I wish I could start today with news about Clay Aiken and his adventures in New York City, but the hints and comments seem to have dried up. Does that mean the taping is over? Well, that is something we just don’t know at this time. Hopefully we will get some news later today.
The last few weeks have certainly been fun. I haven’t seen such fun and excitement regarding Clay in a long time. Just think…we have all this in the future.
- Cyndi Lauper Concert – Home For The Holidays
- The National Inclusion Project Champions Gala with the unveiling of a new single!
- Christmas Radio Play – On Thursday, Clay had 31 spins at yes.com
- Single released some time in January…dare we hope for some promotion?
- Celebrity Apprentice will start in February and run for a few months…that means Clay on TV every week!!
Yes…it looks like a wonderful time for both Clay and his fans.
Everyone is all excited for 11-11-11. I wondered why so I did a bit of research.
- The date is so unusual because 11.11.11 is the only double-figure palindromic date. This date reads the same backwards and forwards.
- Some feel the number 11 has a mystical power.
- It certainly is a special day to get married or have a birthday, especially if it’s your 11th birthday.
- According to some “prophecy” web forums, this will be the end of the world!!
What we should be remembering is that 11-11 is Veterans Day.
Veterans Day is an annual holiday meant to honor individuals who have served in the armed forces. Originally, Veterans Day was named Armistice Day to commemorate the armistice reached on Nov. 11, 1918, that ended World War I.
The most famous of all Veterans Day observances is held at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. The observance is held at 11 a.m., the same time of the signing of the armistice to end World War I. The service includes two minutes of silence, and the president placing a wreath at the tomb. All Americans nationwide are encouraged to display the flag and recognize U.S. veterans with proper ceremony. Emporia, Kansas, the home of Alvin J. King, is home to one of the more famous Veterans Day ceremonies. On Oct. 31, 2003, Emporia was recognized by Congress as the “Founding City of the Veterans Day Holiday.”
I have often wanted to find the story behind the symbol of the poppy on Veterans Day.
It has been seen throughout history that after a major war red poppies seemed to pop up in the battlefields and on soldier’s graves. It seems that poppy seeds lay dormant in the soil and when the soil is heavily turned or dug up it causes them to sprout. The most detailed of this event took place in WWI in Flanders Field, Belgium. In the craters where bombs fell and on the mounds of rubble, poppies bloomed everywhere. The heavily churned earth and the high concentration of lime from the limestone buildings made the perfect catalyst for the poppies to grow.
So the next time you see someone with poppies for a donation…dig down deep and give with pride. Know you are saying thanks and helping a worthy cause…by supporting our vets and vets around the world.
Below, find the famous poem called ‘In Flanders Field’ written by Major John McCrae who was at Flanders Field, Belgium during WWI.
In Flanders Fields
By Major John McCrae
Canadian Officer
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.