R. Frederick Riddle's Blog, page 14
July 9, 2021
Basic-30 Press Release
VP Ronald Riddle Announces Basic-30 Plan for Beginning Authors with same great service and personal attention. By: T&R Independent Books PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – July 9, 2021 – PRLog — Ronald Riddle, Vice President of T&R Independent Books and Editor of TR Writing Services, announced that the company, founded in 2014, is adding a new plan to their offerings. TR Writing Services was launched in 2019 with Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Plans, but the new plan being launched is called Basic-30. This new plan replaces Custom 120 and Custom 150 which were limited to the author seeking private publishing of their book(s).
According to Mr. Riddle, “This new plan allows the beginner, who may be intimidated by the 50,000 word threshold, to publish books of considerably smaller size. This includes a smaller book size of 5×8 instead of 6×9, although this can be changed at client’s request.”
He added, “Basic-30 provides, at a very low price, the same great quality service of the other plans, thus enabling greater flexibility on the part of the client.”
Plan details are as follows:
* Plan Name: Basic-30
* Minimum Pages: 72
* Maximum words: 30,000
* Editing: Yes
* Proofing: Yes
* Personal Promotion Page: Yes
* Format: Paperback
* Format: Hardcover
* Format: eBook: Available
* Retail: $95
* Contact: marketing@TR-Indbkstore.com
* Website: https://rfrederickriddleblog.com/
Media Contact
TR-Writing Services
Ronald Riddle
***@tr-indbkstore.com
The post Basic-30 Press Release first appeared on T&R Independent Bookstore.
July 5, 2021
Announcing Basic-30 Plan
Within a few days, TR Writing Services will be adding a Basic -30 Plan, a new plan that authors may find very desirable. Not long ago, we identified prospective authors who were not at the level of writing 50,000 words or more.
To reach those authors, we instituted what we called the Custom 120 and Custom 150 Plans. These plans provided our service at a much lower cost, thus enabling them to take advantage of our services. However, those plans did not allow for actual publishing.
This meant that while we helped them get their manuscript Publish Ready, we did not publish the book. Rather, they were responsible for the publishing.
This did create interest and work for us, but progress is always going on. That includes our industry. And now, TR Writing Services is able to upgrade what we offer to people who may only want to write a book of 72 pages.
Considering a published book includes Front Matter (which includes Title Page, Copyright Page, and Contents Page), plus Back Matter (which includes an About the Author Page and, possibly an Index of other books written), the actual length of the story itself can be fewer than 72 pages.
So, in response to this information, we are replacing the Custom Plans with a new Basic-30 Plan.
More about this on the other side of this break.
TR-WritingServices.com brings you this blog post or podcast to keep you informed on the issues of today. Authors need to stay informed so that they can relate to their readers facts as well as entertain them with their imagination.
TR-WritingServices.com is a service dedicated to help authors reach their potential as independent writers. Knowing the world you live and work in is essential to being a good writer, thus the need for the free flow of information.
To discover how we can help you be the writer you want to be, write to us at markting@tr-indbkstore.com. We will respond with a free copy of our Guide to Writing plus a brochure detailing our plans. We won’t ask for your credit card or any money, but we will send you these items for free.
Check us out and get your career moving.
Now back to the article.
The Basic-30 Plan covers books from 72 pages to approximately 190 pages. Our new plan prefers the 5×8 format, although that is optional, Calibri 14 font, single space, and approximately 158 words per page. Obviously, these will vary, but it is what we use for basic design and pricing.
The details are:
Format: PaperbackSize: 5×8Pages: 72-190The Basic-30 maximizes out at 30,000 words. However, this is a flexible number. Thus, it is best to talk to us and find out if your book is Basic-30 or Bronze.
This new plan is identical in most areas to our other plans, including the publishing of the book through Kindle Direct Publishing. But because of the smaller size (5×8) we are able to affect cost savings for the user.
Another advantage of Basic-30 is it lends itself to short stories, poems, collections, and other small books.
As mentioned earlier, it enables authors to get published at less than 50,000 words, which might seem large to a new author. It opens them up to the possibility of getting published without costing them an arm and a leg.
The fact is, we can provide them the same quality of service that they expect with the Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans. The only thing we are not including is eBooks, although that could change.
I am excited about this new plan. The reason is that this new ability allows me to get into the smaller book size market for my own books.
Watch for our official announcement or Press Release. This is big news!
If you are reading this blog or listening to this podcast, it is being brought to you by T&R Independent Bookstore. We want to be your local bookstore and we are located on the internet at tr-writingservices.com. Drop in and check us out.
The post Announcing Basic-30 Plan first appeared on T&R Independent Bookstore.
June 21, 2021
FREEDOM TO WRITE
The debate concerning the Freedom to Write is all around us, but rarely do we as authors hear anything about books or magazines, but censorship hurts everyone, including authors!
Throughout history the Far Left and the Far Right have striven to suppress the right to hear or read opposing views. Basically, these two opposing viewpoints agree on one thing: the written and spoken word is powerful, dangerous, and must be controlled.
Furthermore, both sides have attempted to control the printed word. All of us know how the Catholic Church opposed the Bible being printed and put in the hands of common people. They didn’t just oppose it, they used every means possible to stamp it out. This included the hunting down of the printers, destroying the presses, arresting and burning at the stake those brave enough to oppose them. But they are not the only ones. We have seen dictatorships use it and we’ve seen it used right here in the United States.
This opposition to the printing of information contrary to the ruling powers desire, is neither Left nor Right. Both sides use it and when they do, the rest of us are harmed.
More about this on the other side of this break.
TR-WritingServices.com brings you this blog post or podcast to keep you informed on the issues of today. Authors need to stay informed so that they can relate to their readers facts as well as entertain them with their imagination.
TR-WritingServices.com is a service dedicated to help authors reach their potential as independent writers. Knowing the world you live and work in is essential to being a good writer, thus the need for the free flow of information.
To discover how we can help you be the writer you want to be, write to us at markting@tr-indbkstore.com. We will respond with a free copy of our Guide to Writing plus a brochure detailing our plans. We won’t ask for your credit card or any money, but we will send you these items for free.
Check us out and get your career moving.
Now back to the article.
Today, we have a news media, both print and digital, in the hands of the Left with strong efforts taking place in the Social Media area. Their goal is to squelch the voice of the Right. It doesn’t matter how well written, or how well established their argument is, if they are on the Right, they must be stopped. What government could not do, the high-tech giants seem unstoppable.
Are books next?
I don’t mean just non-fiction. I mean all books. We’ve had book burnings in the past by both sides, but the type of suppression we now have has the courts stymied. Why?
I’ve heard it is because they fear what Congress will do if they act. And that is a strong argument. But it is also possible that judges are simply petrified because high-tech is hiding behind the Constitution, especially the 1st Amendment.
This is a threat to all who value freedom. And it is a real threat to those who write.
We’ve all read or at least heard of books about to be published that were suddenly pulled back. Someone was against the book and used money, prestige, and maybe a little blackmail, thus forcing the publisher to back off publishing the book. When that someone has political power, financial power, or both, we the people suffer.
Why?
Because it keeps us from having the right to hear or read opposing views.
Everybody should be able to read or hear news or opinions that differ from the ones in power. In the current mixture of the Cancel culture and the Left, we are faced with increasing pressure to bar opposing views whether audio, video, or written. And this includes news, opinions, and even tell-all books.
I think there have been attempts to censure novels.
None of this is new. It has been going on for a very long time, but now is getting worse. And we’ve seen it from both the Left and the Right, although it does seem that the Left has it mastered.
The Freedom of the Press is a slogan that the Left uses to protect their drivel, but if a person on the right criticizes them, they do all they can to shut that person up. The Freedom of the Press doesn’t just mean newspapers and TV News. It easily extends to books and blogs.
I might remind you that it was the pamphlets (revolutionary blogs?) that stirred up the people to resist tyranny and rebel against England. These pamphleteers were the bloggers of the day.
