Guestbook

Doug & JV.......So sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you both.
-- Matt Mitchell

I am so sorry for your loss. You were a great son. I commend you both on the care you gave him.
-- Margo Guilfoyle

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast, and he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past. Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done. In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, everyone. And 'tho sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke, all his buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer, for ol' Jim has passed away, and the world's a little poorer, for a Veteran died today.

No, he won't be mourned by many, just his children,friends and his wife. For he lived an ordinary, very quiet sort of life. He held a job and raised a family, quietly going on his way; and the world won't note his passing; 'tho a Veteran died today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state, while thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great. Papers tell of their life stories, from the time that they were young, but the passing of a Veteran, goes unnoticed, and unsung. Is the greatest contribution, to the welfare of our land, some jerk who breaks his promise and cons his fellow man? Or the ordinary fellow, who in times of war and strife, goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life? The politician's stipend and the style in which he lives, are sometimes disproportionate, to the service he gives. While the ordinary Veteran, who offered up his all, is paid off with a medal and perhaps a pension, small. It's so easy to forget them, for it is so long ago, that our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys, went to battle, but we know. It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys, who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys. Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand, would you really want some cop-out, with his every waffling stand? Or would you want a Veteran, who has sworn to defend, his home, his kin, and Country, and would fight until the end?

He was just a common Veteran and his ranks are growing thin, but his presence should remind us, we may need his likes again. For when countries are in conflict, then we find the Military's part, is to clean up all the troubles, that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor, while he's here to hear the praise, then at least let's give him homage, at the ending of his days. Perhaps just a simple headline, in the paper that might say:

OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, FOR A VETERAN DIED TODAY.
-- Mark & Shana Desseyn

To Jim's Family: I am so sorry to learn of Jim's death and I am sending prayers to all of his brothers and sisters and family. He was a funny man and also very nice man.
-- Sharon Tincher Scholl-Nabulsi

Remember Jim? There's hardly a week went by when we thought of how much of a friend he could be. Althought it's been more than 20 years since he and Deannie lived across the street from us in Bluffdale Subdivision in Gladstone, IL., nothing can make us forget what a great friend he was and all the fun and help he was to us. So glad he found love again with Annadean. He was a true and wonderful friend and our sympathies go out to all of his family and the people who cared about him.
-- Lloyd and Mary Keever

Gene, So sorry to read about your brother. My thoughts are with you all.

Steve Casady
-- Steve Casady

Brother Jim you were a great brother and you will be truly missed, loved you dearly..Pat
-- Pat Ball

Dear Doug & JV, We both know how devastating it is to lose a parent, and our hearts go out to you as you say goodbye to Doug's father. God bless. Your friends, Mark & Lisa
-- Mark & Lisa Wille

Sorry to learn of J.B.'s passing. He and my late husband, Raymond Lozano worked together at J.I. Case in Burlington, Iowa for many years, and they were also fishing buddies. Jim bought my Dad's fishing boat. It was wooden and hand made by a man in Illinois. Jim was a nice man, and I know he will be missed. My Ray passed November 2, 2008.
-- Margaret Daley-Lozano