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!
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...
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!
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!"
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.
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
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.
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
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!
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
Yours truly,
Michael FitzPatrick
Ph: (862) 242-8787
Email: mrmichaelfitzpatrick@gmail.com
