Dennis

I met this gentleman through my loving fiance he and he was her only brother. Though sadly he passed away in September 2012. When we had to move at the last minute he stepped up and helped us without question. He was pursuing his future, turning his life around and doing great things for himself.  He was the only one to show up and help us in our time of need. My fiance loves him very much and is truly still heartbroken over his loss. I am too because he had the potential to be so much more and was robbed of that by the carelessness of others. I know he is in heaven looking down on his Mom, sister, nephew and children doing his best to help us all. The guy that took his life has been caught and charged and is awaiting trial. Too many families don't ever get what we have in our case and it's not right. Dennis was a hit and run victim and so many poor souls never get justice. If driver's would stop and just call 911, it would mean so much to the families. He has two great sons and other sisters and a brother. He was an avid Orlando Magic fan, fitness buff and wanted to help others as a nurse. Everyone deserves a second chance and he almost reached his own. We miss you brother.

Landen and Hansen Family

These three people in this picture for all intents and purposes in my heart are my Grandparents that I loved and respected growing up and they returned the favor a thousand times over. The two gentleman are best friends even today in Heaven or Valhalla were ever they ended up drinking. I went to Mr. Hansen's house on the right in NT almost every day the four summers I lived there. Every time he brought out crackers, cheese and a pop. He would ask me how things were going and shared a real interest in my life and my family. He got to meet my youngest daughter, something my Grandfather on the left never had a chance to do. They always gave me great advice, treated me like gold and looked out for me. I consider his kids and grand-kids as my cousins even to this day. I was blessed because my real grandfather on my mother's side died long before I was born, my grandmother on that side was very sick the whole time I knew her. My grandmother on my Dad's side suffered a stroke in 2000 and she was never the same. So, these three people always set in my mind as my family. God bless them all including my other three and I wish I had known them all better. Miss these guys!

Uncle Dave

My Uncle was also a military veteran and was a great man with a big heart. He passed away in October 2011 and is sorely missed as he was the yin to my dad's yang growing up. He was the funny one, the easy going one and the talkative one. He let me drink my first beer, offered me a home anytime I needed one in NT and in Florida. Him, my Grandfather and I had a two week long drink fest in April 2002. Just as I entered into my active duty contract. It was the best two week of my life, save the liver and onions dinner. We had some great times, hard times and family times together. He always made me feel safe and important to him and I always made it a point to see him and spend time with him. Even when I was only home on leave for a few days. I remember my first time to visit my Grandfather, his father's property in Bradford, Pennsylvania. My Grandfather lived in Fort Erie, Canada at the time and so we had to cross customs to pick him up and take him with us. Well our mission was to put flowers on my Great-Grandparents graves and visit the property. So, we had flowers, shovels, a pick axe and other yard equipment in the trunk. It was six of us total in this red Plymouth sedan, my Dad, two Uncle's, brother, Grandfather and myself. We get up to the U.S. Customs side and we list off we are from Florida and New York and one guy from Canada. The customs agents asks why it took five guys to get one guy out of Canada and as we are pulling away. Uncle Dave says "Cause he didn't wanna go" and we all couldn't stop laughing. I said at twelve years old "glad you waited till we were past them to say that, because of the shovels and stuff in the back". Miss you Uncle Dave, I make sure to visit your grave every chance I get.

Marine Science Technician

In 1995 while I was still in High School my Dad drove us all the way to Tampa some seventy-five miles to meet with a United States Coast Guard recruiter. I had met all the other four branches recruiters at my alternative school at Walt Disney World but no one from the Coast Guard showed up. So, I got curious went out watched the video and was sold immediately. But I was seventeen and had a bunch of ideas in my head. Then one dinner at Sonny's Real Pit Barbecue in Kissimmee, I met a Coast Guard Chief from New England. He was the one who firmed up my desire to join at some point. Well, life went on from 1996-2000 and I worked full-time and tried to go to college and have a family but nothing panned out. So, in February 2000 I joined the Coast Guard reserves and in March 2002 I went active duty and was Honorably Discharged in August 2011. The nine years I was on active duty were the most successful and rewarding of my professional career. It challenged my thoughts, perceptions, intellect and abilities. I had hoped to make it a career but do to injuries and illness that didn't happen. Though, I am proud to call myself a disabled veteran, proudly display my Veteran license plate on both my vehicles and proud I was the third generation in my family to serve. My Great-Uncle served during World War II in the Coast Guard reserves, my Uncle Dave in Vietnam with the Air Force. Some day I hope to live on the coast and participate in the Coast Guard auxiliary. Now, I am using my post 911 G.I. Bill benefits and have completed my Master's degree. Thank you to all that have served.

Landen Family!

Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt Dede, Dad and Uncle David about sixty years ago. My Grandparents were both born and raised in Bradford, PA and then met and moved to North Tonawanda (NT). My Grandfather lost his father at a young age and helped support his family even before that. My Great-Grandfather only spoke Swedish and used my Grandfather as his interpreter to collect rent from the properties he owned. When the depression hit most of the properties were lost except for about 100 acres on Mount Olive in Bradford. That is still mostly owned under my family name by my cousins and brother.  My Grandfather was one of the first pilots in the U.S. and flew small planes into the Mount Olive Municipal Airport in the 1930'. He packed up his new wife and moved to NT in the mid 40' and got a job with Durez/Occidental Chemical and worked there for 30 plus years. He even agreed to open their Fort Erie, Canada Plant and became a duel citizen. He enjoyed his retirement of about equal years to his work years to the hilt. Living as a snowbird between Florida and Canada. Giving me the chance to know him and become his friend as well as his youngest grandson. He passed away twenty years ago but it still hurts. I never knew a better man besides him, except for the parts of him that were in my Dad. I know he is sitting at that bar in heaven having some great laughs with all who has joined him. Love you and miss you Grandpa.

Dad!

Our Dad who was born on October 7th, 1940 and passed away January 31st, 2013 was a great man. He grew up tough and always looked out for his family. When they were threatened and in danger he packed them up and moved them to safety. He stood up for himself, his family and others. He always taught me to protect your family and help people when you can. He loved us all and would have defended any one of us. He loves god and I know he is in heaven with his siblings, my sister Laura and my grandparents. I know what his expectation is of people and do my best to live up to it.

It's been a rough ten years without you, but you probably knew it would be. You always seemed to have an insight about people and things. I know you think I never payed attention or listened much. But actually I was the quite one growing up and heard everything. Including the time you asked me not to call you speed bump lol. You mean the world to all of us. I enjoyed our times together as union stewards, lunches and talks. I wish you could have seen my degrees from college. But knowing you, you are probably still keeping an eye on us. Miss you Dad glad you visited Michael like you did. God Bless you!

Tom

I was born in North Tonawanda (NT), New York but moved to Orlando/Kissimmee, Florida in 1979 at ten months old. Spending my childhood in the sun and the fun. My Dad worked at Disney and I had the run of the place and lucky enough to experience it more then most kids. Then in 1990 we moved back to NT and I made some life long friends that are truly my family today. We returned to Central Florida in 1994 and I went to work for Disney (as a custodian, boat captain and merchandise host) and to there high school program, which gave me the opportunity to graduate on time in 1996. I stayed at Disney until 2000. I then joined the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve in 2000 as a Boatswain Mate, then active Duty in 2002 as a Marine Science Technician for a total of eleven years and three advancements. I was Honorably Discharged in 2011 and went straight back to Kissimmee, FL to be close to my Dad and daughter. I also went back to college and finished my Associate's in Science degree and Bachelor's of Science in Paralegal Studies and my Master's Degree program.
I have three wonderful kids, retired from Disney & the Coast Guard, an awesome wifey and a wonderful life.