ABOUT TIME: ISRAEL ATTACKS IRAN

 About time! Israel attacked Iran's nuclear facilities, finally, on Thursday, June 12, 2025.

Iran has been violating their previous agreements regarding uranium enrichment, which has no use in civilian power production. Enriched uranium's only use is to fuel nuclear bombs. 

Iran must never have nuclear bombs because their leaders have promised they will use them, first against Israel and next against the USA. 

Only naive fools will oppose Israel's rights to defend itself by preventing an Iranian nuclear Holocaust in Israel. Iran has had years upon years to abandon their nuclear weapons ambitions and open their nuclear facilities for complete international inspections. 

Thank you, Senator Fetterman (D-PA) for unabashedly expressing your complete support for Israel's attack on Iran. I pray other Democrats have the courage to stand by Israel, as you did.

All Americans, especially Jews and Christians, need to stand by Israel, too. First, because Iran has promised to attack us next. And second, because God has promised in Genesis 12:3:

"I [God] will bless those [individuals and nations] who bless you [Abram and his descendants], and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

All Christians must remember:

1) Jesus was a Jew;

2) We, as Jesus's followers, have been grafted into the family tree of Abram [Abraham]; so,

3) All Jews are our brothers and sisters.

Which do you prefer, blessings or curses? I desire blessings, so I stand with all my Jewish family and with Israel. 

NATIONAL PICK STRAWBERRIES DAY, STRAWBERRIES & CREAM DAY, & QUICHE LORRAINE DAY

 Hey, everyone, it's National Pick Strawberries 🍓🍓 Day (May 20th). Tomorrow is National Strawberries🍓🍓 & Cream🐄 Day (May 21st). So, pick them today and save some for tomorrow.

Now, in many parts of the country, it's way too early to pick strawberries. That's okay. Today is also National Quiche Lorraine 🧀+🧅+🥓 Day (May 20th). 

A lovely luncheon for today would be the quiche with fresh strawberries on the side. If you PICK up your strawberries at your local grocery store, would it still honor the National Pick Strawberries🍓🍓🍓 Day? I say it would. What do you think? 

If you have a favorite Quiche Lorraine recipe, please share it. Or, if cooking and baking aren't your thing, you can pick up frozen or fresh Quiche Lorraine at many grocery stores. Enjoy!😀 

PREAKNESS STAKES: 2ND LEG OF THE TRIPLE CROWN

The 150th Preakness Stakes horse race is today, May 17, 2025.  Coverage began at 4 pm EDT on NBC. Post time for this race will be around 6:50 pm EDT. The race may  be viewed on CNBC and Peacock, NBC's streaming platform. A premier horse race, the Preakness Stakes is the 2nd leg or Crown in the Triple Crown. Sadly, there will be no chance for a Triple Crown this year. The winner of the Kentucky Derby, "Sovereignty," is not racing in today's race.  "Journalism," who came in second at this year's Derby, is racing today. 

A premier horse race, the Preakness Stakes is the 2nd leg or Crown in the Triple Crown. Sadly, there will be no chance for a Triple Crown this year. The winner of the Kentucky Derby, "Sovereignty," is not racing in today's race.  "Journalism," who came in second at this year's Derby, is racing today.

Jockey Junior Alvarado, who rode "Sovereignty" to his Derby victory, was penalized for using his crop eight times during the Derby race. Jockeys are allowed to use the crop only six times during a race. Because Alvarado had another infraction of the crop rule within the previous 180 days, his penalties were doubled to $87,000 with a two day suspension from racing. Many, including me, believe "Journalism" would have won the Kentucky Derby had Alvarado followed the crop rule.

Still, history will be made today. This will be the last Preakness Stakes at the current Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. In June, demolition is expected to begin of the current Pimlico Race Course. This will make way for a "$400 million reconstruction funded by state bonds." The new facility, which will allow 100 racing days compared to only 15 currently, is expected to be ready for the 2027 Preakness Stakes. The 2026 Preakness will be held at Laurel Grove racetrack in Laurel, Maryland.

CONGRATULATIONS, TRAVIS HUNTER

 The Jacksonville Jaguars made a brilliant move picking Travis Hunter, Jr., Thursday, April 24, 2025  during the first round of the NFL Draft. Travis will add much to the Jaguars. 

Congratulations, Travis. I have watched this young man as he developed with the Jackson State Tigers and the University of Colorado Buffaloes. Last year (2024) was mind-blowing. He can play both offense (as a Wide Receiver) and defense (as a Cornerback) effectively. Only a few players can do that.

In fact, Hunter is in a rarified stratosphere of NCAA football players. Not only did he win the Heisman Trophy for 2024, he also won the Chuck Bednarik Award (for the top defensive player), the Fred Biletnikoff Award (for the top wide receiver), and the Walter Camp Award (one of two awards for Player of the Year). Hunter is the first NCAA football player to win all four in the same year. 

OTHER AWARDS Hunter received in 2024 or as indicated: 

* Paul Hornung (2023, 2024)

* Walter Camp

* AP College Player of the Year

* Lott IMPACT Trophy

* Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year

* College Football All-America  Team (2023 by consensus, 2024 unanimous) 

Hunter was born on May 18, 2003 in West Palm Beach, Florida. His family moved to Atlanta, GA when he was an eighth grader. He played high school football with the Collins Hill Eagles in Suwanee, Georgia, living there with an assistant coach, Frontia Fountain, who started Hunter on his WR/CB journey. In his Junior year, he earned the MaxPreps  Georgia Player of the Year award. He had a 5-star rating as a high school player and was ranked as the No. 1 national pick during his Senior year. Originally planning to sign with Florida State  University, he switched to Jackson State University on National Signing Day (2022).

Hunter spent one year with the Jackson State Tigers. When Jackson State's Head Coach Deion Sanders joined the CU Buffs as Head Coast, Hunter made the transfer to CU, too, in 2022.

Besides the transition from college  to professional football, 2025 will be transformative for Hunter personally. He and "his high school sweetheart,  Leanna Lenee," are getting married in May. That plus a cross-country move from Boulder, Colorado to Northeast Florida will make the time until Training Camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars fly by. Congratulations &  Best Wishes. God bless you both.

