Poetry Inspired by Montana

I have fallen for the water

I have fallen for the collective gathering of spring fed waters that cascade down the rocky valleys and mountainous terrains. Water that trickles over the rocks formed by time and river bottoms that remind you of God's hand holding the water, if for a moment.

Capturing the second that the dandelion pod make land on the silky trickling  river, and watching the mountain escaping her river bank to created the clouded horizon; and the only sovereignty that God allows is that of the bald eagle or the condor. Yet beneath the water only to rise for its food is the rainbow with its animated colors. And though God himself gives man the occasion to capture the power and the glory of this beauty, if not for a moment, for a lifetime in his heart.

Yes, like the waters that fall, I too have fallen for the river, the never ending river of God's glory.

T. Kyle Swicegood

Veteran's Day - 2015

 Veteran's Day 2015

As written from http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

"In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"
The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and
Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and
Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples."

Veteran's day is a special day, one where we can reflect on the service of men & women who put country above self. A friend of mine, Jeff Sims, a veteran and chairman of the Triad Flight of Honor spoke at one of our outings for World War II veterans; he said " a veteran is someone of gave the American people a blank check and said cash it, even if it means my life"



As an American, proud of our past and hopeful about our future, won't you join me in celebrating the brave men and women of our military....they're the best!

  

Part 1 - John Caudle

Part 2 John Caudle

Charle Craig Hanes

Fred Reidenbach

POW Harold Frank

Maj. Gen. George Johnson