Something Summer Says

Growing up with family in the Riverbend, I spent much of my youth going to patriotic events. Here we are in summer, with Flag Day recently passed, but other fine things on the horizon.



Reading in the Telegraph, I see that on Monday, 29 June, 2009, there will be what can be considered a patriotic event along Illinois Route 140 at Gordon Moore Park. That is the 10:00 a.m. ceremony marking the new "name" along the stretch of that highway from IL 255 to the Homer Adams Parkway: "AMERICAN VETERANS MEMORIAL PARKWAY".



Having read the copyright story in the Telegraph, I note that Dan Brannan is giving due credit to Marion Ray, who spearheaded the idea that such a designation be given a stretch of road in Alton. Mr. Ray, a World War II prisoner of war and U.S. Army veteran, is deserving of such credit. If he did not dream up such an idea and put many hours, weeks, months and years of effort into contacting the right people at the local, state and federal levels, it may never have become a reality. But, thankfully, it will be a reality.



It's also the celebration of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America come July 4th. And I can hardly wait to see the fireworks.

In the Riverbend, we know how lucky/blessed we are, with the Regional Airport in Bethalto showcasing a so-called "Fireworks Festival", ending with a nice display Sunday night, 28 June 2009. I recall many of my younger days sitting near the riverfront in Alton and watching a great display of fireworks on the 4th of July (or whichever nearby date or dates were scheduled). I can hardly wait to see this year's Grand Finale!



These are just a few things that make me glad that I'm a Riverbend resident. Oh my, are we lucky and/or blessed to be in this area...I'm looking forward to what summer says to me in the United States of America: "we are free!"



God Bless America --- our home, sweet, home!!!!!

RiverBend Buzz

Here we are...meeting at the crossroads, or if you prefer, the cross-waters of the Riverbend area where the Illinois, Missouri and Mississippi Rivers come together.

This Riverbend is where hearty Americans come to stay for a four-season-long ride for decades. The seasons each have a distinctive flavor and feel, giving us opportunities and sometimes forcing us to change our mindsets and our lives.

This Riverbend is where the issues come up almost any time of year: waters rising and falling; railroad crossings being both beneficial and dangerous --- if proper cautions are not followed.

It's going to be an "understanding" we quickly come into on this blog. It starts with a few notions and ideas from friends, neighbors, relatives, politicians, pastors, and people in general, and we hope it will simply continue as long as the Riverbend exists.

Friends --- and I hope that is what we will be --- I encourage you to voice your opinions, give us points to consider, and THINK!

Thanks for stopping here, even if only for a moment now and then.