Monday, December 19, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
NOVEMBER 11 - A Look Back
I thought you and some of the other RHS people might appreciate it. I've been surprised and gratified at how much attention it's getting. So maybe it will do some good. Would you please place this on the RHS website? I'd appreciate it and so would our Dad. Here's hoping, and hHere is the link: http://olivercomments.blogspot.com/ Peggy McDowell Oliver,
And already here we are looking at Veterans Day 2011. Hard for me to believe, but as we get older we're always saying how fast time goes by. I will be going to visit Daddy again this Veterans Day morning, not to bring him his Purple Heart medal this time, but instead to bring him a fresh new U.S. flag where he now resides, at the National Cemetery of Dallas. He is surrounded by hundreds of brothers and sisters in that beautiful place, just as he wished. The funeral with full military honors is an experience that no one who has ever attended could forget. It was a beautiful and cool sunny day, with hundreds of bright U.S. flags lining the roads of the place, the wind just right to fully show them off to perfection, making it an even more unforgettable experience, felt in the deepest part of the heart. Right there next to how very much we miss him.
It is still hard to believe how much things have changed in one year's time, but that is just how life is for us all. One of the good things that has happened in that space of time is that I have been privileged to write about our veterans, and so many of you have shared this blog with your friends, for which I am very grateful and humbled, as was Dad. One thing that hasn't changed is the courage and commitment of our veterans that continues on and on still today. You and I are being guarded and protected right this moment, every minute around the clock, by these very people we don't even know. Just in this moment, I hope you will think about how amazing that is.
Dad wanted me to continue writing this, so I want to try to express to you what I think he would want to say. I do know that he wanted people to know the meaning of Veterans Day. He reminded me often that it was originally named "Armistice Day," marking the end of World War I, and the day when his own father, then an Army medic at the bloody Battle of the Argonne, knew he would at last be returning home to marry my grandmother.
He wanted people to know the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. They are set apart for different reasons which aren't clear to everyone. Personally I always appreciate how our citizens do consistently honor our veterans, even if they don't always get the days quite right.
But the distinction was important to him, as it should be, so I want to pass this along on his behalf. It troubled him when people thought of Memorial Day in particular as just primarily another party holiday for cookouts and drinking beer. He liked to party and have cookouts just like anyone else; but for him Memorial Day was not a party day. It was a sacred day, set aside to honor our fallen soldiers, and has been expanded to honor all our loved ones who are now gone. In contrast, today, Veterans Day is a day of tribute to all veterans, not only those who died in service. The bond they share is a deep and abiding one.
And it's not as if they liked war. They saw horrors they will never want to bring back to mind, stories they will take to the grave. But they also know there are even worse things than the fight.
There's an old beat-up plaque that Daddy has had hanging on the wall here forever. Its inscription is one you have probably read before:
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight - nothing he cares about more than his own personal safety - is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
Thank you and God bless you, veterans. So long as the heart of this nation beats, you will never, never be forgotten.
November 11 - A Look Back
This blog was born exactly one year ago on Veterans Day 2010, inspired by a simple visit to my Dad that same morning at the retirement complex where he was living. He had asked me to bring over his Purple Heart medal to wear on his VFW vest for the the local Veterans Day ceremony. There was never a Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, or any other patriotic anything which he did not formally honor. He was 86, a retired pilot with more than 30 years' service in his beloved Air Force. And already here we are looking at Veterans Day 2011. Hard for me to believe, but as we get older we're always saying how fast time goes by. I will be going to visit Daddy again this Veterans Day morning, not to bring him his Purple Heart medal this time, but instead to bring him a fresh new U.S. flag where he now resides, at the National Cemetery of Dallas. He is surrounded by hundreds of brothers and sisters in that beautiful place, just as he wished. The funeral with full military honors is an experience that no one who has ever attended could forget. It was a beautiful and cool sunny day, with hundreds of bright U.S. flags lining the roads of the place, the wind just right to fully show them off to perfection, making it an even more unforgettable experience, felt in the deepest part of the heart. Right there next to how very much we miss him.
National Cemetery Dallas, TX
It is still hard to believe how much things have changed in one year's time, but that is just how life is for us all. One of the good things that has happened in that space of time is that I have been privileged to write about our veterans, and so many of you have shared this blog with your friends, for which I am very grateful and humbled, as was Dad. One thing that hasn't changed is the courage and commitment of our veterans that continues on and on still today. You and I are being guarded and protected right this moment, every minute around the clock, by these very people we don't even know. Just in this moment, I hope you will think about how amazing that is.
