Many people will never know what it is like to be a military spouse. There is much more to us than what you see. Being a military spouse means the world to me. I have the greatest admiration for my husband and our sailors. I know when he is at sea he would rather be home with me. I know when he is home with me he is also worried about his sailors at sea. When my husband and I started to date the first thing he said, was I will not give up my life in the Navy, you will have to accept this is who I am. Well ten years later I still support and accept who he is. We have moved from California to Maryland and then to Texas. I know the job he does is a lifestyle and not one for every person. I have seen spouses at their best and their worst. I have been to homecomings and memorial services but I would never change my life. I enjoy being a military spouse. it is a great moment in my heart to hear that there is a proposed monument that would honor the sacrifices of America’s unsung military heroes –the military spouse, who tends the homefront while military personnel are away protecting us. If you would like to view the news video you can do so at http://www.wvec.com/video/military-index.html?nvid=155992&shu=1

Every year Americans celebrate the fourth of July also know as Independence day. How many of us actually remember or know why we do this? It is really sad to say many students today really do have trouble remembering what this day is in history and why we celebrate it. I have a unique perspective in life since my husband is in the military, the U.S. Navy to be specific. Every day our daughter and I appreciate what he does for this wonderful country he protects through his contributions be it on land or sea. Whether you believe in what the men and women of the military are doing today the bottom line is they get paid (not well) to do a job that many people would not do to keep our life safe and independent. Thee men and women may go months or even years without seeing their loved ones. I wanted to post a little bit of history on this wonderful holiday that I found at http://www.holidays.net/independence/story.htm. I hope you will read it and enjoy it as much as I did. I hope everyone has a safe, happy and very independent fourth of July!          Independence Day is the national holiday of the United States of America commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

At the time of the signing the US consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England’s King George III. There was growing unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England. This was commonly referred to as “Taxation without Representation” as the colonists did not have any representation in the English Parliament and had no say in what went on. As the unrest grew in the colonies, King George sent extra troops to help control any rebellion. In 1774 the 13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress. The delegates were unhappy with England, but were not yet ready to declare war.

In April 1775 as the King’s troops advanced on Concord Massachusetts Paul Revere would sound the alarm that “The British are coming, the British are coming” as he rode his horse through the late night streets. The battle of Concord and its “shot heard round the world” would mark the unofficial beginning of the colonies war for Independence.

The following May the colonies again sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress. For almost a year the congress tried to work out its differences with England, again without formally declaring war.

By June 1776 their efforts had become hopeless and a committee was formed to compose a formal declaration of independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft which was presented to the congress on June 28. After various changes a vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration, 2 - Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted No, Delaware undecided and New York abstained.

To make it official John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence. It is said that John Hancock signed his name “with a great flourish” so “King George can read that without spectacles!.”

The following day copies of the Declaration were distributed. The first newspaper to print the Declaration was the Pennsylvania Evening Post on July 6, 1776. On July 8th the Declaration had its first public reading in Philadelphia’s Independence Square. Twice that day the Declaration was read to cheering crowds and pealing church bells. Even the bell in Independence Hall was rung. The “Province Bell” would later be renamed “Liberty Bell” after its inscription -

Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof

And although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the 4th of July has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence. The first Independence Day celebration took place the following year - July 4 1777. By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were established as the way to celebrate America’s birthday. And although fireworks have been banned in most places because of their danger, most towns and cities usually have big firework displays for all to see and enjoy.

Yes it is that time of year again to move those clocks forward one hour. This weekend Daylight savings begins. Does it seem to be earlier to you this year? You would be correct it is earlier and you can thank the government for this idea. They felt it would help in saving energy and be safer for chidren (Energy Policy ACT of 2005). 

I am sure you know that every six months when we spring ahead you should also take this time to change the batteries in your smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, schedule an exterminator to spray for unwanted pests, flip your mattresses and repair any leaks around your house.  This is also a good time to update those computer passwords for critical computer and online area. Computer experts say you should do this twice a year and I actually recommend that you do it every three months. Since this year we will be experiencing the “Day Light Savings” date earlier than we have in the past we do have a near Y2K type problem approaching. I highly doubt your computer has heard of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 so now is a great time to if you have not already done so to update your Windows Operating system and or Outlook office program. If they are not updated you may have some problems Here is the Microsoft Link to update your system. Even if you believe it is updated it can not hurt to go and confirm that your system is up to date).

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/gp/cp_dst