This past week end we were able to attend the Military Writers Society of America Conference in Orlando, FL. The beautiful weather was just the beginning of an enjoyable time. As a board member, Eddie was asked to be the MC for the Saturday banquet and the Auctioneer for the Sunday auction AND I was given the title of SGT Major! Yes....they needed and wanted someone a "bit" bossy...or maybe it was just someone who could get things done! I was in charge of making things flow as scheduled.
We were able to spend time with old friends we met before and made some new and wonderful friends. In the next few blogs I will be telling some of the events of the conference.
I'd like to start with something very special that was sent to us by someone we met at the conference...Mike Mullins. Many emails have been heating up the Internet since the conference...all of us still talking about the week end. In one of those emails we received a beautiful gift from Mike: The email subject line read "a little thing I did"
Beesley
Face like a hawk;
Eyes that blaze and leave no doubt;
The man is what you see, no other way…
God gave him more
Than ever He took that day.
Beesley lost much when he met Betty then.
Flesh and bone disappeared
In war’s whirlwind.
Eddie stands tall, taller than you and I.
His feet don’t touch the ground;
His head doesn’t reach the sky.
It wasn’t so good at first.
He couldn’t accept his gift of life.
Then he met the angel
Who was to become his wedded wife.
Now they do God’s work,
Reaching out to wounded and maimed GIs.
He writes, he preaches, he changes lives…
He gives them hope by example
And shows them strength here on earth,
Sharing her smiles and dimples.
Years ago his legs went to heaven,
Beesley will join them in God’s own time.
Mike Mullins, 11/12/09
Michael D. "Moon" Mullins, author of "Vietnam in Verse, poetry for beer drinkers." "ViV" won the Gold Medal for poetry, 2007, from the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA). The book is available on line from on-line Amazon, B&N, and B-a-M book stores.It is available as an audio-book from the author. Please contact me at this e-mail address; mullins.m.1@comcast.net or via land mail at POB 456 Windfall, In. 46076.Vietnam Veteran, Delta 3/7, 199th Light Infantry, '68-'69. Vice President of the MWSA. One dollar from either version goes to the Wounded Warrior Project.
WHEW! NEVER had a poem written for us before! AND wanted to share it...
We met other wonderful folks and will have more stories to tell in the coming days....like Chris Martini and the film he let us view...Richard Lowry and the film he showed stirring up some memories...AND meeting a special lady and her husband....the sister of CPL Daniel Duffy.
Connie Beesley
Friday, October 16, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
September Update....
We are getting settled into the new routine of school being back in session...we have two grandchildren in high school and the oldest will be graduating this year. We have one grandson in middle school...now playing on the 7th grade A football team! The youngest is in 4th grade and also a great football player. By the end of summer I am looking forward to school...and having those much quieter days! With grandchildren in and out all summer long we just don't seem to get much done around here!....
In July we took all 4 of the grandchildren and our daughter on a long vacation. We started with a cruise to Cozumel leaving out of Mobil, AL. In Cozumel we took them snorkeling...an new and fun experience for them! Even our daughter who was always so afraid of sharks went with her children. They all loved the cruise and want to do that again! After the ship board fun we drove to Gulf Shores, AL for a few days. Eddie took the all of the children deep sea fishing...
and they all caught several fish...but Dillon's...the oldest caught the biggest fish!
They also got to go para sailing...800 feet up in the air! We wanted to do something memorable as a family because with Dillon graduating it may be hard to get all of the family together for vacations in the future.
Now we look forward to upcoming activities that we enjoy...spending time with veterans and their families! Later this month we will be attending the annual Veterans Dance....a really fun time! We look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new people as well...from WW11 vets to the present war...we gather to visit, dance, and have a great time!
Then in November we will once more be off to Branson, MO for Veterans week. We just learned that Oliver North will once again be the guest speaker at the Marine Corps Ball there! We spend as much time as we can in the Day Room where veterans gather to talk and spend time with one another AND many bring their instruments to "pick and grin" and sing a song or two!
We haven't been able to do any other traveling this year...still paying off all of our previous traveling and cost of books. Hopefully we will be able to do some traveling by next year as Eddie truly misses being out their visiting our troops and veterans. But whenever we are out and about...he keeps his eyes open...
spotting veterans and chatting with them. He always spends more time than needed for his appointments when he goes the Veterans Hospital...spending time with the veterans there. We even meet veterans and their families when we are in other hospitals and business places...so we still get to offer words of encouragement to others while not traveling.