And I must add that it was novelists who revealed the exotic world of royal shenanigans. They not only entertained, but they revealed the inner evils of the world. Censorship is never a good thing. Some have tried it with the purpose of protecting us from evil, but it only makes the censored item more desirable.
The latest example of censorship is the coverup concerning the voting rights bill being voted on in congress. There are some serious issues with this bill, but if you listen to the Left, they aren’t worthy of our concern. If the average American wants the truth, they have to plug their collective ears to the drumbeat of the Left and focus on discovering the truth.
If you are reading this blog or listening to this podcast, it is being brought to you by T&R Independent Bookstore. We want to be your local bookstore and we are located on the internet at tr-writingservices.com. Drop in and check us out.
The post FREEDOM TO WRITE first appeared on T&R Independent Bookstore.
June 20, 2021
A Father’s Day Salute
Generally, on Father’s Day we celebrate our fathers, but today I want to provide a Father’s Day Salute to my father and my father-in-law. So, let’s get started.
My FatherDale Barlow Riddle
There are few written records pertaining to his life, but he made a major impact in mine. I probably didn’t communicate that fact very well to him, but I certainly admit it now. Here are a few facts:
He was born in 1912 (or thereabouts).As a teenager he worked for a Goodyear Tire Store.He taught himself how to drive (and never had a ticket).He got saved as a young man (although I have no written proof of that; however, his lifelong interest in spiritual matters was evident).As a young man he became a deacon.As an adult he worked as a sales representative for Ford Tractor and was quite successful.He backslid and married an unsaved woman (my mother, who may have gotten saved on her deathbed as she received a letter God had put on my heart which included the gospel).Although backslidden, he kept us in church until the family left the church.When I was yet a child, we left the Methodist Church.He was very interested in spiritual matters and loved watching Billy Graham Revival Meetings. A little redheaded boy sat next to him.He later worked for Bolens Tractor and then Lawnboy, and was a successful sales representative.When I got saved at the age of 30, his continuous interest in the Bible was part of the reason I was already daily reading the Scriptures before I got saved.My salvation and life may have been a testimony to him.In his last days, he planned on getting back in church. He died of a stroke before he could make good on that plan.It is with joy that I contemplate the possibility that when I get to heaven, I may meet my grandmother (who I led to the Lord), my father, my mother, and my Aunt Delores. I may also have other relatives, both living and dead, that I don’t know about. What a glorious day that will be!As you may have noticed, it was dad’s continuing interest in the things of God that had a great influence on me as a child. I was yet a child when we dropped out of church as a family and didn’t come in contact with the church until I went to Navy Bootcamp. I don’t remember much about any conversations dad had with me at the time, but I know that when I went to bootcamp I had a little Bible in my hands. So, I imagine I got it from my parents.
Though he was out of the church, he continued to influence my life so that when I became an adult I was ‘religious’. God had a date with me that I wasn’t aware of until May 9, 1973, arrived. Looking back, I think my dad’s interest in church had played a major role in my spiritual life. His influence, the influence of my pastor, and my own interest in the Bible brought me to that date. And God pointed me to the Scriptures which said I was dead in my sins and needed a Savior. On that night I knelt by my bedside (at a Best Western motel) and asked Jesus into my heart.
I am so glad, that I had a father who never lost his faith completely. It is true he ran out of time for getting right and departed this world with few if any rewards. But I believe he is in heaven reunited with his Savior! And that is a great comfort!
More about this on the other side of this break.
TR-WritingServices.com brings you this blog post or podcast to keep you informed on the issues of today. Authors need to stay informed so that they can relate to their readers facts as well as entertain them with their imagination.
TR-WritingServices.com is a service dedicated to help authors reach their potential as independent writers. Knowing the world you live and work in is essential to being a good writer, thus the need for the free flow of information.
To discover how we can help you be the writer you want to be, write to us at markting@tr-indbkstore.com. We will respond with a free copy of our Guide to Writing plus a brochure detailing our plans. We won’t ask for your credit card or any money, but we will send you these items for free.
Check us out and get your career moving.
Now back to the article.
