Community Bloggers

Grade: A

ORMOND BEACH -- Will Congress cede yet another portion of our lives to the United Nations? Florida Sen. Marco Rubio doesn’t that’s a great idea.

OAK HILL -- The message I have today is short and sweet and to the point: Let's hope everyone here in Oak Hill and throughout Volusia County will take a moment or two this Memorial Day to remember and give thanks for those who sacrificed their lives so that we live in a free country where we can worship, speak and behave as a free society.

Memorial Day is a day set aside to remember all who fought and gave their lives for to Keep America free: From the day the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock to George Washington crossing the Delaware to attack the British fighting for our independence and all of the wars that followed.

To remember all the men and women who have served to keep America free and preserving our way of life: From the Alamo, to the Civil War, to World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan.

By State Rep. DOROTHY L. HUKILL

Hukill's House, exclusive blog for Headline Surfer

PORT ORANGE -- In our busy lives, it can be difficult for us to step back and take stock of what’s really important. Our day-to-day concerns often override what truly matters. Despite these obstacles, I hope you’ll join me this Memorial Day in thinking of our nation’s many heroes and honoring their sacrifices.

My father, who earned a Purple Heart as an infantryman in Europe during World War II, was fortunate to safely return home to tend to his injuries.

But in that war, and in others throughout our nation’s history, many brave Americans made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe. That is why we have set aside a day of public remembrance in their honor.

Memorial Day was originally celebrated after the Civil War to recognize union soldiers who had been killed in action, but it rightfully now recognizes all Americans who have died while wearing the uniform of our nation’s armed services.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The local unemployment rate is above 8 percent. More animals go hungry each day. See a connection? Hundreds of local families are not making enough money to pay for basic necessities. Granted there are government-run and personally-run programs that assist people in hard times but what about their pets?

ORMOND BEACH -- As a member of Volusia Tax Reform in public testimony during 2009 county budget hearings in DeLand, I held up the yellow pages of the county phone book for that year and the previous one to show the County Council how high taxes were decimating the private sector listings in the commercial districts of the county. There was a net loss of one-quarter-inch in thickness. About 150 pages of listings.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- I had a musician friend of mine who is a blues musician ( he won’t play any other style of music no matter how much you pay him) send me this memo. It is adorable and so true. Musicians and non-musicians will laugh and enjoy. My wife Ann is an excellent vocalist. She has performed with me in concert all over the world. I kid her all the time about not being able to “sing the blues.”

EDGEWATER -- If we could read First Lady Michelle Obama's mind, this would probably be what she is thinking: "Please! Please! Vote for my Husband!

"When he is re-elected I will be able to go on trips like I did in the past. Like my trip to Spain, where we stayed at a 5-star three-story hotel at the cost of $2,500 per night, with 70 Secret Service men keeping a watchful eye.