Bonnie Pippin (Mills)

Kenneth, Thank you so much for making the wonderful April birthdays feel so much more special. Hopefully we all will be around next year to celebrate another birthday. Take care and stay safe my friends.

Kenneth Davis

When my mother was around,

she would insist on celebrating my birthdays.

~Hema Malini~

     You're welcome Bonnie. Most individuals enjoy hearing

someone say "Happy Birthday. Like Hema's mother, mine

would insist on celebrating my bithday, when she was around.

I'd always tell her on that day, Happy - Birth - Day to you too! I

continued to say it, each birthday because I thought the 

statement made her feel so much special. She'd tell me that I

was the only one of her children (1 of 8) who would make that

remark. She's no longer with us, but I still celebrate her birthday

each year in September.

     My classmates are special too, so I hope to continue to wish

each of them a joyous celebration....as you stated, hopefully we'll

be around next year to celebrate another birthday....thanks

again and stay safe....

Kenneth Davis

THOUGHT FOR CONSIDERATION 

He that is not handsome at 20,

nor strong at 30,

nor rich at 40,

nor wise at 50,

will never be handsome,

strong,

rich or wise.

~George Herbert~

Kenneth Davis

THOUGHT FOR CONSIDERATION 

If you are in a beautiful place

where you can enjoy sunrise and sunset,

then you are living like a lord.

~Nathan Phillips~

Kenneth Davis

THOUGHT FOR CONSIDERATION 

There is nothing that wastes the body like worry,

and one who has any faith in God

should be ashamed to worry about anything whatsoever.

~Mahatma Gandhi~

Our birthdays

are feathers in the broad wing of time.

~Jean Paul~

Birthday Greetings to Will Boyd! Will hasn’t joined us on the

website. Should you folks in Memphis see him today or know

how to get in touch with him, extend to him a birthday greeting.

Kenneth Davis

THOUGHT FOR CONSIDERATION

Being in control of your life

and having realistic expectations

about your day-to-day challenges

are the keys to stress management,

which is perhaps the most important ingredient

to living a happy, healthy and rewarding life.

~Marilu Henner~

Kenneth Davis

THOUGHT FOR CONSIDERATION

The ground we walk on,

the plants and creatures,

the clouds above constantly dissolving into new formations -

each gift of nature possessing its own radiant energy,

bound together by cosmic harmony.

~Ruth Bernhard~

Kenneth Davis

THOUGHT FOR CONSIDERATION

Happiness exists on earth,

and it is won through prudent exercise of reason,

knowledge of the harmony of the universe,

and constant practice of generosity.

~Jose Marti~

Kenneth Davis

THOUGHT FOR TODAY 

Nothing is so strong as gentleness,

nothing so gentle as real strength.

~Saint Francis de Sales~

Kenneth Davis

THOUGHT FOR CONSIDERATION

Always aim at complete harmony

of thought and word and deed.

Always aim at purifying your thoughts

and everything will be well.

~Mahatma Gandhi~

Kenneth Davis

THOUGHT FOR CONSIDERATION 

Unforgiveness

is like drinking poison yourself

and waiting for the other person to die.

~Marianne Williamson~

Kenneth Davis

THOUGHT FOR CONSIDERATION 

In almost everything

that touches our everyday life on earth,

God is pleased when we're pleased.

He wills

that we be as free as birds

to soar and sing

our maker's praise without anxiety.

~Aiden Wilson Tozer~

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

     We thank You for our mothers to whom You have entrusted the care

of every precious human life from its very beginning in the womb. You

have given to woman the capacity of participating with You in the

creation of new life. Grant that every woman may come to understand

the full meaning of that blessing, which gives her an unlimited capacity

for selfless love for every child she may be privileged to bear, and for

all Your children. Watch over every mother who is with child,

strengthen her faith in Your fatherly care and love for her and for her

unborn baby. Give her courage in times of fear or pain, understanding

in times of uncertainty and doubt, and hope in times of trouble. Grant

her joy in the birth of her child.