For those veterans who read our blog...if you've never been to Branson for Veterans Week...you would truly enjoy the week of activities! You can go to
http://www.bransonveterans.com/ to find out all that will be going on during that week.
Connie Beesley
In July we took all 4 of the grandchildren and our daughter on a long vacation. We started with a cruise to Cozumel leaving out of Mobil, AL. In Cozumel we took them snorkeling...an new and fun experience for them! Even our daughter who was always so afraid of sharks went with her children. They all loved the cruise and want to do that again! After the ship board fun we drove to Gulf Shores, AL for a few days. Eddie took the all of the children deep sea fishing...
and they all caught several fish...but Dillon's...the oldest caught the biggest fish!
They also got to go para sailing...800 feet up in the air! We wanted to do something memorable as a family because with Dillon graduating it may be hard to get all of the family together for vacations in the future.
Now we look forward to upcoming activities that we enjoy...spending time with veterans and their families! Later this month we will be attending the annual Veterans Dance....a really fun time! We look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new people as well...from WW11 vets to the present war...we gather to visit, dance, and have a great time!
Then in November we will once more be off to Branson, MO for Veterans week. We just learned that Oliver North will once again be the guest speaker at the Marine Corps Ball there! We spend as much time as we can in the Day Room where veterans gather to talk and spend time with one another AND many bring their instruments to "pick and grin" and sing a song or two!
We haven't been able to do any other traveling this year...still paying off all of our previous traveling and cost of books. Hopefully we will be able to do some traveling by next year as Eddie truly misses being out their visiting our troops and veterans. But whenever we are out and about...he keeps his eyes open...
spotting veterans and chatting with them. He always spends more time than needed for his appointments when he goes the Veterans Hospital...spending time with the veterans there. We even meet veterans and their families when we are in other hospitals and business places...so we still get to offer words of encouragement to others while not traveling.
For those veterans who read our blog...if you've never been to Branson for Veterans Week...you would truly enjoy the week of activities! You can go to
http://www.bransonveterans.com/ to find out all that will be going on during that week.
Connie Beesley
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
A Time for Healing
Over this past holiday week end a town near us hosted one of the Moving Viet Nam Memorial Walls. Eddie never misses visiting the Wall when it is anywhere near us....OR should we see that it is somewhere along the route of any of our travels. He ALWAYS has time to go visit the Wall.
We went out for the opening ceremonies on the 3rd. I had forgotten my sun screen (something I rarely do) so I found a shady place to be while he listened to the ceremony. Many of those in the stands came to be in the shade before the speakers were finished. One of those was a veteran who had been in Viet Nam. We visited for quite a while. He admitted that he had not spoken of his time there though he did attend reunions. (We encourage military men and women to attend reunions and stay in touch with those they meet while serving. It is not always easy to re-connect later in life.)
As the ceremonies were winding down Eddie and I began to make our way out to that long black wall. As we started one of the staff asked if we needed help to find a name. I replied to her "No, we know where to look". Those places are etched in our minds and we have no difficulty locating those we come to visit.
We stop first in the center...and look toward the bottom of that first panel and there he is Charles Sides. I remember so well the first time that Eddie saw his name on the Wall. Eddie hadn't been looking for him, but there he was. We went to the book of names so that he could look and see if this Charles was a Marine from Oklahoma City...thinking it just couldn't be the same person he remembered from boot camp. BUT there it was...and the guilt started. Eddie told me how they had become close as they were both Oklahoma boys...how he encouraged him when the going got tough. They went to different duty stations after graduation. Charles had gone into Viet Nam with the first group of Marines and was killed in March of 65 two months before Eddie arrived.
From there we looked to the next panel and found Cpl Daniel Duffy and Lt James Mitchell Jr. Both men were killed from the same land mine that injured Eddie. After all these years hearing about them I feel I knew them and feel the loss of them as I touch their names. Eddie also looks for others from his unit that were also casualties of that long ago war. Then we move down to panel 11 line 12 and find Ronald William Beasley one of Eddies nephews who went down with his helicopter. His name is too high for us to touch...but we stand and look at it for a while before returning to the center.
