Various Postings circa 2005

November 2005

From:  Peter Parsons

Peter Green suggested I write you about  a video documentary I have produced this year. It is called Secret War in the Pacific and deals with the life and work of my father in WWII.   He was caught by the Japanese in Manila but talked his way into a wonderful escape after six months. When General MacArthur heard he was out of the war zone, he requested his presence at GHQ in Brisbane, Australia.   From there Chick Parsons conducted the organization of the guerrilla forces in the Philippines. He was able to get 20 submarines involved in this effort, and he went in and out of the islands on these boats as if they were his taxis.   The video is about this; it uses a lot of documentary footage, and lots of interviews. It is of some value to historians of those times, and possibly of interest to anyone who would like to know more about WWII in the Pacific.   There is a web site: www.chickparsons.com, and anyone interested in acquiring a DVD or VHS can contact me directly. This has been in the making for about ten years–just a tad longer than Peter Green’s efforts.

October 2005

From:  Peter H. Green

I finally have some news worth reporting to you for our class notes. My book, “Dad’s War with the United States Marines,” a family memoir with some first-ever-reported information about what transpired on Guam toward the final days of World War II, has just been released. My father, just a private first class, was by default running WXLI, the Armed Forces Radio Station, when he actually scooped the networks with news of Japanese acceptance of the surrender terms, as the attached article from the St. Louis Post Dispatch reports in their V-J Day story. A press release on my book is also enclosed.
This has been my main project since stepping down as Vice President of a St. Louis engineering and architectural firm over a year ago. I’m also doing some consulting for a few former clients and friends.
Our family continues to grow: daughter Lisa Green Mayer, fifth grade teacher, and her husband Richard in Houston have produced a granddaughter, Kennedy Catherine Mayer, in March of 2004. My wife, Connie, is currently planning a wedding next summer for my younger daughter, Lori, who works in digital graphics and animation for films in the LA area. She will marry her classmate and industry colleague, Jeffrey Smith, of Houston, sometime next summer.
That’s the news from Lake Woebegone.
Best of health and good times to you and yours,
Pete
Check out the introduction to my forthcoming book,”Dad’s War with the United States Marines,” at www.dadswar.net

Peter H. Green

October 2005

From: Richard Banbury

RECOGNIZING A STROKE – A true story A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke…totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed and getting to the patient within 3 hours, which is tough.

Susie is recouping at an incredible pace for someone with a massive stroke all because Sherry saw Susie stumble – – that is the key that isn’t mentioned below – and then she asked Susie the 3 questions. So simple – – this literally saved Susie’s life – -Some angel sent it to Suzie’s friend and they did just what it said to do. Suzie failed all three so 911 was called.

Even though she had a normal blood pressure readings, and it did not appear to be a stroke as she could converse to some extent with the paramedics, they took her to the hospital right away. Thank God for the sense to remember the 3 steps! Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of these strokes are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
1. *Ask the individual to SMILE.
2. *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
3. *Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE
(Coherently) (i.e. ‘It is sunny out today’).

If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers urged the public to learn the three questions. They presented their conclusions at the American Stroke Association’s annual meeting last February. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people, you can bet that at least one life will be saved. BE A FRIEND AND SHARE THIS ARTICLE WITH AS MANY FRIENDS AS POSSIBLE. It could save their lives. This is worth reading and remembering: SMILE FOR ME. RAISE YOUR ARMS. SAY SOMETHING SIMPLE, such as “I LOVE YOU.”

August 16, 2005

From John Bing,

I recently attended a brunch in Beijing sponsored by the Yale Club of Bejing to honor some 27 Yale undergraduates (Bulldogs in Beijing) who served as summer interns in China this summer.  Our classmate, Po-Wen Huang, as President of the Club, presided.  The interns reported on their experiences.  It was a very impressive display of ingenuity, skill and a good job of representing Yale and America.  Po is doing a great job as President of the Club.  It is a very active organization with monthly meetings and activities.

My own summer in Tianjin went well.  My team taught over 100 high school English teachers English listening and speaking skills, conversational English, and we enjoyed once again the warmth and friendship of our students and “old friends.”  While the kindness, hard work and good will of the people has been a constant for all the years that I have visited China,  we as were again amazed by the physical changes in the city.  So many new modern buildings, and roads and apartment complexes.  The university with which we have had an 18 year association, Tianjin Normal University, is completing a new campus South of the main city that is a remarkable project.  10,000 workers, three eight hour shifts a day, seven days a week and a veritable city of over 25 buildings, some eight or  nine stories in height, constructed in one year.  Two other universities are developing adjacent campuses.  It will be an academic city in a few years with probably over 20,000 students.  Another fascinating site and accomplishment is the new history and art museum in Tianjin (worth visiting if you are in China).  The museum is state of the art and better than anything of the kind I have seen anywhere in the world.

John

August 14, 2005

Webmaster Posting          ICE – In Case of Emergency

A campaign encouraging people to enter an emergency contact number in their mobile phone’s memory under the heading ICE (In Case of Emergency), has rapidly spread throughout the world as a particular consequence of the terrorist attacks in London.

Originally established as a nation-wide campaign in the UK, ICE allows paramedics or police to be able to contact a designated relative/next-of-kin in an emergency situation.

The idea is the brainchild of East Anglian Ambulance Service paramedic Bob Brotchie and was launched in May this year. Bob, 41, who has been a paramedic for 13 years, said: “I was reflecting on some of the calls I’ve attended at the roadside where I had to look through the mobile phone contacts struggling for information on a shocked or injured person. Almost everyone carries a mobile phone now, and with ICE we’d know immediately who to contact and what number to ring. The person may even know of their medical history.”

By adopting the ICE advice, your mobile will help the rescue services quickly contact a friend or relative – which could be vital in a life or death situation. It only takes a few seconds to do, and it could easily help save your life. Why not put ICE in your phone now? Simply select your person to contact in case of emergency, enter them under the word ‘ICE’ and the telephone number of the person you wish to be contacted.

Please email this to everybody in your address book, it won’t take too many ‘forwards’ before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a loved one’s mind at rest.

For more than one contact name ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc

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