January Roll Call

Every month, the Ann T. Hathaway blog honors law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. January has been a particularly full month for those who protect us daily.
Please take a moment to consider the fallen, their families and friends, and their colleagues.

--Suzanne Hopper--John Norsworthy--Ralph Painter--

--William Torbit Jr.--Ryan Russell--Rogerio Morales--Kevin Marceau--

--Christopher Matlosz--Larry Nehasil--Tom Hayes--

--Roger Castillo--Amanda Haworth--Chuck Nesbitt Jr.--

--Tom Baitinger--Jeffrey Yaslowitz--David Moore--
--Casimiro Pomales--Jayme Biendl--

I learned about these officers from the Officer Down Memorial Page and Behind the Blue Line/Policing in Vancouver blog.

Sunday, January 16: Honoring our Dead in Iraq.

Last week, I posted the U.S. dead for 2010 in and around Afghanistan. But we should never forget the many casualties of the Iraq War, sixty of which occurred this year. I found these names at icasualties.org, an organization which has been tracking the losses for the coalition forces for a long time.

I hope you will take a minute to read through these names, listed two or three across.

Please also remember their families, friends, and comrades who needed them. Please remember these men and women who are still with us, still serving. Remember the wounded, the permanently injured, and their caregivers. Their battles are not done.

--Finch, David D.--Luff Jr., David J.--Gandy, Loleni W.--

--Jones Jr., David R.--Reid, Dylan T.--Whisenant, Marc C.--

--Carrillo Jr., John--Noonan, Gebrah P.--Burner III, John F.--

--Hansen, James A.--Jenkins, Philip C.--McClamrock, James F.--

--Maggart, Brandon E.--Rhett, Jamal M.--Hinkley, Faith R.--

--Runyan, Michael L.--Tuttle, Jordan E.--Lumpkin, Johnny W.--

--McBeth, Morganne M.--Haynes, Bryant J.--Dohrenwend, Jacob P.--

--Cassidy, Michael P.--Opat, Christopher W.--
Obryan, Israel P.----Yauch, William C

.--Theobald, Steve M.--Guardado-Ramirez, Francisco J.--

--Sessarego, Alvaro R. Regalado--Culver Jr. Ronald W.--
--Gonzalez, Amilcar H.--Sokolowski, III, Stanley J.--

--Mena, Ralph--Gonzales, Esau S.A.--

--Magee, Anthony O.--Coe, Keith A.--Worrell, Christopher D.--

--Antonio, Charlie C.--Patton, James R.--Collins, Robert W.--

--Blount, Anthony--Kruize, Kurt E.--Pacleb, Raymond N.--

--Rieckhoff, Robert--Jordan, Richard J.--McLyman, Erin L.--

--Bishop, Steven J.--Arthur, Aaron M.--Bailey, Lakeshia M.--

--Spencer, William C.--O’Leary, Daniel T.--Grinder, Billie J.--

--Alford, Marcus R.--Caughman, Sean L.--Alvarez, Adriana--

--Barnett, Scott G.--Hurt, Gifford E.--Hopkins, Ryan J.--

--Jarrett, Michael R.--Croft Jr., David A.--Anderson, Brushaun X.--

Sunday, January 9: Honoring Our Dead in Afghanistan

In late December, I went to iCasualties.org and learned that the United States lost 498 military personnel in and around Afghanistan this year. 

Year  2010

Jan 30

Feb 31

Mar 26

Apr 20

May  34

June  60

Jul 65

Aug 55

Sep 42

Oct 50

Nov 53

Dec 32

Below are the names of the men and women we lost. This does not count the 16 Canadian dead, the 103 from the United Kingdom, the ninety-three others who died from around the world in Afghanistan. If I did not note your country, icasualties.org did. You can find your countrymen listed there.

The Americans died at an age somewhere between 18 and 45 years old. I hope you will take a minute to read through these names, listed two or three across. 

Please also remember their families, friends, and comrades who needed them. 

Please remember these men and women who are still with us, still serving. 

Remember the wounded, 

the permanently injured, and their caregivers. Their battles are not done.

I am sorry if this page takes awhile to load, but I am not hiding any of these names after a page break. They are listed from most recent death to January 1, 2010.

