Good morning! I hope you're all doing well and healthy. Just thought I'd see what everyone has been up to. My road trip to Colorado was great. I got to spend time with our son, Steve, and my sisters and brother. Steve drove up to Colorado Springs from Phoenix and couldn't get over how "cool" it was there. If memory serves me correct, they've had a string of record setting 100 degree days. It has been very dry in Colorado this summer and there was quite a bit of smoke in the air from forest fires.
We got to do some hiking and camping, which was a sober reminder to me that I'm not 18-years old anymore. It took me several days to acclimate to the altitude. My brother, who is 62-years old, is an avid mountain climber, runner, and biker. He's like a mountain goat! I had to remind him on several occasions that I'm a flat lander and 10 years his senior. Despite him running my little old legs into the ground, we had a great time. When I left, I had pretty much made up my mind that I was going to drive straight through. ( I stopped in North Platte, NE on the way out, which was almost 800 miles.) Sixteen hours and 1,081 miles later I arrived home safely. I only stopped for gas and to use the restroom. As of this writing, my posterior hasn't yet fully recovered.
My next trip is to Indiana in 2 weeks for our 53rd boot camp reunion. We normally have it in June, but had to cancel it because of COVID-19. After that, I'm off to Fort Wayne, IN the second weekend of October to spend some time with some of my Marine Corps buddies.
I don't know about any of you, but I've been struggling with all that's going on in our country right now. Sometimes it seems as if we've gone mad. I've quite watching the news because it's too depressing. Fortunately, I attend a Veterans Support Group every couple of weeks, which has been very helpful. When I start feeling down, my thoughts always go back to LZ Margo and how blessed I am. Despite all the craziness, I'm alive and well.
Again, I hope you're all doing well. You're in my thoughts and prayers. Have an awesome day and God Bless. Semper Fi
Steve
Great to hear all are doing well. Nice being able to spend time with the grandkids. I never had any, but my baby sister shares her's--six (6) boys and a girl, she's the youngest and DA BOSS, all under ten (10) years old--with me.
Yes, approaching THAT TIME OF YEAR once again. One (1) more year that I've had that so many others didn't. I hope I continue to do honor to their memory.
God Bless and Semper Fidelis!!!
Glad you guys are doing well. What a legacy! I'll be remembered for my ironing. ;-) It sounds like our grandchildren have been our saving grace during these difficult times. We're all so very blessed!
I haven't been to a 26th Marine reunion in quite a while. I'm still holding out for another LZ Margo reunion. I'd love to see everyone again. Our reunion in 2018 will always be one of the highlights of my life.
It's great hearing what you've been up to. Stay healthy and God Bless. Semper Fi
Getting by down in the low country. Walking a lot, reading a lot, and watching the grandkids. Think about you every time I break out the iron Steve. Take care.
Glad to see you are as well as can be expected during these times. Been busy with honey do around the house along with visiting with grandson and gran daughter in Springfield MO and with our other gran daughter here in the St Louis area. Not venturing too far from home. Lost three of our beloved dogs since last October. Down to one little 10 lb yorkiepoo. He keeps me busy always wanting to go outside and chase the birds out of the yard. Hope someday we will be able to get together again. Waiting for word on the 26th Marine reunion. Nice small gathering of Marines. Really had a good time with them last year in New Orleans. Was supposed to be in San Francisco. Hope we can get the location changed to a more friendly area. Take care to all.
Great to hear from you Steve. Glad you had a really good time. I haven't gone anywhere, other than a couple trips to NW Ohio. In early July I went to check in on my eighty eight (88) year old uncle who is bedridden with Parkinson's Disease and to see a high school/Marine Corps—a Viet Nam veteran—friend who was terminal with lung cancer. He said the doctors gave him six (6) months. In late July I went back to 'bury' my friend. Not even seventy (70) years old. We’ll put him in the ground @ Arlington when we can get on the schedule.
Other than that, I’ve been enjoying myself here on my piece of the mountain. You made a comment that really resonates with me; ''. . . I've been struggling with all that's going on in our country right now. Sometimes it seems as if we've gone mad. I've quite watching the news because it's too depressing. . . When I start feeling down, my thoughts always go back to LZ Margo and how blessed I am.'' Same here. Fortunately, I'm @ peace with the world up here. It took me a long time to get to this place in my life. Lots still bothers me, but I know I’m blessed, so I deal with it. Thanks my Brother.
Semper Fidelis and God Bless