As I write this column, I’m sitting at the top of part of the Green Mountain chain in Vermont. I’m looking at Camel’s Hump, a tough hike to the top, which I accomplished after the third try. Genie and I are staying at Dan and Laurie’s, house-sitting while they are vacationing. I will write about our trip, by car, to Vermont when we get home.
I have a favor to ask of all my fellow veterans to do on Sunday, June 15. Put on your shined-up black shoes, click your heels with a snappy salute to Old Glory, as it is Flag Day. A “Thank You, Lord” as you bring your right arm down would be most appropriate.
To anyone reading this column, pay tribute to Old Glory as you remember “This Land Is Your Land, This Land Is My Land,” that our flag flies over.
Sunday, June 21, 2015 is the official first day of summer. I’m ready for summer. Are you ready?
Sunday, June 21 is also an important day for you to show recognition to your father, whether living or deceased. Just remember, he was one of the main characters in your creation.
The women of Central Freeborn Lutheran Church are sponsoring a coach bus trip to Church Basement Ladies on Sunday, June 28. The bus leaves at 11 a.m. from behind Slumberland in Albert Lea. Center section reserved seats, with a CD for all attending. The cost is $53 per person including buffet supper at KFC in Owatonna on the way home. For reservations with payment in advance to hold a seat call Bob or Genie at 507-373-8655.
How about those Twins? F.R.O.G. (Fully Rely On God) of Central Freeborn Lutheran church isI sponsoring a coach bus trip to the Twins vs. Pittsburgh on Tuesday, July 28, leaving at 4 p.m. from behind Slumberland in Albert Lea with reserved seating behind home plate in the Home Plate View section. Your name will be on the scoreboard if your birthday is July 28. Four people from the bus will be selected to be on the field and help lead in singing the National Anthem. The cost is $45 per person with payment in advance. To hold a seat, call Bob or Genie Hanson at 507-373-8655 or Wayne or Bev Indrelie at 507-826-3267. Go Twins!
A sign we saw on the outside of an old hand-changed church read-a-board: “Our Lifeguard Walks On Water.”
On a blacktop road by a dairy farm in Wisconsin we saw a huge pile of round hay bales with each bale covered in white plastic. The flat side of the bales faced the road with huge dark colored lettering that read, “On the Eighth Day, God made John Deere.” What was parked next to the bales? A John Deere tractor, of course!
(Editor’s note: Though the flag of the United States has many names, some of them have particular historical significance.)
The “Star Spangled Banner” which had 15 stars and 15 stripes (for the 13 colonies and newly annexed Vermont and Kentucky), was created during the War of 1812, and flew over Fort McHenry while the British attacked, and Francis Scott Key was on a ship nearby.
“Old Glory” was the name for the 24-star flag given in 1831 to Salem shipmaster Captain William Driver, who was on his way to rescue the mutineers of the Bounty. It was hidden away for protection when the Civil War broke out, but was taken from its hiding place (in the lining of Capt. Driver’s bed) to be flown in 1862 when Union forces took Nashville.
“The Stars and Stripes” is the proper name for the United States flag as it exists today. The design, a field of regularly spaced (in rows or staggered) stars against a backdrop of 13 stripes for the original colonies, has been maintained since 1818. — RW
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in Vermont. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.