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(Submitted by Unknown Person)

Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time in Vietnam , other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black and white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures.

A few years ago, Ann Margret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o’clock for the 7:30 signing.

When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore, circled the parking lot, and disappeared behind a parking garage. Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted.

Richard  was disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI’s so far from home. Ann Margret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as second in line, it was soon Richard’s turn.

He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, “I understand. I just wanted her to see it.”

She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said, “This is one of my gentlemen from  Vietnam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for ‘my gentlemen.” 

With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him. She then made quite a to-do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them. There weren’t too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then posed for pictures and acted as if he were the only one there.

Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he’d like to talk about it, my big, strong husband broke down in tears.. ”That’s the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army,” he said.

That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet. I’ll never forget Ann Margret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband.

I now make it a point to say ‘Thank you’ to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces. Freedom does not come cheap and I am grateful for all those who have served their country.

If you’d like to pass on this story, feel free to do so. Perhaps it will help others to become aware of how important it is to acknowledge the contribution our service people make.

A True Patriot Will Pass This On.  A Foreigner In This Country Might Not.

Don’t be too busy today..
Share this inspiring message with friends and family.
On  behalf of those who DO appreciate all that you did for us, ‘THANK YOU!’ to each of you who receive this message who have served or are serving our country in the armed services or any other service.

IF YOU DON’T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, PLEASE,  FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM!!!!

by (Author Unknown)

You’re a 19-year-old kid. You’re critically wounded and dying in the jungle somewhere in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

It’s November 11, 1967. LZ (landing zone) X-ray. Your unit is outnumbered 8-1 and the enemy fire is so intense, from 100 yards away, that your CO (commanding officer) has ordered the MedEvac helicopters to stop coming in.

You’re lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns and you know you’re not getting out. Read the rest of this entry »

by Linda Sedrick Pearson

According to a report by Shane Borer, Kentucky Fried Chicken is misleading customers. KFCs sales promotion is that for every pink bucket of chicken purchased, KFC will donate fifty cents to the Susan G. Komen foundation for breast cancer research. Borer states that is not the case and that you can see for yourself by reading the fine print of the sales promotion.

“KFC restaurant operations have contributed 50 cents to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure for each Komen branded bucket purchased by the operators.”

Borer goes on to say that Kentucky Fried Chicken’s promotion misleads customers because the promotion sounds like another $.50 will be donated to the cancer research foundation. In fact, KFC has already donated the $.50 by purchasing the pink buckets and are charging cutomers $.50 more for an order of one of these buckets full of chicken.

So is KFC misleading customers? You decide. However if you would like to make a donation (or read more about the research) and bypass this little controversy, go directly to the Susan G. Komen foundation web site.

Treasurer Clint Zweifel announces $529 college savings giveaway Giveaway in celebration of 529 College Savings Day

JEFFERSON CITY – State Treasurer Clint Zweifel (ZWY-ful) announced MOST – Missouri’s 529 College Savings Plan will be awarding a lucky Missourian $529 to put towards saving for college. The winner will be selected from the pool of applicants who enter online for a chance to win at www.Most529Savings.com. Entries will be accepted from May 1 through May 31, 2010.

 ”This $529 scholarship will provide valuable aid that could grow over time to help pay for a child’s college education,” said Treasurer Zweifel, who sponsors the college savings program. “This contribution, combined with the investments made by MOST 529 account owners on behalf of Missouri’s children, has a real impact on education savings and college affordability.”

The giveaway drawing will coincide with 529 College Savings Day, which corresponds with the date of May 29. The winner will be notified by phone June 1, 2010. College Savings Day is an opportunity to remind Missouri’s families that saving for college is one of most important things they can do for the students in their lives. Saving even just a little bit of money as early as possible is integral to lowering the expense hurdle of a college education.

“If you start investing $50 per month into the MOST 529 account when a child is born, you could accumulate $16,633 by the time the child turns 18,” Treasurer Zweifel said. “Small investments can add up to make a real impact over time on a child’s education.” MOST 529 currently has more than 123,000 owners and more than $1.3 billion in assets, an all time high for the program. To enter the drawing to win the $529 contribution, Missouri residents are encouraged to visit www.Most529Savings.com and click on the “529 Day” button. Missouri taxpayers who are age 18 or older may enter to win on behalf of any beneficiary*. The prize money must be invested in an existing MOST 529 account or in a newly opened account in the plan. Winners will be announced June 4, 2010.

MOST 529 has several features that make it an affordable option when saving for college:

 • Start saving with as little as $25. Additional contributions of $25 may be made at anytime.

• Save on taxes.

Contributions and earnings grow free of federal and Missouri state income taxes, and can be withdrawn tax-free when used for the beneficiary’s qualified higher-education expenses.*** Plus, Missourians who are account owners qualify for a state income tax deduction on their contributions.**** • Choose from a variety of investments. With options from Vanguard and Missouri-based American Century Investments, account owners should be able to find an investment that matches their goals and comfort level. For more information about MOST 529, visit www.Most529CollegeSavings.com or www.treasurer.mo.gov.

Eddie Salazar Sr was arrested after the body of his 8-month old infant son was found dead by searchers on Saturday. Salazar filed a false report that his son, Eddie Salazar Jr, had been kidnapped after he was beaten by the perpetrators.

