Yearly Archives: 2016

Fischer DeBerry

After a disaster of a freshman year, he talked me into staying at the Academy. After my sophomore year (after we went 12-1), he was courted by just about every major college that had an opening for a head football coach. He turned them all down and stayed with us at Air Force. He went on to coach 23 seasons at Air Force, 17 of them winning and 12 bowl games. He got inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Fischer DeBerry is a great man. He made so many of us better men ourselves. I will always be grateful to him for helping me get through some tough times and remaining at the Academy. Thank you Coach.

fd

The KP41 Fall Classic is here

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Thank you Pink Whales for all your dedication and attention to fighting ALS and helping raise funds for a cure. Kreg and I hope to be there but count on Kyle and Gabby for sure!  Friends! Go have fun with this great organization of young professionals with energy, athleticism and a social conscience and we hope to see you there!

http://pinkwhalesfoundation.bigcartel.com/product/4th-annual-kp41-fall-classic

Elizabeth and Kreg

Gabby’s Graduation

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Well the sun, moon, stars and Southwest Airlines aligned and we were able to fly out to Gabby’s graduation in May! I must say that , earlier this year,  when we decided that driving was not an option for me, I pretty much gave up hope of seeing my beloved daughter graduate. Needless to say, I was devastated. I even told Fischer DeBerry that I wasn’t going to make it, when he gave us some money for ice cream to be used during our trip (thank you Coach).  :-)  Well, thank God for Elizabeth’s can do attitude! She was able to figure out a plan for flying, acquired a wheelchair van in Colorado and got my Physical Therapist from Boston (Carrie Callaghan) to go with us on the flight out.  It was a very ambitious plan, but it all worked out. Budd DeMarais and Chasely Paul flew from Colorado, back to Rhode Island with us. A big shout out to Chris Patton for driving us to the airport in Boston (not an easy task).

Graduation was a blast, but the weather was awful, cold and rainy. It was good to hang out with family and friends albeit indoors, due to the weather. We especially enjoyed Gabby’s boyfriend Scott and his family (the Priors) and her roommate Terra (Big T) and her awesome family.

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As expected, Gabby kicked tail and graduated with honors. She fully immersed herself in everything Colorado College had to offer and certainly got our money’s worth there. I can’t say enough good things about CC. What an incredible school and amazing experience for those few and fortunate to attend. 

Kreg

Thanks everyone for all and every thing you do for us. We feel the love!

Kreg and I have been busy and are sorry there’s been little posting going on. Gabby is graduating soon and is busier than ever writing her thesis (and not her dad’s ALS blog post) on how cow poop is hurting our climate. It is, I know it, but Kreg and I are only cutting back on our beef and meat- for that matter, intake and are not full blown vegan as Gabby and Kyle have gone. More on that another time. I may actually post a link to both kids incredible efforts as they both wrote thesis and are graduating this spring. Kyle from The AF Institute of Technology with his Master’s in Operations Research and Gabby from Colorado College in Environmental Policy. BIG things ahead for both!!!

Graduation, March 14, 2016

AFIT Graduation, Masters of Science, Operations Research, Dayton, OH,  March 24, 2016

Kreg has also graduated…. to a new chair! It’s hands down-kick ass! He can stand in it! and standing probably SIX feet 4″ or 5″ at that! It’s great for him to stretch, good for weight bearing qualities on his bones and no US Veteran with working legs should get any other chair- This one is good!

Gabby: "when your dad turns into a Transformer" January, 2016

Gabby: “when your dad turns into a Transformer”
January, 2016

On to ALS: We have lots and LOTS of help but it’s still hard. ALS just sucks- flat out. I know everyone is sending us their love and we can not thank you enough. Keep it up. ALS continues to progress, but slowly and we want you all to know that because of all your love and support, We can keep our faces to the sunshine:)

Please know how we miss you friends. It’s tiring for Kreg to type emails and texts so I will try to post more with him dictating to me. And when Gabby is home after CC, We will all look forward to some of her clever writings.

Sending big love for now-

Elizabeth