My dad was not the only man to play a role in my life. My pastor, Dr. Bob Shelton, preached sermons that led to my salvation, but my father-in-law lived the Christian life that influenced me as a young Christian (I was 8 years old in the Lord when I married Teresa). So, I think it is appropriate to talk about him for a few minutes.
My Father-in-LawCarl Woodrow Wheeler
On September 19, 1981, Carl Wheeler became my father-in-law. Like my father, he got saved as a young man.
But Carl Wheeler continued on and grew in the Lord. By the time I met him he had already suffered his own crises of faith but was now a godly, faithful man. He served God in a verity of ways, including working in children’s church, and becoming a deacon.
When I met him, he was retired and a Snowbird spending half his time in Florida. Eventually he and his wife, Evalyne, moved to Florida full time. But whether living in Michigan or Florida, he remained a godly man who loved the Word of God.
I count myself fortunate to have a godly father-in-law and mother-in-law. In my imagination I like to think that my parents and Teresa’s parents have already met up there in heaven.
So, on this Father’s Day I am thankful that God gave me a father who taught me to believe in God and to read the Bible, and a father-in-law who demonstrated how a Christian ought to live. My birth father may not have been perfect, but he was a hero in my eyes and to this day I remember him fondly. Someday, we will be reunited and I look forward to that day!
If you are reading this blog or listening to this podcast, it is being brought to you by T&R Independent Bookstore. We want to be your local bookstore and we are located on the internet at tr-writingservices.com. Drop in and check us out.
The post A Father’s Day Salute first appeared on T&R Independent Bookstore.
June 16, 2021
Researching Egypt
Researching Egypt may sound odd for a blog title, but it isn’t as odd as you might think. I have often talked about doing your research. Well, I have been writing a book that is nearing completion. It is the World of Joseph, subtitled Mentuhotep Vizier of Egypt. Guess what, it takes place primarily in Egypt!
So, it required research. The subtitle itself is a product of this research. Before I started, I didn’t know Joseph’s Egyptian name other than the one given him by Pharaoh. But research showed that the name Mentuhotep was the name that history identified with him. The many and conflicting names of pharaohs and their viziers was just one of the issues I had to deal with when doing research.
Fortunately, I didn’t have to do the work all by myself. I am not an expert Egyptologist. But through the internet I was able to gather a great deal of information about the Pharaoh, Sesostris I, along with the Vizier Mentuhotep, and the capital of Egypt, which was Itjtawy pronounced Ish ta way. Through research I was able to find the possible location of this mysterious city, design the palace which resembled other Egyptian palaces, and locate the land of Goshen.
More about this issue on the other side of this break.
TR-WritingServices.com brings you this blog post or podcast to keep you informed on the issues of today. Authors need to stay informed so that they can relate to their readers facts as well as entertain them with their imagination.
TR-WritingServices.com is a service dedicated to help authors reach their potential as independent writers. Knowing the world you live and work in is essential to being a good writer, thus the need for the free flow of information.
To discover how we can help you be the writer you want to be, write to us at markting@tr-indbkstore.com. We will respond with a free copy of our Guide to Writing plus a brochure detailing our plans. We won’t ask for your credit card or any money, but we will send you these items for free.
Check us out and get your career moving.
Now back to the article.
Tracking down Joseph in Egyptian history was quite a struggle. Not for me, but for Egyptologists. To begin with, Egyptian dynasties had to be discovered. Using ancient records proved daunting and made for a very unreliable Egyptian timeline, which not only didn’t compare with the Bible but didn’t compare with other well-known facts.
Fortunately, Egyptologists were able to make additional discoveries that led to a new Egyptian timeline. Although not intended, this new timeline merged well with the Biblical timeline.
But another aspect in tracking down Joseph was that Egyptians either did not know Joseph as Joseph or they chose not to use that name. It was a Hebrew name and therefore unlikely to be used by them. What the researchers did is research the Biblical facts regarding the feast and famine. Combining this knowledge with the knowledge they now had of where the Hebrews settled, the researchers were able to zoom in on the 12th Dynasty or Middle Kingdom. And when they did, they discovered that Mentuhotep was likely the Vizier we know as Joseph.
