Americans Do Show Their Respect

My dad sent this video to me and I wanted to share it with all of my friends here. Most of us take for granted the freedom which we are given here in the United States and often forget those that are overseas protecting our freedom from those who want to take it away from us. This video really shows the support of the American people for a fallen soldier.

Killed in action the week before, the body of Sergeant First Class John C. Beale was returned to Falcon Field in Peachtree City , Georgia , just south of Atlanta , on June 11, 2009 . The Henry County Police Department escorted the procession to the funeral home in McDonough , Georgia . A simple notice in local papers indicated the road route to be taken and the approximate time.
Nowadays one can be led to believe that America no longer respects honor and no longer honors sacrifice outside the military. Be it known that there are many places in this land where people still recognize the courage and impact of total self-sacrifice. Georgia remains one of those graceful places. The link below is a short travelogue of that day's remarkable and painful journey. But only watch this if you wish to have some of your faith in people restored.

Here is the link for the video. I hope you will take the time to watch it.

Sergeant Beale's Video

Mayfield. Guilty or Innocent?

Could it be that Mayfield did take methamphetamines? Jeremy just doesn't fit the profile for someone that would take those types of drugs. There is a lot of speculation on the validity of NASCAR's drug testing and that is what Mayfield's attorney is trying to prove.

To be honest in what I have been reading throughout the internet, it just doesn't look good for Mayfield. It is a shame that this has happened to him especially after he formed his own team and now is having to lay off personnel and borrow money from outside sources such as his family.

Mayfield will be the example that NASCAR will use in the future about how tough their drug testing is and their zero tolerance policy and the consequences of such acts but that all depends if the judge rules in favor of NASCAR.

I am curious to hear what you think about this whole situation.

Happy Birthday Grandmom!!!

I wanted to let everyone know that today would of been my grandmom's 99th birthday. The first picture is of my daughters with Dot Dot (that is what they called her) and the second picture is of me with my amazing grandmom.

There are certain people in your life that you truly look up to and that you can share anything with no matter what it is and that was my grandmom. She was the one I could talk to about anything and she would always have time for me and give me her view and opinions which I always took to heart.

I have so many fond memories of my grandmom and they will last forever because those are the things that are precise to me in my life. I believe too many people tend to forget about their grandparents but I know that our grandmom was truly loved by everyone in our family. Grandmom was always full of life. We gave her the nickname the "Energizer Bunny" because she just kept on going and going and going.

I was very close to my grandmom and when my mom called me and told me that she had passed away, I felt my heart just rip apart. I just could not believe that she was gone but grandmom led a long and wonderful life and I only hope I get to live to that age and be just as happy and joyous as she was in her life.

Tonight, I will be lighting two candles that are placed on each side of my grandmom's picture on a shelf in my house. Those candles will be lit tonight in her rememberance for all the love, happiness and joy that she brought into my life and everyone else's heart that she has touched.

We love you Grandmom. You are missed but never forgotten.

Hamlin the Car Wash Owner

Just when you think you have heard of everything, we have our own Denny Hamlin going down a different venue in ownership. Who would of thought that a NASCAR driver would own his own car wash franchises.

Denny was there for the grand opening of his car wash on April 29th, 2009 in Midlothian, VA near his home town of Chesterfield, VA. He is wanting to give back to the community by opening this car wash along with creating new jobs in the area. Denny even said that he will be an active participant with his new car wash. Look for him to be making guest appearances and heck you might even get lucky enough to have Denny clean your car. Just make sure he gets your car squeaky clean and maybe even give him a tip...LOL

Congratulations Denny on your new business. I am sure it will be a big hit.

Underway Once Again...

Hello to all my friends out there. Perhaps most of you don't know it but I work for a Navy government contractor and occasionally we are tasked with riding submarines for various testing and operations. I will be going out on the USS Virginia SSN-774, the Navy's newest submarine and the first in her class. Unfortunately I can not say when I am leaving or coming back but I am leaving shortly and will be back sometime around the middle of March.

I am sure going to miss watching the races and reading all the articles and blogs out there so I will have a lot of catching up to do.

The one great thing is we have e-mail while we are underway. You just have to love modern technology.

Everyone be safe and I will drop a message here after I get back.

Till then,

Tom