[Updated: 01/03/04]

GOOD MORNING :)

Happy New Year "2004"

With the year winding down, our military personnel have had one heck of a time.

We've gone to war! Some of our soldiers where captured and taken prisoner.
Talk about STRESS!

Our country seems at odds with itself. Split on agreement on our nations actions.

Whether we agree or not, we really need to make supporting our soldiers our
#1 priority.

Thank goodness ALL our soldiers taken as POWs (during the Operation: Iraq Freedom)
HAVE been freed and returned to American soil. Yet we have suffered losses as well.
And as the days follow the end of the combat stage, we continue to take losses, while
the rebuilding of Iraq is in progress.

The memories of the 1st Gulf War are all too fresh in many Desert Storm Veterans.

As they watch this 2nd Gulf War unfold, they know what our soldiers are and will face.

The anticipation of exposures, the possibilities of illness upon their return.

The repeat scenario of "no answers" to what lies ahead.

Are our soldiers protected and prepared for what they face. We are told they are.
Time will tell on that one.

Nam vets watch with mixed feelings as politically, the scenario unfolds with many parallels
to their combat time in Nam. They foresee the pitfalls to come, they know the games
that get played. It might be beneficial for some of our political VIP's to listen
and weigh some of the feedback from those who have "been there, done that."

THE PRICE OF FREEDOM IS "NEVER" FREE!!

My heart aches for Lt. Commander Michael Scott Speicher.
He is STILL unaccounted for from the 1st Gulf War. First they say he is KIA (killed in action)
than they say he is MIA (missing in action and now he is listed as POW (prisoner of war).
And yet we still know nothing. Evidence comes to the surface from time to time and even now,
that we are there, initials (possible his) have been found carved in a possible prison cell.
And yet we still know nothing.

Looks like we are not getting off to a good start.. :(

As the new year begins, America wakes up each morning,
to the faint sounds of the beating of drums. War Drums, that is.

Anticipating, WHEN it all begin.

It's like a "Never Ending Story"

And here we begin the second month of the New Year with yet

another National Tragedy.

The Space Shuttle Columbia returning home, from their space voyage,
and 16 minutes away from landing, breaks up over Texas.

Our condolences and prayers to the families of the Space Shuttle's Crew,

who paid the "ultimate price."

~ DStormMom ~

Happy New Year "2003"

Brrrrrrrr, Baby it is COLD outside!
Ohhhh, how I dread the winter months as I get older.
But I do LOVE the Holdiay Season and all it's gay festivities.
The Lights, and the Decorations, and let's face it, it wouldn't be Christmas
without any snow. Here in the North, we have gotten some already.

Here at VetCenter we have set up our Christmas Rooms.
As your hustling and bustling about getting things ready for the
upcoming holidays, take a break and join us for a spell in
our Holiday Rooms. There is even one set up for the Children.
Winnie the Poo will watch them if you need to finish up a few things.

The Christmas Room

Kids Christmas Room

Happy Hanukkah

Today is Veterans Day. Did you remember to thank a Vet?

With so much going on in our present day situation, we know without a doubt
our Active Duty Military Personel are doing their jobs.
However, rest assure that our Veterans are also still on "silent" active duty
and doing all they can in the background.
Sending faxes, phone calling, informing our Congress of past errors
and possibilities of the consequences for certain repeat actions
should they be taken.

To all our veterans, Past-Present-Future, on this Veterans Day,

THANK YOU!

Our nation takes time today to honor those who sacrificed in serving our
country. With the present situation as such, it is most especially important
to realize just how important a role our Veterans have played in our lives.

Whether they touch us directly or indirectly they are there 24/7. Some giving
their all in fighting and defending Freedom. Since 9-11, when terrorist brought
it here to our soil, more Americans realize just how precious those freedoms
are. And how in a blink of an eye, it can all be GONE.