Sources:

https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/news/college-football/travis-hunter-wins-3-major-awards-ahead-of-heisman-trophy/

Viewed on April 25, 2025

https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/news/college-football/travis-hunter-wins-3-major-awards-ahead-of-heisman-trophy/

Viewed on April 25, 2025

https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2025-04-24/travis-hunter-college-football-career-stats-highlights-records

Viewed on April 25, 2025

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travis_Hunter

Viewed on April 25, 2025

MARCH 3: Simplify Your Life Day

 Today is "Simplify Your Life Day." It is celebrated annually on March 3rd. It was established in 2011 by  Carmen Coker, a professional organizer and ex-Air Force Officer.

The purpose for this is to reflect on what is causing us anxiety, stress, depression or turmoil in our lives. These all produce negative energy that affects  us physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually. They all zap our energy and exhaust us. 

The goal of "Simplify Your Life Day" is to find ways to eliminate as many of these negative energy producers as possible. Implementing simpler ways of living will restore our peace and joy. As Coker wrote, "A simpler life is a happier life." 

Can we do it overnight? Of course, not. It has taken years for us to build the habits and attitudes that cause these stressors. So, we should not be surprised that it will take time to undo what  we have done and acquire new habits. 

If we do the work, our reward will be the life God imagined for us when he formed us in our mothers' wombs, "plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11 AMP).

Check out these sources for advice on how to change your life habits that are not helpful and build virtues that are:

* The Bible's book of Proverbs.

* Advice from Ben Franklin on how to change habits & develop his 13 virtues at:

https://www.journalinghabit.com/journal-tips-benjamin-franklin/

* The official website for National Simplify Your Life Day:

https://nationaltoday.com/simplify-your-life-day/#:~:text=Simplify%20Your%20Life%20Day%20is,room%20for%20a%20simpler%20life.

WORLD PANGOLIN DAY

Do you know what a Pangolin is? Did you know there was a World Pangolin Day? Or that it is celebrated each year on the third Saturday of  February? 

Before last Saturday, I had never heard the word "Pangolin," so I had to learn more. When I saw the first images of these creatures, they looked to me like some strange humpback lizards. Looks can be deceiving, right? 

One writer wrote, "Pangolins look like a mix between a small anteater and a pinecone." However, although they eat ants,  they are not related to anteaters, which are in the biological order Pilosa that also includes sloths and armadillos.  

Dictionary.com defines pangolins  as "any mammal of the order Pholidota of Africa and tropical Asia, having a covering of broad, overlapping, horny scales and feeding on ants and termites." It is pronounced "pang duh' lin." They are the only animal in the biological order of Pholidota. Its name originates from a Malaysian dialect called "bazaar Malay"..."pang" (a prefix for agency) + "guling" ("roll up"). Thus, a "pangguling" is an animal who rolls itself up. The anglicized term "Pangolin" emerged between 1765-1775, and it i" s an animal who rolls or curls itself up into a ball when it senses danger."

Pangolins are the only mammals with scales. Only their small faces and underbelly are void of scales. Their scales account for around twenty percent of their weight. African pangolins have short hairs between their scales; Asian ones do not. These sharp, overlapping  scales are made of keratin, the fibrous protein of which hair, fingernails, horns, hoofs, claws, scales, etc., are made.  

One online image I saw showed a tightly rolled up pangolin on the ground  unharmed between two lionesses. They were looking out across the savannah, likely looking for their next meal. They were completely disinterested in this ball at their feet. Maybe they had learned in a previous encounter that this is no ball with which to toy. The only predator not intimidated by this spiny scaled ball is man. This excellent defense is an "Achilles heel" for pangolins because it makes it easy for poachers to bag them.

Their habitats include deciduous, pine & rain forests; savannahs, and grasslands. "Generally, pangolins live where large numbers of ants and termites can be found to feed their large appetites for insects." 

Adults pangolins are one to three feet long, not including their tails. Their tails add another 10 to 28 inches to their length. Adult pangolins weigh between ten and sixty pounds. "Their colors range from light sandy shades to dark browns, perfectly matching their environments, whether it’s the forest floor or the savannah."

Pangolins are mostly nocturnal and solitary, "meeting only to mate and produce a litter of one to three offspring, which they raise for about two years." The fathers leave after their initial input. The length of their pregnancies  "can vary from 70 to 140 days, depending on the species. Infant pangolins' scales are soft; these harden as they grow. The babies are raised by their mother. They "ride on their mother’s tail for the first few months of their life." 

Their keen sense of smell leads pangolins to their prey, and their long, sticky tongues catch them. Its tongue is "longer than its body, and is stored in a cavity near its pelvis when not in use."  Their dining favorites are ants and termites, "supplemented by other insects, especially larvae." Each pangolin ingests 5-7 ounces of insects daily or 70 million insects per year. Talk about pest control!

Some pangolins live in hollow tree trunks or logs; more, in burrows they dig. Evidently, ground dwelling  pangolins like spacious dwellings. "Large chambers have been discovered in terrestrial pangolin burrows that are big enough for a human to crawl inside and stand up." Two species of African pangolins hang out in trees; they have extra long prehensile tails to help them maneuver safely through the forest canopy. 

There are eight species of pangolins. Four live in sub-Saharan Africa ("the black-bellied pangolin, the white-bellied pangolin, the giant ground pangolin and Temminck's ground pangolin"). Asia is home to the other four ("the Indian pangolin, the Chinese or Formosan pangolin, the Malayan or Sunda pangolin, and the Palawan pangolin"). Their longevity in the wild, if not poached, averages 20 years.

All eight pangolin species are listed as "threatened" with extinction on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Under "Threatened," there are three subcategories: "Vulnerable," "Endangered," and "Critically Endangered." "Two of the four Asian species...are now listed as 

'Critically Endangered'." The other two Asian pangolin species are categorized as "Endangered." All four African species are listed as  "Vulnerable" to extinction.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) reports, "Pangolins have become a highly prized commodity, illegally trapped, killed, and trafficked by organised crime networks between countries and continents... In just ten years, it’s estimated that  1,000,000 pangolins have been poached. These pangolins are often destined for the traditional medicine markets in Asia or bushmeat markets in Central and West Africa." Even in the  USA, there is a market for illegally imported  Pangolin leather to be made into  "boots, bags, and belts." 

"All eight species of pangolins are protected under international law, with trade prohibited by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)." Overall, the illegal trade of pangolins is "worth between $19-23 billion"  per year. 

The Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online (CEWTO) was convened by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to stop the proliferation of illegal  sales of products using body parts of threatened animals. With all its benefits, a disadvantage of the internet makes it easier for criminal networks to operate and makes law enforcement to stop them more difficult.

Besides the loss of Pangolins caused by poaching, the species have lost habitats due to deforestation to convert land to agriculture. Another culprit is encroaching development.

This loss of Pangolins threatens the health of forests, jungles, savannahs and grasslands. Fewer  pangolins means more termites, which eat tree wood. Burrowing animals like pangolins help turn over the soil in grasslands, savannahs, and forests. This helps nourish and aerate the soil of their habitats. "Pangolins are like the conservation world’s rock stars, playing an essential role in controlling insect populations and thus, maintaining the balance of their ecosystems."

So, how many pangolins are there? "The honest answer is, we don’t know. Because pangolins live such secretive, secluded lives, no population studies have been able to successfully estimate how many pangolins live in the wild." What is known is poachers  take about      "200,000 pangolins from the wild every year. That’s one every four minutes."

Sources:

https://www.ifaw.org/international/news/world-pangolin-day

Viewed on February 15, 2025

Dictionary.com definition & etymology of pangolin

Viewed on February 15, 2025

https://www.bing.com/search?q=what%20is%20the%20biological%20classifications%20for%20pangolins%20&cc=US&PC=SANSAAND&form=LWS001&ssp=1&darkschemeovr=1&safesearch=moderate&setlang=en

Viewed on February 16, 2025

https://animalfact.com/pangolins/

Viewed on February 16, 2025

https://www.britannica.com/animal/pangolin

Viewed on February 16, 2025

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangolin

Viewed on February 17, 2025

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/pangolin

Viewed on February 17, 2025

https://davidshepherd.org/species/pangolins/facts/

Viewed on February 17, 2025

https://iucn.org/

Viewed on February 17, 2025

https://www.pangolins.org/2014/08/15/all-8-pangolin-species-threatened-with-extinction-2-species-now-critically-endangered/

Viewed on February 18, 2025

https://animals.net/pangolin/

Viewed on February 18, 2025

https://wildestofficial.com/wildlife/pangolin/

Viewed on February 18, 2025

JONAH: NOW & THEN

The news has been awash in reports of a Chilean father Dell Simancas and his adult son Adrián kayaking together in the Straits of Magellan off the coast of Patagonia. The wild and beautiful region is on the southernmost part  of South America; it is shared by Argentina and Chile.

Suddenly, a humpback whale arose out of the depths behind the son. The whale took the man and his kayak completely into its mouth. His father was a short distance away and was filming his son. Fortunately, for both his son and the whale, it spit the son and his kayak out. His father captured all the action in a video that has gone viral. All major media outlets carried the story.  The video, the first one to record a large sea mammal or fish to take a human completely into its mouth, went viral.

Of course, those of us who believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God are not surprised. The first chapter of the Book of Jonah,  tells the story of how and why Jonah ended up in the belly of a great or large "fish" in the Mediterranean Sea. Verse 17 says, "Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights." (NIV)

The Hebrew word translated "fish" is dag דג. Hebrew does not have a separate term for "whale." Perhaps a more accurate translation might be "sea creature." That would include whales, fishes, sea monsters, and dragons.

To view the video, use the first URL under Sources below. 

Sources:

https://people.com/kayaker-survives-getting-swallowed-by-whale-dad-captures-ordeal-on-camera-11679558

Viewed on February 13, 2025

https://apologeticspress.org/was-jonah-swallowed-by-a-fish-or-a-whale-2830/#:~:text=It%20may%20very%20well%20have,swallowed%20Jonah%E2%80%9D%20(2003).

Viewed on February 14, 2025

FETTUCCINE ALFREDO

 Given the love story that inspired the dish, Fettuccine Alfredo is a popular dish on Valentine's Day. This simple dish was  made originally with only three ingredients -- fresh butter, grated Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan) cheese, and plain  fettuccine pasta.

Fettuccine means  "little ribbons in Italian. It is made from Semolina flour & egg yolks, rolled & cut out in wide, thick strips. Sometimes, other ingredients, e.g. spinach, mushrooms, garlic and/or other spices/herbs may be added to the dough before it's rolled out.

This popular dish was created out of necessity by Chef Alfredo Di Lelio in 1908. His wife Ines was very weak and had little appetite after giving birth to their first child, Armando, on February 27, 1908.

 "Alfredo strove to come up with a food that would be nourishing yet easy to digest, to help get his wife back on her feet." It worked, and she loved it. She suggested he add it to the menu at his mother's  Roman Piazza Rosa trattoria, "a small restaurant that serves simple foods" where he worked.

In 1914, DiLelio opened his own restaurant Alfredo all'Augusteo in central Rome. Of course, Fettuccine all'Alfredo was on the menu. Instead of being prepared in the kitchen, DiLilio prepared the dish table side with theatrical flair.

American superstar actors Mary Pickford, "America's Sweetheart," and Douglas Fairbanks, the "King of Hollywood," dined at the restaurant while on their honeymoon in 1920. They returned in 1927, "bearing an unexpected gift with enormous publicity potential: a gold fork and spoon engraved with the dedication 'To Alfredo the King of the noodles'."

They and other celebrities raved about this wonderful new dish. Sinclair Lewis mentioned it in his 1922 novel Babbitt. "At one point in the story, the protagonist meets an upper-class American lady who confesses her infatuation with Rome. But the object of her affection is not the city’s paintings, music or antiquities: rather, it’s the 'little trattoria on the Via della Scrofa where you get the best fettuccine in the world'."