As we return there is a lady standing there with tears running down her cheeks. I ask if she has found the name she is searching for...she shakes her head "no".
Then she tells me she has a brother and cousin on the wall still MIA's. All I can do is put my arms around her and hug her as I say "We will never forget any of them". We talk for a while and she tells me her daughter just "doesn't get it". She just doesn't understand why we come to the Wall...why we "don't get over it". We talk some more and Eddie gives her a copy of his book. He gives several copies to veterans as we spend time there at the Wall.
It is hot and after a long while we decided it is time to go...
We spent the 4th at home away from crowds and people...just being glad to be living in our great nation.
Then on the 5th after church Eddie returns to the Wall. I tell him to go alone so he will feel as though he can take his time and not be worrying if he is wearing me out....he calls after a while and I tell him to stay till it closes...stay as long as you need. When he returned home he told me he was able to talk to several more veterans and give out many more books. It truly is a healing place for so many of our veterans and their families AND confirmation that WE WILL NOT FORGET.
Connie Beesley
We went out for the opening ceremonies on the 3rd. I had forgotten my sun screen (something I rarely do) so I found a shady place to be while he listened to the ceremony. Many of those in the stands came to be in the shade before the speakers were finished. One of those was a veteran who had been in Viet Nam. We visited for quite a while. He admitted that he had not spoken of his time there though he did attend reunions. (We encourage military men and women to attend reunions and stay in touch with those they meet while serving. It is not always easy to re-connect later in life.)
As the ceremonies were winding down Eddie and I began to make our way out to that long black wall. As we started one of the staff asked if we needed help to find a name. I replied to her "No, we know where to look". Those places are etched in our minds and we have no difficulty locating those we come to visit.
We stop first in the center...and look toward the bottom of that first panel and there he is Charles Sides. I remember so well the first time that Eddie saw his name on the Wall. Eddie hadn't been looking for him, but there he was. We went to the book of names so that he could look and see if this Charles was a Marine from Oklahoma City...thinking it just couldn't be the same person he remembered from boot camp. BUT there it was...and the guilt started. Eddie told me how they had become close as they were both Oklahoma boys...how he encouraged him when the going got tough. They went to different duty stations after graduation. Charles had gone into Viet Nam with the first group of Marines and was killed in March of 65 two months before Eddie arrived.
From there we looked to the next panel and found Cpl Daniel Duffy and Lt James Mitchell Jr. Both men were killed from the same land mine that injured Eddie. After all these years hearing about them I feel I knew them and feel the loss of them as I touch their names. Eddie also looks for others from his unit that were also casualties of that long ago war. Then we move down to panel 11 line 12 and find Ronald William Beasley one of Eddies nephews who went down with his helicopter. His name is too high for us to touch...but we stand and look at it for a while before returning to the center.
As we return there is a lady standing there with tears running down her cheeks. I ask if she has found the name she is searching for...she shakes her head "no".
Then she tells me she has a brother and cousin on the wall still MIA's. All I can do is put my arms around her and hug her as I say "We will never forget any of them". We talk for a while and she tells me her daughter just "doesn't get it". She just doesn't understand why we come to the Wall...why we "don't get over it". We talk some more and Eddie gives her a copy of his book. He gives several copies to veterans as we spend time there at the Wall.
It is hot and after a long while we decided it is time to go...
We spent the 4th at home away from crowds and people...just being glad to be living in our great nation.
Then on the 5th after church Eddie returns to the Wall. I tell him to go alone so he will feel as though he can take his time and not be worrying if he is wearing me out....he calls after a while and I tell him to stay till it closes...stay as long as you need. When he returned home he told me he was able to talk to several more veterans and give out many more books. It truly is a healing place for so many of our veterans and their families AND confirmation that WE WILL NOT FORGET.
Connie Beesley
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Rest & Relaxation!
We decided we needed a V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N! SOOOOO we packed up and headed to one of our favorite places ~ Branson, MO, When we let our grandchildren know we were leaving we heard all sorts of "comments"...."take me with you, I can miss the last week of school" ~ "What do you mean, you're finally taking a vacation....you are gone a lot" Even our daughter thought we should take at least one of the children with us, but we stuck to our original plan of having some "down" time just for us!
