Fred Cope

NASHVILLE, TAKE A MOMENT TO REMEMBER OUR FALLEN HEROES--OUR FREDOM IS BORNE OF THEIR BLOOD. This Day of Memorial is about those who DIED in defense of our Liberty. As many businesses have "Memorial Day Sales" and promote saying thank you to those of us veterans yet alive: hear us--TODAY IS NOT ABOUT THE ONES OF US WHO ARE HOME FROM WAR--it is ABOUT THOSE NEVER TO RETURN!!!

This is not a National Holiday to commerate the opening of the local parks and swimming pools; but to take pause of the price of Fredom. Total US Casualties from the Revolutionary War to the current action in Afghanastan approximates 1,343,812 souls.

To hear the current press reporting on casualties in Iraq, Afghanastan and Pakistan: one would assume the body counts are at all time highs. Truth is: this is a lower body count than any of the ten other major US conflicts. (The War on Terror is now the longest military conflict involving US troops--the Revolutionary War was 8 years.) Every soul is precious, and that is WHY we should pause in memorial.

War on Terror 5,796 [less than 10% of the casualties suffered in Vietnam].

Vietnam 58,209 Korea 53,686 WWII 405,399 WWI 116,516

Philippine-America War 4,196 Spanish-American War 2,446

Civil War @ 625,000 [The highest number of casualties were inflicted as Americans fought Americans] Whether they wore blue, or grey, they were mostly poor young men caught in a conflict they did not start. All fought for their homeland, for their beliefs, and maintained honor, showed courage, and shed that precious blood. Mothers grieved their loss, and families were never the same.

Confederate Cemetery on the grounds of the Hermitage [President Andrew Jackson's Home].

Mexican-American War 13,283 War of 1812 @ 20,000 Revolutionary War @ 25,000

To all who have sacrificed a loved one for Fredom's call: THANK YOU!

The figures used in this post came from "United States military casualties of war" from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_casualties_of_war#cite_note-71 The photos are mine.

LOOK FOR THE EAGLE!!! Do you look for the Eagle when you search for a mortgage lender? You ask, "Why should I?"

Every mortgage lender approved by the U.S. Department Of Housing and Urban Development is required to display this EAGLE in a publicly visible spot. Along with it, you will generally find other evidence of that lenders authority to originate mortgage loans.

Let's do an acrostic of the word E-A-G-L-E

E is for EVIDENCE that this lender has been investigated & is monitored by HUD, and is subject to severe sanctions if found to be in violation of Federal Lending laws.

A is for APPROVED to originate FHA loans, which were created to make buying a home more affordable, and qualifying more attainable to a larger portion of the population, and with a minimum amount of money.

G is for GOVERNMENT backing--"the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government" stands behind your loan, and that encourages lenders to be more willing to make that loan. Additionally, lenders approved to do FHA loans are generally more likely to offer other Government backed loans such as the VA Guaranty loan for Veterans, the USDA Rural Housing loan, and 1st time homebuyer loans provided through your State Housing Authority (THDA in Tennessee). These lenders are more apt to be approved by organizations that administer down-payment assistance programs like HOPE and ADDI.

L is for LICENSED to do business in your State--being in Compliance with all regulatory agencies. These lenders pay serious attention to the most minute details of the law. They make a major investment in abiding by the law.

E is for the EYE of THE EAGLE--These lenders spend serious money on annual audits, record keeping, and maintaining your file. They know that a HUD investigator, the FBI, IRS, or other Federal Agency can walk in their door at anytime and ask to see their files.

Beyond Compliance, Licenses, and Audits, these lenders must follow Federal laws regarding Equal Housing, Equal Credit, Fair Credit, and the Real Estate Settlement Proceedures Act of 1974 (RESPA) which requires full disclosure of all costs related to the loan funding & closing. You will be provided a Good Faith Estimate of Settlement Costs, and a Truth-in-Lending disclosure as prescribed by law. These laws have recently been "beefed up."

Finally, that EAGLE assures you that should you suffer loss of income due to circumstance beyond your control, or other community devastations (Tornados, Hurricanes, Earthquakes, and other Natural Disasters) there are Federal programs available to assist you. These programs are made available, but it is not guaranteed that you will qualify. They are not intended to get someone who is reckless & irresponsible out of a legal obligation; but it is far more than is offered on most conventional loans.

