Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom 2014 … Thousands of Bikers Roar through Streets of Washington, DC for Annual Rolling Thunder Rally For POW’s, MIA’s & Veteran Care

ROLLING THUNDER ASCEND UPON WASHINGTON, DC …

Although the annual Rolling Thunder rally’s  (VIDEO) purpose is to draw attention to the fate of American POWs and those missing in action, it is not lost this Memorial Day the current scandal taking place in the VA  over delays in care to US military personnel blamed for dozens of deaths. As one veteran biker stated, “We fought for years to get benefits that we were entitled to. It is outrageous, but what can you do about it? Not much. We may have the best army in the world, but we treat the veterans terribly, especially veterans from Vietnam and Korea.

Rolling Thunder pics.

Thousands of bikers roared through Washington for the annual Rolling Thunder rally Sunday, given added fervor this year amid anger over an ongoing scandal concerning medical care for veterans.

Organizers estimated around 750,000 bikers and spectators had descended on the US capital for the annual eve-of-Memorial Day rally in support of American prisoners of war and those missing in action, as they have each year since 1988.

The awe-inspiring show of motorcycle might includes many US military veterans on bikes, clearly identifiable in leather jackets emblazoned with military badges and medals.

Henry, 58, travelled from Maine in the northeastern United States with his wife and five other bikers.

He said he was not surprised by the recent scandal gripping the Veterans Affairs (VA) department over delays in care to US military personnel blamed for dozens of deaths.

Memorial Day – 2014: Remembering, Thanking & Honoring Our Military Heroes For Their Service & Sacrifice

On this Memorial Day 2014, please take the time to remember, thank and honor those who gave their lives for our freedom.

Freedom is never free and it is our brave men and woman of the United States Armed Forces from The Revolutionary War, to World War II to Afghanistan who we all owe a debt of gratitude to. Those who went off to war to create this great country to those who persevere its freedom who never came home.  Thank you for your service, dedication and ultimate sacrifice to this country. So on this special day as your spend it with family and friends and celebrate the day in your own special way, take the time to remember those who gave their lives to allow you to live yours in Freedom.  These are true American heroes who should never be forgotten.

Arlington National Cemetery: Photos of American Sacred Ground.

We not only thank those who never came home, but to those who did come home and have passed. There are so many who have served and have sacrificed. We say thanks to your families as well who’s futures were so drastically changed so that our futures would be safe. We honor those who have lost their lives so that we may live.

TAPS

Ronald Reagan: Remarks at Memorial Day Ceremonies Honoring an Unknown Serviceman of the Vietnam Conflict – 5/28/84

The words of President Ronald Reagan, Arlington National Cemetery, May 31, 1982: (read the entire inspirational and beautiful speech HERE).

“The United States and the freedom for which it stands, the freedom for which they died, must endure and prosper. Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. It has a cost; it imposes a burden. And just as they whom we commemorate were willing to sacrifice, so too must we — in a less final, less heroic way — be willing to give of ourselves.” [...]

“As we honor their memory today, let us pledge that their lives, their sacrifices, their valor shall be justified and remembered for as long as God gives life to this nation. And let us also pledge to do our utmost to carry out what must have been their wish: that no other generation of young men will every have to share their experiences and repeat their sacrifice.”

As always, not a day goes by that I do not think about my namesake, Uncle Red, and remember him fondly and thank him for his service. You will never be forgotten and are always missed. God Bless.

Happy Mother’s Day – 2014

Scared Monkeys wishes all “Monkey Moms” a very HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

M-O-T-H-E-R
“M” is for the million things she gave me,
“O” means only that she’s growing old,
“T” is for the tears she shed to save me,
“H” is for her heart of purest gold;
“E” is for her eyes, with love-light shining,
“R” means right, and right she’ll always be,
Put them all together, they spell “MOTHER,”
A word that means the world to me.

Pope Francis Easter Address: Called For End to War, Condemned Waste Exacerbating Hunger

Pope Francis’ Easter Address in front of 150,000 people in St. Peter’s Square called for and end to conflicts in Syria, Ukraine and Africa and an end to violence in Iraq, Venezuela, South Sudan and the Central Africa Republic. The Pontiff also denounced the “immense wastefulness” in the world while many go hungry.

Pope Francis, in his Easter address before a huge crowd, on Sunday denounced the “immense wastefulness” in the world while many go hungry and called for an end to conflicts in Syria, Ukraine and Africa.

“We ask you, Lord Jesus, to put an end to all war and every conflict, whether great or small, ancient or recent,” he said in his “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) message.

Francis, marking the second Easter season of his pontificate, celebrated a Mass to an overflowing crowd of at least 150,000 in St. Peter’s Square and beyond.

He prayed to God to “help us to overcome the scourge of hunger, aggravated by conflicts and by the immense wastefulness for which we are often responsible”.

Celebrating Easter Sunday, Christianity’s most joyous and hopeful day, Pope Francis prayed for peace in Ukraine and Syria and for an end to the terrorist attacks in Nigeria that have targeted so many Christians.

He also recalled those suffering in Africa from an epidemic of deadly Ebola and urged a halt to “brutal terrorist attacks” in parts of Nigeria.

But Francis’ Easter message also stressed that people pay attention to the needy close to home. Reflecting the priorities of his papacy, he said the “good news” of Easter’s joy and hope means “leaving ourselves behind and encountering others, being close to those crushed by life’s troubles, sharing with the needy, standing at the side of the sick, elderly and the outcast.”

Happy Easter 2014 from Scared Monkeys: HE IS RISEN …

Scared Monkeys with all a joyous and blessed Easter.

Please remember today while spending time with family, participating in Easter egg hunts, opening Easter baskets and having Easter dinner … the reason for the season. He has risen, he has truly risen. The are given the promise of eternal hope. As  John 3:16 states,  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” However, never forget that Without the Crucifixion, there would have been no Resurrection. A Resurrection that represents eternal rebirth.

King’s College Choir – Jesus Christ is risen today

Mark 16: 5-7

“As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.  ”Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.  But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ”

Michael W Smith – Above All

Crucified, laid behind a stone
You lived to die rejected and alone
Like a rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all