A fitting farwell to an Exceptional man... Deputy Cox

VETERANS DAY

At the Sea-Tac USO tomorrow, a Soldier in the ARMY that saved the lives of many in his unit is being given a $10,000 check from Levitz for a home make-over. He is 21 yrs old, married and has had 13 surgeries due to a bomb blowing up next to him.

Many thanks to Levitz for giving this donation.

Many heartfelt thanks to the Veterans I know:

My dad, Coast Guard, Vietnam vet.

My grandfather, Marine that fought at Guadalcanal.

Also two journal friends: VW and Mike..... thanks for your service.

On Veterans Day we thank and honor all those who have served in the U.S. military. Please take the time to thank service members everywhere who have selflessly served our country in war and peacetime. We will never be able to fully repay our debt of gratitude to all those service members who died or were wounded in battle. We can however, recognize and thank the veterans living today and remember to support those now serving.

The USO's tradition is to be wherever military personnel are located around the world. In times of peace and war, the USO has consistently delivered its special brand of comfort, morale and recreational services to the military. From Southwest Asia, to the DMZ in Korea to Gulf Coast Hurricane relief, the USO is the bridge between service members and the American people. By supporting the USO, Americans directly show their appreciation and express their gratitude to the men and women who defend us.

Visit us at USO.org

Matthew J. Grzymalski, 9/11/2001

2,996 is a tribute to the victims of 9/11.
On September 11, 2006, 2,996 volunteer bloggerswill join together for a tribute to the victims of 9/11.Each person will pay tribute to a single victim.
We will honor them by remembering their lives,and not by remembering their murderers.

I have the honor of paying tribute to the life of Matt Grzymalski. Matt was from New Hyde Park New York, he was 34 years old. He had three brothers, one sister and at the time of his death five nephews and two nieces. Matt also had a girlfriend, Kaleen Pezzuti. Tragically she died with Matt as they worked together at Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor of the World Trade Center.

"We are certainly hoping they were holding hands or hugging or wrapped in each other's arms somehow," said Mr. Grzymalski's sister Patti Ann Valerio. At Mr. Grzymalski's memorial Mass, his mother gave Ms. Pezzuti's mother, Kathleen E. Pezzuti of Fair Haven, N.J., a card from Ms. Pezzuti she had found in Mr. Grzymalski's dresser. "My mom was right," she wrote. "Happiness agrees with me. I owe that all to you. I love you, K. XOXO."

"On the night before, on Sept. 10, she spoke to one of her best friends and told her, `He's the one,' " said Mrs. Pezzuti, whose other daughter, Megan, lost her husband in the Sept. 11 attack. "It would have been a really wonderful family."

I am heartbroken that these two great people were killed that day, but maybe there is some comfort for their families that they were together? Small comfort no doubt. I have included a picture of Kaleen along side of Matt's.

I was able to find some additional quotes from friends and family and they are below:

uncle MATT,I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU,AND I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU
*** Posted by nephew,john on 2005-11-08 ***

It's 2 years tomorrow and I just found out. What a tragic loss. Matt was vivacious, full of life and always left you laughing. Heartfelt condolences go to his entire family.
*** Posted by Kathy Solieri Gazdek on 2003-09-10 ***

I remember Matt from the days when we worked together at Fundamental Brokers. I remember that his favorite song on the jukebox was Frank Sinatra singing "Summer Wind."
Mike Clarke, former co-worker

I think about you, me and my brother hangin out all the time, we had some great times together, I dream of my brother all the time, it seems so real,,,, just writing to tell you that I will never forget you, show up in one of my dreams bro , I'd love to give you a hug.Ronnie 80

ronald palazzolo (brothers forever, NY )

Matty, Although we only hung out a hand full of times, I enjoyed every one of them. My cousins, (Ron and Rico) always loved you, and spoke of you often.I would hear many stories from Fern, at FBI, about about your antics, when you two lived together. I laughed at every one of them. I hope you are at peace, and I hope you and my cousin (Rico) are keeping them laughing up there. Trust me my friend, you are greatley missed and loved, I know, I was at your memorial. Rob Casella (Rufus)

Robert Casella (Massapequa, NY )

Rest in peace buddy

Rich Bolton (point lookout, NY )

End of Watch

Officer Barber was killed early Sunday morning by a woman driving an SUV 80 MPH in a 40 zone, she ran a red light and broadsided him.

The driver then slid out of the driver's seat and sat in the passenger's seat to try and make it look as though she had not been driving. She had a four warrants, one for DUI. This crash occurred at 4 AM. Gee.... sober or drunk?

Officer Barber had just graduated from the Police Academy five months ago. He was killed at the scene, the animal that killed him has a broken leg and ankle. This is such a waste. She is a worthless human being that contributes nothing to society.

He was a 26 year old Police Officer that was working in the ghetto of the C.D. I am truly sorry for his family and for the S.P.D.

UPDATE: The woman that hit and killed Officer Barber was drunk and had drugs hidden on her body. The prosecutor's office have said that they will request a exceptional sentence since she had only been out of jail (this time) for 10 days.

