I have been organizing educational tours since 1988. I thought when I retired, that would be the end of my tours. Then I was offered the opportunity to take university students to Ireland in 2007. Thought that would be the end....until another teacher asked me to organize a tour of Greece because she…
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Added by Ruth, Gun's Mom on October 22, 2009 at 11:34am —
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I'll be uploading more pictures as a friend sends me more that he took, but I have started an album.
We helped celebrate the 234th birthday of the Navy with our son and many other fine sailors. The evening began with a social hour and commemoration pub glasses if you chose to purchase them. A photographer with a son in the Navy was there to take portrait pictures. I can't wait to see them!
When everyone was seated at the ships (each table was named), the colors were presented, national anthem,…
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Added by Ruth, Gun's Mom on October 18, 2009 at 2:31pm —
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Since it's time to think about Christmas packages, here's part of an email I sent out this morning to some friends who wanted ideas. Thought some of you could use them, too.
My sailor just called and added to the list. He said on ship, they want jerky, Easy Mac, fruit cups. When deployed on land, he said neck travel pillows, wipes, and rechargeable batteries. I also remember sending him stuff for tooth aches and tooth putty for loosing a filling because he couldn’t get to the dentist right away…
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Added by Ruth, Gun's Mom on September 25, 2009 at 11:30am —
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You are cordially invited to attend the
234th Annual Navy Ball on
Saturday the 17th of October 2009 at the
Golden Leaf Banquet Hall, Davenport Iowa.
Social Hours: 6-7pm
Festivities begin at 7pm
Followed by dinner and dancing
to the Len Allen Band
Military: Service Dress Blue
Civilian: Formal Dress
Tickets: $25
Engraved Pilsner Glass:
$12 prepay $15 at the door
RSVP and Payment due by 1 October 2009
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Added by Ruth, Gun's Mom on September 15, 2009 at 4:42pm —
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Whitey’s New “Sgt Camo” Ice Cream Going to Iraq for Troops
Moline, IL. Soldiers in Iraq will soon be treated to “Sgt. Camo” Ice Cream, the newest creamy creation from Whitey’s Ice Cream in Moline, IL. Whitey’s has teamed up with the Military Warriors Support Foundation to send the camouflaged colored ice-cream to cool off troops in the deserts of Iraq.
The idea for the sending the ice cream treat to soldiers came after Whitey’s owners, Jeff & Jon Tunberg decided to donate half of the proce…
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Added by Ruth, Gun's Mom on August 13, 2009 at 11:00am —
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Messages are going out about signing a petition supporting a bill to allow "us" to send letters and packages for free to our sailors/soldiers. I was curious--who pays for the postage? Nothing is free these days! I went to http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-707 and read the text of the bill. The bill provides for one voucher a month to those overseas or injured. The voucher then is transferred to someone wanting to mail a letter or package back to the military person. The lett…
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Added by Ruth, Gun's Mom on July 4, 2009 at 2:52pm —
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I knew my son did the best thing by joining the Navy, and this weekend is proof of just how much he's matured. He came home to surprise a former teacher who was awarded "Master Teacher" at a banquet last night. This banquet tends to be long with 12 teachers profiled with the reasons of why they were chosen. Not once during the program did my son say to me, "How much longer?" So many of his teachers happened to be there from elementary and junior high school and were thrilled to see him in his un…
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Added by Ruth, Gun's Mom on May 9, 2009 at 6:00pm —
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I was honored to be a guardian of a 90 year old Navy veteran on his Honor Flight to DC on April 15. I received several emails afterward that I'd like to share with you.
____________________________________________
Sent: Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:40:12 -0500
Subject: the honor is all mine- to be the daughter of one of these men
It is 12:08am Thursday April 16, 2009. I have just arrived home from dropping my parents off at their home. We had been at the airport. My father went on the Honor Flight/Quad…
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Added by Ruth, Gun's Mom on April 17, 2009 at 1:05pm —
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So instead of driving to Grinnell last night in the snow, my husband and I went to the QC Flames hockey game with the Patriot Guard Riders. The president of Marine Moms who is also a member of PGR didn't know that we were all in on a big surprise for her birthday. The PGR held flags in the arena aisles (we do this occasionally), the Marine color guard presented the colors. The PGR ride captain, the Marine Mom and I (as Navy Families rep) followed them in. A school group sang the anthem. Then the…
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Added by Ruth, Gun's Mom on February 14, 2009 at 9:30am —
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January 26, 2009 Here's more up to date info about the new working uniform from the NEX in Norfolk.
Just got a call from my son who suggested the Navy open a loan department next to the uniform department. New uniforms are being phased in with the switch mandatory in several years, by 201…
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Added by Ruth, Gun's Mom on January 19, 2009 at 7:00pm —
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My cousin who is a minister was flying last week from Akron to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, through Chicago. Her brother is Dick who is mentioned in this. There's a part where she writes about people giving seats to the military so they can get home!
My trip was quite eventful getting out there. I'm surprised you hadn't heard, as Dick was having lots of fun! I made it to O'Hare with no difficulties, but my flight from there to CR was cancelled. No crew showed up (or not enough, at least) to fly it. How…
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Added by Ruth, Gun's Mom on December 25, 2008 at 10:16pm —
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Added by Ruth, Gun's Mom on December 25, 2008 at 10:00pm —
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(Sent to me by a wonderful friend, Sister Magdaline!)
1. Avoid carrot sticks.
Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or…
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Added by Ruth, Gun's Mom on December 24, 2008 at 9:30am —
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Andy left at noon for Great Lakes to look for an apartment, then on to Norfolk. His little girls were here for the weekend with him. Friday night they ate Harris Pizza (famous here, and always his first request) and watched dvd's--Horton Hears a Who, Kung Fu Panda, and Wall E--all that he bought for them. Saturday was International Holiday Market in Davenport, so the girls went with me and he met us there. Later we went to visit his sister and her kitties. Sadly, on Sunday morning our daughter c…
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Added by Ruth, Gun's Mom on December 15, 2008 at 4:55pm —
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My son arrived home Friday morning from almost a year in Afghanistan! Concerning his journey home, I can say GOD BLESS THE USO at O'Hare Airport. United scheduled his flights from Norfolk with 45 minutes between his flights. He landed 25 minutes late, had to go to a completely different terminal, and they refused to hold the plane, put him on another airline, give him meal vouchers or a hotel room. He found the USO that gave him a couch to sleep on and at least treated him kindly. Friday morning…
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Added by Ruth, Gun's Mom on December 14, 2008 at 8:00pm —
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Several of you have asked how to get involved with Honor Flight, the program that makes it possible for WW II veterans to see THEIR memorial in Washington, DC, for free. It's a one day trip, flying out early in the morning and coming back that night. My husband and I will be "guardians" on the first flight out of Moline next Saturday. I am so fortunate to have my 86 year old dad going. You can be a guardian, too! Go to the national website and find a hub near you. If there isn't one, sign up any…
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Added by Ruth, Gun's Mom on October 24, 2008 at 10:30am —
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