SAAM 2024

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the blog writter and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent.

The month of April is known as Sexual Assault Awareness Month around the world. It is during this month that often military Sexual Assault Prevention & Response (SAPR) Teams will host significant events to bring awareness to the subject of sexual assault and awareness. The 90th MW/SAPR Program is similar; the first part of the month for the SAPR team at F.E. Warren Air Force Base (FEW) comprised of advertising. Getting out amongst the people giving out business cards and candy at gates with the first sergeants or sitting at tables visiting with people during their lunches was all a big build-up for three major events dominating the talk on the installation.

Mayra Guillen from the #IamVanessaGuillen Foundation flew to Denver, Colorado, from Houston, Texas to speak to the men and women at FEW. I was privileged to pick her up and be her assistant and chauffeur for the day she was in Cheyenne. What a privilege to hear an amazing and strong woman talk about her sister, the tragedy that occurred, and what has since occurred in the SAPR world as a result of Vanessa’s needless death. Over 600 people packed the FEW theater to hear Mayra. FEW was the first military installation after Vanessa’s death to invite Mayra to speak and follow through, and we made sure to leave a lasting impression that we pray will leave her wanting to come back and compare all her other visits to this one. It is my hope, with the help of sponsors, that next year, for SAAM, we will be able to dedicate a bench at the front of the installation to Vanessa’s Guillen and the Start by Believing concept. Already we have seen the impact that this woman has made just at FEW.

SARC, Becki Burke and Marya Guillen

The theater was packed for Mayra Guillen

Following Mayra, we invited another impressive woman and survivor to teach at our gym on self-defense. Mrs. Sarah Falen-Tate is an impressive woman who is an attorney and advocate for our farmers and ranchers and teaches self-defense. Thanks to her daddy, who believed it essential for his children to learn self-defense Sarah was able to escape an attempt to kidnap, rape and assault her while she was out on a highway in Wyoming alone. She uses that knowledge to teach others how to be cognizant of their surroundings and, if necessary, the basic steps to escape if the need arises. This is the second year we have had Sarah at our installation, and she never fails to bring the heat. We look forward to her returning to teach more men and women at FEW.

Mrs Sarah Tate teaching self defense

Finally, the 26th of April arrived, and our team would make sure that the Annual SAPR 5K and Resource Fair finished the month with a bang. With only 52 people signed up to run and attend, we saw that the men and women at F.E. Warren Air Force Base would surprise us once again with over 100 people walking/running on a cold and blustery day, and then upon finishing heading to the Trails End for breakfast courtesy of the First Sergeants and coffee from Scooters Coffee and a wealth of information on self-care from the following organizations: SAPR, Chaplain Corp, the JA, Guard Prevention, Outdoor Recreation, Military One Source, 90/MW Prevention, Cheyenne Animal Shelter, Hands on Physical Therapy, Blue Federal Credit Union, Military One Sources, and many many men and women who assisted with set-up and tear down. We started with over ten tubs of swag to give out, and when we returned, we had less than two.

The conclusion of SAAM was amazing with more runners than anticipated and a fantastic resource fair.

April was an incredible month here at FEW. I look forward to seeing what Becki Burke, our new SARC, does with this program and how she takes it to new levels of trust and acceptance by both leadership and the men and women we serve.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2022!

Greetings and Salutations from the Miller Zoo!                                                         

2022 has been a fun year! So many changes and events have happened for Tim and me…we cannot wait to tell you about all we have done and experienced this year.

Initially, the year was slow to start, but in flew February with an announcement that our youngest daughter was engaged to be married – and “mom would you come to help me shop for wedding dresses?” Absolutely but it wouldn’t be until March that we would find that perfect dress. 

• February was an exciting month, and we welcomed another first…we got to meet Greg and Brianna-Lea’s daughter Inora Lynn and spend some quality time with all three of them. She is a delight, and spending a few hours with her and her parents was wonderful.

In March, so many events happen! At the beginning of the month, I was notified that I was under investigation for falsely answering information in my security clearance. Fortunately, good overcomes evil, and after several months of wondering and waiting, I was exonerated and placed back in good standing.

• Not only did I fly to Kansas City at the end of March to shop for dresses, but Tim and I had the opportunity to attend Buckles and Baubles with my OG team, where we outbid my commander on a picture that would later be returned to him as a parting gift for his change of command.

Over the entire year, our family enjoyed several tea(s), both as the four of us and just Faithe and I. It has become a monthly event that Faithe and I enjoy participating in.

May found so many changes…

• Volunteering at the Cheyenne Animal Shelter is a joy and a place I spent many hours over the summer and fall. I, unfortunately, haven’t been able to be there for a while due to injuring my knee.
• At the shelter, I found a new addition to our home and the Dell home:  Sir Pepper!
• Even under investigation, my OG team supported and believed in me. It was reflected in what they thought when I received the highest score an appraisal can receive.
• Moving the kids to Cheyenne and seeing Liam off to Vandenburg AFB, where he could do his 13N training.

June saw lots of endings and beginnings.

• At the beginning of the month, we celebrated a friend of Liam and Faithe’s while we photographed their wedding.
• Then we celebrated Codi with a bridal shower.
• Finally, we said goodbye to my first OG command:  Colonel Moore and Lt Col Hartfield, but hello to a new team in Colonel Nelson and Lt Col Vann. I have been vastly surprised at the differences in command over the last five years as I worked amongst these fantastic men and women.

July is always a busy month with CFD. So much of this time is spent volunteering for this significant event that highlights our past and present. So many miles were walked and run as we photographed, ushered, and ran in the parade. The month ended with our family signing up to join the CFD Military Committee – a real privilege after working alongside them for many, many years.

In August, Faithe and I started up Lunar Studios Photography again with more work photographing animals and group work – we enjoyed photographing families at the base – walking alongside animals at the shelter – and assisting 4H’rs perfect their work.  

• This was the month I would also agree to be a mentor for the Pine Bluffs MOPS program – something I hope I have helped with as much as they have helped me.
• This would also be the month we would enjoy a tour of more of the hidden side of my work and see what our Missileers do each and every day 

• But the most prominent event had us spending a week in an air BnB in Longmont as we prepared for and celebrated Nate and Codi’s love as they joined their families together in marriage.

Another busy month blew September in for the Millers. Not only would I be starting back into school, but Faithe and I would photograph several significant events and go to the 75^th Air Force Ball. The one thing Tim and I had for a first was with me being gone for nearly five days and him being home with critters. We both agreed that while it was great for me to spend that time with mom and Kari, our next trip would be together.

