SAAM 2024

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the blog writter and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent.

The month of April is known as Sexual Assault Awareness Month around the world. It is during this month that often military Sexual Assault Prevention & Response (SAPR) Teams will host significant events to bring awareness to the subject of sexual assault and awareness. The 90th MW/SAPR Program is similar; the first part of the month for the SAPR team at F.E. Warren Air Force Base (FEW) comprised of advertising. Getting out amongst the people giving out business cards and candy at gates with the first sergeants or sitting at tables visiting with people during their lunches was all a big build-up for three major events dominating the talk on the installation.

Mayra Guillen from the #IamVanessaGuillen Foundation flew to Denver, Colorado, from Houston, Texas to speak to the men and women at FEW. I was privileged to pick her up and be her assistant and chauffeur for the day she was in Cheyenne. What a privilege to hear an amazing and strong woman talk about her sister, the tragedy that occurred, and what has since occurred in the SAPR world as a result of Vanessa’s needless death. Over 600 people packed the FEW theater to hear Mayra. FEW was the first military installation after Vanessa’s death to invite Mayra to speak and follow through, and we made sure to leave a lasting impression that we pray will leave her wanting to come back and compare all her other visits to this one. It is my hope, with the help of sponsors, that next year, for SAAM, we will be able to dedicate a bench at the front of the installation to Vanessa’s Guillen and the Start by Believing concept. Already we have seen the impact that this woman has made just at FEW.

SARC, Becki Burke and Marya Guillen

The theater was packed for Mayra Guillen

Following Mayra, we invited another impressive woman and survivor to teach at our gym on self-defense. Mrs. Sarah Falen-Tate is an impressive woman who is an attorney and advocate for our farmers and ranchers and teaches self-defense. Thanks to her daddy, who believed it essential for his children to learn self-defense Sarah was able to escape an attempt to kidnap, rape and assault her while she was out on a highway in Wyoming alone. She uses that knowledge to teach others how to be cognizant of their surroundings and, if necessary, the basic steps to escape if the need arises. This is the second year we have had Sarah at our installation, and she never fails to bring the heat. We look forward to her returning to teach more men and women at FEW.

Mrs Sarah Tate teaching self defense

Finally, the 26th of April arrived, and our team would make sure that the Annual SAPR 5K and Resource Fair finished the month with a bang. With only 52 people signed up to run and attend, we saw that the men and women at F.E. Warren Air Force Base would surprise us once again with over 100 people walking/running on a cold and blustery day, and then upon finishing heading to the Trails End for breakfast courtesy of the First Sergeants and coffee from Scooters Coffee and a wealth of information on self-care from the following organizations: SAPR, Chaplain Corp, the JA, Guard Prevention, Outdoor Recreation, Military One Source, 90/MW Prevention, Cheyenne Animal Shelter, Hands on Physical Therapy, Blue Federal Credit Union, Military One Sources, and many many men and women who assisted with set-up and tear down. We started with over ten tubs of swag to give out, and when we returned, we had less than two.

The conclusion of SAAM was amazing with more runners than anticipated and a fantastic resource fair.

April was an incredible month here at FEW. I look forward to seeing what Becki Burke, our new SARC, does with this program and how she takes it to new levels of trust and acceptance by both leadership and the men and women we serve.

9/11

IN MEMORY OF ALL WE LOST, THE 21ST ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11

STATISTICS: Times of impact: 8:46 a.m. and 9:02 a.m. Time the burning towers stood: 56 minutes and 102 minutes. The time they took to fall: 12 seconds. 2819 dead from 115 different nations. 343 Firemen/ paramedics, 23 NYPD, and 37 Port Authority officers.

Pentagon: Time of impact: 9:37 a.m. Deaths: 189

Pennsylvania Field: Time of impact: 10:03 a.m. Deaths: 44

Total lost 2996+

These losses do not account for the thousands more who have died as a result of the toxins from that day after the fall of the towers or the Pentagon.

My memory I will never for as long as I live forget that day. Brian had just come home from working a midnight shift at the guard and was in bed when I got a call from my dad to turn on the television. The girls, who were in second grade, Kindergarten, and just a toddler, and I watched the second tower get hit, watched both fall, and watched the Pentagon get hit! My second grader and kindergartner knew this was not good and hung on every word while still trying to get ready for school.

And then the call came to wake Brian, his MSgt called saying he had to come back in and we did not know when he would be back. This was the first time we had ever considered as a guardsman he would go to war. This was the first time I truly understood in a new way what it meant to be a military wife. This was the first time that I realized what was stolen from our country and how much more we could lose.

My father wanted me to keep the kids home that day – our answer was to fight back against terrorism and send them to school.

All of this was occurring while knowing that Brian’s father-in-law was somewhere in Manhattan at one of the towers, which we did not know. It would be 24 hours before we would learn it took him all day to return to New Jersey and he was ok. When Tom died many years later I think most of us knew that he was another victim of the towers and the debris he breathed in as he walked home that day. Before Tom died I had cross-stitched him a piece that had the twin towers on it and a reminder that we would never forget – the look in his eyes said it all – a loss that was felt until the day he died.

Years later I am reminded of friends who have committed suicide, military members who have fought and lost more than life, and families who kept the home fires burning and yet lost too. As we come upon this day I encourage others to never forget. Remember this day, remember what it cost. Remember what it is still costing. Remember that the fight is not over, but it should not be against each other – brothers and sisters of this country. Do not let politics, religions, gender, class, or culture get in the way and make you forget that on 12 September 2001 we were ONE!

Robbie, Tony, George,

The past three months our world has gone through many trials and tribulations as survival was the main goal during our first pandemic of the twenty-first century.  And as our country seems to be settling into a new normal an appalling act happens…police brutality. I have struggled with what to say and what to feel.  This act of police brutality is nothing new, and it is nothing new on all people.  Because I want to address the facts, I am going to break this up into sections. I am going to address law enforcement – specifically the bad but also the good. I will address race – and when I say that I want you to know I see all color!

Law Enforcement

Here is the issue with speaking out after the George Floyd death – this is more than a black man killed at the hands of white police officers. This is not just a race issue…only one short year ago a white man in Dallas was killed…a white man at the hands of bad police. I am not removing the fact that George Floyd is black, rather am showing that this is not just a race issue.  There are multiple issues that need to be addressed when putting a microscope on the death of George Floyd and law enforcement.

So let’s get down and dirty here:

• There needs to be a better selection process when hiring law enforcement officers.
• For those law enforcement officers who are the right ones we need to have better education on mental health, on cultures, on different world views and we need to have a way to minister to law enforcement so that burnout and compassion fatigue do not occur causing good cops to turn bad.
• We need to recognize color – we are each different and there is nothing wrong with that.
• We need to recognize that there are issues surrounding the differences we have and the cultures that are part of that; to include that there is a disproportionately large amount of crime in the black/brown culture especially on each other.
• Lastly we as the citizens of the United States need to take responsibility to keep government officials and law enforcement accountable that not all of them are bad. We need to remember when we protest to do it responsibly and not violently or this happens:

These are just a few of the law enforcement departments that have felt the pain and loss of officers:

-A Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Officer was shot in the back of the head while struggling with a rioter

-An active shooter opened fire on law enforcement at a Las Vegas courthouse

-4 St. Louis Police Officers were shot by an active shooter

-A New York Police Officer was struck by a vehicle

-3 Buffalo law enforcement officers were struck by a vehicle in front of the police station

-3 Davenport law enforcement officers were ambushed and 1 was shot

-132 officers were injured in Chicago during a riot

-9 Pittsburg officers were injured by objects during a riot

-Several officers in Rhode Island were injured during riots

-An active shooter opened fire at the Oakland Police Department

-2 officers were struck in the head with projectiles in Santa Ana

-2 Richland officers were shot in Virginia

-1 officer was struck in the head by a brick in Albany

-4 Prince William County Police Officers sustained head injuries from projectiles

-7 officers were injured in Sacramento

-Several officers were shot at and injured in Lynchburg

-Several Champaign Police Officers were injured

-3 Oak Law Police Officers were injured

-21 officers were injured in Salt Lake City

-At least 50 Secret Service Agents were injured by Molotov cocktails in Washington

-3 Denver Police Officers were ran over by a vehicle

-33 New York Police Officers were injured during riots

-6 Athens Police Officers injured during a protest

-2 Capitol Police Officers were injured during a riot in Harrisburg

-12 Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Officers were injured during riots

-21 Minneapolis law enforcement officers injured in riots

-1 Federal Protective Services Officer was shot and killed!

 

For example, Nix would want numbers not only on how many times a police officer shoots their weapon, but every time they draw their gun. “You need a benchmark that says how often they were in certain circumstances where they could have shot but did not. That gets us closer to the likelihood of racial bias.” (Mock, 2019)

Race

“Racism is not a thing that white people can have and black people can’t. And nobody’s research would suggest that it does.” (Mock, 2019)

It is important to recognize why there is such an issue with race relations here in the United States and the reason that is being utilized for blaming problems in the Black and Brown community on White people.

Historical trauma is considered trauma that is perpetuated on multiple generations “experienced by a specific culture, racial or ethnical group” (“Trauma,” n.d.). Many would suggest that those black and brown people who succumb to historical trauma face further complications with the treatment of their trauma because they continue “to live among and with the perpetrators of their trauma, the United States Governments and its people” (Cash, 2016, p. 330). Historical trauma is a learned behavior that is handed down from one generation to the next but is not necessarily experienced firsthand, i.e. the Holocaust, slavery in the United States, Trail of Tears, etc.  Historical trauma does lead to PTSD in around 14% of victims who have historical traumas; these are traumas that must be treated in a fashion that is different from other traumas.  Historical trauma and PTSD, the treatments for them, how to treat those who fall victim to historical trauma, and a biblical view of historical trauma must be addressed in truth and love.

