A Pittance Of Time...

This is the best I've ever seen. And, note the uniforms...does this not bring back memories? It truly brought tears to my eyes. And, I'm not embarrassed anymore...not that I am nearly deaf, not that I walk with a limp, or that sometimes I can't walk at all, and not that I fight the demons... Be sure to turn up your speakers...

A must see tribute to our soldiers !! Takes about 4 minutes but well worth it. This is a keeper !!http://www.terry-kelly.com/pittance/english/pittance_english.htm


On November 11, 1999 Terry Kelly was in a Shoppers Drug Mart store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. At 10:55 AM an announcement came over the store’s PA asking customers who would still be on the premises at 11:00 AM to give two minutes of silence in respect to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us.

Terry was impressed with the store’s leadership role in adopting the Legion’s “two minutes of silence” initiative. He felt that the store’s contribution of educating the public to the importance of remembering was commendable.

When eleven o’clock arrived on that day, an announcement was again made asking for the “two minutes of silence” to commence. All customers, with the exception of a man who was accompanied by his young child, showed their respect.

Terry’s anger towards the father for trying to engage the store’s clerk in conversation and for setting a bad example for his child was channeled into a beautiful piece of work called, “A Pittance of Time”. Terry later recorded “A Pittance of Time” and included it on his full-length music CD, “The Power of the Dream”.

In the interest of creating a greater awareness of the sacrifices that have been made and are still being made on our behalf, “A Pittance of Time” has been adapted to the French language and titled “C’est si peu de temps”. Music videos for both audio tracks too were produced in support of the campaign and a musical/theatrical concert production, “Two Minutes of Silence – A Pittance of Time”, was written for the stage.

“Two Minutes of Silence - A Pittance of Time” combines music and theatre in an emotional production that looks at the folly of war. The inspirational songs and dramatic monologues evoke memories both tinged with sadness and joy that ultimately underscore the need for hope and faith in the goodness of humankind.

A relationship - set in World War One – unfolds as a young Canadian soldier fighting in the trenches attempts to bring some sanity to his horrific situation by corresponding with his new bride back home.

Singer/songwriter Terry Kelly features many of his own compositions such as “In My Father’s House”, “Moment To Moment”, “We Can Do Anything”, Safe Home, “A Pittance of Time” (and more) plus a few familiar songs from war times - “Pack Up Your Troubles”, “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary”, “Over There” ….

We should never forget...

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out there!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Giving Thanks...

This Thanksgiving week, I am most grateful to count so many of you among the growing ranks of Patriots.

There are Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen standing in harm's way around the world. There are moms, dads and other family members nurturing the next generation of young patriots. There are grassroots leaders and local, state and national officeholders. There are students and professors at colleges and universities, often standing alone for what is good and right. There are employees and employers and professionals. There are those in ministry at home and missionaries abroad. There are American Patriots from all walks of life, who "hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Throughout history the burden of keeping the flame of liberty bright has fallen on the shoulders of a few men and women. As Founding Patriot Samuel Adams noted, "It does not take a majority to prevail ... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men."

Daniel Webster was right, "God grants liberty only to those who love it and are always ready to guard and defend it." Let us give special thanks to those who protect our freedoms...

Veteran's Day...

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.
Know the line has held, your job is done.

Rest easy, sleep well.

Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.

Peace, peace, and farewell...

These are difficult times for military families, particularly in light of those who vigorously attempt to undermine our national security, and demean military service. It is worth remembering these timeless words: "War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things: the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing is worth a war, is worse."

Veteran’s Day is a time we set aside to remember, to honor and to pay respect to our nation's uniformed Patriots – American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coastguardsmen – who have, and continue to stand in harm's way that we might live in peace.

Let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us re-consecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.

It is with eternal gratitude that we remember those who have paid the ultimate price in service to our nation. I encourage all to remember those Patriots and their families, and to pray daily for those who continue to serve today.

David M. Couch, U.S. Army Infantry Retired

Fun Halloween Party...

Well all... These pictures pretty much say it all. It's the first time I've ever done anything like this, and, in all likely-hood, will be the last time. I did have fun though... I don't think anyone recognized me either (a good thing). But, I was a little disappointed that so many men hit on me...guess I was a cuter "girl" than I realized. And, it was really upsetting to have men "undress" me with their eyes, too. The worst thing...after only a couple of hours as a woman, I was already an emotional wreck. For those that are wondering...I'm a 44 Double D and no, I'm not a true blond regardless of what you may think. Some men were way scared Saturday night and told me to stay away from them. Men!!! I do still prefer being a lesbian trapped in a man's body... Yep, I did get a lot of first place votes and had the most fun in the bathrooms.