     To mothers You have given the great privilege and responsibility of

being a child's first teacher and spiritual guide. Grant that all mothers

may worthily foster the faith of their children, following the example of

Mary, Elizabeth, and other holy women who follow Christ. Help

mothers to grow daily in knowledge and understanding of Your Son,

Our Lord Jesus Christ, and grant them the wisdom to impart this

knowledge faithfully to their children, and to all who depend upon

them. Assist all "spiritual mothers", those who, though they may have

no children of their own, nevertheless selflessly care for the children of

others -- of every age and state in life. Grant that they may know the

joy of fulfilling this motherly calling of women, whether in teaching,

nursing, religious life, or in other work which recognizes and fosters

the true dignity of every human being created in Your image and

likeness.

     We beseech You to send Your Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to all

mothers who sorrow for children that have died, are ill or estranged

from their families, or who are in trouble or danger of any kind. Help

grieving mothers to rely on Your tender mercy and fatherly love for all

your children. We ask your blessing on all those to whom You have

entrusted motherhood. May Your Holy Spirit constantly inspire and

strengthen them. May they ever follow the example of Mary, mother of

Our Lord, and imitate her fidelity, her humility, and her self-giving

love. May all mothers receive Your Grace abundantly in this earthly

life, and may they look forward to eternal joy in Your presence in the

life to come.

     We ask this through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives

and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.

AMEN (mothersdaycelebration.com)

Kenneth Davis

THOUGHT FOR CONSIDERATION

Character is higher than intellect.

A great soul

will be strong to live

as well as think.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

Kenneth Davis

THOUGHT FOR CONSIDERATION

The only length of life

that seems to satisfy the longings of the human heart

is life everlasting.

~Russell M. Nelson~ 

Kenneth Davis

THOUGHT FOR CONSIDERATION

Happiness

is when what you think,

what you say,

and what you do

are in harmony.

~Mahatma Gandhi~

Kenneth Davis

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

TO

FELIPPA FIELDS SCALES

     Birthday greetings to you Felippa! Joseph B. Wirthlin stated

"Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends.

It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes."

Years ago, you stamped my passport with kindness and we've

been friends ever since, especially during this elevated lifetime.

I say elevated, due to our age group, alas, we're no longer

teenagers. You even forgave me when I openly humiliated

myself on the website, as I confused you with Betty

Boyd...lol....

     My daily website posts, resulted from a

conversation we shared, thanks to you. Our shared 

determination to encourage other  classmates during this 

pandemic, evolved from the "Thought of the Day, into a Thought

For Consideration. Thank you so much for your continued

encouragement.

     During your celebration today, I pray that your heart will be

softened by spiritual blessings, the fragrant smell of fresh

flowers, the consumption of fruit and vegetable smoothies,

bountiful gifts and continuous expressions of love. As the day

begins and ends, may you have a Peter White type of

celebration. May the circumstances of the day leave you

"Floating On Air"....enjoy your day....stay safe my friend 

Kenneth Davis

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

TO

EDWARD JOHNSON

If Christ Jesus dwells in a man as his friend and noble leader,

that man can endure all things, for Christ helps and strengthens

us and never abandons us. He is a true friend.

~Saint Teresa of Avila~

You want a friend who's going to tell you the truth. That's what

it's about. If you don't have a friend who's going to tell you the

truth every time something comes up, you feel like he's not a

true friend. ~Donald Driver~ 

Birthday Greetings to you Edward ! 

     Donald Driver is a former American football wide receiver

and was a member of the Packers team that won Super Bowl

XLV over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Upon retirement, he won

season 14 of Dancing with the Stars. Ed, I'm neither a Cowboy or

Steeler fan, nor am I a champion dancer, but there was always a

true friend who told the truth when living on Brown Mall or

Georgia Avenue. Thank you for your honesty, as my friend over

the decades, even until this day. 

     Many prayers offered by family and friends were answered

when you in particular, overcame your coronavirus crisis.

Looking back to that timeframe, we should have known that

"Great blessings belong to those who are sad now. God will

comfort them. Great blessings belong to those who are humble"

(Matthew 5:4-5, ERV). Notwithstanding the regretable

alternative, we have much to rejoice about today. Those of us

who were sad and humbled ourselves have the comfort of

sharing the blessings of your recovery and we all can celebrate

with you.

     Thank you once again for reaching out to others to reconnect

past friendships. May your day of celebration be one of

continuous blessings and full of gratitude. May you experience a

Tom Braxton type of day. You can faithfully say that there's

"Hope For Tomorrow"....enjoy your day and stay safe my

friend....

