First Degree

A ceremony of great pride took place on June 15, 2009 in Athens, Georgia. Greg obtained his Associate Degree in Automotive Technology.

The milestone he has reached enabled him to find a job this summer – something that many of his peers have not been able to do. He is working at Akins Ford, a large dealership in Athens and enjoying every minute of it.

This fall he will be continuing his studies toward a more advanced degree in Business Administration. Greg will eventually have an education that will prepare him for either a blue collar or a white collar career – something that may prove invaluable in these tough economic times since it is difficult to outsource automotive repair to India or Taiwan.

While talking about all of the activities associated with graduation, we suddenly realized that Greg is the first member of our family to achieve a degree beyond high school. His dad went to OSU for 2 ½ years. His grandfather was drafted into WW II while a senior and came back to finish in Buffalo, WV. His grandmother graduated from Point Pleasant High School and immediately went to work in Columbus, Ohio. None of Greg's great-grandparents were fortunate enough to have had a high school degree - a luxury that many, if not most, could not afford in those days - especially in the hills of West Virginia.

Just writing this made me realize how important it is these days to have a more advanced education. Doors do not open in today's world as easily as they have opened in the past when it was possible to have a successful career built by on-the-job training, hard work, and above average achievement.

Congratulations, Greg, for achieving this milestone. Our entire family is very proud of you!

Say Hello To Teddy

Sometimes it's just impossible to resist big brown eyes and freckles – especially when they're staring at you soulfully, hoping you'll be the one to come to their rescue.

The youngest Atkins boy sprang a big surprise on everyone a week or so ago when he showed up with Teddy.

In spite of all our warnings about choosing a dog that doesn't require monthly grooming and doesn't have long floppy ears prone to yeast infections, he just couldn't resist rescuing Teddy from a cage. His reasoning was that Teddy had been there for a while and Greg didn't know how long they were going to keep him. After all, he's four months old and getting older.

So here is Teddy, learning to live in a human household with lots of help from Greg and Scott, lovingly assisted by Hannah. What does Star think? Stay tuned for her reaction.

What is Memorial Day?

Today is Memorial Day.

To many, it is a long weekend around which to plan picnics and vacations. The president places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, now called the Tomb of the Unknowns. There are still a few parades and ceremonies to be found, usually not so well attended. Many people forget the real purpose of this holiday but the Atkins family never will.

Memorial Day has special meaning in our family because the senior Atkins boy witnessed, first hand, the deaths of many brave men when he took part in the landing in France during World War II. It is something he doesn't talk about a lot but when asked whether the movie, Saving Private Ryan, was an accurate depiction of what took place, the answer was yes. When asked what he remembered most he didn't hesitate. He said it was the smell. The activity did not end as the surviving soldiers advanced inland. And, yes, the Navy went ashore too. One doesn't easily forget an experience like that.

Carl was on a landing craft during those terrible days. Their main job was to deliver soldiers and equipment to the beaches and to take on German prisoners as they were captured. The German officers tried to commit suicide by jumping overboard and were promptly shot. Such are the realities of war. Memories like this do not go away.

We are blessed with a grandson who never forgets to honor his grandfather on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. He is mindful of the sacrifices that were made. Here you see Greg and Carl displaying the Navy flag that Greg presented to him this year.

Memorial Day. A day to remember those who didn't live to come home and have a grandson like Greg.