Old Heros Too Soon Forgotten

I received this from a good friend and thought it worth sharing. If you have a connection with or have ever served in the United States military, you will most likely know how this feels. For me, it doesn’t even matter if this story is exactly accurate or not…I’m sure those of us who have lived through Viet Nam and following military campaigns know the truth in a general sense how our society too often devalues the cost paid by others for our freedoms.

“THE OLD MAN”
Author Unknown

As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my cart of groceries towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood of his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the door open.

The old man was looking at the engine. I put my groceries away in my car and continued to watch the old gentleman from about twenty five feet away.

I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm, walking towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too, and took a few steps towards him. I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something.

The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade and then turning back to the old man I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying, ‘You shouldn’t even be allowed to drive a car at your age.’ And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.

I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief and mop his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine. He then went to his wife and spoke with her and appeared to tell her it would be okay. I had seen enough and approached the old man. He saw me coming and stood straight and as I got near him I said, ‘Looks like you’re having a problem.’

He smiled sheepishly and quietly nodded his head. I looked under the hood myself and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me. Looking around I saw a gas station up the road and told the old man that I would be right back. I drove to the station and went inside and saw three attendants working on cars. I approached one of them and related the problem the old man had with his car and offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and help him.

The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us, he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine) I spoke with the old gentleman.

When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a Marine too. I nodded and asked the usual question, ‘What outfit did you serve with?’

He had mentioned that he served with the first Marine Division at Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal. He had hit all the big ones and retired from the Corps after the war was over. As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me and I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card.

He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it and I stuck it in my pocket… We all shook hands all around again and I said my goodbye’s to his wife. I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station. Once at the station I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me.

One of them pulled out a card from his pocket looking exactly like the card the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then, that they were Marine Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me. I said I would and drove off.

For some reason I had gone about two blocks when I pulled over and took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long time. The name of the old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name……..

Congressional Medal of Honor Society

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed on a member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes him- or herself “conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his [or her] life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.” Because of the nature of its criteria, the medal is often awarded posthumously.

I sat there motionless looking at the card and reading it over and over. I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together, because one of us needed help. He was an old man all right, but it felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage and an honor to have been in his presence. Remember, OLD men like him gave you FREEDOM for America . Thanks to those who served…& those who supported them.

America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the Mall.. If you don’t stand behind our troops, PLEASE feel free to stand in front of them!

Remember , Freedom isn’t “Free” — thousands have paid the price so you can enjoy what you have today.

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Term Life Insurance For The Elderly…5 Things To Ask Before You Buy

Term life insurance for the elderly is really death insurance. When considering term life policies for seniors, be aware that they do not build equity as permanent policies do. With a policy for the elderly, what’s being paid for is simply a death benefit that can be paid to beneficiaries if the insured dies during the policy period. You are placing a bet with an insurance company that you will die before the term of the policy expires. Having said that, term life may be the best way for you to ensure that your kids won’t be stuck with paying funeral expenses and any other unresolved debts you leave when you die.

So, let’s take a look at five important things you must know before you invest in term life insurance.

Does the insurance plan offer renewals?
One of the key features to investigate when comparing term life insurance for seniors is whether they offer renewal options. When the insured period is up, and coverage is still desired, a whole new policy will need to be taken out.

Some term life insurance for elderly policies have a renewal option where it can be automatically renewed. Generally, answers to a new lifestyle questionnaire, and a raise in the premium will also be needed in order to renew. Additionally, when comparing policies, ask whether the premiums are fixed for the full term of whether they adjust. Many insurance policies for the elderly have premiums that adjust every few years, which can significantly affect the amount that will need to be paid.

Is a medical exam required?
We have discovered term life insurance policies, from top ranked companies, that provide face values equal to $400,000 without a doctor’s exam. Instead of a medical exam, they use your answers on your application to decide if you are insurable. Even so, you must tell the truth. If you do die during the period of coverage, and the insurer discovers that it was from some condition you didn’t reveal on your application, they likely will deny the death benefits.

It’s also very likely an insurance company will look at your Medical Information Bureau (MIB) records. If they detect a difference between the MIB report and the responses you submitted in your application, they may well refuse to issue you a policy, cancel an existing policy or refuse to pay your death benefits. Maybe even worse, when you try to apply with another insurance company, you’d have to reply with a “yes” if they ask you if you have ever been denied coverage before. That could prevent you from ever getting a life insurance policy so, tell the truth when completing the application.

Is there an accelerated death benefit?
Before you purchase make certain that an accelerated death benefit is in your policy. Accelerated options provide you with insurance benefits before you die. Benefits are paid to you, so you can cover any extra health cost you require, such as nursing home care. It’s so essential to include it in your life insurance because of unforeseen illnesses and their effects on your life.

An accelerated option can be started when you’ve been diagnosed with either a terminal, acute, or chronic illness. Diseases like cancer are considered terminal, and an acute illness example would be heart disease. Chronic diseases include diabetes and arthritis.

