Old Family Pictures

I recently purchased a new printer/copier/scanner and have retrieved the old family pictures out of the box in the closet to scan into my computer. I think they will be much safer from being lost or destroyed if I scan them to a disc. I thought this might be a good time to put some of them into this blogsite.

Of course, looking at these pictures makes me remember times past when the kids were much younger. At that time many people told me ... enjoy your children when they are young because before you know it they will be grown and gone. How true that is. Now they are grown, spread far apart and often I miss them very much.

This first one is entitled 'The Night Before Christmas.' It was a tradition on Christmas Eve to read them the story before kissing them good night only to get very few hours sleep before they were ready to find out if Santa had visited the house so they could open their presents.

This is Michelle taken at a time when she was quite young.

I took this picture of Michelle on the beach at Panama City Beach, Florida one summer on a family vacation. She was, I believe, 14 at the time.

This is John, now 26, at the age of 2.

John in braces. I am not sure of his age at the time, probably around 10 or 11.

John and Matt were raised to be Cardinal fans. I took this picture when Matt was about 2 which would have made John 8.

This adorable picture of Rachel was taken when she was 4 years old. It was taken outside the house the family lived in the first year we were in Jefferson City.

I coached Rachel's Summer League Softball team one summer. She was 10 or 11 years old at the time.

Matt always loved his cereal. This was taken when he was perhaps 6 or 7.

This was taken of Matt on a family vacation near Key West, Florida.

Matt when he was perhaps 7 or 8.

Volunteering At Fort Leonard Wood USO Club

As those of you who check in on this blog once in a while know, I have begun volunteering at the USO Club at Fort Leonard Wood. I got the idea to do this after the weekend I spent at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio attending Matt's Basic Training Graduation.

I was just so impressed with all the soldiers I saw and met there. They were so disciplined and so polite. After teaching in Missouri public schools for all those years, it was refreshing to be treated with such respect by everyone I came in contact with there.

Soldiers Waiting For Computer Time

I could not believe the difference in Matthew from the time he left for Basic Training and the time he graduated. He left a boy and graduated a young man who understands responsibility.

When Matt was assigned to Chemical Readiness School at Fort Leonard Wood and I knew I would be going to see him often, I thought, maybe I can find a way to volunteer and help these soldiers. After searching the internet, I discovered that the USO Club on post was in need of help.

I applied and was accepted. I attended their orientation and those in charge of the USO Club and the other volunteers were so nice to me.

USO Club Wireless Internet Area

So far I have really enjoyed each time that I have worked at the club. It is a long drive and is somewhat expensive, but when I arrive and work my shift, the time flies and I can't help but give my all for the soldiers.

Most of the soldiers who use the USO Club on weekends are Army soldiers in Basic Training. There are also soldiers in Advanced Training from all the branches of service who come to the club.

Anyone who has been through Basic Training knows that it is a time in a person's life that will never be forgotten. It is not an easy time to put it lightly. The soldiers miss their families, they are screamed at, driven hard and they learn that they are capable of achieving much more than they ever thought.

We Have Places For The Soldiers To Relax

Discipline, respect, prompt following of orders and knowledge of military requirements are all such an important part of a military person's life. These things will save their lives and help them save the lives of others when they are deployed into dangerous situations around the world.

I think everyone close to me knows how angry and frustrated I am at our current political situation. In my lifetime this is the most corrupt and inept leadership this country has ever lived through. In my opinion there is not even a close second place.

Nevertheless, these soldiers are not a part of that and they must be respected for their commitment. They come from many different locations, but they have much in common. Many are from poor backgrounds and had no real opportunities to escape their economic situation. Others, like Matthew, found themselves unsatisfied with their lives and felt they were drifting with no real purpose in life. Also many joined the Reserves or National Guard in the past years to supplement their family's income thinking they would be able to help the country in domestic emergencies etc., only to be called on to serve in this war.

Watching A Movie On The Big-Screen Television

This past weekend I met a soldier who is 30 years old and doing his AIT (Advanced Intermediate Training) at Fort Leonard Wood where he will become a truck driver. He told me that several years ago he and his wife had their second child. They were both working, but wanted to increase their income for their children. He decided to join the Reserves and now he has been called to duty and is going to Iraq to drive a truck.

If you have studied the Iraq War at all you know that soldiers that drive up and down the roads of Iraq in convoys are at great danger. More soldiers right now are dying from IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) than any other way.

Well enough of that.

The Computer Room

Let me describe the USO Club at Fort Leonard Wood.

It is a way for the soldier to escape the day-to-day routine of his/her training and enjoy a few hours of rest and relaxation. Our job is to help them enjoy their time there. It is important that we have a smile for them, a pat on the back and a positive attitude.

Once inside the USO there is much to do. There are pool tables and an arcade area. There is a canteen with food and drinks. There are tables and chairs for them to sit and talk. There are two areas sectioned off like large living rooms with rugs, comfortable couches and recliners and large screen televisions for them to watch movies. There is a ping pong table. There is a computer area with presently 13 computers for them to use. There is a special area for those that have laptop computers with wireless capability to sit and spend time on their computers. There are many pay phones where they can call home.

On the weekends I would guess, at any given time, there are several hundred soldiers in the club so it is popular and busy. There is no charge for anything in the club except to play pool and to play the arcade games.

More Soldiers Waiting For Computer Time

My job seems to be the person in charge of the computer room (Cyber Cafe). At the present time there are 13 computers (donated by Sprint) so there are not enough computers for the number of soldiers who want to use them. The word is that 13 more computers will be added in the next few weeks.

Each soldier is given only 15 minutes of computer time and then he or she must rotate out for a new group. Fifteen minutes is not enough time for someone to sit at the computer and read all their emails and write emails to their mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, girlfriends and wives.

My job is to keep order, to make the best out of not the best situation. I stand at the door with my sign-in sheet and keep a list of the next group to rotate in. Sometimes when it is quite busy there will be up to an hour wait to get in the computer room. Often the soldiers will spend 15 minutes on the computer and then sign up again for the next available time to go back in.

The soldiers are very cooperative with me and the job is quite easy and fun. They seem to appreciate me and I certainly appreciate their courteous behavior and the respect they show me.

Matt And His Air Force Buddies

Last weekend Matthew and three of his best buddies (Mike, Mason and Justin) came into the club and I was able to sit and talk with them for a few minutes. I am trying to spend as much time with Matthew as I can right now and for the next couple of months.

In November, he will be off to Germany and I will leave for the winter in the Dominican Republic. I do hope to be able to save enough money to go see him next spring. But truthfully, after we go our separate ways, I do not know when I will see him again and this makes me sad.

Dominican Republic Report

Today I want to report on one of my favorite places to 'hang out' when I am in Sosua.

Rocky's Blues Bar (http://www.rockysbar.com) is a very popular place for expatriates like myself. I spend a few hours almost every day there.

Rockys is much more than a bar. It is also a restaurant that serves delicious food at reasonable prices. It is my favorite place to eat breakfast.

It is a hotel as there are a number of room available for overnight stays or stays of short duration. The price for an overnight stay is only $22 USD. The rooms are basic, always clean and have cable television.

In November, once again, I will be returning to Sosua without an apartment to move into. It will take me a few days to locate the best apartment available within my budget. I will stay at Rocky's for those few days while I locate a place to call home for the winter. I would like to have a place of my own and thus have the peace of mind to know that when I arrive, I have a place to stay, but right now that is not possible.

Rocky's is safe, friendly and convenient. In addition, Marco (the owner) is very knowledgable about the various long-term housing possibilities. He is a big help in finding a place.

Rocky's is a meeting place for friends to get together, sit around the tables and talk. Each day I meet my friends there and we start the day together. It is also a place to make new friends.

Most importantly for me, Rocky's is a place where I can go to get in my computer time daily. Most of the places in which we expatriates live do not have internet connections and it takes months (even years) to get a phone line and a working internet connection. Things move very slowly in the Dominican Republic.

Rocky's has several desktop computers for people that do not have laptops. Most of us though take advantage of the wireless network there. We arrive at Rocky's, find a table and set up our computers. We have our coffee and usually order breakfast. It is a nice way to begin the day and there is no charge for tapping into the wireless network.

How can I describe it? Like most places in the tropics it is open-air, but covered with a roof. Almost always there is a cool breeze blowing through. It is basically divided into three areas.

When you walk in from the street you enter a fairly large bar area with many tables and chairs for the patrons. As you pass through the bar area, you descend two steps into another large area. The kitchen, restrooms, more tables and chairs and several desktop computers are in this area. It is here that I sit and utilize the wireless network.

In the rear of the establishment is a very nice tropical garden area and several cottage-like rooms. Short term renters utilize these for short vacation stays or like me, places to sleep until they have located more permanent housing.

Mark Beland is the owner/operator of Rocky's. Marco, as he is known to everyone in Sosua, is a Canadian who has lived in Sosua for at least 15 years, possibly longer. His place is clean, comfortable and well run. As I mentioned earlier, Marco is about as 'in the know' as any expat in Sosua. You can go to Marco with any question and he will usually be able to steer you in the right direction. Marco will also pick you up at the airport when you arrive or deliver you there for your flight back to wherever you come from.

More Family Pictures

School has begun here in central Missouri and that makes me very happy to be a retired teacher. It is football season and brother John is very busy with the Hallsville Indians football team. Hallsville is just beginning their football program and for most of the players, this is the first time they have played the game. Saturday night the team had their intra-squad scrimmage and this Friday evening they go to Versailles, MO to participate in a four-team preseason Jamboree.

Dad and PFC Matthew Morris

This is another picture from Matt's Basic Training Graduation weekend in San Antonio.

In The Squadron (Air Force for Barracks)

This is the area where Matt slept during Basic Training and that is a pretty good shine he has on his boots.

White Coat Ceremony

This picture was taken in January 2005 at John's White Coat Ceremony at Ross University on the island of Dominica. The White Coat Ceremony is the formal beginning of the student's medical school career. On the left is Adam who was John's roommate after I left for the Dominican Republic. Second from right is Big John and to the right is Greg. All of these guys were good friends of mine and it was wonderful spending time with them while I lived there. I miss them all.

Football at Ross

One of the few activities for the students besides studying was Flag Football. This is a picture of John at one of their games. I was the 'official' photographer.

John and Matt in Puerto Rico

This picture was taken in June of 2004 when my brother John and Barb and Matthew came to San Juan to visit John and I. The first night we had a huge party on our deck for them.

Barb on Horseback

This picture was taken in October of 2003. John and Barb were in the process of building their 'cabin by the lake.'

John Building His Fireplace

John hard at work on the cabin. They have just recently sold their dreamhouse and bought a home closer to John's work here in Hallsville. I am sad that they have sold it because they waited so long for their own special place, but can understand why they need to be closer to John's work.

John and Barb in Alaska

John and Barb on vacation last month in Alaska.

The other day I was chatting with my future daughter-in law Sherry. She and John are in Edmonton right now. She asked me when I was going to post more family pictures.

So Sherry ... two things. 1st - Here are some pictures and have more to post tomorrow and 2nd - When are you going to send me a picture of you in your present pregnant state so I can post it? Sherry and John will be having their first child in late December.

Dad with Rachel and Michelle
Thanksgiving 1999

Michelle and Rachel With Their Grandmother
Taken In June 2006 At Dad's Gravesite

Dad's Gravesite
Rachel and Michelle Made This Bouquet

My Future Daughter-In-Law Sherry In Dominica

Oldest Daughter Michelle

John and Sherry On The Beach In Dominica

Me and John At White Coat Ceremony In Dominica

Isla Verde Beach - San Juan, Puerto Rico (2003)

This is my son John and his friend Vertis relaxing on la Playa de Isla Verde (Isla Verde Beach) in San Juan. The picture was taken in late 2003. John, at that time, was in his first year of Optometry School. John was later accepted into the Ross University School of Medicine and has just this past week completed his fifth semester. He will now be studying for his Step One Boards which he must pass to be assigned to Clinical Rotations. I am looking forward to spending some time with him as he will soon be here in Missouri for a few days. We are going to go together to Fort Leonard Wood and hang out with Matthew.

My Special Friend Jacquelin

For the entire time I have lived in the Dominican Republic, Jacquelin has done my housecleaning and laundry. Jacquelin is one of the nicest women I have ever met. She is very special to me. Recently her son was killed and she is raising her grandson. He is a sweet little boy and often comes to the apartment with Jacquelin and watches cartoons while she is working. Jacquelin I miss you and will be happy to see you again in November when I return to la Republica Dominicana.

My Good Friend Marcos

John and I lived in San Juan from January through December of 2004. Marcos became a very special friend to both of us. I will never forget all the evenings when Marcos and Erika came up to our deck to hang out, drink beer, listen to music, talk and laugh. How special those times were! This is a picture of Marcos in an area just outside of San Juan called Pinones. On this day Marcos and I were on a road trip. Today Marcos is working for a boat-building company in Florida. I miss you Marcos!

Some Pictures Of Dominican Life

Most Dominican families are very poor. Although I did not take this picture, I have seen this scene in the barrio. This woman has devoted a corner of her casa as a place to go to practice her religion. She is seen here reading the bible.

Anyone who is a baseball fan will enjoy going to the Dominican Winter League games. Each of the teams are filled with Major League players and the quality of baseball is top notch. One of the things that makes their games special is the crowd. It is definitely a 'party atmosphere' with loud music, dancing, cheering. Each team has their own cheerleaders who dance on the field and on the dugouts.

Moving about on horseback is very common sight in the campo (country) of the Dominican Republic.

Two smiling Dominican children. Mothers take great care in fixing their hair just like these girls.

This is a small colmado (little store) in the barrio. The lady is holding a pez (fish). These little places are very common in the Dominican barrios.

You can't walk down the street in the Dominican Republic without seeing a scene like this. These men are playing dominos. Americans play cards. Dominicans play dominos and they are very good at it. It is fun to watch them play as they yell and scream and really get into their games.

The Bodies Of Soldiers Killed In Iraq

American Deaths In Iraq This Month
17 Already This Month

Spc. Hai Ming Hsia, 37, of New York, N.Y., died Aug. 1 during combat operations in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. Hsia was assigned to the 6th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany.

Sgt. Dustin D. Laird, 23, of Martin, Tenn., died on Aug. 2, in Al Qaim, Iraq, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMMV during combat operations in Rawah, Iraq, on Aug. 1. Laird was assigned to the Army National Guard 913th Engineer Company, 46th Engineer Battalion, Union City, Tenn.

Sgt. Ryan D. Jopek, 20, of Merrill, Wis., died in Tikrit, Iraq on Aug. 2 of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy. Jopek was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment, Waupun, Wis.

Cpl. Joseph A. Tomci, 21, of Stow, Ohio, died Aug. 2 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Marc A. Lee, 28, of Hood River, Ore., was killed on Aug. 2 during combat operations while on patrol in Ramadi, Iraq. Lee was an aviation ordnanceman and a member of a West Coast-based SEAL Team.

Sgt. George M. Ulloa Jr., 23, of Austin, Texas, died Aug. 3 from wounds suffered while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Lance Cpl. Kurt E. Dechen, 24, of Springfield, Vt., died Aug. 3 from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, while attached to Regimental Combat Team 5, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on August 4, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV while conducting combat operations. Both soldiers were assigned to the 1st Calvary Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Friedberg, Germany.

Killed were:
Staff Sgt. Clint J. Storey, 30, of Enid, Okla.
Sgt. Bradley H. Beste, 22, of Naperville, Ill.

Sgt. Leroy Segura Jr., 23, of Clovis, N.M., died on Aug 4, in Habbaniyah, Iraq, of injuries suffered from a HMMWV accident. Segura was assigned to the 362nd Engineer Company, 54th Engineer Battalion, Fort Benning, Ga.