This vizier under Sesostris I was the second most powerful person in the government. He is credited with many things, chiefly the survival of Egypt during a seven-year famine! And not just that, he played a significant role in helping to establish the 12th Dynasty.
So, the truth is that others did the research, and I reaped the benefits! Not only did I now have a reliable history from which to work, I was now able to dive into the 12th Dynasty and discover much information, some of which found its way into my novel.
This is an example of what it takes to create a believable story. It is also an example of how you, the author, should handle the need for information. Whenever possible, let others do the heavy lifting of research. Eventually you have to get involved, but it is a major aid if you let others do the work for you.
And there is a big reward for you when the book is finished. First of all, you get a very special feeling of accomplishing something. While the novel is fictional, when the facts are examined, the book not only comes alive, but the reader gains insight. Moreover, the reader comes away with a greater understanding of the times and the people. And you have written something that has value.
If you are reading this blog or listening to this podcast, it is being brought to you by T&R Independent Bookstore. We want to be your local bookstore and we are located on the internet at tr-writingservices.com. Drop in and check us out.
The post Researching Egypt first appeared on T&R Independent Bookstore.
June 14, 2021
Reviewing Books
The Riddle Report 06 14 2021
You are an author, and you want to get your book reviewed. Have you ever considered reviewing other authors’ works? If you have the skill to write a book it is possible you may have the skill to review a book. That said, there are a few sand traps to avoid.
I said that if have the skill to write you may have the skill to review. But that is not always the truth. In writing a book you make a commitment to yourself, but in reviewing a book you are making a commitment to someone else. And that entails a sense of truthfulness and transparency.
Let me tell you a story as an example. I’ve actually told this story before so excuse me if you’ve heard it before. Back when I wrote Perished The World That Was, I sought Christian Fiction reviewers. And that proved to be a good mood as I received four- and five-star reviews!
But one reviewer gave me two stars and it is his story I am relating. He was a young man who I later determined was a teenager at that time. He professed he was a Christian and loved the Bible. Because my novel was based on world history as found in Genesis, I accepted him and sent him a copy.
After a few weeks I received his review where he gave the book only two stars. Now normally I would not be bothered by this low score. Why? Because you can’t please everyone. However, in this case he was honest enough to relate why he gave only two stars.
And early on the review showed that he didn’t follow the unwritten rules. What are these? Here are what I believe they are:
You are committed to reading the entire book.You are committed not to skip.You are committed to finishing the book reading.You are committed an honest review.You are committed to being as transparent as possible.This young man objected to the scene where Eve was created although the wording of that scene used similar descriptions as found in Genesis and in the Song of Solomon. This may have triggered his following actions:
He began skipping through the novel.He came across characters who had the same name (these were real people taken straight from the Bible).He assumed that these all represented the same person.He eventually quit reading the novel.As a result, he was confused and decided that I was inconsistent with the characters. That would have been a serious error on my part if true, but the error was his. For example, in the Bible and in my novel, there were two Enoch’s. Because he thought both were the same man, he assumed I had been inconsistent in their character.
His skipping around also disrupted any continuity he would have gotten by reading the entire novel. When you make a commitment to review somebody’s book you follow through. You don’t let your feelings stop you!
Honesty demands that you take the time to read the book in its entirety. I am currently reviewing a book and sometimes I come across language I object to. Honesty says I continue on. I can later point out these problems, but I’ve made a commitment to review the book, so I continue in my review.
His reactions convinced me that he was not fluent in the Bible. Later in his life I think he was better, but I don’t believe I ever used him again. I simply didn’t know if I could trust him.
More about this issue on the other side of this break.
TR-WritingServices.com brings you this blog post or podcast to keep you informed on the issues of today. Authors need to stay informed so that they can relate to their readers facts as well as entertain them with their imagination.
TR-WritingServices.com is a service dedicated to help authors reach their potential as independent writers. Knowing the world you live and work in is essential to being a good writer, thus the need for the free flow of information.