Dad wanted me to continue writing this, so I want to try to express to you what I think he would want to say. I do know that he wanted people to know the meaning of Veterans Day. He reminded me often that it was originally named "Armistice Day," marking the end of World War I, and the day when his own father, then an Army medic at the bloody Battle of the Argonne, knew he would at last be returning home to marry my grandmother.
He wanted people to know the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. They are set apart for different reasons which aren't clear to everyone. Personally I always appreciate how our citizens do consistently honor our veterans, even if they don't always get the days quite right.
But the distinction was important to him, as it should be, so I want to pass this along on his behalf. It troubled him when people thought of Memorial Day in particular as just primarily another party holiday for cookouts and drinking beer. He liked to party and have cookouts just like anyone else; but for him Memorial Day was not a party day. It was a sacred day, set aside to honor our fallen soldiers, and has been expanded to honor all our loved ones who are now gone. In contrast, today, Veterans Day is a day of tribute to all veterans, not only those who died in service. The bond they share is a deep and abiding one.
And it's not as if they liked war. They saw horrors they will never want to bring back to mind, stories they will take to the grave. But they also know there are even worse things than the fight.
There's an old beat-up plaque that Daddy has had hanging on the wall here forever. Its inscription is one you have probably read before:
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight - nothing he cares about more than his own personal safety - is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
Thank you and God bless you, veterans. So long as the heart of this nation beats, you will never, never be forgotten.
Dad at the Vietnam Wall in Washington DC in 1997
Saturday, October 22, 2011
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA 2011
http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/
Please go to the above link. It explains all about the mission of Wreaths Across America.
Our local contact is Dot Roberts (Jeanne Roberts Stinson's mom). She sent this note:
December 10th at 11:00 am (East Coast is Noon) there is a ceremony at all National Cemeteries and wreaths are placed on as many graves as possible.. You can sponsor a wreath to be put on any grave and/or you can designate a wreath to be put on a particular grave site and I'll see that it is placed there, if you can't attend the ceremony yourself. The wreaths are $15.00 and you can contribute as much as you want.
If you are interested, send checks to me Dot Roberts -327 Forrest Trail, Universal City, TX 78148, made out to "Wreaths Across America" and I will take it from there. And if you know of anyone else that might be interested, please give them the information. I know there are many in the 'Ro-Hawk' family that have loved ones at Ft Sam and might be interested in the program.
Please make sure the checks are made payable to "Wreaths Across America". The deadline for getting them to Mrs. Roberts is November 18th.
If you want to have a wreath put on a particular site please send along a note with your check specifying the name and location in the cemetery. If you don't know the location - please put the name on the check or a note with the check and Mrs. Roberts will look it up. However, the website for that is: http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/servlet/NGL_v1
God Bless,
Dot Roberts (Jeanne Roberts '65 Mom)
dotrobuc@sbcglobal.net
Jeanne (stinsonjeanne@hotmail.com) and her husband and children will be at the ceremony and laying wreaths. If you want to join them and other families just drop Jeanne an email to let her and her mom know that you are going to be there and you will be able to lay a wreath on your loved one's grave and lay other wreaths as needed.
(By the way, Mrs. Roberts is 92!!)
The ceremony is held to coincide with the ceremony in DC which is being held at Noon (Eastern Time) (ours is at 11:00 am Central Time, etc.) across the country. The ceremony at Ft. Sam is being held at the Pavillions at the back of the back section of the cemetery at Ft. Sam .... There are seats provided but you will have to arrive early to get a good seat. Your participation is appreciated.
”To be killed in war is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is not the worst that can happen… to be forgotten is the worst.” -Pierre Claeyssens (1909-2003)
Please go to the above link. It explains all about the mission of Wreaths Across America.
Our local contact is Dot Roberts (Jeanne Roberts Stinson's mom). She sent this note:
December 10th at 11:00 am (East Coast is Noon) there is a ceremony at all National Cemeteries and wreaths are placed on as many graves as possible.. You can sponsor a wreath to be put on any grave and/or you can designate a wreath to be put on a particular grave site and I'll see that it is placed there, if you can't attend the ceremony yourself. The wreaths are $15.00 and you can contribute as much as you want.
If you are interested, send checks to me Dot Roberts -327 Forrest Trail, Universal City, TX 78148, made out to "Wreaths Across America" and I will take it from there. And if you know of anyone else that might be interested, please give them the information. I know there are many in the 'Ro-Hawk' family that have loved ones at Ft Sam and might be interested in the program.
Please make sure the checks are made payable to "Wreaths Across America". The deadline for getting them to Mrs. Roberts is November 18th.
If you want to have a wreath put on a particular site please send along a note with your check specifying the name and location in the cemetery. If you don't know the location - please put the name on the check or a note with the check and Mrs. Roberts will look it up. However, the website for that is: http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/servlet/NGL_v1
God Bless,
Dot Roberts (Jeanne Roberts '65 Mom)
dotrobuc@sbcglobal.net
Jeanne (stinsonjeanne@hotmail.com) and her husband and children will be at the ceremony and laying wreaths. If you want to join them and other families just drop Jeanne an email to let her and her mom know that you are going to be there and you will be able to lay a wreath on your loved one's grave and lay other wreaths as needed.
(By the way, Mrs. Roberts is 92!!)
The ceremony is held to coincide with the ceremony in DC which is being held at Noon (Eastern Time) (ours is at 11:00 am Central Time, etc.) across the country. The ceremony at Ft. Sam is being held at the Pavillions at the back of the back section of the cemetery at Ft. Sam .... There are seats provided but you will have to arrive early to get a good seat. Your participation is appreciated.
”To be killed in war is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is not the worst that can happen… to be forgotten is the worst.” -Pierre Claeyssens (1909-2003)
WORKS OF ART BY WEWER KEOHANE BEING FEATURED IN DALLAS
Dee Wewer '65 (Wewer Keohane) is excited to announce her works in an exhibit in Dallas from November 5th to December 11th.
http://www.wewerart.com/
Watch this film on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-kritJ4T6Y&feature=email
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| Art Exhibit in Dallas |
http://www.wewerart.com/
Watch this film on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-kritJ4T6Y&feature=email
Saturday, October 01, 2011
RHS HOMECOMING 2011
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| RHS STADIUM |
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| Daniel and Jerry Ball '65 |
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| Breaking through the banner |
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| Coming onto the Field |
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| The Coin Toss |
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| Mickler Memorial Field - Home of the RoHawks |
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| Cheerleaders |
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| The RoHawk Mascot |
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| Go RoHawks |
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| Danny and Gloria Campbell Gallagher '65 |
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| Danny and Kelly Gallagher |
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| John Meade '67 |
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| Becki and John Meade |
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| John and Becki Meade |
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| Chuck Elsey '67 and Gloria |
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| Chuck Elsey, Gloria, Becki and John Meade, Daniel Ball and Cole (Gloria's grandson) |
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| Danny and Kelly |
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| John Hines '64 |
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| Our Little Group |
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| Danny, Chuck, Gloria and Daniel Ball |
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| John and Gloria |
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| Jerry and Danny |
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| The Band |
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| John Meade and Chuck Elsey |
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| Daniel and Jerry Ball |
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| Final Score 37-0 !!! |
Friday, September 23, 2011
HOMECOMING 1963
As I recall, Gloria, the very first homecoming game was in 1963 when we lost to Pleasanton. We didn't have one in 1962 because there was no one to come home at that time. The 1963 game was the homecoming for the Class of 1963.
Ron Berquist '64
These are pictures from that game in 1963 - Can you find yourself? (Note #11 has that Heisman pose)
Ron Berquist '64
These are pictures from that game in 1963 - Can you find yourself? (Note #11 has that Heisman pose)
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Sidewinder Rolls Deep
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBaskRZDbNA
Sidewinder, a band from the Missouri Air National Guard, performing “Rolling in the Deep.” They just got back from Afghanistan where it’s 140 degrees, and they brought the deat with ‘em!
Enjoy!
Sidewinder, a band from the Missouri Air National Guard, performing “Rolling in the Deep.” They just got back from Afghanistan where it’s 140 degrees, and they brought the deat with ‘em!
Enjoy!
