Photo of child reaching for a US flag for post about Independence Day 2023 - Toward a more perfect union

Happy Independence Day 2023 – Toward A More Perfect Union

The phrase “toward a more perfect union” comes from the Preamble of the United States Constitution, a document that embodies the ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice that we celebrate every 4th of July. This phrase captures the aspirational nature of the American project, an ongoing endeavor to create a nation that continually improves and refines itself, a work always in progress. It acknowledges that perfection may not be achievable, but the aspiration itself is worthy.

The 4th of July, or Independence Day, marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which declared the 13 American colonies as a new nation separate from the British Empire. This declaration was a bold commitment to a set of revolutionary ideas about governance, power, and human rights. It embodies the spirit of self-determination, individual liberty, and collective effort to achieve shared goals.

Toward A More Perfect Union

 

Celebrate! And strive toward a more perfect union!

The celebration of the 4th of July is a commemoration of these founding ideals, and a moment for reflection on how far the nation has come in its pursuit of a “more perfect union.” It’s a time for citizens to consider the progress that’s been made, the challenges that persist, and the work yet to be done.

In many ways, the ongoing struggles for social justice, equality, and inclusion are the modern embodiment of that quest. They reflect the nation’s continued effort to live up to its own high standards and to ensure the freedoms declared at its inception are accessible to all of its people.

Each 4th of July is therefore not just a celebration, but also a renewal of commitment to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, a reminder of the journey toward a more perfect union. It underscores the role every citizen plays in this journey and is an invitation to engage in the continual work of improving the nation. The fireworks, parades, and cookouts are all part of this celebration of unity, progress, and shared commitment to the democratic ideals that our nation was founded upon.

Regards,
Keith Klein & the team at OnYourMark, LLC
Organizer, Wisconsin Business Owners

We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions.  Please contact us with questions.  Best to callemail or visit our site for the best response.  We do invite you to engage with us on social media (just not for immediate needs). As always, if you like, you will find us on the following social media sites, among many others:

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Note: Original blog post from our friends and vendors at WisX.com: inspired by Paul Haut of W. Haut Specialty Co., and Mark Mullarky of Great Lakes Tech Services, LLC.  Written by Keith Klein & the team at OnYourMark, LLC with an AI assist.

“Cars on Main” 

18th Annual Car Show
SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, July 30th, 2023
See these sites for more info on this FREE event:
https://wisowners.com/cars-on-main-2023-come-join-us/

Thanks to Wisconsin Business OwnersMembersSponsors, and our Hosts for free snacks, beverages, and music at this event:

Host: Jennifer Bartelt, Owner of Main Street Framing
Jennifer is a life-long resident of Lannon, and a business owner as well…and her Dad started this event!  Jennifer goes out of her way to help other people and businesses and has been a long-time sponsor of Wisconsin Business Owners.

Greg VaughnVaughn Enterprises, Inc.
Heather SchwartzHeather Schwartz Photography
Dave WalterTite-Spot Welders, Inc.
Gail YaegerDove Celebration, LLC
Nate KleinPatriot Landscape Co. LLC
Jamie ShibleyThe Expressory
Tamara BurkettTamara Burkett Global
Mike RaberGlobal View Capital Management, LTD.
Bill SargentMilwaukee Headshots
Moe KhaledLuxury Auto Sales & Service
Abe KhaledLuxury Auto Sales & Service
Maggie MonganBrilliant Breakthroughs, Inc.
Mark MullarkyGreat Lakes Tech Services, LLC
and yours truly, Keith Klein, Proprietor of MainStreetOil.comOrganizer of Wisconsin Business Owners, and Founder and CEO of OnYourMark, LLC

Honor the Fallen - rustic memorial day image on an American flag background https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=390861&picture=memorial-day-poster

Happy Memorial Day weekend – Honor the Fallen

Memorial Day is a time to remember and “Honor the Fallen” – those who have sacrificed their lives while serving in the military.  Memorial Day is also an opportunity for families to honor and remember all their ancestors who have passed away. Recognizing the contributions and sacrifices made by those who came before us helps to deepen our understanding of our roots and strengthen our connection to our history and culture.

Many cultures around the world have unique traditions for honoring and celebrating their ancestors. By incorporating these practices into our own Memorial Day celebrations, we can create a more inclusive and meaningful event. Here are a few ways to honor all of the fallen and our ancestors during Memorial Day:

  • Visit the graves of your ancestors: Spend some time visiting the resting places of your family members who have passed away. Tidy up their gravesites, lay flowers, and share stories about their lives to keep their memory alive.  Ask the old folks in your family to share stories.
  • Create a family tree: Memorial Day can be a great time to work on creating a family tree or updating an existing one. This activity can help you learn about your family history and connect with relatives who may have information about your ancestors.
  • Host a family gathering: Bring your family together to share memories, stories, and traditions that have been passed down through the generations. This can be an opportunity to strengthen family bonds and honor those who came before you.
  • Learn about your cultural heritage: Take time to learn more about your ancestors’ culture, traditions, and history. This can provide valuable context and help you understand their lives better.
  • Light a candle: Light a candle or lantern in memory of your ancestors and the fallen heroes. This simple act can symbolize their guiding presence in your life.
  • Participate in community events: Many communities organize events on Memorial Day to honor the fallen and the ancestors. Join in these events to pay your respects and meet others who share your passion for honoring the past.

We hold in high regard those who, in Lincoln’s words, “gave their last full measure of devotion” on the battlefield simply because it is right and important to “Honor the Fallen.”  It is also important to cherish the memories of our ancestors as well as our fallen heroes, not just on Memorial Day, but every day. By incorporating these practices into our lives, we can ensure that their legacies live on and inspire future generations.

Inspired by Mark Mullarky of Great Lakes Tech Services, LLC.  Written by Keith Klein of OnYourMark, LLC with an AI assist.

Regards,
Keith Klein & the team at OnYourMark, LLC
Organizer, Wisconsin Business Owners

Thanks to our friends & clients, Paul Haut of WHaut.com and Mark Mullarky of GreatLakesTS.com who gave us the ideas for these holiday blog posts!

We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions.  Please contact us with questions.  Best to callemail or visit our site for the best response.  We do invite you to engage with us on social media (just not for immediate needs). As always, if you like, you will find us on the following social media sites, among many others:

Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter

A-Merry-Christmas-2022-Share-Alike-via-Wikimedia-Vintage_Christmas_illustration_digitally_enhanced_by_rawpixel-com-12-scaled

Technology plus Vintage Art for a Merry Christmas 2022

Using Technology to Add Old-Fashioned Ambience – Merry Christmas 2022

Enhance the senses and sensations for a Merry Christmas, 2022 style.  Little can beat the aromas of a Christmas dinner cooking, or the tastes of Christmas cookies – including your favorites – shared during a holiday celebration with loved ones. Kids playing add to the visual and auditory delights.  The tactile senses earn high marks with a quotient of human warmth given long overdue hugs and handshakes.   Now we have a “tech” addition to the tastes and smells, the sights, sounds and touch of the holidays – YouTube.

If you’re one of the millions who “cut the cord” on cable and got a Roku or similar device, perhaps you’ll consider adding a playlist for holiday ambiance.  We have simple instructions to do so here.

First, add the YouTube channel to your Roku (or similar device).   Next, load up and go to the YouTube channel and Login using your Gmail account (*free* at https://www.gmail.com – you can also do this on your phone, possibly making it something of a TV remote in the process).

If you have a large computer monitor, or your computer is hooked up to your TV, you may be able to simply play whatever you’d like from your computer.

At YouTube, do a search for “Christmas Art” or “Vintage Christmas Scenes.”  For large monitors, computer or TV, you’ll want to select HD or 4K, etc., to get great looking pictures on your screen.  Choose one without sound (above) if you wish to play Christmas music separately.  Of course, you can do the same for videos with music by turning the sound down.  Some (below) are made to transition songs in time with the art.  The snow falling during each slide in the series is a great touch.

 

We hope this helps you enjoy a very Merry Christmas, 2022 style.

Regards,
Keith Klein
Keith Klein & the team at OnYourMark, LLC
Organizer, Wisconsin Business Owners

Thanks to our friends & clients, Paul Haut of WHaut.com and Mark Mullarky of GreatLakesTS.com who gave us the ideas for these holiday blog posts!

We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions.  Please contact us with questions.  Best to callemail or visit our site for the best response.  We do invite you to engage with us on social media (just not for immediate needs). As always, if you like, you will find us on the following social media sites, among many others:

Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter

NOTE:  Videos courtesy of their creators via YouTube (who cite open source artwork & music) and featured image courtesy of the submitter at Wikimedia.Org

Thanksgiving Day Traditions

Thanksgiving Day Traditions

Happy Thanksgiving Day Traditions

Thanksgiving Day traditions vary widely, I’m sure.  In preparation for this holiday post, I looked up a lot of them.  While they included many great traditions, some of which we practice in our home, a couple of my favorites were missing.

