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Things have been somewhat difficult around here lately. Well, we've had our up-moments and our ... not-so-up moments. Beyond the usual not-so-up moments that are integral to life in the padded cell that is Autism.
One of the other not-so-up moments of late has been the loss, in two weeks, of two of the Marines who stood up in our wedding. One of them, John's Best Man and NCO of 2 years, Mark Carlstrom, died of a sudden heart attack at 49 - leaving behind his wife and 3 children. Mark was a big personality and never did anything half-way. Even after retiring out of the Corps, he led the Junior ROTC program for years, escorted home Michigan military men and women who had lost their lives overseas, made sure that honor guards were provided for their funerals, and served in the Patriot Guard. His wife has a small business making cupcakes, and among his dying words, he exhorted her to sell 1000 cupcakes. She did so, at the Harrison Street Fair. Nobody could think of failing Mark, after all.
Lee Comtois died in a motorcycle accident. He was a 15 year veteran, and served as a Body Bearer. He, too, leaves a daughter and a (former) wife behind. He was a marshmallow, big and cuddly. In a way that only a Marine could be. Also a member of the Patriot Guard - once a Marine, always a Marine.
Now, if you've a mind, contributions are being accepted in Lee's name by the Wounded Warriors project, and in Mark's name at the VA hospital in Saginaw, MI.
But, since most of you never met either, that seems a lot to ask.
Instead, I want to throw this out: Stop for a minute, and think about Mark and Lee, and everything they did for this Country. Think about Tammy and her cupcakes. About giving a little something back.
I think it would be a testament to Mark and Lee if you all would consider joining me in National Tie One On Day this year. If you've got a recipient available who is a military veteran, or a family who are busy missing a member who is overseas right now, or have lost a family member, great. If not, that's OK, too. Pay it forward. Make an apron. Make a loaf of bread. Write a note. Post a picture of the Apron for me at some point during Thanksgiving weekend. (I'll put up a post for you to link them into on Thanksgiving).
What do you say?
One of the other not-so-up moments of late has been the loss, in two weeks, of two of the Marines who stood up in our wedding. One of them, John's Best Man and NCO of 2 years, Mark Carlstrom, died of a sudden heart attack at 49 - leaving behind his wife and 3 children. Mark was a big personality and never did anything half-way. Even after retiring out of the Corps, he led the Junior ROTC program for years, escorted home Michigan military men and women who had lost their lives overseas, made sure that honor guards were provided for their funerals, and served in the Patriot Guard. His wife has a small business making cupcakes, and among his dying words, he exhorted her to sell 1000 cupcakes. She did so, at the Harrison Street Fair. Nobody could think of failing Mark, after all.
Lee Comtois died in a motorcycle accident. He was a 15 year veteran, and served as a Body Bearer. He, too, leaves a daughter and a (former) wife behind. He was a marshmallow, big and cuddly. In a way that only a Marine could be. Also a member of the Patriot Guard - once a Marine, always a Marine.
Now, if you've a mind, contributions are being accepted in Lee's name by the Wounded Warriors project, and in Mark's name at the VA hospital in Saginaw, MI.
But, since most of you never met either, that seems a lot to ask.
Instead, I want to throw this out: Stop for a minute, and think about Mark and Lee, and everything they did for this Country. Think about Tammy and her cupcakes. About giving a little something back.
I think it would be a testament to Mark and Lee if you all would consider joining me in National Tie One On Day this year. If you've got a recipient available who is a military veteran, or a family who are busy missing a member who is overseas right now, or have lost a family member, great. If not, that's OK, too. Pay it forward. Make an apron. Make a loaf of bread. Write a note. Post a picture of the Apron for me at some point during Thanksgiving weekend. (I'll put up a post for you to link them into on Thanksgiving).
What do you say?