Yesterday was a very sad day at our home. Our 14 year old Labrador Retriever "Bear" lost his battle with cancer and died. He was an excellent hunting dog but more importantly, he was a loyal and dear friend. For those of you who have lost a family pet you know the sadness we feel today. I want to thank all my readers who have expressed their heartfelt condolences.
On Friday, my wife Deb and I have been asked to drive our 1942 Ford GPW Army Jeep in the Edina July 4th Parade. The City of Edina is honoring World War II veterans and we will have some of those veterans riding with us. Come on out and honor our veterans.
Minnesota's Vets for Freedom Chapter and Families United will be attending the Forest Lake Parade. Come on out and say hello.
Remember the freedoms we in America have came at a tremendous price. The words of Thomas Paine echoed in 1776 still ring true today:
"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and sunshine patriot will in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he who stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."
We wish all a happy and safe 4th of July! Joe & Deb Repya
I first met Eugene Sit upon my return from Iraq in November 2005 when I was invited to attend the Minnesota Military Appreciation Fund (MMAF) Annual Dinner. After leaving Active US Army duty in September 2006, I was invited to become steering committee member of MMAF.
The Minnesota Military Appreciation Fund was the idea of Eugene and his wife Gail. It was their way of saying thank you to those who served and their families in Iraq and Afghanistan since the attack on America on September 11, 2001.
I had the honor of nominating Eugene Sit last year for KARE 11 TV's Eleven Who Care Award, which he won. Eugene and Gail had given over one million dollars of their own fortune to start MMAF. The program has raised over $7 million dollars and given our over 6,000 grants to Minnesota veterans and their families, many of those who have been killed or wounded.
Eugene Sit was born in southern China and was able to come to America in 1947 before the Communist revolution engulfed that country. His family lost all their land and fortune when the Communists came to power. Still, Although penniless, Eugene managed a scholarship and attended DePaul University. He went on to become the chief investment officer of IDS before starting his own company, Sit Investments, which employees 75 and manages assets of over $8 billion dollars.
In February of this year Eugene was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He died Tuesday, June 24, at the age of 69. Funeral services will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, July 1, at 11 a.m. at Christ Presbyterian Church, Edina, MN.
He will be greatly missed by his family, employees and all of Minnesota's Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. A true Minnesota hero.
I'm currently away and will return to blogging next Monday, June 30. Old soldiers occasionally need R & R (rest and recuperation)!
UPDATE: June 30, 2008 - We are back at home now. Our friend Bear started chemotherapy for cancer today at the University of Minnesota's Vet Hospital. He is about to turn 14 (98 in people years). We are hoping this will help him live out the rest of his life in comfort.
Sorry I haven't posted for the last 5 days but I've been consumed with caring for a very ill friend, Bear, my 13 year old Chocolate Labrador Retriever. Bear had surgery this afternoon and we hope that it will finally take care of his life threatening problem. Bear is an integral part of our family and while I served my recent two years away with the US Army, he did yeoman's service at protecting our home.