Talk to a lender who is proud to show you their EAGLE. Now, I am a REALTOR®, but for more than 25 years, I was an FHA/VA mortgage loan officer. I've seen people devastated by life's disasters avoid loosing their home, and even secure new FHA loans because I worked for a lender that honored the EAGLE and knew the rules. Find such a lender.

LET AMERICA SING:

In the face of those who hate us and our way of life, let us sing. Let us sing "GOD BLESS AMERICA", and let's teach it to our children. Don't leave it to a school teacher--Mom & Dad, let them learn patriotism from us. Let them experience FAITH with us. Let them experience FREEDOM with us.

I for one, have no intentions of letting immoral, ungodly, shallow people replace my impact on my family. The progressives are working to remove God from public places, but I remain the patriarch of my family, and with that comes great responsibility. On this historic date in American history (9/11), I must stand tall: we must erect the "Twin Towers" as evidence that America still stands. The Twin Towers are "Faith" and "Freedom."

We all know the words from Irving Berlin's pen:

God bless America,
Land that I love,
Stand beside her and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above;

From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam,
God bless America,
My home, sweet home.
God bless America,
My home, sweet home.

These words are in the public domain, and hopefully, in the public conscienciousness. Are you sing?

"Y'ALL COME!" is a down-home expression equated with those of us fortunate to have been born and reared in the Southeastern region of the United States; but no where more so than in NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. Home of the Grand Ole Opry and probably the "Guitar Capital of the World", Music City, USA is not only a place to visit--it is a Great Place to Live.

Strangers are welcomed, visitor are made to feel at home, and everyone is greeted with a smile--like the upbeat words to the Gospel classic, "Give the world a smile each day, helping someone on life's way..." If you are thinking of relocating, changing your career or lifestyle, then know we Nashvillians say, "Y'all Come!!!"

Nashville, Tennessee: A City of the Heart

Today, I asked a young man why he moved to Nashville, and what he liked most about my home town. He moved here a few years ago, having an interest in Country Music; so I expected him to tell me how much he loved Country Music, getting to meet the entertainers, and going to "Fan Fair."

Day before yesterday, I spent the day with my wife in the Women's Hospital: she had surgery. I observed a photo of Sara Cannon (for whom the cancer center is named), and recalled occassions when I would run into her at the Crook's Foodtown on Franklin Road. She was so genuine, so carring and so beloved. She was just Sarah--shopping for her groceries. She looked like any other shopper as she went from aisle to aisle. But when she spoke (her voice was so "down home" and cheerful) you knew she was special. You knew that voice--you had heard it hundreds of times: it was Minnie Pearl. Sarah Cannon loved life--she loved people. Sarah Cannon personified Nashville, Tennessee.

The young man whom I had querried, had said that what he liked about Nashville, Tennessee was "The People are so friendly!" Our city has an attraction unlike any other: the people. The professional athletes who come to play football, hockey, and baseball often comment how much they love the people of this city.

Yes, Nashville offers many forms of entertainment: the Nashville Symphony, the Grand Ole Opry, the Tennessee Titans of the NFL, the Nashville Predators of the NHL, the Nashville Sounds baseball team. NCAA Football's Music City Bowl, NCAA Basketball Regional tournements, College Baseball with teams like Vanderbilt and Lipscomb, and NASCAR auto racing. The annual Iriquois Steeplechase, and much more. Lakes for fishing & swimming. Mountains for camping and Nature trails. Caves for exploring.

Nashville is home to several vital medical centers: Vanderbilt Medical Center & Children's Hospital is world renowned. St. Thomas Hospital is a major Cardio Facility, and an excellent Medical Center. Hospital Corporation of America is Headquarted here, and covers our region with great medical facilities. The automotive industry is a major employer in the Greater Nashville area: Smyrna is home to NISSAN USA. These are only a few reasons people move here, but our people is the main reason they stay.

Nashvillians are a diverse and gifted group. People from all around the world have formed communities here. Anyone thinking we are a "Hick Town" shows their ignorance--not ours. Our city has produced Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Senate Majority Leaders, Astronauts, Nuclear Submarine Commanders, world-renowned scientists, and America's richest and most famous woman--Oprah Winfree.

You cannot walk through our stores, our hospitals, our schools without being greeted with a genuine smile and a warm greeting. I dare you to try...