Remembering those who gave all

Freedom. Interesting word. "Free as a bird," the saying goes ... without a care in the world, etc. Nobody seems to realize the effort going into flight, or freedom, for that matter. So it brings us to that other saying, "Freedom is never free." Witness the brave young men from Reno who lost their lives two weeks ago serving this nation. Sgt. David Drakulich in Afghanistan, and Sgt. Sean Gaul in Iraq. Both were men of honor, and both leave grieving families and an empty spot in this state. The cost of freedom is dear ... please send their families your prayers.

•••

Freedom diminished is another topic. Recently, a friend received a letter from the USPS, stating that all parties receiving mail in his post office box must register in person at the post office with two forms of ID. Just great. He receives mail addressed to his father-in-law in order to pay his bills, because his father-in-law is in a nursing home in another state. We're sure he's ready to rip his father-in-law out of the home onto a plane and into Carson City just so Dad can show up "in person" with his two forms of ID. Right. Just whose business is it anyway? Big Brother's? Just asking.

•••

Vern Manke sent us the following: "A florist goes into a barbershop for a haircut, and afterward, the barber says, 'I will not take your money today as a service to the community.' Pleased, the florist leaves a bouquet of roses at the barbershop the next day. Later, a policeman comes in for a cut, and again the barber refuses any money. The next morning, the barber finds a thank you card and a box of doughnuts at his shop. Then, a professor comes in, and the scene is repeated. Once more, there is a note and several books left as a thank you. The next day, a congressman comes in for a haircut and gets the same treatment. He leaves very pleased. The next morning when the barber opens up, there are a dozen congressmen lined up." (Sorry, Dean, we couldn't resist ... draw evil grin in here ____ ).

•••

Another reader was on Jarid Shipley's case for dissing the "elderly (of which we are many ... aaargh)." She can hardly wait for him to slide down the "rock of ages" and clunk up at the bottom. She will have his Medicare card ready. Beware.

•••

"It's the economy, stupid." We've heard that before. So now GWB is going to give us another "rebate" to "jump start" the economy this year to cover the home loan fiasco, and the tanking of the economy. Apparently, he doesn't equate the billions the war is costing us, versus the money we don't have, to cover the costs of education, infrastructure, health care, etc. "No new taxes," always "sounds" good ... but when you're bumping over the new potholes this year, you might want to reallocate those monies. Let's hope the winners of the Nevada caucuses, Hillary Clinton and Mitt Romney, get the message. All the other candidates, too. We need a hard nose in diplomacy, and a rough hand in Iraq and Afghanistan to get those countries to take care of themselves. Then maybe, we'll have the dough and the gumption to take care of ourselves.

•••

Belated B-day greetings to Tamie Jesse and Steve Wassner. And more birthday greetings to Tom Greco, Jamie Fuller Dunn, Troy and Spenser Olson, Bill Nutt, Betty Mahoney and Ellie Stevens. All put together, they must be "hundreds" of years old. Mercy. Eat lots of cake.

•••

We caught Sol Jibe at D'Vine Wine the other evening. Great duo, and ever so talented musically. Go to their Web site http://www.soljibe.com/ for future appearances in the area. Really worth listening to.

•••

Wild Horse Children's Theater is holding auditions for the C. S. Lewis classic, "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Children's Museum. Kids must be between 5 and 15, and can sign up by calling 887-0438. A great story, and great fun.

•••

This must be Vern Manke's week. Here's another one: "During training exercises, a lieutenant was driving down a muddy road and encountered another car stuck in the mud with a red-faced colonel at the wheel. 'Your jeep stuck, sir?' the lieutenant asked as he pulled alongside. 'Nope,' replied the colonel, coming over and handing him the keys. 'Yours is.'" And another: "Having just moved into his new office, a pompous new colonel was sitting at his desk when an airman knocked at the door. Wanting to look important, the colonel picked up his phone, told the airman to enter, and said into the phone, 'Yes, general, I'll see you this afternoon ... and thanks for all your good wishes.' Hanging up the phone, and feeling he'd impressed the young airman, he asked, 'What do you want?' 'Nothing important, sir ... I'm just here to hook up the phone.'"

•••

A memorial to celebrate the life of DeeAnn Parsons will be held at the Brewery Arts Center ballroom at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, with a light luncheon and remarks and remembrances afterward. Everyone who knew DeeAnn is welcome. If you can come, PLEASE RSVP to either Shelley (1-925-449-6673) or Deena (1-360-379-3593). They, and Jim, would love to see you there. She was a great lady and we know we'll all have a good time remembering her.

•••

As we mentioned previously, Sen. Clinton (D-NY), and former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-Mass), won the Nevada caucuses held Saturday. South Carolina (Democratic primary) comes next, and "Super Tuesday" (several states on the same day) comes after that, so who knows who the final "winners" will be. And if you don't have a caucus in your state, does that disenfranchise your vote? Why anyone would want the job of president is a mystery to us, and, if the two year campaign trail doesn't kill off someone by wearing them down to a nub, the job probably will. It's become the "ultimate reality show," and we're tired of it already. Good luck.

•••

Ron Saunders quotes Eva Gabor: "I have never hated a man enough to give his diamonds back." How nice.

• Carolyn Tate and Maizie Harris Jesse are longtime Carson City residents. Write to them at editor@nevadaappeal.com.