First of all, my apologies for a late issue! Let's see, whom can I blame besides myself? Seattle Filmworks! I was expecting the results of my latest roll of film to be available for internet download about a week ago, but they never informed me! Instead, a CD-ROM disk showed up in my mailbox, along with prints. Or I could blame all those family members who had promised to send me recent pictures! They didn't, so this issue is not only late - it is sparse as well!

Actually the FIRST time I ever saw Armin compete in an official wrestling match was at an intra-state tournament held at his school. Armin, in red, made his grumpy, fat, daddy proud as he won the match by pinning his opponent. Armin enjoys being on the wrestling team, but also has his eye on football. He is quite lean, though strong and muscular. Were his hair a bit longer, his Oriental features would make him reminiscent of Bruce Lee.

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Our home search drags on!

I had surely thought that we'd be on the eve of moving out by now! Yet our less than pristine credit record and that bankruptcy are delaying approval! It almost seems ironic. For once I have an adequate fixed income, more than enough to live comfortably in an area like upstate New York, but circumstances from times that weren't as secure still overshadow efforts in current, more secure times! My fear is that this prolonged waiting will close our window of opportunity! If we don't get this loan approved and find a house, close the deal AND move before summer's end, WE MAY BE STUCK IN THIS DAMNED SITUATION FOR ANOTHER YEAR!! As soon as I have word, I need to coordinate the school transfers - moving during the school year is NOT an option!

Besides, I am losing many of the feasible properties I've been finding. Even some of the smaller ones, like this six acre property in Tioga, are in danger of having been sold by the time I get an approval!

Meanwhile, other Keidels about to move are Lisa Keidel-Odom and her brood! Soldier husband "Shortie" is being transferred from Alaska to the San Antonio, Texas area. Nothing like a MAJOR climactic change! Lisa, by the way, is one of those family members who had promised NEW pictures!

I thought it approriate that we might reflect on the following:

Paying the price! As this 4th of July week comes and goes we would do well to remember 56 men who.......

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.

Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot of what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn't just fight the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government! Some of us take these liberties so much for granted...We shouldn't.

So, take a couple of minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid..............

I thank my fellow Legionnaire Brian Griffin for e-mailing me this, as well as others who posted this on various Bulletin Boards. Just remermber: "Freedom isn't free."