Going to Seattle.

This will be my last message before leaving for the USA.

Bernadette and I will be departing Cebu at 2 AM this Tuesday Morning for Seattle. We arrive in Seattle just past noon on Tuesday the 5^th and depart going back to Cebu on Tuesday the 12^th.  Bernadette, I think, will be able to make the trip OK. Once we are there her Half-sister, Erma, who lives there, will be staying with us full time in our hotel assisting taking care of Bernadette. Here I have lots of help. Our kids and Grandkids are all there, so we will be spending a lot of time with them.

Yesterday, September 2^nd was my dad’s Birthday. He too was a twin. They would have been 102. It was also our first Twin Grandson’s 2^nd birthday too. His Twin Brother was born on September 3^rd. The first was born just minutes before midnight and the other just minutes past midnight only 20 minutes apart, but none the less different days.

Gary

Our twin Grandson’s Brydon and Bryce Stokes

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Blog (632) posted on November 24, 2009

Thanksgiving in the Philippines” Folks, I forgot to answer Angela Berube’s question about how we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the Philippines. This year we will be celebrating Thanksgiving with the folks from the US Retired Military activities Office (RAO). Being retired from the Army Reserves qualifies me to belong to this organization here in Cebu. We will be going to the Marriott Hotel for a genuine American Thanksgiving Buffet dinner. It is through the RAO that I am able to have a Fleet Post Office (FPO) address. That in it self is a great benefit. The local mail system is very unreliable here in the PI. We RAO members pay an annual fee to maintain the local office here in Cebu. The United States mail system delivers all of our mail to our local office. Three years ago Bill Grimme sent a CD to our Local address and to this day that CD is still in the mail. I received Dick and Brenda Johnson’s CD, mailed to our FPO address, in 10 days. Gary Beechler’s question Previously posted: Question from Lynn Halvorson Otto (75): Seoul, Korea Hi Gary, can you put this on the blog! Does anyone remember the Beechler (spelling) family that lived in Dunseith. One son was in my grade and his name is Clayton. Another son’s name was Wyett, not sure though. Thanks, Lynn Halvorson Otto I remember the Beechler name well but I’m brain dead remembering anything about the family. I’m sure with a memory jar I will remember. Gary Ryan Zorn Commemoration – Veterans Burial Flags From Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, WA. Ryan Zorn was listed in silent commemoration this morning’s KOMO 4 National News. We stand in the shadow of yet another soldier gone to glory. Evie and I talked, then Ernie and I spoke of the loss for the Zorn Family and our wish to console them. I pray for Ryan’s eternal rest and feel such gratitude for the years and life Ryan gave for us.The attached notice was published 1931; the practice was initiated in 1930. Thanks Gary, Sharron Me again Gary. This item was also quoted from the American Magazine in June 1931.“It is for babies that we live and love and strive; they are the essence and joy of life; they are the hope of the future.” Sharron Clifford Metcalfe Family: Back Row L to R: Nancy, Vickie & Cliff Front Row L to R: Cyndy, Archie, Shannon & Charlotte (Lottie)     Back: Roberta Hagen Striker (75) Front: Kim Hiatt Hermann (77)         Margaret Metcalfe Leonard (65)       Class of 65 gals:   Margaret Metcalfe, Susan Fassett & Carol Jasper Our little dog Our little dog went in the house about 9:00 PM last night. Since about 2:00 AM it has been raining. It’s currently 12:15 PM and out little dog has not gone out in the rain to relieve her self yet. She’s been on the porch and that’s all the farther she’s gotten. She’s back in the house now. It’s amazing how long these animals can hold out. Gary.