Deb_Inside

~ Heart Print ~ Betty Frye ~

Oprah ended her show yesterday by saying ...........................

 

'We've had many stories leaving a special heart print that we will never forget.'



As SOON as I heard her words, I thought of my friend, Betty Frye. 

Betty and Russell's son James entered the Air Force in February
of 2007.  James was Betty's only child.   She looked around the
internet and found a home at a Yahoo group of other Air Force
Mom and Dads.  
She joined while James was still in basic training.  

Betty was ONE of a kind and she certainly left a great big
ole HEART PRINT on my heart.

I once joked to her that she must buy her stamps in rolls for the
many cards
and letters she mailed out.     SHE admitted to me that she DID.   

BETTY was the QUEEN of SNAIL MAIL.  It was a letter to a kid
down at BMT, a get well card for someone's Mom or Dad. Or
even mail to friends of AF Mom
and Dad buddies, Betty was on it with a card or note.

I did not come to learn of the many many care support boxes
she mailed out to military kids until after her passing.    Russ
shared with me their many trips to Wally mart where Betty
loaded the cart with supplies to ship.  

Betty and I corresponded only via email and messages over
the net.   
The very first time we spoke on the phone was when she phoned
me to say that she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
and she only had months to live.  
It was a gut wrenching call to say the least.  I assured Betty
that we would be there for James and Russell.

Oprah's show yesterday  featured a Mom, Erin Kramp, who was
dying of cancer.  
The Erin chronicled herself in videos and audio recordings for
her young daughter who was 6 when she passed.  The final
audio message she taped was played yesterday.  
In that message Erin asked people not to forget about her. 

My friend Betty never did any of those special tapes like Erin
did, but I had an overwhelming feeling that Betty would have
said the same thing. 

I will never forget you Betty.....  You left an eternal 
~ HEART PRINT ~

Love you girl !!!!

 

Betty Anne Frye    2-7-1953 ~ 7-12-2009

 

Betty Anne Frye  of Petersburg, Va., formerly of Morattico, Va.,
passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2009. She was a member of
Norwood Baptist Church, Morattico, Va. and a member of
Air Force Moms and Dads.

My wife Betty, besides being the best wife and friend was
my soul mate. I will surely miss and be lost without her.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents Francis and
Mary Anthony.

 

She is survived by her husband of 27 years, Russell Frye,
one son; James A. Frye (was) stationed at Sheppard Air Force
Base, Texas, and two fur babies; her dogs; Sofie and Buddy.

 

The family will receive friends at Jones-Ash Funeral Home,
Rainswood, Va., on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 from 7:00 to 8:30PM.
Funeral services will be held at Norwood Baptist Church,
Morattico, Va. on Wednesday, July 15th at 11:00AM.
Burial to follow in the church cemetery.

♥Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥   Family isn't always blood. It's the people in
your life who want you in theirs. The ones who accept you
for who you are. The ones who would do anything to
see you smile, and who love you no matter what.   ♥Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥

~ Our 'sister' Betty ~

Please Show Your Support For Our US Military

Blue Star Mother and Soldiers Angel Melissa made this
Facebook post today : 


Melissa Sanken: Many fallen heroes, many wounded, we are needed...
please do something for a hero today!!   Thank you very much!

 

Here are some ways that you can get involved and support for our US Military.

 

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors -

    http://www.taps.org/Give


A Thousand Thanks - Through TAPS -
From this link, just enter your info.  
You will receive an email where you can mail a post card.
EVERYONE can send a postcard.   1 postcard - 1 stamp !!!!

http://www.giveathousandthanks.org/send-a-postcard

 

 Wounded Warrior Project -

    http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

 

 Soldiers Angels -

    http://soldiersangels.org/

 

 Blue Star Families -

    http://www.bluestarfam.org/

 

 A Million Thanks -

    http://www.amillionthanks.org/

 

 Operation Gratitude -

    http://www.opgratitude.com/

Let's Say Thanks -   Send a FREE postcard right fromt his site

http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1280.html

And if you are not moved to some action, would you please pray
for our men and women who are serving and their families .......
They are away from home protecting your freedoms.   


♥♥♥ THANK YOU ♥♥♥

Deb -   Proud Air Force Mom -  SSgt Vinny

He Said This - and - Why I do What I do

"I, Robert   _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support
and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies,
foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance
to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the
President of the United States and the orders of the
officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the
Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

I have no idea at all when Robert said these words, but I do know when the 24 year old
took his last breath on this Earth.   
That was on July 15, 2007 while on duty in Baghdad, Iraq. 

I also know the month and year he took his first breath........March of 1983.

Since March 24th of this year I have signed every guestbook of our Fallen
Heroes on the day they passed.   To date, I have met 1631 of America's finest
men and women.    Hmmmmmmmm I did say met.    Might sound kind of strange
since they are all dead.    Before I actually add my message, I read through the
previous posts.    Sometimes I will even go on the net and try and find out more
about the person.     I can actually ~feel~ them with me.     They reach out and
I hear a THANK YOU.     They know exactly what it will mean to their family and
friends to know ... They are not forgotten.   


My nearly 12 year old Kevin asked me the other day........

'Mommy, why do you do this when it makes you cry' ?

His question came in response to seeing me tear up over an email I read.
That email was from Robert's sister....    This is what she wrote me....


'How beautiful, I am Rob's
sister and this has given me
so much reason to hold my
head up and know my brother
is at peace. This words have
meant more to me than you
will ever know. God Bless
you and thank you from the
bottom of my heart. The
world needs more people like
you.'

I tried my best to explain to my son what my tears were about.   I think
my explanation fell a bit short for his young mind to grasp.

Having had my Air Force son Vince, and his wife, Dana... my Air Force
daughter in law both serve over in Iraq, I know we could have lost either
of them over there. 

My keeping up daily with my blog - Remember The Fallen, and
signing the guestbooks, has taken time away from my personal blog here.....
But I hope sharing the words of his sister, one year after his death
helps shed some light on why I do what I do.


I thank you my dear readers for understanding WHY I am not
posting here as often as I used to.    :)


Here is a link to Robert’s guestbook   Legacy Site


This is a copy of the message I post..................

 

Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers.

 

 

The Wind on The

Downs

 

“I like to think of you as brown and tall,

As strong and living as you used to be,

In khaki tunic, Sam Brown belt and all,

And standing there and laughing down at me.

Because they tell me, dear, that you are dead,

Because I can no longer see your face,

You have not died, it is not true, instead

You seek adventure in some other place.

That you are round about me, I believe;

I hear you laughing as you used to do,

Yet loving all the things I think of you;

And knowing you are happy, should I grieve?

You follow and are watchful where I go.”

 

(Written by Marian Allen during World War l )

 

Two lines that I wish you to keep near your heart…….

 

“You seek adventure in some other place.

That you are round about me, I believe”

 

 

I did not know Robert, but I am remembering

his service. He is my hero. !

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

The Other Side

 

i'm over on the other side

where life and death softly divide.

left my skin and bones behind

now i'm over on the other side.

 

can you feel me there with you?

my breath is gone but i'm not through.

loved you then and i still do

from over on the other side.

 

i can fly. really fly.

below the earth ... all through the sky.

tell em all i did not die.

i'm just over on the other side.

 

it's good here on the other side.

the sweetest songs...the bluest skies.

thank you for the tears you cried

but it's good here on the other side.

 

i can fly. really fly. below the earth...all through the sky.

tell em all i did not die.

i'm just over on the other side

 

the world is smaller than a needle's eye.

where life and death softly divide.

when you leave your skin and bones behind

i'll be waiting on the other side.

 

i can fly. really fly. below the earth ... all through the sky.

go tell em all i did not die.

i'm just over on the other side.

 

Song lyrics by Don Conoscenti

C Desert Muse/SESAC

www.donconoscenti.com

(Used with permission)

 

“I hope it brings great comfort to any and all.

Peace on you. DonCon” 4-2008

 

 

The Other Side –

(To hear the song)

http://tinyurl.com/3o8gol

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Deb Estep ~

Ohio

Proud Air Force Mom SSgt Vince – Lackland AFB

Proud Air Force MIL SrA Dana – Randolph AFB

 

Remembering The Fallen – Blog

http://tinyurl.com/3z8p55

 

 

Angel and soldier drawing I have shared here.

http://tinyurl.com/6gey8b

 

Remembering Our Fallen U.S. Military Heroes

Remembering Our Fallen U.S. Military Heroes

I've created a new blog ---

Remembering The Fallen

Military Times has an amazing site - - - Honor the Fallen - - -
Honoring those who fought and died in
Operations Iraqi freedom and Enduring Freedom.   There is a search area
on the database at the Military Times site.    I'm gathering the names
and information and listing it day by day on this site.

I wanted a place where on that day, I could remember ALL who
have given their all.  My heartfelt prayers for the family and friends of these heroes.

In Memory of ALL U.S. Military Heroes

Please Help Support Former Army Captain Sargent Binkley

Sargent is the son of Jane Ellen and Ed Binkley.   I know Jane Ellen
from a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder web site of which we are both
members.   

Being the Mom of a United States Air Force Staff Sergent, I know very
well that this could be my son Vincent in this picture.   

I've pulled some info about Sargent from his web site.   Please read this
or go to this web site and read more.
Sarge Binkley needs OUR HELP !!!!!

There are addresses listed at the site help out in a letter writing
effort and also phone numbers to call.   

If this were my Vinny, I would be pleading for your support....
and you know what, once you are a military Mom, they ALL FEEL like
my kids....    SO I AM PLEADING !!!!!!!!

If you can't find the time, or don't wish to write a letter, prayers are most
welcome, not only for this young man, but for all who live with the horror
of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 

THANK YOU SARGE for your service and I pledge to support you !!!!

 

http://supportsarge.org

 

 

 

Sargent & his Mom Jane Ellen

 

.

Under California's strict mandatory minimum sentencing laws, US Army Captain Sargent Binkley is facing at least 12 years in state prison. If you know Sargent and/or are opposed to mandatory minimum sentencing, please read the following. You can help.

Update 3/18 Sargent's Santa Clara court date has been postponed until mid-July, with the San Mateo court date likely to change as well. This delay gives us more time to push the county DAs to take a settlement. Your letters and phone calls are helping - keep them coming!

Sargent Binkley committed two robberies in 2006. These crimes were desperate attempts to obtain the painkillers he became addicted to after sustaining injuries while serving abroad. These injuries were repeatedly misdiagnosed and mistreated by the military medical system, resulting in Sargent’s downward spiral of addiction. He harmed no-one, took no money, and turned himself in. Under California’s minimum sentencing law, no judge can commute his sentence to one more in proportion to his crime. Sargent has been in jail for over a year and a half and faces final sentencing soon in Santa Clara County.

We support the elimination of California's excessive mandatory minimum sentencing laws, which give the power usually reserved to judges over to District Attorneys. But changing the law takes time that Sargent Binkley doesn't have. Public pressure is the only thing that may cause the respective District Attorneys to reconsider; please help us in this fight by writing a letter or making a phone call as soon as you can. Two minutes of your time can help persuade District Attorneys Deborah Medved and Steve Wagstaffe to apply a more equitable and appropriate sentence, and obtain justice for Sargent Binkley.

About Sargent

Sargent Binkley was born and raised in Los Altos, California. He attended Los Altos High School, where he excelled in school while playing on the football and rugby teams and becoming an Eagle Scout. Binkley’s goal as a teenager was to work hard enough to enroll at the US Military Academy in West Point, NY. He succeeded, and matriculated there in 1993. After graduation in 1997 he entered the US Army, completing the airborne jump course and the notoriously difficult Ranger training.

