Newsletter 21

May 2012

The Being There-Reaching Out newsletter for the WI Families of our Fallen Military.

The BT-RO Kentucky Derby Hat Ladies Club 2012

For our little Gold Star Niece Angel Maddie,

Who we lost in December to cancer.

For Gold Star Mother Mary Bosveld who lost her mother

Marian Swonger, in December.

Courtney Walker had her First Holy Communion on May 6, 2012

For Our Gold Star Mother Cathy, suffering with cancer

For our adopted Angel Brendan: photo was taken just prior to his most

recent surgery...keep praying. What a great smile!

Sent in by our Gold Star Wife Nancy Olson.

Trevor and Cassie were married January 14, 2012 in Loyal. Also

pictured are (Left to Right) Cody, 20, girlfriend Jenna, Kasey, Trevor,

Cassie, Nancy (GSW), girlfriend Kati, and Jesse, 23. It was a great day.

Trevor, Cody and Cassie are all sons of our Hero Todd Olson. Kasey is

his daughter.

Jen Voss got married October 22, 2011:>))) Daughter of our Board

Member Barb Voss

Todd Douglas Olson was born before 7 am on April 2 and named after

his Hero Grandfather, Todd Olson.

6th Annual SPC Shaun Novak Memorial Golf Outing: May

19th. Two Rivers. Contact Gold Star Mother Brenda Novak: 920-973-7376

Freedom Fest: June 16th LaCrosse: Join us for our third annual

trip to this music festival in honor of our Troops and Fallen Heroes

(Contact me for details).

Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team: July 6-8 Fond du Lac: See article in this issue of REMEMBRANCE.

Our 5th Annual Run for our Fallen: August 19th Milwaukee

SrA Daniel Johnson Memorial Golf Classic: Sept 10 Lake Geneva. Contact wrj2942@yahoo.com

Unveiling of the new WI Memorial Wall of Honor and

Veterans Day Parade: Nov 10th Milwaukee

National Wreaths Across America Day: Dec. 15, 2012. See the article in this issue of REMEMBRANCE

Contact me for more info on all of the above: Gentlyjs@yahoo.com

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Note from Judith: This may apply to your Fallen Loved one.

Deadline to Apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay

Extended

The deadline for eligible service members, veterans and their beneficiaries to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP) has been extended to Oct. 21, 2012, providing that

eligible more time to apply for the pay under the program guidelines.

"Even with extensive outreach efforts, and tremendous support from the President, Congress, the VA, veteran and military service organizations, and friends and family around the world, some qualified individuals have not yet applied," said Juliet Beyler, acting director of Officer and Enlisted Personnel Management. "We highly encourage anyone who may be eligible to apply for this pay; you have earned it."

RSLSP was established to compensate for the hardships military members encountered when their service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss authority between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009. Eligible members or their beneficiaries may submit a claim to their respective military service in order to receive the benefit of $500 for each full or partial month served in a Stop Loss status.

When RSLSP began on Oct. 21, 2009, the services estimated 145,000 service members, veterans and beneficiaries were eligible for this benefit. Because the majority of those eligible had separated from the military, the services have engaged in extensive and persistent outreach efforts, to include multiple direct mailings, public service announcements, and continuous engagements with military and veteran service organizations, social networks and media outlets. To apply for the pay, or for more information on RSLSP, including submission requirements and service-specific links, go to http://www.defense.gov/stoploss .

Sent in by our dear Gold Star Mother Cheryl Lybert.

Taken Veterans Day 2011 when I was speaker for American Legion -

OLS, LES, LHS Schools, and Nursing Home. Why it's special.....that's my

Uncle Walter Hraban holding my hand. For those family and friends

who know also see Ray Lubner behind me, and Elmer Wisherd.

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Sent to us by the Family of our WI Hero Alun Howells

Graduate honors brother, and other war victims with Memorial Gallery

Jan. 18, 2012

Menomonie, Wis. — Paul Howells’ final project at University of Wisconsin-Stout was an intensely personal one. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts must complete a senior project. Howells, who graduated in December, chose to honor and memorialize his brother and others by creating the Fallen Heroes Memorial Gallery, a 3D digital gallery for the more than 6,300 men and women who have died in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. At this point, the gallery includes four 3D digital busts of fallen troops; Army Spc. Alun R. Howells, Paul’s older brother, is one. Alun died Aug. 13, 2007, in Baghdad of wounds sustained from direct enemy fire. At 20 years old, he had been in Iraq less than six months and had volunteered for an especially dangerous mission. “He was always volunteering for things,” Paul said. Before he was deployed, Alun told his mother that he wasn’t afraid of dying but of being forgotten. Paul took this to heart and is motivated to make sure that none of the troops who have sacrificed their lives are forgotten. The other three busts of servicemen are Sgt. Andrew R. Tobin, California; Construction man Mychael A. Flint, New York; and Senior Airman James A. Hansen, Michigan. Visiting the digital gallery one will see, in addition to the busts, a wall similar to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial of the names of those killed in the conflicts. The gallery is available for viewing at http://fallenheroesgallery.org. Paul obtained the names from the Department of Defense Statistical Information Analysis Division. The gallery includes search and browse functions so visitors can view a specific memorial or look through all of them, and each bust is accompanied by a personal tribute. To see a video of Howells discussing his project, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfF2AZRnLxU. Paul’s goal was and continues to be to honor and memorialize all the troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan and to remind people that military personnel — men and women — continue to fight and die. These individuals aren’t just numbers; they are aunts and uncles, sons and daughters, fathers and mothers and friends, he said.

The Howells moved to Menomonie in 2004 from Colorado, and Paul graduated from Menomonie High School in 2006. Always interested in art and design, Paul chose UW-Stout when it was time to decide which college to attend; it was close to home, and the art and design program looked strong. “It has been a good fit; I’m happy with my decision,” said Paul, whose concentration was multimedia design. Alun also had considered attending UW-Stout. Paul was accepted in the University Honors Program and graduated cum laude. He was entering his sophomore year when Alun was killed. According to Lopa Basu, director of the honors program, “This experience has had a profound impact in shaping Paul’s life as a student and artist.” During the summer of 2011, Paul made a digital bronze bust of his brother for his honors project. This idea spurred him on to his digital gallery. Since famous people are memorialized in statues and busts, Paul thinks that those who died in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve as much. Paul also was able to replicate the memorial 3D digital bust of his brother into an actual bust with the help of a 3D printer, housed in a print lab at the university. Ellery Connell, Paul’s professor for his 3D class, helped tremendously. “The project would not have been possible without his help,” Paul said. To connect with others who have lost a family member, Paul started a Gold Star Families Facebook page, which has more than 1,000 followers. Gold Star Families include those who have lost a loved one in service to the United States. Through the page, designed for people to express their sorrow and grief to those who also have suffered grief and loss, Paul connected with families who volunteered to participate in his digital gallery. They sent him photographs of the deceased family member as well as basic information. From the pictures, Paul fashioned his 3D digital busts. At this point, he only has the four but plans to add more. Greg Quinn, Dunn County Veterans Service Officer, had not heard of Paul’s digital gallery, although he would like to see it. “That’s wonderful that he has done this for his loved one,” Quinn said. With his degree from UW-Stout, Paul isn’t sure which direction he will take. He is interested in possibly working in special effects in the film and TV industry. No matter the job he takes, he will continue to add to his gallery so that none will be forgotten.

An Award of Appreciation to the Uhl Family from the VFW in Wausau

Our friends and parents of Hero Tyler Peterson, Don and Mary, doing

their thing…running around the World. This time at Disney

World..they probably walked there!

Police (Military) Dogs Prayer

Oh almighty God, whose great power and eternal wisdom embraces the universe,

watch over my handler while I sleep. Protect my handler from harm

while I am unable to do so. I pray, help keep our streets and homes

safe while my handler and I rest. I ask for your loving care because my handler's duty is dangerous.

Grant my handler your unending strength and courage in our daily assignments.

Dear God, protect my brave handler,

grant your almighty protection, unite my handler safely with the family

after the tour of duty has ended. I ask nothing for myself. Amen. Author - Unknown

Dog Named For Fallen Soldier Helps Make Arrest K-9 Tracked Suspects To Bus

MADISON, Wis. -- A police dog named for a Madison officer's fallen son helped police apprehend the suspects in an armed robbery earlier this week. The incident began at around 6 p.m. Wednesday when three teens -- ages 15 and 16 -- were getting off a bus on Northwestern Avenue. Another group of older teens, later identified as Marsean D. Taylor, 18, of Fitchburg, Demitrius D. Furdge, 17, of Madison, and Kristopher J. Hughes, 18, of Madison, approached them from behind with a handgun, demanding the victims empty their pockets, according to a police report. The three suspect made off with two wallets and two cell phones, police said. When officers responded, they brought along Josh, a police K-9 named for U.S. Army Sgt. Josh Brennan. Brennan, the son of Officer Mike Brennan, was killed during a firefight in the Kunar Province in 2007. K-9 Josh led officers to Loftsgordan Avenue and laid down, a signal that something of significance was nearby. Josh's alert helped his partner track down the two stolen wallets, which had been dumped, according to officials. Police said Josh then tracked the men along railroad tracks and toward apartments on the 2100 block of Packers Avenue with officers in tow.

One of the officers, using binoculars, spotted the suspects boarding a bus on Northport Drive, according to police. Josh's partner flagged down the bus as a squad car also tried to pull it over. Police found Taylor, Furdge and Hughes on the bus and found a starter pistol tucked in one of the man's waistband, according to a police incident report. Officers arrested Taylor, Furdge and Hughes. All are facing charges of armed robbery, police said. Way to go K-9 Josh! L-J

Next issue of REMEMBRANCE out in early

September: Contact me (Judith) with articles,

photos, and events by early August: Gentlyjs@yahoo.com

WI Gold Star Mother Memorial

We are currently fundraising for Wisconsin Gold Star Mother’s and are in need of your help

and support! Gold Star Mother’s is a national organization that has lost a child on duty while serving in the military to help preserve our freedom. I have attached our annual

fundraising letter with the history of Veteran’s Memorial Park that was started in 2007. We

understand that many are struggling due to the current economy, but please consider a

small donation and/or forward onto any business that may be willing to donate to our

cause. We are working together with the Village of Rothschild to help draw tourism to central Wisconsin and honor our military hero's. Once we meet our fundraising goal,

Wisconsin will become the third state to erect the National Gold Star Mother’s Memorial.

Please consider supporting our local hero's and their families. Jessica Maple (715) 551-7206

Wounded Warriors Baseball Team to play in Fond du Lac

Members of the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team stand for the

national anthem before an exhibition game in Plant City, Fla. David Van Sleet,

who worked in prosthetics for the military for 30 years, started the team 10

months ago.

Plant City, Fla. - When a roadside bomb in Afghanistan shredded Marine Lance Cpl. Josh Wege's legs in 2009, the former Wisconsin high school baseball star wondered if he would even survive - let alone walk, run or play ball again.

But on a recent Saturday afternoon, a crowd at a Tampa-area stadium watched him drill a pitch from former U.S. Olympic softballer Jennie Finch over an outfielder's head and use his high-tech prosthetic legs to run out a triple - finishing with a belly-flop slide into third base. His Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team crushed an all-star squad that included former pro and college players, 23-8.

Wege, 22 and from Campbellsport, plays first base for the barnstorming bunch of Army and Marine combat veterans, most of whom rely on prosthetic limbs. Corporate sponsorships have allowed the team to travel around the country playing local teams for charity, amassing a 14-13 record going into a game Sunday against a team of first responders in Orange County, Calif. And their schedule is growing,

with 75 games already booked for 2012, including July 6-8 in Fond du Lac.

All of the infielders are missing at least one of their legs. Two of the outfielders use those special carbon-fiber running legs, the ones that look like upside-down question marks, for speed. One outfielder is missing a hand, and the right fielder plays without his entire left arm and shoulder. They play slow-pitch softball, but this is not your casual Thursday night beer league. And the in-your-face nature of their disabilities doesn't inspire pity or sympathy - at least not after they start punishing the ball, flying around the bases and making highlight-reel plays in the field. Finch's Fellowship of Christian Athletes team won the other two games last weekend, including a 13-11 squeaker in the rubber match.

At Wounded Warrior games, kids ask for their autographs, women hug them and veterans pump their hands in gratitude. "The first time we got to see him play with these incredible ballplayers, I couldn't see the field because I was crying too much," said Dave Wege, Josh's father, a Lutheran school principal in the Fond du Lac County community of Waucousta. "It was such an emotional thing because at that point we knew that Josh was not only back, he was stronger than before in so many ways."

Coach David Van Sleet, who worked in prosthetics for the military for 30 years, started the team 10 months ago and retired in December to manage it full-time. He got some players from a tryout at the University of Arizona and picked up others along the way, relying on

word-of-mouth at the Veterans Affairs hospitals and rehab centers. They come together for the weekend outings from around the country, always trying to fit in a practice before the games.

The team travels with 11 players who proudly wear around $2 million worth of prosthetic limbs, and no matter the weather they won't wear long pants. They want fans - particularly those with disabilities - to see they are different, but just as good.

"We got a good bunch of guys," said the 55-year-old Tucson resident Van Sleet, who is not an amputee himself. "A lot of amputees are depressed, sitting at home, not getting off the couch. And we say, 'Look you don't have to do anything at this level, but you need to get up and go do something.' We try to encourage other amputees to maybe get back into a normal state of life, one way or another. They've got to get going."

Josh Wege, the team's only double amputee, said he jumped at the chance to play ball again but acknowledged his initial fears that he might not be able to do it at a level that suited him. He got help and encouragement from his sister, a physical therapist who worked with him to develop balance and other athletic skills he would put to use on the field.

The morning of the first of three games against Finch's team, Wege's dad tossed batting practice to him on a Plant City, Fla., softball field. Dave Wege watched his son spray line drives all over the lot, grinning with each satisfying "thunk" of the aluminum Louisville Slugger. "One thing we say as amputees is we're trying to get back our new normal," Wege said. "Our limbs aren't going to grow back any time soon, so this is the normal you're going to have to get used to. Without this team, my new normal wouldn't be complete."

Fond du Lac Schedule: All games are at: Lakeside Park, 222 N. Bell St.

Saturday 11:30 AM, July 7th vs Dan's Village Bowl Saturday 2:30 PM, July 7th vs Fond du Lac Police Department. Saturday 4:00 PM, July 7th vs Fond du Lac Fire Department

Did you know?

Early politicians required feedback from the public to determine what the people considered important. Since there were no telephones, TV's or radios, the politicians sent their assistants to local taverns, pubs, and bars. They were told to 'go sip some Ale “ and listen to people's conversations and political concerns. Many assistants were dispatched at different times. 'You go sip here' and 'You go sip there.' The two words 'go sip' were eventually combined when referring to the local opinion and, thus we have the term 'gossip.'

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Sent in by the Gold Star Parents of our Hero Jeremy Vrooman

Here's the story on how Jeremy earned his Bronze Star with Valor during Operation Iraqi Freedom:

The mission was named Operation Cougar Storm. Jeremy's platoon from 4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany, was needed to assist the 2nd Squadron for a very important mission on July 15, 2008. They were clearing out some buildings at an old brick factory just outside of Kn'an, in the Diyala Province of Iraq. Al Qaeda took over the brick factory complex months earlier as their headquarters and ran the workers out. The mission was to clear out the buildings of Al Qaeda so the people could go back to work. This mission was heavy on staff sergeants and higher-ranked soldiers. They started out very early on the morning of July 15th, the start of yet another intensely hot and dusty day. A total of 90 soldiers were involved in this mission, 60 of them to actually execute the plan of clearing the buildings. There were 20 buildings total, and they were to go in threes. Jeremy was appointed the team leader. He was to give the order for all to enter their prospective buildings at once. Of course, this being an imperfect world, not everyone was there yet. Some were ready, some were just getting out of their vehicles, and some were still parking their vehicles. Jeremy and his two men, Robert Mainard and John Humphrey, were ready. Jeremy confided to Mainard that morning that he had a bad feeling about the mission. Something was off. For one thing, it was too quiet. Jeremy told Mainard that if anything happens to him, to please tell his wife and kids he loves them. Jeremy made the decision to not give the order, and instead, to lead from the front, and enter before everybody else. We know now that the reason he did this is that if the building happened to be wired, he didn't want there to be any more casualties. Jeremy led his men into the first building. He told Mainard to inspect a filing cabinet in the back of the room they were in. Humphrey then started on ahead of Jeremy, but Jeremy grabbed his arm and said "no, Hump, you stay behind me". They continued on to a door to another room. The door was shut, and was stuck tight. Jeremy couldn't budge it. Humphrey braced Jeremy, and together they got the door open. Right then, Jeremy yelled something to Humphrey, which he couldn't understand, but knew enough to run. Humphrey almost made it out of the building when it detonated. They were buried in rubble. Meanwhile, someone else gave the order to enter. There were two groups advancing to their buildings. One soldier was just entering his building. When Jeremy's building detonated, this caused them to stop and run to help get Jeremy and his men out. There were around 14 soldiers digging the three out. Someone was shouting for them to get out, there's possibly another set of wiring. That order was ignored. The soldiers kept digging. They found Humphrey right away. He was by the front door - his right arm was almost completely severed. They got him out and continued on to Mainard. Mainard was buried in rubble, still standing, and cussing up a storm. He lost the hearing in

one ear. They got him out and sent both he and Humphrey on an ambulance to the helicopter landing zone. The guys continued searching for Jeremy. Finally somebody found the toe of one boot. They got him uncovered, but an I-beam had fallen on him, so a machine had to be brought in to lift it up so they could pull him out. Jeremy had no pulse. Three medics worked on him diligently for 45 minutes. They got a pulse going, and put him on a helicopter for Baghdad. One of the medics worked so hard on Jeremy that he himself needed IVs. In Baghdad, the doctors did what they could for Humphrey, and then sent him to Walter Reed for more surgeries. Mainard checked out OK, except for the loss of hearing in one ear. He was sent back to his unit. Jeremy was on the operating table for three hours, but succumbed to his injuries. After the doctors had done their job, they got him ready for the Hero Flight to Kuwait. As Jeremy was being wheeled out of the hospital, all the doctors, nurses and available personnel lined the hallways and saluted Jeremy as he went by. One of his senior officers was there and witnessed it. Meanwhile, back at the brick factory, the guys were regrouping. The Lieutenant Colonel who was the leader of the mission decided to bring in a bomb sniffing dog to check the other buildings. The dog sat down at every building. Every....single....building....was wired. Thus started Operation Cougar Storm II. They called in an air strike. The Air Force came in with 500 lb. bombs and dropped them on ten of the buildings. The initial explosion from that was huge, but the secondary explosion from all the wiring inside the buildings was even greater. There were so many explosives in one of the buildings, it would have wiped out several troops and ruined the hearing on several more. (There was a group of soldiers about to enter this building - one of them was at the door.) The buildings were double wired, both above and below the flooring. The Air Force didn't want to use any more of their bombs, so the rest of the buildings were destroyed by ground missiles. This final part of the mission was named Operation Cougar Storm III. The guys found out later why it was so quiet around there. The insurgents had cleared out the whole town beforehand. They meant to do business that day. Jeremy led from the front because he didn't want to have any more casualties, just in case the buildings did happen to be wired. Jeremy saved a lot of lives because of his intuition and training experience. He is being credited with saving the lives of all 59 men involved in clearing the buildings. But he's also saved countless lives because of the decision made by the Army to not send soldiers into these areas anymore if the soldiers' safety is in question. The insurgents knew about the mission that was going down somehow, and they also knew there would be a lot of soldiers involved. They decided to take this opportunity to try to wipe out as many soldiers as possible. They wired buildings and ran and hid like cowards. In our quest for the Bronze Star with Valor, we received many statements from the guys who were there that day. Every one of them stated that Jeremy deserves the medal. Each one had something different to tell about the mission. It was like putting pieces of a puzzle together. Once they were put together, we got the whole story. We found out things about the mission AND about our son that we didn't know. We found out that Jeremy's men had much respect for him as a staff sergeant. For example, Jeremy would issue orders, but then he would jump in and help. He would wait until his men had their meals before he would sit down to his. He would make sure his men had their equipment before he would get his. He helped a couple of new recruits get set up at their new base, and he and his wife even took them for a night out on the town. He then gave them each 40 euros to help get them through til payday.

