"O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand, Between their loved homes and the war's desolation"

“This is about equality,” Rodgers said. “This is about unity and love and growing together as a society, and starting a conversation around something that may be a little bit uncomfortable for people. But we’ve got to come together and talk about these things and grow as a community, as a connected group of individuals in our society, and we’re going to continue to show love and unity.”

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/09/aaron-rodgers-packers-national-anthem-kneeling-instagram-cameramen-message-unity-hypocrisy

As a general rule, exceptions noted, Professional Football players are somewhat uneducated when it comes to the National Anthem and its purposes. Aaron Rodgers’ statement in coupled with his invitation that we "link arms" during the National Anthem is an example of that unfortunate fact.

While the citizens of this country should be united in some things, we will never completely agree. We should be willing to listen to one another. We ought to be tolerant of those who have different beliefs. The Constitution of the United States of America honors those principles. However, the singing of the National Anthem and the Presentation of colors is not a time for making such points.

In 2004 ABC News reported that a Harris Interactive Survey found that 61% of the Americans Surveyed did not know the words to even the first verse of our National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner” http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/WaterCooler/story?id=124484, yet we continue to insist that it be played, as ritualistic commencement of virtually every sporting event. Perhaps we should stop the charade, for that is what it has become. All you have to do is scan the faces of those who wait patiently for the Anthem to end and the games to begin.

I would like to think that if we all knew the words to “The Star Spangled Banner" we would understand that this is sacred piece of music is a memorial in honor those who fought valiantly to give and preserve the freedoms we enjoy. I am convinced that if we knew this, no player would kneel, no quarterback would call for locking arms and no ESPN commentator would spend so much time talking about the President’s comments which encourage reverencing the National Anthem and the presentation of colors as being “divisive.” The words of this inspired piece of music convey the thoughts we ought to have as we sing vocally and in our hearts:

O say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner, O long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country, should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation.
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.'
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave

(emphasis mine). Those who understand the history of the Star Spangled Banner realize that the words to this hymn were written as a poem during the war of 1812 by an attorney, Francis Scott Key, who was temporarily imprisoned on a British Ship watching the bombarding of Fort McHenry and watched anxiously as the British assailed the fort as part of its attack against Baltimore. One can only imagine the concern that he had as soldiers defending the fort desperately fought to thwart the bombardments by a powerful English Navy. Grateful to see the Flag of the United States of America still flying at “dawn’s early light”, Key penned his feelings, which were later set to music and are now that are oft performed by individual soloists at athletic competitions while spectators take a moment to reverence and, in their hearts and minds, thank those who gave all so that we could have so much.

Aaron Rodgers’ expressed concern is about "unity." Certainly many have written about divisiveness. I am not sure those who claim that we are more "divisive" as a country today than ever before even know what that word means and they are certainly not scholars of the great debates of our ancestors in this land. One thing is clear: We have always had debate. We have always allowed people to dispute and discuss. In those debates, some have offended and some have been offended.

In battle, however, our warriors generally don’t worry about those debates. We ask them to storm the beaches of Normandy despite unfavorable odds, they do so. We ask them to sneak behind enemy lines, risking capture, torture and death, they go. We ask them to fly missions from which return is unlikely they fly, often praying that their efforts will protect the lands and people they cherish some of whom protest against their actions.

One time that we are asked show unity in gratitude for these brave patriots is in our during the singing of the National Anthem. The hiring of well-paid singers to "perform" the National Anthem has, perhaps, made us believe that only those who are well trained musicians are the only ones who are worthy of expressing this gratitude. I find that a shame. Perhaps that is why NFL players, rather than standing at attention out of respect for true warriors, are kneeling or locking arms to further their own agendas, worthy or not.

The NFL should re-evaluate its position on the National Anthem. Let your players and owners speak and protest as they want but, as far as the National Anthem goes, either choose to use it as it was intended---as a remembrance of the brave who defended us and our freedoms, or find some other way to start sporting events where, quite frankly, there is very little love or unity shown. As I see it, all the NFL is doing is desecrating the graves and the memories of our injured and fallen heroes and their families.

