RIP Florence Green, the Very Last World War I Veteran

In the past year, we brought you the obituaries of Frank Buckles, the last U.S. veteran of World War I and Claude Choules, the last surviving combat veteran of that war. Yesterday, the very last member of the military from the War to End All Wars passed away. Florence Green was only 17 years old when she signed up for the Women’s Royal Air Force in 1918. She worked at the military airfields in Norfolk. Mrs Green spent her war days working ”all hours” serving officers breakfast, lunch and dinner and would often spend time wandering the base simply ”admiring the pilots”. Before her death she said: ”I enjoyed my time in the WRAF. There were plenty of people at the airfields where I worked and they were all very good company. ”I would work every hour God sent but I had dozens of friends on the base and we had a great deal of fun in our spare time. In many ways I had the time of my life. ”I met dozens of pilots and would go on dates. I had the opportunity to go up in one of the planes but I was scared of flying. ”It was a lovely experience and I’m very proud.” Mrs. Green was a couple weeks short of 111 years old. Link, Via: reddit | Via: Neatorama

Josef Stalin's daughter dies at 85 in southwestern Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. - Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's daughter, whose defection to the West during the Cold War embarrassed the ruling communists and made her a best-selling author, has died. She was 85.

Lana Peters - who was known internationally by her previous name, Svetlana Alliluyeva - died of colon cancer Nov. 22 in southwestern Wisconsin, where she lived off and on after becoming a U.S. citizen, Richland County Coroner Mary Turner said Monday.

Her defection in 1967 - which she said was partly motivated by the poor treatment of her late husband, Brijesh Singh, by Soviet authorities - caused an international furor and was a public relations coup for the U.S. But Peters, who left behind two children, said her identity involved more than just switching from one side to the other in the Cold War. She even moved back to the Soviet Union in the 1980s, only to return to the U.S. more than a year later.

When she left the Soviet Union in 1966 for India, she planned to leave the ashes of her late third husband, an Indian citizen, and return. Instead, she walked unannounced into the U.S. embassy in New Delhi and asked for political asylum. After a brief stay in Switzerland, she flew to the U.S.

Peters carried with her a memoir she had written in 1963 about her life in Russia. "Twenty Letters to a Friend" was published within months of her arrival in the U.S. and became a best-seller.

Upon her arrival in New York City in 1967, the 41-year-old said: "I have come here to seek the self-expression that has been denied me for so long in Russia." She said she had come to doubt the communism she was taught growing up and believed there weren't capitalists or communists, just good and bad human beings. She had also found religion and believed "it was impossible to exist without God in one's heart." LINK

Kara Kennedy, Ted Kennedy’s Daughter, Dies at 51

Kara Kennedy, the eldest daughter of former Senator Ted Kennedy, and sister of Patrick Kennedy, died suddenly on Friday, the family confirms. She was 51.
She was working out in a Washington D.C.-area gym at the time, the Associated Press reports.

“She’s with dad,” Patrick Kennedy said. Their father died in 2009 at age 77 after battling a brain tumor.

Kara, who helped work on her father’s senatorial campaign, was also a cancer survivor. In 2003, she had a malignant tumor removed from her lungs. According to her brother Patrick, the cancer treatment “took quite a toll on her and weakened her physically. Her heart gave out.”

Kara is survived by her husband Michael Allen and two teenage children. LINK

Amy Winehouse Found Dead

A press release from the Metropolitan Police, which doesn't specifically name Winehouse, says:

"Police were called by London Ambulance Service to an address in Camden Square NW1 shortly before 16.05hrs today, Saturday 23 July, following reports of a woman found deceased.

On arrival officers found the body of a 27-year-old female who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Enquiries continue into the circumstances of the death. At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained."

Winehouse famously battled addiction to drugs and alcohol and was in and out of rehab several times throughout the years.

Last month, Winehouse canceled her European tour after a performance in Serbia where she seemed completely out of it.

Story developing ... LINK

:Amy Winehouse - Back To Black:


Music video by Amy Winehouse performing Back To Black. (C) 2006. LINK: Youtube

Former First Lady Betty Ford Dies At 93

Former first lady Betty Ford has died at the age of 93.

During her life she helped change the way Americans think and talk about breast cancer, women's rights and substance abuse.

But, before she became a first lady, an advocate for women's rights and an inspiration to people struggling with addiction, Betty Ford was a dancer.

The former Elizabeth Anne Bloomer studied and taught dance in Grand Rapids, Mich., where she grew up. She pursued her passion in New York City, where she trained with the legendary Martha Graham, but soon returned home at the bidding of her mother.

Following a brief first marriage, she met a young lawyer named Gerald Ford. They married in October 1948. The next month, he was elected to Congress. A quarter-century later Gerald Ford became vice president and then later replaced the disgraced Richard Nixon as president.

Go to the LINK and you can also hear an audio version of Betty Ford.

