Memorial Day Service For Bryan Rearick

Memorial Day Service For Bryan Rearick

Last Sunday the Veterans Hospital in Washington D.C. held a memorial service for all servicemen who have died in the last year. Veterans who served in the following wars: World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, the two Gulf Wars and Afghanistan were honored and their names listed in the program. My husband Jack and daughter Jeanine drove in and met up with Bryan Rearick's family for the memorial service. Jeanine's late fiance, Bryan Rearick, was one of the deceased servicemen being honored.

In this photo Scott Rearick (Brian's older brother) with his oldest daughter Juliet, Jeanine, Lee and Kathy Rearick and Edwin Knepshield, Kathy Rearick's brother.
The presentation of the colors was done by members of the army, navy, marines, air force and coast guard.

Each guest was given a flag and memorial program. The photo below was taken by Jack before the ceremony started. At one point in the service each service branch asked its former members to stand to be recognized. My Jack, Scott Rearick and Lee Rearick stood for the army. Kathy's brother, Edwin Knepshield, stood for the navy. This memorial day weekend take time out from your celebrations to remember the true reason for having the memorial day holiday.

Arlington Cemetery Service For Bryan Rearick

The Arlington Cemetery Service For Bryan Rearick

The Arlington National Cemetery service for Bryan Rearick was held on Friday, September 10. Many, many people attended the military service that included prayers read by an Army chaplain, the 21 gun salute, the playing of Taps and the presentation of the folded flag. Then with great reverence and dignity Bryan's cremains were placed in Court 7 of the Columbarium. The stateliness and dignity of the memorial service provided some sense of closure and comfort for all of us grieving the loss of Bryan.

All the military and civilian workers at Arlington National Cemetery need to be commended for the excellent service they provide for all the grieving families. Each day around four funeral services are held each hour. Around 16 funerals per day need to be arranged. This is done each and every day with great dignity and respect. Thank you, Arlington National Cemetery!

In Memoriam Two More People Have Died

In Memoriam

Two More People Have Died

My close friend, Delaine Walker, lost her father this past week in New Mexico. Delaine's father was a military veteran and will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in October. Jack and I plan to attend the memorial service at Arlington.

My sister, Mary Ellen Thobe of Tipp City, Ohio lost her sister-in-law, Mary Jane Thobe, who was for many, many years a Precious Blood nun with the order in Dayton, Ohio. I remember Mary Jane Thobe as Sister Elsina who spent most of her adult life persuing advanced degrees and teaching first grade at many different schools in Ohio.

Jack and I want to extend our condolences to both the Walker family and to the Thobe family.

Bryan's Funeral Services--Time Change

We just learned that the time of Bryan's services at Arlington Cemetery will be 9:00 am versus 10:00 am on September 10. That means you should arrive at the Cemetery's Adminstration Building by 8:30 if you plan on attending.

Bryan L. Rearick

Bryan L. Rearick
On August 24, 2010 of Woodbridge, VA.

Beloved fiance of Jeanine; son of Leeland and Kathy Rearick of Boone, NC;

brother of Scott and his wife, Mary Rearick of Frederick, MD;

uncle of Juliette, Samantha and Emily.

*

Bryan was a six year veteran of the Virginia Army National Guard having served two tours in Iraq.

*

Friends may visit the Murphy Funeral Home of Arlington, VA, 4510 Wilson Blvd on Saturday, August 28 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M.

*

Internment will be held on Friday, September 10, 10 A.M.

at the Columbarium at the Arlington National Cemetery.

All that wish to attend must meet at the Administration Building by 9:30 A.M.

*

Memorial contributions in Bryan Rearick's name may be made to Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati,OH 45250 Attn: Gift Processing.

These Spring Flowers For Uncle Richard

These Spring Flowers For Uncle Richard Jacobs

Jack's Uncle Richard died on Good Friday in Carrolton, MO at the age of 86.

This was Jack's last remaining uncle and he has no remaining aunts.

Uncle Richard was laid to rest yesterday at the Cameron Cemetery in Missouri that he helped
maintain.

Until two years ago Uncle Richard stayed busy running the road grader around Hale, MO.


Aunt Bonnie preceded Uncle Richard in dying. Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Richard were married for
64 years. Amazing!

In Memoriam Sesame Street Star From Dayton, Ohio

In Memoriam

Sesame Street Star From Dayton, Ohio Dies of Breast Cancer

Alain Reed who played Olivia on Sesame Street

Died December 17, 2009

of Breast Cancer

In Springfield, Ohio She Was Known As Tiny.