When we arrived...things started going a bit "wrong" The key to our room would not work and it was almost time for us to be at the owners party for the time shares. I really felt like crying, but Eddie kept us both calm and all worked out! We made it on time! Good thing too, cuz I was about to make my Branson debut! From someone who has always managed not to get picked from the audience....I ended up on stage twice this evening! First it was David Hamner from the Hamner Barber theater who picked on me! He needed an assistant and I was it! I was standing right there next to him...and could not tell you how he did what he did....putting those metal rings together and taking them apart!
Must have been my great "TA - DA". For my wonderful help he gave me two tickets to their show (more about that later).
Then later in the evening some members from Island Fire came....one of the dancers tried to get Eddie to go on stage, not noticing he couldn't do that. (not the first time this has happened). Because she felt bad, I said yes when asked and once again I was on stage! So here I was trying to follow the lead of one of the dancers and I'm sure looking totally ridiculous!
While at the owners party I won one of the door prizes and had another set of tickets for a show! What a way to start the week! What had started out a bit rough turned out great...pays to stay cool and not get angry when things are not as you would like!
Tuesday we met two of our dear friends from Branson, Chip & Sandy. We don't get to really visit with them when we are in town in November for Veterans week so this was a real treat for us to just get to spend time with them. After lunch they took us to see SIX, a show we had heard a lot about!
Wednesday we started with an early show at 10AM...the tickets I had won. We saw Ricky Boen and Texas Mudd. If you like Texas Swing this is a show I'd recommend. Oh, enjoying comedy helps too....Ida Clare kept us laughing till our sides hurt! In the evening we were back at the Hamner Barber theater for their show. If you like amazing magic and a great ventriloquist this is a must show! Both David Hamner and Jim Barber amazed us over and over during their performances! I must have said "how did he do that?" (concerning both performers) over and over again! We hope to take our grand children to see this show sometime this summer!
Thursday we met Eddie's relatives for lunch! He has several family members living in Branson and the best way to visit is for us to meet somewhere. We filled a very long table at Charlies! Then at 5 PM we went to the John Tweed show. We have been blessed to get to know John and his wife through our visits and veteran events. If you like "EXTREME LOVE SONGS" this is the show to see. Actually, John sings a variety of songs and is a great entertainer.
From his show we went to see Breaking Up is Hard to Do. We had planned to see this show last November and missed it because my brother got sick. Glad we went....It is a delightful musical and worth seeing!
Friday we met our friends Chip & Sandy again...this time it was our treat. We met for lunch then went to see Island Fire! Along with all the traditional dancing we learned a lot about the culture of the Islands...Hawaii, Fiji and Samoa. Once again, I was on stage. I'm sure I looked silly, but at least I wasn't the only one up there! And NO, we did NOT buy the tape...didn't want anyone seeing that! Then in the evening we went to see Noah the Musical. What a show! It was full of talented people, live animals and wonderful sets all telling a familiar Bible story. We were amazed when someone came on stage after the show and gave an altar call for anyone interested in praying! This is the first time we had seen anything like this! We hope to see their Christmas show in November if time permits.
We had a wonderful time...visiting family and friends and seeing many shows. And along with all of this we were blessed to meet several veterans and others that we could talk with and hopefully be a blessing to....we made sure to invite the veterans back to Branson for Veterans week in November. Eddie and I both enjoy talking to others and encouraging them. Life sometimes deals us lemons, but Lemonade sure tastes great! Hard things happen, but life can still be good and full of enjoyment!
During this entire week so many good things happened and we just felt the Favor of God in our lives. We returned home refreshed and it is a good thing because the following weeks have been full of activities at home and have kept us busy!
Branson is one of our very favorite places to visit...we never get tired of going there! Just don't ask us which show or shows are our favorites...tell me instead what type of entertainment you like ...then I can tell you which shows have what you are looking for!!! Since we like all sorts of entertainment we are never disappointed. Branson is full of wonderful shows for everyone! If you've never been.....you should GO!
Connie Beesley
When we arrived...things started going a bit "wrong" The key to our room would not work and it was almost time for us to be at the owners party for the time shares. I really felt like crying, but Eddie kept us both calm and all worked out! We made it on time! Good thing too, cuz I was about to make my Branson debut! From someone who has always managed not to get picked from the audience....I ended up on stage twice this evening! First it was David Hamner from the Hamner Barber theater who picked on me! He needed an assistant and I was it! I was standing right there next to him...and could not tell you how he did what he did....putting those metal rings together and taking them apart!
Must have been my great "TA - DA". For my wonderful help he gave me two tickets to their show (more about that later).
Then later in the evening some members from Island Fire came....one of the dancers tried to get Eddie to go on stage, not noticing he couldn't do that. (not the first time this has happened). Because she felt bad, I said yes when asked and once again I was on stage! So here I was trying to follow the lead of one of the dancers and I'm sure looking totally ridiculous!
While at the owners party I won one of the door prizes and had another set of tickets for a show! What a way to start the week! What had started out a bit rough turned out great...pays to stay cool and not get angry when things are not as you would like!
Tuesday we met two of our dear friends from Branson, Chip & Sandy. We don't get to really visit with them when we are in town in November for Veterans week so this was a real treat for us to just get to spend time with them. After lunch they took us to see SIX, a show we had heard a lot about!
Wednesday we started with an early show at 10AM...the tickets I had won. We saw Ricky Boen and Texas Mudd. If you like Texas Swing this is a show I'd recommend. Oh, enjoying comedy helps too....Ida Clare kept us laughing till our sides hurt! In the evening we were back at the Hamner Barber theater for their show. If you like amazing magic and a great ventriloquist this is a must show! Both David Hamner and Jim Barber amazed us over and over during their performances! I must have said "how did he do that?" (concerning both performers) over and over again! We hope to take our grand children to see this show sometime this summer!
Thursday we met Eddie's relatives for lunch! He has several family members living in Branson and the best way to visit is for us to meet somewhere. We filled a very long table at Charlies! Then at 5 PM we went to the John Tweed show. We have been blessed to get to know John and his wife through our visits and veteran events. If you like "EXTREME LOVE SONGS" this is the show to see. Actually, John sings a variety of songs and is a great entertainer.
From his show we went to see Breaking Up is Hard to Do. We had planned to see this show last November and missed it because my brother got sick. Glad we went....It is a delightful musical and worth seeing!
Friday we met our friends Chip & Sandy again...this time it was our treat. We met for lunch then went to see Island Fire! Along with all the traditional dancing we learned a lot about the culture of the Islands...Hawaii, Fiji and Samoa. Once again, I was on stage. I'm sure I looked silly, but at least I wasn't the only one up there! And NO, we did NOT buy the tape...didn't want anyone seeing that! Then in the evening we went to see Noah the Musical. What a show! It was full of talented people, live animals and wonderful sets all telling a familiar Bible story. We were amazed when someone came on stage after the show and gave an altar call for anyone interested in praying! This is the first time we had seen anything like this! We hope to see their Christmas show in November if time permits.
We had a wonderful time...visiting family and friends and seeing many shows. And along with all of this we were blessed to meet several veterans and others that we could talk with and hopefully be a blessing to....we made sure to invite the veterans back to Branson for Veterans week in November. Eddie and I both enjoy talking to others and encouraging them. Life sometimes deals us lemons, but Lemonade sure tastes great! Hard things happen, but life can still be good and full of enjoyment!
During this entire week so many good things happened and we just felt the Favor of God in our lives. We returned home refreshed and it is a good thing because the following weeks have been full of activities at home and have kept us busy!
Branson is one of our very favorite places to visit...we never get tired of going there! Just don't ask us which show or shows are our favorites...tell me instead what type of entertainment you like ...then I can tell you which shows have what you are looking for!!! Since we like all sorts of entertainment we are never disappointed. Branson is full of wonderful shows for everyone! If you've never been.....you should GO!
Connie Beesley
Monday, May 18, 2009
Purple Heart Event in Branson
I keep putting off writing...so many things going on AND thinking I will wait till I get the photos downloaded on the computer. But decided not to wait for that...might take a while longer to get that accomplished!
We were privileged to attend the Purple Heart Event in Branson in April. We have had to just do those things that are closer to home as we are low on funds and have not had much in the way of donations lately. I can tell you that being able to get there is wonderful because when Eddie is out and around other veterans he is in his element AND feels his best! He'd love to be on the road visiting ALL the time....wellllllllll...maybe not ALL the time...but most of the time. (He does enjoy some time at home working outside on the property...
mowing and planting new bushes, trees, shrubs or flowers...and this past week he has done that as well as plant a small garden for the grandchildren to help him tend. They have been waiting to get that done!)