Let's all take time to honor and remember our Veterans. AND to support
our troops presently serving. Let's also take a moment of silence to remember
and honor our POW/MIA's who did not make it home and those who gave
the ultimate sacrifice. THEY ARE NOT FORGOTTEN!

Many events are ongoing today in local communities. Please take part in at least
one of them. Show you care. Show you remember. Show you are an American!

My best to all, and again, my humble thanks to our Veterans!

DStormMom ~ VetsCenter

Well, October starts the holiday mode, and it just goes non stop from here on in.

I would like to direct VetCenter's visitors to my friend,Bear's,

"Northwest Veterans Newsletter" - Special Edition WAR: As the War Drums Beat.

His compilation of various articles and comments are very well put together.
For those who don't really feel all this affects you or your families or that
down the road away, we all will feel the ramifications of decisions made today,
please take the time to read through the related links and see how the past
may very well repeat itself. Different place, different time, same old story.

It never ceases to amaze me that we just never learn from our past mistakes.

Well, this sure has been a year huh?
What will be for our Nation, down the road, I wonder.
It seems our decisions not only affect this Nation now, but others as well.

What all is going on in the Middle East is a VERY important and KEY factor,
in what is to be for us. OUR future. I'm disheartened to see so many folks,
not even showing any interest. Seems they feel if it doesn't affect them "directly"
than, "hey.. not my problem".

Sad to say, it most DEFINATELY "is" their problem. It is ALL "OUR" problem.

This past week, Commemorated the 1st Anniversary, of that horrible day
that changed this Nation forever. Americans " Remember 9-11."
Many Americans relieved the feelings of that day, while others mourned their loved ones.
NY ~ The Pentagon ~ and Pennsylvania's Flight 93 held special Memorials,
as did all the states across the Nation to pay tribute and to honor
the many victims and heros from that tragic event.
On September 5th, President Bush signed a proclamation,
designating, September 11, 2002," Patriot Day "

Excerpts from it as reported by Washington's US Newswire:

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89),
the Congress has authorized and requested the President to designate
September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day."

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America,
do hereby proclaim September 11, 2002, as Patriot Day. I call upon the people of the
United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including
remembrance services and candlelight vigils. I also call upon the Governors of the United States
and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as appropriate officials of all units of government,
to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Patriot Day. Further, I encourage all Americans to
display the flag at half-staff from their homes on that day and to observe a moment of silence
beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time, or another appropriate commemorative time,
to honor the innocent victims who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of September,
in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Tributes to September 11

Nation Looks Ahead After 9-11

How Rights Changed After Sept. 11

I just can't believe all this ruckus regarding John Walker. The American turned
Taliban, detainee. All this concern on his treatment. I sure do wish that same concern
and persistence was shown to our Military Service Personnel upon their return after
having been sent to do a job. How about all our Veterans who after having served
THEIR country, get bubcus while they are quietly suffer in silence because of the
"ill treatment" they receive. I don't see everyone getting up in arms bout that or the
media giving it a real big splash. But here someone makes a choice to leave his country
and fight against it's people and my word it's like a royal carpet should be laid out for him..
Disgusting is what it is. It's downright UNAMERICAN !!

What is WRONG with this Picture?

And now the latest with the Olympic judges regarding hanky panky goings on with the
judges decision and the Skaters Gold Medal.. My word, what is going on?
Things should be getting better not worse.

ei yi yi yi.

Well, soon it will be time for all the Irish Folk to be kicking up their heels :)
Things keep going this way, and I just may join them at the nearest Irish Pub..
Where the smell of corned beef and cabbage will be strongly floating thru the kitchens..
ahhhhhh, yum, yum..

My word folks, where do the years go. Seems to me, when I was younger,time seemed
to pass so slowly and now, it just won't slow down. The years just fly by so quickly,
one can hardly catch one's breath. And here we are, starting another year.....
Hopefully one that is a little bit better than the last one. This latest development
with all the changes being made, due to "terrorist acts" is very straining. Slowly, I see
more and more changes in the way we use to go about living our daily lives.
Seems more chaotic, stressful and a tad bit restricting these days.

