I recently read the following story of two men - A story worth sharing:

Story number one:
Lieutenant Commander Butch O’Hare was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.
One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the mothership, he saw something that turned his blood cold. A squadron of Japanese bombers were speeding their way toward the American fleet. The American fighters were gone on a sortie and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn’t reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor, could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet.

Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber’s blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch dove at the planes, trying to at least clip off a wing or tail, in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them unfit to fly. He was desperate to do anything he could to keep them from reaching the American ships. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction. Deeply relieved, Butch O’Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch’s daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had destroyed five enemy bombers. That was on February 20, 1942, and for that action he became the Navy’s first Ace of WWII and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor.

A year later he was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His home town would not allow the memory of that heroic action to die. And today, O’Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man. So the next time you’re in O’Hare you can visit his memorial with his statue and Medal of Honor. It is located between terminal 1 and 2. Also on display at O’Hare is a replica of the plane that Butch O’Hare flew.

Story number two:
Some years earlier there was a man in Chicago called Easy Eddie. At that time, Al Capone virtually owned the city. Capone wasn’t famous for anything heroic. His exploits were anything but praiseworthy. He was, however, notorious for enmeshing the city of Chicago in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder. Easy Eddie was Capone’s lawyer and for a good reason. He was very good! In fact, his skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.
To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big; Eddie got special dividends. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago city block. Yes, Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him. Eddy did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddy saw to it that his young son had the best of everything; clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object.
And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Yes, Eddie tried to teach his son to rise above his own sordid life. He wanted him to be a better man than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things that Eddie couldn’t give his son. Two things that Eddie sacrificed to the Capone mob that he could not pass on to his beloved son: a good name and a good example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Offering his son a good name was far more important than all the riches he could lavish on him. He had to rectify all the wrong that he had done. He would go to the authorities and tell the truth about ‘Scar-face’ Al Capone. He would try to clean up his tarnished name and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this he must testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. But more than anything, he wanted to be an example to his son. He wanted to do his best to make restoration and hopefully have a good name to leave his son. So, he testified.

Within the year, Easy Eddie’s life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago street. He had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer at the greatest price he would ever pay.
After his assassination the police found a portion of the following poem in Easy Eddie’s pocket.
It was written by Robert H. Smith and titled “The Clock of Life.”
It was copyrighted in 1932 and 1982.

The clock of Life is wound but once,
And no man has the power
To tell just where the hands will stop
At late or early hour.

To lose one’s wealth is sad indeed,
To lose one’s health is more
To lose one’s soul is such a loss
That no man can restore.

The present only is our own
So live, love, toil with a will,
Place no faith in “Tomorrow,”
For the clock may then be still..

I know what you’re thinking.

What do these two stories have to do with one another?

Well, you see, BUTCH O’HARE WAS EASY EDDIE’S SON.

I’d like to share with you the following e-mail I recently received.
It’s a 5 question “Test for Dementia”….I enjoyed taking it and hope you do too!!!

“Test for Dementia”
It’s time to take our “annual Senior Citizen test.” Exercise of the brain is as important as exercise of the muscles. As we grow older it’s important to keep mentally alert. If you don’t use it, you lose it! Below is a very private way to guage your loss or non-loss of intelligence.
Take the test presented here to determine if you’re losing it or not.
There are five questions… The spaces below each question are so you don’t see the answers until you’ve made your answer. (Remember - No Peeking!!)
O.K., relax, clear your mind and begin:

Question: 1. What do you put in a toaster?






























Answer: “bread.”
If you said “toast,” give up now and do something else. Try not to hurt yourself.
If you said, bread, go to Question 2.

Question: 2. Say “silk” five times. Now spell “silk.” What do cows drink?






























Answer: Cows drink water.
If you said “milk,” don’t Attempt the next question. Your brain is over-stressed and may even overheat. Content yourself with reading a more appropriate literature such as Auto World.
However, if you said “water,” proceed to question 3.

Question: 3. If a red house is made from red bricks and a blue house is made from blue bricks and a pink house is made from pink bricks and a black house is made from black bricks, what is a green house made from?






























Answer: Greenhouses are made from glass.
If you said “green bricks,” why are you still reading this??
If you said “glass,” go to question 4.

Question: 4. It’s twenty years ago, and a plane is flying at 20,000 feet over Germany. (If you will recall, Germany at the time was divided into West Germany and East Germany.) Anyway, during the flight, TWO engines fail. The pilot, realizing that the last remaining engine is also failing, decides on a crash landing procedure. Unfortunately the engine fails before he can do so and the plane fatally crashes smack in the middle of “no man’s land” between East Germany and West Germany.
Where would you bury the survivors? East Germany, West Germany, or “no man’s land?”






























