Interesting Observation

Ok, it's day #14,572 of the lock down and I've run out of things to think about.  Except this one.

Here in America, seemingly everyone wears branded T-shirts.  Every shirt has a saying, logo, image, you name it.  If you go to a touristy vacation spot, you get a T-shirt with the name of the spot proclaiming this is the lousy shirt your uncle brought back for you   If there's a catchy saying, there's a T-shirt with it emblazoned on it....Have A Nice Day! And, they are all printed in the English language.  Of course, you say, we are here in America.

However, I've traveled the world over for work and pleasure for many, many years. I continue to do so.  When I go to a foreign country, I see people wearing T-shirts with slogans and sayings...and the only language you see on the shirts is English!

Aren't there foreign companies that create goofy saying T-shirts in their own languages?

¡Qué tenga un buen día!

Earth Day - 50 Years Later

Yes, Earth Day is fifty years old today.  In 1969, the concept of Earth Day was established at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco. On March 21, 1970, a sanctioned Proclamation was signed by Secretary General U Thant at the United Nations.  A month later, the United States recognized Earth Day on April 22, 1970, with Richard Nixon as President.

Throughout these fifty years, the goal of Earth Day has been to promote events educating the public about a variety of ways to save the earth.  Yes, things were in pretty bad shape back then but, despite the issues still facing us, we certainly have come a very long way to make the world a better place.

President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon plant a tree on the White House South Lawn to recognize the first Earth Day.

Look Up At The Sky Day

On April 14, Look Up At The Sky Day encourages us to admire the beauty above us. On this day we all hope for good weather and an opportunity to fill our eyes with the sky from horizon to horizon.

In these times of global uncertainty, lock-downs, and quarantine, what better way to stretch our minds than by looking up at the great skies above us.  Let's face it, staying un-connected from each other is not good for the soul.  If we can't be with each other, take some time to soothe your troubled minds and just look up at the sky and realize the power of nature all around us.

I'll make time in my day to go out and look up and see that the world is still turning and know there are so many people working incredibly long and hard hours to get us back to a normal lifestyle.  Until we can return to that, the sky is always going to be there for us.

For those of you staying in with kids, check out this link to play some Sky Bingo!

https://n7jmr7muhj-flywheel.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sky-Bingo.pdf

National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day

National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day on April 9th honors the courageous men and women who have endured brutal treatment at the hands of their captors. As a result, they’ve also suffered separation from family and displayed incredible endurance and faith during their captivity.

On this day in 1942, the largest number of U.S. Forces were captured by Japanese troops in the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines. After battling through extreme conditions and prolonged battles, the captured troops were forced to march 65 miles to the prison camp. Without medical attention, food or water thousands died. The mistreatment continued for those who survived the brutal journey. In the compounds, deep in the unfamiliar jungle, the hardships, brutality, and suffering lasted more than two years for those who could survive.

Since the Revolutionary War, over half a million service members have been captured. This number does not reflect those lost or never recovered. However, each POW endures conditions much like the ones described above. These heroes deserve a day of recognition.

How did this day of remembrance come about?  In 1984, a movement led by former POWs began seeking a day recognizing for former Prisoners of War on April 9th each year. In 1988, Congress approved legislation setting April 9th to commemorate the date the tragic number of captives were taken prisoner on Bataan. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed National Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day on April 1, 1988, through Presidential Proclamation 5788. He set the observance for April 9, 1988. Since then, through legislation and Presidential Proclamations, the observance carries on.