Reputable life insurance companies will provide accelerated death benefits on a policy. It is also vitally important to know how the payout will be started. Each company is different, a few will give you a lump sum payment, while others will give you monthly installments. A wonderful thing about these policies is that if you completely recover you will not have to repay any of the benefits paid to you. Also, if you die any money remaining will be paid to the beneficiaries from your life insurance.

Is there a disability waiver of premium?
Basically, the insurance company will give up future insurance premiums, while you keep policy benefits. The waiver of premium rider could be included in any life insurance policy you purchase. It says that if you become disabled while you have your policy…and you are disabled for a minimum of 6 months…the insurance company will continue your policy and you won’t have to pay any premiums for as long as your disability continues.

It doesn’t matter how long you’re disabled…no premium payments will be required. When you recover from your disability, if you ever do, then your payments start again. You’ll owe nothing in back payments to the insurance company. The cost of the waiver of premium rider is minimal.

What about accidental death benefits?
Adding an accidental death and dismemberment rider (A D & D) to a term life policy is a good way to get extra insurance protection.

Depending on the rider insurance coverage you take with your term life insurance policy, it might also cover loss of sight or the loss of one or more limbs. Of course, you’d have to double check your policy as each company and policy will likely be different. One very important point to keep in mind is that A D & D Riders do NOT cover death by any form of illegal or crime related activities.

The rider also doesn’t pay for death by suicide or death from “natural causes” such as stroke or heart attack. Accidental death implies that an unexpected circumstance caused death that is unrelated to the body. This is where the term life insurance policy becomes important. While the insured would not benefit from the rider, they would most certainly benefit from the term life insurance policy.

A D & D riders also cover dismemberment. In the case of the accidental loss of one arm or one leg only one half of the death benefit would be paid to the insured. In the event that the insured person suffered the loss of two or more limbs (combination of arms and legs), then that would result in the entire face value (death benefit) being paid to the insured. In this event, the A D & D Rider would be terminated or waived because the entire face value of the death benefit/term life insurance policy would have already been paid out. Most A D & D Riders also include the sudden loss of vision and the same payment terms apply.

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The Wooden Bowl…A Poignent Reminder

I just got this from a family member and thought you might like it too and I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now,
a year from now..

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson.
The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered

The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and
failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.
When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.
‘We must do something about father,’ said the son.
‘I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.’

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.
There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.
Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in Grandfather’s direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.
Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.
He asked the child sweetly, ‘What are you making?’ Just as sweetly, the boy responded,
‘Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.
‘ The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table.
For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason,
neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

On a positive note, I’ve learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things:
a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as making a ‘life..’

I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands.You nee d to be able to throw something back sometimes.

I’ve learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you
But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others,
your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you

I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.

I’ve learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.

People love that human touch — holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back..

I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.

I’ve learned that you should pass this on to everyone you care about .I just did.

FRIENDSHIP CANDLE

NOTICE AT THE END,
THE DATE THE CANDLE WAS STARTED.
GONNA GIVE YOU GOOSE BUMPS.

I am not going to be the one who lets it die. I found it believable –
angels have walked beside me all my life–and they still do

*********************

This is to all of you who
mean something to me,
I pray for your happiness.
The Candle Of Love, Hope & Friendship

This candle was lit on the
15th of September, 1998

Someone who loves you has helped
keep it alive by sending it to you.

Don’t let The Candle of Love, Hope and Friendship die

Pass It On To All Of Your Friends
and Everyone You Love!
May God richly bless you!

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Happy Birthday America - 233 Years Young

I tried to think of something particularly pointed to say about America on her 233rd birthday but decided that Michelle Malkin beat me to it.

Michelle Malkin says: “How are you celebrating America’s 233 years of freedom? Do this first: Thank all our troops on the front lines and all our veterans who have served and sacrificed for that freedom.”

Here’s a YouTube video that you might enjoy on this July 4th Independence Day number 233.

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Found! - 26th Copy of the American Declaration of Independence

I was catching up on the news this morning and learned that another copy of the Declaration of Independence has been found in the British National Archives. I can almost feel the excitement the finder must have felt to come upon such a historic document.

What manner of miracle is this that the finding of this wonderful document is announced only two days before America celebrates her 233rd birthday.

An unidentified researcher was doing unrelated research when the document was discovered in some late 18th century files in the British National Archives.  While it seems unlikely this particular document will ever be sold, the last print found was auctioned off in 2000 for a cool $8.14 million dollars.

These documents are known as Dunlap Broadsides and named after the Philadelphia printer John Dunlap who was commissioned to print them. A broadside for this purpose is basically a large sheet of paper much like what we call a poster today. Many of these broadsides, reflecting a rush to get them distributed, have imperfections such as reversed watermarks, misplaced punctuations and dark creases that look like the posters were folded before the ink dried.

Archive spokeswoman Katrina McClintok said the document was found months ago but the find had not been announced until it had been “extracted and catalogued”.

Here’s a picture in case you’ve never seen one.

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