Different does not mean inferior! Currently, in the United States, there is a civil war that is being fought by what some define as an at-risk community:  those that are black or brown-skinned. Because these people – who many do not know their cultural heritage – are choosing to claim historical trauma as a valid reason for their fight it is necessary to look at why they claim that and what led to such a claim.

The United States is estimated to have 331,002,651 people; 60.4% of those are white, 13.4% are black, with the remaining 26.2% being other races (“U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: the United States,” n.d.).  The United States covers three point five million square miles, with a majority of the perceived white-skinned Americans living in states that are not on the oceanic borders.  The history of the United States can trace its origins to 1587 when the first colony was established by the Kingdom of England.  Those part of the original colonies came to the new land to escape religious persecution.

“Many consider a significant starting point to slavery in America to be 1619, when the privateer The White Lion brought 20 African slaves ashore in the British colony of Jamestown, Virginia. The crew had seized the Africans from the Portuguese slave ship Sao Jao Bautista” (History.com Editors, 2009). It is projected that during the 18th century those six to seven million slaves were imported to the American colonies from Africa. The idea of slavery does not start in the United States colonies, rather most slave traders were Africans who captured and sold men, women, and children from rival tribes to the Spanish, Portuguese, French and British (Sieff, 2018). Please note that when slavery first began in the colonies people of color could earn their freedom as Anthony Johnson (the first Black slave owner) did and in turn owned slaves until his death.  But let this narration go further and show that slavery can trace its roots back long before the American colonies were even a dream…remember the Hebrew people were enslaved to the Egyptians. This narration is offered as an explanation of what many are considering current black and brown-skinned American citizens to be suffering from historical trauma and PTSD brought on by a systemic brand of slavery and discrimination.

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Historical Trauma

“Historical trauma is cumulative and collective.  The impact of this type of trauma manifests itself, emotionally and psychologically, in members of different cultural groups” (“How Being Trauma-Informed Improves Criminal Justice System Responses,” n.d.).  Those who suffer from historical trauma may suffer from anxiety, depression, and PTSD as both direct survivors and the progeny of the event.  This has been widely studied and for the longest period with survivors and the children from the Holocaust.  According to Yael Danieli, PhD, co-founder, and director of the Group Project for Holocaust Survivors and Their Children in New York, there are four types of adaptive styles that have been observed of those who are victims both directly and indirectly of historical trauma to include the:

people who have difficulty moving on from the original trauma and are emotionally volatile and overprotective, and “numb,” those who are emotionally detached, intolerant of weakness in others and who maintain a “conspiracy of silence” within the family (DeAngelis, 2019).

Of the two described above, it can be suggested that those who utilize the excuse of slavery and the effects it has on those who came to this land as slaves over two hundred years ago are those who seem themselves as victims.  The generation that is claiming historical trauma is nearly eighty years removed from the death of the last slave from Africa; in fact, the grandchildren of the last slave (Matilda McCrear) to be brought to America are in their late 80s and 90s.  Her great-great-grandchildren speak not of a historical trauma rather pride and “create some personal pressure to persevere” (Diouf, 2020). This story of the McCrears/Crears as the author points out is a story of “tragedy and loss; of migrations, forced and voluntary; of strong family ties, determination and achievement” (2020).  It is also a story that can represent the many African Americans who have overcome and not allowed a trauma to dictate their successes.

In the book Trauma and Human Rights: Integrating Approaches to Address Human Suffering the author shows that historical trauma is not just transmitted through “parental behaviors affected by PTSD and related symptomatology” but also because of ongoing structural violence (Butler et al., 2019, p. 17).  For those who feel they are suffering from historical trauma, there is a way to look at it and understand the issues that have faced Native Americans, Holocaust survivors, African Americans, the poverty-stricken, and yes even victims of terrorism:  it is called historical unresolved grief.  This is a philosophical unresolved sorrow stemming from collective destructive injuries, aggravated by injunctions and intrusion in traditions and observances.

In Native Americans and African Americans, it can be seen that this historical trauma for those who do not seek treatment has distinct effects on the sympathetic nervous system and the endocrine system.  Because of this those who experience historical trauma are more likely to have psychological distress, poor physical health, and higher suicide rates.  Much of this is brought on because of internalized oppression (Panasiewicz, 2020, pp. 16-18). It can even be suggested that those who are not directly victims of the historical trauma are suffering from secondary trauma.  In Holocaust Literature of the Second Generation the phrase “intergenerational transmission of trauma” is utilized to describe historical trauma.  The author uses it as a way of explaining that cultures who suffer from historical culture due so as a means of cultural identity – descendants of the trauma are symbolic memorial candles that are expected to continue to carry on the hurt of their parents and grandparents rather than break free (Vaul-Grimwood & Le, 2007, pp. 7-10).

 Biblical Worldview

My brother who is black, brown, white, yellow, or red is no different from me.  “God created human beings in his image.  In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” Genesis 1.27 (NLT). The Bible was used as a tool for many to justify slavery and other acts of discrimination for many years, but as scholars of the Bible came forward it can be seen that God never intended those in slavery to be treated ill.  In fact, throughout Exodus God lays out how slaves are to be treated: food is to be shared with them, if a slave marries a son she is to be a daughter, slaves are not to be beaten unless the owner faces punishment himself…  The issue comes though that we are all a slave to something…”For you are a slave to whatever controls you” 2 Peter 2.19b (NLT).  I would postulate that if we are allowing historical trauma to control us we are a slave to it.  The Bible regularly uses the idea of slavery and being bound by hackles as imagery for all people to understand how sin harnesses the flesh.  But just as the imagery of the slave is used so are verses like that found in Micah 6 where the Israelites use sacrifices and other religious rituals to appease Jehovah and Micah reminds the children of God that he wants them to have truly changed lives that reflect fairness, justice, mercy, and humility. “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” Micah 6.8 (NLT).

“The term trauma, meaning “wound,” comes from Greek antiquity. The range of meanings attested at the time includes being severely hurt, physical wounds, wounding, (military) defeat, and psychic wounds. Over the centuries, studies of trauma have been part of various disciplines: mental health fields, literature, and the arts as well as religion” (Guerrero, 2015).

Our wounds and how we treat one another can be traced back to original sin.  When Adam and Even were removed from the garden because of their sin God said that while he forgave them, their disobedience led to a broken fellowship with Abba.  This broken relationship can be seen throughout Genesis and throughout history as a result of this original sin.  But oh how good Yahweh is…in Isaiah, we see even before Jesus walked the earth that he would be “pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.  He was beaten so we could be whole.  He was whipped so we could be healed” 53.5 (NLT).  Our wounds can be healed, and the generational sins and wounds passed down can be removed and healed as well.  I am reminded as a Christian that no matter how bad I have been wounded, no matter how bad others may treat me that God has “plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a hope and a future” Jeremiah 29.11 (NLT).

Tomorrow as I walk amongst my brothers and sisters of different cultures, I will remember they are made in God’s image and I will love them no matter the hurt they carry. I will also not hate them because of their struggles and I will offer them the love of the Lord and understanding.  I will also not be ashamed of who I am and where I have come from no matter what others may say.

References

Barlow, J. N. (2018). Restoring optimal Black mental health and reversing intergenerational trauma in an era of Black Lives Matter. Biography, 41(4), 895-908. https://doi.org/10.1353/bio.2018.0084

Butler, L. D., Critelli, F. M., & Carello, J. (Eds.). (2019). Trauma and human rights: Integrating approaches to address human suffering. Springer.

Cash, A. (2016). Wiley concise guides to mental health: Posttraumatic stress disorder. John Wiley & Sons.

DeAngelis, T. (2019, February). The legacy of trauma. https://www.apa.org. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/02/legacy-trauma

Diouf, S. A. (2020, March 27). The last slave ship survivor and her descendants identified. http://www.nationalgeographics.com. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/03/last-slave-ship-survivor-descendants-identified/

Friedman, M. J. (2015). Posttraumatic and acute stress disorders. Springer.

Guerrero, C. (2015, October 14). Encountering trauma in the Bible. America: The Jesuit Review. https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2015/10/14/encountering-trauma-bible

History.com Editors. (2009, November 12). Slavery in America. HISTORY. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/slavery

Holder, M. R. (2015, August 13). Exploring the Potential Relationship between Historical Trauma and Intimate Partner Violence among Indigenous Women. Give the Gift of Education | American Indian College Fund. https://collegefund.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Holder_Melissa_2015-Exploring-the-Potential-Relationship-Between-Historical-Trauma-and-Intimate-Partner-Violence-amoung-Indigenous-Women.pdf

How Being Trauma-Informed Improves Criminal Justice System Responses. (n.d.). Abbotsford Local Immigration Partnership | ALIP. https://www.abbotsfordlip.ca/files/File/resources/Historical%20Trauma%20Fact%20Sheet%20for%20APD%20Victim%20Services%202014.pdf

Mock, B. (2019, August 6). What New Research Says About Race and Police Shootings. Retrieved June 4, 2020, from https://www.citylab.com/equity/2019/08/police-officer-shootings-gun-violence-racial-bias-crime-data/595528/

Panasiewicz, M. (2020). Historical trauma and it’s effects. Tribal Law & Policy Institute.

Sieff, K. (2018, January 29). An African country reckons with its history of selling slaves. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/an-african-country-reckons-with-its-history-of-selling-slaves/2018/01/29/5234f5aa-ff9a-11e7-86b9-8908743c79dd_story.html

Trauma. (n.d.). Administration for Children and Families. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/trauma-toolkit/trauma-concept

Tyndale. (2007). Genesis. In NLT study Bible (2nd ed.). Tyndale House Publishers.

U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: United States. (n.d.). Census Bureau QuickFacts. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045219

Vaul-Grimwood, M., & Le, G. (2007). Introduction: Holocaust writing of the second generation. In Holocaust literature of the second generation (pp. 1-30). Macmillan.

What is PTSD? (2020). http://www.psychiatry.org. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd/what-is-ptsd

Wilkins, E. J., Whiting, J. B., Watson, M. F., Russon, J. M., & Moncrief, A. M. (2012, October 27). Residual effects of slavery: What clinicians need to know. Springer. https://10.1007/s10591-012-9219-1

Williams-Washington, K. N., & Mills, C. P. (2018). African American historical trauma: Creating an inclusive measure. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 46(2), 246-263. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.2018.46.issue-2

 

QUIZ TIME – TIME CHANGES THINGS

I took this quiz originally on 31 May 2016, four years ago.  Things have definitely changed in my life since this time.  I am leaving the original answers from four years ago and putting in my new answers below them in green if things have changed or I want to ad lib…where have you changed in the last four to five years?

A – Accidents

01. Have you ever been in a car accident? MULTIPLE, AND I PAY FOR THEM TO THIS DAY

In the last four years I have been involved in one more that has really taken its toll on my anxiety when driving.  But all of the accidents singularly and jointly have left their impact on my body.

02. Do you have a lot of scars? FIVE

Seven – Three from my emergency gall-bladder surgery, two from my hysterectomy, one on my knee from when I was little, and one from a stupid bet with my dad

03. Have you ever been in a fist fight with someone? YES

I want to add that this was when I was in junior high and it was in defense of someone I love.

04. Have you ever seriously hurt anyone by mistake? YES, AND I AM STILL TRYING TO MAKE AMENDS

I do not believe there is ever a time we as humans will live and not by accident or purpose not hurt someone.  I have hurt some family members deeply and have asked for forgiveness.  I now leave it in their hands.

05. Have you ever had stitches? Where? YES, INTERNALLY

Both inside and out.

B – Beauty

06. Do you consider yourself beautiful? I DON’T KNOW

My mom always used to say I had a stunning beauty; sometimes I see it and know what she was talking about.   What I do know is that I was chosen, redeemed and am a child of God and that is what matters.

07. Are you self-conscious of how you look? VERY MUCH SO

Shortly after I gave birth to my second child I stayed in sweats, didn’t do my make-up or hair….and yes when I am sick I still do that, but I learned from my mom during that time that how we feel on the outside can also reflect on our mental health.  So when I get up in the morning I try to get dressed, even if only into leggings and a cute top, do something with my hair and put on the bare minimum of make-up a least.

08. Do you put on a lot of makeup? DEPENDS ON WHAT I AM DOING

I can honestly say no.  On a day when I am just going out of the house in a ball cap I am likely to put on some foundation so I don’t burn when outside and eyeliner.  Today…I put on foundation, eye shadow, liner and blush.  I rarely if ever wear lipstick.  But it is all applied very modestly and is never caked on.

09. Would you ever consider getting plastic surgery? NO

I think if the opportunity presented itself and it was the right thing to do I may consider it. 

10. What do you think makes a person beautiful? BEAUTY ISN’T ABOUT JUST WHAT IS ON THE OUTSIDE…

I still firmly believe that true beauty starts on the inside and then may manifest itself to the outside. Something I notice about people tends to be their eyes.

C – Consequences

11. What was the longest amount of time you’ve been grounded for? I NEVER GOT GROUNDED…

12. What would you do if you got pregnant, keep it or have an abortion? I DON’T BELIEVE IN ABORTION

13. Do you ever think about how your actions affect other people? YES, ALL THE TIME

More today than every before I think about consequences and how my actions will affect those around me.  I often find myself asking God to guard my words so that when they come out of my mouth they will not do harm.

14. What do you think is the worst punishment someone could give you? TO BE BEATEN VERBALLY – TAKES LONGER TO HEAL FROM THIS THAN PHYSICALLY

I am working on my Master of Arts in Human Service Counseling with an emphasis in trauma and crisis.  One of the things I have learned – that I think I knew already – is that physical scars heal much easier than mental and spiritual ones do.  There is an old adage that goes “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me,” boy did someone get that wrong!

15. What is one thing you wish you didn’t do, just because it wasn’t worth it in the end? WHAT IF’S DON’T DO ANYONE ANY GOOD

There are always going to be regrets in life…whether we use them to learn and move forward is what matters.  I still believe what if’s do nothing but cause havoc and hurt to the present.

D – Dealing

16. When you are mad at someone, how do you show them? I GET VERY QUIET

I yell when I am madder than a wet hen.  It is something I did when my kids were little and something I do now when I have a big fight.  With that said, I don’t get mad…I get hurt and when I do I get quiet and reserved.  Not because I am trying to isolate, but because I have learned that when those times happen prayer is my weapon of choice.

17. Name a time when you had to be strong. WHEN HAVEN’T I

I honestly cannot think of one time when I was not either expected by myself or others to be strong no matter what.  I have learned though that my Creator is the one who is strong…I have to give it to him.

18. Have you ever dealt with a divorce or parents fighting? Any kind of abuse at home? YES

19. When people at school don’t accept you, or have problems with you, how do you react? I TEND TO JUST INTERNALIZE

I think to a degree I may still do this, but my attitude has also changed some.  When I was in K-12 I would internalize the lack of acceptance and pain it caused, and generally went off on my own.  Today, my attitude is, it is your loss.  But there is still some hurt from a lack of acceptance.

20. Have you ever lost someone to death? Explain how you got through it. I HAVE LOST SEVERAL GRANDPARENTS, AND KATHERHYN…YOU JUST GRIEVE AND EVENTUALLY WHILE YOU DON’T FORGET YOU START LIVING AGAIN

E – Experience

21. Have you ever had a job? Any volunteer jobs? I HAVE BEEN WORKING SINCE I WAS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. I AM CURRENTLY THE CIRCULATION MANAGER FOR A NEWSPAPER. AND I HAVE DONE A LOT OF VOLUNTEER WORK OVER THE YEARS. CAN’T WAIT TILL THE DAY I CAN DO THAT AGAIN.

I currently work at the University of Wyoming as the AFROTC-UW Liaison.  I love my job and love being part of these young people’s lives.  I long for the day the Lord leads me to the job of my heart and allows me to return to volunteering.

22. Do you think that you are sexually experienced, or not at all? NOPE

NYOB

23. Have you gone through a lot emotionally, or has life been easy thus far? I HAVE HAD MY SHARE OF ISSUES

My new answer to this is Jesus carries me more times than not, both in the past and currently.  My relationship with him is no longer just long, but very deep.

24. Do you think you are ready to be on your own (have your own home, job, etc.)? I AM NOT SURE ANYONE IS EVER ENTIRELY READY TO BE ON THEIR OWN

I am a realist in that I know if something happen to my husband today, and I had to be in a home by myself, and doing life on my own I could do it.  But I would never be entirely alone.  I would have the support of family to see me through the dark times, and I would spend a lot of time with Abba.

25. How old do you act? MY AGE

I have had a lot of people that say while I do not look my age, I act much older than I am.

F – Family

26. Is there anyone in your family you don’t talk to? Why? YES, FOR REASONS OF SAFETY

This answer has not changed in why I do not talk to some, but it has also had an addendum added to it, in I have family that chooses not to talk to me any longer and I mourn daily for that relationship.

27. If you had to choose, family or friends? MANY WOULD SAY BLOOD BEFORE WATER, BUT I THINK THIS IS NOT AN EITHER/OR ANSWER

I was raised by what people term my step-mom.  She has never been my step-mom and never will be…she is MY MOM.  She is not blood, but I would choose her every day, and many times it has been over blood.

28. Can you tell your parents or one of your parents anything? NO

I believe there are things we neither share with our parents or our children.  One of my best friends is my daughter – when they grow up the relationship becomes vastly different – and I share much with her.

29. Do you have any siblings? If so, do you ever get jealous of them? I HAVE THREE – TWO BROTHERS AND A SISTER

I wish I had good relationships with them.

30. How often do you spend ‘quality time’ with family members? AS OFTEN AS I CAN

Not as often as I would like, but I do try and get cards out or a text message out to them.  I am not someone who likes to talk on the phone a lot, so I resort to the old fashioned letter.

G – Growing

31. How tall are you? How tall do you wish you were? 5.2, AND I AM PERFECT AT THIS HEIGHT

So for whatever reason I was measured at 5’3 recently.  That is growth, which is unusual at my age.  While I have always liked my height, I would not mind seeing a few more inches so my husband does not have to bend over or I stretch so far to get a kiss, especially as we age. There is a 16 inch difference in height between the two of us.

32. Do you think that you have grown more in the past year than any year before that? YES

I thought there was growth four years ago, but it was not the right kind of growth.  Here we are four years later and I have grown in so many ways…academically, physically, and most important spiritually.  Since COVID19 and having to be quarantined in my own home my relationship with my God has grown in ways I could never explain.  I rely on this relationship in a way I have never before done.  No longer is it just about knowing who God is, but knowing Abba intimately. 

33. As a person, do you think you are mature for your age or still act: MATURE

34. Are you scared to think that one day you will turn 30, then 40, then 50? NOPE

When I was younger I never was happy at the age I was…always wanted to be a little older.  I have no problem saying today I am 45 years of age.  Many think I do not look like I am in my forties, and I chalk that up to good genes and taking care of myself.  I also have others who say I act many years older than I am.  For me, I am OK with where I am with my age, and growing older no longer scares me the way I thought it might.

35. Do you believe you still have a lot to learn? WE HAVE THINGS TO LEARN EVERY DAY

My daughter says I am a professional student.  In the last five years I have earned a bachelor of science, a master of science and by December will have earned a master of arts.  I really would like to say I am done, but I would like to move to that final step and get my doctorate, but we will see what the Lord impresses upon my heart.  Either way I will never stop learning.

