Opinion

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks (as prepared) on the Senate floor Tuesday honoring Veterans Day:

"Tomorrow is Veterans Day, the day we set aside to honor the service and sacrifice of the heroic men and women who have served in the United States armed forces.

"America remains a beacon of freedom throughout the world today because of the commitments and sacrifices they have made. Over the years, many brave Americans donned their country's uniform to ensure that we would remain safe and free here at home.

They say you can’t fight City Hall, but fortunately for residents of the City of Leitchfield, our city officials are willing to work with you. Earlier this spring, a group of local businessmen approached the City Council to voice their concerns. They were concerned about the recent loss of more than 2,000 jobs, they were concerned about the 80 plus decline in development, and they were concerned about the 50-plus closed businesses in Leitchfield.

They had ideas that they hoped would not only stem the tide, but would reverse the direction they city was going economically.

Chances are each of us reading this article grew up with some interaction with a grandparent. The grandparents from our childhoods or memories probably are similar; we tend to know them as older or elderly, gentle but hard working, perhaps not in good health, maybe retired with leisure time, probably “spoilers,” people you visited after church on Sunday or on special days.

Grayson County was granted the privilege of hosting the opening ceremonies at the 2009 Kentucky State Fair and caught the attention of many. With more than 20 former Miss Grayson County Fair Queens serving as ambassadors and more than 100 guests in attendance from the county alone, the opening reception of the Kentucky State Fair on Aug. 20, was a great success. Dudley Cooper, Industrial Development Director was very pleased with the event and felt that much-needed exposure was given to the new branding and web site, www.growgrayson.com, making it well worth the effort and expense.

Little D is moving her fingers. At nearly 18 months, she is finally lifting and lowering her fingers and, to a lesser degree, her wrist.

On Wednesday of this week, we went back to St. Louis for a check up. It’s her first check up since she received Botox injections to encourage muscle movement from different parts of her arm. It’s also the first visit we had with her new doctor. The surgeon who operated on her arm was invited to work in Toronto, which he chose to do.

In 2002, I walked in my first American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in support of a co-worker in my husbands office. In 2003, I walked as a breast cancer survivor. The emotions were quite different that day. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk helps to raise awareness and funds to fight breast cancer and save lives. The American Cancer Society’s programs made a difference in my recovery and that is why I am a volunteer today.

Federal law mandates that all high schools, colleges and universities across the country that receive federal funds host educational events about the Constitution on Constitution Day, Sept. 17. There will be various festivities in Washington, D.C., and in some communities across America celebrating the Constitution.

Yet we would do well to do more than pay lip service to the Constitution once a year. Formally adopted on Sept. 17, 1787, it has long served as the bulwark of American freedom and as an example for struggling nations worldwide.

If the letters “teh” ever becomes a word, I’m in trouble. Depending on the meaning of the new word, I could be in lots of trouble.

Every week I struggle with the typing of t-h-e. It’s not a spelling problem. I know how to spell it. I know how to type it but when my brain has to work its way to the tips of my fingers, some things get confused.

Another word that gets me is “and.” Almost every time I type it, it turns around to ‘adn’ or ‘nad.’ Luckily, neither are accepted by the computer’s spell check.

During a lunch with my sister-in-law’s family one Sunday a few years back, a young boy politely interrupted with a question. It seems his fourth-grade class was conducting a survey.

Unlike most surveys, he had one question only.

What’s your favorite season?

The four adults at the table all answered and the boy moved along to the next booth.

My niece Madeline, who was barely 4, had watched the older child intently and soaked up every detail of the conversation.