We knew Jeremy was well liked, but this was a surprise! We also knew that Jeremy had much love and respect for his men. When the unit left for Iraq in February of 2008, Jeremy was chosen to stay back on Rear Detachment. He was to help the families and keep things running smoothly on base. Oh boy, was he MAD! He spent a lot of time and energy training his men, and he was expecting to be deployed with them. Every conversation went like this - "I can't be here, I need to be with my men". Sue -"But Jeremy, you're safe in Germany and you're with your family". Jeremy - "I know, but I need to be with my men". We just agreed to disagree. Finally, First Sergeant Muhlenbeck traded Jeremy with another staff sergeant. A couple of the guys said that when Jeremy got there, it was like he'd never been away. Jeremy was trained as a Cavalry Scout - lead from the front. He could have stayed back at his Stryker and ordered his men in, but that's not how he operated. Lead From the Front - he believed this and wouldn't have it any other way. This is why he received the Bronze Star with Valor. SSG Jeremy D. Vrooman is interred at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. His wife Latrecia, and children Xavier and Jade live there. Xavier was 5 and Jade was 1 at the time of his death. A horse-drawn caisson, pulled by four horses, carried him to his final resting place. Jeremy was laid to rest on July 25, 2008. U.S. Army SSG Jeremy D. Vrooman 2/27/80-7/15/08

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Our wonderful Gold Star Dad Herb Samme speaking to the American

Legion about the Eric Palmisano Care Package Project he and his wife

Bobbie do in honor of their dear son and our Hero Eric Palmisano.

The Veterans Cemetery America Forgot

and How You Can Make A Difference The conflicts of the past two decades have once again introduced our country to how we honor our American war dead. Recent scandals at Arlington National Cemetery and Dover Air Force Base have made headlines and compelled our military and civilian leaders to redouble their efforts to honor the military burial of those who served their country.

One would think it impossible that an American military cemetery with over 8,600 of our veterans and their families could exist in the world

forgotten and left to tall weeds, buried headstones, looting, and devastation.

How could our country abandon such a cemetery? This American military cemetery is unique and can only be compared to Arlington because among those interred are men and women who served and fought in the Civil War, the Spanish American War, the Philippine American War, the first and second World War, and Korea, Vietnam and the Middle East wars of today. It is outside the United States and there is none other like it in the world. We cannot let this dishonor continue.

The Spanish American War ended over one hundred years ago and with it the United States inherited Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. The Philippines became America’s face to Asia and for decades we built forts and trained Filipinos and created forces that were led by General Douglas MacArthur.

Those forces became the first to take on the Axis powers of World War Two as the Japanese bombed our Philippine bases within hours of the attack on Pearl Harbor and invaded shortly thereafter. The heroic stories of the Battles for Bataan and Corregidor are well known and how they slowed the Japanese imperial march into Southeast Asia and on to Australia. Three of the U.S. Army’s Philippine Scouts defending Bataan were the war’s first recipients of the Medal of Honor.

What is less well known is that the U.S. had several military cemeteries in the country dating back to the 19th century. In 1948, in order to make space for the creation of the Manila American Cemetery and Monument for the fatalities of WW II, over 5000 of these earlier military dead were moved from the Army’s Fort McKinley cemetery in Manila to Clark Field at Fort Stotsenberg in central Luzon.

Joining them were the American remains of other veterans and their families from the naval bases at Sangley Point and Subic Bay. When the area became Clark Air Force Base, our U.S. Air Force (USAF) became responsible for an American military cemetery with over 7000 veterans and families graves. The USAF was a good steward in honoring our dead until their departure in 1991. Then the cemetery was abandoned.

The Clark Veterans Cemetery (CVC) exists today with over 8,600 American veterans and families reposing in a foreign land, forgotten by our government, and denied the dignity and perpetual care their warrior comrades in death enjoy. How could this have happened? In 1991 the U.S. and Philippine governments were engaged in negotiations to extend our military presence in the country. Negotiations were often antagonistic.

In June 1991 the volcano Mount Pinatubo erupted and Clark Air Force Base was destroyed causing the USAF to leave the Philippines quickly and completely. Soon after, the Philippine Senate rejected an agreement for the U.S. to retain its presence in Subic Bay and the U.S. Navy departed a year later. In the turmoil of that contentious summer the cemetery was overlooked and no provision made for the perpetual care of those American veterans and their families buried there.

In 1994, shocked by the sight of weeds, vandalism, and devastation caused by heavy ash, the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2485 stepped forward to care for the cemetery. With volunteers, fund raisers, and with the assistance of Rotary and American Legion members and creation of a volunteer group called the “Grave Diggers”, the Post raised money and began a program of grounds maintenance.

They established a web site, www.vfwpost2485.com, and received donations to continue their work. One can become a “Grave Digger” for $25. Efforts to interest the two agencies of the U.S. government responsible for U.S. military cemeteries were rejected because of an incorrect perception that somehow CVC was a community cemetery,

an open cemetery, or one where peoples of other nations were buried. Time passed, incorrect information was accepted at face value, and no one undertook study necessary to understand the iconic, historic, and true character of the cemetery.

