Veterans Day  / Rosemary Sis Of ^j^ Alvin Cremeans

Thank you Danny for serving your country proudly.
God bless your family & God bless America.
Rosemary
sis of ^j^ Alvin Cremeans

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The baby bumble bee  / Sue Cabello (Danny's Mom )

My heart feels ready to explode! There you were. A light blue shirt. About 4 or 5 years old. Singing for me and your Grandma Irma.

While singing the song you had your little hands cupped together, like you had something inside.

I'm bringing home my baby bumble bee,
Won't my mama be so proud of me.
I'm bringing home my baby bumble bee,
OUCH! It stung me!

Then you started to rub your hands together singing,

I'm squishing up my baby bumble bee,
Won't my mama be so proud of me,
I'm squishing up my baby bumble bee,

Then you opened your hands and looked down at them and said,

"OOOO, it's all over. "

After that you started to wipe your hands on the legs of your pants, saying,

I'm wiping off my baby bumble bee,
won't my mama be so proud of me,
I'm wiping off my baby bumble bee,

Then you looked up with a smile on your face, held your hands up and said,

Look! It's all gone!.

This was one of the first songs you learned. They taught it to you in Headstart. You loved to sing that song to us, and many many times you sang that song with your Grandma Irma.

This is a memory, I had forgotten, until you brought it to me last night. Thank you Danny. And I want you to know that yes I am proud of you. I always have been, and I always will be. Your the best most loving Son a Mom could have. Because even though your not here on this earth with me, you still find a way to be in my life, to be a part of my life, to make me feel your presence. You still find a way to share with me. Even though you no longer live here on earth, you are still an active part of my life. You are not gone. I feel you here. That is the only way I've found to cope. Never leave me MY Son. I love you, I love you. Mom





 
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Happy Holloween  / BETH Dickerson (Jimmy's Mom )
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A walk at the lake.  / Sue Cabello (Danny's Mom )

I went to the lake this morning to walk. It’s been months since I last walked at the lake. I think things are little more peaceful, now that the wedding is over with, I feel more relaxed and at peace. While I was walking, I noticed the beautiful fall colors. Lots of yellow and red leaves drifting about. There are a group of boys having a camp out this weekend. Probably, because it’s Columbus day weekend, and they have an extra day out of school and parents have an extra day from work. There are boys of all ages, it looks like. I saw young boys about 8 or 9, in uniforms. Maybe they are boy scouts. And there are also older boys, that are probably in high school. It was nice to look and see all of the tents put up around the grassy areas. There are big tents, little tents, blue tents, yellow tent, old army tents,. It’s really very festive there. As I was walking around the back side of the lake, I saw 4 deer walking down the gravel path straight towards me. It’s the first time I think I’ve ever been that close to a deer. They weren’t afraid of me at all. There was one bigger deer and 3 smaller ones, not baby deer, but just smaller than the other one. They stood and watched me as I walked closer, and then when I was almost there, they walked off slowing into the tall grass and then turned around and watched me some more. As I continued to walk around the Lake I saw the swans again. I had noticed them earlier, and I thought I saw three swans, and was wondering why there were three. I had always heard that swans mate for life, and I generally notice them in pairs. But as I got closer to the swans I saw that there are two couples. There were four swans. So in my mind I like to think that two of the swans are the swans from last year that I used to watch, but now they either have two friends that they share the lake with, or else it might be two of the babies I used to see. I don’t really think it’s two of the babies, because the babies have to go off and have their own life. I really think that there are two couples now sharing the lake. There are a few ducks still there, but nothing like I used to see. Those bothersome ducks honking loudly and bothering the swans. All in all it was a very peaceful walk around the lake today. In my mind, as I walked, I had a conversation with you my Son, much like I’m doing now. I just like to write down the conversations we have some times. Because I like to go back and read them sometimes. They give me happy memories. I love you Danny.