She Graduated in 1964 From South High School.

Please Click Here For More Info:

http://www.daytondailyness.com/entertainment/springfield-born "Sesame-street-star-dies-after-bout with breast-cancer//

My Reflections On 9/11

My Reflections On 9/11

I'm sure all of you here in the United States and around the world can remember where you were when you heard the news of 9/11. Jack and I had just made a quick early morning trip to the grocery to get a gallon of milk for our breakfast cereal. We came in the door and Jack put the milk on the kitchen counter while I clicked on the TV and immediately heard Katie Couric announce around 8:50 A.M. that it was reported that a small plane had flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York. I watched for about 10 minutes and then decided to let the construction workers who were working on the unfinished house next door know what was happening because they may not have heard the news via radio or TV. So I ran next door and told the workers and when I was walking back to our yard Jack came running outside the house screaming that the South Tower had just been hit by a very large commercial plane and he had seen it live on TV! I couldn't believe it. It meant that the U.S. was under attack by someone or some country so I ran back to tell the construction workers this latest news. The supervisor and the Hispanic workers were obviously surprised and curious for more info so I invited all of them into our house to watch the news on our big screen TV. I remember that all these Hispanic workers could hardly speak a word of English to Jack and I but they were upset and realized how serious this was and when I said we are under attack they all exclaimed "Si, Si."

The events unfolded so very quickly after the two towers were attacked within fifteen minutes of each other. Soon the South Tower just imploded and you knew that most people inside the building could not have gotten out in time. To me the scariest moment is when they announced that the Pentagon had been hit by a hijacked plane. At that point I had to sit down because I thought I was going to faint. The Pentagon was just 45 miles from our house and our oldest daughter lived and worked right in Arlington. At that point everything became surreal: the announcements that four planes had been hijacked, that one plane intended for D.C. had apparently gone down near Shankesville, PA.

The rest of that day and that evening was a TV watching blur. Like most parents we connected with our two daughters. Our younger daughter was at JMU and we told her that she should remain there. Our older daughter called from work in Arlington to say that she didn't want to go back to her apartment yet so she was coming out to our house to spend the night. I think she may have felt sheepish about being scared to return to her apartment but she soon learned that our one neighbor's son who was in his late twenties didn't want to be alone either so he came out to his parents' home. In the following days The Washington Post was filled with details of the attacks. I have kept these newspapers for my grandchildren to read.

Then on Thursday with trepidation we headed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with our older daughter on a pre arranged weekend getaway trip. President Bush had said that we needed to get on with our reguler lives and not let these terrorists psychologically intimidate us. So we headed to the beltway that took us around D.C. to Maryland and then took interstate 95 north to Philly. All along these routes we saw so many flags flying in houseyards, commercial buildings and being draped over the interstate overpasses that we were overwhelmed with emotion. When we got to Philly we checked into our downtown motel which was right next door to the oldest Jewish synagogue in Philly. Talk about tight security there! There was talk that Middle East terrorists might want to target this symbolic Jewish synagogue. We stayed at the motel next door but with fear in our hearts for our safety. And everywhere we went in Philly we saw more flags and signs of patriotic support. But what I remember most is what a restaurant waiter told us one evening. He said that he lived in a part of Philly that has a very large Middle Eastern population and on the day 9/11 occurred there were Muslims dancing with joy in the streets. I was so upset at hearing this news that when we returned home I called the FBI's suspicious terrorists hotline to report what I had heard from this waiter in Philly. I don't know if the FBI investigated this incident or not. I hope so.

Ground Zero and The Overlooked Grounds

Ground Zero and The Overlooked Grounds

I am afraid that most people who remember 9/11 think mainly of Ground Zero where the Twin Towers once stood tall against the sky. Maybe it is the very large number of people who died there (2752) or maybe it is the incredible fascination with the height of these downed towers that causes people to think of New York City when remembering what occurred on 9/11. But I like to remind everyone that two other grounds need to be commemorated today. Namely the Pentagon building and grounds in Arlington, Virginia and the the field at Shankesville, PA.

Only 40 people died at Shankesville but their heroic actions that day on that doomed plane saved either the White House or the U.S. Capitol from being obliterated.