In October, Liam graduated and came home as the newest missileer to the 90^th Operations Group. It was so awesome to have the family back together. 

• This would also be the month we spent hours in the park gathering family pictures and just laughing a lot.
• An opportunity for application for a new job came up as well at the month’s close. While I was sure I would never leave the OG, I was not able to utilize my education as easily. Fortunately, after an interview, November would swoop in and show us the blessing of being selected as the first employed Victim’s Advocate at the 90^th Missile Wing. Around mid-December, it is the hope of many that I will move to my new job and begin helping those who have seen their voices silenced, speak again, and have their rights restored.

As we come to the end of the year, we are spending the holiday with Tim’s brother Brian and our girls and their families. I am volunteering as a key spouse so that our men and women in the missile field have a taste of home..and we are saying goodbye once again not only to my team as I move onto a new one but to our friend and colleague Bee as she moves onto a new assignment. The hardest thing about the military is the goodbyes…or see you later since we don’t know the next time we will see a person.

Well, that is our year in a brief nutshell…so many things that needed to be condensed down but that we wanted to share, and so much more we wish we could share but there just is not enough room or time before getting this out to each and every one of you.

Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Millers and The Zoo!

September/October Photo Drop and Thoughts

October ended with lots of love and laughter…we celebrated Liam’s first Halloween by dressing up and collecting candy – he was the extended warranty guy! We even decorated and carved pumpkins. As part of the festivities, we visited the base where we saw the Luttons, Nelsons, Carmean, and Buss. I even dressed up and let Ms. Tea decorate my nails more. However, there was so much more to October…

Check out the cool colors on my ankle due to a result of a fall from the 30^th or the tea we went to on the 29^th

I got a new dish set – something I have not gotten before

Liam has become my accountability partner – I am looking forward to going back to the gym with him

We advertised to do pictures this Saturday, but no one signed up

Then there is my little Bee hanging out

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“I am Groot!”

No matter where I go, I will always be a Jolly Rogers. In October, I applied for a position doing the work that I have been working towards in my education – today (11/04/2022), I interviewed and feel 99% certain I will be hired. I have mixed emotions about this as I love the 90^th Operations Group and struggle with leaving them… However, I want to think that I will leave an imprint on the lives I have encountered in a good way.

Wyoming showed her colors this year with a real fall spectacular showing. We saw those colors just days after when we saw silver flowers while doing family pictures.

My sweet Bee finds that lying down and loafing anywhere is good enough.

Tuhla and I went after the same ball; only when I went to kick, she went for the foot rather than the ball. Can you say ouch?

Not only has Wyoming shown all colors, but at the base, we have enjoyed a variety of animals, including this young coyote who appears at different times during the day. I was lucky to watch him for a while – he likes to dive headlong into the ground after rodents.

Check out one of the sweet shelter pups I enjoy each time I am at the Cheyenne Animal Shelter!

Birthdays…Teas…and Fur babies!

One of Liam’s requests after he came home, was to have a full tea at home…so the three of us had one and then enjoyed some time running errands. When we got home, the kids wanted to celebrate Tim’s birthday with a singing and exploding card.

Liam graduated from 13N school at Vandenburg Air Force Base

Pepper got to meet his dad

Enjoy a passel of kittens from the Cheyenne Animal Shelter above!

At the end of September, I traveled to Gillette to help move mom to Kansas City, MO, to live with my sister and brother-in-law. We enjoyed time traveling, unpacking, Holly time and time together. When I got home, I enjoyed time with my critters and an evening in the ER with my husband to learn how we do things like abdominal sprained muscles as we age.

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In September, we said goodbye to Chief Delgado – had another tea – went to see Codi – checked out a Sunday farmer’s market – did spring cleaning (check out Tuhla’s green nails!

September saw our first MOPS meeting in Pine Bluffs…And Faithe and I photographed the Cheyenne Marathon.

However, more important, it saw us celebrating the 75^th Anniversary of the United States Air Force. More time with the shelter photographing their Octoberfest

We said goodbye to the only queen I have ever known in my lifetime:  Queen Elizabeth II. Rest in Peace, Your Majesty!

Our yard is looking good – as are these pups who were adopted.

Codi and Nathan made it to Greece and took wedding pictures in their beautiful wedding attire. Moreover, my sweet husband celebrated our 5^th Wedding Anniversary with a beautiful bouquet for me

9/11

IN MEMORY OF ALL WE LOST, THE 21ST ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11

STATISTICS: Times of impact: 8:46 a.m. and 9:02 a.m. Time the burning towers stood: 56 minutes and 102 minutes. The time they took to fall: 12 seconds. 2819 dead from 115 different nations. 343 Firemen/ paramedics, 23 NYPD, and 37 Port Authority officers.

Pentagon: Time of impact: 9:37 a.m. Deaths: 189

Pennsylvania Field: Time of impact: 10:03 a.m. Deaths: 44

Total lost 2996+

These losses do not account for the thousands more who have died as a result of the toxins from that day after the fall of the towers or the Pentagon.

My memory I will never for as long as I live forget that day. Brian had just come home from working a midnight shift at the guard and was in bed when I got a call from my dad to turn on the television. The girls, who were in second grade, Kindergarten, and just a toddler, and I watched the second tower get hit, watched both fall, and watched the Pentagon get hit! My second grader and kindergartner knew this was not good and hung on every word while still trying to get ready for school.

And then the call came to wake Brian, his MSgt called saying he had to come back in and we did not know when he would be back. This was the first time we had ever considered as a guardsman he would go to war. This was the first time I truly understood in a new way what it meant to be a military wife. This was the first time that I realized what was stolen from our country and how much more we could lose.

My father wanted me to keep the kids home that day – our answer was to fight back against terrorism and send them to school.

All of this was occurring while knowing that Brian’s father-in-law was somewhere in Manhattan at one of the towers, which we did not know. It would be 24 hours before we would learn it took him all day to return to New Jersey and he was ok. When Tom died many years later I think most of us knew that he was another victim of the towers and the debris he breathed in as he walked home that day. Before Tom died I had cross-stitched him a piece that had the twin towers on it and a reminder that we would never forget – the look in his eyes said it all – a loss that was felt until the day he died.

Years later I am reminded of friends who have committed suicide, military members who have fought and lost more than life, and families who kept the home fires burning and yet lost too. As we come upon this day I encourage others to never forget. Remember this day, remember what it cost. Remember what it is still costing. Remember that the fight is not over, but it should not be against each other – brothers and sisters of this country. Do not let politics, religions, gender, class, or culture get in the way and make you forget that on 12 September 2001 we were ONE!

