DECEMBER 22 UPDATE
COMMITMENTS
Adelaide Crocker, Trevians, Evanston IL, to University of Pennsylvania
Jackier Purser, C, Rainier Jets, Seattle, to Montana State
Melissa Dubay, Vancouver Ford is signed with Boston University not Boston College.
Georgia Elite Gold
Stephanie Berger OF University of South Florida
Myesha Finney OF Auburn University
Madi Gore P University of Virginia
Ashley Holcombe C University of Alabama
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
Mourning the dead in Mosul reminds of a December 22 when American soldiers were dying in a city most people at home couldn’t find on a map. On this day in 1944, the Battling Bastards of Bastogne were surrounded by elite German panzer divisions – and early in the morning, the German commander demanded that the Allies surrender. The Wermacht was stunned by General Anthony Mcauliffe’s response to the personal demand from Adolf Hitler – “Nuts.” Hitler had rolled the dice, gambling that German troops could crack through the most lightly defended sector between the British and American forces. On December 16, the Germans broke through creating the infamous “Bulge” and triggering a campaign which would eventually involve one million soldiers – and take more lives than any battle of World War II. Bastogne held out against incredible odds – and on December 22, two events coincided that would, by mid January, decide the battle. First, in the afternoon, the skies began to clear, eliminating the German weather advantage and allowing US air forces back into the sky. Second, from the South came word that America’s Third Army, inimitably led by General George Patton, had pulled out of a major winter offensive, and the old cavalryman was coming “hell bent for leather” to send the Germans home. By January 16, their panzers destroyed or out of gas, their ammunition stocks depleted, long lines of defeated German troops began the long walk home. Hitler could not replace the men, weapons and supplies he lost in the Bulge, and Germany began a forced retreat on both fronts, never again to mount an offensive. Sadly, one parallel with Mosul also comes to mind. On December 17, the second day of the Ardennes offensive, an SS unit commanded by Lt. Col Joachim Peiper captured 72 American soldiers in Malmedy – and machine-gunned the unarmed soldiers.
Sixty years later to the day, American men and women are still making the ultimate sacrifice to defeat other terrorists. We owe a lot to them; remember them at Christmas.
HARLEM DIAMONDS
A THOUGHTFUL PRESS RELEASE FROM THR Hasrlem Diamonds about their plans for 2005 – and their plea for more African-American girls to play with them, circumstances permitting. You can read the press release: csanger@harlemambassadors.com
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
From reader Curtis Holcomb
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are
here we might
as well dance. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.
YOU THINK YOU’VE GOT PROBLEMS
At one of the many stations I have to check-in with at Johns Hopkins, I made it a point this week to wish all the clerical help a Merry Christmas. One African-American lady looked distressed, and no wonder. She ordered Christmas presents for her grandchildren online. She lives in a rather depressed area, and the front door of her townhouse opens onto the street. Nevertheless, FedEx left the box on the doorstep – gone in a Baltimore minute. Then, she got a call from a daughter, who lives in another depressed area; her heat had been turned off, and she slept with her kids in the car with the motor running but she started to smell fumes, so they slept in the cold. Naturally, Grandmother is taking them all into her small house for Christmas. After paying off my credit card charges for the Olympics, the SPY pouch is collecting dust but I offered to help. Knowing my cancer surgery and the neurological surgery last week, this very proud lady let me know that I had enough problems without adding hers. There may not be a lot of material goods in her house on Christmas, but there will be a lot of love.
PS: I am not certain the surgery helped. I had limited use of my right hand before, and was in pain. I still have limited use of my right hand; my arm is swollen and hurts like sin; and I have a surgical scar like you see in the Frankenstein movies. The doctors wince when I remind them the ulna nerve collapsed during cancer surgery at JHU.
A CHRISTMAS PRAYER
A Lesson to be learned
Three things in
life that, once gone, never come back -
Time
Words
Opportunity
Three things in life that may never be
lost -
Peace
Hope
Honesty
Three things in life that are most
valuable -
Love
Self-confidence
Friends
Three things in life that are never
certain -
Dreams
Success
Fortune
Three things that make a man -
Hard work
Sincerity
Commitment
Three things in life that can destroy a
man -
Alcohol
Pride
Anger
Three things that are truly constant -
Father
Son
Holy Ghost
I ask the Lord to bless you, as I pray
for you today;
to guide you and protect you, as you go
along your way.
His love is always with you, His
promises are true.
And when you give Him all your cares,
you know He'll see you through.
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