Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Sunday, January 30, 2011

The meaning of "Laus Deo"

Do you know what it means? 

 LAUS DEO
 
One detail that is never mentioned is that in Washington , D.C., there can never be a building of greater height than the  Washington Monument . 
With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc., this is worth a moment or two of your time.  I was not aware of this amazing historical information.

On the aluminum cap, atop the  Washington Monument in Washington , D.C. , are displayed two words:
 Laus Deo.

No one can see these words.  In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.
 
 

Once you know Laus Deo's history you will want to share this with everyone you know.  These words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America.

Laus Deo!
  Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.

So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean?  Very simply, they say 'Praise God!'

Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 
1848, when James Polk was President of the United States , it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public.It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation.
 Laus Deo 
'Praise God!'

From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments.  From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant .....a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north.  The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.

 
A cross you ask?  Why a cross?  What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution.  So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice.
When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4, 1848, deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise God!  Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy 'One Nation, Under God.'
  Have you ever read George Washington's prayer for America ?
'Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that You will keep the United States in Your holy protection; that You will incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of respect for government and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally, that You will most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our spiritual belief, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation.  Grant our supplication, we beseech You, our Lord.  Amen.'   
Laus Deo! 

  

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Friday, January 28, 2011

Maryland Senate Salutes Senator J.B. Jennings


MD Senate GOP Header2011
Maryland Senate Salutes Senator J.B. Jennings
Dear Kevin,


On Thursday, the Maryland Senate paid tribute to its members who have served in the military. Senators also conducted a ceremony to remember Maryland's Fallen Heroes from 2010. 

At the end of the ceremony, a warm and lengthy standing ovation was given to Senator J.B. Jennings who currently serves in the Maryland Air National Guard and was recently called up for a training mission.

"As a caucus, we're proud and thankful that Sen. Jennings has chosen to help defend our country," said Senate Republican Leader Nancy Jacobs, R-Harford-Cecil.  "It may be inconvenient timing, but just like thousands of others he has answered the call to protect our nation during our fight in the global war on terror."

As an airman first class, Sen. Jennings has been called to duty for a federal training mission at Robbins Air Force Base in Georgia.  As a master load specialist, he will be trained on the new C27 Spartan cargo plane.  This deployment will begin on Jan. 30 and conclude on April 30.

"We will miss the calm and thoughtful approach of Sen. Jennings on the Senate Floor.  We appreciate and commend our fellow senator's pledge to serve our country," commented Senate Minority Whip EJ Pipkin, R-Upper Shore.

As the 2011 session progresses, Sen. Jennings is expected to adjust his training schedule to return to the State House for key votes.

The Senate Republican Caucus offers its sincerest best wishes to J.B. for a safe and successful deployment.

Senator J. B. Jennings
Serving His Country 
Senator J.B. Jennings has been called up in his role as airman first class with the Maryland Air National Guard for a training mission prior to deployment next year.

*****

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Two suspects arrested for robbery and assault, a third suspect got away


Westminster MD Police Department: Two suspects arrested for robbery and assault, a third suspect got away

Photos courtesy of the Carroll County Detention Center

By Kevin Dayhoff

Posted 1/26/11

Two suspects are in custody today thanks to quick work by the Westminster Police Department.

Two black males, Elijah Mason, 21, and his brother, Sancho Spriggs, 19, of the unit block of Sullivan Ave. in Westminster were arrested and charged with robbery, theft less than $1000.00 and second-degree assault early Tuesday evening.

At 4:35 Tuesday afternoon a local citizen was walking home in the vicinity of the Mid City Apartments on South Center Street in Westminster.  As he walked, he looked into his wallet for some paperwork.  It was at that time that he observed a black male subject wearing a blue flannel shirt and dark colored knit type hat following him, according to a Westminster Police Department press release.

The suspect then approached the victim, grabbed the wallet, and ran towards Lincoln Road with the victim in pursuit.

The victim and the suspect became engaged in a struggle during which time two other black male subjects entered the struggle and began kicking the victim about the face and body.  During the assault, a handgun fell onto the ground, say the Westminster police.

The suspects then fled in a maroon-colored Cadillac, picked up the initial suspect and all three fled west on East Green Street until they were stopped in minutes by a Westminster patrol officer.

At the time the maroon Cadillac was stopped, only the two suspects who are alleged to have assaulted the victim were in the car.  Westminster police report, “The victim was brought to the scene of the stop and positively identified the two occupants of the Cadillac as the individuals who assaulted him after the initial confrontation with the first suspect.”

After their arrest, bond was set at $30,000.00 for both Spriggs and Mason.  They were incarcerated in the Carroll County Detention Center, before they posted bail earlier today and were released pending trial.

The victim, according to police, received cuts and abrasions to the facial area and was treated and released by fire department personnel.

The Westminster Criminal Investigation Bureau is continuing the investigation.  The initial suspect remains at large and is described as a black male, medium skin complexion, unknown age, last seen wearing a blue flannel shirt and dark colored knit hat, according to police.

