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Linda Fiske (Wehrle)

Thank you for your thoughts. It is really very special that more retail stores are recognizing veterans . After Vietnam, we really did not say we were veterans and now we are finally being thanked. George and I have even gotten license plates with veteran status on them. I was at a athletic event at Notre Dame when they had veterans stand. Well a vet a few rows in front of me turned and said only veterans were to stand , not their spouses. Well I informed him I was one of those Navy nurses that trained those corpsmen that took care of him in the field. We are making progress. Thank you.

Melvin Katz

Calssmates: Thank you all for your comments regarding our Veterans. Make no mistake about it, our nation is free because of the very brave women and men who have and are serving our country. Having just returned from overseas, it is easy to see what our armed services have provided for us in defence of our country. My observatios are that we enjoy these freedoms of today and yesterday because of what we represent in our values. As a class, we have been privey to what war can do. Fortunately our shores were not penetrated by enemies of our freedoms in our lefetimes because we came to defendf our allies whose countries were being invaded and fought upon. Never forget what our veterans have meant to our well being. I shall never forget that. NEVER.

Barbara Seely

I'm a HUGE supporter of ALL THINGS RELATED TO VETERAN'S DAY, along with the many other military holidays and special events that come our way each year.  My brother and I are (were) Army 'Brats'  many decades ago.  We moved a lot, lived in strange places, learned to make friends with nearly anyone, and wouldn't take a million dollars for that experience.  It was a pretty nice way to grow up.  He and I are the VERY proud offspring of our father (Bronze Star) and our mother who rest in Arlington National Cemetery.  I, too, say prayers for all the veteran's now as they live and die protecting us 365 days of the year. My heartfelt thanks and blessings to all who now serve, or have at any time in their lives.  God Bless Them AND America!

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Wow! So many comments re. Vets!  I live about 5 -10 minutes down the road from a Marine Base, and this town of Yuma, Arizona probably would not be in existence without the Farmers, the Vets, and the Enlisted men & women, or those who are on the Army Proving Ground!  No matter WHAT Washington,D.C. says, it is very safe here, and this is a good training ground for anyone who wants to be trained for the Service!  The planes fly over my house at all times of day or night, and all my neighbors  on my street or in my former Seniors Park appear to be related to the service in some way.  I am sorry that so many retired Vets received no respect for their Service, but around here, I think that does not apply.  There are Veterans' Day Parades and Air Shows every year here in Yuma, and they even have a special Ceramics Class for Vets at the Community College!  I know some young adults who have enlisted, and they are excellent young people, physically fit and very intelligent!  One young lady I know is training in the National Guard right now!  A young man my Granddaughter has known since age 11 is now training in the Army. And my Cousin's daughter is now the Navy Officer-in-Charge of her Ship overseas!  These young people are not slouches!  They will follow in the footsteps of their parents and grandparents and do this country proud!  I just hope they stay healthy and safe!  We think about them all the time!

Mike Floyd

Christ Church Parish, Saluda, VA is the home of the tomb of Lt. General Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller.  Our Marines will know who he is.  We have an annual luncheon for our Homegrown Heros.  All Veterans are invited to a special luncheon and program.  I was asked to photograph the event and below are just a few of those photos and a link to a short slideshow of the event.  

2018 Veterans Luncheon

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Nice photos, Mike!  You keep  us well- informed!

Jo-Ann Olkowski

What great stories from my classmates! I wish I had known more of my classmates back in the day and that some of you had known me better.  I'm still in touch with my old high school "love of my life" who was not a student at TJ.  He called me one day a couple years ago and said I'd never believe him - he went to his bank about a huge deposit to his bank account that must be a mistake.  They informed him it was a government deposit from the Veteran's Administration - he finally got all the back benefits he had been entitled to receive in accordance with the contract he signed when he enlisted!  He's a Vietnam Veteran.  He's suffering the ravages of that now - slowly but surely over time killing him by chemical poisoning - not nearly as tall or muscular as he was when he enlisted - Agent Orange, Napalm, and whatever else rained down on our servicemen by "Charlie" and perhaps by our own troops as well in the effort to fight off the advancement of enemy.

Way back before any of us were born, people from around the world flocked to America seeking freedom from many circumstances and looking for the chance to find work and to prosper in America - to live the dream. Like all those immigrants regardless of nationality they were grateful and served this country, generation after generation.  My Dad was career military serving in WWII and Korea where he was badly wounded and sent home on a medical discharge.  He lost two younger brothers fighting in France - exactly one month apart. One is buried in one American Cemetery in France, the other in another American Cemetery further inland.

As we were celebrating American forces in WWI and WWII and their efforts to keep European countries free from encroaching enemy forces, I found myself somewhat bristling at President Macron of France condemning President Trump's "nationalism as unpatriotic" - at one of those American Cemeteries, yet!  America IS a nation with borders and ONE flag - the American flag to which we should pledge allegiance.  There is nothing unpatriatic about that. I don't understand European countries being so willing to give up their "boundaries," their national identities, customs, etc. to form a "European Union" that's being flooded by "immigrants" free to roam wherever they please and do anything they please to the detriment of these "host' countries.

I don't watch much news anymore - it's become a bit more than I can handle.  When the few programs I do try to watch get out of hand, I either start channel surfing or pop in a cheerful movie that will make me laugh or otherwise "de-compress."

Frank Louthan

Life Memory:  Though I served in the United States Army and not the Marines, I did have an honor that I have shared with just about every Marine I have met.  Not unlike we do at TeeJay, classmates from The Virginia Militry Institute gather on the VMI Post for a reunion every five years after graduation.  In June, 1966, my roommate's Dad happened to be on Post and called me over to introduce me to an acquaintance of his, one of those Brother Rats attending their 45th Reunion as a member of the VMI Class of 1921.  And thus I got to shake the hand of and have a brief conversation with General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, '21. Semper Fi.

Russell Flammia

      Mikle--I know the church luncheon for the veterans must be a heart warming experience for the veterans and the folks that prepare and serve the meals.  Such a nice way to show graitude to such a deserving group of Americans.  God Bless them all. 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Thanks, Russell and Frank!  I wish we had more input on this Forum page from Vets from TJ.  I know we have lost a lot of them, and I am sad for that.  Some of them go all the way back to Elementary School at Westhamp-ton, and I often look at our Junior High Graduation photo and remember what great people they were/ are!  I'm glad there are so many programs to honor our Vets!!!  I remember how excited my 2 Aunties were when they submitted one Aunt's photo and uniform to the "Women in the Military Museum" in Washington, D.C.  Unfortunately, my Aunt did not label either with her name, and years later, a postcard was printed by that museum that looked A LOT like my Auntie!  Someone working at the Museum Gift Shop said to me: "We never knew who that WAS!"  Then a Retired Officer told me, "Once you enlist, the Service owns your identity!"  They were both in the WAAC during World War 2 (one - a Lieutenant & one a Captain!) and received the first Government Loan to Women in Small Business after the War!!  The clothes my Sisters and I wore from Birth to High School came from their  store!  And our kids' clothes, too!

I also had 2 uncles who served in the Army during World War 2, my Cousin Franklin trained with the Army,  and his daughter is now "The Boss" of a Navy Ship in the Middle East!  The only one who did not join the military was my Dad, because he was very nearsighted and had flat feet!  But most of the Softball Tournaments he organized for the Virginia Amateur Softball Association featured teams from all four branches of the U.S. Military! 

I have photos that Russell requested long ago!  I will try to post them at some future date!

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

FACT CHECK:  Jo-Ann, I don't want to get "political" on here, but I think President Macron was referring to the fact that our President was the only "Leader" of "The Free Nations" who did not show up at the recent Memorial Ceremony  held to honor those who died in World War 1, including many Americans.  I saw John Kelly there, standing in the rain with leaders  from Germany, France, England, Canada, etc.  Thank G-d, America was NOT "invisible!"

When "Nationalism" comes down to "We don't want to talk with your country's Leaders, meet with them, form a consortium or alliance, offer foreign aid, allow immigrants to enter our country, etc., that is called "Isolationism" and "Extremism," and it is dangerous!  If the U.S.A. ever needed help from any other country, we would not receive it, because we never wanted to help them when the situation arose.

PS- I live 15 minutes from the Border of Mexico and 15 minutes from the Border of California!  It is very quiet and peaceful here!  People go back and forth every day, to shop for souvenirs at great prices, eat dinner at their restaurants, etc. We have Farmworkers who wait in their busses for 2 hours, while every ID card is checked by the Border Patrol; American farmworkers quit after just a few weeks, because the work is very hard!   We have the local Police, the Sheriff's Office, the Highway Patrol, and the U.S. Marine Corps.  Statistics prove that crimes in recent years have been committed by American Citizens, NOT immigrants.  5 years ago, my former neighborhood was invaded by Drug Gangs from California who wanted to carve a route to Mexico!  They were American Citizens and they scared away 20 people in our Seniors Park!  I was #21!  I had to move to the other side of town, because the local Police Department REFUSED to get involved!  The County Sheriff's Office & our State Senator suggested that I draw up a Petition to request strong Police Protection!  108 people signed my Petition in 110-degree heat, and I presented it at a City Council Meeting, along with a 10-page log of the "invasion," and photographs of  graffiti and other physical damage to our Seniors Park.  Result:  A New Police Chief was appointed.  He said, "We will protect your nrighborhood!". (That was after 15 years of living there!)

I know about 5 people in Mexico. One lives 6 hours away from here, and the others require very expensive plane rides  that I can't afford!   So we correspond as often as we can, and we share family photos,birthday greetings, etc. We used to have a lot of fun together, until the Patriot Act was passed and their family was divided by "The Law" - men  in Mexico, women and parents  in the USA. Every year,  their Mom makes the trip in a car or by plane to see her sons!  They were the kindest people I ever met in the Phoenix Metro Area, for 10 years, until I moved to Yuma, and I learned A LOT from them!   They worked hard and did not cause destruction; rather, it was "The Other Way Around!"

I rest my case!

Jo-Ann Olkowski

Oh, President Trump was at the ceremony ... his limo, secret service guys/motorcade group left Paris later than the others, which is why you saw Gen. Kelly and others by themselves - they were waiting for President Trump's arrival.  Yes, the general meeting of the principals of the NATO countries was a bit testy.  I'm not sure the French have enough land and sea forces to defend themselves, let alone defend America or anyone else.  The whole thing at the American Cemetery was to celebrate the period between the beginning of WWI through the end of WWII and the liberation of European countries from invasion/conquest by German/Russian forces. In WWII Rommel was defeated in the North African campaign, American (and perhaps British/Scot) troops came into Europe from the south through the Mediterranean countries, thanks to PM Churchill's risky decision to come in from the west on the beaches at Normandy, British/Scot and American forces faced a hard battle but all of these forces together ultimately won the day. Perhaps President Macron (and others) should be a tad more grateful??? 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Jo-Ann, are we "on the same page?". The news reported that Trump did not show up, "due to  the rain!"  

We were talking about it at Breakfast Sunday morning!

The French have a history of Non-Involvement in International Politics!

That's why it is so refreshing to see Macron getting involved!

I an studying for a test tomorrow on "Greek Art," so I must close now.

My back "went out again" on Sunday, so I got a Time Extension of one day, and I need to finish that up soon! 

Gotta go now!

Jo-Ann Olkowski

I love my Ancestry account and have had it a number of years working with it.  Early on I found a military website and copied the entire content on both American Cemeteries. It gives a history of the cemeteries along with color pictures of the buildings, the architects, maps, etc.  They are quite beautiful.  I also have pictures of the crosses of both my deceased uncles thanks to the "Find-a-Grave" feature on Ancestry. It might be interesting for any classmates who like historical works.  I don't remember right off the top of my head the religious references on the crosses, but I think there is a Star of David on the crosses of American Jews who died in the various battles and are buried in these cemeteries.  The web site may be the American Battle Monuments Commission.