"In 1927, the restaurant was reviewed in the Saturday Evening Post by George Rector—a food expert, prolific essayist and host of a CBS radio show." He called Di Lelio a "Maestro" as he prepared the dish table side.

Di Lelio sold the restaurant to two of its waiters in 1943, in part due to the rationing of eggs and cheese during World War II. As with pizza, returning American GIs sought the dish in Italian restaurants.

In 1950, Di Lelio decided to open a new restaurant with his son Armando. it was named "II Vero Alfredo" or "Alfredo Di Roma" on the Piazza Augusto Imperatore.

Today, his grandson Ines Di Lelio operates the restaurant in the same location. "'Il Vero Alfredo - Alfredo Di Romeo is in the registry of  'Historic Shops of Excellence' of the City of Rome Capitale." Its walls are lined with photos of all the famous people who have eaten there. Mementos include the gold fork & spoon given to Alfredo by the Fairbanks in 1927.

Many consider this restaurant a "must do" for travelers to Rome. Reservations are very highly recommended. Reviews on Trip Advisor show an average of 3.5 stars. The vast majority of reviews had 4 & 5 stars. Most critical reviews cite slow or rude service; only a few complained about the food quality.

Since its creation, a recipe for  Fettuccine Alfredo "turns up in over 800 American cookbooks published from 1933 to  the present." The dish became ubiquitous in the Sixties in American restaurants. However, most use an Americanized version of the recipe that adds heavy cream. Additional ingredients often seen are chicken, seafood, 
mushrooms,  tomatoes, garlic &/or  herbs. Rare is the USA cookbook or restaurant that offers the simplicity of the original dish.

Mark your online calendar for 2026 and beyond. Every February 7th is National Fettuccine Alfredo Day. Today, Feb. 9, 2025, is National Pizza Day and Superbowl Sunday in the USA. Perhaps a Spinach, with or without Chicken, Alfredo Pizza would satisfy the appetites of your Superbowl fans. Both Domino's and Papa John's offer them; so do some local pizza restaurants.  Enjoy your meal or Buon Apetito.

Sources: https://www.blindmulerestaurant.com/events/27-national-fettuccine-alfredo#:~:text=Alfredo%20di%20Lelio%2C%20ana%20Italian,of%20noodles%2C%20cheese%20and%20butter.
Viewed February 7, 2025

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fettuccine_Alfredo
Viewed February 7, 2025

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187791-d9459333-Reviews-Piazza_Augusto_Imperatore-Rome_Lazio.html
Viewed February 8 & 9, 2025

https://lithub.com/the-invention-of-fettuccine-alfredo-a-love-story/
Viewed February 8, 2025

WINTER SOLSTICE

Happy First Day of Winter, December 21, 2024. It occurred at 4:21 am EST when the sun is at its most southern position of the year, directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. It is always on December 21st or 22nd. 

It's common to hear it called the shortest day of the year. It's not. Whatever the season, all days are 24 hours long.

The Winter Solstice is the day that has the least amount of daylight and the longest amount of darkness or night.

Starting the next day, the amount of daylight increases by 1 minute. "It doesn't sound like much, but after just two months, or around 60 days, we'll be seeing about an hour more of sunlight." (CBS News, December 21, 2024, 9:19 am EST

GREATEST LOVE STORY OF ALL TIME

 Someone asked Google, "What is the greatest love story of all time?" Google's answer is the most popular and most memorized Bible verse of all time, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). 

Are you as surprised as I was that Google gave this answer to this question? I was. They absolutely nailed the best answer. What a lovely thought to meditate on as we approach our celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ.

The angel Gabriel told Mary to name her expected son “Jesus,” which means “the Lord is Salvation." "Christ" means  "Messiah" or the "Anointed One." It is a tile, not a last name.

JACKSONVILLE (FL) CITY COUNCIL EMAIL: No Street Should Be Named after Ben Frazier.

Please do not rename Confederate Ave. to Ben Frazier Place. Ben Frazier was one of the most divisive influences in Jacksonville. It will take a long time to undo the damage he has done to race relations in our city.

Below, I have documented multiple examples of Frazier's behavior over the years that prove he does not deserve the honor of a street being named after him. He is not an example to hold up to children and youth as to how to engage in public discourse. It would be an insult to those of us who, to the best of our ability, honored and obeyed City Council rules for years. Honoring Frazier for his behavior would only invite more disorderly behavior in future public meetings, which none of us want.

Back in Civil War or War between the States days, Jacksonville was divided between those who supported the Union and those who supported the Confederates. When the Rebels were in control of the city, Union sympathizers took refuge in Fernandina. Four times during the war, the Yankees took control of the city. Rebel citizens, then, retreated to Lake City. 

After the war, most returned to Jacksonville. Back home and the war over, most put aside their differences and came together to rebuild their city's pre-war prosperity. We today are beneficiaries of their hard work.

Jacksonville and the country  today are divided much as they were before the Civil War. Renaming Confederate Ave. after Frazier would only solidify or deepen the divide between blacks and whites in Jacksonville. 

SOLUTIONS:

Since today's Confederate Ave. is split into two segments, why not keep the name Confederate Ave. on the segment in Springfield Park and rename the second segment Yankee Ave. 

Another solution would be more aspirational. Everyone talks about unity as a goal to end our divides. So, Unity Ave. would be a good choice for both segments.

=============================

BACKGROUND ON BEN FRAZIER:

Frazier disrespected and disrupted the City Council on numerous occasions. He often went over the 3-minute time limit for public comment.

He also violated other rules of the City Council. 

The worst example was December 13, 2022.  He would not acknowledge when the President gaveled him to stop speaking because he went over the time limit. Instead, he turned to the audience and  started chanting "Take them down," referring to   Confederate statues. 

