o'blog-a-myne

Our country is 231 years young today!  God Bless the USA and the Defenders of OUR FREEDOM!  Long may OLD GLORY wave! 

"...............Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come. It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?
Forbid it, Almighty God!
I know not what course others may take; but as for me,
give me liberty or give me death! "
PATRICK HENRY

Well, actually Grand Dad is what I prefer. Same as my late Dad. I know the little guy will probably come up with his own version and I'm more than happy to go with that, within reason, haha. Anyway, it's not quite as big a day for me as when his daddy was born thirty years ago but it is BIG and I really love the idea of it. The only hard part is realizing how old I'll be when he graduates from high school. I'm really going to do my best to see him as much as I can over the coming years, the Good Lord willing. It won't be easy since we'll be on opposite coasts no doubt a good deal of the time with my son being a Marine. Obviously more to come on this subject! I still haven't seen the first picture of him so I'm hoping my son will get those in the email tonight before too long. What a great day! God Bless us, everyone!