FLY THE FLAG ON THE 4th!

[mike kennedy]

Tomorrow Reeves 7981 [aka The Red Tag Special] will steam up and be part of Gillette's 4th of July Parade. I'll post the allowable four pix...it would be nice if others did the same...there has to be more than one steamer parading down main street with Old Glory held on high. Perhaps over time every state in the union would be represented...post your pix of the colors...last year, this year, next year...God Bless America!

[Gene O. Carpenter]

Mike,
Can't meet your request for a Steamer, but can post the following e-mail from a friend. It will, I hope, suffice to show my support for this, the GREATEST OF COUNTRIES, GOD BLESS THE FIFTY UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!

Gene, an 8th or 9th Generation American, I think it's that many gen's! Getting confused in my old age!

Anyway click on the link and turn your sound up, I only wish that I was still able to hear the whole melody!

PS; Looks like GOD is still remembered in this school!!




Get a load of these high school kids singing. At the conclusion listen to the high notes on the trumpet, played by a high school kid! One of the fathers recorded it, added some graphic enhancements to the recording, and posted it on the web. The song, of course, is the " Battle Hymn Of The Republic." Be prepared - it could send a few shivers up your spine.



Click below:
http://www.greatdanepromilitary.com/...Hymn/index.htm

[Jeff Smith]

I am not steaming the engine this weekend, but I can post a picture with an engine and 'old glory'.

God bless America and thank you to those who have served!

Jeff Smith

[Terry Beasley]

I plan to get up early tomorrow and put up a flag pole. I moved a while back and this has to be the best day of the year to put the pole up and fly old glory.

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

My flag will be up tomorrow as well. As a matter of fact, it is lighted and always up.

Happy 4th of July to all of you and our foreign friends, have a good day as well!
Gary

[Alan Rudd]

My flag is always up also, year round. It's getting a little faded but I'm still proud of Ol' Glory.

We have a big cook out planned tomorrow followed by a big hay ride. We will have two tractors and two wagons full of people. We will ride over to watch the fireworks at Pointe West, a big upscale development about three miles from the ranch. They put on a show that rivals the municiple display.

Have a happy and safe 4th of July, and God bless America, and all who have served.

Alan

[Alan Rudd]

Sorry, I forgot to post the picture. My son Bill, took this photo of the flag at a local Chevy dealership then superemposed the Eagle on it.

Alan

[Francis]

On the Birthday of our Nation, as we strive to live through these trying times, we should all take a moment to recall the cost of our freedom for those who had the Courage of their convictions.

As Always, Proud of those who chose to Protect and Serve the freedoms of our great Country!



Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men
Who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors,
And tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army;
Another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or
Hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes,
And their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.
Eleven were merchants,
Nine were farmers and large plantation owners;
Men of means, well educated,
But they signed the Declaration of Independence
Knowing full well that the penalty would be death if
They were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and
Trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the
British Navy. He sold his home and properties to
Pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British
That he was forced to move his family almost constantly.
He served in the Congress without pay, and his family
Was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him,
And poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer,
Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that
The British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson
Home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General
George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed,
And Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed.
The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying.
Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill
Were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests
And caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his
Children vanished.
So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and
Silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.




It's time we get the word out that patriotism is NOT a sin,

and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer,
Picnics and baseball games.

[mike kennedy]

Here's some pix from the Gillette parade...first is a strategy meeting, next is whistle practice, then pretrip inspection and last Uncle Sam and friends. Anyone else with the colors flying??? Mike and Reeves7981 aka "THE RED TAG SPECIAL"