Sargent was sent to Bosnia after his graduation, where he served as a peacekeeper by guarding the mass graves of genocide victims. From there he was sent to Central America, where he participated in drug interdiction operations. At one point he was ordered to open fire on a truck that contained a civilian teenage boy, an act that haunts him to this day. While on duty in Honduras, he fractured his pelvis and dislocated a hip. This injury was consistently misdiagnosed by Army physicians over the next several years, resulting in chronic pain and an addiction to prescription painkillers.

Sargent was honorably discharged out of the Army in 2002 and returned to civilian life. He worked for a time until his chronic pain and addiction destroyed his ability to be productive. He moved back home with his parents, who paid for a diagnosis by a private sports physician. The private doctor used a high-resolution MRI and found tears in the cartilage of his left hip, injuries that the military medical system had been unable to find. Surgery finally fixed the problem. After this his prescriptions from the VA were discontinued but his addiction remained, compounded by a psychiatric diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Sargent held up two Walgreens pharmacies in 2006 – one in Mountain View on the twentieth of January, the second in San Carlos on the third of March. He used an unloaded gun, harmed no one, and left only with bags full of painkillers. Shortly after the second robbery he turned himself in. After a year and a half in custody, he is working his way through a drug rehabilitation program as he awaits trial.

administrator – September 8, 2007  –  7:58pm

Military Angel Of Protection - Angel Rubber Stamp

Last year I offered my Angel of Protection drawing
to a rubber stamp designer Pamela.
(She's from Ohio too)

She tweaked the image just a bit,
but you can still tell it's my design.

I am really thrilled about this, as it
will mean more exposure for the angel
and soldier. I am not making any sort of
profit on this, that was not my intent.
Pamela is sending me a stamp sheet.

Please share this info with anyone you know
who is a rubber stamper who might be
interested.

This is NOT only a holiday stamp, it can be used
all through the year. 

The Red Rubber sheet, Untrimmed, Unmounted.
There is lots of info on the web about mounting stamps
and Pamela has info on her site too.


Angel Stamp Set - Pamela's site
http://tinyurl.com/28kubq


Link to My Drawing
http://tinyurl.com/mxc9o


From Pamela's web site:
Firecracker Designs By Pamela

This wonderful angel was inspired by a sketch sent to me by
Air Force Mom Deb! I loved her idea so much, I turned it into
this stamp plate, versatile enough for military cards at any
time of the year!! Or use the Christmas trees in 3 sizes as accents
on your Christmas Cards too!! Thanks again,
Deb for such a great Angel image to work with!

 

After reading several heart breaking emails from/about
military families, and the constant sacrifices they make for our country,
and because I grew up an Army Brat...I've decided to LEAVE
the price of this set at 20% off permanently.
It's my small way of saying THANK YOU.

Red Rubber sheet, Untrimmed, Unmounted, 4.5 x 5.25


Link to gallery of Stamped Angel pictures


Pamela's Blog

http://www.pamelasgallery.com/

Categories at Pamela's blog

• Card Art
• Contests
• Greetings
• News
• Other Art
• Product Testing
• Projects
• Sale Info
• Scrap Art
• Sketches
• Stamp List
• Tips
• Tutorials

 

The Energy Of Snail Mail

My friend Charles Hamel wrote a blog post today.....

"What's The Frequency Kenneth?"

Charles speaks about the relationship of energy and vibration.
He goes on to say.....

"We are a vibration of energy, akin to a drop of sea water, the one
drop contains the same makeup of the entire ocean.
So our souls or spirits if you will, are a drop of spirit which is made
up of the same makeup of the entire collective consciousness or
christ consciousness if you like that term."

As I was sending out 2 pieces of personal snail mail today, his words
got me to thinking that the mail I sent today is charged with energy.
The kind of energy that is not lost in the transportation.!   

Email is an important form of communication these days, but it will never
come close to the feeling of holding a note or card
in ones hand, and reading and re-reading the message.

Being a military Mom, I can tell you that snail mail is a LIFE LINE
for our military.    Care packages and letters from home are like
gold to deployed troops.   

Within the past couple of weeks I had some military friends write
to a neighbor of my folks.    Larry served in the Army during the
Vietnam era.    His health is not that good right now, and the cards
and notes were a way to lift his spirits.    One Mom, who crochets
lap blankets for our wounded military asked if it would be okay
to send Larry one of those.    He phoned my Mom a couple days ago
and was totally amazed.    He said, "These people don't even know me
and they are sending cards and one person sent me a blanket".   
His spirits were so uplifted.  !!!

I now have a whole new take on exactly WHY the snail mail
is so very special.    THANKS Charles.  :)
And THANK YOU for your service in the US Navy.

Is there someone you know who would be
thrilled to have a simple letter or card from you?   IF you don't
happen to know anyone, ask me and I'll send you Larry's address.       

PS………

“What’s the Frequency Kenneth?”   is by ...... REM 

'Amen' by Kid Rock

Amen by Kid Rock
Album - Rock and Roll Jesus -
Original Release Date: October 9, 2007

The video ends with these words:

"This video is dedicated to those whom still believe
in America.   To those who want to fight for what they know
is right.   For everyone who has lost a loved on to war.
And to Jim Broussard.....
He is the epitome of the Real American Patriot".

