Parade update

We got updates on the parade for this Saturday, May 16.

We need to have everyone there as close to 11:30 as possible. The parade starts at 12.

To park, you have to go to the Sturgis High School. There is parking EAST of the High School (Franks Ave entrance) or the Eastwood School parking lot (east of the high school football field, Franks Ave entrance). There are going to be many roads closed so it will be best to use Chicago Rd (US 12) and turn SOUTH onto Franks Ave. Park your cars and then you have to walk to the line up which is on Ivanhoe. You should be able to see where everyone is going. Our parade entry number is 58. Thank you everyone. This is going to look really nice to have all our flags flying. I want people to know we care, I want veterans to know we care. The parade ends this year at the Sturges-Young Auditorium.

Taylor B

Thanking a veteran

Some of you may remember, Taylor held a card drive so that she could deliver cards to veterans in nursing homes. I am very late in posting this, but we were so happy with the turn out. Taylor got cards from all over the United States and some came from as far away as Iraq! Taylor was able to collect over 2,000 cards. If you are still interested, please send more and she will keep on delivering them!

Here is a picture of her delivering a bundle of cards to a veteran. He was so happy to have someone there to talk to. He was a farmer before and after his service time and he was so proud of his tractors and to be able to talk to someone about them. He just kept looking at her like he couldn't believe that someone had actually come to visit him!

She is wearing her Explorer outfit, for as soon as she was done visiting, she had to go to the St. Joseph County Jail for her first ride along! Boy, did it turn out to be exciting for her. They weren't even out on the road more then a few minutes and already had someone pulled over. Here is a picture with the officer she did her ride along with.


Taylor is working hard as ever on her up coming projects. We are now making plans for her 2nd annual big fundraiser for the veterans, which should be in August.

Article in paper

Here is an article that was written about Taylor's DAR award she received from the Daughters of the American Revolution, for the state of Michigan. Also, yesterday in the mail, Taylor got a letter congratuling her on winning the Eastern Central division of the United States from the DAR for her work with veterans and active duty. We aren't sure what all is happening with that, but once we find out more, you know I will update! Once again, VERY PROUD of Taylor and her selfless work she does for our military.

Taylor Batten honored at state DAR meeting
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Above and beyond - Pictured with Taylor Batten are, from left, DAR members Rebecca Shank, Jan Streeter and Katherine Langworthy. Photo provided
Published:
Wednesday, April 22, 2009 2:54 PM EDT
E. LANSING — St. Joseph County’s very own Honorary Marine Gunnery Sgt. Taylor Batten was named the State DAR Veteran Patient Youth Volunteer for 2009 at the State Awards luncheon in East Lansing.

Taylor, a ninth grade student at Mendon High School, has devoted the past four years supporting our troops overseas and the wounded veterans in hospitals. Averaging 400 or more hours a year, she sends cards, letters and packages, visits hospitals to cheer up the wounded and attends funerals of our fallen heroes.

Taylor has been adopted by the Wounded Warriors and supports the Children of Veterans Organization. She is also a member of the Patriot Guard Riders often attending funerals with them. In addition she works with other groups that have similar focus, the American Legion and the Blue Star Mothers.

On hand to honor Taylor were six members of the Abiel Fellows Chapter that nominated her. Also in attendance were her parents Kevin and Cathy Batten, Mendon High School Principal Jay Peterson, State Senator Cameron Brown and special guest Commandant Bob Cook of the Kalamazoo Marine Corps League. DAR members from across the state and their guests gave her a rousing standing ovation.

NEED HELP!!!!!

Taylor needs your help! The Michigan Week Parade is coming up, May 16th to be exact. Taylor wants to get as many people as she can to walk with her in the parade, carrying American flags (provided) to show that patriotism is alive. Her message is simple, WE SUPPORT OUR VETERANS AND TROOPS.

Her goal is for 100 people to walk with her. How glorious would that be to see 100 people walking in the middle of a parade, carrying 3 x 5 flags attached to 6 ft poles?! HELP TAYLOR AND SHOW UP, HELP HER SPREAD THE WORD!

I hope the flyer she had made shows up big on the blog, I still haven't mastered on how to make large pictures show up.

2009 Outstanding Youth Volunteer for Veterans

What do you say when you get a phone call telling you that your daughter has been chosen to get an award for the whole state of Michigan for her work for the troops and veterans?

I got such a phone call about a month ago from the Daughters of the American Revolution. This is not the first time they have honored Taylor and her work she does for the troops. Last year, they awarded her with the Mary Desha Founders medal for her tireless work. This year, she was chosen for the whole state of Michigan.

We went to the awards ceremony on 3-31-2009. Taylor brought her dad and I, her principal Jay Peterson and the Marine Corps League Commandant of the Kalamazoo detachment. Also present was Sen. Cameron Brown. Taylor was not able to sit with us, as she had to sit at the head table. As the ceremony started, they called her to the stand and the state regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution started talking about Taylor and listed off everything she has done.

