Daily Archives: May 29, 2012

Large numbers of community members in the city of Belding watch history take place Monday at a ground breaking ceremony for the new Freedom Wall and park.

The project has been a passion for citizen and veteran Denny Craycraft since last year, with numerous fundraisers helping it come together.

The Belding City Council approved the site just west of the Pere Marquette Depot earlier this year, and the Michigan State Historic Preservation Offices gave the final approval Friday.

Im on cloud nine right now, said Craycraft after the ceremony. Im so elated, words cant describe it.

He said the goal is to have the Freedom Wall built in time to be revealed at 11 a.m. this Veterans Day. Craycraft added he was very thankful for the buisnesses and builders stepping up to get the project moving as quickly as it has.

Ive never seen so much of an outpour from the community, he said. Now were looking for corporate sponsors.

Belding Mayor Ron Gunderson said he was very pleased with the ceremony and looking forward to seeing it come together month after month.

Im glad to see it moving forward now, said Gunderson.

More here:
Freedom Wall breaks ground in Belding

May 29, 2012 12:19pm

Image Credits: Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo | Chris Pizzello/AP Photo

What do music legend Bob Dylan, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and novelist Toni Morrison have in common? Today they will join the small but elite club of political and cultural icons to receive the nations highest civilian honor: the Medal of Freedom.

This years Medal of Freedom recipients, 13 in all, will come together at the White House this afternoon, where President Obama will honor their accomplishments and present the awards.

The Medal of Freedom recognizes individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace , or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors, according to the White House.

Dylans Like a Rolling Stone and Mr. Tambourine Man, Morrisons Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Beloved, and Albrights efforts to champion democracy, human rights and good governance across the globe are allconsidered accomplishments worthy of this honor.

Previousrecipients include U.S. Sen. John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth; retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens; former Israeli President Shimon Peres and Pat Summitt, the winningest NCAA basketball coach who led the University of Tennessees womens basketball team to more Final Four appearances than any other team.

These extraordinary honorees come from different backgrounds and different walks of life, but each of them has made a lasting contribution to the life of our nation, the president said in a written statement. Theyve challenged us, theyve inspired us, and theyve made the world a better place. I look forward to recognizing them with this award.

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Medals of Freedom for Dylan, Albright

The City of Russellville honored those men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom Monday in a downtown Memorial Day ceremony across from The Depot.

Chaplain Jeff Cheatham with the River Valley Chapter of Military Officers Association of America asked the crowd to observe a time of reflection this Memorial Day and to remember and pray for those who have fallen, and those who are still serving.

Mayor Bill Eaton recognized and honored all veterans in attendance before introducing guest speaker, Gordon Thornsberry, a veteran and member of Pope County Quorum Court.

Thornsberry recalled his experience on board the notorious flight No. 923 on the Flying Tiger, a Super-Constellation plane, which experienced engine trouble and was forced to ditch in the water.

He said the flight left an Air Force base in New Jersey and experienced a breaking storm in the North Atlantic.

The plane climbed steeply up to avoid the storm and in the process one of the engines on the right side caught on fire and a soldier, in his haste, drowned the left engine with a fire extinguisher and the plane was left with two operating engines.

The plane dropped down into the storm and the pilot had the passengers prepare to ditch by emptying pockets and removing shoes and even the females were asked to remove their hosiery.

Thornsberry was sitting close to the front of the plane, but was asked to move toward the back because at 186 pounds he was considered one of the heavier soldiers.

He sat between a young man from Newport, AR and a stewardess, and prepared as best he could for the crash landing into the sea.

Of the passengers in the planes last six rows, Thornsberry said he was the only survivor.

Here is the original post:
Freedom is not free

By KENNETH KNIGHT | The Tampa Tribune Published: May 29, 2012 Updated: May 29, 2012 - 8:44 AM

They are smart and share an appreciation for the Florida Gators, but that is where the similarities end for Freedom High School seniors Crystal Fleming and Chris Tolson.

Fleming, the class valedictorian, is reserved, spiritual and musically talented. The tenacious 17-year-old recently recovered from a serious car accident to begin planning for college and to wed her high school sweetheart.

Tolson, the salutatorian, is a fun-loving prankster who is eager to launch his college experience with some of his "main bros" in tow.

Although they have vastly different personalities and hobnobbed in separate social circles at Freedom, Fleming and Tolson have traveled similar paths to academic success.

Their journeys were etched by self-determination, concentration and a zest for knowledge. They both plan to attend the University of Florida on scholarships this fall.

"I think God blessed me with the ability to excel," Fleming said.

The West Meadows resident will graduate Tuesday with a 6.99 grade point average.

Tolson, 17, of Tampa Palms, who finished with a 6.84 GPA, offered a jovial rationale.

"I have keen eyesight," he quipped. "I'm very popular, so I got all the text messages with what questions were on the tests."

Link:
Freedom High scholars take different paths

WASHINGTON President Barack Obama will honor a diverse cross-section of political and cultural icons including former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, astronaut John Glenn, basketball coach Pat Summitt and rock legend Bob Dylan with the Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony Tuesday.

The Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian honor. It's presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the national interests of the United States, to world peace or to other significant endeavors.

Other recipients this year include:

Toni Morrison, author of such novels as "Song of Solomon" and "Beloved."

John Paul Stevens, former Supreme Court Justice.

Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts.

Shimon Peres, president of Israel.

John Doar, who handled civil rights cases as assistant attorney general in the 1960s.

William Foege, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who helped lead the effort to eradicate smallpox.

Gordon Hirabayashi, who fought the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II.

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Medal of Freedom for Glenn, Dylan, others

WASHINGTON (AP) President Barack Obama will honor a diverse cross-section of political and cultural icons including former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, astronaut John Glenn, basketball coach Pat Summitt and rock legend Bob Dylan with the Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony Tuesday.

The Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian honor. It's presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the national interests of the United States, to world peace or to other significant endeavors.

Other recipients this year include:

Toni Morrison, author of such novels as "Song of Solomon" and "Beloved."

John Paul Stevens, former Supreme Court Justice.

Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts.

Shimon Peres, president of Israel.

John Doar, who handled civil rights cases as assistant attorney general in the 1960s.

William Foege, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who helped lead the effort to eradicate smallpox.

Gordon Hirabayashi, who fought the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II.

Read the original here:
Obama to honor Medal of Freedom recipients