My Personal Tribute to THE Phenomenal Dr. Maya Angelou

The phenomenal Dr. Maya Angelou passed away on May 28, 2014.   Eternal gratitude shall forever preserve your legacy oh great and wise sheroe. Thank you for inspiring us not to let cages confine and keep us from singing; thank you for defining and then teaching us what it means to be phenomenal; infinite gratitude for teaching us that no trauma, tragedy or trial can keep us from rising again and living triumphantly; thank you for reminding us that we can change humanity by simply saying good morning; bless you for admonishing us to pursue peace and listen to the voice of God that lies within each of us. Your star will shine bright in the midst of that great cloud of witnesses.

We Are No Where Near Repaying the Debt We Owe to Our Veterans

Today marks the annual commemoration of America's veterans and enlisted men and women serving in our military on land and sea, abroad and at home.  With family members and friends who have served and continue to serve in our military and as a benefactor of rewards granted to all Americans as a direct result of their service, I am proud of and grateful for all of the men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice--their lives--to uphold, advance and protect the freedoms and values of America--a democracy under development.  I am ever so mindful however of the recent scandal plaguing  the Department of Veteran Affairs.  Veterans who survived the looming threats of death fighting in our numerous and senseless wars only to return home to die after being placed on long waiting lists for necessary and urgent medical care; the thousands of veterans who fought wars to free the oppressed only to return to American and become counted among the hundreds of thousands of Americans who are homeless and living on our nation's streets, under bridges, in parks, and in wooded areas; the numerous veterans who suffer from PTSD and other mental illnesses but who are forced to suffer in silence because they can't access quality mental health treatment; the military families who faced foreclosure and evictions due to the high unemployment rates among ex-military men and women; the children of veterans who were killed in service who struggle with finding their place in the world in the absence of guidance from a parental role model.  I could go on and on citing the perils and shameful crisis we as Americans have allowed our troops to endure once they have served our country.  This Memorial day should not just be about celebrating  but reflecting on how far we have yet to go to repay the enormous debt we owe to our veterans. Until we right the wrongs we have done to our veterans I guess a simple thank and God bless you to all of America's courageous and noble soldiers will have to suffice.

Photos of Memorial Day from the Christian Science Monitor