John...............

you did it.............again.

Nothing..................yet.

Still pluggin' away...............and not giving up.  I suppose anything worthwhile DOES, indeed, take a while.  Foolish of me to think it was a "miracle" when I was told John's remains were found so soon after starting this journey in 2009. I've come to realize since that had his remains been actually located, the story would have ended there. John hid himself real well, out there on that Island, so that I would continue with the story - not only his, but those of others. John was, and remains, the stepping-stone for me to get started on another mission, another journey.  It may have all started with John, but it will not end with him.  That was his plan all along - I'm merely carrying out his wishes.

Checkin' in...............

Not much other than John and I are getting pretty damn sick of the Veteran's Administration not granting him a "square foot" or a "niche" so I may bury his remains.  What is wrong with these people?  What is so difficult that such a simple request cannot be granted?  As if burying his piddly little prized possessions is going to hurt anyone. Really? Seriously?  Rules and regulations can kiss my ass. Not giving up.  I've said this before and I will say it again, if this is the last thing I do before I die, I will have served my purpose on this earth.  News @ Eleven.

John gets his first recognition as an Honorably Discharged Air Force Veteran - Phoenix, AZ Glendale Star Newspaper - 5/26/2011

I've no idea how I was able to post this - I am persistent lol!  Click on the article a couple of  times to get to a print size you can read.

Taking a break......

I'll be back.

A night to remember .................

Where do I begin?  Such an emotional evening, meeting new people, and those who I've never met paying their respects to John - it was all so surreal. The Glendale American Legion Post #29 Honor Guard, under Bob Hicks, was there to perform the memorial ceremony. George Cushing, retired U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant, past Commander of the Northwest Valley Veterans Association was in attendance; Rev. R. Dale Copsey, Ret. Chaplain, Lt Col, USAF-Ret, a 2007 recipient of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society from Mesa, Arizona, presided over the memorial service, and many others whose names I cannot recall at the moment, were there to pay their respects as well.  These lovely "young" gentlemen took time out of their lives to honor my brother and it was MY honor to meet them and give my own thanks.  I was presented with the American Flag - soon to be framed and displayed for all to see.   As strong as I purport to be, I boo-hooed through the entire ceremony, tears I've not shed for John for many, many years.  It was cleansing.  I'm  still absorbing it all and, once again, words escape me.  The artist, and my friend, Patricia, was so supportive and so "there" for me - I thank her sincerely. To gallery owner, Kristin, my deepest appreciation for allowing this most unusual, and perhaps the "first-of-its-kind" event to take place in her gallery.  I will write more but wanted to share with those who visit my blog a brief synopsis of the evening.   I hope John liked it.

The past is to be revered............

It's said "leave the past behind".  While we mustn't live in the past we must, however, remember, recall unfinished business and pay respect to it.  This, I'm still trying to do for my brother, John.   The past, with John in it, came upon me like a flood of rain and spurned me on to do all I can to pay my respects to him and honor his memory, to give life back to a young man who has long been forgotten.  Or was he?  So many are coming together, those who did not know him, to pay their respects and set his spirit free. While there is much I've yet to do for him, he will have his due recognition at the upcoming "A Book About Death" art exhibit in Phoenix, AZ., on May 6, 2011, all thanks to friend & artist, Patricia Sahertian.  The local VFW will be in attendance, Taps will be played, a retired Air Force Chaplain will preside over the (memorial) ceremony, and many who did not have a clue John existed will now come to know a little bit about him, will share in the respect he so richly deserved.  He's now doing the "happy dance" in a world he now inhabits.