The basic theme of the third and final saga of the Men In Black series is that as K is holding the mysteries of the universe, as what holds it together, he suddenly disappears.

From this point on, Agent J (W. Smith) has to ‘jump’ back in time to track down K and figure what exactly happened-or is going to happen in forty years.

As trilogies often do, the team will be traveling through time and finding out even more secrets of the universe. Other stars on the team are Tony Shalhoub, Rip Torn, Vincent Fiorentino, Jon Gries, and Richard Hamilton. As of now, the movie is set for May 25th, Memorial Day 2012.

A holiday is definitely a special day set aside where no work is done on that day and most times, festivities are held to celebrate it. While Sunday is known as the initial holiday because it’s a day away from the first six days of work and one of rest, it’s a holiday which is taken for granted each week as it comes every 7 days.

Each individual country has its own unique traditions and holidays. Here in the us . during the entire year a lot of holidays are celebrated and there are holiday cards printed for every one of those days. Some cards are humorous, serious, or romantic. Every person is going to be drawn to a different sort of design depending on the receiver of the card.

New Years Day is the first holiday of the year and it’s also a day off from work for many people. Its a day when individuals begin to live with and assume responsibility for those resolutions they made to lose weight, go to church each Sunday, spend a lot more time with family, or simply to become a much better person.

A few holidays have been added to American’s holidays because of significance one has made to human kind, such as Martin Luther King Day, which is celebrated on the 3rd Monday in January. Next comes President’s Day on the third Monday in February. Then Easter comes, with millions of holiday cards being sent to loved ones celebrating Jesus’ resurrection.

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are holidays celebrated with affection and holiday cards and gifts for parents everywhere. Memorial Day, as well as Independence Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day are all celebrated with a day off from work for quite a few workers and schools. They’re anticipated annually by everyone who respects the veterans.

Halloween, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve are all important to numerous groups. Halloween is not a national holiday yet it is touted as a holiday that is growing in almost as much money spent on it as Christmas gifts. You can be certain that holiday cards are published for and sent for every single holiday celebrated.

We think of Thanksgiving as the most well-known holiday in America yet, it was really an autumn harvest celebrated in 1621 by the Pilgrims with all the Indians who likewise shared in the feast of thanksgiving. The day was commemorated by states and provinces until finally President Lincoln deemed it a nationwide holiday for November in 1863.

Each holiday holds a special meaning to those people celebrating it. A holiday card recognizing that you appreciate what they stand for, one with a verse which says what you could not say, a special word of affection or thought means a great deal to the person receiving the card. Several cards are incredibly expensive and some holiday cards are cheap. The design of the looklovesend holiday cards is also important, and should be eye-catching and memorable. It doesn’t truly matter the price tag, just what matters is the thought.

A holiday is undoubtedly a special day reserved where no work is done on that day the majority of occasions, festivities are held to celebrate it. Although Sunday is known as the first holiday since it is a day apart from the first 6 days of work and one of rest, it is a holiday that is certainly overlooked each week given that it comes every 7 days.

Each and every country has its very own traditions and holidays. Here in the united states during the entire year many holidays are celebrated and there are holiday cards printed for every one of those days. Some cards are amusing, serious, or romantic. Each individual will likely be drawn to a different sort of design depending on the recipient of the card.

New Years Day is the first holiday of the year and it is a day off from work for lots of people. It’s a day when individuals begin to live with and take responsibility for the resolutions they made to lose weight, go to church each and every Sunday, spend a lot more time with family, or simply to become a better person.

Some holidays have already been added to American’s holidays on account of significance one has made to human kind, such as Martin Luther King Day, which is celebrated on the third Monday in January. Next comes President’s Day on the third Monday in February. Next Easter comes, with millions of holiday cards being sent to loved ones commemorating Jesus’ resurrection.

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are holidays celebrated with affection and holiday cards and gifts for parents everywhere. Memorial Day, in addition to Independence Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day are all celebrated with a day off from work for quite a few workers and schools. They’re looked forward to each and every year by every person who respects the veterans.

Halloween, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve are all significant to many different groups. Halloween is not a nationwide holiday however it is touted as a holiday that is growing in nearly as much money spent on it as Christmas gifts. You can be certain that holiday cards are printed for and sent for just about every individual holiday celebrated.

We think of Thanksgiving as the most well-known holiday in The usa however, it was in reality an autumn harvest celebrated in 1621 by the Pilgrims with all the Indians who also shared in the feast of thanksgiving. The day was in fact commemorated by states and provinces until President Lincoln deemed it a nationwide holiday for November in 1863.

Each and every holiday holds a special significance to those people celebrating it. A holiday card acknowledging that you value the things they stand for, one with a verse that says what you could not say, a special word of love or thought means a whole lot to the one getting the card. The design of the looklovesend holiday cards is also important, and should be eye-catching and memorable. A number of cards are very expensive and many holiday cards are cheap. It does not truly matter the price, what matters is the thought.

A holiday is undoubtedly a special day reserved where no work is done on that day the majority of occasions, festivities are held to celebrate it. Although Sunday is known as the first holiday since it is a day apart from the first 6 days of work and one of rest, it is a holiday that is certainly overlooked each week given that it comes every 7 days.

Each and every country has its very own traditions and holidays. Here in the united states during the entire year many holidays are celebrated and there are holiday cards printed for every one of those days. Some cards are amusing, serious, or romantic. Each individual will likely be drawn to a different sort of design depending on the recipient of the card.

New Years Day is the first holiday of the year and it is a day off from work for lots of people. It’s a day when individuals begin to live with and take responsibility for the resolutions they made to lose weight, go to church each and every Sunday, spend a lot more time with family, or simply to become a better person.

Some holidays have already been added to American’s holidays on account of significance one has made to human kind, such as Martin Luther King Day, which is celebrated on the third Monday in January. Next comes President’s Day on the third Monday in February. Next Easter comes, with millions of holiday cards being sent to loved ones commemorating Jesus’ resurrection.

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are holidays celebrated with affection and holiday cards and gifts for parents everywhere. Memorial Day, in addition to Independence Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day are all celebrated with a day off from work for quite a few workers and schools. They’re looked forward to each and every year by every person who respects the veterans.

Halloween, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve are all significant to many different groups. Halloween is not a nationwide holiday however it is touted as a holiday that is growing in nearly as much money spent on it as Christmas gifts. You can be certain that holiday cards are printed for and sent for just about every individual holiday celebrated.

We think of Thanksgiving as the most well-known holiday in The usa however, it was in reality an autumn harvest celebrated in 1621 by the Pilgrims with all the Indians who also shared in the feast of thanksgiving. The day was in fact commemorated by states and provinces until President Lincoln deemed it a nationwide holiday for November in 1863.

Each and every holiday holds a special significance to those people celebrating it. A holiday card acknowledging that you value the things they stand for, one with a verse that says what you could not say, a special word of love or thought means a whole lot to the one getting the card. The design of the looklovesend holiday cards is also important, and should be eye-catching and memorable. A number of cards are very expensive and many holiday cards are cheap. It does not truly matter the price, what matters is the thought.

For one, they both are rabidly intolerant of certain groups of people. The KKK doesn’t like minorities. Westboro doesn’t like the LGBT community.

And, secondly, both groups turned up on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery. Westboro was there to protest the proceedings, while the KKK showed up to protest… Westboro.

“Imperial Wizard” and founder of the KKK group the Knights of the Southern Cross Dennis LaBonte was upset that Westboro was choosing to protest military funerals. “It’s the soldier that fought and died and gave them that right to free speech,” LaBonte told CNN.

Westboro’s response? A classic “pot calling the kettle black” statement that the KKK group had no “moral authority” whatsoever.

A group of 70 counter-protestors against Westboro was also present at Arlington. The counter-protestors were separate from the KKK group, according to CNN.

Westboro had earlier won a Supreme Court case that allowed them to carry out their protests during military funerals. They won this right based on the principles of free speech, and that their speech was a matter of public concern on public property that was conducted peacefully.

Unfortunately, as morally repulsive as it may seem for many who believe that families of soldiers killed in war should be able to bury their loved ones in peace, Westboro’s actions are constitutionally protected.