We started early on Friday by getting up at 4:45 AM so we could go to Branson Landing to see Al Roker! He was in town and we thought it would be interesting to just say we saw him! There was a large crowd gathered even that early and we got a glimpse of how they film his part of the show.
From there we went to the Day Room for registration. It was good to see our friends Chip and Sandy who are so generous to always run the Day Room. This is a great place for veterans to go and meet...to talk and visit and spend time. It was only opened for a few hours for this even, but is open all week during Veterans week in November......AND Chip and Sandy run it for the entire week!
We always enjoy spending time there visiting with the veterans...meeting new people and renewing acquaintances from past years. This day was no exception, we saw people we knew and also made new friends.
The opening ceremonies were at the Hamner Barber theater and Eddie was asked to say the opening prayer. It was so nice to be able to meet Dave Hamner and Jim Barber....we were back stage visiting for about 45 minutes before the start of the ceremonies. It has been amazing to meet so many wonderful people as we do things in Branson and elsewhere in our travels. At the opening ceremony they had a speaker talking about PTSD which was very informative for many of those attending.
The next day there was a show at the Hamner Barber theater for the veterans which included a variety of the talent from other shows as well as Dave and Jim performing. AND of course Dalena Ditto was there! A trip to Branson would not be complete if Eddie did not get to see her! We have gotten to be good friends with her and her husband...though on this short trip there was not time to go see her show...and visit with her family. (We did not even have time to see Eddie's family that live in town.) The closing number caused "sweaty eyes" for most of us. It is an interview of 3 Iwo Jima survivors and recipients of the Purple Heart....and shows the flag raising on Iwo. After the number those 3 veterans were brought up on stage and given a chance to say a few words. WOW...what a way to end a show!
The closing ceremony was at Branson Landing. This time the crowd was gathered to honor the Purple Heart recipients who were attending these events.
Eddie was asked to wear his uniform again and to help in the flag raising ceremony. He is always glad to do anything that Marlyce or anyone in Branson asks him to do. It was awesome to watch these veterans march into the plaza area. The guest speaker who is also a friend insisted on being the one to help push Eddie down the ramp to the stage area. Barbara Fairchild and her husband Roy sang to the audience during this ceremony.
We had a wonderful time, though it went by too quickly. We plan to be back in town the end of May just to rest and visit with all those we could not see on this trip.
Connie Beesley
We were privileged to attend the Purple Heart Event in Branson in April. We have had to just do those things that are closer to home as we are low on funds and have not had much in the way of donations lately. I can tell you that being able to get there is wonderful because when Eddie is out and around other veterans he is in his element AND feels his best! He'd love to be on the road visiting ALL the time....wellllllllll...maybe not ALL the time...but most of the time. (He does enjoy some time at home working outside on the property...
mowing and planting new bushes, trees, shrubs or flowers...and this past week he has done that as well as plant a small garden for the grandchildren to help him tend. They have been waiting to get that done!)
We started early on Friday by getting up at 4:45 AM so we could go to Branson Landing to see Al Roker! He was in town and we thought it would be interesting to just say we saw him! There was a large crowd gathered even that early and we got a glimpse of how they film his part of the show.
From there we went to the Day Room for registration. It was good to see our friends Chip and Sandy who are so generous to always run the Day Room. This is a great place for veterans to go and meet...to talk and visit and spend time. It was only opened for a few hours for this even, but is open all week during Veterans week in November......AND Chip and Sandy run it for the entire week!
We always enjoy spending time there visiting with the veterans...meeting new people and renewing acquaintances from past years. This day was no exception, we saw people we knew and also made new friends.
The opening ceremonies were at the Hamner Barber theater and Eddie was asked to say the opening prayer. It was so nice to be able to meet Dave Hamner and Jim Barber....we were back stage visiting for about 45 minutes before the start of the ceremonies. It has been amazing to meet so many wonderful people as we do things in Branson and elsewhere in our travels. At the opening ceremony they had a speaker talking about PTSD which was very informative for many of those attending.
The next day there was a show at the Hamner Barber theater for the veterans which included a variety of the talent from other shows as well as Dave and Jim performing. AND of course Dalena Ditto was there! A trip to Branson would not be complete if Eddie did not get to see her! We have gotten to be good friends with her and her husband...though on this short trip there was not time to go see her show...and visit with her family. (We did not even have time to see Eddie's family that live in town.) The closing number caused "sweaty eyes" for most of us. It is an interview of 3 Iwo Jima survivors and recipients of the Purple Heart....and shows the flag raising on Iwo. After the number those 3 veterans were brought up on stage and given a chance to say a few words. WOW...what a way to end a show!
The closing ceremony was at Branson Landing. This time the crowd was gathered to honor the Purple Heart recipients who were attending these events.
Eddie was asked to wear his uniform again and to help in the flag raising ceremony. He is always glad to do anything that Marlyce or anyone in Branson asks him to do. It was awesome to watch these veterans march into the plaza area. The guest speaker who is also a friend insisted on being the one to help push Eddie down the ramp to the stage area. Barbara Fairchild and her husband Roy sang to the audience during this ceremony.
We had a wonderful time, though it went by too quickly. We plan to be back in town the end of May just to rest and visit with all those we could not see on this trip.
Connie Beesley
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
WOW...how sweet to be a local celebrity!
Just before Spring Break we got an email from Connie Mashburn who works at Best of Books here in Edmond (where they carry Eddie's book Lucky Enough. She wanted us to know that her grandson Cade was doing his book report on Eddie's book AND she proudly told him she knew us. We called her and "got the details" AND told her that we would gladly come to his school as well as let him wear Eddie's uniform jacket and cover (hat for those of you who are not military). Cade attends Cross Timbers Elementary School here in Edmond where our grandchildren went until they built a new school closer to us. We knew his teacher. Ms. Knoles who was also glad that we had come for the book reports. They had the cafeteria set up as a Wax Museum and we were all given a handful of pennies to "operate" the "wax" figures. What a site to see all of these students dressed as different people from different eras. It took a while for us to find Cade as we had entered on the opposite side from his position. BUT he was easy enough to spot in that sharp dress blue jacket! He was sitting in a chair with a blanket over his legs so that it appeared as though he were an amputee.
We made our way to his position and dropped a penny in his cup. He started his "story"...got mixed up and oh so cleverly without missing a beat said "machine malfunction please put in another penny". I nearly laughed at that! We put in another penny and heard Eddie's story!
I had forgotten my camera but got pictures from his grandmother as well as permission to tell this story. It truly is an honor when we hear that students in our town are reading Eddie's book when they must do a report on a biography...to be included among people in history like Alexander Graham Bell, Amelia Earhart and so many others is an honor.
I want to thank Cade for choosing Eddie's book and for doing such a fine job on his report! We enjoyed our afternoon at school!
Lately we haven't been doing a lot of traveling as we are working on funding in order to purchase more books. We do have some "events" planned and hopefully will have the funds to do even more. We always enjoy sharing our story and encouraging others. Life might deal you some real "lemons" BUT you can make "lemonade" AND have a wonderful life in spite of adversity!
Connie Beesley
Monday, December 15, 2008
I'm BACK!
I know...I have not posted anything in a long time...LIFE often has a way of crowding in...AND IF I were to list ALL the things that have been going on it would take a while so I will just say we have had 3 friends go home to Heaven, some "not needed" excitement with the grandchildren (ex...car wreck...no one hurt thankfully) among several other "things" these past several weeks.
In the midst of all of this we were blessed to be able to still get to Branson, MO for Veterans week. This is something we look forward to every year and would hate to miss. We said we would NOT be as busy this year...BUT that was actually not to be. I mean HOW could we not try to do as much as possible when there is so much to see and do all of this week!
This year my brother Mike returned and brought his wife Vicki this time. He enjoyed last year so much he had to come back....AND this year Vicki also decided that this is a great place to be for Veterans week...so I think we shall see them there again next year!
We were blessed to be able to spend a lot of our time at the Day Room which is run by our dear friends Chip and Sandy Milner. They are there from opening to closing...greeting and chatting with all the veterans who come there to spend some time visiting with others. This year Eddie took his guitar and was able to spend some time playing and singing with the other veterans who also came prepared to "jam". On one of our visits Penny Gilly was there and sang along with the group. She came several times before her show and spent time with all of us. The Day Room has really become a great gathering place for veterans while in Branson for this week.
It is always such a joy to see all of the friends we have made on past trips here...
Veterans week has become a sort of reunion for us! Diane and Bill "Doc" Storm come all the way from Michigan each year and we enjoy our time with them as well as all the others we've come to know.
Eddie was asked to wear his uniform to the Oak Ridge Boys show...not told any more than that! When we got there he was taken back stage! BUT I had to stay out in the audience! Then after a few songs Pat Avery was introduced and she presented Eddie and Joe Bonsall each with their own Spirit Award ...for outstanding contributions to the preservation of America's history. NOW who would have ever thought that one day Eddie would be on stage with the Oak Ridge Boys one day AND get a standing ovation! Life is often so amazing and we are having some wonderful times!
This year Branson had a Marine Corps Ball and Eddie was asked to participate in the cake cutting ceremony. He carried in the sword to cut the cake. Lt Col Oliver North was the guest speaker so this was truly an honor to be a part of this event. We enjoyed hearing Lt Col North speak and were so glad to be able to meet him. Like I said...life is amazing! We have been blessed to be able to do many wonderful things and meet so many wonderful people! The Ball was great fun and I hope that it will become an annual event...since we often have to miss the Ball in Oklahoma when it is scheduled during Veterans week.
We are already looking forward to Veterans week in Branson next year. Its a great place to be and the place we want to be!
I'll do my best to stay on top of things and not stay away too long...that is unless I need for some of you to call me again! YES...I got phone calls wondering why I had not posted anything AND actually that was rather nice...cuz that means someone is actually reading this! Thanks!
Connie Beesley
In the midst of all of this we were blessed to be able to still get to Branson, MO for Veterans week. This is something we look forward to every year and would hate to miss. We said we would NOT be as busy this year...BUT that was actually not to be. I mean HOW could we not try to do as much as possible when there is so much to see and do all of this week!
This year my brother Mike returned and brought his wife Vicki this time. He enjoyed last year so much he had to come back....AND this year Vicki also decided that this is a great place to be for Veterans week...so I think we shall see them there again next year!
We were blessed to be able to spend a lot of our time at the Day Room which is run by our dear friends Chip and Sandy Milner. They are there from opening to closing...greeting and chatting with all the veterans who come there to spend some time visiting with others. This year Eddie took his guitar and was able to spend some time playing and singing with the other veterans who also came prepared to "jam". On one of our visits Penny Gilly was there and sang along with the group. She came several times before her show and spent time with all of us. The Day Room has really become a great gathering place for veterans while in Branson for this week.
It is always such a joy to see all of the friends we have made on past trips here...
Veterans week has become a sort of reunion for us! Diane and Bill "Doc" Storm come all the way from Michigan each year and we enjoy our time with them as well as all the others we've come to know.
Eddie was asked to wear his uniform to the Oak Ridge Boys show...not told any more than that! When we got there he was taken back stage! BUT I had to stay out in the audience! Then after a few songs Pat Avery was introduced and she presented Eddie and Joe Bonsall each with their own Spirit Award ...for outstanding contributions to the preservation of America's history. NOW who would have ever thought that one day Eddie would be on stage with the Oak Ridge Boys one day AND get a standing ovation! Life is often so amazing and we are having some wonderful times!
This year Branson had a Marine Corps Ball and Eddie was asked to participate in the cake cutting ceremony. He carried in the sword to cut the cake. Lt Col Oliver North was the guest speaker so this was truly an honor to be a part of this event. We enjoyed hearing Lt Col North speak and were so glad to be able to meet him. Like I said...life is amazing! We have been blessed to be able to do many wonderful things and meet so many wonderful people! The Ball was great fun and I hope that it will become an annual event...since we often have to miss the Ball in Oklahoma when it is scheduled during Veterans week.
We are already looking forward to Veterans week in Branson next year. Its a great place to be and the place we want to be!
I'll do my best to stay on top of things and not stay away too long...that is unless I need for some of you to call me again! YES...I got phone calls wondering why I had not posted anything AND actually that was rather nice...cuz that means someone is actually reading this! Thanks!
Connie Beesley
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