Attorney General Koster says Neosho man convicted for prevailing wage violations, placed on contractor debarment list

Jefferson City, Mo. - Attorney General Chris Koster today announced a Neosho man has been sentenced to fourteen days in jail and placed on Missouri’s contractor debarment list for one year after being found guilty of violating Missouri’s prevailing wage law.

Koster said being on the debarment list means Michael B. Robin and any company he owns cannot contract directly or indirectly with any public body for the construction of any public works for that period of time. This is the first time in state history that the Attorney General’s office has placed a prevailing wage violator on the statewide debarment list. Read the rest of this entry »

Poplar Bluff – A Three Rivers Community College athlete is doing well after being injured in a Raiders basketball game Thursday night.

 David Prater, a sophomore guard on TRCC’s Raiders Basketball team, suffered a concussion during Thursday night’s game against John A. Logan. After being treated at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, he was air lifted to St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. His parents, Ricardo and Angela Prater of Annapolis, said the neurologist at St. Francis said David is doing well. He may be released as early as today.

 ” David’s parents said that by the time they left the hospital last night that David was talking and laughing,” said Dr. Martha Kirkman, TRCC Vice President for Student Success. “The Praters wanted to thank everyone for their concern and wanted everyone to know that David should be fine. His dad said that God protected David, and it is a miracle how well he is doing.”

Raiders Basketball Coach Gene Bess said Friday that he was relieved the injury wasn’t more serious because it was the most tragic scene associated with one of his players he has seen in his 53 years of coaching.

“We have had some fairly major incidents –knees blown out, concussions and various situations –  but this was a nightmarish scene,” Bess said. “I was concerned about the impact this injury might have on David – both physically and mentally. We are so blessed that things ended up so well.” 

 ”Three Rivers is indeed a family, as demonstrated by the outpouring of concern for David,” said Three Rivers President Dr. Devin Stephenson. “Many parents, cheerleaders, students, team mates, coaches and college personnel came to the hospital out of concern for David’s injuries. That type of compassion is indeed the heart of what makes Three Rivers such a close-knit community.”

 Stephenson said he especially appreciated the immediate response in the emergency room of Kirkman and Vice President for Learning Dr. Wesley Payne.

 ”Through the assistance of Dr. Kirkman and Dr. Payne, we were able to provide the critical information necessary for the health providers to proceed with treatment,” Stephenson said. “My special thanks also go to Pastor Ron Webb and Cheri Ramsey for being there for David and his family.”

Gov. Nixon, business leaders outline need for increased training at Missouri community colleges

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The need for workers with vocational or technical training is growing quickly, and Missouri must be ready to keep up.

That was the central theme of a roundtable discussion led by Gov. Jay Nixon during a visit to the automotive training program at Ozarks Technical Community College today.  Gov. Nixon visited the campus to hear directly from college administrators and local business leaders about strategies to help Missourians compete for 21^st-century jobs.  After touring the automotive program’s shop, the Governor and the leaders discussed the need to train additional Missouri workers to meet the demands of high-tech, growing industries. Read the rest of this entry »

by Linda Sedrick Pearson

 There was an article in the Daily American Republic (DAR) newspaper on Sunday, October 18, that was written by Associated Press (AP) Writer Katharine Houreld. It was titled Denounced by the church as Nigerian child witches. 

After reading the article is makes me wonder – are we headed backwards toward the old witch burning Salem days? Many of the children in Nigeria are being labeled as witches by some church pastors and members. The children are then tortured and many burned by family members, as church people stand around and cheer on the parents or other members inflicting this torture. The torture ranges from forcing acid down their throats to burnings.

 That is not Christianity, folks. The children have done nothing (according to this article) that would cause anyone to think they were witches. In other words, they have not been casting spells or speaking incantations as you would expect from a witch. They did not speak curses on any person. So what caused them to be labeled as witches?

 The only thing found wrong with these children was poverty! They had the misfortune to be born into a family that was poor and had too many children already. For these families to lose on poor child is a blessing because it means one less mouth to feed. It means more food in the bellies of the other family members.

 What we have to do is to guard ourselves and make sure we do not make the same mistakes here in America. Most of us are quick to judge others and then jump on the mass hysteria bandwagon to join the accuser’s side of the question. Before you judge anyone, take a good look at ALL the facts. And remember, the Bible says that you will be judged by the same rules you used to judge others.

By Linda Sedrick Pearson

  (I wrote this article on September 11, 2009. When the planes flew into the World Trade Center, I was scared. I did not know what to do and tried to make sense of it all. As I watched and listened to the news reports, the news seemed to continue to get worse that dreadful day. I could not pull myself away from the television, but I could no longer bear to hear the voices of the reporters. I muted the sound and continued to watch. Only now, I began to watch the people and their reactions – facial expressions and body language. That is how The Face of America was born. I only hope that through this article you also will be able to make some sense of the tragedy that hit all Americans on September 11, 2001. This version is reworded a little to correct some errors in the grammar.-LS Pearson)

In Memory

 The face of America is not a group of buildings destroyed. It is not heaps of burning rubble with smoke rising and ash covering the ground. This face is not one of helplessness and discouragement or easily giving up.

 America’s face is two firemen hugging one another in comfort with tears in their eyes just moments after a building descended upon the people they had worked with side by side. Then, they turn and charge into the chaos to look for survivors, hoping they find more alive than dead. Read the rest of this entry »