In 2010 an American small businessman working in the Philippines drove by and took an interest in the cemetery. Discovering the history of its abandonment, he decided to do something about it. A nonprofit organization was created in the U.S., the Clark Veterans Cemetery Restoration Association (CVCRA), and a web site, www.CVCRA.org, developed and a campaign began to petition our government to resume responsibility. Champions and Allies signed up on the web site and veterans were encouraged to write their members of Congress.

American firms rebuilt the fence, restored a Monument to the Unknowns, built an official entrance, and are providing 24 hour security. Research was undertaken on CVC history in order to dispel some of the old myths. It was discovered that those buried were practically all American military veterans and their families…the CVC is as much an American military cemetery as any in our country.

Two agencies of our government manage most American military cemeteries. The National Cemetery Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA NCA) is responsible for those in the United States, and the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) has stewardship for those overseas. Until recently, neither agency understood the true nature of the cemetery.

In November 2011 the CVCRA made a formal presentation to the semi-annual meeting of the American Battle Monuments Commission asking that they take responsibility for the CVC. Subsequently CVCRA was informed by ABMC staff that the CVC “does not fall within our core mission or current authority”, a “decision ….rests with the Congress”, but that the staff would “consult with other federal agencies …. (so that a) “solution could be recommended by the Administration”. CVCRA then made a similar formal presentation to the VA NCA in January 2012 and was advised of a “number of legal, policy and diplomatic issues that preclude VA from acquiring and operating Clark”, but that they would explore methods “with allied Federal agencies”. The VA NCA also states that it “does not operate overseas cemeteries”.

On March 8, 2012, Congressman Frank Guinta of New Hampshire introduced by-partisan legislation with several House colleagues, H.R. 4168 “Caring for the Fallen Act”, that would direct ABMC to maintain the cemetery. CVCRA supports the legislation. A companion bill is needed in the Senate. The ABMC already maintains the Cabanatuan Monument at the notorious POW camp north of Clark as well as the Manila American Memorial and Cemetery to the south. Both are about equidistant from Clark and it would be simple and inexpensive to add CVC to their maintenance contracts.

Many veterans groups support the CVCRA in its effort to overcome bureaucratic resistance and restore dignity to this abandoned American military cemetery. The American Legion has passed a resolution asking our government to step forward, and the home page of our web site displays the logos of organizations like the Air Force Sergeants Association, the Association of the United States Navy, Association of the United States Army, the Air Force Association, the Military Officers Association of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, Special Forces Association, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and others who feel as we do about honoring those who have served their country. Go to www.CVCRA.org, read the beautiful history, and sign on as a Champion.

Abandoning to nature and devastation of a U.S. overseas grave site with thousands of American veterans and families interred should rank up there somewhere in our government’s hierarchy of concern over care of our veteran dead. What we need is some agency of our

government to be as indignant as we are and raise their hand and say that it is their problem to be solved. We are waiting.

D. W. McKinnon, Jr., of Annandale, Virginia, 703-941-8848: themckinnons@aol.com. I am retired Navy and had duty in the Philippines 30 years ago.

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Wreaths Across America (WAA) Sets 2012 Theme:

“Then, Now, and Forever — Let’s Make it Personal”

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at

Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman, Morrill Worcester, in 1992. The organization’s mission, Remember, Honor, Teach, is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying

ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as hundreds of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. For more

information, to donate or to sign up to volunteer, please visit www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.

The theme will be central to the organization’s fundraising efforts and activities leading up to National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012. On that day, WAA will place holiday wreaths at the headstones of fallen veterans at more than 700 locations worldwide.

To underscore the theme for the year, WAA created an “Honor Wall” on its official Facebook page where fans can honor a veteran or active military member by contributing personal stories, posting photos and sharing with family and friends.

“The 2012 theme is all about recognizing the stories that are a deep-rooted part of our heritage,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America. “We know from listening to many families who have lost a loved one in service to our country that their biggest fear is that the sacrifices they made will be forgotten. The message we want to reinforce this year is that WAA will do all it can to ensure that doesn’t happen.”

2011 marked the 20-year anniversary of WAA’s trip to Arlington. On Dec. 10, 2011, WAA organized the placement of nearly 90,000 remembrance wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery. The organization also coordinated 740 wreath-laying cemeteries nationwide, including 25 overseas, for a total of 325,000 donated wreaths — the most for WAA to date.

Organization’s New Facebook “Honor Wall” Allows Visitors to Share Personal Stories and Connect with others across the Country.

www.facebook.com/WAAHQ .... Twitter.com/WreathsAcross.

Note from Judith

We, Being There-Reaching Out, will be participating with WAA

this year in Milwaukee at Woods Cemetery. I’ve listed below

other WI cemeteries that you could help at if they are located

near you:

Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Spooner:

arf1129@cheqnet.net

Veterans Park Saukville: scott.steelecap@gmail.com

Prairie du Chien Veteran's Memorial Prairie du Chien:

randy.christensen@cabelas.com

Korean War Veterans Memorial Plover: suarino@tznet.com

Central Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery King: cklein@cap.gov

Oak Hill Cemetery Lake Geneva:

Pam Thomas: 262-642-7541

Walworth County War Memorial Elkhorn:

Pam Thomas: 262-642-7541

Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery

Union Grove: amandamgrandke@gmail.com

Forest Hill Cemetery Madison: braftery@chorus.net

__________________________________________

Prisoners of War-Missing in Action from the War on Terrorism Please keep praying for their save return.

