Bellevue icon Jeff James dies at 54

BELLEVUE - There was no bigger Bellevue High School sports fanatic than Jeffrey Lee James. For 37 years, he charged onto the field as head manager of Tiger football.

"Bellevue has truly lost an icon in the passing of Jeff James," Bellevue Independent Schools Superintendent Wayne Starnes said. "There is no doubt he was loved and respected by the entire learning community of Bellevue."
The school will show its appreciation when it opens the Ben Flora Gymnasium for James' visitation from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. A funeral follows the visitation, with interment at Highland Cemetery.
James, 54, formerly of Bellevue, died Tuesday at St. Elizabeth Florence.
He was an inspiration because he never allowed his Down syndrome to be an obstacle, said Starnes, who first met James as an assistant football coach in 1977.
James was embraced by subsequent coaches and witnessed his team win several state championships. He was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.
A scholarship fund was established in his name in 2005.
Bellevue Mayor Jack Meyer said James also earned the respect of residents. He said James' mother, Jill Freppon James, included him in all activities.
"Ms. James was ahead of her time," Meyer said. "She mainstreamed Jeff before people knew what mainstreaming was. It was unique back then to see people with Down syndrome to be as involved as Jeff was in the community."
He marched in the Bellevue-Dayton Memorial Day parade with city council members for more than 25 years. James was chosen as an honorary mayor and also earned a proclamation for "Jeff James" day in Bellevue.
Meyer said he was motivated by James' strong work ethic. He worked for New Perceptions of Edgewood for 35 years.
"He was as much of a support and friend to us as we were to him," said Bob Ryan of New Perceptions, a non-profit serving people with disabilities in Northern Kentucky. "After so many years, he became part of our family."
After burial Saturday at Highland Cemetery in Fort Mitchell, there will be a reception at Bellevue Vets, where James celebrated his 50th birthday.
"There was an Elvis impersonator," Ryan said. "Jeff was an avid Elvis fan. Needless to say, he got up and helped Elvis sing his own songs."
Survivors include his mother and brothers, Greg James of Highland Heights and Chris James of Cincinnati.
Dobbling, Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Home, Bellevue, is handling arrangements.
Memorials: New Perceptions Inc., 1 Sperti Drive, Edgewood, KY 41017; or Bellevue High School, c/o Jeff James Scholarship Fund, 201 Center St., Bellevue, KY 41073.

Thanks Jeff, You helped prove that:  "This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in"

God Bless You Jeff

One of Nation's Most Highly Decorated Soldiers Laid to Rest

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Ret. Colonel Robert L Howard

One of the nation's most highly decorated veterans was being laid to rest on Wednesday.
Ret. Colonel Robert L Howard, a Medal of Honor recipient who was awarded eight Purple Hearts for his service in the Vietnam War, was to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.
Howard, who died on Dec. 23, was 70.
Howard was wounded 14 times during 54 months of combat duty — five tours — in Vietnam. He retired from the Army as a full colonel in 2006 after 36 years in the U.S. military — including more than 33 years on airborne status.
He was hailed as one of the nation's most heroic soldiers — and the most highly decorated soldier since World War II.
According to a biographical sketch issued by the U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne), Howard also participated in two movies starring John Wayne, making a parachute jump in "The Longest Day" and appearing as an airborne instructor in "The Green Berets."
President Richard Nixon presented the Medal of Honor to him on March 2, 1971.

Thank You For Your Service: Rest in Peace, Soldier

Local Marines Return Home From Iraq

CINCINNATI -- After five months overseas in Iraq, some local Marines have finally come home – with plenty of smiles and hugs upon their return.
The Marine detachment from Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, 4th Marine Division touched down at noon this Saturday at the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport.
After landing, the Marines were then taken to Cincinnati State Technical & Community College in Clifton to be reunited with their families.
That's where the real party started, as cheers erupted as the company walked through the doors.
And for one of the Marines, that moment was overwhelming.
"Honestly, there's no words to describe it," said Lance Corporal Chad Hoeffler. "You will never understand that feeling unless you walk through those doors yourself. So, it was pretty intense. It was a wonderful feeling – it's great to be home."
While over in Iraq, the company maintained security and helped train Iraqi forces.

Thank You for Your Service and Welcome Home Marines !

Ind. college lifts 116-year ban on national anthem


GOSHEN, Ind. - An Indiana Christian college rooted in Mennonite traditions is lifting a century-old ban so the national anthem can be played at sporting events.
Critics say Goshen College's decision to play an instrumental version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" strays from Mennonites' pacifist beliefs because its lyrics refer to war and the military. Goshen President Jim Brenneman says the anthem will help unify visitors and students who aren't Mennonites.
Supporters of the change say the instrumental arrangement is a good compromise because it lacks the lyrics that are the root of the concern. The anthem will be played beginning next month at many traditional sporting events.
A prayer will then follow the song. The school will review the policy in June 2011.

Four freedoms:
The first is freedom of speech and expression - everywhere in the world.
The second is freedom of everyone to worship God in his own way, everywhere in the world.
The third is freedom from want . . . everywhere in the world.
The fourth is freedom from fear . . . anywhere in the world.
Franklin D. Roosevelt

No man is good enough to govern another man without that other’s consent.
A. Lincoln: 1854

March is:
  Wounded Warrior Care Month

The patriots who have volunteered to serve in our armed services have no equal in the world.......

Robert Gates

http://www.defense.gov/home/features/warrior_care/

Visit

Heroes in the War on Terror

http://ourmilitaryheroes.defense.gov/

Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly • Cincinnati

Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly is a national, nonprofit, volunteer-based organization committed to relieving isolation and loneliness among the elderly. We offer to people of good will the opportunity to join the elderly in friendship and celebration of life.

Little Brothers strongly believes that people need special pleasures in life in addition to the basic necessities. We feel that love and dignity and beauty in life are as basic as physical needs. Our motto – flowers before bread – is reflected in the activities at all of our locations, which include elegant holiday meals with champagne and flowers, vacations in the country, and individual birthdays celebrated by the delivery of a birthday cake and gift.

The Cincinnati Chapter is located in Mt. Airy. Throughout the year, the Little Brothers organization hosts birthday parties, seasonal events, fundraisers and other programs for the elderly. In addition to Cincinnati, Little Brothers can be found in Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Philadelphia, Houghton (Michigan) and Omaha.

Please consider supporting the elderly in your area.

Check on the elderly in your neighborhood, are they doing OK?  Are they warm and safe?

Do they need anything?

http://cincinnati.littlebrothers.org/

Benefit Held For Fallen Airman's Family

Tony Campbell Killed On Deployment In Afghanistan

ANDERSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- A fallen hero is being honored as the community comes out to care for those he left behind.

Tony Campbell, 35, was a Cincinnati police office who served in the Air Force in Afghanistan. An IED attack killed Campbell while he was on deployment.
He left behind a wife and three children.
Adis' Place in Anderson Township held a benefit for the family Saturday at 8 p.m.

God Bless You Tony~RIP

Visit the Home of Heroes

http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/states/oh_1cw.html

Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.
Abraham Lincoln