View From The Bridge 5/24/17

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
By Muncie
5/24/17

MEMORIAL DAY
Because the Old Bridge will not be finished by the holiday, the Memorial Day services will be held at the Veterans Park at 10:00 a.m. From there we will proceed to the Riverside Cemetery for a brief ceremony. Those of you who make that trip to the Cemetery are then invited to the Sunrise Bluffs for refreshments.

When you arrive at the Cemetery, take note of all the American Flags on Veteran graves. There are many and each holds a loved one who was in the service of our country. That Veteran was willing to die for our country. They deserve the honor we can give them. God bless them and God bless America. See you there.

OUR FLAG
Two weeks ago Diane Jones reported on the American Legion’s scholarship award. The essay contest winner was Layton Bahnmiller from Big Sandy and was based on the American Flag. What a writer that young man is. His thoughts, about our American Flag and the importance of it, said it all.

Diane and I are on the same page concerning our Flag and the reasons for flying one on our homes. I urged all of your readers to buy a flag, if you do not already fly one. With Memorial Day upon us next Monday, we honor those who gave their lives for that Flag. Would you have done what they did to defend your country? Think about that long and hard.

Working with the Vets Photo Program in the last few weeks I came close and personal with each photo.  You study their faces and wonder what life would have been for them had they not close to defend their country. Those that died never had the chance to have a family. Perhaps they already had one but never were able to see any of their children grow up.

That is what Memorial Day is all about and as I said many times before, show up at the Veterans Park.

At the Riverside Cemetery note the American Flags on all the graves of men and women who served. It only happens once a year and you surly can find a few minutes to remember the Veterans. Is it too much to ask?

VETERANS PHOTOS
Another good reason to come to the Sunrise Bluffs after the ceremony at the Cemetery is to check out the new arrangements for the Veterans photos. They are now in alphabetical order that makes it easier to find your loved one. Children and Grandchildren may have to be lifted to find their Dad or Grandpa. It is a great opportunity to teach them about what the pictures are all about. It is a reality that we all have to deal with.

CONGRATS
Another year has rolled around and we see those Kiddos we knew in Kindergarten are now on their way to college. They are our hope for the future and I know they can do it.  They have many hopes and dreams and I know that we in Chouteau County that hold the same hopes and dreams for them.

I would like to talk to you when you come home for breaks, as to how college is different from high school. I would like to hear about your new friends and what classes you are taking. I never had the opportunity so I can live in your hopes and dreams for a little while.

GOOD NEIGHBOR
At the Bomb Shelter every Saturday from 12:40 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. there are Good Neighbor Volunteers. They are working at a “Food Distributing Program.” This is food that grocery stores in the area donate and it is available to everyone. Make a trip to the Bomb Shelter and pick up a grocery bag full of food, fresh or canned, that you can use.

I just found out about this program a couple of weeks ago. It has been in existence for a long while but was only known about by word of mouth. Please note again that it is available to everyone. Give it a try next Saturday.

(I’ll bet I know your next question. where is the Bomb Shelter?  Take Main Street straight north and up the hill. It is off to the left with lots of parking.)

WHO KNEW
The week has finally arrived when at the end of it we will no longer have to tolerate those political commercials. Between those and all the depressing world news reports, I have discovered PBS. They have a world news program on for 1 hour from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday with NO COMMERCIALS. There is still very sad news about accidents, floods, and tornadoes, but somehow it seems softened. Give them a try to see if seems a bit easier to digest. (Too bed I didn’t discover this many months ago.)

PONDERISMS
“Why is it so difficult to say you are sorry when you know that you are wrong?” (This is my own ponderism.)

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, and THOSE WHO PROTECT US, and WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS.