“Freedom”
My friends if you ever wondered what freedom means just go by a local cemetery or military cemetery. Look at the graves that gave the colonies freedom from Great Britain. Look at those graves that protected her against Great Britain in the War of 1812. Those graves that were the resting places of those defenders of the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas of 1836. The graves of the troops lost in the U.S.-Mexican War of 1846-1848. Then the horrendous total of graves that came from the American Civil War between 1861-1865 which totaled over 700,000. There were places such as Bull Run, Shiloh, The Wilderness, Gettysburg, Sharpsburg, Chickamauga, Petersburg, The March to the Sea, just to name a few that people still remember and discuss to this day. Then there were the soldiers who died taming the West in the 1870’s with losses such as Custer’s Last Stand at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Then the Spanish American War of 1898 that started with the
sinking of the Battleship Maine in Havana Harbor, Cuba. Then the Philippine war of 1899-1900. A war began in Europe in 1914 that would begin costing the lives of Americans in ships going to Europe by the sinking of them by the German U-Boats. The United States entered the Great War in April 1917 until it ended in 1918. This was the World War One that took so many lives in the trenches of France. Then only a few short years later we entered another even bigger war that was global that began in 1939 by the crazed dreams of a madman named Adlof Hitler. We entered the war after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. This war was a horrible war that lasted until 1945 with the dropping of the Atomic Bombs to end the war that was called World War Two. We fought in North Africa, Italy, from Normandy to Berlin, Germany. We fought from islands in the Pacific known as the Philippines where we were defeated at Bataan, Corregidor, and then
the Bataan death march that claimed thousands of men. We fought at places like Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and many others.
Then with the dawning of the Atomic Age we then went into what would be known as a Cold War that lasted till the Soviet Union broke up. But in between there were hot spots like the Korean War in the early 1950’s, Vietnam which was from the early sixties to we left Saigon in 1975. A long black wall in Washington bares the names of the over 58,000 who died there. Then we were involved with the war with the rebels in Nicaragua and El Salvador, and the Cubans in Grenada. There was also the Marine Barracks suicide truck bomb in Beirut, Lebannon. We then went to the Middle East to fight Saddam Hussein of Iraq who had invaded Kuwait in 1991 and we drove him back into his country. Then, our fighting men and women went to the Balkans to support the war in Kosovo. Suicide bombers killed several on the U.S.S. Cole in the Middle East. We were attacked by a power seeking monster on our own homeland in New York on September 11, 2001 by the suicide terrorists of
Osama Bin Laden. This launched us into the War on Terror which continues to this day. We have fought in Iraq to see the downfall of Saddam Hussein, we are fighting in Afghanistan, we sent a team into Pakistan to kill Osama Bin Laden, but more trouble is brewing with a new group known as ISIS. The entire Middle East region continues to be a powder keg.
This is from the Bible of wars and rumors of wars that will come. But this is also how we have kept our freedom. Freedom is not bought freely it is through the blood of the many thousands over the years who gave their lives so that America would be free. So, remember those graves on the hill over looking the beaches of Normandy, France; the graves all across the Pacific, and those graves here in the United States in places like Arlington Cemetery, Andersonville National Cemetery, Marietta National Cemetery and many more. Stand for a few moments today and give honor to those who have fallen to give you this right. We are the United States of America. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with Liberty and Justice for all.” My Country ‘Tis of Thee Sweet land of liberty of thee I sing, Land where my Father died, Home of the Pilgrims Pride, From
every mountainside let Freedom Ring.
Have a safe and blessed Memorial Day.
Pastor Dr. Mike Moon, 1st Lt. USAFSC Honorably Discharged.
I find it really hard to understand why people picked to be on the ZAB and the DDA by the current City Council would want to protest the very people they represent. It is a misnomer for them to even contemplate such an action while trying to be a part of the city government per se. There is a dual problem here. One the city council needs to handle their business accordingly. And two those who are representatives of the city on various boards need to find a way to communicate with those that chose them without going out in front of the City Hall looking like you are in Missouri. The leader of this rabble complains that there is too much media attention and now he rouses this event up in hopes of gathering media attention not for the right reasons though. He plans on running for city council and wants to try and drum up a base to have him elected. I personally would not be able to vote for this type of person because they are just enhancing their
own agenda. If you are in league with this person it might be wise to distance yourself from him because all he will bring you is trouble and more angst in the city.
Chris Goodman
Stockbridge, Georgia
Protesting in Stockbridge really doesn’t help anything because the message is tied to the run for office by a self appointed mouthpiece.
Donald
I believe it is totally unacceptable for a person to attack the city and try to call it a rally for jobs. He is just looking for a way to promote his agenda to run for office. It is a cheap way to do it on the backs of others.
Maurice James
Above all we need more jobs in the city. With that said we don’t need protests to bring more negative publicity in the press about Stockbridge. No one asked Alexander to be our public relations person.
Monica Morales
This protest/rally is another black eye on the City of Stockbridge by one that is supposed to support the City according to his past posts.