Now mind you, I have been with Taylor through all of this. We know what she has done and I myself have listed them all a few times, however, that is completely different then sitting back and listening to it being said out loud by someone else.

I sat in the audience and listened to each thing Taylor has done be listed off. I sat back and listened to the audience gasp at different times. I then heard out loud, about Taylor's illness and it literally took my breath away for a moment. It was like I was listening through someone elses ears and hearing all this for the first time. My heart ached with pride. Then, I watched as Taylor got this full faced beautiful smile. One that we don't normally see, especially when she is being talked about. I think she must have felt like I did.

I then watched the audience of about 300 give her a standing ovation that lasted for quiet some time. I watched as many wiped their faces of tears. It wasn't until after the ceremony was over that I realized that Taylor was the only individual that got her own standing ovation.

I thank the Daughters of the American Revolution for their continued support of Taylor and their continued recognition of her, especially the Abiel Fellows Chapter. I thank my daughter, GySgt. Taylor Batten, for her selflessness when it comes to her beloved troops. I thank her for looking beyond herself and doing what is right, because it IS right. I thank her for being my daughter and showing me the true meaning of so many things.

Emotional reunion

Here are a few pictures of the two cousins Taylor was able to bring together. The story is posted in the following entry. Sometimes, when you see a picture, there really aren't much words that can be used and I feel this is one of those times.

Military Appreciation Night

Here is a copy of an email I sent out:

Hello everyone,

I am sending a link to youtube for you to watch. This was taken last night, 2-18-09, at Taylor's school.

A little over a year ago, Taylor came home and was upset about walking down the hall and seeing trophy cases full of trophies for sports and academics but nothing for our military. We told her to do something about it.

She went before the school board and didn't ask, but demanded that it be changed. They all sat before her smiling, how could they say no not only to Taylor speaking from the heart but also for such a noble cause.

She had a plaque made up, a flag flown over our state capital and a flag flown over Washington. There was also a flag that was flown over Iraq by a Mendon high school student who went on to be in the Marines.

She called upon the military recruiters and they all stood with her at half court for the presentation during a basketball game. It was a pretty neat night and I know most of you have already heard about that night.

Well, everything was finally put together and it took a long time to get things done. She wanted to have a 'final' dedication for the display and things started rolling. It ended up being more then just a dedication to the military veterans of her school. It ended up being a very emotional reunion of two cousins that are very closer then brothers.

There is a young man from Taylor's school that became a Marine after he graduated. Taylor never knew him, he is much older. On one of his tours in Iraq, he was severely wounded. Once we found this out, Taylor then wanted to meet him. Taylor and Sgt. Dean Cugliotta have since become very good friends. She has involved him in many things and even got him to join the Marine Corps League with her.

Dean suffered a TBI and lives daily with post traumatic stress. As you can imagine, some days are much better then others and as of late, the bad days seem to outnumber the good days for him. This has weighed heavily on Taylor.

Dean's cousin is active duty and stationed in CA. We kept waiting to have the dedication because we kept thinking that Thomas was going to be coming home. The Marines had other ideas and he couldn't come home, then he was, then he wasn't and it went on like this for quiet sometime. We finally decided to have the dedication now and once Thomas was able to come home, we would do something special for him. After all, he did have a flag flown that is part of the display.

This as well weighed heavily on Taylor. She knew how things were tough for Dean now and she knew that a visit from his cousin was just what he needed. Now, how to do it? Taylor decided that Thomas WAS coming home. But, she didn't want Dean to know we were going to work on it in case things didn't work out. With Gunny Batten on the job, you just know it was going to get done and sure enough, it did!

It was decided that this was going to be a surprise to her very good friend Dean. We got travel arrangements all set and then went about a well laid out plan on getting him home from California and then coming into our small town with no one knowing.

Once again, Taylor called upon the recruiters to stand with her for this and they gladly were there for her. Many veterans showed up. Thomas showed up in his blues and Dean did as well. He did much fretting over wearing them and looking good. He almost wasn't going to wear them, but he got an order from the Gunny and he had to wear them.

We had Dean stand with his back to a hallway and we got everyone gathered up for the presentation, colors was called and Dean stood at attention. That is when Thomas walked up behind him. What happened next is something I can't really describe, as no words do justice to the raw heartfelt emotions that took place. Dean was told to turn around and when he did, Thomas's face was right there. It took Dean a moment to register and once he did, he just lost it.

He wasn't the only one, everyone broke out in tears. It was one of the most beautiful moments I have ever witnessed. Once they were done hugging, it was Taylor's turn to talk. Normally, she is a ball of fire when it comes to talking, but even she was thrown by what had just happened and she was a bit lost on what to say. I think, considering the hard work she put into this dedication and reunion, she was really tired but did an outstanding job.

The news was there and had it on and I have to say, the footage they caught was outstanding and they really did capture the true emotions of it. But anyways, here is the video that was sent to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ettVdPh8qPw

I have a few pictures to post on this entry and then I will post two pictures by themselves. You will see why they need to be by themselves.