If anyone may have witnessed this incident or who have information as to the identity of the remaining suspect; please contact the Westminster Police Department at (410) 848-4646, send a confidential text to 847411, keyword TIPWPD or contact the TIPS line at (410) 857-8477.


*****

The sanctuary at Grace Lutheran Church, in Westminster

The sanctuary at Grace Lutheran Church, in Westminster

DAYHOFF: Dattilio was a real firecracker in his service to the community


For the several folks who have asked; I had two stories published on Dattilio…



Published January 8, 2011 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle  ... since 1976, when the fireworks displays began there." Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at …

Members of the Maryland Troopers Association Lodge No. 20 gathered on Jan. 3 and traded stories about their days working with former Maryland State Trooper Dominic Dattilio. Dattilio, a Korean War veteran and tireless volunteer in the community, died at Carroll Hospital Center on Jan. 2. He was 80.

After retiring from the state police, Dattilio served as traffic control chief for the Carroll County roads department before he retired from there in 1993.
He knew every road, nook and cranny in the county and its history.

Dattilio was the husband of M. Jayne Warner Dattilio. He was born Oct. 5, 1930, near Hagerstown, and graduated from Hagerstown High School in 1948. He graduated from the Maryland State Police Academy in October 1959, and was first stationed at the Randallstown barrack until the opening of the Westminster barrack in September 1961. There, he served until he retired in 1983 at the rank of sergeant.

First Sgt. Holly Barrett, assistant Westminster barrack commander, attested to Dattilio's leadership, dedication and commitment.


Published January 5, 2011 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle  ... Westminster Barrack, 1100 Baltimore Blvd., Westminster, MD 21157.Online condolences may be made at www.prittsfuneralhome.com.  Look for additional memories of Dominic Dattilio, by Kevin Dayhoff in his Eagle Archive column this Sunday in the Carroll Eagle....  http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/5048/dominic-christopher-dattilio-80-westminster/

Dominic Christopher Dattilio, 80, died Jan. 2, 2011, at Carroll Hospital Center.

The husband of M. Jayne Warner Dattilio. Born Oct. 5, 1930, near Hagerstown, he was the son of Nicola and Rosa Prospera Dattilio.

Friends and colleagues say Dattilio always had a smile on his face, a kind word, and he always knew what he was doing — and all the history and background necessary to understand why a particular task needed to be accomplished.

He was not only the best at whatever challenge he undertook, he was always friendly, polite and nice — and forthright. You never really needed to guess as to where he stood about an issue.

Dattilio was known for his encyclopedic knowledge of state police history, Carroll County history, and coins.

[…]

Look for additional memories of Dominic Dattilio, by Kevin Dayhoff in his Eagle Archive column this Sunday in the Carroll Eagle: DAYHOFF: Dattilio was a real firecracker in his service to the community
Published January 8, 2011 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle  ...


20110127 sdsom SCE DAYHOFF Dattilio was a real firecracker


++++++++++++

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This week in The Tentacle http://www.thetentacle.com/

This week in The Tentacle

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Getting the Job Done
Joan Marie Aquilino
I haven't bought a new vehicle in so many years I can’t even remember, maybe the 90's sometime. I'm not really all that impressed by new vehicles. Sweating that first door ding or scratch doesn't make sense to me. I use them to get from point A to point B and if I can do that with a used one, I'm good with that.

They Can’t Get No Satisfaction
Amanda Haddaway
Frederick-area business owners just can’t be satisfied, or so it seems from the information published in The Gazette about local restaurateurs Bryan Voltaggio and Hilda Staples.


Wednesday, January 26, 2011

A Little History, A Little Commentary
Kevin E. Dayhoff
For political theatre, hardly anything beats the ritual of the State of the Union address. By now, political talking heads will have already analyzed and spun last night’s faux-Hollywood primetime extravagant soliloquy into something relatively unrecognizable for those of us who actually take the opportunity to watch it.

Roy, Trigger and Me
Norman M. Covert
Sheriff Chuck Jenkins won’t be issuing concealed gun carry permits to Frederick County applicants this year – probably never will, as a result of the decision to drop the proposal from Frederick County’s 2011 legislative package. It wasn’t going to gain traction in Annapolis anyway, considering the statewide implications.

Murder by Ape
Tom McLaughlin
Kampung Santubong and Matang Wildlife Center – “Daddy, you tried to kill us” was the refrain from the cell phone as I checked on her and her boyfriend at the hotel. Located at the base of Mount Santubong, they had just finished their six-hour trek up and down the 800- meter hill to some, a mountain to others.


Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Mooney’s Latest “Dirty” Ploy
Roy Meachum
Alex Mooney’s victory in Annapolis last week was buried in The Frederick News-Post. His triumphant ploy received further obfuscation by the local editor in charge of headlines: “PIPKIN REPLACES BRINKLEY AS SENATE MINORITY WHIP.”