http://www.therealpatriot.net/

The Gratitude Campaign

The Gratitude Campaign

http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/index.php

A Letter From Jesus About Christmas

A friend emailed me this message and I thought it was

worth passing along.   

````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

It's a fine line to presume what Jesus would

say but the statements are worth thinking about. 

Have a Blessed Christmas.

Letter from Jesus about Christmas

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless?  Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :      I LOVE YOU, JESUS

"My Dear Son" - A Mother Speaks Her Heart

	The following is a Gold Star Mother's message to her Marine son Cpl Lance M. Thompson, taken from his Legacy memorial site. You will see Lance pictured in a Veteran's post just a few down from this one. November 15, 2007    -    KIA Iraq November 15, 2004 My dear son, I will start this as I started each letter I wrote to you in Iraq. I am so very proud of you! I am proud of the man you became even though it is hard to not think of the boy you were at the same time. Today, we miss your smile and I miss you saying, "Hello, Mother" in that deep and serious voice. I know you are watching over us all; family and friends. Today, I sent off balloons with your picture. I hope they reach you in heaven. I know you would be trying to suck the helium out to make that weird, high pitched voice and then you would laugh. To Lance's buddies, He has your back! Thank you for having his back! So many of you call and write and tell us stories. What wonderful gifts you give us! I wish you could understand how precious each memory you have given us is! There are just no words to express how much we appreciate those stories and memories. I hope you will ALWAYS feel like you can share ANY thought or memory with us. I know sometimes you fear you will hurt us or bring up a bad memory... Please, don't feel that way. You will understand when you have children how important it is to know everything they do...it is who they are! To all who read this message: Thank you for your warm, caring words of support. Your words mean the world to us! I can't describe the feeling you get when someone you have never met sends you a message! There are no words to describe how this makes you feel and how this helps you go on. A last thought: Lance wanted to do his job, do it well, and make Iraq a place where people would be safe and be able to enjoy the freedom's we enjoy here in the United States. He also wanted to make sure that what he saw in Iraq never came here. The only thing he did that most of his brother Marines, soldiers, and sailors didn't do was die. Every person who is, or has, served in our nation's military are true heroes and all deserve medals and in the least our honor and respect. It is our veterans and military who have given us the freedoms we have today and who ensure that EVERYONE, no matter where they live, have the chance for the same freedoms we have here in America. Lance, my dear son, you served well. Your family loves you and honors you today and always. Be safe, stay strong. Always Semper Fi and Gung Ho With all my love, Mom
	Melanie Smith (Westfield, IN) Photo of a memorial rock at Lance's grave Link to Lance's Legacy Guestbook and Melanie's post and contact info  Link to Veteran's Day Post and Lance's picture.

Jessi ~ An Amazing Young Woman

Jessi's Mom -  Jessi  -   Kendra - Taken this past summer



This is a post asking for your HELP.   

Help to bring some cheer to a military family this holiday season.

The gal who wrote this message is Darlene.   An online friend,

I've known for several years.    These messages are from a

web site we are on together.   

Darlene and her friend Jessi live in Nouth Carolina. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jessi is a 18 year old girl who was born with brittle bones disease.

(Brittle Bone Disease - Osteogenesis Imperfecta)

She has spent her life in a wheelchair and has to live very cautiously.
With as much caution as possible she still manages to break bones in her body.
Her wheelchair hitting something or running over a bump breaks bones.
She is a tiny thing.... If she could walk she wouldn't be 3 feet tall.
She is beautiful young lady with a bit of a fiery disposition.
She loves to paint and make friends.

A lot of people her age are afraid of her and making friends
is hard to do and she has every intention of keeping her friends
or in other words, making an acquaintance isn't what she strives
for and making you her friend is.

Jessi is presently writing medical history.....
She wasn't supposed to live this long and she surpassed her prognosis
many years ago. She is deformed because her skeletal system stopped
growing when she was little but her organs didn't.
It brings about another medical problem for her....
Her organs are all pushed together trying to fit in her tiny body.
If she gets a cold it's dangerous for her because her heart and lungs
are smooshed and it makes them work harder.


=======================================

My daughter Kendra met Jessi at school....
Jessi, in her wheelchair was being bullied and she attempted
to run her bullies down with her chair.... My daughter does
not like a bully and her dislike is even stronger when the
bullies select the defenseless to pick on. My daughter got
involved and she ran the bullies off and brought Jessi into
our lives as well as the lives of her other friends.
My daughter and Jessi will graduate this year from a small school...
They both plan on going to college...
My Kendra wants to be a veterinarian and Jessi wants to be
a counselor on her disease.

UPDATE - Nov 4th

She just returned from John Hopkins in Maryland and her surgeries

have been scheduled...

She will have surgery on December 3rd and be placed in suspended traction

until her next surgery on December 17th. She hopes to be home

in North Carolina for Christmas.

The risks of her surgery are high and she is 18 now.....

She was asked to sign a DNR (Do not resuscitate) form. It was

explained to her that if they tried to resuscitate her excessively that

it would kill her and with a heavy heart she signed the form.

We are being optimistic especially for her benefit.

I sense she will do fine with the surgeries, though. Please keep Jessi

and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE Nov 14th

Jessi's surgery is going to hinder Christmas for her family. I am asking for

your prayers and if you could send a care package for the family

that would be wonderful too.
I told Sheri, Jessi's mom, I would work on Christmas for everyone and

she should worry about the surgery.

If you are able to make or buy just one gift and send it for Christmas

it would help... Or even a gift card, Cheyanne and Jessi love books

and a gift card to waldenbooks or Barnes and Noble would be gold to them.

Cheyanne is Jessi's baby sister, she is 12.
Jessi wants to be home for Christmas but it likely won't happen...

Christmas will be waiting for her when she does get back home....

Emotions are beginning to show their head around here we are

crying one minute and laughing another minute. We are praying

and looking for hope... Other times we are just numb...

This family really needs the power of love and support that
only strangers can give....

Cody M.  age  19
Jessi  B. age 18
Cheyanne M.  age  12
Sheri M.  mom

Matt M.   step father

Matt is serving in the Navy and will be here for Jessi's surgeries.
She will have her surgeries at John Hopkins Hospital in Maryland.

Sheri, Jessi's Mom sent these words.....

"Life is about to change as we know it. Jessica and our family will

be embarking on a new chapter of our lives in a few weeks. Jessica is

scheduled for her first of two spinal surgeries on Dec. 3rd, and then on

Dec 17th for the final fusion.

We are hoping this will change Jessica's life for the better,

either way we are winners!!

WOW.... what an amazing young woman Jessi is. !!!!

Please keep Jessi and her family in your prayers.
I'll be posting updates on my site here of her progress.

I KNOW this is a whole lot to ask, but if everyone of my

friends who reads this message sent the family a couple

of dollars or even $5 or whatever you can  ....

what a difference it would make in their lives. 

I would rather not post their mailing address

directly on the web, but if you would please email

me --  I'll gladly send it your way.

AFMomDeb@aol.com

Remember what Alvin from  the Chipmunks says...

"It's a GIVING - GIVING - GIVING time"

THANK YOU and GOD BLESS

Photo collage of Jessi and friends

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/4778/jessi224rh7.jpg

Veterans Day - November 11, 2007

"A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve -
is someone who at one point in their life wrote a blank check made
payable to The United States Of America for an amount of
'up to and including my life.'   
That is honor.   There are far too many people in this country who
don't understand it."
- Author Unknown-


Veterans very often wear baseball style caps with the insignia
of their branch of service.    Just this last week, I stopped an
elderly gent in the parking lot of my local grocery store.
I extended my hand and thanked him for his service.
This Korean war Vet stood as proud as if he were at
full attention before a general.    There was a certain look
of shock on his face.    I can only hope and pray it made his day.
PLEASE consider doing the same when you see someone
who might have served.
There was another time a few years back I did the same thing...
the fellow said to me...  'Ohhh I've never served but my son is
on his way to Iraq'.     I thanked him for raising a son willing
to serve.

Remembering all veterans and these special few among the
very many who have given thier lives in service.   

Jonn J. Edmunds - Army Ranger - January 3, 1981 ~ October 19, 2001





Lance M. Thompson - Marine - March 26, 1983 ~ November 15, 2004

 



Michael A. Marzano - Marine - May 18, 1976 ~ May 7, 2005





Daniel M. McVicker - Marine - December 27, 1984 ~ October 6, 2005





Dustin R. Grable - Air Force - June 8, 1983 ~ May 31, 2006





Lucas W.A. Emch - Navy- February 8, 1986 ~ March 2, 2007





Paige Renee Villers - Air Force - November 3, 1987 ~ August 7, 2007




The families and friends of these pictured heroes
are my friends.    They are readers of my blog.
If you would care to leave them a message in the
comment area, I know your thoughts will be
well received.   

Vince & Dana

Thanks Nathalie for asking about my Air Force kids.
My son Vince is currently in Korea and will be
returning stateside from a year tour there in October.
His wife Dana is stationed in Iraq.   She will return
in September.

Here are the lastest pictures the kids have sent me.
You can pick out Dana, she's the only female in
the picture.
Vince and some buddies attended a mud festival
and this is a fun picture of them.
Vince is the one wearing the glasses.
This was only his second time off the base in
9 months.  It was great to see him do some ~fun~ thing.

God Bless ALL of our troops as they are deployed
and serving around the world.

Today..... She Leaves

 

One year ago today my son Vince and Dana were married.
This is a picture of them right after their 'I do's'.
They were married in the US Virgin Islands.

Today, Dana will leave for a tour in Iraq.
She will return stateside in a few months,
and Vince will be stateside from Korea in
October of this year.

Please keep ALL of our military in your prayers.

xo xo
Deb
Proud Air Force Mom & Air Force Mother in law

PS.... they both had a little too much of
that Southern sun.

Military Poem

                                 GIVING THANKS

‘Twas the night before Thanksgiving, in the cold desert air,

He adjusted the night scope and gave the ‘all clear out there’.

No campfires were burning, not one single glow.

Heat from his thermos is the only warmth he will know.

The men in his unit volunteered for this post,

Orders aren’t needed with ‘seasoned young pros’.

The bad guys are rumored to travel this way,

He and his brothers will stop them today.

His mind drifts away to a family back home,

Fond memories of kin gathering when ‘Tom’s’ finally done.

Mom in her apron, with flour on her nose,

And Dad with his eggnog, telling boring old jokes.

The men settle down when football began,

Laughing and cheering, placing bets when they can.

The children are playing games in the yard,

With smells from the kitchen, waiting on dinner is hard.

Grandpa fell asleep right there in his chair,

Mischievous brothers would grease up his hair.

Grandma was knitting her sweaters for gifts,

With sharp needles flashing, she’d blow them a kiss.

A radio crackles, ‘Echo 2, we’ll stand down.

Intel reports there’s no bad guys around.’

He shakes away memories like the sands from his face,

What lies ahead in this faraway place?

Off to the east, the sun starts to rise,

What would he give for one taste of Mom’s pies?

“Lord, let them know, though we’re far apart,

I’m right there beside them, giving thanks from the heart.”

"Dedicated to Every Hero Who Proudly Serves"

                      

Lynn Price © November 18, 2006

Pricewarrior1@carolina.rr.com

www.publishedauthors.net/fourfeathers

Remember Them

Some where in the United States one or many military
Mothers are waiting for a call that will never come.

They KNOW the call will never come, yet they wait for
a phone call from their child.

I'm not just surmising this, I've been told this by
Gold Star Mothers. 
Another Gold Star Mom I know continues to pay her
son's cell phone bill just so she can call his number
and hear his voice mail.

Please remember these heroes.

I've created a web site where you can find the
date and also reflect on the heroes we've lost
on that day.
Bookmark it and visit it often ~ to remember.

http://fallenheroes.topcities.com/USFallenHeroes.htm

I also would encourage you to visit the
military area of Legacy.
There you can post a message of
condolence that I guarantee you the family
will read.

http://www.legacy.com/Soldiers.asp

Legacy has also created an area where folks can
post memorial photos and words of the Fallen Heroes.

http://www.legacy.com/Soldiers.asp?Page=FSMovingTributes

Just please........ Remember.

Our Fallen Heroes ~ Day by Day

At one point I had started a database to show

day by day the Fallen Heroes of a specific day.

That undertaking was just too much.

I have located this site: Military City

You can look up by year and month

the heroes we have lost on specific days.

http://www.militarycity.com/valor/honor.html

~ A Prayer ~

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/515/untitleddt9.jpg

xo xo

Deb Estep

Proud Air Force Mom and Air Force Mother-in-Law

SrA Vincent - Operation Iraqi Freedom Vet

SrA Dana

(revised: 3-12-07)

Somewhere Over The Pacific Ocean

Right about now, my 22 year old Air Force son Vince
is someplace over the Pacific Ocean.   He's headed
for South Korea and a years tour there.

His 22 year old wife Dana (Michelle) is stateside
at the base that the 2 of them were stationed at
together.

A year away from someone you love is no easy
thing to go through, but ohhhh so many have
done this very same thing, but been stationed in
places far worse than S. Korea.

I also know that my daughter-in-law is an
amazing young woman.   She will handle
this year apart with strength and grace. !!!!!!

I am not asking anyone to feel sorry for my
kids, this is a volunteer military force we have
serving our country.   I only ask that from time
to time stop and think about them.    Not only
my son and his wife, but ALL our our military
who are serving.

Send Troops an Online Message of Support

THANKS...

Deb

Proud AF Mom and AF Mother in Law

Military Condolence Group - Online

Love The Families

Love The Families is a private Yahoo group that was started

by Marine Mother in Law, Gladys Stefany.

Gladys sends out condolence request info via email.

The name and email address of a condolence bookmaker and

the name of the Fallen Hero.

Messages can then be emailed to the bookmaker to include

in a book to the family of the Fallen Hero.

Bookmakers prefer to receive messages in Word Doc format,

but if you don't have that available, an email message can

be sent too.    The point is to let these families know that other

Americans share in the loss of their loved one.

To join you would need a yahoo ID.     Then send an email

request to this address below.   

There is no back and forth talk with this group, the only

email you will receive are the notices.   

lovethefamilies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please feel free to copy this info and send it on to anyone

you think might be interested.   We can not have enough messages

for these books of love to the families.

You do not have to be a military family to participate.

Prayerful Remembrance

Prayerful Remembrance

The word anniversary is derived from the Medieval Latin word,

anniversarium, which means the ~ turning of the year~.

Every day when you awake military families are also waking.

For them it is no ordinary day, today is the turning of the year

of the passing of their loved one.

The turning to this very month has brought them painful emotions.

Then the days count down until it become, 'the day'.

As this day dawns, for some it is the first year.

For others a second and sadly for others perhaps

decades have passed.

Please join me in starting off your day with a prayer.

Dear Lord we ask you to be near this family today.

May they know that there are only one set of footprints

in the sand.............

Yours Our Heavenly Father as you continue to hold them close.

~Amen~

Debra Estep

11- 2005

Prayerful Remembrance

Help Me Honor Pfc LaVena L. Johnson

This morning I shared a Legacy link to post a message to

honor Army Private First Class LaVena L. Johnson.

http://www.legacy.com/Guestbook.asp?Page=Entry&PersonID=14603687

Needing to DO MORE to express to this family the sorrow of so

many in the loss of their daughter,  I am putting together a

condolence book.   

From a online news source I was able to locate the pastor's name

who spoke at the memorial service for LaVena.

I called the Church in Missouri and spoke to the pastor's

wife, Angela Sanders.   

She told me that the family is deeply grieving the loss

of their darling daughter.

Please send me your messages of condolence that I can share

with this family to ease their pain.

Word File Documents would be great, but email messages

are very much appreciated also.

A part of me is so outraged that I am only hearing of

LaVena's death just now, after her passing in July of this year.

I know that I can channel that emotion into something good

by creating this book to send to her family.

Thank you kindly,

Debra Estep - Twinsburg Ohio

Proud Air Force Mom

afmomdeb@gmail.com

	Lavena Johnson is shown in her 2004 Hazlewood Central High School graduation photo

---

July 20, 2005

DoD Identifies Army Casualty The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pfc. Lavena L. Johnson, 19, of Florissant, Mo., died July 19 in Balad, Iraq, of non-combat related injuries.  Johnson was assigned to the Army's 129th Corps Support Battalion, Fort Campbell, Ky.   

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Foul Play is Suspected in Solider’s Death
by Daniel R. Brown
Special to the NNPA from the St. Louis America

ST. LOUIS (NNPA) – ''The military came to my door on July 19th at 7:30 in the morning. The moment my wife looked out the window and she said ‘John, it's a soldier standing on the porch,' I knew it was bad news,'' recounted John Johnson, father of Private LaVena Johnson, 19, of Florissant, Mo. who died recently near Balad, Iraq.

She was the first female soldier from Missouri to die while serving in the current war in Iraq.

''It came totally unexpected, because she had just talked to her mother on the phone on Sunday for about an hour,'' Johnson said.

''They talked just about everything - about how crazy things were, the weather, the big spiders and the large scorpions. They just laughed and had a good time the way they always do.''
Despite the personal visit that LaVena's family received, which is standard military protocol for families of soldiers who die in the line of duty, they have many unanswered questions concerning her death, which is under investigation.

''This is what they said: ‘Your daughter died this morning of a self-inflicted wound,' '' Johnson recounted.
''I said, ‘Self-inflicted? Are you saying that my daughter shot herself?' He said, ‘No, sir, but it's being investigated.'''

After LaVena's remains were returned to the family two weeks ago, the Johnsons did some disturbing and shattering investigations of their own.
''I am going to tell you for a fact. We looked at her body and we saw some things,'' Johnson said.

''I don't want to say too much right now, but I am going to say this: I think that the investigation is a criminal investigation, and I think that there is foul play.''

At Hazelwood Central High School, from which she graduated in 2004, LaVena was known as a topnotch student.

Despite her school's large size, she stood out for her exceptional academic and extra-curricular performances. That's why it was a shock to many when during her junior year she announced her plans to join the U.S. Army following her graduation.

''It's like a conversation that I had yesterday. She said that she was going in the Army, and I was shocked because I just knew that she was going to go on to school,'' said Frank Smith, Central's principal.