January a Month in Pictures

Someone has baby fever

cards of humanity with mamaw

turn out the lights…its too bright

I really miss you Mr. Regie…09 January 2021

Memories…Grandad and Nana would take us here every year…I don’t understand why people can’t still take their kids there.

I miss you my Spaz

Look who has claimed the bed

Tim and I’s new decorations…lighthouses

Faithe and Liv

The best dad with his girls

Reginald Christman – Mr. Reggie to Me

My heart is broken as a man who I looked up to, who loved with all he was, who called me daughter has left this earth way too soon. I have known Mr. Reggie for over thirty years, but only the last ten were as one of his kids. In 2015 my mom married Mr. Reggie and joined our family one last time for him. When he left this earth we all knew that family was one of the most important things to Mr. Reggie as he left behind his beautiful wife, Gloria, and seven children, 14 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. There is not one of us who did/does not love him and miss with with a deep and unimaginable sorrow.

Mr. Reggie always kept an amazing garden and yard, and made the best pancakes and bacon anywhere (guess all fireman really know how to cook), worked hard to serve those around him, and led by example. Some of my favorite stories with Mr. Reggie happened in his kitchen where there would be talk of “penis-butter” (peanut-butter) a joke that was captured by him, Mamaw and Faithe-Faithe full of grace; talk of karumpas with Codi-Rae, and sneaking ham bites to Champion. The day Mr. Reggie married my mom was one of the happiest days for our family – not only did they join in love their life, but us as a family.

Reginald Christman

Reginald Christman of Gillette, Wyoming was called Home on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper.

Reg was born in Sheldon, ND on March 12, 1938 to Edward and Hannah Christman. He joined three older brothers, Charles, Richard (Dick) and Warren. His childhood was spent on the family farm on the banks of the Red River in Ransom County ND.

Around 1948 the family moved to Casper. In 1957 Reg graduated from NCHS. During his high school years, he was active in ROTC. During that time, he worked as a sack boy at the Westridge Commissary. He also worked for Pacific Fruit and Produce.

After Graduation Reg worked for the Walter Schultz Distributing Company in Casper.

Reg joined the Wyoming National Guard and proudly served for nine years, attaining the rank of Sergeant.

On May 31, 1959 Reg married Valerie Hunter. They later divorced in 1989. From that union, 2 children were born, Lesa (Brian) Klein and David (Tonya) Christman. They gave him three grandchildren Adam (Kelsey) Rennick, Alesa (Eric) Stryker and Parker Christman, and 6 great-grandchildren.

In 1963 Reg joined the Casper Fire Department and after 23 incredible years he retired in 1985. During this time, he worked his way up to the rank of Division Chief. Reg loved being a fireman and all the friends he made during that time. Toward the end of his career, he had the honor of training the next generation in the skills to become firefighters.

Retirement didn’t mean rest for Reg. He painted houses and then went to work for Highland Park Community Church as a custodian.

On July 14, 1990 he married Wilma Cepel in Casper. She passed away on April 24th 2001. From this marriage Reg’s family grew with three children, LeAnne (Bozz) Bennett, Curtis Cepel and Bruce Cepel. There were three more grandchildren, JoLee (Jason) Krebs, Sarah (Dean) Scoggin and Stephanie Hobson and an additional 6 great-grandchildren.

Reg retired (again) from Highland Park and focused his time on family, fishing and his beloved garden. Many evenings were spent on his back deck watching deer, enjoying the natural beauty created by God and calling friends and family. “Don’t let your meat loaf and keep your powder dry” was a favorite saying for Reg.

On June 13, 2015 He married Gloria Solomon in Casper. From this marriage Reg’s family grew even more with two children, Kari (Larry) Skalicky and Tanya (Tim) Miller, five grandchildren Nic (Kat) Skalicky, Chris (Ashelie) Skalicky, Brianna (Greg) Green, Faithe (Liam) Dell and Codi Brown, and 5 great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death are his parents, brothers Charles and Warren, and Wilma.

He is survived and will be greatly missed by his wife Gloria, his brother Dick, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Reg’s memory to the Casper College Foundation for the Fire Science Program. 125 College Dr. 82601.

A Celebration Reg’s Life will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 1:00pm. Newcomer Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be limited seating in the chapel. A virtual feed will be available on the Newcomer website.

A reception will follow immediately following the service at the VFW, 1800 Bryan Stock Trail.

Private family internment will follow at a later date.

I love-a you Mr Reggie!

COVID19 Testing, the University, and AFROTC

If you don’t know me, you didn’t see this blog coming!  But if you do know me, you knew that eventually, I would voice my opinion about somethings that are going on.

Let’s start at the bottom of the title first.  All armed forces ROTC programs, except the Air Force, canceled their summer training due to COVID19.  The idea of field training for the Air Force was significantly reduced to where only a limited number of cadets were chosen to go; they were to be tested upon arrival, etc.  Here is the kicker, the expected students to have actually isolated from all others for 14 days before arrival, and then without supervision take the COVID19 test the right way in their dorm room upon arrival.  But we are dealing with young people who feel like if they test positive that a) it is no big deal because COVID19 is no worse than the bad flu, b) they don’t want to let down their wing-man back at their college, so they don’t do it right, or c) aren’t taking the testing seriously.  So we get hundreds of students into what eventually becomes a breeding ground, and COVID19 breaks out across the military campus.  And then students and cadet training assistants are allowed to return to the group because gee COVID19 is only contagious during specific periods…FALSE…

People are thought to be most contagious early in the course of their illness, when they are beginning to experience symptoms, especially if they are coughing and sneezing. But people with no symptoms can also spread the coronavirus to other people if they stand too close to them. In fact, people who are infected may be more likely to spread the illness if they are asymptomatic, or in the days before they develop symptoms, because they are less likely to be isolating or adopting behaviors designed to prevent spread.

Most people with coronavirus who have symptoms will no longer be contagious by 10 days after symptoms resolve. People who test positive for the virus but never develop symptoms over the following 10 days after testing are probably no longer contagious, but again there are documented exceptions. So some experts are still recommending 14 days of isolation.

In all reality, these cadets can be contagious from the days while they are asymptomatic to up to fourteen after the last of their symptoms. Still, by-golly let’s let them go out there before they have been symptom-free for any significant amount and time, and on top of that lets put them on an airplane and fly them home before they aren’t contagious.