A JSO Officer arrested Frazier  on charges of trespassing, resisting arrest and failure to obey the rules of decorum. Later, the first two charges were dropped. Frazier pleaded No Contest to the third charge and was fined $50, which he paid. (1)

City Council was not the only target of Frazier's contempt. On January 4, 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had a press conference scheduled in Jacksonville at the Department of Children and Families office building. 

Uninvited, Frazier and a number of his supporters entered the room where the press conference was to take place. It was open to "credentialed media" only. 

Frazier demanded to speak to the Governor. Because they refused to leave, the press conference was relocated to another State office building next door. 

Frazier was arrested by a JSO Officer and charged with first-degree misdemeanor for trespassing. The charges were dropped later. (2)

On September 1, 2021, Frazier held another rally at City Hall against Confederate statues still in the city. The event started outside in front of City Hall.

Soon the protesters, led by Frazier, entered City Hall to demand a meeting with then  Mayor Lenny Curry. They swarmed the 4th floor outside the Mayor's office, which was locked. They banged on the door & shouted demands. 

Their actions alarmed and frightened city employees who went into lockdown or shelter in pllace mode. A security guard ordered Frazier's group to leave, which they did. However, they  returned the following day.

Frazier and his group's actions resulted in new restrictions, beginning on September 3, 2021, for all City Hall visitors. A sign posted in the Atrium read, "City offices on the first floor situated off the central atrium and all floors above the first floor of City Hall are not public forums for engaging in activity that disrupts ongoing work of City Hall employees." Going beyond the Atrium without an appointment or invitation from a city official could result in arrest for trespassing. (3)

On June 10, 2021, Frazier went to a meeting of the Florida Department of Education board held at the Florida State College at Jacksonville's Advanced Technology Center. Before a vote on a ban on teaching  Critical Race Theory (CRT) in public schools in Florida, the board included time for public comments on their agenda.

Frazier was there to oppose the ban on teaching CRT. When he finished his comments, Frazier led around 20 of his supporters in a chant, "Allow teachers to teach the truth." 

The meeting was suspended for about 5 minutes while the room was cleared by security. No arrests were made. When the meeting resumed, the board voted unanimously to ban CRT teaching in Florida's public schools.

SOURCES:

1). "Ben Frazier detained during Jacksonville City Council e, debate over Confederate monuments continue," by Hanna Holthaus, The Florida Times-Union

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2022/12/14/northside-coalition-of-jacksonville-leader-arrested-at-city-council-meeting/69726611007/

Accessed at 7:02 pm EDT, August 14, 2024.

2. "Charges dropped for activist Ben Frazier after 2022 arrest at Jacksonville City Council meeting," First Coast News, published at 4:27 pm EDT, April 3, 2023; updated at 6:41 pm EDT, April 3, 2023. https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/charge-dropped-for-activist-ben-frazier-2022-arrest-city-council-meeting/77-30054798-80cd-4af6-a42a-16cb0303a86f Accessed at 5:47 pm EDT, August 15, 2024.

2). "Jacksonville  activist Ben Frazier, arrested ahead of Gov. DeSantis' press conference: Who is he?" by Emily Bloch, Florida Times-Union, published at 4:36 pm ET, January 4, 2022; updated at 7:09 am ET, January 5, 2022.

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2022/01/04/jacksonville-activist-ben-frazier-arrested-ahead-gov-desantis-press-conference-now-hes-trending-onli/9093446002/

Accessed at 9:42 pm EDT, August 16, 2024.

3. "Attorney: Charges dropped against activist arrested at Florida governor's news conference" by ActionNewsJax.com News Staff

Published at 6:26 p.m. ET, January 25, 2022

https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/attorney-charges-dropped-against-activist-arrested-florida-governors-news-conference/RVTX2YWKIRBFHF3XX726DWR45M/

Accessed at 10:01 pm EDT, August 16, 2024.

4. "Jacksonville tightens City Hall access after stepped-up protests of Confederate monument" by David Bauerlein, Florida Times Union, published 10:43 pm ET, September 16, 2021.

https://www.jacksonville.com/staff/5556093002/david-bauerlein

Accessed 7:40 pm EDT, August 15, 2024.

5. "New sign in City Hall sparks controversy following  protests," First Coast News, published at 11:45 pm EDT, September 15, 2021; updated at 

8:56 EDT, September 16, 2021.

https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/new-sign-in-city-hall-sparks-controversy-following-protests/77-74117daf-e831-45d6-bbd8-e7f4b99c7787

Accessed: 7:55 pm EDT, August 15, 2024 & 4:12 pm EDT, August 17, 2024

5. "Community and civil Rights activist Ben Frazier dies at 73," by Cherri Pitzer, The Florida Times Union, published at 11:20 am ET, June 25, 2023; updated 8:37 am ET, June 26, 2023. https://www.jacksonville.com/staff/5245197002/cherri-pitzer/

Accessed at 5:15 pm EDT, August 15, 2024. 

6. "Florida  State Board of Education bans the use of Critical Race Theory in schools" by Jeffrey S. Solochek, Tampa Bay Times, June 10, 2021. Reprinted in Education Week, June 2021.

https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/florida-state-board-of-education-bans-the-use-of-critical-race-theory-in-schools/2021/06

Accessed 5:23 pm EDT, August 17, 2024.

CALL ME ANYTHING BUT...

Liberals have hurled these insults at conservative Republicans. If it will make you feel better, call me any of these:

"ideologue"

"conspiracy believer"

"Bible-thumper"

"gun toter"

"reactionary"

"misogynist"

"weird"

"racist"

"extremist"

"right-winger"

"deplorable"

"garbage" 

Just do NOT call me a DemocRAT.

FLORIDA AMENDMENT 4: VOTE "NO" REASON 2

The summary text for Amendment 4 (A4) that will appear on Florida's ballots reads;

"No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patient's healthcare provider. This amendment does not change the Legislature's constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion."

Reason #2 TO VOTE "NO" ON FLORIDA AMENDMENT 4 (A4) is the use of the term "VIABILITY."  This is why I'm surprised the Florida Supreme Court allowed A4 on the ballot. The  American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists [ACOG] "strongly discourages the inclusion of 'viability'  in legislation or regulation." 

