NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY

Today is National POW/MIA Recognition Day,a day to remember and reflect on the cost of freedom. We must never forget the untold sacrifices made by the valiant men and women of our Armed Forces who went to war and suffered cruel imprisonment by the enemies or still remain missing with their fates unknown. There are still over 83,000 members of our Armed Forces missing in action.

Let us take the time today to honor the valor of America’s POWs and MIAs and give continuing support to their families and loves ones.

Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office
http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/pow_day/

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The White House



Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release September 15, 2011
Presidential Proclamation -- National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2011
NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY, 2011

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

In every conflict in which our Nation has been involved, selfless American service members have sacrificed their lives for the sake of our country and its principles. Too many have never come home, or have endured unthinkable hardship as prisoners of war. On this day, we echo the creed inscribed on the black and white banners that fly in honor of America's Prisoners of War and Missing in Action, and we renew our promise to our heroes, that "You Are Not Forgotten."

We will never give up the search for those who are held as prisoners of war or have gone missing under our country's flag. We honor their sacrifice, and we must care for their families and pursue the fullest possible accounting for all missing members of our Armed Forces. Together, we must serve our Nation's patriots as well as they have served us by supporting them when they come home, and by carrying on the legacy of those who do not. This is a promise we keep for our fallen, for our veterans past and present, and for all those whose loved ones have not returned from the battlefield.

On September 16, 2011, the stark black and white banner symbolizing America's Missing in Action and Prisoners of War will be flown over the White House, the United States Capitol, the Departments of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, the Selective Service System Headquarters, the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, United States post offices, national cemeteries, and other locations across our country. We raise this flag as a solemn reminder of our obligation to always remember the sacrifices made to defend our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 16, 2011, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and I urge all Americans to observe this day of honor and remembrance with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

A VOTE FOR ROXBURY T.E.A.M. IS A VOTE FOR THE CHILDREN AND TAXPAYERS

Press Release:

Roxbury TEAM school board candidates set agenda

Taxpayer Education Association Members (T.E.A.M.)

Contact: Craig Heard for further information 973-219-4542

Craig Heard, Marcus Morreale and Linda Verge, the three candidates running for the Roxbury Board of Education under the Roxbury TEAM banner, are determined to bring needed change and most importantly, a fresh perspective to the board.

The central theme of Roxbury TEAM is to provide the best possible education at the most reasonable cost. An excellent public education system enhances property values and is a benefit to society. At the same time, it must be understood that resources, especially in a poor economy, are finite. Striking a balance between those two factors are key.

The TEAM candidates will do that.

First and foremost is a pledge to put children first by reallocating money to the classroom. Currently, only 49 percent of school district funds reach the classroom in Roxbury. In nearby Randolph, it's 55 percent. TEAM plans to start redirecting funds by increasing high school teaching periods from five to six a day to attain greater student achievement. (TEAM does not plan to increase the length of the school day, only the number of teaching periods) TEAM will also find savings by streamlining administrative positions, which includes the elimination of one of two assistant superintendent positions. And during this time of rising property taxes and high unemployment, TEAM proposes an across the board two-year wage freeze for district employees.

We will also look for savings through new technology. Some districts and businesses have reduced power costs substantially by switching to solar energy. We will actively solicit all available grants and work with all relevant groups, teachers, administrators, students and booster clubs to develop innovative ways to reduce expenses and to improve education. Shared services with both other districts and the municipality will be a priority.

TEAM supports such state and federal education reform efforts as merit pay for teachers, reviewing tenure and increased employee contributions to health and pension benefits.

With such cost-saving measures in place or on the way, TEAM is confident that it will be able to rescind "pay to play" fees for parents, which we find discriminatory and to restore middle school sports.

Transparency is paramount for any public board and for far too long; the Roxbury school board has failed that test. TEAM intends to change that. We propose putting all financial transactions including the budget, bills, contracts etc. on the district's web site, which mirrors a pending state law proposed by state Sen. Joe Pennacchio, R-Morris. We also will post details about curriculum, class size and a table of organization for district employees. Board committee meetings are now closed; we will open them. We will also look into putting school board meetings on cable television and we will do away with the current requirement that speakers "sign-in" and identify their topic before speaking at a board meeting.

On election day, April 27, 2011, you can find the TEAM candidates on the ballot positions at: 1-Marcus Morreale 3-Craig Heard 4-Linda Verge

The Roxbury TEAM Board of Education Candidates

Craig P. Heard has an extensive background in public service and education.


Heard is a former member of the Roxbury Board of Education and a past president (1997-1999). He also served seven years as a trustee of the County College of Morris and six years on the Board of Governors of Fairleigh Dickinson University, where he also has been a guest lecturer. Additionally, Heard served on the board of directors of Anna Marie College in Massachusetts and on the board of trustees of the Community Foundation of New Jersey.


Professionally, Heard is president/CEO of Gateway Outdoor Advertising in Hackettstown. Founded in Pittsburgh, in 1937, Gateway has offices in 13 cities in the US. Heard has a B.S. in accounting and a M.B.A. in finance and taxation, both from Fairleigh Dickinson University.


He has won numerous awards, including the Pinnacle Award from FDU for service to the community and the university, a citation from then New York Gov. Mario Cuomo for his support of anti-drug programs, a citation from the state PBA for his support of local police, and a certificate of appreciation from then U.S. Education Secretary William Bennett for his contributions to education. Heard also received an honorary membership for life by the PTA of New Jersey for both his and his wife's support of Roxbury school children. Heard, 64, and his wife have lived in Roxbury Township for 28 years. They have three children, all of whom graduated from Roxbury High School.

Linda Verge has been committed to community service for the last 25 years. A lifelong resident of the township, Verge, 43, is a graduate of Roxbury High School, County College of Morris and Upsala College in East Orange, from where she earned a B.S. degree in psychology.

Verge owns General Repairs and has been a substitute teacher in the Roxbury district for more than 10 years. Her ties to Roxbury schools are deep. Both her parents, Alice and Richard Frantz, worked in the district as a librarian and history teacher, respectively. Verge serves as Sunday school superintendent of her church, Mt. Fern United Methodist Church in Randolph. She also is a member of the Cornish Heritage Society and has served 22 years as a Morris County Republican Committeewoman.

Verge's family has lived in Roxbury for six generations. She and her husband have two children who attend Roxbury schools.

Marcus G. Morreale has the fiscal expertise to help oversee Roxbury Board of Education finances.

Morreale has been an entrepreneur for almost 20 years in commercial and industrial construction and engineering services. He is a Certified Public Accountant as well as a Certified Fraud Examiner. He holds a B.B.A. in business administration from Niagara University and an MBA from the University of Miami. He also has broad education experience, holding licenses as a Certified School Administrator and as a School Business Administrator.

Morreale is currently an adjunct professor at Berkeley College, Centenary College, and Warren County Community College. His combined background in finance and education makes him an ideal candidate.

Morreale, 48, has lived in the township for 25 years. He has two children who attended Roxbury schools.

