A little bit of November

Veterans Day. 

I really feel like Veterans Day hits me a bit harder than my dad's birthday. My father is a veteran, having served in the Vietnam War.

I really don't know how much of the Vietnam experience my dad negatively impacted his life. I know that he had several close calls of being shot at and narrow escapes. Most of my dad's stories from Vietnam were pretty light and surface level. I never was able to get him to talk much about his time there. Nor do I think that anyone else I know had that experience.

I know that serving in the US Army brought discipline and focus into my father's very young life. He was arrested when he was 17 for a hit and run incident with alcohol in his car. When he appeared in front of the judge in 1966, he was told that he could either go to jail or go to Vietnam. Dad asked "where do I sign up?" My dad loved the competitive and athletic nature of being in the Army. He enjoyed shooting guns, working hard, laughing, and working with a purpose. Those traits all were magnified through his service and time. I believe that the Army truly brought direction and purpose into his life. 

I remember being 18 and having several discussions with my close friends and some military recruiters (Army and Marines). I had several cousins that had enlisted in the Marines and I wanted to do that too. I also wanted to serve a mission, but didn't know exactly what to do. I have a very short conversation with my parents, informing them that I was going to enlist. My dad said, "I served in Vietnam, so my kids wouldn't have to do what I did." I decided right then and there, that I wouldn't enlist.  

I miss my dad every day. Last night, I went to his grave site. I don't go there often, nor do I really enjoy going there. "Why seek ye the living among the dead?"(Luke 24:5). I feel that way often when I think about going to the cemetery. However, while I was standing there alone, in the twilight of evening, eating my Chicco Stick in solitude; I had this distinct thought as I stared into the sunset and darkening sky. I thought of Mufasa's voice and image coming from the sky to Simba, "You have forgotten who you are, therefore you have forgotten me...remember". I felt that was a subtle message to remember how great of a dad my father was and how proud of me he was. He loved that I was a dad, and told me that often. It gave me a bit of a bump and desire to be a better dad, to love my kids a little more, to not get burned down and worn out in live. To remember my purpose and who I am. I love my father and will forever be grateful to have been his son. 

Ashlyn competed in Miss Thunder Ridge - so proud of her!
 

Trip to Washington for Cousin's funeral

 

This was a great looking barn outside the Best Western Hotel in Sunnyside Washington. We stayed there for the Memorial Service of my Cousin Steven Heckert. 

These are two of my cousins, Left is Tiffanie (Grimmer) Bodine, and Amber (Grimmer) Berg. They are my dad's brother Dwight's (and Dana) daughters. Tiffany is a school teacher in Sunnyside. Amber is a school counselor.

On the left is my cousin Tyson Heckert, his father Randy, younger sister Whitney. 

In the center is my cousin Randy Jr and his wife is in the pink.

Chelsea Heckert is on the left, Amber in the middle, and Cody Heckert on the right. The Heckerts are kids of my dad's younger sister Diane.

My aunty Diane and her husband Reggie. They live in an apartment built in the shop of my cousin Casey, their second oldest son.

My cousin Casey and his younger brother Tyson.

This trip was very interesting. I haven't seen most of these cousins in almost 25 years. My mom and I made the drive from Idaho Falls, to Sunnyside. The Heckerts are amazing and I love them dearly. Casey and his sweet wife Sarah have 11 children. I believe they adopted 4 kids, had 4 of their own, then adopted Steven's kids when he was too far spent with drug addiction. Casey and his wife truly exemplify the Savior's commandment to love your neighbor. 

 

11/06/2025

On Friday 10/25/25, Amanda and I were both out of town. She was in SLC on a Girls Trip with her besties and I was on my way up to Sunnyside, WA for my cousin's funeral (Steven Heckert). Ashlyn and Marley were both at the Thunder vs Rigby Football game when Ashlyn was clocked in her eye by a flying elbow from a fellow cheerleader. Amanda's brother Wyatt came to her aid and took her to the ER. Ashlyn had a concussion along with multiple fractures in her orbital floor. She was leaking fluid into her sinus cavity, making her congested and difficult to breath. 

We were able to get her into surgery on Monday 11/3 with Dr. Ryan Hall. This week, Ashlyn has slept... a lot. We're hoping to get her into school maybe tomorrow. She is supposed to perform in Miss Thunder Ridge on Saturday. I think the concussion symptoms have mostly worn off, but it's hard to say. She is still a bit swollen and mostly over her concussion symptoms. She has difficulty seeing out of her eye. At dinner tonight she made a comment that she didn't think she'd be able to do the full competition. 

Ashlyn is a trooper for sure. I'm not sure what the correct plan of action is. She also needs to get ankle surgery for a collateral ligament tear. If we get the surgery done before the end of the month, then insurance will cover it. If she does get surgery on her foot, then she misses the rest of the cheer season, but would make it for track season. 

It's a tough way to go through a Senior year of High School.