Oh Lord, where are my manners? I do appreciate your stopping by to visit.
Can I get you some coffee or soda or ?? I hope you enjoy your visits here and that perhaps
you've managed to find some of the information useful or enlightening.

Bet ya don't know what's coming up next? It's that huggy, smoochy month :)
That's right, Valentine's Day... he, he, he.. So for all you lovers out there....
young or old or in between.. enjoy your day and each other.
Be sure to let one another know how you feel, because we all have
found out recently, how very precious time is. That sometimes things happen,
causing us to possibly not have that chance. Make the most of each moment folks.

If you've been checking out the rooms, you'll notice I have been busy trying to get many of
the broken links functioning again. Mercy me,so many folks have changed their link addresses and
it's been a chore trying to track them down again. If you notice your link has been removed,
it's cause I haven't been able to update it if you've changed servers. So please, if you
or someone knows the correct link address,send me an email with it, so I can correct it.
It's really annoying trying to visit these other sites only to be told "error" or "not available".
And if you've come across a site you think would interest our visitors here, please share it
by sending it in an email to me as well, so I can also add them here.

Most of the Vet Connection Rooms have been updated and the others I am still putsing around
trying to correct and fix. If you come across a link not working, please feel free to let me know.
This way I can zero right in on it and get it fixed straight away.
This way I have to do page by page, link by link and it does take some time.

Guess I better get dinner on the table for the folks here at the homefront.
I'll be back a little later. Please make yourself at home and feel free to visit
some of the other rooms while your here.

Happy "New Year" 2002

Just when you think you have one Holiday taken care of , along comes another... :)
Well as it happens, this particular one is my very favorite. Mainly cause it is like a BIG Gala Birthday.
And ohh so festive, and all the pretty lights and decorations. The hustle and bustle of the
baking and aroma's are soooo fine. Mainly though, I love that feeling
that seems to overcome everyone during this holiday and that is the spirit of LOVE.
That really is what Christmas is all about.

And when I heard the words to the song, "Where are you Christmas," sung by Faith Hill, I knew I was right.

Because, when you give of yourself or give something out of LOVE, not because you have to, but because you want to,
because you know the person your giving to, will truly like it or enjoy it, than that is giving out of LOVE.
I sometimes think how Christmas has become sooooo commercial. And that is not what Christmas it about.
It actually is the celebration of the "Birth of Jesus". And Jesus is LOVE.
The lights and other festivities is because it is a Birthday Celebration.
Sort of like a Big Birthday Party.

As the years pass, we experience stumbling blocks and events that change how we feel about things
and sometimes we lose that feeling of Christmas along the way. It is always there though,
it just changes as do we. We need to every now and then find it and get it back again.

It is a wonderful feeling and should be felt all the time. It doesn't have to be an extravaganza of sorts.
Sometimes just a quiet walk with someone you care about brings that peaceful feeling and makes you feel
so alive. THAT is the feeling of Christmas. Taking time with someone. Giving of oneself. Giving something
of meaning, no matter how trivial to someone. Watching their eyes light up or hearing their expression of joy.
That's the wonderful feeling of Christmas.

"If there is Christmas in your heart and mind, you will feel like Christmas ALL the time.
The JOY of Christmas stays here inside us, inside each and every heart with LOVE".

With the recent events of the "terrorists attack," the loss of so many loved ones, and our troops
currently overseas, a cloud does hover over us. But you know that feeling was there through it all.
As our firefighter's, law enforcements, and so many civilian volunteers, all united together to help others.
That was because that feeling of Christmas was/is inside each and everyone of their hearts.

Maybe they didn't know it, but it came alive at that moment.
LOVE for our fellow man. LOVE for our country.

That's what Christmas was intended to be about..

