Happy Memorial Day 2013

Happy Memorial Day 2013!

"It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor
those who died in defense of our country
in wars far away. The imagination plays a
trick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old
and wise. We see them as something like the
Founding Fathers, grave and gray-haired. But
most of them were boys when they died, they
gave up two lives -- the one they were living and
the one they would have lived. When they died,
they gave up their chance to be husbands and
fathers and grandfathers. They gave up their chance
to be revered old men. They gave up everything
for their county, for us. All we can do is remember."
-- President Ronald Wilson Reagan
Remarks at Veteran's Day ceremony,
Arlington National Cemetery November 11, 1985

"I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States
of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day,
May 27, 2013, as a day of prayer for permanent peace,
and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at
11:00 a.m. of that day as a time to unite in prayer.
I also ask all Americans to observe the National Moment
of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time
on Memorial Day

"Since our Nation's earliest days, America has been
blessed with an unbroken chain of patriots who have
served our country with honor and distinction. From
Concord to the Korengal, generations of brave warriors
have fought for freedom across sand and snow, over
mud and mountains, into lonely deserts and through
crowded streets."
"Today, we pay tribute to those patriots who never
came back -- who fought for a home to which they
never returned, and died for a country whose gratitude
they will always have."
President Barack Obama
May 24, 2013 Memorial Day Proclamation

"I, a humble citizen of this great country USA,
proudly salute the men and women of our Armed
Forces all over the world! Thank You for securing
our freedom, and providing us unmatched safety,
peace, and making USA the greatest democracy
in the world!
"I moved to USA from India in 1987 for education.
I became a U.S. citizen in 2008, and voted for the
first time - this was a terrific experience. I am
very grateful to USA for providing me great
education, fantastic work experience, freedom,
entrepreneurship, and success!! Above all, I am
very thankful and grateful that I have been able
to raise a wonderful family and grow here.

"As U.S. citizen, I am particularly proud of
the constitutional first amendment:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition the
Government for a redress of grievances."

The fourth amendment:
"The right of the people to be secure in their
persons, houses, papers, and effects, against
unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not
be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but
upon probable cause, supported by Oath or
affirmation, and particularly describing the
place to be searched, and the persons or
things to be seized."

The fifth amendment:
"No person shall be held to answer for a capital,
or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a
presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury,
except in cases arising in the land or naval
forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service
in time of War or public danger; nor shall any
person be subject for the same offense to be
twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall
be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness
against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty,
or property, without due process of law; nor
shall private property be taken for public use,
without just compensation."

Finally, the fourteenth amendment:
"All persons born or naturalized in the
United States, and subject to the jurisdiction
thereof, are citizens of the United States and
of the State wherein they reside. No State shall
make or enforce any law which shall abridge
the privileges or immunities of citizens of the
United States; nor shall any State deprive any
person of life, liberty, or property, without
due process of law; nor deny to any person
within its jurisdiction the equal protection of
the laws"