Independence Day

 

Once again we celebrate Independence Day here in the United States of America. It's a special day to play with fireworks, hang out with friends, and pig out on barbeque foods. There's television specials of the various firework shows around the country, big band concerts, and all kinds of frivolity. Hopefully nobody gets hurt as we remember the founding of our precious country.

Yes, I'm a patriot and proud of it. My desire is to pass along a deep love for my country. Your home country should be close to your heart and your prayers. It's important to honor that love. No matter where you live, once a year there's a celebration to remember where it all started. Take the moment to dig into history and really understand the how's and why's. Remember the good and the bad. Unless we actively remember, we risk losing our own history.

So, take part in the celebrations and keep in mind the costs paid by those who strove to build the great country you live in. Especially, remember the heroes and sacrifices, the cost in lives and property. Not everything is perfect, but we can work hard to make it better. Never give up and never surrender.

- M

Memorial Day, and a toast to our fallen heroes!

Happy Memorial Day!

On this special day we remember the great debt we owe our fallen heroes. I am deeply grateful for the courage and strength of the many who have spent their blood, sweat, and lives defending our freedoms. We should all take time today to remember and pay our respects. Military holidays are an important part of our traditions and should be passed onto the next generations with appropriate conviction. We must never forget the importance of the sacrifices of heroes.

We take the day off work, enjoy our families, and make some sweat barbeque. Maybe people travel long distances, turning one day into many as they take well deserved vacations. Actually, this is one of those heavy travelling weekends where if you don't need to drive you probably shouldn't. Some people just don't know how to drive when they're in a hurry (hint: don't be in a hurry and you'll arrive in one piece).

To those in the military right now, I salute you. Despite our leaders' political aims, you are doing what you feel is right in protecting our country, our freedoms, and our lives. I don't understand why anyone would want to cut soldiers down simply because of politics. Soldiers are the warriors for a country, not the whipping boys. Honor their many ongoing sacrifices, and tend them when they come home wounded in body or mind.

Happy Memorial Day! May our soldiers return home to care and love. And to the many who have fallen, I give my deepest respects.

- M

Regional pride, national honor, and planetary joy.

It's interesting to note that we tend to be very proud of where we come from, where we live, where we work, where we study, and where we enjoy ourselves. It's not unusual for people to actually come to blows over something as simple as bad mouthing another person's home country. These things are important and are revered as such. So, why is it that in so many stories the characters seem a bit lost when it comes to pride for their places?

 

I think of the great story "The Hunt for Red October" which was a book turned into a movie. The main conflict isn't the submarine, but the fact that the home country of the main character (the USSR) was upset at losing an honored commander to a rival country (the USA). On the other hand, the USA was protecting itself against what they saw as a rogue submarine from the rival USSR. Both sides were protecting their own country, with tremendous pride in the act.

 

On the other hand, take the Star Trek universe. Planetary pride seems a quaint notion for the majority of the heroes. They are mainly concerned with everyone getting along. Perhaps I've missed it, but it seems only the villains are vigilantly proud of their home planet. Even in the newest movies, the pride of home turf doesn't seem to matter much--except again the villains, and Spock (who loses his to treachery).. The stories are great, but I miss the loyalist attitude of the older science fiction shows--Lost in Space may not have been great writing, but the characters desperately wanted to go home and I can sympathize with that.

 

Characters competing over who's home is better makes for fun entertainment. At least, I think so. The audience quickly understands the stakes, and then the author can get on with the action. Anything that helps the story get going is a good thing and using easily understood conflict is a fine way to do that.

 

And in America, Happy Veterans Day!

 

 

- M