Joyce Godwin

Come to Hobart

2011-05-25T20:05:00.000-07:00

Veterans and their families will flock to Hobart, Oklahoma this weekend to spend the time with retired, four-star Gen. Tommy Franks for the third, annual Celebration of Freedom.

The event has a host of sponsors dedicated to providing activities for parents, grand parents and children of all ages. The parade down Main Street will be led by a Native American color guard and will feature everything wonderful about small town, America, including Miss Oklahoma 2010, Emoly West, as Grand Marshall.

The Freedom Motorcycle Rumble parade through downtown Hobart will take place around 2:30. Onlookers will see Franks leading hundreds of motorcycle riders through town stopping at the Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum.

Sunday night will host a concert featuring country-western singer Aaron Tippin.

Since Franks’ 2003 retirement Franks and wife Cathy have put together a stunning museum displaying scenes from Franks’ military career and much education about Middle East countries. In association with the museum, Franks has begun a leadership institute to bring together youth of varying countries to learn to debate, and discuss the tough issues of multiple cultures on the same planet.

The General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum has grown exponentially since its “soft” opening for Veterans Day weekend Nov. 8, 2008. Friend of the Franks have come from around the world at various times to attend a Celebration of Freedom and to tour the museum.

Franks is a leader revered by privates as well as colonels. He as wounded in Vietnam and led the Allied forces to Baghdad in 2003 before his retirement in July. When he autographs his book “American Soldier” for Vietnam veterans, he almost always writes “Welcome home” because a large number of Vietnam veterans did not have the experience of a joyful homecoming.

The small town of Hobart, Oklahoma will transform itself for the Memorial Day weekend to host thousands of folks who come to celebrate freedom with the general whose troops call him “a Soldier’s General.” Hobart will also be celebrating its heritage and honoring local veterans. It’s a place with patriotism is common and military individuals revered.

Hobart is located in the heart of southwest Oklahoma, 40 miles south of Interstate 40 on U.S. Highway 183 and about 40 miles north of Vernon, Texas.

For a schedule of events or more information about the festival, visit the Website at www.celebrationoffreedom.net

Back to school

2010-08-23T20:49:00.000-07:00

I did a similar story that ran Monday in the Herald Democrat

Recent stories we ran in the paper about the first day of school triggered flashes of my own first day more than 50 years ago.

I went to a parochial school in Toledo, Ohio and my first day was for kindergarten. I remember other kids in the classroom crying and I didn't understand the why of that. There were mothers out in the hallway peeking through the glass window in the door to get one last glimpse of their little prince or princess, all grown up for kindergarten. I'm not sure if my mom was one of those.

As I recall, I was pretty "matter of fact" about the event. I was excited because I was going to learn to read. I couldn't wait.

Up to that time, my dad read to me. It was especially fun on Sunday mornings before church when he read the Sunday comics from the Toledo Blade. I stood behind him to follow along with the pictures in the comic strip. When I saw a frame that looked more interesting that the one he was one, I would point to it and say "Read that one, Daddy," in the middle in the middle of whatever he was trying to read.

If he was reading a book to me, I sat in his lap but whenever he was reading the comics, I stood behind him and sometimes combed his hair. It strikes me as I write these words, my dad was a really patient man when I was little.

For weeks I told my brother and sister, 12 and 13 years my senior, over and over that I was going to school and I would be able to read. I'm sure I gloated to my younger sister by one year, the same brag to let her know I'd have something she wouldn't have.

I was dressed in a little pleated skirts with matching suspenders, a white blouse, little white socks and black patten shoes and so was each of the other girls. We wore uniforms. But that never bothered me. That day, everything was right for me because I was going to learn to read.

The disagreeable part of the day for me and my big disappointment, came when I went home from school that first day and I still couldn't read. My parents hadn't understood that I expected to be able to read as soon as I went to school until they were trying to reason with a wailing 5 year old to help me understand -- it's a process.

A special father

2010-06-22T13:38:00.000-07:00

I wrote the following for the Herald Democrat Life section for last Sunday:

When I think about Father’s Day, I always remember my own father first. Luckily he was serious about his role in raising my brother and two sisters and me. He spent time with us, shared himself with us and taught us about life and more. His last words to me came as I was leaving his hospital room before he had surgery from which he never recovered. “I’m going to love you all of your life,” he called to me. He was my special knight in shining armor who could fix anything for me.

I know another special father who lives in Van Alstyne. You might think I’m going to write about my husband Billy Wayne here, but although he is a special father, he’s not the subject of this writing.

This special father is younger and has more children — all girls. He always thought he would have a son and teases about it now, because he has four beautiful girls who were born to him and others he’s adopted emotionally.

I’ve been blessed to be close to this family almost from their beginning. When Griff and Kristi Servati came to Van Alstyne, they were two youngsters themselves just starting out. Kristi was a coach and teacher at the high school and Griff was the youth minister at First Baptist. They made a difference in the youth of Van Alstyne almost immediately. My daughter is one they influenced.

I remember her saying she wouldn’t get married until she found someone just like Griff. She eventually found her Griff, but that is another story.

Over the next 13 years or so, Griff became a father to Raigan, then Kerrigan, then Jaidan and finally Kailan.

One special thing I remember is a Valentine surprise Griff orchestrated for Kristi. It was nothing elaborate, but he did it all himself. It was a portrait he had made of the girls, I think there were three of them then. He had to fix the girls’ hair for the picture, and although he didn’t do it as well as Kristi would have, he did it for his family.

He says now, he’s happy having just girls. A boy child in their house might upset their balance at this point. As Raigan began to participate in youth league sports, Griff always stepped up to be a coach for softball and then soccer. He didn’t know anything about soccer when he started, other than he wanted his girls to play because it would be good for them. So he set about teaching himself. He has coached Raigan’s team and Kerrigan’s team and will, no doubt, coach Jaidan’s and Kailan’s teams if they decide to play.

All of the things I’ve mentioned are wonderful, but there’s more.

Griff and Kristi have both mentored countless teenagers over the past 13 years. Some of the young men who’ve grown up watching the Servatis have said they know how to be a father by watching Griff.

One young woman who is about to have her first baby told me just the other day that she wouldn’t be the person she is without the Servatis’ influence. They took her into their home for her last few years of high school and she learned by watching them. She said doesn’t want to think about who she might be now if not for the way she was influenced during those years. Now she knows how she wants to raise her children.

This year the Servatis have opened their home to a foreign-exchange student. JaJa has been a wonderful addition to the family and they will all miss her when she leaves for Thailand this week. So will I.

There is yet one more dimension to Griff’s fathering abilities. He will say he’s not doing anything special. He will say he’s just doing his job, and that’s right. But one of the things that impresses me is his faithfulness to his mission. There is no fanfare, he just does what needs to be done. He will never know how many lives have been changed because of the lifestyle demonstrated to and shared with the teenagers in Van Alstyne. When Raigan was little, she referred to the youngsters in Griff’s youth group as “Daddy’s kids.”

That’s exactly what they are.

Easter morning brings Christians together

2010-04-04T14:35:00.000-07:00

Charlie and Gloria Morton of Denison will go through the motions many of us go through on Easter morning. Wake up, maybe have breakfast and probably take in a church service before heading back home to take care of regular duties at the Inn of Many Faces in Denison.

But this Easter will be like no other for the Mortons. No matter what they do, they will not be able to nor want to let go of thoughts of their son Airman 1st Class Dimitri Morton, who is on the first day of his deployment to Iraq.

I know Gloria because she and I are in Bible study together so we, as a group, have prayed for Dimitri the past couple of years — this is not his first tour to a war zone.

The Mortons are not the only family in this area with loved ones in dangerous areas. There are many young men and women from Texoma who serve proudly and whose families are proud of their service, just as the Mortons are.

Gloria has the worried heart of a mother whose child wakes up every day in danger, and it’s likely, she won’t draw a relaxed, free breath until her son is back on U.S. soil. But she has faith in a redeemer who takes care of our lives here on earth and so do her children.

This day (Easter) is the most important in the Christian faith because it celebrates the day Jesus emerged from the tomb after being laid there three days before. Jesus suffered three hours on the cross, gave up His life, spent three days in the tomb and rose again for the next chapter of His earthly ministry.

Last week our study was in John 17 where we saw how Jesus understands what we feel and our difficulties because He came from glory to live in an earthbound body. He suffered and died as the redeemer of mankind.

This faith is often what helps people get through tough times whether it be the loss of a loved one, a long illness, any illness, the struggle with finances and more.

The Morton family will have ups and downs in the months Dimitri is away and they’ll rely on a strong faith to carry them when they’re down. Today, I’m praying for the Mortons and all the families in our area with empty seats at the dinner table and I’m worshipping the Prince of Peace and Risen Redeemer on this holiest of holy days.

Happy Easter.

Sunday worship at the Boot Camp

2010-02-21T21:10:00.000-08:00

Sunday morning had a different start for the Godwins than usual. Instead of attending our home church, we were out the door and on the road by 7:30 a.m. to join the young cadets at the Grayson County Juvenile Boot Camp.

Billy Wayne and I were among a small group of adult volunteers granted admission to participate in a church and worship service with 50 or more young men.

Our group of volunteers was organized through the Air Chapel Academy, a non-profit agency in Grayson Couny that, among other things, appeals to local ministries and churches to help with the religious services every Sunday and Wednesday at the boot camp.

Sunday it was Pastor Sammy Garcia of Iglesia Bautista Camino Real Church in Denison who spoke to the boys while music was provided by Paul Garland of Sherman.

We were there to help serve those young men, but we were the ones who were blessed. One of the highlights of the morning was a loosely organized choir of cadets who came to the front of the room and stood behind Paul as he led the group in a song called “Peace Speaker.” Some of the boys played percussion instruments while others simply used their voices. The result was spine tingling.

The song talks about experiencing storms in life. “But even in the storm, I can feel the calm, and here’s the reason why,” sang this group of about 15 young men. “I know the Peace Speaker, I know Him by name...

“There’s never been another man with the power of this friend; by simply saying ‘peace, be still’ He can calm the strongest wind...

“And that’s why I never worry when storm clouds come my way... I know the Peace Speaker...”

As I watched these youngsters sing loud and strong and thought about the lyrics, I considered this special group. Each one is there because of storm clouds in their own lives. They are there because of legal problems of many levels and the boot camp program is their last chance to turn around.

In a small prayer group, some of the young men shared feelings of being homesick, one asked for prayer to help him stay focused on the goal to make the achievements necessary to get out and go home. Another shared concerns about his family.

It was a special time for us and we’re looking forward to going back.

Sledding down memory lane

2010-02-14T00:08:00.000-08:00

Recent photos on Facebook, a popular Internet social network, of several Van Alstyne families sledding on our snow-covered hill, brought back fond memories of when I was little and living in Toledo, Ohio.

My dad, like the three Van Alstyne dads in the picture, took my sister and me, and often as many of our friends who wanted to go, to area hills when the snow was right. We had a long 4-person sled that you could steer. My dad would get us situated on that sled and then give us a rousing push to help us get the most out of our run (because it was a long walk back to the top). There were usually others sledding on the hills so a certain amount of etiquette was needed. Of course, since we were only about 8 or 10, sometimes the other sledders suffered because we weren’t really good about knowing or practicing the necessary etiquette.

I still have a picture in my head of an older teen-age boy who did all he could to get out of our way. We could steer our sled — just weren’t very good at it. The picture I have is that young man resting on his toboggan in front of us and as we went through the place were he had been, he was suddenly in the air above us to avoid us running him over.

My dad took us ice skating during those times, as well, and taught us how to skate. He didn’t ice skate but somehow, he was able to teach us. I always marveled at that. Lake Erie was at the end of our street, so we often walked down the street to go ice skating. Sometimes, the winters were so bad, we could simply put our skates on sitting on the front step of our house and then ice skate down the sidewalks to the lake. It also was pretty common for a neighbor or two to flood their vacant lots so everyone in the neighborhood could go ice skating. It was a Norman-Rockwell-style event, minus the music.

I remember that we went to school no matter how much snow fell. We didn’t learn about snow days until we moved to Gainesville, Texas. I was 12, and that was a long time ago.

We may all get another shot at playing in the snow this year because snow is predicted for Tuesday. I hope to see all those Van Alstyne youngsters having fun on our hill again. I may join in this time.

Have you ever had a song stuck in your head?

2009-12-10T13:41:00.000-08:00

I attended a church service last week and one of the songs we sang was “Marching to Zion.”

Well, the tune stuck in my head. I was humming it, singing it and hearing it in my head constantly. So much so that by the end of the week, I was ready to catch a new song.

I shared that with the music minister at my church, Ron Ethredge, who assured me there would be a snappy line up of music that Sunday so I might catch on to a different tune. He was true to his word, and when I left church, I was humming a new song. This was great.

On my way home from church, I admired some of the beautiful yard decorations on display in the front yards of homes around Van Alstyne. In one of those I saw a penguin. I think it caught my eye because, the night before, I watched the movie “March of the Penquins” — and, by the way, loved it. If you haven’t seen that movie, you should. The photography is stunning and the story engaging. It gave me a new concept of parental dedication and sacrifice for the sake of offspring.

The story is about thousands of Emperor Penquins in Antarctica that walk 70 miles over ice to their breeding ground every year. One particular detail caught my attention and made me wonder how scientists can believe in the theory of evolution. The penquin father is the only parent present when the chick hatches. He has had no food in months and there is no food available near the breeding ground. The mother has not yet returned from her walk back to the ocean to be able to feed and store up food for the chick before wallking a third time over ice to the breeding grounds. The chick needs to be fed but sometimes the mothers don’t return for a couple of days after the hatching.

The creator in all His wisdom provided for the new chick to be able to get life-sustaining food while waiting for the mother’s return. There is a small compartment in the back of the father’s throat that holds just enough nourishment for the chick to have one feeding that sustains him until the mother returns. I marvel at the details our creator has built into all our lives.

But, back to my original story. After seeing the penguin yard art, the movie title went through my mind.

Once I heard the word “march,” the whole morning of reprogramming my brain for a new song was gone, gone, gone. In an instant, I was again singing “Marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion. I’m marching onward to Zion...”

I’m delighted to think about seeing the “beautiful city of God,” but I REALLY need a new song. I’m taking a different route home from church this Sunday.

A Local Hero

2009-11-18T10:42:00.000-08:00

I took this picture in 2007 and it's one of my all-time favorites. Airman Bill Long stands in salute as a mournful "Taps" sounds from a single trumpet at the graveside services for Long's brother, Spc. Braden Joseph Long Sunday afternoon at Cedarlawn Memorial Park in Sherm

an. Spc. Long was killed in battle in Iraq Aug. 4, 2007. In the background is an honor-guard detail from the Sherman Police Department, also standing in salute and further back is part of the line of Patriot Guard surrounding the grave site holding U.S. flags. Member or the Sherman Fire Department were also present to honor Sherman's fallen warrior.

The story of Spc. Braden Joseph Long, by Joyce Godwin:

A 2005 graduate of Sherman High School, he is remembered for his infectious smile, love of cars, love for his family and the intense desire to serve his country.

