"Beef flank steak has a lot of flavor, but it's a very fibrous piece of meat and can be tough if not sliced correctly. Chef Mark Elia of The Culinary Institute of America explains how get the best results. Holding the broiled steak steady with a large fork, find the direction of the fibers running through the steak, then slice across the grain at a 45-degree angle. (Cutting on the bias keeps the meat from being chewy, so it's important not to skip this step.) You also want to keep your slices thin -- chef Elia recommends cutting them no thicker than 1/4 of an inch. Once you've sliced the meat, place it on a serving platter and you're good to go."
Read more: http://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/12/24/how-to-slice-flank-steak/?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-n%7Cdl3%7Csec3_lnk2%7C214459#ixzz1NnQ4w3M9
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Memorial Day Traditional: May 30 Observed: last Monday of May
More at: http://www.usmemorialday.org/
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Supporting Our Troops
"There are so many ways of supporting our troops! Here are just a few of our favorite websites that support our troops: Any Soldier.com Cell Phones for Soldiers.com Wounded Warrior.com Gathering Of Eagles I Served Sticker "
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Memorial Day
"In 1865, Henry C. Welles, a druggist in the village of Waterloo, NY, mentioned at a social gathering that honor should be shown to the patriotic dead of the Civil War by decorating their graves.
In the Spring of 1866, he again mentioned this subject to General John B. Murray, Seneca County Clerk. General Murray embraced the idea and a committee was formulated to plan a day devoted to honoring the dead.
Townspeople adopted the idea wholeheartedly. Wreaths, crosses and bouquets were made for each veteran's grave. The village was decorated with flags at half mast and draped with evergreen boughs and mourning black streamers.
On May 5, 1866, civic societies joined the procession to the three existing cemeteries and were led by veterans marching to martial music. At each cemetery there were impressive and lengthy services including speeches by General Murray and a local clergyman. The ceremonies were repeated on May 5, 1867.
The first official recognition of Memorial Day as such was issued by General John A. Logan, first commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. This was General Order No. 11 establishing "Decoration Day" as it was then known. The date of the order was May 5, 1868, exactly two years after Waterloo's first observance. That year Waterloo joined other communities in the nation by having their ceremony on May 30."
More at: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nyseneca/memorial.htm
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We Can All Help
"The Veterans Site is more than a simple, free way to give a homeless and hungry veteran a meal. It is also a vehicle to spread the word that homeless veterans are out there and that they need our help. Together, we have an opportunity to honor and assist our country's homeless veterans and their families.
These men and women were here for us when we needed them. Now it is our turn to reach out to help them."
Please remember to click every day to help veterans in need, and spread the word!
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Every Friday At The Pentagon
"I was not aware of this practice until now. I am pleased that it happens, and am astounded that it does happen,
given the political situation that exists in our government today.
It really breaks my heart to know that we didn't know this goes on every Friday, well at least I didn't know.
Instead, I guess the media feels it's more important to report on Hollywood stars as heroes.
I hope this article gives you a sense of pride for what our men and women are doing for us,
every day, as they serve in the armed forces here and abroad."
"IT HAPPENS EVERY FRIDAY! WERE YOU AWARE?
" "Over the last 12 months, 1,042 soldiers, Marines, sailors and Air Force personnel have given their lives in the terrible duty that is war.
Thousands more have come home on stretchers, horribly wounded and facing months or years in military hospitals.
This week, I'm turning my space over to a good friend and former roommate, Army Lt. Col.. Robert Bateman, who recently completed a yearlong tour of duty and is now back at the Pentagon.
Here's Lt. Col. Bateman's account of a little-known ceremony that fills the halls of the Army corridor of the Pentagon with cheers, applause and many tears every Friday morning. It first appeared on May 17 on the Weblog of media critic and pundit Eric Alterman at the Media Matters for America Website.
"It is 110 yards from the "E" ring to the "A" ring of the Pentagon. This section of the Pentagon is newly renovated; the floors shine, the hallway is broad, and the lighting is bright. At this instant the entire length of the corridor is packed with officers, a few sergeants and some civilians, all crammed tightly three and four deep against the walls. There are thousands here.
