Quick update

The family thought that we were going to find out about the next steps for Jerry's treatment on Tuesday. The scans that were done last week however did not include the brain so the full assessment for next steps is still 2 weeks away.

The scans that were completed last week did not reveal any spread, so that in and of itself, is good news. Jerry has continued to loose weight and is fighting a bout of pneumonia so perhaps the 2 week wait will allow him time to recover and strengthen.

Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated!

STOP SOPA

To support the STOP SOPA Blackout being conducted today, this will be the only post created here:




I have included the link to wikipedia but they are one of the sites reported to be going offline so you may not view this link today.

Google has a page with information and petition to sign here
https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/

What would happen if this site got shut down?

Get Well Card

Jerry got out from the rehab center to participate in the Brouillard Brunch today. He thoroughly enjoyed it and returned with an over-sized 'get well card' handcrafted by Cassidy (daughter of Heidi on the Brouillard side).



the cover of the card



the greetings on the inside

Jerry, says "Thank you for this card, it made my day!"

Lessons Learned

One of the lessons learned from the recent chapter in Jerry's story has been the importance of water, food and exercise.

1 - Fluids, water in particular, are important to the bodies overall health. Recall your science classes that the body is actually 98% water? There is a good reason for the fluid intake.

2 - Food, good healthy choices are the fuel for the body.  You need energy to do what you do and get around. The energy comes from the food you eat.

3 - Exercise is important. You need to keep moving to stay healthy.

Jerry's Clan - Christmas 2011

Jerry's clan gathered on Wednesday to celebrate our Christmas for 2011. A good time to get some family photos. We went outside to take advantage of the good lighting. It was brisk with a breeze so each family didn't stay long but we did get some good photos.

In order of eldest to youngest, the siblings lined up for their family pictures

Steve's group



Bob's group



Mike's group (missing Kathy)



Eileen's (missing Mike)



Joan's group (missing Frank)



Patti's group



And Jerry's 13 grandkids posing once



and twice



and airborne!



Jerry surrounded by his grandchildren



Jerry surrounded by his kids



Enjoy!

Merry Christmas and a health update

An update on Jerry:

All went well with Jerry's last of the series of scheduled brain radiation treatments on Wednesday morning. The treatment was followed by a meeting with Dr. Hepel, the radiation oncologist.

Dr. Hepel was clearly surprised (in a good way!) how well Jerry has held up through the radiation treatments. He noted that, based on how Jerry was a few weeks ago, he couldn’t see Jerry tolerating anything more than the recent course of treatment. However, from the man who could hardly sit up… to now not arriving in a wheelchair, walking a few times a week, good appetite and eating well, minimal symptoms… he has bounced back much better than Dr. Hepel expected.

They will let Jerry have a couple of weeks to recover and enjoy the holidays. Then their tentative plan is to use radiation and low-dose chemo to treat Jerry’s lungs. Dr. Hepel says that he can see the two specific areas to treat in the lungs, and that they haven’t seen tumors outside the brain and lungs. He said that in a hopeful tone. He didn’t say it directly, but we can infer that radiation for the lungs is now a part of the lung treatment plan because he tolerated the brain radiation better than expected.

Enjoy the holidays!

Brouillard's Christmas (video)

The Brouillard's extended family gathered for their annual Christmas party featuring a special appearance by Santa Claus.



Enjoy!

Lunch with Jerry And Pat

Jerry attended the recent MARINE Birthday Ball.  He was introduced to Placido "Pat" Femino a Combat Engineer with the 5thMARDIV.  

Jerry said that he'd like to have lunch and spend some time with Pat.  Thanks to Ed Malloy and Paul DiPalma that meeting came together yesterday.

I picked up Jerry and then drove over to North Providence and picked up Pat.  Several choices were thrown out for lurch and we settled on Blackies on Rte.  116 in Smithfield.

Jerry and Pat were pretty happy to see each other.  The initial meet and greet was emotional for an outsider.  Two seemingly older Gentleman  who have mellowed with age.  The years were torn by back to a simpler time when life was defined in moments of survival in close combat.  They gave each other the Warrior Abrazo.  

