Thanks for the post for one of my closest brothers in high school...dont think a day went by that THE BUTCHER and I weren't getting into some kind of trouble. I talk to him on a weekly bases and he's still one of the toughest guys I've met. He is determined to beat this cancer and has a very positive attitude.

His address is

20 White Marsh Lane
Rotonda West, Florida 33947

He and wife Jackie would like to hear from you all.

Re: My Brother Ernie and best friend since 1945

Posted at 10/31/2005 10:24:39

By Chris Christman

One Marine to another, you will beat this cancer. I can't hear you. Those are words we all know. But our lives started long before we joined the Marines, you my brother Jerry and me, we were a band of brothers. As kids playing guns across the street from your house, hours and hours try to sneak up on each other and bang bang your dead. Funny how that would come to pass. This is just another battle you will win. I will write a E-mail to you. But I wanted all of TDT and STAGS to know what great brother and Marine you are, so get your s--t together, drop and give me 20. Please let us all know how you are doing and with all my love to your wife, it was nice to see at the 50th reunion last Sept. As one trigger puller to another, God Bless and Semper Fi, we go on for ever.

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 10/31/2005 10:33:23

By Gary

I'm so sorry to hear of Ernies' problem. I remember him so well in High School and thought he was a good looking guy that could take on the world. I still feel he can. He will be in my prayers daily and please keep everyone posted on his progress. Tell him he has a lot more things he needs to complete here on earth before he joins the Master. I will not only pray for his recovery but will pray for him to have strength through these troubling times. He is blessed to have you two as his brothers. May God bless all of you. sylvia atwood

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 10/31/2005 11:55:22

Chris by the way you'll always be MEL to me...while I was reading your note to Ernie my eyes focused on a picture Ricky Acker took back in the 50's. Sitting on a couch was Jerry, myself, Tom Southard, Marvin Barnhart, Ernie and it looks as if we had already been into a fifth or two. A closer group you couldnt find even though Tommy went to St. Theresa and Marv wasn't a TDT , but he was one crazy guy. How he got to marry Ricky one never knows.

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 10/31/2005 02:27:52

By Anne Jensen Harper

You're right, Terry. You guys were quite a group. And Ernie and Marvin were always up to something. I don't have a picture in front of me, but I have lots of them and my mind and heart. I have already communicated with Gary and Ernie, so they know that my thoughts and prayers are with them. Memories are precious, aren't they!

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 10/31/2005 06:36:55

I sure don't know Ernie, but you guys and gals sure making him sound good....Ernie from the younger BROTHERS of TAT/STAGS....fight BIG BROTHER.. ... We are and ELITE group of guys and gals...STAGS are tough , loving and Carrying Individuals.....are prayers and Stags love is with you.. ...

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 11/17/2005 10:42:30

Gary: Please keep us posted on Ernie. I e-mailed Jackie but haven't gotten a response. Please know that they both are in my thoughts and prayers. He is on the prayer chain at my church, and we Baptist can sure do some meaningful praying. Hope all is well with you. Have a blessed Thanksgiving. sa

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 11/19/2005 08:41:55

By pjmcmillan blankenship

Sylvia, how right you are about Baptists. One more prayer chain here.

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 02/10/2006 10:16:51

By Ernie and Jackie Knighton

To all the special people in Ernie's life. Ernie and I are so grateful for your thoughtfulness and kind words. Ernie is suffering yet another set-back. The Mitral Valve that was repaired two years ago is again giving him a problem. He is scheduled for several tests next week to determin the severity of the problem and to decide whether or not to continue with the radiation at this time. You may never realize how very much we appreciate your ongoing prayers and encouraging words. Thank you so very much. We are praying the God we all know will bless you all immensly for your thoughtfulness. Jackie Knighton

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 02/23/2006 09:57:23

Good Morning Guys: Ernie needs his brothers.He is being tested for more heart problems and will get the results friday. He will start radiation the 3rd week of April and the reason for the delay is they can't start his treatments until he gets in touch with the Dr. that did his prostrate surgery in 1994. The radiation can't begin until they have that report. He and Jackie both remain very optimistic, as we all will. They need your love and caring. Keep them in your prayers and let them hear from you. Hope all is going well with each of you. love, sa

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 02/24/2006 05:41:08

Brother Ernie and Jackie, our prayers are with the two of you at all times... Brother Ernie , as I once mentioned before ,I don't know you ,but we do have a connection in our life...STAGS...We are an ELITE group of men and women, that care for each other ....Stags -a new found , portion of our past....what great times....no matter what we were never alone....We always had each other, here we are more than half a CENTURY later and we still have each other.... FIGHT BIG BROTHER, I want to be able to meet you at the next reunion and shake your hand and say Love you, Brother, glad to meet you....

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 02/27/2006 02:00:23

Gaston: That was the sweetest e-mail for Ernie and Jackie. No wonder everyone loves you,including me. My dream is to meet all of you one of these days.sa

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 02/27/2006 05:27:02

I just got off the phone with "THE BUTCHER" and he is feeling better...he thinks he's on the right track with new drugs...latest doctor seemed to indicate Ernie has a crooked heart...no comments from you guys......anyway he sounded good and told me to tell you guys thanks...he cant type as when he was taking typing at CGHS he was more interested in Mrs. Glasgow's physical attributes than her teaching skills...

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 02/27/2006 07:51:23

By David

Gaston has a way with words. I know Ernie will recover andwill meet Gaston at the next STAGS Reuniom. Though they don't know each they share that bond of being part of a great club.

God be with you Ernie as you will recover and

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 02/27/2006 07:54:03

By David

Sorry, I pushed the wrong button. Ernie we all pray that you have a speedy recovery. Gaston you keep up the special bond you have with the brothers and sisters.