Birthday Freebies!!! AWESOME to lame

FREE STUFF ON MY BIRTHDAY!!!!

LOVE IT!!! TO LAME :-/

At Baskin Robbins with Laurie getting my free Birthday Cone!

Yesterday was my Birthday.  For all of those who missed it, I am still registered at Home Depot and Lowe’s.

          A Birthday is a wonderful day to celebrate by doing good things and giving of yourself to others.  I could have done that, but I didn’t.  Maybe next year.  Now, those of you who are judging, admit it---there is at least a part of that special day that you enjoyed being honored and, well, a little selfishly pampered.  So don’t judge me too harshly.  (Actually when it comes down to it, our birthdays really ought to be celebrated as our Mother’s special days, but that is a subject for another post).  As a note, this is not about my family or friends whose honor for me on my birthday is always a treat and for which I am always grateful.  NOTHING that any business can do can compare with the love shown to me by my family and friends.  I hope that they know how grateful I am for the and how much it means to me that they care to simply wish me a happy birthday.  No, this post is simply about those business with which I have some sort of relationship.

          Yesterday, I decided that I would reap the benefits from those commercial enterprises which I “faithfully” support for twelve months just to stay on their good sides.  And there were some good ones.  After dropping my friend, Rob at the airport, I had some time to kill before I had to get to work.  I pulled into a Denny’s parking lot (I had nothing from Denny’s--) and did a search in my gmail inbox under “Birthday”.  After relegating to the spam folder those who were celebrating THEIR birthdays I looked down the list of those whose subject lines started with something like “we want to celebrate your birthday”.  The first one that I found was a hit!  Jamba Juice!!!  A free small smoothie or juice of my choice!

At Jamba Juice with Helpful, friendly staff!!!

Jamba Juice is an example of how I think an enterprise can really tell you how they love you as a customer.  No BOGO free. No “if you buy an entrée for $40.00 we’llgive you a free sprinkle on your cupcake.”   Just a free “Come in and get a free smoothie or juice (limitation on the size)” of your choice. HOW COOL IS THAT!!! So I did.  I had to drive 2.5 miles to do it, but it was worth it.  

I got to the Jamba Juice at 4^th South in Salt Lake City with about 15 minutes to get to work and found it nearly empty with one customer.  I walked up to the cash register and was greeted by a friendly little clerk.  Since it was my intention to not spend my money today, I wanted to ensure that I could use my coupon on my special day. After she confirmed that and I punched my phone number into the key pad, she asked me what I wanted.  I said, “You choose!” (It was the least I could do since she was giving me a free smoothie.  I think it had strawberries in it. I know there was sugar.  Another worker made my Jamba Juice smoothie and then I asked for one more favor, “Would you mind posing with me for a selfie”.  The girl who made the smoothie quickly responded, “I’m good” (which I long ago learned translates to “NO WAY!”).  I certainly can forgive her…I mean she probably already has a grandfather and doesn’t need to adopt another one.  This put the cashier on the spot and she, forced smile included, obliged.  Jamba Juice rocks!  

After getting to work, I culled through the other offers.  Among the free stuff, no strings attached with maybe limitations to size, are Baskin Robbins (free scoop of ice cream) Jersey Mikes free sub and fountain drink (although I think you actually have to get it on your birthday – some offers are good for two weeks to a month), Dukes, El Pollo Loco (defined free entrée), IHOP (free Rooty Tooty Fresh N Fruity stack of pancakes), Yogurtland ( free 16 oz of free FROYO) and Red Robin (free hamburger).  These businesses LOVE ME!!  At least that is what they are telling me when they give me free stuff, no strings attached. Oh, I almost forgot, the West Jordan Smith's Marketplace on 5600 West last year gave me a HUGE free Sundae, a Band accompanying their entire department head staff in singing me happy birthday and DID take a selfie with me. I wanted to go back, but my schedule was too tight!  (I think they were surprised when a 60 year old, not a 6 year old, showed up to take them up on their offer for the free sundae, but a 6 year old could not have tackled that massive Sundae---they still have not put an age limit on their free sundae offering).

