Monday, May 28, 2012

In Memoriam

On this Memorial Day I cannot help but think of two of my uncles.  Each of my parents lost a sibling in World War II.


This is my father's brother, William George Haller.  He entered the army in 1942 and after nearly two years of training, left for overseas in April of 1944.  Lieutenant Haller was a pilot.   He had completed 33 missions over Germany.  He had lost more than one airplane.  His last mission began November 5, 1944.  There were nine persons aboard his B-17 plane, The Characters.  It was part of a B-17 Flying Fortress unit stationed at RAF Bury St. Edmonds in England.




The visibility was good that day.  He was in the 94th Bomb Group, 410th Squadron.  Their intended target was an oil plant in Ludwigshafen, Germany.  After the mission was completed, they were headed back to England when the plane was hit.  One report I read said 99% of the plane was blown up.  Some of the men survived and were POW's.  But Uncle Bill was not one of them.  He was initially buried in the town cemetery at Kirrlach, Germany.  He was later reinterred in the Lorraine American Cemetery and memorial in St. Avold, France.  He was the recipient of three Oak Leaf Clusters on the Air Medal; the Distinguished Flying Cross; the Presidential Citation with one Oak Leaf Cluster; ribbons for European Theatre Operations in two major battles, Normandy and D-Day.







Dale Bechtol Porr is my mother's oldest brother.  He enlisted in the Army in 1928.  In 1943 he went overseas to serve in the war.  He was a Technical Sergeant and was killed in action in Germany February 24, 1945.  At that time he was a tank commander in the 8th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division of General Patton's Army. 




A month prior to his death, Dale's division was cited by General Patton after four days and nights of incessant battling in the relief of Bastogne. (http://www.historynet.com/firsthand-account-4th-armored-division-spearhead-at-bastogne-november-99-world-war-ii-feature.htm)  He received a citation the previous year for repairing tanks under enemy fire.  He was awarded a purple heart.  He is buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery in Luxembourg City where General Patton is also buried.

Dale's Battalion Commander said this of Dale:  "Dale was a dedicated, courageous warrior.  He was older than most of the tankers, and was an especially fine influence on the younger ones".







I wish I could have known these brave men.  Each time I sing America the Beautiful my mind turns to them as I sing, "O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife, who more than self their country loved and mercy more than life".  This Memorial Day and always, I will never forget.



Tuesday, May 22, 2012

What's Bloomin'

I have a rose bush in the front by the name of Gracie Allen.  Yes, that is really the name of the variety.  She has a partner, George Burns, and he, too, resides in my flower bed.  Gracie is a white flower with a tinge of pink.


But this year something unusual happened.  On one side of the bush I found two roses this color:


The bush is 14 years old and this is the first year it has done this.



This is George Burns.  I counted over 60 roses blooming on the bush this morning.


I've loved adding herbs to the flower beds.



And that's what's bloomin' at our house.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Grayson Makes 7

We welcomed the seventh grandchild to our family last weekend.  Although he arrived two weeks  early, Grayson Dale Chambers still tipped the scales at 7 lbs. 5 oz.  Kevin was hoping to share his birthday with this new little one, but Grayson couldn't wait that long!



We went to Logan on Thursday to see Joe participate in their stake's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  We really enjoyed it.  Though he finished with his MBA last fall, he participated in graduation ceremonies on Friday.


We arrived as the graduates were walking in procession to the Spectrum.  Abigail spotted Joe and ran to him.  She came back to Bonnie as they moved on.  I guess she wanted her Daddy again, because she soon ran out to someone else in their cap and gown!   









The new big sister.  She is a tiny girl, but seems so much older now that there is a new baby in the family.  It was fun to visit Bonnie and her family of four!


Saturday, May 5, 2012

Weird Things

Last week I came upstairs and glanced over at my clean kitchen window (before the rain came) and was a little creeped out when I saw this.


I was definitely glad it was on that side of the window, or my neighbors might have heard some serious squealing!

Last Sunday we gathered to celebrate Kevin's birthday.  Katie was helping me with the black bean salsa.  She rubbed her eye and it accidently joined the avocados on the cutting board!

One Pattern, 3 Different Looks

I love this quilt pattern!  I have used it three different times in the last 18 months.  Besides choosing the fabrics, the creativity is contained in the applique designs.