The Two Faces of Alex Mooney
Farrell Keough
Our local ex-Senator Alex Mooney is at it again! He is injecting himself where he does not belong and is playing his same dirty politics, (to his benefit) after being in office as chairman of the state GOP for only one month!

The Intelligence of Blaine Young
Earl 'Rocky' Mackintosh
Frederick County Commission President Blaine Young has been a hot topic lately, capturing what seems to be an unceasing flow of headlines in both The Gazette and The Frederick News Post. In the 54 days since taking the oath of office, Mr. Young along with fellow board members are making a serious dent in fulfilling campaign promises.


Monday, January 24, 2011

Gun Politics – Part One
Richard B. Weldon Jr.
How appropriate it is to have a discussion of the politics of gun control in the weeks following the attempted assassination of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and the murder of six people who attended her Congress on the Corner event in Tucson, Arizona.

Solving Phone Message Systems
Steven R. Berryman
Even jokes about how bad phone message routing systems have become are bad now. For instance, one car dealership has bragged about “pressing the dreaded number 3” if you have a problem. Their solution had been to put a human on the other side of the switchboard.

Volatile Market Remains
Michael Kurtianyk
With dire predictions about the 2011 real estate market, it’s time to return to a local analysis of the situation.


Friday, January 21, 2011

JFK Golden Anniversary
Roy Meachum
Washington’s Camelot started 50 years ago Thursday when John F. and Jacqueline Kennedy moved into the White House.

Limiting Free Speech
Joe Charlebois
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has it right! In its post by Laura Murphy on January 13th, the warning to all Americans – specifically legislators – was dead on.


Thursday, January 20, 2011

It’s Not about Guns…
Patricia A. Kelly
...or civil discourse. It’s about mental illness, discrimination, stigma and the lack of a safety net. In our society, we desperately need an attitude adjustment about this important subject.

A Whirlwind, Positive Week
Chris Cavey
This past week a few new rays of hope were cast upon the Republican Party. These glimmers of promise came from both state and national perspectives. Perhaps there will soon be a readjustment in the Grand Old Party and – with luck – it will dribble over onto public attitude, too.

Dogs and double standards
Richard B. Weldon Jr.

How does one defend the practice of dog fighting and animal cruelty? Simple answer: One doesn’t!


Wednesday, January 19, 2011

She’s No Spiro
Norman M. Covert
Former Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin sets off a fire storm wherever she goes, whatever she says and whatever happens external to her. She is a politician both men and women take pleasure in seeing, whether it is her beauty or the way she identifies with us.

Rubén Darío, the Prince of Castilian Letters
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Yesterday was the anniversary of the birthday of one of great literary giants of Latin America, Rubén Darío – “El Nino Poeta,” the father of the Spanish language writers’ era, known as “modernismo.”

Teaching in Borneo
Tom McLaughlin
Kuching, Malaysian Borneo – As most of you know I have taken a teaching position here. I instruct at the Lodge International School. This institution matriculates children from the overseas community.


Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Michael Steele’s Hubris
Roy Meachum
Six years ago no one I knew doubted GOP gubernatorial candidate Robert Ehrlich’s running mate was selected chiefly because of his color.

Government – Good or Bad?
Shawn Burns
At what point does government become a hindrance, and to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as opposed to being a means to ensuring those rights? When is government good government versus bad government?

An Ode To 2-Wheel Freedom
Nick Diaz
Cold on a motorcycle is like being beaten with cold hammers while being kicked with cold boots – a bone-bruising cold. The wind's big hands squeeze the heat out of the body and whisk it away. Caught in a cold winter rain, the drops don't even feel like water. They feel like shards of bone falling from the skies of Hell to ping my fogging face shield.

*****

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

By Bryan P. Sears: Jennings' Streak Comes to an End

Jennings' Streak Comes to an End


Freshman Senator and Air National Guardsman faces training deployment next week.... By Bryan P. Sears 


SEE MORE ON PATCH



State Sen. J.B. Jennings hasn't missed a floor vote for eight years.
But that streak will come to an end on Jan. 30 when Jennings, an airman first class in the Maryland Air National Guard, is sent to Robins Air Force Base in Georgia.
Jennings, a Republican who served two terms in the House of Delegates before being elected to the state Senate in November, enlisted in the Air National Guard three years ago. His streak of not missing a floor vote dates back to his freshman year in the House.
Jennings will miss most of the session as he spends 13 weeks in load master training.
"I'll be keeping up with session and committee meetings by watching them over the internet on my laptop and I'll be offering amendments on bills through my colleagues," said Jennings, who represents the 7th District, which includes Middle River, Kingsville and part of Cockeysville.
The training will not be similar to when Jennings went to basic training. During that time, he was not allowed to have a cell phone and had limited contact with family and friends. This time around, the training "will be more like a college class," he said. Jennings will have access to his laptop and cell phone and be in contact with his Annapolis staff... http://towson.patch.com/articles/jennings-streak-comes-to-an-end

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