Margaret Juanita Emerson
I drove by the City Hall in Stockbridge and there were only 8 people at the protest rally. Looks like this petty little man’s influence only goes to a very few.
Alicia Thomas
The protest didn’t effect anything inside the building. 6 or 7 people can’t make much of an impression. Then there was what was happening inside the building with some drama included with former councilwoman Gilbert being ejected from the room by the Mayor for her continued growling. Then the proceedings continued until past 1:00am when the council decided to stop tonight and plan more discussion at another date to make a decision. Ms. Buschman called J.T. Williams and Houston Nelson of the DDA to be her witnesses. The lawyer bringing the charge told them at the end that the point was not what the DDA people had to say it is that Ms. Buschman broke the charter. She violated her oath of office and more.
Lindsey McKay
Ellenwood, Georgia
This protest at City Hall Sucked!!!
Josie Slick
R. G. Rudy Kelley
July 26, 1934 - May 3, 2015
R. G. Rudy Kelley, age 80, of Stockbridge, GA died Sunday, May 3, 2015. He was born in Kelleytown, GA to the late Clifton Cloud and Raleigh Vee Crumbley Kelley. Rudy was Presbyterian, a Veteran of the United States Army, Owner / Operator of Southside Tire Company. He served as Mayor of Stockbridge for 31 years. While serving as Mayor, he was a member of Atlanta Regional Commission. He was owner of Wireless ETC. Rudy’s favorite past time was a round of golf. He was a member of the Eagles Landing Country Club. He was a loving husband, father,and,grandfather.
Mr. Kelley is survived by his wife of 59 years Mary Jo Kelley; children, Rudy (Natalie) Kelley, Jr., Kim Kelley, Kristy (Chris) Harris; siblings, Billy Kelley
Mary Ann Brisendine; grandchildren, Anna and Lauren Harris; and Kassie Bella his four legged daughter.
Funeral Services will be held at 3:00pm on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at First United Methodist Church of Stockbridge. Interment will follow at Kelley Presbyterian Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday, May 5, 2015 from 1:00 - 3:00pm and 6:00 - 8:00pm at the Funeral Home.
I will truly miss Rudy (Mayor Kelley) as he was a long and good steward of the City of Stockbridge. I knew him before he ever became Mayor of the city. His family being from Kelleytown and his brothers and his sister knew my family as we lived in McDonough. My uncle grew up with them. He was the late Sam McCullough, Jr. or “Little Sam” as he was known. His parents Sam and Myrtice McCullough are buried at the Kelley Presbyterian Church on Airline Road. I remember Rudy having his tire store underneath the old Moseley Furniture Store Shopping Center on North Henry. Then, he built Southside Tire on the property next door. He saw a lot of changes come to Stockbridge during his tenure. The hwy through town was four laned and a bridge built over the railroad. He began in the old city hall on North Berry Street that was torn down to build the Ted Strickland Community Building. He was mayor in the City Hall at the corner of S. Lee Street and N. Henry Blvd. Then the new city hall is named for him. Rudy did a lot for people over the years to help them and those who know this do remember it. I know my late father was a friend to Rudy and knew that Rudy was a good man and tried his best to do what was right for everyone in business and city hall. I saw Rudy at the funeral of former Councilman G.W. “Jr.” Evans and then at the dedication of his painting at city hall recently. Lord I know that Rudy was always there when needed. I remember him shaking my hand when I shared that big award that time. He said that I put the county and city on the map. I told him he was being too gracious. I remember seeing Rudy and Miss Mary Jo a while back at the Walgreens Drugstore and he never failed to speak and have a few words with me. Time is passing quickly my friends and so many of those that I have known over the past 45 years are passing along quickly now and we are getting to the time when we will be stepping over to the other side. Some of us sooner than others but the time is getting near. I want to say to the family that I respected Rudy and I want them to know that the Lord is there for them at this time because it is a time of reflection and memories. May God Bless You All.
Pastor Dr. Mike and Linda Moon
“A Day of Southern Remembrance 2015”
April 26th was set aside years ago as Confederate Memorial Day. The day that Southerners who had relatives in the War Between the States could remember their lost loved ones. Many graves dot the countryside and battlefields from Pennsylvania to the south and west. Graves would also dot the P.O.W. camps near Chicago and Point Lookout. The South lost nearly 300,000 men to battle and disease during the war. The State of Georgia lost 18,253 dead.
Today we descendants of those who died in the war appreciate the chance to remember them in a correct fashion. The US Government began recognizing the Confederate dead as full American Soldiers in 1958 by act of Congress and signed by President Eisenhower. Think about the Confederate dead right here in Henry County, Georgia. Over 1,000 graves dot the landscape in Church cemeteries, private cemeteries and city cemeteries.
Governor Nathan Deal on January 5, 2015 signed a Proclamation declaring April as Confederate History Month and April 26th as Confederate Memorial Day. State Offices will observe the Day by closing on April 27, 2015.