VETERANS DAY: REMEMBER ALL WHO SERVED

“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation”.
~~~ George Washington, the First President of the United States of America

On Veterans Day, please remember to commemorate the remarkable men and women of America’s Armed Forces, for their patriotism, courage, and sacrifices and give support to our active military personnel valiantly serving to protect our country and preserve freedom in America and around the world.
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Restoring Veterans Day

Remembering America’s warriors is often an afterthought for many Americans.

It’s about time Nov. 11 is paid its proper respect.
November 04, 2010

Veterans Day, once a widely celebrated holiday, is increasingly forgotten by many Americans. One need only look at the poor turnouts at ceremonies on Nov. 11. With the percentage of citizens who have worn a uniform rapidly declining, appreciation for the sacrifices made by veterans is correspondingly diminishing.

To help counter this trend, VFW has long promoted Veterans Day as an opportunity to educate the public as to the meaning of this significant time each November. This task can best be accomplished by explaining the five “Ws.”

Who. As a nation, we remember all Americans who served on active duty in the armed forces. While those who died always remain prominent in our memories, they have a special time of mourning reserved for Memorial Day. Veterans Day is an opportunity to publicly commemorate the contributions of living veterans.

What. Collective as well as individual contributions to the nation’s defense is what we are remembering. The outcome of any given military campaign is irrelevant here—it’s the sacrifices made at the behest of the country that are important.

Where. Across the land, the grounds of virtually every state capital and county courthouse host monuments, memorials and plaques honoring those who served. They date back as far as the American Revolution and are as recent as Iraq. But paying homage to veterans need not necessarily be in a public place. Every private home also should serve this purpose when appropriate.

When. For some Americans, remembering veterans is a daily act. But as a nation, it is essential that we preserve the integrity of November 11 as that one extra-special day for the American people as a whole to pause in private or demonstrate recognition in public.
Why. Remembering gives true meaning to sacrifice and service. Millions of Americans’ lives were forever altered because they donned a uniform to protect the freedoms and rights we take for granted. We owe an eternal debt of gratitude to them. And acknowledging Veterans Day is the time that debt comes due. It’s our way of keeping faith with former defenders.

The 23.8 million veterans living today deserve the recognition. It is often forgotten that legislative battles were waged over this day and its earlier version called Armistice Day in 1926, 1938, 1954 and throughout the 1970s. Let’s not take its value for granted.

One final thought. This year is an especially poignant time to restore Veterans Day to its rightful place in society.

Though the war in Iraq is far from over, we reached a significant milestone with the end of offensive U.S. operations there. Put simply, the Americans in uniform did the job asked of them, and the 50,000 who remain behind will continue to do so.

Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan have fully joined the cavalcade of America’s veterans, VFW generations who span WWI to the present day.

Reprinted from the website of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

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The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release November 05, 2010 Presidential Proclamation

Veterans Day

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

On Veterans Day, we come together to pay tribute to the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. Americans across this land commemorate the patriots who have risked their lives to preserve the liberty of our Nation, the families who support them, and the heroes no longer with us. It is not our weapons or our technology that make us the most advanced military in the world; it is the unparalleled spirit, skill, and devotion of our troops. As we honor our veterans with ceremonies on this day, let our actions strengthen the bond between a Nation and her warriors.

In an unbroken line of valor stretching across more than two centuries, our veterans have charged into harm's way, sometimes making the ultimate sacrifice, to protect the freedoms that have blessed America. Whether Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard, they are our Nation's finest citizens, and they have shown the heights to which Americans can rise when asked and inspired to do so. Our courageous troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the globe have earned their place alongside previous generations of great Americans, serving selflessly, tour after tour, in conflicts spanning nearly a decade.

Long after leaving the uniform behind, many veterans continue to serve our country as public servants and mentors, parents and community leaders. They have added proud chapters to the story of America, not only on the battlefield, but also in communities from coast to coast. They have built and shaped our Nation, and it is our solemn promise to support our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen as they return to their homes and families.

