Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.

Memory is a funny thing.  My staff would probably agree.  They tend to laugh at me and my memory problems -- especially with names!  I can remember some of the most silly things but can’t remember faces and names -- together.  It just doesn’t happen.  I will know a face or know a name, but somehow they just don’t seem to be known at the sam etime!  Somehow I have become Meryl Streep’s character in The Devil Wears Prada, making sure that one of them is with me everywhere I go to tell who everyone is! 

However, the memories I have of long ago stay with me.  This month, we salute our military personnel -- whether serving in the past or in the present.  Without our military, our freedom to do the many things we seem to take for granted would simply not exist. 

For Ed Phiffer, the memories are still very fresh in his mind.  Telling the stories to others has made them as fresh today as the day they happened.  No citizen of this country should ever forget the freedom they enjoy and the men and women whose sacrifices have made that possible.

So, what valor and honor possesses those men and women who serve our country and fight for our freedoms?  In addition to Ed, we asked citizens throughout our twin cities to tell us a little bit about their tours of duty.  What we got were wonderful tributes to our country.   What better way to celebrate Veteran’s Day than to highlight these local heroes?  Their stories of what they learned and why they served are a testimony to our great country. 

And what a great country we have!  We enjoy so many things that others do not.  Election day is November 4th!  Please be sure to get out and vote for the candidates of your choice -- and please know what these candidates stand for!   (Remember, they will be with us for quite some time -- so knowing what they stand for and their plans for the future is truly a must!)

I sometimes wish I could see the future.  I love my memories from the past, but think about how great it would be to know the outcome of decisions made in the past? 

Nineteen years ago, on November 2, 1989, I married the most wonderful man. Many said we would never stay together for long.  Well, Mike and I have a wonderful marriage, one that has given me many great memories throughout the years.  He is my best friend and the love of my life.  I love him more each day -- and with each day, I continue to make memories that will last into the future.

So, when I start wishing about knowing the future, I just think...God has a plan, and that plan will come to fruition without any help from me.  I will just wait and see what He has in store for me and thank Him for the many blessings in my life -- just like he has blessed me throughout my life.

And the memories will keep being stored in the recesses of my brain. 

In the words of Meryl Streep’s character, “That’s all.”

God Bless You!

Debbie Brower
Editor