Anyone who lived in Northern Virginia in 2001 will remember the frightening moment when they heard that the Pentagon had been attacked. My younger daughter's roomie, Maria, has related how her mother and their neighbors who lived a couple miles from the Pentagon heard the loud boom of the plane crashing into the Pentagon building while also hearing all the dishes and glasses in their cupboards rattling and shaking. That is not something you will ever forget. And in the months following the crash at the Pentagon anyone traveling along the interstate unfortunately could see the damage to the Pentagon and become extremely sad and depressed

New York: 2752 deaths

Arlington's Pentagon: 184 deaths

The Field at Shankesville, PA: 40 deaths

Let's Remember Them All

In Memoriam

These Flowers Are For Jack's Niece's Son,

Nick Shoultes of

Lake of the Ozarks and Camdenton, Missouri

Nick Shoults

December 31, 1985 - August 28, 2009

May He Rest In Peace

Nick Shoults grew up in Camdenton, Missouri and graduated from Camdenton High School in 2004. He was a professional bull rider. He then enlisted in the Army and served in Iraq for a year as a cannon gunner. In Iraq he was injured in three separate incidents which led to an honorable medical discharge in 2008. The heavy pain killers and medications he used for his disabled back contributed to his untimely death this past week. Nick received many decorations and medals for his time in the Army. These include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Nick had a passion for bull riding, camping and canoeing. He will be missed by his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Nick Shoults's maternal grandmother, the late Judy Shipley Colliver grew up in Hale, Missouri. Nick was the son of John Shoults of Springfield and Lynne Gail Colliver Stewart of Camdenton.

Nick's funeral will be at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Camdenton and his burial will be at Allee Memorial Gardens where he will be laid to rest with full military honors.

In Memoriam

These Flowers Are For Jack's Aunt Bonnie Jacobs Who Was The Wife Of Jack's Mom's Brother Richard Jacobs

Bonnie Jean Whitacer Jacobs

January 21, 1926 - August 31, 2009

May She Rest In Peace

Aunt Bonnie lived her entire life in Hale, Missouri where she was a school teacher, wife, mother and homemaker. Aunt Bonnie graduated in 1944 from Hale High School and then earned a teaching certificate from Central Missouri University in Warrensburg, Missouri. She taught at rural one room schools near Hale and later while raising her three children she was a substitute teacher at the local rural school in Hale. Aunt Bonnie loved decorating, cooking, sewing, crocheting, playing bridge and being active in her Hale United Methodist Church. She was a grand lady and will be truly missed by her husband Richard Jacobs, two sons Steve and Chris and daughter Kathy Haas and one grandchild Kristy Haas.

Wakes: The Irish Do It Best!

Wakes

The Irish Do It Best

.

Did you watch the wake for Teddy Kennedy on TV last night? Jack and I laughed so hard we were doubled over with mirth. Especially when that former U.S. senator from Iowa gave his scared to death talk about being on Teddy's sailboat for the first time and when Republican Orrin Hatch of Utah spoke about how he rather unwillingly fell in deep friendship with Kennedy. The Kennedy that was always blowing cigar smoke his way and talking, laughing and singing loud while drinking heavy. These comments from a man who is a non smoking and non drinking Utah Mormon! Oh how funny were these eulogies! And oh how funny is life itself when we learn to love and cherish what we thought we would thoroughly despise.

Old Family Photos Featuring Paul

The Earlist Photo I Have Of My Three Older Brothers

Paul standing, nickname Pup.
Carl kneeling, nickname Doc.
Harold sitting, nickname Little Joe.

Notice in the fenced house yard all the milk buckets drying upside down on the milk bucket tree.

Our First Family Photo Taken at English Photo Studio in Sidney, Ohio

This photo was taken when my parents thought that Paul would be called up for military service since World War II was still raging in both Europe and the Pacific. First row left to right: Carl, Mary Ellen and Harold. Second row left to right: Paul, Dad holding Joann and Mom.

Look what a chubby baby I was! In spite of the fact that I had whooping cough when I was just six months old; my mother couldn't nurse me; I refused baby formula and so I was fed unpasteurized cow's milk from our farm dairy. And look how handsome my Father looks in this photo. My Father was 41 at the time and he certainly shows no sign of middle age weight gain. I always look at this photo though and think that my Mother looks both very worried and very sad in this picture.

Paul Home On Leave Holding Me In His Lap

This was the fall of 1950 and I was in first grade. I think Paul looks very handsome in the picture. As for me my mother took my long hair and rolled it in rags to create that sausage curl look. And the top knot was a curl she did for me with some of my hair. Funny thing: in third grade I got to sing a solo song (Mockingbird Hill ) for a school assembly. But the catholic nuns at my school insisted that my mother get rid of that top knot curl that they disliked. So she did. My top knot curl became history.

Visiting Paul At Camp Atterbury in Indiana the Fall of 1950

First Row: Harold and Paul.

Second Row: Dad, Joann and Mom.

Mary Ellen and Carl must have stayed home to milk the dairy cows.

Paul's Wedding Picture

Paul returned from Korea and soon met Iona Brunswick and wed her on September 8, 1954 in Egypt, Ohio.

Left to right: Eva Brunswick, MaryEllen, Iona, Brunswick, Paul, Joann and Donald. My other two brothers missed this wedding. Harold was stationed in Sendai, Japan with the Army and Carl was stationed with the Air Force at Roswell Air Force Base in New Mexico.

My Three Brothers Proudly Wearing Their Military Uniforms

The occasion was an outdoor mass at the grotto at St. Remys in Russia for Memorial Day. This was an occasion for all the St. Remy Catholic War Veterans to attend mass as a group at the outdoor grotto. Those men who no longer could fit in their military uniform wore a suit and just the cap from their uniform. Eventually my three brothers fell into that category. LOL!

The Three Brothers With Their Father At Michigan State For An Important Football Game: Michigan State vs. Ohio State!

Left to right: Harold, Paul, Carl and Leo in the era of short hair and narrow ties.

My Brother's Funeral Mass on The Fourth of July

My brother Paul who fought in Korea as an Army GI and saw action on Hill 78 and Old Baldy wanted a military funeral. Well, he got his wish and more----he had his funeral on a very patriotic day---The Fourth of July.

The Russia Catholic War Veterans Post 661 saluted their fallen comrade Paul and accompanied his casket from the funeral home in Versailles to St. Remy's Catholic Church for the funeral mass and then escorted the flag draped coffin to the St. Remy Cemetery where they gave Paul a 21 gun salute sendoff. After which they then presented his widow Iona with the folded tri-corner flag that had draped the coffin. It was a lovely service with many close family members participating as alter boys, pall bearers, readers, offertory bearers, etc. The church was filled with close to 300 relatives, friends, co-workers, neighbors who came to give Paul a great goodbye party. Paul would have loved it! And we all did enjoy it but thru tears of sadness with the realization that we will never again experience Paul's jokes and laughter. But let me add three final thoughts that warm my heart when I think of the death of my oldest brother who was also my godfather:

Paul lived a long and happy life. He was approaching 82 when he died last Wednesday.

Paul lived a good life as a faithful son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, neighbor and co-worker.

Paul had a peaceful death----he died in his sleep of a quick and massive heart attack.

I Lost My Brother This Morning

Paul

Dec. 6, 1927 - July 1, 2009

My Brother Paul Died Of A Massive Heart Attack Early This Morning
May He Rest In Peace.

May His Family Find Comfort and Support In Their Grief.

Viola Luthman In Memoriam

Viola Luthman was my father's baby sister. Aunt Viola Luthman died this past Saturday, December 27'th and was laid to rest this past Wednesday, December 31'st after a mass of Christian burial at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Fort Laromie, Ohio. She lived to be 103 years old. The only other person to live to be older in our family of relatives was my aunt by marriage, Ruth Dapore, who lived to be 105. Aunt Viola and Aunt Ruth knew each other from parties at our house.

Aunt Viola Gariety was a young flapper girl in this 1920's photo. Viola Gariety was born on November 2, 1902 in Newport, Ohio. On May 4, 1927 at the age of 25 she married Wilbur Luthman. She would be a farm wife and mother of 12 children and grandmother of many, many more children.

She survived a bout of tuberculosis in the 1950's that put her in a TB saniterium and she outlived many of her children and grandchildren as well as nieces and nephews. Aunt Viola was 103 years old when she died last Saturday at her home near St. Patricks, Ohio. She lived a very full life. Thanks for the memories and rest in peace.

The Missing Man Formation

I learned yesterday that MSNBC News was operating in the Missing Man Formation for coverage of the presidential election. The Missing Man Formation is the aerial military maneuver in which you can see that one plane and pilot is no longer with us in the sky. I'm sure you have seen it on TV and/or at local military airshows. (By the way, Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio has an airshow to drive out of your way to see.)

