Memorial Day 2024

May 27, 2024April 30, 2024 ~ aurorajeanalexander ~ Leave a comment

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Color Me America

IAM RED AND WHITE AND BLUE
THESE ARE COLORS THAT RING TRUE
TO ALL IAM AND FEEL AND LOVE AND DO
I STAND PROUD AND BRAVE AND TALL
I WANT JUSTICE FOR US ALL
SO COLOR ME AMERICA, RED, WHITE AND BLUE

I SEE RED WHEN EVIL SPEAKS
SPILLING RED BLOOD ON OUR STREETS
AND I FEEL BLUE FROM GRIEF AND SORROW THAT IT BRINGS
BUT THE WHITE AND LIGHT OF LOVE
GOD’S OWN SPIRIT LIKE A DOVE
LIFT’S US UP AND HANDS TO US AN OLIVE BRANCH

OH, SWEET FREEDOM MAY YOU STAY
IN OUR LAND AND LIVES ALWAYS;
AND MAY PEACE AND BEAUTY FILL OUR HEARTS ANEW
AND MAY WE ALL STAND UP FOR YOU ;
MAY OUR THOUGHTS AND DEEDS BE TRUE
AND BE WORTHY OF YOUR STRIPES…. RED, WHITE AND BLUE.

IAM RED AND WHITE AND BLUE
THESE ARE COLORS THAT RING TRUE
TO ALL IAM AND FEEL AND LOVE AND DO
I STAND PROUD AND BRAVE AND TALL
I WANT JUSTICE FOR US ALL
SO COLOR ME AMERICA, RED, WHITE AND BLUE

TAG: OH, SWEET AMERICA
GOD WON’T YOU SHED YOUR GRACE ON THEE.
AND CROWN THY GOOD IN BROTHERHOOD
FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA
OH, COLOR ME AMERICA
RED, WHITE AND BLUE, COLOR ME AMERICA

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Dolly Parton

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9/11 – Tribute – 2023

September 11, 2023September 11, 2023 ~ aurorajeanalexander ~ Leave a comment

It has been 22 years since the horrible day, September 11, 2001.

That day when the world crashed, when the U.S. was on fire, when people were killed, safety seemed to be an illusion, when cops, fire fighters, rescuers, medics and every first helper were working together to help, to search, to rescue!

Do you know what I remember from that day? I remember the words “UNITED WE STAND”. I remember that everybody helped, all helped everybody – AMERICANS helped each other! Nobody asked for the victim’s ancestry, ethnicity, sexual or other orientation – what was important were their names – for their families to know, for their loved ones to know; for everyone to grief in unity!

Let’s not forget the hard times Americans went through. Let’s not forget the victims, the helpers, the ones who suffered through the time and after… Let’s not forget how to be united!

Dear God, we remember before you today those whose lives were lost in the catastrophic events of September 11, 2001, and for all those whom we love but no longer see.

Picture courtesy of https://www.bagpipeonline.com/opinions/2019/10/4/the-legacy-of-911

Where were you when the world stopped turning

(by Alan Jackson)

Where were you when the world stopped turnin’
That September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or workin’ on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Risin’ against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children, they lost their dear loved ones
Pray for the ones who don’t know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out with pride for the red, white, and blue
And the heroes who died just doin’ what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters?

Where were you when the world stopped turnin’
That September day?
Teachin’ a class full of innocent children
Or drivin’ down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty ’cause you’re a survivor?
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?

Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset for the first time in ages
And speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you’re watchin’
And turn on I Love Lucy reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Stand in line to give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?

I’m just a singer of simple songs
I’m not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I’m not sure I can tell you
The diff’rence in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love
I’m just a singer of simple songs
I’m not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I’m not sure I can tell you
The diff’rence in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love

And the greatest is love
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turnin’
On that September day?

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Alan Jackson

Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Memorial Day 2023

May 29, 2023May 27, 2023 ~ aurorajeanalexander ~ 5 Comments

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The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home

Tour was up, middle of June
She was plannin’ a welcome home barbecue
Green bean casserole, Grandma’s recipe
There was a knock on her door ’round two o’clock
Two uniforms and her heart stopped
Yellow ribbon ’round an oak tree
Blowing in the breeze

Here’s to the ones that didn’t make it back home
The ones we ain’t seen in so long
The hold up a beer ones, the wish they were here ones
The not forgotten but gone
They’re in a better place up there
But they sure left a hole down here
We just go on livin’ and go on missin’ the ones
The ones that didn’t make it back home

