It was an autumn Sunday morning on October 15, 2006 that Lance Corporal Joshua Bleill put on his Marine combat utility uniform, laced up his boots, gathered his gear and got into one of seven Humvees caravanning in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq.  As part of the continuing efforts to secure freedom for Iraqis who have suffered for decades under oppressive militant regimes, Operation Iraqi Freedom forged ahead along a rugged road about fifty miles west of Baghdad.  This mission claimed the lives of fellow Marines Sgt. Brock Babb, 40 of Evansville and Lance Cpl. Joshua Hines, 26 of Olney, Illinois when an improvised explosive devise (IED) struck their Humvee and exploded right beneath Greenfield's Joshua Bleill.  That noontime blast severely injured Joshua, taking both of his legs and all memory of the attack and its aftermath.

There is overwhelming evidence that the health problems that affect Americans the most can be lessened and, or avoided by a healthy lifestyle and diet.  For example, elevated blood sugar levels of a diabetic could be reduced to the normal range by maintaining the proper weight, eating a healthy diet and doing regular exercise.

There are many things to celebrate in the month of November, but to my way of thinking, the month of November is all about giving thanks.  Perhaps in this month it is easier to get caught up in the start of the holiday season and focus more on the list of those things that have to be done (making dinner for 30 or more of your “closest relatives”, cleaning the house to prepare for all that company, sending the invitations, planning the menu) instead of concentrating on how truly blessed your life is.  To help you change your focus this month, I would like to recommend that work to claim an “Attitude of Gratitude.”

Many of us have had the following scenario happen.  We are driving down the road, when suddenly a rock or other piece of debris hits our windshield.  Within hours or days, a crack starts to creep across our field of vision to remind us of our unfortunate encounter.  Most of us simply call our insurance company and have our windshield replaced.  Others, for a variety of reasons, decide to not to concern themselves with the damage.  Those in the latter group could be making a deadly mistake.