THE MEMORY IS ALWAYS THERE; BUT WE CELEBRATE IT TODAY - MEMORIAL DAY

My Lady provided this information a couple of years ago. We then posted it on this blog in recognition of MEMORIAL DAY.

Today we quietly post the memory again. While We will enjoy seeing the kids laugh and eat burgers We hope, some day, they too will understand what the Memorial Day Holiday is all about.

Below is a modified reprint of My Lady's story:

"The lady showed me this modest oak display case. It hangs a wall in her house here in the community. It is in the shape of a triangle, and has a glass front. Inside the case is a folded American Flag. There is also a picture laying on top of that flag of an old merchant ship - the S.S. James W. Denver.

During WW II it was customary for merchant ships to have U.S. Navy Sailors on board to man the guns and generally protect the ship. The lady's Dad, who was 19 years old at the time, served on this ship. The "Denver" was the first to have members of the US Navy on board.

In 1943 The S.S. Denver became a little known causality of World War II. It was lost before my lady was ever born. In fact it was only one of 731 merchant ships lost in the war. It is but a footnote to World War II history.

Elmer "Gerry" Cornwell, originally from the Port Huron area in Michigan served on the "Denver" in 1943. He survived the attack on "his ship" and ultimately made it home. Like a million other guys, who returned from the war, he got married, and had a family. He and his wife, Lois, had four "kids." They were Gerald, Lois, Dennis, and Mark.

The aforementioned Lois was born on July 11. She will probably use a broomstick, in a manner for which it was not intended, if I fill in the year of her birth. Today she is content to be a good neighbor here in Verona Walk. Her days are filled with many fine memories including those of her Dad.

The lady's' father, Gerry, died at the age of 48. He saw his oldest son and daughter get married; and he saw three grandchildren come into this world. He missed out on the births' of another six grandchildren.

During his life he never said one word about his experience as Sailor in the Navy - not a word! Sixty some years later research shows that the S.S. James W. Denver was torpedoed on April 11, 1943 by the German "Underseeboot 195" in the North Atlantic.

Fifteen (15) men survived. They clung to a raft as their ship sunk deep into the Atlantic Ocean. On April 24, 1943 the British Ship "H.M.S. Campana" found the survivors. They had been adrift for nearly two weeks.

After years of "never knowing" her fathers' war experience, my lady now has a fitting memorial to remind her of this story. She just has to take a daily glance at a simple display case on her wall. It tells the story every day."

I think she, and our her five children, will always have a good reason to hold our heads high on The Memorial Day.

MEMORIAL DAY

Tomorrow, May 30, is Memorial Day. We are posting a color alert now to draw attention to this important holiday. There are people who need to be remembered.

Enjoy the Holiday Tomorrow and give some thought to someone who isn't here anymore.

Enjoy the flag display below which nicely presents patriotic thoughts on this holiday. It was sent to us in a thoughtful email by a neighbor.

PULTE STOCK

That Stock Market clicker has sounded another bell. It is time to see where PULTE STOCK is now.

The last time I looked (May 25) the stock was selling at $7.49

The initial investment (play money of course) on 100 shares gave an initial cost of $746

We have: a gain of $3.00

HAVE A LAUGH

A nice neighbor sent this to us remembering when good jokes could also be clean jokes. Enjoy it: ...........................................


A pastor concluded that his church was getting into very serious financial troubles. While checking the church storeroom, he discovered several cartons of new Bibles that had never been opened and distributed.

So at his Sunday sermon, he asked for three volunteers from the congregation who would be willing to sell the Bibles door-to-door for $10 each to raise the desperately needed money for the church.

Jack, Paul and Louie all raised their hands to volunteer for the task.

The minister knew that Jack and Paul earned their living as salesmen and were likely capable of selling some Bibles. But he had serious doubts about Louie who was a local farmer, who had always kept to himself because he was embarrassed by his speech impediment.

Poor Louie stuttered badly.. But, NOT WANTING TO discourage Louie, the minister decided to let him try anyway.

He sent the three of them away with the back seat of their cars stacked with Bibles. He asked them to meet with him and report the results of their door-to-door selling efforts the following Sunday.

Anxious to find out how successful they were, the minister immediately asked Jack, "Well, Jack, how did you make out selling our Bibles last week?"

Proudly handing the reverend an envelope, Jack replied, "Using my sales prowess, I was able to sell 20 Bibles, and here's the $200 I collected on behalf of the church."