First, the common traditions that we practice here are no doubt among the most common across the country. Macy’s Parade starts the day, very much as a background to the cooking and last-minute calls about who’s to bring what and when they’ll be here. It’s the ‘official’ start of Christmas movies and Christmas music playing virtually non-stop through the end of the year.  Pies and bread baking in the oven, along with a 14 to 20 pound bird and plenty of savory and sweet side dishes fill the house with mouth-watering aromas.  Gift exchanges are setup and our kids enjoy getting the names of their siblings in the secret Santa drawings.

Perhaps my favorite pastime – missing from the traditions I read about – is listening to the women in the kitchen.  Since the passing of my brother-in-law, Tom, many years ago – the family matriarchy presides over the kitchen absolutely.  Tom was perhaps the best conversationalist I’d ever known, and a great listener. Now it’s purely the women running the kitchen, from my wife and daughters to my wife’s sisters, (and formerly my mother-in-law before she passed) and they dominate the conversations about things that matter. The men are relegated to a mixing drinks, a steady stream of appetizers they can have now (vs. save that for the meal!), and to taking out the trash.  Conversations among the women range from the foods being prepared to dates for family camping in the coming year, to the progress of our adult children and our grandchildren in their pursuits and more. I enjoy the life they bring to the holiday, as well as the love and food they prepare for the table.  Of course, by this time, the guys are watching A Christmas Story or Miracle on 34th Street for the 211th time, and, of course, a football game.

The house is decorated for Thanksgiving, and the Christmas decorating begins in earnest on Thanksgiving weekend, if it hasn’t begun already.  Much like Christmas Eve, I enjoy the time after all the visitors have gone.  The time devoted to enjoying a glass of wine or a cocktail with my wife who evaluates what went well (or not), sharing some news that perhaps I hadn’t heard, and beginning plans for next year. That’s among the finest of traditions.

More Thanksgiving Day Traditions

Here are a few places to think explore more Thanksgiving Day Traditions to consider for your own family, along with a few comments.

I got a practical start to the research at a blog for International Boarding Schools, of all places.  The post, “Top 10 Thanksgiving traditions in the US” suggested this post was on the right track.

Oprah offers a nifty slide-show of 34 Unique Thanksgiving Traditions Your Family and Friends Will Adore   You may get a pop-up or two to start with, but I found the slide show easy to glide through, with nifty matching graphics and a few sentences bringing the ideas in each slide to life.

Country living shares the 30 Best Thanksgiving Traditions to Try With Your Family This Year on a single long page of “fun and unusual activities will keep the crew entertained.”

I could (maybe next Thanksgiving) do a post about Friendsgiving – a tradition I witnessed my own adult kids getting into perhaps a decade ago – and mentioned several times in the research, including the links above.  We enjoy having friends over on Thanksgiving, as well as family. I think the whole idea of Friendsgiving is a great one.  My wife has a great banner on her website, CindyCooks.comTreat Friends Like Family, and Family Like Friends.   The flip side of this research was learning that some traditions flat out don’t match up with what we learned about the origins of Thanksgiving, between the Pilgrims and Native Americans, in grade school. While many traditions are no doubt shared, if you Google “native american thanksgiving traditions” you may find links to “a day of mourning.”

When all is said and done, Thanksgiving to me is simply a day to celebrate our blessings and to give thanks…a shared day of celebration and thanks if you’re lucky.  Be lucky.  Happy Thanksgiving!

With all best wishes for you and yours to enjoy a Happy Thanksgiving!

Regards,

Keith Klein
Organizer, Wisconsin Business Owners
Founder & CEO, OnYourMark, LLC

We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions.  Please contact us with questions.  Best to callemail or visit our site for the best response.  We do invite you to engage with us on social media (just not for immediate needs).

As always, if you like, you will find us on the following social media sites, among many others:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter

_____________

Thanks to our friends at OnYourMark, LLC, for preparing this post so we could share the message, and our wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving, with you.

Staff Sergeant Jeff Kazmierski, 484th Army Band, leads a former Vets Day Parade; image for a Veterans Day 2022 blog post

Veterans Day 2022 – Thank you for your service!

Veterans Day 2022 – and every year – falls on November 11th. This is the day when you should absolutely thank a veteran. Memorial Day is to remember those who died serving. Veterans Day is for thanking those who are still with us.

