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Posted on 04/30/2008 10:28:57 PM PDT by JustAmy
Six hours? Wow! Sounds like you were setting some endurance records. Was it the carnival or Marissa? LOL!
The 5th of May is not Mexican Independence Day, but it should be! And Cinco de Mayo is not an American holiday, but it should be. Mexico declared its independence from mother Spain on midnight, the 15th of September, 1810. And it took 11 years before the first Spanish soldiers were told and forced to leave Mexico.
So, why Cinco de Mayo? And why should Americans savor this day as well? Because 4,000 Mexican soldiers smashed the French and traitor Mexican army of 8,000 at Puebla, Mexico, 100 miles east of Mexico City on the morning of May 5, 1862.
The French had landed in Mexico (along with Spanish and English troops) five months earlier on the pretext of collecting Mexican debts from the newly elected government of democratic President (and Indian) Benito Juarez. The English and Spanish quickly made deals and left. The French, however, had different ideas.
Under Emperor Napoleon III, who detested the United States, the French came to stay. They brought a Hapsburg prince with them to rule the new Mexican empire. His name was Maximilian; his wife, Carolota. Napoleon's French Army had not been defeated in 50 years, and it invaded Mexico with the finest modern equipment and with a newly reconstituted Foreign Legion. The French were not afraid of anyone, especially since the United States was embroiled in its own Civil War.
The French Army left the port of Vera Cruz to attack Mexico City to the west, as the French assumed that the Mexicans would give up should their capital fall to the enemy — as European countries traditionally did.
Under the command of Texas-born General Zargosta's, (and the cavalry under the command of Colonel Porfirio Diaz, later to be Mexico's president and dictator), the Mexicans awaited. Brightly dressed French Dragoons led the enemy columns. The Mexican Army was less stylish.
General Zaragosa ordered Colonel Diaz to take his cavalry, the best in the world, out to the French flanks. In response, the French did a most stupid thing; they sent their cavalry off to chase Diaz and his men, who proceeded to butcher them. The remaining French infantrymen charged the Mexican defenders through sloppy mud from a thunderstorm and through hundreds of head of stampeding cattle stirred up by Indians armed only with machetes.
When the battle was over, many French were killed or wounded and their cavalry was being chased by Diaz’ superb horsemen miles away. The Mexicans had won a great victory that kept Napoleon III from supplying the confederate rebels for another year, allowing the United States to build the greatest army the world had ever seen. This grand army smashed the Confederates at Gettysburg just 14 months after the battle of Puebla, essentially ending the Civil War.
Union forces were then rushed to the Texas/Mexican border under General Phil Sheridan, who made sure that the Mexicans got all the weapons and ammunition they needed to expel the French. American soldiers were discharged with their uniforms and rifles if they promised to join the Mexican Army to fight the French. The American Legion of Honor marched in the Victory Parade in Mexico, City.
It might be a historical stretch to credit the survival of the United States to those brave 4,000 Mexicans who faced an army twice as large in 1862. But who knows?
In gratitude, thousands of Mexicans crossed the border after Pearl Harbor to join the U.S. Armed Forces. As recently as the Persian Gulf War, Mexicans flooded American consulates with phone calls, trying to join up and fight another war for America.
Mexicans, you see, never forget who their friends are, and neither do Americans. That's why Cinco de Mayo is such a party — A party that celebrates freedom and liberty. There are two ideals which Mexicans and Americans have fought shoulder to shoulder to protect, ever since the 5th of May, 1862. VIVA! el CINCO DE MAYO!!
Examine the words of Psalm 86, and you might forget that you are reading the musings of a good leader. King David prayed, “O Lord, hear me; for I am poor and needy” (v.1). Then the king of Israel refers to himself as a “servant” and pleads for mercy. Think of it! This was the man God had chosen to lead His people, pleading for God’s help. Wow!
As we think about the role of leaders—whether centuries ago or today—it’s vital that we review what leadership means. According to businessman and author Max De Pree, whose leadership moved his company near the top of the Fortune 500: “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between the two, the leader must become a servant and a debtor. That sums up the progress of an artful leader.” Those two words, servant and debtor, describe David’s view of himself as he asked God for help during his time of leadership.
All of us who are in a leadership position—whether leading a family, a church, a classroom, or a business—need the humble words of Psalm 86 as our guide. The “poor and needy” (v.1) servant-leader who trusts God is the one who, in the end, can say as David did, “You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me” (v.17).
Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 28–29; Proverbs 12:15-28
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As you can see from the photos below, his fur is almost completely grown back in from his back surgery in January. He is doing great now, just a regular party animal. :-)
When we were small the comfort gained,
From elder’s calm caressing,
Sustained us in a world confused,
And often quite distressing.
It is the touch that brings to life,
The memories of Joy,
Along with smells, and visions caught,
Our mental tricks employ.
As day winds down to sunset,
And darkness comfort brings,
The bright engulfing feel of hugs,
Heart music gently sings.
NicknamedBob . . . . . April 20, 2008
Question MB. Did I ever send you the DVD of "Freddy Fender?" I finally got a copy from the procrastinator, but can't recall if I got an extra and sent to you. Old age is not for wimps.
That is so sweet. It makes me smile.
It is wonderful that someone their age has found that special person.
Thanks for telling me. And Thank You for the Wonderful Graphic.
Thank you for the wonderful poem you wrote for MamaBear’s Welcome Graphic.
Got More?
LOL! Now, I would love to see pictures of little Em out on the golf course. ;-)
Question MB. Did I ever send you the DVD of "Freddy Fender?" I finally got a copy from the procrastinator, but can't recall if I got an extra and sent to you.
No, you didn't, but I would love to see it. We will be there in 11 (?) short weeks and maybe you can play it for us while we are there? :-)
I wish we could bring Chachi with us so you can meet him in person, but I don't think he would hold up well on the trip. He is going to be spending some quality time with his Grammy while we are on vacation.
Congratulations, Yorkie.
I’m so happy for you!
Mamabear made me smile with the post about 2 people from the assisted living home getting married next month.
Now I have a huge GRIN with this news from you.
((((( Yorkie )))))
Thank you for letting us know.
Beautiful, Cardhu.
Both presentations were pleasure trips. Thank you for sharing.
LOL
Since some parents failed to show up to work the PTA booth, I worked another couple of hours.
Then, Marissa was having so much fun with some of her friends that I stayed in the booth and visited with teachers and other parents while she played.
Marissa would have stayed another two hours but I was more than ready to come home.
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