TresSugar

Vietnam Veteran Graduates From High School at 60 Years Old

CitizenSugar — Mon, 26 May 2008 05:00:47 -0700

In Colorado this weekend, hundreds of high school seniors turned their tassels and graduated - one of them had just been waiting for it longer than the others. Forty-two years longer, to be exact. Dennis Collins, now 60, walked across the stage on Saturday and collected the diploma that he'd sacrificed by heading off to Vietnam in 1966.

Collins says of his decision to go, “Vietnam was becoming a big issue. It was just kind of what you did. I was raised to believe you served your country and whenever you got out, you served your community.” He continues, “In Vietnam, you didn’t like it or not like it. It was something you did because it was something your country said to do. … It was my duty to do it, and I did it.” To see how Collins was able to graduate and more scenes from this Memorial Day, read more.

The program that allowed Collins to get his diploma is called Operation Recognition. It was enacted in 2003 and authorizes veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam to receive their high school diplomas. The program recognizes the “sacrifice and contribution of those who honorably served our country."

Collins graduating class was delighted to have him. “They all applauded. I didn’t ask them to do that. They had an excitement all of their own. … It was exciting to me the students showed that enthusiasm. I think it did mean something to them.” said their high school principal. Collins was thankful to everyone who made his graduation possible. He said, "Most of all, I want to thank the kids for taking on an old fart like me. They’re making an old man’s dream come true.”

Colorado remembered Dennis Collins service - here are some more scenes of remembrance from around the country this Memorial Day.

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Remembering and a Musical? "South Pacific" on Memorial Day

CitizenSugar — Sun, 25 May 2008 09:10:03 -0700

In the New York Times this morning, Frank Rich has a lovely op-ed seeing the vintage musical South Pacific through the eyes of a modern audience on Memorial Day. He calls the clamor for tickets to the musical's revival, "surely the most unexpected cultural sensation the city has experienced in a while," with some spending up to $1,000 for the $120 ticket.

Why? The show has not only withstood the test of time, but has become again relevant. Rich muses that even during the broad musical numbers, the subject matter shines through. Audiences are forced to contemplate Iraq, remember those whose memory we honor tomorrow - even the racial conflicts depicted still feel alive.

He says, “South Pacific isn’t prowar or antiwar. But it makes you think about the costs." Maybe now is the window when the show is most relevant. He says maybe audiences want, "to glom onto an earlier America’s noble mission because we, unlike 'the greatest generation,' had none of our own. The real South Pacific returns us to the war as its contemporaries saw it, when the wounds were too raw to be healed by sentiment."

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He concludes beautifully:

And so as we watch that family gather at the end of South Pacific, both their future and their country’s destiny yet to be written, we weep for the same reason we often do when we experience a catharsis at the theater. We grieve deeply for our losses and our failings, even as we feel an undertow of cockeyed optimism about the possibilities of healing and redemption that may yet lie ahead.

Whether watching an old musical tomorrow, or barbecuing with friends, here's to remembering our losses and embracing hope for the future. Tomorrow at 3 p.m. is the National Moment For Remembrance - pause then for a moment and remember.

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How Healthy Is He? McCain Releases His Medical Records

LibertySugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 08:00:16 -0700

John McCain released his medical records from 2000-2008 today. According to the AP, the 71-year-old maverick's health issues are pretty common for someone his age. In the not-so-common column, as a result of war injuries, the former prisoner of war has degenerative arthritis that might mean a future joint replacement. The group of journalists, handpicked by McCain, could not keep, nor photocopy the documents.

So what's the fuss? In 2000, McCain underwent surgery for his Stage 2A melanoma, a form of cancer that kills a third of sufferers within 10 years. Judging by his records, medical experts think McCain's early treatment and constant checkups mean he has a very low risk of reoccurrence. McCain said last week that there will be no surprises and that the doctors have assured him he is in good health. Besides, his mom is 96 years old!

Do you think Americans have an appetite for McCain's health history? Should the issue of age, just like race, be taken off the table this campaign season? Should voters be asking for Hillary and Obama's health histories too?

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Honor Flight Takes WW II Vets to See Their Memorial

CitizenSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:15:39 -0700

This rarely happens: A story on CNN this morning had me crying in my cereal. The story followed a group of WW II veterans on an escorted VIP trip to DC to see the WW II Memorial.