Answer: You don’t bury survivors. If you said ANYTHING else, you’re a dunce and you must stop.
If you said, “You don’t bury survivors,” proceed to question 5.

Question: 5. Without using a calculator - You are driving a bus from London to Milford Haven in Wales in London, 17 people get on the bus; in Reading, six people get off the bus and nine people get on. In Swindon, two people get off and four get on. In Cardiff, 11 people get off and 16 people get on. In Swansea, three people get off and five people get on. In Carmethon, six people get off and three get on. You then arrive at Milford Haven.
What was the name of the bus driver?






























Answer: Oh, for crying out loud!
Don’t you remember your own name?
It was YOU!!

Now pass this along to all your friends and pray they do better than you.

P.S. 95% of people fail most of the questions!!

Grandma Betty’s comment: Whew…thank goodness there are 95%others like me!!!

“TMZ’s the place for me…TMZ’s the place to be.” The site is a great source for breaking the biggest news stories in entertainment as they are happening and a ‘cool’ place to share your viewpoints and opinions.
For Example:
The other nite TMZ.com had a buzz about the fact Rosie O’Donnell would be announcing her departure from the “View” the next day.
After reading this item and some of the posted comments regarding the story I decided to add my thoughts on this subject. My message was almost immediately posted as Item #144 on the site and here’s what I wrote:
——————————————————
It amazes me that Rosie O’Donnell misses every opportunity to raise the level of quality in broadcasting as a member of ‘the View.”
Instead she takes the low road with her insults and irresponsible
comments on world affairs, politics and people. Perhaps this is
great in a comedy club for folks who pay to see her . It’s hard to
believe that it’s what Barbara Walters envisioned for national TV
when she created ‘The View’ or brought Rosie on the show.I must add that I saw a tape of her performance at the Matrix Awards and was truly embarrassed for her - a mature woman and a mother of four young children acting so offensively. If the rumor is true that Rosie’s leaving the ‘View’… I congratulate her for making a very wise choice!
—————————————————-
Highly Recommended … www.tmz.com

Lately I’m hearing and seeing some of the most irresponsible comments on the newswires. For example:

1.Hillary Clinton’s embarassing concern for 2009 when she may lift the rug in the Oval office and see ’so much stuff’ under there.

2. Don Imus’s unfortunate and unforgiveable statement about the Rutger’s basketball players.

3.Harry Reid’s untimely forecast to the world that the war in Iraq is LOST

4. Sheryl Crow’s ridiculous babble about one square of toilet paper.

5. Followed by Rosie O’Donnell’s ‘yucky’ (my grandson’s word) toilet paper babble adding to Sheryl’s babble!

6. Alec Baldwin’s ugly tirade to his 11 year young daughter - lowering the standards of decency and moral integrity.

Moral of the story: Puleeze…Listen before speaking.

That is why we have 2 EARS and only 1 MOUTH!!

“The Tale of Sanjaya and Simon” is a bedtime story which I’ve written for my grandkids. They always ask me to read them a story before they go to bed…so here goes:

Once upon a time there was a 17 year old teenager named Sanjaya who had a pleasant voice and liked to sing. He entered a national singing contest along with 1000’s of participants from all over the country. Sanjaya was thrilled when he was selected by the ‘professional judges of music’ to be one of the final 12 contestants to compete on national TV for the title of ’singing idol.’ Each week there would be phone-in votes and the contestant who got the lowest score would be eliminated from the show.
Sadly from the start of the TV program Sanjaya was ridiculed each week by one of the judges, a man named Simon. Simon very rarely smiled and most of the time looked unhappy and uncomfortable. He almost always criticized Sanjaya in a destructive and hurtful manner.
Each week as Sanjaya finished his song he was greeted with comments by Simon such as “horrendous,” “horrible,” and other demeaning remarks.
Now, my dear grandchildren, you can imagine how Sanjaya felt. He was on national television with millions of viewers watching. He was doing his best and trying very hard to please. It might not have been what Simon liked or wanted to hear… but as I said Sanjaya did his best and really tried.
How did Sanjaya react to this offensive criticism, you ask. He stood tall and politely smiled.
After several weeks Sanjaya received the lowest phone-in votes and he was off the show…It was one of the only times Simon looked happy and actually smiled.
Was Sanjaya a loser you ask. No, my dear grandchildren, Sanjaya was a great kid…softspoken, polite and a gentleman.
Please remember this story as you grow up. No matter how tough the competition or how cruel the criticism I want you to stand tall, smile, do your best ..and always “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”
Then, no matter where you are or what you do, you will be like Sanjaya….. a ‘Class Act’ and ‘a Winner’!!

Whew!! The Daddy’s Derby’s finally over! The winner’s been announced. Larry Birkhead has unconditionally won the title of ‘Biological Father’ by a 99.9999 score. Great news!! Danielynn is a lucky little gal to have found her real and loving biological Daddy. Larry put up a brave and unrelenting fight for his child and justice has been served!
Now that we’re past the Derby there is still the question of GrandmaVergie. Here’s some great advice from GrandmaBetty to GrandmaVergie: Where and whenever possible, children belong with their parents. Grandma’s are for visits, sharing gifts(toys,books,cookies,cake,etc.), spoiling, hugging and then going home till the next grannie visit. Luckily your beautiful little grandchild Danielynn will soon be living in America and not far-away in the Bahamas. I’m sure she will look forward to GrandmaVergie’s visits and sharing special moments and joys. No Grandma is more appreciated then one who keeps their mouth closed and their heart open!!!
So, please join with me in congratulating Larry Birkhead and sending very Best Wishes to him and his daughter Danielynn for a bright and shining future!

Do certain ridiculous actions have you shaking your head in disbelief; Like Brittany Spears shaving her head, tatooing her body and leaving her underpants at home?
Now, I just read that an American Idol fan has declared she’s going on a hunger strike until one of the contestants, Sanjaya Malakar, is voted off the show. I don’t know how much this disgruntled person weighs. If she’s obese, it might help her lose weight. However, if she has any health problems or is underweight she may want to reconsider her decision to go on her ‘Sanjaya Diet’. Maybe she should just relax and let the system prevail. American Idol is ultimately judged by the number of call-in viewers voting for their favorite contestant. An individual calling a hunger strike to discourage the system is beyond silly and sour grapes….It’s simply RIDICULOUS!
AND to insult, humiliate and denigrate a perfectly fine young man who is trying his best is just plain HATEFUL!

Yesterday I received an informative and interesting
e-mail - “The Obituary of the late Mr. Common Sense.” I’d like to share its thought-provoking message with you……

The Obituary of the late Mr. Common Sense

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who
Has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was,
since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird catches the worm; Life isn’t always fair; Maybe it was my fault and I’ll take full responsibility for my actions.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend
more than you can earn); reliable strategies (adults, not children,
are in charge); and Golden Rules (’do unto others as you would have others do unto you’).

Common Sense lost ground when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Tylenol, sun lotion or a band-aid to a student. It declined even further when fashionistas decided that well dressed women should be size 6 or under, wear less and reveal more.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after teachers were caught having sex with underage students.

Common Sense was preceded in death
by his parents: Truth and Trust; his wife:Discretion; his daughter:
Responsibility; and his son; Reason.

He is survived by his 3 stepbrothers: I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I’m A Victim.

Sadly not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Today I was reading a few press releases on the Internet about those help buttons that seniors can press in case of emergency to summon help when they’re home alone. They call them “home medical alert systems.”

What surprised me most is that medical alert technology has been out there for over 20 years and yet many seniors still do not know or maybe realize the benefit of them. Being home alone can be scary sometimes and with the risk of falls around the house or other situations where an elderly person might need help is mind-boggling.

After doing a bit of research I’ve found quite a few companies providing this service. Prices vary, but on average the cost is around a dollar a day and many of them don’t make you sign any long-term contract.

I called one of the medical alert companies (Lifestation) just to get a better idea of how the medical alert system worked and any other information that would be helpful to my readers. I was told that there are approximately over a million seniors currently using medical alert devices around the United States.

Lifestation’s Medical Alert System enables seniors to live independently and securely in their own homes knowing a Life Station Care Specialist is only a push of a button away at all times.
Many times, it’s their kids who research and ultimately purchase this product for their parents giving the entire family the peace of mind they need.

It’s new and fun! It’s called Webivia.com..an online trivia website which I’m proud to say was created and is maintained by my 17 year old grandson David.
Webivia is a terrific mental challenger and brain-booster. Visitors to the site can test their knowledge playing online trivia as well as submiting trivia questions to be posted on the site.
It’s a great way to challenge your trivia skills as well as a fun social activity sharing trivia knowledge with friends and family.
And - If it’s true what they say about the importance of stimulating mental activity - “Use It or Lose It”…On Webivia..you will surely “Use It!”