The whole town shut down, the whole town showed up
Sang Amazing Grace, watched a slideshow of
His twenty-two years
There was laughs and there was tears
And that preacher talked about sacrifice
And traffic stopped for them Cadillac lights
Johnny sold beer half price that night
And everybody raised ’em high, singin’

Back to that front porch
Back through that front door
To the life they were fightin’ for

The ones that didn’t make it back home

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Jeremy Stover / Justin C. Moore / Paul Charles Digiovanni / Richard Chase Mcgill

The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home lyrics © Ole Media Management Lp, Universal Music Publishing Group

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Memorial Day 2022

May 29, 2022May 27, 2022 ~ aurorajeanalexander ~ 6 Comments

Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

Memorial Day Prayer

Almighty God

Today we remember the ones who fought for us

We remember them with all our hearts, holding them in our thoughts

We say ‘thank you’ for your sacrifice, to pay the highest price for our freedom

with your blood, with your life, with all you have.

We make sure today, that those who stand on the side of our country and its people

won’t be forgotten. Not now, not day, not tomorrow, not ever!

Dear God, thank you for taking care of your sons’s and daughter’s souls

may they be happy in Heaven, for all eternity.

Amen

(Copyright: Aurora Jean Alexander, May 26, 2022)

Memorial Day 2021

May 30, 2021May 30, 2021 ~ aurorajeanalexander ~ 2 Comments

May 31, 2021 is the day the USA remembers the fallen heros. It’s a day to celebrate the lives of the ones fighting for freedom, for rights, for country, home and family, and paid the highest price for what they believed in.

~ Dear Father in Heaven. Thank you for welcoming the Fallen’s souls in Heaven. Protect their families, and help them with their grief. Let the Heroes rest in peace. Amen ~

Back to that front porch
Back through that front door
To the life they were fightin’ for

The ones that didn’t make it back home

(Justin Moore ,The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home)

9/11 – Tribute

September 11, 2020September 10, 2020 ~ aurorajeanalexander ~ 2 Comments

It has been 19 years since the horrible day, September 11, 2001.

That day when the world crashed, when the U.S. was on fire, when people were killed, safety seemed to be an illusion, when cops, fire fighters, rescuers, medics and every first helper were working together to help, to search, to rescue!

Do you remember what I remember from that day? I remember the words “UNITED WE STAND”. I remember that everybody helped, all helped everybody – AMERICANS helped each other!

Let’s not forget the hard times Americans went through. Let’s not forget the victims, the helpers, the ones who suffered through the time and after… Let’s not forget how to be united!

Where were you when the world stopped turning

(by Alan Jackson)

And the greatest is love
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turnin’
On that September day?

Memorial Day 2020

May 24, 2020 ~ aurorajeanalexander ~ 6 Comments

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.”

– John F. Kennedy –

50,000 names (George Jones)

There are teddy bears and high school rings
And old photographs that mamas bring
That daddies with their young boys, playing ball.
There’s combat boots that he used to wear,
When he was sent over there.
There’s 50, 000 names carved in the wall

There’s cigarettes, and theres cans of beer
And notes that say I miss you dear
And children who don’t say anything at all.
There’s purple hearts and packs of gum
Fatherless daughters and fatherless sons
And there’s 50, 000 names carved in the wall

They come from all across this land
In pickup trucks and mini vans
Searching for a boy from long ago
They scan the wall and find his name
The teardrops fall like pouring rain
And silently they leave a gift and go

There’s stars of David and rosary beads
And crucifixion figurines
And flowers of all colors large and small
There’s a Boy Scout badge and a merit pin
Little American flags waving in the wind
And there’s 50, 000 names carved in the wall.

Veteran’s Day 2019

November 11, 2019 ~ aurorajeanalexander ~ 4 Comments

A prayer for Veteran’s Day

Dear Veteran

No matter where you served, were you Air Force, Army or a Marine

your work was it that made our homes save and America great.

Your strength, your dedication, your courage brought this country to

where it is now, a land of dreams for many million on Earth.

Your heart, your pride and your life gave this country the base it is built on.

This day is for you, maybe we never forget what we owe you – may we never

forget our debts, may we never forget to be proud of you, and may we never

forget your sacrifice!

God bless you!