Happy Birthday Coins

I realized there was a little story that I hadn't posted about. When Taylor was going to Bethesda for her medical testing, we knew it was going to be really close to the Marine Corps birthday. We had contacted Sgt. Grits and told them of Taylor and her going to visit the wounded. They immediately sent her some beautiful birthday coins to give out to the wounded. Unfortunately, the coins came in after we left and she wasn't able to hand deliver them to those she visited. When we got back home, the coins were here and she was able to send them back to the National Naval Medical Center to be given out to those that she visited.

We had an idea though. I am sure you have read about Taylor being able to fly back to DC a few weeks after her medical testing with the WWll veterans for the day. She thought who better to get some of those birthday coins then some WWll veterans! As it happened to be, the minute she walked into the airport terminal, she saw a man sitting there with a Marine hat and she immediately walked over and shook his hand and said 'Happy Birthday Marine' You should have seen the look on this old man's face! He stared at her deeply and intently for what seemed forever, then his face softened and he reached out his hand and said thank you. She had one of those coins in her hand and as they shook, she slipped it from her hand to his.

He opened his hand and looked at what was held in his palm. He looked at her and gave her a wonderful smile. Once she told him she was a Gunny, boy did he ever straiten up his stand! Once in DC, they were buddies while walking around and Taylor was able to hand out more birthday coins that day to many other WWll veterans.

Because I wasn't there in DC with her, I wasn't able to get pictures of her handing these out, but I did get one of her giving out her first one and through that simple hand shake, saying Happy Birthday and handing over a coin, Taylor gained yet another new friend.

Happy Birthday Taylor Batten!

Jan. 23 was Taylor's birthday. First off, I want to thank everyone for their overwhelming wishes for her! She got phone calls from all over the United States not to mention all the emails and cards she got. All the way from Iraq, California to New York.

She got a special surprise in the form of a beautiful floral arrangement. The 2 wonderful ladies that sent it to her said that while she may be a hardened Gunny, she is still a young lady! Thank you!

Taylor got a rifle/shotgun combo. She has wanted to have her own rifle for awhile now. She has taken the hunter safety course with her younger brother as well as what she was taught at Camp Lejeune about safety. She also got some other training in her Explorer program with the sheriff department. Do I need to say how excited she was? The girl would have slept with it had I allowed it!

It is always during her birthday celebration that I am able to sit back and just marvel at Taylor. That is when I am able to reflect on just what a wondrous gift she is to us. She beat the odds by even being born. Remember, with her medical condition, less then ONE PERCENT even survive birth. I think back to all her hard struggles she faces each and every day with each and every breath she takes. Yet, she never gives up, she keeps moving forward and fights. She not only fights for herself, but she fights for others as well.

She got an email that really brought me to tears and made me realize once again, she is not only a gift to our family, but to others as well. The fight she fights, encourages others and I wanted to share part of that email with you:

I waited until today to send this because I wanted you to understand a few things about me, Gunny. I have the utmost respect for you! You are the fighter that inspires me when my cancer gets me down. I think of such a beautiful young lady fighting the good fight and I feel so much better. When the Good Lord gave us you, Gunny, He gave us a precious gem to be admired from avery angle. You are inspirations to alot of old Fellows that have lived our lives and forget that you are going on your way, carrying out your everyday affairs and such. It is with great pleasure that I wish you a Very Happy Birthday, and I hope God grants you many, many more, as I know he will. Happy Birthday Gunny Taylor, from this old broken down Marine.

She also had her free throw contest and won once again. For this particular contest, this is the 4th year in a row she has won the 1st round. It has always amazed us how she does it. She is this tiny little thing, with great visual spatial difficulties. Yet, for about the last 5 years, she has been able to stand at the free throw line and make shot after shot. She can even stand BEHIND the 3 point line and swish it in! She beats the big boys and no one ever seems to want to challenge her because they know it is a losing cause.

Army vs Marines

Seems there is a bit of rivalry between branches of the military. Always has been and always will be. Some boost they are better then the other, while the other will say the same. I know you all know what I am talking about!!!!!

While Taylor is a Marine, hard core and hard charging, she has a wonderful supporter in SFC Noble, Army recruiter. Taylor LOVES being a Marine and it is something she is damn proud of. She is also very proud to be an American and very proud of the other branches that have and are now serving. Many of her very first pen pals were Army. And you all know of her love for Marty Horn at http://www.anysoldier.com/ and he has been VERY good to her as well.

A while back, Taylor needed some help and called on the recruiters of all branches and they all showed up to help. She stood so proud with them. Then, she needed more help and the Marines said they would be there and guess what? They didn't show up. (gulp) Who showed up though just as he promised? Yup, Army, SFC Noble! He has been there for her on anything she has asked and we love him for that.

The Army just had a presentation and asked us to be there. I knew they were going to give a plaque to Taylor. What Noble didn't know was that, Taylor thinks the world of him as well and before HE could present to her, SHE presented him with a certificate of appreciation! Hers thanked him for being there and helping and his was about Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage. He feels she holds all of these traits and I have to agree.

She stood and talked about how the Marines and the Army have to razz one another, which she is more then glad to do, but they also have to respect one another and that she whole heartily respects and appreciates her friend, SFC Greg Noble.

Every time we talk to him, he just gushes at how amazing and outstanding Taylor is in all she does for the troops. He beams when he talks about her. Taylor does just the same when talking about him though and is always sure to point out that while she is a Marine, he has been there for her every single time she needed it and that means the world to her.

She did have to do a bit of a devilish giggle though, when it came time to take a picture of her and Noble together, she wanted it taken under a Marine Corps picture! He laughed and said he would do it only for her, but they compromised and stood at a neutral point!!!

We went out to eat last weekend with Grampy Guns (retired Master Gunnery Sgt whose nick name is Grumpy, except for when it comes to Taylor) and when we walked in, we saw a table full of Army guys. Taylor walked up to them and shook each of their hands and then was able to give out Patriot Guard Rider coins to each of them. We got a picture of her with them and she is sitting on one of the guys laps. Now let me ask you this, how many pictures have you seen of a Marine sitting on an Army guys lap?!?! ( I do find the look on the guys face whose lap she is sitting on very funny! Maybe he didn't like a Gunny sitting on his lap?! Really, he was very nice and offered up his lap to her!)

Presidents Own Marine Corp Band

Taylor has been to Washington twice now for her medical testing. Each time, she has been there just shy of being able to see the drill teams at 8th & I or the Sunset Parade. It upset her both times, as she really wanted to see these.

The Presidents Own Marine Corps Band was coming to a university close to us and it was set up so that Taylor could go there and meet the band! To her, this was exciting because she had missed out on her chances while in Washington and this was like they were coming to her! We were so incredibly lucky as Taylor got to bring her good friend, Sgt. Cugliotta with her and they were taken back stage before the concert to meet with Col. Colburn. They then were taken back behind the band and able to meet many members of the band. We got special seats up close and let me tell you, the band was amazing. Listening to them, just made you so proud of your country!

During intermission, they were taken back stage again and able to meet up with Col. Colburn again as well as other members of the band. Both Taylor and Dean were given special coins and it was a great night. One that Taylor won't be forgetting any time soon.

Once again, Taylor was shown just how much she is appreciated for all her hard work and as always, it just made her glow and made her stronger. I can't thank everyone that was involved enough for making sure this happened for her.

Now if we can only get her to meet the Commandant!!!!

Helping out

Back in the summer, Taylor held a fund raiser to help out veterans, called Gunny's Veterans Ride. She has been able to do some really nice things with the money she has raised.

She gave some money to homeless veterans, she gave some money to a veteran who has become very sick and the medical bills mounted, she gave some money to help get a flight of WWII veterans to Washington to see their monument. Once she heard about this, and was able to give a sizable donation, she found out that much more money was needed. She made a few phone calls and I am so proud to say, she got enough money on her own to fund half of the flight!!!

What was really cool about this was, the people in charge were so impressed, that when Taylor presented the check to them, they told her SHE was going with these great heroes! So, Taylor was able to fly back to Washington with over a dozen of our greatest generation and spend a whole special and magical day with them.

I will have to post pictures of that day later as most from Taylor's camera didn't turn out. It was a spectacular day for her and they also went in to an air museum and she was able to see the Enola Gay. To be able to share this afternoon with these men was amazing for her as she got to witness first hand all of them seeing THEIR monument for the first time. She got to witness their emotions and she got to hear some incredible stories first hand.

What has made this even more special was that she was able to have our neighbor, Jack Palmer, go with her. He was a top turret gunner on the B17. He took with him his beloved friend, Ray Hora.

Ray fought in Germany, France, Belgium, Africa and The Battle of The Bulge. Sadly, Ray just passed away. I told Taylor that she was able to give him a gift he hadn't gotten, she was able to make sure he went on that flight, he went and did some healing and hopefully, in his heart, he got closure. I will also post more about that later with pictures of Ray.

Medical testing

I am very behind on keeping the blog up to date. I have many excuses, but none that are really good enough to justify not keeping up.

Taylor had to go to Washington in Oct. for more medical testing again at the National Institute of Health. It had been two years almost to the day that we had gone there for the first time. We were extremely fortunate in getting a room to ourselves which was wonderful. However, I really wish that the makers of the so called 'beds' that are given to parents to sleep on, I wish that THEY had to sleep on them.

It was a long week for Taylor, but she did wonderful. She was strong and brave. There were some things that weren't pleasant, but she faced them head on and did what was asked of her. I was very proud of her. Once again, we had wonderful doctors and nurses and things ran really well. Each night, Taylor and I got out and walked the campus to get some fresh air and get out of the hospital room. It was hard for us at night time to think of us being so close to DC and yet, because of my lack of knowledge on how to get around, we were stuck in the room all night long. I guess it was for the best though, Taylor was able to get her rest.

This time, as her last visit, it was set up for her to be able to go over to the National Naval Medical Center and for her to spend the afternoon with the wounded. I have to say, this visit was much different then last. Last time we were there, patients were just about busting out of the rooms there were so many wounded there. They were doubled up in rooms. This time, there were far less and that was a wonderful thing. The ones that we were able to visit even had their own rooms.

It was so rewarding as a parent to watch Taylor talk with 'her guys' and to make sure they were staying motivated. She even told one Marine sternly that he had better stay motivated and do what the doctors asked, because he sure didn't want her coming back and giving him hell!!! I think she scared him! I really do wish that we lived closer or that we could afford her to get out there more often, she was so in her element talking with those guys. So at ease and everything just flows naturally. At first, they aren't sure of what to think of seeing this young girl walk into their rooms in THEIR hard earned uniform. However, once they hear her introduce herself as GySgt Taylor Batten and talk to her for a few minutes, all the apprehension they feel is gone and they are talking to 'one of their own'.

Some of the results on the tests were not what we wanted nor expected. Things could have went better as far as that is concerned, but on the other hand, things could have been much worse. We are thankful for the knowledge that we are learning and that is why we go there, to find out what is going on with her. It is always that double edged sword though, you want to know, but once you do you wish you didn't.

I am so proud of Taylor though. She wanted to once again, look outside of herself and look past her own discomfort of what she was going through and go visit the wounded to make sure that THEY were doing well and to give them some support. There were a few times things got rough for her and she herself could have used a visitor or two and some of her own cheering up, but not once did she do a 'poor me'.

We will be going back again in two years.

Once we were discharged, we stayed with Lt. Col. Maxwell's family once again. They opened their home and their lives to us just as they did when Taylor went to Camp Lejeune. They made us feel like we were part of the family again and Taylor was able to spend time with her friend that she so looks up to for inspiration. They are now at Quantico and Taylor and I were able to go visit the new museum there and it was more then outstanding. The Lt. Col. is recovering from a pretty major surgery and his fighting spirit is just amazing. Taylor watched and studied him, when he talked, she listened. She once again gained much on the inside from just being around him.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES

Happy Birthday Marines!

Yes, I know that I am very behind in updating Taylor's blog and have much to report, from her visit to Washington for her medical testing and visiting with the wounded, her time with Lt. Col. Maxwell, her coming home only to be able to fly back to Washington for a day with a group of WW11 veterans to see their monument. She was able to see The Presidents Own Marine Corps Band and spend time with them and so many other things. I will update SOON!

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Explorer

Taylor has joined the St. Joseph County Sheriff Explorer Program.

She gets to go to the Sheriff department and learn the ins and outs of law enforcement. One day, she learned how they do felony stops, she has shot the AR 15 and has worked in the jail one day. She is amazed! All the deputies have been outstanding to her and she really enjoys going.

This week is our county fair and she had the choice, go to the fair and do kid things, or walk around with the police. I don't think what she chose to do will shock any of you!

And wouldn't you know it, she was riding in a cart and they had just picked up a big bundle of money and there was an 'altercation'. The Sgt. she was riding with, told her to 'guard the cart and the money' and off he went. So, there sat Taylor with a boat load of money, not knowing when the Sgt. was going to return to her. She later told me, she guarded that money with her life and it was a good thing no one came up, because she would have let them have it! Cracked me up, but she was dead serious! She had a great time and looks forward to going back to the jail.

There was also a booth set up for cards for veterans for Taylor to deliver.

Remembering 9-11

9-11 Who will ever forget? Who can ever forget? That is a day, just like Pearl Harbor, that should be with every person until they day the pass. As time goes on, it is so easy to go on about things and just seem to not give it much thought. We do not do that.

Today, we were able to go to a service in honor of 9-11. It was such a beautiful day, eerily like that unimaginable day back in 2001. Seeing the firefighters out in their uniforms, with all their trucks, literally gave you goosebumps and tears in your eyes.

We had a fly over by WWll war birds and just about everyone fell silent in watching them come and then go right over us. This service was special to Taylor, as she had her good friend, Cpl. Cugliotta with her. This young man, went and signed up for service right after 9-11. He loved his country enough to know that we had been attacked and we would be going to war, he loved his country enough to stand up to protect her.

He has done 2 tours, one of them being wounded. The scars inside, live with him every day. He is very proud of his service, he is very proud of his country. Taylor and he have become friends and they seem to help each other. They pull strength from one another and have that unspoken bond that Marines have. I get a smile in my heart every time I think of those two together. Taylor pushes him to do things, and in turn, he shows Taylor what strength is.

Our family remembers 9-11. We think of the people that are gone because of that day, and how life has changed because of it. We think every day of all the people that fight today. It is sad to say, we are stronger because of that day. But we are.

Marine Corps League

The day that Taylor was made a Marine, almost 2 years ago, she was also sworn in as an honorary life time member of the Marine Corps League. 2 years, WOW, time sure does fly! To think, she was a PFC and now she is a proud Gunnery Sergeant, and just how much she has accomplished in that time. The deployed, wounded and veterans have all been touched in one way or the other by Taylor's deep love for her country and military. When I sit back and look over the last 2 years, I am actually brought to tears by what has all happened.

Taylor still battles every day with her health, but she is a STRONG fighter now. The change in her has been completely miraculous. The determination she has for her causes simply astounds me.

She has been trying to go to Marine Corps League meetings in the Kalamazoo area pretty regularly. These men that she sits in with, have all been so kind and wonderful to her. I still think that they are not really sure on how to be around her. I am hoping they are getting more comfortable around her. Most of them have not heard Taylor's real story and all the things she has done, they have sort of an outline, but I think if they all really knew just what she has been through and what she has done, some of them would treat her more like the Marine she is instead of the little girl they see with their eyes.

Taylor doesn't brag up the things she has seen or done, she just sits back and listens to these men. Most of them are from the Vietnam generation back to WW11. They want to be so respectful around her and not talk how we know Marines talk! Taylor loves going there and being with these great men and I have to say, there are times that the meeting will be going and I will just look around myself at the faces, and I am taken aback by the amount of history that is with these men. I am so thankful that we have been welcomed into their 'house'.

Today, we went out and did the Adopt a Highway trash pick up with them. I had my camera, but didn't take one picture. It is a tad bit scary being along side an interstate with semi trucks whizzing by you at 80 mph, so my thoughts were not on taking pictures. Let me tell you one thing though, that is HARD work. Taylor was cursing under her breath at all the litterbugs!

B 17 Surprise

There have been a few occasions in Taylor's life where someone has decided they want to do something extraordinary for her and they will let me know and then it is up to ME to keep that surprise. It happened again and this one was very hard for me to contain my excitement on!

Taylor LOVES the mighty B 17 and P 51 Mustang, they are her all time favorite WW11 planes. The knowledge she holds on these is pretty amazing and she has had the great fortune of being able to be in a B 17 before, the Yankee Lady.

I am sure all that read her blog and know of Taylor, know of her meeting with Capt. Larry Jenkins, B 17 pilot, at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. If you scroll down, you will see the post about this most amazing meeting between Taylor and Larry. I was contacted not to long ago by the Air Zoo saying that they had found the post and would like to know if they could print the story out in their newsletter that goes out to all their members. Of course I said, after all, Capt. Jenkins story should be heard by everyone as well as what little Taylor Batten does. They printed the story and had a really nice sized picture of Larry and Taylor together in it.

A few days after it was printed, we got a phone call from Capt. Jenkins. He told me had something for Taylor, I asked what and he told me that it had been arranged for Taylor to go up in a B 17. I asked what he meant by go up, as I was assuming 'go up' in it and look around. Go up means just that, GO UP, as in fly!! I actually was speechless and as most of you that know me, that does not happen often at all. He told me the date and time and where, we hung up and I grabbed ahold of Tanner and just started jumping up and down screaming! I KNEW what this was going to mean to Taylor! Tanner just looked at me like I had finally lost that one final screw that was holding my brain together!

Not only was there going to be a B 17 there, but a P 51 Mustang as well, again, I knew what this was going to mean to Taylor, her favorites were together and she had never seen a Mustang up close either. A B 24 and B 25 were with them as well.

We decided to keep this whole thing a secret from Taylor, just letting her think she was going to go see the planes, we thought it fitting that Capt. Jenkins be the one to tell her.

We got to the airport and there was Larry, sitting in his chair with the story of him and Taylor together, telling people about it. As soon as he saw Taylor, he just broke out into this wonderful smile. She almost ran to him and they hugged, she snuggled right into him. He kept his hand on her shoulder and said he had something for her, he reached in his pocket and pulled out the medal that is given for being a prisoner of war. He gave it to her. Do I need to tell you that the water works started then? She was in shock and so awed by it and so grateful.

This was a couple of hours before take off time, so they had plenty of time to go out and check out the planes and to just talk. As soon as she saw the Mustang, she started jumping up and down in excitement. It was off to our left and right in front of us was the B 24 and the B 17 beyond that. No B 25 as they had lost an engine and were doing work on it in Wisconsin. Taylor didn't know where to go first, she looked at both her beloved planes and they were in opposite directions. She followed Capt. Jenkins and they both looked up at the B 17 and then people started coming up to Larry. Taylor couldn't help it and she got up in the 17, called Nine O Nine. Again, that is why she thought she was there, to look at the planes. As soon as she got up, the Mustang started up and went out for a ride, so she got to hear it, feel the air as it went by, feel the rumble of it and then watch it take off. She just stood there clapping, she couldn't contain her excitement for this!

She then went in and looked at the 24, called Witchcraft and spent time in there. She came back out, couldn't help it, got right back in the 17! When she was done, she came out and talked with Capt. Jenkins again. At one time, it was so sweet. They both had been out for a good hour, talking with people almost non stop and in the sun and she was a bit concerned for him. She came up behind his wheelchair and put her hand on his shoulder and asked how he was doing. He looked up at her and held on to her hand still on his shoulder and told her he was doing alright and he wanted to know how she was doing, she said 'if you are alright, then I am alright to'. They stood there holding hands, looking at each other and smiling. It just took me back to when they first met and for a moment, it was just those two together as if no one else was around. It happened again and I remember so clearly thanking the good Lord right there and then that I was able to witness this incredible moment and bond that was just meant for them at that very point in time.

Two hours had passed and it was getting close to take off time. During this time, the Mustang had come in a few times and taken right back off, but it flew right over her at a hard angle and it was so thrilling. Unfortunately, that was as close as she ever got to the Mustang that day. They pulled everyone off where the planes were except for those that needed to be there. I told Taylor we could stand there for just one more minute with Larry and then we would have to back up with everyone else so we could watch Nine O Nine fire up and take off. It was then that I saw the disappointment in her eyes, she could have stood out there all night long and wanted to do so! Larry rolled by her and went up and talked to the man that would be flying the 17 for a minute and then he came back to Taylor. He said so seriously, 'I just talked to the pilot and we wanted to know if you would like to go up in her'. Taylor didn't even catch on to what he was saying, she thought he meant the 'boy it sure would be nice huh' kind of way. He said it again and you could slowly start to see it sink in to her, but she was fighting it, she just didn't know what to think. Larry said to her that she was going up. Her jaw literally dropped down and I mean it when I saw it dropped! She looked at me as if she were needing me to clarify. I just started to laugh/cry and told her 'YES YES YES YOU ARE GOING UP'. Her tiny hands flew up around her head and she just kept yelling HOW over and over again. I have never seen her so shocked, ever. Then, I seen something else I hadn't seen her do out of excitement, she started crying! Then, her knees buckled and I had to go up to her, I am serious when I say she was on the verge of blacking out, she was that shocked and that excited. We finally got her to where I thought she was OK and then she just grabbed onto me and held me as tight as she ever has and jumped up and down screaming THANK YOU. I told her it wasn't me, I don't know who was making it possible for her to go flying in her beloved 17, but it wasn't me. She about rung poor Larry's neck when she gave him a hug to!!!!!

Want to know what even made it all the more special? Capt. Jenkins got to go up with her! Now she got to sit up front and poor Capt. was stuck in the back, but they were together and she knew he was there with her. During the flight, they popped a hatch and held her up so her chest and head were sticking out of the plane and she took pictures that way. She got to sit in the bombardiers seat for a while.

When they landed, she got out and had her hand over her mouth, she was still that shocked. She didn't even know what to say! It is 2 days later now and she is still just now trying to comprehend all of it.

On the way home, she did get a bit quiet, the excitement and shock of it all did a number on her, but it was WELL WORTH IT. She talked abit though about being so amazed, I asked about what. She said that sitting there as the plane was flying, she looked back and saw Capt. Jenkins sitting in the back. Then, she looked up front to where his place was and should be, in the pilots area. She said she was amazed because of how Larry's plane was hit and the injuries he sustained, on top of being blinded from the explosion, how he made it out of his seat to where he had to go to stay alive. She said in all earnest, 'mom, it is a miracle'. She is right, an absolute miracle. That got us both to talking, miracles to happen and they happen for a reason. There are many miracles around our family that have come to us because of Taylor.

Lt. Col. Tim Maxwell, a miracle he is alive. A miracle that happened so that he could fight forth and make a difference for thousands of wounded. Cpl. Josh Hoffman, a miracle that he is alive. A miracle that happened so that others may see what he used to be to what he is today, and he still fights and everyone around him is so happy. Sgt. Major Kasal, a miracle he is alive. A miracle happened so that he could save the lives around him and inspire. Capt. Larry Jenkins, WW11 B 17 pilot, a miracle he is alive. A miracle that happened so that he may pass on history as it really happened and a miracle that happened so that he may share special moments as he and Taylor have. GySgt Taylor Batten, a miracle she was even born because of her medical condition, less then 1% even survive birth. A miracle happened so that she could touch the lives of so many and make as much a difference as the many miracles before her. Look around you, how many miracles do you have in your life. Take the time to realize that they are just that, miracles and then do all you can to cherish them. These are just a small example of what we have been surrounded by because of Taylor, there are hundreds more.....

No one will tell us who gave this once in a life time gift to Taylor. I know they are reading this, so I want you to know that you gave her more then just a plane ride. You obviously know her story and you know how important things are to her. You know what matters and what doesn't. You know how giving her soul is even if her body and medical condition don't let her do the things she wants. You know how much she loves Capt. Jenkins and the B17 and you made this happen for her and Larry. Thank you. Your gift will last for a life time. I don't know if you were there to see her reaction to being told she was going, I hope you were. Ed Rossi, Ed Sackley and Roger Jenkins, I am glad you got to share this day with us, thank you!

I can only post 5 pictures at a time, so I am going to be uploading more onto her photobucket site and I will email to those of you that I have your email addresses.

Wounded Warrior, American Hero

Yesterday, once again, Taylor was given a gift. One that can't be found in any store or bought on line for any amount of money. She got to visit a wounded warrior, Joshua Hoffman.

I have sat and tried to think of ways to describe the visit so that it does justice to Joshua and what he has been through. There is no way to do that, other then to speak from the heart.

We didn't know what to expect, or how he would react to having a 'kid' there to visit him. We walked into the apartment and Josh was in the middle of the room with his special chair. Taylor came around to his side, he moved his eyes to focus in on her. I introduced myself first and he nodded, but moved his eyes back to Taylor. She got closer to his side and let out 'Nice to meet you Marine, my name is GySgt Taylor Batten, but that would be GUNNY to you son' Josh's whole face lit up!!!!

It was an incredible visit, because Josh can't speak, but yet, he speaks volumes. He was funny, animated, truthful and a smart ass! He does this through his eyes, face, head movements and his spirit and soul! We were there for 3 hours, but it didn't feel like it, time really flew by and I know that Taylor could have sat along side him all day long.

He got a kick out of her and her famous 'suck it up cupcake' line to the Sgt. she made drop and give her 20 and to sound off like he had a pair. He REALLY liked that.

I was able to tell Josh about Taylor and her health and the things she can't do because of it. I told him of the things she has done though BECAUSE of it. There was one profound moment between the 2 of them when talking about not being able to do things that you want....she told him it flat out sucked and he looked right at her and agreed with his whole being. I have a picture of the two together and it is one of my all time favorites. It is my favorite because here are two people with bodies that will not allow them to do what they want, what they desire. Yet, these two with damaged bodies, have the spirit that will NOT allow those bodies to make them anything less then what they are, warriors. Inspiration is all I kept thinking in watching them together.

You bet he wishes he wasn't in the condition he is in, just the same goes with Taylor. But, they both are taking what they have and they are making it work. They are making themselves be true, hard core, inspirations for all to follow.

They both have to work harder then the average person to do what everyone else takes for granted. They both face not what they thought their lives would be. They both struggle when it is hard to understand why those struggles were given to them. Yet, they both smiled, they both joked, they both love and they both are alive.

Josh has an amazing fiance, Heather. I was awestruck by her love for him. When we walked into that apartment, it was clear the minute we saw her speak to him and take care of him. She loved Josh how he was before and she loves him how he is now. So many people could learn so much from her and him being together. They are what love is about. I am so fortunate that Taylor and I got to spend a day with them and we plan on making a pest of ourselves and becoming a permanent fixture in their life.

I forgot to ask permission to post about how Josh was wounded and his story, if it is alright, I will post here for you all to know just how amazing his story is.

I am going to apologize to Josh right now, one of his pictures, his eyes are closed. I actually took the picture a couple of different times and each time, his eyes just didn't want to agree with the camera. I love the picture though because it captures one of his expressions and believe me when I say this, meeting him and seeing his expressions, left a life time IMPRESSION on Taylor.

Gunny's Veterans Ride

July 12th has come and gone. There was much work to be done in such a little time, often when planning an event, you have a long time to plan, we had only a few months to put together 'Gunny's Veterans Day'.

There was such an outpouring of generosity from donors as far as door prizes and raffles and food to helping out with funding. We are so very grateful for each and every donor.

The weather was not our friend that day, as there were severe storms predicted, starting at the time the ride was to begin all the way to when the 'party' was to start. We watched the radar and there was a nasty line coming our way. We had many phone calls come in to us from friends that were supposed to come from afar and they were not going to come because of how bad the weather looked.

Despite that, we had many people show up and brave what was to come. The riders took off and the wind picked up and it started to drizzle. The band decided to not set up outside just knowing they would be facing certain death if they stayed out. We moved some tables around getting ready for the horrible stuff coming. Guess what? NOTHING CAME!!!!! Every place around us got down pours, but where it was predicted for, it didn't happen. So, we were so happy for that, but so disappointed as well because it stopped many from coming in.

We had great food and the band was WONDERFUL even if many people didn't get to hear them. Many people left with not one prize, but multiple prizes. Most of all, everyone was so generous with giving their money to Taylor to help out her beloved veterans.

We plan on doing this again next year with hopes of it being bigger and better and beautiful weather!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED, WHO CAME AND WHO GAVE! YOU ALL DID A WONDERFUL THING BY HELPING TAYLOR HELP THE VETERANS. I WANT YOU ALL TO REMEMBER THAT BY HELPING TAYLOR DO THIS, YOU HELP HER GET STRONGER AND BRAVER IN FIGHTING HER HEALTH. YOU ALL HELP HER CAUSES AND IT GIVES HER DETERMINATION TO GO ON. WITHOUT YOU, SHE COULDN'T DO THIS.