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“Ferocious About Getting the Job Done!” The Volunteers of America and Homeless Veterans on Wordless Wednesdsay
Volunteers of America PlaqueWE HAVE NOT FORGOTTENCode of ConductVoA Homeless ShelterService FlagsJack the ChefCafeteriaDrop Off for GiftsClassroom white board with goal setting byColonel KonWednesday, June 29, 2011Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestMilitary Life:Col K,Homeless Veterans,Veterans,Wordless Wednesday
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“Ferocious About Getting the Job Done!” The Volunteers of America and Homeless Veterans
VoA Homeless Shelter in LansingWe drove down the street looking for the Volunteers of America (VoA) Michigan homeless shelter in Lansing. The GPS was right on the money but as I looked in the rear view mirror to change lanes and find a parking spot I had to change plans. Realizing I had an escort as the police officer pulled in behind me, my first thought was uh oh, what did I do? Then I saw the ambulance in front of the building we were looking for … Four hundred ambulance runs a year according to Dennis Neuner of VoA’s communications department. Deb and I had been on the road…
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Oxygen Mask
A quiet but BOOMING voice reminded me throughout this past week. “Leanne, put on your oxygen mask, then help those around you.” It has been a tough week. BabyBoy, diagnosed with an ear infection two weeks ago, was so incredibly crabby. Refusing to nurse, refusing to be put down, refusing to be happy. “Leanne, put on your oxygen mask.” BabyBoy and I headed to the pediatrician Monday afternoon. My happy go lucky boy had taken on a completely different personality and I was at wit’s end. His ears were beautiful according to the doctor. So she took a peek in his mouth. Then I saw it. Ulcers /every where/. Wow. I…
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Marines Arrived! Our Family Is Thrilled
Leanne told us years ago that she met a Marine.We are USAF folk you know.A Reserve Marine. Dedicated to tasks that were in his path Paul was certain then and now that Leanne was to be his life’s partner. Not quite that simple but a good way to state where they are today. That’s the gist of it. Paul is a highlight in our lives. He ‘moved on’ to be an Ohio Army National Guard JAG. The best they ever had undoubtedly; father of boys and like his Marine heritage, on task at bringing this family to strength, faith and love of life. Forty some years earlier Dale’s cousin met…
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“I Will Not Say Goodbye” An Interview with Josh Gracin
Josh Gracin“I want to take everyBreath I can getI want to live” Josh Gracin “I Want to Live” I watched Dan struggle for breath, his pneumonia and infection making it so hard. He was sweating, the pain meds helping but the pain in his eyes was clear. We had traveled to be near Dan before the surgeons were going to help. Leading a church youth group service trip to Nashville, TN, Dan had fallen ill and needed urgent care. I saw him smile as his 2 year old came into the room and rocked his world… I had been looking forward to interviewing former Marine, Josh Gracin about the “Rockin…
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Touch Pad Touches Home
Here we are yet in Nashville. Fun city for so many. A tourist attraction. Land of hospitality, southern drawl, sweet tea and genuine warmth. We are here because our Daniel is working on his breathing. Working on getting that heart rate down. Doing Olympic type feats like getting out of the bed, marching down the hall, dragging a pole, pumps, tank all while sporting a back flapping cotton gown. Always the edgy one in the family.The rest of the family are in their homes in Ohio, New York, Michigan, Illinois, Connecticut and Florida yet they are in contact continuously. Facebook, iPad, iPhone, instant messages: touch pads. We are letting the…
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Look Out The Window When Feeling Down
On the road again; travel has been a natural and neccessary part of our married life. Military called, Mom and Dad wanted to see us, siblings got married, nephews graduated, and the ever true PCS ruled.Time has passed, we retired, travel is still in our veins.I love it when travel is for vacation, or for MilitaryAvenue.com. Both have intrigue and still pull at the memories of military life.The last two trips have been to hospitals. Big hospitals far from home. Far from comfort, loving arms or scenic desires. Yet, outside those HUGE walls beauty exists.Ann Arbor hosts the U of M medical center. I do believe more cement has been…
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Week in Review: June 12 – 18, 2011 (Military News) #MilitaryMon
Popular Military Family Articles for the week of June 12 – 18 on MilitaryAvenue.comHow Did I Miss this Great Information Resource?: The USAA Educational Foundation: What do you know about the USAA Educational Foundation? I have been a USAA member for over 40 years and have to admit that I knew little about this non profit resource provider! They are totally separate from USAA since USAA donated a one time gift to establish the foundation and have completely separate missions, leadership and absolutely no ties for products or services, etc. With an opportunity to talk to Barbara Gentry, the President and Steve Finley, the Director of the USAA Educational Foundation,…
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A mom, a minivan and a road well travelled
Just a mom in a minivanMaking my way to MichiganBoys in the back, watching, playing, sleepingMe in the front, music on the stereo, jamming106 miles behind us. 142 miles to go.You know that feeling when summer camp is coming to an end?You will soon get to hug your mom again?I am so there!byLeanne KocsisonFriday, June 17, 2011Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestMilitary Life:Leanne,motherhood,travel
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The Heritage and History of Normandy in the Minds of Our Youth
My dad and father in law are both World War II veterans and are in their late 80s as are most veterans of that war. We share with them and have known their stories but what of those who were killed during the war? Their heritage was left on the beaches of Normandy, at Bastogne, Iowa Jima, over Ploesti, at Midway and other famous WW II battles sites. How do we keep their stories alive? Our children, grandchildren have interacted with those who lived and returned to become our leaders, teachers, steel workers, miners, industry giants and even movie actors. But what of those who died defending our freedoms? I…
