Barry Meyers

Janine,

Your sharing is very poignant. Thank you for taking the time effort to do so. For me it brings many things to mind, but perhaps the 2 most important are:

1) "There but for the grace of G-d go I." No more be said on this point.

2) "There are always others who suffer more, and have it worse than me." This rings very true for me, and as well your parents and their decision to come to America. They did not have to suffer years of war in the Middle East after the tragedies that befell them and their families in Europe. As well , they fortunately did not get caught in one of the Eastern European countries that fell under Communism and the harsh religious discriminations that ensued.

Thanks to you and Debbie, and the many others like you, who work to keep the memories alive and assist us to recognize what is right.

Barry Meyers

Work has recently been bringing me to the LA area. As a result, I had the fortune of spending a few hours with Al Ovadia Tuesday evening. What a hoot to catch up on stories, our times since Franklin, and the things that make us who we are. We've changed little in 45 years - jus a few gray hairs. What! You don't believe me? Judge for yourselves.

Glenn James Schoenmakers

Thank-you, Janine. Your story about your family and growing up is very heart warming. I am glad that most were not interned. You are right that it continues to happen today, unfortunately. We can only do what we can when confronted with injustices. 

I hope your wrist heals and the FHS posts are very informative, nostalgic, and interesting in how those experiences have integrated into our lives today. I am happy that you took the time to tell us, these stories always help us better understand one another. I am sorry to have not known you in growing up, but I am proud of who you have become.

As the holidays approach, this time of year always helps open hearts. Let's hope we can keep them open throughout the year.

G

Glenn James Schoenmakers

Well I'm glad your over your funky period John.Yoou are right, we all experience them at one time or another. Welcome back.

On another note, I had no idea but we may be related as I received a similar letter from a long lost uncle. Appparenrly he also had a large bank account and since I shared the unusual name of Schoenmakers, I could be a heir to his vast fortune. While I don't care to be poor, I chose not to accept as I might become jaded by the wealth. I passed.

Happy holidays John, no time to be down - you can feel funky next year

Glenn

Michael Holman

OK. You geriatic, genteel's have finally roused another steel Tiger. I have been reading your historical meanderings on here for months. You've managed to evoke many smiles, some heavy sighs, a few tears, and a delightful quanity of precious memories. As we add on the years those memories redefine us, and the fear of losing them begins to sharpen it's focus. 

 I have truly enjoyed reading all of the stories on here. There is joy in the familiairity, and sadness in our collective losses of classmates, friends, relatives, and influential who's who's. John, glad to hear your grabbing a ray of sunshine. It bolsters my self esteem to know that many of you, my fellow Franklin High School hall shufflers have suffered thru the decline of the shunned fortunes being offered by our distant benefactors. Trust me fellow Quakers, I was sorely tempted, but having never dabbled in the upper echelons of the US tax code I let it slip away to REM mode. 

 It's 65 degree's down here in the woods outside of McKenna WA. Last week it was 10 degree's, and snow. Friday I will lay to rest another departed fellow USAF aviator ( 6th so far this year), and Sat will attend a Hay ride Christmas party at a ranch a few miles down the road. Michael, and Sue Wright (class of 69) might be in attendance. Sue has been under the weather of late. They just moved back up here from Portland area. 

Once again it is such a pleasure to read the messages posted by all of you on here. I wish all of you who accept such wishes A very MERRY CHRISTMAS, and HAPPY HANUKA. I'm off to the rain room. TTYallL.

Mike:-)

Susan Niven

Best wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a safe, happy and healthy 2015!

Ric Rivera

Happy Affirmation .......

Donna Amira

Jim Eastwood

Hi All,

Merry Christmas and Holidays to all.  May we have a good 2015.

My best present  was a  great new book by  a guy named Tracy Dahlbey. It is about his years in the far east reporting on China and their takeover of Hong Kong.  I can't envision a 6'7" guy trying to hide from the bad guys in Malaysia or Honk Kong. It s avalable from Amazon for about $25.00.

Let's all have a good 2015.  I am hearing whispers of remission for spring!

Jim

John Hein

Jim E: Backatcha Jim on the Harleyday wishes. You know as well as anybody that Tracy was a really smart guy, right? So I'm guessing if he needed to "blend" so as to avoid notice by those with nefarious intent, he would opt to don the "short" disguise, as did Inspector Clousseau in Revenge Of The Pink Panther. Yes, the old short disguise ploy......We know it worked on accounta Tracy calls Austin, TX home now (at least he did, as recently as .....not too long ago....).

Yeah, 2015, the year many of us will get Medicared for, or as Archie Bunker called it, Medicure. Now that just makes ya feel old, eh what? I'm thinkin' for fun I'll go play with the dinosaurs in Geriatric Park. That sounds better than pecking away at the keyboard and risking carpool tunnel.

GO HAWKS !!!

All the best to all in 2015,  JRH

Susan Niven

May it be a year filled with health, happiness and prosperity for all my 1968 FHS classmates!

Erik Kimple

Clear morning sunrise - puffy white clouds drift on by - cat purrs on my lap

Happy New Year 

Ric Rivera

"Imagination is everything it is the preview of Life's coming attractions"  AEinstein 

Ric Rivera

Happy New Year for All

Donna Amira

Happy New Year to All!

Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

Found this in my inbox from Ted Williams.

"Wish everyone happy new yr"

Ted is a man of few words, but we appreciate the wishes.

Jim Eastwood

Hi All,

Great article about your parents Debbie.  Mom would really love to see you, if you catch her on a good day.

Please call me at 800-378-3932 and I will give you the info.  If I'm gone, my wife Becky will give you the lowdown. Thanks so much for the offer.

By the way, my dad, also a combat vet, had incredible admiration for the likes of your dad.

Jim Eastwood

Michael Holman

Happy New Year to a great bunch of Gals, and Guy's. Wishing you all a "Year of Your choice"

Erik Kimple

With mixed emotions, I applied for Social Security benifits today, to start in May. Mixed emotions because now I,m officially an old fart. I'm not quitting my job, which I love (IT engineer for Kaiser), but can always use the extra money. Most of us will be eligible this year or next year for full benifits at age 66. You can still work full time, though you are liable for the taxes, be sure to start the process about 4 months before your start date. The on line process was very straight forward, though be sure to read and prepare the needed information before doing the on line application. Go Quakers! Go Seahawks! Sorry Huskies you need some real help. Take care good health and prosperity to all.  Erik

Donna Amira

Congratulations. Thank goodness SS is still available for us. All the best, enjoy!

Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

I just had an email today from April Greenberg saying that Norman Greenberg had passed.  Don't know any details.  If anyone knows anything, please let me know.

John Hein

Better sit down kids. We've lost another classmate. John Jimenez lost his battle with cancer. Feb. 9 is his birthday. Rest in peace John.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?n=john-w-jimenez&pid=174093874

Sylvia Lovegren (Petras)

Jeez.  So sad.  The problem with getting to be olds is that if it's not happening to us, it's happening to our friends and loved ones.  Peace to John's family.  

Glenn James Schoenmakers

It is disheartening to see more classmates passing away. After reading all of the posts, they fortunately lived in some very good, interesting times. There're in good hands now but we will miss them.

Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

Thanks John for sending us the info on John Jimenez.  I have posted the online obituary on the In Memory section under John's name.  So sad to see another one gone.