After being interviewed by the school administration, the teaching prospect said, Let me see if I've got this right: You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correcttheir disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages,and instill in them a love for learning. You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride. You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a checkbook and apply for a job. You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and make sure that they all pass the state exams. You want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card. You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps. You want me to do all this, and then you tell me.............. I CAN'T PRAY?'

Ann Margaret.... This is a good counter balance story to the Jane Fonda Vietnam story. Viet Nam 1966 Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about hi s time in Viet Nam other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black and white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margaret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures. A few years ago, Ann Margaret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o'clock for the 7:30 signing. When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore, circled the parking lot and disappeared behind a parking garage. Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted. Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her th e photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI's so far from home. Ann Margaret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as second in line, it was soon Richard's turn. He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, "I understand. I just wanted her to see it." She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said, "This is one of my gentlemen from Viet Nam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for 'my gentlemen.'" With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him. She then made quite a to-do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them. There weren't too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then posed for pictures and acted as if he were the only one there. L ater at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to talk about it, my big strong husband broke down in tears. "That's the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army," he said. That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet. I'll never forget Ann Margaret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband. I now make it a point to say "Thank you" to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces. Freedom does not come cheap and I am grateful for all those who have served their country. If you'd like to pass on this story, feel free to do so. Perhaps it will help others to become aware of how important it is to acknowledge the contribution our service people make. Don't be too busy today... Share this inspiring message with friends and family. On behalf of those who DO appreciate all that you did for us, thank you to each of you who receive this message who have served or are serving our country in the armed services or any other service. (I would send this to Jane Fonda, but she wouldn't get it.) IF YOU DON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, PLEASE, FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM!

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Attached Message

From:	sandyconklin4@comcast.net
To:	Ralph & Tina Waddle ; Rafael Rivera ; Marge Hudson ; Bob and Lorraine Hicks ; Kathy Heimbigner ; Colleen Hart ; Jana Hansen ; Bill & Donna Conklin
Subject:	FW: So True
Date:	Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:42:36 +0000

-------------- Forwarded Message: --------------
From: Hermpeg71@aol.com
To: l.capraun@comcast.net, paulinec5k@aol.com, Conklinrgrg@comcast.net, conklinrw@usa2net.net, lvdcat@msn.com, DougConforti@att.net,elliottcmonroe@msn.com, lexicon28@bellsouth.net, mudpyes2u@hotmail.com, gcmfamily@cox.net, jfm513@verizon.net, OBabani@aol.com,ENRIQUE788@aol.com, sandyconklin4@comcast.net, scott.mower@us..army.mil, Charljoann@aol.com
Subject: So True
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:55:08 +0000

Ann Margaret.... This is a good counter balance story to the Jane Fonda Vietnam story. Viet Nam 1966 Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about hi s time in Viet Nam other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black and white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margaret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures. A few years ago, Ann Margaret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o'clock for the 7:30 signing. When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore, circled the parking lot and disappeared behind a parking garage. Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted. Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her th e photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI's so far from home. Ann Margaret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as second in line, it was soon Richard's turn. He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, "I understand. I just wanted her to see it." She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said, "This is one of my gentlemen from Viet Nam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for 'my gentlemen.'" With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him. She then made quite a to-do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them. There weren't too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then posed for pictures and acted as if he were the only one there. L ater at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to talk about it, my big strong husband broke down in tears. "That's the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army," he said. That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet. I'll never forget Ann Margaret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband. I now make it a point to say "Thank you" to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces. Freedom does not come cheap and I am grateful for all those who have served their country. If you'd like to pass on this story, feel free to do so. Perhaps it will help others to become aware of how important it is to acknowledge the contribution our service people make. Don't be too busy today... Share this inspiring message with friends and family. On behalf of those who DO appreciate all that you did for us, thank you to each of you who receive this message who have served or are serving our country in the armed services or any other service.

WE THINK THIS IS A GREAT IDEA. WE'LL START WRITING IT ON THE FRONT OF OUR ENVELOPES, TOO! ----------Including Bills

You may have heard in the news that a couple of Post Offices in Texas have been forced to take down small posters that say

'IN GOD WE TRUST ,' The law,they say, is being violated.

Anyway, we heard proposed on a radio station show, that we should all write

'IN GOD WE TRUST'
on the back of all our mail. After all, that's our National Motto, and -----all the money we use to buy stamps. We think it's a wonderful idea.

We must take back our nation from all the people who think that anything that offends them should be removed.

If you like this idea, please pass it on and DO IT. The idea of writing or stamping.........
'IN GOD WE TRUST' on our envelopes sounds good to us ..

A minister

decided to do something a little
different one Sunday morning.

He said 'Today, in church, I am
going to say a single word and you are going to help me preach.

Whatever single word I say, I want you
to sing whatever hymn that comes to your mind.'

The pastor shouted out
'CROSS.'

Immediately the congregation started
singing in unison,

'THE OLD RUGGED CROSS'

The pastor hollered out
'GRACE.'

The congregation began to sing
'AMAZING GRACE, how sweet the sound.'

The pastor said 'POWER.'

The congregation sang 'THERE IS
POWER IN THE BLOOD.'

The Pastor said 'SEX' The
congregation fell into total silence.

Everyone was in shock. They all
nervously began to look around at each other afraid to say anything.

Then all of a sudden, way from in the
back of the church,
a little old 87 year old grandmother
stood up and began to sing 'PRECIOUS MEMORIES.'

Pass this along and make someone smile
today

Gotta Love Little Old
Ladies.

