Dear UPI Partners,

The last of 2008 has made it a heck of a year. There have been many good thing and a few difficult ones which have been principally tied to the economy. At the end of the day, however, we can still be thankful. Most of us are still working. Many of us have children in school, both young and college age. And, most all of us believe the current economic state will take a turn, if not in 2009 then surely in 2010. Well, ok...maybe 2011. But, we’re all determined to fight our way to solutions prior to then! We’re also driven to survive this and come out stronger regardless.

As Sir Winston Churchill said often, and most notably, upon addressing a group of graduate students at a large University in England, the words were in effect ‘never, don’t ever, no never give up’. It is claimed that he repeated this three to four times and sat down. The repeated sentence being the sole extent, albeit very powerful, message of his speech. It is healthy to take notice of such examples from history of those that have survived much tougher times than us and draw on their wisdom.

So, with my glass held high to all of you, I salute you all and say never, don’t ever, no never give up! We must come through this experience as survivors, ideally stronger survivors! Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year, etc. to you all!

With love,
Dan