Spc. Long died of injuries sustained when his Humvee came under grenade attack in Baghdad Aug. 4, just three days shy of his 20th birthday. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

During his short military career, Spc. Long earned the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Action Badge, Iraqi Campaign Medal and Global War on Terrorism Medal. He served as a gunner.

Chaplain Ken Sorenson told mourners at Faith Church of Sherman that one of the outstanding features of Spc. Long was his smile. His father added in a later telephone interview that his son's smile was always there. Sorenson used the letters in 'smile' to describe Spc. Long to family and friends who flocked to his funeral. 'S' was for Specialist, Braden's army rank. 'M' was for military. He said Spc. Long wanted to join the military since he was a little boy. 'I' was for his intelligence in choosing a supportive wife like Teresa and for choosing the Army. 'L' stood for likeable. Sorenson said Spc. Long was an incredibly loving person. "I can see why Teresa would fall in love with him," Sorenson said.

Lastly, 'E' stood for excellence. He described Spc. Long as determined to do the right thing. He would always fulfill his commitments.

Sorenson referred to the scripture Romans 5:7-8. "Christ died for us," Sorenson said. "There is something about a man who is willing to die for those he doesn't even know...day after day, a willingness to sacrifice his all for people who didn't know him, much like his Savior did 2,000 years ago."

Later in the service, Sorenson said, "Freedom is never free and his (Spc. Long's) death serves as a reminder of the cost."

Following the final prayer of the funeral, the cadence of marching military began to echo across the auditorium and grew louder as the military honor guard advanced through the church isle to retrieve Spc. Long's casket.

Mourners poured from the church and the unmistakable roar of motorcycle engines could be heard as the Patriot Guard prepared to escort Spc. Long and his family to Cedarlawn Memorial Park for the final farewell. This was the third part of the Guard's mission for Spc. Long.

Riders met the plane bearing Spc. Long's casket at Grayson County Airport last Thursday and escorted him to Waldo Funeral Home in Sherman. Then the Guard stood in a protective formation around the funeral home during the family's visitation Friday.

With flags unfurled in the wind, the motorcycles escorted Spc. Long and his family and friends to Cedarlawn.

As the procession passed each police sentry at various intersections on the procession route through Sherman, the officer sentry boarded his unit with lights flashing and joined the end of the procession until there were 10 cruisers bringing up the rear.

Sherman firefighters also honored the fallen hero with a U.S. flag suspended between two ladder trucks for the procession to pass under as it turned into Cedarlawn from Texoma Parkway. From that point, the procession stretched west on FM 691 all the way to U.S. Highway 75.

Inside the funeral tent, the awards earned by Spc. Long were each presented to his wife, Teresa, his mother, Melanie Thrasher, and his father.

When a mournful "Taps" sounded out from a single trumpet, military and police alike raise their hands in salute. Then Airman Bill Long, Spc. Long's older brother who was sitting with the family, stood slowly, turned toward the ceremony and raised his salute. Airman Long, served as escort for his brother's final return to Sherman. He was his mother's support along with her husband, Bobby Thrasher, throughout the services.

Hours after the funeral, Spc. Long's father described their son as a normal teen while he was growing up. "But then, when you look back, you see a teen that almost never caused trouble," William Long said. "He was focused in wanting to go into the Army and that's what he did. He was a fantastic kid and a wonderful husband for his wife, and we are really going to miss him."

William Long commented on the military honors during his son's service. "The amount of people that showed up was way beyond our expectations," he added. "We knew the Patriot Guard was coming but we didn't know how many there would be."

Sparky Cox of Sherman served as one of the Ride Captains for the Patriot Guard along with Mike Grove of Bells and Gary Winters of Sherman. Cox reported there were 129 motorcycles and several cars carrying Patriot Guard members who came from as far away as Waurika, Okla to the north and Fort Worth and Garland to the South.

William Long said his son was doing what he wanted. "He wanted to join and signed up and enlisted right after his 17th birthday, but couldn't go in for basic training until eight months later," William Long said. "He was unbelievably proud to wear the uniform and his whole family was very proud of him."

Spc. Long was sworn into the Army Oct. 2, 2004. He left for basic training June 28, 2005 and did his basic training at Fort Knox, Ky. A Web site set up in his memory states he left for his first duty station, Ft. Riley, in Nov 2005. He was deployed to Iraq Feb 8, 2007.

He is the fourth military personnel, and the fifth over all, from the Texoma area to die while serving in support of the war against terrorism.

Using shorthand

2009-11-12T17:03:00.000-08:00

Sitting next to a friend in my Wednesday morning Bible Study recently, my friend noticed an element in my note taking that is something she doesn’t often see. I still use Gregg shorthand that I learned in college. In the same session, I took out my iPhone to make some adjustments on upcoming dates as they were announced.

My friend commented on my use of technology as well as my use of shorthand in the same conversation, and it struck me later the dichotomy of the two.

I love to stay up with technology and have the latest to work on, but most times can’t afford it. I did splurge to get an iPhone, though, and now I think I can’t live without it. It’s really a hand-held computer for all the things it does.

On the other end of the technology spectrum, I also use shorthand when I’m taking notes, and I’m thankful I never stopped using it.

To the unfamiliar eye, my scrawling looks much like a foreign language, and in a way, it is. People often look at what I’m writing, and I’m sure they wonder if I know what I’m doing. The use of shorthand has diminished greatly in the business world with the increased use of dictation machines, and later, computers. It seems to be a dying art, and therefore, not as many people are familiar with or know about shorthand as in the 1960s.

I was surprised to see, through a quick look on the Internet, there are still some courses available where someone can learn a shorthand system, but they don’t seem to be very plentiful.

I learned shorthand in 1968 but have never used it in business until the past 10 years working for the Herald Democrat. The system made it easier to take more complete notes in college, but then I couldn’t lend my notes to someone who missed class. That also meant there were fewer people willing to lend me notes when I missed. Everything has a trade off.

I do enjoy the quizzical glances I get as those who aren’t familiar with shorthand try to decipher what must seem like hieroglyphics scratched across my pad.

For new moms

2009-11-03T08:13:00.000-08:00

Tiffany is a family friend who went to school with our daughter Jamie.

I wrote this to her on the day she went back to work after becoming a new mother.

Dear Tiffany,

Today you leave your sweet baby princess for the first time of any length to return to work.

It’s a tough day for most new mothers and many repeat new mothers — that first day back to work — and today it’s yours. It will continue to be a tough separation for a while but it will get easier with time.

Soon you’ll be a pro at managing all the little details involved with leaving that special bundle who sleeps in her room under the letters of her name. It’s a room that shows a mother’s love in every detail.

We all understand what you feel today because we’ve been there. But that doesn’t lessen your anxiety or stress.

Remind yourself and take solace in knowing, she is not going to change while you’re gone and she’s always going to know who you are, i.e., the most important person in her sweet life. Remember also that God has his hand on you and her, and when God is in control, we get only the VERY best in our lives.

There are many more disappointments in store for you as your little one grows up. That’s motherhood. But those disappointments will melt away through the joys you will feel as you share your life with this new little one who’s taken over your every waking thought.

Your love will grow exponentially day by day, year by year, and a life of joy will totally overshadow the sadness of days like today.

Cowboy pre game 9-20

2009-09-22T22:52:00.000-07:00

As one might expect, the season opener for the Dallas Cowboys was one of grand spectacle and elaborate preparations. A video showing some of the Cowboy history from the beginning to today opened the official ceremonies for pre-game. “Texas, this is the time of legends,” a booming voice said to the more than 100,000-sized crowd. “It’s a new chapter for America’s team because tonight the Cowboys have come home.”

With the video’s final frame, shown on the world’s largest high-definition television screen measuring 160 feet by 72 feet, attention was directed to center field where the turf was pealed away to display the Cowboy blue and white star and the crowd erupted in cheers and standing ovations. Attendees were clearly thrilled to be a part of the Cowboys’ showing off a new home.

A flag was carried out by military individuals of all branches of the service who seemed proud and excited to be selected to help display Old Glory, which by the time everyone was in place, stretched the entire width of the field.

Former American Idol winner Jordan Sparks led the crowd in the Star Spangled Banner. When she finished the phrase “Oh say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave,” the men and women attending the flag began to move the fabric up and down so it looked like it was waving.

President George W. Bush and wife Laura were ushered onto the field from the western end zone for the ever-common coin toss which assigns the ball’s first carrier in every football game. At his introduction, the crowd began to cheer and applaud. One person yelled out “We love you George” and the phrase was picked up by others who repeated it. Bush tossed the coin and the small group gathered on the blue star immediately looked down to see it’s outcome. The Cowboys won.

Some might have claimed that win to be a good omen for what was to follow, but unfortunately, the Cowboys were upset by the Giants in the inauguration game for their new stadium home.

Nevertheless, a new kind of excitement filled the air as players ran onto the field with fanfare of cheerleaders waving pompoms, loud music and smoke.

Even mother nature cooperated with a beautiful sunset sky to show through the openings at the western end of the stadium.

Informative week

2009-08-26T17:37:00.000-07:00

Our "Good Morning" column appears on the front page of each paper. We (editorial staff) all write them at different times. I learned a few things last week and decided to share them in the "good morning" column. It appeared in our paper today and for any of you who may not be able to see our paper, I've posted it here. Hope you like it.

By Joyce Godwin

Herald Democrat

I received an e-mail recently titled “Life’s Handbook for 2009” and several points expressed in the writings touched me. You might say I learned something from it, or was reminded of things.

In fact, last week was pretty informative for me on several levels.

You know all those stories you hear about someone being victimized because an unscrupulous person got hold of their bank or credit-card account information? Well, I learned those stories are not just happening to “other” people. To my surprise, I now know it can happen to me.

The e-mail I mentioned instructed that I should not compare my life to that of others. “You have no idea what their journey is all about.” Is that something like don’t jump from the pan into the fire?

Also, “Don’t take yourself so seriously; no one else does,” and “don’t waste your precious energy on gossip. Dream more while you are awake, and envy is a waste of time.” All GREAT advice to include in a handbook about life.

I also learned last week (or it was my decision) that our City Editor, Gary Carter, is never again allowed to take a vacation. Unfortunately for me, I don’t have the power to enforce that one.

The last and maybe the most important thing I learned last week, at least for the immediate future, is those treadmills driven by electricity keep moving even when you stop walking.

My daughter burst into laughter at the mental picture that lesson presented her. Actually, I prefaced it with “You’ll never guess what happened to me,” and she guessed it. I think she knows me better than I thought. And, what my husband said first is, I hope no one there knew your last name.

No one did, at least I’m pretty sure of that. Although, one really nice and considerate man removed his ear plugs and asked me if I was okay. I was, but my humiliation level was over the top.

One of my Facebook friends said she has had a similar experience and then I didn’t feel so stupid. But, in all fairness, let me say I got distracted when I saw Pudge wearing a Ranger uniform again. Sweet!

My daughter’s still laughing... and so am I.

Sunday lunch

2009-08-09T19:00:00.000-07:00

Jamie brought Langston and Hallie to church in Van Alstyne today and we went to dinner with the Servatis afterward. Here are some of our pictures. Kristi, Jamie and I are the only ones who didn't get in the pictures.

First is Umbi with Hallie then Umbi with Raigan.

Then we have Griff holding Langston and Jaidan and Griff holding Langston with Kaidan.

We had a great time.

Cowboy Stadium

2009-08-09T18:29:00.000-07:00

Punctuated with chrome and glass, steel and mirrors, the new Cowboy Stadium is almost ready to go. It was unveiled to season-ticket holders Saturday. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the doors were opened and those with tickets were allowed to roam freely from level to level and section to section.

Billy Wayne said he’s never seen anything like it. The structure was massive. The sliding roof covers were closed fending off the days stifling heat from 100-plus-degree temperatures.

A large array of event staff was on hand to make sure the tour was easy and interested individuals could see everything they wanted to see.

The jumbo-tron is huge and will surely enhance the football-watching experience of every seat in the stadium.

A tribute to Allie

2009-06-16T19:10:00.000-07:00

Last week the Godwins said hello to a new grandson when daughter Jamie gave birth. This week the Godwins are saying goodbye to an old and very loyal family member. Our dog Allie has reached the point where quality of life is at an all time low so we need to relieve her of her discomfort.

Allie is a black Labrador retriever who entered our home for the first time in 1994 in my sister-in-law Marylyn’s purse. Allie, whose full name is Allie Oop, made us all happy. Of course she was my husband’s and daughter’s dog, but I was the one who rose night after night and made my bed next to Allie’s pen so she could feel like she wasn’t alone (and stop howling).

She was their dog but she was my companion day by day. I trained her to walk on a leash though, sometimes I wasn’t sure who was walking whom. I trained her to sit but Billy Wayne trained her to shake. She was a smart, smart dog and training her to do things was incredibly easy.

When she first moved in with us, the plan was to build a pen for her outside but that never got done and she spent all of her life inside. That is probably why she’s survived this 15 years — 105 if I understand the doggie-years calculations.

Allie stood guard over all of us and every baby or child who spent time with us. Her normal sleeping place was at the foot of Jamie’s bed, and when Jamie went to college, Allie continued to sleep in Jamie’s room, until I finally began shutting the door to keep her out. Undeterred, Allie simply figured out how to bump the door just under the doorknob to make it slip the latch and open. It took me a long time to figure out how she was doing that.

The youngsters of the Servati family of Van Anlstyne, where we live, spent a great deal of time at our house during Allie’s life. Allie was a constant companion to Raigan and Kerrigan (the two oldest of four beautiful girls) from their cradle days. It was common place for me to enter the living room and see Raigan watching television from the floor with the top part of her body lying on Allie, as if the dog was a bean-bag chair, and Allie perfectly content. Whenever any of the girls took a nap, Allie was laying next to them in such a way that no one could get to the children unless they went through the loyal Allie Oop.

When Billy Wayne was found to have cancer, he began a year of arduous interferon therapy. Although he seldom missed work, he was sick many days and just plain drained most days. Allie knew. She frequently left her nightly post in Jamie’s room to lye on the floor next to Bill. During the days, she sat next to Billy’s chair in quiet vigil over him. She knew.

Our lives have been enriched by knowing Allie. I share this story today as a celebration of the life of a noble friend whom we will miss greatly. It’s a natural cycle for the generous people who share their lives with “man’s best friend” whose only desire is to please us.

On the Internet in a variety of places, one may find the story of the Rainbow Bridge attributed to an anonymous author. I love this story, and hope it’s appreciated here by others.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.   When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.  There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.  There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.   All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.  The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.   They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.   You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.   Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....   Author unknown...

Remembering D-Day

2009-06-11T09:18:00.000-07:00

We've been pretty busy with our new baby and I feel bad I didn't post anything about the 65th anniversary of D-Day. It's important to me to honor our military men and women and our veterans. But, since I've been busy with family stuff, I'm just going to take a shortcut. I did a story in the Herald Democrat for D-Day and I'm just going to post that story here.