Wisconsin’s POW-MIA from the Viet Nam War

Name Rank/Br Home Date MIA

Allard, Michael John O3/USN Schofield Aug 30, 1967

Allen, Merlin Ray E3/USMC Bayfield Jun 30, 1967

Arnold, William Tamm O2/USN West Allis Nov 18, 1956

Billipp, Norman Karl O4/USMC Milwaukee May 6, 1969

Blackman, Thomas Joseph E2/USMC Racine May 10, 1969

Bowers, Richard Lee O3/USA Lake Mills Mar 24, 1969

Bush, Robert Ira O3/USAF Racine Jun 9, 1966

Derby, Paul David O3/USMC Menomonie Nov 17, 1968

Downing, Donald William O3/USAF Janesville Sep 5, 1967

Draeger Jr., Walter Frank O3/USAF Deerfield Apr 4, 1965

Evans, William Anthony E5/USAF Milwaukee Mar 2, 1969

Fellenz, Charles R E5/USAF Marshfield Nov 24, 1969

Fickler, Edwin James O3/USMC Kewaskum Jan 17, 1969

Fisher, Richard William E3/USMC Madison Jan 8, 1968

Frazier, Paul Reid E5/USA Milwaukee Sep 3, 1968

Gallagher, Donald Louis E7/USN Sheboygan Feb 6, 1968

Gee, Paul S. O3/USMC Manitowish Jan 16, 1968

Gorsuch, William D. E4/USN Cambria Oct 2, 1969

Hartzheim, John Francis E5/USN Appleton Feb 27, 1968

Hentz, Richard Jay E5/USA Oshkosh Mar 4, 1971

Heyne, Raymond Thomas E3/USMC Mason May 10, 1968

Huss, Roy Arthur O2/USN Eau Claire Feb 6, 1968

Johnson, Randolph L. E5/USA Milwaukee Feb 20, 1971

Ketterer, James Allen O2/USAF Milwaukee Jan 20, 1968

Kubley, Roy Robert O3/USAF Glidden Jan 31, 1967

LaHaye, James David O5/USN Green Bay May 8, 1965

Leet, David Leverett O3/USMC Kenosha Apr 13, 1972

Melton, Todd M. E5/USAF Milwaukee Feb 5, 1973

Moe, Harold John O3/USMC Eau Claire Sep 26, 1967

Pierson III, William C. W1/USA Madison Apr 13, 1969

Richardson, Dale W. O3/USA Chashton May 2, 1970

Schmidt, Peter Alden E4/USA Milwaukee Aug 15, 1970

Soulier, DuWayne E2/USMC Milwaukee May 1, 1967

Trudeau, Albert Raymond W1/USA Milwaukee Oct 26, 1971

Tycz, James Neil E5/USMC Milwaukee May 10, 1967

VanBendegom, James Lee E4/USA Kenosha Jul 31, 1967

Wilke, Robert Frederick O5/USAF Milwaukee Jan 17, 1968

Fallen Soldier: By “Fly Guy”

Another 4th

of July is here and all across the nation, millions of us will

celebrate in thousands of different ways. Our military members

around the world will miss out on hometown celebrations, instead,

performing the duties assigned to them. This story is in honor of them.

As a commercial pilot, I too see the effects of the war in Iraq and

Afghanistan. Last month I showed up to start a trip and was

approached by a gate agent. “Captain, good morning, I wanted to

inform you that we have H.R. on this flight”, she said. H.R. stands for

human remains. “Are they military?” I asked. “Yes”, she said. “Is there

and escort?” I asked. “Yes, I already assigned him a seat”, she said.

“Would you please tell him to come to the flight deck, you can board

him early”, I said.

A short while later, a young army sergeant entered the flight deck: He

was the image of the perfectly dressed soldier. He introduced himself

and I asked him about his soldier. The escorts of these fallen soldiers

talk about them as if they are still alive and with us. “My soldier is on

his way back to Virginia”, he said. He proceeded to answer my

questions, but offered no words on his own. I asked him if there was

anything I could do for him and he said no. I told him that he has the

toughest job in the military and that I appreciated the work that he

does for the families of our fallen soldiers. The first officer and I got up

out of our seats to shake his hand. He left the flight deck to find his

seat.

We completed our preflight checks, pushed back and performed an

uneventful departure. About 30 minutes into our flight I received a call

from the lead flight attendant in the cabin. “I just found out the family

of the soldier we are carrying, is onboard”, he said. He then proceeded

to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year-old daughter were

SPC Ahmed K. Altaie: On October 23, 2006, Altaie was categorized as Missing in Action when he allegedly was kidnapped while on his way to visit family in Baghdad, Iraq. The Pentagon changed his status to Missing-Captured on December 11, 2006.

SGT Bowe Bergdahl: Captured in Paktika Province, Afghanistan, on June 30, 2009. The Pentagon declared him Missing in Action (MIA) on July 1, 2009; his status was changed to Missing-Captured on July 3, 2009.

escorting their son, husband, and father home. The family was upset

because they were unable to see the container that the soldier was in

before we left. We were on our way to a major hub at which the

family was going to wait 4 hours for the connecting flight home to

Virginia. The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that

knowing his son was below him in the cargo compartment and being

unable to see him was too much for him and the family to bare. He

had asked the flight attendant if there was anything that could be

done to allow them to see him upon our arrival. The family wanted to

be outside by the cargo door to watch the soldier being taken off the

airplane. I could hear the desperation in the flight attendants voice

when he asked me if there was anything I could do. “I’m on it”, I said. I

told him that I would get back to him.

Airborne communication with my company normally occurs in the

form of email like messages. I decided to bypass this system and

contact my flight dispatcher directly on a secondary radio. There is a

radio operator in the operations control center who connects you to

the telephone of the dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the

dispatcher. I explained the situation I had onboard with the family and

what it was the family wanted. He said he understood and that he

would get back to me.

Two hours went by and I had not heard from the dispatcher. We were

going to get busy soon and I needed to know what to tell the family. I

sent a text message asking for an update. I saved the return message

from the dispatcher and this following is the text.

“Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There is policy

on this now and I had to check on a few things. Upon your arrival a

dedicated escort team will meet the aircraft. The team will escort the

family to the ramp and planeside. A van will be used to load the

remains with a secondary van for the family. The family will be taken

to their departure area and escorted into the terminal where the

remains can be seen on the ramp. It is a private area for the family

only. When the connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted

onto the ramp and planeside to watch the remains being loaded for

the final leg home. Captain, most of us here in flight control are

veterans. Please pass our condolences on to the family, thanks.”

I sent a message back telling flight control thanks for a good job. I

printed out the message and gave it to the lead flight attendant to

pass on to the father. The lead flight attendant was very thankful and

told me, “You have no idea how much this will mean to them.” Things

started getting busy for the descent, approach and landing.

After landing, we cleared the runway and taxied to the ramp area. The

ramp is huge with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway. It is always a

busy area with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter and

exit. When we entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp

controller, we were told that all traffic was being held for us. “There is

a team in place to meet the aircraft”, we were told. It looked like it

was all coming together, then I realized that once we turned the seat

belt sign off, everyone would stand up at once and delay the family

from getting off the airplane. As we approached our gate, I asked the

copilot to tell the ramp controller we were going to stop short of the

gate to make an announcement to the passengers. He did that and the

ramp controller said, “Take your time.”

