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12/04/98 And heeeeeeere's Christmas.. Geesh. Like it just crept up when I wasn't looking.. Seems it comes sooner and sooner each year.. Time to crawl up into the attic and drag down those decorations again... Any volunteers??? :)
11/24/98 HAPPY THANKSGIVING FOLKS.... Hope you
all have a wonderful
and blessed Thanksgiving.. Hmmm...... I can smell those wonderful aromas..
Now don't you all eat tooooooo much now.. I know you men folk fill up and
then hit the couch for a snooze.. :) and TV.. Game time ??
Well, enjoy, however you may spend the day. Let's remember to
give thanks for all our blessings and to remember those not able to be home
at this time.
I know I will be giving thanks for all the wonderful folks who I have come
to meet and
know personally. YOU ALL have been a "special" blessing to me and I
give thanks for
that daily.. Peace, joy and love.... DStormMom
To update you all a bit, they both graduated High School and had to make
many
adjustments with their lives.. Dealing with two going through this (as well
as my last two)
has been somewhat chaotic for me also. I tell you, when it came time
for back to school time
I was at a lost... Kinda missed the trips to the store for loose leaf paper,
notebooks, etc...
Hey, that was the easy part... then came the licences and the cars, and the
insurance.. Whew! Scary... I've put seven kids on the road..and survived...
Yikes!! Remember, when you got
into the car with your son/daughter for the first time.. Ah yi yi... But
they are now full fledge licensed drivers and have gotten their cars on the
road and are employed and headed on to
college as long as they maintain their
jobs to pay their fees.. :) Ahhh, to be young again..
My middle son has rejoined the USMC.. He served in Desert Storm and has gone
back into
the Corp.. My oldest daughter is expecting in January and my middle daughter
in March..
I think I have that right, hard to keep track of them all now.. That
will make a grand total of
eight grandkids.. Gonna be a "home made" Christmas this year.. :)
Thanksgiving is right around the corner and we have so much to be thankful
for..
Sure you do.. Look deep within yourselves and everyone can find something
if not many
things to be thankful for.. I know some of you don't have it as good
as others, but I bet
you can still find things to give thanks for.. For me, my biggest thanks
goes to all of YOU.
So many of you have touched my life, enriched it in so many ways.. For that
I am so very thankful.
I've just returned from a most memorable visit to DC, for Veterans Day. It
was so good
seeing many old friends again and meeting many in person, that I have talked
with over
the years. It was also special for me since my youngest daughter decided
to make the trip with me. She accompanied me on my nightly visits to the
Wall to pay honor to those that didn't
make it home. She had a chance to
meet many Vets, both Nam and Desert Storm, many that she has spoken to via
the phone.
I had the honor of attending the Tenth Anniversary of the "DMZ to Delta
Dance",
sponsored by VVA Chapter 227.. A wonderful event.. And I had the distinct
pleasure,
honor and
privilege to meet Doc Holiday
in person, along with his lovely wife Dixie..
Whew... what a momentous event for me.. This man is truly a Hero. Despite
what he is going thru healthwise, he still maintains a wonderful spirit and
sense of humor.. Dixie his lovely wife
is a wonderful lady. Doc is currently undergoing treatment at a New York
Hospital. I will be
posting an update on this shortly..
On the morning of Veteran's Day, while having my wake up coffee, my daughter
handed me
a piece of paper saying, " Mom, last night before falling asleep, I scribbled
some of my
thoughts down. Thought you might want to read them." Well, I did, and
I would like
(with her permission) to share them here with all of you......
Veteran's Day
It's cold and damp, yet people still come.
To Thank All, that Served All.
And gave there lives, for something called Freedom.
Freedom we all sometimes take for granted.
Now, I look at things and cherish the sights.
Because one of these days, one of these nights.
It may all be gone.
~ Carolyn ~
I will be updating many of the rooms, so I will be around more
frequently and have a
chance to talk with you all more.. So untill next time... take care
~ DStormMom
03/22/98.. A Reminder... about our Soldiers
"The Soldier"
´´It is the soldier, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the soldier, who salutes the flag,
who serves under the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag.´´
By Charles M. Province
03/17/98.. Hope everyone had an enjoyable St. Patty's Day...
We have a couple of
things going on presently.. As a reminder, please don't forget about the
Yellow Ribbon
Hearing that is set for APRIL 3, 4, and 5th....
We also have another Somalia Vet that is looking for others that served there and he would love to hear from those that are fellow Marines....
I would also like to make mention here, that through the year many of
you have sent me flowers on various occasions and they have all been so
beautiful.. Rather than
just shelve them, I will be placing them about in VetsCenter.. They
have been really
appreciated and cannot be enjoyed closed up in a file.. Many times,
they arrived
at a time when a smile was sorely needed or something pleasant was needed
to
break the black cloud feeling we all have from time to time .. I want
to thank you
all for your kindness and for the many kind words you have brightened my
days
with.. Your all very special to me.. And as my family keeps growing,
so does the
love.. and not just with my extended family here, but with my own family
at home.
My children have blessed me with some beautiful grandchildren.. Something
I
never thought I would live to see... But 7 children later and 5 grandkids
later,
I'm still kicking.. Maybe not too hard or too quick, but none-the-less
still kicking :)
I had better get over to the Canadian Room and see what is doing there... Talk to you all later..................................
03/13/98.. MARCH and the march winds sure are doing their
numbers.. My family seems seems to be catching whatever is blowing in the
wind.. Flus, colds, you name it.. we've got it. I hope all of
you are doing better...
If you've been roaming the VetsCenter you will notice many updates thru out
the rooms.. I haven't had too much free time to post the updates on the BBs
but am trying
to now... So please bear with me, as tissues in hand, I try to post
the areas that have
been updated, making it easier for you to find...
We also have some very special visitors due to arrive soon and I would
ask you all
to please make them welcome......... Our Canadian neighbors, students from
the
Memorial Club of
Maple Grove
Jr. High School will be stopping in to learn more
about our Veterans and what is going on with them... Let's all make
them feel
welcome and help them in their quest to get educated in this area, by answering
questions they may post.. They are most anxious to learn of the situation
of the
Gulf War Veterans as this is "greatly" denied and played down in Canada.
So to all you Canadian Gulf Vets out there, we sure would appreciate
hearing from you!!!
Following is a letter I received from the students today introducing
themselves....
Date: 98-03-13 14:42:50 EST
From:
bisharjg@mgec.ednet.ns.ca
To: VetCenter@aol.com
Dear Mom,
We are a group of young proud Canadians who serve our country and
especially our Veterans. We are just beginning to learn about the plight
of those Veterans who did
their duty and are having trouble with government, who will not do theirs.
we are only young but we are dedicated. We are the future of our country
and we want to believe
in our country.
We are going on break until March 24,1998,so please be patient and we
will contact
you we promise. In order to take action we must learn and be educated.
We wish you the best. God bless you and all Veterans who served their country.
Sincerely Yours
The Maple Grove Memorial Club
2/01/98 February already, YIKES... time
is just ticking away here. Can you believe?
You know, the song playing in the background, titled "The Dance" by Garth
Brooks,
is very meaningful for me... I tend to look at life as a Dance.. There is
another song that also states, "Life's a dance, .....
Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow......."
And that is exactly how life is.. And as the words to this version
playing now says,
"I could have missed the pain, but then I'd had to miss the dance. "
I am watching a lot of life lately sort of on the outside looking in..
The last two
of my large brewd of children, getting ready to spread their wings and take
those
first independent steps.. In many of these events with them, I once
was the one
that, led the dance.. now I am the one that follows.... as the song says
and as it
should be.. Sometimes, there are tearful and painful times, but without
those times
it would not have formed the characteristics of their personalities nor the
bonds we
now share.. And in the Dance of Life, we often lose loved ones, which
again brings
pain, but it would not be that painful, if we did not care or love them so
much. So
would it be better to just "miss the dance" so we could spare ourselves the
pain?
I guess the answer may be different for each of us.. But for me.. when I
hold my
latest grandson, I can't help but feel I hold everything, and can't help
but look back. Remembering back when his father was going thru his hard times..
to when grandson's s Uncles where in the Gulf and how their lives have changed
since.. to the times, this little one's Aunts gave me heartache up the kazoo,
but grew past all that, developing into delightful young ladies...many memories
flood into my head.. more so when looking into the eyes of grandchildren,
sort of a bridge between past and future..
I look back at all the times when the "world was right".. When it came time
for my children to say "good by" and go on their own..
Even my family here.. I have come to know so many of you personally.
Much of
what we have shared has been painful.. and oh Lord.. TC, may he rest
in peace..
that was the hardest good-bye for me.. and yet, I would not have missed
the chance
to Dance with TC.. As it is with all of you... What will be,
will be.. and as I tell my children, we must enjoy this moment, this day,
finding something no matter how small.
So we may go on.. touching others as they do certainly touch us.. That
dear family,
is what the The Dance is all about..... "Sometimes we
lead, sometimes we follow..."
" It's my life, better left to chance, I could have missed the
pain,"
But then dear friends...
"I'd have had to miss THE DANCE"
DStormMom
Lyrics to "The Dance"
Lookin back, on the memory of,
The dance we shared, neath the stars above.
For a moment, all the world was right.
How could I have known that you'd ever say goodbye
And now, I'm glad I didn't know,
the way it all would end, the way it all would go.
Our lives are better left to chance,
I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance
Holding you, I hold everthing, for a moment wasn't I a King?
If I'd only known, how the key would fall,
and whose to say, I might have changed it all
and I, I'm glad I didn't go
the way it all would end
the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance,
I could have missed the pain,
but I'd have had to miss the dance
It's my life, better left to chance,
I could have missed the pain,
but I'd have had to miss ... The Dance
1/7/98 Good Morning... How is everyone adjusting
to the NEW year?
Shame now, all the pretty lights and decorations have to get packed away..
UGH!!
I don't mind telling ya, I am getting too old for all this climbing
about in the crawl
space attic taking things out... putting things back... What's that
you say? Let my
kids do it?.. Yea, RIGHT!! Last time they did that, [due to my being
immobile because of a back problem..] it took me some time to find
all the stuff.. Fact is...,
I am still missing some decorations to this day...
Recently, I have read some disturbing things and questions popping up,
regarding
many issues are flying left and right in my head.. Not a good way to
start the
New Year off. I feel the need to vent, to sound off.. so rather than
bore or burden anyone, I will be spending much time the next few days in
the Quiet Corner Room..
As I have spouted off many times, to many of you... "talk it out",
"write about it"..
it is time I too release some of these heavy feelings.... I find in
the quiet of the
night, when the house is sleeping, and the only sounds are those of the night
is
my best time.. For now, I will handle the turmoil of feelings till I can
sneak away
to the Quiet Corner......
I have been trying to catch up with updating many of the pages here..
Please
check them out.. Several new awards have been presented to the VetsCenter
and yours truly, and I am deeply honored to accept them.... They have been
put
with others, in
Mom's
Treasure's.
I am also a bit backed up with answering my mail, and I do apologize
for that.
PLEASE, do not think I haven't read your letters, I have.. I just have not
had
ample time to get back to all of you with a reply... I am trying to get to
them
all as time allows and do most sincerely appreciate all your letters..
Again, my
sincere apologies for the delay in replying to you all..
The Family Album will soon be available for viewing, as I post pictures from
my
travels to some of the Vet Events.. Don't be surprised if you
see a snap
shot of yourself in the Album :)
For now, gotta run and do some errands.. talk to ya all later...
DStormMom
1/1/1998 WOW ... "1998" Can you believe?
I hope this year will bring long awaited
answers for many of us.. And perhaps, it will be the year we get accountability
for our Pow/Mia's.... I know we face many more hurdles and pray that TOGETHER
we will
get thru them... Many Vets are going thru some very hard times at the
moment..
Not exactly a good way to start the year off .. But if we help one
another and stand
by one another we CAN overcome these hurdles.. It may not and most likely
will
not be easy.. but then nothing in life worth attaining, is.... As I
tell my children,
take the situation, whatever it may be, and look for a positive side to it..
and go on
from there.. If we dwell on the down side of events or situations,
we will not get too
far... Nor will we be in a state of mind to proceed... So to all I say..
let's all kick
off the NEW YEAR on a good note.. and help one another.. Be there for one
another.
A Happy, Healthy, and Productive New Year to you ALL!!
(((((((((((( hugs ))))))))))))
DStormMom
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, DSM