AFROTC screwed up this year.  I don’t know if this was someone needing to earn a star or what, but field training should not have happened.  Our children, whether they are in utero or ninety-nine, are precious resources.  And who is the Air Force to decide that field training and their lives are an acceptable risk and that their potential careers in the Air Force are an acceptable risk?  Those who are already signed into the Air Force can have Tricare, and the VA takes care of them down the road. Still, if these kids get COVID19 and cannot commission and have issues that affect them the rest of their life there is no opportunity for the Air Force or VA to pay for their needs…as one officer put it they will just have to suck it up. Let me state that in my opinion what those in command at the Holmes Center for AETC are doing is nothing short of criminal.

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Point two…many students will be returning to colleges this fall, and if they are like the University of Wyoming, steps are being taken to try and mitigate a possible outbreak of COVID19 on campus.  For Wyoming, that means that students, staff and faculty must order their test fourteen days before school starts, do the test over a zoom call in front of a health care professional, mail it in, wait for the results while remaining away from campus to determine if they are COVID19 negative or positive.  So say I take my test tomorrow, and I get the results back Friday, that allows me to travel to the surrounding states, be exposed to every tom, dick and harry over the course of the next week and still get COVID19…why are we testing over fourteen days before school starts; and why are we expecting people won’t still come to campus with COVID19 after a negative test?  WOW someone thought this one through.

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Let’s go another step-down stupidity lane.  Now that the Air Force realizes what is going on, they have healthcare professionals test the students before they leave to return home.  COVID19 tests that the American tax dollar is paying for…but let’s get the students back and make them miss two weeks of in-person classes because we want them to take our test from VAULT.  Not a test from a doctor or the hospital, or the military, but let’s waste taxpayers’ money and make students, staff, and faculty use only the University’s test.  And here is one better, students or staff who will never step foot on campus must also take the test even though there is no risk to the University community. But it is ok to waste the money; I mean, after all, we can’t use it for something better like paying staff members a decent livable wage. Like those at the Holmes Center, I believe those in charge at the University of Wyoming are utilizing the budget they do have in a poor manner.

For those that know me. this is next thought is nothing new…I love my job working within AFROTC at the University of Wyoming…one might not believe so with how irate I am with both entities, but I do love working for Detachment 940 as it is the team and the students that make the job awesome.  And I do love the Air Force, as you will learn in an upcoming post, God has directed me to work with our military and I will be starting a new assignment at FE Warren AFB at the beginning of September.  I look forward to working with these men and women to help with the defense of our nation and

OK, there you go…COVID19, an election, and people just not thinking…2020 at its finest.

air force rotc

Let me start by saying I love the Air Force and being part of the AFROTC team. Let me also say this is my opinion only and not that necessarily of the Air Force or AFROTC as a collective. 

Every year students in the AFROTC program between their sophomore and junior year of college, with the exception of a select few travel to Maxwell AFB in Alabama for what is called field training. This is thousands of students. 

Each branch of the military that has ROTC does a similar summer program….Army, Navy, Marine Corp, Coast Guard and Air Force. All branches except the Air Force have cancelled their summer programs due to COVID19 this year. 

Students who are in ROTC, at least in the Air Force are not members yet of the Air Force thus are not treated the same. Some who are on scholarship are contracted as part of the individual ready reserves but again they are not held to the UCMJ either. 

This year the Air Force ROTC has decided to do a reduced field training but still have one. These students who attend will still fly from all over the world to participate in this program. The issue I have is there will be no quarantine of the helpers arriving now, the cost to bring the helpers has now increased because at the last minute they decided to make them arrive five days ahead of schedule (plane tickets were bought before this newest decision), and there is no plan in place for the future of students who may contract COVID19. 

Let’s break this down to my ultimate question…you are asking civilians who want to join the Air Force to go to another state where the mayor of the closest town has said there is no room in their hospitals, potentially be exposed and contract this virus. You then want them to be away from family, where if the virus gets ugly will not be near their sons and daughters to potentially say goodbye if they die. And to top it off after they get well you want to send them back where they may not now be allowed to join the Air Force because who knows if they can now pass a pulmonary function test because their lungs could have been damaged. And who knows what long term pulmonary issues they may have – who is gonna pay for that? Yep you guessed it right, they are up a creek without a paddle because the Air Force isn’t going to pay for it.

The Air Force will let their active duty members who may contract the disease to remain in the service and will for the rest of their lives pay for any care related to COVID19.  On top of that to protect those active duty members they are going to let them work from home if that is possible, but not the future generation of students who are to commission.  The comment made by a higher up when asked what the Air Force’s plan to take care of these cadets if they get sick was they would just have to suck it up.

Well I am sick and tired of hearing that our cadets can have the benefits and train in the military but they cannot be treated with the care of our active duty members should they be released from ROTC because of the Air Force’s misstep

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QUIZ TIME – TIME CHANGES THINGS

I took this quiz originally on 31 May 2016, four years ago.  Things have definitely changed in my life since this time.  I am leaving the original answers from four years ago and putting in my new answers below them in green if things have changed or I want to ad lib…where have you changed in the last four to five years?

A – Accidents

01. Have you ever been in a car accident? MULTIPLE, AND I PAY FOR THEM TO THIS DAY

In the last four years I have been involved in one more that has really taken its toll on my anxiety when driving.  But all of the accidents singularly and jointly have left their impact on my body.

02. Do you have a lot of scars? FIVE

Seven – Three from my emergency gall-bladder surgery, two from my hysterectomy, one on my knee from when I was little, and one from a stupid bet with my dad

03. Have you ever been in a fist fight with someone? YES

I want to add that this was when I was in junior high and it was in defense of someone I love.

04. Have you ever seriously hurt anyone by mistake? YES, AND I AM STILL TRYING TO MAKE AMENDS

I do not believe there is ever a time we as humans will live and not by accident or purpose not hurt someone.  I have hurt some family members deeply and have asked for forgiveness.  I now leave it in their hands.

05. Have you ever had stitches? Where? YES, INTERNALLY

Both inside and out.

B – Beauty

06. Do you consider yourself beautiful? I DON’T KNOW

My mom always used to say I had a stunning beauty; sometimes I see it and know what she was talking about.   What I do know is that I was chosen, redeemed and am a child of God and that is what matters.

07. Are you self-conscious of how you look? VERY MUCH SO

Shortly after I gave birth to my second child I stayed in sweats, didn’t do my make-up or hair….and yes when I am sick I still do that, but I learned from my mom during that time that how we feel on the outside can also reflect on our mental health.  So when I get up in the morning I try to get dressed, even if only into leggings and a cute top, do something with my hair and put on the bare minimum of make-up a least.

