Christian Matrimonials

By Rhett Downs

 More than 1,500,000 Purple Hearts have been awarded to American servicemen and women since World War Two. The medals are among the military’s top honors and are usually found proudly displayed on uniforms, resting places or in family homes. They’re not the kind of items you’d expect to find in a thrift shop-and when one recently was, it sparked a cross-country effort.

Gene Dobos was browsing through a secondhand store in California when he came across a worn, heart-shaped medal mixed in with the knickknacks. It was a Purple Heart bearing the name “Frank N. Smith.” Purple Hearts are awarded to American soldiers who are wounded by the enemy and to the next of kin of soldiers killed in action or who die from wounds received in battle. Dobos, who understood the significance of the medal, purchased it from the shop and helped set off a national search for its owner.

Dobos contacted the Military Order of the Purple Heart-an organization of combat veterans who work to honor the medal and its recipients. They call themselves the “Keepers of the Medal.” Ray Funderburk, the group’s public relations chief-who is a Vietnam veteran with two Purple Hearts himself-researched the medal and eventually found that Frank N. Smith was a private in the U.S. Army who died in Vietnam nearly 40 years ago.

Smith, who was 20 at the time, was in a convoy that was ambushed on December 17, 1968-just two weeks before he was scheduled to return to his home state of Ohio for good.

After learning Smith’s story, Funderburk turned to an Ohio genealogist for help in tracking down Smith’s resting place and surviving family.

“It looks as if the medal has been handled many times,” said Funderburk. “I envisioned his mom and dad taking the medal out and holding it in their hands, thinking of their son.”

Eventually, Smith’s grave was found in a cemetery not far from his childhood home in Ohio. His parents had died, but his siblings were found using e-mails they had sent memorializing their brother at an online registry for fallen Vietnam War troops. They did not know the medal had gone missing and were “overwhelmed” that a group of strangers had worked so hard to return it to them.

Frank N. Smith was married and had a child shortly before shipping off to Vietnam (he enlisted voluntarily). After his death, his widow and daughter moved west, presumably taking the Purple Heart with them. It is not known how the medal landed in a thrift shop.

For Smith’s sister Jonna, the return of the medal brought with it a flood of emotions-and she was not alone in her reaction. Funderburk, of the Purple Heart Order, was so inspired by the number of people who came together to return the medal to Smith’s family that he penned a poem. His son-in-law helped him set the words to music and a CD was created that is being sold. Proceeds help pay for a scholarship program that joins young people with veterans who are bedridden and living in Veteran Affairs facilities.

The song’s chorus reads:

Purple Hearts are won in battle; grenades explode, machine guns rattle; a soldier dies, a mother cries; that’s how Purple Hearts are won.

The Order and Smith’s family planned a small ceremony to be held in the cemetery. The Purple Heart will be encased in glass and attached to Smith’s headstone.

Private First Class Frank N. Smith’s legacy will be seen in every VA hospital in America as young people move among the veterans and tell the story of a young man who left Seneca County, Ohio to defend freedom-and who finally got his medal.

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How Green Cards Work

By Rhett Downs

 The United States Permanent Resident Card, better understood as the Green Card, is the identification card of individuals who live permanently in the United States but are not U.S. citizens. It is the proof that the person is legally permissible to stay and work in the United States and acquires most of the rights of a U.S. citizen. Its original name was Alien Registration Receipt Card which is now called the Permanent Resident Card or form I-551 or simply Green Card.

Originally, the Permanent Resident Card is green thus the name green card. But over the years, the card’s color has been replaced several times. By 2005, the lettering at the back of the card is the only prominent part of the card that is green and the rest it white. Still, the green card marks its title to the card and the current name in use. It contains the name and photograph plus other information of the holder. The card has also been improved a number of times to avoid counterfeiting.

The rule on the green card holder is simple. When in the United States, the holder should posses the green card at all times. This is important to avoid trouble when asked by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officer. This is one particular requirement of the law of the United States. Of course, the U.S. citizens need not to carry identification. This is simply because citizens have far greater constitutional rights than green card holders who are still considered as aliens. The rule to carry the card however does not exist before September 11, 2001 unless the person is coming from foreign trip where he/she needs to present the card upon re-entry to the United States. After September 11, 2001, this rule has been enforced that even when the green card holder is traveling domestically or residing in the country. The US Department of Homeland Security is the one responsible to randomly check residents if they are citizens or not then ask for the green card when needed.

Before, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) are the ones who issue green cards but it was later absorbed and replaced by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The USCIS is formerly known as the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services or the BCIS which is still under the Department of Homeland Security

Getting a green card though requires a thorough and long process. It may even take years to get it. However, the application still depends on the type of criteria the applicant falls in and what country the applicant has come from. And even if he/she is most suited to become green card holder, there is a definite number of approvals per year with unlimited number of applicants.

To be eligible for a green card application, the applicant must fall in at least one of the following criteria:

One, there should be an employer ready to sponsor you through the whole green card application process. Two, you have a relative with U.S. citizenship. Three, you won the green card lottery. Four, you happen to be married with a U.S. citizen. And five, you have invested at least $500,000 on U.S. land and have created 5 full-time jobs. Other qualifications for green card are, asylum, refugee, special immigrants, adoption, private bill, and registry.

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The Benefits of Buying Used Construction Equipment

By Rhett Downs

 In today’s world, more businesses in the construction industry are finding it more financially beneficial to their businesses to aquire used construction equipment and used heavy construction equipment, when compared to buying them brand new. Most business managers prefer the low capitial investment when buying top quality used construction equipment at exceptional prices. Smaller construction companies are also finding it more beneficial to buy quality used construction equipment because of the low initial price and operating costs. These smaller companies are more able to keep an eye on how the used machines are maintained, so the machines are always in top quality working condition.

Rock and Dirt has one of the largest selections of new and used construction equipment throughout the U.S. As one of the leading companies, Rock and Dirt offers new and used construction equipment for sale and for rent. Offering a wide line machinery from dump trucks to back hoes from all the major manufacturers,e.g. Caterpillar, Bobcat, John Deere, Case, New Holland, Volvo and Hitachi. All new and used construction equipment is available for direct sale, rent, or auction.

Headwater Equipment Sales in Southern Alberta Canada was founded in 1997 dedicated to providing customers with quality machinery that looks good, runs well and sold at a fair price. Headwater Equipment is currently dealing mostly in late models of Caterpillar, John Deere and Hitachi used construction equipment. This company has enlisted a large crew of licensed mechanics, welders and painters with over 25 years of experience in general construction, repair and construction equipment maintenance of used construction equipment and other machinery. Selling more than just used construction equipment, Headwater also offers quality used parts and attachments for sale at fair prices. All used machinery, parts and accessories are cleaned and thoroughly inspected prior to every sale.

Iron Planet, founded in 1999 in Pleasanton, California has grown to be the third-largest auction company in the U.S. that specializes in a wide range of used construction equipment and trucks. Companies, as well as independent contractors, can choose used construction equipment from a full line of the top manufacturers. All used construction equipment are subject to a detailed inspection to assess the equipments actual condition. These inspections are presented free of charge for all potential customers to review before bidding on equipment. All inspections are performed by over 350 professional inspectors with an average of 23 years of heavy equipment experience and who follow a standardized and reliable method of inspection.

There are many good used construction equipment companies materializing across the U.S. and Canada, distributing used construction equipment throughout the world, through auctions, buying and selling. Through these companies you can find a great deal on used construction equipment, to rent, buy out right or to bid on. Through these same companies, you can also sell your own equipment for a reasonable fee and have your own used construction equipment available to buyers and bidders throughout the world.

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