RETURN TO PARADISE

Another Video by

Devin Strecker

"Return to Paradise"

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Devin sent me a DVD that he filmed while he was in Paradise for the last Paradise Reunion - 2007.

Again, Millard and I were very impressed - as anything from Paradise brings back wonderful memories. After viewing the DVD I asked Devin if he would be willing to make these available to anyone wishing to buy one.

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He said . . . . .

" I really don't know if it's good enough to "sell" or even distribute, I am sort of embarrassed about the amateurishness of some of the production aspects of it! If I had known ahead of time that anyone other than my family would be interested in watching it, I would have filmed it differently and gotten different aspects filmed. But, if you liked it, maybe there is a chance other people would. I certainly would only want to charge to cover postage and the actual cost of duplication, which is very minimal."

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I am personally making a Gospel Express Youth Choir tape of a Youth Choir that I had for 7 years while we were in Elkhart, Ks. My youth choir made a record one of the years - then the other years all the performances were recorded on inexpensive cassettes on very portable (not very good) recorders. Like Devin, if I would have thought at the time of each performances that I would want to put each years youth choir's songs on a CD along with the recording of the record, I would have done a better job. Our friend that did the recording of the CD charged $10.00 per CD, as it was not an easy job to transfer performance songs - done in churches and civic places where people coughed and babies cried and babbled . Then, to pay for the postage, photo copying, envelopes and all the other added expenses, I had to add $5.00 to cover my basic costs - making the CD cost $15.00. In fact, you can read all about that on Facebook . . . .

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http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/album.php?aid=144178&id=1467279396

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I said all of that to say this . . . Devin said that he would consider selling them for $6.00. I'm not sure he will be able to pay all of his expenses . . . but, it certainly is worth the $6.00 for the memories. He added several photos from this blog and without thinking of doing this for other people, Yes, he has his family and their dog on it too. However he also has the choir singing at the Church and he has many people that were at the reunion.

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Devin also said . . . .

"Like I said, I am sort of not completely happy with it and not sure if I want everyone looking at it thinking "that's all the better he could do?!?!" because if I had set out to do a documentary on the Reunion and church celebration I certainly could have done much better, but as it was, I thought I was just doing a home video. I am glad you liked it!!! Devin"

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If you decide you want to see this "amateurishness production which includes the Strecker's and their dog" (ha!) you may order one by sending a check or money order to Devin for $6.00. I am requesting that he does nor send a DVD until he has your money and your address with your request.

Send the money with your address to:

Devin Strecker

8011 Romaine St. #308

West Hollywood, CA 90046

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3The front of the cover for the DVD

6The back of the the cover

Scott Tichenor

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How exciting!
I heard Scott Tichenor's name on Kansas Public Radio this morning.

There can't be too many Scott Tichenor's in this area - but this Scott Tichenor has a wife, Amy and a daughter, Shannon. Is this our Scott?
If so, Thank You Scott, Amy and Shannon for contributing to our local Public Radio Station in Lawrence!

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March 31, 2009

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There is someone on the blog that looks after me all the time. As soon as he read this, he sent me Scott's web site. I found a way to contact Scott, then emailed him immediately. Within an hour Scott responded.

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Hi, Onnalee.

Yes, it is a Fairport Tichenor living in Lawrence. I do remember you... its been a few years :).

Glad to see Paradise joining the web. Thanks for getting in touch.

Stuart teaches English at a 2 yr. college in Okmulgee, Oklahoma these days and Steve is just about to retire from the railroad. He lives in Marysville.

best regards,

Scott Tichenor

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Thank You Scott for the update. We all appreciate hearing from everyone.

This was on Scott's web site.

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"I am proud to share my life with two very special ladies (human), two cats and a very special dog in a 100 year old home in Lawrence, Kansas.
Shannon Skye Tichenor was born October 9, 1996 and is herself a marvelous piano player. Annie Tichenor is my wife, best friend and a world-class print graphic designer. If I ever manage to get her interested in web development this site will sure look a lot better. She's also a top-notch jazz guitarist with a great voice to match."

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Scott's web site is http://www.mandolincafe.com/

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Scott also has a neat story about his daughter, Shannon, on his web site.