Laugh... it burns
calories

>
> One thing about TEXANS is that their hearts are always in the right place!
> this guy has it right
>
>
> T. B. Bechtel, a part-time City Councilman from Midland , TX, was asked on a local live radio talk show, just what he thought of the allegations of torture of the Iraqi prisoners. His reply prompted his ejection from the studio, but to thunderous applause from the audience.
>
> HIS STATEMENT:
>
> 'If hooking up an Iraqi prisoner's nuts to a car's battery cables will save just one Texas GI's life, then I have just three things to say,'
>
>
>
> 'Red is positive,
>
> Black is negative, and
>
> Make sure his nuts are wet.'

The children began to identify the flavors by their color:

Red.......................Cherry
Yellow..................Lemon
Green..................Lime
Orange ...............Orange

Finally the teacher gave them all HONEY lifesavers. None of the children could identify the taste.

The teacher said, 'I will give you all a clue. It's what your mother may sometimes call your father.'

One little girl looked up in horror, spit her lifesaver out and yelled, 'Oh my God! They're ass-holes!

The teacher had to leave the room!

Yes, it's that magical time of year again when the Darwin Awards are bestowed,
honoring the least evolved among us.

Here is the glorious winner:

1. When his 38 caliber revolver failed to fire at his intended victim during ahold-up in Long Beach , California would-be robber James Elliot did somethingthat can only inspire wonder. He peered down the barrel and tried the triggeragain. This time it worked. And now, the honorable mentions:

2. The chef at a hotel in Switzerland lost a finger in a meat cutting machineand after a little shopping around, submitted a claim to his insurance company.The company expecting negligence sent out one of its men to have a look forhimself. He tried the machine and he also lost a finger.. The chef's claim wasapproved.

3. A man who shoveled snow for an hour to clear a space for his car during ablizzard in Chicago returned with his vehicle to find someone else had taken thespace. Understandably, he shot the person.

4. After stopping for drinks at an illegal bar, a Zimbabweanbus driver foundthat the 20 mental patients he was supposed to be transporting from Harare to Bulawayo had escaped. Not wanting to admit his incompetence, the driver went toa nearby bus stop and offered everyone waiting there a free ride. He thendelivered the passengers to the mental hospital, telling the staff that thepatients were very excitable and prone to bizarre fantasies.. The deceptionwasn't discovered for 3 days.

5. An American teenager was in the hospital recovering from serious head woundsreceived from an oncoming train. When asked how he received the injuries, thelad told police that he was simply trying to see how close he could get his headto a moving train before he was hit.

6. A man walked into a Louisiana Circle-K, put a $20 bill on the counter, andasked for change. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man pulled a gunand asked for all the cash in the register, which the clerk promptly provided.The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving the $20 bill on thecounter. The total amount of cash he got from the drawer... $15. [If someonepoints a gun at you and gives you money, is a crime committed?]

7. Seems an Arkansas guy wanted some beer pretty badly.. He decided that he'djust throw a cinder block through a liquor store window, grab some booze, andrun. So he lifted the cinder block and heaved it over his head at the window.The cinder block bounced back and hit the would-be thief on the head, knockinghim unconscious. The liquor store window was made of Plexiglas. The whole eventwas caught on videotape...

8. As a female shopper exited a New York convenience store, a man grabbed herpurse and ran. The clerk called 911 immediately, and the woman was able to givethem a detailed description of the snatcher. Within minutes, the policeapprehended the snatcher. They put him in the car and drove back to the store.The thief was then taken out of the car and told to stand there for a positiveID. To which he replied, "Yes, officer, that's her. That's the lady I stole thepurse from."

9.. The Ann Arbor News crime column reported that a man walked into a BurgerKing in Ypsilanti , Michigan at 5 A.M., flashed a gun, and demanded cash. Theclerk turned him down because he said he couldn't open the cash register withouta food order. When the man ordered onion rings, the clerk said they weren'tavailable for breakfast... The man, frustrated, walked away. [*A 5-STARSTUPIDITY AWARD WINNER]

10. When a man attempted to siphon gasoline from a motor home parked on aSeattle street by sucking on a hose, he got much more than he bargained for..Police arrived at the scene to find a very sick man curled up next to a motorhome near spilled sewage. A police spokesman said that the man admitted totrying to steal gasoline, but he plugged his siphon hose into the motor home'ssewage tank by mistake. The owner of the vehicle declined to press chargessaying that it was the best laugh he'd ever had.

1 - First Important Lesson -

Cleaning Lady.
During my second month of college, our professor Gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student
And had breezed through the questions until I read The last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the Cleaning woman several times. She was tall, Dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question Blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if The last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely, " said the professor.. "In your careers, You will meet many people. All are significant.. They Deserve your attention and care, even if all you do Is smile and sa y "hello.." I've never forgotten that lesson.. I also learned her Name was Dorothy.

2. - Second Important Lesson -

Pickup in the Rain

One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American Woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway Trying to endure a lashing rain storm. Her car had Broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally Unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960's. The man Took her to safety, helped her get assistance and Put her into a taxicab. <>She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his Address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a Knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a Giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A Special note was attached. It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway The other night. The rain drenched not only my Clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying Husband's' bedside just before he passed away... God Bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving Others." Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.

3 - Third Important Lesson -

Always remember those Who serve.

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, A 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and Sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in Front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "Fifty cents," replied the waitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and Studied the coins in it. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the Waitress w as growing impatient.. "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied. The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on The table and walked away The boy finished the ice Cream, paid the cashier and left.. When the waitress Came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the Table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, Were two nickels and five pennies.. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had To have enough left to leave her a tip.

4 - Fourth Important Lesson. -

The obstacle in Our Path.

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a Roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if Anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the King's' wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by And simply walked around it.. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did Anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of Vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the r o ad. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

5 - Fifth Important Lesson -

Giving When it Counts...

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will save her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his s ister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away". Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.