May 2009

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This Memorial Day

May 25, 2009 in Family by melissa | No comments

Mark (Marcos) DaAton was a Philippines Scout in World War II , POW, Baatan Death March survivor, and my grandfather. He passed away a little over ten years ago, but it wasn’t until recently that I realized his role in WWII, and I still don’t know very much about it besides the above. However, I’m working on finding out more. One of the reasons I’d like to take a post in Manilla one day (not our first post), is so I can find out a little bit more about my mom’s side of the family.

Last year, my Tito Rob sent this out to the family, and I would like to share it with you:

Attached are some photo’s I took at the museum last weekend of some display changes we made.

An honor to the Veterans of WWII, Korea & Vietnam. The bayonet I brought back from Seaside is used to anchor the display. The flag is a 48 star flag.

Dad’s uniform I took from Seaside and put on display. The cap is mine from when I was stationed in Michigan (1967-60) Both are dated around 1950’s (Korean War) is the reason it is in the Korean period display.

Here is the uniform display, click on the picture for the rest. The album is a little barren right now, but Tito Rob is going to send me a few more pictures, which I’ll post in the near future.


Dad Daaton on display.JPG

I am Worldwide available…

May 18, 2009 in Foreign Service by melissa | 5 comments

…medically speaking that is. Today I received a nice letter in the mail from the US Department of State Office of Medical Services. It included the following:

Reason for Clearance: -> Pre-employment
Medical Clearance Determination: -> Worldwide available
Date Issued: -> 5/12/2009 2:20:35 PM

My favorite part is that they time stamped it. I feel so official now! One more major hurdle to go, my Top Secret Security Clearance. I’ll write a little more about that tomorrow.

The May Birthday Picnic

May 10, 2009 in Updates by melissa | 2 comments

Yesterday marked the 5th anniversary of the Annual May Birthday Picnic, and the weather was fantastic. Joel came out from San Diego (ostensibly for work, but we all know why he was really here) and got a moon bounce, Christine made her famous mici, and I brought fire (and a bunch of chicken). We had about 60 or 70 people there, and everyone had a good time – especially in the moon bounce. Most of the pictures we posted are of the moon bounce – it was definitely more successful than the rock wall from two years ago.

Without further ado, go take a look at the pictures!

04 - May Birthday Picnic - A quiet Moonbounce

VonHinkens in the South!

May 7, 2009 in Family by melissa | No comments

Recently, Mom and Dad V. went down to Alabama to visit Chrissy and Brandon before heading of to Florida to see Uncle Fred and Aunt Lynne. Mom V. sent us some pictures of the ever growing Streu Farm, and the following:

Just that I’d clarify a little bit about the the menagerie (sp?) of animals at Christine & Brandon’s. Mind you that out of the 4 adult & 2 baby goats only one adult & one baby is theirs — the two donkeys & a horse belong to the neighbor — but all of them share each other’s pastures — so they are often right up in the fenced pasture next to the house. The baby goat with horns (it’s the brown & white one) would let me pet her but as Brandon warned me, she would nibble at my jeans. Which she did. :) But the chickens (2 roosters & 4 chickens) — 6 quail (that started laying eggs while I was there) and 2 dogs are Christine & Brandon’s. I learned some of the upkeep & helped feed them some. As Brandon’s sister Jen says, “we’ll never get him to move back to Michigan if he keeps adding to the farm!!”.

Go Look at the cute animals!

01 - Streu Farm - Goats!

Another Alexandria Election

May 6, 2009 in Alexandria by melissa | 1 comment

Yesterday morning I once again got up early enough to make it to the Lee Center by 5am. Since the polls open at 6am, we need the hour to set up the electronic voting machines and poll books, and make sure the room is situated the way we want it.

We had a total of 506 voters come by, a whopping 10.7 percent of registered voters came to vote. It’s pretty sad compared to the 91 percent we saw back in November. I definitely agree that we should consolidate into one major election during November – it will definitely help our turn out.

If you’d like some thoughtful analysis of the elections, head over to the Parker-Gray Growl, I’m too tired.

Now for the fun. Here’s the read out from the Lee Center JBC.  I’ve organized it by office, including write-ins:
Mayor
William D. “Bill” Euille – 356

Write Ins (as they were entered, the capitalization’s are mine)

Blaber – 1 Unknown – 1 Rich Williamson – 1 Pat Troy – 1
BillCleveland – 1 Neil Wolfe – 1 Cynthia Hilsinger – 1 Todd Wenning – 1
Bill Cleveland – 1 Julie Buyer – 1 Michael Zarlenga – 3 WilliamDEuille – 1
Peter Glaws – 1 AA – 1 Taj – 1 Anyone But – 1
Frank Fannon – 1 Steven Lastelic – 1 Frank Mann – 1 Christian Adams – 1
Alicia Hughes – 1 Charles Mitchell – 1 Scout Downey – 1 Ross Bell – 1
Chris Campagna – 1 Frank Collins – 1 Lisa Powers – 1 Robert Hill – 1
Gail Schneider – 1 Michal Zarlanger – 1
City Council School Board District A
Alicia R Hughes – 278
K. Rob Krupicka – 267
Kerry J Donley – 253
Redella S. “Del” Pepper – 251  
Frank H. Fannon IV – 250
Paul C Smedberg – 248
Timothy B. Lovain – 230
Justin M. Wilson – 222
D. Philip Cefaratti – 188
Rich C. Williamson – 85		 W. E. “Bill” Campbell – 145
Mary Mein “Mimi” Carter – 172
Sheryl K Gorsuch – 169
Helen F. Morris – 235
Scott A Newsham – 144

 

 
Write-ins
Bill Cleveland – 1
Mac Donald – 1
**Blank** – 1		 Write-ins
Peter Glaws – 1
Alicia Hughes – 1