Farewell to a Legend

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The family and friends of Col. John Walter Ripley said their final goodbyes during a moving funeral ceremony on November 7, 2008 at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He was laid to rest with full military honors in a ceremony that left most attendees either teary-eyed or speechless. Among the … Read more

Tribute to an American Knight

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War hero, practicing Catholic and cherished friend of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP), Col. John Ripley, died at his home in Annapolis, Maryland on November 1, 2008. Col. John Ripley was born June 29, 1939 in Radford, Va., and descended from a line of soldiers … Read more

“No Greater Love”

Michael Monsoor: No Greater Love

On September 29, 2006, Ramadi, Iraq was considered the most dangerous city on planet earth for American servicemen. Michael Monsoor was there in the midst of it all. He was a member of the elite branch of the Navy called SEALS, which stands for SEa, Air and Land. On that day, he … Read more

A Wolf at the Door

A Wolf at the Door

The colorful controversy surrounding 63-year-old Ronald Larsen is enough to attract anyone’s attention. He was born in America – Montana, no less – and now lives on a working ranch in Bolivia. His entrepreneurial skills have favored the poor Guarani Indians since his arrival in 1968. His 37,000-acre ranch, however, has put … Read more

Knights in Shining Armor

America has the most modern army in the world, yet millions flock to see youthful dreams of medieval jousting become reality. Medieval Times are unique restaurants that attract almost 2,200 people a day. Since opening their first “castle” in 1983, they have entertained more than twenty-five million people at seven locations nationwide. … Read more

Striking the Right Cord

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Next year will be the 40th anniversary of Woodstock. It was an event that marked our country and its influence is felt over four decades later with noise some call music that is piped into almost every public place in America. I got an unexpected reprieve from this musical insanity recently when … Read more

Equestrian Inequality

Equestrian Inequality 1

The attendance of Queen Elizabeth at last year’s Kentucky Derby was her first and it was truly a memorable event. The track workers at Churchill Downs took etiquette classes in preparation for her Majesty’s arrival while the executive chef planned a sumptuous meal fit for a queen. Her presence at the Run … Read more

Gratitude: the Memory of the Heart

Gratitude: the Memory of the Heart 1

Gratitude, it has been said, is the most fragile of virtues. This virtue’s feebleness was nowhere more apparent than in the treatment given to American soldiers returning from the Vietnam War. They were sometimes spat upon at airports by fringe groups of hippies. Times have changed. American soldiers returning from the Middle … Read more

Keep up the Fire

Keep up the Fire 1

It was the most memorable Veterans Day of my life. As many recognized the sacrifices made by the living I paid my respects to someone who sacrificed it all. His name was Sgt. Daniel Shaw of West Seneca N.Y. I was doing home visits with the pilgrim statue of our Lady of … Read more

Funerals With Distinction

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As the number of carriage companies in America grows, so do the number of Horse-Drawn Funerals. That such a thing exists in a post-industrial nation like the United States represents another paradox that can be found only in America. A funny thing happened to me recently. While driving down the road minding … Read more