Donation Drive to be held 10/23 - 12/02/06

Clarence Public Library & Soldiers' Angels
2nd annual donation drive to support our soldiers!

Drop off items every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday (during regular business hours) from October 23, 2006 to December 2, 2006 at the Clarence Public Library 1 Town Place (Old Goodrich Rd) Clarence, NY 14031

Items needed:

Bath towels (new, unwashed, any color)
Twin size sheet sets (any color/design, unwashed)
Beef jerky
canned tuna/chicken
breakfast bars
hot chocolate
instant oatmeal
sleep/lounge pants (small to large)
white tube socks (men/children) all sizes
SNACKS - goldfish/wheat thins/etc.
fruit snacks or any individual snacks
Pillows/pillow cases
Deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste (travel sizes)
Toothbrush/mouthwash
Sweat pants (gray, black) men/women/children - all sizes (no elastic in ankle)
T-shirts (s m l adult, children sizes)
Slippers (men, women, children – all sizes)
Crossword/puzzle books
Paperback books
Phone cards
Hand-held games
Pens/stationary (stamps NOT needed)


Letters/Cards – Our heroes consider any letter/postcard better than GOLD! As we ship out the needed items to the various units we will include the letters/cards. Make sure to include your name and address (they may not be able to send you a letter right away so give it time).

Thank you in advance for your help!

Ben injured in football game!

Well, the season for Ben is over. He tore his ACL and is out for this year. He will be coming home around Thanksgiving and having surgery at that time. There is always next year.....

Ben's surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 22 in Albany. I will be there with him and then driving him back home that day to recover (and stuff him with turkey)!

There is an actual picture of the moment Ben was falling to the ground when he was injured! Check out the link http://www.sportspagemagazine.com/images/college/football/2006/shu-albany/IMG_0014.html....

My poor boy!

Nate goes hiking in the Adirondacks

Aimee and her children, Nathan and Bella, are living in the Adirondacks. This picture she gave me cracked me up! They had gone hiking and Nate was getting tired. He told his mother to leave him!!

Bucky Back in the States!

WELCOME HOME!

Finally, after 2 years, my son is back on American soil! I could not believe the feeling of relief and pride I felt when I saw him. It is so good to have him back here!

We were able to get together last night and have Bucky's favorite meal - my homemade lasagna! Bethany, Brittany, Julie, Calli, myself, Bucky and his wife, Lauren were together.

Bucky and Lauren are busy packing today and are leaving for Ft. Benning GA.

University of Albany Football

University of Albany is in the national top 25 for the first time (division 1-AA level) -

Well, they won another game this weekend. UofA beat Central Connecticut 19-14. Their record is now 3-1.

The picture here is from the week before (9/16) when UofA defeated Delaware. Ben is #45.

The weather was great (no rain) and it was not too chilly. Aimee, Bethany, Brittany, Bella, Nate, Rachel and I were in the stands to cheer our boy on!

The next home game is not until Oct. 21. We will be there!!

Update on Bayers

Bucky is coming back to the states! He will be stationed at Ft. Campbell KY. He and his wife, Lauren, will be moving there shortly after he returns on October 10. It will be great to have him so close to home!

Bethany is having surgery on Sept. 21 to remove the brackets from her gums, some stitches in her mouth and a metal bar that has been holding her top jaw together. She had the wires removed a few weeks ago and was able to start eating soft foods. She has put a few pounds on and looks fantastic! Her face is healing well and in a few months she should be all healed and able to have her teeth fixed and cheek implants.

Benjamin is doing great in Albany at school and football. They won the first game, lost the second and won the third. Aimee and her children (Nate and Bella) and I went to the home game in Albany on Sept. 9. It was great to see Ben and his girlfriend, Rachel (who goes to school in NYC). It was fun to be at a football game again. Last year was the first year no one was playing football in my family since 1986 (approx). I missed it so much!

Chris has been able to fly home for a weekend. Beth, Britt and I were able to go over to Chris and Julie's this past Sunday and watch the Buffalo Bills demolish the Miami Dolphins! Chris is scheduled to re-deploy to Iraq sometime in March unless they are called up before then.

Jeff and his family are enjoying SC and were lucky to escape the hurricane that was supposed to hit Myrtle Beach but went up to Wilmington NC instead! They had rain but were not washed away!

Recent Birthdays: Kayla turned 8 on Aug. 3, I had my birthday on Aug. 16, Aimee turned 26 on Sept. 3, Calli turned 8 on Sept. 13, and Julie turned 27 on Sept. 18!

Keep checking back for updates, pictures, etc. Remember to support our troops!

All my boys are home! (July 10)

This has not happened in many years - all my boys together in one room (even if it is a hospital room). Bethany was so excited to see all of them together!

From left - Jeff (B-Lo), Ben, Chris, and James (Bucky). It only lasted a couple of hours because that same evening Chris and Julie left for their honeymoon and Ben went back to UAlbany that afternoon. But for a short time we were together!

I am so thankful they were able to see each other and were able to brighten Bethany's day!