Memorial Day

Go a head and hug a veteran or thank an active duty service member for there service. Today isn't about them. It is about the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

They are somebody's son or daughter. They could be our neighbors. They are somebody's friend. To the Service Members they are Brothers and Sisters in arms.

I know several veterans and service members. I am proud and grateful for what they have done. Luckily I haven't known anyone who died in service. Pretty amazing if you think about it. Since for most of my life we have been involved in conflicts.

It is a different story for my parents. I remember going to the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington with my parents. I remember them searching the wall for people they new. I would visit the Memorial from time to time. There always same to be Veterans there. The names on the wall is a great reminder of the human cost of war. It was neat to see what others had left for their fallen loved ones. You would see folks looking for names of people they knew just like my parents did.

An Air Force friend of mine also asked his friends to remember those who lost their life through their own hands. Sometimes war and returning home is too much.i certainly will add them to my prayers on this day.

R.I.P Chester Bennington

Chester Bennington was a successful frontman for the band Linkin Park. The band won two Grammy Awards and have sold over 70 million albums. Fame, fortune, success can't outrun personal demons. Hopefully Bennington who was 41 can rest in peace.

Here is their latest hit "Heavy" and the news was heavy...

Here is  "Numb"...

"In the End"

What is your favorite Linkin Park song? Any memories you want to share? Feel free to comment in the comments. A sad loss a another rocker has passed away.

R.I.P Chris Cornell

The above song was from Chris Cornell's last solo album and I really liked the song.It shouldn't be a surprise Soundgarden, Audioslave, Temple of the Dog all produced some cool songs.

Audioslave "Like A Stone"..

Soundgarden "Blackhole Sun"

Temple of the Dog "Hunger Strike"

Briliant artist, super artist, talented song writer. On the flipside a wife lost her husband, Children lost a Dad. A tragedy. Hopefully he will R.I.P.

Life can be stressful. Rockstar, writer, artist, and everyday people. Everybody goes through stuff. It is too late for Chris.

However, if you or someone is going through something. Get help.

Call the Suicide Prevention lifeline 800-273-8255.

Another Sunday, Another Southern Church, Another Shooting

This time the shooting was in Selma, Alabama. A town rich in civil rights history. In this shooting one could not play a race card, However, it is still a tragedy that I am sure rips through a community.

A Pastor's reaction...

 I think this shooting happened because someone was hurting. Call it what you will mental illness, mentally disturbed, or heartbroken. I call it someone was hurting and they lashed out. A lot of people in this world are hurting.

I am not saying this wasn't a crime. I am not saying the person deserves mercy. I am just stating a fact it appears the shooter was hurting. I am also sharing the fact that a lot of people in this world are hurting.

I don't know maybe if this person had someone to talk to this shooting wouldn't have happened. Lots of people hurt. We call the medical condition sometimes depression. This world isn't easy to live in, It is a world full of pressure and things that can hurt us mentally.

I bring this up because it can lead to shootings like this. More commonly it can lead to suicide and September is suicide prevention month (or at least I read that on Facebook,)

Relationships they hurt, finances and financial pressures can hurt, politics, religion, peer pressure and peers they all can hurt. Even simple low self esteem can make life tough. You are very lucky if you have gone through live with no hurt. I've felt hurt. Haven't wanted to shoot people or commit suicide but I've been hurting on the inside,

I admit the hurt. Not to show I am weak but to show compassion and understanding. I could have picked another music or sports topic to write about. However, I thought in light of this shooting which I am sure caused more to hurt that it was time to write about hurt.

Maybe if we discussed hurt more often we could overcome it. Maybe we could stop a shooting, a suicide, or some other act of violence. Maybe we get someone over their hurt enough to stop something bad. Maybe we can stop and realize the world is a hurtful place enough and maybe we could make it better.Maybe we can start a conversation and find some hope.

Troubled Country Singer Mindy McCready Dies

37 is two young too die. However, Cindy McCready had more than her fair share of troubles. Unfortunately trouble does not follow the ideology of fairness. Recently her boyfriend who she called her soul mate, and the mother of her youngest child killed himself. That is a lot to bare. She also had problems with alcohol and drugs at time which resulted in family and legal troubles. It is a lot for anyone. Unfortunately it was too much for her and early reports  say she committed suicide. I feel for her children, family and love ones.

Like many posts I do about people who die I usually find songs so we can celebrate their musical legacy.

Her number one hit "Guys Do It all The Time"

Another top 10 hit "A Girls Gotta Do"

and another top 10 hit.."Ten Thousand Angels"

May she finally find peace. R.I.P. Mindy McCready

Death by Them Crooked Vultures

I like Them Crooked Vultures. Everybody who knows me knows I like Led Zeppelin, and I think John Paul Jones is a very talented musician. I like Dave Grohl too. The band has a bit of a metal edge to it with Queens of the Stone Age Josh Homme in the band. However, I never would have considered them death metal.

However, a story out of Ultimate Classic Rock might change my mind. A guy stabbed himself too death after listening to Them Crooked Vultures in concert. He blamed the pain associated with hearing loss as the reason and blamed the band. The news is tragic and yes I use a little pun humor.

Of all the reasons to blame your death on a rock band hearing loss caused due to the band rocking is better than blaming subliminal messages, Satanic messages, or the band was so bad one just wanted to end the misery. On a serious note I guess this would be a reason to consider ear protection.

Here is the band in action: