MAIL CALL
from Charles Cramer in Downingtown, PA
I just returned from a great weekend in Pt. Neches, Beaumont, and Lumberton. We went to grandkid soccer games and a MX track somewhere west of Beaumont to watch my grandson practice motocross. It was a fun weekend of hanging out with the kids and grandkids.
It was great weather, but it was interesting to see all the large cracks in the ground from the lack of rain. We have officially had the wettest year on record here in Pennsylvania. Hurricane Irene hit us pretty bad in August, then Tropical Storm Lee dumped 24 inches of water in the basement of my New York home. That was quite a mess to clean up, but everything is back to normal now. I would never have thought that hurricanes and tropical storms would cause as much damage this far north or this far inland. The neighborhood in New York reminded me of a Port Arthur post-hurricane cleanup. It looked like everyone was having a garage sale, but they were putting out all their household belongings for the FEMA dozers to carry it off to the landfill. All the old folks were just shaking their heads and saying that they had never seen anything like that in their lifetime.
Field hockey season is finished here in Philly. All of our daughter's teeth survived her season as goalie of the sixth grade team. Swim team has started, then its softball in the spring.
Ahh spring.....I can't wait for it to get here. It seems like we have had our share of winter already. We got eight inches of snow before Halloween and lost power for a day. Some of Jersey and Connecticut got 24 inches and were without power for a week. I blame all this on Al Gore!
Well, we have lots to be thankful for. All those kids and grandkids. Good health. And a big thanks to you and Mike for keeping the class connected.
(Be sure to check out the family photos Charlie sent in that were taken on his visit to SE Texas)
from Beth Anne Sutherlin in Bedford, TX
I am missing the PA we grew up in when I read the story by Dennis Hollander '61 that was in your NEWSLETTER on Nov. 18, 2011. Love the newsletter and updates.
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WEBSITE $$$ DONATION
from a classmate who wishes to remain anonymous
No matter how many times you and Mike are thanked, it's never enough for all the great energy you'll put into the website. Thanks.
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NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
There isn't too much that is different around here. Just the daily routine of my sister's ups and downs. Right now, knock on wood, she is doing much better since the doctor changed her meds. I am jumping out on a limb and taking her to her daughter's house for a Christmas/birthday celebration in Spring, TX for the weekend. We just have to go way out of our way to drop my dad off in Friendswood at my brother's house to spend the night. Then, go back and pick him up again Sunday and head back to Bridge City where my sister lives. Say a prayer, NO, a rosary! , for me to keep it sane this weekend. "-) Two dementia patients in one car and me.....driving them. Yikes. I did spend a glorious NO-SHOPPING day with my bestie, Martha Lipe Bodin '69. We have done this for the last 3 years on BLACK FRIDAY, so I guess that means it is officially a tradition. We just sit around for a while and catch up on the news and then find a nice place to eat with no husbands or grandkids around. STRESS FREE!!!
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WAR HORSE movie get-together
Several classmates and spouses are trying to plan a get-together to view the movie WAR HORSE and then eat some Mexican food. This will probably be held in the Baytown area to try to cut the distance for the golden triangle and Houston area classmates' travel time. The movie doesn't premere until Christmas Day so it will be after then. Let us know if you might be interested.
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DEATH OF A SOLDIER
(information taken from articles written by Lindsey Kovacevich)
PFC David Drake, 21, from Lumberton died in September. On what would have been his 22nd birthday, a jet flew his body home from Dover, Delaware. After a brief ceremony, a motorcade led by dozens of Patriot Guards escorted the soldier from the airport into Lumberton and back into Beaumont to the funeral home. Today his family, friends and thousands from Beaumont to Lumberton mourned his death and honored his life with a salute or the simple gesture of holding an American flag along the route. Large crowds waving flags watched as the hearse and motorcyclists drove by Lumberton schools, including Lumberton High School. Drake graduated from LHS in 2008. Students at all the schools stood at attention as the hearse passed their campuses.
Drake was a 21 year-old serviceman who only joined the Army in January, 2011. PFC David Drake was riding in a RG31 in Afghanistan when the vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device that also killed two other servicemen. An RG31 is a military vehicle that is used for route clearance. The soldiers in the RG31 are Engineers who look for IEDs and detonate them. The Engineers clear the way for the infantry division so other soldiers aren't at risk of injuries from explosives. The IED that killed PFC Drake contained more than 200 pounds of explosives. The family of PFC Drake says his dream of joining the military started when he was a child. "Since he was in grade school or junior high," said Tommye Clark-Rivers, the soldier's mother. "He wanted to be in the military and then be a cop." Drake joined the Army in January and died only a little more than three months after he was sent to Afghanistan June 16, 2011. "I believe he was doing what he wanted to do," added Drake's borther, William. William also joined the Army. He is on leave after serving in Iraq and was back home when the family learned of David's death. "It was devastating," said William. "I got a call saying there were two people in military uniforms. I rushed to the house. I kinda knew. It really didn't sink in till they actually told me the news." "For him it was pride serving our country. Serving the people. Keeping our freedom," said William.
(Murphy and I stood on the side of the highway while the motorcade passed through Lumberton. It was a very moving sight and we are honored to know that our freedom is being fought for by very brave military men and women. Please keep them in your prayers especially during the holiday season while they are away from their families.)
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SUPPORT
from Carolyn Hebert '58 (wife of Alfred Hebert '56)
I am having cataract eye surgery twice in December. I have had some health issues; fell off a chair at Alfred's class reunion. I also have had a seizure. We have been to PA for 4 days. One of Alfred's daughters had surgery.
Lillie de los Santos Wersig '69, is still taking chemo and is having a benefit link and craft sale at Mkt. Basket in Port Neches on Saturday, December 3rd. She is bravely battling lung and bone cancer. (Lillie said to tell everyone that Lung Cancer does strike NON-SMOKERS, also.)
James Miller's wife, Suzanne '73 had a great report at MD Anderson recently. Her non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is still in remission! She was diagnosed in January, 2007. Prayers answered.
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CONDOLENCES
George Linney
(death of his mother)
2648 13th Street
Port Arthur, TX 77640
(409)983-4054
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Well, I know you are really busy with family gatherings, grandkids, etc. My newsletter was very sparse this week. Let me hear something and please send us some photos of your get-togethers.
Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden