] Waterford - With grace and sorrow, Tan and
] Paul Patchem shared with the world Wednesday the news
] that their son, Marine Cpl. Kemaphoom "Ahn"
] Chanawongse, missing in Iraq since March 23, has been
] confirmed dead.
]
] A DNA match of remains recovered last month determined
] that Chanawongse, 22, was one of six Marines killed
] during a fierce firefight and heavy sandstorm near
] Nasiriyah. His amphibious unit helped secure a bridge
] over the Euphrates River that American forces crossed to
] reach Baghdad.

Very sad. We were all hoping he'd be found alive.

After Holding Out Hope, ‘Ahn' Chanawongse's Family Officially Notified

] Brian Burdick, program management chief at EB, said every
] employee must undergo annual Sub Safe training, which
] includes a 20-minute video that emphasizes why the safety
] procedures are so important.

Let me tell you something about this video. You never forget it. It starts out with a black screen, and the horrific sounds of a submarine (the Thresher) being crushed to death under the weight of the sea. How they got those sounds is beyond me. But it stays with you.

Strict Submarine Safety Program Part Of Doomed Thresher's Legacy

] Groton - When the USS Toledo pulls into its berth at
] the Naval Submarine Base this afternoon, it will be the
] first local submarine home from the war with Iraq.
]
] Family members plan observances from the time it enters
] the port, including balloon releases at Eastern Point and
] a large welcome sign at Adm. Harold E. Shear State Pier.
] They will, of course, be on hand when the boat pulls up
] to the pier.

Welcome Home, USS Toledo...

] Music alive in Waretown
]
] I enjoyed your "Day in the Life" section about Waretown,
] but was disappointed there was no reference to the Albert
] Music Hall. My husband and I recently discovered the
] music hall after seeing a reference to it in the Datebook
] feature of the Asbury Park Press. What a delight.
]
] Who would have thought that New Jersey has such a
] valuable resource -- its own Pine Barrens blue grass
] music. We felt as if we were in the hills of West
] Virginia or North Carolina enjoying a good-old-fashioned,
] foot-tapping hoedown. Banjos, fiddles and acoustic
] guitars -- no ear-splitting sounds, no pyrotechnics, no
] ghoulish stage makeup. Just down-to-earth,
] good-old-fashioned music, performed by accomplished
] musicians. What a treat to the ear.
]
] It's a great way to spend a Saturday evening with the
] family.
]
] Liz Olexsak
]
] FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP

Letter to the Editor

] A musical concert featuring volunteer performers will be
] held later this month to raise money for the victims and
] survivors of the West Warwick nightclub fire, officials
] announced Thursday.
]
] The April 22 concert will feature performances from at
] least 15 acts ranging from church groups to Southern rock
] bands. It will be held at the Providence Performing Arts
] Center, which has offered use of its venue free of
] charge. Tickets prices are $35, $45 and $50.

Boston.com / Latest News / Northeast / Benefit concert April 22 for nightclub fire victims

] As of last week, there have been no accidents since the
] reconfiguration, Bishop said. But he added he considers
] the intersection "an accident waiting to happen."
]
] His point was underscored by a March 7 incident in which
] a line of six cars driving east on business Route 33 all
] veered into the lane of oncoming westbound traffic.
]
] Bishop said the driver of the lead car went into the
] wrong lane, and the other drivers following closely also
] went the same way.

God, I miss New Jersey...

SIGNS SAY SOMETHING'S WRONG ON BUSINESS ROUTE 33

] SEASIDE HEIGHTS -- Mike Carbone settled his arm on the
] counter in front of him on the boardwalk. Slowly he
] raised his gun until he had him in his sights -- Saddam
] Hussein.
]
] What's Saddam doing in Seaside Heights? He, or rather
] someone dressed as him, is the timely target of the paint
] ball stand, Lucky Leo's "Shoot the Geek."

On boardwalk, taking shots at Saddam Hussein

] Before the war in Iraq started, teacher Gary Tankard let
] his students at Bergen Catholic High School know where he
] stood, wearing a button that read, "War is not the
] answer." Several of his colleagues did the same.
]
]
] Although Pope John Paul II was preaching a similar
] message, school authorities objected and said the red,
] white and blue buttons had to go. The other teachers
] relented, but Tankard resigned.
]
]
] "This was a matter of conscience," Tankard, 63, told The
] Record of Bergen County for Wednesday's editions.

No matter where you stand on the "separation of church and state" issue, this is just pretty wrong.

Catholic teacher quits rather than remove anti-war button

] Navy personnel tightened security around the submarine
] base Wednesday after a bomb threat was called in to state
] police.
]
] The threat, reported at around 8 a.m., turned out to be a
] hoax, state police spokesman Sgt. J. Paul Vance said.

SOOOO GLAD I did not have racquetball yesterday!!!!

Bomb Threat Tightens Security At Base

"Second, if you are playing a match today, you should build in more time to get on the Subase. They have received a bomb threat this morning and security is searching every vehicle that is entering the Base. George stated the traffic is backed up from the main gate to Route 12. Perhaps it will calm down by this afternoon/evening but you should be aware of a potential delay."

From Barry's e-mail to the raquetball league, regarding the sub base (where we play our matches).. At first, we all thought this was a rumor. Shit. And so the war hits (my) home.