INDY 500 According to Maxine

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Long before I moved to Indiana, there was no Memorial day complete with out THE race, the INDY 500. Even as a child growing up in Colorado, the race was the highlight of the celebration. The family would meet at Washington Park. Everyone would bring a dish and sandwiches to share. We all gathered round the picnic tables, said grace and chatted. Now keep in mind that this was not a televised race. The race was on the radio. After eating the women would sit around and talk, unless you were Aunt Mary. She and the menfolk would take their chairs and gather around the radio and listen to the race. It was fun as a child to listen to the men speculate and make predictions about the race. Gosh it was grand to hear the laughter and bantering.

Until recently, Wes, Annie and the Girls lived in Speedway. Yes, indeed, the town grew up around The Speedway. In the comfort of their family room we could sit watching the race on TV and open the windows and doors and LISTEN to the cars as they raced around the oval.

Times change, the enthusiasm for the sport has not. It is exciting, thrilling, and when gathered with family there is the wonderful experience of sharing cherished memories. Hope you all enjoyed the race yesterday! Happy Memorial Day!!!

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Thanks be to God!

Freedom

Washington, DC, 2007

Freedom is not just something with which we are born; it is something we achieve. America did not receive a perpetual endowment of freedom; it has had to struggle and fight to preserve it. Freedom is not an heirloom or an antique; it is a life that must fight against the corrosive powers of death and nourish itself on the daily bread of goodness and virtue.

The Quotable Fulton Sheen
Edited by
George J. Marlin,
Richard P. Rabatin,
and John L. Swan

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Thanks be to God!!!!!

A Memorial Day Poem

by C W Johnson

We walked among the crosses Where our fallen soldiers lay. And listened to the bugle As TAPS began to play. The Chaplin led a prayer We stood with heads bowed low. And I thought of fallen comrades I had known so long ago. They came from every city Across this fertile land. That we might live in freedom. They lie here 'neath the sand. I felt a little guilty My sacrifice was small. I only lost a little time But these men lost their all. Now the services are over For this Memorial Day. To the names upon these crosses I just want to say, Thanks for what you've given No one could ask for more. May you rest with God in heaven From now through evermore

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Thanks be to God!

Mt. Rushmore
6/2007

America For Me

by Henry Van Dyke

'TIS fine to see the Old World and travel up and down Among the famous palaces and cities of renown, To admire the crumbly castles and the statues and kings But now I think I've had enough of antiquated things. So it's home again, and home again, America for me! My heart is turning home again and there I long to be, In the land of youth and freedom, beyond the ocean bars, Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars. Oh, London is a man's town, there's power in the air; And Paris is a woman's town, with flowers in her hair; And it's sweet to dream in Venice, and it's great to study Rome; But when it comes to living there is no place like home. I like the German fir-woods in green battalions drilled; I like the gardens of Versailles with flashing fountains filled; But, oh, to take your hand, my dear, and ramble for a day In the friendly western woodland where Nature has her sway! I know that Europe's wonderful, yet something seems to lack! The Past is too much with her, and the people looking back. But the glory of the Present is to make the Future free-- We love our land for what she is and what she is to be. Oh, it's home again, and home again, America for me! I want a ship that's westward bound to plough the rolling sea, To the blessed Land of Room Enough, beyond the ocean bars, Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars.

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Thanks be to God!!!

Mini-reflection

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Washington, DC, 2006

There are some emails that cause one to reflect on the words. There are others that cause one to ask how someone could have thought of the words written. This one caused me to do both.

Without God our week would be

Sinday
Mournday
Tearsday
Wasteday
Thristday
Fightday
and
Shatterday

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So it is that today I say,
"Thanks be to God~"