God Blessed us with another non-boring year in 2006 ! Eventually we are bound to have an uneventful year. It just wasn’t 2006. Here’s how 2006 went for the Markhams:

Luke went to Iraq - Nancy’s Mom Passed away. As noted in the last letter, on January 5th, 2006, Nancy’s Mom passed away, and on January 9th Luke left for Iraq, so we drove to Missouri and then to NY then back to Michigan. Good thing gas prices were so low! As you can see, 2006 got off to a busy start.

We had another grandson! Mike and Laura had another child! -> On August 26th Jason Lee Bornheimer came into this world. (Jason from Luke Jason and Lee from Lee Peter). Nancy and I went to Germany to be with Laura and had a great time getting to know our second grandson. We stayed on the Vilsec Post while we were there, and got to do some sightseeing in Nuremburg and Vilsec.

Mike and Laura have a great house. Mike is doing well in his unit, and plans to be deployed some time this year. Laura is a fantastic mother and keeps ultra busy with the two young ones to clean up after. eMail her at: lbornheimer@hotmail.com and she will send you pictures of the babies and their latest

news. Their phone number is 49-966-242-1662 Address = PFC Bornheimer, Michael, CMR411, Box 5758, APO, AE 09112. We are so PROUD of them both.

Luke injured in Iraq Luke joined the ranks of the greatest Americans when he went to war to defend our country. Freedom isn’t free, and Luke paid a price to defend our way of life. Luke executed over 300 successful missions, and personally engaged the enemy while in Iraq. In October, Luke was injured, then med-evaced to a hospital in Germany

where Mike and Laura met him. Next he was flown, to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington DC. Bekah selflessly quit her job and went with Nancy to meet him. My fantastic sister Dawn and her Husband Joe, graciously invited them to stay with her for two weeks. Shortly after that my brother Roger drove down from Rochester, I flew in from Korea, and we all rallied around Luke to raise his spirits. It turned out to be an early Thanksgiving. We were able to do some sightseeing in DC as well. Bekah continues to stay in DC and take care of Luke – we are all

grateful for her sacrifice. Luke’s right eye is still in question but we know that God is a faithful God and will return his sight. Among other commendations and colors, Luke received a purple heart, a combat action badge, an R-com, and a flag that was flown over Camp Taji. Then came the BIG event - Luke and Bekah met with President G. W. Bush-(see pic above). Please continue to pray for Luke. Luke and Bekah plan to move to Fort Leonard Wood when Luke is ready for a move, and they will both resume their studies. Call Luke’s cell phone – 616-856-1653. We are so PROUD of them both.

Lee graduates and serves in Korea! On Feb 22nd Lee graduated from basic training as an MP. After serving in the home town recruiting program Lee shipped off to Seoul Korea to be stationed at camp Yongsan. His friend Matt, also an MP, is there as well. As an MP, Lee sometimes has to deal with some very drunk soldiers. Lee had to go the hospital when his

face was injured. He had to get over 30 stitches and get his tooth capped (his front smiling tooth). Unfortunately when they stitched him up, they didn’t notice a part of his tooth was still imbedded in his lip, so he had to have it removed in a second surgery several weeks later. I visited Lee in October. While there I stayed on post at Yongsan. Lee and I went sightseeing, and saw Seoul Tower, as well as downtown Seoul. It was a good FSBT (Father-Son-Bonding-

Time). Lee hasn’t been home since he left. Both Lee and Matt plan to visit the old folks in March. The exact date is TBD. His address is: PFC Markham, Lee 142 MP Co. UNIT 15254 APO Box #67, AP 96205. We are so PROUD of him. Nancy and Ron are doing well! God blessed us with many good friends, good jobs, and of course three awesome children. Our children were also blessed with great spouses. I had a mini-stroke (one that you don’t even notice) and have lost sight in my left eye. Some say this happened so I can appreciate Luke’s condition, but I believe, like the blind man in the bible, this has happened to give glory to God.

So you see - in another short year – we have been too busy to notice the empty nest. I have traveled to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China twice, Korea, and Mexico once. Nancy and I have been to Germany and Washington DC. Through all the good times and the bad times, God has sustained us. A VERY LATE Merry Christmas -- A LATE Happy New Year – and an EARLY HAPPY EASTER God Bless you all, each and every one;

Ron & Nancy,

Lee &, Luke & Bekah, & Mike & Laura, Sadie, and Dafanie

OUR NEW ADDRESS: 5411 Hartfield Ct Ada, MI 49301 PHONE-616-940-3105 Cell-616-828-2487

rcmarkham.@comcast.net