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Happy Memorial Day:  Pop Pop, Norman Rockwell, History, Franklin D. Roosevelt...and more!

5/27/2013

7 Comments

 
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By:  Michael FitzPatrick

As we sit here on a long weekend, officially kicking off the summer, let us remember the loved ones we have lost, who so bravely and courageously fought for our freedom.  Also, let us pray for those who are currently protecting us in the military today so that we can have parades, BBQ's and time with family and friends.   
 
Many families have experienced trauma this year, between Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, the Texas plant "explosion," bombing during the Boston Marathon, Hurricane Sandy, recent Oklahoma tornado and so many other unfortunate situations.  Let us keep these families in our thoughts and prayers more than ever this year!


This was a nation built for liberty, justice, freedom and a right to life.  We take this great Country for granted and it is time for us to wake up and reclaim the beautiful power of our wonderful United States of America.  


As you spend time with family and friends today, have an attitude of gratitude.  Tell someone that you love them today.  Smile for the
sake of smiling.  And write someone from the military a thank you note!  You'll be glad you did...

Happy Memorial Day and God Bless the USA!

William T. Kenny (aka "Pop-Pop")

The Greatest Veteran I Knew...
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William T. Kenny served in the 42nd Rainbow Division for the United States of America and at 18 years old he joined the military and was deployed overseas.  
  
He was handed a machine gun and told that he would be on the "front line."  At 6 ft. 4 inch tall, Bill Kenny was a BIG TARGET.  However, his courage, strength, and faith in God protected him throughout the war and guided him home.  
  
Tom Brokow's book "The Greatest  Generation" described many of the characteristics and traits that William T. Kenny exemplified.  One of the last missions of Bill's Kenny's troop was to help liberate the concentration camp at Dachau. 
  
Can you imagine being 18 years young, shipped overseas, with no belongings, having no idea where you are going or what you are supposed to do, being taught to shoot a machine gun to defend your life, freezing in the winter snow with only one pair of clothes and tethered socks and shoes, and then lastly being sent into Dachau to liberate the Jews from their oppressors! 
  
I am blessed and proud to say that William T. Kenny was my grandfather.  Unfortunately, he passed away in 2005, but his legacy continues through is wife, my grandmother, Mary Kenny, his 9 children and 24 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren!

  
We love you and miss you Pop Pop!  


History of Memorial Day

Incredible 3-minute video from The History Channel

Norman Rockwell's "4 Freedoms!"

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During a time when things were difficult in our Country, artist Norman Rockwell captured the "4 Freedoms" perfectly.  

1.)  Freedom of Speech
2.)  Freedom of Worship
3.)  Freedom from Want
4.)  Freedom from Fear

Below you will find a speech from Franklin D. Roosevelt that shows the power of these 4 Freedoms and why they are so powerfully important for us to remember as part of world history.  
We are blessed to live in such a free Country.  


Franklin D. Roosevelt's Address to Congress 

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January 6, 1941

In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.
 
The first is freedom of speech and expression -- everywhere in the world.

The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way -- everywhere in the world.
  
The third is freedom from want -- which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants -- everywhere in the world.  

The fourth is freedom from fear -- which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor-- anywhere in the world.  

That is no vision of a distant millennium. It is a definite basis for a kind of world attainable in our own time and generation. That kind of world is the very antithesis of the so-called new order of tyranny which the dictators seek to create with the crash of a bomb.  

To that new order we oppose the greater conception -- the moral order. A good society is able to face schemes of world domination and foreign revolutions alike without fear.  

Since the beginning of our American history, we have been engaged in change -- in a perpetual peaceful revolution -- a revolution which goes on steadily, quietly adjusting itself to changing conditions -- without the concentration camp or the quick-lime in the ditch. The world order which we seek is the cooperation of free countries, working together in a friendly, civilized society.  

This nation has placed its destiny in the hands and heads and hearts of its millions of free men and women; and its faith in freedom under the guidance of God. Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere. Our support goes to those who struggle to gain those rights or keep them. Our strength is our unity of purpose.
 

To that high concept there can be no end save victory.



Jack Zengo...Son of Chris and Sarah Zengo

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A good friend of mine, Chris Zengo from Fairfield University posted this picture of his son on Facebook last year and it is still one of my favorites!  

They live in Massachusetts and in the Boston Commons area the towns people place 33,000 flags in the ground - one for each Mass soldier KIA since Civil War.
 
Thanks Chris for taking your son there and for sharing this picture with the world.  It is a keeper! 


Happy Memorial Day to everyone!  May you enjoy the day, be safe and pray for all our fallen hero's.

Yours truly,
Michael FitzPatrick

Ph:  (862) 242-8787
Email:  mrmichaelfitzpatrick@gmail.com
7 Comments
Annette Mackie
5/27/2013 07:48:53 am

You never forget, Michael. My Uncle Sam--really that was his name--was a peace time soldier but was captured by the Japanese and was in the Bataan death march. He eventually died in a prison camp. I have visited his grave in Fort McKinley in Manila. My Father and all of my uncles served in WW!!. My Father also served on the USS Wisconsin during the Korean War. Both of my husbands served their country. So, thank you for remembering all of them while we reflect on our loved ones who kept us safe.

By the way, I have an autographed copy of Tom Brokaw's book and a photo of him and me when he appeared on a book tour in Vail.

This is probably more info than you need, but it was fun reminiscing.

Best to you--Annette

Reply
Michael FitzPatrick
5/27/2013 07:52:54 am

Annette...that was so awesome to read! Thank you for "reflecting" and responding....I hope you are all settled into your new digs and I look forward to catching up soon!

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John Dente
5/27/2013 11:05:12 pm

Mike- Thanks for sharing your family legacy and your heart...we truly have a great country... because of the sacrifice of many great Americans. An attitude of gratitude is truly the only response we can have. John

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Michael FitzPatrick
5/27/2013 11:20:18 pm

Well said John! Funny how time changes our perceptions :)

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Bonnie
5/27/2013 11:07:53 pm

Thanks for a thoughtful remembrance on Memorial Day! I will share this with my 93 year old uncle who was in both Italian and German POW camps in WWII.. He walked 1,000 miles to the closest Allied camp after the war ended! I am sure he is grateful that people like you continue to remember. Cheers, Bonnie

Reply
Michael FitzPatrick
5/27/2013 11:22:42 pm

WOW Bonnie! Thanks for sharing. Tell your uncle I said THANK YOU. I just watched the movie Schindler's List again last week and it rocked me to the core. What a powerful film but a great reminder that evil does exist in the world and our job is to continue pouring water on it...

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Judy Bergeron
5/28/2013 12:18:23 pm

Michael. Your tribute was beautiful. We buried my son in law's father 3 weeks ago. Was a Vietnam vet. Had the privilege of going to a Mem. Program I. Chardon, Ohio where I could explain everything to his 7 1/2 and 5 1/2 yr. Old grandsons. Thank you.

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