Westboro’s actions will probably continue. A small church of about 100, many of the church’s members are related to one man, Fred Phelps. And, 11 out of Phelp’s 13 children have law degrees. Most likely, all are very well-versed on the right to free speech.

So, who knows – maybe the KKK and Westboro will meet again to protest each other’s protest.

The Battle of Takur Ghar (aka Roberts’ Ridge) by Keith Rocco; Image by The National Guard via Flickr

I just heard a new name today: Neil C. Roberts.  Here between Memorial Day and Independence Day, as a military history buff I usually spend this time of year brushing up on the heroics of our men and women in uniform, new and old.  As a part of that this year I was speechless to hear of Petty Officer First Class Roberts, and ashamed I had never heard of him before.

On March 4, 2002, the elite SEAL Team Six, so famous now for being the unit that killed Osama Bin Laden, was operating in the Arma mountains of Afghanistan.  Plans were made for a small team to be inserted onto the peak of Takur Ghar to setup an observation post to monitor Al Quida activity in the area.  The peak was supposedly secured.  Early on the morning of the 4th the team, including Roberts, was flown to the summit and just before touching down for infiltration came under heavy Al Quida attack.  The wounded helicopter was able to veer away before crashing, but in the course of evasive manuevers Petty Officer Roberts slipped and fell out.  The helicopter banked to rescue Roberts, but due to the damage the pilot could not control the aircraft and instead had to crash land four miles away, leaving Roberts alone on the summit of an enemy occupied mountain in three feet of snow, surrounded by at least 500 enemy, and alone.

A massive special forces operation was immediately undertaken to rescue Roberts, one that succeeded in recapturing the summit and killing more than 200 Al Quida terrorists, but failed in rescuing Roberts alive.  Roberts’ demise, however, was nothing short of extraordinary.  Predator footage of the scene shows him fending off attack after attack as dozens of enemy enclose on him attacking with everything from small arms to RPGs.  Roberts continued his defense, succumbing only after 90 minutes of heavy fighting.  Alone, surrounded, on the ground with enemies closing in on every side – his fate must have been obvious to him.  And yet he fought, fought hard and fought long.

He is not the only hero of Takur Ghar; five men were killed in the attempt to rescue him.

If you look at the citations for medals of gallantry in the last twenty years, you will see that most recently decorated American Soldiers have died to uphold a simple pledge: no man left behind.  In Korea US Marines stunned their British counterparts by venturing into no-mans-land to rescue their dead comrades.  Many never returned from these missions.  In 1993 at the Battle of Mogadishu (dramatized in the book and film Black Hawk Down) two Delta Force marksmen, Randy Shugart and Gary Gordon, volunteered to be inserted alone at the crash site of the Blackhawk Super 6-4 to rescue it’s pilot, Mike Durant.  Initially refused by their commanders because of overwhelming enemy activity in the area, both insisted despite being warned no support could be guaranteed.  After saving Durant they fought to the last round before both being killed.  This is the American soldier.  These are men who will do impossible things because we ask them to.

When I read of Petty Officer Roberts my chest swelled with pride, but I was also ashamed that I had never heard of these exploits before.  I incessantly hear of Brangelina, Jennifer Aniston, Neil Patrick Harris, Donald Trump, the Kardashians, and everyone else in between, and yet I had never heard of Neil C Roberts, a man who died alone in three feet of snow fighting unimaginable odds, who truly showed excellence and courage, and was doing it for me.  This was a man who lost three family members on 9/11 and less than six months after the attacks was in Afghanistan fighting the organization that orchestrated the attacks that threatened to cripple our nation.  This man stood up and scarificed personal gain for service to our country, and died in greater anonymity than people who have never made any such sacrifice.  Sure I may like How I Met Your Mother and I may be incredulous of adopting 19 kids or having more money than I know what to do with, but I am not in awe of it.  It does not give me chills to imagine.  I do not admire it, at least as much as Petty Officer Roberts’ sacrifice.  I was sad to think of it, to think of these men doing more for us than anyone else has, sacrificing more than anyone else has, and yet more media attention is given to Lindsay Lohan’s wardrobe malfunction than to Petty Officer Robert’s last stand, or to Gordon and Shugart’s ultimate sacrifice for a comrade, for for any other of the countless heroic acts war necessitates.

Then I realize that that is what this time of year is for.  This is the time to scream “USA!” at the ballgame until your face is red, to stand up and recognize the men and women in your community who have served the Stars and Stripes, to take off your hat and put your hand over your heart when you hear the Star Spangled Banner.  Even just to go to Target and get the DVD of We Were Soldiers or Black Hawk Down, two intensely dramatic films about the modern battlefield, and think for a moment about what it means.  Arnold Schwarzenegger has taught us that good guys are bulletproof and getting shot at really is no big deal, but even simple things like that that we have been desensitized to by Hollywood gain new appreciation after careful thought.  This is the time to honor the red of the Red White and Blue, the blood that keeps us free.  Whatever your opinions on our policies or the wars, never forget – we are among a precious few free nations in the world, and the privileges taken for granted in America are unheard of luxuries in most of the rest of the world.  Our Soldiers have died for our liberties, and take a moment to look at world politics and realize that that is not just something people say, it is the truth.

In Vietnam, veterans say the most debilitating thing came not from the malaria, monsoons, brutal guerrilla war, torture of POWs, militant civilians, disregard for human life by both sides – it was instead that those back home did not care and gave no support.  There were no marching bands, no parades – but the soldiers were still there fighting for politicians we elected.  And perhaps the best proof of the resilience of the American Soldier is that they are still there, despite that injustice, sitting on our front porch so we may sleep in peace.  This Independence Day give a whoop for your independence, and put an extra burger on the grill for Roberts, and save a drink for the countless other fallen heroes who even now guard the door.

I challenge you, dear reader, to find a tale of American heroism that inspires you.  Leave me a comment about it and I will write about it in preparation for Independence Day.  Let us honor our heroes, those of all kinds, in the next weeks, and let us remember that this time of year is more than a day off of work and an AMC patriotic movie marathon weekend.  Find something that gives you pride as an American, and together we can share it with the world.

I am proud to be an American.

Memorial Day; just another day, a long weekend, an excuse to invite friends over for a barbeque, the 1st day of Summer, or a day that should be used to honor and remember those who have fallen while fighting to defend this Nation?

Memorial Day has been around for a long time.  For Americans, it has been a part of our traditions for at least the last 143 years.  Originally intended as a day of remembrance for those who died fighting in the Civil War, the holiday changed to honor all Americans who died in any war, after World War I.  After commemorating Memorial Day for over 100 years on 30 May, movement of the holiday took place in 1971, to the last Monday of the month, in order to accommodate a long weekend.  Complacency is a challenge Soldiers face while deployed. As time goes by, they get accustomed to things being a certain way and their significance seems to fade.  It seems as if over the years, Americans have gotten complacent with this holiday.  It is no longer about honoring the fallen, but about barbeques, camping trips, long weekends, parties, the start of Summer, and parades.

After 11 September 2001, Americans were ready to stand united, and honor and respect, those that put their lives on the line daily for our Country.  Since that day, every September 11, there has been a moment of silence to honor and remember those that had their lives taken on that day and that have given it since.  How long will it be before that day becomes just another day to have off from work, to go see a parade, or to hang out with friends around a grill and some burgers and dogs?

What did you do for Memorial Day?  Did you honor someone who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our Country and your freedoms?  If you did not, I challenge you to do so next year.  Go to a veteran’s cemetery and place some flowers at a gravestone or plant a flag.  Take a moment of silence in remembrance of those who gave their lives for your freedoms.  Do something to honor the fallen service members, men and women, since 9/11 and before, who have died helping make our Nation what it is today.  I would like to take this opportunity to honor the following Soldiers from Fort Riley, and thank them for their sacrifice, so that my family could live free:  SFC Clifford Beattie, SGT Lashawn Evans, PFC Ramon Mora, and SPC Jose Torre. Since ending “combat operations” in Iraq in September of 2010, these four Soldiers from Fort Riley, KS have lost their lives, but they will not be forgotten, nor will the sacrifice that they made.

