Recvd a photo of newlyweds, David Hamm & his bride, Billie!  He said they were married back in Feb & were on a Honeymoon cruise thru Alaska during the reunion.  Congrats & may ya'll enjoy many years of happiness! The photo is posted on our MISC pg.

Many thanks to all for your kind words & good wishes to our vets.

JD - What your friend shared with you about vets continuing to display military bearing long after the uniform has been hung in the closet struck a familiar chord - good points.

Repeating excerpts of e-mail sent to SOC '66 Vets on 11/11/11:

"Wishing each of you a day of peace, relaxation, andcherished hours with family, friends, and co-workers.

Also today, we will no doubt experience solemn moments filled with remembrancesof all those who served so proudly and honorably, past and present.  We will especially remember those in theirprime who were tragically taken from us so soon.

Our charge must be always to remember, to teach our children why, and ensurethis nation is reminded to never again forget the countless sacrifices.

I’m including a couple oflinks from VA websites, not so much for the organization that employ’s me, butfor the info relevant to today:

http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/gallery.asp

- Best regards & wishes! - Don"

Got behind on the GB posts again, so here goes!

Best wishes to all whose birthdays I missed
...sorry about the World Series outcome
...love the reunion pictures
...congratulations, SNL, on your retirement (figure that they'll be wheeling me out of here when I'm about 70)
...really cute Grandones pictures
...good thoughts to all who are ailing and/or in pain - Shortcake and her mom, Sammy, Sandy Mc and Jana (Sandy, please let Jana know that life does go on following that surgery - 22 years and planning to count many more!), Don's brother Doug - hope that I didn't miss anyone
...Ronney, I'm so sorry about the loss of your sweet Lily
...and a big THANK YOU to all SOC vets!

There are many men and one woman from our class that represented our country during a time of war...to them and all Veterans across this country I share something a friend sent me...it says it all. And to my friend Jack Hawkins...this is why we care!

Veteran to Veteran

    When a Veteran leaves the 'job' and retires to a better life,
many are jealous, some are pleased, and others, who may have already retired, wonder if he knows what he is leaving behind, because we already know.
    1.    We know, for example, that after a lifetime of camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a longing for those past times.
   

   2. We know in the Military life there is a fellowship which
lasts long after the uniforms are hung up in the back of the closet.

    3. We know even if he throws them away, they will be on him with every step and breath that remains in his life. We also know how the very bearing of the man  speaks of what he was and in his heart still is.

These are the burdens of the job. You will still look at people
suspiciously, still see what others do not see or choose to
ignore and always will look at the rest of the Military world with a
respect for what they do; only grown in a lifetime of knowing.

 Never think for one moment you are escaping from that life. You
are only escaping the 'job' and merely being allowed to leave 'active' duty.

So what I wish for you is that whenever you ease into
retirement, in your heart you never forget for one moment that you are still a member of the greatest fraternity the world has ever known.

NOW... Civilian Friends vs. Veteran Friends Comparisons:

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Get upset if you're too busy to talk to them
for a week.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Are glad to see you after years, and will
happily carry on the same conversation you were having the last time you
met.
    ----------------------------------------------------
    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.
    VETERAN FRIENDS: Have cried with you.
    ---------------------------------------------------
    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Keep your stuff so long they forget it's
yours.
    VETERAN FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it
back.
    --------------------------------------------------
    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.
    VETERAN FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.
    ---------------------------------------------------
    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing.
    VETERAN FRIENDS: Will stand by you no matter what the crowd does.
    ---------------------------------------------------
    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Are for a while.
    VETERAN FRIENDS: Are for life.
    ---------------------------------------------------
    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have shared a few experiences...
    VETERAN FRIENDS: Have shared a lifetime of experiences no
citizen could ever dream of...
    ---------------------------------------------------
    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will take your drink away when they think
you've had enough.
    VETERAN FRIENDS: Will look at you stumbling all over the place and say, 'You better drink the rest of that before you spill it!' Then carry you home safely and put you to bed...
    -----------------------------------------------------
    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will ignore this.
    VETERAN FRIENDS: Will forward this.
    ----------------------------------------------------
    A veteran - whether active duty, retired, served one hitch, or
reserve is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The Government of the  United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life'.

From one Veteran to another, it's an honor to be in your company. Thank you for your service to our country and defending the freedoms we enjoy.

(HOOAH)

May God Bless their service and sacrifice.

It's a great exfoliant Rick...you should try it.

Thanks is not enough when it comes to our Veterians.   There are no words.

Sandy Mc is that some kind of weight loss trick, sitting in rice instead of eating it.

At least it looks like the GB has been busy this morninghe he

After 3 days sitting in rice, my phone is now working.  Changed the screen to Nemo and it looks just fine.  Sounds a little funny.

Karen, I hope your mom can get the therapy she needs while in the hospital.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.  Stay off your foot!