Yom Hashoah - 94th Infantry

This week has been designated as Days of Remembrance to surround Yom Hashoah. For those not familiar with this Jewish holiday, it is the day set aside every year to remember those who were lost in the Holocaust. So how, do you make something good come out of something so horrible?

This year the 2012 theme is

"Choosing To Act: Stories of Rescue"

“As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourishth…for the wind passeth over it and it is gone.”
--Psalm 103

The voices of the survivors and liberators will one day be silent, but their souls will be heard forever. Some of those liberators have never been honored as they deserve and for Kathleen Cowley it is a mission to bring a special honor to her father, Edward Cowley, and the other men of the U.S. Army 94th Infantry. The 94th liberated an area that held prisoners but was not designated after the war as one of "official" camps nor were they designated "liberators". There is no argument about this part of the story. Unfortunately, the designation for the 94th got caught up in Army and political rules and the designation fell through the cracks of officialdom until time ran out. You can read the story at the above link and in the letters below.

It will now take an Act of Congress to get these men named as "liberators" with a permanent place of honor in the National Holocaust Museum. Just the other day, Kathleen received a hopeful contact from the office of Senator Kennedy and this is her report on progress:

REQUEST FOR RECOGNITION OF THE 94TH INFANTRY DIVISION AS LIBERATORS.

I was finally able to get a hold of the military liaison I've been working with at Sen. Kennedy's office yesterday. She told me that the Congressional Research Center was not helpful and that they had hit a wall, as it is unchartered territory for them and not sure how best to proceed from here. So one of the aides in the office is to make this his sole priority for the next few days. Although as a matter of procedure they do not send people to the media, she told me that if CBS Sunday Morning News (she did seem to think this is their sort of story) were to contact them they would be very happy to speak with them. She feels this is an important "feel good" story that should be told and national interest would of course help this all along. It had previously been gently requested to wait and see what Sen. Kennedy could do so that he would be the one to present the case of the 94th before Congress. Yesterday she pointed out that Sen. Kennedy's time to put forth legislation is limited now but that this is very important, and if it comes to it in the near future, it might require an Act of Congress which they are willing to do but will be more helpful in that instance to contact other politicians willing to expend the time necessary. What I got from all this was to please pursue the media now and then we'll see where that takes it.

So...... Her next step is to pound on the doors of the media and other political offices to get them to tell a feel good story about her father and the other men of the 94th somewhere in the middle of all the latest doom and gloom. As she says, "If it weren't for the brave soldiers of the 94th ( who helped save the world) and my dear Da that I adore and whose time in this realm is so precious, I wouldn't be comfortable to ask, but there is so little time for their stories to be heard." So the pounding continues until someone important wakes up and tells the tale and Congress gives these men the place of honor they deserve.

If you have any contacts out there in the great world of media or politics, a little assist in the pounding on doors would be deeply appreciated before the winds of time carry these men away from the chance of earthly honors. What you do matters. Please see below the letters to Senator Kennedy's office that started this campaign.

For those who would like to know more about Yom Hashoah, you can visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum as a permanent living memorial to the victims. This year Holocaust Remembrance Day is Tuesday, April 21. You can read the full observance with video and the Presidential address. Take the time to read some of the stories collected at the National Holocaust Museum website. They include those of the families who lost members, those who were saved, and the memories of the men who liberated the camps.

Edward Cowley, Jr.

The Campaign to attain Liberator status for the 94th Infantry has its own blog.

OTGF - American Saturday Night

Ellis Island

Shelly over at This Eclectic Life reminded me that it has been a while since I have done an Only The Good Friday.  With all the yammering about politics, it is sometimes easy to forget what a truly great country we live in.  One that has welcomed virtually everyone from everywhere and said, "Come on in, you'll like it here".  Can't get too far away from the music, but Brad Paisley has a new song out to remind us of what Americans, more than just about anywhere else on earth, gets absolutely right when we are at our best. Plus it's a fun video just click link.

American Saturday Night

She's got Brazilian leather boots on the pedal of her German car
Listen to the Beatles singing back in the USSR
Yeah she's goin around the world tonight
But she ain't leavin here
She's just going to meet her boyfriend down at the street fair

It's a french kiss, italian ice
Spanish moss in the moonlight
Just another American Saturday night

There's a big toga party tonight down at Delta Chi
They've got Canadian bacon on their pizza pie
They've got a cooler full of cold Coronas and Amstel light
It's like were all livin' in a big ol' cup
Just fire up the blender, mix it all up

It's a French kiss, Italian ice
Margaritas in the moonlight (woahhhh)
Just another American Saturday night

You know everywhere has something they're known for
Although usually it washes up on our shores
My great great great granddaddy stepped off of that ship
I bet he never ever dreamed we'd have all this

You know everywhere has somethin' they're known for
Although usually it washes up on our shores
Little Italy, Chinatown, sittin' there side by side
Live from New York, It's Saturday Night!

It's a French kiss, Italian ice,
Spanish moss in the moonlight
Just another American, just another American,
it's just another American Saturday night

Only The Good Friday - Donor's Choose

It's been a while since I did something for Shelly's "Only The Good" Friday on This Eclectic Life, but I happened to come across a charity that is truly wonderful for anyone who cares about children, education, and schools.

The average teacher pays out several hundred dollars a year out of their own pockets for classroom supplies.  In the current economic climate with budgets even more constrained, conditions are worse than ever.  In addition, there are those "nice to haves" that parents in wealthier areas often donate to their schools that teachers and classrooms in less affluent districts never see.

Donor's Choice allows you to select a project and pledge any amount you can afford until the target is met.  You can select by location from state to city to a specific school, or you can choose from a variety of subjects.  If you are a music lover and want to encourage a classroom that needs replacement strings for guitars, then that is what you select.

Each project has a full write up with details of the location, the need, the money raised so far, and the comments of those who have already given towards the goal.  Some of those comments are funny, sad, or tender and filled with memories of a childhood event or goal that the kindness of strangers helped fulfill.

Endless Love

I could have saved this for My Neck of The Woods since Emerald Downs is a truly nice small track with a regular live season. It's not on the thoroughbred level of a Hollywood Park, but very well run, with an excellent clubhouse and full simulcast services, plus I have something unique for tomorrow and this is about my absolute love affair with horse racing. From the day I first toddled up the bleacher steps between my parents and pointed at a horse with "That one Mommy", it has been more than sixty years of endless love.

Because my children actually still like me, they collaborate each year and my son is taking me to Emerald Downs tomorrow. I take myself the rest of the season, but this trip is on them. Some mothers get dinner out, cards, jewelery, perfume, or fleecy pajamas. I get horses. Nothing says love like two across on number five!! The regular Sunday, Mother's Day brunch buffet is a sold out madhouse that we avoid; so we will brave the normal unbelievably crowded, Saturday madhouse instead.

Tomorrow, I will look up and see Mt. Rainier in the sunshine, then I will look across the table at my son and grandson basking in their affection, then I will look down at the beautiful animals, and at some point I will share something with Audrey Hepburn when I stand up and scream: "Move Your Bloomin' Arse!"

Right Place Right Time Right Man

As many of you know, my son Chris works on base at Fort Lewis in Washington. As a result his son is delivered to their after school rec center each weekday. This week Chris was locked in for long hours for all sorts of "secure" things that he doesn't talk about and I don't ask. As a result, I had pick up duty for David all this week.

In order to fill the time until the bus arrives, I usually sit in the waiting area and read the Northwest Guardian until he arrives. It is a small weekly paper issued every Friday that is totally devoted to Fort Lewis, the families that live there and the men and women who serve there and all around the world. I'm used to reading about everything from heroic battle action to athletic competion to the latest family picnics or outings.

Yesterday's reading was a little bit different: On March 17, Pfc. Seth Manderscheid went home and explained to his wife Whitney why he was late and then thought nothing more about the events of an otherwise normal day. All he had done was what he had been trained to do and did it when necessary. At least he thought nothing more about it until he was notified that others had taken notice of his actions and that General Casey would be speaking to him. You can read the whole story on the link above, but because of this rather quiet and modest young man, a child is still alive and that is about as good as it gets.



General George W. Casey, Jr. presents Army Commendation Medal to Pfc. Seth Manderscheid

Good Friday with Good People

As you wander the net, take part in blogs, sign up for Face Book or Twitter, you come across some very interesting people and ideas. All you need to do to get on my "interesting" list is to make me go "Oh!". Usually these are people or organizations who are making the world around them better in some way, but then again they can just be fascinating in their own right.

Shelly Tucker of This Eclectic Life has declared this to be Only the Good Friday, so on this Good Friday, here is a very good group of people doing a good thing.

Heifer International - Just because you live in an apartment doesn't mean you can't buy a cow, goat, or rabbit. By doing so, you can help lift whole groups of people out of poverty. This particular charity has received high ratings from all of the groups that review and recommend safe places to donate including Charity Navigator that gives it three out of four stars and Forbes Magazine that put it on its Gold Star List.

In a world of scams and emails from Nigeria, it's nice to find a good organization staffed by good people making reasonable salaries who pass on most of the money they raise to where it is needed most.

Little Things Mean A Lot

Lately I've been fascinated by one person or small groups of people working together in their own communities to make things better for their surroundings and in the process making things better for all. A few posts ago, I told you about Colorado Bob in Lubbock, Texas. Another gentleman, Whiskey Jack is taking on a beautification project. By clicking on his name you can find links to all sorts of growing projects from sidewalk flowers to whole community farms.

It is easy to say, "But what can one person do?". All alone, they might have a hard time, but for about $25.00 and a filled out form filed at City Hall, you can become a community organizer with your own project. If you want to get dramatic, you can even file with Uncle Sam for a 501 C (3) as a non profit.

You can say, "I don't have the money". Maybe not, but 100 people visiting your "Fundable" page with a few dollars to Paypal can provide the cash you need for just about any project you envision. All you have to do is get the word out that it is a safe place to send cash, as it exists for just this type of small goal. If the amount isn't collected, their money never leaves their account. You could send an email or post on your blog and here comes the cash, to do something good.

So for this "Only The Good Friday" - Go grow something pretty or think big and feed a nation one empty lot at a time.

Only The Good - Legends of America

This is "Only The Good Friday" a lovely idea dreamed up by Shelly over at This Eclectic Life. Up till now, I've been an erratic participant, but I just found a really, really good thing on the net. As most of you know, I love history and travel. If you share either of those loves, you need to visit "Legends of America."

Once upon a time there was Route 66. As the song says, it ran from Chicago to LA - 2000 miles all the way. All along that marvelous road there were towns, attractions, bits and pieces of history. Offshoots to the great national highway, there were scenic byways, National Parks, ghost towns, and tacky roadside attractions.

Guess what? A lot of it is still there, and these folks tell you the stories, give you directions, fill you in on the events and then connect you to people who share this particular mania. It is a truly wonderful place to just visit and browse among the places and photographs while planning your way to somewhere. Even more important, the people are really nice and helpful. I guess they figure they might meet you out on the road, and it pays to be nice.

Here is their menu just to whet your appetite for the whole meal:

American History, Ghost Towns, Ghostly Legends, Historic People, Native Americans, The Old West, Photo Galleries, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountain Store, Route 66, Travel Destinations, Treasure Tales, The Legends Blog and The Free Newsletter. If there isn't something there to catch your eye or start a good daydream, you aren't really trying.

Day After The Day Before

I completely forgot it was Friday. Christmas was virtually non existant since the grandsons got shipped off to the son's exwife until New Years when we will do a combo Christmas/Hogmanay present presentation.

Since this is only about good things, then it is good that the snow is melting so I can get out of my driveway. I really like being able to leave home, something that has not been possible for several days. Theoretically we are to get more snow this evening and then three days of rain. Now that stir crazy has been relieved by a really nice lunch out and two margaritas, I can look forward to a warm fire and a good book. Worrying about today's doctor visit can wait until next week.

Chris and David did the annual Santa Train and now David and Anthony have now been shipped through all the weather to land safely in Pennsylvania.

Only The Good Friday

Shelly over at This Eclectic Life has started a weekly feature named "Only The Good". It is a very simple project. One day a week write about good things. I've mentioned the wonky back which is not a good thing, but it did give me a chance to just watch the family felines. If you need a good giggle then the source is catapulting kittens who after careening from object to wall to floor to chair to bed to dryer to table suddenly come to full skidding, collapsed stop in instant sleep curled up around each other as if they were conjoined twins.

Go ahead. Try to be in a bad mood. I dare you. Plus, I get to use their baby picture again.

Then there is Shelly's latest project to drum up comments for her blog by promising to deliver a can of food to her local food bank for everyone who stops long enough to make a remark. This is worth emulating and my local food bank could use some cans. So speak up and I'll match it with a can of food to my local distribution center.

We all have our favorite blogs to visit on a daily basis if possible. I've found most of mine by playing Manic Monday created by the marvelous Mo. Even if you don't regularly do memes, this one has some of the nicest and brightest bloggers on the planet writing intriguing things with only a one word prompt.

This is the season for traditions of food, family and events. Once more there will be a tree decorated, not inside but planted and growing out in the world. The Arbor Day Foundation operated year round to replenish the trees necessary to clean the air you breath. Take the time to visit their site to see all the possible ways you can help your school, community, state, country and world.