"A HAPPY AND BLESSED HOLIDAY TO ALLOF YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES"

DStormMom

Weeeell, I'm a dusting and sorting and huffing and puffing also, I might add... The chore
of cleaning doesn't get easier as one gets older.. :( But I tell ya what, if any of you spot some
of those cob webs hanging about, well now, let me explain, they're not cob webs really,
that is just "angel hair".. There are many angels just hanging out here at the
VetCenter and they sure do enjoy seeing our many visitors passing through.

I guess by now, everyone's done the Turkey shopping thing. Soon it will be here before ya know it.
The one day everyone pigs out, diets get chucked to the wind and scales get hid way way back
in the closet.. (he he he).. Guess, slipping up once a year isn't so bad.

My daughter and I had been out of town when the Attack on the WTC happened and I am still feeling
such uneasy and turbulent emotions. I can remember our flying home after being detained for several
days due to the events going on, with our route to JFK taking us over the Twin Towers location that
was still smoldering. As my daughter and I looked out the plane window, seeing the smoke still
billowing from the destruction below, we sat in silence. I had such a feeling in my stomach at that point.
The both of us just sat there not saying a word.

Engrossed at that moment in our thoughts and emotions as we landed and taxied to our hanger.

I can only speak for myself and even then, unclearly, as to all the mixed emotions I am feeling as a
result of this horrific act. Sadness, confusion, anger, resentment at the fact that someone came into
my "home" and caused such destruction and massive loss of innocent lives.

I have broken down a few times since this all went down with such thoughts as:
What have my family and friends sacrificed so much for over these years? Have we not anything?
All the lives lost in past years, and all the lives "changed" due to having served,
in attempting to hold on to and keep intact, OUR FREEDOM.

Is it such that we will never be able to truly accomplish this? Yes, I am also afraid from time to time.
I don't know who is standing next to me, or if when going somewhere, someone might be present who
will "take another piece of America"... It feels kinda like a slow death of sorts.

I am comforted seeing our flag when I drive down the streets and find when at a location and I can't
visible see one, I panic. I thought of all our soldiers when in foreign lands how I've always seen pictures
of them setting out or carrying our flag with them. I now understand why. I remember my son bringing
out this little flag that he said was with him the whole time in the Gulf , as I watched him fold it
and put it gently in his trinket box, that he kept special items in.

GOD BLESS AMERICA! This is my home! This is my family! Let us stand tall and walk proud.

UNITED we WILL stand!!

Wow... this has been a year! On the whole this country has gotten off to a rocky start
with the coming of the Milleum Year. Time has elasped and I have not kept up with things here.
I am afraid my health has caused me to neglect updating the rooms and keeping up with much of my mail.
I apologize to all of you who have visited and have not been properly greeted. I am slowly going over
the rooms to "clean" and update them, as well as going thru many, many many letters and emails.

I wish to at this time offer my condolences and prayers to all those who lost loved ones
and friends in the recent bombing of the Twin Towers and the Pentagon.
It is an event that has left not only this nation, but countries world wide, devastated as well as changed forever.

I have set up a tribute page, America in Mourning and a message board, (Attack on America)
for those wishing to express their thoughts and feelings on this horrific act.
You just sign in and click on the Enter button. No password is needed.

NY is my home, and while I did not personally know anyone in the Towers, my neighbor's Aunt
worked there as did several Co-workers of my middle daughter. Her Co-workers had just recently been
transferred from their Island office branch, to the NY office in one of the Twin Tower buildings.
My eldest son not only works for law enforcement, but also is a volunteer fire fighter.
He of course went in to the City to do what he could to help in the search and rescue effort.
My youngest and middle son are in the Armed Services and are presently waiting thier instructions.
One is serving in the Army, while the other is with the USMC. Nuff said!

Happy "New Year" 2001

April is a reeeeal busy month. It brings the showers that make way for May's flowers.
It also brings celebrations and time for reflections for Christians and Jews with the holidays
of Easter and PassOver. April is also a time of reflections for manyVietnam Vets.
This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Vietnam War and the Fall of Saigon.