Peter Graves, ‘Mission: Impossible’ Star, Dies at 83

Peter Graves, the cool spymaster of television’s “Mission: Impossible” and the dignified host of the “Biography” series, who successfully spoofed his own gravitas in the “Airplane!” movie farces, died on Sunday. He was 83.

Born Peter Aurness in Minneapolis, the blond, 6-foot-2 Mr. Graves served in the Army Air Forces in 1944 and ’45, studied drama at the University of Minnesota under the G.I. Bill of Rights and played the clarinet in local bands before following his older brother, James Arness, to Hollywood.

His first credited film appearance was in “Rogue River” (1950), with Rory Calhoun. Mr. Graves’s getting a Hollywood contract for the picture persuaded his fiancée’s family to let her marry him. He changed his name for that movie to Graves, his maternal grandfather’s name, to avoid confusion with his older brother. LINK

James Arness dies at 88; TV's Marshal Dillon on landmark 'Gunsmoke' series

James Arness is best known for his role as Marshal Matt Dillon in 'Gunsmoke,' one of the longest-running prime-time series in network TV history. He was a towering symbol of frontier justice in the series that broke the mold for TV westerns.

Arness died of natural causes at his home in Brentwood, said family spokeswoman Ginny Fazer. LINK

Amazing Grace - Fallen heroes

My Apology, I should have had this posted yesterday. LINK: Youtube

A touching video to our fallen Heroes the following below are those in the video.
Army Pfc. Ryan R. Berg
Marine Sgt. Gary S. Johnston
Army Sgt. James J. Regan
Marine Capt. Jennifer J. Harris
Army Spc. Jonathan K. Smith
Army Sgt. Robert M. McDowell
Army Pfc. Katie M. Soenksen
Army Spc. Astor A. Sunsin-Pineda
Army Cpl. Gregory N. Millard
Marine Cpl. Christopher G. Scherer
Army Sgt. Keith A. Kline
Army Spc. Kamisha J. Block
Navy Master-at-Arms Seaman Anamarie Sannicolas Camacho
Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 2nd Class Kevin R. Bewley

Water tower overlooking Target Field honors Killebrew

The historic water tower on top of the Wyman-Partridge building across the street from Target Field has a new, killer look. A banner featuring Harmon Killebrew’s No. 3 will be wrapped around the tower for the next five weeks, coming down on July 4th. LINK

Hollywood Icon Elizabeth Taylor Dies at 79

Oscar winning actress Elizabeth Taylor died today at Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Hospital. She was 79.

"She was surrounded by her children: Michael [Howard] Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd, and Maria Burton," Taylor's publicist, Sally Morrison, said in a statement.

In the same statement, Michael Howard Wilding, 58, memorialized his mother:

"My Mother was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humor, and love," he said. "Though her loss is devastating to those of us who held her so close and so dear, we will always be inspired by her enduring contribution to our world. Her remarkable body of work in film, her ongoing success as a businesswoman, and her brave and relentless advocacy in the fight against HIV/AIDS, all make us all incredibly proud of what she accomplished. We know, quite simply, that the world is a better place for Mom having lived in it. Her legacy will never fade, her spirit will always be with us, and her love will live forever in our hearts."

In addition to her children, Taylor is survived by 10 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Morrison said that a private family funeral will be held later this week. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that contributions be made to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and said that those wanting to send personal messages can log on to Taylor's official Facebook page. LINK

Click here to see photos of Elizabeth Taylor through the years.

Grease Star Jeff Conaway Dies at 60

Jeff Conaway, best known for his role as Kenickie as Grease and Bobby Wheeler on the '70s TV series Taxi, has died at the age of 60 in a Los Angeles-area hospital.

He was found unconscious in his L.A. home several weeks ago and efforts to revive him came to a halt earlier today as his family made the painful decision to take him off life support.

Conaway struggled for years with alcohol and drug addiction an it is believed he fell into a coma after an overdose.

Conaway publicly faced his drug troubles when he appeared in 2008's Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew where he admitted to struggling with cocaine, painkillers, and alcohol.

RIP Jeff. LINK

Most Heavily Decorated Soldier

You want to meet a hero? Watch this film about Bob Howard who was nominated for the Medal of Honor 3 times. You can only receive it once in a lifetime. He was not a simple man. He had two masters degrees, but he also served us all for 50 years in the uniform of the U.S. Army. Rest in Peace, Bob Howard. LINK, Via: Youtube

'Eagle cam' advocate dies helping with Mpls. tornado cleanup

MINNEAPOLIS -- A man using a chainsaw to help clear a tree from a blocked roadway collapsed and died, his family said Monday, the second confirmed death related to a tornado that tore through Minneapolis over the weekend, injuring dozens of people and destroying hundreds of homes.

Family and friends of Rob MacIntyre said the 53-year-old collapsed about 6 p.m. Sunday, not long after helping clear the tree that was toppled by the tornado.

MacIntyre was president of the Iowa-based Raptor Resource Project, the organization behind an "Eagle Cam" in Decorah that has attracted worldwide attention over the Internet. The group issued a statement mourning his death.