GRETCHEN EGGE GAGOS - Class of '68
Hey everyone! You might think this is bad news but Gretchen wanted me to share with you her story of survival.... She had a stroke a few months ago and with the fast action of one of her neighbors who recognized her symptoms at a block party on her street she was able to get help and get to the hospital quickly. Her husband Roger has kept a blog on Gretchen's recovery. Please go to The Caring Bridge and keep track of what Gretchen and Roger are doing.....
www.caringbridge.org/visit/gretchengagos
www.caringbridge.org/visit/gretchengagos
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Very Moving 9/11 Video - Produced by Connie Best Class of '69
9/10/11
Good morning everyone. I wanted to share this with you this morning. It is a short but very powerful video about 9/11. But for me what makes it very special is that my little sister; I say "little" but she is a Ph.D. at MUSC Psychology. Anyway, she is the one who produced and put this video together along with the video staff at MUSC. She found all the speakers and set up the stem questions and they filmed over the course of a week. What is also amazing is that she was able to find speakers that were there in NYC that day, and all but one are now a part of the MUSC staff. Some of you know my sister from our early school days in Texas; some of you know her from here in Charleston and some of you do not know her at all. But she is my little sister and I am so proud of her today. Watch this video and be moved.
Woody Best - Schertz High Class of '64
MUSC | In observance of the tenth anniversary of 9/11
Produced by:
Connie L. Best, Ph.D. (RHS Class of '69)
Professor
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, SC 29425
Good morning everyone. I wanted to share this with you this morning. It is a short but very powerful video about 9/11. But for me what makes it very special is that my little sister; I say "little" but she is a Ph.D. at MUSC Psychology. Anyway, she is the one who produced and put this video together along with the video staff at MUSC. She found all the speakers and set up the stem questions and they filmed over the course of a week. What is also amazing is that she was able to find speakers that were there in NYC that day, and all but one are now a part of the MUSC staff. Some of you know my sister from our early school days in Texas; some of you know her from here in Charleston and some of you do not know her at all. But she is my little sister and I am so proud of her today. Watch this video and be moved.
Woody Best - Schertz High Class of '64
MUSC | In observance of the tenth anniversary of 9/11
Produced by:
Connie L. Best, Ph.D. (RHS Class of '69)
Professor
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, SC 29425
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Class of 1967 - Get together
Gene Holt - Class of '67 submitted this picture for the BLOG --- can anyone name these people and does anybody know what year this might be. Gene thinks it might be 1963...
From left to right - Back Row
1 Girl
2 Guy
3 Gene Holt
4 Cyndee Grub
5 Guy
6 Guy (with hand on forhead)
7 Jan Ownby
Front Row
8 (guy sitting with white shirt)
9 (girl between the guys)
10 (guy - Richard Fidler??)
11 (guy slightly hidden)
12 Sherri Borellis (white hat)
13 (guy standing with grey shirt)
14 (guy laying down with dark shirt)
15 (guy behind him in light shirt)
16 (guy in front with red and white sweater)
17 Girl
18 Scotty Campbell
If you can name any of these people please email me and I will post them - I can't open the blog up for posting because of spam abuse :(
Gloria (gutsking@aol.com) SEE BELOW
5. Burleigh Smith
6. Jimmy Dietrich
9. Nancy Head
15. Bob Lee
16. Bill Borellis
Submissions by Cal Sumner:
14. Mike Turner
Back Row extreme right - Stef Burgoon and Rubin Naja
Submission by Chuck Elsey:
1. Is Beverly Darnell
11. Is Will Rogers
13. Is Mike Turner.
Guy with hand on his face, I think is Rueben Something?2. Could be Dennis Eastman.
BY Jan Ownbey Link
Bev Darnell is #1
Reuben ? is #6
Freddy Dessert is #5
#7 is not me...
#11 is Will Rogers
By: Cyndee Grube
1. Beverly Darnell - definitely
2. Tony Hyde - maybe??
4. Cyndee Grube
I think it was 1963, also.
RICK NORTON '66 - Senior Olympian!!!
Just competed in National Sr. Olympic's triathlon in Houston this past weekend and wanted to share. Had one of those rare days when everything flowed. After a good swim and bike found myself 90 secs behind the leader. Slowly made up ground on the run and ended up 8 secs behind him; finished in 2nd place with a silver metal. Very cool event. Reconnected with many athletes from the last Nationals in San Francisco. I will be putting the competition on the back shelf for a while to recover and get some body parts well. Although that 8 seconds will stay on my mind for a while. In the back of my mind is competing internationally in 2013 as a youngster in the 65-69 age group. I would just encourage everyone to maintain as active a lifestyle as they can! Best Wishes to all. Rick Norton - Class of '66
Sunday, May 29, 2011
OLD FASHION 4TH OF JULY BBQ
SATURDAY JULY 2nd, 2011
NOON on......
Ben Croxton, Class of '67
ben@bencroxton.com
221 Peale Road
Wimberly, TX 78676
(512) 739-5133
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