September 11th, 2006

I can't believe that it's been five years, but at the same time it also seems like it's been... forever ago. I'm not one of those people that need Hollywood to remind me what happened on September 11th, 2001 so I will not be seeing the latest movie to come out.

I will not put any of my money into Hollywood's liberal anti-American pockets.

http://www.wtcremembered.org/pledge.htm

At a friend's site I noticed a link that she has up and I joined in. When you sign up you are assigned an American that was murdered on September 11th. I got an email with my person, and some facts about him. I also looked him up online and found out a few other things, and saw that he has a lot of people that love him and that miss him.

I'll do a journal entry on him on September 11th - as will all the people that have signed up will be doing.

There are about 1,400 people that has signed up so far. There's no reason why YOU can't sign up and spend a few minutes to pay your respects to an American that was killed on that horrible day.

From the site:

On September 11, 2006, 2,996 volunteer bloggers will join together for a tribute to the victims of 9/11. Each person will pay tribute to a single victim.
We will honor them by remembering their lives, and not by remembering their murderers.
If you would like to help out, either by pledging to post a tribute on your own blog, or by offering your services to promote this cause, just leave a comment here and I’ll email you the name of a victim.
Then, on 9/11/2006, you will post a tribute to that victim on your blog.
But, and this is critical, the tributes should celebrate the lives of these people–kind of like a wake. Over the last 5 years we’ve heard the names of the killers, and all about the victim’s deaths. This is a chance to learn about and celebrate those who died. Forget the murderers, they don’t deserve to be remembered. But some people who died that day deserve to be remembered–2,996 people.

http://www.dcroe.com/2996/

As a post script here after reviewing this entry.... take a look at the animals on the upper right of this post. THEY HATE US AND ONLY WANT TO KILL US. Please.... vote RED in 2006.

Time Well Spent, with Sgt. Robison

This morning I started working my new regular shift at the USO, 4AM-8AM. Some advice, tuna before noon is not advised. I had to make 15 or so tuna sandwiches and that is just not a good smell at 4AM. Most of the Soldiers were totally crashed either in the bunks or on the couches. Air Force Sgt. D. Robison came in at about 7:00 on crutches, totally great guy from Alaska. He was waiting for his flight at 9AM. For whatever reason his airline would not bring a wheelchair up to get him so I went and got one. At 8:00 I loaded him and his belongings up and wheeled him down to security. The strange thing is the airport security ran him through the whole security check; padded him down, made him take his belt off (?) even gave him the chemical radiation thing test.... I said to them - you guys know he is Active Duty Military right? They gave me the ususal response, have to do this for everyone blah blah blah.... I thought it was pretty ridiculous but post September 11th and all...

I took him to his gate all the while he is telling me how much he appreciates it and how nice it is of me. He insisted that I take a donation and asked that I put it in the donation box back at the USO which I did. He could not have been nicer and I was so happy that I could help him out. Considering all that he does for all us and what we owe him it was the least that I could do. I tried to get him to take a tuna sandwich but he wasn't going for it.

Time well spent

Last night I had my first shift working at the USO. I loved it except for one thing; they need money.

Money and supplies. They need your free samples, your time, and your money.

They receive grants from various organizations and they get food donated to them but it's not enough. I hesitate to list the different organizations that donate money because of the current climate of our Country and any possible retribution that may occur from the traitors that hate us. That is sad.

As a volunteer one of my responsibilities was to make ham and cheese and tuna sandwiches. The sandwiches were made with cheap wheat bread, one piece of sliced ham. One. They were not thick slices. The Soldiers were ecstatic to get them. Every Soldier that walked through the door last night (I was there from 8-midnight) got a sandwich, some took two. Many of them asked me how much they cost and were very appreciative when I told them they were free.

The USO only has 12 bunk beds that are available on a first come, first serve basis. It was rough telling a Soldier that was obviously exhausted that there was not a bed available. They have big couches but that's not a bed. One Soldier actually ASKED PERMISSION to sleep on the floor in the bunk room. I said yes, of course and he said THANK YOU ma'am. I gave him a couple blankets and a pillow and he was out.

Read that again. He said THANK YOU to me for telling him it was okay to sleep ON THE FLOOR.

Amazing.

All of the Soldiers I saw last night were polite, and happy to be there. Most were young. It made me very proud of what I was doing but also a little broken hearted because it wasn't very much. One of the Soldiers was leaving to catch a plane and as he was leaving he shook the hand of the regular Friday night volunteer and said, thank you, it was great being able to come here for few hours, was almost like being at home.

What could be better for them?

As many of them were leaving they stopped to put some cash in the donation box, $5, $10, $20....

USO

As an update to another post:

I am volunteering at my local USO and my first shift is coming up in the next week 8:00 PM - midnight.



I did a tour and a quick orientation last week and will get my training next time I go in. I know when I'm scheduled to go in, but for obvious reasons (read: liberal freaks, rapists, murderers, internet perverts and the like) I'm keeping that info to myself .

It's pretty cool actually. There are showers - with a ton of donated samples. Bunk beds, (there were four Soldiers sleeping and the other USO volunteer that was showing me around turned on the light and was talking to me in the room and none of the Soldiers moved - they were totally crashed). There's a family room with cribs and toddler beds, they were just able to re-do the room thanks to a donation from Disney.

