This post is a couple of weeks late. On 5/11/2025, our family celebrated Mother’s Day. We had dinner at Amanda and Will’s home.

Of all the blessings in my life, there is nothing I am more grateful for than my mom, my wife, and my daughters.

My father is a Vietnam Veteran. I have written about his experience in Vietnam in my blog post:

Jerry's Journey to Vietnam and Return Home

On April 30, 2025, my father and I embarked on a poignant journey known as the Flight of Honor. The mission of this remarkable organization is to celebrate veterans by inviting them to partake in a day honoring them at the nation's memorials in Washington, D.C.. For those interested in learning more, additional information can be found here: Flight of Honor.

The Journey Begins

We arrived at the airport early, around 5:50 AM, and were met with an impressive level of organization and warmth. The atmosphere was uplifting, as:

• A girls' choir performed the national anthem
• A voice teacher gave a heartfelt rendition of "God Bless America"
• A brigadier general welcomed everyone, adding to the sense of honor and respect

Our flight included 100 veterans, each accompanied by a guardian, totaling an equal number. The role of the guardian is crucial; we are there to ensure the safety of our veterans while providing companionship and support to enhance their experience. It was a privilege for me to serve as my father's guardian during this significant day.

Visiting the Memorials

By approximately 10:15 AM, our plane touched down in Washington, D.C., and our bus tour commenced at 11:00 AM, with our first destination being the World War II Memorial. Among the group were three veterans who had bravely served during World War II.

Throughout the day, we visited several iconic landmarks that are not only beautiful but steeped in history:

• World War II Memorial
• Korean War Memorial
• Vietnam War Memorial
• Marine Corps Memorial
• Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
• Arlington National Cemetery
• Lincoln Memorial
• Washington Monument

Each site was an unforgettable experience that honored those who have served our country.

The Vietnam War Memorial

April 30, 1975, marked the fall of Saigon, a pivotal moment in history. On the eve of that day, April 29, 1975, the song "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" played to signal the evacuation of American personnel from Vietnam.

The day of our trip happened to fall on the 50th anniversary of that event. Many Vietnamese individuals expressed their gratitude to my father for his service during the war. Several asked to have pictures taken with my dad, including this Vietnamese woman who became tearful as she thanked my dad for his service in Vietnam.

During this poignant occasion, my father visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. A park ranger helped him create a rubbing of his late friend, Michael K. Thompson, a helicopter pilot who lost his life in Vietnam.

The trip was truly memorable. My father and I cherished our shared moments together, with one of the most impactful experiences being his visit to the Vietnam memorial.

I recall a family vacation to Washington D.C. in the 1980s when I was around 14 years old. Initially, my impression of the Vietnam Memorial was not favorable; I found it rather stark and felt it didn't adequately honor the sacrifices of Vietnam Veterans.

Critics have described the memorial as "a black gash of shame and sorrow," pointing out its lack of grandeur compared to other memorials. Perhaps its simplicity is precisely what makes it a fitting tribute to an unpopular war and serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by returning Veterans. The wall bears the names of over 58,000 servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Preparing for the Journey

Our trip involved considerable walking. When I applied to be a guardian for my father, a nurse from Flight of Honor asked if I was prepared for the physical demands of pushing him in a wheelchair. To prepare, I dedicated myself to regular exercise for five weeks leading up to our journey. Pushing my dad up the ramp at the Lincoln Memorial was quite a workout.

Giving Back to Veterans

We returned to Washington D.C. airport around 6 PM, where Arby's generously provided lunch and dinner for our group. The franchise owner has been a long-time supporter of Flight of Honor, and we are grateful for individuals like him who contribute to this noble cause.

A special aspect of our trip is known as "mail call," which aims to recreate the experience of receiving letters while serving in the military. My father received numerous letters from friends, family, and community organizations expressing their support for Veterans on this journey. He was genuinely touched and uplifted by their kind words.

A Warm Welcome Home

Upon arriving at Greensboro airport, we anticipated a warm welcome for our flight. I was taken aback by the large turnout. People of all ages were there to greet and honor the Veterans in our group.

This experience with Flight of Honor was truly unforgettable. I'm glad my dad and I were able to spend the special day together. While we enjoyed the trip, we were also glad to return home and appreciated our family greeting us and patiently waiting for us to deplane.

Flight of Honor was a great experience for my dad. I'm so glad I was able to go with him. I'm also glad our family was able to celebrate the experience with us.