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Your Birthday and Lacie's Wedding  / Sue Cabello (Danny's Mom )

Hello Daniel. It’s a few days past your Birthday. I’m here, thinking, how wonderful it would have been to have you here for your 30th Birthday. I know, had you been here, you would have celebrated grandly. If there was anything you enjoyed, it was a good reason to party. I thought of you all day on your Birthday, not with sadness, but with wistfulness. I supposed that is the point I have advanced to now. I feel wistful and wishful that you could be here, and share things with us, your family. Share things such as your Birthday, and of course Lacie’s wedding. We missed your presence greatly at the wedding. We had your picture at our table, and we honored you by setting a place for you, and we lite candles to adorn your place of honor. Even though you weren’t there, and we didn’t dwell on your absence, none of us forgot that you weren’t physically there. We were aware that your spiritual presence was with us. It was a very exciting and happy time for Lacie and all of us. You would have been proud of your Baby Sister. She made an absolutely beautiful Bride. And she and her husband moved everyone, with their heartfelt emotions, when they said their vows, and made a life long promise to each other. The celebration afterwards was truly wonderful. All of the things Lacie’s wanted were accomplished. Even though there were a few bumps along the way, all I have to do is stop and think about Brennen’s happy face. Many times he came to me during the evening, and he told me how happy he was with the reception, and I could see in his face, that he was very proud that he had such a wonderful celebration given in his and Lacie's honor. Afterwards, when Lacie and Brennen left for their trip to Kansas City, and most of the dishes and cleanup was done, me, my family and friends, sat, put our feet up and let out a comfortable sigh of exhaustion. It was one of the best tired moments I’ve ever had. I just wanted to write and share with you my perception of how things are, how I feel about them, and just share happy, positive feelings. I love you Danny. Mom

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Happy Birthday Danny!  / Rosemary Sis Of ^j^ Alvin Cremeans

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Talking / Sue Cabello (I'm Danny's Mom! )

Hi Danny. I was talking on the phone to my friend Judy. She and I were talking about you. I told her while we were talking, I'm looking at a picture of Danny, that I have here at work, and Danny's eyes are looking right into mine. We talked about how sometimes it's hard for a person, especially a mother, to go on after a Son has died. See she has a sister that also lost a Son. He was about your age when he died. And she was telling me about how she watches her Sister struggle with her feelings about her Son's death. Her Sister and I are very different in how we grieve. I try to keep my focus on how you would want me to live my life, or how you want me to live my life, with my grief of losing you, I guess. I try very hard, to not be sad, or down. I know you wouldn't like it if your death kept me sad, and was the focus of my life. You were a very happy carefree individual, and if people around you were bummed out all of the time, I know you'd most likely take off and distance yourself from those that wallowed in grief. It isn't that your death didn't affect my life, because only God above knows how your death could easily drown me. It's just that your death is not the main focus of my life. It doesn't mean I don't love you, but, I know you would want that I live a happy life, and that I enjoy my life, which I do. I think another thing that really helps me with my grief over losing you is our relationship before you died and throughout your life. You and I were both secure in that relationship. We were both aware that we were loved by each other. And that no matter what, that person would be there. You knew that when it came right down to it. I would ALWAYS be there. That I ALWAYS loved you. And I knew that you ALWAYS loved me. No one could ever shake that between you and I. You might go off for years, to Japan, but you knew I was here if you needed me. And I knew no matter what someone might say to you about me, you were always loyal to your Mom. My mother commented on that once. She said Danny won't hear anything bad about his Mom, he is so very loyal. And I knew that. I guess what I'm getting at is that, my life goes on, and I don't have guilt. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with those questions of why, what if…, or what is…, but I try to make sure that isn't most of the times. I remember you Son. Every single day. I think of you. I love you. And there isn't anything I would not do, if given the option, to have you still here in this life. I would have liked to see your future. How you grew and changed over the times. You were a good Son to me Danny. I love you and miss you every day. Love, Your Mom.

