Father's Day!

A special day to celebrate Dads all over the world! Married dads and single dads - all of them - this is their special day!

Flag Day

It was 1885 and Bernard Cigrand was only 19 years old. Yet, he was responsible for educating inquisitive and impressionable students. It was an awesome task for someone so young. On June 14, 1885, Cigrand wanted to teach a very important lesson by bringing attention to the flag. He placed a 10 inch 38 star flag in a bottle that sat on his desk and directed the waiting students to write essays on the flag’s meaning. It was the first noted observance of Flag Day. Cigrand’s gesture launched a groundswell of support for a day of national recognition for the Stars and Stripes. It took 31 years but he achieved his goal when President Woodrow Wilson issued a declaration calling for the country to officially observe June 14th as Flag Day.

This year as we celebrate Flag Day let us remember our troops who are fighting for the freedoms represented by the banner. Last month, I voted in favor of the GI Bill for the 21st Century that honors the sacrifice of our troops. The legislation provides service members an educational benefit that covers the entire cost of tuition, books, supplies and fees at any four year public college. Additionally, the bill grants to those who served in Iraq or Afghanistan for at least three years, a monthly stipend as they pursue their college degree.

President Bush opposes the measure, saying that it would create an exodus of military personnel by providing the educational benefit after only three years of service. Lawmakers disagree, saying it’s the least service members deserve given their enormous sacrifice.

As the country observes Flag Day 2008, we must remember our duty to the men and women serving under that flag – those who every day put their lives in harm’s way so that we may enjoy the freedoms we hold dear.

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Chaka Fattah's Newsletter

Mother's Day!

A time to celebrate Mothers everywhere!

Mother's Day Links:

• Mother's Day Flowers And Gifts
  
  
• Mother's Day Celebration website
  
  
• Mother's Day Poems
  
  
• Mother's Day Clipart
  
  
• Mother's Day Ideas!

Earth Day

Earth Day is a time to celebrate gains we have made and create new visions to accelerate environmental progress.

Our government has a lot of different websites relating to Earth Day. It is also celebrated on an international scale as well!

One of the most simplest and basic things that you can do to help celebrate Earth Day would be to plant a tree or start a garden. Both of these activities helps to make our environment better!

Here is a link to a site that lists things that people can do to help celebrate Earth Day.

Good Friday

According to Wikipedia,

Good Friday

"also called Holy Friday or Great Friday, is the Friday immediately preceding Easter Sunday. It commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus at Calvary."

March = Windy Weather!

Well it seems that March 2008 is having some of the weirdest weather!

I live in the northeast portion (LaMott, Pa) and today we are under a wind advisory until 5pm tommorrow afternoon!

The wind has been blowing like crazy all day and the day before we had a lot of rain, heavy at times, all during yesterday.

I think tommorrow is supposed to be the first day of spring and while we have had some spring-like weather during the past weeks or days - that is not what is happening now.

The rest of the week and the upcoming weekend weather forecast looks like we will be having chilly temperatures plus the wind gusts will make the temperature feel colder! There is even a chance of us seeing some snow in the next few days!

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is a Christian moveable feast which always falls on the Sunday before Easter.

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Wikipedia

It's Time To Turn Our Clocks Ahead One Hour!

Daylight Savings time will be observed today, Sunday, March 9, 2008! That means that at 2am on Sunday it will be time to turn your clocks ahead 1 hour to 3am!

"The federal law that established "daylight time" in the United States does not require any area to observe daylight saving time. But if a state chooses to observe DST, it must follow the starting and ending dates set by the law."

President's Day

President's Day is set aside to honor all of the presidents - both current and past! The third Monday in February is set aside as President's Day. It is an official federal holiday. And there will be many different events honoring this day.

Since it is considered a federal holiday non-essential federal government offices are closed. All federal employees are paid for the holiday; those who are required to work on the holiday receive wages for that day in addition to holiday pay. Private banks, stock and futures exchanges are generally closed on these days as well.

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Wikipedia

President Day Links

• Presidents Day Sales (About 30 years ago a lot of stores closed on this day!)
  
  
• What I have found that is very interesting about the observance of this holiday is that different states have different official ways of observing this holiday. You can read more about it by clicking here
  
  
• Link to the official website of the White House's website for more information about President's Day
  
  

Fun Facts!

• In New Mexico, President's Day, at least as a state government paid holiday, is observed on the Friday following Thanksgiving
  
  
• This day is also used to honor war veterans
  
  
• Over time, as with many federal holidays, few Americans actually celebrate Presidents Day, and it is mainly known as a day off from work or school, although most non-governmental workers do not get the day off.
  
  
• Community celebrations often display a lengthy heritage. Historic Alexandria, Virginia, hosts a month-long tribute, including the longest running George Washington Birthday parade
  

Valentine's Day

Lincoln's Birthday

According to Wikipedia, Lincoln's birthday is a legal holiday in only some states. A lot of states recognize Lincoln's birthay as part of President's Day.

Although Lincoln's Birthday had never been designated as a federal holiday, it was observed as a state holiday in many parts of the country.

Here is a link to a site that has information about Abraham Lincoln and his life.

And here is a link to a site about the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, located in Springfield, Illinois