H – Hope

36. Love – real or not? REAL

37. Are you a pessimist of an optimist?

I am an optimist.  I will always believe that people are better, or give the benefit of the doubt.

38. Do you believe in fate, that everything happens for a reason, or do you think that our actions lead the way? I BELIEVE THAT WE CHOOSE THE FROM THE OPTIONS THAT GOD GIVE US

I do not believe it fate.  With that said…in Psalm 139 it says that God knows what we will do, what we will say, where we will go before we even do it.  But he knows that because he is the Alpha and Omega, and still says while I know what you’re going to do I let you make the choice. 

39. Do you think that after we die our spirit goes on? YES

Yes, but we choose where it will go after we leave this earth, by whether we choose Jesus or ourselves. 

40. What gives you hope when you just feel like dying? REALLY DEPENDS ON WHAT I AM DYING FROM

My hope is in Jesus and NO ONE can steal that from me.

I – Issues

41. Do you suffer from depression or constant sadness/loneliness? I HAVE DEPRESSIVE ISSUES BECAUSE OF MY PHYSICAL HEALTH

Because of some physical disabilities I have struggled with depression and anxiety.  I am since learned to deal with those issues in a natural and healthy way. 

42. Do you have any type of disease or disability? FIBROMYALGIA AND EARLY ONSET OF PARKINSON’S

I am in as close as can be a remission with both.  I chose five years ago to get off of all the big pharma drugs that in my opinion led to more trouble than good and use exercise, diet, and essential oils to feel better.

43. Are you currently in a hard relationship or have bad luck with the opposite sex? NOT A YES OR NO QUESTION

No relationship is easy.  Every relationship will  have hills and valleys and that is OK because it allows a person to grow both individually and together.

44. Do you think that you are alone in this world? I HAVE FELT THAT WAY BEFORE

I will never be alone.  No matter where I am I will always have family and my relationship with Abba.

45. How often do you think about death, suicide or running away?

The thought of death usually comes when I see loved ones and friends pass on.  On 29 May 2020 Grandpa Ola Campbell passed away at the age of 99 years…he was greeted in heaven with well done good and faithful servant.  I cannot wait for the day when I get to hear those words and sit at the feet of Jesus and know the trials and tribulations of this earth have passed. 

J – Jokes

46. Say a word or phrase that would not be funny to anyone but you & one of your friends (an inside joke) MOOSE

47. Are you usually the one who makes people laugh, Or the other way around? DEPENDS ON THE SITUATION

48. Do you cry when you laugh hard? SOMETIMES

49. Write down a hilarious moment you had with someone that makes you laugh to this day! I DON’T KNOW

Tim and I like to do things to “scare” each other, and see who gets the last laugh.  Saturday when he came home I was so absorbed in homework that neither I or Tuhla heard him until he was upstairs and coming into the hallway. Scared the dickens out of me, but boy did we laugh.

50. Do you ever get in trouble for laughing or talking a lot during class? NOPE I WAS QUIET

K – Knowledge

51. The purpose of school: to learn, to cause trouble or to hang out with friends? TO LEARN

52. Do people refer to you as smart, dumb, or average? SMART

Well at least my husband and kids refer to me this way.

53. What was the highest grade you have received (full course mark) ever? A+

54. What was your last average? This year would you like to maintain it or aim higher? 4.0, AND MAINTAIN

When I graduated with my Master of Science I did so with a 3.9.  This degree seems to be harder for me, so I will likely finish with a 3.2 and will be just as happy as I did my best.

55. What do you find the most interesting subject to be (to study or to talk about)? CRIMINAL JUSTICE

I still love to learn about the criminal justice system, but I have altered the route and what I learn about to help victims, those dealing in trauma.  So on an academic front I love to study counseling.  But just for me, I find that I am daily learning and desiring to learn about Abba.

L – Love

56. Are you currently in love? If not, have you been before? I AM DEEPLY IN LOVE

57. Do people around you show you a lot of love (tell you they love you, hug you, kiss you, etc.)? SOME DO

58. Is love worth it? I LOVE DEEPLY, UNCONDITIONALLY, AND WITH AN INTENSITY THAT SOMETIMES GETS ME IN TROUBLE

Love should never hurt, but sometimes it does. God so loved us that he sent his only son to die for us….that is the kind of love I want to always show…unconditional no matter the pain it causes.  Thank God he would never ask us to make the same kind of sacrifice as he did for us.

59. Do you hate it when girls in their young teenage years say they ‘love’ someone that they’ve been dating for a few months? NO

Love comes in many sizes, shapes, and colors.  Who am I to say they have no idea what love is.

60. Does it take a lot for you to say you love someone, or is it just a word? I AM VERY CAREFUL WHO I SAY IT TO

M – Money

61. Do you believe that money makes the world go round? NO

For where we lay up our treasures up here on earth, so will they be in heaven….my treasures are not monetary.

62. Is your family on the poor side, average, or above average when it comes to money? WOULDN’T YOU LIKE TO KNOW

I have family that are much better off than others.  But really I have quit looking at their checking account to see where they are, but rather where relationships, hearts, etc are.  I have family that are far wealthier than others, and yet have nothing in their bank account.

63. Are you saving up for college/university, or planning to? I AM CURRENTLY IN COLLEGE AND RELY ON GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND LOANS

64. Would you rather win millions of dollars & be set for life, or find the perfect person to marry & start a family with? WHY CAN’T I HAVE BOTH

I am blessed to have marriage and family.  And while we are not always where we want to be financially it could be worse.  With that said…I would like to be much further ahead than we are right now, and have some very strong regrets about past financial decisions.

65. On a scale of 1-10, how important is money to you? YES, WILLIAM WITH THE PIGS, WITH THE PIGS

N – Naughty

66. Are you a virgin? I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN…WHAT DO YOU THINK

67. What do you think about doing sexual things with someone you’re not going out with? NOT HAPPENING

68. Do you know anybody you consider a ’slut’? What makes you say that? NO

69. If you could, would you erase some things you did in the past or make it so you did more? ABSOLUTELY

This goes back to what ifs and looking back.  I cannot change those decisions so rather than regretting and wishing them away I choose to learn and help others.

70. Do you consider yourself nicer or more naughty? You can’t say both! NICE

O – Openness

71. How long does it take for you to open up to someone? BECAUSE I OPEN MYSELF UP ENTIRELY I TEND TO GET HURT EASIER

I have stopped opening myself up entirely.  I choose who receives a little and who receives a lot.  I rely heavily on that still small voice to tell me who I give what to.

72. What does it take for you to fully trust someone? I DON’T KNOW

73. Are you generally untrusting towards people because of past experiences, or any other reason? I TEND TO GO WITH MY GUT ABOUT PEOPLE AND HOW I WILL TRUST THEM

To go with one’s gut means we aren’t relying on the one who created us.  I rely on Sarayu – also known as the holy spirit – the Bible describes the Holy Spirit as breath or the wind.

74. When are you comfortable with someone sexually? I DON’T KNOW, IT IS A FEELING

When I am married.

75. When it comes to parents and close friends, what’s the limit of what you can tell them? DEPENDS ON WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT

As I mentioned before there are just somethings I do not tell my parents.  This is their time not to worry about the trials and tribulations that face me, but for me to worry over them.  I have learned as my children have progressed into adulthood my relationship has changed immensely with them and I tend to share much, much more with them.

P – Positive

76. Have you ever had an experience with someone that didn’t necessarily end positively? If so, would you rather erase the memory of that person because of the sad times or keep the memory of that person because of the good times? I MET A FRIEND THAT BECAME A BOYFRIEND WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL…HE WAS A FULL BLOODED NATIVE AMERICAN. MY FATHER WAS COMPLETELY OPPOSED TO ME HAVING ANYTHING TO DO WITH HIM, BECAUSE OF HIS RACE…I REGRET NOT STANDING UP TO MY DAD. I REGRET I NEVER KEPT IN TOUCH. TO THIS DAY I CAN STILL SEE HIM, AND CERTAIN SMELLS REMIND ME OF HIM.

I would never erase memories.  I have never erased the memories of this young man, because there were many great ones.

77. Do you agree with the saying: better to have loved and lost than not have loved at all? YES

78. Are you more optimistic or pessimistic? What do you try to be? I TRY TO BE OPTIMISTIC, BUT I THINK LATELY PESSIMISM HAS TAKEN HOLD

I am optimistic.  I believe all have good and I look for that rather than the bad.

79. Do you agree that something good can come out of everything? YES

I have a cadet who had a terrible health issue arise.  She was hospitalized and was not expected to live.  The prognosis was grim and hope was dashed for many.  But the prayer warriors kicked in and now she is expected to walk out of her hospital room the first of August.  God will use anything and everything for his glory.

80. Have you ever had a time where something really bad happened, but something really good happened because of it? If so, please explain what it was: YES, AND I WON’T EXPLAIN

Q – Questions

81. When faced with a problem, do you ask for help or try to figure it out yourself? DEPENDS ON THE PROBLEM

It really depends upon the problem.  More and more for things that are mental and spiritual in nature I seek counsel.  I am aware of my limitations physically and have more than once gone to my work team for things at work, and my kids during the week for things at home.  I do try and do for myself first, but realize there is nothing wrong with asking for help.

82. Do you often question the world and how we came about? What are some things you would like to know about creation? NOPE

I do not ask these questions as my worldview is very clear.  I am a Christian, and I know who my creator is, and what-not.  Does that mean I don’t have questions…absolutely not and I look forward to the day I get to ask Abba…if they are still important.

