To take my lead from Franklin D. Roosevelt’s speech in regards to Pearl Harbor—

Jan. 22, 1973 – a date which will live on in infamy – the United States of America willfully and deliberately attacked its self in the greatest civil war of all times by legalizing the extinguishing of its unborn. It’s a more grievous evil than any committed by foreign countries during wartime, a period of grave darkness which makes mistreatment of Indians and Blacks look like schoolyard bullying.

This Sunday marks the 44th anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling abortion as a fundamental right under the United States Constitution. Over 60 million abortions have been performed to date.

It seems like a bad dream, how could the highest court in our “civilized” nation make such a bad decision? Did they not believe an embryo or fetus is a life? Even a child knows that a seed once planted grows into a plant, and so it is with an embryo. A farmer can buy crop insurance on a planted field which is proof that a seed, although it has not yet reached maturity, is living.

Since a corn seed produces corn and bean seed produces beans, than human beings can only produce humans so there should be no doubt that a fetus is a person. If an expectant mother obtains an abortion she has committed an act of homicide by intentionally killing an innocent human life, and any assistance she receives is also guilty of murder.

The Supreme Court gave doctors and mothers a license to kill, under the guise of women’s rights. In a country with countless welfare programs designed to assist those dependent for food, housing, education, the government disposes of those most helpless of all; the unborn. No one hears the cries of the unborn, the defenseless and abandoned by their very parents.

I know this is a delicate subject, because many women naively had abortions that would choose differently today. More than two generations have grown up with the law that permits abortion and in regards of their education the majority have become wards of the state. Education has been taken from parents and placed with public school teachers who must abide with the separation of church and state. Today’s lifestyle has veered sharply away from the Ten Commandments. Truth has been replaced with relativism.

Forty years ago we were told a fetus was just a bunch of cells until the fourth month but now with the medical and scientific advances of today we know that was untrue. Today we know what many Christians always knew—life begins at conception.

Upcoming events:

Jan. 26, the Versailles Vets Club holds an open to the public Bid Euchre Tournament downstairs at 7 p.m. There is a $5 entry fee with an opportunity to win a cash prize.

This Saturday from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. is the Versailles Firefighter’s Ball at the Versailles K of C Hall. Tickets are available at the door or call Scott Garrison at 937/371-1249.

This Sunday at 1 p.m., St. Denis Church will hold a holy hour to pray for those who have been victims of abortion. All are welcome to attend.

Jan. 30, the Versailles Area Chamber of Commerce hosts its “open to the public” annual banquet at the Riviera Room of the Stillwater Valley Golf Course. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a cash bar and dinner will be served at 6:15 pm. Banquet tickets are $20 per person and should be reserved by contacting Fred Poeppelman at 937-417-4752 (call or text).

Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m., the Darke County Right to Life holds its monthly meeting at 105 W. Third St., Greenville. You may also visit them online at www.darkecountyrighttolife.org.

Birthday wishes to Gloria Burns, Sue Ann Hartzell, Mollie Clark, Kevin Phlipot, Alma Derr, Dave Richard, Courtney Hayes, Rick Clark, Jessica Groff, Russell Marchal, Judy Monnin, Lauren Prenger, Amy Dirksen, Sue Christian, Steve Monnin, Carly Bolin, Lynn Drees, Nicholas Bohman, Barbara Rethlake, Tony Baltes, Jill Siegel, Mike Magoteaux, Tammy Berger, Kathy Gehret, Alex Kelch, Lindsey Brown Ausborn, Lil Bruns, Lori Potter, Ken DeMange, Karen Hilgefort, Janet Luthman, Carla Drees, Eli Oliver, Rachel Hole, Rachael Schlater, Jeff Hole, Gerry Drees, Connie Klenke, Crystal Mead, Mary Lou Unger, Chad Marshall, and Lois Lyons. Also happy 62nd anniversary to Naomi and Don Bemis.

Please give your supportive and healing prayers for the many who are dealing with any of life’s countless challenges, and especially for Fr. Ned Brown, Kay Holfinger, Betty Kremer, Lester Bernholt (hip replacement), Joann Bensman, Marge Harman, Connie Stachler, Betty Pothast, Sally Tebbe, Julie Keihl, Dan Roseberry, Tony Gehret, Denny Grilliot, Uncle John Magoto, Lois Magoto, Sheila Spahr, Madonna McEldowney, Beverly Brown, Paul Marchal, Linda Kendinger, Mike Hileman, Ralph Gehret, Dave Fullenkamp, Steve Youngker, Tabitha Sager, Joan DeMange, Amy Poeppelman, Julie Keihl, Joan Magoto, Jeanne Brandon, Squirt Marshal, Ruth Haft, Rosie Pearson, Virginia Smith, John Subler, Sally Monnin, Sondra Spangler, Mary Barga, Wilma Didier, Anabelle Subler, Jeanette Simons, Julia Billenstein, Merilyn Borchers, Lewis Didier, Alan Stammen, Lewis May, Connie (Baltes) Lechleiter, Levadia Barga, Jack Borgerding, Dan Monnin, Linda Wilson, Lois Youngker, Sam Yagle, Barb Goubeaux, David Zumberger, Brian Voisard, Cyril Frantz, Michelle Ullom, Eileen Rahm, Cyril Voisard, Barb Agne, Samantha Smith, and all those not mentioned by name who are ill, suffering, hospitalized, homebound and/or in need of our prayers and their caregivers.

Heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Andy Wagner (44), Linda Milbourn (55), Barbara Smith (72) and Robert Huels (92), also remembering the lives of Thomas Schulze, Dennis Post, J.C. Waymire , Ramon Zeller, Ashley Lamb, Kelley McGlinch, and Christine Copeland, Thelma Barga, Gary Meyer, Hugo Schlarman, Kenny Todd, Phyllis Collins, Lucille Marshall, Gene Yohey, Norma Reed, Harry Brown, Ronald Laughman, Sue Keihl, Ryan Luthman, Dorie Baltes, Ed Bruns, Frances Rhoades, and Mary Ecabert and all who are in our hearts but not mentioned by name as the anniversary of their passing nears.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” ~Edmund Burke

“A nation that kills its own kills itself.” ~C. Edwards

“Abortion kills twice, it kills the body of the baby and it kills the conscience of the mother.” ~Mother Teresa