In the News

Here is a recent news story about the trip.

Happy Easter 2025. Julie and I enjoyed the Easter service at Kernersville Wesleyan Church. We attend the service at 8:30 am, which is a traditional service.

After church, Julie spent most of the day preparing a delicious meal for dinner. Our girls were able to join us, but Amanda's husband, Will, was not feeling well, so he was not able to come. My mom and dad had dinner with us. I am glad our family was able to be together.

We enjoyed celebrating my mom’s birthday with her a few days ago. My mom is very kind and loving. We didn’t do anything fancy for her birthday, but she said several times about how much she enjoyed her birthday.

We enjoyed family dinner and some time together. Just that simple celebration made her happy.

My family enjoyed celebrating my dad's birthday earlier this month. Next year, he will be 80. We had a nice dinner and cake and enjoyed spending time together.

He has been visiting my brother in Montana for the past week. He will be home soon. I'll look forward to hearing about his trip.

We are grateful for another good year. We live in a multigenerational household with our youngest daughter, Emily, and Dave's parents, Jerry and Rita. We are glad our family can be together and enjoy sharing meals and holidays.

Julie continues to work in the capacity of a rural carrier at the local post office. She has found it rewarding to serve her community and get to know her neighbors. This is the busy season for the delivery folks and many people find it convenient to order online.

Julie reached a milestone birthday this past November, turning 60. She was diagnosed with breast cancer early in 2024 and had surgery and completed radiation treatment in April 2024. The doctors have given her good reports post-treatment. In February 2025, she will have a return visit with her oncologist and is hopeful for another good report.

Dave is a psychologist at the Department of Veterans Affairs. He works in the primary care department with the physicians and nurses. When a primary care team believes a patient may benefit from mental health treatment, Dave provides care the same day. For many patients, brief therapy will meet the need. For patients with more complex needs, Dave will connect them with the mental health department.

Dave has been much healthier this year than the past few years. He started bicycling this summer. The climate in NC is mild and bicycling is a fun hobby.

Amanda and Will have been married for 3 years. They live about 20 minutes away from us. Will has recently sold his business. He continues to provide consultation for the new owner. Amanda is an attorney and works remotely for a law firm that is based in New York. Amanda had a work conference in Italy this year. She and her husband were able to spend some vacation time there after the conference and had a great time.

Emily is single and lives with us. She currently works for Goodwill Industries. She is considering career options. She applied for a job at a nuclear power plant and was hired, but is still waiting for HR to finish the hiring process. It is a secure facility and has a very complex hiring process. If that job does not work out, she is considering a career in aviation fabrication.

Dave's parents, Jerry and Rita, visit Matt and Katherine (Dave's brother and sister-in-law) in Montana a few times per year. They also visit family in Michigan, but don't travel often. Dave's dad stays busy with home renovation projects and his mom enjoys staying in touch with loved ones and visiting them when she can. They both enjoy playing with their 3 Great Pyranees dogs.

As 2024 draws to a close, I reminisce about the past few years. Christmas is a wonderful time of year for me. I look forward to it each year. My earliest memories are enjoying the love of my family and extended family at Christmas. My extended family would father on Christmas Eve. The children would perform a Christmas play and then we would open presents. Normally, my cousins Lee Ann and Tammy would pass the presents out.

The past few years have included many blessings. Julie and I celebrated our 25th anniversary in 2021. Amanda got married in 2021. My parents celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2019. There have been challenges as well.

Troy Pence passed away in 2019. Larry and Sheli Spriggs both passed away in 2021. Don Pence and Liz Pence both died in 2023. Paul Pence, my last living uncle, died in 2024. My last surviving aunt, Ann Pence, and my parents, Jerry and Rita Spriggs, are the final members of their generation in our family.

I'm sad that these loved ones are no longer living. I am grateful for the memories. I am also grateful for the loved ones I am blessed with and the time we have now.

Today was a wonderful day. I enjoyed spending time with my mom and dad, my daughters, my son-in-law, and my wife. We had a delicious meal. It was good to just be together. I wish my brother and sister-in-law could have joined us. Hopefully, we will celebrate some day soon.

We have a tradition in which each person spends a few moments sharing gratitude. We have so much to be thankful for that each of us could speak a long time and not accurately describe how blessed we are.

I traveled to Michigan to attend Paul Royce Pence's funeral on 9/19/2024. My mom and dad made the trip together. It was a sad occasion, but we were grateful to spend some time with family.

Paul was my last living uncle. It has been sad to say goodbye to all of them. Growing up, Paul attended all my birthday parties and important events, including my high school and college graduation. He read the scripture when Julie and I were married and when he finished reading I Corinthians 13, he asked the Lord to bless our marriage. I enjoyed talking with Paul about his memories of growing up in West Virginia.

Here is his obituary, which I copied from the Palmer-Bush Funeral Home webiste.

It is with great sadness that the family of Paul R Pence of Holt, MI announce his passing on Friday, September 13, 2024, at the age of 93.

Born in Charleston, West Virginia, Paul was the eldest child of Clifford and Ruth Pence. They lived in Campbells Creek, where his father began working in the coal mines at age 15. Despite the hardships, Paul and his siblings had a wonderful and happy life roaming the hills and hollers of West Virginia and he was very proud of his roots. 

Paul was the first in his family to finish high school and was the first to attend college. At Olivet Nazarene College he met the love of his life, Elisabeth, and forged many lifelong friendships. Paul also served two years in the US Army during the Korean War, stationed at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. 

Paul and Elisabeth were married in college and were together for 66 years. After graduation, they moved to Michigan, to begin teaching careers for the Lansing School District. Paul earned his Master’s degree in Special Education from Michigan State University and was faculty at Lansing Sexton HS for 30 years. 

Retiring in his early fifties, Paul immersed himself in his enjoyment of the outdoors, and happily invited many friends to the hunting cabin for fall deer season on the Pence Family acreage. Deer hunting was ritual for the Pence men and not to be missed. He was a four season fisherman, summers on the Au Sable River and the beautiful lakes of Michigan and ice fishing in winters. He treasured spending time with family and friends, raising huge vegetable gardens, freely sharing excess bounties with his neighborhood. Every summer he invited church friends Up North to his summer cottage for canoeing, cook outs, campfires and fellowship. 

His faith was his center, and he worshiped through singing hymns and by being a valuable member of his church choir. He was blessed with a beautiful resonate voice, and often was a soloist or part of duets and trios. Paul was an amazing friend, and if he was teasing you, you knew he liked you. He had a memory for detail and was a keen storyteller. He treasured his friendships and was a devoted father and husband. 

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Ruth Pence; wife, Elisabeth and brothers, Don (Carolyn) Pence and Troy Pence.

He is survived by his sister, Rita (Jerry) Spriggs; sister-in-law, Anna Pence; children, James Pence and Tamara (Carl) Phillips; grandson, Griffin Phillips. He is also survived by numerous extended family in Michigan and North Carolina. 

Funeral Services will be held, Thursday, September 19, 2024, 11:00 AM at the Lansing South Church Of The Nazarene with Michael Garza officiating. Interment will take place, Thursday, September 19, 2024, 2:30 PM at Maple Ridge Cemetery in Holt, MI. The family will receive relatives and friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Donations can be made to Hospice of Lansing in his memory. The family is being served by the Palmer, Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Home, Holt Chapel. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.palmerbush.com.

Our family was able to enjoy dinner together on Father's Day, 6/16/2024. We went to Bleu's Restaurant in Winston-Salem, which is one of my dad's favorite places to eat. I'm grateful for another moment to share with my girls and my dad.

Julie and I went to Michigan to attend Troy David Pence's open house on 6/15/2024. We are happy for him that he has graduated from high school. He plans to attend a distance learning program at Olivet Nazarene University.

We were only able to stay on Friday on Saturday. Julie and I both had to work on Monday morning. Even though it was a brief trip, we enjoyed seeing our family. One of the things I enjoyed while growing up was spending time with my cousins. Including my brother, Matt, and me, there are 8 of us. Only 4 of us were together at the same time during this trip.

The last time I recall all 8 of us being together was probably at a Christmas party in 1982.

I hope we can have a family reunion--not just for our generation, but for our extended family. It would be challenging to find a time and place that would accommodate us all, but a lot of fun if we could make it happen.

Emily, Julie and I went on vacation to Charleston, South Carolina from 5/4/2024 through 5/8/2024. We had a wonderful time together. Julie finished radiation therapy the last week of April. Her prognosis is very good with a less than 8% lifetime chance that cancer could recur.

We rented a house in a quiet neighborhood about 30 minutes from downtown Charleston. We planned our visit through a program called "tourpass". You can choose a number of days and then see activities that can be visited multiple times and others that can be visited once per day. We enjoyed all of attractions and would like to return for another visit.

We saw the H.L. Hunley, a Civil War submarine, that sank in Charleston Harbor. It was the first known combat sub to have successfully attacked a ship during war.

We took 2 historical tours of Charleston and both were interesting. The carriage tour was my favorite. The guide shared some of the notable personalities and events of Charleston. During the Antebellum period, Charleston was the wealthiest city in the U.S., due to high profits from farming rice.

Magnolia Gardens used to be a rice plantation. It is the oldest public garden in the U.S.. We saw the flowers, buildings, and wildlife. We went to a presentation called "From Slavery to Freedom" that discussed the history of enslaved people working in rice fields. The plantation was ruined during the Civil War and couldn't be used for rice farming anymore because the rice fields were damaged. Rice farming never returned to South Carolina. The beautiful gardens were planted in the 1840s and have been visited by the public since 1870.

It was a memorable and fulfilling vacation. I'm glad Julie, Emily and I were able to enjoy the time together.

Today is my mom’s 80th birthday. Julie and I enjoyed having dinner with her and my dad to celebrate. Emily and her friend Haley were able to join us.

My mom has had health challenges in recent years, but continues to be very loving and kind. She has impacted many friends and family members through her caring.

I am so grateful for her.

Julie had surgery to treat breast cancer on 2/13/2024 and today was her first post-op appointment. We did not know what the prognosis or treatment would be until the pathology report was available.

The doctor gave us wonderful news. There is no evidence that the cancer has spread. She has a very good prognosis. She will need some follow-up treatment, but will not need chemotherapy. Her doctor told us that this is an excellent prognosis.

We celebrated my dad's birthday on 2/1/2024. It was good for our family to be together and to see my mom and dad enjoy a happy moment.

Today is not a typical Valentine’s Day, but Julie and I are glad to be together. It is a blessing to be in love.

Julie had surgery to treat breast cancer on 2/13/2024. We were at the hospital from 7:50am to nearly 6pm. She was nauseous after the surgery, so the nurse gave her some anti-nausea medication and she slept a little longer. She is having a good day so far today.

We have a follow up appointment on 2/21/2024. The doctor should have the results of the pathology report by then. If he has sufficient information, we will know more about her prognosis and future treatments.

We like her surgeon. His name is Dr. Levine and he has a good sense of humor. He is very experienced and a scholar in the area of breast cancer.

Julie won’t be able to drive or lift anything, so I’ll be staying home with her for about a week. We have a very supportive family. My parents and our daughters will be helping, and our youngest daughter, Emily, is going to stay with us for a few weeks, starting this Thursday.

While we can’t celebrate Valentine’s Day by going out or doing an activity, I’m grateful we can be together and focus on each other.

Our first date was at the Olive Garen in late Spring of 2015. We enjoyed an early Valentine's Day dinner tonight. Julie will be having surgery on Tuesday of next week and will need a few weeks to recover.

My favorite Christmas photo this year.

Here are some photos of our family’s time together during Christmas 2023.

Christmas 2023

The Spriggs family enjoying Julie’s birthday dinner

Dave and Julie are grateful for the blessings of 2023. We are grateful for fulfilling work. Julie works as a mail carrier for the post office and Dave is a psychologist at the Department of Veterans Affairs. We are grateful that we have both had good health in 2023. We are grateful for our family.

Amanda’s Graduation Picture

Amanda graduated from Wake Forest Law School and passed the bar exam. She has been living in Winston-Salem, NC and working for a law firm in New York. It may turn into a permanent position, but she may also need to find another job and may need to relocate. Her husband, Will, sold his business in 2023, which is a great achievement.

Emily was recently hired as part of the grounds crew at a nuclear power plant. She is looking forward to starting her new job. She lives in New York. She is engaged to Marshall who works at the power plant. We plan to visit Emily this coming Spring.

Julie brought home two additional rescue dogs this year. She found Duke by the Duke Power Plant. She found Deacon (we call him”Deacon”) on her way home from work. We now have 3 rescue dogs, including our beagle-dachshund mix that we have had for about 11 years. She doesn’t plan to bring any more dogs home.

Lux

Deac

Duke

We are reminded of God’s goodness and mercy each day, and especially at Christmas. We look forward to what 2024 has in store.

– Dave and Julie Spriggs

Here is a brief video of our Thanksgiving Dinner. We also celebrated Julie's birthday and Marshall's birthday.

It was a wonderful meal to celebrate Julie’s birthday, and we also had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I’m especially thankful for my family.