The Continuous Changes of Conlin McClaflin

A few days ago, May 6th, 79 years to the day, the Allies landed on the beach at Normandy. This was a highly secret, vitally important attack on occupied France during the Second World War. I write to thank and remember.  To remember those who died as they surged onto that beach knowing that they probably would not return home, that their families would never see them again. But they knew also that it was the right and honorable thing to do. They did it to preserve our freedoms. And against all odds, despite much death, this was eventually accomplished, by the end of 1945. I want to thank all of you who died that day for going ashore onto that beach despite great fear, despite imminent death, despite the loss of life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for serving our great country.  That thank you comes from a Patriot that hopes to one day be as great as you yourselves who ran onto that beach. Thank you for your service, Veterans of World War II.

 Memorial Day Memorial day began as a day of remembrance for those who fought in the Civil War. It was originally known as Decoration day, and became a national holiday in 1971. This post is a little late, I know, but I want to take this time now to say thank you for all those soldiers who gave their lives defending freedoms on US soil, from the American Revolution, to the Civil War, to every war from World War I to The War on Terror. This is a heart-felt thank you, to all of you brave souls who fought for what was, and still is, right.  Rest in Peace.  You will not be Forgotten.  Long live the USA.

May the Fourth be With You! Happy Star Wars Day! Comment below on your favorite movie, least favorite movie, fun Star Wars Day snacks, favorite character, and more!

The Battle of Culloden  Today, 277 years ago, the Jacobite army of Charles Edward Stuart, known as the Bonnie Prince Charlie, was defeated at Culloden Moor by the Duke of Cumberland, the son of the King of England. At this battle, the final Jacobite Rebellion was crushed, along with any hope of Scottish autonomy from the English. This post is a commemoration of that battle, and a 'well done' to those brave men who fought on that moor all those centuries ago. Among the dead was my clan's chief, Lachlan MacLachlan, 17th of that Ilk, who was carried from his horse by and English cannonball. He was leading the charge towards the English lines. Many of his clansmen did not make it there, being cut down by the muskets and cannons of the English. Today, you can visit Culloden Moor. Gravestones are set up commemorating the supposed places the clansmen and their chiefs fell. Many people, inspired by the well-known TV show Outlander, place flowers and memorial items at the Fraser cla...

 National Tartan Day It just so happens that Maundy Thursday falls on the same day as another holiday, though not one that is widely remembered, or, for that matter, observed. I myself only learned about it recently, but it warrants a post on this blog, being mostly Scottish in nature. I'm talking about National Tartan Day. It celebrates not only Scottish heritage in general, but the Declaration of Arbroath signing in 1320. The holiday started in Canada in the 1980s, and spread in the 1990s. In Australia, a similar day is observed on July 1st, called International Tartan Day, which celebrates the anniversary of the repeal of the Tartan Ban, which was enacted in September 1746, and fully repealed over a hundred years later (there were several partial repeals and renewals during that hundred years).  Tartan Day celebrations generally include bagpipe bands, Scottish parades, Highland dancing, and other Scottish events. Do you have a favorite tartan? A clan to support/represent...

 MAUNDY THURSDAY If there's anybody out there who celebrates Easter, you'll probably know that today is Maundy Thursday. This is the day that, 2,000 years ago, Jesus instituted Communion, washed the disciple's feet, and took them out into the Garden of Gethsemane, where he was betrayed by Judas Iscariot.. Four days before, he had come riding into Jerusalem on a donkey's colt, the people crying 'Hosanna!' Barely twelve hours from now, those same people, having found that he would not be a political king to save them from the Romans, screamed again, but different words: 'Crucify Him, crucify Him!' What are some favorite Maundy Thursday traditions? Comment them.

 Background: My brother was told he had to read a poem for an event at our co-op last year. He didn't want to, so together, we wrote the following poem, but didn't finish,m because my mom called it "discouraging." This year, before the poetry reading again, we refined and finished it, but again, it was vetoed. Enjoy, and put your thoughts in the comment section. Parody of The Raven, AKA (*comment alternate title ideas below*) Once upon a midday dreary, While I stand here weak and weary Reading a poem never dared to be spoken before While I'm up here, book before me In my room I would like to be I want to stop reading this boring piece of lore I'm only up here, cause my parents With desire incoherent Made me say this, what an awful, boring chore Reading poems is such a bore. So now I stand here weak and weary Reading this poem, so long and dreary This is a boring piece of English lore My tongue is getting really sore Now my soul within me burning My stomach roi...

 Vietnam Veterans Recognition Today, March 29th, 2023, is the set day to remember Vietnam veterans who fought in the Vietnam War.  This is a post to honor our vets. This is a thank you to all those brave souls who fought and died in Vietnam, and for those who came home and received less-than-cordial welcome. I am sorry for your hurt, you that came home to that ridicule. Thank you for your drive to defend our country and our freedoms. Those of you who still live, thank you, those of you who died, thank you, and Rest in the Peace of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

 Recommended albums of the artists from the music post: Newsboys: God's not Dead, Take me to your Leader,  Going Public, Step up to the Microphone, Restart, Stand Audio Adrenaline: Bloom, Worldwide, Lift, Some Kind of Zombie, Underdog Keith and Kristyn Getty: Facing a Task unfinished, Joy an Irish Christmas LIVE (2016) DC Talk: Jesus Freak, Free at Last, Johnny Cash: 16 Greatest Hits, The Essential Johnny Cash Weird Al Yankovic: Running with Scissors, Who's it Gonna Be?,  Carmen: R.I.O.T. Nickel Creek: Nickel Creek Andrew Peterson: Behold the Lamb of God, Ressurection Letters Volume II, The Far Country  3 Heath brothers: Who we Are, Everywhere I Go, Into the Deep

  ?  I bet Ireland, the color green, and Shamrocks come to mind when somebody says 'St. Patrick's Day. Well, Saint Patrick did possibly use a three-leaf clover (or shamrock, if you will) to explain the Holy Trinity, and he did  live in Ireland, but the color green and Leprechauns aren't as well connected to to man who all know as Saint Patrick.   We'll start with Ireland. Saint Patrick of course, was captured by raiders, and taken to Ireland as a slave. However, most historians agree that he was born either in Scotland or Wales, the former being the most probable. The raiders, in their eyes, would have less of a distance to travel back to their native land with their prisoner(s?). And more evidence (like names on Hadrian's Wall) shows that he was most likely born in a town called Kilpatrick, which is near the wall. (Likely birth year being 387. AD or BC? No idea!) Again, this is a place closer to Ireland, and a shorter distance for Irish raiders. So was he Scottis...