Sunday Before Memorial Day Sunset — Image by kenne
— kenne
Memorial Day Nature-Hike on Mt. Lemmon — Images by kenne
(Click on any image to see a larger view in a slideshow format.)
First time on Mt. Lemmon since last November. At 9,200 feet only a few wildflowers are in the beginning stages of blooming. On this Memorial Day in Tucson, it’s 100 degrees, but it was a pleasant 65 degrees on Mt. Lemmon.
The SCVN Friday Hikes begin this Friday on Mt. Lemmon.
Naturalist David Dean conducts Wildflower Hike. Click here for dates and reservation information.
— kenne
In Remembrance — John Cole — The Scranton Times-Tribune
Reflections by Lee Teter — Source: Vietnam Reflections
On this Memorial Day, many honor those who have died in service of our country. All of us have our own way of reflecting; some by introspective thoughts, some by gathering with families of those who have served, some by participating in Memorial Day activities and some by using those who have served in their self-serving political rhetoric.
Still, others use their innermost feeling to paint the pictures of memories — isn’t that what it’s all about? We all have these memory pictures, and a few can paint them. That’s the way Lee Teter approached painting what became Reflections. He wanted to paint an image that would show the pictures not seen on cemetery gravestones. For Lee, “Reflections is about love transcending death in a way that someday will be a reality and not just memory.”
Lee says, “There are two worlds; a real one made by God as a gift to those He loves, and a world of lies and deception made by men. I find wonder in the one, and I hide from the other. I don’t know any other way to keep my heart intact.” For an artist who “paints by feel,” keeping his own heart is an important thing. In the end, the story of the painting is the story of the artist. Quietly, unobtrusively, they make their way through the world.
kenne
In Remembrance — John Cole — The Scranton Times-Tribune
Matt Bailey (In Center)
(On this Memorial Day, I share the following from daughter, Katie Bailey.)
A short story for everyone…..
Shortly after Matt started going to classes this spring at CSU he decided to check out the Air Force ROTC program. As some of you guys know, last spring Matt tried to join the Air Force Reserve. He had to lose about 40 lbs and he did so. He went back to get weighed and measured knowing he was 
going to make the weight and the recruiter said there is a new rule this year….No tattoos below the elbow that can be seen but if you already have some they can not be vulgar or cover more than 25% of the arm. Matt as you know has a couple of tats below his elbow….one being a cross with Nick’s bday and the other a tribal tattoo down his arm that he got while serving in Saudi Arabia, which was the one in question. He had to get pictures taken so the recruiter could send them to the higher ups to be approved or not approved. A week later she calls and says “No, you can not join because of your tattoo.” Matt, as might have guessed, was pretty ticked off with all the work he had done to lose the weight and to have them say no. 
Even though he was also prior military service it didn’t matter. So life went on….we moved up here and he talked to the Captain, Major and Colonel here at CSU for the Air Force ROTC program. He then had to lose the weight again and they told him that his tattoo was not vulgar and didn’t cover up 25% of his arm so he should be fine. So he made the weight and joined the Air Force ROTC program this spring. He also decided to join the Wing Walker Pershing Rifle Honor Guard. For those of you that don’t know they are the group of people that honor CSU, UNC, and surrounding areas. Today, they honored soldiers that were lost in battle at the Rest Haven Memorial Garden in Fort Collins. And I wanted to share a few pictures from our chilly morning. I am very proud to be the wife of a man that has the biggest heart I know and sacrifices his time for others!
Happy Memorial Day!
The Bailey Family
“The Picture of War” — Image by kenne
see this picture
the picture of war
not really
it’s not clear
so little information
not able to reason
observation void
or is it
some will reason
based on blind faith
indifferent to the truth
yet people believe
it is the truth
rather than asking
is it the truth
wars exist
fed on
indifference to the truth
prompt with careless moods
minus the circumstances
left to question
only at death
a glorious war
where men stood
and truth died
still, tomorrow comes
she can feel beside
a picture changing
no longer accepting
only asking
is it the truth
— kenne
Source: Associated Press/Rocky Mountain News, Todd Heisler
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