FLAG RAISING AT CENTERBROOK

From Mary’s desk:

Ivoryton is a small community that feeds into several nearby small towns. The Jaillet children attend Essex Elementary School which has about 500 students, Kindergarten through 6th grade.  Unknown to us, and to her parents until yesterday, 9 year old Jaimie, a fourth grader, won first place in a poetry contest sponsored by VFW Post 6726 of Centerbrook. Not even the teachers knew who won the contest until the Commander of the post announced them at this Flag Raising Ceremony.

Jaimie and the 2nd and 3rd place winners each read their poems that describe what they perceive about Memorial Day, and why it is important to celebrate our vets and remember their contribution to us all. Jaime displayed great confidence and an excellent speaking voice. Her parents, and Pepe’ Jaillet were noticeably proud and moved.

Father Jim shares a tender moment after the ceremony.

Happy Mom, Wendy, too.

And, Pepe’ Jaillet.

When our children are grown, we forget how talented young children are. The program was announced by Graham Rider. The band played “You’re A Grand Old Flag”,  the Pledge Of Alegiance was led by student Mitchell Conrad,  the Star Spangled Banner was sung by Mrs. Deborah O’Donnell. Then the guest speaker, Cadet Mary Watson, one of many veterans participating in the day’s activities, explained the importance of honoring vets to a mixed age audience. No small feat. The winning students shared refreshments with the Vets and got tips from them on what it means to serve in the armed forces.  For more pictures, click on the album below:
http://picasaweb.google.com/1579penn/52810JaimieNVets#

Later in the day, we attended Jaimie’s softball game.

Jaimie is a member of the Twins, and here, at bat, she swung and missed in this shot. She later scored the first run for her team, which eventually lost to the Angels.  Girls and boys softball is huge in this area. Jaimie loves the game and the girls look like mini-pros as they pitch, catch and command their positions. The rules are friendlier, only 6 innings. The girls can only make five runs in an inning, then they trade positions. Mom, Wendy appreciates that winning isn’t the most important aspect of a ball game for kids. Sportsmanship, teamwork and fun are promoted with learning how to win and lose gracefully. Good healthy stuff for kids.

HONORING VETERANS, HATING WAR

Metta Schafft of Sonora owns a Civil War Diary from her ancestor, Peter Lane in which he notes that marching across the beautiful hills and through timber and crossing streams, he met farmers, their herds of cows and hogs, blacksmiths and carpenters. Families stirring in their dwellings waving at them marching by, only to remark:
“…this scene of happiness was destined to be ruined by war. Gen. Sherman the robber and incendiary said War Is Hell, he, at least, carried it on that principle-burning, killing and destroying.”

Now the killing is more efficient.
I salute our nations veterans while I hate war.
Some people consider themselves patriots and those of us against war as unpatriotic.
Let us consider the wise words of some respected historical figures:

“As never before, the essence of war is fire, famine and pestilence. They contribute to its outbreak; they are among its weapons; they become its consequences.”
“When people speak to you about a preventive war, you tell them to go and fight it. After my experience, I have come to hate war. War settles nothing.” Dwight D. Eisenhower

“It is a shallow victory which leaves a prostrate people.” Charles A. Lindbergh

“The human tragedy reaches its climax in the fact that after all the exertions and sacrifices of hundreds of millions of people and of the victories of the Righteous Cause, we have still not found Peace or Security…” Winston Churchill

“War is the business of barbarians.” Napoleon

“There never was a good war or a bad peace.” Franklin

“You are never going to get peace with millions of armed men. The chariot of peace cannot advance over a road littered with cannon.” Lloyd George

“No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.” Madison

“War is an instrument entirely inefficient toward redressing wrong; and multiplies, instead of indemnifying losses.” Jefferson

“Let us pity and forgive those who urge increased armaments, for “they know not what they do.”” Andrew Carnegie

“To be prepared for war is one of the most ineffectual ways of preserving peace.” Washington

“When wars do come, they fall upon the many, the producing class, who are the sufferers. U.S.Grant

I salute our nations veterans but war should be relegated to the trash heap as a way of solving problems. Civilization is at stake