With the official opening for the summer being this weekend, let’s make sure we all take a minute to honor the men and women of the Armed Services. Despite what you might read in the news, this is still a country with a freedom that is the envy of most of the world. And a lot of that is due to the sacrifice of those in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. When I say sacrifice, while many have lost their lives in service, others have put their own lives on hold to serve the country and its people. They deserve our thanks for bearing the responsibility as a profound duty not only for themselves and their families but for countless strangers throughout this land. If you have a veteran in your family, make sure you let them know how much you appreciate them and how much their years of sacrifice means to you.

As we get set close out this year, I want to ake this moment to wish you all good health and good fortune for this upcoming year. If you are planning on celebrating with friends, please remember to be safe and smart. I want you here to help me ring in 2011.

Hey everyone!

I know it’s a little late, but I hope that everyone had a great holiday weekend. My wife and I celebreated Christmas with her parents and our niece. She was the only person under the age of 2, so of course, the shower of presents was very heavy. I hope everyone has a great time New Year’s Eve, but please be safe during your celebrations.

Fox News decided to make a list of the Top 10 Christmas movies and I immediately took issue with it. Firstly, the only true “movie” on the list is Tim Burton’s Nightmare before Christmas.  The rest are the animated specials we see on broadcast telelvision.  Secondly, their pick for #1 is the animated Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  Now, I love Chuck Jones and what he did for Bugs Bunny and the gang, so I agree that the Grinch should be on the list, but it shouldn’t be #1.  The #1 chocie should be A Charlie Brown Christmas.  Leaving the biblical element aside, the special’s statement on the commercialization of Christmas is as relelvant today as it was then.  When Santa is sitting side by side with witches and skeletons in October in many department stores, I think a case for the over-commercialization of Christmas can be made.