Memorial Day: A Time to Remember

By John Kubicek

Memorial Day, it is a time to remember that freedom isn't free.

Freedom's Not Free - By The Rivoli Revue (Ron and Kay Rivoli)


It is a time to remember the many that have fallen for our freedom.

Memorial Day - Arlington (With music by Trace Adkins)


It is a time to honor all of the men and women that have fought and served in the military and those who have died for this great country, the United States of America.

Freedom Rocks at the Freedom Rock, by a Patriot In Iowa, Ray "Bubba" Sorensen


I am praying that Bubba Sorensen has had a chance to work on the FreedomRock 2009 version without too many weather delays. He's been doing this for every Memorial Day for the last 10 years. I am looking forward to the 2009 Freedom Rock!

Here's another excellent video I found at Bubba's Blog where he is being interviewed by Mike Huckabee:



While Ray - I mean Bubba - has been bringing us the memories of our veterans on Memorial Day through his very gifted artwork, there is somebody else that used her gifts for the same purpose. Patrice Lewis brought us a story this weekend called, "Forever Young," an account of her husband's uncle who valiantly fell in battle during WWII at the young age of 19. It will help you comprehend just how much it means when somebody makes the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

I hope you have enjoyed the Memorial Day tributes above, from the various perspectives in the forms of music, art and text. It really IS a time to remember those that have paid the ultimate price in defending our freedom. I only wanted to raise the awareness that their courage and patriotic duty is remembered during the long holiday weekend. This needs to be a time when we have to think about the reason that some of us have a long weekend to enjoy with our loved ones. It truly must be a time to remember.

When Johnny Marries Moochie

The unintended consequences of state-approved same-gender marriage

By John Kubicek

(I would highly recommend parental guidance before you allow your children to read this column or see the following video.)

This news segment was the top of the news on Monday, April 27, 2009. I really didn't need to see this happening, and I was having a major problem with all the gagging that I was going through. I was beginning to wonder if I was coming down with the swine flu. But then I got to thinking what was really making me sick. The fact that the State of Iowa became a place that my new hero Carrie Prejean wouldn't approve of was nauseating enough. But then, they (the local media) had to go and rub it in my face. I doubt a baby's dirty diaper would have been worse..... Ooops, TMI.

In order to keep this from being an adult-rated video, I had to insert the picture of me and the love of my life - a female, of course - giving each other a smooch, in contrast to what the local TV station was broadcasting.

(Repeating my warning: Parental discretion is recommended before seeing the following video)



I must apologize to any same-gender couples. I am not trying to be intolerant. It just sort of seems that way... But, in trying to be tolerant, to accept diversity and alternative life-styles, I should be tolerant and give you the freedom to allow you to do your own thing.

And so, with that being said, I'm sure to get your support when I apply for a marriage license to marry the love of my life, my best friend, Moochie. I mean, if we're going to have equality here, why should there be any line drawn to what is acceptable?

I am sure you are aware that I'd only be one card-carrying member of PETA and ACLU attorney away from my dream of legitimizing my relationship and partnership with Moochie. According to the definition of marriage now the law in Iowa, it would only be fair for me to marry the girl that sleeps next to me when I go to bed. And of course, I'd also need to have a pass on the fact that she's only five and a half years old (about 39 in dog years).

While trying to be tolerant, and watching the local news segment where I had to shut my eyes, cover my ears and loudly repeat, "la-la-la-la," I had to wonder what is next. How long before other relationships and life-styles are to be sanctioned and forced down our throats? What do we do if other cultures in our midst insist that they should be able to hook up with members of their own family? Will age limits for marriage, or consenting physical relationships, be the next to go?

Now, just how far will society go to draw new lines where we are expected to be tolerant? We're really going down a slippery slope where we may not be able to stop our momentum before we go over the cliff, into the abyss.

What I am now wondering, is how long will it be before Perez Hilton adds me to the public enemy list along with Carrie Prejean and Dr. James Dobson? Well, Perez is the least of my worries. It may soon be a case of being an enemy of the state, the way things are going, at least here in the swine flu... I mean.... the hog state (Way too much pork around here).

Related story:
Stay True to Your Beliefs

To the Fallen Heroes!

By John Kubicek

My last blog of the year. To all of the Veterans, past and present, I honor you. With the following video, this is my salute to you all!

While I had wished many of my friends and fellow journalists a Happy New Year in several recent blogs, this is the one that is actually the most important. My friends, and my dear fellow patriots that take advantage of our 1st Amendment Rights, would not have that right if it wasn't for you, our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. You all will be in my prayers, and I hope to see you home soon!

Happy New Year!

Wait, one last great tribute to our military men and women:

Thank you, Bubba! You are also a great inspiration for the rest of us that keep our military members in our prayers!

My 2008 Story of the Year - They Make 'em Good in Iowa!

By John Kubicek

There could have been many stories that would make it to the top of the list for TOP NEWS STORIES FOR 2008. In this case, I'm going to tell you about the top story that directly touched my life, in many ways. And this is a story that really needs to spread across the land. We are all facing a coming crisis that may still be beyond our imagination.

In 2008, and even carrying over from 2007, Iowa had experienced a very brutal winter. Across this great state, many Iowans fell on their knees and prayed, and we had the support of many people across this great land. We've had to endure many hardships.

Despite the great adversities of last winter, we persevered. Iowans are resilient, as are most of the people across this great nation.

Being that this is my "Top Story of 2008," I wanted to make this a good one. That is why for the next few minutes, I'll just let the following videos speak for me:

Maybe the reason for sharing this story today is that we are all facing our storms. We now need to decide where we want to go. In the last video, there was Ashton Kutcher, a good ol' Iowa native. He decided to do what he could to help in his home state. I respect that. Really, I greatly do respect that. They DO make 'm good in Iowa. Joining in the effort to help out Iowans was another Iowa native, Shawn Johnson, an Olympic gymnast.

And better yet, there are efforts going on that you will probably never see in the news. We'll continue to talk about those efforts in the future.

There is a point to remember here. Consider what had happened here in Iowa as an example. As we face further tribulations - personal or nationwide - let's remember that we can all be here for each other. Let's be September 12th people, folks.

The Uphill Road to Victory

By John Kubicek

While I believe it to be entirely possible for John and Sarah to win on November 4, it won't be easy. Despite the massive infusion of energy and enthusiasm into the John McCain campaign upon his brilliant decision to pick Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, there will be much work to do. And yes, to win, our side will actually have to break a sweat.

There seems to be no doubt in my mind that the other side would seem to be winning in the way of quantities of "supporters". That of course, would be what the main stream media wants us to believe. However, there is a big difference between those that say they support the Democrat candidate, and the actual number of people that will vote, let alone, take an active role in promoting their candidate. That alone will tend to negate the results of many polls.

For the Obama camp, they seemed to have all of the energy early in the process of the primaries and caucuses, and it was necessary to defeat Hillary Clinton. Whereas in John McCain's campaign, the energy did not arrive until he picked Sarah Palin for the other half of the GOP ticket.

It was while reflecting on the campaigns, and all of the work that is done to get them set up, that I had the revelation that the energy of the campaign would be directly related to the quantity and quality of the work involved in a political campaign. And while you may be thinking that it all comes down to how good the candidates do, and how well their campaign staff does their job, it is much more than that. It will be much more than the debates or ads or sound bites or news interviews. What I found out is how much goes on at "ground level" - the grass roots - and how it may make all the difference in the end.

When I went to the "Road to Victory '08" McCain-Palin rally in Cedar Rapids a couple days ago, I saw an extraordinary example of what it took to get everything done. From the people that had to get the venue set up, security arranged (including the help of the TSA), down to the volunteers that helped with parking, and arranging the vendors for shuttle transportation and everything else, it amounted to an enormous effort from many people.

Yes, just having this one rally here in Cedar Rapids took a lot of effort. And to think, they are doing this stuff every day! That takes a massive amount of work to be able to manage all the logistics and services needed to pull off these campaign events. The effort is directly related to the passion derived from the candidate's ability to motivate their troops.

What brought me to understand the huge amount of effort by so many people was when I went on a mission to cover this event in this blog, with video included. Not to mention the technical difficulties with software in order to produce a video from the rally, I also went through some great physical adversities, such as standing for more than three hours, holding a camera above my head to take pictures and videos, walking a couple miles back to my car, a good sunburn on my scalp during that walk, etc. etc., it was hard work. I gained a lot of respect for my fellow columnists, journalists, bloggers; people that cover these things on a daily basis.

As an example, let me tell you, I spent a few days just to put this one video together:

In getting a blog and a video about the rally produced, I had many challenges. It took me three days since the rally. But yet, there are people that can get it all done in .... what, about three hours? Three minutes? Of course, in my case, it's just me trying to put all of this together this weekend. Other news distribution outlets have hundreds, if not thousands, of people involved. And then, I've seen individual bloggers that have the equipment needed (like a laptop with a wireless internet connection), and can actually get out their blogs and photos in must minutes, even while at the event; almost in real-time.

While I digress, you may be asking yourself what it has to do with this election, with the McCain-Palin rally I went out to cover on Thursday. I had to ask myself that, so don't feel bad, but I have the answer. I now know, or at least understand, the amount of effort it takes - whether it is in arranging a political rally, or just being one of the bloggers out here. And the key word is, "EFFORT".

The key to Victory in '08 for either side of the aisle, or anyone else that is in the fray, will depend on effort. And that vital ingredient - "EFFORT" - is totally dependent on the amount of energy that the campaigns can generate. Whether it is the candidate, their campaign managers, local volunteers, or even the bloggers such as myself here in Iowa, when you come right down to it, the whole process rests on which side is the most energized. That is going to be the only way to get uphill on the road to victory.

In Biblical Proportions, Part II

By John Kubicek

It all came down on me while driving home from work this morning. It hit me on the side of the head. It slapped me in the face. It made tears stream down my face.

Of course, I'm talking about what happened here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, just a week ago. Lives had been ripped apart. Hopes and dreams were vaporized in just a matter of days, if not hours.

But, what was really ripping me apart was much more than getting a first hand glimpse of the aftermath of the carnage suffered in Cedar Rapids just a week ago. You see, not only did I have a quick glimpse of the piles of debris lined up along the streets, but I also saw, while going on with life in the last few days, that people are pulling together.

Keep in mind, it wasn't until yesterday (June 19) that President Bush finally got to visit our area of the country. And before I continue, let me allow you to see it for yourselves:

I can assure you, right off the bat, that the President's visit had nothing to do with the hope and unity that I've seen over the last week! In fact, while of course people will need all the assistance that they can get, it was much more than that. In the video you saw above, it was about the government helping us out, and about the losses that we've suffered. But what I want to say today differs greatly. It is about us helping each other out, and about what we will gain from this experience!

One of the Presidential candidates this year has been spouting change, unity, and hope. All good things, except, when we really look closer, we already have it. Yes, there has been drastic changes in people's lives around this area. For many, things will never be the same. But, while that was happening, I found out something else. There has been a lot of unity in this community. People have been helping each other out, in what ever way we can. For some it was filling sandbags, and for others, providing moral encouragement, shelter, food, what ever it takes.

So, if there was ever hope.... This is IT! Yes, I had tears in my eyes on the way home from work today. It was for both the people that suffered, and for the realization of all the good that I saw people do for each other! Not one iota of any of it had anything to do with a "Presidential Visit" to this area. Not that I minded the President coming, it was probably a good thing, to maybe give a few more people a little more assurance that things will work out.

But, the true positive perspective I had on the journey home today was overwhelming. While we will find much sorrow in our lives, it really is also up to us to find ways to make the bad things in life become the catalysts to better things in our lives.

For many of us, it may have been just finding the Faith that we may not have had for awhile.

For many of us, it may have been seeing that there are people out there that really care about us, and that isn't meaning the government officials, but neighbors, parents, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, or our church families.