I stopped the aircraft and set the parking brake. I pushed the public

address button and said, “Ladies and gentleman, this is your captain

speaking. I have stopped short of our gate to make a special

announcement. We have a passenger on board who deserves our

honor and respect. His name is private XXXXXX, a soldier who recently

lost his life. Private XXXXXX is under your feet in the cargo hold.

Escorting him today is army sergeant XXXXXXX. Also onboard are his

father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your entire flight crew is asking for

all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to exit the

aircraft first. Thank you.”

We continued the turn to the gate, came to a stop and started our

shutdown procedures. A couple of minutes later I opened the cockpit

door. I found the two forward flight attendants crying, something you

just do not see. I was told that after we came to a stop, every

passenger on the aircraft stayed in their seats, waiting for the family to

exit the aircraft. When the family got up and gathered their things, a

passenger slowly started to clap their hands. Moments later more

passengers joined in and soon the entire aircraft was clapping. Words

of “God Bless You, I’m sorry, Thank you, Be proud, and other kind

words were uttered to the family as they made their way down the

aisle and out of the airplane. They were escorted down to the ramp to

finally be with the loved one lost.

I never did see the family. Another soldier died, another family grieved

and we did what we could. That is the way it works sometimes. I get a

call from the cabin and we work as a team to do what we can. That

day everybody from the flight crew, to the operations center, to the

184 passengers onboard, we did what we could. Many of the

passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I made.

They were just words, I could say them over and over again, but

nothing I say will bring that soldier back. I respectfully ask that all of

you reflect on this day and the sacrifices that millions of men and

women have made to ensure our freedom, safety, and the right to live

a good life. Be safe, FlyGuy.

_________________________________________________________

A special Thank You to those who donated to our 7th Annual Being There-Reaching Out WI Families of our Fallen Military Retreat

The Valley Kids Foundation

Vietnam Veterans of America Green Bay Chapter 224

Vietnam Veterans of America Milwaukee 324

Waste Management, Inc.

Machinery and Welder, Corporation

Timber Rattlers Baseball Team

pc/nametags

The Map Company

Blue Sky Massage

And our Veterans from UW-Oshkosh

Who chaperoned our dear Children

May God bless all of you for making

our weekend so very special.

Green Bay Packers tribute to our Fallen Heroes and our Troops.

November 2011 Lambeau Field, Green Bay WI.

Our WI Fallen Heroes May thru August

MAY PO2 Michael Anderson 2-May 2004

SGT John Griffith 5-May 2006 LCPL Adam Ludwigson 5-May 2005 SGT Nathan Vacho 5-May 2006 SPC Jason Bohac 7-May 2006 SGT George Manis 7-May 2011 ME3 Matthew Oleson 9-May 2004 PFC Eric Clark 11-May 2006 PFC Grant Dampier 15-May 2006 SFC Jesse Albrecht 17-May 2007 SFC Scott Brown 18-May 2007 LTC Paul Bartz 18-May 2010 SGT Kirk Straseskie 19-May 2003 SGT Kurt Schamberg 20-May 2005 SPC David Lawson 22-May 2007 SFC Brian Naseman 22-May 2009 PFC Kyle Hemauer 23-May 2005 SGT Chad Polinske 23-May 2009 MSGT Joseph Foltz 25-May 2010

Timothy Lind 25-May 2010

MAJ Mathew Schram 26-May 2003 CW2 Joshua Scott 26-May 2005 SGT Mark Maida 27-May 2005 SGT Jonathan Markham 29-May 2007 CW3 Chris Allgaier 30-May 2007

JUNE PFC Theo Kaems 2-Jun 2007

SGT Tyler Kritz 3-Jun 2007 SPC Justin Linden 4-Jun 2004 SGT Cody Legg 4-Jun 2008 SPC Eric Poelman 5-Jun 2005 PO2 Jaime Jaenke 5-Jun 2006 SGT Travis Van Zoest 6-Jun 2006 SSGT Tyler Pickett 8-Jun 2008 LCPL John Mattek Jr. 13-Jun 2005 PV T Ryan Larson 15-Jun 2011 SSGT Kenneth Rockwell 18-Jun 2004 SPC Tyler Kreinz 18-Jun 2011 SSG Patrick Lybert 21-Jun 2006

SPC Brian May 21-Jun 2011 SSG Charles Kiser 24-Jun 2004 LCPL Bradlee Wilber 24-Jun 2008 SGT Fred Voss 25-Jun 2010 SPC Charles Kaufman 26-Jun 2005 PFC William Ewing 26-Jun 2011 SGT Shaun Bollig 27-Jun 2010 CPL Michael Nolen 27-Jun 2011 SPC Joshua Kurer 27-Jun 2011 LT Michael McGreevy JR 28-Jun 2005 PVT Steven Drees 28-Jun 2009

JULY SSG Stephen Martin 2-Jul 2004

SrA Timothy Dittmar 8-Jul 2008 SFC Daniel Gabrielson 9-Jul 2003 SGT Paul Kastner 14-Jul 2010 SSG Jeremy Vrooman 15-Jul 2008 SPC Daniel Drevnick 16-Jul 2009 CPO Patrick Wade 17-Jul 2007 SGT Ryan Schlack 18-Jul 2009 1LT Nick Dewhirst 20-Jul 2008 LCPL Joshua MaGinn 22-Jul 2007 CPL John Jr. Yatso 22-Jul 2009 SPC Stephen Castner 24-Jul 2006 SGT Courntey Finch 24-Jul 2007 CPL Matthew Zindars 24-Jul 2007 EMC Clinton Callahan 26-Jul 2008 CPT Benjamin Jansky 27-Jul 2005 SPC John Tollefson 27-Jul 2005 CPL Thomas Gaede 28-Jul 2008 SPC Donald Scott Jr. 29-Jul 2008

