In recent months I've found it difficult to watch the news.
I get discouraged and feel hopeless when I look at the state of the world,
and I feel really depressed when I look at politics in our divided country.
I wonder where are the politicians honorably serving America,
not for themselves, but for the good of our country.
And then I remember: We rarely hear about the good.
We always hear about the bad ~ ad nauseam.
In early June I was reminded that there are
many good men and women among the 535 Members of Congress,
starting with my own congressman, Representative Jason Crow.
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Representative Jason Crow and Brig. Gen. Micah Fesler (Colorado Air National Guard Commander)
Buckley Space Force Base, Aurora, Colorado, USA
U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Airman Yepez, January 23, 2023
Crow has represented Colorado's 6th congressional district since 2019.
He is a lawyer and a decorated veteran who served three combat tours of duty
in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the 82nd Airborne Division and 75th Ranger Regiment.
I'm really proud of my congressman,
even though he is sometimes overshadowed
by the questionable activities of others in Congress.
I was reminded when the western world commemorated the 80th Anniversary of D-Day.
D-Day means the day on which a military operation starts,
and there have been a great many throughout America's history.
But D-Day has become synonymous with the Allied invasion
of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944.
It was the largest seaborne invasion in history,
and it was supported with airborne operations.
Into the Jaws of Death
U.S. Troops wading through water and Nazi gunfire,” circa 1944-06-06.
Chief Photographer's Mate (CPHoM) Robert F. Sargent
Captain Frank Lewis Lillyman
A 101st Airborne Division trooper, the first to jump on D-Day.
He survived!
I will always have a soft spot for paratroopers,
because my first husband was a "Screaming Eagle" in the 101st Airborne Division.
He was paralyzed on his way to ship out to Vietnam.
Jason Crow is not a Screaming Eagle. He is an "All American."
But I won't hold that against him. Airborne is airborne.
Jason Crow ~ Ready to Jump
from an email he sent constituents on June 17th
Also: Jason Crow
My Congressman, Jason Crow, is a great Representative
who serves my 6th Congressional District with integrity and honor.
On June 7th he and a delegation of other veterans in Congress
jumped out of a WWII-era C-47 propeller plane to commemorate
those who made the same jump behind enemy lines 80 years ago on D-Day.
The others members of Congress who jumped with him:
Representatives Mike Waltz (R-FL-06), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI-03), Mark Green (R-TN-07), Keith Self (R-TX-03), Rich McCormick (R-GA-06), Ronny Jackson (R-TX-13), Cory Mills (R-FL-07), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX-02), and Darrell Issa (R-CA-48).
Video of the Jump
To me, Jason Crow is also a compassionate hero who proved it on January 6, 2021.
On that infamous day a mob of pro-Trump insurrectionists attacked
the U. S. Capitol Building in Washington, D. C.
in a futile attempt to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election.
Crow was sitting in the gallery of the House of Representatives
when the mob breached the Capitol security.
He drew on his Ranger training to help people barricaded in the House,
comforting them and instructing them in how put on gas masks.
Crow was prepared to fight his way out.
Full Account: RollingStone
An Iconic photo of Rep. Jason Crow comforting Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pennsylvania)
House of Representatives, January 6, 2021
Credit: TOM WILLIAMS/CQ ROLL CALL/AP source
You don't need to be a decorated veteran or to serve in Congress.
We all have the ability to develop characteristics like compassion, integrity, and honor.
For an inspiring book on character, I highly recommend
The Road to Character by David Brooks.
I'm linking to Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date, Tom's Aloha Friday, Gillena's Lunch Break. and Nicole's Friday Face Off.
For Rain: Bench ~ Moorea
Musicians on a Bench ~ Motu Fareone
Moorea, French Polynesia
October 22, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
For Tom: Aloha ~ Honor
Honor Guard
Waikiki, Honolulu, O'ahu, Hawai'i
March 13, 2016
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
For Gillena: Compassion ~ Haiku
For Nicole: Integrity ~ Canadian Hero Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope:
Terrance Stanley Fox (July 28, 1958 – June 28, 1981)
He was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist
who had a leg amputated due to cancer.
In 1980 he set off on an east-to-west run across Canada
to raise money and awareness for cancer research.
He was forced to stop on day 143 after running 3,339 miles/5,373 kilometers.
He was the youngest person to be named a Companion of the Order of Canada.
Cancer claimed him on June 28, 1981. Wikipedia
The Royal British Columbia Museum
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
September 30, 2017
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Terry Fox ~ Integrity
The Royal British Columbia Museum
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
September 30, 2017
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
My Sister, Donnie, by the Terry Fox Memorial
Donnie is one of the most giving, compassionate, and brave people I know,
and she, too, is dealing with cancer.
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
September 25, 2016
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
I'm sorry that I've been slow getting around.
I've been trying to set boundaries and get on top of my schedule.
I don't believe it's too late for an older dog to learn new tricks.
I Don't Believe it!
Have a great weekend!
Till next time ~
Fundy Blue
Standing Into Danger https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com
Copyright ©2024 – All rights reserved.
My next post will be
Friday, July 19th. 🤞
On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
The human bonds and true characters are what matter
ReplyDeleteYou said it, Roentare! Have a good weekend, my friend!
DeleteLike you I find it hard to watch the news. Very hard.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder that there are still people with compassion, integrity and honour.. All things to aspire to.
Thanks, Sue! I truly believe that there are far more good people in this world than bad ones. Enjoy your weekend!
DeleteInteresting that out of the bunch, he's the only Democrat. Most in the military are not.
ReplyDeleteI thought that was interesting too, Alex. The jump was organized by Reps. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) and Jason Crow (D-Colo.). Your comment made me curious, so I looked into it. Congress includes 80 veterans in the House and 17 in the Senate. 72 are Republican and 25 Democrats. 47 have served deployment in a combat zone.
Deletehttps://www.militarytimes.com/news/election-2022/2023/01/03/breaking-down-the-number-of-veterans-in-the-118th-congress/
One regret in my life is that I didn't serve in the military. When I graduated from high school, my parents were determined that I would go to university. There wasn't much opportunity for women in the Canadian Forces then. If I were growing up now, I'd have my heart set on the Air Force Academy and the Space Force. That why I chose the photo of Jason Crow at Buckley Space Force Base here in Aurora! Have a good weekend, my friend! I've been looking at all the IWSG Admin things that I can find. What a great group of people! Take care!
...our grandson is a medic with the101st Airborne. A Marathon of Hope is a wonderful thing in these troubled times. I LOVE that bench, I wish that I was there. Louise, I wish you a wonderful weekend, be well.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your grandson, Tom. Being a Screaming Eagle makes him a hero in my eyes! You must be so proud of him! Terry Fox is truly loved in Canada. He was an incredible human being. I LOVE that bench too! Going to Moorea was a lifetime dream come true for me. I'd return in a heartbeat! You stay will and enjoy the weekend with your Sweetie!
DeleteYes, integrity matters!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend, my friend! You're another amazing hero with all the good you put out into the world!
DeleteGreat post, Louise! We need more people of compassion, integrity and honour in this world, no doubt about it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debra! I loved writing this post and spent way too much time on it, but I can't help being me. Hugs to you, my friend!
DeleteGood afternoon, Louise. I am so glad you have a 'decent' member of congress representing your district of Colorado. He sounds like a stand-up guy. I myself don't watch the news much, as you are right, the journalists seem to only focus on the negatives of our world, opposed to the so many positives. The news can be depressing, and thus stressing that a blessing is missing! So sorry to your sweet-self that your sister is experiencing cancer problems, I feel for you and your family. My Grandfather, who is now sadly passed, was a soldier in WW2. Blessings to you. Love love, Andrew.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you, too, my friend! So many of your Grandfather's generation were called to serve and to sacrifice to preserve our freedoms. You must be proud of him! Thanks for your kind words about my sister. She is hanging in there. She is beyond inspiring! Much love to you, my friend! Have a good weekend. You sound like you are doing well! You've been fighting a tough battle, and I'm so proud of you for how you are doing! Hugs to you!
DeleteThis is the most thoughtful posts I have read in a long time. Looking for the good and finding it. Sharing Terry Fox and making me feel better. Thank you dear friend. Also thank you for joining FFO and have a very nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nicole! I'm glad that it made you feel better. I know you carry a great deal on your capable shoulders. Sending you lots of love!
DeleteThank you for the "good news" article, something that I agree is harder to find these days. But you can teach a dog new tricks, or at least, we old dogs can learn them! Aloha, Gail
ReplyDeleteAloha, Gail! Thanks for your kind and encouraging comment! This old dog is always trying to learn new tricks. Take care and have a lovely weekend!
DeleteHard to watch news -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is, Christine! Take care, and stay cool!
DeleteI does feel like sometimes it is hard to find good in this world. We are in scary times. :) It is so sad that Terry Fox lost his life so young, especially when he was trying to help. I hadn't heard of him so I enjoyed reading about him. And I like my representative in Congress, Chris Pappas, too. Most weeks I get email newsletters from his office asking for opinions and feedback. I like being a tiny point in the big process. Have a super weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Erika! It was nice to hear about Chris Pappas, to look him up, and to read about him. We hear so much about the people promoting themselves, and those quietly serving and working for the people in their districts are overshadowed. I do get emails from Crow's office and participate in feedback. I don't have a lot of control over what is happening in our country and the world, but I am that tiny point, like you. I'm glad you enjoyed reading about Terry Fox. His running halfway across Canada with one prosthetic leg was courageous and deeply inspiring to Canadians. He will not be forgotten! You have a super weekend too! Hugs to you!
DeleteThe good ones always get overshadowed on the news and social media by the bad ones because the bad ones get more views and clicks. Sadly, news is all about eyeballs and $$$$. Bad sells.
ReplyDeleteGood to know there are good ones though. From what the news would have you believe the while lot of them are crooked. Sometimes best to do your own digging and ignore the drama queens of news. As then you do find things aren't always as bleak.
You summed it up perfectly, Pat! Bad sells! It's a sad, sad day in America this morning, after the assassination attempt on Trump yesterday. I'm so grateful that he wasn't killed. No one should be killed like that. We must turn away from political violence. I'm focusing on the beautiful sunlit hummingbird I saw flitting around the low bushes outside our bedroom window this morning. My childhood "Tooth Fairy" still delights me. I hope that you have a great week, my friend!
DeleteThis is a wonderful post and I agree completely. I'm familiar with your congressman Crow and I agree on him too. We have Elissa Slotkin who was in the Army, I believe. She's fantastic. I'm hoping she wins her Senate bid.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeanie! I looked up Elissa Slotkin. Kudos to her for Serving in the Army. She sounds like an awesome rep. I hope she wins her Senate seat. This is a painful and sad day for Americans. Like me, you've likely been reliving some of the awful assassinations and attempted assignations during our lifetimes. I hope that we can pull together as a country. Wishing you a great week, my friend! ❤️
Deleteprecious friend Louise thanks for very informative post (to me) .
ReplyDeletei agree that politics is something that reflects negative side of the picture mostly and if there is some goodness it remains mostly behind the ugliness of bad people occupying it unfortunately .
i am glad you introduced an honest and compassionate politician who is genuine in his actins and not the diplomate . i liked learning about him a lot as "goodness" after God himself is only thing that inspires me most !
i also loved your three dedications to Friday face off and i strongly agree to each single !
i think a human being is incomplete without any of it as they are basic and essential traits of humanity which makes us different then other species .
i just found out about adhd explanation and i wonder if i had it as well until some years ago as i felt revolutionized after my long term meditation and stillness and focus is only thing which i feel within now by the grace of God ! i am sorry i did not knew you had such issue because your blog and writing style is really impressive captivating dear Louise ! you certainly are a fighter !hats off to you!!!