I'll make ham and tuna sandwiches from donated bread from Gai's Bakery, cookies are available from whoever has donated them.

I will be, by about 25+ years be the youngest person working there.

Surprisingly the USO at Seatac airport if the only USO that is open 24 hours a day. The others are only open 12 hours a day.

Since I have a regular Mon-Friday job I'm dreading the midnight to 4 AM and the 4 AM to 8 AM shift but considering what our Soldiers do for me and mine.... it's the least I can do.

Not joining the ARMY, but it's something...

I signed up to volunteer at the local USO office at SeaTac airport. I'm very excited and am looking forward to getting involved! They could use your help across the Country.

The USO is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide morale, welfare and recreation-type services to our men and women in uniform. The original intent of Congress – and enduring style of USO delivery – is to represent the American people by extending a touch of home to the military.

Tahoma National Cemetery, Memorial Day 2006

Grudges

I love to hold a grudge. Whether it is over something small or something big, the big or small of course being determined by me and my own stubborness. Some examples of my grudges, some are years old, and some are brand new:

1. The Sears Grudge.

Years ago I read the book Tears of Rage, the story of Adam Walsh. I'm sure that most everyone knows the story of Adam Walsh, in 1981 at six years old he was kidnapped and killed, his killer was never brought to justice.

While shopping at Sears Adam's mother left him alone to watch some video games that were being played by older kids. She went to the lamp section that was right next door.

Side note on this: my kid does not walk out to the mailbox without me watching, but different time, different mind set.

The older boys got loud, and were maybe fighting with each other so a security guard for Sears kicked the whole group out, including Adam who again, was six years old and did not know any of these boys. Also, he was sent out of a different side of the store than he normally would have used.

When the Walsh's started legal proceedings to sue Sears for kicking a six year old out of their store Sears played dirty. Their attorney's dug up all sorts of dirt on the Walsh's (who's perfect anyway).... because John Walsh was trying to get all sorts of different brand new laws passed to protect all American kids they decided to drop the case against Sears. I still remember what he said about them, " We have seen the softer side of Sears, no thanks."

That is why I do not and will not shop at Sears.

2. The Ben and Jerry Grudge.

This is a new one, and a rough one since they have some great flavors and my daughter whines about it every time she sees her favorite. But she knows me well enough to know I will not change my mind.

One of the founders of Ben and Jerry's has a company called True Majority, a non-profit set up by Ben Cohen. That company pays the bills for Fenton Communications, Fenton specializes in public relations for liberal non profits and one of their current pets is Cindy Sheehan. I loathe her and all that she stands for.

(New info on the dreaded Sheehan: I read today that Susan Sarandon will play her. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/19/INGEQHOQAA1.DTL ).

3. The Dixie Chicks Drudge.

I loved the Dixie Chicks. Had all three of their cd's and listened to them all the time. My daughter and I even went to their concert when they came to Seattle a few years ago. Then they had to jump on the Anti- Bush-American bandwagon. The quote from the singer Natalie Maines, "just so you know, we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas." To make it worse she said it outside of the U.S.

The group then went on a bunch of talk shows to talk about why she said it and what they believe. The group in my opinion has never recovered. I enjoyed very much destroying their cd's and will never listen to them again.

This grudge has the potential of extending to Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. I guess they have had a taste of Hollywood and now forget who has been their bread and butter. The two of them have been stumping for their latest tour and of course being professional singers they got around to the subject of George Bush. McGraw had this to say:

McGraw blamed state and federal politics for hampering efforts to get adequate shelter, food and supplies to victims. The 38-year-old country singer also criticized President Bush, who visited the devastated Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans on Wednesday.

"There's no reason why someone can't go down there - who's supposed to be the leader of the free world - and say, 'I'm giving you a job to do and I'm not leaving here until it's done. And you're held accountable,"' he said. Later in the news conference, McGraw let out a stream of frustration, growling, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore." The couple were married in 1996.

When asked what their fans could do to help, McGraw said: "Vote."

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/3/10/122840.shtml?s=en

I'm not sure what he means with the vote suggestion, since I'm going to assume he is talking about Bush, maybe he doesn't realize that Bush won't be running for office again for the next go around? Since he seems to have great affection for Bill Clinton I'm also going to assume that he didn't mean vote out the Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco since she is a democrat.

McGraw had this to say about Bill Clinton:

In a 2004 interview, McGraw said he would like to run for public office in the future, possibly for Senate in his home state of Tennessee. In the same interview, he praised former President Bill Clinton, a somewhat unusual stance in the traditionally conservative country music industry: "I love Bill Clinton. I think we should make him king. I'm talking the red robe, the turkey leg - everything."

In early 2006, McGraw reaffirmed his plans for running for public office, saying that he would like to run for Governor of Tennessee about 10 years down the road. He has also said that he thinks Bill Clinton was the best President in history.

Okay? Seems to be some weird hero worship happening here. Lets hope for Faith Hill's sake he doesn't follow his hero's examples with women.