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2009/mar/22/soldier-without-armor-raintree-students-produce-cd/

1961-62 7th and 8th Grade Classes

A Neat Grade School Photo

from Dan Hoisington

Left to Right
Jan Weilert, Helen Hoisington,
Francis Mahoney, Sheila Smith
Don Seimans

Deanna McNeal, Jerry Keeler

Dan Hoisington, Denton Whitman,
Dean Chesney, Charles McNeal,
Ramona Karst, Dwight Elliott,
Shirley Elliott

Gene Angel, Mike Weilert,
Charles Heitschmidt ,
Denny Fink, Glen Strecker

Thanks Dan for the photo. We need more!
More from Dan and more from all the classes.

1957 - School Play?

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Memories

What a nice (?) looking group of people!

Millard, Randall, Pat, Dorene

Won't our grandchildren get a kick out of seeing
their grandpa as the town drunk?
They probably won't even know what that is.

Thank You for the photo, Dan Hoisington
The date on this photo was Sept. 1957
(That was the date the picture was developed.)

Daylight Savings Time

It probably doesn't matter how I feel,

but I very much dislike Daylight Savings Time!

"Only white man would believe you could cut off top of blanket,

sew it to bottom of blanket, and have longer blanket."

Neil Smith

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Neil Smith

playing his trumpet at contest.

Look at that posture and embouchure!

Great Neal!

I was priviledged to be his accompanist.

Do you have an 8th Grade Education?

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What it took to get an 8th grade education in 1895...

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Remember when grandparents and great-grandparents stated that they only had an 8th grade education?
Well, check this out. Could any of us have passed the 8th grade in 1895?

This is the eighth-grade final exam from 1895 in Salina , Kansas , USA .
It was taken from the original document on file at the Smokey Valley Genealogical Society and Library in Salina , and reprinted by the Salina Journal.

8th Grade Final Exam: Salina , KS - 1895

Grammar (Time, one hour)

1. Give nine rules for the use of capital letters.
2. Name the parts of speech and define those that have no modifications.
3. Define verse, stanza and paragraph
4. What are the principal parts of a verb? Give principal parts of 'lie,' 'play ,' and 'run.'
5. Define case; illustrate each case.
6 What is punctuation? Give rules for principal marks of punctuation.
7 - 10. Write a composition of about 150 words and show therein that you understand the practical use of the rules of grammar.

Arithmetic (Time,1 hour 15 minutes)

1. Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.
2. A wagon box is 2 ft. Deep, 10 feet long, and 3 ft. Wide.
How many bushels of wheat will it hold?
3. If a load of wheat weighs 3,942 lbs., what is it worth at 50cts/bushel, deducting 1,050 lbs. For tare?
4. District No 33 has a valuation of $35,000. What is the necessary levy to carry on a school seven months at $50 per month, and have $104 for incidentals?
5. Find the cost of 6,720 lbs. Coal at $6.00 per ton.
6. Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18 days at 7 percent.
7. What is the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide and 16 ft.. Long at $20 per metre?
8. Find bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace) at 10 percent.
9. What is the cost of a square farm at $15 per acre, the distance of which is 640 rods?
10. Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt

U.S. History (Time, 45 minutes)

1. Give the epochs into which U.S. History is divided
2. Give an account of the discovery of America by Columbus
3. Relate the causes and results of the Revolutionary War.
4. Show the territorial growth of the United States
5. Tell what you can of the history of Kansas
6. Describe three of the most prominent battles of the Rebellion.
7. Who were the following: Morse, Whitney, Fulton , Bell , Lincoln , Penn, and Howe?
8. Name events connected with the following dates: 1607, 1620, 1800, 1849, 1865.

Orthography (Time, one hour)

[Do we even know what this is??]

1. What is meant by the following: alphabet, phonetic, orthography, etymology, syllabication
2. What are elementary sounds? How classified?
3. What are the following, and give examples of each: trigraph, subvocals, diphthong, cognate letters, linguals
4. Give four substitutes for caret 'u.' (HUH?)
5. Give two rules for spelling words with final 'e.' Name two exceptions under each rule.
6. Give two uses of silent letters in spelling. Illustrate each.
7. Define the following prefixes and use in connection with a word: bi, dis-mis, pre, semi, post, non, inter, mono, sup.
8. Mark diacritically and divide into syllables the following, and name the sign that indicates the sound: card, ball, mercy, sir, odd, cell, rise, blood, fare, last.
9. Use the following correctly in sentences: cite, site, sight, fane, fain, feign, vane , vain, vein, raze, raise, rays.
10. Write 10 words frequ ently mispronounced and indicate pronunciation by use of diacritical marks and by syllabication.

Geography (Time, one hour)

1 What is climate? Upon what does climate depend?
2. How do you account for the extremes of climate in Kansas ?
3. Of what use are rivers? Of what use is the ocean?
4. Describe the mountains of North Amer ica
5. Name and describe the following: Monrovia , Odessa , Denver , Manitoba , Hecla , Yukon , St. Helena, Juan Fernandez, Aspinwall and Orinoco
6. Name and locate the principal trade centers of the U.S.
7. Name all the republics of Europe and give the capital of each.
8. Why is the Atlantic Coast colder than the Pacific in the same latitude?
9. Describe the process by which the water of the ocean returns to the sources of rivers.
10. Describe the movements of the earth. Give the inclination of the earth.

Notice that the exam took FIVE HOURS to complete.
Gives the saying 'he only had an 8th grade education' a whole new meaning, doesn't it?!
Also shows you how poor our education system has become and, NO, I don't have the answers!

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I received an email this past week and I thought it was very good. Especially since I haven't been keeping up with the blog very well lately. I seem to have several projects, and of course income tax, that keeps me preoccupied. I will try to do some research and do better with the blog. In the meantime, here are some memories for you to ponder. This was the email . . . .
A trivia for you - can you guess who wrote this?


Not much been going on in the blog.
Have you not been up to it?
Have you run out of things to post?

I don't have much to offer as the age group is well beyond my time.

Ok, beyond my time.

Millard most likely doesn't remember me standing in what was my grandparent's house, at the bottom of the steps. My mother asked him about sleeping. He was so tall, how does he sleep in the bed? His response was that you hang your feet over the edge of the bed.

The door way to the steps was at the bottom where in what I will call the dinning room. That was just west of the kitchen. The kitchen was just west of the pantry. My youngest son has the table from my
Grandmother's house. The master bedroom was in the east central of the house. There was another bedroom in the southeast part of the house. The family room was in the southwest of the house. The crank telephone was in the hallway about 8 or so feet, on the east wall of the hallway that lead from the front door to the dining room.

Grandma liked Horehound candy. She always had it setting on a shelf that had curtain on the north side of the family room to another room. I never knew what was behind the curtain.

I have stories about the Rogers also. Freda and my mother had some of the greatest roses that anyone could produce. Their back yards were of limestone, terraced and would make a lot of the shows that you see on TV jealous.

Freda was a Notary Public. I can remember my dad sending me to see Freda and get something notarized. It cost quarter; I thought I was big stuff as I could get something done and give them a quarter as I was supposed to do.

The house that was on the hill across from Rod and Freda Rogers, it was Millard's folks as I remember it.
There was a bird cage that hung just to the south of the front room in Millard's folk's house. Just to the south of that were bedrooms.

I have pictures of Red. Red was chicken I got from Melvin Store. Melvin was a mechanic that worked for my dad. Red was in a cage in our backyard. Red succumbed to a fox.

Why I sent this I have no idea.
I'm seeing if my Alzheimer's is still working!!!
Let me know!!!!!

This email is correct. We seem to have one special age group that is sharing on the blog. Do you suppose we can get more people from different age groups to respond?

PARADISE PHOTOS

These are neat photos of Paradise.
Can anyone identify the people in
the photos?

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

Today on Valentine's Day

I wish you...

Comfort in difficult times,
Smiles when sadness intrudes,
Rainbows to follow your dreams,
Laughter to kiss your lips,
Sunsets to warm your heart,
Gentle hugs when spirits sag,
Friendships to brighten your days,
Beauty for your eyes to see,
Confidence for when you doubt,
Faith to comfort your soul,
Courage to know yourself,
Patience to accept the truth,
And love to complete your life.

Have A Blessed Day!--

Julie Hollar

DO WE REMEMBER THESE?

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Burma Shave with the Statler Brothers

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I had to watch it twice;

once to watch the Burma shave signs change and

once to catch all the pictures that go with the words of the song.

Plus, listening to the music of the Statler Brothers IS REALLY GREAT.

For those of you too young to remember - "too bad you missed it!"

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http://oldfortyfives.com/DYRT.htm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KANSAS

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Kansas was admitted to Statehood

January 29, 1861

Kansas was the 34th State to enter the Union

as a Free State

Great Seal of the State of Kansas

The Great Seal of the State of Kansas was established by a joint resolution adopted by the Kansas Legislature May 25, 1861.

