Hello daddy, it is hard to believe it has been 9 years since you passed.
As, John told you were are busy getting things ready to leave to go to Pennsylvania and Indiana and states in between. Other than that not much going on. I wish John and I had more us time, instead of him being in the Heroes line of National Sojourners Heroes of '76. I wasn't brought up in Masonic stuff (which I had not desire to be), but now am in and not liking it. It is consuming to much of John's time and I am having to go with him and I like traveling, but would rather it be to places that we want to go and not HAVE TO GO. It sucks.

Hey Chief, we just got back from Tampa ,FL, went there to see two of my grandchildren graduate from High School, they went to two different schools a had two different graduations, one has been accepted to Florida State University, in Tallahassee . Linda is at the car dealership having the car safety checked, so we can leave on the 6th of June to head to Harrisburg, PA for ANC. then we will travel to Indiana for a Bottorff reunion, then we return home to prepare for the next one, a trip to San Antonio ,TX for a Navy Seabee reunion, and National meeting.
I will probably have to do some Chapter visits, an interesting thing , the PNP ,the current NP and the NPE and the next two NP .s are and will be Senior Enlisted and also the National Heroes line the current NC is a LT Col, the NCOS is an retired Army CW3, after that the next 5 are Senior Enlisted including me.
I think that will be the last of my ladder climbing. Linda and I will be doing more of us time. Oh, we will be going to a Hillyer/ Hilyer reunion in October if it does not get cancelled,. Keep on doing what you have been .
Once a Chief always a Chief.
John

Hey Chief, as Linda has probably mentioned to you we are on the road, Sojourner and SEABEE stuff, In Jan I was appointed FL Area Rep, 8 Chapters an upgrade from Regional Rep with 3 chapters,, back in July 2022 we started a new chapter in south Fla, Treasure Coast and in April Linda and I went to Ft Myers to initiate 4 new Heroes, , then we went back to present the Charter to the new Camp, James Madison, Unfortunately, Santa Anna -El Toro 250, has decided to go In-memorial due to lack of attendance. Anyway Linda and I have been to Austin,Tx, Savannah ,Ga, Clarksville, TN, Pensacola,FL Vero Bch ,Fl ,for encampments, 3 wreath Layings for Founders of the Heroes of 76, we have been in Paducah and Princeton, Kentucky and Knoxville TN. June ANC in Harrisburg , PA. this past weekend we were in Kissimmee, Fl for a SEABEE function took a couple of days going home through Mount Dora for some us time. Well you take care wearever you are and whatever you get to do.
we will be back on this site next May. to say Hi.
Anchors aweigh, John

Happy birthday to you daddy.
We are doing a lot of traveling with National Sojourners and the Navy Seabee groups.
John is in the Heroes of '76 line. He will be National Commander in 2027. He is also Area rep for the State of Florida and Regional Rep for 2 Chapters. He has helped start a new Chapter here in Florida and possibly 2 more will be Chapters.
Give Aunt Betty my love plus all of our other relatives.
Love your only daughter

Brother Bill, things are great here Linda is getting over a bronchial sickness, lots of coughing. we are due to go to Atlanta, for ANC, 12 June, then to Indianappolis for the Bottorff reunion, About a month ago our AC system broke took a week to get it fixed. About that time the septic system backed up,
a septic tank guy and a plumber came out determined tree roots plugged the drain-fields, so Linda is putting root kill, in the tank, we will see what happens. Try to behave up there. Your son in law , John

Hello daddy,
Hard to believe it has been 8 years since you passed. I miss you.
We were just starting to get close again. There was a lot that I wish I had said to you. Told you my feelings of how your words and actions hurt me all those years and still do today. I am, with the help of John trying to get over the hurt. I still don't understand how you could say the things that you did to your only daughter. I won't go into everything on here because others that I have invited to this site will see it.
I do love you.
Your daughter.

Hey Chief, Happy Heavenly Birthday, we are getting ready to start our traveling, we will be going to Tampa, fl area for a graduation party for the twins sons of my step daughter, they are into acting and have excellent grades on has been accepted at Ohio University, Athens , Ohio. the other will stay closer to home. I have joined the Legion of Honor of Morocco Shrine in Orange park, fl.. then we go to Kissimmee, Fl for a Dept of Fl meeting,then we will be in Atlanta for the ANC 12 June 2022, from there we go to Indianapolis, In. for the Bottorf reunion. from there we will head to Arkansas, then Wetumka, Al, then home. You try to stay out of trouble.
John

Happy Heavenly birthday to you daddy and your twin sister Betty.
Love ya, your only daughter

Hello daddy,
It is hard to believe that it is 7 years since you passed away. I miss you so very much. We were starting to get close again. There was still things that were unresolved. I don't understand why you bad mouthed my mommy so much. She never said anything bad about you. It hurt that the last thing you said to me was there was things you could say about my mommy that would make me not love her anymore, but then didn't say anything. There is nothing you could have said that would have made me stop loving my mommy.
She was always hurt and angry. That is why she never stayed around when you came to pick me up.
Love, Linda

Hey Chief, we have about 13 days till the ANC starts, Wed, 2 June we will be in Jacksonville, Fl. for Chapter 435 social Meeting, then in July, 435 will have a chapter picnic in Flagler Beach, and we will be there. Santa Anna /El Toro 250, is about to collapse, being kept alive via virtual meetings, I recommended they keep the virtual portion when they start meeting in person again soon. If not 250 will merge with Camp Pendleton, and you know the members will not travel there. Ray Godeke, has a new job, and is planning on getting married in Sept. Well that's about it form Sunny Florida. Ask the head man up there to stop the democrats from destroying America. , we will keep on keeping on.

Your only Son in Law, John

Hey Chief, as Linda said we are back traveling again, ANC is in Milwaukee, WI.
we leave here 11 June and get there on the 14th, this one is different, it will be a combination of in person attendance and Virtual, 20 resolutions , elections of officers, etc. after the ANC we are going to Indiana to look for Bottorff graves, then off to do some site seeing. The August we will be in Biloxi, Ms, for the Navy Seabee Veterans of America reunion and Convention. October we go to Kissimmee,FL, for a one day Dept. of Fla NSVA, Mid Winter meeting. Then November we are on our way to Tampa , one of my Battalions reunion, NMCB-14 Alumni Association, started after 7 members were killed and 35 injured in IRAG , 2004. December we have off, Then Jan, MWM in Baton Rouge, LA. and the cycle begins all over again, lots of site seeing along the way. Don't give the Lord to much trouble. 

Hello daddy, Hope you and Aunt Betty are enjoying your 105th birthday together. I miss you both.
We are starting to travel again. YEAH!!
John is very involved with the National Sojourners. He is in the Heroes line. He is Chairman of the Committee of 33. We are going to be very busy soon. I think this is a good thing.
Well, enjoy your birthday. Give Aunt Betty a hug and a kiss for me.
I love you.
Your only daughter, Linda

Hey, Chief, things are slow here ANC 2020, Harrisburg, Pa, MWM 2021, Baton Rouge, La. Canceled due to Covid19 virus. Our next trip is scheduled for March to Chicago, IL Navy Seabee Veterans of America, Executive Committee Meeting, the next ANC is planned for Milwaukee, WI in June, if the government doesn't put us all in lock down again. There is a new vaccine now, in Fla, those of us over 65 yrs old have been told we are next to get it.. Linda and I are doing just fine. You try to behave , every chance you get. Merry Christmas,
Your son n law John

Merry Christmas daddy. This year has been crazy because of Covid-19. We haven't been able to travel like we have been doing in the past, but hopefully everything will be better in 2021 as we have several places to go to.
Miss you daddy. We were getting close again. I love you and miss talking to you.

Hey Chief, how are things where you are, we are great , a little rain, plenty of sunshine. we have a family of Fox living in the yard. well the Sojourners chapters are doing Virtual meetings, I attended a virtual installation of officers for Tampa Bay 252, and also attended the virtual installation of the National Hero's line, I am now the Commander of the Guard. NE FL 435 is back on schedule with there in person meetings. However "social distancing rule are still in effect, but life goes on. Take care, John

Hello daddy,
Hard to believe it has been 6 years since your passing.
Love and miss you.
A lot of our trips got cancelled because of the COVID 19 virus. Just as bad as the one in 1918 that took your siblings.
We are doing well.
Love your only child.

Hey Chief, as Linda told you we have been on lock down because of the worldwide pandemic, all of the Grand Lodges stopped all masonic activity , which includes Sojourners, DeMolay, Shrine and blue Lodge. Also the Navy Seabee Veterans of America, Dept of Fla , cancelled the state convention, Sojourners cancelled the Annual convention.
I have been doing stuff in the yard and we have are playing Monopoly, new games Revolutionary War, Civil War and National Parks. other than that we are fine, plenty of food and bottled water, medicines, etc. Oh, Happy Birthday.
The best thing that happened to Linda,
John

Hello daddy,
John and I haven't been traveling a lot this year. A lot of things got cancelled because the stupid Chinese sent a virus called COVID-19 all over the world. It has affected a lot of people. You remember from 1918 when the Spanish flu got two of your siblings.
Your friend Stu Wright is California's Past Grand Master and Past Potentate of Al Malakiah Shrine. And Saturday he will be doing a live virtual toast to Shriners hospital and to the Distressed Worthy Brother relief fund.
Well, I miss you very much. Love you very much.

Hey, Chief, Yep as Linda said a little traffic, what happened was a car in front of a pickup truck in front of us lost a mattress onto the road so the truck applied brakes and moved left onto the stopping lane, also at this time a vehicle in a hurry and to close was not stopping, But our Lady went left behind the truck while stopping and merged back into traffic, no harm no foul. Yep she done good.
I am still Region Rep, and helping Chapter #435 put together MWM 2020 in Jacksonville, Fl. And last I heard I am still the only Candidate the bottom of the Hero's line . EIAR
Oh by the way we hear Bob Mason is not doing will and we are not getting Information and Ray Godeke is home from his surgery, he is doing well also.
Until next time you them straight up there.
Son in Law
John

Hard to believe it has been 5 years since your passing daddy. Miss you.
John and I are driving to Omaha, Nebraska for the 100th. birthday of the National Sojourners. Didn't have any problems with traffic till we got to Kansas City, Missouri.
We are enjoying our life together. Traveling, doing things around the house and each other.
We are now attending a Baptist Church as I have pulled my membership from the Community of Christ Church. Couldn't go with the direction the Church was going in. I know that is probably making you happy. The Baptist Church we are attending is a little congregation. Pastor is a great speaker.
Give my love to mommy, Berniece, Grandma, Aunt Lois, Aunt Betty, Uncle Charlie and other ancestors.
Love you.
Your daughter.

Hey Chief, Happy Birthday , as Linda has told you I have been asked to join to bottom of the Hero's line, the last I heard I am the only candidate. I am also assistant Task Group Leader for group 5 of the Committee of 33 and a member of the Bridge of Light Committee. Oh, I was appointed Regional Rep. for Northeast Florida. I have two chapters one in Jacksonville and other in Alachua, Fl. Linda likes to the one in Jax, they meet at a seafood restaurant serves a seafood salad she loves. Also I am the S.E, District Commander for the Navy Seabee Veterans of America, so we do a lot of traveling.
Anyway we hope you continue to keep smiling down on us.
Until next time, John

Happy heavenly 103rd birthday daddy and Aunt Betty.
Daddy miss you.
John and I are traveling a lot. John will be going into the bottom of the Heroes line at ANC. I think that is good. I will be more nervous when it gets time for him to be Commander.
Have a happy birthday.
Love your daughter.

Merry Christmas daddy. Knowing that you are celebrating our Heavenly Fathers birthday. Love and miss you.
Love your daughter

Hey Chief, and good morning. Well, spring has sprung and ANC is just around the corner, I have been appointed Regional Rep for North Florida, Chapters 435 and 537. I have been elected to the Committee of 33 and appointed to the Bridge of Light. As Linda has said we will be on the road a lot over the next few months. Life is good. God Bless, John

Hello daddy, Hope you are having a good time. John and I are doing well. We are traveling a lot. In fact in July to August we are driving to Alaska. But, before that trip we have the National Sojourners Annual Convention in Norfolk, Virginia that we are driving to then the end of August to September 7th. we will be driving to Connecticut.
Daddy, I sure do miss you. We were starting to get so close again.
I know that it was Bernice that was keeping you from being so close to me, but the short time that we had in our talks and everything was good.
Thank you for giving me those wedding rings that you had designed for Bernice 58 years ago. I love them and I love John so very much. Thank you for witnessing John proposing to me 4 years ago.
We had a beautiful wedding and my brother Raymond Godeke walked me down the isle since you couldn't be there.
God has really been good to us.
We have a lovely home here in Live Oak, Florida. We have a lot of wildlife that comes in the backyard. We have birds, squirrels, deer, raccoons, opossums and rabbits. Our house sits on 6.17 acres. The house used to belong to John's Uncle Wick and he passed away just after we got married. John and his brother inherited it and Richard didn't want anything to do with it, so we bought out his portion of the property and remodeled the kitchen and dining room and had flooring put into the whole house. We want to add onto our bedroom, but we have to wait for more money to do that. We may have to get a loan.
We have a new car and a new truck that we are making payments on.
I love you daddy. Give my love to my mommy and tell Bernice hello for me also. Hope you and Aunt Betty have a great 102nd. birthday.

Hey Chief, ANC is coming up June 12 -17, in Austin, Tx. after that we will be doing some site seeing , first to Waco, Tx, then to Conroe, Tx. to visit one of my sons, from there to Gulfport, Ms. to show Linda SEABEE base, then to Laurens , Ms, to see some old buildings, then over to Alabama, and check out a park, then home, should be home about the 24th of June. Good talking we ya. John

Daddy, miss you.
It is getting easier each day of missing you.
Love you.

Your daughter

Daddy, miss you.
It is getting easier each day of missing you.
Love you.

Your daughter

Happy birthday daddy. I miss you so much. Just as we were getting close again God took you home.
I am having a great new life with my new husband John. We are doing a lot of traveling and making our new home a home of love.
Thank you daddy for all that you have done for me.
Give your twin sister Aunt Betty a happy birthday hug and kiss from me. WOW!! 101 years young and spending it in Heaven.
Continue to watch over me daddy. Keep me strong through this heart test that I have been on since April 12th. I wear it until May 12th. and then we will find out what is going on with the ticker. I am praying that it isn't anything bad.
LOVE YOU and MISS YOU. Again HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Love, your one and only daughter

Chief, Happy Birthday, we are doing just find, Linda has been sworn in to the Lake City, Daughters of the American Revolution, I am applying to a Sons of the American Revolution, I am the chaplain of Barrett Lodge. Next month we will be in Austin, Tx, for the Sojourners ANC.

Chief, Happy Birthday, we are doing just find, Linda has been sworn in to the Lake City, Daughters of the American Revolution, I am applying to a Sons of the American Revolution, I am the chaplain of Barrett Lodge. Next month we will be in Austin, Tx, for the Sojourners ANC.

Daddy I miss you a lot. We were getting so close again.
I am so happy. John is wonderful to me. We are doing a lot of traveling and getting OUR HOME here in Live Oak, Florida all put together.
Thank you for being my daddy. Thank you for all that you have done for me.
I MISS YOU. I LOVE YOU.

Love your one and only daughter.

Hey Chief, we have been busy, with Lodge, National Sojourners and Seabee Veterans of America. I am now Past President and Past Commander, of Tampa Bay Chapter 252. In a week we are going to Sojourners Annual Convention, we know you will be there in spirit.

Hey, Chief, what do you think of our place, new roof and paint, we are doing the landscaping, I have become a plural member of Barrett Lodge here, Linda is getting involved in lodge activities, she is a Perpetual Friend of the Lodge.
Happy Birthday,

John

Happy 100th birthday daddy. Love and miss you. We were just starting to get close again. Hope you have a special birthday in Heaven.
Love your daughter

Daddy, miss you so very much. Love you. We were getting close again and I liked it.
Give my love to MY Mommy. Tell Berniece hello also and give Grandma, Aunt Betty, Aunt Lois, Aunt Harriett, Uncle Charley, Uncle Ernest,Lillian a big hug and kiss for me.

Hey Chief,
Everything seems to be going well here, but we sure miss your smiley face at the Board Meetings and the Dinner Meetings. They haven't been the same since you left us......
The Chapter is growing; we have picked up nine new members this year with the possibility of adding perhaps that many more next year; I'll keep you posted.
May you always have fair seas with the wind always at your back.
EIAR!

Bob Mason

Hey Chief, thank you for creating your beautiful Daughter, we are having a great time, going to National Sojourners Convention in a little while. Linda looks great in her Colonial gowns.

Daddy, it has been a year since you went home to Glory. We were just getting close again. I miss and love you so much. Thank you for all you have done for me. Thank you for being in my life. John and I are getting a place of our own. It is in the woods. Love the place. Keep watching over us. Love you daddy.

Happy Birthday daddy. I love and miss you very much.

Chief, Fair Winds and Following Seas.

Daddy miss you.

Love, your daughter