Hi Dave!
I too was motivated by Bonnie’s wonderful news to update a bit since it’s been 2 years that I last wrote. It is wonderful to hear that Patty’s health has been good and sad to hear about Gene’s and your daughter’s health issues. Gene and his family as well as Bessie and your family are in our prayers.
Congrats on Henry’s graduation and good luck to him in his new endeavors!
Meanwhile back in Phoenix we’ve been busy since I last posted in 2003 (oh my God, where does the time go?) I cracked the books and graduated with my BS in accounting and management in August 2004. Since the requirement for the CPA exam has gone up from 120 credit hours to 150 I jumped back into school this January in the Master’s degree program to get the additional 30 hours I need. The kids wonder if I will ever be done going to school!
Our youngest son, Kass, who was going to move to the Midwest decided to stay in Phoenix and has proposed to his longtime girlfriend Sara. They are being married this June 25th and we all are very excited for them. June will be a busy month for weddings/bridal showers for me. I will be in Iowa City for the wedding of my step-brother’s son (Roger Litton, class of ’74) James to Erin Brandt the weekend before my son’s!
Our middle son Nathan went back to Iraq in September of 2004 for 7 months. He was based at Camp Fallujah on the outskirts of Fallujah the entire time. This tour was definitely more worrisome than his first back in 2003. Even though that tour was combat “on the run” it was only for a month or so and there were the news reporters and networks that closely followed the soldiers and marines. This time it was much different and communication with him was sporadic. His unit was involved in retaking Fallujah from the insurgents and saw lots of action. Unfortunately Nathan lost 2 very good friends in combat and had one other wounded so badly his life has been permanently altered. We did get “the call’ from him at the end of DecemberŠthe one parents don’t want to get “I’ve been wounded” He received shrapnel to his right arm but recovered well and stayed in Iraq until his tour was up. He did receive the Purple Heart for his combat wound.
I must brag on a little, I went to Camp Lejeune, NC with Nathan’s fiancé to welcome his unit home from combat at the end of March. Whatever your politics are on the war I find it hard not to support the troops. It was such a heart warming experience to be there when those young men got off the buses and met their families. Melissa and I were wrecks; we’ve never cried so hard, tears of joy with so many families. He is home on terminal leave now; he is not re-enlisting and will be finished June 15th. His new goal in life…to join the Phoenix Police force, on the SWAT team! More gray hair for Mom and Dad!!! Oh, he too, is marrying this summer, in August, with that wedding will come a 5 year old step-grand daughter for Hugh and I.
KJ the oldest is getting serious about his girlfriend and has started talking wedding. They are waiting until next year to make any big plans. They figured Hugh and I have enough going on this year for weddings!
Hugh and I are enjoying our adult children and our “alone” time together now that we are “empty nesters.” Egad! Look how long this has gotten, I’ll not take up any more space but will wish everyone a great Memorial Day Weekend!
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup.