Monday, May 26, 2014

MEMORIAL DAY

This post is a tribute to all who served and died in a defense of our country…
I dedicate this post to Spc. Henry Bacon and Cpt. Orlando Bonilla (a father and a husband of a dear friend, Tabitha Bonilla)
by Kelly Strong
I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
and then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of TAPS one night,
When everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That TAPS had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.


Source: Photobucket


Death of General Wolfe by Benjamin West, 1770
Source: Wikimedia Commons



Washington firing the first gun at the battle of Yorktown by Alexander Ogden,
Source: Wikimedia Commons





American Civil War Soldiers,
Source: Thomas Legion




March of Times by Henry Sandham, 1896
Source: Wikipedia




N.C. Wyeth, Source: Yvette Can Draw Blog




Dead Soldier by Howard Brodie, 1945
Source: Constitution Center


High Visibility Wrap by Joseph Hirsch, 1944
Source: Constitution Center





Korean War Fallen Soldier by Pfc. Al Chang, 1950
Source: Wikimedia Commons





Long Binh 1968 by David Fairrington,
Source: Constitution Center




Vietnam Reflections by Lee Teter, Source: Fun A Day







"United we stand" by Dorota Quiroz, 2009
LYRICS FOR "ARLINGTON" BY TRACE ADKINS

I never thought that this is where I'd settle down,
I thought I'd die an old man back in my hometown,
They gave me this plot of land, me and some other men, for a job well done,
There's a big white house sits on a hill just up the road,
The man inside he cried the day they brought me home,
They folded up a flag and told my mom and dad, we're proud of your son

[Chorus:]
And I'm proud to be on this peaceful piece of property,
I'm on sacred ground and I'm in the best of company,
I'm thankful for those things I've done,
I can rest in peace, I'm one of the chosen ones, I made it to Arlington

I remember daddy brought me here when i was eight,
We searched all day to find out where my granddad lay,
And when we finally found that cross,
He said, "son this is what it cost to keep us free" Now here I am,
A thousand stones away from him,
He recognized me on the first day i came in,
And it gave me a chill when he clicked his heels, and saluted me.

[Repeat Chorus]

And every time i hear twenty-one guns,
I know they brought another hero home to is

We're thankful for those thankful for the things we've done,
We can rest in peace, 'cause we are the chosen ones,
We made it to Arlington, yea dust to dust,
Don't cry for us,we made it to Arlington








"Coming Home" by Dorota Quiroz, 2013

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Looking for ... Alexander the Great


All photos © 2014 Dorota Quiroz
My eldest son Alexander (a.k.a. FELIX) is turning 25 years old today and, as a proud mother, I want to recognize what a great man he has become and claim a little bit of responsibility for upbringing such a fine human being.

He was an easy child to raise:
a good eater,
a clown when in a need of entertainment,
a dedicated athlete and a musician when performing in each field,
a skilled writer when creating science-fiction stories,
an independent thinker and
an a great soldier.

He inherited his mother's smarts and dry humor and his father's stubbornness and handsome looks.

I'm bragging as each mother does about the virtues of her son, for who else can do a better job than a proud parent? And, yet... ask anyone who knows him and he or she will vouch for his integrity, dedication, friendship and independence.

Having a chance to be his mom is one of the most important experiences of my life and that is why in my eyes he is my ALEXANDER THE GREAT!

Here is a photo essay of my beloved Felix! 
I love you my son! 
Mom

Alex @ 6 days before his birth

Alex @ 1 day

Alex @ 3 months

Alex @ 6 months
Alex @ 9 mos






Alex @ 1 year
Alex @ 2 years 



Alex @ 3 years

Alex @ 5 years




Alex @ 6 years





Alex with Grandpa


Alex with John, his brother

Alex @ 7 years








Alex @ 9 years



Alex @ 11 years







Alex @ 13 years


Alex @ 16 years

Serious


Charmer

Joker

Alex and I





My Felix

Alex @ 22 years

Alex @ 25 years , with his wife and son



I am so proud of you! by Pam Fraser

I am so proud of you and the person you are becoming! 
 I have said it before and said it so many times.
I have noticed your accomplishments and seen the things you have done.
I will always reward you by showing my understandings, and to showing my love.
You don’t have to make me feel that you have to impress me

I will continue to tell you the do’s and the don’ts.
Sometimes I will nag at you, and I will never want you to give up on your stride.
So remember this, no matter what I will always love you, you have given me so much pride. 
That’s what I see in you.
I will continue to ask many questions and drive you out your mind,
but, that‘s what a mother suppose to do.

I think you’re courageous, sweet hearted, loving, caring and all the things I wanted in a son.
You are being so daring each and every day,

I am so proud of you!
When you think people don't understand and you think that you are dumb.
I hope by knowing this I am so you proud of you,
because you really do your best in everything you DO.