| Shaping
Our Lens: Traditions How often has each of us seen something happen while with another person and much to our disappointment we each come away from the event with a different recollection? The cumulative effect of our life experiences creates in each of us a lens through which we observe what goes on around us. This lens focuses our attention on particular aspects of what we see. |
The
Flag It has become customary to fly The Flag on National Holidays, and many people now fly The Flag daily from their homes. This action demonstrates Patriotism and Loyalty to our Country and Honors the sacrifice of all who have made this Great Nation possible. |
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| Anna's
Christmas
Our traditions center around how we spend the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. My husband Bill's Mother hosts Thanksgiving dinner and all of her 5 children and their children are always there. For Christmas, names are drawn for the children to exchange gifts. Everybody congregates around Mom's tree and the Gift Marathon begins. Wrapping paper that has been hurriedly torn off gifts is balled up and tossed at each other as we open presents. Certain "traditional" foods are served at both occasions and recipes are passed from Mom to all of us. Another tradition for me (Anna) is whenever we visit Bill's Mom, she and I go to the local Botanical Garden for a long walk. We also go there every Christmas Season to walk through their Holiday Light Display. |
| Tribute
To The United States of America The War on Terrorism: USA Today: Remembering The Victims of September 11, 2001, The below transcript of Gordon Sinclair's broadcast June 5, 1973, is as valid today as it was when done so well by Gordon during his Original Newscast. Photo at left by Thomas Franklin of the Bergen Record. America: The Good Neighbor. Widespread but only partial news coverage was given recently to a remarkable editorial broadcast from Toronto by Gordon Sinclair, a Canadian television commentator. What follows is the full text of his trenchant remarks as printed in the Congressional Record: |
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| Good
Citizenship What can we each do in the Face of Terrorism? When we speak of Citizenship we are normally referring to "the quality of an individual's response to membership in a community". Though it may be a lost Tradition, we must each make an immediate change to become good Neighbors if we are ever to beat The Terrorists. Terrorists thrive on people who mind their own business and who do not know or care about their neighbors or their community. We must get out and meet and get to know the people around us. Strangers are welcome but all must prove worthy of being a Citizen in our Communities and Work Places that provide American Security and American Opportunity. The United States of America: "The land of the free and the home of the brave." Be a Good, Attentive and Alert Neighbor, it is the best way to beat Terrorism! |
| Flowers
It has become customary to give the gift of fresh Flowers to the opposite sex on almost any occasion. In times of illness and death, Flowers are given regardless of gender. The gift of Flowers to couples is customary for such occasions as Weddings, Anniversaries and Holidays. Many men buy Flowers for their favorite woman on a weekly basis to show their love and affection. |
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| The
Declaration of Independence What a bold move on the part of our Founding Fathers. To feel strong and confident enough to break away from the English and risk death and destruction was nothing short of extraordinary. They were driven to declare themselves free from "The British Crown" by their passion for Freedom and the attainment of an Ideal; a place on earth were people could be free and equal. |
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| Family
Life Today The practice of shared Family Traditions, as an integral part of Family life today, will ensure the preservation and progress of our American Culture. The American Family is the building block of our Nation because it is where we nurture the individuals who must act within our society. It is here that through love, support, tolerance and caring; we nurture family members to first be good human beings and then to look beyond themselves to be good citizens. |
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| Old
Glory This tribute to The Flag of The United States makes a wonderful reading for patriotic ceremonies. It sums up in one short poem the sacrifice of all who have gone before us to ensure the security of this great Nation. When read as part of a Ceremony, play Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an American" as background music. You will truly touch your audience. |