83. Do you think the government is truthful? If you could ask the president one question, what would it be? NO I DO NOT THINK THE GOVERNMENT IS ALWAYS TRUTHFUL. AND ONE QUESTION…I DON’T KNOW THAT I COULD NARROW IT DOWN TO ONE

I think the government is not entirely transparent, and on somethings cannot be.  Are there things they need to be more transparent on?  Absolutely, but I also believe that we as citizens have a responsibility to hold accountable our elected and appointed officials and that the citizens of this country are entirely too lazy and would rather be keyboard warriors than actually get up and do something.

84. When someone does something wrong to you, do you confront them and ask them why they did it or just let it go? IT REALLY DEPENDS ON WHAT WAS DONE TO ME. I GENERALLY ONLY CONFRONT IF IT IS SOMETHING REALLY BAD

Because of my past I am careful to confront.  I have confronted in the past and the pain and problems it created were worse.

85. What is one unsolved mystery about the world that you want answers to? WHY?

Why did you allow us to have free will?

R – Respect

86. How do you show respect? DEPENDS ON WHO I AM SHOWING IT TO

87. What can someone do for you to lose all respect for them? LIE TO ME; KEEP THINGS FROM ME; HIDE FROM ME

88. Do you respect your teachers, parents, and other authority figures? GENERALLY, YES

I respect the position they are in, not always the person in the position.

89. When you are disrespectful to your parents, what is the punishment? I AM A GROWN ADULT, TRY NOT TO BE DISRESPECTFUL

90. If someone is mean to you, are you mean back or do you kill them with kindness? I AM NEITHER MEAN OR KIND

I admit my first fleshly response is to pay back action with action, but I have become more self-aware and try to stop the reactions while still in my head and pray instead for them.

S – School

91. If you are still in school, what grade will you be going into? I AM PURSUING MY MASTERS DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE

I am now pursuing my masters degree in Human Services Counseling.

92. When will you graduate high school/college? 2017 HOPEFULLY

I graduated in 2017 with my bachelor’s degree, in 2019 with my first master’s and will finish in December 2020, but graduate in May 2021.

93. After high school, what did you do/are you planning to do? AFTER I GRADUATED I GOT MARRIED AND HAS CHILDREN

So much has happen since I graduated from high school.  Ultimately I plan to counsel those in crisis and trauma with the military when I grow up.

94. Do you like or hate school? What do you like/hate about it? I LOVE THAT I AM LEARNING

95. Have you ever been suspended, expelled, or dropped out of school? NO

T – Temptation

96. Have you ever done something wrong, knowing it was wrong, because something inside of you said it was okay? NO

Yes, and I do have regrets, but again we know what I think about what ifs.

97. Has anyone ever pressured you to smoke or drink? Did you do it? NO

98. Did you ever cheat on someone? Why did you do it? NO

Lets just leave it at this…I am a David.

99. Did you ever want to do something sexual with someone you didn’t really know or love? What did you end up doing? NO

100. Do you give in to temptation easily, or are you more independent and strong willed? STRONG WILLED

I am so strong-willed at somethings, and weak in so many other things.

U – Unique

102. Do you do a lot of things because your friends are doing it? NO

103. Do you follow trends, wear whatever you want, or wear really unique pieces? I HAVE A SPECIFIC STYLE I HAVE PRETTY MUCH ALWAYS WORN

As I get older I see that I stick to what is both comfortable when I am not showing my professional self, and more classic for the professional or formal side of life.

104. Do you give in easily to peer pressure? Do you do things such as smoke, drink, or have casual sex? NO, NO TO ALL OF THOSE

105. What makes you different from people your age? I WOULD LIKE TO SAY EXPERIENCE, BUT WHAT I THINK IS DIFFERENT MAY NOT BE

As I look at where people my own age are I really cannot say as I do not have a lot of friends that are my own age.  I am very choosing about friends and the few I truly count as close friends share the same love of the Lord as I do.

V – Value

106. What’s the most expensive thing in your room? ELECTRONICS

107. What’s more valuable: your life or the lives of your loved ones? Would you sacrifice your life for other people? I WOULD GLADLY SACRIFICE MY LIFE FOR OTHERS AND HAVE ON AN EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL LEVEL

I mentioned above that I do not have any problem with sacrificing myself for those I love.  Now when I say sacrifice I do not mean my emotions, my heart

108. What is something you value not because it cost a lot, but because it means a lot to you? SPECIFIC PIECES OF JEWELRY

I still value certain pieces of jewelry, but I also have things like my Grandad’s old shirt, my Christmas spider from Brianna, certain Native items that have been customized for me.

109. If there was a fire in your house/apartment, what is the first thing you would grab? IF I HAD ALL MY ANIMALS AND LOVED ONES IT WOULD BE PHOTOS

There is nothing that cannot be replaced, but likely it would be my Bible and prayer journal.  If more time allotted it would be computers, and hard-drives.

110. Do you think past memories and experiences are more valuable than what could possibly happen in the future? I THINK OUR PAST REFLECTS WHAT OUR FUTURE WILL BE LIKE

I think there is nothing that can replace past memories and experiences, but I do think that should not stop a person from making new ones that are just as important.

W – Wishes

111. If you had three wishes, what would they be? PEACE WITH MY CHILDREN, SUPPORT FOR MY LIFE, FINANCIAL STABILITY

Peace with my children, financial security for my husband and I, a place to put down roots where we both could be happy.

112. Would you rather wish yourself to be happy, or your loved ones? LOVED ONES

113. Do you believe that wishes come true if you really believe in them? I BELIEVE THAT WE MAKE OUR WISHES COME TRUE WITH HARD WORK AND PRAYER

114. Have you ever had a wish come true? If so, what was that wish? YES

115. Do you find wishing for things a waste of time because everything that’s meant to happen, will happen? NO

Y – You

121. Are you more independent or social? INDEPENDENT

122. What is something that makes you very mad when you see it? ABUSE

123. Do you think that you have potential to do great things? YES

124. What kind of person would you be if you didn’t have guidance from family members, God, teachers, etc.? Do you think people are born a certain way, or develop their personalities based on what they go through in life? I THINK I WOULD BE A STATISTIC IN THE GUTTER

I do believe that people develop into who they are as they go through life and are exposed to faith, family, and experience.  Some mental health diseases it is suggested can be hereditary or caused by errors in the brain…I believe we are born perfect and time and exposure to things change the brain.

125. Do you think people are generally good? WE ARE ALL SINNERS AND HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR EVIL

Z – Zest

126. Are you currently happy with your life? Why or why not? YES, MOSTLY

I am happy with where I am, and what I do.  I do have a dream for my job, and I have a need to live in the same town and same home with my husband.  My dream is to move home to Cheyenne and be working with the military.

128. When change occurs, do you get scared or are you excited for it? DEPENDS ON THE CHANGE

It really depends on the change.  Recently we had change that involved being victimized by “who we do not know” when our truck was vandalized and broke into.  The entire week I was a nervous wreck.  As the week progressed and I buried myself more and more in prayer I found peace.  I get excited over change that involves things like a new job, and new environments.

129. Do you like to try new things, meet new people? YES

130. What is the most motivational thing in the world? GOD, MY LOVE, MY CHILDREN

Have You Experienced Descrimination

What is discrimination?

Discrimination is the unfair or prejudicial treatment of people and groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, age or sexual orientation. That’s the simple answer. But explaining why it happens is more complicated.

The human brain naturally puts things in categories to make sense of the world. Very young children quickly learn the difference between boys and girls, for instance. But the values we place on different categories are learned – from our parents, our peers and the observations we make about how the world works. Often, discrimination stems from fear and misunderstanding.

According to the American Psychology Association (APA) everyone will experience discrimination of some kind at one point or another in their life.  I honestly thought I would never experience it because in Wyoming we just don’t do that…boy was I wrong.  Honestly though I think considering I am nearly fifty years old and I am just now experiencing it is pretty good right?  Or maybe I have experienced it before but never let it affect me.

Discrimination can define many different things…for me this time it was because I am a civilian.  I have worked beside the military for twenty-five years in one way or another.  Most recently when I was hired to work with the military it was as colleagues, as equals!  The first eighteen months I was an equal.  I worked along side my colleagues…all military personnel…as equals.  At no time was I looked at as beneath any of them, whether they were enlisted or officers.  Recently that has changed though…and I feel it.  The words were because you are a civilian you cannot do, or teach, or brief, or any number of things.  Being someone who has never allowed any kind of discrimination define me as we see some minorities I have really struggled with this.

Anyone who is discriminated against needs to see the truth that it is not their fault that someone cannot look past their skin color, gender, religion, etc.  Rather it is the person doing the discriminating who has the issue.  The are the one with blinders on.

The end of discrimination begins with me and you.

• Never again say anything negative or derogatory about anyone as it relates to things outside their control.

• Be more aware of discrimination. When you witness it, ask yourself if there is anything you can do personally to remedy the situation. Then do it!

• Be intentional about giving favor to those whom you know are being discriminated against.

• Say the words and practice the behavior you want children to imitate. As parents and teachers, we have a huge influence on our children and their views.

• Guard your thoughts and words when with those who make discriminating remarks.  Stand up for what’s right.

• Choose your friends carefully. People who discriminate are not friends of mine. Remember that you are the average of your five closest friends.

“It is often easier to become outraged by injustice half a world away than by oppression and discrimination half a block from home.” —Carl T. Rowan

I challenge each of you to stand up for one another.  To be the hands and feet of Christ and show love no matter where you are or who you are with.

COMSEC…Communications Security

This is just a rant that needs to be said.  It will be quick, and dirty.

Loose lips sink ships…unguarded talk may give useful information to the enemy.

As a military wife I learned early on that certain things were not said to anyone.  All words to family, friends, in letters, on social media were greatly metered as to what others would know.

For as long as soldiers have written loved ones back home, militaries have monitored and — if deemed necessary — censored those communications. “Loose lips sink ships,” a common refrain during World War II, alludes in part to the U.S. military’s desire to prevent sensitive information from slipping into soldiers’ correspondence. Leaders worried that troops would reveal their location or movement, or the outcomes of battles. ~ Douglas Yeung and Olga Oliker

This idea of monitoring and censoring what our military members and their families say is no less important today as it was during WWII.  And considering how easy it is to send information over email, social media, etc. it may be even more important.  I have a friend who recently decided it was ok to allude to where her spouse was deploying to.  This was not the first message she had mentioned information in.  And if you are like me, you can put two and two together and begin to deduce where, when and for how long a member is going to be gone.  Not only does this put the military member in danger, but also the family.

Every social media update has the potential to reach many more people than the handwritten letters of old. Communication is also much more immediate. Journalists, analysts, watchdog groups and adversaries can access this information in close to real time.

From military.com here are some great do’s and dont’s for OPSEC/COMSEC

Here are some general rules:

Do not post specific deployment and/or troop movement dates (“June” might be OK if the public affairs office has released it — but June 15 is likely not, for example).

Do not publicly post specific troop name and unit information (92nd ID is OK – 3rd PLT, Delta Co, 92 IN BN is not).

Do not post the specific deployed location of your service member or any unit.

Do not post unit or soldier itineraries that have not been publicly released. (example “leaving on June 15, flying to East Coast, to Europe, to Kuwait, to xxx base).

Do not post any troop movement, size and/or action (ie. s patrol of 15 going outside the wire on Thursday).

Here is my list of top 6 Surprise OPSEC don’ts

1. Don’t “check-in” at your FOB. Believe it or not, soldiers have checked-in at their Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) on Facebook. No joke. So now everyone knows where you are. Good work.

2. Don’t list your specific job on Facebook. Do you really want the enemy to know specifically what you do? That information could potentially be used against you.

3. Don’t post where your husband is ported. Ask yourself this: could someone with bad intentions who knows my husband is gone (because I said so on Facebook) use this information to make me think he knows my husband or make my husband think he knows or has been in contact with me? If so, don’t post it.

WIVES THIS IS SO IMPORTANT.  NOT ONLY DOES IT MAKE THEM UNSAFE, BUT YOU TOO BECAUSE NOW YOU JUST TOLD THE WHOLE WORLD YOU’RE ALONE.

4. Don’t post when your husband is coming home. You may think your Facebook page is private — but do you really know that for sure?

5. Don’t ask for prayer or good thoughts when your husband is “on mission.” I know you want people to be supporting your family — but letting everyone know he is out on patrol is not the way to do it. This would be a message best relayed privately.

6. Don’t post your metadata. “What is metadata,” you ask? Metadata is that information linked to your photos or status updates letting people know where you posted from. Let’s specifically think about ones that are sent to you by you husbands that you then post for them. Have you ever seen MythBusters? Well one of the hosts made a big booboo by posting a picture of what was later determined to be his house. How did people figure that out? One word — Metadata. So, not to dwell on this particular part of OPSEC too much here’s quick link to how to remove that info.

Remember: just because the military tells you something, does not mean you can talk about it publicly. Maybe privately — but on Facebook? Not so much.

Can you see your spouse‘s job identification or rank on his uniform in pictures? It may make you a target. Think about it: you list where you are (city), that’s a base location — say your profile picture has your hubby in his uniform in it — that’s branch, last name, rank and possible job identification.

Are count-up clocks to deployments a good idea? I know they don’t want you to do count down’s, but count-ups really all that much better?

Do you have service related stickers on your car? I have no identifying markers on my car. No, “half my heart is in Iraq”, or Air Force Wife, or cute little family member decals. It may seem silly, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle for someone looking for some information. Someone could be driving behind me and in five minutes figure out that I’m a wife of whatever branch, I have this many children, including an honor student at such and such elementary school, and that my husband isn’t here.

Now ladies and gentleman after reading this if you find it necessary to leak information to anyone out there on social media have at it, but it is not just you and your member’s life you are potentially exposing, but their entire team too.  Ask yourself – is it really necessary for me to say that…what are the potential repercussions?

The Church has Left the Building

“As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you”

John 20:21

Around March 15th both our state and federal leaders instructed the citizens of the United States to not meet in groups of more than ten people.  As the Church of Christ this was a hard announcement as it would mean that we would not gather together with other believers; it meant a social distancing that would be painful!  But churches in obedience to our government leaders shuttered the doors, and began making preparations to lead the multitude via social media.  It has not been an easy process for those with older congregations, but it is working.  The Church Family may be physically distanced but they are not distanced spiritually or even socially.

Today our home church Element Church led the way with a Prayer Parade through the city, and for many in communities all over the country.  As my husband and I watched Jeff’s message from the parking lot of Element Church – we drove from Laramie WY on those roads – we didn’t want to miss a moment of today so we left early – we saw others tuning in from Maryland, Florida, and many other places. 

The message:  The Resurrection of Jesus Doesn’t Just Change My Eternity; It Changes My Every Day!  So how does it change your everyday?

1.  It gives us power – 1 Corinthians 15.58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. (NLT) or as the Passion Translation says:  “ So now, beloved ones, stand firm and secure. Live your lives with an unshakable confidence. We know that we prosper and excel in every season by serving the Lord, because we are assured that our union with the Lord makes our labor productive with fruit that endures.”

2. It gives us peace – John 20.19-21 “That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. ²⁰ As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! ²¹ Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” (NLT)

Psalms 16.8 “I know the Lord is always wth me.  I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” (NLT)

John 14.27 “ “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (NLT)

3. It give us a purpose – funny this is the word God gave me to live by this year – 1 Corinthians 15.58 “ So now, beloved ones, stand firm and secure. Live your lives with an unshakable confidence. We know that we prosper and excel in every season by serving the Lord, because we are assured that our union with the Lord makes our labor productive with fruit that endures.” (TPT)

Pastor Jeff has been telling us there are several things we can do even as we are not in the church building…PRAY, GIVE, SERVE, and CONNECT.  Each of these are the core values of Element Church   You can continue to tithe and give to the church.  Just cause the church is not in the building does not mean its work ends.  You can serve others – go out and shop for those who are home-bound or elderly.  Move the snow for someone who can’t.  I cannot tell you how much I have appreciated my children doing our grocery shopping or running errands after we receive our COVID19 diagnosis.  You can connect with others – first there is still life groups online, but you can also reach out on the phone, email, social media, cards, writing letters – it means so much for someone to have these times to hear the voice.  Today I got to feel my daughter’s hug for the first time since the 25th of March – 19 days.  It was amazing – stay connected.  But above all PRAY.  No matter where you are or what you are doing you can always speak to the Lord – He likes to hear from you.

The final part of Pastor Jeff’s message was that we were to go out and PRAY over our city, with three specific areas to address – but of course not limiting us to those.  We were to pray at a government location, a medical or first responder location, and a school or education location.  Along with the guide on how to pray and scripture to read at each location, we received three postcards to send to those we prayed for as a way to lift them up, and for the first two hundred vehicles that drove through Element Church they received an envelope with $100 to give back and bless someone with it.  If you haven’t done the math yet that is $20,000 that was given back to the community.

Since I was an eager beaver we were in the parking lot when services ended so we were also the first through the line – thank you Pastor Derrick and Pastor Brendan for being patient with us as we didn’t understand where we were to go in the maze of cones.  And thank you Kat for being a face that I was blessed to see and feel the love from.  I knew even before I read the guide where we would be going…and that our prayers would not be limited to just these three places.

First was a government building.

• Wyoming Capital here we come.  I knew the Lord was calling me to pray for Governor Gordon and those serving in his administration.  We may not always agree with their decisions, but they are the leaders God has placed before us.  I prayed for wisdom for him and his administration.  Wisdom to know how to lead our state through this pandemic and the economic issues it presents.  I asked for protection for their families, as they will hear and see their loved ones be hurt verbally for decisions they make.  I asked the Lord to provide them a peace in their decisions.

aerial photograph state capitol building, Cheyenne, Wyoming

1 Timothy 2.1-4 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. ² Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. ³ This is good and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. (NLT)

• But praying for our leaders here in Wyoming is not enough.  So I lift up President Trump and Mrs. Trump, and the entire COVID19 Task Force.  They are leading this country through unprecedented times.  Times that speak of an evil in our world that cannot be seen, but it only fought through prayer, scripture and knowing and loving the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Ephesians 6.12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (NLT)

Next was the medical field or first responders.

• After the Capital we moved onto the Laramie County Fire Department on 19th Street.  I know that our nurses and doctors are on the front lines, but so are our paramedics and fireman.  As we sat outside and watched them inventory their vehicles I prayed for strength and protection for both them and their family.  So many will come in contact with those who are infected with this virus and will still go home knowing they are exposing their loved ones to it as well.  Some will choose to go home but isolate away from the family.  I pray for peace and strength for both them and their families.  I thank them for the work they are picking up – for still doing what they have always done – whether that was reporting to car accidents, fires, or kitties up a tree.  They still go no matter the danger.

Psalm 91.1-4 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.
³ For he will rescue you from every trap
    and protect you from deadly disease.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armor and protection. (NLT)

• But as with the government buildings one was not enough.  I work everyday with the military – and I will admit they are close to my heart.  While Wyoming’s military has not been called up to serve during this pandemic many across our nation have been.  They put on their hazmat gear and go about building hospitals, and taking temperatures, or whatever their country asks of them.  At FE Warren many have found themselves living on base and away from their family as the protection level has been elevated.  I pray for them…I pray for strength and peace, and wisdom as they make decisions on how to help our nation as well.

Last we came upon a school or education location.