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I dreamed of you  / Sue Cabello (Danny's Mom )
I dreamed of you last night. A boy about nine or ten. Shinny brown hair, cut short, with your bangs in the front. I thought Danny goes with these people everyday. And I've never asked him what he does when he's with them. Does he like going with them? And I was so upset with myself that I hadn't thought to ask you before. So I asked you. What do you do all day? But I don't remember what you said. Then I asked you if you had a nice time. And you said yes you had fun, that you liked to go. I felt some relief, that you liked to go, that you enjoyed your time, but I couldn't stop berating myself for not even thinking to ask you before this.

I know this was just a dream, but I think I still worry about you. Worry if your happy or not. Worry that you don't want to be where you are. But at least now you have reassured me that your OK with where you are. I still don't have any  idea what you do all day, but I know you are treated ok, and that you're not afraid. I would hate if you were afraid and there was nothing I could do to help you.

It was nice haveing a clear dream, and seeing your boy face so clear again. I miss you Danny. I'll always worry about you, until I can see for myself that your OK. Love Mom Close

****************** / Sue Cabello (Danny's Mom )
There are times when life seems so very temporary, as though we are here, in a waiting pattern.  Often times the feelling is over whelming. The feeling that what we do here isn't important, and impatience to move on seems over powering. 
Looking at this life, I wonder at times, why we are here. It's as though we have a responsibility to wear a smile on our face, and to tell others, Life is great.  Or show to those that love us, that we are indeed happy productive people. It would be very easy, to not do that. But a person must be responsible. There are those that depend on one, therefore, living must be carried on with. I supposed if no one cared or needed another, then that person may just slip away. Leave this life, for another journey. And what a journey that might be. The cuiosity that fills me. The wondering. But you my Son wonder no more. This makes me wonder about Your journey. I wonder how it is? Is it difficult? Do you need help? Is help avaiable? Most surely it must be. The good Lord would never give more than can be endured, any way that's what we believe. I think of you so often, and the missing you is at times almost unendurable. Close

Memories....good ones  / Aunt Mickey
Hello Danny,  
Your Mom said not to make today a sad one, not to remember the sadness but instead to remember the happy times we shared with you.  As I look at the pictures on your web site, I do have so many memories of the times that you and your sisters and my kids all shared together.  All the birthday parties, all the holidays, all the school programs..... so many things to remember.  You were a big part of those memories and I cherish them.   We miss you so much.  Love you, Aunt Mickey Close

Purpose / Sue Cabello (Danny's Mom )
You know, driving, I’m wondering…….. What is the purpose of life? I look and I search the sky, looking, searching, really, trying to decipher, what is the purpose of life? What was the goal, what was the purpose in Your Life? What did it mean? Did you reach your intended goal? Accomplish your purpose? Do each of us here have a specific goal or purpose? Do our lives have reason? Did God put you , me, or anyone here, and does he have something specific he wants us to do? A goal we need to reach? I’m searching the blue sky filled with white wisps of clouds, looking for a message, a sign, from God, that can answer the question of why? Why God did you take Danny away? Did he reach his goal? Serve his earthly purpose? Or was he needed else where? Was it an accident, and he is gone before his time? Questions without answers. Answers, I look, searching the sky for. Will there ever be an answer? 

Daniel, tomorrow, really just a few hours now, the one year anniversary of Your death. A year ago today.........
You spent your last evening, with your friends.
Walked home for the last time.
Sat in your green recliner for the last time. 
Ate your last dinner. Was it something I made for you? 
Took your last shower.
Feel asleep in front of the TV for the last time.
Climbed the steps to your room for the last time.

You had no idea, that the next day, was the very last day of your life.

Daniel, I miss you, I miss you, I miss you. Love Mom Close

Mom's Love  / Judy (Sue's best friend )

When looking at Danny's little boy pictures it's plain to see that he, and his sisters, had a Mama that cared so very much, loved so deeply. Her kids always clean and neat, happy and healthy looking, due to the sacrifices and love of a very special lady. My sugargirl, my Sue.
I want to go back a year. Call my girl in Kansas and say, "get your buns up here, Danny can take off work so he can meet Karie." It may sound a little strange to some but is actually the type of scenerio i've fantisized about. So we could keep Danny here with us. 
Special Danny, special Sue, special Lacie, I love you.

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So Sorry I'm Late.......  / John Winters (Uncle)
but up until last week I have not had access to the net, but thanks to my computer guy at the home office....well here I am. Today while working I thought of you. I was coming out of one of my accounts and saw someone that look like you. Without the beard and with hair." Pre-Military "  I know your well in God's hands but you are so very missed here not just by myself but by your family.
Danny, I never took the time to tell you how proud I am to be your Uncle and proud of the things you accomplished while you were with us here in this life. You served your country and family very well.
I'm sure you are looking out for your cousin Dusty and please continue to do so. As you know he has signed up for Iraq and just like in true Winters-Groves spirit he has know fear and wants to serve his country and family well. Just like you I am proud of him.
One last thing........tell Darrin that his mom loves & misses him.

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Thunder / Sue Cabello (Danny's Mom )

I was driving home just now from work and the sky had dark, black thunder clouds rolling across it. Big fat drops of rain were falling on my windshield intermittently. But behind the black clouds was a blue blue sky. And every once in a while the sun would explode out from behind the clouds, and the sun was so very bright. It was really beautiful. And I got this feeling, that you Danny were the exploding Sun, saying, “Think of me Mom. Think of Me.” So I did. I thought of you. And I thought, I wonder what Danny does all day. I wonder how he spends his time each and every day? I’m sure that time isn’t measured the same way it is here, in days and hours. But still time, in some form or fashion, must pass. And I know, that you don’t know pain, or sadness, and you don’t feel hurt, or hungry. And it’s been promised that we will all have work to do in Heaven. Work that we enjoy. So I started to think. What kind of work does Danny have that he enjoys? I know there are lots of things you enjoy, and I know you are a really hard worker, when it is something you like or enjoy. The Lord must be very pleased, with your work. But still, I wonder what Your job is. I wish I could know, so I could visualize you there doing whatever it is that God has given you to do. It would be nice to be able to picture you at your assigned task. I think that is one of the hardest things, is the not knowing. I know you and I didn’t live together when you died, but I was OK, just knowing that you were somewhere. That I could think of you, at your job, or with your friends, or at home watching a game, or out fishing, or driving the country road, just anything. I could picture you, what you were maybe doing. Now I don’t really have any idea. I can’t picture it. I wonder. What IS Danny Doing?? Danny, What ARE You doing? I sure miss you, and I think of you a lot. Love Mom

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Picture of Danny's Rose (identified in previous writing).  / Judy Kachanes (Sue's best friend )
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Something my Sister sent me that got me to thinking.  / Sue Cabello (Danny and Lacie's Mom )
A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the
scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.

He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead
for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of
the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was
broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.

When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch
that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate
looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate.

When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"

"This is Heaven, sir," the man answered.

"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.

"Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought
right up."

The man gestured, and the gate began to open.

"Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the traveler
asked.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."

The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and
continued the way he had been going with his dog.

After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to
a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never
been closed. There was no fence.

As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree
and reading a book.

"Excuse me!" he called to the man. "Do you have any water?"

"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in."

"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.

"There should be a bowl by the pump."

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned
hand pump with a bowl beside it.

The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then
he gave some to the dog.

When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was
standing by the tree.

"What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.

"This is Heaven," he answered.

"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road said
that was Heaven, too."

"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope.
That's hell."

"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"

"No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave
their best friends behind." 

My Sister sent the story above to me. And now it's got me thinking. If Danny were walking along with one of his dogs, Copper or Apainintheass, and he came to a set of gates made of pearl, and streets paved in gold, and those folks wouldn't let his puppy in with him, or let his puppy have a sip of water, then I know he would keep on walking. I'm sure of it. Not because of some grandiose ideas that Danny was perfect, or was a Saint, but I know if his dog wasn't welcome, then he wouldn't want to be in a pretentious place like that. So it made me think. Maybe the reason Danny isn't here any more, is because he had already learned what we need to learn before we're ready to leave this earth. Material things just weren't that important to him. Things come and things go. He could take it or leave it. Things are nice, and sometimes they make life a little easier, but really Danny didn't give a rats ass about stupid "things."
But also I thought about myself. What would I have done? I worried that I may have be so terribly impressed by the Pearly Gates and golden streets, and I may have thought, "Who am I to question the rules of Heaven?" Maybe that's why I'm still here. I still have so much to learn. This story helped me to grow, and to think about what is right, what is important. Thank you Sis. Maybe now I'm one step closer. I love you.

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Thinking of you  / Aunt Mickey
Danny, I couldn't get you off my mind last night.  I kept thinking about that day, August 18th, just an ordinary day for you.  You were at work, working with people who were your good friends and doing what you do every day.  Then out of the blue, an explosion.  In an instant your life was finished.  I kept thinking last night about  your Mom, and Trey and Cody's Moms.  I wish I knew of a way to help them.  I wish I knew for sure you were at peace.  I know you were a believer in Jesus, because you were baptisized and accepted Jesus as your Savior.  I know you belong to God and your eternal place of rest is in Heaven.  But it seems that we are always getting "signs" from you.  Do you have unfinished work here?  I hope what ever it is, you can find a way to get it done.  If I can help you, some how let me know.  Your Mom misses you so much, but she knows the day will come when she will see you again and hold you in her arms again.  I love your Mom and want her to be OK. She will be OK.  Close

The physical form  / Sue Cabello (Danny's Mom )

I was driving home just now, and as often they do, my thought came to you My Son. I was thinking just how carelessly your body was cast aside. You know the form that people say we slip out of when we die. It seems like such an abomination, that the physical form that we come to love so very much, can be so brutally abused, and cast aside, like it's not important, as though it doesn't matter. It's just so incomprehensible to me at times, that your beautiful physical form, that I loved so very deeply, was so horribly disfigured, and tossed aside. I know we are supposed think that your spirit still remains without your body, but, you know, I just loved you so much. I don't care what people say, I wish oh wish that I could see that physical body form again. The smile. The clef in your chin, the eyebrows, that I knew as soon as I saw your face, the day you were born, were my own. That was the first thing I noticed when you were born. I thought to myself he has my eyebrows. And now I spend time, searching your pictures, looking at that arch in your brow, and knowing it was something we shared, something I passed along to you. I miss your heavy foot steps when you walked, almost stomping through the house. I miss your nervous laugh when you were around other people, and your big booming laugh when you were at easy, at home, and enjoying your self. I miss your voice. So very much, I wish, I could see and hear again.

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A memory found by Judy Kachanes.  / Judy Kachanes (Sue's Best Friend )

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A HERO'S PAGE. Sent by Danny's Sister, Tammie.  / Sue Cabello (Danny's Mom )
 

4 State Hero - Daniel L. Groves

Name	Daniel L. Groves
Branch	U.S. Navy
Rank	HTFN
Home Town	Scammon, KS
Wartime Service Dates	Oct.19, 1999 - Sept.29, 2003
Wartime Locations	Iraq
Major Battles	Operation Iraqi Freedom
Military Service Dates	Oct.19, 1999 - Sept.29, 2003
Unit	USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) R-Div.
Accomplishments	Danny on several occasions was awarded medals and citations for his dedication and in more than one situation was responsible for rescuing fellow shipmates in distress from hazardous and fire situations. He was a Damage Control Technician and Craftsman rating becoming qualified as Welder/Fireman and a pyrotechnics specialist.
Medals	3 Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, 3 Overseas Service Ribbons, The National Defense Service Medal, The Armed FOrces Expeditionary Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.

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