and salute to Donnie who is fighting against sever disease as well dear friend! she has beautiful compassionate heart which is home of God because God or nature whatever call it loves compassion and such hearts are always seat of everlasting peace ! may she recover soon by the grace of God!
lots and lots of love and best wishes for all you want to achieve in future !
our internet device is having issue which is making me late in visiting or posting, actually. I just posted when it worked for unknown while .
thinking of you !LOVE
Thank you for your loving and kind words about my sister, Donnie, Baili. She has had a tough go of it, but things are starting to go her way in that her doctors have slowly tricked her body into tolerating the cancer medication over the past year. We're all hopeful. 🤞 I'm sorry you're having internet issues. That has to be so frustrating. I'm having time issues ~ lol! What else is new? ~ lol! I am working on my time management though. Later today a very close friend of mine, like a sister, is meeting us for dinner with her husband. I haven't seen my friends in well over a year because they moved to Arizona during the Pandemic and they rarely come to Colorado. It's going to be so good to give her a big hug and talk, talk, talk. I'm glad that you enjoyed my post. It made me feel good just to write it. I have to concentrate on the goodness in the world, otherwise I will feel hopeless. And there is much good! Lots of love and hugs to you, my dear, close friend! Blessings on you and your family!
DeleteI agree that character is key. The news about the shooting is shocking. I wish I could say the news about Aileen Cannon's ruling is shocking, but no, it was to be expected :(
ReplyDeleteHi, D&S! The news was shocking, and I'm very grateful that Trump wasn't killed. I feel so sad about the death of the fireman Corey Comperatore and the two people injured. Like you, Cannon's ruling was no surprise, and the timing of her ruling was interesting. Have a great day!
Deletemany thanks for sharing about Donnie dear Louise that doctor has made her body to tolerate the cancer medicine ,this sounds pure grace of God ! may it work for her and may she live a healthy happy life for many decades with her loved ones ameeen!
ReplyDeletei really hope you will find to manage time specially for your writing which you seems more concerned most of the time . i can only share my heart that sometimes it is just the way we "feel " i think you have been doing tremendously good as personal blog writer .i have felt great attraction when i first read your posts about your stay on remote icy island where your father taught and your mother tried hard to survive .it was heart touching story which would inspire anyone instantly ! i am realizing how important it is for you to publish memoir and i am hundred percent sure you will soon inshallah! (hopefully) because you have that instinct which i can sense strongly within you ,you are passionate :) and you will do it my friend !
i am so happy you are meeting your old friend who is dear to you ,it is always soul refreshing experience for friends to reunite :)
as far as focusing on "good side" is concerned it is true that we are tiny creatures within huge endless design of the universe and since we have realized that in this universe everything is made up of two energies "positive" and "negative " including us we have no other option to keep trying to focus on goodness or good side so we can keep our inner strength gathered to face the negative side properly . no other option is available because the within this design or pattern there is no escape from such constant fight except last breath . this realization is liberating actually and make us clear about the actual reality .
much love to you too my amazingly wonderful and sweet friend! hugs!
Inshallah! Thank you for your understanding and encouragement, Baili. My memoir is constantly on my mind, and, of course, it is about the time we spent in the North in Lansdowne House. I am working on it in some way almost every day. The first thing I thought when I was at my mother's side when she took her last breath was, "Please, Mom, please breathe one more time! That was followed instantly by the thought, "She'll never have to wash another dirty dish." Her constant fight was over. The quick-witted palliative nurse immediately said a prayer for Mom and us, for which I was very grateful. You're in such a strange state when you see someone you love die: "in Extremis" (Latin) - "in the farthest reaches, at the point of death. All of us except the nurse were in the farthest reaches. My brother and I sat with our mother a long time after she died, and we had a profound gratitude for the peace she finally had. I try to stay in the positive rather than the negative, and I am not afraid about dying. I know I'll be in a better place. I hope this doesn't sound morbid. I don't mean it to be. When I think of this, I feel comfort and peace. And I know at some point, I'll never have to wash a damn dish again ~ lol! Hugs to you my dear friend!
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