Independence Day - July 4

Independence is happiness. Susan B. Anthony

What then is freedom? The power to live as one wishes. Marcus Tullius Cicero

The Declaration of Independence was to set forth the moral justification of a rebellion against a long-recognized political tradition - the divine right of kings. Ezra Taft Benson

In the summer of 1776 our Founding Fathers sought to secure our independence and the liberties that remain the foundation of our nation today. Doc Hastings

Peace

I prefer peace. But if trouble must come, let it come in my time, so that my children can live in peace. Thomas Paine

Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means. Ronald Reagan

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. George Orwell

We make war that we may live in peace. Aristotle

June 20, 2025 - First Day of Summer

Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language. Henry James

Summer is the annual permission slip to be lazy. To do nothing and have it count for something. To lie in the grass and count the stars. To sit on a branch and study the clouds. Regina Brett

If summer had one defining scent, it'd definitely be the smell of barbecue. Katie Lee

Summer means happy times and good sunshine. It means going to the beach, going to Disneyland, having fun. Brian Wilson [RIP]

Fathers Day

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me. Jim Valvano

My dad was my best friend and greatest role model. He was an amazing dad, coach, mentor, soldier, husband and friend. Tiger Woods

I'm a father; that's what matters most. Nothing matters more. Gordon Brown

Dad, wherever you are, you are gone but you will never be forgotten. Conrad Hall

June

How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon? Dr. Seuss

Spring being a tough act to follow, God created June. Al Bernstein

There's something I love about how stark the contrast is between January and June in Sweden. In a way, I feel that time doesn't exist in LA. Sometimes I don't know if it's February or April or October, because you're always sitting outside on the same patio, and it's 70 degrees. Alexander Skarsgard

Memorial Day

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it. Mark Twain

My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy

Memorial Day isn't just about honoring veterans, its honoring those who lost their lives. Veterans had the fortune of coming home. For us, that's a reminder of when we come home we still have a responsibility to serve. It's a continuation of service that honors our country and those who fell defending it. Pete Hegseth

There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured with what is right in America. William J. Clinton

137 years later, Memorial Day remains one of America's most cherished patriotic observances. The spirit of this day has not changed - it remains a day to honor those who died defending our freedom and democracy. Doc Hastings

Graduation Season

You are educated. Your certification is in your degree. You may think of it as the ticket to the good life. Let me ask you to think of an alternative. Think of it as your ticket to change the world. Tom Brokaw

In this outward and physical ceremony we attest once again to the inner and spiritual strength of our Nation. As my high school teacher, Miss Julia Coleman, used to say: 'We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.' Jimmy Carter

A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that 'individuality' is the key to success. Robert Orben