Home of the free because of the brave.
Thank you. 🇺🇸
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.
I never imagined that in my lifetime I would not only be remembering all the brave men and women of our Armed Forces, past and present, but also all the lost children in our grade schools.
Living in New England, the travesty of Sandy Hook is never far from our memory, and each new mass school shooting like Uvalde hits hard. News coverage, visits by politicians and celebrities, prayers, Go Fund Me pages do not replace the loss of a child, a chair empty at each and every family event.
This is not an easy problem to solve, but we could certainly start by updating the laws surrounding the purchase of guns, improving our mental health offerings, and providing parents with a safe avenue when they think their child is headed on the wrong road because of personal issues.
It is easy to feel that there is not much just one person can do, but we could all come together and let our representatives in Washington know that we’ve seen too much loss and need real change. It took me thirteen minutes to send messages to the President, Vice President, two senators, and one representative.
One Nation…
🇺🇸
Links to other well-written topical posts from Marty, Dan, Maureen, and Mary.
NewEnglandGardenAndThread 
Wonderfully said, Judy. Thanks for adding to the thoughts of so many who want to honor the fallen today, but also want the killing of children in schools to stop.
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Judy, thank you. Well said.
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Beautiful and sobering post Judy. Sadly, when our children go off to war, a part of us expects they may die. But we NEVER expect our children to be murdered in their school. I agree that we need to unite and get Washington to stop pretending that we don’t need gun control reform.
My heartfelt thanks to all those who have served and are serving now, and that includes their families who sacrifice as well. Our FREEdom has cost them dearly.
Ginger
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Well said, Judy. I’m convinced none of our service men and women died hoping to see a time where children are being slaughtered in their classrooms. Your call to action is well received.
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Thanks, Judy, for giving us reason to think there might be change. DOING SOMETHING. It has become almost impossible to think that each of us has any power at all. How do we fight so much money? We find ourselves in a country where hate has been empowered instead of embarrassed. It is so hard to find hope, but that beautiful image of the flag really insists on it. Well said, well shown!
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Maureen, I read your beautiful blog post, too. You are an eloquent writer, something I should have known after always looking for your comment here after I submit my own. You are appropriately funny, reflective, or informative…every time!
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Thank you! What a very kind word to leave here on this complicated day.
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Yes, well said!
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Amen, Judy. There is much we can and should do. Thanks much.
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The way we can do something is to vote. Vote out the gun lobby people and vote in people like us who would like to do something. I had forgotten that assault rifles were illegal under President Clinton but when the law expired, Congress wouldn’t extend it. The statistics are staggering.
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Thank you for the compliment of mentioning my post, Judy. I visited the others too and told each one how much I agreed. There are a lot of us aching right now.
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Thanks for flying our flag so beautifully and for posting your thoughts. We are all searching for answers.
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Judy, I’ve come to expect poignant posts from you on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Todays words are no exception. It’s hard for me to grasp why anyone would think it appropriate for assault weapons to be in the hands of civilians. Especially teen age ones. Since last Tuesday I’ve had trouble falling asleep. I’ve been to awards ceremonies at schools of grandkids. Waited patiently for their names to be called. Seen them proudly cross the stage. Photographed them holding their certificates after finding us in the crowd afterwards. All with a special kind of joy knowing that summer vacation was within hours of reach. But my own came home. At least so far. My grieving today has taken the form of survivors guilt. It is real and it is painful. And there is anger for that “good guy with a gun” nonsense. God help us all.
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Wonderfully put, Judy. And kudos to you for taking the time to write our elected officials. We all need to make our voices heard. – Marty
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Amen!
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I agree Judy. I have begun to make many phone calls to appropriate government officials. And I will continue to call them.
Those who died for our freedom did not think that children, teachers, church people, concert people etc were going to be gunned down by monsters. I refuse to do nothing and hope our officials begin to listen.
Thank you for this sobering post…
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Thank you for this and for reminding us that we CAN do something. I live in a progressive state so all of my representatives are firmly in favor of stricter gun laws. I’m not sure how much other state representatives would listen to someone from a different state but I can try.
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Judy, we watched events of last week on the news here with sadness and horror. I hope the efforts of people like you will make those who can change the laws finally take notice.
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Well written Judy and timely, with so many dreadful and unnecessary events occurring. I very much agree with your suggestion of writing to our politicians, and it takes no time to do.
Australia has just had its Federal Election and this time many Independent candidates won, because their communities want change (especially Climate Change). We have never had an election like this one.
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Well said. We have so much work to do as a country to make this a safe, sane place in which to live. Some day we may get there if we assert ourselves now.
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Well said, as someone from Australia I can tell you changing your gun laws works and better mental health funding and support would benefit everyone
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Agree 100% We could all come together and start somewhere!
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