Saturday, February 27, 2016
Interesting Week
Thursday morning my girl and best friend told me she'd decided to go back with her husband. This was at least alleviated Friday morning when Bob Misko called me to come play baseball Saturday with the Daytona team in Orlando. That and playing on Match.com was kinda fun. Saturday morning came and as I went out to make the trip to Orlando, I found my car had been stolen. Police, Enterprise Rentals and a few hours later I was at the ball park ready to play. BUT from the very first warm-up pitch it felt like somebody else's arm was attached to my body...and his arm sucked. All I could do was basically lob the ball and even that hurt like hell. I managed to get through the first inning but it was agony, both performance and pain. If it hadn't been for some great gut bacteria I'd be severely depressed. At least Reed had some good news as Friday night he sang for this high rent crowd over at the Timuquana Country Club. Said he had a good time.
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
So we left Ry Monday in better shape than we found him. His neck operation seemed to be coming along. Headed to Harrisonburg and then to Clarksville VA as the quest was to find cousin David Hallberg for whom we had a partial address. Harrisonberg was fun as we took in my view again from my old apt and saw Betty Hertzler at the EMU post office and caught up on everything. Headed south to Clarksville, stopped in at the local library and through the efforts of the local librarian, found out that cousin David had passed away a few years ago.
Here's his obituary------
David Roger Hallberg, 55, husband of Donna Apperson Hallberg, passed away Sunday, April 28, 2013 at his home surrounded by loved ones. David was born November 7, 1957 in Moline, Illinois to the late Harry and Leona Hallberg. An Electronic Engineer and woodworker, he was employed at American Hofmann in Lynchburg for 23 years where he was the Director of Engineering. After moving to Clarksville in February, 2005, David and Donna purchased and operated Howerton Fine Furniture. After the closing of Howerton's, David worked as a self-employed consultant for electronic and software engineering. He served as treasurer of the Clarksville Rotary for a time; and was also a deacon at Aaron's Creek Baptist Church, where he sang in the choir and was leader of the Royal Ambassadors. David was a current member of Mecklenburg Baptist Church where he sang in the choir, was a member of the Praise Team and gave his talents to the Vacation Bible School ministry, as well as other ministries. A Celebration of Life service will be 11AM Saturday, May 4th at Mecklenburg Baptist Church with the Reverend Jason Hay and Reverend Dr. Bill McEntire officiating. In addition to his wife, David is survived by his children and their spouses, Kimberly and Michael Gibson of Independence, Missouri, Stacey and Dusty O'Neal of Springfield, Missouri; and son, Steven Holdridge of South Boston. His in-laws, Irvin and Pat Apperson of Buffalo Junction; sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Virgil Wolf of Blue Grass, Iowa; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gordon and Priscilla Hallberg of Garden City, Kansas, Gary and Gloria Hallberg of Winterset, Ohio, Dale and Sally Hallberg of Winter Haven, Florida; brother-in-law and his wife, Michael and Debra Apperson of Forest; and special nieces and nephews also survive. Special gratitude is expressed to Dr. Fatima Rangwala, Dr. Evan Dropkin and Dr. Dan Blazer and staff from Duke Cancer Center, to the doctors and nurses at Duke University Medical Center, to the staff and nurses at Halifax Hospice, especially Susan Zehner, RN, and to our church family and our friends for all of their support during this time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider memorial donations in David's name to the Mecklenburg Baptist Church, P.O. Box 438, Boydton, Va. 23917.
Here's his obituary------
David Roger Hallberg, 55, husband of Donna Apperson Hallberg, passed away Sunday, April 28, 2013 at his home surrounded by loved ones. David was born November 7, 1957 in Moline, Illinois to the late Harry and Leona Hallberg. An Electronic Engineer and woodworker, he was employed at American Hofmann in Lynchburg for 23 years where he was the Director of Engineering. After moving to Clarksville in February, 2005, David and Donna purchased and operated Howerton Fine Furniture. After the closing of Howerton's, David worked as a self-employed consultant for electronic and software engineering. He served as treasurer of the Clarksville Rotary for a time; and was also a deacon at Aaron's Creek Baptist Church, where he sang in the choir and was leader of the Royal Ambassadors. David was a current member of Mecklenburg Baptist Church where he sang in the choir, was a member of the Praise Team and gave his talents to the Vacation Bible School ministry, as well as other ministries. A Celebration of Life service will be 11AM Saturday, May 4th at Mecklenburg Baptist Church with the Reverend Jason Hay and Reverend Dr. Bill McEntire officiating. In addition to his wife, David is survived by his children and their spouses, Kimberly and Michael Gibson of Independence, Missouri, Stacey and Dusty O'Neal of Springfield, Missouri; and son, Steven Holdridge of South Boston. His in-laws, Irvin and Pat Apperson of Buffalo Junction; sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Virgil Wolf of Blue Grass, Iowa; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gordon and Priscilla Hallberg of Garden City, Kansas, Gary and Gloria Hallberg of Winterset, Ohio, Dale and Sally Hallberg of Winter Haven, Florida; brother-in-law and his wife, Michael and Debra Apperson of Forest; and special nieces and nephews also survive. Special gratitude is expressed to Dr. Fatima Rangwala, Dr. Evan Dropkin and Dr. Dan Blazer and staff from Duke Cancer Center, to the doctors and nurses at Duke University Medical Center, to the staff and nurses at Halifax Hospice, especially Susan Zehner, RN, and to our church family and our friends for all of their support during this time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider memorial donations in David's name to the Mecklenburg Baptist Church, P.O. Box 438, Boydton, Va. 23917.
Saturday, February 6, 2016
So for the last few days I've been in Reston VA taking care of Cousin Ry who just had his neck operated on. Did some sightseeing:
Also visited the grave of one of my old classmates Jerome Pionk at Arlington National Cemetery.
Jerome was just an average student and athlete in high school but turned out to be our class's brightest star after joining the Army. ____________________________________________________________________________
JEROME LEE PIONK (Age 63) Of Woodbridge, VA died suddenly on August 13, 2014 at Virginia Medical Center in Arlington, VA. Jerome was born in Watertown, South Dakota on August 31, 1950 to Jerome Ambrose Pionk and Helen (Heaton) Pionk. He Graduated from Watertown High School in 1968. In response to the draft, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Delayed Entry Program in 1969 and entered basic training at Ft. Lewis, Washington. In 1971, he married Song Yo Kim and would go on to have two children. He served his country for over 30 years on active duty until his retirement as Sergeant Major in April of 2000 and also held a commission in the rank of Major with the U.S. Army Reserve. On active duty he served as a Construction Equipment Repairer, a Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor, a Recruiter, and as a Retention Non-Commissioned Officer. During his career, he spent over 10 years assigned in the Republic of Korea. He also served at Ft. Hood, Texas, and at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He then went on to take recruiting assignments in Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota. He subsequently served at the Army's Personnel Center in St. Louis, Mo., and concluded his career in the Army's Senior Retention Policy Proponent as its most senior non-commissioned officer. He was named the Army's Career Counselor of the Century upon his retirement. Jerome Lee Pionk received his Doctorate in Business and Human Resources from North Central University, after receiving a Master's of Arts Degree from Liberty University and a Bachelor of Science Degree from the State University of New York. After retiring from the U.S. Army, Dr. Pionk was working both as a Professor at American Military University and continuing his service at the Pentagon as a consultant for the Army as well as other agencies with human resources related programs including: Army Incentives, Manag- ing an annual incentives budget as high as $1 Billion to bring in an average of over 140,000 soldiers each year, and supporting the Disabled Soldier Support System. As part of his duties, he was selected for the prestigious honor of service as a member of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records. Dr. Pionk was a decorated soldier, and his list of awards includes the Legion of Merit, numerous awards of the Meritorious Service, Army Commendation, Army Achievement and Good Conduct Medals. He received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for his operations service in Korea, and Armed Forces Service Medal for his operations service in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dr. Pionk was also awarded the National Defense Service & Armed Forces reserve medals and also received the Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon. Dr. Pionk is the author of three books: "Prairie Vignettes", a collection of short stories about his South Dakota childhood; "Distinguished Veterans who made a Difference", and "The History of Military Retention", a complied archive of major events that impacted the retention of military personnel during times of war and peace. He was also an active supporter of veterans until the day he died. He founded the Association of Military Recruiters and Career Counselors (AMRAC) in 1994 and acted as its Executive Director. With a membership of over 500 strong, AMRAC continues to assist dozens of veterans and their families, awarding scholarships and recognizing veterans for their service. In addition to AMRAC, Dr. Pionk was the Vice-President of the Second Infantry Division (2ID) Association and with that organization also continued to support Soldiers of that storied division. A world traveler, he visited over 30 countries and had friends and colleagues all over the world. His loss came as a great shock to all, and he will be deeply missed. Jerome is survived by his wife, Song; his son LTC Jerome L. Pionk, U.S. Army (Michelle); and daughter Angela Lee Curtis (William); and four grandchildren, Tristan James, Nya Gwen, Esme Margaret, and William Jaxon. One Sister, Rhonda Alice Bradberry (Richard). Brother-in-Law, Merlin Fleming. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?pid=172176179#sthash.htZ1A7Bm.dpuf
Also visited the grave of one of my old classmates Jerome Pionk at Arlington National Cemetery.
