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Late Fall 2009 www.thedead-beat.com Volume 10 Issue 4
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Columns
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EXTRA - EXTRA - READ ALL ABOUT IT! Happy
Holidays to all of our Faithful Readers
Happy Holidays to all of our Faithful Readers
You’ve heard about the signs to recognize a stroke “S
- T - R” 1-
S- Ask the individual to
SMILE 2-
T—Ask the person to TALK
and SPEAK
A SIMPLE SENTENCE
(coherently) 3-
R—Ask him or her to RAISE
BOTH ARMS Add
to the list 4
-STICK OUT YOUR TONGUE Another
‘sign’ of a stroke is this:
Ask the person to “stick” out his tongue..
If it is ‘crooked,’
or goes to one side or the other,
this may be an indication.
By
Connecting Directors A
new company is turning the funeral business on its head and will bury people
vertically. The
unique scheme, about to be launched in Melbourne, Australia, is being offered as
a simple, natural and economical approach to burial.
The deceased are placed in a biodegradable bag and then lowered feet
first into a cylindrical hole just over two feet wide and about 10 feet deep.
Company
Upright Burials claims it is a world first and the method produces far less
carbon dioxide than a regular burial. Tom
Dupleix, managing director, said: “When people have a traditional burial there
is the process of manufacturing a coffin which is often made out of wood or a
man-made fiber and there is regularly a plastic tray inside the coffin too.
Our burials involve far less energy intensive practices and using a
biodegradable bag insures that a natural product is going into the ground.” And
those not concerned about being “laid” to rest will save space with many
more vertical burials being able to take place in any field. The
company has been granted permission to bury in a site west of Melbourne in
Victoria, Australia. It
hopes to bury between 30,000 to 40,000 in a field.
After it has been filled it will be transferred back to a pasture. They
plan to plant a tree for every body put into the ground “to partially offset
the carbon footprint in collection, storage and delivery of the body to the
cemetery.” And
rather than a headstone above each body, the company will simply inscribe the
names of those buried on a memorial wall.
Relatives will however be given the exact location of their loved one. They
have had many inquires, but none had taken place yet.
Mr. Dupleix believes principle rather than price is the main reason for
interest. He said,
“Most people are attracted by the simplicity of the project and the concept of
being far more in touch with nature.” He
conceived the idea during a dinner table conversation nearly 10 years ago.
He said, “There are no candles, music, grade of coffin, entourages or
other burial paraphernalia to decide on.
We know upright burials will not be for everyone, but we offer something
new, that is simple, respectful and eco-friendly.” For more
information about this present information and other interesting information ,
contact www.connectingdirectors.com
By
Streuli-Opinion in The Journal Record Oct.
21, 2009 A
white glove touched a patent leather brim, the hand inside not trembling at all
despite the cold, damp October weather. The
sergeant held that position in the rigid way that only military men can achieve
while two other soldiers meticulously folded the American flag. The
soldiers did not know the man in the casket.
It did not matter that he was a father to eight children who had carried
him from the church to the hearse.
Family,
and there were a lot of them, gathered downstairs for a covered-dish luncheon, a
meal perfected by generations of Presbyterians.
Cousins posed on the church steps for a rare group photo while uncles
took the metal folding chairs up to the family room for the service. An
efficient gray-haired woman in a black dress gave directions to volunteers.
Golden City is a one-square-mile town that’s home to 884 people, many
of them farmers. About one-fourth of
them came to pay their respects, the last to arrive standing downstairs,
listening to the service on a wireless loudspeaker the church keeps on hand for
just such occasions. There
was an occasional laugh as a man’s 87 years were recounted and condensed into
a one-hour service. There was a
cringe when the pianist missed a few notes.
And there was a lot of dabbing at the eyes as family and friends
remembered everything that were the things that might have been. A
talented vocalist soulfully sang “The Lord’s Prayer” and “How Great Thou
Art,” but the Kleenex came out
when he added an unplanned, a cappella rendition of “The Old Rugged Cross.” Grandchildren
remembered their grandfather with courage and tears, for the man he was, and the
man he was not. His
was a life of struggle and work, one that did not benefit from a formal
education. But his legacy sat in the
sanctuary: eight successful children, 22 even more successful grandchildren and
19 great-grandchildren so far. It
did not matter that the man’s newest great-grandson, just four weeks old, was
in attendance as the honor guard fired a three volley salute over the casket.
The
seven soldiers in the honor guard were probably unaware that the man they were
saluting fought in the Asiatic Pacific Theater in World War II, that he was a
U.S. Army infantry rifleman, or that he was Pvt. First Class Vaughn Nichols. The
soldiers didn’t know because it didn’t matter.
The man they saluted was a soldier. That
was all they needed to know.
I
hope you take the time to read this.. To understand what the flag draped coffin
really means… Here is how to understand the flag that laid upon it and is
surrendered to so many widows and widowers. Do
you know that at military funerals, the 21-gun salute stands for the sum of the
numbers in the year 1776? Have
you ever noticed the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding
the United States of America Flag 13 times?
You probably thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies, but we
learn something new every day! The
first
fold
of the flag is a symbol of life. The
second
fold
is a symbol of the belief in eternal life. The
third
fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the ranks who
gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the country to attain peace
throughout the world. The
fourth
fold
represents the weaker nature, for American citizens trusting in God, it is to
Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine
guidance. The
fifth
fold is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our
Country, in dealing with other countries may she always be right; but it is
still our country right or wrong.” The
sixth
fold is for where people’s hearts lie. It
is with their heart that they pledge allegiance to the flag of the United State
of America and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God,
indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all. The
seventh
fold
is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that they
protect their country and their flag against all her enemies, whether they be
found within or without the boundaries of their republic. The
eight
fold
is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that
we might see the light of day. The
ninth
fold
is a tribute to womanhood, and Mothers. For
it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the
character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded. The
tenth
fold
is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for
the defense of their country since they were first born. The
eleventh
fold
represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and
glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The
twelfth
fold
represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, the Christians eyes, God the
Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. The
thirteen
fold
or when the flag is completely fold. The stars are uppermost reminding them of
their nation’s motto, “In God We Trust.” After
the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a
cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George
Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul
Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of
the United States, preserving for them the rights, privileges and freedoms they
enjoy today. There
are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning.
In the future, you’ll see flags folded and now you will know why.
Now,
having said that let Me go on. If it
bothers you that the town in which you live doesn’t allow a scene depicting My
birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small
Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If
all My followers did that there wouldn’t be any need for such a scene on the
town square because there would be many of them all around town.
If
you want to give me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list.
Choose something from it:
2.
Visit someone in a nursing home. You
don’t have to know them personally. They
just need to know that someone cares about them. 3.
Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the
cards his staff sent out this year, why don’t you write and tell him that
you’ll be praying for him and his family this year.
Then follow up…. It will be nice hearing from you again.
5.
Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did
you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this
season because they feel so alone and hopeless?
Since you don’t know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a
warm smile; it could make the difference.
9.
Here’s a good one. There
are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no
“Christmas” tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or
receive. If you don’t know them,
buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other
charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10.
Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty
to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don’t
do things in secret that you wouldn’t do in My presence.
Let people know by your actions that your are one of mine. Don’t
forget; I am God and can take care of Myself.
Just love Me and do what I have told you to do.
I’ll take care of all the rest. Check
out the list above and get to work; time is short.
I’ll help you, but the ball is now in your court.
And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and
remember: I
LOVE YOU JESUS
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