Our 35th U.S. President, John F. Kennedy died on this day, November 22,
1963. His presidency inspired Americans to explore space, volunteer
service through the Peace Corps, and to become involved in public
service. His words, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask
what you can do for your country ," are his legacy.
He asked Congress to pass a Civil Rights Bill: "This nation, for all its boasts,
will not be fully free until all its citizens are free," he declared on national T.V.
By inspiring change and demonstrating his dedication, he truly was the
Profile in Courage, written as he recovered from
back surgery.
Let us all remember his words and his deeds, as we recall his memory
on this date.

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On October 4, 1957, the world's first artificial satellite was launched by a Soviet intercontinental ballistic missile. This 183 pound sphere was named "Sputnik," which means "traveling companion," in Russian. This both startled and terrified Americans, who had long believed that our country far exceeded the scientific knowledge and capabilities of any other nation.

In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower established a new agency to look into this technological surprise, and to prevent anything of this sort to ever occur again. The agency was given the title "Advanced Research Projects Agency" (ARPA). Suddenly, federal money was allocated to fund space exploration. Colleges and universities searched for scientists to do research and to establish courses of instruction to educate a crop of computer technologists to put us into space. In 2000, the name of the agency was changed to Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and it began to focus on military objectives. Who ever imagined that space reconnaissance would involve warfare? Weren't we just exploring the stars and the heavens?
September 11, 2001 was another startling discovery for the United States. How had we been so blind to what was being advanced in other nations aimed at harming us? We can't just wish on a star that our country employs satellites in space that are watching the "bad guys." Hopefully, it won't take something like 9/11 to awaken us to reality. Only 51 years have passed, since this satellite was launched. In that short
time, our world has become "smaller," with the advance technology of computers,
Blackberries, and other miniaturized communication devices.
If you are interested in a more scientific look at Sputnik and technology, read "Happy Birthday, Sputnik," Computerworld, October 1, 2007 .

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The Not-for-Profit corporation Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc., began in October, 2003. It is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to shipping packages to our U.S. Troops deployed overseas. Their success is due to the collaboration of communities, schools, businesses and other organizations whose desire it is to encourage and inspire our uniformed men and women, for as long as they are deployed.

The founders, Lynelle Chauncey Baggett and William Baggett, Jr. have worked tirelessly to publicize this organization and to help it expand. The average cost of sending a box of necessities to a soldier is approximately $19.00. The box typically includes: snack foods, toiletries, magazines, etc. Many community fund-raising groups have taken up this cause and, by placing envelopes on the tables of luncheons, etc., they have collected hundreds of dollars from our area.

Would you like to write to a soldier? There is an on line form to enter a message that will be sent to a random soldier............or............you may register the name of a person who is serving at this time.
For more information or if you are interested in contributing or if you would like to write to a member of our armed services, click on www.Forgottensoldiers.org. If you wish to call:
561-369-2933. Check or money order donations should be made payable to Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc and mailed to:
Forgotten Soldiers outreach, Inc.
9770 S. Military Trail, Suite B7-249
Boynton Beach, Fla 33436

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Do you remember Jane Froman? This November 10th, members of her fan club, "The Fromanettes," will gather in Columbia, Missouri for a gala centennial celebration to honor their idol.

My good friend, Deena Meiner, has been a member of her fan club for over 50 years. Back in
1952, when Deena was 12 years old, she and a few friends went to the Roxy Theater in New York City to see "With a Song in My Heart," the biography of Jane Froman.
Jane was the courageous singer of the 1930s and '40s who was injured in a plane crash while on a USO tour. Jane's fans stuck by her through her ordeals of surgery and bouts of depression. Fans contributed to her Foundation for Emotionally Disturbed Children and continue to support her causes.
SAY IT WITH MUSIC, The Life and Legacy of Jane Froman, , written by Barbara Seuling, will be published November 10th, by Boxing Day Books, IL,

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