For many of us, it may have been just knowing that God was helping us to get through this nightmare. It may have been the realization of how important the Lord Jesus Christ is in our lives!

While we have each other, and God, we really won't ever lose! That's the change, unity and hope that I'm talking about! In Biblical Proportions!

Related stories:

In Biblical Proportions

In Biblical Proportions

By John Kubicek


Live, from Ground Zero in the News today.....

The doom and gloom abounds. Everyone here in Cedar Rapids has been affected in someway through this terrific tsunami of tragedy. Everywhere you look, there is water, including some in my very own basement floor from a window that could no longer hold back the deluge.

The only thing getting me through the moment, and that's having a chance of seeing some of the Cubs-Braves game. I'd be in bed long ago, but my electricity had gone out. And then I heard they closed the Interstate, the only way over the Cedar River.... And then I heard it was open.... And then I tried to call my daughter, only to go directly to her voicemail..... (Don't worry, she is okay!)

Isn't is strange what I saw I had in my Profile? I say I am from "Iowa (....or is this Heaven)". Welll, right now, many people in Iowa want to say, "Is this Hell?" Tornadoes of gargantuan strength (Parkersburg, F-5, the Boy Scout camp tornado that killed 4 campers in Western Iowa), horrible floods... Oh, how good it is that we aren't in the terrible throes of Winter we just went through..... (/sarcasm).

What I wrote above would be how the lame stream media would handle this story. But there is a much better story that needs to come out.

If there was EVER a time..... A GREAT time, for me to have begun posting that 40 Days of Purpose series, it was now. Not because I want any glory - I don't - because it really does all belong to the Lord... But, 40 Days? Like the 40 Days of Rain for Noah and his clan? Like the 40 Days Jesus spent here after His Resurrection before He went into the clouds?

It wasn't an accident, it wasn't coincidence that I had started sending out the 40 Days of Purpose series... maybe it was just to help me keep my sanity. But now, I realize a much bigger purpose, something that I had never thought could happen.

There may have been a time when I first started writing this today, that I may have told you what a massive repurcussion this would have on America. I could see the ripple effects, knowing that crops have been impacted, not just here in Iowa, but all over the Midwest. We all know that is happening.

But then, while waiting for youtube.com to get the above video uploaded, I had a revelation. On WMT radio, there was an interview with a representative to the Iowa State legislature, I heard something very positive. It was about how people here in Cedar Rapids have done such a fantastic job of pulling together and cooperating. There have been no deaths, Praise the Lord, so far. That is the good news. Yet, we know, what we'll be facing in this historic tragedy in the aftermath, there are affects this will have throughout all of the economy of Cedar Rapids, and ripple through Iowa, and probably the nation.

But as New York City pulled out of the aftermath of 9/11, Cedar Rapids will pull out of the Flood of 2008. It will take time, and a lot of people are going to have very difficult times. And as the hope and care for each other rippled out of NYC and the Pentagon area in 2001, it is my prayer that the hope and perseverence and the resilience of the good old Cedar Rapidians will ripple out of this area, to touch the nation. We will see.

The Meaning of Memorial Day

By John Kubicek (and others)

What does Memorial Day mean? In short, it is to honor our fallen military heroes, those that gave their lives to defend the Constitution of the United States and our freedom.

That may be the actual original meaning of Memorial Day, but what does it actually mean to people? That is the question I asked of people a few days ago, and I received several replies, which I want to share with you.

Memorial Day is not about commercialism, and Memorial Day sales, and it's not about the 3 day weekend getaway. It's a time to honor our deceased, veteran or non-veteran. Families drive out to the cemetery to remember loved ones. They place flowers upon the graves. Each veterans grave is graced with an American Flag, and we honor the service and sacrifices they gave. Following these services, it is traditional for families to gather and have a B-B-Q. This is not a time for joyous celebration.

Monday I will be attending memorial services at 4 local cemeteries. I will fight the Memorial Day traffic, and on going road construction to attend a re-dedication ceremony at the our local Veterans' Memorial.

