Christmas 2023 

A very Blessed Christmas for My Bride and I.  Our Children were, are and continue to be a Wonderful Blessing.

It started in Early December when a surprise Package arrived and the doorbell rang and lo and behold a package from Omaha Steak Company arrived.  When it was opened we found out that it was a gift from our Saint Louis Son and His Family!

In continuing our Christmas Tradition we purchased a Tree from Robert's Tree Farm near Bryon, Georgia.  

Once Christmas Morning arrive My Bride and I opened what Santa Claus delivered for us.  Of course these pictures also show the gifts in use.

This Gift from Santa will allow Alan "Me" to keep the walkways, paths and driveway clear of all debris year round!  You can see that it is a Stihl, which is made in the U.S.A.  

The first bottle on the left is Templeton Rye from the Dublin, Georgia Son.  The bottle in the middle is "Field of Dreams" Whiskey and was distilled from corn actually grown at the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa and was provided by Santa.  The last bottle is from  Family Friends and is Peach Brandy.

The Dublin, Georgia Son and His Family also gifted My Bride with a Komuee set of fifteen Glass Food Containers with associated metal lids.

Santa did one more item for My Bride.  He developed a 2024 Calendar using pictures that I had posted on My Face Book Account.  The good folks at "PastBook" helped Santa produce the calendar!

Prior to the Christmas Season we traveled to Dahlonega. Georgia where we panned for Gold.  Additionally we screened sand for gems and my Bride found an Amyseth Gem which we had made into a pennant.  This was also a gift from Santa!

We did not overlook the reason for the Christmas Celebration.  We worshiped at our Church here in Macon, Georgia. The Church continues a Tradition started in the early 1980s and has a Christmas Tree decorated with Chrismons.

In Summary - Christmas 2023 was a Very Blessed Celebration with our Church Family and our Family!!!!  Thank You!!!

 I recently sent My Letter Number 27 to My Top Six Elected Leaders.  I publish it here:

Alan F. E. Thiese

                                                 22 December 2023

 

The President of the United States of America

The Senate Majority Leader

The House of Representatives Speaker

The Senior Senator for Georgia

The Junior Senator for Georgia

The Eighth District Representative for Georgia

 

Greetings,

 

Number 27 in the Series to You, Honorable Duly Elected Leaders of the Well Blessed United States of America.  Unfortunately there are those among us that do not appreciate the status our U.S.A. enjoys!

 

As I prepared my thoughts for this letter I recalled My service on the USS Ranger (CVA-61) in the 1962-1964 time frame.  Each year when we were inport we observed with proper ceremony the event when a Foreign Country first recognized the American Flag. 

 

“The Continental Navy Ship Ranger, commanded by Captain John Paul Jones, receiving the salute of a French squadron under La Motte Picquet, with his flag on Robuste (1758), at Quiberon Bay, France, 14 February 1778.”

 

With this recollection of History it is proper for our United States of America to once again be the Leader in the Free World and regain our status of the Nation that Serves the World such as we did during World Wars One and Two. 

 

That stated I am also confident that each of you are aware that many nations do not regard our United States of America as a Leader.  This must change and each of you and especially our Commander in Chief who serves as our President must refocus on what needs to be done.  The rest of you are to assist our President within the scope of our Constitution!  

 

To assist each of you in your duties in these trying times, especially the situation in Israel I suggest that you study the work of Nicholas Winton during the 1930 – 1940 time frame.  In summary he helped many Jewish Children escape the wrath of Hitler.  Although these Children found placement in England their Parents were killed!  Mr. Winton asked for assistance in the placement of Jewish Children in the United States but his request was denied.  You can learn more about Mr. Winton by checking “Wikipedia!”  Queen Elizabeth knighted Nicholas Winton which was proper recognition of his efforts to help the Jewish People.

 

Which leads me to ask the question, “What is our United States Military and our Government doing to assist the Nation of Israel today?”  I know that our current focus on telling Israel to defend their County and Citizens by a “Cease Fire” or other concepts I hear about is defective logic and an inappropriate response to the War in Israel and Gaza!  A quick review of history will allow us all to appreciate how the Free World Won World War II!  Yes there was collateral damage and many civilians killed, however as President Truman pointed out, to allow the War to continue would have resulted in even more deaths.  Sometimes reason must suppress “feel good thoughts” that may appease many at the given moment in time without any thought as to the long term consequences!!!  As I learned during my Service in the USS Ranger (CVA-61) where the Operations Department Head – a Naval Aviator – who had survived the “Bataan Death March” reminded us all of these facts:

 

· Freedom is Not Free

· Power For Peace

In fact he developed the idea that we would promote our Love of the U. S. A. with this human flag on the Flight Deck of the USS Ranger as we returned from our Six Month Deployment to the Western Pacific in 1963.  I do not recall where I stood in this Flag, but I do know I was a part of this “We Love our Country!” Display.

 

 

 

 

 

In Conclusion:

 

·        I wish each of You Christmas Blessings!

·        Take the time to view with your respective Families a new release “The Boys in the Boat” which is a powerful story performed by College Boys in the 1930s

·        Take the time to study our U. S. History, especially those portions I have discussed above, and never forget:

 

· Freedom is Not Free

· Power For Peace

Warm regards,

 

 

 

Alan F. E. Thiese

 

Bibb County Education

the 

School Board President's

Presentation

I recently attended an event open to the public where the President of the Bibb County School Board, Juawn Jackson spoke to us about Education in Bibb County, Georgia.  These are my Notes from this event:

Recent Successes in Bibb!!!

• Roll Back of  Property Taxes which was the result of funds received from the CARES Act!
• Students were allowed Electronic Devices prior to Covid - 19.  Consideration being given to Cell Phone restrictions.
• Working hard to insure literacy for All.
• Establishment of a District Finance Advisory Committee - This is focused on obtaining input from the Citizens of Bibb County!
• Always focused on being Financially responsible.
• The entire Board is focused on being responsible to the Community.

He also made the following points which were if special importance to me:

1. Not all Scholars go to College.
2. The System has a goal of motivating our Youth to Serve in the Military of the United States of America.  We even have ROTC in some of the Middle Schools.  All High Schools in Bibb County have an ROTC Unit!
3. Motivate Business Organizations/Firms to establish Entrepreneur relationships/partnerships with the High Schools of Bibb County.
4. Motivate the Scholars to obtain/learn skills to become employable after High School Graduation.

The entire system is motivated to improve the High School Graduation Rate which has now reached 87% which is much improved over just a few years ago.  

As a Macon-Bibb Citizen I appreciated this report concerning our Bibb School System and I look forward to even greater successes in the future.

Posted by:  Alan F. E. Thiese

 Wreaths across

America 

The Eleventh Annual Ceremony was held at Historic Riverside Cemetery today, December 16, 2023 at Noon!

The Mission of Wreaths across America is to Remember, Honor and Teach!!!

The event Remembered the Heroes who are buried at Riverside!

U.S. Army - 171

Confederate States of America - 21

U. S. Army Air Corps - 9

U.S. Coast Guard - 8

U.S. Marine Corps - 6

U. S. Merchant Marines - 2

U. S. Navy - 77

U. S. Air Force 64

There were Wreaths placed in the area where the Ceremony was conducted.

I served in the U. S. Navy, therefore I had to place this Wreath Picture here.

I did not count the people attending, however I think there were at least 80 in attendance.  Many Younger people were present which is appropriate to the Mission of Wreaths across America - Teach!!!!

Interesting Information!!!!!

Just the Other Day I posted this on My Facebook Page: The other day we were told not to eat Meat. Bad for the environment. Then the next day an airplane burning fuel made from Animal Fat flew across the Atlantic Ocean. My, My, What is this all about? We can not have fuel from Animal Fat and not also have the by-product of Steak/s!!!! Make up your Mind, you influencers!!!!

Yesterday I sent this E-Mail to Many, Many People: Good Morning, I understand that Czar John Kerry is making pronouncements at a Global Conference about what we, the USA will do to Maintain a Green Planet. The only one that I am aware that can make vital pronouncements has the initials of “J” “C” meaning Jesus Christ. John Kerry does not have the proper initials. Just My thoughts on this matter!!!!! The USA will eliminate “Coal Fired” electric power generation plants while our “Enemies – specifically “China” is opening Coal Fired Plants at the rate of one or two a month, or even more.” It just depends who you ask/believe. I sincerely know that China and especially the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) does not even have any interest concerning what is in the best interest of the Planet Earth. Just as long as they can focus on their own self-centered objectives!!! This is just so Sad for US ALL who live on Planet Earth. I am proud of My USA. I served from 1961 through 1981. Here are two pictures to validate My Service: