SEASONAL MESSAGES & MY CURRENT VIEWS September 11, 2001,"The day the night-light went out" As I sat there with a good part of the country watching in horror as the second airliner hit the south tower. My first thought was of those on the airliners and in the buildings. My second thought was yjay this was just like the planes that flew into our ships in World War II only on a grander scale than anyone could have thought of. No words can even try to express the effects it has had on us all, as a country. Gone is the feeling of being some what safe on our own soil. The phrase "Not in my back yard" will never apply here again. We as a country are bouncing back. We have shown the world what we as AMERICANS are made of. We have rushed to rescue those we could. we stood in line for hours to give blood. We handed out sneakers to those who had to walk up Manhattan in high heels. Gave out food & drinks as they past our stores. All over the country we are giving food,supplies,money and manpower to that rescue. Most of all we are giving our prayers. We are coming to grips with the fact that being happy with what you have is very important. Those who have losted loved ones;friends,fellow workers or just people they saw yesterday know that all too well now. Our hearts go out to them. we are AMERICANS and there is no finer way to group us than into one word,that is being called AMERICANS! Those Twin Towers were just one symbol of our country and we have many, but none greater that its people! We are AMERICANS, We will go on,We will be stronger and We will rid the world of those who have done this to us. God Bless the U.S.A. Chaplain Howard Flexer " The Silent Promises" The silent promises I made so long ago and so far away are still being kept after all these years. They were made to my fellow MARINES who I knew would never get the chance to make or do. They were made on the battlefields of Vietnam. Only three knows them. Those who it was made to, God and I. They were made in rice patties, hamlets and on Med-evac choppers. I"m sure more Vietnam Veterans than I made them. I wonder what I could have done better as hindsight is always 20/20. For me I became a Veterans Chaplain, because for some of those MARINES, I was the last person they talked to as we prayed together. Now more than 36 years have passsed I still see their faces and hear their voices in my "Nam-Mares". I'd like to think that I used each day to the fullest and did my best. I know I'll never know the answer till I get to meet God myself. So today I've shared that silent promises were made, with all that read this. I guess my reason for doing this is to tell all that War does not stop in your mind when you leave the battlefields of any War. No it stops for most when our time has ended here on earth. I also know that for those whom the promise were made, their time had stopped so long ago and far away. I got that extra time and I hope that I have kept those promises for them. Chaplain H. Flexer

New words to old song by George Jones He stopped remembering Vietnam Today " The Death of Common Sense" Today we mourn the passing of an old friend by the name of Common Sense. Common Sense lived a long life but died from heart failure at the brink of the millennium. No one really knows how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, factories and offices, helping folks get jobs done without fanfare and foolishness. For decades, petty rules, silly laws and frivolous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come in out of the rain, the early bird gets the worm, and life isn't always fair. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (adults are in charge, not kids), and it's okay to come in second. A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived cultural and educational trends including feminism, body piercing, whole language and "new math." But his health declined when he became infected with the "If-it-only-helps-one-person-it's-worth-it" virus. In recent decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of overbearing federal regulation. He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers & enlightened auditors. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero tolerance policies, reports of six year old boys charged with sexual harasssment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch & a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student. It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student,but can not inform the parent when the female student is pregnant or wants an abortion. Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, criminals received better treatment that victims & federal judges struck their noses in everything from Boy Scouts to professional sports. As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in & out of logic, but was kept informed of developments, regarding questionable regulations for asbestos, low flow toilets, "smart" guns the nurturing of prohibition Laws & mandatory air bags. Finally when told that homeowners asssociation restricted exterior furniture only to that which enhanced property values, he breathed his last. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents Truth & Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility: & his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; Rights, Tolerance & Whiner. NOT MANY ATTENDED HIS FUNERAL BECAUSE SO FEW REALIZED HE WAS GONE! Today We Now Have A President I'm Proud of!! Today January 20,2001 12:00 A time & date I have asked God to allow me to reach at least. I have for the last 8 years not wanted to pass away for fear of having my family getting that letter all veterans families get upon their passing. It would have been signed by that Draft-Dodging lier Etc. For all these years We as Vietnam Combat Veterans have had to deal with him & his gang telling us how we didn't send the best or brightest to Vietnam. I had to deal nighty with my Fellow MARINES who paid the full price asking how such a person could be president. Or how their fellow Americans could have put him in office not once,but twice! We have taken all kinds of hits from him and those around him on our service in Vietnam. I could go on & on. In closing I just want to thank God that I'm here and have a president who is Honorable! With God Chaplain Flexer State Veterans Hospital visit for Christmas party 2000 I opened Party with a few words and a Prayer." Fellow Veterans I am both proud and humbled to be here to celebrate Christmas with you again. I'm from the NE corner of our state. All year I've collected gifts and other items from your fellow Americans who care very much for you. I only wish that when I leave here later that I could take all of you with me. I don't know if my wife would be too happy at first with so many guests, but I know she would be proud also to have you. Please bow your heads: Heavenly Father as we gather here to celebrate your son's birth. We also remember that you were with us in combat looking out for us. Let my fellow Veterans know that we the Veterans are the finest that America has to offer. They don't have to be to make the headlines. they are the ones who went to war or just to protect this country Quietly, but are the loudest. They are the ones we are the proudest of. I know I am. Let them know that when all the Volunteers and I leave here that they are with us in spirit. May they feel the love we have for them all year long. So God look after them and give them the warmth we have for them. I thank you Lord for listening to this long prayer. I know you will answer them as you have done many times before. AMEN "MERRY CHRISTMAS & GOD BLESS "THE MOVING WALL" Was here in Putnam Ct. From May 25 thru 28! Read my account of its visit each day by going to next page below. My Stories of Traveling Walls Visit here

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