Easter 1916

I recently got done writing a paer which I thought would be really boring, but after doing throrough research, I found myself inspired by what I had read. I am a very passionate person. Things often inspire me, and ideals make my emotions rise. This was defenitely one of those time. The paper dealt with the irish rebellion of Easter 1916, and a poem written by W. B. Yeats. I wanted to give you all a quick summary in the hopes that you will likewise be inspired. A group of ardent Irish nationalists, had been seeking their independence from England for a long time. Finally the day came where they felt they must take action. A group compiled form various nationalist groups assembled under the leadership of visisoners. The highest man named Pearse was a school teacher and a writer. The plan was to take the town of Dublin by force and hold it as long as possible. It was not the greatest plan for a successful victory, but they were driven by the hope of freedom and self rule, and so the plan went forward with iitial success. Among the participants were both men adn woman armed with watever form of weapon they could lay there hands on. Most were not military men, they were mearly patriots. At first the plan seemed to meet some good success. They took various key positions in the city and fortified them. The central head quarters was the Post Office. At first the managed to repel the advancing British Army. Pearse declared a free provisional government of Ireland, and for that short time the government of Ireland resided in a Post Office. Soon 1,600 Irishmen and woman were facing close to 5,000 British troops. The british then bombarded the city, destroying the rebels position. After days of fighting, they were forced to surrender. The judgement by the Brits was swift and cruel. Secret courtmartials were held for the men who had even minor leadership roles. 16 of the men were senteced to death, and shot by firing squads, some before they even had a chance to see their families on last time. One of the men had been wounded so badly he couldn't satnd, so the proped him up in a chair and shot him. These men probably went to their graves with a feeling, that whatr they had done was pointless, but they were wrong. Inspired by the hatred of the British, irishmen would finally have the drive to gain their independence. Where are the ardent nationalists, men whio are diven by a cause or an ideal whether it be religious, political, or soem other form? Must we only exist during times of crises? I would rather die for a cause that inspired me and pricked my conscience, than to stand idly by thinking only of me and my own pleasure and comfort. Where have they gone? Have they ceased to exist, these great men?

Busy but Content

Lately it seems liek I have been extremely busy. Between school work, papers, the corp, riding and other things, i seems to fly form one thing to the next. However, I am very content at the moment with life in general. Things just seems good, despite the last push for school to be over. Last Friday i found out that I got the prmotion in the Corp I had hoped for. next year i will be the 1st Sergeant of CAV, which is exciting. I realize the responsibility that is being placed before me and I think I realize the many tensions and anxieties that will fallow it, yet I am happy for the experience I will gain from thins. I only hope I can live up to the position given me, and I know that God will strengthen me to rise to the occasion. Right now it is nice now to just enjoy the promotion part and let the other stuff wait till next year. I also found out today, that I almost definitely have a job for this summer. I have spent the last wmonth or so sort of worrying about it. I tried different places, but nothing worked. So I made one last phone call, almost as a last effort and it looks like I found a job even though i will be gone for 3 weeks in the middle of the summer at Airborne. Best of all it will be working with horses. I am ever so happy about that. I will be doing something I enjoy a lot. Just goes to show that things will work out, and that we as human beings spend way to much time worrying.

vaulting

vaulting

vaulting

Vaulting

For those of you who don't know I have been doing some vaulting lately. In case you are unfamiliar with it. it is basically riding while standing on the back of a horse. I absolutkley love it, despite one very minor fall where i was launched off the horse, but myself and the other two guys doing it have been practicing for our demo at the end of the month. I am absolutely excited about it and progressively getting better. Anyone who knows me knows I am no gymnist, so you might be suprised I could balance liek that. Well, believe me I am suprised to. So anyway, we took some pics yesterday and as soon as I get them. I will post some here fro you all to see.