To discover how we can help you be the writer you want to be, write to us at markting@tr-indbkstore.com. We will respond with a free copy of our Guide to Writing plus a brochure detailing our plans. We won’t ask for your credit card or any money, but we will send you these items for free.
Check us out and get your career moving.
Now back to the article.
Should I Review Books?
The only person who can answer that is you. Ask yourself some questions, such as: Do I like to read? Am I willing to take the time to read the book? Can I give an honest review?
If you can respond “yes” to these questions, then try it out. In the end, you might throw up your hands in defeat or you may discover that you enjoy it. And if you do, you may gain a following.
As a reviewer you will want to use some of your editing skills. It is not your responsibility to do actually editing, but those skills will help you find areas where the author made mistakes and you can let him or her know of their errors in your review. It is important to remember that the author is relying on you to provide a review to help in marketing, but also help in writing.
As a reviewer you watch grammar, spelling, readability, consistency, and accuracy. For example, if you are reading historical fiction is the book historically accurate? Does the speech or manner of dress fit the period? Questions like these will help you in evaluating the story.
Finally, remember that in effect you are critiquing and promoting the book. Your words are directed at the author so he or she can improve, and, at the same time, your words are directed at potential readers, to encourage or discourage them about buying.
If you are new to reviewing, you might want to stick to the same genre you write in or genre you like to read. It could be just what you need.
If you are reading this blog or listening to this podcast, it is being brought to you by T&R Independent Bookstore. We want to be your local bookstore and we are located on the internet at tr-writingservices.com. Drop in and check us out.
The post Reviewing Books first appeared on T&R Independent Bookstore.
June 3, 2021
ALERT This Weeks Local Events
o6 03 2021
This is a public service regarding local events in Charlotte County, Florida. If this develops as I hope, then I will eventually expand the coverage area.
The Port Charlotte Library is located at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280 Aaron St. Phone: 941 764-5562
On Saturday, June 5, 2021, the library will be hosting the Fill a Bag Sale. In the past this sale involved only books, but according to the local paper it will involve more than that this time around. The sale will begin at 9 a.m., but if history is any clue get there earlier, and it will go until 1 p.m. and visitors will be able to fill a bag for $1, $2, or $3, depending on the number of books shoppers want.
This sale and the activities surrounding it are designed to raise money for the Charlotte Library Bookstore and for various library programs.
Punta Gorda Farmers Market
There seems to be two Farmers Market.
Punta Gorda History Park Farmers and Artisans Market (no link)
This is actually open on Sundays, year-round, Opens 9 a.m.
Open air market offering produce, meat, fish and other food items, plus many other vendors.
Punta Gorda Downtown Farmers Market
Open Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Located at Taylor Street (between W. Olympia Ave. and Herald Ct.) Punta Gorda, FL
A large number of vendors offering fruits and vegetables, pickles, jams and jellies, orange juice, German bakery, fresh homemade pasta, kitchenware, cupcakes, beef and fresh seafood, fresh citrus, jewelry, candles and soaps, dip mixes, Florida arts and crafts, cheese, baguettes and olives, homemade pies, orchids, organic produce, personalized pens, kettle corn, coffee beans and drinks, native and exotic plants, natural facial products and all natural smoothies, and don’t forget the live entertainment.
If you are reading this alert, it is being brought to you by T&R Independent Bookstore. We want to be your local bookstore and we are located on the internet at tr-writingservices.com. Drop in and check us out.
The post ALERT This Weeks Local Events first appeared on T&R Independent Bookstore.
Fishing Week My Biggest Catch
Since the first week of June is Fishing Week I thought I would share with you the story of my biggest catch.
As a child I lived in West Branch, Michigan which is pretty much in the center of the Lower Peninsula. It is also about 22 miles southwest of Sage Lake where this story took place. Back then my parents had friends who had a cabin on Sage Lake and we would occasionally visit them. This was one such visit.
I don’t know if the boat was owned by the friends or just a rental but one day we rowed out into the deeper water and began fishing. In all transparency I was never much of a fisherman. Somehow the fish seemed to know I was on the other end of the line and they boycotted me. There simply isn’t any other explanation.