--Nguyen, Tevan L.--Misener, Garrett A.--Corzine, Kenneth A.--

--Crouse IV, William H.--Javier Jr., Conrado D.--

--Torbert Jr., Eric M.--Maldonado, Jose L.--Osterman, Sean A.--

--Cutsforth, Sean R.--Schmalstieg, Justin E.--Hernandez, Jose A.--

--Collins, Sean M.--McLawhorn Jr., Willie A.--Deans, Patrick D.--

--Necochea Jr., Kenneth E.--Simonetta, Derek T.--Villacis, Jorge E.--

--Goncalo, Ethan L.--Green, Stacy A.--Mixon, Kelly J.--

--Ayube II, James A.--Geary, Michael E.--Peto, Jason D.--

--Rusk, Colton W.--Wyatt, Derek A.--Aleman, Nicholas J.--

--Reeves, Jason A.--Ashlock, Vincent W.--Scott, Lucas C.--

--Thode, James E.--Abbate, Matthew--Wade, Chad S.--

--Milley, Scott F.--Jarvis, Barry E.--Oakes, Curtis A.--

--Ramsey, Matthew W.--Gassen, Jacob A.--Staggs, Austin G.--

--McLain, Buddy W.--Harris, Devon J.--Donnelly IV, William J.--

--Buenagua, Ardenjoseph A.--Middleton, William K.--Flannery, Sean M.--

--Robinson, David S.--Smith, Jason T.--Holder, Kyle M.--

--Culbreth, Justin E.--Locht, Gwendolyn A. Ortiz Rivera, Javier O.--

--Pape, Kevin M.--Senft, David P.--Ahmed, Shane H.--

--Lillard, Nathan E.--Nagorski, Scott T.--Warriner, Christian M.--

--Snow, Jesse Adam--Carroll, Jacob C.--Carver, Jacob R.--

--Rivadeneira, Juan L.--Chihuahua, Shannon--

--Fannin, Shawn D.--Bubacz, Andrew S.--

--Lutes, David C.--Bolen, Edward H.--Stack, James B.--

--Huse, Dakota R.--Kelly, Robert M.--Vargas, Anthony--

--Hutchins, Andrew--Cruttenden, Aaron B.--Kridlo, Dale J.--

--Braggs, Randy R.--Reifert, Shane M.--Paranzino, Michael F.--

--Whipple, Blake D.--Emrick, Jordan B.--McCluskey, Jason J.--

--Pearson, Brandon W.--Broehm, Matthew J.--Young, James C.--

--Harris, Todd M.--Zimmerman, James R.--Meari, Andrew N.--

--Curtis, Jonathan M.--Land, Brett W.--Solorzanovaldovinos, Diego A.--

--Maldonado, Pedro A.--Dickmyer, Adam L.--Honeycutt Jr., Terry E.--

--Kirspel Jr., Michael D.--Tanner, Phillip C.--Sadell, Charles M.--

--Dupont, Steven L.--Moffitt, Thomas A.--Pallares, Ronnie J.--

--O’Malley, Aracely Gonzalez--McAninch, Kenneth K.--Jenkins, Gerald R.--

--Jackson, Francisco R.--Cullins, Joshua J.--Villarreal Jr., Jorge--

--Tawney, Ian M.--Boelk, James D.--Catherwood, Alec E.--

--Benitez, Carlos A.--Martinez Jr., Rafael--Billingsley, Tramaine J.--

--Lopez, Joseph C.--Ceniceros, Irvin M.--Newman, Eric C.--

--Cain, Justin J.--Vinnedge, Phillip D.--Rodewald, Joseph E.--

--Dew, Victor A.--Byrd, Jordan--Johnson, Raymon L. A.--

--Powell, Matthew C.--Zaehringer III, Frank R.--Weigle, Dave J.--

--Hess, David A--Sparks, John T.--Gonzalez, Edwin--

--Sockalosky, Stephen C.--Lynch, Scott A.--Johnson, Daniel J.--

--Clark, Ryane G.--Prentler, Joseph T.--Campbell, Karl A.--

--Board, Cody A.--Pedro, Brian J.--Vogeler, Lance H.--

--Matteoni, Anthony D.--Harley Jr., Willie J.--Rabon Jr.,Luther W.--

--Jackson, Timothy M.--Officer, Justin A.--Harrison, Calvin B.--

--Forester, Mark Andrew--Fabbri, Ralph J.--Morrison, Donald Scott--

--Simpson, Mark A.--Springer II, Clinton E.--Dawson, William Brandon--

--Petree, Jaysine P. S.--Rosa, Anthony J.--Buras, Michael J.--

--McClellan, Jonah D.--Baldwin, Robert F.--Calhoun Jr., Marvin R.--

--Powell, Joshua D.--Wagstaff, Matthew G.--Miranda, Denis C.--

--Smith, Adam O.--McLendon, David B.--Looney, Brendan J.--

--Ose, Joshua S.--Vieyra, Barbara--Yates, Eric--

--Harton, Joshua A.--Carron, Paul D.--Grider, Ronald A.--

--Newman, Jaime C.--Fleming, Scott J.--Snow, Deangelo B.--

--Johnson, Timothy L.--Kramer, Aaron K.--Sanchez, Daniel R.--

--Weaver, Todd W.--Bishop, John C.--Charte, Philip G. E.--

--McMahon, Jason T.--Balthaser, Jesse M.--Carver, Ross S.--

--Montoya, Diego M.--Twigg, Joshua T.--Rodgers, Christopher B.--

--Roberts, Cody A.--Bovia, Joseph A.--Adkinson III, Vinson B.--

--Alcaraz, Raymond C.--George, Matthew Eric--Page, James A.--

--Goetz, Dale A.--Infante, Jesse--Kessler, Kevin J.--

--West, Matthew J.--Clements, Chad D.--Noziska, Mark--

--Grochowiak, Casey J.--Holley, Floyd E. C.--Wallace, Ellery R.--

--Raver, Bryn T.--Ide, James R.--Castro, Andrew J.--

--Durham, Patrick K.--Robinson, James C.--Fedder, Daniel L.--

--Coleman, Chad D.--Novak, Adam J.--Swink, James Michael--

--Shoecraft, Justin B.--Newton, Robert J.--Rodriguez, Ronald A.--

--Deluzio, Steven J.--Southworth, Tristan H.--Meletiche, Pedro A. Millet--

--Calo, Jason D.--Maldonado, Alexis V.--Schultz, Nathaniel J. A.--

--Childers, Cody S.--Wright, Christopher S.--Lugo, Martin A.--

--Thomas, Collin--Boyd, Christopher J.--Oratowski, Kevin E.--

--Roberts, Edgar N.--Farley, Derek J.--Chisholm, Benjamen G.--

--High, IV, Charles M.--Bock, Michael A.--Karch, Christopher N.--

--Saenz III, Jose L.--Greer, Kristopher D.--Cuzzupe, Paul O.--

--Rappuhn, Bradley D.--Nicol, Andrew C.--Andrade, John E.--

--Gammone III, Vincent E.--Cornelius, Kevin M.--Donahue, Max W.--

--Van Aalst, Jared N.--Stout, Kyle B.--Stansbery, Michael L.--

--Holbrook, Jason E.--Warren, Kyle R.--Martin, Shane R.--

--Howard, Abram L.--Vazquez, Frederik E.--Mora, Conrad A.--

--Lim, Daniel--Bauer, Joseph A.--Hand, Andrew--

--Newlove, Jarod--McNeley, Justin--Oquin, James J.--

--Weis, James M.--Carazo, Mario D.--Vargas, Julio--

--Piercy, Brian F.--Miller, Paul J.--Wrightsman, Joe L.--

--Eastman, Christopher L.--Bennedsen, Robert N.--Santiago, Anibal--

--Allen, Justin B.--Weikert, Matthew W.--Tilton, Jesse R.--

--Bartelt, Justus S.--Santos, Dave M.--Winters, Leston M.--

--Jarrell, John H.--Stanley, Chase--Reed, Jesse D.--

--Johnson, Matthew J.--Fisher, Zachary M.--King, Brandon M.--

--Goeke, Christopher S.--Stout, Christopher T.--Tate, Sheldon L.--

--Moon, Christopher J.--Garvin, Nathaniel D.--Antonik, Christopher J.--

--Mittler, Shaun M.--Negron, Carlos J.--Ainsworth, Jesse W.--

--Crow, Robert W.--Edgerton, Donald R.--Roads, Tyler A.--

--Dimock II, Joseph W.--Raney, Daniel G.--Simmons, Anthony W.--

--Arizmendez, Marc A.--Pridham, Michael S.--Lee, Roger--

--Fastuca, Louis R.--Cabacoy, Christopher F.  Wood, Edwin C.--

--Osborne, Jerod H.--Cooper, Keenan A.--Creighton, Andrew J.--

--Dennis, Jacob A.--McGarrah, Clayton D.--Wisniewski, David A.--

--Jefferson, David--Grady, Ryan J.--Harris Jr., Larry D.--

--Hennigan, Matthew R.--Rogers, John M.--Chapleau, Kristopher D.--

--Shaw, Eric B.--Thomas, David W.--Richards, William T.--

--Caskey, Joseph D.--Holmes, David A.--Plunk, Jared C.--

--Thompson, Blair D.--DeBoer, Daane Adam--Repkie, Robert K. L.--

--Loredo, Edwardo--Madden, Russell E.--Justesen, Anthony T.--

--Dumaw, Joshua R.--Turner, Eddie--Patino IV, Claudio--

--Cueto, Kevin A.--Looney, Andrew R.--Miller, David T.--

--Andrews, Scott A.--Serwinowski, Timothy G.--Silk, Brandon M.--

--Hunter, James P.--Park, Benjamin J.--Ortega, William--

--Cox, Nathan W.--Bailey, Michael C.--Johnson, Joseph D.--

--Hotchkin, Gunnar R.--Standfest, Jeffrey R.--Osborn, Benjamin D.--

--Anderson, Brian M.--Rodriguez, Mario--Adams, Christian M.--

--Hoover, Bryan A.--Fike, Robert J.--Brummund, Gavin R.--

--Plank, Michael G.--Flores, Michael P.--Gentz, Joel C.--

--Smith, David C.--White, Benjamin D.--Klusacek, Erick J.--

--Walters, Zachary J.--Shanfield, Derek L.--Catlett, Matthew R.--

--Jirtle, Charles S.--Barton, Robert N.--Lukeala, Joshua A.--

--Redding, Blaine E.--Rankel, John K.--Neenan, Brendan P.--

--Bury, Brandon C.--Hernandez, Derek--Marler, Donald M.--

--McGahan, Michael E.--Theinert, Joseph J.--Peney, Jonathan K.--

