My blog is on vacation

The Cost of Freedom Tribute

The Cost of Freedom Tribute wall came to my town. I am glad because I know I will never make it to DC to see the original one.

 The bag pipes sounded beautiful

Love the way the sun was behind the flag. I wish I could have got it behind the American Flag but my camera is not that fast at taking pictures.

 Sarah Palin was the guest speaker. I thought she did great.

 The wall! All the names just overwhelm you!

 They gave their all for freedom!

After it was all over Sarah Palin stayed & took pictures with all that wanted too :)

Our Goodbye to Dad~

 Beautiful flowers we ordered for my Dad. He really was a great Dad!

 His flag draped casket

 All of my Dad's grandkids were his pallbarriers (except Angela who we lost in 2008)

 My son Josh (all in black in front) & Jeremy who is in Black and grey at end)

 At the cemetary gun and flag salute

 My Mom receiving his flag

 My sons dropping in dirt from his former home in Arizona and his current hom in New Mexico

 Last goodbyes until we meet in Heaven again

Dad's headstone that just came in this week


Dad's Obit

Joseph E. McKee
May 13, 1928-March 16, 2013

Joseph E. McKee, 84, of Farmington NM formerly from Buckeye AZ, passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2013 in Farmington NM. He was born May 13, 1928 in Knightstown, Ind. to Ora Joseph and Charity Bell Butler McKee. 
He was in the US Army during Korean Conflict served time in Tulle, France as head cook of the Mess Hall.
Joseph worked 18 years for International Harvester, O.S. Stapley's, El Paso Natural Gas Co. in 1978. Retired from El Paso Natural Gas in 1986 and for Childhaven for five years. He retired in 1991.
His hobbies included, hunting, fishing, trapping, playing guitar and singing. 
He loved the Lord and was baptized at 17 years old.
Joseph was preceded in death by son-in-law, Richard Martinelli; parents; two brothers; four sisters and granddaughter, Angela Martinelli Warner.
He is survived by wife, Novella McKee; son-in-law, Eddie Skaggs; daughters, Gloria Skaggs, Cindey Martinelli and Cherrie Shaw; sister, Irene McKee Dubrul; 7 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
A funeral service & burial was on Saturday March 23, in Farmington, NM 

Pallbearers were his grandchildren, Joshua Shaw, Stephen Martinelli, Trevor Skaggs, Todd Skaggs, Justin Skaggs, Alisha Martinelli and Jeremy Shaw.

Missing my Dad

I haven't been on here for a while a lot going on in my world. My dear loving Dad passed away in March. I am so glad he is no longer in pain but I miss him so much. He was a great Dad to my sisters and I. I am thankful I got to spend two weeks with him and Mom in January but I didn't know it would be the last time I would see him alive. Or I would have hugged and kissed him more.

Also in March I almost lost my youngest son Jeremy to cirrohsis of his liver. His liver was in failure. My pastor and others came in to hospital to pray over him. The next day he stablized. He had only been a drinker for the last five years. He has now been sober for two months. I am proud he has made this choice to quit drinking. His liver is in real bad shape but his doctors are pleased with his process. He is not able to work so the financial burden has fallen on me.

Please keep my family in prayer 2013 has been a hard year for us. Losing my brother - in - law, my dad and then this with Jeremy is almost to much. Thank you!