"This hallway, more than any other, is the `Army' hallway. The G3 offices line one side, G2 the other, G8 is around the corner. All Army. Moderate conversations flow in a low buzz. Friends who may not have seen each other for a few weeks, or a few years, spot each other, cross the way and renew.
"Behind him, and stretching the length from Rings E to A, come more of his peers, each private, corporal, or sergeant assisted as need be by a field grade officer.
"11:00 hours: Twenty-four minutes of steady applause. My hands hurt, and I laugh to myself at how stupid that sounds in my own head. My hands hurt. Please! Shut up and clap. For twenty-four minutes, soldier after soldier has come down this hallway - 20, 25, 30.. Fifty-three legs come with them, and perhaps only 52 hands or arms, but down this hall came 30 solid hearts.
"They pass down this corridor of officers and applause, and then meet for a private lunch, at which they are the guests of honor, hosted by the generals. Some are wheeled along. Some insist upon getting out of their chairs, to march as best they can with their chin held up, down this hallway, through this most unique audience. Some are catching handshakes and smiling like a politician at a Fourth of July parade. More than a couple of them seem amazed and are smiling shyly.
"There are families with them as well: the 18-year-old war-bride pushing her 19-year-old husband's wheelchair and not quite understanding why her husband is so affected by this, the boy she grew up with, now a man, who had never shed a tear is crying; the older immigrant Latino parents who have, perhaps more than their wounded mid-20s son, an appreciation for the emotion given on their son's behalf. No man in that hallway, walking or clapping, is ashamed by the silent tears on more than a few cheeks. An Airborne Ranger wipes his eyes only to better see. A couple of the officers in this crowd have themselves been a part of this parade in the past.
"These are our men, broken in body they may be, but they are our brothers, and we welcome them home. This parade has gone on, every single Friday, all year long, for many years. ""
"Everyone shifts to ensure an open path remains down the center. The air conditioning system was not designed for this press of bodies in this area.
"The temperature is rising already. Nobody cares. "10:36 hours: The clapping starts at the E-Ring. That is the outermost of the five rings of the Pentagon and it is closest to the entrance to the building. This clapping is low, sustained, hearty. It is applause with a deep emotion behind it as it moves forward in a wave down the length of the hallway.
"A steady rolling wave of sound it is, moving at the pace of the soldier in the wheelchair who marks the forward edge with his presence. He is the first. He is missing the greater part of one leg, and some of his wounds are still suppurating. By his age I expect that he is a private, or perhaps a private first class.
"Captains, majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels meet his gaze and nod as they applaud, soldier to soldier. Three years ago when I described one of these events, those lining the hallways were somewhat different. The applause a little wilder, perhaps in private guilt for not having shared in the burden ... Yet.
"Now almost everyone lining the hallway is, like the man in the wheelchair, also a combat veteran. This steadies the applause, but I think deepens the sentiment. We have all been there now. The soldier's chair is pushed by, I believe, a full colonel.
From: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2007/05/23/16478/a-must-read-for-memorial-day-52307.html
Friday Mornings at the Pentagon By JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY McClatchy Newspapers
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Yesterday:
Ray painted things, while Jay and I measured and cut things for the cargo trailer.
We have most of the dinette done.
All the tops can be lifted up to get to the storage underneath. We carefully matched up the paneling to line up with the paneling on the walls.
As some people have shown an interest in the progress of this cargo trailer, I have added an album on the left side, adding to it as we go. Thank you for looking.
When Ray was caught up with his painting and waiting for us to stop fiddling with the dinette, he painted that great big Texas Star that came off the cargo trailer. We are going to hang it over my garage door, so he painted it the same color as the trim on the house.
The outside isn't finished yet, but this is the way it looks now, the hidden AC is behind that vent.There was a big tear in the siding, covered up by that big yellowy plastic, so that was the logical place to put the AC.
We are having a bit of trouble with the back cargo door on the top left hand side, it fits too tight. Jay took off the door stop, undid the brackets, covered the metal with a board, whomped it with a mall, and that helped a bit.
It was starting to get hot, and late for lunch, so we will do more to that another day.
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