Karen's Page

A lost dog. A grandson off to war. And a Christmas that felt all wrong.

from Guidepost
www.guidepostmag.com
By Denny Distin, Greenbrier, Arkansas
December, 2009

Christmas Eve should have been a happy day.
Our house was decorated. Work was done at the small-town church where my wife, Ricki, and I are pastors. Our kids and their families were coming over the next morning. And best of all, Blake, my grandson, was coming with them.
Blake had just finished… Continue

A tradtion that we have in our house before we eat thanksgiving dinner is that we go around the table and share what we are thankful for.

I am hopeful that each of you share a thought, a prayer or just a wish. Anything that you are thankful for.

I am thankful for many things this holiday

one my son will soon be back (safe and sound) from a long deployment supporting our troups in the middle east.

Another one is that my middle son married a great gal and I am fortunate that they are now expec… Continue

Airport staff open door, hearts for goodbye

By BETH LAMONTAGNE HALL
New Hampshire Union Leader


MANCHESTER – Saying goodbye to a son or daughter deploying overseas can be one of life's most difficult moments, but Richard Jones of Amherst says the staff at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport recently made that moment a little easier for his family.

Jones and his wife, Beth, went to the airport about 5 a.m. Wednesday to see off their son, Dustin, who is on his way to Afghanistan. A sniper with t… Continue

Military Unit Gets Extra Support After Ambush
Soldier's Parents, Package Business Organize Effort

SALEM, N.H. -- The parents of a soldier who survived an ambush in Afghanistan last month have organized a campaign to ship supplies to his unit.

Spc. Keith Stickney deployed in May for a yearlong tour in remote outposts in Afghanistan.

"Pretty much as soon as my son Keith deployed, I started coming down here and sending packages to him two or three times a week," said his mother, Melissa Stickney… Continue

Program Donates Heating Oil For Military Families
Thousands Of Gallons Of Oil Donated By Dealers

CONCORD, N.H. -- The Oil Heat Council of New Hampshire is continuing its program to help military families when their spouse is deployed overseas.

"Operation Helping Hand" works in conjunction with the New Hampshire National Guard.

Over the past five years, the council has donated 48,000 gallons of fuel from more than 100 dealers to 310 New Hampshire families.

Council President Bob Garside said t… Continue