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Last weekend I had the privilege of accompanying my husband along with 54 other veterans and spouses on a bus tour to Washington, D.C. I had never been to D.C. before and was elated by this good fortune. The trip included lots of walking, a couple of days we exceeded 10,000 steps by noon. Needless to say we slept good… that is after we soothed our aches.
One of the best parts of the trip was the four-day opportunity to meet and visit with other Darke County Veterans and their companions who quickly became good friends. The trip included a visit to Arlington Cemetery, the Capitol, a meet and greet with Rep. Warren Davidson, time at the Memorial of Flight No. 77 at the Pentagon, a visit to all the monuments; WWII, Korean, Vietnam, Martin Luther King, Jr., Lincoln and Washington Memorials, and a tour through the Holocaust Museum. On our way back home we visited Gettysburg and the Memorial of Flight No. 93 in Pennsylvania.
I believe everyone was most impacted by the Holocaust Museum and Gettysburg. Personally the revelation of how our present day parallels these two appalling eras in history causes serious concern. The Civil War started because many states disagreed with the United States government. It’s easily summarized by saying the South believed in slavery and the North opposed slavery, but it was a perfect storm which was brewing for several decades and came to a head with the Supreme Court imposing a judicial solution on a political problem (known as the Dred Scott Case) and the 1860 election of the first Republican President; Abraham Lincoln.
Then as now many people refused to recognize Lincoln as “their president” and sought avenues to illegitimatize the succession of presidency, which compares with the Mueller investigation which attempts to remove President Trump from office and overturn the election results. Presently our country is sorely afflicted with the Democrats against the Republicans. The Democratic Party seeks control not through elections but by controlling the media, manipulation and seeking help of the (Democratically appointed) federal judges.
Perhaps the most striking fact from the Holocaust and Gettysburg is that most of us live nearsighted lives with little concern for the plight of others. By the time our lives are also affected we are powerless to do anything, relying only on the cognizance and response of others. However, in our defense, we have difficulty believing peoples’ ideas can differ greatly from our own. Nor can we comprehend how those with morally opposing beliefs can claim their actions as Divine Providence. But history shows the Nazis and the Confederates in their twisted vision of religion, believed they were serving God. “And no wonder! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”~2 Corinthians 11:14. Therefore we must remember often the most misguided cannot be reasoned into sanity. Evil does exist.
History has a way of repeating itself, probably because man’s weaknesses remain man’s weaknesses. Man cannot find perfection within himself, through himself, or by himself. Our reliance, dependence and trust are wisely expressed each time we recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag: “…one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Tonight our football team plays at and against Marion Local with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. Saturday the cross country team participates in Coldwater Lions Invitation starting at 9 a.m. and the volleyball team plays away Saturday and Tuesday but return home on Thursday, Oct. 11 to rival Fort Recovery beginning at 5:30 p.m. for the last game of the season.
Saturday, Oct. 6 the Versailles FFA holds its annual Color Run/Walk 5K and Health Fair. This event is always well done. The Health Fair is open from 8-11:30 a.m. and, in my opinion, is worth your time to explore.
Mark your calendar for the Hot Dog and Hamburger Tailgate Dinner which will be held at the Vets Club from 5-6:45 p.m. next Friday, Oct. 12 as well as the American Legion Chicken Fry starting at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14.
Happy 96th birthday to Virginia Goubeaux and happy birthday to Phillip Pierri, Steve Bey, Kathy Vulgamore, Joseph Henninger, Collin Peters, Ellen Peters, Jerry Gasquez, Julia Wilke, Greg Bergman, Deacon Mike Meyer, Megan Subler, Mary Ann Leach, Chad Treon, Camille Watren, JoAnn Albers, Melissa Bowman, Heather Brown, Alyssa Blinn, Mary Moran, Amy Brandt, Roy Brown, Melissa Bowman, Cindy Miller, Becky Condon, Jacob Treon, Jane Mumaw, Belle Hamilton, Lauren Hartzell, Brent Carity, Steve Shrock, Amy Lawson, Collin Peters, Megan Subler, Mike Mangen, Hayden Miller, Diana Subler, Deb Ward, Jennifer Shields, Amy Hoying, Carrey Whittington, Stacy Poeppelman, Lindsay Rethman, Mike Kelch, Mert Bensman, Christina Garlinger, Lindsay Schultz, Jacob Poling, Andrew Platfoot, Robin Brown, Connie Winner, and Joann Bohman as their special day approaches as well as, anniversary wishes to Brook and Ben Wilson (3), Lacy and Steve Thobe (4), Paige and Bobby Collins (5), Mandy and Daniel Miller (6), Jessica and Justin Erwin (6), Michele and Kevin Henninger (9), Josie and Kyle Kunk (11), Jessica and Nick Groff (12), Dina and Jim Marchal (16), Jenny and Phil Pleiman (18), Darlene and David Meyer (18), Lela and Jack Munn (20), Michelle and David McClure (21), Julie and Todd Deeter (24), Lori and Doug Davidson (25), Elaine and Kurt Bohman (29), Joan and Mike Bergman (43), Nancy and Joe Taylor (46), Madonna and Fred McEldowney (47), and Alice and Ralph Mangen (61).
I’d like to extend a special thanks to the Tom Pitman, Cindy Brunner, Var Gehron, and the Commissioners of the Darke County Veterans Services for an outstanding trip to D.C. I’d also like to give my best to those who I met during last weekend’s trip.
Please give your supportive and healing prayers for the many who are dealing with any of life’s countless challenges, and especially for Beverly Burt, Richard Shumaker, Harry Gorrell, Darrell Spangler, John Goubeaux, Jason Hoying, Jackson Winner, Jerilyn Monnin, Fr. John White, Holly Finnarn, Susie Hileman, Kellie Gehret, Shirley Tapp, Becca Pohl Liette, Jane Meier, Dean Kreitzer, Jim Kelch, Scarlet Unrast, Jenni Meyer, John Brandt, Donna Apple, Marcia Davidson, Alice Luthman, Michelle Sherman, Richard Pierron, Miriam Harman, Patricia Borchers, Bob Miller, Iona Gariety, Loretta Bey, Steve Bey, Aiden Myers, Angie Keiser, Kay and Paul Dapore, Rose Mary and Jerry Paulus, Cyril Frantz, Carol Laub, Peggy and Jack Borgerding, Earl Gigandet, Ruth Wirrig, Marge Prakel, Mary Batty, Dave Magoto, Norma Magoto, Betty Kremer, Virginia Smith, Anabelle Subler, Lois Youngker, Barb Goubeaux, Eileen Rahm, Samantha Smith and those not mentioned by name who are recuperating, hospitalized, homebound and/or in need of our prayers.
Please join in extending your heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of Jim Plas, and John Grillot (86) also remembering Robert Longenecker, Lora Jane Landis, Nina Collett, Bob Homan, Carol Hart, Fran MacLean, Basil Subler, Lorys Bohman, Gary Long, Nancy Jones, Lucille Alexander, Robert Grillot, Joe Bensman, Verna Cool, Betty Wooley, Julie Hiatt, Harold Phlipot, Gary Kimmel, Lowell Marshall, John Gasson, Lucille McClurg, Betty Grilliot, Bill Hawkey, Slim Wehrkamp, Red Mescher and all our friends and family not mentioned by name as the anniversary of their recently passing nears.
“Returning hate for hate only multiplies hate.” ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
“War may very well be an acronym for WE ARE RIGHT and both sides believe they are” ~C. Edwards
“The world will not be destroyed by those that do evil but by those who watch them without doing anything.” ~Albert Einstein
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