Please take time to say a prayer for those men who fought on the Southern side in the War of wars. Here is a prayer: “Father in Heaven, I come to thee at this time to remember those who fought in the long ago Civil War who died for various reasons. Father, I pray for those who died on both the North and the South in a war that many of those who fought went to fight to save their homes. Lord, may they be friends today in Your presence in eternal glory on high. I ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.”
Pastor Dr. Mike Moon
Senior Researcher for the Cemetery Research Group and B&M Civil War Research Group
Here’s another tidbit on what to remember when running for political office. The main thing that the people of a city or county want to hear is about what is a candidate’s ideas on the essential services of everyday life. They want to know about plans for police, fire, water, sewerage, garbage, and the like. They want to make sure that the candidate has these basic needs in hand. Amenities always come second to essential services. It is something that I have always taught my children that you don’t have all the nice extras until the essential bills are paid and food is in the house. The same principle works in the real world. People worry about paying the rent, mortgage, electric bills, gas bills, water bills, and taxes. And they worry about making sure their family is fed and safe.
These citizens all have one thing in common they are seeking life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. If the candidate only discusses amenities and pushes for pie in the sky then they don’t have life in their interests for the people. Then, they can’t push for things that will take years to build and expect personal liberty to not be effected. And everyone wants to be happy and the candidate cannot make everyone happy. As citizens who wish to become our policy makers they soon find out that the job is filled with pit falls and people who will take them down by watching their every move while in office. That is the right of the citizen to watch those who they elect to make sure they are doing what is best for the citizens and not placing themselves on a pedestal for their ego.
All candidates must remember that We the People are the government of this nation and of these communities. No one wants to be dictated to and the citizens will not put up with it. If they see themselves as some present from the great beyond to fix all problems and know all about everything involved then you have a pompous person who will only be there for self.
No one expects a candidate to be perfect. We are not perfect and we make mistakes in who we often elect because they wear one face and then the real person comes out after they are elected. People want to see truth and honesty for a change in politics and it can only be found by those sitting in those seats find in their hearts that they do make mistakes and show some honesty then the people will feel different and want to get out and vote and stop the voter apathy.
Over the years I have watched many people come and go in elected office in our community and have watched the mistakes they have made over and over again. There is a time and place for everything and if a person running for office cannot stop and talk with a constituent for a few minutes and listen to their problem without brandishing them then they do not need to seek a public office.
Politics can be an ugly thing and in our county over the years that has been the case on many occasion. But the key thing a candidate must remember is that they work for the people and not for their personal gratification. So, remember some of these few little tidbits about being a candidate for political office and look into yourselves if you are the person attempting to gain a political seat and see if you have the qualities that make a statesman a lady or gentleman and can have a thick skin in the process.
Dr. Mike Moon.
Please post this Mr. Britt. I am Ryan Lester of Stockbridge and I currently live in an apartment and I am hoping to one day get my own home in Henry County. But I read something on a local blog that disturbed me greatly. With my finances and job as they are I can only afford a small home with a small lot. This person is talking about property values climbing, wanting larger homes built and he is speaking in a demanding demeanor. His arrogance about the homes saying they would become rental property for investors. He seems to be a snobbish person who wants nothing, but the ultra elite in this county and its cities. If there is not going to be homes that poorer families can buy and elderly couples can retire to then they should look for another county to move to where they will be appreciated. But the gall of this persons language toward the Quality Growth Council shows the intent of this arrogant person toward the poorer and less fortunate section
of our communities. My wife asked who this person is and I said I don’t know.
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Easter Story
Last year April on a Sunday we
took one of our "nowhere" drives. My husband
was quietly driving a back road. I was occupied
in the front passenger seat watching the scenery.
I noticed out of the corner of
my eye that my husband was straining to look out my
window. This startled me, since his eyes should have
been on the road in front of him. I asked him
what he was looking at out the windows, and he quietly
replied, "Nothing." His eyes went back to
the road in front of him. After a few minutes, I looked
over at my husband and noticed a tear. I asked
him what was wrong. This time he told me,
"I was just thinking about Pop and a story he had
once told me" Of course, because it
had to do with his Pop I wanted to know the story, so
I asked him to share it with me. He said, "When I
was about 8 years old, Pop and I were out fishing and
that's when he told me that the Pine trees know
when it is Easter.." I had no idea what he
meant by that, so I pressed him for more information.
He continued on... "The Pine trees start their
new growth in the weeks before Easter -- if you look
at the tops of the Pine trees two weeks before, you
will see the yellow shoots. As the days get
closer to Easter Sunday, the tallest shoot will branch
off and form a cross. By the time Easter Sunday
comes around, you will see that most of the Pine trees
will have small yellow crosses on all of the tallest
shoots."
I turned to look out the window and I couldn't
believe my eyes. It was a week before Easter,
and you could see all of the trees with the tall
yellow shoots stretching to Heaven. The tallest ones
shone in the sunlight like rows of tiny golden
crosses. MAY
GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU WATCH FOR THE CROSS
The Blog Staff.