Why? Because the medical professionals (research scientists, clinicians, etc.) have not been able to come to agreement on what exactly the term "Viability" means. There are myriad factors that go into determining viability. Defining it is like trying to corral clouds.

The one guarantee if A4 passes will be a slew of lawsuits over this one word. I call it the "Lawyer's Welfare Amendment." Many taxpayer dollars will be spent on them. Neither mothers nor preborn babies will be benefited while all parties are fighting in courts. Wouldn't you rather have your taxpayer dollars go to better schools, recreational opportunities for our youth, community centers for all ages, medical services or day care than to pay lawyer fees?

If you agree, please get out to vote "NO" on A4. I  encourage you to send this to all your friends & family in Florida. Ask them to forward this to friends & families, etc., etc., etc. 

Nine other states have similar Abortion amendments on their 2024 ballots. They are: Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York, Nevada, and South Dakota.

(Source: ballotpedia.org )

So send this to people you know in those states, asking them to forward it, too. Then, please pray all these Abortion ballot measures fail.

Some of you may be interested in all the research I did on the subject of viability. I found it fascinating. I plan to post it on this blog in the next day or two.

Whether you agree or disagree, please VOTE. It's the best way to honor our Veterans and our Active Duty Military Members. They fought for and are preserving your and my right to vote.

FLORIDA AMENDMENT 4: WHY I VOTED NO Reason 1

 The summary voters will see on their Florida 2024 General Election ballot for Amendment 4 (A4) reads: "No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patient's healthcare provider. This amendment does not change the Legislature's constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion." Passage requires 60% of voters to agree.

Here is the first reason I voted NO on A4: I believe human life begins BEFORE conception. What? Here's my evidence. Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I [God] formed you in the womb, I  knew you." And, Ephesians 1:4  "Even before he made the world, God loved us & chose us in Christ."  Every preborn human baby is made by God in the  "God created man in his own image... male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27)

As such, every preborn baby, even if it is only two cells big, has human rights equal to their parents. As the immortal words of our Declaration of Independence say: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

I never use the term "fetus" because it is dehumanizing. In warfare, soldiers are taught to dehumanize the enemy so they will be less hesitant to kill them. The Left has been very strategic in switching "baby" to "fetus" to make mothers, lawmakers & voters more willing to kill a preborn baby via abortion. 

Did you know God promises blessings if you choose life? He does in Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NIV): "I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life." I voted NO on A1 because I want blessings, not curses, for myself, the State of Florida, & my nation. 

If you agree, I encourage you to send this to all your friends & family in Florida. Ask them to forward this to friends & families, etc., etc., etc. 

Ten other states have Abortion amendments on their 2024 ballots. They are: Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York, Nevada, and South Dakota.(Source: ballotpedia.org )

So send this to people you know in those states, asking them to forward it too. Then, pray all these ballot measures fail, if you prefer blessings to curses.

PUTIN ENDORSED KAMALA HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT

Have you seen news of Russian President Vladimir Putin's endorsement of Kamala Harris for President? It happened back on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia. The timing is not accidental. This was the same day, "the U.S. Justice Department said the Russian state-owned broadcaster RT is carrying out a covert campaign to influence the American public ahead of the election." 

Putin's original preference was "Mr. [Joe] Biden." However, after "he was removed from the race," he asked his supporters to endorse Kamala Harris. So, Putin declared "Well, we will do so – we will support her.”

Why did Putin endorse Harris, besides Biden's recommendation? In his speech, he praised her, “She laughs so expressively and infectiously that it means that she is doing well." Then he added, "If Harris is doing well, then 'perhaps she will refrain' from imposing more sanctions on Russia."

What does that mean? Given Putin's history of past endorsements, he likely believes Harris would be easier to deal with (a pushover?) than Trump. Putin has built up a laundry list of resentments against Trump, who imposed more sanctions and tariffs on Russia than any other President. It's understandable that he would not want to see Trump back in the White House.

How did our lamestream media handle this to prevent damage to the Harris campaign? Three things occurred:

1.) The first & most common was to bury the story with a brief one-time report near the end of a newscast or in the back pages of a newspaper. 

2.) Many media outlets simply chose not to report it at all.

3.) Some made a joke about it. That was the strategy of the Associated Press (AP). Understand, the AP sends their news' reports to thousands of member media outlets. They, in turn, reprint or rebroadcast what AP sends verbatim with credit in the byline. 

Very few of these smaller, local media ever do any of their own background research or fact-checking of what these news' aggregators , such as AP, Reuters or United Press International (UPI) report.

Here's how the media sanitizes language, too. Did you notice that Putin said Biden "was removed from the race"? Most U.S. outlets changed Putin's '"removed" to "left." 

When asked the next day, Friday, September 6 2024, if Putin was joking or serious in his endorsement of Harris, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin's spokesman, said, “When he is asked about international affairs, he comments on them. As for his tone, people abroad who are interested must try to interpret that." 

John Kirby, National Security Communications Advisor, did not find humor or joking in Putin's endorsement. Kirby's comments show, "Mr. Putin should stop discussing our elections and refrain from favoritism. Only Americans should decide their next president. We urge Mr. Putin to cease both his commentary and interference in our election process.”

As for me, I now know what to call Harris. She is Comrade Kamala Harris.

Source: "Vladimir Putin trolls US presidential race with 'endorsement' of Kamal Harris," by Nathan Hodge, CNN World, updated 4:09 PM EDT, Thursday, September 5, 2024.9-15-2024 & 9-18-2024https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/05/europe/vladimir-putin-kamala-harris-endorsement-intl/index.htmlAccessed on September 15 and 18, 2024

Source: " Russia mocks US election allegations as Putin teasingly says he supports Harris," by Emma Burrows, The Associated Press, September 5, 2024, 5:24 pm EDT. https://apnews.com/article/russia-putin-united-states-kamala-harris-trump-721034cf80fed36d4ca22c2608c16911

Accessed September 20, 2024

Source:"US Election 2024: Donald Trump 'very offended' by Vladimir Putin's endorsement of Kamala Harris," by ET Online, The Economic Times, last updated September 10, 2024, 12:58 pm IST

https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/world-news/us-election-2024-donald-trump-very-offended-by-vladimir-putins-endorsement-of-kamala-harris/articleshow/113212953.cmsAccessed September 21, 2024

Source: "On Putin 'backing' Kamala Harris, Kremlin says people free to interpret," by Express Web Desk, The Indian Express, September 6, 2024 at 21:19 IST

https://indianexpress.com/article/world/putin-endorse-kamala-harris-trump-9553911/

Accessed September 21, 2024

Fears Came Alive

My fears came alive for me shortly after 6 pm EDT on Saturday, July 13, 2024. A gunman attempted to assassinate President Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The young man came frighteningly close to success. Trump was hit by a bullet on his right ear lobe. Thank you, God, it was a superficial wound. All reports that night were Trump was fine. 

In recent weeks, I have written, spoken, and prayed about my deep fears that there were increasing possibilities for assassination attempts against my President.

I, like so many of his supporters, pray daily for Trump and his family. I believe we witnessed a miracle. God protected President Trump, causing the bullet to be deflected so it didn't hit his temple or go into his brain. I just can't praise God enough. I mean, a half inch or less was the difference from a fatal wound and this superficial one.

As President Trump has emerged as the leading candidate in most polls, especially of likely voters, I have been increasingly worried that such attacks are more likely. My analysis is there are three groups that could be tempted more than others to try to kill Trump. The FBI has been put in charge of the investigation of what happened on Saturday. The Secret Service looks forward to figure out what future threats are most likely. 

I believe there are three groups all investigators must look at closely.The first is crazed Democrats  who suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS). The mere mention of Trump's name sets them off. It's an irrational hatred of the man. There is nothing they fear more than Trump being reelected. The worst of them could easily, in a fit of rage, talk themselves into taking him out forever. 

The second group investigators should take a serious look at are Iranian-backed terrorists. We must remember Iran hates Israel and wants it, especially all Jews, wiped off the face of the earth. President Trump has been a loyal, unwavering friend and supporter of Israel. He proved it when he moved the U. S. Embassy to Jerusalem early in his first term. Iranian leaders would much prefer wishy-washy Biden to Trump. They would not hesitate to engage in political violence to prevent a second Trump term. 

The third group who requires careful scrutiny are radicalized, leftwing bureaucrats who fear Trump's agenda to reduce the size of the federal government and get the Nanny State elites out of the people's lives, homes, shopping carts, etc. It pains me to say that there are bureaucrats in our government who have a visceral dread of all their plans or utopian dreams being overturned or ruined by the Make America Great Again (MAGA) agenda. There are people, I believe, deep in the inner workings of the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, including the FB and CIA, who have warred against Trump when he first announced his candidacy in 2016. They have used disinformation, lies, slander, deception, phony legal moves, lawsuits, etc. Their attacks would have broken most anyone else, but not President Trump. There is no doubt in my mind that some of these elites would stop at nothing to eliminate Trump. Assassination would not be beneath them. That's why I am glad the House Republicans are launching their own independent investigation of what happened on Saturday. The more eyes the better.

So, that's why I pray every day for President Trump's safety and well-being, and for his family as well. Jesus tells us worry is a waste of time. Instead, he tells us to pray about our concerns and ask God for his intervention.

I believe God raised President Trump up for such a time as this in our country. Trump's vision and agenda for our wonderful country match mine nearly 100%.

Now, let me address a few concerns the internet censors and readers might have. First, no one other than law enforcement should take any action against any group mentioned. Your job is to pray and, if you see something amiss, say something, again to law enforcement. Never take things in your own hands.

Next, just because their are a few rotten apples in a barrel doesn't mean you should trash all. Most Democrats, for example, are good, decent people. They are mistaken on many issues, but they are not evil. Our job as Republicans is to gently and respectfully educate them as to why we believe what we do.

Likewise, most Iranians are hardworking and long-suffering people under the tyranny of the Ayatollahs. They impose cruel treatment on any who deviate from their version of Islam. Unfortunately, anti-Semitism is a state doctrine. Still, as Christians, we need to pray for the conversion of Iranians to Christianity. We must remember that God, not Allah, loves them and wants to offer them salvation through Jesus Christ.

Finally, most government workers are just trying to earn a living and raise their families like the rest of us. Many are Republicans and don't like many of the rules and regulations they have to enforce. We can try to help them understand why our freedoms are so important and are endangered when the federal government gets too big. As with the other groups, our approach should be kind and loving. Treat them as you would want to be treated. Pray for them, yourselves and our country.

Follow the Logic on Obama's Gun Control

"While there is no law, or set of laws, that can prevent every senseless act of violence completely, no piece of legislation that will prevent every tragedy, every act of evil, if there’s even one thing we can do to reduce this violence, if there’s even one life that can be saved, then we’ve got an obligation to try," Obama said in his rollout of his gun control proposals. However, laws restricting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens should be enacted anyway because they might save "even one life," according to Obama.


So, Obama wants a ban on scary-looking guns, so-called "assault weapons" (which are not true assault weapons because he shot requires a trigger pull). He wants a limit on the capacity of gun clips to ten bullets as well as universal background checks. He admitted these measures, had they been in effect, might not have prevented the Newtown, Columbine or Aurora tragedies. He ignored the fact that the weapon used in Newtown was legally owned by the shooter's mother in a state with an assault weapon ban. The national assault rifle and magazine capacity limitations were in effect at the time of the Columbine High School shootings. The Aurora shooter would have passed a background check since he had no criminal record and had never been adjudicated as mentally incompetent before the theater shooting.

Okay, so let's apply Obama's same logic to another right -- the First Amendment -- and see how far it flies with the liberal gun-hating crowd. Let's address violent video games and movies. Granted, researchers differ on whether or not these cause increased violence or aggression. But, since they might for at least some mentally ill individuals, we should go after them because we might be able to save at least one life.

