The Nerve of Some People!

Like this wall hanging? This wonderful photo was sent to me by my EX-friend, Kara Ward! And that was after I sent her one of the sweet and gushy notes I am known for (LOL)! Don't you think I get enough abuse from the live critters, Kara? Now what do you think of this young lady sending this to your tired, old, friend Liv? All together now: pppphhhhhhggggggttttt!


Actually, it gave me quite the laugh! It's nice when others help you laugh at yourself-breaks up that tension at the back of the neck. The truth is that I have always loved squirrels, and they me. When I lived in Virginia, I had squirrels coming at me from every direction! I fed them and they would all wait in the front yard for me to get home and then mob me when I got out of the car! I also had Blue Jays that would scout for them by sitting up at the front of our neighborhood then fly in front of my car leading the way back home, screeching at the top of their little lungs. Yes, just call me Cinderella! I have photos of my little menagerie. Maybe I should share them? I'll have to dig them out of those old photos books that have never been digitized.

Here is the challenge layout that I did for Jessica Sprague's Spraground:

Cutest Kids In The Whole Wide World (Spraground Challenge using Meredith Fenwick) Papers: Meredith Fenwick - Polka, blue, green, and pink (recolored); Alpha: Meredith Fenwick Transparent (love them!); Puzzle tray title: Maya's Digital Elements @ Scrapbook Graphics; Font: Angelina, downloaded from Internet; Software: Photoshop CS3

We were required to use some papers and elements that the wonderful Meredith Fenwick donated for the project which included the papers you see and those wonderful clear alpha. Since I was showcasing her designs I made the layout simple. Those are my four grandchildren in August 2000.

Any way, I hope y'all are all having a wonderful Sunday and if you have the time you might want to check out a memorial to my Uncle Wilber that has been posted on You Tube by my Cousin Kent and his wife Deanie; it last about 6 minutes.

Tootles!

Sorry for the delay . . .

I promised to fill you in on Uncle Wilber's funeral. I never thought I'd be one of those old ladies who love to talk about funerals but, seriously guys, this one was amazing. And to make it even more special was that the family had been briefed the day before about the preparations and a new development we knew nothing about! Uncle Wilber's life in the Army and his post as Sergeant Major of the Army and his subsequent death would be documented, filmed, and deposited at the Smithsonian Institute so it could be displayed in an exhibit celebrating him and his position as the first SMA. Though Uncle was technically the second SMA, we were told he was considered as first and therefore the Smithsonian Institute honor! No small feat. We are all humbled by such a great honor but at the same time very proud. Uncle Wilber never really spoke of his accomplishments when he visited us; he was just Dad's younger brother that was fun to be around!

Our day started out very early, 5:30am, because we had to go through a vehicle inspection and identity check before we would be allowed on the base at Ft. Myer. Ft. Myer is one of the military installations that are adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery. Cousin Suzie told us to "be sure and get to the fort early" because it would take some time to get in, find the chapel, and secure a seat. Thanks Suzie! NOT! We left our hotel at 7am and arrived at the Ft. Myer gate at 7:04am! It took us about 3 minutes to get through the inspection and were on our way to the chapel! We then sat for an hour and a half waiting to go into the chapel. This really wasn't a bad thing to happen because we got to see some of the preparations that the Army went through so everything would be perfect for my Uncle Wilber.

We saw the caisson being pulled by six black horses to be delivered to the chapel. There was a marching military band with a compliment of about sixty. There were guards and changing of the guards and activity all around us. When we realized how early we would be, we thought that we would be all alone in the parking lot; didn't happen. People were already there and waiting to go into the chapel! Many of my kin came up from Richmond that morning and were there before us. I saw people I hadn't seen in twenty years or more. There were photographers and cinematographers everywhere you looked. After about an hour, we removed ourselves from the warm car and stood with the rest of the shivering crowd in front of the chapel, waiting on my Aunt Peck and her children. The stretch limo which ferried her the entire four blocks from the nice quarters she was allotted was about a city block long! I have no idea how it maneuvered around those small streets in the fort or even in the cemetery later.

We didn't have to vie for seats in the chapel, as Suzie thought; we were ushered into a "family" room to await the time when we would go, as a family, into the chapel to reserved seats. There were not many of Uncle's contemporaries (he was 85!) but the military was well represented. There were also friends Uncle had made from all over the States.

The Chaplain, William Barefield CH(LTC), opened the service with a prayer and then introduced the current Sergeant Major of the Army, Kenneth Preston. The SMA told us of the many exploits of Uncle from the time he enlisted at age 18 until his death at 85; things I cannot even begin to recount. It seems that Uncle was a favorite among all ages in the Army and was a champion of the enlisted men and women.