One thing interesting I learned while doing research for this. The D-Day memorial is in Bedford, VA because that small town lost the most soldiers per capita on D-Day than any other town in America. That is the town where my father was born and raised and we still have much family there.

Several of my cousins appear on the list of soldiers from Bedford.

Following is my story:

Sixty-five years ago the Allied forces of World War II fought against insurmountable odds to attack from the sea along 50 miles of shoreline around Normandy, France. Brave forces stood in the gap for freedom against Nazi Germany, liberating untold numbers of everyday people caught in a Nazi chokehold. It was a time that earned today’s grandparents and great-grandparents the title “the greatest generation.” The youngest of those veterans of war are turning 82 this year.

It was June 6, 1944 — D-Day. The size of the event, dubbed Operation Overlord, was unprecedented and remains the largest land, air and sea invasion in history. Planning for the orchestration began in December 1943 and the invasion served to be a turning point in the European campaign against Nazi Germany — a decisive day in history.

The Allied forces were led by Denison native Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. A transcript of Eisenhower’s encouraging speech to the troops before embarking on the landing is found at the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Va.. It follows:

“Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

“Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened, he will fight savagely.

“But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory!

“I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!

“Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”

More than 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end on June 6, the Allies had gained a foot-hold in Normandy.

Staff Sgt. Carl W. Fulmer of Tioga was wounded in the D-Day invasion, his son Bill Fulmer of Whitesboro said. Staff Sgt. Fulmer survived WWII until Sept. 27, 1944 in France. During the battle, a machine-gun operator was killed and Staff Sgt. Fulmer stepped up and took over its operation. “He was the main officer with his group; he could have told someone else to do that, but he stepped up himself,” explained Bill Fulmer. It was in this battle that Staff Sgt. Fulmer was killed.

During his military career, he earned two Purple Hearts and the Silver Star. He was one of five brothers who were in the war at the same time. He attended high school in Tioga, attended Indian Creek Church and is buried in the Tioga cemetery. He was a member of the 90th Infantry Division of the 359th Infantry Regiment attached to Fort Dix, New Jersey.

Another Grayson County son was Lt. Comdr.. James Earl Riley, a 1942 graduate of Sherman High School whose activity on D-Day was aboard one of the troop carriers. He was a “boat’s inmate,” reported his wife Wanda from Pensacola, Fla. He took the troops to Utah Beach. She said he never talked much about his experiences in WWII.

“He came back and went to Austin College and then became an officer,” she said. “He retired from the Navy after 28-and-a-half years.”

Lt. Comdr. Riley also served in the Korean conflict as well as Vietnam. Mary Lueb of Sherman was a classmate of Riley’s and reported that he was a very dear friend. Others Grayson County boys she mentioned who were participants in the D-Day event are Pete Odum, Billy Painter and Billy Ray Fry.

Fry was a private first class for the Army when he departed the Higgins boat that delivered him to Omaha Beach in the first wave of the attack. His son, Judge James Fry of Sherman, said like so many other veterans of WWII, his father didn’t talk much about the experiences.

A member of the 29th Infantry Division, Pfc. Fry was not injured during the D-Day invasion but he was wounded about 10 days later when he was captured by the Germans. He remained a prisoner of war for about nine months before escaping with another POW with the assistance of a former Luftwaffe pilot. Judge Fry remembers that his dad came home in 1945.

“He told me very little about D-Day,” Jim Fry said. “When the movie ‘Saving Private Ryan’ came out, I called my dad and asked if he was going to see it. There was a long silence before he said, ‘Son, I spent 50 years trying to forget what happened on that beach, now why would I want to see that.’”

Jim Fry said his dad did eventually see the movie and he reported the scene that was the D-Day landing was pretty realistic. Billy Ray Fry died on the 60th anniversary of D-Day.

From the documentary movie “Voices of D-Day,” Thomas Valence, a rifle sergeant, tells how many of the troops got sick while moving toward the beach. He said the water was rough and choppy.

“As we came down the ramp, we were in water about knee high, and we started to do what we were trained to do — move forward, and then crouch and fire,” Valence said. “One of the problems was we didn’t quite know what to fire at.” He said men on either side of him were being “hit and put out of action so quickly that it became a struggle to stay on one’s feet.”

He reported how he abandoned his equipment that had become heavy and while floundering to get his balance he was shot through his left hand breaking a knuckle and again through the palm of his hand.

“I felt nothing but a little sting at the time, but I was aware that I was shot,” he said. “My rifle jammed, so I picked up a carbine and got off a couple of rounds. We were shooting at something that seemed inconsequential. There was no way I was going to knock out a German concrete emplacement with a .30-caliber rifle.

I was hit again, once in the left thigh, which broke my hip bone, and a couple of times in my pack, and then my chin strap on my helmet was severed by a bullet. I worked my way up onto the beach, and staggered up against a wall, and collapsed there. The bodies of the other guys washed ashore, and I was one live body amongst many of my friends who were dead and, in many cases, blown to pieces.”

More than 150,000 men were moved across the English Channel that day to the shores of France. Six parachute regiments, more than 13,000 men, were flown from nine British airfields in more than 800 planes. More than 300 planes dropped 13,000 bombs over coastal Normandy immediately in advance of the invasion.

By nightfall on June 6, more than 9,000 Allied soldiers were dead or wounded, but more than 100,000 had made it ashore, securing French coastal villages and beginning the march across Europe to defeat Hitler.

Captured Germans were sent to American prisoner-of-war camps at the rate of 30,000 POWs per month from D-Day until December 1944. Thirty-three detention facilities were in Texas alone.

Saturday was June 6. It is a day to remember the valor, fidelity and sacrifice of this country’s “greatest generation.”

6-7-2009 — To My daughter

2009-06-09T22:48:00.000-07:00

Today, my sweet girl, you joined a new and noble club.

I watched you suffer the long pains of child birth, the end of which presented the sweet picture of you as a new mother.

You planned for this moment and this time for nine months only to learn there is much you cannot plan nor predict. Welcome to motherhood.

Today you learned a new love. I saw it when you got your first glimpse of little Langston. Now, you’re beginning to realize how much you can love another person. This, my Himeeta, is only the beginning. Your love will grow exponentially day by day, year by year.

You’re going to experience the joys of watching your little son grow, only to wish at every stage that he will stay just as he is. Do you remember me asking you to “stay just like you are — promise Mommy you’ll never change from the way you are right now.” You always said in your sweet little voice and with a big smile, “Okay, Mommy.”

Every stage of growth of your little boy is going to be like that for you.

Now, my little girl, you have a glimpse of how much you are loved.

more of our little angel

2009-06-09T21:31:00.001-07:00

Langston Peck Wayne Roubinek

2009-06-08T10:30:00.000-07:00

Our family had a new arrival Sunday.

Langston Peck Wayne Roubinek was born at 1:32 p.m. Sunday.

He landed weighing 7 pounds 10 ounces and he's 20 inches long.

Celebration Freedom concert

2009-05-25T14:25:00.000-07:00

The rain threatened on and off all day in Hobart but at the beginning of the concert, this rainbow showed up...... Then it rained again.

Wayne Newton was also a featured entertainer and took the stage backed by McCoy's band

Celebration Freedom '09

2009-05-25T01:58:00.000-07:00

We just returned from a weekend in Hobart, OK — some call it Hobart America. It's where Gen. Tommy Franks has built his museum and leadership institute and this weekend was the grand opening.

It was a great time filled with laughter, new friends and old as well as new experiences, sights and sounds.

NFL Alumni Tournament

2009-05-07T23:16:00.000-07:00

We just finished the NFLA tournament at Tanglewood last weekend. In this economy, we probably won't raise as much money as we usually do but we still had a lot of participation. More than I thought we would.

The tournament was fun as always. The celebrities were gracious as always even though the afternoon flight was hampered and finally stopped by rain.

I met and interviewed June Jones, the new SMU coach.

Texas Medical Board misbehaving

2009-04-29T13:28:00.000-07:00

I think a new underground community has sprung up in recent years.

I just returned from a hearing in which a friend was under scrutiny and in danger of permanently losing his medical license. It was suspended pending a hearing.

And what did he do to earn this trouble? He took care of his patients and lived by all the rules.

The Texas Medical Board received a complaint from the good doctor’s son who had been working at the doctor’s clinic. The son apparently was angry because his dad would not pay him $5,000 and “give” him a percentage of the business. Oh, yeah, and this came while the son was a fugitive from the law, and himself, strung out on drugs. The family had already suffered greatly at the hands of the son before the complaint was made.

Based on the complaint from the son, which charged Dr. Richard Massey of Fredericksburg, Texas with all sorts of misconduct, the TMB wanted the Dr. Massey to send his files to be reviewed so it could be ascertained that the doctor did no wrong. Dr. Massey , whose patients — 100 percent of them — are private-pay individuals, allowed his patients a choice in case they didn’t want their personal information looked at by strangers. His patients, all of them, took their files and each patient decided to maintain his or her own.

After the TMB letter “requesting” files was sent, it was followed by a notice of subpoena. By this time, the doctor no longer had possession of the files and couldn’t comply with the order from the TMB. After thousands and thousands of dollars spent on legal advice and assistance; even more dollars lost in revenue from his medical practice, the doctor was in official administrative hearings Tuesday and Wednesday in Austin and still no resolution.

My concern is that a government agency has the power and the will to turn a man’s life upside down to the point he must now consider finding another place to live, on the basis of a capricious complaint from a known felon, fugitive and drug addict. The doctor has paid thousands of dollars to the TMB over the years in fees required to keep his license current, but the moment any complaint comes in, he is automatically suspect.

Why is no effort made to vet the person making the complaint? Perhaps this “confidential” witness business needs to be done away with. The doctor’s experience has caused me to do some research, and I’ve found his story to be only one of this nature, suffered at the hands of the TMB. That brings me to my lead-in statement. The new, under-ground culture is developing among people who’ve been oppressed and mistreated by the legal system. Individuals who’ve been forced to defend themselves against the TMB, probate courts or excessive and unnecessary law suites — many of them losing everything — are sharing their hard-earned knowledge with others who are beginning the fight and the Internet is assisting this community to assimilate its information and to organize.

In a letter from the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons Inc. to the Sunset Commission in 2004, the question is raised of excessive fines imposed by the regulatory agency. The letter “Suggestion by AAPS for the Sunset Review Committee” may be seen in its entirety at www.aapsonline.org/testimony/txsrc.htm. Part of item No. 7 “Complaints and Sanctions” follows:

Complaints are exaggerated to make accused physicians sound worse than they are; information inadvertently left off an application but indicated elsewhere leads the board to charge physicians with “defrauding the public;” a physician who removed the wrong lung during surgery received public reprimand plus a $2,500 fine while a physician failing to provide records within two weeks of the board’s request received a public reprimand plus a $10,000 fine. Fusing the spine in the wrong area resulted in a patient’s need for additional surgery and led to a public reprimand with no fine, but failure to provide requested information to the board in a timely manner resulted in a $5,000 fine.

A further look into TMB’s financial status may reveal more about the mindset of the individuals who act on behalf of the people of Texas. On the TMB Web site under the “revenue” sub-head, it states “In FY 2008-2009, the agency will collect revenue of approximately $58.1 million, an excess of $39.7 million above the agency’s current biennial budget of $18.4 million. The agency projects revenue of approximately $60 million in the FY 2010-2011 biennium and is requesting a total appropriation of approximately $21.6 million including all exceptional items. One may read the entire file at www.tmb.state.tx.us/agency/TMB_LAR_FY_2010-2011.pdf. In light of the letter from AAPS to the Sunset Committee, I think I know where that “excess revenue” is coming from. The doctors are being indiscriminately fleeced. And, the agency is requesting to increase its enforcement staffing to be able to handle the “increased number of investigations in a timely manner.” Translation: So we can fleece more doctors faster.

To add insult to injury, this government agency has never been audited. An audit would give us a picture of its revenue and the fairness of the fines imposed upon Texas doctors.

If allowed to continue in this manner, Texas will have a great deal of trouble attracting good doctors. Before long, doctors who practice alternative medicine will be gone and that will be a great loss to the people of this great state.

If interested in more information see the following Web sites:

• Hall of Shame - Texas State Board of Medical Examiners (www.aapsonline.org/hallofshame/tx.php);

• Texas Medical Board Watch (www.texasmedicalboardwatch.com);

• The Texas Medical Board Vs. Doctors...More Corruption in Texas (http://theeprovocateur.blogspot.com/2008/05/texas-medical-board-vs-doctorsmore.html);

• or use one of the search engines and search for “Texas Medical Board.”

From Thomas Jefferson:

WHEN THE PEOPLE FEAR THEIR GOVERNMENT ,THERE IS TYRANNY...

WHEN THE GOVERNMENT FEARS THE PEOPLE , THERE IS LIBERTY.

Donny Anderson's annual Sports Gala

2009-04-14T21:39:00.000-07:00

I went to the Winners for Life Foundation Sports Gala Thursday, saw lots of friends and had lots of fun.

Donny Anderson, former NFL great with the Green Bay Packers, hosted the event and got plenty of his NFL Alumni friends to join in the raising of funds to provide scholarships for area college students.

knows the value of education. He learned it from his father. Now he tries to pass on that lesson to anyone who will listen. He not only teaches the values of education, he also puts his efforts and money behind it through his Winners for Life Foundation. What’s different about the scholarships offered through WFL is the qualifications. They are not required to have the best grades; but they have to be in need of the financial help.

For the past four years, Anderson's foundation has brought close to $30,000 each year to Grayson County students in the form of college scholarships. Three of those students spoke to the crowd gathered at the Dallas Convention Center Thursday to say thank you for an opportunity to have a future. They are all Grayson County students.

Brianna Mundine, of Sherman, said she was nervous before ascending to the stage to say her thank yous. "I just prayed about it and did fine, but I was glad it was over," she said. While on stage Mundine credited her grandparents with providing a home for her. Her early life was filled with strife, which included drugs, in the lives of her parents. Her father, she said, has been in jail most of her life, and her mother also spent two years in jail. She said she never felt really loved as a young child. By age 16, Brianna was pregnant and by 17 she had a baby, a full-time job and was a full-time student.

"I actually thought I would not be able to go to college," Mundine said. "The money from Winners for Life is making the difference for me."

The young woman whose degree plan includes psychology and sociology, plans to work with teenage mothers. "I've been through pretty much everything you can touch in a troubled home," Mundine said. "I do feel like anyone coming from any circumstance can overcome any obstacle (as I did) with God in my life. Since I converted my life He (God) has made a way for me."

Mundine said teenage mothers need to hear her encouraging story to know there is a way to a better life.

Joanna Ramirez of Denison also plans to use her past to help people in her future. She is also attending college on a Winners for Life scholarship. She plans a degree in psychology and then she wants to enter the military and attend law school. Her practice, she says, will be in family law because she believes she can make a valuable contribution.