I never thought that this is where I’d settle down
I thought I’d die an old man back in my hometown
They gave me this plot of land
Me and some other men, for a job well-done
There’s a big white house
Sits on a hill just up the road
The man inside
He cried the day they brought me home
They folded up a flag and told my mom and dad
We’re proud of your son

And I’m proud to be
On this peaceful piece of property
I’m on sacred ground
And I’m in the best of company
I’m thankful for those thankful
For the things I’ve done
I can rest in peace
I’m one of the chosen ones
I made it to Arlington

I remember daddy brought me here when I was eight
We searched all day
To find out where my grand-dad lay
When we finally found that cross
He said, “Son this is what it costs
To keep us free”

Now here I am, a thousand stones away from him
He recognized me on the first day I came in
And it gave me a chill when he clicked his heels
And saluted me

And every time I hear twenty-one guns
I know they brought another hero home to us

We’re thankful for those thankful
For the things we’ve done
We can rest in peace
‘Cause we are the chosen ones
We made it to Arlington

Yeah, dust to dust
Don’t cry for us
We made it to Arlington

(Source: LyricFind)

Memorial Day 2019

May 26, 2019May 26, 2019 ~ aurorajeanalexander ~ Leave a comment

Picture courtesy of: https://memorialdayhistory.com/

Please, pray with me for the ones who are out there, facing the danger to fight for us, for our freedom, for our Country.

America Will Always Stand
Randy Travis
Album :America Will Always Stand

She stands in the face of evil
And will not lose hope or faith
America, the land of freedom
Still the home of the brave.

So raise the banner, called Old Glory
Let us join our fellow man
History will write the story,
America will always stand.

Walking through the fires of danger
There are those who gave their lives
They’re the world’s greatest heroes,
And we won’t forget their sacrifice.

So raise the banner, called Old Glory
Let us join our fellow man
History will write the story,
America will always stand.

America is not divided
Our enemies they will be stopped.
‘Cause, we the people are united
And still, one nation Under God.

So raise the banner, called Old Glory
Let us join our fellow man
History will write the story,
America will always stand.

History will write the story,
America will always stand…

Songwriters: Becky Bluefield / Doc Walley / Michael Anthony Curtis / Randy Travis / Yvonne Sanson
America Will Always Stand lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

In Rememberance Of 9/11

September 11, 2017September 9, 2017 ~ aurorajeanalexander ~ 2 Comments

September 11, 2001, the day of the worst terrorist attacks the U.S. had to face in its history. Annually we remember the victims and their families; we keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

During the September 11 attacks in 2001, 2,996 people were killed and more than 6,000 others wounded. These immediate deaths included 265 on the four planes (including the 19 terrorists), 2,606 in the World Trade Center and the surrounding area, and 125 at the Pentagon. (Source: Wikipedia)

I think it’s important we don’t forget this day, the ones who suffered, the ones who had to fight with the loss, with despair, and with illness. It was a dark day – and still: ‘UNITED WE STAND.’ Americans proudly helped, supported, comforted and still remember. It is important we never forget how to STAND UNITED!

Today, September 11, 2017, I would like to remember the ones who helped, the ones who were there, risking their lives for others, and in far too many cases, paid the highest price in the line of duty!
Many more, exposed to toxic dust and other hazards, have succumbed to illnesses related to their rescue and recovery efforts over the years. On Thursday, September 7, 2017, the FDNY added 32 more names to the World Trade Center Memorial Wall.

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Thank you, helpers, thank you, supporters!

Thank you for your sacrifice, for your help, for giving everything you had and paying the one price we never can give back to you.

Thank you, for your belief in helping each one of us, no matter where no matter what.

We will keep you in our thoughts, being grateful you were there!

God bless you.

*****

Picture courtesy of: http://www.google.com

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It has been 22 years since the horrible day, September 11, 2001.

That day when the world crashed, when the U.S. was on fire, when people were killed, safety seemed to be an illusion, when cops, fire fighters, rescuers, medics and every first helper were working together to help, to search, to rescue!

Let’s not forget the hard times Americans went through. Let’s not forget the victims, the helpers, the ones who suffered through the time and after… Let’s not forget how to be united!

Where were you when the world stopped turning

It has been 19 years since the horrible day, September 11, 2001.

That day when the world crashed, when the U.S. was on fire, when people were killed, safety seemed to be an illusion, when cops, fire fighters, rescuers, medics and every first helper were working together to help, to search, to rescue!

Do you remember what I remember from that day? I remember the words “UNITED WE STAND”. I remember that everybody helped, all helped everybody – AMERICANS helped each other!

Let’s not forget the hard times Americans went through. Let’s not forget the victims, the helpers, the ones who suffered through the time and after… Let’s not forget how to be united!

Where were you when the world stopped turning

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.”

– John F. Kennedy –

50,000 names (George Jones)

A prayer for Veteran’s Day

Please, pray with me for the ones who are out there, facing the danger to fight for us, for our freedom, for our Country.

America Will Always Stand Randy Travis Album :America Will Always Stand

God bless you.

America Will Always Stand
Randy Travis
Album :America Will Always Stand