Kenneth Davis

THOUGHT FOR CONSIDERATION

The All-Wise Maker

attaches hundreds of instances of wisdom

to each of the beings

in the palace of the universe

and equips them to perform hundreds of duties.

To all trees

He bestows instances of wisdom

to the number of its fruits

and gives duties

to the number of its flowers.

~Said Nursi~

Kenneth Davis

THOUGHT FOR CONSIDERATION

The art of life

is to know how to enjoy a little

and to endure very much.

~William Hazlitt~

Kenneth Davis

The veterans of our military services have put their lives on the line to

protect the freedoms that we enjoy. They have dedicated their lives to

their country and deserve to be recognized for their commitment.

~Judd Gregg~

Military Appreciation Month 2021

     May, marked officially as Military Appreciation Month, is a special month

for both those in and out of the military. Not only do we pause on Memorial

Day to remember the sacrifice and service of those who gave all, but the month

also holds several other military anniversaries and events, including Military

Spouse Appreciation Day and Armed Forces day. Congress designated May as

National Military Appreciation Month in 1999 to ensure the nation was given

the chance to publicly show their appreciation for troops past and present.

     Each year the president makes a proclamation, reminding Americans of the

important role the U.S. Armed Forces have played in the history and

development of our country. May was chosen because it has many individual

days marked to note our military's achievements, including Loyalty Day,

established in 1921, Victory in Europe (VE) Day commemorating the end of

WWII in Europe in 1945, Children of Fallen Patriots Day and the anniversary

of the death of Osama bin Laden. Many locations also celebrate a specific

Military Appreciation Day. Although not a nationally recognized holiday, areas

use the day to hold parties and picnics in honor of their local active duty,

Guard, Reserve and military veteran communities. Local businesses may offer

discounts, while local sports teams may give free entrance to military families

and veterans. (Military.com)

      Over the next few days, let us celebrate the members from the Class of

1970, who served this nation. The group presented will not include all class

members, only those who activated their profiles on the website and some who

are known to have served. If you see or become aware of an omission, please

forward their name and branch of service to my attention. We'd prefer to be all

inclusive for recognition during Memorial Day and Veteran's Day

recognitions. 

Unfortunately, a bar in Missouri didn't appreciate members of the

military and it made news, nationwide....Bartender Slammed for

Wrongly Accusing Air Force Soldiers of Using Fake IDs - Utkarsha

Laharia  (Newsweek)

     Last week, a bartender in Missouri refused to serve a group of military

members in a bar, leading to an altercation that was caught on camera that has

since gone viral. In a seven-minute-long video, shared by Noel Cook, a

TACP/JTAC at the United States Air Force, has been making rounds of the

internet since the incident occurred on May 7. The bartender, according to

Cook's post and as report by Lake News Online, is named Josh Weitkamp and

works at LOTO Lounge located on Osage Beach. "Myself and 5 other military

friends were at Loto Lounge, where this drunk bartender (Josh Weitkamp)

started to destroy someone's military ID because he 'used to be a cop and

knows what an ID is supposed to look like," wrote Cook in a Facebook post. In

the video, Weitkamp holds a woman's military ID before crushing the card in

his hands and throwing it in the bin, calling it fake and telling the group to "get

the **** out of there."

     Another member of the group can be heard saying: "We've been to Iraq and

Afghanistan." When Weitkamp comes close to the camera and replies, "Dude,

you don't even look old enough to know about ****ing 9/11." In the following

five minutes, Weitkamp continues arguing about the ID and refuses to return

the one he'd destroyed, instead opting to show the group his own cards. He

throws a few at the group, telling them that his "Missouri card looks more

secure than their military ID.

     The end of the video shows Cook's group being vindicated, as the police

arrive and confirm that the group's IDs were valid. "I hope you see this Josh

Weitkamp and know that your actions that night will define you as a person.

Actions always speak louder than words," Cook wrote at the end. LOTO

Lounge apologized for the incident on their now-deleted Facebook page,

reported Lake News Online, and stressed that the venue has "tremendous

respect for military members and their service to our country. "The sacrifices

that are made daily for my freedom isn't something I take lightly," the

statement further read.