AUGUST SPC David Badie 1-Aug 2008

SGT Ryan Jopek 2-Aug 2006 SSGT Chad Simon 4-Aug 2005 LTC Michael Laabs 5-Aug 2011 SPC Joshua Bunch 6-Aug 2004 LCPl Zachary Gallenberg 6-Aug 2010 SPC Alum Howells 13-Aug 2007 CPL Kevin Rodrick 15-Aug 2009 LT Michelle Vacho 15-Aug 2009 SPC Dustin Knapp 16-Aug 2010 PFC Matthew Magdzas 10-Aug 2010 SrA Adam Servais 19-Aug 2006 PVT Jonathan Morales 20-Aug 2009 CPT Derek Dobogai 22-Aug 2007 LCPL Robert Newton 23-Aug 2010 SFC Trevor Diesing 25-Aug 2005 CPL Kenneth Cross 27-Aug 2006 SPC Shaun Novak 27-Aug 2006 PVT Adam Novak 27-Aug 2010 PFC Chad Coleman 27-Aug 2010 SGT Earl Werner 28-Aug 2009 SGT Adam Gray 29-Aug 2004 SPC Jason Greeno 30-Aug 2006 SSGT Matthew West 30-Aug 2010

Dad’s Randy and David…so cute together :>)) Kids: Randy, David, Riley and Reese……………………………………………….and Marge

Nancy and Brenda Dominic and Jim Dorothy and Sharon

Nolens and Cornells Reese Bobie and Eric Riley

Brenda Major General Graham Dorothy Andre and Linda Ferreli

The Naseman’s (with quilt) and Tracy

Reverend Eva Overholt

Secretary John Scocos WDVA

Shannon and Brian Coleman Patti Anne

Zayda and Belle Marge, Zayda and Patti Ann Zayda and Carol Graham

Janie, the MG and Carol Graham Herb and his red thong Darlene and Beth

Mark Titre Jim, Tracy and Greg Sweet Sheila:>) Beth, me, and Mark Titre,

who gave us the Defender

prints.

Renee Diane Chad Coleman Memorial Truck

Hero Richie’s Niece Nora Greg, Bruce, Jill, Coleen and Sue Nora and Lilly

Angela, Miss Registration BT-RO Color Guard 2012

Sheila and Brenda

The Bartz Family Dale, Mary Ann, Brian Shannon Coleman’s with SueBlock and Travis

Lilly, Mary, Pam, Nancy and Diane Presley: He’s the twin with Curley hair:>))

Marge and Ashton Zaya and Tom Tim Cowboy Randy

Mike Weller: Valley Kids Foundation Major General Graham Carol Graham Andre

Mike Weller and I Barb, Carol, Marge Our Healers: Jerry and Sharon

A Family contribution to BTRO Dale and Mary Ann Shannon and Brian….A woman’s hat Brian??

Jim Karlson, Shirley Wade, and dear Janice Marge and the Graham’s Our Cowgirl Marge

Spivey’s and Donahue’s Joan, Mary and Sue Shannon’s Tattoo of our Hero Chad

Our ministers Eva and Derek Marge and Ashton..yes again. Angela with the PGR

Portraits of our Fallen drawn by our Vietnam Veteran and friend, Michael Reagan

In everyone's life,

at some time,

our inner fire goes out.

It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.

We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. ~Albert Schweitzer

Sue Block and Travis

The Spivey Family The Gassen Family

The Braun Family

The Coleman Family The Cain Family

The McDonald Family

The Johnson Family The Nolen Family

Jim Johnson

Dear Belle Dominic and Jim Cain

Jim Johnson Joan and Doug McDonald

The Spivey Family Shannon and Brian Coleman

Nicole Clark and Mia Robus The Major General and his wife Carol Graham

Zayda (AKA Yada Yada) and Tom Bach Barb and Greg Gassen

Sue Block and Travis Greg and Linda Braun

The Nolen Family The Naseman Family

Amy and Theo Lopez Barb Voss

Bob and Renee Cornell …We know who you are. Sheila Halverson

Danica and Tim Bossert

Nora Basham Mary Ann Coleman Joan McDonald Belllllllllllaaaaaa Renee Cornell

Jessica Yanke Diane Bossert Janice Dahlke Oh Yes, Mitch Basham and Randy Scannell like hats too!

Sales girls..Sheila Halverson and Brenda Novak Nancy Olson They wore them in the bar….Nancy, Pam, Joan and Janie

Zayda and Tom Bach Peg Naseman Jessica Yanke Beth Karlson Pam DeGroot-posing:>)

And they wore them on the streets of Appleton…girls, girls, girls. Sing along….girls, girls, girls….

Everyone loves you Janice:>)) Barb, Jessica, Lisa, Brenda, Trishie(Ring Leader..Pun), Colleen. Joan and Beth

Pate, Shannon, Mary Ann….. Thank you Pate’ for all your help with the hats! No one else knew how to make bows...LOL! Peg and Judith 2

Janice Dear Feathers in her hair… Yada Yada and Janie Colleen and Jess

Judith Nolen Sue Mueller Sue, Rose, Jill, Jessica, Lisa, Brenda Sweet Little Sheila:>)

Lisa and Emily Pam and Nancy Special Bow Maker, our Pate’ and Renee

Barb Sue and Em

Emily

Jesse, Patti Ann, Marge-yup-thongs Ah, Guess so. Herb and the bridesmaids: Are those thongs

on their heads???

BT-RO Fund Raising

Hungry Tracy? Patti Ann’s Hat? Thong?

Jess and Tim Yes Herb, you had a thong on your head.

Barb and Jess in their Hats

Barb, Tim and Jess Barb, Bobbie and Jess, still in their hats!

Sitting pretty in the bar

Team BT-RO ready to play….

The men and Siblings went to the Timber Rattlers game, compliments

the Timber Rattlers, Waste Management and Vietnam Veterans of

America, Green Bay Chapter 224. Rattlers won in the bottom of the

9th

...doesn’t get any better than that!

The Rattlers won in the bottom of the 9th

...doesn’t get any better!

Married and sharing hats...I’m

worried. Herb? Thongs and hats? Travis and Sue…Stars.

PGR waiting to lead the bus to the game Andrew and Matthew Johnson and Bob Cornell Paula Hunt and Danica Bossert

Our Bossert team getting the sign ready. Joel Brockman, Randy Scannell, Bill DeGroot..who else! Steve:>))

Mike and Paula Hunt…. I wonder what Paula is looking at? Who lost? Driven by our own Doug McDonald!

BT-RO Sunshine gang The winning hit! A winning smile:>)

Our BT-RO outside gang… again. Steve and Danica Owww..Sorry Paula!!

Patriot Guard Escorts

Our McDonald Sisters...part of the inside gang Greg, Arthur and Matthew

Brian, Paula and Mike There’s that BT-RO gang again….afew beers later:>)) Dear Siblings of our Heroes.

.

Kids Friday night swim

:>)

Working hard Girls??

They’re all over the place!

Until next year……………..J