The one thing I realized is that both of these guys have a keen sense of humor and you can quickly become the target of buffoonery by either. 

Carl Weston stopped in and he quickly became a target of Pat.  Carl had a previous engagement but sat in for a beer with these two Elder Statesmen of the MARINE CORPS veterans of RI.  Before Carl left Pat engaged in alittle buffoonery at Carl's expense.   Carl and I will be chuckling over that one for some time.

Pat and Jerry spoke of there times in the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and of time spent on Iwo.  Jerry and Pat both spent approx 37 days on Iwo and spoke of the only Banzai attack which took place on the Airfield at the end of the campaign.  They spoke of Harry Kizirian another MARINE from Rhode Island.  Both recounted meeting Harry Kizirian on different occaisions.

Pat travelled back to the US via aircraft and ended up at landing at Logan and then up to the Portsmouth Naval Yard.  Jerry as you may know came back by troopship and across the USA by train.  Ending up in Bainbridge, MD.

They spoke of the Bomb being dropped and the end of the War.  Mustering out and their experiences with doctors and young 90 Day Wonders.  Most of the officers stateside had very little clue what these men had experienced.

Pat and Jerry both have six children.  Three boys and three girls as they both said in stereo!

When we were leaving  Blackies a young man approached them.  He said," I want to thank you for your service.  I saw your Jacket and just wanted to say thanks."  Pat was wearing a windbreaker with the Flag Raisers embroidered on the back.  Both Pat and Jerry had Iwo Covers on. Pat immediately introduced the young man to Jerry'  "Please meet my friend Jerry who was also on on Iwo Jima."

The young man shook hands and reiterated his thanks to both MARINES.  Pat said to Jerry;  "Jerry this makes it all worth it doesn't it!"  Jerry replied with a grin; "It sure does."  I hesitate in putting this to words but the moment was defined by both Pat and Jerry getting quiet.  Giving each other a knowing look...  I  have watched the interviews of vets like Dick Winters, Babe Heffron, and Bill Guarnere they get quiet when remembering things long ago.  The jaw lines become taught and the eyes take a set.  I've noticed it is a common occurrence.  It will pass quickly and they move forward.

I don't care to describe anything else as it was a moment of reverence.  We all moved to the vehicle and the talk moved to politicians and things typically Rhode Island. 

Pat and Jerry

We were met back at Pat's home by his son Leon.  Leon was introduced to Jerry and I.

Jerry and Pat have agreed to meet in the future.

There is nothing particularly glorious about sweaty fellows, laden with killing tools, going along to fight. And yet — such a column represents a great deal more than 28,000 individuals mustered into a division. All that is behind those men is in that column, too: the old battles, long forgotten, that secured our nation... traditions of things endured and things accomplished, such as regiments hand down forever; and the faith of men and the love of women; and that abstract thing called patriotism... all this passes into the forward zone, to the point of contact, where war is girt with horrors. And common men endure these horrors and overcome them, along with the insistent yearnings of the belly and the reasonable promptings of fear; and in this, I think, is glory.
Fix Bayonets! by Capt John W. Thomasen, Jr., USMC

Jerry and some of his grandchildren

When Jerry's grandchildren took a couple of minutes to pose on the Thanksgiving weekend, this was one of the results.



Jerry, don't think your cap would pass muster that way!

Health update - 2

Further tests to confirm the initial diagnosis have been completed. We just received word that Jerry will be starting radiation treatment for a tumor on his brain on Thursday, Dec 8th.

Jerry is approaching this treatment in true Marine fashion, there is no retreat, just forward motion.

Brunch at Fish Tale

After a real meal meal and conversation at Lenny and Joe's Fish Tale Restaurant in Westbrook, CT we stopped for a walk along the breakwater.

You can share what we saw





As you can hear, the wind was strong and covered up most of what Ray, AL and I said.

236th Marine Corps Birthday Dinner

Happy Birthday Devil Dogs.
10 NOV 1775 TUN Tavern in the city of Brotherly Love the Marine Corps was formed.

MARINES all over the Globe celebrated in high form on this night.

Places like Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and in every place where an American Embassy sits the MARINES celebrated.

In Rhode Island one distinguished group of MARINES celebrated at the Alpine Country Club. The Task Force is headed by Ed Malloy and assisted by Carl Weston, James Smith, Dan Cunningham and that legendary Marine Infantryman and Providence Police Officer Steve Cileli.

Steve as you may recall is the MARINE who started taking Jerry to the Birthday Dinner and brought him on board for the first time. Few of Jerry's children and grandchildren understand the ROCK STAR status that Jerry has with his fellow MARINES. Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima.
Scenes of some of the fiercest close quarters combat that catapulted the US MARINES CORPS into history. Jerry came through although he lost some good friends. You have to watch as an observer the reverence that is shown to Jerry and guys like Placido " Pat" Femino of the 5th MARDIV.

Brianna Moody picked up Papa yesterday to run errands and then brought him to the residence to get ready. Brianna presented Jerry with a MARINE Corps tie adorned with the EGA's
in gold of course, on a blue background. ( Special thanks to the Marine Corps Museum Store for getting it here ASAP.)
Jerry tied it on and remarked" Oh Yes this makes it!" The requisite pictures were taken with Brianna and Jerry's daughter Joan. Then off to the Alpine Country Club.

Upon arrival, Jerry was greeted by MARINE Task Force Leader Ed Malloy. Ed was busy making last minute adjustments and greeting all MARINES.     Marine Steve Cileli got Jerry squared away immediately with admission details. Jerry is always excited to see Steve and counts him in his inner circle of MARINES.

MARINE Paul DiPalma let Jerry know that a fellow veteran of Iwo Jima would be
joining Jerry at the table of honor. Jerry was getting tickets for the raffle and ran into Paul Chalko, retired Providence Police Lieutenant. Paul is a veteran of the Chosin Resevoir and was with Jack Mainor where both were wounded.

A Navy Corpsman recovered them both and sent them south when the MARINES
turned around and advanced through the CHICOM Army and broke out. Both Paul and Jack were severely wounded but survived to lead successful lives and raise families.

We miss Jack Mainor to this day.

Paul DiPalma escorted Jerry to his table and then brought over Placido "Pat" Femino of the the 5th MARDIV. Pat and Jerry immediately fell in to animated conversation.

Several MARINES came over and said hello to Jerry and Pat. Jose Pineda and his brother along with Dave Perez, a new comer to the Dinner.   Jose and David are both Providence Police Officers.

Another Devil Dog Came over.  Eric Cuellar celebrates his own birthday today!  Eric is a Providence Police Officer and veteran of Iraq. Eric posed for a picture with Jerry and Pat. 

Marine James Smith stopped by and checked in on Jerry as well.  Jim kidded Jerry about his full head of hair. Jerry has quite a few of us beat.

Intelligence reports that Jerry passed on his salad but polished off his Scrod.

The cake was then cut by the oldest Marine 93 year young Colonel and the youngest Marine.

Dinner was followed by guest speaker Col. Theodore Gatchell USMC (RET.) two tours in the Republic of Viet Nam and Professor Emeritus at the Naval War College.

The Commandants Message was played.  Jerry and Pat were reported to be very excited.  The message linked the similarity in attacks on Pearl Harbor and the AQ attack on America on 9/11 and how motivated Marines responded.  Historical video from WWII and current MARINE COMBAT Operations in South West Asia kept everyone capitvated. 

The raffle took place, conducted by Carl Weston.

Ed Malloy called the roll of honor for MARINES who passed away over the year.

Then Marine Piper Manny Soares piped out the Colors with the MARINE CORPS Hymn.  Marine Bob Boehm was to play as well but fell ill and reported to sick bay.   (Bob had surgery and is up and well.  Jerry wanted to stop in and see him but it was alittle hectic. )

Once again Jerry had an outstanding time. His wry wit was on rapid fire according to Eric Cuellar.
 
 Jerry and his fellow MARINES sang the Marine Corps Hym at the end of the night.  It was a rousing chorus and a final OOORAAAAHHHH.   Check out the video link.

There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy.
Everyone else has a second-hand opinion.

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