will find thousands of pages of poems, articles, stories, quotes, photos, songs / music, flash / video presentations, thoughts, images, and references . . . all in tribute to country, troops and veterans, heroes, Presidents, other great Americans, memorable events, and more. (USA Patriotism! is the top ranked site under various patriotic keywords / phrases at Google, Yahoo, and other major search engines.)
USA Patriotism! is a New Media Alliance (www.thenma.org) Partner.
For Additional Information Contact:
David Bancroft
Owner / Founder
USA Patriotism!
713-466-5363
Houston, TX 77040
mailto:dbancroft@usa-patriotism.com
http://www.usa-patriotism.com
Posted by Walt as Patriotism, US Military at 12:23 AM EDT
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Why are George Washington quotes so remarkable? Once in a rare while a great man is born - a man who changes the world for the better and leaves his mark for posterity. George Washington was one of these men and his words are words to live by. As we remember his birthday this month, let these leadership quotes remind us of what's really important.
1. "Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness."
2. "Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence."
3. "Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth."
4. "Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all."
5. "Friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation."
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Posted by Walt as Patriotism at 11:58 PM EST
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By Ken Marrero
We used to talk like that when we were ambushed. We used to know the difference between a legitimate disagreement, or even a conflict, and a deliberate, unannounced act of war. We used to have the will to see through to the end what had to be done to ensure the threat that revealed itself in that act of war never threatened us again. We used to think we’d always be able to do that. Sadly, it would appear that we are not.
Hawaii is 4 hours behind us here in Tennessee. At 7:55AM, December 7, 1941 the Japanese conducted a surprise attack on the US Naval base at Pearl Harbor. It was 11:55AM here in Tennessee. Over the next 2 hours that attack would claim the lives of 2,403 Americans and wounded another 1,178.
Time Magazine has an excellent timeline of the events. Here are a few excerpts.
07:55 The raid begins at Pearl Harbor as the Raleigh, Helena, Utah and Oklahoma are struck.
07:56 There are two explosions on the Arizona. Pfc. James Cory: "The bridge shielded us from flames … Around the edges in these open windows came the heat and the sensation of the blast. We cringed there … I think that at this moment I wanted to flee, but this was impossible. You’re on station, you’re in combat."
08:06 A 1,763-lb. missile fired by PO Kanai Noboru hits the Arizona. It demolishes the forward magazine and kills nearly 1,000 men. "It was so vivid in my mind," says Private Le Fan, who saw the action from the Marine barracks. "[The Arizona] just quivered, buckled and then settled. It looked like … well, that killed it … It was so devastating."
8:08 Two bombs strike the West Virginia, whose captain, Mervyn Bennion, is mortally wounded by a piece of shrapnel that flies over from the Tennessee.
08:10 (13:40 E.S.T.) In Washington, President Roosevelt is informed by Navy Secretary Frank Knox that there has been a sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. This is "just the kind of unexpected thing the Japanese would do," says FDR. "[A]t the very time they were discussing peace in the Pacific, they were plotting to overthrow it."
08:12 The Utah capsizes.
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Posted by Walt as Patriotism, US Military at 12:21 AM EST
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By Alan Caruba
Sometimes I fear America has become the Paris Hilton of the world, forever in the media, an incredibly wealthy, pretty creature that often appears to be vacuous, in need of an occasional spanking, and yet fascinating for reasons that defy an easy explanation. Whatever the nation does, however, it does from a set of values and a cultural heritage that sets it apart from every other nation on earth.
These values of freedom and individual liberty need to be taught in our schools, spoken of around the dinner table, and in all the institutions of the nation as a constant reminder why America is such an economic dynamo, a source of endless innovation, and a place where one can literally travel from coast to coast and consistently be greeted with courtesy and warmth by complete strangers.
Writers are, by nature, people who love the written word and turn to it for answers. Let’s look at some thoughts that celebrate freedom and liberty in a world where it exists only for a lucky few of the six billion people who share our planet.
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Posted by Walt as Patriotism at 9:22 PM EDT
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by Jeff Lukens
Thanksgiving is a chance to gather with loved ones and share in a time-honored American tradition. For some, it is an excuse to stuff themselves with turkey and football. For others, it is a special time of "giving thanks" for blessings in their lives.
One may ask, "thanks to whom?" Well, thanks to God, of course. Never before has the question been difficult to answer. Perhaps we should consider that America's blessings of prosperity, freedom, justice, peace and opportunity. They are gifts from a mighty and gracious God. These days, however, the preeminence of God may look more like a matter of opinion.
Clearly, this was not the Pilgrims' view. They had come to this land in 1620, not to escape God, but to find Him in His fullness. They bowed their heads in acknowledgment of His power and grace. To them, He was the one and only truth.
In front of them was a desolate wilderness in a harsh Massachusetts winter. Behind them was a vast ocean that separated them from the rest of civilization.
