5 years ago
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
My Dad
My Dad has shared with me a wonderful life full of memories. He has provided for me as a kid a basically stress free childhood, and as an adult supported me and my kids through all the ups and downs of life. I have recently received a copy of his experiences in Korea written by him. When he told us about the war in Korea as a kid, I didn’t realize what a critical part of the war he played. He is a war hero, and he was preserved for such a cause by his Heavenly Father, I am sure. I wanted to share just a little bit of his sacrifice for our Country's Freedom. He said:
"As the years have passed, I have come more aware of what an important role our mortar platoon played in winning the war. Pork Chop, T-Bone and Baldy were all in the Chosen Valley where we were assigned. The Chinese were trying desperately to reclaim these hills and we were desperately trying to keep control. Our mortars were right behind Pork Chop Hill and we had two major assaults on that hill while I was there.
Peace talks were going on at the time and our ability to fight off these attacks probably had a significant influence in the forth-coming truce agreement. Both sides were flexing their muscles with battles such as Pork Chop Hill. If the enemy were out doing us, they wouldn't have been so willing to sign the truce agreement--especially since we had advanced into their territory and would be awarded some of their land.
I had been awarded to Gunnery Sergeant for the last two major battles at Pork Chop. I would receive fire request from the forward observer, calculate the necessary gun settings and give these settings to each of the gun crews. (This is where my Dad was particularly inspired, because instead of firing as per the past sergeant, Dad formunlated these settings based upon his knowledge of where the canyons were and where the Chinese soldiers would be coming up towards them. This saved the position and although many lives were lost many were saved.) The second of these battles reportedly was the greatest amount of firepower expended by us of any other military battle to date. "
Dad recently gave me an article about the battle, and it said in there that it went on for five days and four nights. He said that the one thing the Korean's had that they didn't was man power, those Chinese soldiers just seem to keep coming. In that second battle that Dad endured during the summer of 1953, the article stated that over 166 enemy casualties occurred. Because of the ferocity of the fighting, the mortar men were forced to do without food or sleep for long periods.
Recently, at the 24th of July fireworks up in Charleston, I was impressed to check with my Dad after a very Patriotic display of fireworks that ended in several loud gun like shooting fireworks, "Are you okay Dad?". He said he felt like digging down and taking cover.
I know he was preserved as a righteous young Latter Day Saint to help the people of Korea maintain their freedom. We recently had a Korean man come up to us on a cruise with my Dad and he told how much respect he had for the GI's that were there protecting their country. He had so much respect for my Dad, and I must say since all this has been said and done, so do I. Thank you Dad, and God Bless us with Freedom at home and abroad.
"As the years have passed, I have come more aware of what an important role our mortar platoon played in winning the war. Pork Chop, T-Bone and Baldy were all in the Chosen Valley where we were assigned. The Chinese were trying desperately to reclaim these hills and we were desperately trying to keep control. Our mortars were right behind Pork Chop Hill and we had two major assaults on that hill while I was there.
Peace talks were going on at the time and our ability to fight off these attacks probably had a significant influence in the forth-coming truce agreement. Both sides were flexing their muscles with battles such as Pork Chop Hill. If the enemy were out doing us, they wouldn't have been so willing to sign the truce agreement--especially since we had advanced into their territory and would be awarded some of their land.
I had been awarded to Gunnery Sergeant for the last two major battles at Pork Chop. I would receive fire request from the forward observer, calculate the necessary gun settings and give these settings to each of the gun crews. (This is where my Dad was particularly inspired, because instead of firing as per the past sergeant, Dad formunlated these settings based upon his knowledge of where the canyons were and where the Chinese soldiers would be coming up towards them. This saved the position and although many lives were lost many were saved.) The second of these battles reportedly was the greatest amount of firepower expended by us of any other military battle to date. "
Dad recently gave me an article about the battle, and it said in there that it went on for five days and four nights. He said that the one thing the Korean's had that they didn't was man power, those Chinese soldiers just seem to keep coming. In that second battle that Dad endured during the summer of 1953, the article stated that over 166 enemy casualties occurred. Because of the ferocity of the fighting, the mortar men were forced to do without food or sleep for long periods.
Recently, at the 24th of July fireworks up in Charleston, I was impressed to check with my Dad after a very Patriotic display of fireworks that ended in several loud gun like shooting fireworks, "Are you okay Dad?". He said he felt like digging down and taking cover.
I know he was preserved as a righteous young Latter Day Saint to help the people of Korea maintain their freedom. We recently had a Korean man come up to us on a cruise with my Dad and he told how much respect he had for the GI's that were there protecting their country. He had so much respect for my Dad, and I must say since all this has been said and done, so do I. Thank you Dad, and God Bless us with Freedom at home and abroad.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Pioneer Day
Can't help thinking of the wonderful heritage we have as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have a great admiration for our Pioneer Heritage. Each one of my progenitors has a special place in my heart. As I have grown older my parents and grandparents have taken on a special place in my heart. I love and revere each of them for all that they do for me. When I make their acquaintance in the hereafter I will thank them for their efforts and praise them for the sacrifices they made for me. In our generation we have had some great examples go before us as well, like Jeanne, Aaron, and Steve. I have never ceased to learn from their examples in my life.
My sister Jeanne was such a gracious and kind person. She made such a lovely home. When I went to her home, I always came away with something she had cooked, sewn or crafted. I still have a little piece of cloth with potpourri and yarn that she gave me, and a blouse she crocheted. I see her expressions and love in Sam. I feel the same blessings are with Ben, Sam and Levi. I've seen it once again, and I’m sure these parents who have gone on before their children are still keeping a watchful on them.
Recently, I found this exert from Steve’s journal, recorded 10-17-77. He was just 19 years old, but wise beyond his years. He worked so hard to make his dreams a reality in his life. “There are some among us that have the divine quality to turn normal things into great things, plain into beautiful, incomprehensible into comprehensible or unbelievable into believable. A good mother and eternal companion can turn a house into a palace, a throne, a Heavenly Kingdom on Earth. So, never overlook the plain, ordinary or simple things others do, for the right person can turn into a dream come true.”
My sister Jeanne was such a gracious and kind person. She made such a lovely home. When I went to her home, I always came away with something she had cooked, sewn or crafted. I still have a little piece of cloth with potpourri and yarn that she gave me, and a blouse she crocheted. I see her expressions and love in Sam. I feel the same blessings are with Ben, Sam and Levi. I've seen it once again, and I’m sure these parents who have gone on before their children are still keeping a watchful on them.
Recently, I found this exert from Steve’s journal, recorded 10-17-77. He was just 19 years old, but wise beyond his years. He worked so hard to make his dreams a reality in his life. “There are some among us that have the divine quality to turn normal things into great things, plain into beautiful, incomprehensible into comprehensible or unbelievable into believable. A good mother and eternal companion can turn a house into a palace, a throne, a Heavenly Kingdom on Earth. So, never overlook the plain, ordinary or simple things others do, for the right person can turn into a dream come true.”
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Happy third birthday George!
I'm blessed to have such wonderful grand children, Happy Birthday + George = Happy Grandma! He was so cute to watch open his gifts and take command of being three. He reminds me of his Daddy in so many ways. He can already dunk a basketball and no hips!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Anniversary
I just love this picture of Steve with his kids in the snow, it reminds me of how happy he was. I've just thinking of my anniversary, it was 31 years ago today I married Steven Sproul, We were married just 9 years when he was diagnosed with brain cancer. He died about 2 years later. I've been reminded of it this past week with the passing of my cousin, Diane's husband, Rick. I'm also reminded of him as I see Cameron transition through his loss. I know I was intended for this family, because I have learned so much from them and I've needed this growth.
Here are some events from my life:
1976 Graduated from HS
1979 married Steve Sproul on July 3
1982, Lisa was born
1984 I graduated from the U of U,
1984 John was born that same day I graduated
1988 Steve graduated from the U of U
1990 April 12th he passed on
1992 I married Greg, it will be 18 years in September. I'm so grateful to him he has been wonderful, and I really feel like I have healed during these years, but sometimes I reflect on my past. I've found out that it's the journey that counts. The resurrection is real. We will all go the way of the gave in this life. We should live with the end in mind in terms of our relationships with others. Improve our time, and strive for peace and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
It makes me happy to see my kids being parents, and it remind me of him and how he loved his kids. I know he thinks of them too.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Memorial Day
Ouch! I guess the reason this picture brings tears to my eyes is because when John was three years old his dad was diagnosed with a fatal brain tumor. Lisa was in kindergarten. I taught school to provide insurance and we struggled along for nearly two years while working and dealing with all the treatments, surgeries, and physical disablement of a normally healthy husband.
The hardest part for me personally was having to keep things together, when my world was crumbling. If I'm stronger for it, I don't know? But I do know that having these two kids of mine, and seeing them be wonderful parent’s makes all the stress and sacrifice that I went through, and still go through worth it. It's hard to see your children suffer. We should all do everything possible to teach and protect them. I'm so sorry that they miss their Dad it is impossible to make it up to them, but I always tried not to enable them or spoil them. I tried to do what Steve and I would have done together, teach them to live the gospel and to serve one another. He was an awesome father.
John is a wonderful Dad too. He has definitely followed in his father’s footsteps. It was hard to see John not be able to wrestle and play with his Dad like he was used to because they were best buddies. Lisa was his little princess. She taught him the ABC's when she was in Kindergarten.
Our Beloved husband and father, William Steve Sproul - January 24, 1958 to April 12, 1990, died age 32. Thank you, Heavenly Father for 11 wonderful years with their Daddy!
The hardest part for me personally was having to keep things together, when my world was crumbling. If I'm stronger for it, I don't know? But I do know that having these two kids of mine, and seeing them be wonderful parent’s makes all the stress and sacrifice that I went through, and still go through worth it. It's hard to see your children suffer. We should all do everything possible to teach and protect them. I'm so sorry that they miss their Dad it is impossible to make it up to them, but I always tried not to enable them or spoil them. I tried to do what Steve and I would have done together, teach them to live the gospel and to serve one another. He was an awesome father.
John is a wonderful Dad too. He has definitely followed in his father’s footsteps. It was hard to see John not be able to wrestle and play with his Dad like he was used to because they were best buddies. Lisa was his little princess. She taught him the ABC's when she was in Kindergarten.
Our Beloved husband and father, William Steve Sproul - January 24, 1958 to April 12, 1990, died age 32. Thank you, Heavenly Father for 11 wonderful years with their Daddy!
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