08. Do you put on a lot of makeup? DEPENDS ON WHAT I AM DOING

I can honestly say no.  On a day when I am just going out of the house in a ball cap I am likely to put on some foundation so I don’t burn when outside and eyeliner.  Today…I put on foundation, eye shadow, liner and blush.  I rarely if ever wear lipstick.  But it is all applied very modestly and is never caked on.

09. Would you ever consider getting plastic surgery? NO

I think if the opportunity presented itself and it was the right thing to do I may consider it. 

10. What do you think makes a person beautiful? BEAUTY ISN’T ABOUT JUST WHAT IS ON THE OUTSIDE…

I still firmly believe that true beauty starts on the inside and then may manifest itself to the outside. Something I notice about people tends to be their eyes.

C – Consequences

11. What was the longest amount of time you’ve been grounded for? I NEVER GOT GROUNDED…

12. What would you do if you got pregnant, keep it or have an abortion? I DON’T BELIEVE IN ABORTION

13. Do you ever think about how your actions affect other people? YES, ALL THE TIME

More today than every before I think about consequences and how my actions will affect those around me.  I often find myself asking God to guard my words so that when they come out of my mouth they will not do harm.

14. What do you think is the worst punishment someone could give you? TO BE BEATEN VERBALLY – TAKES LONGER TO HEAL FROM THIS THAN PHYSICALLY

I am working on my Master of Arts in Human Service Counseling with an emphasis in trauma and crisis.  One of the things I have learned – that I think I knew already – is that physical scars heal much easier than mental and spiritual ones do.  There is an old adage that goes “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me,” boy did someone get that wrong!

15. What is one thing you wish you didn’t do, just because it wasn’t worth it in the end? WHAT IF’S DON’T DO ANYONE ANY GOOD

There are always going to be regrets in life…whether we use them to learn and move forward is what matters.  I still believe what if’s do nothing but cause havoc and hurt to the present.

D – Dealing

16. When you are mad at someone, how do you show them? I GET VERY QUIET

I yell when I am madder than a wet hen.  It is something I did when my kids were little and something I do now when I have a big fight.  With that said, I don’t get mad…I get hurt and when I do I get quiet and reserved.  Not because I am trying to isolate, but because I have learned that when those times happen prayer is my weapon of choice.

17. Name a time when you had to be strong. WHEN HAVEN’T I

I honestly cannot think of one time when I was not either expected by myself or others to be strong no matter what.  I have learned though that my Creator is the one who is strong…I have to give it to him.

18. Have you ever dealt with a divorce or parents fighting? Any kind of abuse at home? YES

19. When people at school don’t accept you, or have problems with you, how do you react? I TEND TO JUST INTERNALIZE

I think to a degree I may still do this, but my attitude has also changed some.  When I was in K-12 I would internalize the lack of acceptance and pain it caused, and generally went off on my own.  Today, my attitude is, it is your loss.  But there is still some hurt from a lack of acceptance.

20. Have you ever lost someone to death? Explain how you got through it. I HAVE LOST SEVERAL GRANDPARENTS, AND KATHERHYN…YOU JUST GRIEVE AND EVENTUALLY WHILE YOU DON’T FORGET YOU START LIVING AGAIN

E – Experience

21. Have you ever had a job? Any volunteer jobs? I HAVE BEEN WORKING SINCE I WAS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. I AM CURRENTLY THE CIRCULATION MANAGER FOR A NEWSPAPER. AND I HAVE DONE A LOT OF VOLUNTEER WORK OVER THE YEARS. CAN’T WAIT TILL THE DAY I CAN DO THAT AGAIN.

I currently work at the University of Wyoming as the AFROTC-UW Liaison.  I love my job and love being part of these young people’s lives.  I long for the day the Lord leads me to the job of my heart and allows me to return to volunteering.

22. Do you think that you are sexually experienced, or not at all? NOPE

NYOB

23. Have you gone through a lot emotionally, or has life been easy thus far? I HAVE HAD MY SHARE OF ISSUES

My new answer to this is Jesus carries me more times than not, both in the past and currently.  My relationship with him is no longer just long, but very deep.

24. Do you think you are ready to be on your own (have your own home, job, etc.)? I AM NOT SURE ANYONE IS EVER ENTIRELY READY TO BE ON THEIR OWN

I am a realist in that I know if something happen to my husband today, and I had to be in a home by myself, and doing life on my own I could do it.  But I would never be entirely alone.  I would have the support of family to see me through the dark times, and I would spend a lot of time with Abba.

25. How old do you act? MY AGE

I have had a lot of people that say while I do not look my age, I act much older than I am.

F – Family

26. Is there anyone in your family you don’t talk to? Why? YES, FOR REASONS OF SAFETY

This answer has not changed in why I do not talk to some, but it has also had an addendum added to it, in I have family that chooses not to talk to me any longer and I mourn daily for that relationship.

27. If you had to choose, family or friends? MANY WOULD SAY BLOOD BEFORE WATER, BUT I THINK THIS IS NOT AN EITHER/OR ANSWER

I was raised by what people term my step-mom.  She has never been my step-mom and never will be…she is MY MOM.  She is not blood, but I would choose her every day, and many times it has been over blood.

28. Can you tell your parents or one of your parents anything? NO

I believe there are things we neither share with our parents or our children.  One of my best friends is my daughter – when they grow up the relationship becomes vastly different – and I share much with her.

29. Do you have any siblings? If so, do you ever get jealous of them? I HAVE THREE – TWO BROTHERS AND A SISTER

I wish I had good relationships with them.

30. How often do you spend ‘quality time’ with family members? AS OFTEN AS I CAN

Not as often as I would like, but I do try and get cards out or a text message out to them.  I am not someone who likes to talk on the phone a lot, so I resort to the old fashioned letter.

G – Growing

31. How tall are you? How tall do you wish you were? 5.2, AND I AM PERFECT AT THIS HEIGHT

So for whatever reason I was measured at 5’3 recently.  That is growth, which is unusual at my age.  While I have always liked my height, I would not mind seeing a few more inches so my husband does not have to bend over or I stretch so far to get a kiss, especially as we age. There is a 16 inch difference in height between the two of us.

32. Do you think that you have grown more in the past year than any year before that? YES

I thought there was growth four years ago, but it was not the right kind of growth.  Here we are four years later and I have grown in so many ways…academically, physically, and most important spiritually.  Since COVID19 and having to be quarantined in my own home my relationship with my God has grown in ways I could never explain.  I rely on this relationship in a way I have never before done.  No longer is it just about knowing who God is, but knowing Abba intimately. 

