Les, I wonder how you know or remember that! The oldest celebrities my newspaper mentions for a birthday anniversary on May 29 are former baseball commissioner Fay Vincent and race car driver Al Unser, Sr.
Our family did grow up with a lot of appreciation for Patrick Henry, and he was in fact the subject of the first portrait I ever drew. (I copied it from Compton's Encyclopedia... less than 2 inches high, in pencil, on lined notebook paper. I was so proud of how good I thought it looked that I kept on drawing.)
Among the letters, diaries and clippings left by our father's family, I came across a published letter to the editor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. It was written by your namesake (our grandfather) and he mentioned his great dismay that no American president had ever visited Patrick Henry's grave site ... something he deemed to be a serious oversight that could be rectified by a visit on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Henry's birth. Hang in there for 30 more years and maybe you can be the one to get a president to visit for a 300 year celebration!
Jeannette, congratulations on your good news. We will have to keep a website watch for your new little one as well as for Katie's first child. I will tell you that I wish a 3rd child on anyone who is willing. I am sure there will be times of overwhelming emotions, with Len being slated for a tour in Iraq. I am terrified with you. It is much easier when we don't know who is wearing the uniforms and making the sacrifices... and yet today's military familys all brush up against the realities of war. You, Len and your family will stay in my prayers. Thank you for letting us know the good and the bad.
This week I have been flying a flag that was flown at a base in Baghdad and given to us by one of Pete's best friends. I don't fly it all the time because I don't want it to fade too quickly. When I do fly it, it is to honor two friends. (Stay safe where you are, WD... you are loved.)
Dear Susan: It was so nice to meet you, and to read about Peter, It remainded me of my son Michael, he was always smiling and asked me to take pictures and remember the smiles. I will send you via mail pictures of Mike, information he left behind on his computer, a letter from his brother (also in the military) and so many wonderful memories. Just like you, there are so many days I feel like screming "Mike come back, we miss you". The support of family, their children, the love of so many people and prayers to God to give us Hope, Faith and specially Love are the only things that keep us going. You will be on my prayers. All my love Marcela Rice.
