As you celebrate the 4th of July ...

Happy 4th of July!


I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG,

OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

AND TO THE REPUBLIC,

FOR WHICH IT STANDS,

ONE NATION UNDER GOD,

INDIVISIBLE,

WITH LIBERTY

AND JUSTICE

FOR ALL!



A message from the Feline Americans:

We are eternally grateful to all of our military personnel who defend our country and its ideals. To them, we say a hearty "Thank You" ...

Because of your dedication and sacrifice, we can celebrate the 4th of July in the manner in which we have become accustomed.

God bless our service men and women,
and God Bless America.


NO, FREEDOM ISN'T FREE
©Copyright 1981 by CDR Kelly Strong, USCG (Ret).


I watched the flag pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease..

I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil
How many mothers' tears?

How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of Taps one night,
When everything was still,
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin.
Of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.


As you read this message, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our service members. This can be very powerful. Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, a prayer is the very best one.

Additionally, we'd like to remember our "original" Feline Americans on what would have been the nineteenth anniversary of their "gotcha" day: Lacey Bunns, Cookie Monster, Percy, ... and Tiger, too. And we can't forget their kitty-mama, MeeMaw. We miss you!
DMM and the Feline Americans