''I knew her three brothers, because her three brothers graduated from Central, and I know that they went on to college and different things. I was wondering why she wouldn't pursue that.''

Her father, who served in the military for three years, provided some insight into how she reached her decision.

''She talked to me about the benefits of me going, because I went from high school to the Army. When I got ready to go to college, it did pay for some of it. When I got my first house, I didn't have to make a down payment because I was a veteran,'' Johnson said.

''So, she decided it would be a good idea for her to go into the military first, because she wanted to travel and she wanted to earn her own money to go to college. We told her that we could come up with the money to send her to school, but she said, ‘No, I want to do this on my own.'''

Based on her performance on a military aptitude test, LaVena was initially assigned to work as a chaplain's assistant. But, once the Army discovered that she did not have a driver's license, she was reassigned to weapons supply.

''The chaplain's assistant position would have been great, because she is a good Christian woman,'' Johnson said. ''That would have been perfect.''

A member of the 129th Corps Support Battalion based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, LaVena arrived in Iraq in April 2005, just four months ago. The Johnsons, a close family of seven, remained in regular contact with LaVena while she was there.

''She talked on the phone to my wife just about every day. She emailed her sister, and they communicated on the computer often. And then, in between the two of them, I wrote her,'' Johnson said.

LaVena will be remembered by all who knew her for her big smile and her even bigger heart.   ''The point that really stands out is that, out of 2,700 kids at the school, when she walked up she had a smile on her face,'' Smith, her former principal, said.

''She was that type of child that made an impact on everyone that she came in close contact with. She was just a great child. We all were at a loss for words when we got the word that she had passed away in Iraq.''

A1C Elizabeth Nicole Jacobson

                                                               

Originally I had drawn this angel as one of protection.   

It takes on a double meaning when shared with

the family of our Fallen Heroes.

Thank you Elizabeth and all who have

given their all to ensure our freedoms.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!
Mary Frye (1932)

Air Force Mom and Dad Online Support Site

"Welcome to the family"

You've said your last goodbye and your child heads off
for basic military training. They are now out of site.

For maybe 18 years, or even a bit longer in the case of
some kids who enter basic military training later in life,
you've been preparing them for this point.

What parent has not heard a 2 year old exclaim….
"I DO --- I DO" !!!!

They come into this world with a fierce determination to
do things THEIR WAY !!!!!

Our job has been to love, teach, guide and protect…
and then to LET GO.

On the day of their birth, they either popped out
or were lifted out of your body and then SNIP – they were LET GO.

You might be a Stepparent of this AF child, but you have
offered them love, teaching, guidance and protection.
Your letting go, can be just as emotional as a bio parent.

Wasn't it just yesterday you pushed them off on that
two wheeled bike… and then LET GO.

Most likely at no time in your child's life has your roll
changed so quickly and so drastically, as the day you say goodbye.

Another thing that mucks up a parent's emotions at this time is
this…..

Memories of your AF child's entire life ~FLASH~ before your mind….
You start to question….. "Was I a good enough parent" ?
"Was I too strict…. Was I not strict enough…..Should I have done
this… Should I have done that ??????

This is not a conscious choice to question or recall all of this,
it just SHOWS UP. !!!! BAMM – BAMM !!!
That triggers emotions and memories from your own life and
your own childhood, your parents and your life choices. !!!

Swirl all that above thinking around, and unless you've served in
the military yourself, you are clueless as to what to expect
will be happening in your child's life in the coming weeks.

Then smart you searches around the world wide web and you find….
The Air Force Mom and Dad site.

It's just like walking in a warm cozy cabin from a bitter cold
freezing night .
A large stone fireplace is crackling in the background.
New friends pat you on the back, and some hug you as you make
your way around the room. Tears stream down your cheeks
as you come to understand that ALL these folks have been
in your shoes, and they get what you are going through.

Right now, you might be the newbie, but in a very short time,
another parent will sign on this site and the torch will be passed.
You'll welcome them with open arms and share your stories helping
to ease their stress saying… "Welcome to the family".

oxox
Deb in Ohio
PAFM of Vinny
Posted Aug 2005

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

lf you are an Air Force parent and would like to find
on line gathering site to meet other Air Force parents,
please come to this site.

We have all levels of AF parents, some newbie folks
who's children are at Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB.
Some who are in tech school, and some who have been
in the AF for a few years.

Also, IF you are a young person or the parent of one
considering joining the Air Force, this is the place for
you.   Get your questions answered in an honest
straight forward manner.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/airforcemomsanddads2/

A Military Encounter from Today

A Military Encounter from Today 

I just returned from the grocery store.   The city I live in

does not have a huge military presence.  I mean we are not

near a base or any place were you commonly see military folks.   

But as I pulled in my parking space, right next to

me was a truck that was HIGHLY decorated with military

decorations.   It brought a smile to my face.  :))

I looked in my glove  box for a scrap of paper to thank this

VET for his service.   I had no paper. !!!!

So....... I said a quick prayer for the driver of that truck,

and got out of my car.

I started walking towards the store and walking towards me

were an older sort of couple.   The man had a hat on that

was very decorated with pins.   INSTANTLY... as they were

about to pass me I asked if that was their truck.

They said YES.....  And I extended my hand to thank the fellow

for his service.   He then said to me....  It's my son who is in

the Army.   The wife said, he just left home for his second

deployment to the sand.   I told them that I was an Air Force

Mom and my son had been there and back.

We chatted for a few mintues.   The fella gave me a USO card,

and said they are very involved and I should contact them

if there was anything I needed. 

As we were saying bye,

I asked them their son's name....   "Paul". 

I told these parents I would hold Paul in my prayers,

and ask others to do the same.

For Paul and ALL who serve... May God Bless Them and Their familles.

Deb Estep - Proud AF Mom

Twinsburg, Ohio

August 26, 2005

