What Tickles Your Fancy?

One of the first songs I remember learning to sing in what has become an illustrious singing career? Yea right. Seriously, it was the U.S. Marine Corps battle song, "From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli........" Dad would sing it while his brothers would be singing their respective service branch's fight song too. It was, let's say, boisterous. Dad's three brothers, one still with us in the amazing Alfred McIntosh, served in the Army, Navy and Air Force. As a little kiddo, I heard their battle cries often while they enjoyed each other's company and, us cousins, like Tom McIntosh, Steve Mcintosh and Cindy McIntosh Littlejohn and others played all kinds of games and sports. Wonderful childhood memories. The McIntosh boys: Marvin, Russell, John and Al? You could not find more patriotic dudes in your life. All "foxhole kinda" guys you'd want close when things got a bit rough. They would not blink an eye about going into harm's way for something, or someone, they believed in. They believed in America. I do too. What about you? On this Memorial Day, I sure pray the answers is affirmative. Sure, we have issues. Many issues. A Stronger Cord and the Sports Business Academy are two efforts in addressing two biggies, respectively: too much homelessness and too little equity in education. As we remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, whatcha say we ponder how we might be able to sacrifice time, talents and treasures in service to your community in one of the above-mentioned areas or something else tickling your fancy? It's take me back to JFK's thoughts about this holiday: "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” Our nation needs soldiers to fight the evils before America today. So many of the threats are internal battles. We have become so divisive. Ain't good. Back to the point. It's Memorial Day. We honor, remember, mourn, celebrate and other stuff. Just one ol' knucklehead's opinion but seems we owe our deceased warriors our best. As we like to bellow at the end of each A Stronger Cord gathering: "Good, better and best, never let it rest; till our good is better and our better is our best." Dive in to your community where it tickles your fancy. We'll all reap a harvest. #goodbetterbest