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Sunday, May 25, 2014

Respect and Honor are Due*

As we observe Memorial Day (Monday, May 26th), I would like to pay respect to those members of the military who lost their lives in defense of our country, fighting for freedom and peace.

Our fallen servicemen will never be forgotten. They will always be in our hearts and minds because of their honorable, proud service and the selfless sacrifices they made for the United States. They paid the ultimate price so we enjoy and cherish liberty.

They, along with today's veterans and active duty members of the armed forces, provide an example of courage and commitment to the next generation. They're our unsung heroes, ambassadors of goodwill.

As we remember and honor them this Memorial Day, let's pray for (and thank) them and reflect on what they have done for our nation. May they rest in peace.

(Following is my poem, humbly dedicated to our fallen heroes:)

In Loving Memory

With hope and valor
You fought for freedom 
Without fear and reservation
You shed tears and blood
To the end...

Committed to defend you country
You fought decisively,
struggled hard to win victory,
With so much pain, sacrifice and suffering.

In the service to humanity
You left us a legacy
To cherish and to uphold
That love for one's country
Is worth dying for!

Gone but not forgotten
Yet honored today, yesterday, forever
You, the unsung heroes,
The freedom-lovers and -fighters,
The peacemakers and peacekeepers
You will always be our ideal and inspiration
For a better life, a world
Where there is love and unity
Peace and brotherhood among humankind.

-Chris A. Quilpa, a resident of Suffolk, is a retired U.S. Navy veteran. Visit his blog at onebuddingpoet/writer-chris.blogspot.com. Email him at chris.a.quilpa@gmail.com.

*Published in the award-winning Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday edition, May 25, 2014. For more information, visit www.suffolknewsherald.com.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Mother's Day Weekend in D-ville

Hi, everyone! Here's wishing you all a great Mother's Day weekend!

Yes, folks and friends, we're out of town, in D-ville, this weekend. We're re-visiting the area where daughter Tintin works or has been working for almost two years. Thank God, we arrived here safely last night. We left Hampton Roads yesterday afternoon, after wife Freny's done with her school-work. But, of course, we're so glad and thankful to see Tintin again.

This Saturday morning, we did drive around D-ville. We did a little shopping at Ringgold Flea Market and, then, at the downtown D-ville's Community Market where we had coffee and cinnamon-pecan buns for breakfast. Afterwards, we did stroll around by the D-ville Riverwalk trail where the historic train wreck of the Old '97 took place. Took some photos, of course, as mementos. (Check out the photos below.)

As we continued walking, the sky turned gray. And eventually, there was downpour which lasted for about twenty minutes. That's why we sought shelter under a bridge. There was also a biker with his small Chihuahua who sought shelter there. We waited patiently for the rain to go away...Then, we headed back to our car which was parked at the Community Market parking lot.

From the Community Market, we drove back to Tintin's place. But on the way, we stopped by at a restaurant for lunch. It rained again...Well, we hang around there at the restaurant while waiting for the rain to stop. Though it was drizzling, after having lunch, we just went back to Tintin's apartment.

Arriving at her place, I immediately charged my smart phone and my Fuji camera. Now, without further delay, I'd like to share with you, folks and friends, what we saw and encountered today in D-ville...





























                                          Photos and texts (c) 2014 by Chris A. Quilpa
      
Thanks, everyone, for reading and visiting my blog. Do appreciate it. Have a wonderful weekend! As always, I pray May God bless US!-chris a. quilpa, 10 May 2014.

Happy Mother's Day*

Following is a simple poem, humbly dedicated to all mothers, especially to my loving wife, Freny, mother to my two young adult children, Andrew and Christine.

I wish a Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. They truly deserve to be recognized and respected.

Mother Dear

Mother dear, I love you so.
Only you can love me true.
Teach me life in all you do.
Help me to live and to grow.
Ever faithful, ever true.
Rose of my life, that is you!

Dearest Mother, I love you.
Eternal God loves you, too.
Always there when I need you.
Rose of my life, that is you!

-Chris A. Quilpa, a North Suffolk resident, is a retired U.S. Navy veteran. He maintains a blog at onebuddingpoet/writer-chris.blogspot.com. Email him at chris.a.quilpa@gmail.com.

*Published in Suffolk News-Herald, print edition, Friday, May 09, 2014. For more information, visit www.suffolknewsherald.com.