Old friends visit pre mission

We were in Cedar city visiting our daughter Denise and I called Wilbur Jennings in Hurricane and visited , reminising about old times and Wilbur was good enough to suggest a little social get together and talk about old times.

We were overjoyed to have him make this suggestion because I had not seen many of our old HHS classmates for years and Joyce had never met them and was desirous to know who I talk about. After several emails by Wilbur it was settled that we would get together at their home in Hurricane on Saturday the 9th of August just after we left the MTC in Provo.

We had a glorious visit at least in our eyes. We had a great meal and talked for a couple of hours about the many escapades we had during our high school days and times at BYU where Wilbur, Ken, Don and I lived together at various times. .

It was so much fun talking about our track meets on Sunday afternoon with Norman, Thell, Norman B, Jack S, Larry R and others. Norman you always had a knack of wanting more explanation and thinking deeply about things. Of course we all loved your Dad as most of us had him as a teacher in 5th grade. I remember him asking me to draw a big map of South America and having it to scale, I think that one thing made me a better person and have more self worth. Colleen, we hope we can get together and get to know you better.

Then breaking down the fence with Ruby and her trying to steal my teeth. Wilbur trying to get me in a chess game but after a few times I was too smart to try to compete with him in a thinking game. We still do not know what happened to Elena our Spanish teacher, she was a beautiful Spaniard from Argentina and we were all smitten by her.

As to Ken, we served in the AF OSI together but never together. Virginia we hope we can get to know you better. As Ken and I grew up together about 1 1/2 blocks apart, I remember the many Rubber Gun battles we had as kids and then living on Cedar Avenue, with a Floridian and a Wisconsinite with us Utah kids was fun.

The great times Donald and I had playing tennis in the state meet. We never did get the money back from the telephone bill run up by a renegade roommate from Barstow California. Actually Don, I went to see him when I first entered the Air Force and he would not even do anything face to face. When Donald left BYU to go to Dixie, supposedly to play basketball but we knew there was a pull by the name of Joyce that we recognized.

Who could ever forget that rascal Glade and his antics that could make you laugh even if you were sad. Can't you see that in this picture. He looks like the cat that got the canary and you wonder what he is planning as a surprise. Laurelle, you have a great catch in that guy. After High School when I came back to Hurricane I could always get together with Bunney, Ruby and have a good time.

I had long talks with Nellie and Luzon the next day and wish they could have been with us. Tried to call Lorene but not home so left a message. Missed Kent and would like to have seen him, been almost 10 years since our 50th reunion from HHS and we will still be on our mission when #60 comes next year. Problem is that each year it seems we lose some of us.

My Nephew Ray was able to be there for a while but Carol was not feeling well and we missed her.

Ahh, the Golden Years, what memories!!!!s

Servicemen's Linger Longer Social October 19, 2008

Here Joyce is on one of her baking days, making more cookies. This week only 18 dozen were in the oven, then in the frig. Very tempting to two dieting Senior Missionaries, but we persevered and kept the extra temptations at bay, sort of.

Well, the day has finally come, time for the cookies and milk. Why? you may ask.

Number one it is now traditional with our group here at Ft. Sill, and we do need some traditions, right? This is a wonderful one, the soldiers who are in basic training are not allowed off base and have very little free time to "squander". They are virtually under the nose of their Drill Sargeant, and on Sunday if they are attending Church they have only their battle buddies and of course our leadership to supervise their actions.

The basic trainees are young (and not so young) men who have determined to spend time serving our country in these difficult times. Like any young man they would probably enjoy doing other things than the rigorous training that the Army puts them through, but after the 9 weeks are over they can truely say "I am an American Soldier".(see our last post on graduation if you missed this event, it is precious).

One of the things we enjoy doing to help with morale is the social hour (actually it is only one-half hour). We provide refreshments in the form of Cookies and milk, and time to just be themselves. Take a peek at the following video and see what I mean.

Elder Woodbury pouring milk at the Cookie table

The effort of providing over 35 dozen cookies and 6 gallons of milk was one of the larger tasks we have had to do so far on our mission. It all comes down to delegation, the sweet sisters of two wards are to be congratulated for their service and help. A BIG THANKYOU goes out to all who had a part in making this possible.

We so enjoy our service here in this part of the Lord's vineyard, we are keeping busy with teaching the Institute class on Wednesday evenings and even though the class is sparce at present we know it will grow. We are becoming more acquainted with our surroundings and they are so interesting, in Lawton there is a park near the Museum and it is inhabited by many family groups of Prairie Dogs. A very interesting walking area is paved and meanders through their village. When you approach one of their burrows the dominant adult will sit halfway out and signal a warning to all in the area that there is a danger present. It is just fascinating to watch the young ones scurrying to get down the entrance of the burrow with the adult still in the opening.

Graduation Day from Basic Training

A typical friday for us at the Sheridan Theater here at the post, friends and family are lined up waiting to enter the building for the one hour ceremony. The servicemen are already in place in the center rows and being briefed on how the ceremony is to be conducted. Even though the services take only one hour they cover all the procedures needed to advance and recognize the accomplishments of these new American Soldiers. The Army Creed is repeated in unison by the men and they are sworn into the allegience as new graduates of the Basic training course for their specific Platoon and Battery. A beautiful morning for a Graduation.

Video of Soldier Creed being recited.

Below is a picture of our Sunday meeting with our servicemen's group, the block is over and it is time for dismissal at this point. We usually have about 70 active members and they bring their battle buddies along for the meetings. This is about the only time they get to be unsupervised by their Drill Sargents. On the right you see our wonderful clerks who just graduated this past Friday and are probably home in Gunnison, Utah at this very moment. They are members of the National Guard and just finished basic together. They are cousins and have been very helpful in keeping the records and setting up for us at the meetings. We will miss them both and wish them well and God speed.

Of course all good things must come to an end, the same is true of Graduation Day, here is the footage of the last fairwell.