ETERNAL FLAME NEWS: Apr 9, 2011

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Soldiers Death Leaves Permanent Imprint On Ohio Town

April 9, 2011

Eternal Flame News

Written By: Miranda Caverley

CHILLICOTHE, OH-Saturday April 9, 2011 was the day The War In Afghanistan left a permanent imprint on the city of Chillicothe Ohio. Today one of Chillicothe's own, Army Staff Sergeant Joshua Gire was brought home to be laid to rest.

On March 23, 2011, Chillicothe Ohio resident and Huntington High School 2000 Graduate Staff Sergeant Joshua Gire paid the ultimate price for his country. While serving in Afghanistan Gire’s battalion was attacked by enemy forces in the Logar province of Afghanistan.

Today Staff Sergeant Joshua Gire was brought home one last time. As the Procession came through Chillicothe my husband Jeremy and I stood along Western Ave. Just outside our home and paid our respects. From the moment I heard and saw the first police car sounding its sirens. Tears began to flow down my face, and as the police cars and motorcyclists passed with American Flags streaming behind them you just knew this city was permanently scarred by the effects of the war on Terror that has been raging for 10 years now.

Near the end of the procession you see the hearse carrying the body of Staff Sergeant Joshua Gire coming. My husband being a Veteran of the U.S Coast Guard stood in salute and I watched as the hearse slowly drove past. You could see the American Flag draped over the casket, and then the limousine that carried Staff Sergeant Joshua Gire's Family towards the funeral home.

How do you find the words to express the sorrow and pain a family must feel in the face of losing a son, father, and husband? It can only be described through the tears that are shed for those who pay the ultimate price for Freedoms Call.

Tuesday April 12, 2011 will be the funeral/memorial service for Staff Sergeant Joshua Gire at Huntington High School. After that his body will be taken to Arlington Cemetery to be buried on Friday April 15, 2011. Where another marker will be placed along with the thousands of others in remembrance, that freedom isn't free.

May we never forget that our freedoms are persevered through the sacrifices of others like Joshua Gire. For without their bravery we would not be able to call our country the home of the free.

From the bitter cold winter at Valley Forge, to the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq, our soldiers have courageously answered when called, gone where ordered, and defended our nation with honor.
Solomon Ortiz

Aerial Picture Of Procession by: Frank Robertson, Chillicothe Gazette

Soul Surfer Movie Tells True Story Of Young Christian Surfer Who Loses Arm In Shark Attack

Just in time for Spring Break, a movie about a shark attack hits theaters.

But, "Soul Surfer" is not your typical spring break "shark movie."

It's the inspiring story of Bethany Hamilton, the young Christian surfer who lost her arm in a vicious shark attack and how despite tremendous odds, went on to become one of the top women surfers in the world.

The movie features an all-star cast, including Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, AnnaSophia Robb (as Bethany) and Carrie Underwood.

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Isreali Army Fires On Gaza After School Bus Attack

Israel struck back at Hamas Friday for a rocket attack launched the day before targeting an Israeli school bus.

Israel Defence Forces aircraft and ground troops reportedly killed six Hamas militants and five civilians.

Gaza militants fired 16 rockets and mortars at southern Israel Friday, causing no injuries, the Israeli military said.

Hamas has admitted it was behind the school bus attack. Most of the school children had exited the bus when the rocket struck its target.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attack on the school bus "crossed a line" and warned that "whoever tries to harm and murder children will pay with their life."

For the second day in a row, Israel's cutting-edge Iron Dome missile defense system successfully intercepted a Palestinian rocket aimed at an Israeli city, the military said.

Hamas said the rocket attack was in retaliation for the killing of three fighters in an airstrike earlier in the week.

Deer Protects Mother Goose and Her Eggs

Teacher Makes Black/Mixed Students Participate In Mock Slave Auction Apologizes

By Steven G. Vegh
The Virginian-Pilot
© April 9, 2011

NORFOLK

The principal of Sewells Point Elementary School has apologized to parents for a teacher's classroom exercise last week that cast her black and mixed-race fourth-graders as available for sale.

The apology came after the teacher separated the students from their white classmates and auctioned them, division spokeswoman Elizabeth Thiel Mather said. The exercise was part of an April 1 class on the Civil War.

In an April 6 letter sent to parents of students in the class, Principal Mary B. Wrushen wrote: "I recently became aware of a history lesson that was presented to the students in Ms. Jessica Boyle's fourth grade class. Although her actions were well intended to meet the instructional objectives, the activity presented was inappropriate for the students.

"The lesson could have been thought through more carefully, as to not offend her students or put them in an uncomfortable situation," Wrushen wrote.

Wrushen said the exercise was not supported by the school or division. "I will follow up with the classroom teacher to ensure nothing like this ever occurs again," the letter said. "In addition, the guidance counselor is available to discuss any concerns your child may still have concerning this classroom lesson."

Oprah Not Endorsing Obama For Re-Election In 2012

Published : Friday, 08 Apr 2011, 6:43 PM EDT
NewsCore) - Oprah Winfrey, the queen of daytime television, will not be publicly endorsing President Barack Obama for re-election in 2012, a source told Pop Eater.

Back in 2008, the billionaire talk show host endorsed then-Senator Barack Obama -- the first time she had publicly taken sides in a US presidential election.

"For 2012, much has changed for Oprah," the source told Pop Eater. "She now has her own cable channel called OWN that has been struggling to find an audience -- she isn't going to do anything to alienate them."

Winfrey's daytime talk show will end its 25-year run on May 25. She will then spend the majority of her time at the helm of OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network, a joint venture with Discovery Communications which debuted on Jan. 1.

After a big debut that averaged 583,000 viewers in primetime the first week, OWN has seen its ratings fall below those of the channel it replaced, the Discovery Health Channel.

"Unlike in 2008, when a drop in ratings didn't matter as much for the queen of TV, Oprah is now fighting every day to get people to tune into OWN," the source added, noting that while Winfrey will likely support Obama again, she will do so more privately.

"Helping a friend keep the most important job in the world is great, but making sure her OWN network thrives is now her priority," the source said.

U.S Govt. Shutdown Averted Congress Passes Budget And Cuts $38.5 Billion

Congressional leaders, with barely an hour to go before a federal government, announced late Friday night they had reached a deal to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year.

The deal includes $38.5 billion in spending cuts while leaving the more contention policy matters, such as blocking funding for Planned Parenthood, for a later debate.

The Senate passed a short-term spending measure Friday night to buy lawmakers the time needed to prepare and pass the final budget bill next week. The House passed the measure early Saturday, which will be signed by President Obama when he receives it, according to senior administration officials.

"This agreement between Democrats and Republicans on behalf of all Americas is a budget that invests in our future while making the largest spending cut in our history," Obama said in a short speech to the nation after the deal had been announced."Today Americans of different beliefs came together again."

Shortly after midnight, White House budget director Jacob Lew issued a memo instructing the government's departments and agencies to continue their normal operations.