It also is a time for Spring Cleaning. Now, that may be a closet, a room and it can even be
the rooms within ourselves.. It's a good time to weed through our thoughts and clutter within ourselves.
Things perhaps we've held onto tooo long. A time to let go.. A time to start new.

With the coming of Spring comes the newness of many things.
Just as the bulbs are getting ready to poke thru the gound at this time and start life anew,
it might not be a bad idea if we did the same with our innerselves. Feed ourselves good thoughts
and rid ourselves of those that bring us down and block us from going on.. Life is too short
and we don't always know just how much time we have on this earth.. If we wait too long to see,
enjoy, or experiance things, we will be left standing never having done, or known, as life waits for no man.
You can stand still in life and let it pass you by, OR you can jump in and keep up with it.
The choice is and always will be, yours to make.

And of course March not only brings March Winds but it also brings the Little People
and St. Patty's Day... :) Top of the Mornin' to All!

Well we all know what February brings... (besides snow and cold for us here in the North).
LOVE.. Lots of LOVE. It brings Valentine's Day, a day where we can STOP and take time
to tell those around us how much they mean to us.. Children, Parents, Spouses, Lovers and Friends..
Don't let time pass without telling your friends and loved ones just what they mean to you. Life is too short..
Today we are here, tomorrow may never come.

Some new editions have been added to VetCenter's Rooms..
The Korean Room is finished and your invited to visit, learn, or just reminisce about "the Fogotten War".
Having gotten into that time frame, 1950-1953, we also know along with the Korean War,
it was the start of Rock n Roll.. So if you'd like to relax a bit, and relive some of those great tunes
the "50's" gave us, grab yourself a coke and stop in to the Oldies Shoppe

Hope all you you got off to a great start in this Millineum Year!
Boy, ever think we would live to see this?
January starts the year with many anniversaries for our Veterans
and goes on into February. Many relive some not so nice memories of a time in thier lives
that was full of pain, and best forgotten. But how does one forget a time that took a big part
of your life away. That took your youth away and worst of all, that took some of your best friends away..
So many will start the year off in thoughts of days past. To you I offer my prayers that God will
give you the strength to get through these days and

Happy "New Year" 2000

And heeeeeeeeere's Christmas sneaking up real fast!! Now the hustle and bustle begins.
And let me tell you, when there's 9 grandkids to shop for... ei, yi, yi!!!
I sure could use some of Santa'selves to help me out at this time of year..
As the years roll by, I get slower and slower.. :)
Just can't seem to move as quickly as years ago.. nor do I really want to..
Well, guess I better start getting those boxes out from the Attic.....
Feel like taking a breather, drop the kids off in VetCenter's Kid's Day Care Room
and stop by VetCenter's Holiday Rec Room to relax for a bit...

Wow.. the smells of Turkey roasting slowing in the oven, yummy!
Seems the days are just flying by.. Thanksgiving is here and soon Christmas will follow...
May you all have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

November: To all those who have served or are serving, I wish you
all a very Happy Veterans Day.. Veterans's Day 1999 DStormMom

November 11th ~ IT'S A BOY!! Riley Ellis, Grandkid # 9

TAPS ~ Barbara Radomski ~ October 28, 1999 ~ GW Vet's Spouse

Fall is rolling in.. I can feel it in the air already. The days are gettng shorter
and the sun is going down sooner. Pretty soon for us here in the north,
there will be leaves galore to be raked. Oy! It is a pretty time tho all the leaves changing color.
Reminds me of an artist with a palette of colors and a little dab here and a little dab there.. Reeeeal pretty.

TAPS ~ Jason Whitcomb ~ September 24, 1999 ~ GWVet

This was a very hectic summer. Many events where scheduled and between going to this one
and going to that one, I have not had a chance to update as much as I wanted to here..
So as you can well tell, we are a tad bit behind here..

This weekend is Memorial Day. Please remember our fallen soldiers.
Visit VetCenter's Memorial Tribute Page

VetCenter wishes ALL our Mom's out there a very HAPPY MOM'S DAY!!