 If you have forgotten to honor those that have fallen this past Memorial Day, you will have one other chance this year. November 11th, is Veteran’s Day. Remember to honor those that have served. They serve willingly to protect our Nation against ruthless and thoughtless enemies, on your behalf, so that you and your family members may have a chance at the American dream.

 157th day of an year on a Gregorian Calendar, 6th of June leaves 208 days to finish this year. 

 18,000 homes and one third of Moscow was destroyed by a devastating fire, on 6th of June in 1752. In 1808 Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon’s brother, was crowned as the king of Spain. In 1844, on 6th of June, Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) was formed in London. In 1993 Mongolia held its direct Presidential election first time on 6th of June.

 On 6th of June in 1502, King John III of Portugal was born. On the same day of 1714 born was King Joseph I of Portugal, and in 1934 the King Albert II of Belgium. In 1970 on June 6th, Spanish footballer Albert Ferrer was born and in 1977 Irish footballer David Connolly.

 In 1992 the American Actor Larry Riley and in 2000 the French writer Frédéric Dard died on June 6th.

 On June 6th, Bolivians celebrate Teacher’s Day and South Koreans celebrate Memorial Day.

This tradition of placing flowers on the graves began during the Civil War when the ladies would visit graves of men fallen in battle and place flowers on the grave.   This evolved into a national holiday first called Decoration Day, but now known as Memorial Day.   In the South, however, this is not just a day of remembering soldiers or any military person fallen in battle, but a time when all family members are recalled.

There is a day set aside, a Sunday, during the month of May in  which family members visit the cemetery and clean the grave.    The weeds are pulled, grass cut, and old flowers removed.   In some cases, new soil is placed on the grave to create a mound.   Some cemeteries have what is called perpetual care, and do not allow flowers to be placed on the ground.   Flowers are only allowed in vases which are attached to the headstone.   These cemeteries are maintained by church members, or the church has hired someone to keep the cemetery clean and clear of debris all the time.

However, in the rural south and small towns it falls on the family to keep up the graves of loved ones.   In one of the cemeteries I visit each years, there are many unmarked graves.   The cemetery is very old and each year when I return, there may be only one or two additional graves.   

There are military personnel buried here including the grave of a Union Soldier.   The headstone for the Union soldier is an upright granite stone with his name, his company, and the date of birth and death.   There are other military people buried there with markers indicating the war in which they fought.

At one cemetery there is no grass, only soil.  Each year the graves are swept clean and sand is brought in to rebuild the mound.   Once mounds are in place, the area is smooth and clean and there are no footprints anywhere.   On Sunday, there is the morning service, dinner on the ground and singing for the afternoon.  

At one time, all the names on the headstones were read for a roll call, but now there is just included in the songs, an old time favorite called “When the Roll is Called up Yonder, I’ll be There.”   Flowers are placed on every grave.

In the beginning, people would go into their yards, or in to the surrounding woods and get flowers.   Later it would be a time of getting together and flowers would be made from paper.   Now, most people just buy flowers – fresh and silk – to put on the graves.

This tradition of decorating the graves is  a time of reunion for families and old friends.   As perpetual care is becoming more and more popular, it is just the cemeteries in rural areas where decoration day is observed.

The popular song, When the Roll is Called Up Yonder, was written by a methodist minister in 1893.  The lyrics are:

When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

Refrain

When the roll, is called up yon-der,
When the roll, is called up yon-der,
When the roll, is called up yon-der,
When the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.

On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of His resurrection share;
When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

Refrain

Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,
Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;
Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

Memorial day is a day for the people to mourn the suffering of an impoverished individuals death. For it is a day of mourning these who give their lives to tarnish the reputation and image of the American way. Ignorance maybe bliss, but it is not forgiven by the truth. The truth about wars of the 21st century are two things, one we will keep on fighting non-defeat-able counter insurgencies which will train this government of his asset holdings as well as make them commit to the current tax hikes in the senate, and the other is the new era of 5th generation warfare governed by the judgment and accuracy of battle harden ready robots. This is the way the world ends, this is the way the world ends.