~~~~~~~~~

Please send this on........ 

Friends ~ The Water Of Our Life

Friends ~ The Water of Our Life

Imagine you were out walking in the woods and

you had no water.  Your body aches from the thirst.

You come upon a clear crystal stream.   

To get that drink you would not grasp a tight fist.

When there are times in your life that bring you stress,

that is you bent over at the stream, hands clenched

in tight fists, attempting to drink.

You could use one hand to scoop up the water, but if you

gently put your two hands together and hold them open with

ease, you get the most water.

Friendship can be thought of in the very same way.

One hand is you, and one hand is me. 

Coming together in a gentle open way, WE get the most out of life.

Dedicated to Aileen and all that

we have shared as Air Force Moms. !!!!

With Love,

Deb

7-29-2005

Dedicated to Our Military Who Are in Heaven

As an Air Force Mom, I would like to dedicate this to

our military who are now in heaven

with Jesus.

http://home.fuse.net/wizardpygal/usa.html

Military Support Group Needs Help

OP.M.A.L.E.~ S.T.A.R.

Operation Make A Life Enriched ~ Saying Thanks
And Remembering

Opmale is a military support group that I am involved
with. It was started by a gal named Pat Dwigins.
Pat died in late February of this year, but this program
that she started nearly 10 years ago is going on. !!!!

If you would like to become involved in sending
out care packages to our troops please email
Rita at
irishborn1@aol.com

Use 'New Opmale Angel' as your subject line
and feel free to mention that you were referred by me,
Debra Estep.

In my mailings I've sent more packages to Army and Marines
than to AF folks, but the numbers of deployed are higher
in those branches.

If you have any questions, please just
email me.   AFMomDeb@aol.com

THANK YOU,
Deb

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

April Newsletter – OP.M.A..L.E ~ S.T.A.R.  -

Operation Make A Life Enriched ~ Saying Thanks And Remembering

Opmale is in a little trouble.  We have an abundance of troops but no volunteers to send the stuff.

We have a membership drive going on. 

Just have your friends mention your name and we will get them on the master list ASAP. 

Its summer and hot in

Iraq

and

Afghanistan

now and the needs have changed. The requested items now include:

Small cans of macaroni to eat on the road.
Any type of food that you just add hot water
And powdered drink mix that you just add water
baby powder
baby wipes
MOVIES  any kind  even ones you tape off the TV
weekly TV series
reading material
deodorant
disposable cameras
paper, pens and envelopes  no stamps needed

snacks that come in sealable bags or cans like Pringles or store brand
liquid soap ( sand gets in the bars)
shampoo, conditioner
sun block
lip sun block
moisturizers
bug repellant (no aerosol cans)

If you can help with a unit, please contact me, Rita at Irishborn1@aol.com

THE RETURN OF THE OPMALE STAR
"THINKING OF YOU"  CARE PACKAGES
April 1, 2005 to September 1, 2005

Last summer we ran a very informal care package mail out to the troops overseas called, "Thinking of You". These are small, "Thinking of You" packages. Maybe a few letters and a bag of hard candies. Next time maybe a few packages of disposable razors, or a magazine, and a bottle of hand lotion. 

These are small inexpensive items that just say, " Thank you, we are thinking of you."

You can use shoebox size boxes or the new  "Flat Rate" mailing option at the post office.  The post office has the boxes for free and you just cram what you could in there and the cost is $7.95.  This is the best deal for shipping to the troops.

This project will run from April 1, 2005 to September 1, 2005 which after that date will start out annual organized mailings again. 

~ Shower Praying ~

One of the best places for me to pray is when I take a shower.

This was something that I started in April of 2003.    You might wonder
how I can specifically recall the date.   
The reason is that while I was taking a shower one morning in
April I got to thinking about all of our deployed troops who
did not have the luxury of taking a hot shower.   At that moment
and every shower after I have prayed. 

My shower praying has become such a regular routine,

that I now turn on the water and am first thankful for my
home.   I am Thankful that I have a house and a place to shower.
I am then thankful for hot, clean water.    Lord knows how
many people all over this world don’t just step in their
shower and flip on the water.     Even a little leftover
bubbles from someone’s shower before me has me being
thankful that I have the husband and family that I do.
I then pray for the military.    Knowing that many still
don’t have the luxury of a shower.   

Think about shower praying, let’s start a new trend.

U.S. Air Force - Core Values

My son Vincent joined the Air Force in the summer of 2002, he was 18.
He entered under what is known as the DEP – delayed enlistment program.

On the night of October 16<sup>th</sup> his Step-Dad and I left him at a local hotel where he was to spend the night with some other recruits before heading out as a small group the following morning.  The AF does this to ensure all
recruits will be in one place to leave in the AM.

I recall having a restless night sleep that night.   As a Mother I knew life with
my son would never be the same.   I was filled with pride as his life choice was following in the Air Force footsteps of family before him.
My Dad served in the 50’s.    Vince’s Step-Dad, Michael and Michael’s younger brother Mark also served.    My Father-in-law retired as a Chief Master Sergeant, achieving the highest rank of enlisted personnel.

The morning of October 17 I was walking my youngest son Kevin out the door to wait for the school bus.    I stepped outside and immediately looked up to the sky.
There to my right was a huge V formed from jet contrails.
It was my sign from God that my son, Vincent would be watched over.

The week after Vince left home I was going through a bag of papers that the
recruiter had given him.   In there was a plastic card about the size of a credit card. It has the Air Force wings and simply says:

U.S. Air Force

Core Values

Integrity First       Service Before Self     Excellence in All We Do

I set that up beside my computer the day I found it.   
The words became ingrained in my head.    I knew that these were the values that my son would now be living by.
I was pretty certain that these values were not always so specifically stated and I did a web search to find a history on the Core Values.

The Air Force Core Values initiative has a history—a history that goes back at least 25 years, and some people argue that it goes back to the late 1950's.  Although it was not until January of 1995 that the Air Force officially embraced the specific formulation we have today¾
Integrity first, Service before self, and Excellence in all we do.

(http://www.usafa.af.mil/core-value/gurus/)

In January of 2003 Vince was stationed for tech training in Mississippi.
On a weekly call home we were talking about something that had happened
in one of his classes.    Whatever the topic was escapes my mind now, but in
my response to him I rattled off the U.S.Core Values…..

Integrity First       Service Before Self     Excellence in All We Do

Vince let out a HUGE ----   “WOW Mom”, he was shocked to say the least that I knew the Core Values.   I explained to him about the card beside my computer and I said to him, ‘not a bad set of values for us all to embrace’.


Integrity First       Service Before Self     Excellence in All We Do