Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
After World War II, there were many new veterans who had no association with World War I. So, on May 24, 1954, the name Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day. President Dwight Eisenhower called on all citizens to observe the day by remembering the sacrifices of all those who fought so gallantly, and through rededication to the task of promoting peace.
The reflections of Veterans Day will be filled with pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and gratitude for the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice.
Whether the veterans fought in World War I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the War in Iraq, they cannot be honored enough. The poem written by R.V. Lillard is called “America’s Answer.”
“Rest ye in peace, ye Flanders dead,
That fight that ye so bravely led
We’ve taken up. And we will keep
True faith with you who lie asleep
With each a cross to mark a bed.
In Flanders Fields.
Fear not that nye have died for naught.
The torch ye threw to us we caught.
Ten million hands will hold it high.
And Freedom’s light shall never die!
We’ve learned the lesson that ye taught
In Flanders Fields.”
There are forces that are undermining the very foundation that this country was built upon. There is still hope as long as people believe in those principles. A world without war — wouldn’t that be wonderful?
Life’s little instructions for daily living include the following:
- When a child does something for a person, say “thank you.”
- Take a shopping cart back for someone.
- Call and check on a home bound person.
- A person gets more by giving more.
- A person is more defined by what comes out of one’s mouth than what goes in it.
Temperatures are dipping rapidly for the Monday and Tuesday snow showers. Winds blew the rafters Wednesday night, shaking off the very essence of leaves from the tree limbs. Trees fell in several locations causing power outages in several county communities. An umbrella would certainly be totaled in the gusty winds.
This week’s quotes are as follows:
“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” — Elmer Davis
“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” — Maya Angelou
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” — John Fitzgerald Kennedy
“My heroes are those who risk their lives every day to protect our world and make it a better place—police, firefighters, and members of our armed forces.” — Sidney Sheldon
“We’re blessed with the opportunity to stand for something — for liberty and freedom and fairness. And these are things worth fighting for, worth devoting our lives to. And we have good reason to be hopeful and optimistic.” — Ronald Reagan
It’s a definite to be sitting by the fireplace to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
Bill and Donna Arrington’s son, Evan, came in for a visit this weekend.
Wesley, Becky, and Ben Puffenbarger spent Saturday in Pittsburgh after the high school football game Friday night in Cameron.
Robert Hodges spent the weekend with Emma and Nathan Puffenbarger while Wes and Becky were out of town. Carl Larry and Roberta Lilley of Beckley visited with Robert, Nathan and Emma.
Phil Downs has been transferred to Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community following a short stay at Sentara.
Wednesday found Wanda Pitsenbarger and Evelyn Varner visiting Cleo Simmons of Staunton, Virginia.
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
- The top three states with the most percentage of veterans are Alaska, Virginia, and Montana.
- More than 11 percent of living veterans are women.
- France, Australia, Canada, and Great Britain also celebrate Veterans Day.
- New York City hosts the oldest parade in the country on Veterans Day.
- Arlington National Cemetery holds an annual memorial service.
November birthdays include Paula Mitchell, 16th; Kasara Kiser and “Pidge” Anderson, 18th; Deloris Adkins and K.D. Puffenbarger, 19th; Gary Simmons, 20th; Bradley May, Roger Dale Hoover and Gerald Rexrode, 21st; Christina Simmons and Ryan Swartzen, 22nd; Rick Adkins and Harry Lee Scott, Jr, 23rd; Carl Williams, 24th; Beth Felton, Mary Catherine Cassell and Joni Nelson, 25th; Lee Roberson, 26th; Trisha Knicely, 27th; Austin Simmons, 28th; George Hamil and Greg Smith, 29th; and Steve O’Toole and Danny Crider, 30th.
Concerns are for Mike Adams, Charles Anderson, Alfred Armstrong, Joan Ashley, Roger Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, Dave Basagic, Allen Beachler, “Bo” Boggs, Larry Byers, Doreen Calhoun, Joyce Calhoun, Marie Cole, Stanley Dahmer, Kim Davis, Tommy Davis, Phil Downs, Steve Durham, Jennifer Errett, Isaac Eye, Mary Eye, Carl Gant, David Gillispie, Nancy Gonshor, Patsy Green, JC Hammer, Sharon Harr, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Hannah Hedrick, Jack and Starr Hedrick, Chuck and Tracy Hiett, Jim Hiner, Evan Hise, Tim Hively, Edsel and Mary Ann Hogan, Julia Homan, Keith Hoover, Debbie Horst, Bob and Cynthia Hurry, Mike and Lisa Jamison, Linda Jones, Richard Judy, Marsha Keller, Tara Kelley, Ruth Kile, Tom and Kim Kline, Tracie Knight, Laura Kropp, Melissa Lambert, Robert Lambert, Rex Landis, Donna Mallow, Roger and Skip Mallow, Audree Marsh, Anna Mauzy, Ed May, Gene and Joan McConnell, Gary McDonald, Rose Miller, Bruce Minor, Carroll and Dottie Mitchell, Tom Mitchell, Barbara Moats, Gloria Moats, the Karla Moats family, Sherri Moyers, Helen Nash, Aaron Nelson, Dominique Nelson, Dwight Nelson, Ruth Nelson, Cheryle Paine, Terri Parker, Andy Pond, Wayne Price, Janice Propst, Alda Propst, Mike Propst, Sheldon Propst, Eldon “Butch” Puffenbarger, Tom Rader, Willard Rader, Brandon Reel, Jason Rexrode, Jimmy Rexrode, Linda Fay Rexrode, Vesta Ruckman, Bernie Sasscer, Annie Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, Greg Simmons, Judy Simmons, Nelson Simmons, Tonya Simon, Robbie Sites, Mike Skiles, Bruce Smith, Ed and Carolyn Smith, Natalie Stephenson, Tina Stuben, Steve Stump, Linda and Larry Vandevander, the Amy Vaus family, Junior Waggy, Mary Louise Waldschlager, Rene White, Sherry Wilfong, Judy Williams, Patty Willis and Ann and Ed Wimer.