During the service, Uncle's flag draped coffin sat in the front of the old chapel alter; it was hard not to go up to it and pay my respects, as this was the first time I had been in his presence in a while. When the service was completed, ten soldiers in dress blues came up and escorted the coffin out to the waiting caisson that was now harnessed to six white horses with three riderless saddles. The marching band struck up and marched in front of the procession all the way to the gravesite, which took about 20 minutes to complete. Uncle’s four children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren walked behind the caisson. There were cameras everywhere. When we reach the place of his interment there was a short graveside service, a 21 gun salute, and the playing of "Taps" by the marching band. I don't think there was a dry eye anywhere around us; it was quite a moving ceremony. On the way back into the fort, there were military men and women lining the streets saluting my Aunt Peck as her limo made its way back.

Once again, I must say, we were honored to be related to him. At the reception, there were many stories told of how he saved a life or made a difference in another's life. My Aunt Peck did him proud. She stood for those hours being gracious and kind to all who wanted to tender their condolences. Such a tiny little woman to have so much strength and strength of character to have been by Uncle's side, and in the Army, for 65 years!

When the reception was over, we all made our way home. I doubt I will ever see most of those kin people again.

The American Flags at all military and government buildings and installations were all flown at half staff all over the United States and the world in SMA George Wilber Dunaway’s honor that March day.

Good Morning!

Good Morning Friends!

It's Saturday morning and I'm finally feeling a little better from the "yuk" I caught while in DC. I want to post about my Uncle Wilber's funeral but am waiting on some names I need. You will not believe what happened! I'll fill you in soon.

Guess what? My beautiful and talented friend, Megan Farrow (aka Flergs), sent me the nicest gift for Easter! She's such a sweetie and I really appreciated being able to get some of her new kits. Yes, I know Megs, you didn't expect me to use the gift certificate on your stuff but I found some that I didn't have! Check these out y'all:

Cherry Blossom Borders:


Cluster Borders:


Nana's Secret Garden:



Aren't these the most beautiful and romantic kits you've ever seen? I love them and don't know how I missed Nana's Secret Garden (I could have sworn that I had all of Megan's kits). Thanks again, Little One, for remembering me!

Well I'm off to pick up the grocery order. I hope to post about Uncle Wilber soon so check back!

Tootles!

My Uncle Wilber

So many have asked about my Uncle Wilber's service to his country that I thought I should post this message from the Pentagon and General George W. Casey:

DTG
0802141629Z
CARLISLE BKS MANUAL USAWC

THIS MESSAGE WAS SENT BY THE PENTAGON TELECOMMUNICATIONS CENTER ON BEHALF OF DA WASHINGTON DC//CSA//

SUBJECT: DEATH OF FORMER SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY

1. IT IS WITH DEEP REGRET THAT THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY AND I INFORM YOU OF THE DEATH OF SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY GEORGE WILBER DUNAWAY, UNITED STATES ARMY, RETIRED. HE PASSED AWAY ON 6 FEBRUARY 2008 IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA.

2. AS A MARK OF RESPECT TO THE MEMORY OF SERGEANT MAJOR GEORGE W. DUNAWAY, THE NATIONAL FLAG WILL BE FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF AT ALL INSTALLATIONS, ACTIVITIES, AND VESSELS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND ITS TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS, FROM REVEILLE TO RETREAT ON THE DAY OF INTERMENT 19 MARCH 2008.

3. SERGEANT MAJOR DUNAWAY WAS BORN 24 JULY 1922, IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA. HE SERVED WITH DISTINCTION DURING HIS 30 YEARS IN THE ARMY CULMINATING WITH BEING SWORN IN ON 1 SEPTEMBER 1968 AS THE 2ND SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY, AND SERVING UNTIL HIS TERM ENDED IN SEPTEMBER 1970. IN HIS OWN WORDS, HIS LIFE AS A SOLDIER WAS ?ABOUT THE SOLDIERS AND IT WAS FOR THE SOLDIERS.? THIS IS EXEMPLIFIED DURING SMA DUNAWAY'S TENURE THROUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER EDUCATION SYSTEM (NCOES), A THREE-TIERED SYSTEM THAT TRAINED NCOS IN BASIC, ADVANCED, AND SENIOR COURSES, INSURING SOLDIERS WOULD RECEIVE THE BEST LEADERSHIP POSSIBLE.