Jerome was just an average student and athlete in high school but turned out to be our class's brightest star after joining the Army. ____________________________________________________________________________
JEROME LEE PIONK (Age 63) Of Woodbridge, VA died suddenly on August 13, 2014 at Virginia Medical Center in Arlington, VA. Jerome was born in Watertown, South Dakota on August 31, 1950 to Jerome Ambrose Pionk and Helen (Heaton) Pionk. He Graduated from Watertown High School in 1968. In response to the draft, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Delayed Entry Program in 1969 and entered basic training at Ft. Lewis, Washington. In 1971, he married Song Yo Kim and would go on to have two children. He served his country for over 30 years on active duty until his retirement as Sergeant Major in April of 2000 and also held a commission in the rank of Major with the U.S. Army Reserve. On active duty he served as a Construction Equipment Repairer, a Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor, a Recruiter, and as a Retention Non-Commissioned Officer. During his career, he spent over 10 years assigned in the Republic of Korea. He also served at Ft. Hood, Texas, and at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He then went on to take recruiting assignments in Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota. He subsequently served at the Army's Personnel Center in St. Louis, Mo., and concluded his career in the Army's Senior Retention Policy Proponent as its most senior non-commissioned officer. He was named the Army's Career Counselor of the Century upon his retirement. Jerome Lee Pionk received his Doctorate in Business and Human Resources from North Central University, after receiving a Master's of Arts Degree from Liberty University and a Bachelor of Science Degree from the State University of New York. After retiring from the U.S. Army, Dr. Pionk was working both as a Professor at American Military University and continuing his service at the Pentagon as a consultant for the Army as well as other agencies with human resources related programs including: Army Incentives, Manag- ing an annual incentives budget as high as $1 Billion to bring in an average of over 140,000 soldiers each year, and supporting the Disabled Soldier Support System. As part of his duties, he was selected for the prestigious honor of service as a member of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records. Dr. Pionk was a decorated soldier, and his list of awards includes the Legion of Merit, numerous awards of the Meritorious Service, Army Commendation, Army Achievement and Good Conduct Medals. He received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for his operations service in Korea, and Armed Forces Service Medal for his operations service in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dr. Pionk was also awarded the National Defense Service & Armed Forces reserve medals and also received the Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon. Dr. Pionk is the author of three books: "Prairie Vignettes", a collection of short stories about his South Dakota childhood; "Distinguished Veterans who made a Difference", and "The History of Military Retention", a complied archive of major events that impacted the retention of military personnel during times of war and peace. He was also an active supporter of veterans until the day he died. He founded the Association of Military Recruiters and Career Counselors (AMRAC) in 1994 and acted as its Executive Director. With a membership of over 500 strong, AMRAC continues to assist dozens of veterans and their families, awarding scholarships and recognizing veterans for their service. In addition to AMRAC, Dr. Pionk was the Vice-President of the Second Infantry Division (2ID) Association and with that organization also continued to support Soldiers of that storied division. A world traveler, he visited over 30 countries and had friends and colleagues all over the world. His loss came as a great shock to all, and he will be deeply missed. Jerome is survived by his wife, Song; his son LTC Jerome L. Pionk, U.S. Army (Michelle); and daughter Angela Lee Curtis (William); and four grandchildren, Tristan James, Nya Gwen, Esme Margaret, and William Jaxon. One Sister, Rhonda Alice Bradberry (Richard). Brother-in-Law, Merlin Fleming. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?pid=172176179#sthash.htZ1A7Bm.dpuf
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