Ramirez told the folks at the sports gala that as a young child, a closet was the only place she found to hold safety for her. As she choked back her tears, she described her time in the closet and told of how she heard the screams of her mother being beaten by her father. This continued until she was about 13 and when she told of how she and her brother finally got the courage to stand up to their father, spontaneous applause filled the room.

Ramirez explained that she would not be in college except for the help from Winners for Life. "Getting this scholarship shows me there is somebody out there who cares," she said. "It's more than just the money. It's knowing that people who don't know me are willing to help me better myself. It's better for all of us, for the community."

Anderson credits his football career and his association with Vince Lombardi for learning the value of giving back to his community. He partnered with retired teacher Linkie Seltzer Cohn in 1996 to write a book of encouragement for young people titled "Winners for Life" and its impact led to the creation of the WFL Foundation.

Check out the foundation’s Web site at www.wflfoundation.org.

Happy Easter

2009-04-13T22:39:00.000-07:00

At a charity event I attended recently, one of the speakers, a local girl, talked about her early life when a closet was her favorite place because it was the only place where she felt safe. It was her only escape from the mayhem caused by the beatings inflicted on her mother by her father.
She was 13 when the beatings finally stopped and she had to find a way to put her life back together so she could have a future.

It occurred to me the timing of hearing that student speak was right in line with the Holy Week events honored by Christians remembering the death and subsequent rising of Jesus Christ. It's all about restoration.

Easter Sunday is a day we celebrate as one of new beginnings when all things are new. It's probably no accident that this event comes during a season when vegetation is returning to life. Trees are budding, flowers beginning to show themselves and the air is warming.

Great numbers of us will bow heads Sunday to worship the Son of God who died on the cross to pay for the sins of all humanity. We will marvel that our creator loves us so much he allowed his own son to suffer the humiliation of crucifixion as an offering to reconcile our sinful nature to Him.

That's why the story of Jesus Christ is called "the Good News." In order to be reconciled to God for the everlasting reward of heaven, we need only accept in our hearts that God made this offering for us. That's why we call Jesus "Savior," and that is why Easter is such a huge celebration for Christians.

Without the death and resurrection of Christ, there can be no Christianity.

Lots of religions on this planet worship deities of one sort or another, and with all, the only path to a heavenly reward is through work we do on earth. But our Bible teaches there is nothing we can do to 'earn' a place in heaven. We must accept the free gift of eternal life paid for with the suffering of Jesus Christ.

This Sunday you can find me in church like millions of others who accept the grace of God as a gift. Like the young student whose life has experienced restoration on earth, I find the Christian message of Easter to be good news indeed.

Happy Easter.

Rolando Blackman came to Sherman

2009-02-19T22:05:00.000-08:00

I interviewed Rolando Blackman this morning. He was the keynote speaker at the WNJ annual breakfast. He is truly a nice, nice person.

He's going to work with me on a couple of future stories I'll be working on and said he'd help me later to get his autograph on things we can put in the silent auction at our NFL Alumni golf tournament.

Everson Walls was also there. He was keynote speaker last year and likes us so much he came back for today's event.

I'm posting a few of my pictures from this morning. Rolando spent quite a bit of time in face-to-face conversations with 14 high school students who came over from Ector to see him.

Another Happy Birthday on the 17th

2009-01-16T11:30:00.000-08:00

Andrew Jackson was born in 1948.

Be sure to call these two birthday boys to wish them a happy day.

Happy Birthday on the 17th

2009-01-16T11:26:00.000-08:00

To our son Trey. He was born in 1969.

This picture is one of Trey playing 'Guitar Hero' Christmas Day. He's pretty good, too.

Happy Birthday O.B.

2009-01-04T18:28:00.000-08:00

We stopped by Middle Creek Ranch, close to Austin, Saturday to celebrate Dr. O.B. Jackson’s birthday.

O.B. furnished a steak dinner for eight with the assistance of Sherrie Jackson who came all the way from Florida to celebrate New Year’s Eve and O.B.’s birthday.

O.B.’s brother Andrew brought his loyal companion, Nonya, and with them came K.R. Wood aka Camp Cookie. Mark King also spent the evening with us and brought his friend Cindy — it was great fun for everyone.

O.B., Mark, Andrew and Billy are all high school buds who’ve remained good friends all these years.

We had fun!!!!

Christmas Day 2008

2009-01-04T18:20:00.000-08:00

We spent Christmas Day 2008 was spent with family at daughter Jamie’s home in Frisco and it was one of the best Christmas Days we’re ever had.

Our son Trey and wife Rhonda stayed most of the day with our grandchildren Sydney and Liam. Hallie and Easton, Jamie and Jeff’s children were also part of the merry making. After Christmas dinner we exchanged gifts.

Much of our attention was spent on the “Guitar Hero” game. Sydney showed everyone up with her Guitar Hero abilities and unlocked new levels for the family to be able to play.

For dinner, Rhonda brought Cornish hens and Jamie made a casserole with cream corn and another with green beans. I fixed a salad made pumpkin and pecan pies and my mother’s frozen salad that she used to fix for holiday meals. Also, I made the carrot casserole our family likes.

We had a wonderful day.

Jan. 1 — calm after the party

2009-01-02T21:29:00.000-08:00

Following are some scenes around the ranch taken Thursday. The first is a picture of a life-sized statue of Frederic Reminfton's famous "The Bronc Buster" with the flags unfurled above.

New Year's Eve

2009-01-02T20:35:00.000-08:00

New Year's Eve was a grand event for us this year.

Patty and Woody of Rising Star were their usual, gracious selves as they welcomed 40-plus guests for a catered, steak dinner followed by dancing to the music of the River Rats Review, a newly formed group from the Austin area.

A good time was had by all.

Debut of River Rats Review

2009-01-02T18:48:00.000-08:00

The River Rats Review is the result of two bands from the Austin area coming together as one.

It debuted New Year’s Eve in Rising Star at the Four Bar W West Ranch with a rich, full sound puncuated by beautiful harmony.

The six players entertained a group of more than 40 through midnight and a couple of hours into 2009 with music from the 50s, 60s, 70s and later. They mixed their genre through country western, rock and roll and some really good blues. They played Elvis, The Beatles, Carl Perkins, ZZ Top and a bunch of others.

Woody, the party’s host, joined the group on several songs on the drums throughout the night. He sat in on the final song and wowed everyone with a rocking drum solo.

We really loved this group and we’re hoping to hear them play again soon.

Billy Wayne gets good news

2008-12-19T13:13:00.000-08:00

We heard from Billy's doctor that all the cancer was removed and no further treatment will be needed. You may be able to hear the sigh of relief.

Thanks to all for prayers and words of comfort and thanks to God for manifold blessings.

Billy is recovering

2008-12-13T00:03:00.000-08:00

Day two after surgery has a little more pain than last night. He has stayed quiet all day Friday and been careful not to exert too much effort.

He's surprised at how much pain he's in.

Billy Wayne had surgery yesterday

2008-12-12T14:26:00.000-08:00

All is well. Dr. Thomas was able to do it in his office, but it was surgery just the same.

He's recovering at home and following the doctor's directions to take it easy.

The facts are, he was found to have melanoma again. Yesterday's surgery was to cut out the affected tissue and everything around it. Pathology will tell us in a week or so if it is completely gone.

You can reach him by e-mail at billgodwin@texoma.net.

We're keeping our fingers crossed that he won't have to have any further procedures and also won't have to have the interferon therapy again.

We'll keep you posted.

Back from Vegas

2008-12-09T19:54:00.001-08:00

We arrived at Addison Airport Monday night after a fun-filled trip that included a night with Brooks & Dunn, a tour of Hoover Dam, the South Point arena, shopping at the Las Vegas Convention Center and a day at the spa.

Now, back to the real world and back to work.

Backstage with Brooks & Dunn

2008-12-08T22:44:00.000-08:00

Brooks & Dunn Concert 12-6-08

2008-12-07T14:42:00.001-08:00

More Midland folk

2008-12-01T22:56:00.001-08:00

Who are these folks from Midland

2008-11-30T23:26:00.000-08:00

Can anyone tell me who these people are from a reunion probably in 1992 or 93?

1st Sgt. Miguel A. Wilson

2008-11-28T16:20:00.000-08:00

BONHAM — When 1st Sgt. Miguel Anthony Wilson, 36, said good-bye to his mother a month ago, he assured her he was happy in his job and proud of his missions and what he was doing in the military. He told her he knew there was danger and if something happened, he would want his family to celebrate his life and not mourn him.

But Friday, when a military detail, including a chaplain, came to her home in Bonham. The words they spoke to her seemed like a dream from which she thought she would awake any moment. They said her son died Friday in Abu Sayf, Iraq while he was rescuing another soldier. His mother learned later another soldier was drowning and her son jumped in to save him. “Later on we found out he did save him,” she said. “He didn’t take his gear off (when he jump in the water) which those back packs weigh 65 pounds. He just dived in and saved his fellow soldier and the weight of that back pack kept him under and then the current, they said, was strong and he drowned.”

Wanda Wilson said, the whole time the chaplain was speaking to her she just kept saying “no, no, no, no.” And, even now, though in her head she understands what happened, a little part of her still doesn’t believe it. “I don’t think it will become real to me until I go to the viewing and I know that is going to be hard for me,” she said.

First Sgt. Wilson was a 1990 graduate of Bonham High School where he was a member of the Warriors football team. His stepfather Vincent Neal says 1st Sgt. Wilson played corner back and running back. His father Michael Cooke, of Denison, remembers that Miguel stood out in soccer, played a little basketball and also ran track.

Wanda said through her tears, “Today, I’m fine. I’m not sad. I’m a very proud mother.”

His memorial service will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at Fort Hood’s 19th Street Chapel with interment at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen at 3 p.m.

A second memorial service will be held in Bonham at 3 p.m., Dec. 2 at the First Baptist Church of Bonham. The Patriot Guard Riders will serve as escorts for the family.

I might be a good bear

2008-11-27T13:15:00.000-08:00

When you’re a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could totally do that.

Before you hibernate, you’re supposed to eat yourself stupid. I could totally do that too.

When you’re a girl bear, you birth your children (who are the size of walnuts, the big ones are about a pound) while you’re sleeping and wake to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs. I could definitely deal with that.

If you’re a momma bear, everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who messes with your cubs, and if your cubs get out of line you swat them too. I could deal with that.

If you’re a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat. Yep, I’d make a good bear.

Now, I’d like to take credit for all this cuteness and wonderful comparisons to nature, but I can’t.

I heard it first from Mary Roberts last week as she opened my Bible study session. She said she usually looks for things to make people laugh that go along with the study materials for the day. “I’m just going to tell you up front,” she said. “I’m telling you this one just because I think it’s so cute.” She said it had been sent to her in an e-mail, and while she normally doesn’t forward or pay a lot of attention to them, she did read this one and loved it.

I loved it too. Enough so that I took the time to investigate the life of the American Black Bear (Ursus Americanus). It’s true about child birth during sleep. The little cubs nurse from their sleeping mom and find their warmth from her body while they grow their own fur.

It’s merely one more piece of evidence that our universe has been planned in every detail by a higher being. Bears don’t experience bone loss during those long periods of inactivity and they also don’t take bathroom breaks during their months of sleep.

Scientists are puzzled by these two features. Research has led to isolating a chemical in the bear’s blood that may prevent bone loss and could ultimately lend itself to treating human osteoporosis.

Yep, I could be a bear and would probably like it. But God made me a woman, and one thing I’ve learned in my 60 years is that God has a plan for me (Jeremiah 29:11). Accepting that is far more rewarding than anything I could want for myself.

I’m happy to be how God made me.

Role Models in my church

2008-11-24T07:52:00.000-08:00

I stumbled across a quote I once read. I liked it well enough to write it down but must offer apologies to its author because I didn’t make a note of his or her name.

As I look at it today, I think of Julia and Bill Jacks in Van Alstyne. I’ll bet everyone reading this knows someone to whom this applies: “Peace is seeing a sunset and knowing who to thank. The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.”

Bill’s illnesses have kept him from attending services for some time and that has worsened. Until illness overtook him a few years ago, he was helping out at church whenever his skills fit the need.

It never surprised me to run by the church to drop something off or pick something up and find him in his coveralls with a hammer or saw in his hand and always with a big smile.

Julia also has been a servant in a variety of areas in our church. I’ve watched this beautiful couple, the past 20 years, enjoy their lives, their friends, their church and family. Bill played many years in a local country western band.

Thank God for those wonderful people in our lives who set such fine examples for the rest of us.

Bill's birthday dinner

2008-11-20T12:08:00.000-08:00

We went to San Miguel's in McKinney for some good Mexican food and a few friends dropped in to join us.

Happy Birthday Bill Godwin

2008-11-19T13:35:00.000-08:00

November 19.

To the friends of Billy Wayne

2008-11-12T17:28:00.000-08:00

Check out the article called "Heroes" in July 2007

Psalm 145

2008-11-11T21:20:00.000-08:00

Psalm 145: 4-13

One generation shall praise Your works to another
And shall declare Your mighty acts.

On the glorious splendor of Your majesty
And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.

Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts,
And I will tell of Your greatness,

They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness
And shall shout joyfully of Your righteousness.

The Lord is gracious and merciful;
Slow to anger and great in loving kindness.

The Lord is good to all,
And His mercies are over all His works,

All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord,
And Your godly ones shall bless You.

They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom
And talk of Your power;

To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts
And the glory of the majesty of Your kingdom,

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.

Which things about God and His work in the world would you relate to a friend or family member?

Special quotes from Tommy Franks

2008-11-11T14:21:00.000-08:00

For complete story see www.heralddemocrat.com

Special quotes from Gen. Tommy Franks Nov. 8 for “Salute to Service” at the Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum, Hobart, Okla.

“… we as Americans have never done the best job we could have done, and we didn’t do what we should have done, when we should have said ‘welcome home’ to all those who served over there, a long time ago, in a place called Vietnam.”

“… young men and women serving a long way from home in Afghanistan and Iraq, not for the purpose of celebrating war but for the purpose of guaranteeing peace and freedom, and the ability for you and me … to be able to live in the land of the free because of the brave.”

“It’s time this time of year for us to recognize our veterans, recognize their families, recognize those who served, and raise our heads up and not be ashamed that we are the land of the free, home of the brave, and if you don’t believe that, just try to take it away from us.”

Gen. Tommy Franks, Retired with Four Stars

2008-11-11T13:36:00.000-08:00

Speech by Gen. Tommy Franks Nov. 8 for “Salute to Service” at the Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum, Hobart, Okla.:

You honor us by being here. All of you honor us by being here. You gentlemen (motioning toward veterans) honor us by what you did.

Isn’t it amazing, one nation under God. (Members of the crowd could be heard saying amen followed by applause).

How many of you are either veterans of service or family of veterans of service or love those who served? (Everyone in the crowd raised a hand).

This is a special day for us because we get a chance to open the doors on a little interim — kind of a museum. Some of y’all who went to OU are wondering what that word means — interim. Now, all the people from Oklahoma State would be able to tell you that interim is somewhere between where you start and where you’re going. That’s what we are opening today just for you. We want you to be able to walk through there and think about where you were, when.

