It has been a few months now since my Dad let go of his time here on Earth. Things haven't changed much......the world is still struggling on a messed up economy and the United States toys with an upcoming presidential election between two men (Obama and Romney) that, perhaps, neither man will be able to straighten out Americas' woes. I'd like to go back in time to 1969 when I returned to Arizona after a five-year stint in the U. S. Coast Guard. My wife, Kathy, and I had our first-born, Mandi Lynn Slater (only about four months old) and had just came back to Phoenix to start the next phase in our lives. (I've entered a photo of Dad and I--taken that summer--into the gallery of this website). First off----my burgeoning family had moved all of our possessions to Billings, Montana from our home in Rhode Island. (The USCG Academy Infirmary in New London, Ct. being my last Coast Guard assignment.) I really had wanted to settle in Montana but things turned out much tougher than we had imagined at first. I had found hospital work in Bozeman but upon a preliminary scouting trip found that there was absolutely no available dwelling for my family. I went to Billings and rented a three-bedroom home with a full basement thinking work wouldn't be hard to find being that Billings was Montanas' largest city. Upon securing a suitable residence I left my car at a friends' ranch near Edgar Montana and flew to JFK airport from Billings to Manhatten. From there I took the New Haven commuter train up to Westerly, R. I. Military arrangements were finalized in setting up a manifest to send our belongings to Billings. My family and I would make the trip in my 1967 Chevy pickup. We reached Billings safely......but finding work was another story. After three months of daily looking and sticking all of the expenses out with the limited savings that we had, we realized Montana wasn't in the cards for us. We were forced to turn to Phoenix where I still had established resident status needed for college entrance requirements. Dad flew up to Billings to lend a helping hand. Besides the Chevy truck, we also had a 1968 Chevy Bel Air Station wagon. Dad took one rig and departed with Kathy and Mandi for Phoenix pulling a rental trailer full of stuff. They had one hairy blowout on the way but managed to sustain successfully. I followed a time later after having stayed behind to wrap up all loose ends in Billings. Dad could always be depended on to help in a crisis and we sure benefited from his assistance. We never asked.......he offered!!! I wish I could bring many of those times up to him again to thank him once more as when I look back he helped in so many instances. We will have a special military service for Dad on Oct. 15th, (2012) in Sierra Vista, Az. at 1PM. This date would have been Dads' 90th birthday. We will make home of Dads' ashes in the Veterans Cemetery on Ft. Huachucha. There will be a color guard on hand to honor you Dad. It should be a worthy tribute. Love, Jimmy.