Jo-Ann Olkowski

I need to correct myself on the crosses in the American Cemeteries in France - at least those of American Jewish lives lost.  The gravemarkers for those who were of the Jewish faith do not have crosses with the Star of David.  They have a same size/height headstone with a Star of David carved at the top instead of a cross. I was so sure I had seen Stars of David ... I just remembered them in the wrong place!  I had to do a little research this morning just to make sure.

William Anderson

Well said Ms. Jo-Ann. As a United States Marine Lieutenant in Vietnam on the DMZ, September 1967-October 1968, I applaud your support of our Military.

Semper Fidelis,

Bill

Jo-Ann Olkowski

Bill, I remember you from high school, even though I didn't personally know you.  Thank YOU for your service. I am just pro-military to the core and I don't care which branch of service people choose.  In the end, all servicemen and women are in it together and have each other's backs.  I don't remember which famous person said, "War is hell," but he was absolutely right. 

Semper Fi!

Linda Fiske (Wehrle)

Thank you for all the support. My brother Rusty was a marine, Eric was Army , my sister Kristy was Peace Corps and I was Navy. So we had them mostly all covered. Appreciate all the support.

William Anderson

Miss Jo-Ann and Miss Linda, thanks.

"War is Hell"-Said by General Sherman, who still remains pretty unpopular here in Georgia.

Bill

Russell Flammia

Hi folks,

            This morning there is a heart warming story in the Times Dispatch by Bill Lohmann, about a TJ foreign exchange student, Miguel Bremo,  and his host 'Mom' Margo Miller who is Lois Miller Padow's step mother. Although Miguel graduated from TJ in 1968, he and his host 'Mom' have remained in touch for these 50 years.  An interesting footnote, but of signifcant historical interest,  is that Margo & her parents escaped from Germany in 1939. It's a feel good read.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Interesting comments by our own TJ "War Heroes." Thank you for your service, Frank, Bill, and Linda!  I recognized the names of many other classmates which were marked with icons on our Student Profile list;    they served honorably in Vietnam, and perhaps in Iraq and other locations.  I was not on the mailing list for any TJ Reunions until #40, so I "missed out" on saying "Thank you" to many others, but I remember attending Tee Jay with the most honorable students anyone could ask for, and I tell that to my extended family and acquaintances here, all the time!  I remember seeing you on the bus ride home every day, Bill, dressed in your uniform and hat for the ROTC program, and seeing Frank as well, walking down the halls of TJ so straight and  tall! And I should have figured out that Linda Fiske would end up in the Service as a Nurse, because she always had such a professional manner! There are many others in our class who served honorably, and I was lucky to know many of them !!  We have photos in my Baby Book of my Aunties and Uncles in their Uniforms, visiting our house in 1944 when I was born and for many years thereafter, so as far as I was concerned, my Tee Jay classmates were ALL just "extended family!"  

Happy Thanksgiving to all of those who graced the halls of Tee Jay, whatever their career!  All served the U.S.A.in some capacity, and we are very thankful!  Have a wonderful holiday with your families and friends!

Linda Fiske (Wehrle)

Li

Thank you Marilyn . And a very Happy Thanksgiving to all. With all that is going on in the World, we do have much to be thankful for. 

Linda

Russell Flammia

      Thank you Mike for posting the picture of George H. W. Bush's service dog Sully.  It's a touching example of sensitivity and devotion that dogs demonstrate. 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Happy Chanukah to all my Jewish classmates out there, wherever you are!  Have some nice latkes with applesauce on top and I hope your dreidel lands on "Gadol !" - and you win all the pennies (or peanuts or whatever!).  Enjoy!!

Anne Ferrell Smith (Lanier)

Did anyone have a "Miss Stossel" as an English teacher at TJ or Westhampton Jr High School?

I am just seeing in a Longwood alumni magazine that a Elsie Stossel Upchurch gave 4 million dollars to Longwood and that a building has been named in her honor.  I remeber a Miss Stossel but I cannot remeber where I  had her in school.  I am blown away that she was able to do that - It pleases me so!   Does anyone else remember her?      Anne Ferrell Smith Lanier