--Dilisio, Anthony A.--Suter, Jake W.--Leicht, Jacob C.--

--Rivera, Edwin--Barton, Christopher R.--Fingar, Jason D.--

--Barnard, Shane S.--Clark, Philip P.--Xavier Jr.,Patrick--

--Tomlinson, Joshua A.--Tieman, Richard J.--Belkofer, Thomas P.--

--Bartz, Paul R.--McHugh, John M.--Paradarodriguez, Nicholas D.--

--Anderson, Billy G.--Perkins, Adam L.--Wood, Zarian--

--Kisseloff, Denis D.--Desforges, Joshua D.--Lamar II, Donald J.--

--Johnson, Jeffery W.--May, Jr., Kenneth B.--Shea, Kurt S.--

--Brown, Jeremy L.--Comfort, Kyle A.--Davis, Joshua M.--

--Slack, Wade A.--Penny, Richard R.--Rangel, Christopher--

--Barrett, Brandon A.--Benson, Austin H. Gates--Coleman, Mark W.--

--Finniginam, Eric M.--Corma, Salvatore S.--Rivers Jr., Thomas E.--

--Kennedy, Nathan P.--Wichmann, Grant A.--Kubik, Ronald A.--

--Santora, Jason A.--Laborde, John K.--Barrett, Robert J.--

--Sigley, Randolph A.--Ingram Jr, Michael K.--Caron, Joseph T.--

--Durkin, Sean M.--Jankiewicz, Michael D.--Lackey, James B.--

--Voas, Randell D.--Hall, Jonathon D.--Borio, Roberto E. Diaz--

--Swenson, Curtis M.--World, Frank J.A.--Griffin, Tyler O.--

--Zilberman, Miroslav--Brunkhorst, Scott W.--Miller, James L.--

--Heck, Randy M.--Ross, Jacob A.--Centanni, Rick. J.--

--Cottle, Robert. J.--Wilson, Justin J.--Santos-Silva, Carlos M.--

--Brown, Adam Lee--Clarkson, Joel D.--Gilbert II, Robert L.--

--Whetten, Glen J.--Porto, Jonathan D.--Gamble, Garrett W.--

--Kropat, Jason M.--Richardson, Jonathan J.--Cook, Nicholas S.--

--Dikcis, Alan N.--Paci, Anthony A.--Olsen, Nigel K.--

--Owens, Vincent L.C.--Aragon, Carlos A.--Gelig, Ian T.D.--

--Huston, Matthew D.--Crumpler, Josiah D.--Ricketts, William S.--

--Gorra, Marcos--Hanson, Matthias N.--Ward, Eric L.

--Peak, Adam D.--Salvacion, JR Robiniol--Eckard, Christopher W.--

--Cardenaz, Michael David P.--Stultz, Gregory S.--Birchfield, Joshua H.--

--Dunn, Kielin T.--McQueary, Jeremy R.--Coutu, Kyle J.--

--Johnson, Larry M.--Yazzie, Alejandro J.--Currier, Eric D.--

--Pier, Noah M.--Estopinal, Jason H.--Turbett, Jacob H.--

--Reiners, John A.--Wittman, Jeremiah T.--Pagan, Bobby J.--

--Ray, Adam J.--Williams, Charles A.--Foxx, Dillon B.--

--Hartman, David J.--Sluss-Tiller, Matthew S.--Stets, Mark A.--

--Lovejoy, Zachary G.--Whitten, Daniel--Freeman Jr., Michael L.--

--Thompson, David J.--Decoteau, Marc Paul--Christian, Rusty H.--

--Smith, David J.--Gill, Carlos E.--Smith, Zachary D.--

--Angus, Daniel M.--Poole, Timothy J.--Kane, Jeremy M.--

--Qi, Xin--Montgomery, Thaddeus S.--Pena, Paul--

--Ginett, Adam K.--Shannon, Michael P.--Donevski, Robert--

--Hrbek, Christopher R.--Wright, Kyle J.--Beachnaw, Lucas T.--

--Merriweather, Daniel D.--Whitsitt, Geoffrey A.--Ingham, Matthew N.--

--Lowe, Jamie R.--Uzenski, Nicholas K.--Meinert, Jacob A.--

--Juarez, Mark D.--Hickman, Jason O. B.--Smith, Bradley R.--

--Dion, John P.--Lengstorf, Joshua A.--Bowman, Brian R.

December Muster

Every month, the Ann T. Hathaway blog remembers law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty the previous month. Once again,  we must count the costs of safety and security in human life.

Each of these deaths is untimely. Each loss affects the family of the fallen, their friends, their colleagues, and their communities. They affect us all.

--David DeLaittre--Dewayne Crenshaw--Brandon Coates

--Wesley Whitmore Jr.--Bryan Terry--James Lister--

--Andrew Rameas--Cliff Rouse--Ann O'Donnell--Michael Schaefer--

--John Maguire--Chadwick LeCroy--Jillian Smith--

I learned about these officers on the Officer Down Memorial Page.

Every Year

Every year I keep a journal. Not a diary, because I can't fit a day in a tiny page.
Some days need no writing; other days pages and pages.