33. As a person, do you think you are mature for your age or still act: MATURE

34. Are you scared to think that one day you will turn 30, then 40, then 50? NOPE

When I was younger I never was happy at the age I was…always wanted to be a little older.  I have no problem saying today I am 45 years of age.  Many think I do not look like I am in my forties, and I chalk that up to good genes and taking care of myself.  I also have others who say I act many years older than I am.  For me, I am OK with where I am with my age, and growing older no longer scares me the way I thought it might.

35. Do you believe you still have a lot to learn? WE HAVE THINGS TO LEARN EVERY DAY

My daughter says I am a professional student.  In the last five years I have earned a bachelor of science, a master of science and by December will have earned a master of arts.  I really would like to say I am done, but I would like to move to that final step and get my doctorate, but we will see what the Lord impresses upon my heart.  Either way I will never stop learning.

H – Hope

36. Love – real or not? REAL

37. Are you a pessimist of an optimist?

I am an optimist.  I will always believe that people are better, or give the benefit of the doubt.

38. Do you believe in fate, that everything happens for a reason, or do you think that our actions lead the way? I BELIEVE THAT WE CHOOSE THE FROM THE OPTIONS THAT GOD GIVE US

I do not believe it fate.  With that said…in Psalm 139 it says that God knows what we will do, what we will say, where we will go before we even do it.  But he knows that because he is the Alpha and Omega, and still says while I know what you’re going to do I let you make the choice. 

39. Do you think that after we die our spirit goes on? YES

Yes, but we choose where it will go after we leave this earth, by whether we choose Jesus or ourselves. 

40. What gives you hope when you just feel like dying? REALLY DEPENDS ON WHAT I AM DYING FROM

My hope is in Jesus and NO ONE can steal that from me.

I – Issues

41. Do you suffer from depression or constant sadness/loneliness? I HAVE DEPRESSIVE ISSUES BECAUSE OF MY PHYSICAL HEALTH

Because of some physical disabilities I have struggled with depression and anxiety.  I am since learned to deal with those issues in a natural and healthy way. 

42. Do you have any type of disease or disability? FIBROMYALGIA AND EARLY ONSET OF PARKINSON’S

I am in as close as can be a remission with both.  I chose five years ago to get off of all the big pharma drugs that in my opinion led to more trouble than good and use exercise, diet, and essential oils to feel better.

43. Are you currently in a hard relationship or have bad luck with the opposite sex? NOT A YES OR NO QUESTION

No relationship is easy.  Every relationship will  have hills and valleys and that is OK because it allows a person to grow both individually and together.

44. Do you think that you are alone in this world? I HAVE FELT THAT WAY BEFORE

I will never be alone.  No matter where I am I will always have family and my relationship with Abba.

45. How often do you think about death, suicide or running away?

The thought of death usually comes when I see loved ones and friends pass on.  On 29 May 2020 Grandpa Ola Campbell passed away at the age of 99 years…he was greeted in heaven with well done good and faithful servant.  I cannot wait for the day when I get to hear those words and sit at the feet of Jesus and know the trials and tribulations of this earth have passed. 

J – Jokes

46. Say a word or phrase that would not be funny to anyone but you & one of your friends (an inside joke) MOOSE

47. Are you usually the one who makes people laugh, Or the other way around? DEPENDS ON THE SITUATION

48. Do you cry when you laugh hard? SOMETIMES

49. Write down a hilarious moment you had with someone that makes you laugh to this day! I DON’T KNOW

Tim and I like to do things to “scare” each other, and see who gets the last laugh.  Saturday when he came home I was so absorbed in homework that neither I or Tuhla heard him until he was upstairs and coming into the hallway. Scared the dickens out of me, but boy did we laugh.

50. Do you ever get in trouble for laughing or talking a lot during class? NOPE I WAS QUIET

K – Knowledge

51. The purpose of school: to learn, to cause trouble or to hang out with friends? TO LEARN

52. Do people refer to you as smart, dumb, or average? SMART

Well at least my husband and kids refer to me this way.

53. What was the highest grade you have received (full course mark) ever? A+

54. What was your last average? This year would you like to maintain it or aim higher? 4.0, AND MAINTAIN

When I graduated with my Master of Science I did so with a 3.9.  This degree seems to be harder for me, so I will likely finish with a 3.2 and will be just as happy as I did my best.

55. What do you find the most interesting subject to be (to study or to talk about)? CRIMINAL JUSTICE

I still love to learn about the criminal justice system, but I have altered the route and what I learn about to help victims, those dealing in trauma.  So on an academic front I love to study counseling.  But just for me, I find that I am daily learning and desiring to learn about Abba.

L – Love

56. Are you currently in love? If not, have you been before? I AM DEEPLY IN LOVE

57. Do people around you show you a lot of love (tell you they love you, hug you, kiss you, etc.)? SOME DO

58. Is love worth it? I LOVE DEEPLY, UNCONDITIONALLY, AND WITH AN INTENSITY THAT SOMETIMES GETS ME IN TROUBLE

Love should never hurt, but sometimes it does. God so loved us that he sent his only son to die for us….that is the kind of love I want to always show…unconditional no matter the pain it causes.  Thank God he would never ask us to make the same kind of sacrifice as he did for us.

59. Do you hate it when girls in their young teenage years say they ‘love’ someone that they’ve been dating for a few months? NO

Love comes in many sizes, shapes, and colors.  Who am I to say they have no idea what love is.

60. Does it take a lot for you to say you love someone, or is it just a word? I AM VERY CAREFUL WHO I SAY IT TO

M – Money

61. Do you believe that money makes the world go round? NO

For where we lay up our treasures up here on earth, so will they be in heaven….my treasures are not monetary.

62. Is your family on the poor side, average, or above average when it comes to money? WOULDN’T YOU LIKE TO KNOW

I have family that are much better off than others.  But really I have quit looking at their checking account to see where they are, but rather where relationships, hearts, etc are.  I have family that are far wealthier than others, and yet have nothing in their bank account.

63. Are you saving up for college/university, or planning to? I AM CURRENTLY IN COLLEGE AND RELY ON GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND LOANS

64. Would you rather win millions of dollars & be set for life, or find the perfect person to marry & start a family with? WHY CAN’T I HAVE BOTH

I am blessed to have marriage and family.  And while we are not always where we want to be financially it could be worse.  With that said…I would like to be much further ahead than we are right now, and have some very strong regrets about past financial decisions.

65. On a scale of 1-10, how important is money to you? YES, WILLIAM WITH THE PIGS, WITH THE PIGS

N – Naughty

66. Are you a virgin? I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN…WHAT DO YOU THINK

67. What do you think about doing sexual things with someone you’re not going out with? NOT HAPPENING

68. Do you know anybody you consider a ’slut’? What makes you say that? NO

69. If you could, would you erase some things you did in the past or make it so you did more? ABSOLUTELY

This goes back to what ifs and looking back.  I cannot change those decisions so rather than regretting and wishing them away I choose to learn and help others.

70. Do you consider yourself nicer or more naughty? You can’t say both! NICE

O – Openness

71. How long does it take for you to open up to someone? BECAUSE I OPEN MYSELF UP ENTIRELY I TEND TO GET HURT EASIER

I have stopped opening myself up entirely.  I choose who receives a little and who receives a lot.  I rely heavily on that still small voice to tell me who I give what to.

72. What does it take for you to fully trust someone? I DON’T KNOW

73. Are you generally untrusting towards people because of past experiences, or any other reason? I TEND TO GO WITH MY GUT ABOUT PEOPLE AND HOW I WILL TRUST THEM

To go with one’s gut means we aren’t relying on the one who created us.  I rely on Sarayu – also known as the holy spirit – the Bible describes the Holy Spirit as breath or the wind.

74. When are you comfortable with someone sexually? I DON’T KNOW, IT IS A FEELING

When I am married.

75. When it comes to parents and close friends, what’s the limit of what you can tell them? DEPENDS ON WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT

As I mentioned before there are just somethings I do not tell my parents.  This is their time not to worry about the trials and tribulations that face me, but for me to worry over them.  I have learned as my children have progressed into adulthood my relationship has changed immensely with them and I tend to share much, much more with them.

P – Positive

76. Have you ever had an experience with someone that didn’t necessarily end positively? If so, would you rather erase the memory of that person because of the sad times or keep the memory of that person because of the good times? I MET A FRIEND THAT BECAME A BOYFRIEND WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL…HE WAS A FULL BLOODED NATIVE AMERICAN. MY FATHER WAS COMPLETELY OPPOSED TO ME HAVING ANYTHING TO DO WITH HIM, BECAUSE OF HIS RACE…I REGRET NOT STANDING UP TO MY DAD. I REGRET I NEVER KEPT IN TOUCH. TO THIS DAY I CAN STILL SEE HIM, AND CERTAIN SMELLS REMIND ME OF HIM.

I would never erase memories.  I have never erased the memories of this young man, because there were many great ones.

77. Do you agree with the saying: better to have loved and lost than not have loved at all? YES

78. Are you more optimistic or pessimistic? What do you try to be? I TRY TO BE OPTIMISTIC, BUT I THINK LATELY PESSIMISM HAS TAKEN HOLD

I am optimistic.  I believe all have good and I look for that rather than the bad.

79. Do you agree that something good can come out of everything? YES

I have a cadet who had a terrible health issue arise.  She was hospitalized and was not expected to live.  The prognosis was grim and hope was dashed for many.  But the prayer warriors kicked in and now she is expected to walk out of her hospital room the first of August.  God will use anything and everything for his glory.

80. Have you ever had a time where something really bad happened, but something really good happened because of it? If so, please explain what it was: YES, AND I WON’T EXPLAIN

Q – Questions

81. When faced with a problem, do you ask for help or try to figure it out yourself? DEPENDS ON THE PROBLEM

It really depends upon the problem.  More and more for things that are mental and spiritual in nature I seek counsel.  I am aware of my limitations physically and have more than once gone to my work team for things at work, and my kids during the week for things at home.  I do try and do for myself first, but realize there is nothing wrong with asking for help.

82. Do you often question the world and how we came about? What are some things you would like to know about creation? NOPE

I do not ask these questions as my worldview is very clear.  I am a Christian, and I know who my creator is, and what-not.  Does that mean I don’t have questions…absolutely not and I look forward to the day I get to ask Abba…if they are still important.

83. Do you think the government is truthful? If you could ask the president one question, what would it be? NO I DO NOT THINK THE GOVERNMENT IS ALWAYS TRUTHFUL. AND ONE QUESTION…I DON’T KNOW THAT I COULD NARROW IT DOWN TO ONE

I think the government is not entirely transparent, and on somethings cannot be.  Are there things they need to be more transparent on?  Absolutely, but I also believe that we as citizens have a responsibility to hold accountable our elected and appointed officials and that the citizens of this country are entirely too lazy and would rather be keyboard warriors than actually get up and do something.

84. When someone does something wrong to you, do you confront them and ask them why they did it or just let it go? IT REALLY DEPENDS ON WHAT WAS DONE TO ME. I GENERALLY ONLY CONFRONT IF IT IS SOMETHING REALLY BAD

Because of my past I am careful to confront.  I have confronted in the past and the pain and problems it created were worse.

85. What is one unsolved mystery about the world that you want answers to? WHY?

Why did you allow us to have free will?

R – Respect

86. How do you show respect? DEPENDS ON WHO I AM SHOWING IT TO

87. What can someone do for you to lose all respect for them? LIE TO ME; KEEP THINGS FROM ME; HIDE FROM ME

88. Do you respect your teachers, parents, and other authority figures? GENERALLY, YES

I respect the position they are in, not always the person in the position.

89. When you are disrespectful to your parents, what is the punishment? I AM A GROWN ADULT, TRY NOT TO BE DISRESPECTFUL

90. If someone is mean to you, are you mean back or do you kill them with kindness? I AM NEITHER MEAN OR KIND

I admit my first fleshly response is to pay back action with action, but I have become more self-aware and try to stop the reactions while still in my head and pray instead for them.

S – School

91. If you are still in school, what grade will you be going into? I AM PURSUING MY MASTERS DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE

I am now pursuing my masters degree in Human Services Counseling.

92. When will you graduate high school/college? 2017 HOPEFULLY

I graduated in 2017 with my bachelor’s degree, in 2019 with my first master’s and will finish in December 2020, but graduate in May 2021.

93. After high school, what did you do/are you planning to do? AFTER I GRADUATED I GOT MARRIED AND HAS CHILDREN

So much has happen since I graduated from high school.  Ultimately I plan to counsel those in crisis and trauma with the military when I grow up.

94. Do you like or hate school? What do you like/hate about it? I LOVE THAT I AM LEARNING

95. Have you ever been suspended, expelled, or dropped out of school? NO

T – Temptation

96. Have you ever done something wrong, knowing it was wrong, because something inside of you said it was okay? NO

Yes, and I do have regrets, but again we know what I think about what ifs.

97. Has anyone ever pressured you to smoke or drink? Did you do it? NO

98. Did you ever cheat on someone? Why did you do it? NO

Lets just leave it at this…I am a David.

