July 2010 saw the death of an american hero and long time friend of the Sproul family. I need to record this bit of history. Robert and I attended the funeral in St. Maries with family and friends. The full military acolades of the funeral was something I have never seen before. There was a group of bikers that came to be the honor guard for ceremony. I however only heard about this man after his death.
Fast forward to September. I have been instructed to prepare an introduction speech for my communication class. I realize that Vernon J. Baker would be an amazing man to introduce and talking with Mama and Papa and Robert would definately help. I set the stage for the class. This is a fundraising dinner for the DAV. Disabled American Veterans is an organization for Veterans, By Veterans. Robert is a disabled Vet.
"Good Evenings ladies and gentlemen. It is my pleasure to fullfil my sweetheart's request and introduce his long-time friend and fellow veteran. The last WWII Buffalo Soilder and one of the most decorated soliders of the Mediteranian Theater,Vernon J. Baker like many of you refuses to be limited by the label of Disabled Vet.
Vernon joined the Army in 1941 after several requests were denied due to his skin color. This did not detour Vernon. Many of his accomplishments have been noted by the NAACP. They include being one of the first African-Americans to complete officer training after the Pearl Harbor attack. Vernon was a commissioned Second Lieutenant of the 92nd Infantry Division when they were sent to Italy, making him a member of the first all-black unit to see combat in WWII. And after the Army desegregated, Vernon was the first African-American commander of an all white company. However, these civil rights steps that many of you have been able to enjoy the benefits of, pale in comparison to the courage and valor that Vernon showed as an individual. During WWII, Vernon was honored with a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star and a Distinguished Service Cross. He also received an Italian Cross of Valor of War and a Polish Cross of Valor.
Vernon left the Army in 1967, when he realized he would not see combat in Vietman. He choose to serve one tour under the Red Cross. Feeling that he had completed his personal code of Patriotic Duty, Vernon looked to spend the rest of his life hunting. But the Army was not ready to forget Vernon. In early 1997, he was invited to the East Room on the White House. President Bill Clinton had been authorized to up-grade the service records of seven African-American Veterans to include Congressional Medal of Honors.
Vernon comes to speak to us today as a friend and supporter of our cause. He, however, has the distinguishment of being the only African-American WWII veteran to receive a Congressional Medal of Honor during his lifetime. Please help me in welcoming Second Lieutenant Vernon J. Baker."
At Vernon's funeral his grandson repeated the comment he made when Vernon died. "Since my grandfather died his picture has become history. As soon as he died we have lost part of history."
Thank you to all who serve our nation. May you realize your service does not go un-noticed. Despite politics and agendas, it is the soldier that makes his stand for freedom, day in and day out.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Update of family news
I was reading my last post in October of 2009 and realized that i have not noted this last year. Robert has still not returned to work since the car accident last September. I have stressed and fussed about it, and yet I can not deny that we have been blessed. I have been able to pay most of my bills, have received no assistance from our ward and still been a full time student. Robert and I have both applied for several positions this summer and yet no job.
Robert has been working on a research project under a friends PhD thesis and I have had sporatic hours filling in at the hospital with employees leaving and the extra work load of new hires. I have also complete a couple of baby quilts to sell and have a few more requests. One of the quilts I took to a local quilt shop where I bought the panel and I am teaching a beginning quilt class for this quilt.
While this has all the makings of a Job trial, I am constantly reminded of my Heavenly Father's hand in my life. It has been difficult for me to stay in school, every fiber of my being, believes I need to work to support my family until Robert can. And yet it would seem that I should not, because I have not been able to secure a position. Like a double edged sword, we have been blessed, Robert has basicly regained his balance and Ardell is growing like a weed. Robert and I have completed several quilt tops, organized our fabric stash, taken embrodery machine classes and purged our paper records of excess documentation that is no longer usefull or needed. Robert's mom (who was coming to babysit Ardell one a week) has not had the 2 1/2 hour drive to spend the day with Ardell - though she missed him terribly.
When I stop and calmy ponder this last year, I find a peace that can only come from my Heavenly Father. I know that we are handling this situation in a manner that is pleasing to him. I am greatful for the reminder.
Robert has been working on a research project under a friends PhD thesis and I have had sporatic hours filling in at the hospital with employees leaving and the extra work load of new hires. I have also complete a couple of baby quilts to sell and have a few more requests. One of the quilts I took to a local quilt shop where I bought the panel and I am teaching a beginning quilt class for this quilt.
While this has all the makings of a Job trial, I am constantly reminded of my Heavenly Father's hand in my life. It has been difficult for me to stay in school, every fiber of my being, believes I need to work to support my family until Robert can. And yet it would seem that I should not, because I have not been able to secure a position. Like a double edged sword, we have been blessed, Robert has basicly regained his balance and Ardell is growing like a weed. Robert and I have completed several quilt tops, organized our fabric stash, taken embrodery machine classes and purged our paper records of excess documentation that is no longer usefull or needed. Robert's mom (who was coming to babysit Ardell one a week) has not had the 2 1/2 hour drive to spend the day with Ardell - though she missed him terribly.
When I stop and calmy ponder this last year, I find a peace that can only come from my Heavenly Father. I know that we are handling this situation in a manner that is pleasing to him. I am greatful for the reminder.
Summer 2010
This has been a crazy summer. I know I still need to blog about our family reunion last summer and our March trip to Seaside, Oregon. However I feel compelled to voice my angst here. I HATE POTTY TRAINING. 3 1/2 days into this nightmare and no evidence of success. Ardell has the whole process down. Door open, light on, toilet lid up, Ardell seat on, underwear off, sit on toilet, wipe, off toilet, underwear on, Ardell seat off, toilet lid down, flush, wash hands, light off, door closed. And then the request for payment of each attempt - one animal cookie. Though he has been trying to get Oreo's - the treat for #2.
However despite his learning the steps of using the toilet we have had no bodily fluids in the toilet. All over every surface in the house (it seems) but not in the toilet. I am beside my self, stumped. Robert and I have "been on the same page" about training now. Ardell is three. We have seen success with training in other areas, and yet still not here. I have asked all my friends with boys just older than Ardell, thinking that the memories will still be fresh. Three day, I am told, One if I want both of us to be completely wiped out at the end of the day. And yet no amount of book reading, one on one time, or bribing will induce my child to pee in the toilet.
However despite his learning the steps of using the toilet we have had no bodily fluids in the toilet. All over every surface in the house (it seems) but not in the toilet. I am beside my self, stumped. Robert and I have "been on the same page" about training now. Ardell is three. We have seen success with training in other areas, and yet still not here. I have asked all my friends with boys just older than Ardell, thinking that the memories will still be fresh. Three day, I am told, One if I want both of us to be completely wiped out at the end of the day. And yet no amount of book reading, one on one time, or bribing will induce my child to pee in the toilet.
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