And think about our kids, grandkids and all the things that made this country what it is. We have more than 230 years of American history and if you were anywhere around my wife at any particular time in your life, she would have given you an education about history because she’s a history teacher. She’s been giving me an education on history for a lot of years, going on 40 of them. She has had a lot to do with what you see when you go walking through the little exhibits next door.

What a wonderful community we have here that opened their arms to an outsider and said “come on down.”

You can think back a long, long time. Think back to Lexington and Concord more than 230 years ago when Americans first stood up and said “hey, hey, hey, we’re Americans and we’re going to live in a country that’s free.”

And you can go from there to Gettysburg and Vicksburg while we were all trying to figure out as a young nation what we were ultimately going to be.

And you can go from there to remember places like the Muse and the Argonne in World War I a long time ago, when none of us were here to see it, but the fact is that these young men and women, who wore uniforms like that one standing over there (pointing to a service man in uniform) didn’t come home until it was over, over there.

Then you can go from there to Omaha Beach, Pearl Harbor, the greatest generation, and you can think about those who served. You can go to Inchon, the Frozen Chosin and think about all those who served. and you can go from there ..... pause .... and An Loc and you can go to the Highlands and the Delta and recognize that we as Americans have never done the best job we could have done, and we didn’t do what we should have done, when we should have said “welcome home” to all those who served over there a long time ago in a place called Vietnam. (Applause).

You can go from there in 1983 in Beirut, Lebanon where we lost our Marines and you can go to 1993 in a place called Mogadishu, Somalia where we left so many of our dead in the streets and didn’t even bring them home — Mogadishu, Somalia.

Then you can go from there to 1996 to Kobart Towers, Saudi Arabia and in the middle of that you can go to Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990 and 91 and you can go on, all the way through where we are today, with young men and women serving a long way from home in Afghanistan and Iraq, not for the purpose of celebrating war but for the purpose of guaranteeing peace and freedom, and the ability for you and me and my family and my daughter and her husband and our grandkids standing right over there (motions in the direction of his family) to be able to live in the land of the free because of the brave.

It’s time this time of year for us to recognize our veterans, recognize their families, recognize those who served, and raise our heads up and not be ashamed that we are the land of the free, home of the brave, and if you don’t believe that, just try to take it away from us.

That’s enough bawlin‘ and everything like that. I get a little emotional when I talk about this kind of stuff and when I look in the eyes of people who really and truly care about what they are doing like my son-in-law who, as we speak, serves in our military and I’m honored that you are No. 1 part of my family, and No. 2 that you are here.

So what we are fixin‘ to do is some of us are going to eat donuts over here and drink coffee and whatnot; some of us are going to go through that little trailer and see what kids at 130 schools in Oklahoma are going to see this year because what we do is we drive it up to the school grounds and kids and their teachers get a chance to go through to see things they’ve never seen before about a part of the world that’s very important to our country. And some of us will go down and go through the little museum. And I encourage you not to get in there and get in a rush. Take your time. There are some exhibits and stuff to look at but there’s lot of words and I encourage you to just slow down a little bit on this day and read some of the words and things about some of these wonderful people that serve this country.

Thanks for being here on this most magnificent day and for holding your head up and being proud to be an American. God bless all of you, and God bless America.

Tommy Franks Museum - Veterans' Day Service

2008-11-08T18:24:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from the Tommy Franks Museum in Hobart, Okla. Saturday.

General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum

2008-11-08T17:04:00.000-08:00

Tommy Franks, retired four-star Army general who led the entire military forces that entered Iraq in 2003 and beyond, points to veterans in uniform as he speaks to the crowd gathered at the “Salute to Service” for veterans, military personnel, service individuals, their families and guests in Hobart, Okla. Saturday morning. The event took place at the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum which will open formally in May. Franks ended his speech with “It’s time to recognize those who served, raise our heads up and not be ashamed that we are the land of the free, home of the brave, and if you don’t believe that, just try to take it away from us.” At right are Trapper Heglin, museum coordinator, and Hobart Mayor Tom Talley.

Vote Vote Vote Vote

2008-11-02T15:36:00.001-08:00

For any who remain undecided on how to vote Nov. 4, check out some Biblical direction. For any who may have decided to vote the wrong way, perhaps this advice will cause a change.

“A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left.” ...Ecclesiastes 10:2

Michael Williams comes to Sherman

2008-10-31T12:37:00.000-07:00

Sherman was one stop in a 35-city tour across Texas touting clean-fuel use, a re-election campaign and stumping for Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

Michael Williams, the chairman of the Railroad Commission of Texas, is running for re-election to the post he’s held since 1999. He was first appointed to the RRC by then Gov. Bush and then elected to the job for a six-year term in 2002.

The propane-powered bus carrying Williams around the state is only one example of the Commissioner’s plan to help Texas and the U.S. see its way out of the current energy crunch. He wants to see buses, especially school buses, convert to propane power. “There are 37,000 school buses in the state,” he said. “One-third are new; two-thirds are older than 1990. They can run 83-99 percent cheaper — about $1.20 to $1.50 per gallon cheaper — and it’s ours so no sending money over seas.”

There are State, Federal and private incentives in place for those schools that take advantage of the program. Williams said the cost of a propane bus is about $8,000 more than a diesel but the sales company Is currently rebating $7,000 per sale for the first 1,000 sold in Texas. Also, there is Federal rebate money available to the schools for using propane buses.

Williams said, $391,000 was given to the Denton ISD and $1.3 million to Dallas ISD and there is rebate money available on fuel as well. One more thing he mentioned is a school district will get additional credits for building a fuel system for the buses.

One of the purposes of Williams’ bus tour is to remind Texas about the energy sources. The Commissioner who grew up in Midland, Texas said Texas can lead the nation in energy use

We can lead the nation and show the rest of the country how to do it. “ When we work, we win,” he said.

Williams has been backing McCain since the beginning and gave a rousing nomination speech at the National Republican Convention.
We will come up with a balance, he said. “We will find the right balance.”

Williams, the first black person in Texas history to hold an executive statewide, elected post and is the highest ranking African American in Texas state government, mentioned he’d like to be able to vote for Obama but Obama is just wrong on all the issues. Then he briefly itemized that Obama is wrong on gun control, the economy, taxes, health care, his international policy and so much more. He said McCain is a tried and true leader and he’s ready to be president of the United States.

In his speech to nominate McCain, Williams said, “Change is just a slogan when the ideas are as old as McGovern, Carter … and dare I say, here in St. Paul … Mondale, too. This election is a choice between a siren song of change without true demonstration, and an independent maverick with a real record of reform.

“John McCain is ready to lead.

“John McCain has always put his country first. He put America ahead of his campaign when he advocated the right surge for an unpopular war. He put his comrades and country ahead of his personal comfort during the Vietnam War.

“That's why I'm so glad to know that when John McCain travels to foreign lands as President he will not apologize for America's strength, but assert it.”

Chairman Michael Williams is pro business and wants the best for Texas. In his “Vision for a Prosperous Texas” found on the Railroad Commission Web site, he mentions how energy is essential to economic activity and it must be affordable and reliable. Economic growth leads to prosperity, jobs and higher wages.

Williams’ interests and involvements don’t stop at energy. He wants to see a renewed focus in our schools on science, technology, engineering and mathematics in Texas classrooms.

During a 2005 visit to Sherman, Williams said he sees an importance in strengthening families and feels faith to be an important ingredient in doing so.

Anyone wishing to learn more about Michael Williams, his endeavors and political views should visit one of his Web sites: www.rrc.state.tx.us or www.williamsfortexas.com.

John McCain for President

2008-10-29T22:06:00.000-07:00

Texas Chairman of the Railroad Commission Michael Williams gave an inspiring nomination speech at the Republican National Convention where he made the official nominating speech for the presidential candidate.

The text of his speech is well worth the read. It's inspiring, right on target and here it is:

"My friends, as a Republican who has held statewide elected office in Texas for a decade, I am proud and deeply aware of the historic significance of this election.

"But I am here with you in St. Paul, rather than being in Denver last week, because I believe values and ideas take precedence over the politics of demography and identity. And, because I know John

"McCain is ready to lead.

"Change is just a slogan when the ideas are as old as McGovern, Carter … and dare I say, here in St. Paul … Mondale, too. This election is a choice between a siren song of change without true demonstration, and an independent maverick with a real record of reform.

"When Mr. Obama was choosing his running mate, he said the standard should be whether that individual is ready to be president. But I have to ask: shouldn't the same standard apply to the Democrat at the top of the ticket? Americans need not risk our future and our peace on a false promise of hope.

"John McCain is ready to lead.

"John McCain has always put his country first. He put America ahead of his campaign when he advocated the right surge for an unpopular war. He put his comrades and country ahead of his personal comfort during the Vietnam War.

"That's why I'm so glad to know that when John McCain travels to foreign lands as President he will not apologize for America's strength, but assert it.

"He knows that keeping the peace comes from projecting our strength … that America is the greatest beacon of liberty in an uncertain world … and that foreign leaders, whose deeds speak louder than their diplomacy, must earn the right to sit down with the President of the United States.

"America's hope is in a seasoned, strong leader in this dangerous world … someone to take on the forces of mediocrity that put unions ahead of the teachers and students they teach ... a fighter to tackle the Washington culture of waste ... and a President who knows in the core of his soul that human life begins at conception.

"John McCain is ready to lead.

"For energy security, we need to explore more, conserve wisely and aggressively pursue alternatives.

"We can responsibly drill for oil and natural gas here in America and protect God's creation.

"These things are not mutually exclusive. America cannot say no to clean coal…no to nuclear power…and no to offshore exploration.

"That may be good for Saudi Sheikhs, but it's bad for American families.

"With rising electricity rates and soaring gasoline prices, Democrats say "turn down the air in your home," and, "increase the air in your tires."

"That's not an energy policy ... that is an Obamanation!

"When the Michigan factory worker builds a pickup truck… and when the Ohio farmer buys that truck... and when that steelworker in Pennsylvania takes that truck to the filling station… they will put more change in their pocket and pay less in taxes under John McCain. That's the kind of change ... John McCain is talking about.

"John McCain … is ready to lead.

"Americans will not fall for identity politics over good ideas … slogans over substance … or promises and platitudes based on wrong policy prescriptions. We have a proven leader with a record of reform who is ready to lead and ready to succeed.

"John McCain will be my President."

A Real Inconvenient Truth (About Taxes)

2008-10-21T17:42:00.000-07:00

The following was written by Warren Stephens, the president of the company I work for. It made me proud. We published it in the Herald Democrat, the newspaper for which I am an editor, Oct. 15. I hope he writes more. He is spot on.

I have never written a column in one of our newspapers and really had no intention of doing so, but after watching the debate last Tuesday night I feel compelled to put some facts to paper so that readers can make an informed decision about this election. Given the dearth of facts in the current debate, this may not be my only foray into writing for publication! I want to make sure I make the proper disclosures about who I support in this Presidential Campaign. I am the co-finance chair for Arkansas for the McCain Campaign and an ardent free market capitalist. I believe social issues are best left to individuals and while I have strong beliefs about them, I will not interject them into my choice of a candidate. Economics and taxes, on the other hand, are NOT subject to interpretation. Supply and demand curves are real and they work. This column is an attempt to put facts in front of you, particularly as they relate to taxes and the “fairness” of our tax code.

Senator Obama is proposing tax increase for small businesses and the top 5% of tax paying Americans. He says that he will give 95% of Americans a tax cut and he and Senator Biden say it is fair and the “patriotic duty” of the top 5% to pay more. Again, full disclosure, I am in the top 5% and probably the top 1%. The facts, as to who pays taxes, paint a different picture and, for whatever reason, Senator McCain will not use them. The tables below really say it all:
_______Share of total_________
Top 1% Income Taxes Paid
1990 14% 25%
2000 21% 37%
2005 21% 39%

________Share of total________
Top 5% Income Taxes Paid
1990 27% 44%
2000 35% 56%
2005 36% 60%
Source: Treasury Department, October 2007

These statistics are from the U.S. Treasury Department and they reveal a startling and seldom talked about FACT. The top 1% of wage earners in this country pay 39% of the income taxes paid, while the top 5% pay 60%. That's right, 60% of all income taxes are paid by the same people on whom Senators Obama and Biden want to RAISE taxes. What is more, the percentage paid by this group has increased since the so-called Bush tax cuts. This is a real inconvenient truth for the Obama Campaign.

In 2006, the lower 50 % of wage earners had 12.5% of the income and paid 3.0% of federal income taxes. The 2006 statistics also reveal that the top 5% of U.S. taxpayers paid $616 billion in federal income taxes which was MORE than the remaining 95% of taxpayers' total of $408.1 billion. Our system could hardly be more weighted to having the wealthy pay more, yet that is precisely what Senator Obama proposes. I will reluctantly accept (for now) that in our society the top wage earners will pay more (in percentage terms) in taxes, but if Senator Obama wants to raise taxes, he should say so. As The Wall Street Journal has been saying, you cannot give a tax cut to people who do not pay taxes. Senator Obama's plan is a redistribution of income from those that pay taxes to those that do not. It is nothing more than the granddaddy of all welfare plans and voters need to know it. For Senators Obama and Biden to couch this issue as one of fairness and a “patriotic duty” is an attempt to deceive the American public as to the facts.

I am not afraid of Senator Obama becoming President because he is a bad person. Rather I am concerned about his policies and their effect on our economy both in the short and long term. Higher tax rates will discourage investment and capital formation and that is not good for anyone.

Don't elect Johnnie for President

2008-10-15T21:15:00.000-07:00

My husband, Billy Wayne, and his brother, Johnnie, have a warm and fun relationship as brothers.

Even though Johnnie lives in Tennessee with wife Phyllis and we live in Texas, they stay in close contact with regular telephone and e-mail conversations. They joke about a lot of things, and each enjoys reminiscing about their lives growing up in Midland, halfway between Fort Worth and El Paso.

Johnnie is the older of the two, who enjoyed the life of an only child for six years before his younger brother came on the scene. They were born to John Godwin and Dimple Aiken of Whitesboro and Tioga, after the couple married and moved to Midland so John (known to locals as "Big Boy") could go to work for the Hughes Tool Company.

Johnnie has been an achiever most of his life, becoming an ordained Baptist preacher before attending college and seminary at Baylor University. Without listing his multitude of accomplishments, I'll just say he's a published author whose books have had great successes. He continues to write on a variety of projects and sometimes submits to his local paper.

When Billy Wayne said he plans to vote for Johnnie as a write-in for President, Johnnie expressed his fear to have another President from Midland. He shared a recent article meant to entertain, and I thought our readers might enjoy excerpts from his letter, which Johnnie admits, is too lengthy to publish in the letter-to-the-editor section.

"As wonderful as growing up in Midland was, I basically grew up dumb and provincial about the bigger world. Midland was pretty much the whole world for me. When we Midlanders refer to some direction from Midland, we always use the word 'down' -- whether referring to Amarillo, Canada or the North Pole. Until I went off to Baylor University, I was so dumb that when someone answered a daily greeting with 'fair to middling,' I thought they were meaning something like doing all right in Midland, Texas.

"And when I was growing up, most folks were friendly and honest; but if someone insulted me or challenged me, I gave the typical Midland West Texas reply: 'Bring it on!' And I was ready. Really. Ready to settle the matter quickly.

"When George W. Bush was running for President, he explained the chief difference between him and his dad, our former President, was Midland, Texas. That's what George W. said. Well, I delivered dry-cleaning to the George H. W. Bush family at 1412 West Ohio before they moved upscale in the 1950s. George W. was just one of the Little League boys at that time. As fine as that family was and is, please don't elect another President from Midland, Texas. Even me.

"Since I left Midland, I have studied political science and history at Baylor (majored in Greek), got graduate degrees, and traveled over most of the known world. I was in Moscow to work at an international book fair three days after the Korean Airliner was shot down in 1983. I was also on the steps of the Russian White House with Alexander Rutskoi on May Day 1991 before 200,000 people. I was helping present him a symbolic copy of the 4 millionth Russian New Testament we were then freely distributing there.

"In Beijing in 1994, I was out in the boonies in a house church where Billy Graham had been just a few months before. Well, you get the idea, I think. Besides these things, I've done a world of politics in my life, but most of it in the fields of business and religious publishing, which again might qualify me for President (since I'm a Southern Baptist). I'm not really a Democrat, Republican, Independent, liberal, conservative, fundamentalist; rather, I am an enlightened person with common sense and conviction.

"I'm a bit younger than McCain; but my oldest son is older than Obama. Still, please don't join my brother and elect me another President from Midland, Texas.

"Well, what matters most then in electing a President? First, I'll almost guarantee the candidate who gets your vote holds some views you can't abide but likely will consider the lesser of two evils. So let me mention a few items that are more important to me than partisanship. The president should be a person of integrity. The person needs common sense, decision-making skills, and all the other things that come to mind.

"But the President for whom you vote should be able to practice what a mentor taught me when I became an executive: 'Johnnie, always hire to your weaknesses.' No person is really big enough and qualified enough to hold the office of the President of the United States.

"The person elected needs to know that everybody, including himself, is ignorant but just in different ways. He needs to choose a Vice President worthy of succeeding but not intruding on the powers of the President in office. The President needs to cut the rhetoric and decisively move forward on the no-brainers that any commonsense President can figure out. I'm tempted to talk about war, democracy, economy, being green, etc. ad nauseam. But I won't.

"Just be sure you vote for a President who is courageous in his integrity, enduring in his patriotism but also in his worldwide citizenship concerns, one who will get up every day asking the Pace-setter and Pace-maker what the President ought to exchange this day of life for. Did I mention I'm a preacher as well as publisher?

"Well enough, already! Just form your convictions well, and vote for the best candidate for President and then support whoever resides in the Oval Office. But above all, please don't elect another President from Midland, Texas."

Everyone must vote!

2008-10-13T21:38:00.000-07:00

I’ve been worried about this presidential election — afraid my candidate won’t win. I know it will be a disaster if my guy loses. What will I do? How am I going to feel Nov. 5 if the wrong individual gets in the White House?

Well, my questions were answered recently in my weekly Bible study which is all about the life of Moses.

We looked at the 400-year enslavement of the Israelites and learned that God remains the same as yesterday for today and tomorrow. And no matter what happens, God is in control. Now, I’m hoping it won’t take a 400-year enslavement period before we experience relief if the wrong man becomes king of this country. But even if it does, I know that God is in control of my life.

After several weeks of studying the life of Moses, I’m finding lots of interesting life lessons in the pages of Genesis and Exodus.

Now for any of you who may like to find some Biblical advice for the direction in which to cast your vote this year, check out the words in 1Samuel regarding the selection of David as king of Israel. God told the prophet Samuel that what’s important is the heart of the candidate. “Do not look at his appearance or his stature... Man does not see what the Lord sees, for man sees what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” 1Samuel 16:7.

Or you could just follow my pastor’s advice. Rev. Jimmy Tarrant said Sunday morning, everyone should vote. He cited Isaiah 6:1-4 and explained it was a tough time for Isaiah. King Uzziah had died after maintaining more than 50 years of peace for the people of Judah. During the time Uzziah was faithful to the Lord, he and his nation prospered and much of the strength and influence that had been Israel’s in the days of David and Solomon was restored.

Isaiah was in despair to think of the future of his country without the good king. But God showed Isaiah a vision of God on his throne — completely in control.

Brother Jimmy’s advice? Pray first and then vote for the candidate who shares your Christian values and his comments even drew a muffled cheer from the pews of our church.

This year, in this election, I’m going to follow my pastor’s advice with confidence that God will continue to be in control no matter which side wins. It’s what men are going to do after the election that has me bothered.

See you at the polls.

Respect for Old Glory

2008-10-13T21:20:00.000-07:00

During football season I enjoy a well-rounded tour of Texoma area football stadiums. My assignment is usually a different school each week so, by the end of the season and, now after working this way through seven or eight years of those seasons, I’ve been getting around.

I’ve noticed the last few years, a difference in the response of crowds to the playing of the “Star Spangled Banner” before the game kicks off. A few weeks ago, I was shocked to notice a small group of women sitting at a picnic table. When the music to honor Old Glory started, they barely stopped their conversation. They did eventually turn their attention to the flag waving at one end of the stadium, but they never stood.

I’ve been in some stadiums where the fans in stadium seats had mixed reactions when the tribute sounded. Most stood and some placed their hands over their hearts. But many did not.

Two weeks ago, my game was at Blue Ridge. It’s a 1A school in size but seems to have great fans and big hearts. The announcer asked everyone to stand for the playing of “our National Anthem as we honor Old Glory,” and everyone did. I mean EVERYONE.

I looked at the field where the football players and cheerleaders lined up along the field’s side line and every, single one of those students stood up straight, turned toward the stadium’s flagpole and placed their hands over their hearts to show their respect. I don’t remember seeing that in any high school stadium.

Then I looked around at the home stands and it was the same thing. I think patriotism is important to the people in Blue Ridge and it was wonderful to see.

I am honored to write newspaper stories from time to time about our soldiers who serve this country weather in harms way or in less risky situations. I’ve seen up close the price they and their families pay to do what they do and it is significant.

Paying homage to Old Glory is nothing more than showing respect for the principles of our country which is still the greatest nation in the world. Those people who serve to protect her take that respect very seriously and so do I.

Help me spread the word.

Memorial Day

2008-05-26T17:14:00.000-07:00

Uncle Charlie Aiken was one of three veterans from a Whitesboro, Texas family — all involved in World War II.
Charles Aiken, J.C. Aiken and Hubert Aiken have all gone on to be with their maker; Uncle Charlie was the last to go. We celebrated his life at his funeral in July. These are some of the men our family will be remembering this Memorial Day.

In a letter to the editor published in the Herald Democrat Nov. 19, 2006, Paulette Pugh of Pottsboro, Texsa wrote “Don’t we realize that if it wasn’t for these veterans we wouldn’t have a Memorial Day or 4th of July? I just think there should be more attention paid to this holiday by merchants than what it has become or I should say for what it HAS NOT become.” Pugh was lamenting that she had a hard time finding small flags to place on veteran graves for Veterans Day. I agree with her sentiment, not just for merchants but for all of us.

For many of us, Memorial Day is a paid holiday from work. It’s a day families get together in their back yards and put the grill or smoker to work. We don’t always stop to think about the meaning of the day or the men and women who’ve given their lives so we can have the freedom to celebrate such days.

I asked one of our pressmen what Memorial Day means to him and, without taking the time to think about it, Bobby Penn said “It’s for the guys who fought these wars and have fallen to preserve our right to be free.”

Residents of the U.S. do experience freedoms not realized in other countries. I just finished two novels by Khaled Hosseini which helped me understand a little of the Afghanistan struggle under the tyrannical rule of the Taliban. It also made me appreciate even more the life we have in this country.

Our country is divided in opinions today on the right or wrong of a war no one wants, but we still support our men and women doing the fighting. It’s a complicated issue for everyone that can’t be settled in this short space, but I’m proud of our country and its accomplishments since the original 13 colonies were formed.

I’m glad ours is a country that won’t stand by and allow atrocities of a rogue nation continue against its own people. Uncle Charlie landed on the beach at Anzio in WWII and said they lost a man for every step they took. He suffered the rest of his life from injuries received in a battle fought in the days after that costly landing. He understood what was wrong with Hitler’s tyranny. He and others like him are true American heroes.

Today, for Memorial Day, I’m also remembering some of the Texoma area soldiers who’ve paid the ultimate price in battle for this country in recent years like Staff Sgt. Michael Allen Shank, Sgt. Michael Luke Boatright, Spc. Bradon J. Long and Sgt. James P. Muldoon.

Commander Mark Escoe

2008-03-18T18:24:00.000-07:00

Thirty minutes before U.S. Navy Lt. Mark Escoe was to go through his promotion ceremony moving him to the rank of commander, he received a call from the American Red Cross to let him know his father had perished in a house fire in Sherman. He was on his base in Pennsylvania.

Escoe has seen others get this type of devastating news while on active duty and away from home, and in fact, he’s been through it before when his grandmother died, but that didn’t lessen the pain. While in Sherman for his father’s funeral, Escoe took a few moments to share some of his experiences throughout his naval career.

He said the military men and women serving this country must be prepared to experience life’s separations, such as the death of a loved one, from great distances. He explained that the Department of Defense always tries to send people home in cases of serious illness or death if operations allow. Sometimes, it’s just not possible which was the situation in the case of his grandmother’s passing.

“I was close to deployment on the USS Lake Champlain on the 12th of September, right after the 911 attack,” Escoe said. “While it was under way — we were loaded out with weapons — that’s when I got the notice my grandmother passed. Professionally, I just couldn’t leave the ship then.”

Escoe explained further, there is a very literal meaning to the phrase, military family. “We really get our arms around each other during these times. We spend a lot of time to help out those folks who’re hurting.”
Escoe, who will leave for Baghdad in June for his second tour of duty there, said he is proud of having served on the USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), a Ticonderoga class Navy cruiser. In fact, he’s proud of his service in the military and attributes his desire to serve his country in this way to his father’s influence.

“He (Creig Escoe) was a lieutenant when he resigned after serving four years,” Escoe said of his father. “He was never in Vietnam but it was the Vietnam era. He instilled (the desire for) service (in me) at an early age.” So, when Escoe heard the famous inaugural speech by President Kennedy, he was able to identify with and take to heart Kennedy’s famous phrase, “ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country,”

Escoe said he entered the Navy at age 20 in 1984, and by the passing of two years, he knew it would be a career. “I remember being upset soon after I joined and called my dad complaining about how I didn’t like it and what came back to me from him was the voice of a position of authority telling me to calm down and focus and get back to the duties,” he said. “Dad and I always had great conversations since then and he lived vicariously through me and was excited at my promotion to commander. It was the hardest thing for me to not be able to call him after the ceremony to tell him about it.”

Escoe also shared his thoughts, stressing it is only his opinion, about what is going on in Iraq. He said he has faith in the American governing system so he’s not concerned about who makes it to the White House in the upcoming election. When he leaves in June, he’ll be going to the Multinational Security Transition Command in Baghdad. He said he’ll be training the Iraqis for planning and logistics for 365 days, but if his deployment gets extended, he’ll be OK with that.

“I think the cause is good and I support the cause,” Escoe said. “It’s my impression they (Iraqi people) were happy for us to be there protecting them. They now have democracy — not the same as what we have, but a democracy — and that’s a huge step forward for them. The troops who are there are winning the hearts and minds of the people there.”

The commander added that he believes it’s necessary the troops are over there. “This is our job,” he said. “It’s difficult on us when we have back-to-back tours, especially the Army and Marines, but we are serving our cause. This is what we train for.”

Escoe continued, saying, “There is always a chance we won’t come back but that is the same with fire and police every day. We try to prepare our families the same way.” He also expressed support for President Bush. He said there is no text book for him to follow for what the President is dealing with. “He has been very good at making decisions and standing by them,” he said.

“I don’t think, by any means, this is a lost cause,” he said. “It seems to be difficult for people back home to see the goodness that is going on. I think, if we leave now, we will have left the business undone. Iraqi people depend on the troops to educate and train them and they are doing a terrific job of learning. If we leave too early, the job won’t be complete and that will be the American legacy.

“If we pull out too early, who will ever trust us again? Evil has come and gone through the history of mankind, but over all, the good wins out.”

As Escoe prepared for his father’s funeral, wearing his dress blues and military medals, he wondered about his ability to maintain composure as he would be talking about his dad during the funeral. He reminisced about being a youngster with his sister, Barbie. “My dad was a great story teller and we loved listening to the recounts of what he did as a kid,” he said. “My dad was funny. He has a few quirks, like anyone else, but we were a family.”

The commander compared his relationship with his father as one of shipmates. “You can go six months or 10 years and pick up the phone and act like you just saw each other,” he said. “That is the way my dad and I have been. When you spend a life in the Navy like I have, that’s normal.”

He said, there is a blessing in all of this because he knows where his father is. “He was a devout Christian,” Escoe said. “He taught me much of my faith. I know in my heart of hearts he is with the Lord and I am at peace with it.”

Outlaw Dog

2008-02-29T13:23:00.000-08:00

“What in the world is going on here?”

That, or something like it, was my exclamation when I saw the mess Thursday morning created by our black, Labradore Retriever, Allie, who sees herself as queen of our environment. In other words, everything I “think” is mine, is really hers unless she doesn’t want it and then it’s mine.

As a matter of fact, since she came to live with us in 1995 carried into the house in my sister’s handbag, she’s destroyed my Ryrie Study Bible containing 20 years’ worth of notes, the handle on my Dooney & Bourke purse, my kitchen wallpaper, an oak coffee table, an oak rocking chair, my den carpet, my hallway carpet and various other selected areas of carpet that have lured her into pulling it up or chewing it into oblivion. Numerous Polly Pocket and Barbie accessories have also fallen victim to the carnage.

Allie has been a wonderful member of our family, helping to raise grand children from the cradle and serving as a loyal friend. Her 70-pound stature can be imposing when standing between a sleeping child and anything else. Throughout her life, she’s found it her job to stand watch whenever sleeping babies are in the house, and for five years, it was her nightly station to sleep across the foot of our daughter’s bed or in the doorway of her room until Jamie left for college.

Allie has grown up with one of our adopted grandchildren, Raigan, for whom “Allie, out!” was one of her earliest phrases. It was never unusual to turn a corner in our house and catch a glimpse of Raigan lying on her back to watch a favorite children’s video with her head resting on Allie who was curled up around her.

With that kind of history, I guess I can overlook Wednesday morning when the mess I found was the remains of my lunch. She had dug it out of my bag while I was getter ready to go to work. She ate my hard-boiled eggs, shells and all, as well as the plastic bag they were in. I’ll have to find a higher spot for my lunch from now on.

Turning 60

2008-01-20T22:32:00.000-08:00

I never expected I would see the milestone I’m crossing today. It always seemed like it was over the hill, older than dirt and a carry-over from ancient days. Something I never thought of as applying to me.

You may have guessed already — it’s a birthday. A big one in the eyes of some. I’m turning 60.
But, I don’t feel like 60, and when I look in the mirror, I don’t see 60.

I’m pretty active. I would still play tennis if I had someone to play with. I walk regularly and plan to join a workout gym this year. None of that “sounds” like 60 to me.

I’ve done the math, though. I was born in 1948 and graduated high school in 1966. Yep, I’m 60 alright.

I realize now, what seemed to be soooooo old to me before is not old at all. Am I still middle aged? or am I old? As far as feeling 60, I only have my misguided perceptions of what that would be like, and now I know that was wrong. I’m realizing that feeling my age is a totally subjective thing. This is not how I thought 60 would feel.

I remember my grandmother who came for extended visits in our home while I was growing up. With deep wrinkles in her face and what seemed like an out-dated look at life, she looked more natural in a rocking chair with a quilting needle or crochet hook in her hands, producing yet another work of art, than she would have on a tennis court.

Yep, this age thing is a little difficult to figure out, but that won’t stop me. When I get my answers, I’ll share them with you. In the meantime, you’ll find me in the news room at the Herald Democrat, proud to have lived every one of my 60 years.

I hear from unknown sources that 60 is the new 40. I like that because I think I feel 40 more than I feel 60.

Little feet are following

2008-01-18T16:58:00.000-08:00

One of my Christmas gifts this year was a mother-daughter calendar — one of those flip-style stand-up versions. It’s called “365 treasured moments for Mothers & Daughters.”
And who was my gift from? My sweet daughter, of course.

When I flipped the page for Jan. 6, I read a quote from Hans Christian Andersen: “Most of the people who will walk after me will be children, so make the beat keep time with short steps.” I love this quote. My first thought was to share it with my friends.

I think we get busy into our day-to-day lives, which seem to be more challenging every day. We get focused on making enough money to pay our bills and save enough to live on after the age of 65. Some of us might refer to it as the rat race and others, like my husband, call it the war zone. He also refers to Dallas traffic in the same way.

We seem to get so busy, we forget about the young eyes watching us. Whether we are parents or grandparents, we have youngsters trying to keep up with, emulate or learn from us and this is what we overlook.

Our children are learning how to parent from the way we parent. They are learning how to treat their wives and husbands from what they see in us.

I know there are times, while raising my children (now grown), when I didn’t set aside enough time to spend with them while they were young. Even so, I sometimes recognize myself in some of their actions and, oddly enough, I see some of my parents as well.

I guess that’s just the way families work. We don’t need to over-think this — just be ourselves while remembering our children and grandchildren are watching and trying to keep up. I think Andersen was on the right track in suggesting we make our way easy to follow — easy enough for youngsters to grasp.

Stepping up to hi def

2008-01-14T18:03:00.000-08:00

High definition technology has recently come to the Godwin household in the form of a new television. Since we got this great, new technology, we also decided to get a satellite so our reception will be better and we can realize the best features of our new TV. That, in itself, has been a pretty daunting task.

When we moved from Plano more than 15 years ago, we made a decision to stick with the channels we could get through our antenna. We had cable in Plano and found that, most the time, out of more than 100 channels, there was nothing we wanted to watch.

Well, after watching reality TV and courtroom TV and programs where people get up and scream at one another trying to figure out the parentage of their children, we decided it was time to make a change again.

We’re in the midst of figuring out what button does what on the satellite receiver, the remote to the TV as well as the remote to the DVD player.

We haven’t invested in the movie channels. We enjoy renting DVD movies and high definition on those movies is pretty spectacular.

One thing I noticed while watching “Breach” — you can see just about every detail down to the pores of the actors’ skin. Now, if you take into consideration that actors wear stage makeup to look good for the cameras, you may understand that it’s probably not necessary if the movie will be shown in high definition. That is the case with “Breach.”

I thought the actors turned in glowing performances. Chris Cooper and Ryan Phillippe were astounding in two of the lead roles. Cooper was the bad guy and Phillippe the cute, young FBI agent who did the work to catch Cooper.

My only complaint: there’s just something that makes a character less true, less mean or less macho when you can see his lipstick.

Star of Bethlehem

2007-12-26T11:43:00.000-08:00

By Joyce Godwin, Herald Democrat

Just in time for Christmas — finally, a clear and reasonable explanation for the mysterious behavior of the Star of Bethlehem found in the Bible. Was it a star or was it a comet? Varying opinions and research have been presented over the years but it looks like Rick Larson, a University of A&M law professor, has found the answer to this unlikely astronomical event and so much more.

This documentary is a must see for any who’ve ever wondered. It sorts truth from myth and legend and should be compelling to all regardless of religious persuasion. Now available on DVD to share with everyone, the presentation was released Oct. 23 by Mpower Pictures and Genius Products bearing the name of Producer Stephen McEveety from “the Passion of the Christ.”

The law professor found himself wondering about the truth of the star’s story presented in the books of the Bible after constructing wisemen yard art in front of his home for a Christmas season. He decided to research the issue and prove it’s existence scientifically without making any assumptions. What he found was new meaning for “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge,” Psalm 19:1-2.

Larson draws a plain picture showing how the story of Jesus, including his crucifixion, is foretold in the stars. He leads his audience through his steps of research and explains clearly the basis for his conclusions.

He also explains why such a remarkable event has never appeared in the history books. It’s only in current times the software has been available to be able to track the planets and celestial occurrences with precision. He explains in his presentation that, through current computer software, he can go to any hour of any day in history and look at the positions of the stars and planets.

Larson says, “First, we didn’t know what the ancient skies looked like until the 1600s when we learned the actual math that drives the planets from (Johannes) Kepler (1571-1630) to predict where the celestial bodies will be.”

In the final wrap up of his evidence Larson explains “God wrote the events in the sky way before any of them occurred.” He said when people see a mysterious sign, they draw near to see what it’s all about. “The Maggi saw the sign in the sky and rode to Jerusalem. Moses saw the burning bush and drew near,” Larson said. “Our Messiah was announced in the sky. From the moment God flung the universe into existence, He knew when Messiah would enter earth as a man and when he would expire on the cross.”

All this comes in a beautiful visual presentation with wonderful sound.
The video, titled “Star of Bethlehem,” can be purchased on line at www.BethlehemStarMovie.com and www.amazon.com. Also, Hastings has it on the shelf for rent.

More information about the presentation, its development and author may be seen at www.bethlehemstar.net.

Airline pilots out at 60

2007-12-10T12:20:00.000-08:00

Last week, when Billy's long-time friend Chuck Corder retired from Southwest Airlines, we got to see first hand what happens when an airline pilot retires. Chuck and his wife Cheryl have been my husband’s close friends since they lived next to one another in south Plano almost 30 years ago. They became my friends when we married.

We were excited when Billy got the call from Cheryl that we were invited to participate in the festivities. It meant we would join 17 of Chuck and Cheryl's family and friends as passengers on Chuck's final, Southwest Airlines flight as Captain. We had no idea what to expect but it was an experience we’ll never forget.

Federal aviation regulations mandate an airline pilot’s retirement at age 60. Since Chuck’s birthday was Tuesday, Dec. 4, Monday was the last day he could legally fly as pilot for a common airline carrier, although he can still fly for private charter companies.

We met Chuck in the waiting area at Love Field for gate No. 7 about 90 minutes before our scheduled flight to Amarillo. Chuck was in his dark blue pilot’s uniform set off with captain’s bars. It was clear that Chuck was the star for the day by the way so many people stopped to shake his hand.

Finally it was time to board, and for the first time in our lives, we got to pre-board. The attendant at the microphone asked for the crowd’s indulgence as the pilot’s family went in to take their seats. It was explained that this would be a special flight because their pilot would be taking his final flight before retiring.

Our group took seats closest to the pilot’s cabin. We wanted our pilot to hear us cheering which we did on take offs, landings and every time we heard his voice on the intercom. The flight itself was fairly uneventful. It was a beautiful day for flying.

When we left the Amarillo terminal, turning back to the runway to head to Dallas, the airport fire engines formed a water arch over our plane to honor our retiring pilot. The same thing happened in Dallas as our plane taxied from the runway to the terminal.

It was great fun watching Chuck get the rock-star treatment from Southwest Airlines and there was more in store. When passengers deplaned, our group waited to go last and then we lined the corridor just outside the aircraft door joining Southwest personnel and others who knew Chuck who were already there. When Chuck finally emerged, there was applause all around. Everyone wanted to shake his hand and let him know how special he is.

The forced retirement of our country’s pilots is a hot issue today. During a time the demand for airline pilots is not being met, the sense in forcing experience out of the workplace when they don’t want to go seems like a waste and the consumer will likely pay, at least through inconveniences.

In January, after a fight that’s lasted more than 40 years, the Federal Aviation Administration said it will propose to raise the mandatory retirement age for U.S. commercial pilots from 60 to 65. It was considered a huge victory for pilots.

“Speaking before pilots and aviation experts at the National Press Club, FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey said that the agency plans to propose adopting the new International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard that allows one pilot to be up to age 65 provided the other pilot is under age 60. The international standard became effective last year.” reported Seniorjournal.com.

But, so far, there’s not been much progress on the battle to make the change and pilot’s, like Chuck Corder, are being forced out. Also, airlines and their consumers are loosing veteran pilots with years of experience. The growing shortage of pilots is placing pressure on airlines as baby boomer pilots are forced out while fewer young people are coming in.

With salaries and benefits in decline for airline pilots and U.S. carriers also strugggle againt strong competition for young recruits from the military and from overseas airlines. It seems inequitable that the international rules allow pilots, age 60 to 65, to fly into U.S. airports as long as one on the pilots is younger than 60 but U.S. pilots are not allowed the same privilege.

Airline Pilots Against Age Discrimination have led the charge from a grassroots level to see change in a rule that’s been in place for 47 years. Paul D. Emens, chairman and founder of APAAD says the rule was the result of a labor dispute and it’s long past time for the rule to be revised. Forty-seven years ago was the beginning of the jet age and much has changed since that time.

Attempts were made in 2006 to make changes in the age 60 rule through legislation but it never came to a vote. In 2007, new legislation (S.65) has already been created with Senators Inhofe (R), Lieberman (D), Stevens (R) and Feingold (D) as the lead sponsors.

Happy Birthday Daddy

2007-11-22T12:37:00.000-08:00

Today (Thanksgiving) is my father’s birthday, and if still on this earth, he would be turning 100.

I’m not sure if he ever thought he might reach 100 but he often said, “Getting old is no picnic, but it’s better than the alternative.”

Today, families are gathering around the dinner table for a traditional feast of turkey and trimmings while others take a less traditional approach to include a menu of family favorites. If it’s anything like my family, they’ll each say something for which they’re thankful this year.

What I usually say is something like, being thankful for my faith and family and a free country. This year I’m thankful for my parents and all they’ve invested in me.

My father, Joseph Montry, was a “jack of all trades.” He was one of those guys who could truly do just about anything with his hands. He could fix or build anything, and he could talk your ear off. He was a people person and, though he never finished the eighth grade in formal education, he never stopped learning. He was one of the top managers at the National Supply Company in Gainesville and provided a comfortable life for his family. I always thought that was remarkable. He made sure each of his children had every education opportunity they wanted.

I still have vivid memories of him sitting in "his" chair, usually reading a book. It was the highlight of many a grandchild to sit in the chair with Papa. He demonstrated untold patience with each grandchild, and it wasn't hard to see, he loved them deeply.

I bring this up to point out we are each a product of what our parents have instilled in us. I learned from my dad how to work on a car’s engine and how to build things. I realize now, his investment in me gave me a sense of confidence and made me believe I could do whatever I put my mind to.

My dad was also patriotic and taught me to appreciate what the sacrifice of others has provided for me.

So, today, I say thanks to the military men and women standing in the gap for our freedom. Also, “Thank you, Daddy, and happy birthday.” And to all of you, “Happy Thanksgiving.”

Wednesday in the Big Bend

2007-11-22T12:30:00.000-08:00

Wednesday began the trek into the Big Bend National Park. The first picture is of Billy helping Frances out of the truck at our first stop. We carried a stool that Billy took out religiously every time Frances was to emerge from our ride.

We stopped at a viewing point to look out over the Homer Wilson Ranch which is said to look the same as it did before it was abandonded in 1945.

We stopped in several other overlooks and drove into Burro Mesa Pouroff Trail where we got a close-up look of the rock wall that formed it.

Looking for a place to stretch our legs, we came upon a store and museum close to Santa Elena Canyon and had a good time talking with the rangers and other park employees who were there. We found it interesting that many of the employees live in the park.

After a snack and soft drink, we loaded up again and continued on our way.

We were awestruck to get a close look at the Santa Elena Canyon and read about its history.

Then we found a road that took us right down to the Rio Grande River.

The scenery was beautiful everywhere we looked.

One more stop came on the way out of the park when we stopped at a park store and information center.

After lunch in Marathon, we headed for San Angelo. Wednesday was our longest day of driving and we watched the sun set from the truck.

Frances and I worked at getting the sunset picture by opening the sliding back window and shooting through the opening.

Tuesday in the Big Bend

2007-11-14T06:27:00.000-08:00

Tuesday began early with Billy and Joyce preparing a breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, toast and coffee. Then we took off for more adventures on the roads of the Big Bend area.

We stopped at the first paved road for a photo op with the Chinati Hot Springs sign before traveling around 15 miles to Candelaria.

We met Sergio who manages a ranch owned by several of Billy’s high school friends. Sergio showed us some pictures taken of him by a Dallas Morning News reporter. They were downloaded and printed from a Dallas Morning News Web site. Apparently there is a story about him on DallasNews.com titled “Two Towns, One Border.” Sergio is quite the horse trainer, and apparently, that’s what the story was about. I haven’t had a chance to look for the story so I’m not sure. Also, Sergio doesn’t speak much English so I couldn’t ask him for more details.

Sergio was warm and welcoming and we all enjoyed him. He stayed with us for most of the time Billy was showing us through the houses in the compound of the ranch at Candelaria called El Rancho Pensado. There is a picture of Jessie and Frances looking at Sergio’s pictures. Also see the picture of Frances in the compound of the ranch. Some of the horses are in the background.

From Candelaria, we went a short distance to Presidio. Frances lived there for about a year in the 1940s but not much was familiar for her today. Just outside Presidio we stopped at Ft. Leaton and that’s where we took the picture of Jessie and Frances by a huge cart. We tried to keep the walking to a minimum but Jessie had a little trouble before we were finished. He enjoyed the museum area, though, and spent quite a lot of time reading the exhibits on display.

From Ft. Leaton, we lined up with the Rio Grand River and followed it to Lajitas along River Road. Jesse remarked he was surprised we don’t hear more about the Big Bend area and said he thinks it’s prettier than the Grand Canyon. He and Frances were both surprised to see such beauty and “big country” right here in our own state.

