Last Day in the Navy

Today, April 29th, is officially my last day in the United States Navy. I joined April 29, 2001 after a friend of mine at Sprint, Mike Macias, introduced me to the Reserves. At the time, I was 38 and needed to sign an age waiver to get in (cut-off is 36). I was still in good shape and knew I could compete physically with anyone in the Navy.

My oldest daughter, Erin, had entered the Navy a year earlier and her mother and I were separated and looking at divorce. I had always wanted to go into the military and I thought, "if I don't do it now, this will pass me by and I won't get another chance." My grandfather, Melvin Lusby, had flown in the Air Force during WWII, my then Father-in-Law Ed Becker had been a Corpman during the Korean War, my dad, Marden "Curlee" Elkins was enlisted in the Air Force during Vietnam stationed in CA, my brother Jeff had spent time in Germany while in the Army and my brother Derek had enlisted in the Air Force - this was my time.

My intent was to go 20 years (I would have been 58 when I was able to retire) and then two years later have access to that retirement. Funny how your perspective changes as you get older.

Looking back over my short Navy Career:

• I enlisted for 8 years (April 29, 2001) as an Information Technology Specialist (the old Radioman), Petty Officer 3rd Class
• I was still in Navy Indoctrination when 911 happened
• Attended Reserve bootcamp at Great Lakes, IL in January 2002
• I joined Military Sealift Command, ROK (Republic of Korea) following bootcamp
• I transferred to Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit 114 in October 2002 after I got tired of sitting in a classroom during my Reserve weekends - this is NOT why I joined the Navy
• MIUWU 114 was given orders to deploy to the Middle East (Kuwait/Iraq) right after I joined. I needed 30 drills INCONUS (inside the continental US) to deploy with the unit - I spent the next 30 days at Whiteman AFB getting my time in - THIS is why I joined the military!
• We processed into active duty in San Diego before heading to Kuwait for staging 12/5/2002
• We moved into Iraq two days after the war began to secure the port of UmmQasar for the humanitarian ship to offload their supplies and send them to Baghdad via railway. We took fire from a pair of snipers as we were entering the town
• I returned home from my first tour in early June, 2003
• I participated in war-games in South Korea in March, 2005
• I returned for my 2nd tour to Kuwait for a 14 month deployment in March, 2006 - this was nothing more than a babysitting assignment...very unproductive!
• I leave the Navy with 16 ribbons/medals, numerous commendations and an Expeditionary Warfare pin. I leave as an E5, Petty Officer 2nd Class

I have enjoyed the Navy. I have made some life-long friends who would do anything for me. This time in my life has taught me a respect for our country, our freedom and what America was founded upon - Service to Country! As I continue through my life, I will foster the mantra of the Navy and walk it in my daily life: Honor, Courage, Commitment!

Hoo Yah!

Very Emotional Week

Thanks, so much, to everyone who has been in prayer for my family...my Aunt Pam greatly appreciates the thoughts & prayers. It has been a difficult week to say the least. My Aunt and cousins lost a very intricate part of their lives this last week...Larry will be missed in many different ways to each of us.

My former pastor and good friend, Charles Turner, joined me for the Royal's game this last week against the Cleveland Indians. Chuck & I had a great time of fellowship and really enjoyed the game (it helped to get my mind off the troubles with my uncle). The Royals' squandered a number of opportunities to score and eventually lost the game, but it was wonderful to spend the time with Bro. Charles. We are planning to get Chuck, his son's James and Paul (when Paul will be in town) and I together for a game later this summer...now, that'll be a good time!

Shallen had her Senior Prom on Saturday night. She attendedwith her boyfriend Cory and they both looked great. Shallen, with three of her friends and their dates, rented a limo for the evening. The Prom was held at the Arrowhead Club at Chief's Stadium. The kids all ate at Feilio's on the Plaza (I was told the food was pretty good). This is Shallen's last dance before she graduates on May 9th...she is extremely excited about finishing this part of her life and looking forward to the next chapter.

Stephan had a very difficult week: not only did he lose his Great-Uncle Larry, he also lost a good friend from his school and class, Tanner. Tanner was involved in a car accident when his girlfriend was driving them back from Blue Springs to Oak Grove. She lost control of the car and it flipped and went into the on-coming traffic. Another car hit the passenger side where Tanner was still belted in...he died at the accident site. The girlfriend and driver are going to be OK. Stephan attended Tanner's funeral in Oak Grove, then had to drive to Gladstone (about 45 minutes away) to attend his Uncle's funeral. Please keep Stephan in your prayers as he deals with these two tragic losses. He often acts like a tough guy, but he's got a heart as big as can be and it was obvious that it was breaking yesterday.

I'm back at work full-time today since Larry had his heart attack last Tuesday morning. Some things never change - I got slammed with projects this morning when I came in. Luckily, I come in about an hour ahead of anyone else on my team - that gave me a little time to get my arms around everything before the questioning started. It's good to work with a good group of people. My boss stopped by my office this morning to make sure I was OK and everything was going OK for my Aunt Pam...Tim's a really good guy. Pam is continuing to deal with her knee surgery and hopefully the physical therapy will keep her busy enough over the next couple of weeks so she doesn't just sit around and dwell on her loss.

Prayers Are Needed!

While my Aunt Pam (pictured) was in the hospital after having knee surgery, my Uncle Larry (also pictured) was staying with her. My Aunt woke the next morning with Larry laying on the couch beside her bed. When she tried to wake him, he was unresponsive. Pam yelled for the nurse at which time Larry had no pulse and was not breathing. They immediately started resuscitation.

Larry is 61 years old and had a major heart attack. Last Saturday, we held a surprise retirement party for him at his daughter Tracey's house. Larry has little if no brain activity. We have had family around Pam & Larry all day at the hospital.

For all the prayer warriors out there, please lift up a prayer for the family. Ask for strength in this time of trouble. This is especially difficult for Pam as Larry has always done everything for her...he literally took care of everything. Ask God for comfort and direction through these next couple of days while the family awaits the outcome.

Pam will be release in a few days and they will begin removing Larry from the ventilator tomorrow afternoon. Please keep my family in your prayers.

Opening Day at "The K"

The rain started last night and the light show was magnificent! Knowing that today, the Royals would be playing their home opener against the New York Yankees...frankly, I wasn't sure if they could pull it off.

The rain stopped about 10:30am and the clouds pushed out of the sky. On my way into the office this morning, I decided to get the annual opening day newspaper that supports local charities. I drove through the Plaza area and who offered me my paper, none other than Hall of Famer, George Brett! George was soaked but had a big smile on his face.

As I drove into work, I thought about some past memories of my Kansas City Royals (everybody takes ownership on opening day)!

I always loved it when the Royals would bring in for middle relief, Al "The Mad Hungarian" Hrabowski. He would step behind the mound, tuck his glove under his arm and procede to rub the baseball in his hands working up the fans into a hysteria. His head would stay down as he placed the glove back on his hand, then slam the ball into the pocket of the glove. With this, the crowd would go crazy and he would storm back up to the pitching rubber with the disturbed look on his face. I would have been a little nervous to stand in that batter's box at that point!

My 2nd memory should be very well known to most baseball fans. I was watching the Royals back in the 1983 season during an away game to Yankee Stadium. George Brett had just cracked a home run off Goose Gossage over the right field wall when Billy Martin came out to the Umpire. His issue was the length of pine tar on Brett's bat. The Umpire asked for the bat, had a quick conference with Martin and the field Umps then turned to the Royals dugout and gave the close fisted "out" signal to the last play. George came racing out of the dugout like a madman - he went nuts. Later, after review with the Commissioner, the home run was reinstated.

My other big memory came when Bo Jackson played for the Royals in the late 80's, early 90's. We were playing the Seattle Mariners at Royals Stadium and Bo was in Left Field. Harold Reynolds, the speedster for the Mariners was on 3rd base when the next batter up hit a line drive shot to Bo on the warning track. As soon as the catch was made, Reynolds was off for Home Plate. I remember sitting about 10 rows back of the Royals dugout down the first base side. After making the catch, Bo took one step toward Home Plate and threw a beebee that hit the catcher's glove about knee height, all the way in the air and Reynold's was tagged out...it was a perfect strike!

I am ready for this year to get underway! The Royals start their Home Opener in first place in the AL Central. I look forward to an exiting year...let the fun begin!

KC Zoo with the Grandkids

Saturday was a terrific day in Kansas City to take the kids to the Zoo. The day started out a little chilly (it was in the mid to upper 50's) with a few rain drops from time to time, but the Meteorologists predicted a sunny, much warmer day by mid afternoon.
Addison was going to spend the night with us. We had to be by to pick her up by 8:30am to give Colby plenty of time to get to work. Addison was packed and had a great big smile on her face for us. You really can't see it on any of the pictures...as you can see, she's always very serious!
We went by to pick up Morgan around 9am, then off to McDonald's for breakfast (it wasn't my idea - just ask the girls).


It's been a while since we've been to the Zoo. Kansas City, over the years, have made a number of great changes/additions. We were pretty much the first folks in the Zoo that morning - it was still pretty cool. We rented a wagon to pull the kids around in. Addison was content to sit in it and be pulled from location to location. Morgan wanted to go where she wanted, so she walked most of the way.



Addison enjoyed the camels (as you can see in the previous picture where she was amazed by them). Morgan liked the kangaroos because they are able to roam free over the Austrailia exhibit of the Zoo. Numerous times, they crossed our paths as we were walking along. Around 2pm, the temps were around 60-65 degrees and we started shedding jackets.



This was Addison on the way to the Zoo...trying to be stylish and well equipped for anything the Zoo had to throw her way. Half way through the visit, she curled up in the bottom of the wagon and took a well deserved nap.





Morgan was a big help to us as we made our way through the Zoo. She held Addison's attention and helped to keep her occupied as we ventured from site to site. All in all, it was a great way to spend the day with the grandkids!

Real Estate...a second job!

This past weekend, I fired our Realtor. After a month, he finally got the data on our listing complete and correct. I think I have been incredibly patient, but just couldn't put up with it any longer. Anything we wanted done in regards to the home sale, I had to instigate. I felt as though I had taken over a second job that I wan't getting any compensation for. In the past month, the house has been shown twice by our realtor and the second person is questionable.

Steph and I decided to try our hand at selling it ouselves for a few weeks before turning the reins over to another realtor. I hate to say it, but I percieve the realtor population as "used car salesmen." I know some are very good and are in it to offer a service, but many want to list your house and sit back while someone else sells it and they get a portion of the commission at that point.

The house is in great shape (now) so we're going to take a number of pictures, get a "sale by owner" sign for the front yard and post it on Craig's List. We had great luck with the car we recently sold out there and also ran into an old friend recently who sold two of her past homes on Craig's List - she said it was easy and you didn't have to pay out a commission. You just work through a Title Co; they do all the paper work and you sell the house.

We'll see how this goes...I'm just ready to have this home sold and begin earnestly looking for "OUR" new house. Stay tuned!