The Fourth of July or the Independence Day of America is a very significant event. The people show their pride and honor by waving American flags or putting them on their entrance gates. But this man is very unique in his own way. He painted a 60 x 30 feet flag on his front yard to show his nationalism. The man who shared with us these wonderful and awesome pictures of his art is Adriatik Gjonbalaj. It took him nine hours and 40 to 50 cans of spray paint to finish the art work. The art is perfectly done as he has been practicing this for the past three years. Got any comments for his fine artwork?

Famous saying of General Douglas MacArthur "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away." In the US, the Armed Forces Day is commemorated every 3rd Saturday of May. The AF Week starts on the 2nd Saturday of May and concludes on the 3rd Sunday of May that's why the Armed Forces Day falls on Saturday, the day before the Armed Forces Week ends. In the year 2013 the Armed Forces Day falls on May 18. The first celebration or commemoration of this great day was held on the 20th of May 1950. The celebration was made on Aug 31, 1949 to give honor to those Americans who worked and served in the five U.S. military branches namely, the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard after integration of the military branches in the U.S. Dept. of Defense. How do you celebrate this day?

There's a reason why they're called the Greatest Generation! A group of veterans visiting Washington, DC during the government shutdown didn't very much like the fact that police were blocking them from seeing the WWII Memorial. Instead of listening they just marched past the police officers on the scene and enjoyed their visit. The government shut down closed down all the other memorials, but this couldn't keep out the ninety one veterans who came from the South to see their memorial. Reporters said that the veterans took over the memorial and the police couldn't really do anything to stop them in this non-violent protest. There were even tweets from a news agency about how the vets had knocked down the barriers and entered the memorial. The Honor Flight Network was responsible for bringing the veterans to the National Mall, as they bring vets from all over the country. But of course it wasn't just the vets that were sad when they found out that the National Mall was closed. A forty-four year old woman from Iowa was also interviewed about the memorials being closed, and she was as confused about it as the veterans were. Think of all the tourists which fly thousands of miles and line up at these memorials every single day. That must really suck.

Serving our country is patriotic and self-sacrificing. Everyone should ask themselves if they really have the courage or were patriotic enough to leave their family and friends, by choice. This choice can go on for months or have no clear end in sight, all to defend the idea of helping people you don't know, understand, may never meet, just so they could have a small taste of the benefits of freedom we have in America. Everyday, Americans, men and women, take this brave proactive step and continue to preserve our freedom and hope that others unbeknownst to us may one day be fortunate enough to experience this as well. Help honor our military and share!

There She Stands. This very touching title of a song by Michael W. Smith is one of the tribute music pieces made to honor and remember the victims of 9/11 attacks. God Bless America.

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'. The Rolling Thunder biker rally during Memorial Day is a classic annual event in Washington DC. The video below is a music tribute to these grateful bikers who choose to honor our brave POWs (prisoners of war) and MIAs (missing in action) soldiers. God Bless America and country :).

The gold medal of Honor is hanging around this soldier's neck, but you can see the prosthetic in his hand that catches your attention. The hand is able to hold a glass or shake someone's hand, just like the one that a ranger used last week to shake President Obama's hand as he became the 2nd living veteran since the sixties to be awarded the highest honor offered by our nation. These hand movements are all controlled by a motion sensor that is connected to the brain and allows the user to do many normal actions. When he needs to, the soldier can change his hand to suit different circumstances. When he's doing some work in the kitchen he can take off the hand part and put a knife blade on his arm so that he can prepare food easily for his family. When he's out with his friends golfing he can attach another special device that helps him hold the golf club correctly so he can swing just as well as the other players. "I'm not the best player in the world, but I have a good time" the soldier said in a meeting with the press. "I'm able to really relax and have a fun time. Plus I've met a lot of fantastic people doing it." The soldier lost his hand when he was trying to grab a hand grenade and throw it in another direction. By doing that he saved the lives of two fellow soldiers and was awarded a medal at the White House. When he was a child he always saw the medal as something that would be an honor to be awarded. However, when he won it he felt completely overwhelmed because of all the attention he was receiving. Over the last week he travelled all around, including visit to Ground Zero, and also waving to fans at a baseball game in New York. But it is his new hand that has gotten the most looks, showing some of the improvements in military technology that are letting more injured veterans to serve on after injury in the military. "I just want to say that your hand is pretty awesome before we get into the show," said a famous show host before he began an interview with the soldier. The soldier stated his experience with the advances in military medicine came when he was first in a hospital for burn victims and amputees. "When I walked around the place I was amazed. I couldn't even tell the difference when I saw a guy with a fake leg when he had pants on," the soldier said. "I was amazed. The technology has come so far that there's nothing that they can't do." He also has been brought down to earth by the "great moods" of other soldiers with medical problems much worse than his. In his current job he helps injured military personnel from all areas and their families. He gives advice to soldiers and also assists families set up transport, meals and a place to stay. But he, even after being injured, wanted to go back to serve. Earlier this year he went back to the Middle East for his 8th tour in a war zone. "Over the past couple of years I've been seeing the other men training, and it's fantastic to finally be back and serving again," he said. "The most difficult thing about this was having my wife understand why I wanted to go back. She said that I had already lost so much, why would I want to go back?" The soldier said to her that his risk isn't any more than the other soldiers already over there serving. She responded by saying that she knew it was important for him and that he should be with his men.

The U.S. Government Shutdown has now started despite the Senate disapproval of the latest House petition to suspend Obamacare. The White House budget office has already ordered federal agencies to shut down. The following are the statements and comments of President Obama regarding the effects of government shutdown: - If you collect your Social Security, you will still receive it, but if not you will need to wait to apply for Social Security. - Those that have Medicare, can still see or consult their physician. - Delivery of mails will still be normal, government offices for national security or public safety will still be functioning - Our military men will carry their pledge to protect and serve the country with skill, honor and courage. - The salaries of prison guards and those who work on national securities will be late until the government resumes but they will stay on their duty. - NASA will be closed almost completely. Only the Mission Control will stay open to assist and guide the personnel working in the space station projects. - Office buildings will be closed. - Remunerations will be deferred. - Important services that pensioners and veterans, women and children, businesses and our economy depend on will be constrained. - Entrepreneurs will experience deferments in raising funds, seeking for infrastructure permits or rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy. - Support centers for veterans will not be operational. - Our National parks and monuments, from Yellowstone to the Statue of Liberty will be locked and shut. - Lastly, livelihood programs for communities and small business will not be available.

Meet the Freedom Tower. Now the tallest building in NYC, even taller than the Empire State Building. Check out the video below for a sped up construction of this architectural marble. Don't forget to leave a comment below in honor of the unfortunate victims which lost their lives over 10 years ago in the terrible terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

There is another Super Bowl ad that has touched our hearts, thanks to the beer company that has already sent us reeling. The ad entitled, "A Hero's Welcome," is all about Lt. Chuck Nadd, a 24-year old United States Army serviceman who has just come home from Afghanistan. This 60 second ad is rather simple. The plot is mainly about the homecoming welcome that the Lieutenant's hometown threw to surprise him. The party scenes were set to P. Diddy and Skylar Grey's fitting hit track, "Coming Home." According to the Washington Post, Lt. Nadd was an operations officer and Black Hawk helicopter pilot. The cameras that were following him were, in his belief, related to a documentary that was being made about soldiers. He also thought they would record him making a speech later at an event to be held at Winter Park, Fl. He was sent home one week and a half earlier that he was supposed to go, so he thought that the event was the reason for the early leave. At the airport, Lt. Nadd was welcomed home by Shannon Cantwell, his girlfriend. Cantwell was in Washington D.C. When Lt. Nadd arrived at Winter Park, he was in for the surprise of his life. He was greeted by hundreds of people including his family members, friends, neighbors, and former teachers. There was even a parade in his honor graced by the Clydesdale horses, the famous Budweiser icons. At the end of the ad, Lt. Nadd and his mother who came all the way from Alabama can be seen hugging. Another Budweiser ad tugged at our hearts earlier in the week with "Puppy Love." This one is about a dog that was separated from its home. The ad was released previously this week. Evidently, the beer company has opted to trigger heart-tugging emotions as the theme for its Super Bowl related marketing. Do you have anything to add to this story? If so, leave a comment.

When Josh Hargis was an Army Ranger stationed in Afghanistan's Panjwai district he came under enemy fire and suffered wounds. He survived his severe injuries while four of his team members were killed. This soldier was given the Purple Heart by the American government. The photo above was sent to his wife that was taken by his commander and the note that came with it is an inspirational message. It took couple of hours after Josh was wounded before he arrived at the hospital to be treated. When he was seen by doctors, he was immediately operated on. Many hours later, he emerged from the ICU at the Afghan base of the US military in severe pain & mental duress. However, he was alert and he received the few Rangers allowed at this bedside. Before he was transferred to Germany where he would be flown back to the US, Joshua was given the Purple Heart. The simple ceremony was held in honor of the wounds that he received in action. Imagine a room full of Ranges, doctors, nurses surrounding the wounded soldier who was confined in bed. The Ranger Regimental Commander presented the medal and pinned it to Josh's blanket. The official orders were published verbally. The Commander leaned over to Josh and sincerely thanked him for his noble sacrifice. The 50 people in the room assumed that Josh was unconscious at that time, but he started moving his right arm in an effort to salute the officer. The doctor tried to restrain Josh because his right arm had all sorts of tubes and bandages over his wounds, but Josh fought the doctor and successfully rendered a salute. That day, the height of emotion which permeated the ICU was truly intense. All the men and women were overcome and began to weep as Joshua's simple gesture spoke volumes about his character. The picture that deserves a place in every newspaper and news channel is now hanging above my desk. For me, it is the greatest event that I have witnessed in my 10 years serving in the US Army.

The Boot Monument in Saratoga National Historical Park in New York is an American Revolutionary War Memorial. This commemorative landmark was put up in honor of the services of an unnamed Major General in the Continental Army during the Battle of Saratoga. Although this memorial does not honor anyone in particular, many of those who are familiar with American history know that the officer given the honor is Benedict Arnold. He was an American general during the American Revolutionary War who eventually defected to the British Army. The reason why Benedict Arnold's name is not openly mentioned is that he has become infamous as a traitor to the American people. In the Battle of Saratoga, the Continental Army won over the British Army and his great contribution to this battle won him the admiration of the people who erected the monument in his honor. During the battle Arnold got wounded in the leg near the site where the monument can now be found. The Battle of Saratoga was his last battle. It ended his career. After his treachery became known to everyone, Arnold became the subject of spite. Benjamin Franklin wrote this about Arnold: "Judas sold only one man, Arnold millions." What do you think about this traitor?