My father was a journalism major at Villanova University.  He used to talk about what is supposed to be the oath of reporters as they begin their careers in journalism.  A topic is one thing to report on, he'd say, but the true reporter doesn't stop there.  Before printing it, he makes sure he has all the facts, all the truth so that his reporting is factual and credible.  He checks all sides and all sources.  He stakes his reputation on that as an advocate of the public who relies on him for those facts.  In today's fast-paced world, I wonder if that oath still applies.
 Food for today:   "Those who say it cannot be done shouldn't interrupt the people doing it."   Unknown

Lots has happened this year.  it's been 6 months since I last visited you.

Had a hip replaced and am doing very well.  We have 2 new identical twin great-granddaughters.  They are so beautiful and growing quickly.  Ohio Flags of Honor was a huge success and thanks to all who helped, especially the SOS Club of Rossford HS.  it was really their program this year.  The Bulldog Foundation held its second Building Futures Extravaganza event with guest President James Tressel.  Coach Tressel, as we all know him, was inspirational!

This is the 4th year of my term on the Rossford Board of Education.  It has been a privilege to serve our dedicated teachers and to watch our beautiful children grow and prosper.  Soon our beautiful new schools will be ready for them.  Septembe 3rd is a big day!

A little food for thought:
  "The purpose of life is not to be happy.  It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you lived and lived well."  Ralph Waldo Emerson.
    "We are what we repeatedly do.  Therefore excellence is not an act; it is a habit."   Aristotle
​A good day to you all.  XO

​This program was so well received last May, we are working on bringing it back again in 2019.  It would be May 17, 18 & 19.  That is Armed Services weekend and the anniversary of Tom's sacrifice.  Please mark your calendar and plan on attending.
My book is completed and will be going out for proofreading and editing very soon.  I can't believe it's been over year since I began this journey, thanks to encouragement from many of you and especially from my sister Eileen.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Yes, it's finally completed! The first draft of my book is in the hands of my first wave of critical friends and I'm looking forward to hearing their feedback. This is just the beginning. Stay tuned as we progress through the phases of publishing!

If you want to read a great book about the Obama White House and be entertained by a great storyteller, get “West Winging It” by Pat Cunnane. It is both informative, full of funny anecdotes and gives a great picture behind-the-scenes during the inspiring time in the Obama years.

Two years ago on July 27, 2016, I had the honor and privilege of introducing President Obama at the Democratic National convention in Philadelphia. What an awesome experience that was!! An event I will never forget. And I received my sixth presidential hug that evening, too. This “sweet little old lady” was truly blessed.
 
My book telling all about my experiences as a Gold Star Mother is almost finished.  I’m fine tuning and then will send it to be proof-read, a necessary step to getting published. A special thank you to my sister Eileen, to Teresa and Ernie, my mentors, and to so many who inspired stories that are a part of the book. Keep watching – hope to have good news by late Fall.

The hot and humid summer days have kept me in more than I like, but it also kept me busy with my book. That was good. I’m pretty much finished… just have to revise and edit. And then the hard part—get it published. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I’m so grateful to my sister Eileen for her encouragement and getting me started on this journey. It is a tribute to my son and the gifts I have realized from his ultimate sacrifice. And hopefully, an acknowledgment of the kinds of things all Gold Star Families experience.

May brought the Ohio Flags of Honor to Rossford. Don and I had been to this memorial program on two occasions and decided to bring it to Rossford. It was a very special weekend remembering each and every soldier from Ohio who has died in Iraq or Afghanistan or the War on Terror. A flag, specially identified for each one of them (299 of them) was placed in a Field of Honor next to the NECA building on Lime City Road. In addition, there were approximately 500 other flags donated by organizations who wanted to be a part of this program. It was beautiful, almost 800 flags flying in the breeze. This will be an annual event from now on.