‘Blessings arrive in unexpected packages, - in my case, cancer. Those of us with potentially fatal diseases - and there are millions in America today - find ourselves in the odd position of coping with our mortality while trying to fathom God’s will. Although it would be the height of presumption to declare with confidence ‘What It All Means,’ Scripture provides powerful hints and consolations. (more…)

Three new Navy ships
USS REAGAN
Seeing it next to the Arizona Memorial really puts its size  into
perspective… ENORMOUS!

BEAUTIFUL!

When the Bridge pipes ‘Man the Rail’ there is a lot  of rail to man on this
monster: shoulder to shoulder, around 4.5 acres. Her  displacement is about
100,000 tons with full complement.
Capability
Top speed exceeds 30 knots, powered by two  nuclear reactors that can operate
for more than 20 years without  refueling

1. Expected to operate in the fleet for about 50 years

2. Carries over 80 combat aircraft

3. Three arresting cables can  stop a 28-ton aircraft going 150 miles per
hour in less than  400 feet

Size

1. Towers 20  stories above the waterline

2. 1092 feet long; nearly as long as the Empire State  Building is tall

3.  Flight deck covers 4.5 acres

4.  4  bronze propellers, each 21 feet across, weighing 66,200 pounds

5.  2  rudders, each 29 by 22 feet and weighing 50 tons

6.  4 high speed  aircraft elevators, each over 4,000 square feet

Capacity

1.  Home to about 6,000 Navy personnel

2.  Carries enough food and supplies to operate for 90  days

3.  18,150 meals served daily

4.  Distillation  plants provide 400,000 gallons of fresh water from sea
water daily, enough for 2,000 homes

5.   Nearly 30,000 light fixtures and 1,325 miles of cable and wiring 1,400
telephones

6.  14,000 pillowcases and  28,000 sheets

7.  Costs the Navy approximately $250,000 per day for  pier side
operation

8.  Costs the Navy approximately  $25 million per day for underway
operations (Sailor’s salaries included).

A friend sent me this link.  It is truly amazing how nature forms the most interestly beautiful ice.  I hope you find this as interesting as I do.  http://www.aad.gov.au/default.asp?casid=24046

Congratulations to Sgt. Brett Johnston, Louisiana’s Soldier of the Year.

May 23, 2008

This Monday is the official observance of Memorial Day — a day to honor the more than 1.2 million Americans who gave their lives for our freedoms across two centuries and a dozen wars. In previous generations, sermons were delivered on such important days (more…)

How can the words “Thank You” ever be enough?  This weekend, we stop as a Nation, to remember those who, to quote a favorite movie line of mine, have been willing to “put foot to a** for our country.”  (more…)

Refer a Friend | May 12, 2008
No Sign of Retreat on Women in Combat
 
While many families were celebrating Mother’s Day with their loved ones yesterday, thousands of women were miles away from home, serving their country on active duty. While the life of any deployed soldier is tough, the growing number of female recruits means even greater sacrifices on the home front, as many cope with long tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. (more…)

What a Mother’s Day Present.  I’m sure you know Jenna Bush married Henry Hager.  For those of us who weren’t there, I’ve found a great link to pics.  I wish them much luck and happiness.

 Kathy Anderson/The Times-Picayune

Recently, while Chairman Villere Represented us at a recent International Conference, it was business as usual at Villere Florists.