The seal is described in the resolution as follows:

"The east is represented by a rising sun, in the right-hand corner of the seal;

to the left of it, commerce is represented by a river and a steamboat;

in the foreground, agriculture is represented as the basis of the future prosperity of the state, by a settler's cabin and a man plowing with a pair of horses;

beyond this is a train of ox-wagons, going west; in the background is seen a herd of buffalo, retreating, pursued by two Indians, on horseback;

around the top is the motto, 'Ad astra per aspera,' and beneath a cluster of thirty-four stars.

The circle is surrounded by the words, 'Great seal of the state of Kansas. January 29, 1861.'

" The motto, "Ad astra per aspera," means "To the stars through difficulties,"

and was adopted as part of the Great Seal of the State of Kansas.

The Nickname for Kansas is: The Sunflower State

On a navy blue field is a sunflower, the state flower.
Also, the state seal and the words "Kansas".
In the picture of the state seal are thirty-four stars representing the order of statehood.
Above the stars is the motto "To the Stars Through Difficulties".
On the seal a sunrise overshadows a farmer plowing a field near his log cabin, a steamboat sailing the Kansas River, a wagontrain heading west and Native Americans hunting bison.
The flag was adopted in 1927.


To listen to the State Song
click here
http://mclib.elkhart.com/Kansas.htm

We are very proud of this link from our
Morton County Library - Elkhart, KS
(Elkhart was our home for 32 years.)

For more about Kansas - Click on this link and Scroll down a ways.

http://www.foundwoodcarvings.com/emp1502.htm

Famous Kansans

Roscoe Fatty Arbuckle actor, Smith Center

Clarence D. Batchelor political cartoonist, Osage City

Gwendolyn Brooks poet, Topeka

Walter P. Chrysler auto manufacturer, Wamego

Clark M. Clifford secretary of defense, Fort Scott

John Steuart Curry painter, Dunavant

Bob Dole politician, Russell

Amelia Earhart aviator, Atchison

Milton S. Eisenhower educator, Abilene

Carl A. Hatch politician, Kirwin

Dennis Hopper actor, Dodge City

William Inge playwright, Independence

Walter Johnson baseball pitcher, Humboldt

Buster Keaton comedian, Piqua

Emmett Kelly clown, Sedan

Stan Kenton jazz musician, Wichita

Harold Lloyd actor, Burchard

Edgar Lee Masters poet, Garnett

Hattie McDaniel actress, Wichita

William C. Menninger psychiatrist, Topeka

Gordon Parks film director, Fort Scott

Zasu Pitts actress, Parsons

Charles Buddy Rogers actor, Olathe

Damon Runyon journalist, Manhattan

Barry Sanders football player, Wichita

Eugene W. Smith photojournalist, Wichita

William E. Stafford poet, Hutchinson

John Cameron Swayze news commentator, Atchison
Vivan Vance actress, Cherryvale
William Allen White journalist, Emporia
Charles E. Whittaker jurist, Troy

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This list leaves off Clint Boyers, Emporia
Probably other recent ones also.

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Norma commented that "it was interesting that Dwight Eisenhowers name was not on the list." I had noticed it later in the day, but neglected to go back and add it.

I can not understand why a list like that would not have Dwight D. Eisenhower. Thanks Norma for reminding me.

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Here is a History Lesson in a Nut Shell

Click on each link

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Dwight D. Eisenhower
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Dwight Eisenhower's family settled in Abilene, Kansas in 1892. His father David Eisenhower was a college-educated engineer. Dwight Eisenhower graduated from Abilene High School in 1909

Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969) was the 34th President of the United States from 1953 until 1961 and a five-star general in the United States Army. During the Second World War, he served as Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe, with responsibility for planning and supervising the successful invasion of France and Germany in 1944–45. In 1951, he became the first supreme commander of NATO.[
As President, he oversaw the cease-fire of the Korean War, kept up the pressure on the Soviet Union during the Cold War, made nuclear weapons a higher defense priority, launched the Space Race, enlarged the Social Security program, and began the Interstate Highway System. Eisenhower also was highly involved in the 1953 Iranian coup d'état, the overthrow of Prime Minister of Iran Mohammad Mossadegh and replacing him with the pro-Western Shah. He has been consistently ranked by scholars as one of the greatest U.S. Presidents.

THREE THINGS

I have received "Three Things" Three Times from a favorite
person of ours. This is the third time I have tried to put it
on the blog and what do you know! I succeeded.
The message is wonderful and so is the music.
I hope you enjoy it as much as we have and evidently as much
as the one that has sent it to me. Thanks!

MY TRIBUTE TO CAROL STIELOW

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I wish to Thank Carol Stielow for introducing me to

Paradise, Kansas USA.

I don’t remember the circumstances, or why Carol picked me, but while Carol and I were both at Bethany Nazarene College (now known as Southern Nazarene College) Carol invited me to go to Paradise to her home town and visit with her for a week end. She had told me that her Dad was on the school board and they were looking for a music teacher and she just wanted me to check it out. I’m sure Carol could tell you more - why she invited me, as I can’t remember the circumstances.

I was graduating in the spring of 1963 with a degree in Psychology/Sociology and a minor in Music - only needing Student Teaching to complete my degree in Music Education. The week end to Paradise was very eventful. The school board - Frank Stielow, Vern Hoisington and Otto Eulert were very easy to talk to and I enjoyed my interview very much, although I do remember that I was in a daze. If I remember correctly, I think they asked me to apply for the job and hired me all in that week end, but Carol may remember it differently. Actually, I think they were very desperate for a music teacher.

I say the above to say this - I Thank God for this opportunity - but I also Thank Carol for inviting me to go to her home that week end, which was a recommendation to her father and to the other school board members. I Thank Carol, as it was because of this that this Paradise Blog is even a possibility. Because of Carol, I met my husband, I had 3 delightful first years of teaching and I had the best students in the world to train me for the rest of my years of teaching. My teaching career was very successful and success for a teacher depends on his/her first years of teaching. Thank You to all of my Paradise students for training me so well.

During my first semester of teaching, the Paradise School Board allowed me to do my Student Teaching in Russell. I would go to Russell in the mornings and teach in Paradise in the afternoons. This gave me the credits I needed to receive my degree in Music Education. By the second semester, I was a full fledged music teacher - Instrumental and Vocal - Grades 1-12.

I couldn’t close without saying that the fellow music teacher that I met (which grew up in Paradise), that became my husband, was the high light of teaching in Paradise. We have had 44 wonderful years and many memories have been highlighted during our marriage.

Again, I give God the credit for leading me to Paradise, but . . . Thank You Carol Stielow for believing in me and recommending that I check out Paradise for my first job.

SENIOR CLASS PHOTOS

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Thanks to Dan Hoisington
These are the photos from the wall in the auditorium.

It is very hard to take pictures there as there are so many

windows with so much glare.

He said he would continue at another time of day,

but you can enjoy these for the time being.

Click on each one to make it larger.

(However, you may have to have a magnifying glass to read the names.)

Thanks Dan!

BACK TO THE FIFTIES AND SIXTIES

Someone did an awesome job putting this together!

(Turn up your sound)

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http://thefiftiesandsixties.com:80/CarsWeDrove.htm

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Right at the very end of the video you will hear the song ' Thunder Road ' sung by the star of the movie for which it was the theme! This isn't uncommon except this is the one and only song ever recorded, for publication, sung by Robert Mitchum!

SPECIAL THANKS TO NEVA AND NORMA

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THANK YOU

NEVA ANDERSON

AND

NORMA WILLIAMS

They each bought one of Millard's 2008 Santa Face Ornaments

They have their Certificate's of Authenticity

stating that

"A Stump of a Pipe 2008 Santa" Series

was

Created Exclusively as a Collection for Neva or for Norma

and that

they received the benefits of Foundwood Carvings total commitment to

authenticity and verification

that this is an original piece of art produced with traditional hand carving tools.

The "Stump of a Pipe" Santa 2008

is inspired by the words from

The Night Before Christmas

which reads,
"A stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth . . ."

In the collection of

Neva Anderson

In the collection of
Norma Williams

ENJOY 2008 IN REVIEW

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http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=TWiXy55OHyY

LET'S CHECK IN ON GENE EULERT

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Gene Eulert (class of 1959) is presently in Egan, SD. He would like to move back to Kansas one of these days but that's all up in the air right now as he is looking for work in this area, with no success as of now.
Maybe some of us could help him out. We would love to have him in Emporia.

Gene has one son, Joshua. Joshua is married and he and his wife have a new baby - Gene's new granddaughter - Megan. They live in Edmonton Alberta.

Gene worked in Vail from May through "mad" Dec. He has worked in Vail, including one winter in a large ski shop. The Vail work fit nicely into those times between international consulting contracts. It is expensive to live there but the wages are also higher.

Gene has a wonderful hobby and does a fantastic job.
Here are a few of his projects with his descriptions.