Well, OUR SOLDIERS are FREE!!! Our thanks to Rev. Jackson and his team!!
And to all the Prayers that went out on their behalf..
If only we could bring ALL our POW/MIAs home, that truly would be a miracle.. YOU can help!!
Prayers along with pressure on those in power that have the ability to DO SOMETHING will help.

If you listened to the three soldiers when they made their public statements in Germany,
the one thing they kept remarking on, was the fact that they where kept going
by the thoughts, that we would rescue them.. that we where supporting them.
I couldn't help but think off other Pow/Mia's and wonder.. Do they know?
Do they know that THEY ARE "NOT" FORGOTTEN!!
I think that is the most haunting thought I have regarding them..
I somehow think they do not know and THAT haunts me daily. Because I know if it where me,
and it was this many years, that is how I would feel. And yet, without that, that ray of hope and the
thought that others where trying and doing all in their power to find me, I would become weakened
and not have so much fight in me to go on...
So I pray with all my heart, that somehow, some message or sign has been given them,
that they know their brothers and sisters HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN THEM
and fight daily to find ways to bring them home and to make those in power ACCOUNTABLE!!!

1999 .. Well, the year certainly did not start off good for this family.
Sure hope things improve with time.. Part of why I have not been able to visit here as much
as I would have liked. However, my family took precedent as the year opened.

All hyped up for a visit from my son whom I (we) had not seen for some time now slowly
faded to upsetment and anxiety for this family. He was due to fly home Christmas Eve.
While my husband and youngest daughter waited eagerly at the airport to greet him and the rest of
us waited anxiously at home, he was in a hospital having been in an auto accident the night before flying home.
We didn't get word of this till late Christmas Day. Needless to day, our holiday was a bit of a turmoil
to say the least. To make a long story short, he did survive, I did get to visit him (not under circumstances
that I would have liked but it was great to see him), and he is recovering slowly but surely. As well as his family.

The new year also brought two more grandchildren. A new grandson and new grand-daughter.

Added to all this, one of my sons that is a Desert Storm Vet decided to reenlist with the Marine Corp.
His currently is at Camp LeJune` ready and waiting, with regard to "Kosovo". My youngest son
also enlisted. He joined the Army and is presently at Ft. Jackson (Boot Camp). Dad and I are very much
looking forward to his graduation. We've been to our other sons graduations from Boot Camp
with the Marine Corp. This will be my first with the Army and I am excited.
Dad of course is in his glory, since he served in the Army with the 4th Div.

With all this going on with my family here at home, the outside world has had it's turmoil as well.
The "Kosovo" situation taking precedence, and then the tragic loss of lives at Colombia High.

The Veteran Community also lost a very dear friend and ex-POW Col. Ted Guy. I did not have the honor
or pleasure of meeting him in person, however, I came to know of and about him through the Pow Issues.
He will be greatly missed by many.

Let's hope the second half of the year gets a bit better for us all.
That those who have lost loved ones, find peace and healing and that the world situation
can be settled peacefully. We must all learn to live in harmony. For with harmony comes peace.
Peace within ourselves as well as with our fellow man.

Happy "New Year" 1999

The beginning of the year is always the hardest.. For with the start of a NEW YEAR,
comes memories of the OLD YEARS gone by.. January leads it off with the
Anniversary of the Gulf War Air Assault, on into the GW Ground War and takes us
right into the anniversary of the "Fall of Saigon".. These are hard times for many Veterans..
reliving some of their worst memories.. digging up feelings that they have tried to keep buried..
So for some, starting a new year is not the most upbeat time. However...
being Warriors that they are, they will do their "best" to overcome yet another
roadblock of life.. and they will survive..   To all of you, hang in there..
I am here if you need to talk.. or even if to shed a tear or two.. we will do it together...
"walk tall", "walk proud", but most of all,
"WALK UNITED"...

Semper Fi,   DStormMom

1998 Greetings

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