As I recall there were four of us in the boat which included my father, my mother, my sister, and myself. I am not sure about the pole I used although I am thinking it may have been the trusty old bamboo rod.
One of the things I don’t like about fishing is the waiting. You cast your line out and simply wait for a fish to come along and decide to check out the amazing lure. In any case, it did seem like a long time before I had even a single bite.
I would cast my line out let it sink below the surface, wait a while and then being recast. This involved flicking the line up and over my back and then casting it again. Even this was becoming tiring.
But then it happened!
I flicked the hook behind me and cast again just as I had been doing. But this time I caught something. And it was big! I got excited as did my mom who was sitting right beside me. It was probably the proudest moment of my life.
“Ron!”
That was mom hollering at me. You could tell she was just as excited as I was, perhaps more so. Because, you see, that biggest catch ever was her!
If you are reading this, it is being brought to you by T&R Independent Bookstore. We want to be your local bookstore and we are located on the internet at tr-writingservices.com. Drop in and check us out.
The post Fishing Week My Biggest Catch first appeared on T&R Independent Bookstore.
June 1, 2021
Memorial Day 2021 Memories
Memorial Day
06 01 2021
Riddle Report: Yesterday, my wife Teresa and I attended the Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony at the Military Heritage Museum (MHM). I must say as a veteran who has seen a few Memorial Day ceremonies and as a citizen of the United States, it was without doubt the best and most moving commemoration I have ever seen!
Located at 900 W. Marion Ave. in Punta Gorda, Florida, just east of Fisherman’s Village, the museum is an impressive building. With a ground floor garage and two floors of displays and exhibits plus a theater, it is an memorable experience that I would recommend to everyone.
Another thing I like is the cost which is $12 per person, $10 for veterans and military active duty, $9 for youth ages 9-13, $5 for annual members and no fee for children under 5, Charter and Sustaining Members. But yesterday, veterans got in free and adults for half-price ($6). And I promise you that what we got was worth far more than it cost!
More about this issue on the other side of this break.
TR-WritingServices.com brings you this blog post or podcast to keep you informed on the issues of today. Authors need to stay informed so that they can relate to their readers facts as well as entertain them with their imagination.
TR-WritingServices.com is a service dedicated to help authors reach their potential as independent writers. Knowing the world you live and work in is essential to being a good writer, thus the need for the free flow of information.
To discover how we can help you be the writer you want to be, write to us at markting@tr-indbkstore.com. We will respond with a free copy of our Guide to Writing plus a brochure detailing our plans. We won’t ask for your credit card or any money, but we will send you these items for free.
Check us out and get your career moving.
Now back to the article.
The Commemoration Ceremony started at 1 p.m. with the Young Marines (Imagine School, North Port, Florida) and the Historic Color Guard consisting of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Seeing these men and one woman dressed in the Period uniform they represented made it all the more entertaining, instructive, and interesting, not to mention enjoyable.
Then came the National Anthem sung by Marcella Brown who did a great job, the reading of the poem, “In Flanders Fields”, and followed by a video message from Representative Greg Stuebe, who is a U.S, Army veteran. He gave a short but strong message of support for our military and was followed by a President Ronald Reagan narrated video tribute.
But they still weren’t done.
Isaac James, a piano accompanist, led us by playing the piano in singing the Navy Hymn. This was followed by members of the Color Guard performing the Candle Lighting Memorial. This consisted of each representative of one of the wars (twelve in all) being called forward to light the candle for their war. The twelve wars and twelve candles represent the wars ranging from the Revolutionary War to Operation Iraqi Freedom. The last candle represented all the other wars not mentioned. At the conclusion of the Candle Lighting Memorial, we all left the theater in a quiet salute to all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
The entire ceremony was colorful, impressive, and moving! We’ll be back not only for next year’s Memorial Day, but for other activities at the museum. But though the ceremony was over there was still much to see. So, we visited various rooms on the first floor and then went upstairs.
There we discovered their Flight Simulators. Teresa and I flew the simulators and we both proved that we are not pilots. We did get them landed and in my case the plane bounced. Probably a good thing I served on a ship in the Navy.