This year I kept it on-line, on a closed site. When I was at my worst, and couldn't go on-line, I couldn't use my journal either. Lessons learned.

Every year I buy one poetry book from one living poet. We love the poems tested by time, but we need to keep this craft going. I realize my one poetry book is not going to keep this going, but it's a start.

Every year I have black-eyed peas for New Year's Day. One of my concessions to good luck aggregation. And it's painless-what's not to like?
I also have a horseshoe over my door.

Every year I make a list of resolutions. Oh, who am I kidding? Every other day I make a list of resolutions.
Time to get cracking--I've got an hour or so left.

Upcoming Posts & Traditions
I have been working on some posts for January. I don't know if sixteen months and 535 posts allows me to qualify for tradition, but I think maybe so. (I started this gig in September 2009. The posts for August 2009 are all back-dated.)

Every month the Ann T. Hathaway blog remembers the sacrifices of law enforcement officers here. The post for December will go up January 2, 2011. I'm going to keep doing this throughout 2011.

During National Fire Week, the Ann T. Hathaway blog noted the sacrifices of the fire and EMS services. And again next year.

Every year the Ann T. Hathaway blog mentions the sacrifices of our military personnel over the past year.
Those posts will be going up on Sundays in January (the 9th and 16th so far)  until this blog has noted them all--not every fear or pain or triumph--of course not--but a complete record of the fallen.

Continuing Series
Judging by the numbers, my gang pages are used and looked at. I'm going to try to fill in some interesting things on that over the next year.

The "Cities Crime and Economics Series" will get more posts. It is not as well-read as the gang pages, but I think useful from time to time for my readers. It also keeps me sharp.

This coming year, I want to take more photographs. But, I want to get brave and take street-side portraits. You'll see if I meet that goal.

And the Personal
Plus, I am sure there will be more on the Condo Board. There will be more poetry from the living and the dead. I want to include more passages from books on strategy, more memories, more street-side stories.

My biggest Ann T. resolution is to include advances in the present-day, non electronic world--maybe even some fiction published here and there. Thanks to my readers for cheering me on this year.

Come see your achievements--your good influence--because you have been. Thanks for everything you've done. Thanks for my advances, however uneven my performance at times, in 2010. Thanks for everything. I mean that.

Have a great day!

Every year I keep a journal . . . .

Merry Christmas

These photos are red and green and not traditional like holly or ivy. Still, they are my Christmas card to you.

Have a Great Day, Everyone! 

from Ann T. Hathaway. 

Happy Birthday Clara Barton

Clara Barton (December 25, 1821 -- April 12, 1912) learned medicine at her brother's bedside, starting at age 11. At 22, she was a teacher. And in 1861, she was treating wounded Union soldiers in the U.S. Capitol.

In 1865, Abraham Lincoln put her in charge of finding missing soldiers in the Civil War. But she is best known as the organizer of the American Red Cross. Clara Barton is a symbol of tireless mercy in action. (Although in real life, I'm sure she did get tired.)

Thanks to those who serve our troops and our society through their medical skills--the paramedics, the E.R. nurses, the E.R. docs, the clinic staff.
This Christmas, the troops are on call, and they need your helping hand. People still get sick and injured right here at home--that doesn't stop for the holidays either. And there you are. A lot of times we're too sick, or too scared about someone else, to thank you at the time. So thank you now.

Happy Birthday Clara Barton. Your work lives on.

Related articles

• Red Cross makes treats for the troops and veterans (charlotte.news14.com)

Happy Christmas Eve and Day

Ann T. wishes her readers a Very Nice Christmas.

Whether you believe or not, 

celebrate or not. 

Whether you are alone 

or have family or friends to celebrate with.
A very nice Christmas to you all.

To all: please don't drink and drive, or get stoned and drive. Call a ride or stay where you are.
If you are alone, plan against loneliness. It's a coping strategy. Plan for a good day.
--
I talked to a cab driver the other day, an immigrant from Ethiopia. His daughter is two years and four months old this Christmas. He can't wait to show her Christmas for the first time. He reported that she asked: "Daddy, what is a Christmas tree?" He was so proud.

"So I had to go get one, you know, to show her."
We talked a little bit about how exciting it was to view through her eyes. And I said parents do that a lot: they get excitement from their kids.

"Love pushes you," he said. "See, she pushed me, and now we have a tree, and everything."
He was thrilled.

They are having a traditional Christmas dinner, but also a lot of cakes, he told me. And maybe also some Italian food.

I love it. Write me if you want, and say what you are having and doing.
If you are having turkey, tell me what's in your stuffing. I collect stuffing stories all holiday season. Everybody does theirs differently. Next year I may start an official Ann T. survey!
--
My cats are having Turkey Surprise out of a can. We are having a play date.
I am having pancakes with maple syrup, sausage AND bacon for brunch, and then going out to take a lot of pictures. I bought a Michael Connelly novel and will read that. Then I think I might have a lot of cakes and Italian food. Or maybe just the cakes.

