Birthday morning

Well, I took leave this week to enjoy by 30th birthday and get away from work for awhile. Last night, I went to the local bar and watched the Lakers beat the Spurs and had a couple of beers. I go to bed feeling pretty good, and what time do I first wake up? 4:30, without my alarm clock. Gotta love it!

Memorial Day Sunday

Here is a speech given by CDR Carl Meuser,USN, this morning during our services at FUMC, San Diego, CA. I don't think anyone could have said it better.

In the United States, three days are set aside to recognize those who are serving or have served in the military: Armed Forces Day, Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day. Armed Forces Day, observed in May recognizes those of us who are currently serving. Veteran’s Day, the eleventh day of the eleventh month, recognizes those who have previously served. Memorial Day, which began as “Decoration Day” in the 1860’s, recognizes those who have died in our nation’s wars. At First Church, all three groups are recognized on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, and we are grateful to the larger church for this recognition.
As a current member of the military, I am going to focus this morning on those who have gone before and what we can take from their deeds. Holidays such as Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day are about taking the time to stop and look at our past. George Santanaya famously observed that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Of course, examining history is a challenging endeavor, particularly when dealing with the subject of war, emotional as that topic is. It is well that this subject be emotional, as few things are more dangerous to us as God’s children than to be uncaring and cavalier about the decisions regarding entering and conducting war.
Looking at our history, we do ourselves a disservice if we look simply for events that we would not want to repeat. We must also look into the past at the sacrifice, the fortitude and courage of the individuals involved and draw inspiration from them.
We have within our congregation men and women who distinguished themselves in the worst conflicts of the age. We who currently serve hear the words, “The Resistance”, Bastogne, Leyte Gulf, USS INDIANAPOLIS, Da Nang, Yankee Station, and we are humbled to stand in the presence of those who were actually there. When you look upon them, though, you will notice that they do not look like the heroes of antiquity. They are not the tallest and broadest of shoulder. They look very much like you and me – and that is very much the point. This nation, which was founded of God’s children, by God’s children, for ALL of God’s children, has survived because unassuming men and women were willing to march into the valley of the shadow of death to confront the evils of their age.
The holiday we now call Memorial Day sprang spontaneously from the wake of our Civil War, much as the poppies that sprang from the war-churned fields of Flanders. Thoughtful people who survived to inherit the PROMISE of a land where all men and women were created equal and endowed with inalienable rights understood that it was right to pause and show gratitude to those who had stepped forward and offered themselves upon the altar of freedom.
Sadly, Memorial Day is all too often viewed as simply the day when the public swimming pool opens and it becomes okay to wear white to social functions. It must mean more to us than that. Certainly, it is right to be thankful as we stand before the graves of those who perished, but the true test is what we do on Tuesday morning – and thereafter.
The promise of this nation is not fulfilled by mythic heroes, just as that promise was not preserved by the tallest and broadest of shoulder. The promise is fulfilled by unassuming people who look very much like you and me – people who take responsibility for their inalienable rights. It is people who assemble to thoughtfully and respectfully debate the pressing matters of our country and protest for their causes. It is people who cast carefully considered votes – for whichever candidate they think most fit for office. It is people like you and me who expend sweat and treasure to feed the hungry and clothe the naked.
And so, tomorrow, remember and be thankful for the young Americans who did not return from that Valley of the Shadow of Death, and do not, do not, forget on Tuesday morning what they preserved for you.

Prince Caspian

Well, I went and saw Prince Caspian last night. That was an awesome movie, in my opinion. They had some great references to Jesus. I can't remember some of the quotes like other people can, but I would recommend the movie to other people. I would definitely recommend you go in there with an open mind and listen for the other point of the movie.

Take care!

Have a Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Ryan

Bay Bridge Run

Well, the results are out, and it looks like I completed the run in 34:56 minutes at a pace of 8:44 minutes. Not too shabby, if you ask me.

The Navy's 22nd Original Bay Bridge Run/Walk

Well, I completed the Bay Bridge run this morning. According to my Ipod+Nike, it said I completed 3.68 miles in approx 34:48 which is an average of 9.5 mile, or something like that. Overall, I had a lot of fun. That bridge is rough to say the least. We started near the Convention Center on Harbor Drive, and ran down to Barrio Logan Trolley stop and took a left. We took another right Cesar E Chavez parkway before hooking around to enter the bridge. The hardest part was right there coming onto the bridge. Wow, it was steep and the incline. From there, it was a steady incline up the bridge. I eventually had to jog for around 45 seconds and walk for like 15 seconds. It was just too tough for me to do by myself. The way down was awesome. Nothing like a steady hill on the way down to get you going. After the 3 mile mark, I tried to get a "kick" going, but the U-turn at the bottom was tough too. Also, there were way too many people running along this little cart path. After I rounded underneath the bridge, we were greeted by some high school cheerleaders. Then, it was a race to the finish. Not too shabby if you ask me. I made it home, took a shower, and back to church to make it too Molly's class on the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church.

"I" Messages-The Formula

So, tonight, I having been going to a class given at my church called "Loving Your Enemies." We have been discussing some ways to love your enemies. Tonight we discussed the idea of the "I" Messages and the formula around it.

(Funny note: I was looking up "I" message right now, and it sent me to a site at the US Department of State. Nice! It is here.)

Anyway, the "I" message goes something like this. The purpose of the "I" message is

1. When you seek to solve a problem rather that attach a person
2. You focus on the behavior and the feelings that these behaviors arouse
3. Express feelings that surround a problem as a means of transforming a conflict situation by arousing empathy in the other party.

The Formula:

When-- (Whatever happens, happens--it must be an observable action and not your
interpretation.)

I feel-- (an emotion and not a belief. An example, I feel hurt when... Instead of, I feel
alone)

Because-- (feelings come out of YOU and the person you have become through various
experiences in your life; explain the basis of your feeling rather than blaming the
other person or yourself.)

And what I'd like to see happen is-- (How both of you take into account other another's
needs, and work towards an acceptable solution
for each other.)


Wrapping up, I thought this was a pretty good idea to use instead of saying the dreading "you make me feel like....." or "you are a slob...." It starts conversation, instead of shutting the other person down automatically.

All in all, this was a good class tonight. Now, it is on to Criminal Minds.

Birthday Song

I guess this song was the #1 song when I was born:

"Too Much, Too Little, Too Late" by Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams

If you are intersted in what song you are, click here.

Two out of three ain't bad....

Dear Ryan:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act. It's good to hear from you.

In 1944, the original Montgomery G.I. Bill was proposed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to help World War II veterans receive educational benefits upon their return home from combat. Though the bill has been modified many times over the past sixty years, it needs to be updated for the post-9/11 era. That is why I am proud to support the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act.

This important legislation would make increased educational benefits available to all members of the military who have served at least three months of active duty since September 11, 2001. The bill would also provide, for the first time, such benefits to members of the Reserves and National Guard who currently make up a greater percentage of America 's Armed Forces than they have in the past.

The men and women who have defended our country in the wake of 9/11 have earned the increased educational benefits proposed in this legislation. This new G.I. Bill will ensure America 's veterans have full access to the knowledge needed to go into the career of their choice and provide veterans with a smooth transition from active duty to civilian life.

Thanks again for contacting me. If you get a chance, I encourage you to visit my website at http://www.house.gov/rehberg where you can find the latest news about what's happening in Congress. Also, if you haven't already done so, please be sure to sign up for my free E-Newsletter at http://www.house.gov/rehberg/newsletter/ which will help keep you up-to-date with what is going on in Washington, DC and how it affects Montana. It's a good source for news stories, blog posts and to read what other Montanans just like you are saying

Sincerely,
Denny Rehberg
Montana's Congressman