10th May 1955

All those years ago my Alan began employment with Her Majesty the Queen. As did all 18 year old young men in England.
He began his National Service in York, England.


This handsome picture made my girlish heart flutter (it still does)

Which one of us was robbing the cradle? Probably Alan he was 7 months older than me. :o)



After a spell in Egypt and a Mediterrean "cruise" courtesy of Her Majesty, and his regiment being posted to Northern Ireland, he came out of the Army with 2 stripes. And we began our life together in Belfast. :o)



The rest is history.

A very interesting and eventful history.

He Could be President of the United States of America!!!!!!!!

....because he was born in Utah on September 12 1963. And because we had emigrated to Utah in October of 1962 I refer to him as "our first born in the wilderness" :o) Alan several times wished he had been born in Britain and this qualifying to be President, was his consolation prize.
He was born in Bountiful, Utah on a Thursday. And according to the rhyme Thursday's child has far to go. And he has travelled far. He and Tara went to Northern Ireland last year
He is the only one who has moved out of State, Nevada, Arizona and California. And much as I prefer my kids to stay close to home he has nevertheless given us lots of opportunities to explore other places. He went to the Philippines on his mission (I wanted him to go to Britain, but then VicVic would not be part of our family) and has travelled back there three more times. In High School he was the only one of the children who participated in so many school programs. He represented Viewmont in running, golf, swim team, band and was very talented in Radio and TV. He created a video that was used in the "U" journalism program, and when he went to an interview there the teacher showed him this video and said this was the standard they were looking for. Alan told him he made the demo. :o) He also graduated from the University of Utah. He worked at Channel 4 before his mission and at Channel 5 after his mission. He works in the TV industry and is a TV News anchor in Chico, CA. He is very adventuresome and when he moves into a new area he is quick to become acquainted with the roads. He has climbed the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge, and loves the ocean.
He has had adversity in his life but is the better man for it. He is loving and kind and loves to be with his siblings. He loves the Lord, he loves his parents, oh, and he loves Dick's bread

His family is important to him. He is Marivic's number one fan. They love each other and their children.
He is a good man and we love him. Happy Birthday son, and many more

F.A. Cup (or England's Super Bowl)

This is the oldest Football tournament in the world. It started in 1872. It is a knockout format. Every team from the Premier League teams to the lower league teams are in the running. All of the teams are represented by a number, the numbers are placed in a bag and two numbers are pulled and these are the teams that play against each other. Often the lower league teams play against the Premier teams and can give the premier team a scare.Well today was the "match". Everton a Northern team against Chelsea a Southern team. Alan was cheering for Everton, unfortunately they didn't win although they did score a goal in the FIRST minute.
Lesley and Lilian came at separate times towards the end of the "match" and thought it was "tender" that Dad had his friends come to watch with him, I made them breakfast. Well, "kickoff" was 8 o'clock in the morning.


Alan has always played football(soccer)and at 15 was the captain of his school team. When we came to Utah he played every Saturday with various teams locally.(not all at the same time!)In his mind he is still playing. A definite case of "the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."
Back in 1987 we went on a trip to England and visited "WEMBLEY STADIUM" which is "sacred" ground to football lovers. We took a tour of the grounds and the guide turned on the "sound" of the crowd's roar as we emerged from the "tunnel". (brought tears to our eyes). And at the end we took the walk and climbed the stairs to receive "THE CUP" (a replica of course) As the crowd roared (again) Alan kissed the CUP and held it up for the fans to see. Every English schoolboy's dream. It was a pilgrimage.

Another this date in history segment...

On this date in history, May 10th 1955, Alan reported for his National Service to Imphal Barracks, York England, the home of the 1st Batt. West Yorkshire Regiment. For the next three years he was in the service of Her Majesty The Queen. He was in York for 16 weeks for basic training. At the end of this time his Regiment was stationed in Omagh, Co. Tyrone Northern Ireland, just about 80 miles from Belfast where a certain Irish girl lived. ME!!!

Just ask me....were we happy? our answer was, (as they say in Yorkshire,) "were we what?"

He was later transferred to Palace Barracks five miles from my home. He was later transferred to Ballykinlar about 25 miles away. Later he served in Egypt, and was then stationed in Colchester in Essex.

In April of 1958 he was finished with active service, and came home to Belfast. The rest is history, known or unknown.