99. Did you ever want to do something sexual with someone you didn’t really know or love? What did you end up doing? NO

100. Do you give in to temptation easily, or are you more independent and strong willed? STRONG WILLED

I am so strong-willed at somethings, and weak in so many other things.

U – Unique

102. Do you do a lot of things because your friends are doing it? NO

103. Do you follow trends, wear whatever you want, or wear really unique pieces? I HAVE A SPECIFIC STYLE I HAVE PRETTY MUCH ALWAYS WORN

As I get older I see that I stick to what is both comfortable when I am not showing my professional self, and more classic for the professional or formal side of life.

104. Do you give in easily to peer pressure? Do you do things such as smoke, drink, or have casual sex? NO, NO TO ALL OF THOSE

105. What makes you different from people your age? I WOULD LIKE TO SAY EXPERIENCE, BUT WHAT I THINK IS DIFFERENT MAY NOT BE

As I look at where people my own age are I really cannot say as I do not have a lot of friends that are my own age.  I am very choosing about friends and the few I truly count as close friends share the same love of the Lord as I do.

V – Value

106. What’s the most expensive thing in your room? ELECTRONICS

107. What’s more valuable: your life or the lives of your loved ones? Would you sacrifice your life for other people? I WOULD GLADLY SACRIFICE MY LIFE FOR OTHERS AND HAVE ON AN EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL LEVEL

I mentioned above that I do not have any problem with sacrificing myself for those I love.  Now when I say sacrifice I do not mean my emotions, my heart

108. What is something you value not because it cost a lot, but because it means a lot to you? SPECIFIC PIECES OF JEWELRY

I still value certain pieces of jewelry, but I also have things like my Grandad’s old shirt, my Christmas spider from Brianna, certain Native items that have been customized for me.

109. If there was a fire in your house/apartment, what is the first thing you would grab? IF I HAD ALL MY ANIMALS AND LOVED ONES IT WOULD BE PHOTOS

There is nothing that cannot be replaced, but likely it would be my Bible and prayer journal.  If more time allotted it would be computers, and hard-drives.

110. Do you think past memories and experiences are more valuable than what could possibly happen in the future? I THINK OUR PAST REFLECTS WHAT OUR FUTURE WILL BE LIKE

I think there is nothing that can replace past memories and experiences, but I do think that should not stop a person from making new ones that are just as important.

W – Wishes

111. If you had three wishes, what would they be? PEACE WITH MY CHILDREN, SUPPORT FOR MY LIFE, FINANCIAL STABILITY

Peace with my children, financial security for my husband and I, a place to put down roots where we both could be happy.

112. Would you rather wish yourself to be happy, or your loved ones? LOVED ONES

113. Do you believe that wishes come true if you really believe in them? I BELIEVE THAT WE MAKE OUR WISHES COME TRUE WITH HARD WORK AND PRAYER

114. Have you ever had a wish come true? If so, what was that wish? YES

115. Do you find wishing for things a waste of time because everything that’s meant to happen, will happen? NO

Y – You

121. Are you more independent or social? INDEPENDENT

122. What is something that makes you very mad when you see it? ABUSE

123. Do you think that you have potential to do great things? YES

124. What kind of person would you be if you didn’t have guidance from family members, God, teachers, etc.? Do you think people are born a certain way, or develop their personalities based on what they go through in life? I THINK I WOULD BE A STATISTIC IN THE GUTTER

I do believe that people develop into who they are as they go through life and are exposed to faith, family, and experience.  Some mental health diseases it is suggested can be hereditary or caused by errors in the brain…I believe we are born perfect and time and exposure to things change the brain.

125. Do you think people are generally good? WE ARE ALL SINNERS AND HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR EVIL

Z – Zest

126. Are you currently happy with your life? Why or why not? YES, MOSTLY

I am happy with where I am, and what I do.  I do have a dream for my job, and I have a need to live in the same town and same home with my husband.  My dream is to move home to Cheyenne and be working with the military.

128. When change occurs, do you get scared or are you excited for it? DEPENDS ON THE CHANGE

It really depends on the change.  Recently we had change that involved being victimized by “who we do not know” when our truck was vandalized and broke into.  The entire week I was a nervous wreck.  As the week progressed and I buried myself more and more in prayer I found peace.  I get excited over change that involves things like a new job, and new environments.

129. Do you like to try new things, meet new people? YES

130. What is the most motivational thing in the world? GOD, MY LOVE, MY CHILDREN

May 25, 2020…Memorial Day

Memorial Day is an American holiday observed the last Monday of May each year that honors the men and women who have died while serving in the United States military.  This year that day will fall on 25 May 2020.  Memorial Day did not become an official holiday until 1971.  Prior to that it was observed as Decoration Day following the Civil War.

Memorial Day is celebrated with bar-b-cues and other such events, but for those who know the true meaning it is honoring those soldiers by decorating graves, and holding remembrances in the cemeteries to let them know the are gone but not forgotten.

Memorial Day, as Decoration Day gradually came to be known, originally honored only those lost while fighting in the Civil War. But during World War I the United States found itself embroiled in another major conflict, and the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars, including World War II, The Vietnam War, The Korean War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

While many think this is a time to thank all veterans, it is not.  Memorial Day is only for those who served and lost their lives while serving.  Veteran’s Day is the opportunity for thanks to our veterans and those serving whether living or passed on.

With the tradition of Memorial comes many visuals that are part of that day to include flags along streets, poppies worn by those visiting cemeteries.  The history of the poppy being part of Memorial Day dates back to World War I.  The original poem by John McCrae who served overseas during WWI speaks to the poppies that grew over the graves of the fallen.  In 1918 Moina Michael wrote We Shall Keep the Faith as a continuation of In Flanders Fields thus bringing to life the idea of remembering those with the red poppy.

“In Flanders Fields”

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

“We Shall Keep the Faith”

by Moina Michael, November 1918

Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,
Sleep sweet – to rise anew!
We caught the torch you threw
And holding high, we keep the Faith
With All who died.

We cherish, too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led;
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a lustre to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders Fields.

And now the Torch and Poppy Red
We wear in honor of our dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
We’ll teach the lesson that ye wrought
In Flanders Fields.

This Memorial Day, and the last one for our family we will bring the United States flag in Prexy’s Pasture at the University of Wyoming down to half-staff at sunrise and raise it back to full staff at noon in honor of our men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for this country.

I invite you to take a moment on Monday and through the weekend to remember the men and women who make it possible for you to have the freedoms you do today.