Happy Christmas!

A Christmas Carol for the Night Watch

This is my favorite of them all: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. It's also my sister's favorite. I think it's a good mix of the spiritual, the reassuring, and the historical. It's also easy on the ears, which Jingle Bells is not. So for those who might be reading who are not Christian, I hope you will enjoy (as I do) the inherent humanity in it.

The lyrics were first collected in the 1800's, but have been around since the 15th century.  It is also a carol associated with the night watchmen of English villages, who used to sing it for tips hundreds of years before tax dollars paid for city security.

This is Annie Lennox, with her clear voice and some great minor key harmonics. (Sorry, you do get a commercial first.) The video is meant to convey the "mummers" of English folk life also.

A special thanks to all our watchmen and women, 

keeping us safe during holiday hours. 

Merry Christmas to you all. 

Thank you for the gifts you give us--security, confidence--

every day of every year.

I got the lyrics from carols-dot-org from the United Kingdom. They are below the jump.

God rest ye merry, gentlemen

Let nothing you dismay

Remember, Christ, our Saviour

Was born on Christmas day

To save us all from Satan's power

When we were gone astray

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy.

In Bethlehem, in Israel,

This blessed Babe was born

And laid within a manger

Upon this blessed morn

The which His Mother Mary

Did nothing take in scorn

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

From God our Heavenly Father

A blessed Angel came;

And unto certain Shepherds

Brought tidings of the same:

How that in Bethlehem was born

The Son of God by Name.

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

"Fear not then," said the Angel,

"Let nothing you affright,

This day is born a Saviour

Of a pure Virgin bright,

To free all those who trust in Him

From Satan's power and might."

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

The shepherds at those tidings

Rejoiced much in mind,

And left their flocks a-feeding

In tempest, storm and wind:

And went to Bethlehem straightway

The Son of God to find.

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

And when they came to Bethlehem

Where our dear Saviour lay,

They found Him in a manger,

Where oxen feed on hay;

His Mother Mary kneeling down,

Unto the Lord did pray.

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

Now to the Lord sing praises,

All you within this place,

And with true love and brotherhood

Each other now embrace;

This holy tide of Christmas

All other doth deface.

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy--

A Meaning of Christmas: The Nativity

The Nativity is really a frightening story with a happy ending. It had to be full of tough emotion for its participants. And we usually skip those emotions and go straight to the happy ending. We forget the uncertainty in the happiness of the result.

Consider Joseph, with a pregnant wife on the back of his one donkey in the cold. They didn't have a lot of luggage--not much extra food, not enough money. Not a lot of blankets or special clothes or the tools of his carpenter trade. They're on the road. That displacement has been ordered by the Roman government, so that a census may be taken. It's a sign that things are not going to be the same--they are a conquered people and soon to be a taxed people. They have a local despot for a king, a distant administration who props that king up. Joseph is supposed to protect Mary in the large and small things--and what's large and what's small had to change perspective every other minute.

And for all Mary had an Annunciation, she had to be worried something would go wrong or she wouldn't measure up. She's on the back of a donkey. She has to go to the bathroom now, but they also have to keep going. She has no women to help her with the layette. No midwife she knows will be there to cry on during labor pains. No midwife, even a stranger, guaranteed at all. Her first child will be born among strangers and maybe even in the dirt.  There's no guarantee in the Annunciation that she'll live through labor either. It only guarantees that she is chosen and she is blessed. That leaves a lot of room for fear of the unknown. Because being chosen is not usually an experience without suffering.

The inn they found was probably a tavern. It was a gathering place for all kinds of people--reliable and unreliable. More of the unknown. If it was crowded with others like Joseph, just trying to fulfill responsibility, we don't know it. We never hear about them. At best it was full of tired and cranky people, but possibly revelers and gossips and people who needed a little reform. The innkeeper and his staff were slammed with work. The permission to use the stable for a Birth might have been a kind impulse. But that innkeeper also didn't (as far as we know) ask anyone to make room for a pregnant woman and worried father. Maybe he did ask, and nobody had compassion. Maybe they had reasons why the innkeeper should ask someone else. Maybe the innkeeper didn't have time to ask, or maybe he didn't care enough to ask. Maybe the stable was cleaner anyway.

So Mary had a baby in a stable. It was not her husband's baby, but somehow that had been resolved--through love, or faith, or need on one side or both sides. Joseph would have stabled the donkey. He would have shoveled the floor of the stall and piled up hay while she bit her lip and waited or even possibly fussed. Possibly he snapped a little, because he felt inadequate to the task. They would have been scared to death--no matter how much meaning was packed into it for them--and possibly even more afraid, given the meaning.

She lived through labor. She had a baby on straw instead of the side of a road. It was better than their worst fears, and hard to reconcile with the prospect of a large gift to the world.

They would have changed the hay. They would have listened for threat from the tavern, from Roman centurions, from the weather, from animals bigger than a woman lying on straw. Still it was a miracle. It was good.

The shepherds knew to come, but no town or tavern resident on record came. The baby was viewed and watched and exclaimed over by men with low-paying menial jobs, uncertain hygiene, rough habits. But he was loved immediately.

It is a remarkable account, you know, just for its human effort. And this particular birth, in this particular set of conditions, later changed the world and the language of the spirit. For most of us who celebrate Christmas, it is the onset of our religious beliefs. It changed our understanding of the Divine, and where that Divine is present.

But even those with a different religion, or no religion, can ponder this and perhaps see meaning in it. They can see why decency matters, why worry and care are tied, why life is precious and poverty is hard. How much we need each other and how much we must do for ourselves, the very best we can.

Infinite possibility was born in soiled straw by one scared woman with one worried man in attendance, and a host of threats, large and small, all around.  And that infinite possibility was, and is always, a miracle.

Every Day could be Veteran's Day

One month after Veteran's Day, the Ann T. Hathaway blog is remembering veterans.

In September, when it was still very hot around here, my sister and I went to Arlington National Cemetery. You know there is a scandal running about mis-handled burial sites. That is a failure of trust and care, and it should be rectified.

But the interred don't know of it. All the world's untrustworthiness is over for them. We fix this so that we can know honor and respect has occurred. And I think we should make sure it is a good resting place as well as an honored one. That means they have to water and renew the grass. I know space has gotten limited, but I think they ought to add a few more trees. They should be hardwoods that stand for the backbone these men had; willows for their sorrow; and evergreens, because we want to symbolize that we flourish and renew from their sacrifice. But that's only my opinion.

The truth of sacrifice is very stark.

There is a beautiful arbor there for services. Those pictures are below the jump.

Muster Posts.

Every month, the Ann T. Hathaway blog remembers officers who have died in the line of duty. However, Ann T. did not keep up with her stated mission in September, October, and November.

What I'm going to do, I will post September, October, and November this week and next.  Each one will have pride of place for a day, as I have always done. Then I will change their date to reflect when these men and women should have been remembered by putting the post in its proper archive.

Update: September Muster is now posted under October 1, 2010.
October Muster is now posted under November 1--originally on December 13, 2010.
November Muster was posted December 17, 2010.

The reason this explanation is a separate post:
I am not putting my excuses next to the names of the men and women who served our communities without boundary.  This particular post will also change dates for awhile until Ann T. gets her house in order.

I saw this sign in the city where I live. I think there should be one for every fallen law enforcement officer, all over my city.

Reserve Sergeant Joseph Pozell was struck by a vehicle and killed on May 17, 2005. He was 59 years old.
I learned this by searching the Officer Down Memorial Page.

originally posted Dec. 8

November Muster

Each month, the Ann T. Hathaway blog remembers officers who have died in the line of duty. Each one leaves behind family, friends, colleagues. They leave behind a world of actions that have enriched our community.
During this holiday season, we could also reflect upon the sacrifices made, and still felt, by the people that knew these officers well.

--Ryan Bonaminio--David Grove--Kevin Kell Roberts--

--Gary Chapin--Jonathan McDonald--Packy Pascewicz--Dwayne Parks--

--Patrick Sirois--Sam Brownlee--Michael Flisk--

I learned about these officers on the Officer Down Memorial Page.

October Muster

Every month, the Ann T. Hathaway blog offers a post for the memory of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. The officers who died in October are remembered here. Please take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made, and the lives forever changed, by the life and death of each of these fine people.

--Merrill Bruquier--Karl McDonough--Shaun Lin--

--Joe Schuengel--Sean Drenth--Tommy Portz--Timothy Prunty--

--Odell McDuffie Jr.--John Abraham--George Green--

--Jose Cordova-Montanez--Christopher Wilson--

--Dean Miera--Sergio Antillon--Paul Dittamo--

You can learn more about these officers on the Officer Down Memorial Page.

Firefighter's Memorial Weekend

This weekend, right before National Fire Protection Week, firefighters honor their fallen comrades. This is a picture of the US Fire Administration's National Fallen Firefighter's Memorial. It stands on the grounds of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Flags all over the nation should be at half-mast today.

This ceremony will honor 105 fallen firefighters. The Fallen Firefighter's Foundation has a "Project Roll Call", to honor firefighters who fell before 1981.

In 2009, there were eighty-three fatalities. Around one hundred deaths per year occur for firefighters in the line of duty nationwide. This was a safer year, but still there are many names to remember, and many losses to grieve. These are their names. All of them left behind grieving family, friends, and comrades.