• As I work for the University of Wyoming I knew the value of praying for this institution and for our community colleges.  This is a trying time for those here on all levels.  We prayed for the students, the staff and the faculty.  We prayed for peace, understanding, and wisdom.  We prayed for those struggling to learn in this new environment.  We prayed for a path that would allow the institutions to continue to deliver and bless these students with knowledge that would bless their future.  I specifically lifted up students who are suppose to be rejoicing as they complete the last couple months of their education and graduating.  I prayed for a peace as they feel lost and gypped out of their graduation and last times with friends.

Romans 11.33-36 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!³⁴ For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? ³⁵ And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back?

As we finished our day, and began the trek back home it occurred to me I still had an envelope from Element Church I had not opened.  God immediately laid it upon my heart that I knew who would receive the envelope.  My daughter has been sewing face masks by hands since before I got sick to give to our medical community.   When they called and asked those who could sew to step up she immediately went out with their grocery money and bought all the materials she could and began sewing – she completes 3-4 masks per day.  And during this time she held the hand of a student who lay dying in the hospital – held her mother and comforted her…and ran errands for both us and the detachment and the student’s family as they prepared to remove her from school.  All of this without every asking or suggesting that they didn’t know how they were gonna buy groceries.  All of this and mailing a few masks off to those in other states who said they needed her help without ever asking for reimbursement.  As I laid the envelope in her hand today – touching my sweet daughter for the first time in too long I watched her open it and show Liam, her husband and then with big tears in her eyes say you don’t know what a blessing this is.  “We don’t have money for groceries and wondered how much longer we would have to wait to get some. My poor husband was going to see me this week without coffee.”  Of course she was immediately scolded by her step-dad and told she would never do without as long as we could help. But this just showed God knew the need even before we did.

Thank you Element Church for being home.  Thank you for caring for everyone, but also only the one.  Thank you for connecting us as the body.  Thank you for showing us how to serve – and that it matters no matter how big or small the service is.  Thank you for leading the way in generosity.  And most of all thank you for obeying God no matter how weird or strange it may seem at the time.

 

 

 

Greater – Movie Review

It was movie night at my house tonight.  My husband was going through our list of shows and movies we wanted to watch on Netflix.  He came across one I saved awhile ago called Greater.  Greater is the story of Brandon Burlsworth and the amazing mark he made in life in his short twenty-two years.  This is a movie with mild language, but real life issues a young man faces as he follows Christ from the beginning of his life to the end.

Brandon Burlsworth was born 20 September 1976 in Harrison Arkansas.  Before his death he was an All American Academic, All American First Team, SEC, and recruiter to the Indianapolis Colts.

Brandon became the first Arkansas Razorback football player to complete a master’s degree before playing his final game. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the draft. Tragically, at the age of 22, 10 days after the draft, he was killed in a car accident on April 28th, 1999 while on his way home from the University of Arkansas to attend church with his mom. In the short time Brandon was on this earth he left a legacy and a positive role model that will be remembered long after we are gone.

His brother Marty writes an amazing blog post at:  My Brother Brandon.  Where he talks about his brother the boy who overcame obstacle after obstacle to be the best walk-on player the Arkansas Razorbacks have ever seen.

Brandon’s life was about FAITH – FAMILY – FRIENDS – FOOTBALL.  The story of his life found in Greater truly shows that in such a short time a person can impact everyone around them and live their life for the Glory of God.

You can watch the movie on Netflix or read the book here.

Read more reviews here.

Following Brandon’s death the impact he made can be seen here:

Tributes

• Houston Nutt, Arkansas Razorback Head Football Coach from 1998 through 2007, started the saying, “Do it the Burls Way”, a saying that means do it the right way, even when no one is looking. The saying is the motto of the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation.^[12]
• Brandon’s jersey #77 is retired at the University of Arkansas. It is only the second retired football jersey in school history.
• His locker is enclosed in a glass case in the Razorback locker room.^[13]
• The Harrison Youth Center in Harrison, Arkansas, was renamed the Brandon Burlsworth Youth Center in May 1999.
• The Indianapolis Colts wore his initials, BB, on their helmets for the 1999 season.

Brandon Burlsworth Foundation

After his death, family and friends established the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation in honor of his work ethic and Christian values. The Christian organization’s mission is to support the physical and spiritual needs of children, in particular those children who have limited opportunities. The Foundation’s logo prominently features Burlsworth’s signature black-framed glasses.^[14]

Burls Kids

Today, through the “Burls Kids” program, the Burlsworth Foundation provides underprivileged youth a chance to attend Razorback and Colts football games. Since 2000, the Foundation has bought 30 tickets to each Arkansas Razorbacks home football game. The tickets are distributed through Razorback Clubs across the state. The children are a big part to the foundation. The children are given an official “Burls Kid” T-shirt and replica glasses similar to what Brandon wore on the field.^[15]

Eyes of a Champion

In 2007, the “Eyes of a Champion” program was started. The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, in partnership with Walmart/Sam’s Optical Department and independent optometrists across Arkansas, provides eye care to thousands of pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students. Primarily they come from working families that cannot afford extras like eye care and do not qualify for state funded programs. Applications must be submitted by school nurses or counselors and are available in English, French, and Spanish.^[16]

Football Camps

The Brandon Burlsworth Football Camps are for children going into 3rd grade through 9th grade. They are held once each summer at F.S. Garrison Stadium in Harrison, Arkansas, and War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas. Children are given a chance to learn from former Razorbacks. Past participants included Anthony Lucas, Clint Stoerner, Joe Dean Davenport, Madre Hill, Grant Garrett, Russ Brown, Barry Lunney Jr., Chad Abernathy, Jeremiah Washburn, Michael Smith, Lucas Miller and others. The campers learn football skills but more importantly, they are taught throughout the day about character, attitude, morals, priorities and the desire to do it “The Burls Way”.^[17]

Scholarship and awards

Each year the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation gives out several awards and scholarships at various school levels. Eighteen students at the University of Arkansas who are primarily from smaller towns and who are characterized as academic “overachievers” receive $5,000 scholarships. Additionally, a Razorback football player who began his career as a walk-on, but then earned a football scholarship, is honored as the year’s Burlsworth Athletic Scholar. The students are selected by the University of Arkansas Scholarship Committee and are recognized in a ceremony in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

High School awards include the Brandon Burlsworth High School Football Awards. Every high school football coach in Arkansas has the opportunity to nominate one player from the team. Those players receive a plaque and a copy of “Through the Eyes of A Champion, the Brandon Burlsworth Story” autographed by Brandon’s mother, Barbara Burlsworth.^{[citation needed]}

The Brandon Burlsworth Championship Award is presented at the Arkansas state football championships games to one player from each team for conduct above and beyond expectations.^[18]

The Burlsworth Character Awards is a national award honoring character and sportsmanship in high school football. Awardees are announced in late spring following the fall football season.^[19]

The Brandon Burlsworth Award is given out yearly to a male and female athlete at Harrison High School and the University of Arkansas who best exemplify the strength of character and work ethic known as “The Burls Way”.^[20][21]

In 2010, the Burlsworth Trophy was created and named in his honor.^[22] The award is given yearly to the most outstanding Division I FBS college football player who began his career as a walk-on.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/BOB COLEMAN–A commerative display was set up by the Indianapolis Colts at the funeral of Brandon Burlsworth in Harrison Saturday afternoon. 5/1/99

The locker of the late Brandon Burlsworth, seen Saturday, Aug. 7, 1999, was recently encased with glass in the locker room at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark. Coaches at Arkansas are wearing T-shirts with “The Burls Way” written on them in remembrance of the All-American and Indianapolis Colts draftee, who was killed in an automobile accident April 28. (AP Photo/April L. Brown)

A Warning to America

This is not an original blog post by me.  I am sharing this as a means of educating those who may read it. To see the original post please go to:  https://www-beliefnet-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.beliefnet.com/columnists/on_the_front_lines_of_the_culture_wars/2011/04/she-survived-hitler-and-wants-to-warn-america.html/amp?usqp=mq331AQFKAGwASA%3D&fbclid=IwAR1z2IgeDqSnFCZBlcWcYn71OCyGSCq6VKqQ1DqzuN8kYguwI19WKeWXyl8&amp_js_v=0.1#aoh=15825683674781&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.beliefnet.com%2Fcolumnists%2Fon_the_front_lines_of_the_culture_wars%2F2011%2F04%2Fshe-survived-hitler-and-wants-to-warn-america.html

 

She survived Hitler and wants to warn America

9 years ago

Kitty Werthmann

Kitty Werthmann survived Hitler.

“What I am about to tell you is something you’ve probably never heard or read in history books,” she likes to tell audiences.

“I am a witness to history.

“I cannot tell you that Hitler took Austria by tanks and guns; it would distort history.

Adolph Hitler

“We voted him in.”

If you remember the plot of the Sound of Music, the Von Trapp family escaped over the Alps rather than submit to the Nazis. Kitty wasn’t so lucky. Her family chose to stay in her native Austria. She was 10 years old, but bright and aware. And she was watching.

“We elected him by a landslide – 98 percent of the vote,” she recalls.

She wasn’t old enough to vote in 1938 – approaching her 11th birthday. But she remembers.

“Everyone thinks that Hitler just rolled in with his tanks and took Austria by force.”

No so.

“In 1938, Austria was in deep Depression. Nearly one-third of our workforce was unemployed. We had 25 percent inflation and 25 percent bank loan interest rates.

Farmers and business people were declaring bankruptcy daily. Young people were going from house to house begging for food. Not that they didn’t want to work; there simply weren’t any jobs.

“My mother was a Christian woman and believed in helping people in need. Every day we cooked a big kettle of soup and baked bread to feed those poor, hungry people – about 30 daily.’

