2011 is almost over, and I can come out of hiding.....Tomorrow.
I will not miss 2011, it was a terrible year for us...it started out with losing one kitty and by Oct we had lost 3. Rest in Peace, Sally, Ada Jane and Shadow.
A treasured friend died this year also and I am so tired of death.
For the past 18 months Al and I have dealt with death so much it is hard to think in a positive way. It started with my mother's death in July of 2010, with Al's mom in Oct 2010, and it did not stop. We attended many funerals for veterans and active duty military in the past year, and feel honored to have stood flag line, but saddened to have to be there.
After the hellacious term Al had in college this Fall, and struggling with health issues, I decided that after Christmas Day I was taking refuge in the house till the New Year. I have not even poked my nose outside since then. I didn't feel safe enough to push my luck this last week. All I can say is that I am so lucky to have Al as my backup.
I hope that everyone out there has a Safe, Healthy and Happy New Year and that 2012 will be positive for all.
Megan, Al and Gabrielle
Today Al and I were honored to stand flag line for SSgt. Vincent Bell at the funeral home. It was a cold crisp day but we felt lucky we could honor this hero. Tomorrow his memorial service will be at 11 am at the Renaissance Unity Church in Warren, MI. Unfortunately it will be too cold for me to be outside tomorrow, so we were glad to be able to go today.
Marine Staff Sergeant Vincent J. Bell on Monday, 12 December 2011. Flags should be returned to full-staff on Tuesday, 13 December 2011.
Bell, 28, of Detroit, Michigan died 30 November 2011 in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan while conducting combat operations. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion of the 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton in California.
Bell joined the Marines in 2001 and was serving his second deployment.
He was a two-time recipient of the Purple Heart, awarded twice the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, two Combat Action Ribbons, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy Unit Commendation, three Marine Corp Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, three Iraqi Campaign Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and four Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.
A wake will be held on Sunday, 11 December 2011, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the United Memorial Funeral Home in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, 12 December 2011, at the Renaissance Unity Church in Warren, Michigan.
GOD Bless and Semper Fi!!!!!
Some of the men and women that also stood for him...
Thank you all.
Rest in Peace SSgt. Vincent Bell and Thank you.