America's sons and daughters have not watched over her shores or her citizens for public recognition, fanfare, or parades. They have preserved our way of life with unwavering patriotism and quiet courage, and ours is a debt of honor to care for them and their families. These obligations do not end after their time of service, and we must fulfill our sacred trust to care for our veterans after they retire their uniforms.

As a grateful Nation, we are humbled by the sacrifices rendered by our service members and their families out of the deepest sense of service and love of country. On Veterans Day,let us remember our solemn obligations to our veterans, and recommit to upholding the enduring principles that our country lives for, and that our fellow citizens have fought and died for.

With respect for and in recognition of the contributions our service men and women have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor our Nation's veterans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2010, as Veterans Day. I encourage all Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through appropriate public ceremonies and private prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I call on all Americans, including civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, and communities to support this day with commemorative expressions and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA

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Giving Thanks Through Service

Posted by Dr. Jill Biden on the White House Blog

November 10, 2010 at 06:00 PM EST

On the eve of Veteran’s Day, I wanted to write today with a simple message to our nation’s veterans: thank you. Over the past two years, I have joined with our First Lady to explore the issues faced by our service members and their families – while they are deployed and once they return home. In my work and travels, I am always inspired by the commitment of our military service members and truly grateful for al they do for our country. This Administration is working hard to care for our service members and veterans – making historic investments in health, family support, education, and economic opportunity for our veterans – but there is a role for every one of us in showing support.

The First Lady and I recently taped the following public service announcement together which I wanted to share:




On Veteran’s Day and every day, it’s our sacred duty to honor the service of those who sacrifice for our country – and we all can play a role. Through groups like MissionServe and opportunities at www.Serve.gov, Americans can find a way to help in their own communities. Please join me in this effort.

Thanks,
Jill

A BIRTHDAY WISH COME TRUE! CELEBRATING RINGO STARR'S "70th" BIRTHDAY AT NYC'S RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

I WAS ONE OF THOUSANDS OF LUCKY BEATLE FANS WHO LIVED A DREAM COME TRUE WHEN I SAW JOHN, PAUL, GEORGE, AND RINGO PERFORM LIVE AT SHEA STADIUM BACK IN '65 . NOW, 45 YEARS LATER, LUCK CAME MY WAY ONCE MORE WHEN MY DAUGHTERS AND HUSBAND SURPRISED ME ON MY BIRTHDAY WITH TICKETS FOR ALL OF US TO GO SEE RINGO'S "ALL STARR" BAND IN CONCERT AT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL ON JULY 7th. NOT ONLY DID WE SEE MY FAVORITE BEATLE, RINGO, PERFORM WITH SOME OF THE BEST ROCK STARS IN THE BUSINESS, WE REALIZED A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCE WHEN PAUL MCCARTNEY MADE A SURPRISE APPEARANCE AT EVENING'S END. THERE ARE NO WORDS TO ADEQUATELY DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED WHEN PAUL BOUNDED OUT ON THE STAGE, STRAPPED ON HIS TRUSTY HOFNER BASS GUITAR, AND STARTED SINGING THE WHITE ALBUM'S "BIRTHDAY" IN HONOR OF RINGO'S "70th" BIRTHDAY. IT WAS SHEER HYSTERIA AS PAUL SANG AND RINGO PLAYED ALONG ON HIS DRUMS AS IF THEY WERE STILL THE YOUNG LIVERPUDLIANS WHO TOOK THE WORLD BY STORM IN THE DAYS OF A BY-GONE ERA. TALK ABOUT BRINGING THE HOUSE DOWN! THE VIBRATIONS FROM THE CROWD'S DELIRIOUS SHRIEKS SHOOK THE HALL WITH SUCH INTENSITY, WE THOUGHT THE BUILDING WAS GOING TO COLLAPSE AROUND US! NO MATTER - WE WERE WATCHING HISTORY IN THE MAKING. HERE, TOGETHER ON STAGE, WERE PAUL MCCARTNEY AND RINGO STARR, THE TWO REMAINING BAND MEMBERS FROM THE LEGENDARY BEATLES PERFORMING "BIRTHDAY" LIVE - A FIRST SINCE THE SONG'S RECORDING. I WAS INSTANTLY TRANSPORTED BACK IN TIME AND COMPLETELY REVERTED INTO THAT 12 YEAR OLD GIRL ENGULFED IN THE WORLD OF "BEATLEMANIA" AT SHEA 45 YEARS AGO. I SCREAMED AND CRIED MY HEAD OFF ALONG WITH EVERYONE ELSE IN THE HALL - "WE LOVE YOU PAUL"! "WE LOVE YOU RINGO"! AND THEN THE SONG WAS OVER. PAUL AND RINGO EMBRACED, STOOD TOGETHER, AND LET THE LOVE WASH OVER THEM JUST AS THEY DID WHEN THEY WERE WITH THEIR MATES, JOHN AND GEORGE, "ALL THOSE YEARS AGO".

THE JOY AND POIGNANCY OF WITNESSING THE LAST MEMBERS OF THE "FAB FOUR" SHARE THIS BEAUTIFUL OCCASION WAS TRULY A MAGICAL, OUT-OF-BODY EXPERIENCE. IT WAS MADE THAT MUCH MORE SPECIAL BECAUSE IT WAS SHARED WITH MY DAUGHTERS, WHO, NOT SURPRISINGLY, ARE DIE-HARD BEATLES FANS. IT IS A MOMENT IN TIME NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN! IT MAY HAVE BEEN RINGO'S BIRTHDAY, BUT IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY WISH COME TRUE.

THANK YOU COURTNEY, KELLY, AND RALPH FOR GIVING THIS DEVOTED BEATLES FAN THE BEST GIFT I COULD HAVE EVER ASKED FOR! BEATLES 4 EVER - Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

http://www.examiner.com/beatles-in-national/ringo-starr-s-birthday-report-5-macca-surprised-ringo-and-sat-with-fans-more-pics-videos

OCT. 20 GO PURPLE FOR SPIRIT DAY: HELP STOP LGBT BULLYING

Share the love and go purple to honor the teens who have taken their own lives in recent weeks due to anti-LGBT bullying

http://www.glaad.org/

http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/home/index.html