JM Forever

One year ago today, Lance Corporal Justin McLeese was killed in combat fighting in Iraq. On November 11, 2005, his family received the Bronze Star "V" for valor in combat medal on his behalf at the Covington, Louisiana Veteran's Day ceremonies.

View a 5 minute movie which includes a reading of the official citation describing the valor for which he was awarded the Bronze Star "V".

"JM Forever" has been printed on bumper stickers and t-shirts and they are seen all over town. Justin's memory is alive in the lives of those who knew him.

It has been said many times and it will never be enough, but to Justin and those who have served and are serving in our armed forces; Thank you.

Justin's Guest Book

Until the next time
John Strain

Passing the torch: Veteran's Day 2005

I attended our town's Veteran's Day ceremonies Friday. The above photo is a symbol of what is happening and has happened throughout our history. It is the passing of the torch. The silver haired WWII Vets, part of the Greatest Generation, will soon be gone and it will be up to us and coming generations to carry that torch.

My generation receives the torch in good shape. Our freedom and liberty is in tact and strong. This is the month of Thanksgiving and one of the things, for which I am thankful is the sacrifice so many have made so I can live the kind of life I choose.

Such a debt can only be repaid by carrying the torch and preserving it for the next generation. I am confident this will happen.

Until the next time
John Strain

The bronze star V (valor in combat)

(All Services)
For heroic or meritorious achievement of service, not involving aerial flight in connection with operations against an opposing armed force. Authorized on February 4, 1944 the Bronze Star Medal is awarded to members of all branches of military service and may be awarded either for combat heroism or for meritorious service.

The bronze "V" identifies the award as resulting from an act of combat heroism or "VALOR", thus distinguishing it from meritorious achievement awards.
More info about the Bronze Star

This Friday is Veteran's Day. It was nearly one year ago, November 13th, when one of our town's young men died in combat in Fallujah. Justin McLeese brought the war home to us and made it real. His death made us keenly aware of the price of freedom. On Friday, at our town's Veteran's Day celebration, Justin will be awarded the Bronze Star "V".

It will be my honor and privilege to attend the ceremony. As I go about my life enjoying freedom and safety, I will keep Justin's memory alive in my heart. His death and shed blood is the cost of freedom, but his willingness to serve and to offer his life for his country is what makes freedom possible. We are the stewards of what these brave men and women died to preserve. We can honor that sacrifice by living a good life.

You can sleep well tonight secure in the knowledge that there are brave young men and women who are willing to risk it all for our freedom.

Thank you Justin and thank you to everyone who serves and has served in our armed forces.

Previous posts about Justin McLeese:
A death in November
Where do we find such men?
Honoring a hero
Still thinking about Justin

Justin's Guest Book

I will report on Friday's ceremony later on.

Until the next time
John Strain

Rewarding the irresponsible

FEMA is giving a maximum of $26,000 to families for uninsured losses. The way they do it rewards the people who did not have insurance or who were under insured.

Example 1:
Let's say you sustained $100,000 in damage to your home. Your homeowners insurance pays for, oh, $20,000. FEMA would give you an additional $6,000.

Example 2:
Your house sustains $100,000, but you did not have insurance. FEMA will give you $26,000.

This article gives more details.

There are two ways of thinking in our country.

Some believe in personal responsibility. These folks would say it is an individual's job to make sure their home is protected with the necessary insurance.

Others believe there are all kinds of excuses for not getting their home insured and the government should take up the financial slack.

It sure seems to me that FEMA is rewarding irresponsibility. What do you think?

Until the next time
John Strain

Running Shoes

I just bought a new pair of running shoes. They are the most expensive ones I have purchased to date - $120.00. Usually, I spend in the neighborhood of $75.00. I hope that spending more money will get me greater durability or maybe even better performance.

I am not holding my breath. Most likely though, spending more money on running shoes has diminishing returns around the $75.00 threshold. The Nike Shox Ride 2 running shoe touts a unique shock column that returns energy to the stride. I haven't believed shoe companies since I fell for the advertising of Red Ball Jets and PF Flyers. I really believed just strapping on those shoes would make me "run faster and jump higher." I still remember the feeling as a wave of reality rushed over me after my initial sprint around the yard. I was just as slow as ever. What next, spinach doesn't make you strong? I began to learn that TV commercials sometimes exaggerate.

I buy a new pair of running shoes every 3 to 4 months. As many miles as I run, the shoes wear out. Once the cushioning breaks down in the shoe, the injury risk increases. Right now, my right foot is pretty sore and I figure it is due to the worn shoe. We'll see.

I have tried quite a few different running shoes. When I find a model I like, I just keep buying them. The trouble is, shoe companies change their models every few years. I have bought multiple pairs of Nike Air Pegasus and Brooks Chariots, but they were changed for some unknown reason forcing me to find a new favorite model.

In the early 80's I wore Etonics. There was some kind of flaw with their dye. The blue dye on the shoe would bleed when wet. After a run, my feet were often blue from the dye making me look like a smurf.

When the running shoes are no longer fit for running, I relegate them to the lawn mower shoe pile. That pile is getting pretty big now too.

I have to mention the aesthetic value of running shoes. For some reason, running shoe makers must think runners want the ugliest pair of shoes ever. One can only conclude such a reason by virtue of all of the existing ugly shoes. For instance, the new pair of shoes I bought look like a pair of bowling shoes. I guess if they work, I shouldn't complain.

Tuesday will be the maiden voyage for these new shoes; a nice 4-mile break in run.

I am going to keep looking for a pair of shoes like Hermes wore. Now those would be worth $120.00.

Until the next time
John Strain