"I have some bad news. Rob MacIntyre has passed away," wrote webmaster Amy Ries. "Rob was the President of the Raptor Resource Project. He was very involved in our work, rappelled with us, and established a new falcon nest last year at Riverview Towers. Rob gave me (Amy) rappel lessons at his home in North Minneapolis, using a large tree in his yard. He was a great guy, always very enthusiastic and encouraging, and he sure loved to rappel. He caught Amy when we were banding at Greysolon in 2006 and named her "Amy" (she was an unbanded adult falcon). We have many great memories of Rob and are shocked and saddened by his passing."

The RRP's Facebook page is stacked with tributes to MacIntyre and the impact he made with his life. LINK

Portraits of the Fallen

This is a story about an artist in Utah who paints the portraits of the fallen. She has painted 250 of them and brought out of love to the surface of a canvas, visual memories to be given to the families of these fallen soldiers. She does what she can to praise them. She uses her talents to bring them back, to make their presence available to them again. LINK

Mike Starr of Alice in Chains dead at 44

"Mike Starr, top center, with the original Alice in Chains lineup in 1990"
​Mike Starr, original bassist and co-founder of the Seattle-based grunge band Alice in Chains, died today at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was 44 years old.

Unfortunately, Starr had been publicly battling with drug addiction for the past few years. He appeared on the VH1 reality show Celebrity Rehab last year, which detailed his battle with heroin addiction and subsequent treatment at the Pasadena Recovery Center. The last time he appeared on the show, he was celebrating six months, seven days of sobriety.

Then, on February 18 of this year, Starr was arrested in Salt Lake City for felony possession of a controlled substance (six Xanax and six Opana, according to police).

Before playing in Alice in Chains, Starr cut his teeth in the Seattle scene as the bassist for Diamond Lie, a band he shared with his eventual AIC bandmates Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney. They invited Cantrell's roommate, Layne Staley, to join the band, morphing into Alice in Chains in the early '90s. The group was signed to Columbia Records and rose to prominence as part of the burgeoning grunge scene in Seattle. Starr's bass playing can be heard on Alice in Chain's full-lengths Facelift and Sap, as well as the Dirt EP.

Starr left Alice in Chains in 1993, a decision he told Celebrity Rehab was fueled by a growing drug addiction problem. LINK

RIP Frank Buckles

Frank W. Buckles celebrated his 110th birthday on February first. He died peacefully at his home on Sunday morning. Buckles was one of 4,734,992 Americans who served in World War I. With his death, there are no more surviving US veterans of that war.

Buckles, who served as a U.S. Army ambulance driver in Europe during what became known as the “Great War,” rose to the rank of corporal before the war ended. He came to prominence in recent years, in part because of the work of DeJonge, a Michigan portrait photographer who had undertaken a project to document the last surviving veterans of that war.

As the years continued, all but Buckles had passed away, leaving him the “last man standing” among U.S. troops who were called “The Doughboys.”

In recent years, Buckles became an advocate for a memorial in Washington to honor those who served in the “Great War”. Link, -Via: Fark, Via: Neatorama

Godspeed Mr. Buckles.

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Earnhardt tribute The Dance "RIP"

It's been 10 years since that sad day.

The Dance by Garth Brooks. LINK: Youtube

JR Minkel, science writer, RIP

Rising-star science journalist JR Minkel, whose work we've linked to many times on Boing Boing, took his own life on Monday. Only 31 years-old, JR was a talented writer who covered space, physics, cosmology, and technology for Scientific American, where he was a staff writer, Popular Science, New Scientist, LiveScience, IEEE Spectrum, and many other publications. Author of the Instant Egghead Guide: The Universe, he also blogged at his own site, A Fistful of Science. JR had a knack for making complex science understandable by anyone, and his quest for knowledge, meaning, and humor shone through his writing. We send our deepest condolences to JR's family and friends. JR Minkel obituary (The Tennessean). LINK: Boing Boing

RIP Jack Lalanne

‎"My goal has always been to help people help themselves. Your body is your most priceless possession; you go take care of it!" - Jack LaLanne, 09/16/1914 - 01/23/2011... RIP Jack... He passed yesterday at 96 and was a tremendously positive person. Here's to you Jack! You lived by example! LINK: Youtube

RIP Mom "MISS YOU"

The years have gone by and many thoughts have gone through my mind. It is 1-2011 and it has been 11 years since my mom passed away. I got a phone call from my brother that he had found our Mom on her kitchen floor 1-18-2000(passed away).I fell against the wall and slowly went to the floor in disbelief. Still feels like yesterday.

My mom commented that she wanted to see in the millenium (2000) and she lived to see it.

I miss her so much, someone to talk to. That loving shoulder to cry on when you feel down. The motherly advice she was always so willing to give. For those of you with parents, spend as much time as possible with them. Some day they will be gone like both my parents and there is NO getting that time back.

There is other emotional things with name calling through my life that made me feel like I had failed in her eyes. I try hard and will continue to do so.

LOVE YOU MOM