Special Prayer Request

This is a special prayer request for a special little seven year old boy, who is terminally ill with cancer. The family has recieved news that the cancer has spread and Kelvin is not expected to live. Kelvin is the nephew of our friend Miguel Flores. The request is for Kelvin Montagner, and his Family; Frank, Rocio and Zachary. Please keep them in prayer, as well as the Flores family. Below is a letter written by Kelvin's Parents. Following the letter is a video where Kelvin appeared on a special Access Hollywood segment highlighting Eva Longoria's Padre's Contra El Cancer, her project working with latino children with cancer. God Bless you and your family Kelvin.

My Love, My Angel, My Heart

I sit here in front of my computer having to tell you all this terrible news. The cancer has found itself in my angels head, the cancer has spread all over and is no longer curable. Kelvin is terminal. We spoke to his doctor and he said that at this point we will do what ever it takes to make him happy and comfortable. As a mother I knew but did not want to hear this dreaded news. How can this be happening? Why did my son get cancer and why are they telling me now that he will die? Someone asked me 2 weeks ago if I had planned for such an event? Is it fair that a mother should plan her sons funeral? Is it not suppose to be the other way around? At this point the only thing to do is give my son to God and pray to Him he takes care of him. I believe that Kelvin knows too. We have not told him but he has mentioned it and talked about dyeing. My little 7 year old boy felt it and knew it and I think accepts it. We have not discussed with him the latest results. The doctor is still researching and speaking to the other doctors to see if there may be something he can still do for Kelvin. Frank and I have accepted this fact, our son will leave us and go to heaven and be with God and he will be waiting for us to someday join him. I am not angry, I am just very sad. I know that God has the final word and all we can do at this point is pray that he allow us to borrow him for a little bit longer. We told the doctor that we want to take Kelvin on a Disney Cruise and that this would be Kelvin's #1 wish. He told us that he will do what ever he can to make Kelvin's wish come true! I know that his doctor hates the fact that this horrible decease, this horrible monster is stronger than him. We all tried our very best to defeat him but it looks like the monster just won't give up! So God please make Kelvin as happy as possible and please do not let him suffer! He is just an innocent little boy, my boy, my angel, my heart. I have a wish, a wish to be able to do what ever it takes to make Kelvin! We love him and will hold on to him as long as we can and do what ever we can so that he is not afraid. When he mentions heaven I tell him that it is a beautiful place a place that once you arrive you don't want to ever leave! I tell him that all of the things he ever imagined that made him happy are there! That we will all be there together forever and in heaven there is no cancer, there are no monsters just beautiful angels and wonderful things. His pain will all be gone forever and he will always be happy here! He will never cry again, he will never hurt again and he can do all the things he wants to do!
Tomorrow he will have a CT scan to determine if the cancer has spread to any other area. This will determine what course of medications will be given to make Kelvin as happy as possible. We talked a little about chemos that will prolong Kelvin's life. Frank and I know that the most important thing to do at this time is do what KELVIN wants to do. He is the boss now, he makes all the decisions!
We thank you all for your prayers and ask you all to pray for Frank and I so that we do whats right for Kelvin. We ask that you pray that Kelvin is comfortable and happy and we ask you to pray that God gives us the strength to endure what lies ahead. I know that God has the last word and I continue to believe that if He does not need another angel in heaven right now that He may allow us to keep him for a little while longer.
We are broken hearted but full of love to give to our precious little boy, our angel, our love,
MOM & DAD
P.S. Love your children, hug & kiss them when ever you can! Life is short and you just never know how much time you will have to do what make you and your family happy! SO DO IT!!

Access Hollywood Video

Paths of Services Meet on a Bloody Beach in the Pacific

Reprinted from Military.Com

Paths of Services Meet on a Bloody Beach in the Pacific
U.S. Coast Guard | PA1 Kyle Niemi | September 27, 2006

As America's two smallest armed services, the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Coast Guard have much more in common than many may think.



It's not our uniforms or our haircuts; it's not our equipment or our training.

It's our history and our traditions; it's our honor and our commitment.

Both services were established to help protect a fledgling nation, vulnerable to enemies- both foreign and domestic. Both services are on the frontlines of today's global war on terrorism- with members fighting both at home and abroad. And both services are proud of our members who paid the ultimate sacrifice having been wounded or killed in defense of our country.

Bronze Stars, Purple Hearts and Medals of Honor adorn the gravesites of both Coast Guard and Marine Corps combat veterans.

THE BIRTH OF THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS - THE FEW. THE PROUD.

On Nov. 10, 1775, the Continental Congress passed a resolution raising two battalions of Marines to serve as landing forces in combat. This resolution established the Continental Marines, who saw action until the Treaty of Paris ended the Revolutionary War in 1783. The treaty resulted in the disbanding of the Continental Marines and Continental Navy.

The formal re-establishment of the Marine Corps was through an act of Congress on July 11, 1798.

THE BIRTH OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD - GUARDIANS OF THE SEA

Immediately following the Revolutionary War, the United States government struggled to maintain financial stability. Although import tariff laws were in place, rampant smuggling by merchants transporting cargo by sea signaled the need for strong enforcement of maritime tariffs. On Aug. 4, 1790, Congress passed the Revenue Cutter Bill, authorizing the construction of 10 armed vessels, thus establishing the Revenue Marine. The Revenue Marine cutter crews were charged with enforcing the tariffs and other maritime laws and operated as the only armed federal vessels in the nation's service for nearly 10 years; the Navy Department was not established until 1798.

Officially known as the Revenue Cutter Service since 1862, the service was merged with the U.S. Life-Saving Service in 1915 to form the U.S. Coast Guard.

BROTHERS-IN-ARMS

Marines and Coast Guardsmen can share in some of the greatest tales of heroism and sacrifice from all of the armed conflicts of our nation's history. Perhaps the best depiction of Coast Guardsmen and Marines fighting side-by-side against a common enemy was during the turbulent days of World War II.

World War II, spanning from 1939 to 1945, was a worldwide conflict the likes of which the modern world had never seen. The conflict waged between the Allied and Axis Powers in the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. No less than 56 countries were involved in air, land and sea battles in Europe, the Soviet Union, North Africa and Asia's Far East.

According to news anchor Tom Brokaw, Americans who came of age during the Great Depression and fought for our country during World War II are the "Greatest Generation." Brokaw coined the phrase in his 1998 book of the same name.

With experience navigating small vessels in heavy surf, Coast Guard coxswains manned landing craft during the amphibious operations of World War II, delivering Soldiers and Marines to the beaches in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. Coast Guard crews also escorted convoys, transported troops and supplies, conducted port security operations and hunted enemy submarines.

THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

Guadalcanal, a small island in the Solomon Islands, would be the scene of a major turning-point in the war in the Pacific. Under Japanese control, the island was chosen as the location of the first large-scale assault of a Japanese-held island.

On Sept. 27, 1942, about a month into the Guadalcanal Campaign, about 500 Marines of Lt. Col. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller's 1st Battalion, 7th Marines were huddled on the beaches of the Matanikau River awaiting extraction from the island. Petty Officer 1st Class Douglas Munro, coxswain of a 36-foot Higgins boat, was officer-in-charge of a dozen craft from Lunga Point Base arriving to extract the Marines.

Suddenly, Japanese forces began firing intensely from a ridge about 500 yards from the beach. Steering his boat between the Marines and the Japanese forces, Munro provided cover for the landing craft, allowing the safe evacuation of all the Marines, including 25 wounded.

Once all the Marines were safely extracted, Munro and his crewman maneuvered their boat to leave. It was then that Munro was struck by enemy fire and killed instantly. Munro was posthumously awarded the country's highest honor- the Congressional Medal of Honor. He remains the only Coast Guardsman to receive the medal.

The Coast Guard also engaged in transport and escort duties for Marine forces invading the islands of Guam, Tinian, Saipan, Okinawa and the Philippines.

As brothers-in-arms during the amphibious assaults and invasions of World War II's battle for the Pacific, the Coast Guard and Marine Corps each showed why they are considered the best in the world at what they do. It's been nearly two-and-a-half centuries since history saw the birth of the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard. From the turbulent first days of our country through the first and second world wars to today's global war on terrorism, the armed forces of the United States, including the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard, will continue to answer the call to service.

USCG Featured in Documentary and Hollywood Film

Reprinted here from Military.Com

USCG Featured in Documentary and Hollywood Film
American Forces Press Service | September 25, 2006
Alexandria, VA. - The U.S. Coast Guard will be featured in two major productions debuting this month: an original documentary episode of Recon airing on the Pentagon Channel entitled, “Always Ready,” and a Hollywood feature film entitled, “The Guardian,” starring Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutchner.

Despite participation in nearly every conflict U.S. Forces have been involved in, most Americans know very little about the Coast Guard’s wartime contributions and way of life. As the smallest military service, the Coast Guard’s many unique missions aren’t always recognized by sister service members and civilians, however, this is about to change.

“The history of the Coast Guard is a story of continual adaptation since 1790,” said U.S. Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral Thad Allen, during an interview for the “Always Ready,” show. “So while changing and adapting to port security in the post 9-11 world we have actually done a lot over the history of the service,” he said.

Taken from the U.S. Coast Guard’s motto, Semper Paradus, or “always ready, " the documentary airs on the Pentagon Channel today. In addition to airing on cable and satellite, it can be available through video-on-demand and podcast online at www.pentagonchannel.mil.

Recon is the Pentagon Channel’s signature original, monthly, half-hour series that provides an in-depth look at a variety of topics and issues from real world operations, missions, military events, and other subjects highlighting the accomplishments of U.S. military men and women.

Interest in producing a show about the Coast Guard stems from Air Force Master Sergeant Daniela Marchus’ time spent with USCG Port Security Unit 308 in Gulfport, Mississippi in the days following Hurricane Katrina. A producer for the series, Marchus was part of a 5-member Pentagon Channel team sent to Mississippi and Louisiana to cover military participation in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

“They opened their doors to our team and let us move right in and set up shop for our coverage of military operations in the wake of Katrina," she said. "Many evening hours were spent winding down and swapping stories about where our service had taken us over the years,” she said.

That's when she learned all of her perceptions of what the Coast Guard is and does were way off the mark. “That made me want to do a little something to help change similar perceptions others might have," Marchus said.

“Always Ready,” features the USCG’s involvement in Operation Iraqi Freedom, introduces viewers to the USCG Enlisted Boot Camp and it’s Officer Academy and finally, tells the story of the service’s heritage and where it is going in the future.
Marchus summed up her perception with, “The Coast Guard does so much, yet gets so little recognition for their efforts."

“Now, more people will have a chance to get two distinct looks into the unique service via Hollywood and Washington,” said Marchus.

The Pentagon Channel’s Recon “Always Ready” starts today. The Hollywood film partly filmed at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana, hits screens nationwide Sept. 29.

About the Pentagon Channel
The Pentagon Channel, the Department of Defense’s cable television channel, broadcasts military news and information for and about the 2.6 million members of the U.S. Armed Forces -- Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve and more than 12 million households through commercial distribution on satellite and cable systems nationwide. In addition, Pentagon Channel programming is available online through video-on-demand and podcasting at www.pentagonchannel.mil.

The Pentagon Channel is available on-base to more than one million service members who live and work on 325 military bases, camps and installations in the U.S. The channel is also available to the 800,000 service members and their families serving overseas in 177 countries via the American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS).
Sound Off...What do you think? Join the discussion.

Copyright 2006 American Forces Press Service. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of Military.com.

2006 Family Reunion

I finally got around to posting the pictures from our first family reunion at Legg Lake on June, 24 of this year. If you weren't there, you missed a really good time. But we'll be doing it again next year. Kudos to our cousins, the Moreno sisters, Kathy, Cynthia and Lisa, and David Delgado for his help in contacting family mambers. They really did a great job and it wouldn't have happened without all their hard work! There was a lot of good food; carne asada, hamburgers & hot dogs, deli meats, homemade potato salad, lots of cold drinks, a birthday cake and more. We all celebrated David Robles jr's birthday with him. It was just like old times. The common denominator at the reunion was the late Atancio and Victoria Espinoza, my great grandparents, my mothers grandparents. Everyone that was there is descended from them. The oldest generation there, was aunt Julia Delagado (Espinoza), Atanacio and Victoria's daughter, and sister to my grandma Mary, who passed in 1986. Altogether there were seven generations. It was great seeing everyone again, and seeing their kids and grandkids, some for the first time. I'm only sorry that my son Andrew wasn't there to enjoy the day with us. Next year, when he's back from Iraq, I hope to see him there. We're hoping that next year will be bigger and better, as word gets back to what a great time we had. You can see the photos by clicking on the link below. If you would like me to post your photos let me know.

2006 Family Reunion Photo Album

Cool Anagrams

Dormitory == Dirty Room
Evangelist == Evil's Agent
Desperation == A Rope Ends It
The Morse Code == Here Come Dots
Slot Machines == Cash Lost in 'em
Animosity == Is No Amity
Mother-in-law == Woman Hitler
Snooze Alarms == Alas! No More Z's
Alec Guinness == Genuine Class
Semolina == Is No Meal
The Public Art Galleries == Large Picture Halls, I bet
A Decimal Point == I'm a Dot in Place
The Earthquakes == That Queer Shake
Eleven plus two == Twelve plus one
Contradiction == Accord not in it

This one's amazing: [From Hamlet by Shakespeare]

To be or not to be: that is the question, whether tis
nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of
outrageous fortune.
==

In one of the Bard's best-thought-of tragedies, our
insistent hero, Hamlet, queries on two fronts about how life
turns rotten.


Politicians:
George Herbert Walker Bush == Huge Berserk Rebel Warthog
George Bush == He bugs Gore
Ronald Wilson Reagan == A long-insane Warlord
(or Insane Anglo warlord)
Ronald Reagan == A darn long era
Leroy Newton Gingrich == Yon Right-winger Clone
Margaret Thatcher == That great charmer
The Conservative Party == Teacher in vast poverty
Spiro Agnew == grow a penis

And the grand finale:

"That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.
-- Neil A. Armstrong
==
A thin man ran; makes a large stride; left planet, pins
flag on moon! On to Mars!

Rules Guys Wish Women Knew

1. If you think you are fat, you probably are. Do not ask us. We refuse to answer.

2. Learn to work the toilet seat. If it’s up, Put it down.

3. Do not cut your hair. Ever. Long hair is always more attractive than short hair. One of the big reasons guys fear getting married is that married women always cut their hair, and by then, you are stuck with her.

4. Birthdays, Valentines, and Anniversaries are not quests to see if we can find the perfect present yet again!

5. If you ask a question you don’t want an answer to, expect an answer you do not want to hear.

6. Sometimes, we are not thinking about you. Live with it.

7. Do not ask us what we are thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as navel lint, the shotgun formation and monster trucks.

8. Sunday = sports. It’s like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

9. Shopping is not a sport, and no, we are never going to think of it that way.

10. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine. Really.

11. You have enough clothes.

12. You have too many shoes.

13. Crying is blackmail.

14. Your ex-boyfriend (or husband) is an idiot.

15. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work. Strong hints do not work. Obvious hints do not work. Just say it!

16. No, we do not know what day it is. We never will. Mark anniversaries on a calendar.

17. Yes, peeing standing up is more difficult. We are bound to miss sometimes.

18. Most guys own three pairs of shoes. What makes you think we’d be any good at choosing which pair, out of thirty, would look good with your dress?

19. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

20. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That is what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

21. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem. See a doctor.

22. Foreign films are best left to foreigners.

23. Check your oil.

24. Do not fake it. We would rather be ineffective than deceived.

25. It is neither in your best interest nor ours to take the quiz together.

26. No, it does not matter which quiz.

27. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. All comments become null and void after 7 days.

28. If you won’t dress like the Victoria’s Secret girls, don’t expect us to act like soap opera guys.

29. If something we said can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.

30. Let us ogle. We are going to look anyway; it is genetic.

31. Don’t rub the lamp if you don’t want the genie to come out.

32. You can either ask us to do something OR tell us how you want it done-not both.

33. Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

34. Christopher Columbus did not need directions, and neither do we.

35. Women wearing Wonderbras and low-cut blouses lose their right to complain about having their boobs stared at.

36. More women should wear Wonderbras and low-cut blouses. We like staring at boobs.

37. The relationship is never going to be like it was the first two months we were going out.

38. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like windows default settings. Peach is a fruit, not a color.

39. Pumpkin is also a fruit.

40. If it itches, it will be scratched.

41. Beer is as exciting for us as handbags are for you.

42. If it is OUR house, I do not understand why MY stuff gets thrown in the closet/attic/basement.

43. We are not mind readers and we never will be. Our lack of mind-reading ability is not proof of how little we care about you.

44. If we ask what is wrong and you say “nothing,” we will act like nothing’s wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

45. If we hear from an old girlfriend, we will briefly fantasize about having sex with her. But do not worry; the fantasy includes you AND her, together.

46. What the hell is a doily?

Surprise!

Once upon a time, there lived a man who had a terrible passion for baked beans. He loved them, but they always had an embarrassing and somewhat lively reaction on him.

One day he met a girl and fell in love. When it became apparent they would marry, he thought to himself, she’ll never go through with the marriage with me carrying on like this, so he made the supreme sacrifice and gave up beans.

Shortly after that they were married.

A few months later, on the way home from work, his car broke down and since they lived in the country, he called his wife and told her he would be late because he had to walk. On his way home, he passed a small cafe and the wonderful aroma of baked beans overwhelmed him.

Since he still had several miles to walk he figured he could walk off any ill effects before he got home. So he went in and ordered, and before leaving had 3 extra large helpings of baked beans. All the way home he putt-putted. By the time he arrived home he felt reasonably safe.

His wife met him at the door and seemed somewhat excited. She exclaimed, “Darling, I have the most wonderful surprise for you for dinner tonight!”

She put a blindfold on him, and led him to his chair at the head of the table and made him promise not to peak.

At this point he was beginning to feel another one coming on.

Just as his wife was about to remove the blindfold, the telephone rang. She again made him promise not to peek until she returned, and away she went to answer the phone.

While she was gone, he seized the opportunity. He shifted his weight to one leg and let go. It was not only loud, but ripe as a rotten egg. He had a hard time breathing, so he felt for his napkin and fanned the air about him.

He had just started to feel better, when another urge came on. He raised his leg and RRIIIPPPP!!! It sounded like a diesel engine revving, and smelled worse. To keep from gagging, he tried fanning his arms a while, hoping the smell would dissipate. He got another urge. This was a real blue ribbon winner, the windows shook, the dishes on the table rattled and a minute later the flowers on the table were dead.

While keeping an ear tuned in on the conversation in the hallway, and keeping his promise of staying blindfolded, he carried on like this for the next ten minutes, farting and fanning each time with his napkin. When he heard the phone farewells he neatly laid his napkin on his lap and folded his hands on top of it. Smiling contentedly, he was the picture of innocence when his wife walked in.

Apologizing for taking so long, she asked if he had peeked at the dinner table. After assuring her he had not peeked, she removed the blindfold and yelled, “SURPRISE!!!”

To his shock and horror, there were twelve dinner guests seated around the table for his surprise birthday party.

Lest We Forget - September 11, 2001

No Words Needed

God Bless America

The Los Angeles County Fair

The Los Angeles County fair is back, from September 8 - October 1, 2006. Here are a few links to check out before you go, including ticket information.

Fairplex-Home of the Los Angeles County Fair

Concerts at the Los Angeles County Fair

Wild West Express

Los Angeles County Fair ticket Information

Coast Guard Website

Guess who's on the USCG Cutter Mellon's wep page? Yup, that's Andrew James De La O on the right. Serving since February,11 2004.

You can check out the Mellon's and the U.S. Coast Guard websites as well as the U.S. Coast Guard history at:

USCGC Mellon

United States Coast Guard

U.S. Coast Guard History

Coast Guard Stories