Happy Fourth from the German Side!

The German in 4th of July

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Did you have a Von Steuben in your Life?

As you know in my newsletters I don’t always get my grammar right, misspell words, make incomplete sentences, and have links going to the wrong page or nowhere. I DO apologize, and thank all of you that write to correct me.

When I think of 4th of July, besides the rocket’s red glare et al, I think of the discipline it takes to achieve anything, even what I have done to date. I think about my German upbringing and the fireworks that sometimes ensued trying to get my naturally scattered mind and easy going personality to stick with it! I am frankly surprised I am still alive. Thank you to my folks and grandparents!

Someone recently said this quote,

"Every morning in Africa, a Gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a Lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest Gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn't matter whether you are a Lion or a Gazelle... when the sun comes up, you'd better be running."

That was the way with General Washington’s "slow gazelle" army in the early days of the revolution. The rag tag band of farmers with guns that had only shot animals needed someone to help them be an army. The answer came in an officer from one of the greatest armies in the world back then the respected and feared German(Prussian) army of Frederick the Great, his name was Von Steuben (Fredrich Wilhelm).

General Von Steuben used efficient systematic tactics to train General Washinton’s young army, teaching a few to properly soldier, be disciplined and set up an orderly camp using proper sanitation. When they were trained Von Steuben sent those out as officers to train more and so on. Soon the whole band was a functioning army that could be faster that the "British Lion" .

When you think of the country this day, give thanks for your German roots and the Von Steubens in your life that helped you run fast!

Happy 4th of July!!!!!!!

From the VENERABLE Fulton J. Sheen

“The treatise on Patriotism in the writings of the greatest philosopher of all times, St. Thomas Aquinas, is to be found under the subject of 'Piety'. This at first may strike as strange those who think of piety as pertaining only to love of God. But once it is remembered that love of neighbor is inseparable from love of God, it is seen that love of our fellow citizens is a form of piety. In these days when so many subversive activities are at work, a reminder of the necessity of loving our country is very much to the point.” ~Ven. Fulton J. Sheen

The Battle Hymn of the Republic - a reflection of what should be right in our country . . .

Sporting our patriotic tee shirts, we made sure we got to Mass this morning. We got there early in anticipation of there being a crowd. There wasn't, unfortunately. Our pastor's sermon reminded us that our Nation is based on Christian values and Christianity is what keeps our government and politicians in line . . . unless we, as Catholics/Christians fail in our duty. Our vote counts and who we vote for is a prediction of how the governing of the country will go. The last almost-four years have reflected that much to the detriment of most all things Christian. Even now, we are fighting laws that would take away our freedom of religion along with a lot of other bits and pieces of freedom that make us the Nation and people that we are. Among the hymns Father chose thise morning, The Battle Hymn of the Republic had a lot of reminders of what we have and who is ultimately in charge.

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His day is marching on.

I have read a fiery Gospel writ in burnished rows of steel;
"As ye deal with My condemners, so with you My grace shall deal";
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with His heel,
Since God is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Since God is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet;
Our God is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free;
While God is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! While God is marching on.

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave,
Our God is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.

Funny but true quotes . . .

"A painting in a museum hears more ridiculous opinions than anything else in the world."
-- Edmond de Goncourt

"Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday."
-- Don Marquis

"I believe in equality for everyone, except reporters and photographers."
-- Mahatma Gandhi