"Fine job, Jack!" The minister said, vigorously shaking his hand..."You are indeed a fine salesman and the church is indebted to you."

Turning to Paul, "And Paul, how many Bibles did you sell for the church last week?"

Paul, smiling and sticking out his chest, confidently replied, 'I am a professional salesman. I sold 28 Bibles on behalf of the church, and here's $280 I collected.'

The minister responded, "That's absolutely splendid, Paul. You are truly a professional salesman and the church is indebted to you."

Apprehensively, the minister turned to Louie and said, "And Louie, did you manage to sell any Bibles last week?" Louie silently offered the minister a large envelope.

The minister opened it and counted the contents. "What is this?" the minister exclaimed. "Louie, there's $3200 in here! Are you suggesting that you sold 320 Bibles for the church, door to door, in just one week?"

Louie just nodded.

"That's impossible!" both Jack and Paul said in unison. "We are professional salesmen, yet you claim to have sold 10 times as many Bibles as we could."

"Yes, this does seem unlikely," the minister agreed. "I think you'd better explain how you managed to accomplish this, Louie."

Louie shrugged.. "I-I-I re-re-really do-do-don't kn-kn-know f-f-f-for sh-sh-sh-sure," he stammered.

Impatiently, Pete r interrupted. "For crying out loud, Louie, just tell us what you said to them when they answered the door!"

"A-a-a-all I-I-I s-s-said wa-wa-was," Louis replied, "W-w-w-w-would y-y-y-you l-l-l-l-l-like t-t-to b-b-b-buy th-th-th-this B-B-B-B-Bible f-f-for t-t-ten b-b-b-bucks---o-o-o-or--- wo-wo-would yo-you j-j-j-just l-like m-m-me t-t-to st-st-stand h-h-here and r-r-r-r-r-read it t-to y-y-you?"

JERSEY BABY

This was sent by email with directions how to "post" this baby's picture. Here it is, and this neighbor is sure there will be more to come.

I guess they are proud of her. I must admit - she is cute.

SPECIAL NEEDS ALERT

With Hurricane Season starting next month  residents are encouraged to take precautions in the event of a storm. Most of our people have attended various seminars and know what to do in order to be safe.  Unfortunately some people need help because of a special need. They need to know the information below.

Collier County has addressed the issue of “special needs” citizens. This concern is assigned to County Staff in the Emergency Management Department.

Emergency Management Staff will send help to “special needs” individuals if they are registered.  This requires that the person complete an initial data form, and then update it yearly. Further information may be obtained by calling:  252 8060 or using the web site below:

www.collieremergency.org   

In VeronaWalk there are residents who have “Special Needs.” These individuals need to “self report,” who they are, first to the Emergency Management Staff, and then to our Town Manager. Their “needs” should also be identified. 

GONE AGAIN

The Editor and Publisher are off again. This neighbor is in Charge but is also hitting the rode for a month or so. Michigan beckins. For a while the "World" will do without some pictures and comments.

Enjoy the quiet.

ILLUSIONIST

This was not as expected. We went to the Naples Philharmonic to see an illusionist - Jason Bishop.
He was great, but shortly after his return from the scheduled intermission he asked: Please leave the theater immediately, move slowly through the doors in single file."

We stayed about twenty minutes then went in to see the rest of the act. Apparently his smoke machine triggered the smoke sensors causing the brief emergency.

The next days' paper reported the story noting that He "made the audience disappear." Never forget that performance

NAPLES PIER

WE took the time to visit Naples Pier to watch the sunset. It has been too long since our last visit. We were rewarded.

We saw a Dolphin come in close to shore and chase the fish. The Pelicans had a field day picking at their meal. One bird let us get a picture of the nice sized fish as he held it high.

The sun was also a rare almost cherry red. It looked great behind the Pier as it did that nice drop into the water.

Mr. CAMERON IS BACK ON THE SCENE

Things just seem to be getting quiet and relaxed around here when that "$*&$@#" phone rings. You guessed it. Another baby sitting assignment. This one came from the older lad requesting: "By the way' could you watch my brother."

The pictures tell the rest of the story. The job was done.

SPECIAL NEEDS ALERT

With Hurricane Season starting next month  residents are encouraged to take precautions in the event of a storm. Most of our people have attended various seminars and know what to do in order to be safe.  Unfortunately some people need help because of a special need. They need to know the information below.

Collier County has addressed the issue of “special needs” citizens. This concern is assigned to County Staff in the Emergency Management Department.