Let's just outright ban the production and sale of the most graphic, scariest violent video games or movies. Nobody to see them to be entertained; they serve no useful purpose. Let's require background checks on all purchases of permitted video games and movie DVD's or Blu-Rays, including any transfers from one owner to another. And, certainly, we need to restrict the length of such games or movies. Let's issue movie attendance licenses to be allowed to buy violent movie tickets after a thorough background check. Of course, we would need to restrict television viewing of these movies, too, so let's require cable companies to do background checks of their customers. Then, require the cable companies to restrict violent shows to certain stations and only customers who passed the background checks could subscribe to those stations.

Sure, these measures restrict the free exercise of the First Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. But, if we could save just one life by enacting them, wouldn't it be worth it? If it isn't, then neither is it reasonable or right to restrict the free exercise of our Second Amendment rights. What is fair for one is fair for the other.

Newtown Tragedy: We Need Revival

The unthinkable has happened, again. A crazed or angry young man has targeted innocent children in their school. “Why?” we ask.


Donald Trump said, after the election, that we need “a revolution.” He is wrong. The nation needs revival. We need another Great Awakening.

Just this past week, a six-hour concert for Sandy Relief was held. Many of the greatest rock-and-roll artists of our times joined together to raise money for victims of Hurricane Sandy so they could rebuild their homes and put their lives back together. The musicians put aside any of their differences or competitiveness for a good cause.

We need the great ministers, priests and rabbis to come together for “Newtown Relief.” Our nation needs their help to rebuild our spiritual lives and recalibrate our moral compass, if we truly want to stop tragedies like the Newtown killings.

Our founding fathers were godly men. They founded this nation on the bedrock of the Judeo-Christian tradition, particularly the Ten Commandments. The nation’s first colonial constitution was written in 1639 for Connecticut. In this document, "The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut," it proclaims:

"We came to maintain and preserve the liberty and purity of the gospel of our Lord Jesus which we now profess as also the disciples of the churches, which according to the truth of the said gospel, is now practiced among us."

We are no longer the godly nation our founding fathers envisioned and assumed we would be. The Apostle Paul warned in Romans 1:18-32 what would happen to a people who turned its back on God and mocked His moral law.

Instead of protecting them, God would give them over to “corrupted minds (1:28).” Among the consequences of abandoning godly knowledge would be “all kinds of wickedness, evil, greed, and vice (1:29),” including murder and malice. We would, Paul prophesized, end up with people who “have no conscience…no kindness or pity for others (1:31).”

Already today, the gun banners are rallying to use this tragedy for their political purposes. Soledad O’Brien lost all her reporting objectivity and had an emotional meltdown this morning on CNN over gun control.

Would someone please tell O’Brien and other reporters that Connecticut has some of the nation’s toughest gun laws? The state requires registration of all guns. It bans so-called assault rifles, although some were grandfathered in if purchased before the ban. Law enforcement is still investigating, but it appears that the guns used in this tragedy were legally owned and registered by the killer’s mother.

More gun laws would not have stopped yesterday’s gunman. He would have either stolen other guns or used another means to kill. Just yesterday, a villager attacked children with a knife outside a primary school in China, injuring 22. According to the New York Daily News, China, where privately owned guns are outlawed, has had numerous deadly school attacks in recent years. Others have used bombs, box cutters, automobiles, and toxic chemicals to perpetrate mass murder and mayhem in this country.

The innocent children and educators of Newtown who lost their lives yesterday were victims of a corrupted mind. The killer, obviously, had no conscience. He had neither kindness nor pity for others. He was a psychopath or a sociopath. The guns are not to blame. The perpetrator is.

What can we do to prevent future tragedies like Newtown, Columbine, Portland, and Aurora? A spiritual renewal is absolutely essential. The Bible in Second Chronicles 7:14 points the way:

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

2012 Election Choices

Here's the way I voted in the 2012 general election:

National offices:
President: Mitt Romney & Paul Ryan
U. S. Senator: Connie Mack
4th District U.S. Representative: Ander Crenshaw

Florida state offices:
District 4 State Senator: Aaron Bean
District 12 State Representative: Lake Ray
Retention races for Florida Supreme Court Justices & District Court of Appeal Judges:

• Justice R. Fred Lewis: No
• Justice Barbara J. Pariente: No
• Justice Peggy A. Quince: No
• Judge Simone Marstiller: No
• Judge Stephanie Ray: No
• Judge Ron Swanson: No
• Judge Brad Thomas: No

Group One 4th Judicial Circuit Court Judge: Brian J. Davis

Group 12 Duval County Court Judge: Michelle Kalil

Clerk of the 4th Judicial Circuit Court: Ronnie Fussell

District 3 Duval County School Board: Ashley Smith Juarez

Duval County Soil and Water Conservation District

• Group 1: Alexander Pantinakis
• Group 2: Greg Tison
• Group 4: Brian Allen

I voted YES on all the Constitutional Amendments except Amendment 12.

Whether you agree or disagree with my choices, I hope you will get out there and vote.

Message in a Bottle: Wall of Light

There is a wonderful art installation being planned in downtown Jacksonville, Florida. It will honor all our military personnel currently serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places around the world. I urge all area residents to participate.

The artists will construct a "wall of light" in a downtown park using plastic water bottles. Each bottle will contain a 5-word message of appreciation and hope to our deployed servicemen and women. Their design is for "an illuminated, translucent wall, 6 feet high and 200 feet long. They estimate it will take 34,000 bottles to build this wall.

That's a lot of bottles, and this is where every Jacksonville area citizen's involvement is needed. The artists need you to furnish the bottles. It couldn't be easier. Write a message of only 5 words to the troops in ballpoint or waterproof ink on a piece of paper and insert it into the bottle. Put the cap on and remove the label. Drop it off at one of the collection points around the city. Go to http://www.messageinabottlejax.com/ for the convenient locations.

This is a great family, church, club or neighborhood project. Each bottle is an individual act of gratitude. Stacked together, all the bottles are a community message from the entire city of love, remembrance and appreciation to our troops.