SeizeTheBlog

On January 26, 2004, 34 year old Corporal Allan Klein from Roseville, Michigan died in the helicopter crash in Iraq that killed 31 Americans. As his mother planned the lunchen for family and friends after his funeral she contacted a banquet hall owner, Louie Ishmail. It turned out that Mr. Ishmail had come to the United States in 1979 from Baghdad. He had grown up in Mosul after his family was forced from their village in northern Iraq. When he found out that Mrs. Klein's son died in Iraq, he donated the use of his hall and provided all of the food and drinks free of charge. He considered this a small token of his gratitude for the sacrifice that this family experienced to bring freedom to his homeland. I doubt very much that Michael Moore will include this amazing story in any of his "documentaries."

What a great day for Iraq and the world! Millions of Iraqis defied suicide bombers last Sunday to vote in their first democratic election in 50 years. Many of them walked long distances with their entire families to vote. Elderly people arrived in wheelchairs. Several blind people found their way to the polls. A larger percentage of registered Iraqis voted than Americans on any given election. We grumble if we have to wait in line for 20 minutes. They risked death or injury to stand in line to vote for the first time in most of their lives. After voting, they had to dip their index finger in a bowl of dye to indicate that they had voted. The dye will remain on their finger for about a week, further endangering them should a terrorist see it.

This girl (who is a little older than in this photo) got married January 15th. My oldest granddaughter, Bethany, married a lucky guy named Rian. After a Honeymoon in Thailand, they went to Australia where they are establishing their home and lives together. Be well, Bams!

Still a Senior in High School, this young man has enlisted in the Army, and more specifically, the Special Forces. Chris has planned for this for several years. He will leave for basic training in August of this year. I am very proud of you, grandson. Our great country is privileged to have young men like you unselfishly serve us and protect our freedom. God be with you.