--Gary Stephens--John Myers--Kevin Kelley--Richard Rhea--

--Kyle Perkins--Cory Galloway--William Parsons--

--Mark Davis--Dean Mathison--Jeffrey Isbell--Albert Eberle, Jr.--

--Timothy Nicholas--Johnnie Hammons--John Adams--

--Derek North--"Freddy" Pierno--Charles Myshrall--

--Michael Darrington--Alan Hermel--Christopher Dill--

--William Vorwark--Gregory Cooke--Nolan Schmidt--Robert Strang--

--Mike Gilbreath--Robert France--Manny Rivera--

--George Wimberly--John Jeffers--John Weber--Heath Van Handel--

--Damion Hobbs--James Harlow--Charles Clough, Jr.--

--Dennis Simmons--Patrick Reardon--Brian Buss--

--Michael Flynn--Thomas Risk--Cohnway Johnson--

--Frankie Nelson--Stephen Cospelich--Paul Roberts--James Hall--

--Matthew Tramel--Jeffrey Read--Debra Cole--

--Conrad Mansfield--Lyle Lewis--Jimmy Cameron--William Thompson--

--Brett Stearns--Allan LePage--Dale Haddix--

--Robert Johnson--Ryan Wingard--David Grass, Jr.--

--Joseph Grace--Thomas Marovich--Eric Tinkham--

--"Jack" Horton--Paul Warhola--Jimmie Zeeks--David Jamsa--

--Jonathan Croom--"Chip" McCarthy--"Arnie" Quinones--

--"Ted" Hall--Kenneth Frizzell, Jr.--Richard Holst--Ricky Christiana--

Terry Sharon--Patrick Joyce--Carl Nordwall--

--Gary Street--John Thurman--Roy Westover, Jr.--

--Phil Whitney--Chad Greene--Robert Stone--

--Ramon Hain--Terrance Freeman--Walter Hessling--Gary Neidig, Jr.--

--Jimmy Davis, Sr.--Gregory Thompson, Jr.--Tommy Adams--

--Bobby Mullins--Craig Starr--Clair Pierce--

--Paul Holmes--Steve Koeser--Richard Miller--

These names can be found at the memorial page at the U.S. Fire Agency, Department of Homeland Security. By clicking upon their name, you can learn official information.

Thank you, firefighters and paramedics everywhere. I am so sorry for your many losses. Today I offer my condolences to the families and colleagues of fallen firefighters.

Photos from the DHS and Midwest Honor Guard .com.

September Muster

Every month, the Ann T. Hathaway blog honors those law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. Please take a minute reflect on September's losses to our nation, our states, and our local jurisdictions. Each one died trying to bolster the good in our community.

--Kenneth Hall--Michael Gallagher--Kellie Pena--

--Dan Kromer--John Zykas--

--Thomas Alexander--Mark Barrett--Dan De Kraai--

--Ralph Slaton--Mark Longway--

--James Fowler III--Tracy Cooper--Will Phillips III--

You can learn more about these officers at the Officer Down Memorial Page.

August Muster

Every month the Ann T. Hathaway blog commemorates those law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. Please take a minute to reflect on these losses to their families, friends, and colleagues; their agencies, their jurisdictions, and to us all.

--Glen Agee--Bill Bauer--Christopher Dewey--

--Jeremy Hubbard--Leonard Reed--Brian Harris--

--Paul Fricke--Matthew Tokuoka--Anthony Wallace--

You can learn more about these officers at the Officer Down Memorial Page.

July Muster

Every month the Ann T. Hathaway blog remembers officers who have died in the line of duty. This month, twelve officers have departed from the roll calls of their agencies. Each man and woman listed here matter more than a number. They leave behind family, friends and colleagues. All of those left behind continue to sacrifice, through their grief and in their work, for their communities. Let these fine officers be recalled today, at least for one quiet moment.
.

--Thor Soderberg--Orville Smith--Michael Bailey--

--David Lambert--Garry Welford--Liusila Brown--

--Samuel Smith--Matthew Edwards--Shawn Hess--

--Carlos Ledesma--John Wells--Timothy Barnes--

.

You can learn more about these officers at the Officer Down Memorial Page.

A Fourth of July Entertainment

You really need this for your barbecue. There is no substitute for the real thing--cooling, re-hydrating, healthy, and fun, sweet, colorful, and traditional. 

Besides, spitting becomes downright necessary, which often provides comic relief for over-charged children. Especially when Mom isn't a good spitter. . . . Har Har Har, Mom!
There's an e-how on How to Spit Watermelon Seeds at this link.

Every One Have a Glorious Fourth of July!!!

June Muster

Our Declaration of Independence was won by gentleman farmers and good writers, men in agreement. After that, we've had to fight to keep it so, in small ways and large, meeting both threat and stupidity head on.

Today and here, this blog honors the nineteen law enforcement officers killed in June, 2010. Their sacrifice causes me to reflect that Independence is a living thing that must be renewed every day. These who are listed below are some who have kept it alive. They are not now here to enjoy it. Some were felled by gunfire by vicious killers. A significant number of others were killed by drunk drivers. Almost all of them leave behind families with young children.

--Marc Castellano--Joshua Yazzie--Eddie Wotipka--

--Thomas Coleman--Wesley Brown--Michael Perry--Doug Weddleton--

--Caroline Green--Dean Riding--Craig Shaw--Philip Ortiz--Melissa Powers--

--Richard Daniels--Carol Scruggs--Lucke Nihart--Justin McGrory--

--Brett Oswald--David Curtis--Jeffrey Kocab--

You can learn more about these officers on the Officer Down Memorial Page.
In the meantime, please do not drink and drive today.