Dear Classmates

I regret that I won't make it to this year's reunion (again) due to business and family matters. Nancy and I have two rental properties and five grandchildren that keep us busy, and the first week of the month is our busiest with the rental property business. Our oldest grandchild is 11 and the youngest is 5 months. I retired from the Army in 2006 and from the U.S. District Court last October but it seems I'm busier than ever. Our grown children live in Kansas, North Carolina, and one near us in the Syracuse, NY area. We still have two at home, our youngest son age 16, and another son with special needs who will be 22 in August. Physically he is fine and he can function somewhat on his own but his OCD limits his social skills. We are working with a couple of social service providers to help him get employment and into an independent living situation. Nancy and I are active in the music program at our parish church singing in the choir. I volunteer when I can at the Syracuse VA Medical Center, often playing the piano for the veterans in recreation therapy.

I want to thank everyone for your e-mails and prayers while I was deployed to Iraq in 2003-2004. It was great to re-connect with you. I made it home safe and unharmed. I looked at the photos from past reunions on the website and recognize very few people anymore. I don't even recognize myself sometimes. I know I should get out there again and get reacquainted. My thoughts will be with you on August 8-9. I've attached a photo of Nancy and I at our daughter's wedding in June 2007.

Your classmate, Terry Mitchell