Daddy goes to war

Sgt. Shane Pudgett hugs his wife goodbye as his son, Bryce, age 5, sheds a tear.

Sgt. Shane Pudgett hugs his wife goodbye as his son, Bryce, age 5, sheds a tear on Monday, Jan. 2, 2008 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. This will be the largest Indiana National Guard deployment since World War II, with more than 3,400 Soldiers from about 30 Indiana communities are scheduled to deploy to Iraq for 12-months. The brigade, headquartered in Indianapolis, is commanded by Col. Courtney Carr and Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Rhoades. (RELEASED)

I Believe in the power of Love

I believe in MAGIC The magic that lives inside us. I believe that our belief in ourselves in the single most important factor in determining our present and our future. I believe in the almighty power of LOVE and that the meek shall inherit the earth...if we believe. I believe in unity and understanding, in tolerance and compassion. I believe in the power of a smile and that a little kindness can go a long way. I believe that diversity is beautiful and inclusion makes us strong. I believe we can stand together for what is truly important and I believe we have the wisdom to know just what that is. Drop by drop, like rain falling into sea--there is an incredible force in that which is WE. I believe it's our right and responsibility, our duty to ourselves and future generations to make this world a better place. WE have more power than we know PEACE and LOVE, ~N.L. McKinley (Strawberyindigo)