Hanging with Jenée's Family (and friends)

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It's party time! Make that a birthday party for our friend Rip. I don't have a picture of Rip and Karen, but I do have a picture of their fine pool. It may be too dark to see the DJ - or hear the cool reggae music.

Since my nephew Jonathan Fraine was visiting we brought him along to crash the party. Jonathan is our family Astrophysicist currently stationed at the Magellan Telescope in Santiago, Chile. Every family should have one, they KNOW how to party.

Jonathan also likes to ride, so we took my bikes out and went for a Harley run. We headed off into the hills until we came across this California State Prison. This is far enough.

Jenée and I buzzed by our old beach (Woods Cove) in Laguna Beach.

Jenée and good friend Jackie had a great dinner prepared by our friend and chef - Marc. Great evening.

Back on board Jungle in Glorietta Bay, a Coronado. Now that's a sunset.

And it's great to share it with Jenée's brother Mike and brother in law Brian.

And Jenée's sissy Sheri. The dinner table is set and dinner is almost ready

Never get tired of them sunsets.

The next morning we are back on Harbor Island (Jungle home) and planning a family brunch.

Jenée's niece Kendall is an aspiring actress and University of San Diego student. She's acting funny.

Jenée, sister Sheri and niece Kendall.

Kendall's friend Matt joined us at brunch - great guy.

There's a nice family photo; Jenée, Mike and Sheri. As you can tell, Mike is the baby of the family

Lovely morning and view across San Diego Bay to the downtown.

A Tall Ship passes by.

Katie is sitting out this trip to San Diego. She's managing and she is quite fluffy.

Jenée and I go for a bike ride along the bay.

This is directly across the street from our Marina. Nice view, eh?

A view towards downtown San Diego from our marina.

Later that evening, we have dinner with Jenée's dear friend, Martha. That's Martha, dear.

Martha, husband Carl and Martha's sister Allie leaving the restaurant.

Later that week, Jenée and I have dinner in San Diego's Little Italy. A fantastic dinner at one of the many great restaurants here.

Continuing the family theme, we are about a mile from our marina at the Rosecrans National Cemetery. This is a military cemetery on the lines of Arlington National Cemetary. It affords a fantastic view over the Pacific Ocean.

Interred in this cemetery is Jenée's Uncle Ed. Captain Ed Thornell was from the Boston area, moved to California met Jenée's aunt Marie in the 9th grade and that was that. They had four kids together when Ed was an F-105 fighter pilot in Vietnam in 1966. Unfortunately orders came in for a FAC (forward air controller) to run a reconnaissance mission. He ended up flying an O1E lightweight craft only three weeks into his Vietnam tour. The FACs missions had a 50% survival rate but he had to do his job. He was born and died on the same date - his birthday, September 10. We discovered where he was located around the same date, 47 years later. Below are additional pictures and information on Captain Ed Thornell as we remember another American hero. Ed's name is also on the Vietnam War Monument in Washington DC.

Edmund Francis Thornell

Captain

21ST TAC AIR SPT SQDN, 505TH TAC AIR CTRL GROUP, 7TH AF

United States Air Force

Redondo Beach, California

September 10, 1933 to September 10, 1966

EDMUND F THORNELL is on the Wall at Panel 10E, Line 85

He was a Bird Dog Pilot. Shot down and perished while serving as a Captain with the 21ST TAC AIR SPT SQDN, 505TH TAC AIR CTRL GROUP, 7TH AF, United States Air Force from Redondo Beach, California. EDMUND F THORNELL is on the Wall at Panel 10E, Line 85. May his sacrifice not be forgotten.

In addition to his flying career, Ed served at Langley and other parts of the globe in the USAF OSI which is the airforce version of the CIA. Pretty heady stuff. We plan to visit the site and Jenée's Uncle Ed soon. Until then.