FamilyFoundationBlog.com

Our Memorial Day tribute, courtesy of TimesDispatch.com: Here are some highlights from the annual, and touching, tribute at the state capitol Thursday honoring Virginia’s heroes — those who gave their full measure and made the supreme sacrifice in defense of our country during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The ceremony commemorates the 206 men and women on Virginia’s Wall of Honor, proudly displayed in the Office of the Attorney General, and which contains the pictures of each member of the military who have died in defense of freedom since the U.S.S. Cole attack in 2000. Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli led the ceremony at which there were several speakers, including military officers; Governor Bob McDonnell, who started the tribute during his term as attorney general; Lt. Governor Bill Bolling; and Kim Felts, widow of Army Col. Thomas Felts, the 100th Virginian to die in the War on Terrorism. After her speech, a flyover and a gun salute by an Air Force honor guard, each of the 206 names were read aloud. We pray no more will be added this year.

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” – John 15:13

We can never thank them enough, that we may all live free and secure.

This weekend, if you are like me, you’ll spend time with friends and family, enjoying the holiday. I hope you will also take time to remember why we celebrate Memorial Day — a day of tribute to those who sacrificed their lives on the field of battle for our freedoms.

While we remember those Americans, we must also remember what it is they died for: A nation built on the idea that freedom comes from a Creator — God — not government, and when America fails to recognize God, it will be in peril. We have reached that day.

That is why I invite you to join us Tuesday, June 1, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. in Williamsburg, as we pray to Almighty God to restore our nation to its Christian principles and to heal our land. On June 1, 1774, the Virginia House of Burgesses called a Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer as the American colonists called out to the Lord to intervene when the British closed the harbor at Boston on that same day. We face a similar crisis now as forces across our nation attempt to close down the religious freedoms that we have been blessed with for more than 200 years.

What: A Call to Prayer

Where: Colonial Williamsburg

When: Tuesday, June 1, 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.

The Family Foundation is joining with an ad hoc group in Williamsburg called Virginians for Liberty to re-enact that important prayer event 236 years later to the day, crying out to God as a genuine expression of love for our country and longing for a return to the values, beliefs and principles on which it was founded.

We will assemble at the Colonial Capitol on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg promptly at 8:00 a.m. and walk to Bruton Parish Church where prayers will be offered along with some 18th century hymns. This will cover several blocks, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. We will finish promptly at 9:00 a.m. Bring a U.S. or Virginia flag and wave it as a symbol of your devotion to this cause.

Parking can be confusing around Colonial Williamsburg. There is a parking lot near Bassett Hall, on 522 Francis Street East, which is very convenient to the Old Capitol. For more information or questions please call Roger Pogge in our office at 804-343-0010. I look forward to seeing you there!

Annotations & Elucidations

Expanded Holiday Weekend Edition

We hope everyone has a long, relaxing and safe holiday weekend, while remembering to give appropriate pause and reflection to those, throughout the decades, who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defence of America. To bide over you news junkies, some who may have an even longer weekend than others, we have an expanded edition of the News Stand (including links to audio and video) to bide you over the rest of the weekend. We hope you enjoy your holiday reading.

News

U.Va. challenges Cuccinelli demand for research (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Cuccinelli’s office says it will reply to U.Va. in court (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

U.Va. seeks to block Cuccinelli’s probe of climate researcher (Richmond Times-Dispatch) 

Dominion CEO will lead Va. panel on higher education (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Dominion chief heads McDonnell’s higher-ed panel (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

State education board allows Richmond charter school to open before traditional schools (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Halt in offshore drilling cuts funds for Virginia’s transportation projects (Washington Post)

Mixed response from Virginia as Obama cancels oil lease sale (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell says Va. oil lease sales shouldn’t be canceled (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Most state workers will be on furlough Friday (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Va. won’t seek Race to the Top education funds (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Virginia declines to compete for U.S. education grant funding (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell may seek roads czar (Roanoke Times)

McDonnell to put private road projects on the fast track (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Democrats continue to criticize McDonnell’s choice of Malek (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell says his vetting is fine, Malek’s past a ‘non-issue’ (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

McDonnell defends governmental reform appointee (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Staffer: Cuccinelli made no pledge to Navy Vets (Roanoke Times)

Virginia gun rights leader blasts Cuccinelli over GMU campus gun ban (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

GOP, Tea Party split on candidate endorsement (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Political novice Jeffrey Clark could turn Va. congressional race on its head (Washington Post)

Richmond lobbyist heads national GOP election effort (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

O’Brien expected to get out of state Senate race (Woodbridge/Manassas News & Messenger)

Video

Wall of Honor a tribute to Virginia’s war dead (3:16) (TimesDispatch.com)

Audio

Ask The Governor (38:59) (WRVA-AM/WRVA.com)

Ask The Governor (43:23) (WTOP-AM/WTOP.com)

National News

House approves repeal of law banning openly gay military service (Politico/Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Congress moves to end ban on gays in military (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Four Moral Issues Sharply Divide Americans (Gallup.com)

Decision to halt offshore drilling stirs debate (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Obama admin asks Supreme Court to stop AZ from enforcing illegal alien law (AP/GOPUSA.com)

WH had Clinton try to ease Sestak out of Pa. race (AP/GOPUSA.com)

New $23B for teacher subsidies falters in House (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Senate OKs war funding; House to cut spending bill (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Report: Two dozen terror leaders among detainees (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Analysis

Why Obama’s Sinking in the Polls(Dick Morris and Eileen McGann/GOPUSA.com)

CBS: the Toilet Network(Brent Bozell/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary

 

That Blood of Heroes Never Dies (Richard Olivastro/GOPUSA.com)

It Should Be Our Honor to Honor (Frank Salvato/GOPUSA.com)

Memorial Day 2010 (Oliver North/GOPUSA.com)

Just how much is someone’s ‘fair share?’ (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

 

The Politics of the Gulf Oil Spill (Michael Reagan/GOPUSA.com)

Obama To America: I Am Not Accountable (Christopher G. Adamo/GOPUSA.com)