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May 31, 2021
Riddle Report Memorial Day 2021
Memorial Day 05 31 2021
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Memorial Day is a day we set aside on a national scale for honoring and mourning the military personnel who paid the ultimate price for our nation. But we Christians also often use this day to remember those men and women who died for their faith during the past 2000 years, many suffering horrendous deaths.
And finally, it is a time for us to remember Jesus Christ who went to the cross and died so that all men and women could trust in Him and eternally have a home in heaven.
But the official purpose needs to be dealt with here. The United States military is all too often looked upon as a necessary evil. Politicians love cost cutting the military during peacetime and then blame others when our military is caught flatfooted. But the military suddenly becomes very important to our survival until the war ends, then we forget or ignore these men and women. Again!
A case in point was Vietnam. Our troops were sent there with the intent of stopping the communist north from taking over South Vietnam. Liberals attacked our involvement and spread lies and gleefully reported real atrocities that occurred over there. But their concern was not for the men and women in our uniforms. It was a costly war in which we were never defeated militarily but were defeated at home and politically.
When we came home, we weren’t celebrated with parades nor were we praised. Instead, every story of disreputable soldiers the press could find were published. Some veterans suffered from the anti-war militants.
In my case, I came home after serving in the United States Navy off Vietnam. Although I never stepped foot in Vietnam, our ship was within Vietnam waters and participated in providing naval gunfire support for our troops. When I came home, it is true I never saw a parade nor honored by my home community. But, to my knowledge, my family supported my service and honored me.
But it was a war that was fought by men and women who loved their country and who paid the ultimate price. It was a bloody war.
But Memorial Day, started during the Civil War, honors the dead of all our wars from the Revolutionary War to our wars in Iraq, Pakistan, and wherever our men and women have been called to serve. When they died, they didn’t die as Black, Red, or White Americans; they died as Americans. They didn’t die as Republicans or Democrats; they died as Americans. It doesn’t even matter if they were citizens or not, they were Americans. And they were heroes!
More about this issue on the other side of this break.
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Now back to the article.
These people died serving their country under the flag of the United States of America. And that is all that needs to be said. They were everyday heroes and didn’t even know it!
Here in Port Charlotte, Florida and in Punta Gorda, Florida there will be events to attend. While a majority of Americans only think of Memorial Day as party time, it is the wise person who takes time to remember their sacrifice. So, find one.
I am publishing this blog earlier than normal so that you can be informed about the Military Heritage Museum which will be open from Noon to 4 p.m. All areas of the museum will be open, and veterans get in free (I like free). They will also be allowing adults and youth in at half price which means $6 and $4 respectively. Children ages 4 and under are free.
At 1 p.m. there will be a Commemoration Ceremony in the Gulf Theater which will be free and open to the public. U.S. Representative Greg Steube will give a special tribute, plus there will be recitations, music, and a “moving candle lighting ceremony” with representatives from each American conflict.
If you are interested in attending, the museum it is located at 900 W. Marion Ave., in Punta Gorda. (You can also contact them for reservations at www.militaryheritagemuseum.org or call them at 941-575-9002).
Whether you attend that event or another, pause, and remember the sacrifices made. If you live in America, whether citizen or not, black, red, or white, these people died for you.
Until Jesus returns, we will always need to keep a strong military. Our enemies, both near and far, are always looking to harm us. The recent fighting in Israel illustrates the nature of that enemy. They hate the Jews and anyone who helps them! It is important to remember that our enemy doesn’t care whether you are a man, a woman, a child, or an unborn baby. Their goal, purpose, and cause are to murder and destroy.
Enjoy the day, but also take time to honor them. In the end, whether they fought at home or in some far-off land they did it for you, your children, and your grandchildren.
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If you are reading this blog or listening to this podcast, it is being brought to you by T&R Independent Bookstore. We want to be your local bookstore and we are located on the internet at tr-writingservices.com. Drop in and check us out.
The post Riddle Report Memorial Day 2021 first appeared on T&R Independent Bookstore.