Jackie Gordon - Oregon (ladyjusa)

At first, what Jackie said about honoring our deceased, veteran or non-veteran, I hesitated. But then I realized, that while the original intent was to honor the veterans, I have no problem with extending the honor to others that may not have been military veterans. This country has seen many heroes that haven't been involved in the military. There are the emergency service workers - our police, fire fighters, paramedics, border patrol... You get the idea. For many have died in the line of service, to protect our freedoms, to protect our neighbors. And then, there were folks like our parents, that just went out and worked hard, and made this the highest producing nation on the planet! They sacrificed much to work hard and keep things running. They produced the various commodities that kept us fed, warm and able to travel for work and pleasure.

Darn right, Jackie, non-vets ARE included in honoring the fallen today! Thank you for reminding me!

And now, T. L. Farlow expounds on a further dimension of honoring those of us that SERVE us!

Memorial Day Approaches! (Editor's note: No, actually, now it is here!)

As generous as our very own ancestors were to stuggle daily in providing for their families' existence and to ensure a future for generations of them to come, the very reason that WE are here today, we should venerate them for the great familial love that they have shared with us. Even though we did not personally know them and of course, they not personally knowing of us, we cannot but help to express our love for their great toil, their many sacrifices, their long suffering and their love during their existence in this life.

Likewise, should we venerate those who have served in the military, having sacrificed their time, their blood, their tears, their fears and their very lives if necessary. We may not have known them personally, but because of their love for freedom, for country and yes for US, they have given selflessly. Yes, we should acknowlege, we should admire, we should give great esteem to all those who have chosen to serve their fellow man in times of war and peace. Countless soldiers have fallen in the line of duty, providing the ultimate sacrifice for their country, families and fellow citizens.

Many more have also served that suffered injuries large and small that caused great burdens for them throughout the remainder of their lives. These, too, should be honored for their forfeitures of time, livelihoods and health, in the service of US, those who are enjoying the benefits of freedom, the results of their labors.

This Memorial Day, let us all celebrate the lives of so many, even those who shall remain nameless, for without them, we may not have been. Let us treat them, our brothers and sisters in uniform, just as we would family, to honor their works so that others may live in peace and prosperity.

T. L. Farlow - Pennsylvania (citizentlf)

This just keeps on getting more moving as we go. Is the point of today, Memorial Day, starting to sink in yet?

Well, let's try another quote from my volunteer army of writers:

I recall several years ago sitting down with my great uncle to interview him about his experiences in World War II. They were amazing -- he saw firsthand the brutality of the enemy as he made his way from Sicily to Germany and ended up liberating the death camp at Dachau. He was young, barely out of his teens at the time, from a small town in the middle of nowhere, and saw things that no man, young or old, should ever have to see.

And there were thousands others like him, many of whom did not come home from those foreign shores. I have another uncle who fought in WWII, and another in Korea. They would never say much about what they went through, but I've always thought that their experiences left scars that linger to this day. Going back even farther, I recall standing on the very spot on the battlefield at Vicksburg where my great-great-great-grandfather stood against the invading federal army -- not for any political cause, for he knew nothing of such things; not to defend slavery, certainly, for he owned none; but merely because his home was invaded and his family and property and liberty were threatened, did he take up arms in their defense.

It is to these men, and others like them, that we owe the freedom to read and write these words. Because a few were willing to fight and to die to defend that liberty, we are free to say what we want, worship how we like, and disagree with the government all we like, without fear of reprisal. That is a precious gift, and was not given cheaply. We bear a great heritage of freedom given to us by the blood and sweat of great men.

We must honor that by using it responsibly, by using that free choice we have been given to choose the right, and not to abuse it. That is what Memorial Day is to me -- a reminder of the solemn duty laid upon us by those who came before and sacrificed so much to give us that heritage of liberty.

drachemorder - Madison, MS (drachemorder)

That is some very powerful stuff right there, my fellow patriots. What are you and I willing to give up? My friend DL tells us here that we must NOT EVER GIVE UP OUR FREEDOM!

It is impossible to ascertain the price of freedom. Words or tokens cannot express the depth of my soul’s gratitude for those who paid that price; but Memorial Day provides an opportunity for personal contemplation and a chance to give tribute to those who lived and died so that I can have the privilege to say, “I am an American."