4. AFTER ATTENDING THE AIRBORNE COURSE IN AUGUST 1943, SERGEANT MAJOR DUNAWAY REMAINED AT FORT BENNING, GEORGIA AS AN AIRBORNE SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR UNTIL JANUARY 1945 WHEN HE JOINED THE 517TH COMBAT TEAM IN FRANCE AS A PLATOON SERGEANT. HE RETURNED TO FORT BENNING IN DECEMBER 1945 WITH ASSIGNMENT TO THE 501ST PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT WHERE HE SERVED AS FIRST SERGEANT OF COMPANY A. IN MARCH 1948, SERGEANT MAJOR DUNAWAY WAS REASSIGNED TO THE 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION AT FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA. THERE HE BECAME A MEMBER OF THE 505TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT AS OPERATIONS
SERGEANT, ASCENDING TO THE REGIMENTAL SERGEANT MAJOR POSITION IN 1952.

5. IN EARLY 1954 HE TRANSFERRED TO THE 187TH REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM AS THE COMBAT TEAM SERGEANT MAJOR. HE CONTINUED IN THAT POSITION FOR SEVEN YEARS DURING WHICH HE SAW THE AIRBORNE REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM RENAMED AS THE 187TH INFANTRY, WHEN THE 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION WAS REACTIVATED ON 21 SEPTEMBER 1956, AT FORT CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY. DEPARTING FORT CAMPBELL IN 1961, HE TOOK THE REINS OF THE 1ST SPECIAL FORCES GROUP, 1ST SPECIAL FORCES IN UNITED STATES ARMY PACIFIC AND LATER MOVED TO THE 5TH SPECIAL FORCES GROUP IN VIETNAM, WHERE HE REMAINED UNTIL JUNE 1967.

6. RETURNING TO THE UNITED STATES, HE REJOINED THE 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION AS IT PREPARED TO MOVE TO VIETNAM IN THE LARGEST UNIT DEPLOYMENT BY AIR IN THE HISTORY OF THE VIETNAM WAR. SERGEANT MAJOR DUNAWAY ARRIVED IN VIETNAM WITH THE COMMANDING GENERAL'S COMMAND GROUP ON 13 DECEMBER 1967. IN FEBRUARY 1968, HE MOVED TO CAMP EAGLE IN THE I CORPS TACTICAL ZONE WITH THE DIVISION WHERE HE REMAINED UNTIL JULY 1968 WHEN HE WAS SELECTED AS THE 2ND SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY.

7. SERGEANT MAJOR DUNAWAY'S AWARDS INCLUDE THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL, SILVER STAR, LEGION OF MERIT, THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL (WITH V DEVICE), PURPLE HEART, AIR MEDAL (WITH V DEVICE), ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL (WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTER), GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL, NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL, VIETNAMESE ARMED FORCES HONOR MEDAL (SECOND CLASS), THE VIETNAMESE CROSS OF GALLANTRY (WITH SILVER STAR), REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE WITH STAR.

8. SURVIVING SERGEANT MAJOR DUNAWAY ARE HIS WIFE, MARY DUNAWAY, HIS SON, MICHAEL DUNAWAY, BOTH OF NEVADA; HIS OTHER SON, GEORGE DUNAWAY OF TEXAS; AND HIS DAUGHTERS, MARTHA BARNETT OF MARYLAND AND SUZANNE HUNT OF NORTH CAROLINA.

9. A MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE AT 9 A.M. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2008, AT THE FORT MYER POST CHAPEL FOLLOWED BY THE INTERMENT AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY.

10. DECLAS OADR

GEORGE W. CASEY, JR., GEN, USA

Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts.

Uncle Wilber

Sad news for our family. My Uncle Wilber has passed away. He was 85 years old and would have celebrated his 65th wedding anniversary the day after his death! That is so awesome! Way to go Aunt Peck! Maybe you should give lessons on how to keep a man happy! We have always been proud of him and his many, many accomplishments. One of the major milepost in his life was his appointment in 1968 as The Sergeant Major of the Army. He was the second Sergeant Major to hold this post and did much for his fellow soldiers in this capacity. Even after retiring, Uncle Wilber continued to be an adviser to the Army and the office of the Presidency. His passing is felt by thousands of dedicated soldiers around the world and they have come forward with messages of sympathy and loss to the immediate family. I add my own "Bravo!" to a life well lived; if only we all could give as much of ourselves and as freely as he did.

Here is an old photo of him that was taken back in 1944 when he was a young paratrooper out of Ft. Benning, Georgia:


This is his photo that was released to the press when he was appointed SMA in 1968:

George W. Dunaway

We had lots of good times that will be with me forever. He was always warm and loving to all of his family which isn't a normal characteristic in my family, I'm sorry to say. He kept close contact with my father even after Dad no longer remembered the rest of his family. My dad will be 89 in June!

Well, just wanted to share that with you. And as my grand daughter Suzy would say: "Peace Out!"