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1873 American soldiers or sailors have died in Operation Enduring Freedom as reported by the Department of Defense and the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count. Pray for our country, its' leaders, and our soldiers and sailors.

Please remember the many serving as volunteers for various groups and those that may be working for the media or one of the many Department of Defense contractors that have employees in support roles in Iraq including Santa Anna's Jason Dane. These folks are serving an important part in the rebuilding of Iraq and the danger is just as great if not more for them as it is for soldiers.

The Iraq Coalition Casualty Count has also tracked the deaths of 91 American contractors working in Iraq so the risk is real.

Many service men and women return home safely. Operation Tribute to Freedom Homecoming Photographs.

We must never forget the sacrifices of men and women serving our country from all generations. Tex Wright recently sent me this information:

The Coleman County Historical Commission has started work on a new project. Since this year is the 60th anniversary of the end of WWII, we (Texas Historical Commission statewide) have started a project to honor the ones who served.
We (I) have set up a Web Page to keep people posted on what is being done and to ask for their help in remembering those Men and Women.
The Web Page is:Coleman County Historical Comm. WW2 Commemorative Activities

It makes me think that Halloween will be here before we know it. I went in to Walmart today to pick up some motor oil and in the garden center area they already had Christmas stuff on the shelves!

Mine!

See the Sports Page for more photos in this week's photo albums including part of the JV game versus Gustine.

The Ladys will travel to Abilene Saturday for the Abilene Christian Tournament. The first game is estimated to begin at 9:15 versus Albany, then at 1:45 versus Breckenridge, and finally against Mullin at 4:45. Start times are estimates so come early and stay all day. It is pool play instead of bracket play with the other pool made up of Abilene Christian, Woodson, Bronte, and Gorman. The winners from each pool will play the second team from the other pool and vice versa at 5:45 and 6:45 with the championship game to begin at 7:45.

Dawson was a little upset about his Aunt Jessica leaving to play in the volleyball game last week

Here he is again rooting for Aunt Jessica

Here is in G-Pooh's water jug... you can't really tell it but the jug is completely full... he loves the water too!

There have also been some great opportunities the past few weeks for taking pictures. But I have either been in too big a hurry, running late, or not had my camera. Especially the beautiful sunrises and sunsets from the hurricanes and tropical storms.

We saw a couple of coyotes and foxes, and a nice roadrunner on the way to Albany early last Thursday morning. But just like with sunsets and sunrises you really have to be there and ready to take the picture of animals because they are quickly gone.

But one morning last week I came across this owl on the side of the road a couple of miles East of Santa Anna. I am sure that he had been injured by a car or something because of the time of day and his actions. He never moved when I pulled up or when I took the photos but as I pulled by him when leaving he hopped off in the grass.

Jessica Moreno serves it up to Junction

The Lady Mountaineers played in their first tournament of the year and drew the Abilene Christian Lady Panthers. Things did not look good in game one as ACS jumped out to a 14-2 lead. The Lady Mountaineers got rid of the jitters and fought back to trail 21-23. However Santa Anna had expended too much energy and the comeback attempt fell short at 21-25. In game two Santa Anna played good but Abilene Christian played better and won by a score of 25-16. The Lady Mountaineers played a consolation bracket game against Moran and defeated them by scores of 25-12 and 25-18. The passing, setting and hitting were too much for the outmatched Moran team.

2005 Albany Classic Volleyball Tournament Consolation Winners

On Saturday the Lady Mountaineers played Brownwood junior varsity. Once again, the Lady Mountaineers played a very sharp first game and dominated Brownwood by a score of 25-17. The mental sharpness seemed to fade in game two just as it has most of the season. Santa Anna did play good enough to win by a score of 25-23. Santa Anna then played Lingleville for the consolation championship. Both teams mirrored themselves in terms of physical makeup and style of play. The service game was the key component to both teams success for this match. In game one Santa Anna served extremely well and the passing game off Lingleville’s serves were extremely sharp. The result of the fantastic team play was a 25-20 victory. In game two Lingleville had an extremely sharp service game resulting in several aces and keeping the Lady Mountaineers off-balance culminating in a 25-21 victory for Lingleville. In the rubber match Bianca Dean had an excellent game serving as well as hustling for near lost points and helped propel the Lady Mountaineers to a 25-16 victory.

Bianca Dean gets ready to set up the ball

Jessica Pelton and Jesse Hensley were both named to the all-tournament team.

Albany Classic All Tournament Team - Jesse Hensley and Jessica Pelton

Both Water Valley and Veribest participated in the tournament. The only team that they lost to was Abilene Christian. The scores were very similar to Santa Anna’s so it looks as if this season could be a very interesting one in this district. At this point and time Water Valley appears to have the edge but it looks as if the opposing ranks are closing in on them. The Lady SAM’s are making every possible effort to go from good to better to best. The season record is now 6-2 and Santa Anna will play a home game with Mullin on Tuesday. Come support the Lady Mountaineers in their quest to become the best.

Ice cold water and Dr Pepper was served to all to help beat the heat

The agenda for the meeting included a report of officers and the annual financial report, along with the presentation of three $1,000 Tom Kingsbery Memorial Scholarships and the election of two directors of the Cooperative.

Barbara Kingsberry Jones presented this year's Tom Kingsbery Memorial Scholarships to:
Jessie Ellerbe, son of Bryan and Amanda Ellerbe of Santa Anna, and a student at Howard Payne University.
Cody Slate, son of Jimmie Gail Hafner of Voss, and a student at Angelo State University.
Lindsay VanPelt, daughter of Frank and Kim VanPelt of Fisk, who is also attending Angelo State University. I believe I heard Mrs. Jones say that they are all working towards being teachers and coaches which says a lot for this years recipients.

Mrs. Jones presents the 2005 Tom Kingsbery Memorial Scholarships to Cody Slate, Jessie Ellerbe, and Lindsay VanPelt

The two Board members elected were incumbent Stanley Hartman representing Santa Anna and Rodney W. (Roddy) Dean for Santa Anna Rural (North) area.

Coleman County Telephone Cooperative, Inc. Board President, Jerry Allen addresses the Coop members

Those currently serving on the Board are President, Jerry Allen, Vice-President, Stanley Hartman, Secretary, Thomas Rutherford, and other board members Barbara Kingsbery Jones, Glenda Gassiot and Rickey Adams. The manager of Coleman County Telephone Cooperative, Inc., Michael Walton.

Coop Manager Walton tells about new DSL, voice, and video services over existing copper cable pair.

State Representative Harvey Hildebrand gave a brief report on State Legislature goings on including property rights.

State Representative Harvey Hildebrand

All attending members received a really nice water jug and there were 286 voting members, with approximately 500 in attendance reported.

Standing room only crowd