Next in line for those who really appreciate my business – BOGO free.  Falling into this category are Rodizio Grill (yours is free when you buy an entrée), Golden Corral (BOGO free), and Cold Stone Creamery ( BOGO free).  Provided these opportunities don’t run out before I get to them, I’ll use them. And they have guaranteed at least one visit from me this next year.

In the, “somewhat appreciate me” category are the “discount or dessert” category.  Those include Magleby’s (entrée choice up to $10.00---I am pretty sure most of their menu is over $10.00 unless I just order fries), Café Rio ($5.00 – again, most of their entrees are around $7.99 if you order the special), Olive Garden (free dessert), Salty’s restaurant (free dessert), Regal Cinema’s (free popcorn-no strings attached but, come on, I’m not going to the theatre just to buy popcorn equivalent to what I can pop in my microwave), Costa Vida (free dessert), Chili’s (free dessert).  These are businesses that I wonder if they really love my business.  I mean, after all, there are strings attached. They’re saying thank you with a dessert I probably wouldn’t order or a discount, sometimes deep, that is really a way of saying “Hey, you ought to buy more from us on your Birthday.” It’s my birthday, not yours.

I am the first one to admit that you cannot run a business on just giving away free stuff (unless you are google).  I know, I’ve tried it.  But, it just seems to me that a free meal to a customer, no strings attached is a great way to ensure their patronage.  Hey, it’s all about the customer, right?

But, in the COMPLETELY LAME category are these businesses.  1-800- flowers I think tops the list. Free shipping on flowers.  Now why would I celebrate by buying myself flower on my special day?  I’m not even sure I LIKE getting flowers (I rarely get them).  How is that a celebration?  Or, how about Hertz and Sixt.  Hertz said I could get 275 gold points on my next rental and Sixt offered me a $20.00 deal on a one day SUV rental.  Really?  I have to expend brain power to decide if the Hertz deal is worth anything and the SUV rental—No thanks!!  Admittedly, I am not in their top tier of customers, but why even bother with it.  Plenti – Rite Aid – 25% off of a purchase.  Like I am buying cough drops to live it up on my birthday?  Oh, and Lyft, keep your video to yourself.  It wasn’t that cute.

But to the businesses who offer “free stuff” under the guise of wishing you a happy birthday:  Make it worth something to the consumer.  You will never be as cherished and loved by me as my family and friends.  But, you might get my loyalty.  At least until my next birthday.  That’s gotta be worth something, doesn’t it?

At least, that’s the way I see it.

CLASS RING FOUND - AFTER NEARLY 40 YEARS!!

At 9:58 pm PDT on  Friday 8 May 2015, I received an email from a complete stranger with the following notation in the subject line:

"Class Ring found"

I graduated from Bonneville High School in 1974. With friends and experiences, both good and bad, that I would remember forever, I was grateful for my high school experience.  Like many High School students, I symbolized my experience as a Laker by purchasing a class ring and had my initials "RVG" graven on the inside of the ring.

Starting with the day that I purchased my ring, I wore it faithfully, taking it off only to wash my hands or do something that I thought might damage the ring. Even when I was called by a Prophet of God to leave my home in Ogden, Utah to serve a 2 year mission in September 1975, my school heritage, my school ring, went with me as I served in the California Oakland Mission.

It was in my second area of Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda that I lost my class ring.  I remembered that I had just come out of a public restroom in Lafayette and was getting on my bicycle when I noticed that I was not wearing my class ring.  Thinking that I had taken it off to wash my hands, I ran back into the restroom, searched all over but was unable to find it.  I was sick.  This was the only thing that I felt I had that tied me to my experience as a Bonneville Laker.  

A missionary, however, does not have a lot of discretionary time to focus on something as trivial and temporal as a class ring.  While I enjoyed reminiscing from time to time about my pre-mission heritage, I found greater joy in serving my God and serving others.  Soon the reality of the loss of the ring turned into a cold fact, rather than a loss of a cherished possession.

Over the years, however, I have never forgotten losing my ring.  In my mind, I imagined someone seeing that ring in the bathroom, on the sink counter, coveting it for a collectible or for the value of minuscule amount of precious metal that it might contain.  On occasion I have shared the story of the lost ring with family and friends.  

When I first saw that email at around 9:58 pm on Friday, 8 May 2015, I thought it was spam.  Because of the obvious nerve it struck, I had to read on:

 I may have found your high school class ring.

 Many years ago when I was a kid I found a high school class ring on the    Oakland Temple grounds where my father worked. Today i was going          through a box that has been in storage for nearly 20 years and came across    the class ring. After doing some searching on the internet I came across your name and info.

 If it is yours I would like to get it back to you.

His phone number was listed on the email.  Even though I could tell from his email address and area code that he lived in Utah and that it was now around 11:00 pm, I called.  He was gracious enough to answer.  My finder told me how he had found the ring on the Oakland temple grounds, obviously miles from when I first noticed it missing, which suggests that it may have been missing for days before I discovered it missing.  He had apparently put it in a storage box buried and somewhat forgotten until the day that he got it out to look at some other items in the same lot.  He somehow located a list of those who had graduated from Bonneville High School, discovered that there were only 4 of the Bonneville 1974 graduating class that had the initials "RG" but only one who had the middle initial "V".    

Today, the ring arrived.  It is just as I remembered it.  My heart lifted as I looked at the initials graven inside "RVG".  What was lost, is now found

.



My ring is still very important to me, but for different reasons now.  While it still serves as a reminder of cherished high school days, it has now become a symbol of how nothing is lost to the Master and how he makes every effort for us to be found.

The Master taught several parables which serve to enlighten us on just how precious each and every soul is.  In one, the Savior talks about the woman who, even though she has ten pieces of silver, if she loses one, she lights a candle, sweeps until she finds it and then calls her friends and neighbors to rejoice over finding it.  (Luke 15:9). After this one, the Savior says: "likewise there is joy in the presence of angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."  (Luke 15:10)  In another, the Savior asks the question about the shepherd who, even though he has 99 sheep (a lot of sheep in my book) he leaves them to find the one.  At the end of that parable he notes that the joy in finding that one lost sheep is similar to the rejoicing that shall be in heaven over the 1 who has repented over the 99 who did not need repenting. (Luke 15:6).  But, perhaps my favorite, is the story of the prodigal son who, abandoning his father, squanders his inheritance and, upon coming back in humility, is met by his Father who invites his friends to rejoice with him over the return of a son who, previously, had abandoned his family.  Luke 15:15-32.

Those of us, who have done horrible, horrible things cannot help but feel the recognition of our guilt before God and our fellow man.  Even while we read the words of the Savior about how we are gladly accepted when we repent, we still wonder if the Savior still loves us as he would if we had not done the wrong that required the repentance.

For me, this was my answer to that question:  God knew that by the preservation of my ring for nearly 40 years and its ultimate return to me, he could teach me how precious my soul is to him and how he truly loves me.  I think of all of the things that had to happen for my ring to be returned to me.  I had to lose it in a place where somehow it would be found.  The person finding the ring had to make a decision to not discard it, sell it,  or keep it for himself as a souvenir, but to preserve it.  He put it away not for mere weeks, months or even years, but for decades.  He had to have a reason to dig out the container in which it was stored.  He had to somehow realize that this ring meant something, a lot of something to me and that it was worth searching to find me.

I am so grateful to a man who was an instrument in God's hands to teach me in a simple way that I would understand, how much God loves each one of us. I hope that this ring will serve as my reminder of how important it is for me to repent and be reconciled with my God.  

As I thought about my initials graven on the inside of my ring, this scripture, a manifestation of the Savior's love for us came to mind:

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.....

Isaiah 49:16

Oh Say Can You See vs. O Canada

The United States set the Winter Olympics record for the most medals ever won in a Winter Olympics by any one country, having racked up 37 medals which beat the German record in the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. You would think that great feat by one nation's team would have been reflected in the medal ceremonies. However, that was not the case. The Canadians who, by the end of the Olympics, owned the top of the podium with a total of 14 Gold medals by far showed the most country spirit.

Admittedly, it was the Canadian home turf which should have given it the advantage in terms of fan attendance. That has never been a real issue for sports zealous Americans who manage to attend Olympic games, summer and winter, in large numbers regardless of the country.

Anyone who watched the the medal ceremonies could not help but notice the exuberance shown by not only Canadian Fans but Canadian Athletes atop the Gold Medal Podium as "O Canada" was played and the Maple Leaf Flag was raised. With a reverent gusto, the words of the Canadian National Anthem was belted out by Canadian Fans and Gold Medal Winners alike.

I contrasted that with the American Athletes that I watched perched on the podium. I am not even sure Bode Miller put his hand over his heart let alone sang the words to "The Star Spangled Banner." In fact, while I saw several of the American Athletes mouth some of the words to "The Star Spangled Banner", I never saw one of those athletes who mouthed, let alone sang, all of the words to the United States National Anthem.

Admittedly, athletes do not train to be singers. Nor are they required to be patriots. But then I don't think Canadian Athletes are either.

The history of the Star Spangled Banner is one of my favorite stories. It should inspire even most apathetic American. Francis Scott Key penned the words to the Star Spangled Banner in the form of a poem known as "The Defence of Fort McHenry". Key, an attorney, was aboard a British ship during the war of 1812, attempting to secure the freedom of a client. He was forced to wait aboard the ship overnight while it Bombarded Fort McHenry. Key watched through the night as British ships pounded away at the Fort. The fall of the Fort to the British would have had serious and deep implications. At the time, the British were the World Military super-power and America continued to struggle to defend itself. As bombs would blast, Key could see the flag waving. In the dawn after a night of bombardment, much to the relief of Key, the Flag was still there, signifying that those defending the Fort had successfully rebuffed the British attack.

In fact, the Star Spangled Banner epitomizes the American Spirit. Against odds, Americans scrap and fight to achieve even when the odds are against them. Obviously there are gifted Americans just like there are gifted citizens of other countries. Americans also do not have the corner on those who have overcome insurmountable odds to achieve and excel. However, ever since its inception, America has stood for independence, achievement and not taking defeat just because the odds are against you. The Star Spangled Banner is the perfect national anthem for that reason.

It is not an easy song. Ask any musician and he or she will tell you that the musical range of the tune, a British drinking song, is challenging. The words are not particularly catchy.

However, since when does the American Spirit emphasize anything that is easy. The Olympics certainly don't stand for that. When a Lindsay Vonn can ski in the tremendous pain she did and take a gold medal, singing a song that has a challenging tune and some words should be a breeze.

I give credit to this country's olympians for what they achieved. They worked long hard hours. I congratulate them for the sacrifices they made. However, I wonder if it would be too much for them to ask to take a moment, when they receive their gold medals, to truly honor the founders of this country who may have sacrificed so much more to give them the very land and the very freedom which facilitated their Olympic achievements by singing, with gusto, and with hand over heart, The Star Spangled Banner. I wonder if it would be too much to ask parents to teach their children this cherished anthem. I wonder if it would be too much to ask that instead of having this tune simply signify the start of an athletic event if we could all join in the singing of this anthem as a reminder of the bounteous blessings so benevolently bestowed upon us by those who have gone before. There is a belief in my mind that Oh Say Can you See should be sung with just as much fervor by the Americans as O Canada was sung by Canadians.