As those honored by the newest memorial on the Mall are getting up in years, it was a chance many of them never thought they'd have to see it. And the looks on their faces were just . . . almost indescribable. In my personal quest to make Memorial Day about more than just a day off, I investigated a group making these trips possible.

Honor Flight, an organization founded in 2004 by a retired Air Force Captain named Earl Morse, takes veterans on a safe, free trip to see their memorial. Funded almost completely by individual donations, the organization has a trip taking off from Alabama this week. One of the men going said “They just treated us like kings. I’ve never been treated better. It got me so excited about going, I can’t hardly stand it.” A hallmark of the experience are the enthusiastic welcome ceremonies greeting the veterans at the airports. One who took a recent trip said modestly of the fuss, "we didn’t deserve it, but we’ll take it." To see the organization's plans and how you can help, read more.

Honor Flight has 4,000 veterans on their waiting list for a trip. They're accepting applications for guardians, volunteers, and donations. According to their site,

"In 2007, approximately 1,200 World War II Veterans died every DAY. In another 5-10 years almost all of our WWII Veterans will be gone. This trip is their “last hurrah,” the last time they will be recognized as the conquering victors that collectively and literally saved the world."

They've got big goals for '08: transporting 12,000 veterans and expanding from hubs in 30 states to all 50. Though their online donation service wasn't working for me this morning, there's an address and all kinds of emails and phone numbers - I just couldn't be more delighted about this heartwarming organization. I'd love to volunteer. What about you?

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Nicole Richie's Memorial Day E-Mail Invite

GiggleSugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 00:02:00 -0700

In Touch Weekly got a hold of an obnoxious email invitation from Nicole Richie to friends for a Memorial Day weekend get together. She invites her friends to "celebrate our country by drinking massive amounts of beer" and to "glorify this day in your sluttiest tops and your tightest pair of Tsubi jeans." The crowning touch? "No girls over 100 pounds allowed in." Wow. I'm as guilty as the next gal of enjoying fun, sun, barbeque and booze with only an afterthought to what Memorial Day means...but I'm not proud of it! Thanks for making me feel better about myself, Nicole!

What's Your Favorite Valentine's Day Memory?

DearSugar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 07:30:00 -0800

Most people have a love/hate relationship with Valentine's Day, and no matter what your relationship status is, it's hard to escape the pressure that surrounds this holiday. With that said, I know a lot of people that go all out to make Valentine's Day a day to remember. So whether you're a fan of the holiday or not, tell us, what is your favorite Valentine's Day memory?

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Have You Ever Had a Valentine's Day Go Awry?

DearSugar — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:00:00 -0800

There's a lot of pressure that surrounds Valentine's Day, and for those that crack under such pressure, it could make for a tricky holiday. Often times when you put so much emphasis on making one specific day perfect, things can easily go haywire. I've heard your favorite Valentine's Day memories, but tell me, have you ever had a Valentine's Day go awry? If so, misery loves company so tell us about it in the comments below!

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Have You Ever Been Caught in a Love Triangle?

TresSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0800

Remember Lisa Nowak, the astronaut accused of stalking her lover's new lover? She's avoiding prison after pleading guilty to lesser charges, having already served a couple days in the klink after she was arrested for her notorious crime.

Let me refresh your memory: in 2007, the temporarily love-crazed astronaut drove all the way from Houston to Orlando in a NASA diaper (the better to avoid bathroom breaks), sprayed her astronaut lover's new girlfriend Colleen Shipman with pepper spray in the parking lot of the Orlando International Airport, and was subsequently arrested and charged with attempted kidnapping with intent to do bodily harm and burglary of a vehicle using a weapon. She's not getting a stiffer sentence because, according to the judge, she doesn't have a prior criminal record and because of her service as an astronaut and later the Navy (NASA fired her after this incident).

It's pretty shocking that someone who was a successful astronaut could become so deranged. Have you ever been caught in a love triangle? Hopefully, you didn't completely go cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs.

Happy Father's Day!

DearSugar — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Happy Father's Day!

Since today is the day to honor your father or father figure, I thought it'd be fun to take a trip down memory lane. I'm sure you have many to choose from, so ladies, do tell, what's your favorite memory with dad?

Do Tell: What Is Your Favorite Memory With Your Father?

DearSugar — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 09:17:31 -0700

Happy Father's Day everyone!!!

Since this day is dedicated to honoring your father, or father figure, ladies, do tell, what is your favorite memory with your dad?