Before starting their new lives, they made a covenant with God written in the Mayflower Compact. They had come to form a colony for the "glory of God." In return, they would receive His protection and blessings in this new land. That bond, of their faithfulness and His blessings, would be the key to their survival.
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Posted by Walt as General Commentary, Patriotism at 7:56 AM EST
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by Tom Berger
In 1971, Mrs. Michael Hoff, an MIA wife and member of the National League of Families, recognized the need for a symbol of our POW MIAs. Prompted by an article in the Jacksonville, Florida Times-Union, Mrs. Hoff contacted Norman Rivkees, Vice President of Annin & Company which had made a banner for the newest member of the United Nations, the People's Republic of China, as a part of their policy to provide flags to all United Nations members states. Mrs. Hoff found Mr. Rivkees very sympathetic to the POW/MIA issue, and he, along with Annin's advertising agency, designed a flag to represent our missing men. Following League approval, the flags were manufactured for distribution.
On March 9, 1989, an official League flag, which flew over the White House on 1988 National POW MIA Recognition Day, was installed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda as a result of legislation passed overwhelmingly during the 100th Congress. In a demonstration of bipartisan Congressional support, the leadership of both Houses hosted the installation ceremony.
The League's POW MIA flag is the only flag ever displayed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda where it will stand as a powerful symbol of national commitment to America's POW MIAs until the fullest possible accounting has been achieved for U.S. personnel still missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. On August 10, 1990, the 101st Congress passed U.S. Public Law 101-355, which recognized the League's POW MIA flag and designated it "as the symbol of our Nation's concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the Nation".
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Posted by Walt as Patriotism, US Military, Vietnam at 3:43 PM EDT
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Sharon Hughes
The Center for Changing Worldviews
Every time Memorial Day and Veterans Day comes around my minds goes to the many times I've attended parades and special observances put on by the cities in our area and the various veterans organizations. Several of those times my husband, Duane, participated in the events as a candidate for State Assembly and U.S. Congress. As a decorated Vietnam Vet he always received a warm welcome. Well, except for a couple of the very left-coast towns.
When our sons were growing up we would get out the picture albums of Duane's time in the Army, read together about why we observed these holidays in America out of the encyclopedia, and after dinner, which was usually a bar-be-que, we'd sit down and watch a movie or documentary on one of the wars our Armed Forces have fought in.
Some will think what we did was to indoctrinate our sons in a pro-war mindset. But, actually we were educating them in the realities of war. We wanted to instill in them an appreciation for those who laid their lives on the line to protect the rest of us, and the freedoms we enjoy, during times of war. We also wanted to make sure they had no romantic ideas about war as boys can have. If the time ever came for them to go to war it would be with their eyes wide open and the cost counted.
There is no glamour in war. War is hell. But, even the Bible states there is a time for peace and a time for war. This is, unfortunately, part of life on planet earth. While we debate and work and pray for peace, wars still rage. And while I understand the reasons some chose a passivist position, passivity never brings peace, only the rule of aggressive, totalitarian governments and leaders.
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Posted by Walt as Patriotism, Veteran Issues at 7:33 AM EDT
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Test your Patriotic Knowlege of the American Flag
by Nan
Question: Is it ok to fly the American Flag upside down?
Answer: The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
Question: My flag was accidentally dropped and got dirty. Does it have to be destroyed?
Answer: The flag should never be allowed touch the ground, the floor or water. If it does accidentally touch the ground, it does not have to be destroyed. It should merely be cleaned.
Question: I’m thinking of making a quilt out of old flags. Is this ok?
Answer: The flag should never be used as clothing, bedding, or curtains.
Question: Is it alright to print a picture of the American Flag on my parent’s 50th Anniversary party napkins?
Answer: The flag should never be embroidered on fabric or printed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed to be used once and then thrown away.
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Posted by Walt as Patriotism at 11:48 AM EDT
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By Regenia G. Butcher
I would imagine that even before the ink on the Declaration of Independence had dried, the sentences: "Are we gonna have a flag? We gotta have a flag! Britain has a flag!" were echoed by members of the Continental Congress. But then, a flag is important. It is a symbol representing a group and their beliefs — a means of identification.
It has long been reported that in May of 1776, Betsy Ross sewed the first version of the flag we use today. The American flag has, of course, gone through several design transformations since then, as states were added to the nation and stars were added to the design.
Symbolism Abounding
Unique and appealing as the design is, I think our flag is also full of symbolism. To me, the red stripes indicate courage, blood and suffering. The white stripes mean truth, purity and open-mindedness. The word stripes, itself, is associated with oppressions, struggles, punishments and lessons learned. An enduring flag represents a state of serving or coming-of-age the hard way.
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Posted by Walt as Patriotism at 11:29 AM EST
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