Remember Me: Lizzy Palmer

This film was sent to me this morning by Denny Kemp, my brother-in-law.  It's really something and I hope you will all watch it.  Here's what the email said:

"This film was made by a 15 year old girl named Lizzie Palmer. It's the hottest thing on the internet and it was also on Fox News. There have been over 3,000,000 hits on it, as of this morning. In case you missed it, here it is. Watch all of it and be sure to tell everyone you know to watch it."

Remember Me - by Lizzie Palmer

Thank you again, Denny!
Love always,
Cathy


“I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will.” ~Everett Hale

Goodbye Vietnam

This film clip is very well done.  It was sent to me today by Denny Kempf, my brother-in-law, and I know you will all want to watch it.  Welcome Home.

  "Goodbye Vietnam"


“I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will.” ~Everett Hale

Further Thoughts: Bob Butcher

Dear CJ,

Happy 4th of July.  I was up early enjoying the quiet time and, of course, my coffee.  I have been having these same thoughts running through my head and I just wanted to share them. 

When I retired a year ago, I wanted something to stimulate my new freedom so, having always liked photography, I went out and bought a new camera and enrolled in photography school.  Well, I can tell you that not only has my appreciation for the world around me changed, but my thoughts run crazy all the time. 

I started telling my wife some of the things I see and feel when I look at something or someone.  So, she says to me, "Why dont you keep a journal?"  She is pretty smart.  She journals all the time and has shared some of it with me.   What a blessing. 

So, as I start this new journey of awareness, I would like to encourage all of my fellow vets and their family members to write down what they feel. We have come a long way since Nam and we can be of so much help to ourselves, and to others, by just being what God has called us to do:  be disciples to others, share yourself with others through pictures and words.  You might just impact someone who needs to hear what we have to say. 

I send you blessings and say thank you for all you do.

Bob Butcher 

aka the Bman

54th ORD Company
Long Bein Vietnam
October '68 - June '70

                                                                                                       

“I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will.” ~Everett Hale

Douglas S. Kempf

As everyone knows, July 4 is the birthday of our great country. Well, every year around this same time, I can't help but get melancholy, because Doug's birthday was July 12. This year, he would have been 64. (KIA Vietnam, September 5, 1969). I can't begin to tell you how thankful I am to have a wonderful man in my life who loves me and who understands ... I love you, Robert.

His Name was Doug by CJ (Kempf) Heck and I knew he loved me. Bigger than life,  he was a man’s man, so at home in his skin. His legs bowed just a little giving him a sexy swagger  when he walked.  He was ornery as cat dirt  most of the time, non-filtered Camels  tucked in a pocket, or rolled in a T-shirt sleeve,  tanned arm hanging out  the side window,  cruising his titty-pink  & white‘57 Chevy with me by his side, and I knew he loved me.  He could cuss and fight with the best of them, a man’s man, but gentle with me  running his fingers through my hair  while I sat on the floor between his bowed legs watching TV and I knew he loved me. Uncle Sam needed  combat medics  in Vietnam.  Doug never thought  to question. The town sheriff was Dad and he taught him you do what’s right. His name was Doug, bigger than life, a man’s man,  easy in his skin, ornery but gentle, and I knew even my name was safe in his mouth because he loved me. Dear God,  I loved him, too ...

“I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will.” ~Everett Hale

Thoughts for July 4th: Bob Butcher

This letter came today in an email from Bob Butcher (The Bman), who was in Vietnam from October of 1968 to June of 1970 (54th ORD Company).  It's timely and so full of wisdom ...  

Dear CJ,

I hope you are well.  I have a few thoughts to share, if its ok.

As we prepare for the July 4th celebrations, I can't help but think of my friend, Rodney Maunakea.  We went through AIT together. We also went to Nam together.  He had a smile that would light up a room when he was around. 

We shared with each other until on a warm night in May 1969, sitting together and talking.  Suddenly, out of  nowhere, there was a loud bang and my friend was gone.  I remember being so alone at that moment and I'll never forget how I felt.  That is why we need to never forget all those who came back, and to this day, they too still feel alone.  We have an obligation to do all we can to help them and those who are still coming home. 

I have been blessed with a family who cares and wants to know how it was.  That means so much to me.  We need to remember, we gave because we cared and because we loved our country.  We were never the enemy.   We only wanted to protect our loved ones from those who wanted to do them harm.

So, if you see a vet, take the time to smile and say "Hi".   Let them know they are not alone.  Its never too late to say, "I am proud of your serving for us.  It means more than people could ever know."

Bob Butcher

The Bman 

54th ORD Company
Long Bein Vietnam
October '68 - June '70

P.S.  Welcome Home to my nephew, Ty, a medic who was in Afghanistan, 3/9th Marines.  He came home last night,  July 1, 2011.

** Bob, thank you so much for sharing your memories and  your thoughts.  Welcome Home, my friend.

CJ 

“I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will.” ~Everett Hale

Generations of Valor

We take so many things for granted.  Forget the football 'heroes' and the movie stars. What you see in the picture below is valor.  This is the price of freedom ...

This Picture is Worth 1000 Million Words:

Generations of Valor

“I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will.” ~Everett Hale