I am an American. I cannot say those words without caressing them. Somehow, American freedom is embedded deep inside me — perhaps this freedom can be traced through my bloodline, perhaps it stems from the many years I have spent away from my homeland — viewing America’s precious liberties from “outside the box.”

My genealogy is filled with patriots. On one branch of my family tree, I can prove myself a daughter of the American Revolution — with connection through marriage to George Washington himself. My Virginian ancestors fought for America in every war she has faced — including the War for Independence. But another genealogical branch teems with suffering immigrant ancestors straggling to America the “Savior”, to escape the Holocaust in Europe. Some of my relatives died to build America, and others gratefully lived because of their sacrifice. The words explain who preceded
me — I am an American.

For various reasons, I have spent many years living overseas — far from my America. This global lifestyle has deepened my love for our Founders’ wisdom and America’s core values and has sharpened my awareness of her generosity and unique culture. The Star Spangled Banner is a symbol that brings tears to my eyes. I have seen freedom-lovers in many countries wistfully sigh at my introduction — the words explain the ideals I represent, “I am an American.”

I pray today that Americans will continue to value their freedoms; that patriots will rise up to guard our unique liberties as they are threatened; that mothers and fathers will kindle patriotism in their own children by telling them the stories of noble men and women who sacrificed everything to build their country — the “Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave.” As we kneel today to place a wreathe on a soldier’s grave, and offer our gratitude by flying the flag for which they died, may we
also find strength to make America better by taking pride in the work ahead, by silencing those who show contempt for freedom, and by humbly reveling in those
sacred words, “I am an American.”

DL - (camelseye)

Amen, DL, and let me add, I thank God I am an American!

Before the video presentation to wrap all of this up, let me allow what Barbara Simpson wrote this morning to tie this whole piece together:

"We have enjoyed so much freedom for so long that we are perhaps in danger of forgetting how much blood it cost to establish the Bill of Rights." – Felix Frankfurter

So even though you may think it's corny, take a bit of time today to reflect on the blessings of freedom that we so take for granted. Give thanks to the military who served honorably and bravely with special prayers for troops in harm's way today.
Ultimately, they're keeping all of us and our loved ones safe and free. Don't risk losing freedom because you don't recognize or value the price that others paid for you.

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." – Elmer Davis.

Barbara Simpson, May 26, 2008, in "Remember our patriots"

And now, may I present Ray "Bubba" Sorenson, another patriot from Iowa. I was going to try to put a video together today to commemorate Memorial Day, but it would have been reinventing the wheel. I put the following video up last year, about Freedom Rock. This says it all about the good old patriotic Americans that value what we have. Let's just say it like this: Freedom Rocks!

I thank all of the contributors to this post for their selfless efforts to make this a day to honor not just our fallen heroes, but America. Thank you! God bless America, and God bless you!

Following Those "Little Crumb-Crunchers"

Following Those "Little Crumb-Crunchers"

By John Kubicek

After a quick survey of friends and family, I found out that most of the people in this part of the country were unaware of "Operation Chaos". Since Iowa was the first of the caucuses and first to get the Election 2008 started, maybe people have shut out politics from their lives since January 3, 2008. In fact, over the Winter months, most people were too busy shoveling their way out of their driveways to be worried about what was going on in the world of politics.

In all actuality, Rush Limbaugh really did pick the best time to come up with this "Operation Chaos" strategy. Just when things were starting to get boring, with the Republican nominee already picked, Rush found the perfect way to keep the nomination process interesting!

But, if you are just one of those people that doesn't follow the news, that somehow manages to drag yourself out to vote on a cold November day, you may be in for some big surprises when you go to fill out your ballot.

Well, stay tuned. There is much more chaos to come. Rush has not called off Operation Chaos, nor did I. I've already found that I wrote something a while back that has started to create havoc in this election, and somebody just poured gas on the fire. Stay tuned!

Warning: It will not be suitable for "crumb-crunchers"! (You know who you are).