Soldier On

My Dad wrote this poem and read it to the crowd at the Memorial Day service at the State Capitol yesterday. He served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and they often used the phrase "Soldier On".

SOLDIER ON (by Rod Pullis 5/29/06)

We gather here on Memorial Day, the year two thousand six.

To struggle and lament, the many things we cannot fix.

But hopeful for the future and grateful for the dawn.

The challenge now for all of us…remember to “soldier on”.

Those who have gone before us and those who were left behind;

Are always in our thoughts, our prayers, our hearts and our minds.

The brave men and women we honor because they are gone;

Are calling from eternal rest…”Remember to soldier on.”

“But how”, you ask, “Can I make a difference here today?”

I’ll offer a few suggestions now to carry on your way.

Visit with our veterans; thank a soldier that you meet.

Salute “the Colors” carried proudly, at the game or in the street.

Give back to your fellow man, in kindness and in deed.

Show compassion to those less fortunate and obvious in need.

Teach a child about the past, so his future won’t be blurred.

Remind him that our freedom is never quite assured.

Support our troops around the world; who might be with us today.

But heard a calling strong enough, to put them in harms way.

Help to choose our leaders; make sure you always vote.

Don’t take your friends for granted and those you love the most.

Now reflect upon Memorial Day, and before the sun is gone.

The challenge here for all of us…remember to “soldier on”.

New Pearl Jam video

PJ hasn't put out a video in 8 years. But now they posted a rather spooky new video Life Wasted on Google video, available for free until June 1, 2006.

Come back Jason!

I just read that Jason Lewis, who used to have a radio talkshow on AM1500, might return this fall. He left for North Carolina a few years ago, but his contract is soon to expire. I hope the rumor is true and he comes back. Him leaving is what made me find AM1280 The Patriot. But I would go back to Jason's show in a heartbeat if he returned to the local airwaves. Here's the story from the Star Tribune...

It's the hottest rumor no one wants to talk about on the record, but it goes something like this: Former local talk-radio personality Jason Lewis will return this fall to take up residence on Clear Channel's KTLK (100.3 FM) -- the new rival to his former station, KSTP (1500 AM).

Lewis was the Twin Cities' top-rated afternoon-drive host when he left KSTP in 2003 for a station in Charlotte, N.C. His current contract will expire in October and Lewis recently was seen looking at houses in Woodbury. The official word from Lewis and Clear Channel? No comment.

KTLK also is a player for the Twins' radio rights, which are up after this season. Incumbent WCCO (830 AM) and KSTP also are in the hunt to get the Twins. A decision is expected this summer.

DEBORAH CAULFIELD RYBAK

Google Notebook

Google Notebook window
Originally uploaded by webdh.

Do you ever wish you could save a note (like a post-it note) while on the internet? Now you can with Google Notebook (currently available in Google Labs). There is also a Firefox extension to make it easy to add notes while browsing. Cool stuff.

New Twins ballpark a reality at last

I'm so pumped for the new Twins ballpark. It is finally going to happen after 10 years or more of attempts to get a joint private/public financing solution. The crazy thing is the final Senate vote was very close, 34-32. Maybe Kirby Puckett (#34) gave us one last big hit from heaven. All we need is govenor Tim Pawlenty's signature this week, and it will be a done deal! Looks like it will be ready for action at the start of the 2010 season. By then Ben will be 5 years old, a great age to start heading the new ballpark that summer with Dad. Now when do those tickets go on sale?

Presidential Address not on all TV stations

It looks like King of Queens on CBS and Oprah Winfrey special on ABC are more important than tonight's Presidential Address, to be broadcast live on FOX and NBC at 7:00 PM CDT.

Edit 10:30PM -- I guess the TV guide I looked at today was not updated. The president was broadcast on ALL stations tonight. I thought that seemed very odd if two of them would choose not to show it.

Newspaper in Education

Today I learned the Star Tribune has a program to give free newspapers to schools - Newspaper in Eduation. I called them about a billing question and they asked for a $1 donation to the program. For each person who donates a dollar thru July, you are entered into a drawing for a getaway to Grand View Lodge. The rep also said you can donate your papers while you go on vacation. It looks like a good program, so I went ahead and gave them a buck, and maybe we'll win a nice northern vacation.