MEMORIAL DAY

REMEMBER THEM

If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and one backward glance when you are leaving, for the places they can no longer go.

Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not always have. Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.

And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.

Written January 1, 1970 by Major Michael Davis O'Donnell
Dak To, South Vietnam

Recited by Tom Selleck upon receiving the 2009 TV Land Hero's Award for Magnum, P.I. An OGR gentle hero in his own rite and an accomplished actor who once again pulled unexpected audience emotion, uncontrollable tears and unbounded patriotism.

Though he insisted he is not worthy of that same category as there are others more deserving, he was proud that the Smithsonian recognized Magnum, P.I. as the first series to portray the Vietnam Vet in a positive light. " Now in today's world our vets are treated with respect and we know it wasn't always that way."

His real life crusade is the "Wall that Heals", part of the Vietnam War Memorial, a 45-foot aluminum trailer that travels across the country to people who may not have the opportunity to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington.

Actor Tom Selleck, left, attends an event unveiling a traveling exhibit called "The Wall That Heals", part of the traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Museum, in Washington, Thursday, March 26, 2009. At right is U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Nick Adams, 21. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin).

This Memorial Day take a quiet time to reflect on our friends and family who served, returned or proudly remember as the "gentle heroes you left behind".

The ABC's of Grown Old

Dedicated to our Moms who first taught us the Alphabet and then these life-lesson ABC's.
How many of these TV Moms can you recognize??


Lucille Ball "I Love Lucy" 1951-57
Accept your body as is.
Bold is beautiful.
Cherish your health.

Jayne Wyatt "Father Knows Best" 1954-60
Don't worry about wrinkles; they're just antique smiles.
Enjoy the simple things in life.
Find an age you like and stick with it!


Donna Reed "The Donna Reed Show" 1958-66
Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
How old you are is your own business!
Its easier to get older than it is to get wiser.


Barbara Billingsly "Leave It To Beaver" 1957-63
Just remember...what was I saying?
Keep the faith.
Lie about your age.


Yvonne DeCarlo "The Munsters" 1964-66
Mend fences.
No one said getting older is easy!
Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.


Florence Henderson "The Brady Bunch" 1969-74
Pick your friends wisely.
Quit whining.
Remember the good ol' days.


Carolyn Jones "The Addams Family" 1964-66
Surround yourself with what you love.
Tell the people you love that you love them at every opportunity.

Marian Ross "Happy Days" 1974-84
Until you make peace with who you are,
you'll never be content with what you have.
Volunteer...everyday.


Elizabeth Montgomery "Bewitched" 1964-72
When you say I'm sorry, look the person in the eye.
Xpect happiness in life.


Reba McEntire "Reba" 2001-07
Young at heart (slightly older in other places).
Zzzzzzz...take plenty of cat naps

Happy Birthday and Mother's Day, Mom!!!