The Vanguard

Jefferson Davis is a longtime resident of Menomonee Falls. He is the proud parent of two wonderful boys. He enjoys singing, volunteering, reading, gardening, politics, antiques, history, guitar, violin, piano, officiating, helping neighbors and yard work. He served as Village President of Menomonee Falls from 2003-05. He is a member of Northbrook Church and serves on the Advisory Council for the Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center. He is an independent registered representative practicing in the areas of insurance, investments and retirement.

Outgoing Village President Quickly "Hustles" for Business Before Term Expires in 2009

Posted by Jefferson Davis on Jan. 4, 2009

hustler

Outgoing Village President Dick Rechlicz is making sure he takes advantage of the Office of Village President for every opportunity to get as much business as possible for himself and his law firm before the term expires in April of 2009.

The Village President has apparently recruited quite a few new clients for himself as a real estate attorney during his nearly four years in office that were never his clients before he became Village President in 2005 as "word" quickly spread that if business people wanted their projects and proposals approved by the Menomonee Falls Village Board they would have to "go through" him to get it done.

A Time of Reflection with Transition of Administrations in Washington, D.C....Laus Deo, "Praise be to God"

Posted by Jefferson Davis on Jan. 19, 2009

laus deo

President Bush and his Administration have done an honorable and admirable job providing one of the smoothest transitions in Presidential History. Something he was not afforded 8 years ago.

We need to get behind our Country in these challenging times. We will recover because we are Americans and we can meet, beat and exceed any challenge that is put before us.

We don't always have to agree and history has shown that it is good that we haven't. But hopefully we can agree to respectfully disagree for the sake of our Country.

Unlike those who have chosen for 8 years to destroy the character and soul of a man for personal and selfish interests, let's rally around America and correct the mistakes that have been made to pave the way for a brighter and more hopeful America for everyone.

Enjoy this piece that was forwarded our way about the significance of the Washington Monument and the foundation of our great Country.

I realize that some, if not all of you know the information contained here,

but it is good that we are all reminded of it on occasion.

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,

Capitol 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 be to 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 be to 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.
Praise be to God!

Within the monument itself

are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs

the steps and pauses at the landings the

memorial stones share a message.

On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City

of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial

presented by some Chinese Christians;

on the 24th a

presentation made by Sunday School children

from New York and Philadelphia quoting

Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6.

Praise be to God!

When the cornerstone of the Washington

Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848

deposited within it

were many items including the Holy Bible

presented by the Bible Society.

Praise be to 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.'

I am awed by Washington's prayer for

America.

Have you ever read it? Well, now is

your unique opportunity, so read on!

'Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that

Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy

protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts

of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of

subordination and obedience to

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 Thou

wilt 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 blessed religion, 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 Thee, through

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.'
Laus Deo

When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our

nation's

capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably

inscribed

everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of 'Laus Deo ',

its location,

or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its

meaning, or

these words: 'Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain.

Unless the

Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.' (Psalm 127: 1)

It is hoped you will send this to every child

you know; to every sister, brother, father,

mother or friend. They will not find

offense, because you have given them

a lesson in history that they probably

never learned in school. With that,

be not ashamed, or

afraid, but have pity on those who will

never see this because someone failed

to send it on.

'Do not ask GOD to Guide your

Footsteps if you are not willing to

MOVE your feet'

President and Laura Bush are a class act.

Thank you for serving as our President and may God bless you.

Enjoy these pictures of the President and first lady on their way home to Texas on January 20th.

At times, one had to wonder if President Bush didn't feel the way President Teddy Roosevelt did during his presidency with the following quote:

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt, "Man in the Arena" Speech given April 23, 1910 26th president of US (1858 - 1919)

Teddy Roosevelt has been remembered as one of our greatest Presidents and history will show that George W. Bush will be too.

Have a great week and Praise be to God that we are Americans and can enjoy the blessings and pleasures that we do.

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The Vanguard

Outgoing Village President Quickly "Hustles" for Business Before Term Expires in 2009

A Time of Reflection with Transition of Administrations in Washington, D.C....Laus Deo, "Praise be to God"

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