VETRANS DAY IS THIS MONTH, SO PREPARE TO HONOR THEM APPROPRIATLY

Todays story is about how NOT to honor Veterans. If you think about it, the history of world battles  started with the kids of Adam and Eve, and it wasn't too long before there were more wars, and it has been  a constant plague since then. Often times, it starts with a skirmish, then develops into a complete World War. The first world war was supposed to be "The War To End All Wars", but it wasn't long  before the same Country was the aggressor, once again. Although I haven't watched a TV News report in more than 40 years, one can easily feel the consistent pressure of people that a third world war is hanging about. And if it comes to that, we may not even be aware of who the enemy is, as they could already be living. among us and in positions of  influence. In most battles and wars of yesteryear, we had the respect of our elected or selected government officials, and followed their command to go to war. If we disagree, some don't try to alter that in a law abiding country, but cause riots and aggression against ourselves, and  some people resist to dig out the roots of that behavior with the civil unrest that live among us. In the Viet Nam War, many of the fighting soldiers were among the victims of war, as the discouraging factor was that many of those young men were drafted and not their fault, but many of us blamed them for going to war, and the mal-contents didn't honor them on their return to home, but shunned them. Many of those that went to that war and the ones in the Middle East and eventually slipped into a stage of "Shell Shock" or what we now call "PTSD" or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder". If you were a soldier on the front line where you will be killed if you don't kill them, then later on the stress within is over shadowed, but the bad things a veteran was involved with comes back to haunt them. That sort of thing occurs with police officers, as they too are in harms way. If you see any person who has been in the military, regardless if they were on the front line or the supply line, each of us should send a letter to them giving thanks or honor them in any way possible. Most on the front line Veterans live among us, but seldom want to be noticed, but this is a reminder to sort them out and pay respect. Don't walk up and touch them; yell at them, as their past memory of how the enemy killed many were snipers and they re-act with a counter punch to overtake you. Coming up this weekend is the last day of the Deer Hunt. If you are from California, we ask you to know the difference between a cow and a deer. Utah's population is booming and out of control, taking up the winter feeding ground of the deer, so we don't have many left. And the photo's below will show a good natured guy who is tough as nails and after getting his Medic Degree in the Army, he was sent up front with the 9th Infantry and saved many lives on the American side, but placed in a position to take the life's of the enemy. On his return, things came back to normal, other than the second photo showing he appreciated the good cooking of his wife, but on the first day of the Utah Deer Hunt, some yahoo had the stupidity to get behind him, point his rifle in the air; shoot, then holler "Incoming" and that worn out soldier hit the ground and proved that PTSD was a real shock affect after a battle. PROPERLY HONOR A VET!

NEPHI'S VINE BLUFF CEMETERY-HARD TO FIND, EXCEPT FOR MORTICIAN'S

For most folks wandering to view cemeteries, the second of two in Nephi may be a little difficult, but if you contact the Anderson Funeral Home of Nephi, they have it down good for several generations. When they created the cemetery, only Mormon Pioneers knew where it was. It was out of City Limits, and no trees like it is today. Only bad thing now is all of the subdivisions that intrude on the serenity of why it was selected in the first place. But big money; Politicians; Developers and people who want to get away from others, only to be closer to others! Good Cents, but no Sense! Oh well, at least I tried when I was one of those Nephi Knuckleheads. On the positive, Vine Bluff was named as such, only because early Mormons liked to have real wine from grapes, and one Vineyard Building still stands in St. George. Anyway, they couldn't call it Wine Way, because Brother Young realized that "Strong Drink" included wine as per the Word of Wisdom, so locals called it Vine Bluff. You won't read that in history books, but tis so. I wandered through the cemetery to pay respect to my family and friends, as that is where their earthy remains remain. Old cemeteries often tell truths of real history, so I have traveled to many around the world. I like that which is written on many at Vine Bluff, including the following: (1) Daddy, I'll hold you in my heart until I hold you in Heaven. (2) Don't just use one crayon and be just one color. Be the whole box of crayons and be who you are. (3) Our family is a circle of strength; founded on faith; sealed in love; kept by God, together forever. (4) Mother-All that we are, we owe to our dear mother. (5) A life that touched the hearts of others lives on forever. That one may be my favorite and her headstone is shown. She remains a dear cousin of mine, and grew up as a woman of courage, as one of the last Nephi residents who never complained of her Polio, a disease that was common back when I was a kid. She was and remains a valiant stewardess of God. In todays wanderings, I recognized the photo of a football player; a pilot that flew so high he felt like he was next to God; a motorcycle racer; a basketball star; a gas man; an LDS Bishop, who was an expert  Carpenter; a Baker, and yes a Turd of a guy that knew horses and cattle. I even came across one of the Norton brothers who founded Nortonville, Utah. After picking up some limbs and garbage, I nearly stumbled across a yahoo who had the nerve to put on his headstone "Son of Alma, from the Land of Nephi". It appears he was proud of both, but they forgot to put his Doomsday on it. Well, lets put it off til tomorrow. And if you know somebody that wants to volunteer to make a sculpture out of a half a cut tree, contact Nephi City, I would think they would be tickled pink at your gift. The Sexton does have to cut some of the big ones down or the roots will come up through your great grandpa's grave! Help keep your family headstone respectful. You paid for it, keep it clean to save taxpayer dollar.

THE FUNERAL SERVICES OF BRENT PARK WAS TODAY.

Throughout the history of the world, God had a lot of servants, scholars and leaders here on earth, but perhaps none may not have offered their services to others before himself more than Brent Park of Nephi, Utah. He may have learned a lot of that, following in his Dad's footsteps-Boyd Park, who was a Nephi City Councilman; Mayor, Student Body President of Juah High, where he excelled at sports, then became a Little League Coach. As a kid, I only knew Boyd Park as a gifted runner, because as a 12 year old stupido, I thought he was just a "Grease Monkey" at Painter Motor, and while passing newspapers, I rode my bike up behind him and knocked his hat off. Boyd picked it up and chased me. I shifted my bike in to high gear, and that speedster caught me, and didn't beat the stuffing out of me, just said I should be joining his baseball team. What a gifted man; leader and father. Then I met Brent's mother, who was a good friend of Nadine Blackett, and what a generous good woman she remains. Brent was BAD. He was Bound And Determined to be a prize catch for any beautiful woman that came along, and sure enough, beautiful Angie Bills saw him at a Bowling Alley, and they were hitched. The attached program will show some of the noble deeds he did on earth. His Heavenly Honors await him, and the rain today didn't stop a herd of people that attended his funeral and the Dedication of the Grave. Even this dry eyed no-account shed a tear when I saw his escort filled with Nephi Police; Juab Sheriff's Deputies'; Fire Fighters; EMTs, and School Buses lined up to pay respect. Well Done Brent.