( A Different Christmas Poem )

( There's a smartass behind the cut. )

To the Military Wives...

I would like to recognize these often underestimated, unseen, and unheard heroes.

( Read more... )

( The Final Inspection )

Thomas William W., age 57 of O.H., Ohio passed away Wednesday, November 30, at OSU East Hospital in Columbus,Oh after his long battle with cancer. He was born Dec. 24, 1948 in Scioto County to the late William C. W. and Marie (O’Dell) W. of Standpipe Road, J., Ohio.

Tom is survived by his wife Sharon L. (E.) W. of O.H.; two sons, Christopher (Felicia) W. of O.H., Michael (Connie) W. of O.H.; four grandsons, Devon, Tyler, Zachary, and Jared; one granddaughter, Chelsea; brother, Robert (Angie) W. of Chillicothe; sister, Carol (Ray) B. of Dublin, Ohio; five nieces and 2 nephews, mother-in-law, Evelyn E. of O.H. and Aunt Muriel R. of O.H.; numerous relatives and a host of friends.

He was retired from Lucasville Penitentiary, former O.H. Police Officer, Paramedic with Southeastern Ohio E.M.S., a member of the M.J. Fire Department for 36 years, past member of the Village Council for 7 years and a member of the Sardis Presbyterian Church, a Parish Trustee and served as a Sunday School Superintendent.

Funeral services 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 3, 2005 at the K-L Funeral Home with Rev. Carson H. officiating burial to follow in C. Cemetery. Friends may call 2 to 8 p.m. Friday December 2, 2005 at the funeral home. The fire department will be conducting special services at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting contributions be made to, Sardis Presbyterian Church.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The service today was amazing.

During the funeral march, we had to go by the fire department. They had put a ladder truck on both sides of the road and crossed the ladders, with a flag draping down in the middle. The firemen were out all saluting as the cars went by and a guy was playing Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.

When we got to the cemetery, the bagpipes played again. The firemen, police, and EMS people all stood at attention while they carried the casket between them and the family walked between them as well. They presented his fire helmet to the boys and then they presented it to my aunt. They set off the fire pager tones (the ones they sound off when there's a fire run) and had a last call...MJ-23 gone, but never forgotten. The bagpipes played again and it was over.

Everybody is exhausted and basically drained. My aunt did it as quick as she could to get it over. But I understand and agree with her 200%. Now we can all get rested back up and try to move on with our lives. The grandkids are not dealing with it well at all. The oldest one is 12, and the youngest is 5. It's hard for them to understand and they feel like they've been cheated. I've been trying to spend as much time with them as I can, I know their parents are exhausted too.

Anyways, thank you all for praying for the family. The last hour or so he was alive was very hard, but he is gone now and he is at peace. He doesn't have to suffer anymore. He will be deeply missed. Noone will ever replace my Uncle Tom. He was an amazing man--he truly never will be forgotten. 

Monday:

Currently: 75°	Fair	High: 71°
		Low: 49°

Today:

Currently: 37°	Cloudy	High: 41°
		Low: 25°

Ohio Executes Man for Two Murders
By SARAH ANDERSON, Associated Press Writer
11 minutes ago

LUCASVILLE, Ohio - Ohio carried out the nation's 999th execution since 1977 on Tuesday, putting to death a man who strangled his mother-in-law while high on cocaine and later killed his 5-year-old stepdaughter to cover up the crime.

( Read more... )

Lucasville is about a 30-minute drive from my house.

IT'S SNOWING!!!!!!!!!!!