Well, Tuesday night the broadcasters of MSNBC were in missing man formation in memory of their deceased broadcaster and news teammate Tim Russert. Tim Russert who hosted Meet The Press Sunday mornings died this past spring. I think everyone can remember Tim shunning the push button high tech world and grabbing his white board and pen to explain what was happening in Florida in the 2000 presidential election.

Tuesday night Andrea Mitchell had Tim's white board and pen by her side. Someone else was wearing a Tim Russert tie with his suit and another had the mass card from the Tim Russert funeral mass in his suit pocket. And they all expressed the same thought that Tim would have been bouncing off the walls and throwing his white board around in wild jubilation over the first black man to be elected president of the United States and screaming what a story, what a story! Tim lived for politics and the presidential election was his superbowl reporting moment. I'm going to dedicate my Sky Watch Friday photo to you.

Rest In Peace

These Roses Are For Tim Russert

1950 - 2008

A Man For All Seasons

May He Rest In Peace

Meet The Press Will Not Be The Same

Memories of Aunt Corrinne

Aunt Corrinne was quite an independent spirit and fearless lady. She was the only woman I know who drove across country from Missouri to Arizona by herself with two preschool grand kids when she was in her 60's. Another time she drove alone to Washington D.C. from Missouri to visit her daughter, Vickie.

Aunt Corrine grew up on a Missouri farm and moved to Kansas City as a young woman to be a business woman. At one time she ran a restaurant in downtown Kansas City. Later she became a key punch operator for a Kansas City company. (Pre computer business practice)

She finally retired at the age of 65 but remained active in the following roles: widow, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. I will always remember her as a courageous woman who had a southern bent for hospitality and food. No one ever went away hungry from Aunt Corrinne's home. She prepared pounds and pounds of candy for relatives, co-workers and neighbors at Christmas time. Her favorite homemade candies were peanut brittle and divinity.

Jack has many fond memories of his Mom's older sister. Life was never dull with Aunt Corrinne around. She had a way of starting home projects and getting everybody involved in these projects. Even this fall she was supervising a remodeling project on her house!

My two daughters dearly loved Aunt Corrinne for she had a way of speaking her mind no matter what and Jennifer and Jeanine found this very refreshing. It was during a late October visit in 2002 that she showed both my daughters how to crochet. And could she crochet! Even though she was legally blind she could turn out crocheted afghans like no body's mother. While I was fixing supper each evening she along with Aunt Judy would sit by the fire crocheting and drinking bourbon and water. Now that's a southern dame! And she could even show Aunt Judy a new crochet stitch or two.

I will always remember Aunt Corrinne's beauty and style. She had the most beautiful grey hair and blue eyes. And she was not afraid to wear high heels as she grew older. I can still picture Aunt Corrinne in her new three inch high heels at Jennifer's high school graduation. My niece's husband, Guy Celeste, had to help navigate Aunt Corrinne from the high bleachers in the gym and thru the crowded hallways that day. She looked like a grand lady from the 1950's in her dress and heels. During her 2002 trip to Virginia Aunt Corrinne and Aunt Judy did the Washington D.C. tourist circuit from the Capital to the Smithsonian to Arlington Cemetery to Mount Vernon and to Monticello. She refused to use a wheel chair anywhere we went until the final day at at Mount Vernon. After a week of sightseeing she finally did admit that she was just a little tired so maybe she would sit in the wheelchair for a little ride down to Washington's grave at Mount Vernon. At the time she was 84 years old!

Oh, how we will miss Aunt Corrinne. And God better get ready for a heavenly home project or two or a new crochet group!

Corrinne Rosenberger 1918-2007

Corrine Rosenberger

Born February 8, 1918

Hale, Missouri

Died December 2, 2007

Lee's Summit, Missouri

I'm Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free

I'm following the path God laid for me.

I took His hand when I heard Him call

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way.

I found that place at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void

Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss.

Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow.

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life's been full, I savored much,

Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all to brief,

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief,

Lift up your heart and share with me.

God wanted me now. He set me free.

Author Unknown

In loving memory of Jack's mom's sister, Corrinne Rosenberger, who had been in failing health this past year. God took her home for Christmas and all Eternity. Aunt Corrinne would have been 90 years old on February 8, 2008. Aunt Corrinne was quite ready and willing to "cross the bar" into Eternity. Therefore, I especially like the very last line of the poem above:

"God wanted me now. He set me free."