A rolling butcher block out of

Osage Orange (Hedge)

for Rebecca Johnson in Sioux Falls

about 17 x 17 x 35

A large chest I sold out of Craftsman Creek Studio in Sioux Falls..
Made from good ole Kansas Walnut and Poplar from the lumber yard.




















The 3rd, 4th, and 5th is a mixture of parts that make first a crib,
then with different parts toddlers bed, and finally a full size bed.
I made this for my son Josh and wife for my grandchild in Edmonton Alberta.
It is made from Burr Oak my son and I cut in the log and took
to the sawmill some years ago in Kansas.


























The rolling Kitchen Island from the same Burr Oak with black granite
inlays that are .04 inches proud so hot pans will not touch the finish
on the top.
About 2' x 3' x 35"




















This is a corner cabinet out of "Monteray Pine" a California pine
widely grown in the southern hemishere, as it grows rapidly
but is a bitch to finish.
I made it for a faculty member at SDSU.





















These two pieces I made for myself out of Burr Oak with Walnut accents.
The cushion on the rocker is leather that I made.
Later I had two made up for the settle out of Naugahyde
by a shop in Dell Rapids.
















This is an example of a number of small tables I have made out of
Burr Oak or Walnut in a bunch of sizes and shapes.




















These two stands were made for a couple of cousins (Maupins)
for their wedding present.
Made of Kansas Walnut and Honey Locust.
Would have been called telephone tables in the old days!


















Lastly is a stand up desk I made for myself out of Burr Oak
and Walnut from the Paradise and Eagle Creek locations.










Oh! How Wonderful!
A piece of furniture from Paradise.
Wow!

Note: I did not edit Gene's descriptions. Gene has such a way with words that I would not want to touch. Ha!

I asked Gene to comment on the "international consulting contracts".

Gene . . . . . .
"Not much to tell. I have worked in over a dozen countries including the Middle and Far East, Canada, East and West Africa, and several Central American countries. Between professional contracts I have done lots of drywall, taping and steel stud construction work mostly in the Vail area. I have worked in the areas of Ecology and Natural Resources, Satellite Imagery and Photo interpretation, GIS (Geographical Information Systems), Internet based Clearinghouses and institution building in the just-mentioned areas of expertise. Employers have included education institutions, private companies (from the US, Canada and Australia and England), and several UN agencies. Even taught at the University level at Montana State University, North Dakota State, and in the Visiting International Scientist Program at the former Remote Sensing Institute at South Dakota State University.

I have had to get lots of shots .... sometimes I would wonder why my arms don't leak. Most of this isn't of much interest to most people I would guess. Was really just lot of work under sometimes trying and occasionally dangerous circumstances getting by as best one can."

Personally, I found this very interesting, Gene. Thanks so much for your photos and information. We will see what we can do to get you to Emporia.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EACH OF YOU

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO OUR MILITARY

It would be so thoughtful if each one of us would
send Christmas and Holiday wishes to . . .

PFC Frimmel, Trenton
HHC, 2-12, 4BCT, 1CD
APO, AE 09331
COB ADDER

Trenton is in Tallil, Iraq . .
and will be there until next
September!






Trenton is the son of
Michele Peterka
He is the grandson of
Janette (Angel) Ross





Another one of our "Neighbor's" (Natoma) Military
My husband has been in Tallil, Iraq for 8 days (and counting, he will be gone until Oct. '09).
I am blessed in the fact that he is a Warrant Officer in a Brigade unit,and will be doing mostly paperwork.
He has an awful lot to look forward to when he returns. Our firstgrandbaby (our daughter, Keshia) is due on March 12th, and our second grandbaby (my step-daughter Randi) is due in April. What an eventful year this will be. Yes, I will be one proud grandma.
Please keep Andy and our other soldiers in your prayers, especially during the holiday seasons when we can't be with our loved ones. It seems that people tend to forget about our soldiers as the years keep dragging on, or until it effects someone we know.
Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Teresa Laffery
516 N. Main St.
Natoma, KS 67651

WO1 Andrew Laffery
HHC, 287th Sus Bde
APO, AE 09331


Please send me other addresses of "OUR MILITARY" and I will add them to
Our List.


Also PLEASE join us in sending Christmas Greetings to our Military?

Some of these cards are really cool, especially since they are drawn by kids 8yrs - 15 yrs.

You can click on the Lets Say Thanks link below and pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq.

You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!!

This is a great site. Please send a card. It is FREE and it only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our guys and gals over there need to know we are behind them...

http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1024.html


The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,

Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."


"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
6

PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can?
Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities.
Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe.
Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq