First things first, several errors were noted in the last newsletter: In Remembering our Fallen I erred on the casualty date for LCPL Daniel Wyatt; left Spec. Eugene Uhl III off our list; made LCPL Brent Vroman a PFC and off the list of names noted on the Marine Memorial in Milwaukee; and CPL Brian Prening is not a LCPL. I sincerely apologize, and pray to not do such again. _______________________________________________ And speaking of the Uhl family, whom some of you met at the Badger football game and at the Highground gathering, they have wonderful news they wanted me to share with you. They have a new granddaughter! Weighing in at 7 lbs and 18 inches long, Emma Gene, was born on November 15th. And as special as that is, there’s more: “Little Emma Gene” was born 2 years to the date that her Uncle Gene lost his life over Mosul, Iraq, on November 15, 2003. Now they can smile with their little angel on her very special birthday every year. God bless. ____________________________________ Upcoming Events To Not Miss Feb 24/25th BT-RO Gathering at the Heidel House: “Coping Skills.” July 1st BBQ at the lake-side home of our friends Jim and Beth Karlson Memorial Day: BT-RO will help lead the Memorial Service and assist in the lift off of 20,000 POW-MIA Balloons in Milwaukee September: BT-RO Fund Raiser in Milwaukee A special thank you, as always, to the Vietnam Veterans of America For their full support of Being There-Reaching Out Thoughts from Our Friend Debbie Prening, mother of CPL Brian Prening. When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 glasses of wine... A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes." The professor then produced two glasses of wine from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. "Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things-your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions -- things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else -- the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal." Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand." One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the wine represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of glasses of wine with a friend." ________________________________________________ Here is an update from our friend, Diane Bossert, mother of SGT 1st Class Andrew Bossert, whom we lost on March 7, 2005 in Ramadi, Iraq. Many of you met the Bossert family at the Highground event. Dear Judith, I thought it was about time I dropped you a line and let you know how we are doing. We are going day by day. I feel like it will never totally sink in for me that my son Andy is gone forever. He will always be with me somewhere. We are having a Memorial Dedication for him at his high school here in Fountain City-CFC High School on November 10th, in conjunction with their Veterans Day program. He would be very proud. Our beautiful daughter, Amy, is engaged to Theo. The wedding is a ways off yet, but we are very happy for her. My beautiful grandkids are getting bigger and bigger all the time. The baby is 10, months old already and quite a cutie. We are all very grateful to Being There-Reaching Out for all the support you have shown all of us. God bless you. Keep in touch, Diane BT-RO is not a political organization, so we are honored to print and share any work you do as Families of our Fallen. It is our hope that we can share such without causing disagreements among you. Our goal is to aid in your healing, irrelevant of your varied viewpoints and political beliefs, therefore it is our hope you will also respect an opinion that may be different from yours. Thank you. BT-RO would like to thank Nancy Olson, wife of Staff Sergeant Todd Olson who was killed in Iraq on December 27, 2004, for speaking to the Wisconsin National Guard, 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry, in LaCrosse. She spoke for all of us at a weekend party honoring the Unit who had spent a year in Iraq. Todd served with that Unit as did Specialist Charles Kaufman, of Fairchild, who was killed in Iraq on June 26th of this year. Thank you, Nancy, for your continued courage, and for speaking for all of us when stating how proud we are of our Service men and women. _____________________________________________ Our friend Beth Karlson responded to a Cindy Sheehan article she read in “O” magazine, and her response to the article was printed in the November issue. Here is her response: My name is Beth J. Karlson. I am the mother of SSG. Warren Scott Hansen, who was killed on November 15, 2003 in Mosul, Iraq when two Blackhawk helicopters collided in mid air. Our journey over the last almost two years has been horrendous and enlightening. It is truly a journey that no one should have to make. On page three of the November issue of O there is a statement that says "Cindy speaks for us. We are all Cindy" I take offense with that statement. She certainly DOES NOT speak for me. My husband (Jim) and I also had a meeting with President and Mrs. Bush and I found them both to be very sincere and compassionate. How many other Presidents have met with families of soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice? Why does Mrs. Sheehan think she deserves to speak with him again? Our story is a little different in the fact that Warren had spent 17 years doing what he absolutely loved to do, does that make it less painful, absolutely not. I know what Warren would have expected of me is this situation, and that is to stand tall and honor his memory and all that he stood for. Warren's life of helping others started very early in life. At the age of fifteen he heard a voice out on the foggy lake where we live, it was winter, and someone had fallen through the ice. Warren was awarded the Fort Howard Paper Company Heroism award for saving that mans life. Warren truly cared for his fellow man and strived to do what he could to help anyone. In our country we have many wonderful freedoms, but with those freedoms come responsibilities. Everyone is entitled to have their opinion, but you do not have the right to speak for me or anyone else. I do not want my sons name used by someone who is going to demean what my son stood for. I am so proud of Warren and every man and women who have the conviction to stand up for their country, no matter the cost, others have done it over the generations and that is part of what makes us the great country that we are. I truly do not want anyone to think that Cindy Sheehan speaks for me, if you want to know what I think you can ask me directly, I do know how to speak for myself. God Bless America. Beth Karlson _____________________________________ Mike Hunt and Pam Bodart, Parents of PFC Isaiah Hunt (11/15/04) with the President Our own Joe Campbell was named Ambassador of the Year by the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs ….good work Joe! And we are blessed that you are with us as the Co-founder of Being There-Reaching Out. Legislation *State Senate Bill 189, Assembly Bill 384* CPL Brian Prening (11/12/04) was an avid hunter and had earned a number of Department of Natural Resources preference points toward a bear hunting license. Thanks to the efforts of Bill Prening, CPL Brian Prenings’ father, these bills would create a system by which earned hunting license preference points and unused hunting licenses could be transferred to a minor in the event of the applicants’ untimely death. Specifically, the bills would allow an individual seeking a license for hunting bear, Canadian geese, wild Turkey and Elk, as well as otter and fisher trapping and bonus deer permits to “inherit” preference points. Bill feels that this would be a wonderful manner in which to honor Brian and his love of hunting. We’ll keep you posted but meanwhile you can call State Senator Joe Leibham at 1-888-295-8750 and voice your support for the passing of these Bills. *Senate Bill 716* Would provide that the VA has the authority to provide bereavement counseling for the families of deceased active duty service men and women, including parents, and that the VA can provide the counseling in Vet Centers. While the counseling is already going on, hopefully the Bill would allow for more VA facilities across the country to offer such. *The Assistance to Needy Veterans and Family Members (ANV) grant program.* The Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs(WDVA) led by Secretary John Scocos, an organization and leader Wisconsin can truly be proud of, has budgeted for the 2005-2007 “Assistance to Needy Veterans and Family Members (ANV) grant program. Please note that although this program applies to active military, they will also assist the unremarried surviving spouses and dependents of an eligible Veteran who died in the line of duty or inactive duty for training. Please call them at 1-800-947-8387 or a County Veterans Service Officer to apply. Remember also the WDVA Survivors Website http://www.vba.va.gov/survivors/agencies.htm ______________________________________ Ho, Ho, Ho—Who is this with Santa? ______________________________________ A note from Rita Jerabek, mother of LCPL Ryan Jerabek (4/6/04) There is a book out now titled “No True Glory, A Frontline Account of the Battle for Falluja” by Bing West. Chapter 10 discusses the day Ryan Jerabek was killed. There is a color photo of Ryan's broken, bloodied glasses laying in the sand and on the opposite page a photo of his Humvee. Photos were taken by David Swanson, a photojournalist with the Philadelphia Enquirer who was embedded with Ryan's company. He was in grave danger during his time there. David had come to our home in June, 2004 after he returned from Iraq to interview us to personally extend his condolences, and to share any information that he could. We are grateful to him for that. The book states that Ryan killed 2 of the enemy, the official Marine letter with his Bronze Star stated 5 enemy, his buddies told us even more (but not in those words.) What I know is that he gave 110% of himself to NOT let down his fellow Marines and to serve our country with courage, dignity and honor! I heard that this book is being made into a movie with Harrison Ford playing the character of Gen. Mattis. The film is supposed to be completed in March. Guard at the tomb of the Unknowns, Washington D.C. Honoring Our Fallen January (29th) Robert Cook Afghanistan February (5th) Travis Wichlacz, (16th) Nichole Frye March (4th) Donald Eacho, (7th) Andy Bossert (10th) Bert Hoyer, (13th) John Kurth, (29th) Sean Schneider Rest in Peace Loved ones ______________________________________ And Let us not forget our Prisoners of War and Missing in Action from the wars in the Middle East Lieutenant Commander Michael “Scott” Speicher…1/17/1991 SGT Matt Maupin…4/9/2004 And our Prisoners of War and Missing in Action from all wars. A Very Special Invitation to all of us!!! To Our Families, Yes that is how Jim and I feel about each and every one of you. As family we would like to invite each of you to our home on July 1st. We live on a lake so there is plenty to do for everyone. We were thinking along the lines of getting together in the afternoon, maybe eating about 4... At 6 or 6:30 there will be a pontoon parade, we’re working on getting a ride for everyone. Then at dusk there will be a terrific display of fireworks. Nothing is set in cement yet, and I am sure it will change a little in the future, but the date will not change. There are motels in the area; we will include that information in the future. We just wanted to give you a heads up on the date. Details will come later. Jim and I want all of you to know that you are very special to us and are always welcome in our home. If you would like to contact me, bethkarlson@yahoo.com please feel free to do that. Wishing you all a very blessed new year. Jim and Beth Karlson Our Photo Album On Veterans Day this year several of our Gold Star Families were ridden on American Legion motorcycles in the Milwaukee Veterans Day parade. The Group Photo It is our hope that more of you will join us next year. Kathy, Sister of Major Chris Splinter Lisa Lent, fiancée of SSGT Todd Cornell Mary Bosveld, Mother of PFC Rachel Bosveld Rachel, Daughter of Major Chris Splinter Penny, Wife of Major Chris Splinter Robert Cornell, Father of SSGT Todd Cornell, chose to ride “in” the motorcycle. Charity and John Witmer, Sister and Father of Specialist Michelle Witmer Jake Cornell, Son of SSGT Todd Cornell, on his dad’s bike. Santa’s friend, Beth Karlson, Mother of SGT Warren Hansen Renee Cornell, Mother of SSGT Todd Cornell. Photos sent to us by Deb Prening, Mother of CPL Brian Prening Marine Corp Reserve Center in Illinois The Memorial located there honors our Fallen of the 4th Marines. And from Pam Bodart Congratulations to the daughter of Mike Hunt and Pam Bodart, parents of PVC Isaiah Hunt, on her wedding. We wish her the best the world can offer her. Keep the articles and photos coming! The next issue should be out in April. SEE YOU IN FEBRUARY Judith Singer: 414-476-0558 Gentlyjs@yahoo.com And Joe Campbell 414-607-0527 jfcampbell@machweld.com