This year our son, Sean “Sarge”, is a civilian. He and many like him, think they have done nothing noteworthy or deserving of recognition. I contend that the Armed Forces are huge machines, requiring large numbers of support personnel to be effective. Every cog in the machine serves a necessary function. Some are worthy of special honors. All are deserving of our recognition and worthy of our gratitude.

Milwaukee’s Veterans Day 2022 parade is Saturday the 5th at 11:00 AM.  My wife, Anne, and I went in 2018 and the weather was awful. Here’s a photo with snow on the grass. Attendance was sparse, which made me sad. We were thanked by MANY vets as they passed by. They were so appreciative of the few people who showed up.

Proud parents of a veteran will show their gratitude for all veterans at the Milwaukee Veterans Day 2022 parade.This year looks like it will be windy and rainy, with temps in the upper fifties. The parade will go on, with some older participants riding in vehicles. Others will march through the rain and wind (which probably brings back memories). If you’re able, please dress for the weather and show up to thank our vets. They deserve it.

 

 

 

 

 

Support the Veterans Day 2022 Parade

Support for the Wisconsin Veterans Day 2022 Celebration comes from the generous support of our supporters and sponsors. All proceeds from the Wisconsin Veterans Day Parade cover costs associated with the parade planning, promotion, and execution, and remaining proceeds are donated to the Wisconsin Veterans Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to supporting service providers and community organizations addressing critical needs of Wisconsin veterans, service members, and their families. Sponsorship inquiries can be directed to .

Details for the Wisconsin Veterans Day 2022 parade are here at https://wiveteransday.org/wivetsparade

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Thanks to our friend and vendor, Mark Mullarky of Great Lakes Tech Services, LLC for posting this originally, and sharing it with us – to share with you.

We share his sentiments:  Happy Veterans Day!  Thank you for your service!

Regards,

Keith Klein
Organizer, Wisconsin Business Owners
Founder & CEO, OnYourMark, LLC

We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions.  Please contact us with questions.  Best to callemail or visit our site for the best response.  We do invite you to engage with us on social media (just not for immediate needs).  As always, if you like, you will find us on the following social media sites, among many others:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter

The Grand Experiment Liberty Bell https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=liberty+bell&title=Special:MediaSearch&go=Go&type=image&haslicense=attribution-same-license

Long Live The Grand Experiment: Happy Independence Day 2022!

Long Live “The Grand Experiment!”  Happy Independence Day!

Allow us to share original thoughts of some great Americans to celebrate the 4th of July, the anniversary of the American Experiment; The Grand Experiment.

“No experiment can be more interesting than that we are now trying, and which we trust will end in establishing the fact, that man may be governed by reason and truth. Our first object should therefore be, to leave open to him all the avenues to truth. The most effectual hitherto found, is the freedom of the press. It is therefore, the first shut up by those who fear the investigation of their actions.”

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) US President (1801-09)
Letter to John Tyler Washington (28 Jun 1804)

The U.S. Bill of Rights

Note: The following text is a transcription of the first ten amendments to the ConstitutionFor the Grand Experiment, an image of The Bill of Rights from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bill_of_Rights_Memorial-2.jpg
in their original form. These amendments were ratified December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the “Bill of Rights.”  [This text and the text below are from https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights-transcript

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

 

The Gettysburg Address

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
November 19, 1863

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Abraham Lincoln
November 19, 1863

John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address

The following is from a lesson plan for 3rd to 6th Graders at https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/teachers/curricular-resources/elementary-school-curricular-resources/ask-not-what-your-country-can-do-for-you:

Goals/Rationale

John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address inspired children and adults to see the importance of civic action and public service. His historic words, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” challenged every American to contribute in some way to the public good. In this lesson, students learn about a theme in President Kennedy’s inaugural address, civic action, and consider how it applies to their own lives.

Essential Question: How does a leader inspire a nation or a group of people?

 

The Grand Experiment – The American Experiment

I am grateful and proud to live in a country that established the Grand Experiment – the American Experiment, the fist and longest-lived democracy in the world, imbued with ideals, like The Rule of Law under Constitutional, Representative Government.  We need to keep vigil, to work endlessly and tirelessly on the Grand Experiment…relentless work toward a more perfect Union.

This post was first posted on my personal site, at KeithKlein.me

Regards,

Keith Klein
Organizer, Wisconsin Business Owners
Founder & CEO, OnYourMark, LLC

We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions.  Please contact us with questions.  Best to callemail or visit our site for the best response.  We do invite you to engage with us on social media (just not for immediate needs).  As always, if you like, you will find us on the following social media sites, among many others:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter