Why MCQ was started............

from todays email.............I feel compelled to share this..................


I found this story on "The Final Roll Call" it is about the 18 Marines in my son's unit that were killed at the start of the war and the reason Marine Comfort Quilts was started. My son Alex was part of this battle. For those of you who are new to the group, my son was listed as missing. For 24 hours we did not know if he was among those killed in this fight, we were only informed that his name was on a list of 12 Marine unaccounted for. Of this list only 3 were found alive and well, my son was 1 of those 3.
Jan (Lang)

CHARLIE COMPANY The Marine unit was supposed to have backup as it entered battle in Iraq. But it was alone, and then chaos exploded. --------------------------------------------------------------------PRELUDE:The convoy rumbled north, through the heart of the Iraqi city of Nasiriyah. It was the fourth day of the war, and the men of Charlie Company had orders to capture the Saddam Canal Bridge on the city's northern edge.The Marines were taking heavy fire. Then there was an ear- splitting blast. A rocket-propelled grenade ripped open one of the amphibious assault vehicles, lifting it off the ground. A thick, dark cloud filled the vehicle's interior. Some of the Marines donned gas masks, fearing a chemical attack. Screams pierced the smoke: We got a man down! We got a man down! The Marines' light armor had been pierced, and with it any illusion that this would be easy. They would take the bridge, but at a cost. Eighteen men from a single company were killed that day and 15 wounded, making it the deadliest battle of the war for U.S. forces. The Times reconstructed the battle from interviews with 11 Marines who fought that day. Their accounts paint a gory and chaotic picture of ground combat that contrasts with the many images of U.S. forces using precision bombs and long-distance weaponry against an enemy that quickly abandoned the fight. In Nasiriyah, Iraqis stood their ground and threw all they could muster at the leading edge of the American forces. By day's end, the price of controlling the road to Baghdad had become gruesomely clear to both sides. --------------------------------------------------------------------Nasiriyah: 23 March, 2003Charlie Company had reached Nasiriyah after pushing up 85 miles from Kuwait. Another Marine unit had seized a bridge leading into the city over the Euphrates River.Charlie Company's mission on March 23 was to take a second bridge three miles north. Controlling both spans was crucial to moving a massive Marine Expeditionary Force to Baghdad. Had things gone as planned, the 200 Marines in their lightly armored vehicles would have avoided the densely populated heart of Nasiriyah, a city of 500,000. They were supposed to take a roundabout route to the north bridge, swinging east of the city behind a dozen M1-A1 Abrams tanks and a second Marine unit, Bravo Company. But Bravo Company's vehicles sank several feet deep in mud flats east of Nasiriyah. Its 200 men could not help take the bridge. The tanks were also out of the fight, diverted on a rescue mission. The Army's 507th Maintenance Company had taken a wrong turn that morning and been ambushed near the city. Eleven soldiers were killed and seven captured. The Marines' tanks rushed to retrieve survivors, burning their fuel in the process. When they returned, they were sent to the rear to refuel just as Charlie Company was preparing to push north. "Where the hell are the tanks going?" Cpl. Randy Glass recalled thinking. "Why the hell aren't the tanks in front of us?" Despite the lack of armor and the stranding of Bravo's men, Charlie Company was ordered to take the north bridge and to get there by the most direct route -- a three-mile stretch of highway lined by buildings and alleyways. Some intelligence reports called it "Ambush Alley." Lt. Col. Rick Grabowski, the battalion commander, said that going ahead made sense at the time. Though concerned about Ambush Alley, commanders did not anticipate a tough fight for the bridge, he said: "None of us really knew what was on the northern side of the city." And time was of the essence. If they waited for the tanks to return or for troop reinforcements, the Marines risked fighting for the bridge in darkness, Grabowski said. There was another factor driving the Marines forward that day. It reflected a state of mind as much as the state of the battlefield. "Keep moving" was the motto of Charlie Company's battle regiment. "Once we were in the city and we made contact," Grabowski said, "there wasn't going to be any backing down." When he got the order to move into the city, Sgt. William Schaefer thought he'd heard wrong. "Say again," he called into his radio. Schaefer was a commander at the head of Charlie Company's 11 amphibious assault vehicles. The men inside were from the beach towns of Southern California, the hamlets of upstate New York and many places in between. One planned to enroll at Rutgers University in New Jersey when he got home. Another wanted to be a Reno cop. Some were immigrants. Others were from proud military families. They were part of the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment and had shipped out in January from their base at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Their tub-shaped assault vehicles, called "tracks," are a 30- year-old design made for taking and holding beachheads. They are 26 feet long, carry up to 20 Marines each, and are armed with .50- caliber machine guns and grenade launchers. Their reinforced-aluminum skin is vulnerable to artillery and rocket-propelled grenades, or RPGs - - unlike the heavy armor on tanks. Thick steel plating can be attached to the tracks, but none was available to outfit Charlie Company's vehicles when they reached the war zone, the Marines said. "Eight Ball, Oscar Mike," Schaefer barked into the radio, and with that signal the company was on the move. The tracks crossed the Euphrates on the bridge captured earlier and moved single file up Ambush Alley. It was a little before noon. On both sides, a dense warren of mud-colored buildings pressed up against the road. At first, the Iraqis seemed to welcome the Marines. A few waved white flags. Then, in a breath, the convoy was under attack from all directions. Iraqis were firing from rooftops, from around corners, from machine-gun nests hidden in side streets. "We saw women shoot at us with RPGs.... We saw children shoot at us," recalled the company commander, Capt. Daniel J. Wittnam. "We never saw one person in uniform." Returning the fire, Schaefer alternated between his machine gun and grenade launcher, working a foot pedal that spun his turret right, then left. Schaefer, 25, of Columbia, S.C., said the Marines tried to distinguish between Iraqi fighters and noncombatants. "But at that point, it was hard." The enemy, the Marines learned later, was a combination of Iraqi army soldiers, Fedayeen Saddam militiamen and Baath Party loyalists. One man knelt and aimed an RPG at Schaefer's track. A burst of .50-caliber fire cut off the top half of the Iraqi's body. "Pieces of people were all over the street," said Lance Cpl. Edward Castleberry, 21, who was at the wheel of Schaefer's vehicle. Near the rear of the convoy, Sgt. Michael E. Bitz, 31, of Ventura was driving a track crowded with more than 20 Marines. Bitz and his crew had picked up extra men when the company's 12th track broke down outside town. Men were crammed on bench seats amid boxes of ammunition. Several were riding atop the vehicle. In the middle of the column, Marines on another track shouted for more firepower to answer the torrent of incoming rounds. Lance Cpl. Eric Killeen, 22, a weightlifter from Florida's Gulf Coast, popped out of the hatch with his 15-pound squad automatic weapon, a machine gun that can spray 1,000 rounds per minute. Killeen poured fire down side streets, into doorways, at second- story windows. "My adrenaline was pumping so high," Killeen said. "Every emotion you can imagine was running through your body." Castleberry, a Seattle snowboarder who'd joined the Marines the day after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, steered the lead vehicle with one hand and fired his M-16 rifle with the other. "I figured one more gun couldn't hurt," he said. The convoy pushed north, the tracks pausing and pivoting at times to allow gunners a better view. They were almost through the gantlet of Ambush Alley. Their objective, the Saddam Canal Bridge, was a few hundred yards away. Inside Bitz's overcrowded track, it was dark and noisy. The air reeked of diesel fumes. Marines were on top of one another. Some stood on the shoulders of their comrades, firing M-16s from a hatch near the rear. Glass, a 20-year-old from Pennsylvania who had joined the Marines hoping to see combat, was sharing a menthol cigarette with Sgt. Jose Torres when an explosion lifted the 28-ton vehicle into the air. "Immediately, I went deaf," Glass recalled. An RPG had punctured the track's aluminum body -- and with it the Marines' faith in their technological edge. Their tubs were not meant for this kind of fight -- especially without the bolt-on armor plating. "My eyes! My eyes!" shouted Torres, temporarily blinded. "Glass is dead!" someone screamed in the chaos. Glass wasn't dead, but his left leg was a bleeding mass. Up top, the explosion had torched rucksacks tied to the track, turning them into balls of fire. Bitz drove the burning vehicle forward. This was no place to stop. "Keep it tight! Keep it tight!" Schaefer shouted into the radio, not wanting any stragglers left behind. The tracks finally crossed the Saddam Canal Bridge, a nondescript concrete span over an irrigation channel. Though it seemed an eternity, the trip had taken only a few minutes. On each side were swampy irrigation ditches and brush. Beyond was open flatland. The road was raised, and Charlie Company was an easy target. The tracks fanned out over a quarter-mile-wide area. Marines in charcoal-lined chemical suits and Kevlar flak vests poured out of the vehicles and sought cover on both sides of the road. They had taken the bridge. Holding it was another matter. Small- arms fire exploded from the fields to the east and west and from the city to the rear. Marines scrambled out of Bitz's burning track. A release on the rear loading ramp didn't work, so the men piled out through a small hatch, climbing over the wounded. Schaefer helped carry out Glass, whose left leg had been tied with a tourniquet. Bitz was carrying injured Marines to cover when a shell exploded, spraying him with shrapnel. Blood streamed from his face and back as he continued hauling the wounded to safety. "He was acting like nothing was wrong," Schaefer said. A plume of black smoke rose from Bitz's track. Mortar shells landed on each side. The Iraqis quickly adjusted their aim and slammed the vehicle. Burning ammunition began punching out the track's sides. Cpl. William Bachmann, 22, a New Jersey skateboarder, was wedging his lanky frame into a nearby depression when he saw a flash of light from the vehicle. A large-caliber round flew past him. "If I was standing up," he said, "I would have been hit." Cpl. Randal Rosacker of San Diego set up his machine gun, providing cover for other Marines. His is a military family; his father is chief of boat on a Navy submarine. Rosacker, 21, was cut down by an Iraqi artillery round or mortar shell, said Wittnam, the company commander. He was one of the first Marines to die that day. The company's 15-man mortar squad set up a row of launchers on the east side of the road. The squad had no time to dig foxholes. The Marines worked three launchers furiously, knocking out Iraqi mortar positions across the canal. They fired so many rounds so quickly that their mortar tubes were glowing, almost translucent. "They were pretty much melting their tubes," said Castleberry. Outnumbered by the Iraqis' mortar positions, the squad was a prime target. Incoming shells were landing closer and closer. Finally, the Iraqi mortars found their mark. Nine members of the squad would die before the battle was over. Second Lt. Frederick Pokorney Jr., a 6-foot-7-inch former basketball player, tried to call in artillery strikes on the Iraqis. A 31-year-old father from Nevada, he was the company's forward artillery observer. He had trouble getting through on his field radio and moved to higher ground for better reception. An RPG hit him in the chest, fatally wounding him. As the casualties mounted, Wittnam wanted helicopters to evacuate the wounded. But there was "no way in hell" they could land, he said. "It was too hot." Navy Corpsman Luis Fonseca, 22, was giving morphine to Glass and another wounded Marine in one of the tracks. With a black marker, he scrawled "1327" on Glass' head, indicating the time the painkiller was administered. The medic ran up and down the road looking for wounded when he saw Wittnam. "We're starting to win this battle," Fonseca recalled the captain saying. Fonseca wasn't convinced. "I know there's a bullet with my name on it," he recalled thinking. "I'm gonna do my job until I get hit." Machine gunners needed more ammunition. Sgt. Brendon C. Reiss, 23, a squad leader, and Cpl. Kemaphoom Chanawongse, 22, a Thai immigrant from Connecticut, ran to get more ammo boxes from one of the vehicles. An artillery round exploded, killing Chanawongse and fatally wounding Reiss. Around 1:30 p.m., Schaefer decided to evacuate the wounded, even though it meant going back through Ambush Alley. All 11 tracks had made it across the bridge. Schaefer lined up six of them in a column to head south. "I was willing to take a chance because we had guys bleeding to death," he said. "I was tired of seeing people getting killed." Bachmann and Lance Cpl. Donald Cline, 21, a former surfer raised in La Crescenta, were firing from behind a mound of earth. Word came that volunteers were needed to load the wounded onto the vehicles. "I'm going to go help," Cline said, running toward the tracks spread out north of the bridge. It was the last time Bachmann saw his friend alive. The Marines heard the plane before they saw it. The Air Force A- 10 Thunderbolt, known as the Warthog, flies ground-support missions, using its heavy gun. Cpl. Jared Martin, 29, a former high school wrestler from Phoenix, was outside Schaefer's track when he heard the growl of the jet fighter's twin engines. Its 30-millimeter cannon, which can shoot 3,900 rounds per minute, whipped up dense clouds of sand. "He was low," Martin said. "He was coming right toward us. The next thing I know I'm feeling a lot of heat in my back." Blood streamed from his right knee and left hand. A piece of shrapnel lodged below his eye. "My fingers, they were pretty much dangling," Martin said. Lance Cpl. David Fribley, 26, of Florida, was just steps from the cover of Schaefer's vehicle when rounds from the A-10 tore into his chest. "I wore what was inside of his body on my gear for a couple of days," Martin said. To ward off the friendly fire, the Marines shot flares, which streaked the sky with green smoke. The Marines said the A-10 made several strafing runs before it broke away. Schaefer hoisted a U.S. flag on his turret. He hoped the Warthog pilot would see it and hold his fire. He also wanted the tracks behind to be able to keep him in sight. "Watch for the flag," he radioed to the convoy of six vehicles heading south with the wounded. As the column started back toward Ambush Alley, one of the tracks exploded. Inside another track, Marines heard bullets bouncing off the aluminum skin. Glass, who had already been in one track that broke down, turned to Cpl. Mike Meade, whose leg was also injured. "If this track stalls and we're getting out," Glass said. "It's a death trap." A minute later, the vehicle stopped. Glass and Meade struggled out. Fonseca, the medic, heard the whistle of incoming shells and shoved a sergeant on top of Glass and another injured Marine. Then he piled on top to give added protection. Three RPGs flew by and exploded about 100 feet away. "I need to save these boys," he recalled thinking. "I need to take them back home." Glass saw an A-10 fire on one of the tracks. It's unclear whether it was the same jet that had flown over earlier. Two of the aircraft appeared to be operating in the area, Marines said. "The A-10 came down hard and lit the track up," Glass said. "There's no mistake about it." Torres was lying nearby when he saw the jet bearing down on him. "It was slow motion," he said. "I turned at the last moment to avoid a direct hit." Still, the Warthog's rounds tore through his left side. "When he pulls the trigger," Martin said of the pilot, "it's just a wall of blood." Grabowski, the battalion commander, said that as many as six Marines may have been killed by A-10 fire. Wittnam believes it was one. Schaefer's convoy, now down to five vehicles, was crossing the bridge. In front, a track that normally carried the mortar squad had several Marines inside. As the track came off the bridge, an Iraqi shell dropped down the left-side cargo hatch, ripping the vehicle in half. "A hand and arm bounced across the front of my vehicle," said Schaefer. The remaining vehicles raced around the burning track. The rear of one track was crushed by an Iraqi shell, killing the wounded Bitz. The driver kept going. The four surviving tracks made it to Ambush Alley. They were met by gunfire from all sides. Bullets ripped through Schaefer's transmission fluid tank, and Castleberry felt the steering wheel freeze. "Hold on!" he shouted over the intercom as the track careened toward a light pole. Castleberry gunned the 525-horsepower diesel engine, hoping to knock down the pole. But the track slammed to a halt, swinging to the left toward a two-story concrete house. An RPG blew away the track's front hatch, six inches above Castleberry's head. Stunned, his face and hair singed, he jumped into the street. Schaefer radioed to the three surviving tracks: "Don't stop. Keep going." Inside the disabled track, a dozen Marines grabbed ammunition containers and the wounded and headed for the house. Schaefer and two other Marines, one injured, were pinned down outside the track. "Then all hell broke loose," Schaeffer said. "They just started coming out of nowhere, hundreds of them. "Iraqis were charging the Marines. Schaefer aimed his M-16 and quickly used up two 29-round clips as he killed some of the attackers and forced others to take cover. "When you're scared," he said, "you pull your finger pretty fast." Two of the other Marines, meanwhile, scaled an 8-foot wall and went into the house. An Iraqi man and woman ran out the back door. The Marines hoisted the wounded over the wall and put them inside. The windows of the house were hidden by piles of sandbags and sacks of flour. In one room were pictures of Saddam Hussein and a man who looked like Jesus. Out on the street, Schaefer and the two other Marines were holding off the advancing Iraqis. Then the driver and a crewman from the track that had been ripped in half at the bridge appeared in the street. One was blind. The other was limping. "We're laying cover fire for them," Schaefer said, "and they hobbled inside." Schaefer was on his last magazine clip. This is it, he recalled thinking: They're going to overrun me. Then he heard the roar of a track driven by Cpl. Michael Brown. He had disregarded Schaefer's instructions to continue and had turned around. Scooping up the three Marines, Brown took off in a rain of enemy fire. "He saved my life," Schaefer said. About seven Marines took up positions on the roof of the house. Martin, his wounds patched up, spotted two men peeking around a corner with an RPG. He fired and they fell. Martin looked at his watch. It was about 3 p.m. "We have about two hours before the sun goes down," he thought. "Then we're gonna be real screwed." The man who lived in the house burst through the back door yelling. He entered the room where the wounded were being guarded, Castleberry said, and was shot dead. A lance corporal with the only operable radio called other units at the south end of the city for help. But the battery was low, and he couldn't tell whether the message was getting through. With Iraqis now 20 yards from the building, the Marines on the roof were going through hundreds of rounds. Castleberry had fired so many grenades from his M-16 that the plastic hand grip on his launcher was melting. Two Iraqis sped by on a motorcycle, the passenger firing an AK- 47. On a second pass, one Marine hit the driver, spilling the bike. As the gunman tried to escape on the motorcycle, Castleberry unleashed another grenade. He saw a flash and the man's body blew apart. The ammunition was running low. Castleberry and another Marine dashed to the disabled track, grabbing antitank missiles and crates of bullets as they dodged enemy rounds. On the roof, Martin and other Marines were trying to use shards of broken glass to reflect sunlight and get the attention of U.S. Cobra helicopter gunships overhead. Below, Iraqi fighters were trying to reach the abandoned track, with its load of weapons and ammunition. "We're hitting them," Martin recalled, "watching them drop." He remembers a strange sensation. "Your body and brain ain't working like a normal person's would. Some people will snap. Some people will go off the edge. Everyone reacts differently," Martin said. "I was having fun." Marines at the south bridge had picked up the radioed pleas for help and organized a rescue party. The first vehicle to arrive was a Humvee carrying a grizzled gunnery sergeant from another company. He was firing a pump-action shotgun out the passenger window as Marines on the roof sprayed cover fire. "What do you need?" he shouted. Water and radio batteries, the Marines answered. "I'll be back," the sergeant said. An M1-A1 tank arrived soon after and took away the wounded. The gunnery sergeant returned with Humvees to rescue the remaining Marines. As the vehicles unleashed heavy fire in several directions, forcing the Iraqi fighters to take cover, the sergeant stepped onto the street and lit a cigarette."God, I hate this ... place," he said. "Let's get the hell out of here." Part of Charlie Company was still pinned down at the north bridge. Lance Cpl. Killeen, the Florida weightlifter, and his platoon were in the swamp near the span. He could hear enemy soldiers nearby. "I thought they were going to sandwich us," Killeen said. "I figured my life was all over." It was nearing 4 p.m. and the sun was getting low. The ground rumbled and Killeen climbed toward the bridge. If Iraqi tanks were coming, then the company was almost certainly lost, he recalled thinking. As the tanks neared the canal, he saw they were American. These were the tanks that had spent their fuel retrieving members of the Army maintenance company that had been ambushed. Refueling had taken longer than expected because the pumps malfunctioned; it had to done by hand. When they learned that Charlie Company was taking a pounding, the tank crews cut short the refueling and rushed back to Nasiriyah. Now they were firing their 120-millimeter guns at Iraqi positions. "It was the best feeling in the world," Killeen recalled. --------------------------------------------------------------------On March 23, the fourth day of the Iraq war, 18 Marines died fighting to take a bridge in Nasiriyah. Nine served in a mortar squad that came under intense Iraqi bombardment. Memorial Service held at Camp Lejeune, N.C.26 Aug. 2003

Sgt. Michael E. Bitz, 31, of Ventura drove an amphibious assault vehicle, or track. He was wounded helping injured Marines and was killed by an Iraqi shell.
Lance Cpl. Thomas A. Blair, 24, of Broken Arrow, Okla., was part of an air-defense team. He disappeared in the fighting and was later confirmed as killed in action.
Lance Cpl. Brian R. Buesing, 20, of Cedar Key, Fla., was in the mortar squad. His grandfather served in the same squad in the Korean War and won a Silver Star.
Pfc. Tamario D. Burkett, 21, of Buffalo, N.Y., was a poet, an artist and the oldest of seven children. He was with the mortar squad.
Cpl. Kemaphoom A. Chanawongse, 22, of Waterford, Conn., a Thai immigrant, was a crew commander. He was hit by artillery fire while trying to retrieve ammunition.
Lance Cpl. Donald J. Cline Jr., 21, of Sparks, Nev., was a rifleman. He said he was going to help wounded Marines and was not seen again. He was later confirmed dead.
Lance Cpl. David K. Fribley, 26, of Fort Myers, Fla., joined the service after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He was killed by friendly fire from an Air Force A-10 fighter.
Cpl. Jose A. Garibay, 21, of Costa Mesa, a Mexican immigrant, was part of the mortar squad. A shell destroyed a vehicle evacuating him and other wounded Marines.
Pvt. Jonathan L. Gifford, 30, of Decatur, Ill., an outdoorsman, was a member of the mortar squad.
Cpl. Jorge A. Gonzalez, 20, of El Monte wanted to become a police officer. He was with the mortar squad.
Pvt. Nolen R. Hutchings, 19, of Boiling Springs, S.C., enlisted in the Marines after high school. He was with the mortar squad.
Staff Sgt. Phillip A. Jordan, 42, of Enfield, Conn., had served 15 years in the Marines. He was with the mortar squad.
2nd Lt. Frederick E. Pokorney Jr., 31, of Tonopah, Nev., was a forward artillery observer. He died trying to call in artillery strikes on Iraqi positions.
Lance Cpl. Patrick R. Nixon, 21, of Gallatin, Tenn., came from a family whose members had served in every major conflict since World War I. He was with the mortar squad.
Sgt. Brendon C. Reiss, 23, of Casper, Wyo., was a squad leader who had recently reenlisted. He was running to get more ammunition when he was hit.
Cpl. Randal K. Rosacker, 21, of San Diego was a machine gunner who was providing cover fire after the Marines crossed the bridge. He was one of the first Americans killed.
Lance Cpl. Thomas J. Slocum, 22, of Thornton, Colo., was in the hatch of a vehicle taking wounded Marines to the rear when he was hit.
Lance Cpl. Michael J. Williams, 31, of Phoenix gave up a flooring business to join the Marines. He was with the mortar squad.--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rest in Peace, Soldiers..................
gunnar's mom.

Marine Comfort Quilts

Marine Comfort Quilt Group is a not for profit ministry whose objective is to provide a memorial quilt of comfort to the next of kin of our fallen military. Our quilts are made from thirty quilt squares, each containing an inspirational message from it's donor or another serviceman. Our quilts are stitches of love from those who want so badly to bring comfort, but don't know how to help.
Our Marine Comfort Quilt Group has now decided to take on a greater project. With the War on Iraq, we have lost many Marines. Our initial project was to make one quilt for each family of a fallen Marine, but we have since expanded this project to include all members of our Armed Forces that gave their life in this war. We are praying that soon these quilts will no longer be needed, but until then, we will not stop stitching until each family has been provided a small gift of comfort.
As of 8/6/08 of the above numbers we have completed or out being sewn,

988 Marine,

2857 Army,

27 Air Force,

53 Navy and

1 Coast Guard quilts,

this number equates to 117,780 squares that were used to make these 3918 quilts, 3917 are complete.

Visit our Gallery at http://www.marinecomfortquilts.us/ to see the completed quilts.

Honor

Monday was Memorial Day......
As Memorial Day was ending, I found myself, driving back to the cemetary...but not sure why I felt the strong urge, to go...however, it was quite an Honor, when I got there, because.......I helped a WWII Vet take the flags off the Vet's graves at the cemetary......I learned the Military History, of the Cemetary, [that was cool] and had a nice talk....some of the ''most healing'' conversations, I've ever had, are with Army ppl/Vets.....

Memorial Day

Missing my ''baby boy''

but, Gunnar, ...you know... these are'' tears of pride''

Stand Proud, Son!

oh, give me a home

where memories include the best years of our life!...''the farm''

What we did, on Mother's Day

well, we tried fishing.....and playing in the park, and flying grandma's kite....

Treasures~~from 1st grade

how special artwork becomes![thank you, Mrs. Moe!]

ps 9april

Gunnar, ''fresh'' outta basics...this is the only pictures we have, of him, inClass A's'...other than fatigures/camo....

a quote

Every morning is a fresh beginning.
Every day is the world made new.
Today is a new day.
Today is my world made new.
I have lived all my life up to this moment, to come to this day.
This moment--
this day--
is as good as any moment in all eternity.
I shall make of this day--
each moment of this day--
a heaven on earth.
This is my day of opportunity.--
Dan Custer

pet peeves

y'all know my biggest pet peeve, in life, is(are?) war protesters using Gunnar's name...like when this happened.........
so, according to this article, they haven't really cleaned up their act
there's my rant...

flashback!

Becca, Gunnar & Jo.....

count down!

To my surogate son, in Iraq....
I love you, always know that!
you forgot to tell me what kinda beer to buy...cuz we ain't drinkin busch heavy!
huggs!
MoM

29feb08

Update


I’ve got major issues w/ my ‘puter…..hopefully going to Sioux Falls, Mon or Tues. to get a replacement.Until then, I’m using the onscreen keyboard, so please bear with me. Any computer advice is welcome, I’ve never bought a brand new computer, before……….
HAPPY LEAP YEAR DAY
Here's that extra day we always wish for!

Another damned confession......mine...

well, sorta.....I owe the kids this one......it was witnessed...........

ok...so those of you who know that I quit drinking, Sept05.........don't have a coranary.
Tonight I went to Dorens Bar....I wish i would have counted the hugs, and the number of kids, that claimed me, as Mom............
to each of you
thank you.....................to those of you, I didn't get to talk to, please know that after the 2nd half, 0f the second beer,
I am DONE....makin the sign, i'm going home, DONE.................. I love you all.
Thanks, Hadley Moody, (&friends!), for the tunes..........
and Brean & several others, for the conversations....
**************
to my surrogate children,
those of you, who've called me MoM.....
u no who u R.......
I love you
AlWaYs!!!
HuGgS

22jan

Gunnar's 3rd birthday....with Mom & Jo,
20 years ago......
Happy Birthday, Baby Boy.
I love you, with every beat of my heart,
always & forever,
Mom

The element of suprise

and THANK YOU!!!

Short

short & sweet

THANK YOU, to Christopher Rodregious, for sending this via email, awhile back. clip posted below. here's the pic that came with video....

Friends....Reason, Season or Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled , their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relatio nships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

13jan2008

today marks the 3rd annivsary, of Gunnar's death..
I'd like to introduce you, to my son,.........
www.pfcgunnarbecker.com
and to todays blogging posts.......
http://www.tryingtogrok.com/
http://erinrages.blogspot.com/2008/01/gunnar.html
All of you are considered family...I'm expecting no words. I know we all miss Gunnar, and some days, finding the words to express how much, is impossible. A couple of ''Army Wives'' stepped up to the plate...go read their blogs...I share ther links, because I know that today, we are all hurting a little more...........

Thank you, to those of you, that have called, or stopped in to visit....not just yesterday, or last week or anytime durring the last 3 years.....but for helping me tomorrow, next week, or 10 years from now....I am truely blessed, for your friendships.
And then there's Soldier's Angels..to Mary Ann, in Germany. I will never forget your phone call! or the Eagle that swoped thru my back yard, as I hung up the phone....or, your post....
http://soldiersangelsgermany.blogspot.com/
my love, to all of you,
debey

12jan2005

12jan2005
Was the last day I ‘’talked’’(Messenger) to Gunnar. We were online, together, for almost an hour. He was giving me a really bad time, about buying Doug a PINK leather motorcycle jacket, for Doug’s birthday. We talked about other things, too. Family friends, that have decided to divorce…….we talked about Jo and Cheeseburger, and baby Luke. We talked about his grandparents…..And we talked about how close he was to being done, with deployment, and how much beer we could/would drink, when he got home for leave.
We talked about muzzleloader rifles, and the camero, and his sister's wedding. And he told me to find a computer class, sign up, and write the check, on his account, because he couldn’t keep teaching me, from Iraq. We told each other I love you, and he’d talk to me tomorrow. And I filed the only messenger conversation I’d ever filed. (didn’t know how, but decided to click on file………and I remember sitting in front of the computer, laughing about a pink motorcycle jacket, and suddenly crying……

Mark Dakota

has an exellent CD. Hear part of it, here
My favorite song? Well, here are the lyrics.....
SOLDIER
I got a letter from my mom
Says half the country thinks it's wrong
But either way
We'll be right here when you come home
She said my family's doing fine
We miss you so much all the time
And all we do
Is count the days 'till you come home
Between the lines
I know she's scared
I wrote her back with what needs to be said
I'm alright
It's my fight
Everyday
For my life
So back home
Tell 'em not
To leave us out
Here alone
I'm alright
It's my fight
Everyday
For my life
Yeah
I'm not sure who's right or wrong
Doesn't matter when your best friend is gone
I watched him die
Tell me why
Cause I don't know
We put our faith in what our leaders say
It's the reason that I'm here today
We vote em' in
Now we need to win
So I'll come home
I can't change a country's views
But we all win
Or we all lose
(Repeat Chorus)
You wanna tell me what I should do
Oh yeah
They wanna tell me what I should do
I just want to be able to say
I did the best I could
Just want a greater good
Oh yea
Say I did the best I could
Just want the greater good
Mmm yeah
I'm alrightI
t's my fight
Everyday
For my life
So back home
Tell 'em not
To leave us out
Here alone
I'm alright
It's my fight
So say a prayer
for me tonight
Back home.

And, when I DIE, and if there's a funeral(I hate funerals, so) play Mark's song, FALLOUT, for me.

New Year 2008

I'm working on a very special post. It's been weighing heavy, on my heart, since new Year's Eve. I'm trying to put together some emails, to help tell the story, and finally went to Grandma Senska's, yesterday, and found the one i've been searching my computers and email accounts to find. My MIL is REALLY GRAT, ABOUT ''HANGING ON'' TO EMAILS, and I found a few I'd forgotten about, while browsing thru her "Gunnar" files.
Luke spent alot of time, with us, over Christmas, and it helps, keeping me focused, not allowing me to slip, to deep, into the depression pit, that seems to follow me like a shadow, this time of year. Winter has always been a depressing season, for me, I crave the spring, and sunshine, already..................................

Silver Creek Cemetary 2007 part b

Silver Creek Cemetary Christmas 2007

..........


.......


pictures are pretty much self explanitory.

CHRISTMAS EVE 2007

I've been struggling, with the words, to write, about this years Christmas Eve. Perhaps I stated it best, here
what I didn't add, there, was I had a little bottle of crown royal, in my pocket, and before I left, I did my ''shot'' and left the bottle for the next visitor, to share.

Christmas Wishes 2007

http://www.asilentnightmovie.com/
http://www.christmaswishmovie.com/
then go here, and listen to this song, A SOLDIERS MOM
http://www.makeadifference.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=MP3-TP01
wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season, and a better year, in 2008.
love you, all!
gunnar's mom

To Danny, with Love

Photobucket Album

I am a Soldier

go here.............

http://www.codeofsupport.org/Code%20of%20Support.htm

turn up your speakers.................

Thank you!!!

to Gary and Kay Shafer, Kim Shafer-Swank, at Shafer Monuments, in Mitchell, SD. They are responsible, for the new addition, to Gunnar's headstone...the candle is so beautiful!! THANK YOU!!!

If you look close, there's an eagle, on the left, and a pheasant on the right of the headstone........and, as for the pumpkin......that's what happens, when it rains too much, and stays this warm, in October, in South Dakota. I wandered down to Hinker's ,and picked up the replacement pumpkin, yesterday. I'm going out, to ''fix'' it, this afternoon.

Just Danny and Me

and Danny, and Kern, and Paul.

Enjoy your R&R, Danny....and always know,

we love you..........ALWAYS!(huggs), mom

Memorial Sights.......

Somehow, we trudge along, thru life, and we continue to live. our life....it changed forever, 13jan2005. life as we knew it, ceased to exisit. we started over. our good friends, have stuck it out, with us, their support continues, and for that we are so greatful......i hope you all know how much you are appreciated, and loved.........and most of you know, about the kids listed below......


http://iraq.pigstye.net/article.php?story=ZacharyBTomczak
http://theyhavenames.com/index.php?item=jim.holtom

yesterday

if you've read the comments, on "Pumpkin Slayer", .......it

It hit me hard. Another kid, with Sanborn County ties, gave his life, in Iraq......Sgt. James Holtom...

http://theyhavenames.com/index.php?item=jim.holtom

http://www.myspace.com/melrae870

I'm still trying to find out if these boys were in the same kintergaten group.....i'll let you know.....

So, anyway, yesterday, i found myself, ''wandering'' to the cemetary. took some new pictures, good enough for now. i need to go out, in the rain, this weekend, and clean the stone, better. I didn't take enough water, yesterday....

Gunnar got a chuckle, while I was there, I went to change the flowers in the vase, and discovered wasps had themselves a home!!!!!!!

And, yes,that is a BIG Budwiser beer bottle........one big one, instead of everyone leaving small ones..........right, guys?

pumkin slayer

memories of pumpkin seasons, past!

1/2 brother 1/2 friend

Jesse and Tara got married on Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!The pictures I took inside the church didn't turn out very good.....but Gunnar would have been very impressed by the caliber of ''firearms'', that were presented, before hand!!!!!!!!!

A memory candle was lit on the alter, for Gunnar, and another one flickered, for Tara's Aunt, who passed away this summer.

BEST WISHES to Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Huber!

email reminder

"The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you."
thank you, Rhonda, for the reminder.......

To Realize

To realize
The value of a sister
Ask someone
Who doesn't have one.
To realize
The value of ten years:
Ask a newly Divorced couple
To realize
The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.
To realize
The value of one year:
Ask a student who
Has failed a final exam.
To realize
The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
To realize
The value of one month:
Ask a mother
Who has given birth to
A premature baby.
To realize
The value of one week
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize

The value of one minute:
Ask a person
Who has missed the train, bus or plane.
To realize
The value of one-second:
Ask a person
Who has survived an accident.
Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more when
You can share it with someone special.

To realize

the value of a friend or family member:
LOSE ONE.

where were you---9/11/2001

I was in Aberdeen south Dakota, doing what i was doing, back in those daze....selling melons...as in watermelons.......i was at the ''stand''/business....watching the morning news, doing the ''wound'' care to my ankle(s), when the plane struck the 2nd tower.........OH! MY GOD!i was 2hours away from home, no vehicle......hell the burns on my ankles were really raw, yet, i could wear clogs, but nothing else that resembled any type of shoe..(i didn't wear shoes, until 14 nov, i remember, because it was my dad's birthday..the burns were 3rd&4th degree, and the injury happened on 24june...........
9-11....it was a very very slow day, in the produce business, and how the time dragged on, until my kids finally called me, that they were home from school......long, hard day, for them, tooo.........we were only 120 miles apart/ away, yet it felt like thousands of miles...........i rember feeling that very same distance/feeling, alot of times while Gunnar was in iraq..........and i still feel it, often.......the helplessness...the ''there isn't a damned thing i can do to change this'' feeling of despair, that hits me when i least expect it......it absolutely takes my breathe away.......and i can't start breatheing, until i've started crying........like just now..........

FREEDOM ISN'T FREE
GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.

Easter 2007 slideshow

http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k15/debeysenska/Easter%202007/?action=view¤t=1176146030.pbw

What it means...................

What it means, To be an American

To believe in the promise
Of a better tomorrow,
And stand united in our efforts
To give a peaceful nation
To our children….

To honor
Each other’s differences,
And cherish the richness of our history,
Even as it continues to unfold
From sea, to shining sea…

To love deeply
Our friends
And Family, day by day,
And never take for granted
The privilege of calling ourselves
American.

Copyrite AGCInc

and THE SNOW KEPT FALLING

was the title of a book the kids used to like to read durring August........it's still snowing, and the wind blowing, and we keep shoveling....we are at the 18'' mark.....snow banks/shoveled area 4' high, in many places.i can't thrpow the snow high enough, to land to top of the ''bank''
...............

Walk with Me Wednesday

Cyndy, over @ Riverrim, does this on her blog, alot, so i thought this was a good day, to join in...only, there wasn't much walking....just scooping....like every two hours...how high can you shovel snow???

Rain-Ice-Snow

Well, here we go...it's 35 degrees and raining, and the weatherman is predicting ''about'' 10 inches of snow, here in the James River Valley, before this system moves out, tomorrow afternoon......so, from past experiences, i'm turnin up the heat, filling water jugs, making a big pot of chili, and loading the generator in my wagon, and bringing it into the garage, so it will be warm, if we need to start it............rain will turn to sleet, and the Wman is talking 50 mph winds,...
the rain is melting the snow we already have, so that helps..........

14feb2004

Gunnar, and many others, deployed, from Vilsec Germany, to Iraq, on this date...I had one hell of a phone conversation, with my son, that day....we spoke of power of attorney & death, and a huge promise, from me....''Don't forget, Mom, if something happens to me, over there, i wanna be an organ donor''....................i didn't have the guts to say, that's pretty hard, when you're in a warzone......

strength

Thursday, January 13, 2005

To be strong

If you want to be strong, be patient, thoughtful and understanding. Anyone can be rude, but it takes real strength to be kind and polite.
If you want to be strong, be persistent. Enduring strength does not come in an instant, but is steadily built over time.

If you want to be strong, get in the habit of taking action. The strongest people are those who act while others only talk or wish.

If you want to be strong, be humble. Put your focus on doing, rather than worrying about getting credit.

If you want to be strong, be joyful. When you enjoy what you're doing, you are far more effective.

If you want to be strong, be yourself. The real strength you have is in the authentic person you are.

-- Ralph Marston

once in a while

you need to ''dress up''(??) and go do something FUN!!in a church!
THANK YOU, and Best Wishes to Jared and Rebecca!.......So, we did....i forgot the camera, so i can't post a picture of the bride & groom, but, here's us.........

busy days

and busier nights......my ''company'' for a few dayz.......and yes chitty chitty bzang bang is the movie of the week!!!!!!!!!

A SOLDIER"S HYMN

http://www.ksfy.com/Stories/Story.cfm?SID=8933


take the time to check this out.......debey

2nd try

http://fallensoldierbike.blogspot.com/

A special Project

Once, again, God gives me friends, just when I need them the most! Thank you, Pam, At Iraq War Today, for the information in yesterdays email...



I wanted to let you know about a project I'm working with one of my adoptees on. In part, the project, for me, is about Gunnar. I posted about him today, and wanted you to see it. You can view it at:

http://fallensoldierbike.blogspot.com

I am speechless...and we all know hat REALLY doesn't happen, OFTEN!.......

Happy Birthday

To my bouncing Baby Boy, born 22 yrs ago
@434Am
8lbs 8oz.....
Named....Gunnar Duane Becker
10 months old in photo.......
note: he was wearin the Big RED ONE, already then.....

When Bloggers meet

in early November, we had company....yep! Erin and Scout...and their 3 dogs, of which, I can only remember Lewis's name..............they managed to arrive on opening weekend of deer season....and, what good sports....got up early, froze their asses of, and kept my husband company.........thought i'd post this picture.....the deer was Corey's (another friend) once-in-a-lifetime! hunting experience!

thanks

i'm hanging in here,.......
thanks to everyone, for the phone calls, emails, cards and prayers, as we trudge thru this 2nd anniversary........my life has been blessed, with many very good friends, and i am grateful.

special people 2

ok, so heres the link for the entry below.........someday, i'll get my ''poop in a group''...this would have been posted last week, but i was experiencing computer problems...mostly, the computer resembled a 2 yr old...............had an attitude/issues


http://newsblaze.com/story/20061027201230nnnn.nb/newsblaze/IRAQ0001/Iraq.html

special people

>it started with my email, a request, for more photos from the Memrial@ FOB WARHORSE...my request included this request/statement..'' i would wait a couple days, weeks, years. i know
> that i will p0robably NEVER see this in person
> ...maybe another generation, ...................''
then came this answer....
Hello, Debey........

No more waiting for these photos!

I don't know if they already had these or if they took them especially for you,
but I have them.

If you click on a photo, you get the high resolution version
and you can download that if you want to.

I can see Gunnar's name there.

Please let me know if you need help with these.


FOB Warhorse Memorial - Special Photoshttp://newsblaze.com/story/20061027201230nnnn.nb/newsblaze/TOPSTORY/Top-Story.htmlSpecial photos for special people. To give you some background, this is a very
special place on Forward Operating Base Warhorse.
No one is allowed to walk on the grass and the grass is watered daily.


Alan.
Alan Gray
Kentucky Colonel
Editor in Chief, Newsblaze
705-2 E.Bidwell St #213
Folsom CA, 95630916 608
4271Support Our Troops, Read Their Stories

and in my response, to a short, speechless, thank you.............

Alan,
tell Debey that is was my pleasure.I took the photos for her and any other parent, friend, spouse and others who are searching.I personally did not know that there was a desire to see memorials.I guess in all the day's work you don't think about it.Please convey my humble apology for my lack for forethought.Lastly, my unit is heading home now.Thank you for all of your work in putting out our Soldiers' stories.God bless you, our little back up Army at home.
P.S. I too am a Kentucky Colonel.
V/RSSG Sheryl L. Lawry
Public Affairs NCOIC
3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team,4th Infantry Division
FOB Warhorse, Iraq
Again, I wish to thank everyone that helped with my search
i sent emails to a lot of people, and have heard from many of you...........May God Bless every one of you!

pirate test/name

My pirate name is:
Iron Jenny Rackham
A pirate's life isn't easy; it takes a tough person. That's okay with you, though, since you a tough person. You have the good fortune of having a good name, since Rackham (pronounced RACKem, not rack-ham) is one of the coolest sounding surnames for a pirate. Arr!

try it, here
http://www.piratequiz.com/

have fun
oh, and be honest!

Silver Creek Cemetary

just realized that i've never added this link here.....so for a couple of the kids trying to keep the scrapbooks, i appologize...and i love you...mom

http://www.iraqwarnews.net/2006_06_01_archive.html

Pittard Reluctantly Visits Warhorse

here's the link

http://newsblaze.com/story/20061012083316nnnn.nb/newsblaze/IRAQGOOD/Support-Our-Troops,-Read-Their-Stories.html

and one more picture...............

OIF WARHORSE NEVER FORGOTTEN GARDEN MEMORIAL

about 3 days ago, i recieved an email, with a forwarded email attached,

exert...........
From: Pittard Dana JH BG MNC-I IAG Commanding General
There is now a memorial set up by 3BDE/3ID on the main road next to the Khan Building across the street from the chapel. The memorial is dedicated to all of our fallen comrades from 4ID, 1ID, 3ID, and the current unit (3BDE/4ID). It was very touching to see the names of 35 of our 36 fallen comrades from 3BCT (I noticed that SGT Michael Martinez' from 1-6 FA was missing --- they will add his name to the wall of heroes).

many search engines later, i've found 2 pictures...link below
http://www.truck-web.us/gallery/insector/3ID_memorial_garden?full=1

i have also emailed the photographer, and extended our thanks, and gratitude...
this has been heavy on my heart for a few days, and having seen pictures, i'm starting to feel better....................debey

as promised

photobucket...more pics....gunnar

http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k15/debeysenska/?action=view&current=eattinbugs-1.flv


dijo's wedding
http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k15/debeysenska/dijos%20wedding/

more another day, soon.......................

comming soon

a big upload of photos.....i promise...............
debey

melon picture

a picture's worth a thousand words, even 10 plus years later..............and a million thanks, to Gregg Latza!!!!
check this out

http://www.southdakotamagazine.com/?p=1030#postcomment

update????

well, months have passed by, again
the good, bad, the ugly, i was ''sort of'' quoted in Army Times
how nice of them
to leave out about 75% of what i said, and then publish it 9 months, after the telephone interview.
i published a post, here, before, about the court martial, and then pulled it, less than 24 hours later, as STARS AND STRIPES was all over that one...........that is the main reason i've ''shyed'' away from putting much here.........i'm sure i owe SSG James Parker an apology, for that.

one of those days

well, it is the 22nd day of the month....it either passes quietly, quickly, or its a day like today...my mom-in-law just emailed me this video clip....
WARNING---MAJOR TISSUE ALERT----so if u don't feel like crying, avoid this one..........

until we meet again...(title)..link below

http://www.iwo.com/heroes.htm

HUGGS & TEARS

Welcome home, D.P./of
101st AIRBORNE

Gladiator, American Style

found this at Soldier's Angels this morning....take the time to check it out....
http://objflicks.com/GladiatorAmericanStyle.htm

eattin bugs

my favorite video clip....................wonder why?!
check it out

http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k15/debeysenska/?action=view&current=eattinbugs-1.flv


any comments???

'bye!

good bye, dial up internet!!!!!this day has been along time, comming...i have anticipated the ''greatness'' of a wireless world, for a long, long time....just got some ''fine'' tuning and every thing will be set!!!this could actually be fun!

the big crash

of the computer hit monday...i lost alot of addresses, so if you don't hear from me, that's why....

weeds, drought, and weeds

as the drought continues, and everything green is turning more brown, by the day, one thing remains the same....the weeds...in the fields, pastures, lawns and gardens...if it's a pretty shade of green, guarenteed...it's weeds.
we quite mowing lawn weeks ago, and when it turns green, it's gettting sprayed...2-4-d, is no stranger, in my world.
we (the dakota's) made stars & stripes......because of the drought. the artice did not, however, mention this little fact...not all crops that have ''burned up'' can be used as a food source for cattle(IT WILL KILL COWS) as the nitrogen levels are extremely high, in corn that didn't get rain.....I've seen this happen...........dugouts in pastures are drying up, ours included..theweatherman says a chance of rain, on tuesday...his last ''chance'' brought .10 inch...and 95 degree heat an hour later....

Uncle Herm

Herman Arthur Huber (April 11, 1938 - June 3, 2006) Guest Book Sign Guest Book


Herman Arthur Huber Estelline, South Dakota
To View Video Tribute

Herman Arthur Huber was born on April 11, 1938 in Utica, South Dakota the son of Mike and Madge (Hunt) Huber. He died on Saturday, June 3, 2006 at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown, South Dakota at the age of 68.
Herman spent his youth in Volin and Doland, South Dakota attended and graduated from Highmore High School. Upon completion of his education he enlisted in the United State Marine Corps. While in the service he spent basic training in San Diego, CA and then spent the first three years thereafter stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA where he obtained the rank of sergeant. He re-enlisted for six years during which time he trained and worked as a refrigeration and heating mechanic at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in Irvine, CA. He was then selected to attend USMC Recruiting School at Paris Island, SC and later was assigned at USMC Recruiting Station in Chicago, IL for three years. In July of 1964, he was transferred to Okinawa for 13 months.
Following his years in the Marine Corp Herman spent 16 years in management for McDonalds. In 1987, he married Janice (Freesemann) Rodman in Watertown, South Dakota. He then worked in the Estelline School system for seven years after which he and Jan bought the HiWay Café in Estelline. Together they continued to own and operate the Cafe for 11 years until Herman retired in 1999 due to poor health.
He was a member of the Montgomery Anderson American Legion in Estelline. He enjoyed being outdoors fishing, cooking and most of all spending time with his grandchildren and family.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Jan Huber of Estelline, SD; one daughter Cindy Foster (Dale0 of Estelline, SD; one son Scott Huber (Lori) of Bruce, SD; a step-daughter Shawna Vomacka (Scott) of Bruce, SD; two step-sons Jason Rodman of Fountain Valley, CA, Shannon Rodman (Lisa0 of Jasper, MN; six grandchildren, Dustin, Wyatt, Alexis, Jace, Bailey and Brenna; one brother Mike Huber (JoAnn) of Doland, SD; one sister Marge Lusk of Highmore, SD; and many friends and relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers Ken, Leo, Joe and two sisters Fran and Jane.
Funeral Service: 11:00AM, Tuesday, June 6, 2006 American Legion, Estelline, SD

I'd bet there's been a fantastic reunion, in heaven! and, Uncle Herm, we all miss you, just as those, who have gone ahead of you....give Grandpa & Grandma & Gunnar a hug, from us!

funerals & more reality

On 6 june , we (Doug & I) attended my (our) Uncle Herm's funeral...this morning,reality truely hit home...it is true, that Mike and Marge are the only living siblings, that much i'd figured out...what stepped up and slapped my face,(reality style)... was the fact that of all the Huber cousins, we,Debey, Marcy, Cathy, and Jesse are so very fortunate, to still have both of our parents, healthy, & happy (depending on the day!) and with us....here and now, i'm about to confess, that i haven't been much of a daughter, the last 17 months, or so, since Gunnar's death.....not that i don't speak with mom & dad....phone bills back that up!...but, it's been a long, long time, since i've been home, to visit........and, someday, i'm going to be kicking myself in the ass for not going home, more often, while i had the chance....ok...so...that's off my chest.
One thing I have learned, since 13jan2005......"hind sight", and "reality checks" are both really good, at kicking my ass...and i'm getting very good at recognizing ''mr. reality''...and i'm attempting to correct those ''pre-existing'' conditions...So, i'm guessing, one of these very first days, i'm going to grab my grandson, and teach him all about ''roadtrippin"!! see ya soon, MOm & Dad!

MEMORIAL DAY 2006

This week has been really long...and hard..but, today, is finally here. I went to the cemetary last night, and had perfect timming, for once...i was actually there, when the solar spotlight for the flag came on!! Gunnar's ''gold star'' peace light was on, for like 30 minutes, before the flag lit up...if there's every really a ''neat'' time, to go to a cemetary, i still like the evening the best...the pheasents are usually doing there thing, and i've always seen at least one deer, on the 5 mile drive home, in the dark.
to my friends...all of you people, who continue to support me...thank you!!!

cemetary

this morning at 7;30, doug, luke(our 19month old grandson) & me went to cemetary...the guys were here and set gunnar's headstone...grandpa senska came over, too..just as the guys were getting done, it started to sprinkle, so luke & will have to go out later to plant the peonies....

tree fort

today is the last day that the old ''tree fort'', will stand....i've taken about 50 pictures, of the ugliest, rottenest tree, in the state!...b ut never a broken bone..it used to really make me nervous, that old rotten boxelder tree...i however found the wire ''snare?"lol

today's quote

Man can live for about forty days without food, and about three days without water, about eight minutes without air ... But only for one second without hope.
-Hal Lindsey...................
thanks, Mom, for this reminder!

i hope i hugged you

One of the blessings in my life was you.
I cried with joy at the moment of your birth.
Your first smile was such a sign of love.
I hope I hugged you then.
When you fell down trying your first step,
I hope I hugged you.
Did you say Dada or Mama first?
I hope I hugged you.
As your eyes lit up seeing the first Christmas tree,
I hope I hugged you.
The day you started school and looked so scared,
I hope I hugged you.
When a friend made you feel bad,
I hope I hugged you.
After I had to make you behave,
I hope I hugged you.
When a lot of your requests were denied,
I hope I hugged you.
When you asked things about life,
I hope I hugged you.
When you did something really good or bad,
I hope I hugged you.
Before God took you from me,
I wish I could have hugged you one more time.
By Karen Rae Stublaski In memory of her son, Timothy Earl 7/27/62 ~ 8/16/80

Thank you's & Welcomes

Since Gunnar died, I have been attempting to locate a friend of his...
a kid from northern Minnesota, that had gone to basic training with
Gunnar, at Ft. Knox. by the time I recieved Gunnar's personnal
belongings(inMarch, I think), and found his ''little black book'',& Justins
phone number had been disconnected...there was no address, just
that phone number...anyway, every once in awhile, i'd do a ''search''
for him on the net...NOTHING..i asked the CAO to help me locate this kid
NO LUCK..last week, i stumbled across a new blog....justicesoldier
(good reading)..... http://www.justicesoldier.com/ and there was a link to the Minesota Army National Guard
I filled out their questionaire, and in the comment section i ''begged'' for
someonce assistance..In less than 24hours i recieved a phone call, and an email,from SGT Smith..........to SGT Smith, again, I thank you!, for the contact info for Justin....and for the phone call...the type of conversation I could only have, with someone who is military.
So I sent Justin an email, using the army.mil addy.........
then, along comes Easter Sunday.............
what a mix of emotions,,,,it was our 7th wedding anniversary, and for excitement i was ''sent'' to town, for lumber....so, i detoured, thru walmart, kmart, & shopko...clearance racks provided lotza cool stuff, like snow torpedoes, that you inflate & use like sleds---$3--i bought 'em all---but our joint'' gift'' to mark the day, was trees/bushes...4 of them.....

but the greatest Easter Blessing I have EVER recieved, came over the internet....i cried so hard i couldn't breathe, when i opened outlook, and saw Justin's name...........................................
we have since talked on the phone...and i feel so much better. Justin had known about Gunnar's death
and he, also, has been to Iraq, & back..Welcome home, Justin...and Welcome to our family...
and always remember, there's only one important rule, at my house!!...Never be a STRANGER!

survivor

I haven't been very loyal, to blogging...i remember when i was young, and i thought i would keep a diary, too..I'm trudging thru life, one foot forward..i found this poem, a few days ago....lke the day before Easter..this is a poem that needs to be shared!!i know that i will be using it , more than i want...

My Mom is a Survivor
My mom is a survivor,
or so I've heard it said.
But I can hear her crying
when all others are in bed.
I watch her lay awake at night.
and go to hold her hand.
She doesn't know I'm with her
to help her understand.
But like the sands upon a beach
that never wash away...
I watch over my surviving mom
who thinks of me each day.
She wears a smile for others,
a smile of disguise.
But through Heaven's open door,
I see tears flowing from her eyes.
My mom tries to cope with my death,
to keep my memory alive.
But anyone who knows her
knows it's her way to survive.
As I watch over my surviving mom
through Heaven's open door...
I try to tell her that
Angels protect me forevermore.
I know that doesn't help her,
or ease the burdens she bears.
So if you get a chance,
call to her
And show her that you care.
For no matter what she feels,
my surviving mom has a broken heart
that time won't ever heal.
~K. D'Ormeaux

jelly beans & Easter

Inside of a plastic egg, place a red, green, yellow, orange, black, White, purple and pink jelly bean. Give the egg and this prayer to Anyone and everyone. The Jelly Bean Prayer A bag full of jelly beans Colorful and Sweet It's a prayer - it's a promise It's a loved ones treat. Red is for the blood He gave Green is for the grass He gave Yellow is for the sun so bright Orange is for the edge of night Black is for the sin we made White is for the grace He gave Purple is for the hour of sorrow Pink is for our new tomorrow May today there be peace within you. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. Gunnar's favorite candy was STARBURST jelly beans....that was he wanted me to send to Iraq, Easter2004. i had no clue, until he called home, wanting to know if the easter bunny had left any candy, that year. so,.......................

more links

http://iraqwarnews.net/2006/03/how-low-can-anti-war-crowd-get.html
http://sablogs.com/index.php?blog=40&title=what_were_they_thinking&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#comments
http://iraqwarnews.net/2006/04/video-nightmare.html
http://thunderrun.blogspot.com/2006/03/how-low-can-anti-war-crowd-get.html
http://iraqwarnews.net/2006/04/letter-from-st-louis.html
http://thunderrun.blogspot.com/2006/04/letter-from-st-louis.html
http://sablogs.com/index.php?blog=46&title=st_louis_response&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#commentshttp:
below....something possitive!(& good music, too!)http://www.cliffknizley.com/html/reviews/review8.html

http://www.pfcgunnarbecker.com/

scrapbooking memoes

ok, so there's several of Gunnar's friends, wanting info, to put together,into a scrapbook....here's where they should start....
http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=DF&Date=20050126&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=126001&Ref=PH&Profile=1001&Params=Itemnr=2

then, go here..
http://www.1id.army.mil/1id/news/January/Article_53/Article_53.htm
and, here
http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=25844&archive=true
try this
http://www.hqusareur.army.mil/htmlinks/Press_Releases/2005/Jan2005/21Jan2005-01.htm


http://www.keloland.com/News/NewsDetail4514.cfm?ID=22,37564

maybe, here....
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=&article=32491&archive=true

think that should get you started....been rough, going back in time, to ''find'' some of these,

WANNA PUKE??

watch this
http://animation.speakfree.net/video/sott/wmv/tgfds.wmv

its called thank god for dead soldiers...
enough said.

Protests

Yesterday was long....see this post...
http://iraqwarnews.net/2006/03/how-low-can-anti-war-crowd-get.html
When Gunnar was young, (that's a dumb saying, he was still 19,when he died), anyway, when he was ''in trouble'', and I'd find out, he always wanted to know, HOW i learned of the incident????My first answer was always "BECAUSE I AM THE MOM!"(i can find out everything!)NOT!!!(All the confessions, after Gunnar died proved that a lie,)! My second response was usually " I HAVE FRIENDS, IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES!!"(including school!)
Yesterday proves i STILL DO have friends, in ''all'' the right places!
I want to extend a sincere thank you, to every one of you, for answering the ''distress'' call......i couldn't imagine life, without you. Your continued support leaves me speechless....love ya all!....

Snow Wonders

http://eontheriver.com/sa/products/productinfo.aspx?partno=1118

How could this not be the most adoreable snow man ever created??
Snow Wonder you love me!!!!
A huge thank you, to creater/owner Sarah Schultz, and her employees, for taking the time to listen, and for your generous gift of love..your acts of kindness will be forever in my heart.

just in case

TOMORROW
When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
And took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye
For all my life,
I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you
Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
Would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne,
He said, "This is eternity,
And all I've promised you.
Today your life on earth is past,
But here life starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past.
You have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true.
Though there were times
You did some things
You knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven
And now at last you're free.
So won't you come and take my hand
And share my life with me?
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart.

questions

this weeks email...one of those copy & paste deals



. What time did you get up this morning? 6:15 am
2. Diamonds or pearls? neither..rubies, please!!
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Teenage Mutant nija turtles...with 7 kids under the age of 11
4. What is your favorite TV show? antiques roadshow & this old house
5. What did you have for breakfast? COFFEE & toaster strudel(raspberry)
6. What is your middle name? Ann
7. What is your favorite cuisine? Anything chicken(and my husband raises BEEF!)
8. What foods do you dislike? Rice pudding...
9. Your favorite Potato chip? T GIFridays onoin rings
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Dustin Evens
11. What kind of car do you drive? 95 buick(the ''old people's car''!!)
12. Favorite sandwich?radish
13. What characteristics do you despise? those who are drinking & want to play DR PHill
14. Favorite item of clothing? Blue jeans, all the way!!
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? can i send doug & just stay home??...(please?)
16. What color is your bathroom? demoed///basement bath is white & more white
17. Favorite brand of clothing? lawman blue jeans
18. Where would you want to retire to? forestburg(way to much work, to move!,already!!
19. Favorite time of day? sunset
20. Where were you born? redfield, sdak
21. Favorite sport to watch? do i gotta???
22. Who do you least expect to send this back?no clue
23. Person you expect to send it back first? no clue
24. What laundry detergent do you use? tide
25. Coke or Pepsi?diet coke
26. Are you a morning person or night owl? night
27. Do you have any pets? just doug's cows
28. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with everyone? thanks to very good friends & family, i survived 2005
29. What did you want to be when you were little? nurse
30. Favorite candy bar? brachs orchard fresh///strawberry & chocolate
31. What is your best childhood memory?spending my summers outside!!(so what if it was in the garden??
32. What are the different jobs you have had in your life? waitress, nurse's aide, medication aide, potatoe harvester, tree planting crew(160 acres),daycare provider, packing plant//beef & dakota pork's ham line. pokemon trading card manufacturing @PBM, howard sdak(only place in the WORLD.that made those ''wonderful'' little cards ...we did about 15 languagues,) THE GREENHOUSE LADY as well as the pumpkin lady,THE MOM,and now, GRANDMA!!
33. What color underwear are you wearing? why???
34. Piercing? Ears
35. Eye color? blue
36. Ever been to Africa? No
37. Ever been toilet papering? yes
38. Ever been in love so much it made you cry? yep
39. Been in a car accident? yes==6th grade in a wheel chair
40. Croutons or bacon bits? bacon...i forgot i've raised pigs & bottle lambs for a living, too!
41. Favorite day of the week? whatever day the carpenter shows up
42. Favorite restaurant? a street vender, in germany!
43. Favorite flower? daffodills....explains my tattoo
44. Favorite ice cream?strawberry frozen yogert
45. Disney or Warner brothers? looney tunes
47. What color is your bedroom carpet? presently concrete
48. How many times did you fail your driver's test? 1
50. What store would you choose to max out your credit card?hallmark
51. What do you do most often when you are bored? sneak in a nap!!
52. Bedtime? when i get bored
53. Who are you most curious about their responses to this questionnaire? all who respond
54. What are you listening to right now? classic rock radio
56. Lake, Ocean or river? james river
57.Holiday closest to your birthday?4th july
58. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? doesn't effect my life on a daily basis,/// until you try to fry an egg that's got a chick in it(sorry, guys, i had to do it!!
59.How many people are you sending this to? don't know...haven't done that part, yet
60. Time finished? 1;10 am.....taking a break from preping floor for expoxy paint

Memories

It seems like Gunnars entire life(as parents), we were constantly bitching at him, to take care of his property. He worked his ass off, in the melon patches...Get paid, sometimes(most of the time) on a daily basis, and be broke, again, the next day..One year Lee slowed him down enough, to buy him a shotgun, for part of his labor."You'll have something to show, for your work, for the rest of your life...."echoed through the garage, for an entire summer. Trust me, this is (was) a nice gun. A few years later, Gunnar went to basic training, @ Ft. Knox. About 6 weeks afterhe left, we found the shotgun. It wasn't until after Gunnar died, when Doug looked closely, at this shotgun, that we discovered how badly it had been used/abused...and then, Gunnar's sister, Jo, offered up a confession, about a 4wheeler ride, on gravel, spotlighting,the speed of the 4wheeler, a bump on the gravel road, an accidental discharge,(missed her by inches), and the shotgun sliding down the gravel road.....we have had it professional cleaned, and fixed as much as necessary, to prevent rusting.Someday, when Jo gives the shotgun, to her son, she can tell the story of the scratches..they'll always be there............young, and carefree...or reckless...dunno.....

Pheasant Opener

In less than one hour,there'll be lotza happy men, wearing ORANGE,& toteing shotguns, in the state of S.Dak..In the last 2 days, traffic has multiplied by 4....
Last night I "met up" with a few of the hunters that come back from Minnesota, every year..it's been 2 years, since I've seen these guys, and it's the first time we've seen each other, since Gunnar's death. I know how hard it is, this ''first time'' situation, and I want to thank you, all, for taking time, to share your memories. I appreciate the quiet, private conversations, laughter & tears, and I know, Gunnar held a special place, in your hearts, too. You watched him grow up.....remember the orange hair eppisode?? and yes, the$4oo car with $1000 stereo?and the thump, thump music we could hear, 1/4mile away?!
As the old saying goes, "Meet ya @ the clubhouse!"