“We looked to our neighbor on the north, Germany, where Hitler had been in power since 1933.” she recalls. “We had been told that they didn’t have unemployment or crime, and they had a high standard of living.

Austrian girls welcome Hitler

“Nothing was ever said about persecution of any group – Jewish or otherwise. We were led to believe that everyone in Germany was happy. We wanted the same way of life in Austria. We were promised that a vote for Hitler would mean the end of unemployment and help for the family. Hitler also said that businesses would be assisted, and farmers would get their farms back.

“Ninety-eight percent of the population voted to annex Austria to Germany and have Hitler for our ruler.

“We were overjoyed,” remembers Kitty, “and for three days we danced in the streets and had candlelight parades. The new government opened up big field kitchens and everyone was fed.

Austrians saluting

“After the election, German officials were appointed, and like a miracle, we suddenly had law and order. Three or four weeks later, everyone was employed. The government made sure that a lot of work was created through the Public Work Service.

“Hitler decided we should have equal rights for women. Before this, it was a custom that married Austrian women did not work outside the home. An able-bodied husband would be looked down on if he couldn’t support his family. Many women in the teaching profession were elated that they could retain the jobs they previously had been required to give up for marriage.

“Then we lost religious education for kids

Poster promoting “Hitler Youth”

“Our education was nationalized. I attended a very good public school.. The population was predominantly Catholic, so we had religion in our schools. The day we elected Hitler (March 13, 1938), I walked into my schoolroom to find the crucifix replaced by Hitler’s picture hanging next to a Nazi flag. Our teacher, a very devout woman, stood up and told the class we wouldn’t pray or have religion anymore. Instead, we sang ‘Deutschland, Deutschland, Uber Alles,’ and had physical education.

“Sunday became National Youth Day with compulsory attendance. Parents were not pleased about the sudden change in curriculum. They were told that if they did not send us, they would receive a stiff letter of warning the first time. The second time they would be fined the equivalent of $300, and the third time they would be subject to jail.”

And then things got worse.

“The first two hours consisted of political indoctrination. The rest of the day we had sports. As time went along, we loved it. Oh, we had so much fun and got our sports equipment free.

“We would go home and gleefully tell our parents about the wonderful time we had.

“My mother was very unhappy,” remembers Kitty. “When the next term started, she took me out of public school and put me in a convent. I told her she couldn’t do that and she told me that someday when I grew up, I would be grateful. There was a very good curriculum, but hardly any fun – no sports, and no political indoctrination.

“I hated it at first but felt I could tolerate it. Every once in a while, on holidays, I went home. I would go back to my old friends and ask what was going on and what they were doing.

A pro-Hitler rally

“Their loose lifestyle was very alarming to me. They lived without religion. By that time, unwed mothers were glorified for having a baby for Hitler.

“It seemed strange to me that our society changed so suddenly. As time went along, I realized what a great deed my mother did so that I wasn’t exposed to that kind of humanistic philosophy.

“Then food rationing began

“In 1939, the war started and a food bank was established. All food was rationed and could only be purchased using food stamps. At the same time, a full-employment law was passed which meant if you didn’t work, you didn’t get a ration card, and if you didn’t have a card, you starved to death.

“Women who stayed home to raise their families didn’t have any marketable skills and often had to take jobs more suited for men.

“Soon after this, the draft was implemented.

Young Austrians

“It was compulsory for young people, male and female, to give one year to the labor corps,” remembers Kitty. “During the day, the girls worked on the farms, and at night they returned to their barracks for military training just like the boys.

“They were trained to be anti-aircraft gunners and participated in the signal corps. After the labor corps, they were not discharged but were used in the front lines.

“When I go back to Austria to visit my family and friends, most of these women are emotional cripples because they just were not equipped to handle the horrors of combat.

“Three months before I turned 18, I was severely injured in an air raid attack. I nearly had a leg amputated, so I was spared having to go into the labor corps and into military service.

“When the mothers had to go out into the work force, the government immediately established child care centers.

“You could take your children ages four weeks old to school age and leave them there around-the-clock, seven days a week, under the total care of the government.

“The state raised a whole generation of children. There were no motherly women to take care of the children, just people highly trained in child psychology. By this time, no one talked about equal rights. We knew we had been had.

“Before Hitler, we had very good medical care. Many American doctors trained at the University of Vienna..

“After Hitler, health care was socialized, free for everyone. Doctors were salaried by the government. The problem was, since it was free, the people were going to the doctors for everything.

“When the good doctor arrived at his office at 8 a.m., 40 people were already waiting and, at the same time, the hospitals were full.

“If you needed elective surgery, you had to wait a year or two for your turn. There was no money for research as it was poured into socialized medicine. Research at the medical schools literally stopped, so the best doctors left Austria and emigrated to other countries.

“As for healthcare, our tax rates went up to 80 percent of our income. Newlyweds immediately received a $1,000 loan from the government to establish a household. We had big programs for families.

“All day care and education were free. High schools were taken over by the government and college tuition was subsidized. Everyone was entitled to free handouts, such as food stamps, clothing, and housing.

“We had another agency designed to monitor business. My brother-in-law owned a restaurant that had square tables.

“ Government officials told him he had to replace them with round tables because people might bump themselves on the corners. Then they said he had to have additional bathroom facilities. It was just a small dairy business with a snack bar. He couldn’t meet all the demands.

“Soon, he went out of business. If the government owned the large businesses and not many small ones existed, it could be in control.

“We had consumer protection, too

Austrian kids loyal to Hitler

“We were told how to shop and what to buy. Free enterprise was essentially abolished. We had a planning agency specially designed for farmers. The agents would go to the farms, count the live-stock, and then tell the farmers what to produce, and how to produce it.

“In 1944, I was a student teacher in a small village in the Alps. The villagers were surrounded by mountain passes which, in the winter, were closed off with snow, causing people to be isolated.

“So people intermarried and offspring were sometimes retarded. When I arrived, I was told there were 15 mentally retarded adults, but they were all useful and did good manual work.

“I knew one, named Vincent, very well. He was a janitor of the school. One day I looked out the window and saw Vincent and others getting into a van.

“I asked my superior where they were going. She said to an institution where the State Health Department would teach them a trade, and to read and write. The families were required to sign papers with a little clause that they could not visit for 6 months.

“They were told visits would interfere with the program and might cause homesickness.

“As time passed, letters started to dribble back saying these people died a natural, merciful death. The villagers were not fooled. We suspected what was happening. Those people left in excellent physical health and all died within 6 months. We called this euthanasia.

“Then they took our guns

“Next came gun registration. People were getting injured by guns. Hitler said that the real way to catch criminals (we still had a few) was by matching serial numbers on guns. Most citizens were law abiding and dutifully marched to the police station to register their firearms. Not long afterwards, the police said that it was best for everyone to turn in their guns. The authorities already knew who had them, so it was futile not to comply voluntarily.

Kitty Werthmann

“No more freedom of speech. Anyone who said something against the government was taken away. We knew many people who were arrested, not only Jews, but also priests and ministers who spoke up.

“Totalitarianism didn’t come quickly, it took 5 years from 1938 until 1943, to realize full dictatorship in Austria. Had it happened overnight, my countrymen would have fought to the last breath. Instead, we had creeping gradualism. Now, our only weapons were broom handles. The whole idea sounds almost unbelievable that the state, little by little eroded our freedom.”

“This is my eye-witness account.

“It’s true. Those of us who sailed past the Statue of Liberty came to a country of unbelievable freedom and opportunity.

“America is truly is the greatest country in the world.

“Don’t let freedom slip away.

“After America, there is no place to go.”

I80 Accident

The first of March saw several snow storms and icy conditions accompanied with wind here in Wyoming.  What is new?  Right!  Wyoming starts seeing winter conditions as early as September and as late as June!  The first issue at hand is a highway that so far

this year has seen nearly 60 closures total because of poor weather.  The second issue at hand is drivers who enter the border of Wyoming and have no idea how to drive or react when driving across our fine state.  The most recent incident was three different accidents between Rawlins and Wamsutter Wyoming in which three people died.

The WHP says driving too fast for conditions and following too closely are being investigated as leading causes for the crash, which closed Interstate 80 through late Tuesday night. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) states that it takes nearly up to two football fields to stop in ideal weather.  Viewing the photos below, it is obvious that many of the semi trucks traveling on the highway were exceeding the speed appropriate for seeing ahead and the conditions.  While it is recommended to reduce your speed by half for snow and ice, it can also be argued that speeds of that nature when visibility is greatly reduced is just as harmful as going to fast.

The trucking industry is a multi-billion dollar maker.  These trucks travel across thousands of miles every day, but it is not the same industry of the 1930s, or even the same industry from 30 years ago.  Just a short time ago drivers who passed you on the road were cognizant of those around them, they knew where they were going and what

their limitations were.  When my aunts and uncles drove years ago they knew how to turn, how to drive in all weather conditions, and what the next guy was going to do.  Today these drivers that come out of a two-week driving school have no idea what is going on or where they are going.  They are just there for a paycheck and to hold a steering wheel. Both my husband and son drive day in and day out and they are not so drivers who just drive for the paycheck, but because they love what they do.  They drive and watch out for others, but it is getting harder and harder to do that.

Now lets take up one of the last issues is a highway that sees a lack of patrolling.  Yes by all means we are a state that stretches across vast miles that can drive some bonkers, but we need law enforcement that are willing to do their job.  Don’t just sit out in the median and watch for speeders, those trafficking drugs, and accidents.  Prevent the accidents by stopping those who are not staying in their lanes, who are tailgating, those who are driving to fast for conditions…etc.  If more law enforcement were out there to prevent

Rest in Peace Cleo

and not treat the issue after the fact we may see a lot less of these type of accidents.

Lets stop the loss of lives – both human and animals alike.  Say something to your representatives.