There is a picture of Frances and Jessie sitting on a rock that overlooks the Rio Grand. This particular point was way above the river and you can see the river winding behind them. The next picture shows Billy pretending to give Jessie a shove over the cliff. After the picture was snapped, Jessie pretended to resist and the two clowned around together.

We ate a late lunch in Terlingua and then drove through the ghost town before settling into the Easter Egg Motel. The bungalows in the back are painted Easter-egg colors like lavender and yellow. Billy and Jessie said the colors are ugly but I like them,

The four of us sat outside our two rooms and just enjoyed being there. Finally, there’s a picture of Tuesday’s sunset sky.

Jessie and Frances on a Big Bend adventure

2007-11-13T15:13:00.000-08:00

Frances and Jessie began their big adventure in Midland Sunday night watching the Cowboy game at the home of Dennis Grubb, otherwise known as Wemus. The adventuresome couple toured the Wemus museum of entertainers and were greatly impressed by the vast array of experiences fostered through Wemus Entertainment which is run by Grubb and his wife Cynthia.

The president’s (George W. Bush) minister of music showed everyone (including Joyce and Billy Wayne Godwin) a good time at LaBodega Restaurant.

The first stop on Monday was at Balmorhea State Park where Jessie and Frances saw a large, spring-fed swimming pool and were amazed at the mountainous backdrop and the clear, crisp water.

Back in the truck and down the highway the foursome continued and landed once more at Ft. Davis where a good lunch at the Ft. Davis Drugstore gave strength enough to continue the trek down State Highway 17 on the way to Marfa..

The travelers marveled at the beauty of the Marfa Courthouse and toured the streets of Marfa before resuming their journey south to Pinto Canyon where the pavement ends,

Not to be dissuaded, the King Ranch 150 (the travelers’ chariot) continued on the unpaved road to their destination — Chinati Hot Springs (www.chinatihotsprings.com). The arrangements may have been a little more rustic than Frances and Jessie expected but the night still turned out to be great fun for all. First, a lengthy soak in the restoring mineral waters of the hot springs, while a beautiful sunset painted the evening sky. Then Billy Wayne furnished a meal for the four of them at the common kitchen building.

After a few cocktails and lots of shared stories, Joyce showed the others a slide show of pictures taken up to that moment. Jessie exclaimed a few times, “Well, that was just a little while ago and you haven’t been anywhere to develop the pictures.”

Everyone turned in around 9:30 p.m. to get ready for another day of travel.

2007-11-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

At this time of year thoughts often turn to ghostly talk and children of all ages dress up as goblins and ghouls. Make-shift and temporary haunted houses appear for the purposes of scaring visitors who dare to enter — all in the fun of Halloween.

I visited a Web site out of curiosity, after doing a Google search on U.S. Hauntings. I found a state-by-state, country-by-country listing of haunted places. We’ve all heard the local lore of ladies on the lake, ladies in the mist, ladies in white, haunted inns and much, much more. The big question being, do we believe it.

The closest listing to Grayson County I could find was McKinney, Texas where a lady in white is said to look out the window of the old courthouse building at night. It is supposed to be the spirit of a woman who hanged herself in 1896.

One of the more interesting cases close by is in Dallas at Flag Pole Hill on Northwest Highway. There is said to be a narrow road on which there is no place to turn around. Once you start on it, you must continue. Mysterious rocks are said to fly at vehicles from weird angles “sudden, unforeseen vehicular body damage” can occur. The Web site states the local police department will verify this as far back as 1976.

You must admit, that is just plain intriguing for curious minds looking for answers. Don’t you just want to go there to see if it’s true and find out about what brought those spirits of unrest to be causing such havoc?

Let me try to save you a trip. I’m not saying suspicious things don’t happen there. With so many reports, it’s hard to deny. But what I am saying is there are no ghosts. That is, people who die do not come back in their spirit to be able to haunt anything.

A look at the Bible tells me that just can’t happen. Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 says “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten. Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun.” So the dead won’t return to this universe for anything.

For me, that settles the question of whether or not ghosts really exist. Once someone dies, he or she has no part in anything under the sun. So, they won’t be throwing rocks at cars on deserted roads nor looking out windows during the night.

So what is it that’s going on in these “paranormal” events? Some of these events can probably be explained away through science, given enough time and the proper scientist. But other occurrences may indeed be the work of something not from this earth.

If my Bible-believing mind and heart can’t accept the explanation of ghosts and science can’t explain it, then the only thing left comes from those fallen angels we read about in God’s holy word. And it also says, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,” Ephesians 5:11.

I think we should not take lightly these instructions. We really can’t pick and choose what we want to accept from the Bible. If it’s wrong, there is no hope for man’s salvation. We’re stuck with what we have.

But, if it’s right, it’s right all the way through. And, the explanation that “you can twist the meanings of the Bible around to say whatever you want,” is old and tiresome to me. Anybody can read it for themselves and understand if they have the Holy Spirit to guide them and want to make the effort. The Holy Spirit comes after you’ve surrendered your life to Jesus Christ.
What you gain from reading the word of God far exceeds the little bit of effort it takes to understand it.

Joyce Godwin is a Herald Democrat staff writer/editor and may be reached by e-mail at jgodwin@heralddemocrat.com. She lives in Van Alstyne and attends the First Baptist Church there.

John and Johnnie Godwin

2007-10-11T19:56:00.000-07:00

My father-in-law went home to be with the Lord more than 10 years ago — gone but not forgotten. He was born and raised in Whitesboro where some older residents may remember him by the moniker “Big Boy.”

One of the things I loved about him was his eternal optimism. For as long as I’ve known him and probably for most of his life on earth, John Godwin never passed a pay phone without checking to see if there was change in the change slot waiting to be claimed. There’s no telling how much money he garnered in his lifetime by doing that very thing. Our family still finds joy in remembering his funny quirks, of which there were many, to keep us entertained.
My brother-in-law may have found the most fun in remembering John’s habits recently, and to our laughter, he called to share the experience.

Johnnie Godwin is my husband’s older brother. A Baptist preacher by trade, an author and consultant. Entering his name in the Internet’s Google search engine will reveal a few of his accomplishments. He spent a career with the Sunday School Board which is the official publisher for the National Baptist Convention and is located in Nashville.

Johnnie seems to be enjoying retirement and has even written a book about how to do that. Though retired, he’s still busy with speaking engagements and consulting jobs across the U.S.
He called to tell us he was walking through an airport and spied a pay phone. We don’t seem to see pay phones much anymore. I guess the burgeoning cell phone market has cut into their marketability.

Anyway, brother Johnnie thought of his dad when he saw that pay phone and couldn’t resist sticking a finger into the coin-return slot. To his shock and amazement, he withdrew three quarters and a penny.

Is there a lesson here? I think it’s “never doubt someone’s positive thinking.”

Transformers

2007-07-30T19:06:00.000-07:00

I took my 5-and-6-year-old grandsons to see “Transformers” Sunday. It’s the new release from Dreamworks and Paramount Pictures, and I’m ashamed to say, I never checked the “rating” of the movie. I assumed it was going to be rated G since it was based on the Hasbro toys that swept the nation in the 1980s.

I just thought, since the movie was based on toys, it would be rated for children and I never looked before we went. I didn’t even look at the rating while we were there. It was after the movie, when my daughter told me about the PG-13 rating, that I began to think about it and reflect on how I may have exposed my young grandsons to something harmful by not paying attention.

The movie had quite a lot of violence, but not so much it disturbed me. It was not bloody like so many war movies are. The story is about robots who come to earth in search of a box full of empowering energy for the transformer robots who are able to masquerade as a variety of everyday automobiles, 18-wheelers, planes and more; as well as toasters and boom box radios. The deceptacons, the robots who weren’t vehicles, expressed distain for the human race but the autobots reported they were sworn protect humans.

There are good and bad forces at work throughout the movie. The struggle makes me think of the fallen angels of the Bible and their fight over the souls of mankind.

I loved the movie and intend to see it again.

One of the things I found to be difficult was keeping the good robots separated from the bad robots in my mind. Whenever I wasn’t sure, all I had to do was ask my grandsons. They had no trouble in telling the differences and were happy to instruct me. When Megatron came to life and announced “I am Megatron,” Easton looked at me and said, “Now he’s the bad one.” As the movie progressed and my questions continued, finally, Liam, the younger of the two, said “all the planes are bad robots.” That helped me some and cut down on my questions through the movie.

I was disappointed that Hasbro would allow the movie to go with swear words. There weren’t many but they were there. My boys and I were both shocked when the first one came out. They both looked at me wide eyed and I told them we don’t ever use those words. That seemed to give them a little reassurance but the fact the words were included in a children’s movie was a shame. I don’t believe the movie would have suffered, even a little, if the harsh language had been avoided. Of course, this is why I should have consulted the ratings before going.

During one of the battle scenes in which Bumblebee, a yellow Camaro, had a large role, Easton turned to Liam and said, “This is so awesome.” Liam agreed with his cousin and I thought that, just maybe, I was becoming a cool gramma.

Heroes

2007-07-21T19:29:00.001-07:00

Heroes

Everybody has one or more heroes in their lives. Someone they look up to for particular accomplishments from living life with outstanding character, displaying strengths others consider unattainable or even being a good cook.

One of the heroes in my life showed himself to be above the crowd in 1998 when he was diagnosed with carcinogenic melanoma. My husband, Billy Wayne, had a dark, suspicious mole, and when he finally got it checked, the report was not good.

Just hearing the word “cancer” on a diagnosis is scary for the person who’s affected as well as for his family.

To fully appreciate the quality of Billy’s achievement, you must understand a few things about him. For one thing, he loves to have something about which to complain. Now I’m not saying this about him to try to make him look bad, it’s kind of an endearing characteristic.

For example, having been a truck driver for a good portion of his life, he appreciates drivers who display good, consistent driving skills. We like to travel the highways and byways when we can and Billy makes it his job to critique the other drivers on the road — sometimes a challenge to listen to for the whole trip.

Well, enough about that. I just want to share a little of the reason I expected Billy to be a complainer about his cancer treatments.

Immediately following his diagnosis, he had to have a couple of surgeries. The first let us know to what degree his cancer was developed. It was a cutting-edge technology that identified affected lymph nodes. Biopsies were taken, and in the lab work that followed, cancer was tracked.

The next surgery was scheduled to remove the lymph nodes that carried Billy’s cancer. Recovery from the second surgery was much more difficult, but after a week or so, Billy was pretty close to getting back to normal — though most people would never call him normal in any way.

After surgery came decisions on what type of treatment Billy should take to be sure there was no cancer continuing in his body. We went to see his oncologist in Plano to learn of his treatment recommendations. Of course, at that time, we knew very little of what to expect. Our innocence didn’t last long.

Within a couple of weeks, he began interferon treatments. He went to the clinic every day to take massive amounts and then I had to get trained on how to administer the treatments at home so he could reduce his visits to a monthly schedule. It was a year-long regimen during which Billy was sick, sick, sick. On many of the days he wasn’t vomiting, he still tired easily, and in general just didn’t feel good.

We learned of Billy’s cancer in August just as our daughter was preparing for her senior year in high school. She had been a varsity volleyball player since her sophomore year and her volleyball career had become important to us as a family. We followed her through off-season, club volleyball as well as the intense schedule for the three months of high school play.

When it came to Jamie, who’s always been the apple of Billy Wayne’s eye, he put on his game face. He attended almost every games because he knew she’d be looking for him. Two times a week, he sat in a gymnasium somewhere in Texas, in hot and cold weather. He smiled and joked and tried to keep things normal for his daughter’s senior year in high school. She never knew the effort he had to undertake in order to be there and that’s the way he wanted it.

Even the night, during a football game half time, when we heard Jamie’s name announced as the 1998 homecoming queen, he was on the field as her escort.

I know how sick he was. I knew how badly he felt because I watched him. I’m the one who made him eat and made sure he drank plenty of water. I mopped his face after he upchucked over and over.

Through it all, he never complained. He took his lumps and never complained. He did what he felt he had to do for Jamie to enjoy her last year in high school and he never complained.

He’s my hero.

Billy Wayne on the radio

2007-07-21T17:52:00.000-07:00

We went to West Memphis, Ark. in a quick, less-than-two-day trip, and though tired, we’re both glad we went.

Billy was excited to be one of the ribbon cutters to celebrate the grand opening of a truck-stop medical clinic opened by childhood friend, Dr. John McElligott. “Why,” you might be saying, “would Billy be one of the ribbon cutters?”

The answer is, it was his idea. Yep, he gave Dr. John the idea about 10 years ago and John, with a passion for internal medicine, got on board with the concept and couldn’t let it go until he had a clinic just for truck drivers. The first Professional Drivers Medical Depot was opened in January in Knoxville and the second was opened this week in West Memphis. Seventy-eight more clinics are planned across the United States.

Dave Nemo, of XM Satellite Radio, broadcast his show from 6 a.m. to noon Friday from the PDMD lobby to add to the grand-opening festivities. Nemo said he’s on board with McElligott’s dream because he sees it as adding to the life quality of the nation’s truck drivers — Nemo’s listening audience and considered by most to be the backbone of the nation as they transport necessities from coast to coast.

Nemo said, his favorite comment from drivers is the one that says “You really helped me stay awake last night.” Nemo explained, he considers that to mean he is helping driver's stay alive. As McElligott is passionate about internal medicine, Nemo is just as passionate about the truck drivers who listen to his program.

Billy also got a brief turn at talking with Nemo on the radio, and let me tell you, he was REALLY good. Bill Buzbee, chief operating officer for PDMD agrees with me and said they should make Billy their voice. I hope they do — he was THAT good.

Picture: The ceremonial red ribbon falls away from the scissors at the traditional ribbon-cutting event for PDMD in West Memphis, Ark. From left are Sandra Snow, senior technician for PDMD, Bill Buzbee COO for PDMD, Billy Wayne Godwin, Jeff Miller, president and CFO for PDMD, Dr. John McElligott, chairman and CEO for PDMD, Dave Nemo, president and COO of Nemo Entertainment, Dr. Roy Denton, representing Crittenden Regional Hospital of West Memphis and Jamie Carter, president and CEO of CRH.

Billy Wayne

2007-07-18T13:55:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, Billy Wayne and I are leaving for West Memphis, Ark. for the grand opening of a second truck-drivers' medical stop contained within a Petro Truck Stop. We'll drive most of the day — taking little Gracie with us. The official ceremonies, e.g., speeches, introductions and news media will be sometime Friday.

I think Billy's excited to get to be with Midland friend Dr. John McElligott and to be a part of what's going on.

I'm new to this blogging thing but hope to be able to update it daily to tell you what's going on. Maybe I'll be able to get a picture or two with it.

If you want to read more about it, check out the Web site at http://www.pd-md.com/html/pdmd_s_beginning.html

Joyce Godwin

2007-07-13T14:21:00.000-07:00

this is my first blog post July 13, 2006