Welcome to Tillman4

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Jbugs BIG trip to Buffalo, NY & some Navy info

The USS Little Rock
Gramp's Guided Missile Cruiser

Gramps served on the USS Little Rock from November 1962 until June 1965.


Here he is on the left with his friend Tony that he still sees and plays music with.

He went on 2 tours to the Mediterranean, 3 tours to the Caribbean and 1 tour to the North Atlantic .
Gramps and some of the other sailors started a band called "The Little Rockers". Gramps played the drums. (We are in the process of finding a photo)

In 1963 while he served on the USS Little Rock he watched the Russians take missiles from Cuba at the end of the Cuban Missile Crises.
Gramps received "A BRONZE MAN" award which is a very rare award that is given out!
The Bronze Man Award was unique to the U.S.S. Little Rock.
Captain J. R. Payne will announce a procedure
whereby deserving men of the Little Rock will be recognized
for outstanding job performance." It seems that the award was
given out at the discretion of the Captain.Likewise it seems
that these awards were sometimes presented singly to only one
crew member,and at other times the award was presented to several
crew members at the same time.

Each award had a "Serial Number", and from that we know
that there were at least 35 Bronze Man awards made over
its life. Gramps award serial number is 33.

This is what his award was given to him for:

"For outstanding performance as a good will ambassador
and morale booster during the Mediterranean Deployment
from 1 December 1964 to l June 1965 on board the Guided
Missile Cruiser LITTLE ROCK (CLG 4). STRAWN has given
freely of his time and talent as a member of the ship's
band "LITTLE ROCKERS" to entertain both our own sailors
and the people of the countries that the ship has visited.
STRAWN has performed many times in each USO Club ashore
during our port visits and on board this ship while
underway, thus providing many hours of fine entertainment
to various units of the SIXTH Fleet. STRAWN has participated
in concerts ashore for various groups of foreign nationals,
creating an atmosphere of good will and friendship with our
friends in the Mediterranean through music and personal contact.
STRAWN'S performance and conduct ashore has been exemplary
and in keeping with the highest standards of excellence in
the United States Navy."
Signed by R. O. Middleton

Gramp's Guided Missile Cruiser
The USS Little Rock
It is now retired in a Navy & Military Park in Buffalo, NY





They have a USS Little Rock Reunion every year. Every other year it is in Buffalo.

Gramps and Gram invited Jbug to go with them this year, she was so excited.

The first day they were off to tour the ship and visit Old Fort Niagara.


This was one of 4 bunks that Gramps slept on.



What a fun time Jbug had. She got to be the "Powder Monkey" in the reenactment of the shooting of the cannons.

The second day they were of to the Maid of the Mist to see Niagara Falls.


Both sides of Niagara Falls



Jbug and Gram getting prepared for the boat ride.
The buildings in the back are in Canada



US Niagara Falls



Canadian Niagara Falls


The third and final day they went to a Memorial at the ship to honor all of the crew that have passed.





On that third evening they had a very nice banquet to attend.



Jamie and her Gramps before the banquet.


Gramps with his Girls


And of course miss "SASSY" in her little black sassy dress.


The guest speaker at the banquet ended up being the Secretaty of the Navy
The Honorable Raymond Edwin "Ray" Mabus
he also served on the USS Little Rock (1970-1972).


Jamie got her time in with
The Honorable Raymond Edwin "Ray" Mabus

And on one last note Jbug and Gram and Gramps got to see Edgar Winters ( the guys with white hair), who just happened to be behind them at security in the airport. Are you like me and don't know who this is??? Well here is a little bit about him.
Edgar has over 20 albums. Major national television and radio
relied on Edgar's music to advertise their products.

Edgar's music can be heard in film and
television, Air America, My Cousin Vinny, Encino Man, Son In Law, What's Love Got to
do With It, Wayne's World 2, Wag the Dog,Duets, Radio, The Simpsons.






Friday, July 10, 2009

The Greatest thing on earth
"MY 4 WHEELER"
That is all that JMan can say these days!

JMan is so taken with this 4wheeler that even when he cannot ride it he is just sitting on it. He is very careful and thank goodness he does not like to go fast yet!!

The reason the little 4wheeler is on a leash is that it has a kill switch so JMan cannot get away from us!!!Thank goodness for little things!

Kevin and JBug figured out that they can follow JMan on his 4wheeler while riding on the big 4wheeler.


This is JBug having fun on the little 4wheeler.. She looks sooo big on it.
HAHAHA







My favorite Photo of JBug and me!


This is my new favorite Photo of JBug and me.

This is at dinner before JBugs "BIG" first concert,
The Jonas Brothers.



I can not believe how fast time flies and how grown up JBug is... where does the time go?


Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Sad Day

It's sad day , Daisy had to go back to Rach and Steve. She just did not mesh well with our family. She will always be special to us, as we got to see her be born. We are hopefully going to try and find another Daisy that will fit with out family. I will keep everyone updated.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Here she is!!!!

We made it home from Texas and added a baby girl to our Family!

DAISY MAY




This is Jman and Daisy trying to get use to each other.




We wore her out!!



Just a cute picture of her sleeping!





Another cute sleeping picture!!



Ok for all the doubters..I did it I cleaned the Kennel and had her kennel during dinner (she kept attacking Jman's feet) then again while we swam and of course at 9:30 for bed. Each time less and less whinning and crying (Daisy not Kevin, HAHAHA). More picture and movies to come.

I think she will be HAPPY here with us!