Spc. Brian J. Kubik, 20, of Harker Heights, Texas, died on Aug 5 in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries suffered on Aug 2 when his unit encountered enemy small arms fire in Baghdad, Iraq. Kubik was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers, who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Baghdad, Iraq on Aug. 6, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV while conducting a combat operations. All soldiers were assigned to the Army's 2nd Brigade Troop Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Killed were:
Staff Sgt. Stephen A. Seale, 25, of Grafton, W.V.
Sgt. Carlton A. Clark, 22, of South Royalton, Vt.
Cpl. Jose Zamora, 24, of Sunland Park, N.M.

Three Soldiers assigned to 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division died from enemy action while operating in Al Anbar Province today. The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next of kin and release by the Department of Defense.

American Deaths In Iraq This Year

August - 17 (in 9 days)
July - 44
June - 61
May - 69
April - 76
March - 31
February - 55
January - 62

Total American Deaths In Iraq This Year - 415

Total American Deaths Since Bush Invaded Iraq - 2592
Total Coalition Deaths - 231
Total Iraqi Deaths - A Modest Estimate Is 100,000

Number of days since Bush said he'd get Osama Bin Laden "dead or alive": 1788
(Has anyone mentioned to him that Osama Bin Laden is not and never has been in Iraq and that Al Queda was not there either before he invaded Iraq.)

Number of days since the occupation of Iraq began: 1234

Number of days since "Mission Accomplished": 1194

Number of days that the the Vice President has NOT shot a man in the face: 172

It is still 920 days until the end of the Bush Administration -- unless we impeach the whole sorry lot.

Last night I decided to read a few blogs posted by Conservative Republicans. As it turned out I was only able to read one. It was quite enough. Here are some exerpts from the blog:

Conservatives For American Values
by Herman B. Hayes
http://cfav.blogspot.com/

Israel Has The Right To Kill Everyone.

Any and all who are enemies of the great nation of Israel should be destroyed by whatever means necessary.

Israel has the right to defend herself, even if that means incinerating children with phosphorus bombs.

If you disagree with me, then Israel has the right to kill you, too.

We have your back, Israel. Bring it on.

I think the thing that bothers me the most is that these words came out of the mouth of an American with a religious background. Very Frightening! Very Disturbing!

On the right side of his blog he has a list of liberal blogsites under the title: Enemies of God

This Sounds Kind Of Like

"There are some who, uh, feel like that, you know, the conditions are such that they can attack us there. My answer is: Bring 'em on. We got the force necessary to deal with the security situation. “ - George W. Bush, July 2, 2003.

Cardinal Update
Jorge Sosa

The newest member of the St. Louis Cardinals in pitcher Jorge Sosa. The Cardinals obtained Sosa from the Atlanta Braves after the Braves designated him for assignment. In his career Sosa has been both a starting pitcher and reliever. It appears he will work out of the bullpen for the remainder of the season for the Cards, but there is the chance that he could get some starting assignments if his performance merits it.

Sosa is in only his 4th major league season. His major league career began in 2003 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He played for Tampa Bay also in 2004. In 2005 Sosa was on the roster of the Atlanta Braves and had a breakout season. Much was expected of Sosa by the Braves this year, but it did not work out and he is now a St. Louis Cardinal.

Sosa played a huge role in the success of the Atlanta Braves last year (2005). He won a career-high 13 games and his 2.55 ERA was the lowest of his four-year career. Sosa’s performance has not been the same in 2006. His record in 2006 for the Braves was 3 wins and 10 losses with a 5.26 earned run average in 92 innings.

So far for the Cardinals Sosa has been very good. He has pitched in relief in 3 games , a total of 5 innings, has given up only 1 earned run for an earned run average of 1.80.
Sosa is 29 years old. He is 6’2 and 175 pounds.

Like several of the Cardinals, Jorge Sosa is from the Dominican Republic. His hometown is Santo Domingo. Like the other new Cardinal, Ronnie Belliard, Sosa plays in the winter for the Dominican League Champion Licey Tigres.

In March Sosa played for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.