Bits and Pieces
Just Some Bits and Pieces
Remembering Our Fallen - Bill and Evonne Williams have created a traveling photo exhibit honoring our military who have died from wounds suffered in a war zone since September 11, 2001.
A Memorial Day Poem: The following poem was written by Marine Corps veteran and cookie crumb supporter, Nick Nicotero. Nick read his poem at this year’s Memorial Day service near his home. (He’s been leading the service for about ten years - past year's poems are posted on our Memorial Day Poems page.)
We Appreciate Our Freedom
We appreciate our freedom is why we’re here today.
“We appreciate our freedom” is what we came to say.
To keep alive the memories of tears that have been cried,
And keep alive the memories of those who served and died.
We remember on this day each year the costly debt they paid,
And remember, too, their families and the sacrifice they made.
To send a loved one off to war is the the hardest thing to do,
Hoping every day and night that they’ll come home to you.
We appreciate our freedom as we see our flag fly high,
Sorry that for our freedom someone had to die.
Freedom should be for everyone, no matter where they live,
Freedom across the earth if people would live and let live.
We pray for the time when war will be no more,
And thankful when our loved ones will walk back through that door.
We appreciate our freedom is why we’re here today.
“We appreciate our freedom” is what we came to say.
And Patriotic Productions, listing upcoming events and projects.
The Eagles of Pottawattamie County: A video by Donna Peters of the Western Iowa Development Association.
The video is a salute to the communities of Pottawattamie County Iowa, working together to honor all the armed forces and their families, and the sacrifices they have made in the service of protecting our country.
Each bronze monument, by artist Russell Christensen, is unique and will have a place of honor in every community in Pottawattamie County.
Completed eagles can be seen in Neola, Minden, Underwood, Hancock, Carson, Carter Lake, Crescent, Oakland and Treynor, McClelland, Walnut, Avoca and coming soon Macedonia and Council Bluffs.
Learn more about the project and its inception at The Eagles of Honor Project.
and Iowa's Freedom Rock.................
We appreciate our freedom is why we’re here today.
“We appreciate our freedom” is what we came to say.
To keep alive the memories of tears that have been cried,
And keep alive the memories of those who served and died.
We remember on this day each year the costly debt they paid,
And remember, too, their families and the sacrifice they made.
To send a loved one off to war is the the hardest thing to do,
Hoping every day and night that they’ll come home to you.
We appreciate our freedom as we see our flag fly high,
Sorry that for our freedom someone had to die.
Freedom should be for everyone, no matter where they live,
Freedom across the earth if people would live and let live.
We pray for the time when war will be no more,
And thankful when our loved ones will walk back through that door.
We appreciate our freedom is why we’re here today.
“We appreciate our freedom” is what we came to say.
A blue attraction sign has been added on Interstate 80 (exit 86 near Menlo) for the Freedom Rock.
Since 1999, each Memorial Day, Ray "Bubba" Sorenson repaints the rock as a tribute to those who defend our freedom. The 2011 painting is shown at left.
The gallery of photos of the Rock can be found at the Freedom Rock website, facebook (The Freedom Rock) as well as several YouTube videos.
Attention Teachers: Iowa Cookie Crumb and teacher, Elaine Russell, has developed a lesson plan for students to write letters to the troops.
Per Elaine, "It is not hard for a teacher to have the students write the letters.
Elleen Wheatley, Iowa's oldest living woman Marine, was featured on Channel 6 news by John Knicely. At 98 - "Once a Marine, Always a Marine" And, at 98 she still mows her grass!
What is difficult is finding the resources to inspire the writing. I found a great book at the library last year. It is called The Impossible Patriotism Project. I have ordered four copies from Amazon that I can share with teachers who want to have kids write letters."
For more information, email Elaine at g2204@cox.net.
In our world of internet, email, social networking, etc., there is still something special about a letter, card or note! From a Marine's recent thank you note written on blue line:
"We all joke about how tough we are, but there is nothing more humbling than receiving mail from people you don’t know that show us how strong America is behind us."
And this - our most unusual thank you:
The following was sent to Abbie and actually delivered by the Post Office. If you think this is just a brown envelope - it's not. It's actually written on cardboard!
Jeanette Cram, Treat the Troops Founder,
Authors Book
"Soldiers, Cookies & the Crumbs"
The message is written on the cardboard from a MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) package from Marine, Lt David Share.
Message reads:
is now available on paperback and Kindle. The Kindle ebook edition is $4.99 and paperback $12.95.
Simply go to amazon.com to order.
Military Humor - Photos
Dear Ms. Crawford, My unit did receive everything that you sent. We are very grateful as we are
very far away from any amenities. We are at a very remote outpost in Afghanistan. It is our honor to be here. Thank you for the respect and love from home.
Respectfuly
LT David Share, Trauma Nurse
