Today is Sunday, November 11.  There are only 44 days until Christmas.  By now you should be stocking up on New Year’s Eve napkins and plates.  It is the birthday of George Patton, Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and Jan Adamski.  It is also the 33^rd anniversary of my 30^th birthday.  On this day in 1620, 41 Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts and signed the Mayflower Compact.  In 1921 President Harding dedicated the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  In 1959 the first episode of “Rocky & His Friends” aired.  It is Veterans Day in the US.  Canada celebrates Remembrance Day – Veterans Day,  11^th Hr – 11^th Day – 11^th Month.  It is also Concordia Day in St. Maarten.

I am sorry that I was unable to post last week, but Sandy and Verizon conspired to deprive me of my internet service.  I will try to be more diligent in the future.

I have opted to be a little more serious this week.  You may recall that, a couple weeks ago, I mentioned my father-in-law being taken to the hospital.  I am saddened to report that he lost his battle with cancer last Sunday and was laid to rest this past Friday. 

He was a man of principle.  You did what was right.  You didn’t have to like it, you just had to do it.  If there were consequences, you dealt with them.  He was proud to be a veteran.  He served in the US Navy aboard the USS Texas and was part of the Normandy invasion.  He was very active in the local chapter of the DAV and enjoyed the camaraderie of the chapter he belonged to.  He was absolutely dedicated to his family.  He would do whatever he needed to do for them.  He was loved and respected and will be missed by all who knew him.

I would also like to mention the VA Hospital in East Orange, NJ.  Dad’s last days were spent there and having him moved there was one of the best things we could have done.  The facility itself is clean, modern and well-run.  The staff consists of some of the most caring individuals we came across in his odyssey through the medical maze he followed.  The hospital provided him with the quiet, peaceful environment he needed for his last days.  They treated him with respect and made sure that he was comfortable.  They kept in touch with us constantly and let us know how he was doing.  When the end finally came, they were on the phone with my wife and let her know when it was over.

 
If you know a veteran who is in need of medical treatment, send him or her to the VA Hospital in East Orange.  If you know anyone who works there, let them know that their efforts are appreciated and that our family was impressed by their level of caring and service.  We have been to hospitals before and this is not to say that they do not do a good job, but the VA Hospital shines and they should be damned proud of what they do.