Emergency Management Staff will send help to “special needs” individuals if they are registered.  This requires that the person complete an initial data form, and then update it yearly. Further information may be obtained by calling:  252 8060 or using the web site below:

www.collieremergency.org   

In VeronaWalk there are residents who have “Special Needs.” These individuals need to “self report,” who they are, first to the Emergency Management Staff, and then to our Town Manager. Their “needs” should also be identified. 

NAPLES PRINCESS

Thanks to this Lady reading her Viva Verona the lazy days of summer got a kick in the pants. The Man of the House simply was directed to go downtown for an afternoon cruise on the Naples princess.

The boat left at 2:00 and did the tour of Naples Bay. We have seen it before, but you never see it enough. Friends from the community were on board so we shared many laughs and bits of good conversation.

Once out the door I knew the "Old Guy" would be happy as he brought his Brownie 127 or whatever it is. He clicked a lot of pictures as usual. He said he saw birds and a dog. Can't figure that out.

We hope you like the pictures !

ON THE JOB AGAIN

The "Old Guy" now amuses himself with his camera and a few other interests. It has been a decade since he retired. He now participates on our local CERT Team, and just recently was one of the group that responded to a fire near the back of our community. While He is usually the one taking the pictures he managed to get someone to take one of him. The Queen likes its and is sharing it with you.

DUTY CALLS - BABY SITTING JOB

As they get older we see them less. But emergencies always happen, and guess who gets the call for baby sitting duty? The man of the house says it's him, but all he does is click a few pictures. Then he and disappears.

He did get a couple of the little girl who now looks for Him, and can call his name. That's nice.

Enjoy "HIS" pictures of Her.

SMOKE WARNING ENDS

Our Safety Guy sent this partial notice detailing the end of the warning regarding smoke impacting on our community. Here it is:

"352 AM EDT WED MAY 4 2011

DENSE SMOKE ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM EDT THIS
MORNING."

Still seemed a little stuffy after dinner - 5:30 PM

LUNCH AT VIVI'S

The Guys' Gang had their regular lunch as usual on the First Wednesday of the month. This time it was at the Coastland Mall on US 41. The place was ViVi's, and they provided a private room for the group.

The group, of 31, had a fixed menu and by all reports had at good time.

SMOKE AND VISABILITY WARNING

The FIRE is out !!!

Although the news is good that the Fire is out, an official warning has been issued that we need to be careful outside. Our Safety Guy caught the warning this morning via email - Smoke is still in the air, and visibility may be impaired.

Be careful !

FIXED WING AIRCRAFT & COPTER PATROL AROUND OUR COMMUNITY

The smoke that was mentioned earlier seems to have gotten worse.

Looking from one of our streets we caught a couple of pictures revealing the smoke going at least 100 feet into the air.

The Sheriff is out again. This time both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters are in use. The concern from our Safety Team continues, and neighbors are warned to: Stay Inside.

SMOKE CONTINUES

That fire in the preserve continues and the air is heavy with smoke.

Our safety Guys say: Stay in the House, and use your a/c. Do not go out if not absolutely necessary. This is of major importance to those with Asthma or other breathing disorder.

SMOKE IN THE WOODS

Sunday (5/1) was a good day. The temperature was high 80's, the pool was mid 80's and the clouds were few. This was early afternoon.

This was a day to just sit and relax, but by late afternoon the air became difficult to breathe. There was a smell of smoke outside that made it necessary to get inside. Things change !

Around 5:00 PM the Sheriff showed up in his helicopter. Officers' constantly circled the area to the rear of "The Walk." They were looking for "hotspots" in the woods. This was for our protection.

One Copter did the job, and it is pictured above.

USA, USA, USA

USA chants across the Country sound great. We finally got HIM.

The HIM, of course, was Osama Bin Laden. It was Great News to hear that US SEALS dropped in for an unexpected visit that resulted in OBL being fatally wounded. GOOD, just isn't enough to be said about. This blog will however, just limit its' reaction to that one word - GOOD, GOOD, GOOD.

The call on 9/11/01 is well remembered, as were the numerous calls made that day to make sure everyone up North was safe and sound. It was quite nerve racking waiting to get the "I am OK" message. A day or so later we received this picture taken from the Jersey side of lower Manhattan. The smoke and missing Twin Towers tell the story. That story, always on our mind, now has a conclusion.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR MAY

The Lady has the key board for this section. He continues to remember only some dates. Well even though they are buddies the "Old Guy" forgot. One of the Grand Son's. I'll remind him when the time is right, but you guys should be looking for one "date to remember" this month.