Let us celebrate our "HOME TOWN HEROES".....

Kenneth Davis

THOUGHT FOR CONSIDERATION 

Justice?

You get justice in the next world,

in this world you have the law.

~William Gaddis~ 

Kenneth Davis

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

TO

ROBIN HOUSTON

     As we regularly spend time reading God's Word and talking

to Him in prayer, we put ourselves in position for Him to do

things in our lives we could never do on our own. We can

improve our relationships with others by leaps and bounds if we

become encouragers instead of critics. ~Joyce Meyer~

     Have a joyous day of celebration today Robin! May you rejoice in

the blessings received and those to be bestowed upon you in the future.

I was introduced to Joyce Meyer through our friend and classmate

Audrey Jackson Walls. (RIP) She'd encourage me to research her

writings and embrace her teachings. I discovered that Joyce once lived

a troubled life, but victoriously surpassed her earlier beginnings, as

many of us also attempt to do... I'm sharing this quote by Joyce to

encourage you, to continue in spending your dedicated time in

reading, praying and living the example of God's word.

     I was greatly amazed and encouraged by the scriptures received in

the mail because they were totally unsolicited. It's always exceedingly

joyful to see that you have broken the silence on the website with a

post. I think that it secretly inspires others too!!! As Joyce stated "We

can improve our relationships with others by leaps and bounds if we

become encouragers instead of critics". Thank you so much my friend

for your continuous encouragement.

     Although it's another birthday, I have to repeat what I said to you

last year at this time; May you begin this day and everyday with a smile

on your face, warm thoughts in your mind, happiness in your soul and

a heart filled with loving kindness for all. May your day also be filled

with blessings and moments, which become joyful pearls of eternal

bliss, to proudly wear during your celebration. I wish you a Carol

Albert weekend of celebration. Because of you, others are "Stronger

Now". Even though your birthday this year happens to be on a

Saturday, I also wish you the beginnings of a "Perfect

Sunday".....enjoy your celebration and stay safe my friend...

Kenneth Davis

THOUGHT FOR CONSIDERATION 

     Religion is among the most beautiful and most natural of all

things - that religion which 'sees God in clouds and hears Him in

the wind,' which endows every object of sense with a living soul,

which finds in the system of nature whatever is holy, mysterious

and venerable, and inspires the bosom with sentiments of awe

and veneration. ~William Godwin~

Kenneth Davis

     The U.S. Military is us. There is no truer representation of a

country than the people that it sends into the field to fight for it.

The people who wear our uniform and carry our rifles into

combat are our kids, and our job is to support them, because

they're protecting us. ~Tom Clancy~

     The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the

United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed

services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S.

Constitution. As the oldest and most senior branch of the U.S. military

in order of precedence, the modern U.S. Army has its roots in the

Continental Army, which was formed (14 June 1775) to fight the

American Revolutionary War (1775–1783)—before the United States of

America was established as a country.

     The U.S. Army is a uniformed service of the United States and is

part of the Department of the Army, which is one of the three military

departments of the Department of Defense. It is the largest military

branch, and in the fiscal year 2020, the projected end strength for the

Regular Army (USA) was 480,893 soldiers; the Army National Guard

(ARNG) had 336,129 soldiers and the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) had

188,703 soldiers; the combined-component strength of the U.S. Army

was 1,005,725 soldiers. 

     As a branch of the armed forces, the mission of the U.S. Army is "to

fight and win our Nation's wars, by providing prompt, sustained land

dominance, across the full range of military operations and the

spectrum of conflict, in support of combatant commanders". The

branch participates in conflicts worldwide and is the major ground-

based offensive and defensive force of the United States.

Mission : The United States Army serves as the land-based branch of

the U.S. Armed Forces. Section 3062 of Title 10, U.S. Code defines the

purpose of the army as: Preserving the peace and security and

providing for the defense of the United States, the Commonwealths

and possessions and any areas occupied by the United States,

Supporting the national policies, Implementing the national

objectives, Overcoming any nations responsible for aggressive acts that

imperil the peace and security of the United States.........

Let us celebrate

the "HOME TOWN HEROES"

from the Class of 1970.....

Robbin Houston (Houston)