God be with all of you.

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 03/24/2006 08:05:59

Mr. Grant ,any up date on Ernie??????

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 04/02/2006 05:23:00

By Ernie and Jackie

We think that the heart is being controled with the right drugs. The down side is that the cancer has spread. We will be going up to Moffitt Cancer center on Tuesday to decide on the best treatment to control and stop this from going any further. I will keep you all posted on the prognosis. Although his count keeps going up, it is still considered a low grade cancer. Keep the prayers coming. We are so grateful. "Ernie will be at the nest Reunion ."That is the plan. He will be very proud to shake the hand of each and every one whom he hasn't met and thank you personally. You certainly are a very special group . Love to you all, Ernie and Jackie

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 04/03/2006 10:10:08

Jackie and Ernie,
I believe so strongly in prayer and it being answered. You will beat this because of your up-lifting spirit and your belief in what God can do. I think of you both so often and can't wait until I can meet you and see Ernie again. Do you know how many wonderful friends are with you each day, even though you can't see them? Everyone that reads the Stags e-mail's has you in their heart, so never think that you are alone. Although we can't be with you in body, our spirits are and we all are just a phone call away. Love to you both, sylvia

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 04/04/2006 05:27:04

By Janet Eaton

Sylvia.
I know you are in Gainesville. GO GATORS!!!!!
My twin daughters are sophmores at UF and they called me today to tell me that campus was mardi gras x 10 last night.

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 04/05/2006 09:48:31

Janet, It was one of the most exciting times in Gainesville that I can remember and I have been here since 1962. They closed our main street that goes into the University, University Avenue, all night just so all the students and fans could have the freedom to celebrate. I don' think I got an hour's sleep that night, and had to come to work the next day. In our office, four of us, all walked around like zombies the entire day, but it was worth every minute of it. Everyone here is still flying high. Give me a call when you next come to Gainesville, and we will meet and have a coke or cup of coffee. Tell your sons is there is ever anything they need to give me a call, between myself, my son, and my daughter, we could get them any help they could use. Looking forward to meeting you. sa

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 04/05/2006 09:49:56

Janet, oops meant to say your daughters. sa

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 04/05/2006 06:08:00

By Janet Eaton

Sylvia,
I will call you the next time i'm in town. probably wont be until i help them move in in august. however, there is a huge way you could help me. i need a referral of a good general practitioner that my girls can go to when they are sick. they are not to impressed with the clinic at school and mallerie had to wait seven hours in the emergency room at shands. so i think it is best that they establish a relationship with a private doctor in town. who do you use? Thanks. Janet

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 04/05/2006 06:23:19

By Herb Stebbins (68)

Janet, I just left a message with a friend that might be able to help you. Also, my brother is up there and I will call him tomorrow. Between the two we will come up with something. Herb

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 04/05/2006 06:47:20

Janet , try contacting Mark Leopold... He has been living in Gainsville for a long time and I believe he still has a young child....I have his cell if you need it ....

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 04/06/2006 05:33:05

By Herb Stebbins (68)

Janet, have your girls get in touch with Dr. Alexander Kay. He comes highly recommended by my brother and his wife. He is accepting new patients and is a general practitioner. He can be reached at 352-367-9602. His address is Haile Medical Group at Plantation Village Center, 4750 SW 91st Drive, Gainesville.

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 04/06/2006 09:56:12

Janet: I have a wonderful Dr. here that I have been going to for many years. He is probably in his mid 40's and I have never found a more thouough Dr. in all my years. It doesn't matter what problem I bring to him, he will not stop until he finds the answer. He is just off Newberry Rd. which is also University Avenue and it would not be hard for the girls to drive to his office. If they want to know more about him, tell them to give me a call. 371-7393. His name is Christopher Guy and his staff is top notch and really put a patient at ease. If they would like for me to call for them, I will gladly do so. Again, please tell them if they ever need anything, I am just a phone call away. sylvia

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 04/06/2006 12:32:19

By Janet Eaton

Sylvia,
Thank you so much for the doctor information. The girls can call him and make an appointment to meet him. I'm glad he is in his mid 40's becuase my girls think anything close to that is ancient and i do want them to be able to feel at ease with him. mid 40s (such a baby!) makes him still young enough to be acceptable. I will call you around august 5th when i'm back up there and i'll meet you for a cup of coffee. THIS WEBSITE, THE STAGS, IS MAGICAL IN SO MANY WAYS. i'm reminded of hillary clinton's book, it takes a village to raise a child. here i am getting doctor advice for my children from someone i have never met or face to face talked to. we have a stags connection and we're part of a village that's raising our children. that's good enough for me. thanks!!!!!

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 04/18/2006 07:22:16

By Herb Stebbins (68)

Just finished a nice conversation with Ernie. This was his first day of Chemotherapy at Moffitt Cancer Center. He is a Stag through and through. Doesn't feel any discomfort at all! That is not normally the case with this type of procedure. He will go again next Tuesday. There will be a total of three procedures. He loves hearing from his friends. Keep him in your prayers.

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 05/14/2006 05:03:11

Talked to the Butcher yesterday and he in great spirits...PSA coming down and he ready to kick butt...told me a good story about Tibby..which I will share at my 50th on June 1st.

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 07/14/2006 10:44:39

By Jackie Knighton

Ernie and I want you all to know that the Chemo is working. Count has come down 50%. We will be going to Moffitt every other week now instead of every week. Prayers do work as Ernie is a walking testiment. He has suffered no discomfort whatso ever , and has lost only a small amount of hair. We are so grateful for all your concern and continued prayers. God Bless you all! E&J

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 04/20/2008 08:42:22

By George "Arnie" Knighton

Don't know if this has been posted but Ernie is
in the care of Hospice now. Jackie has informed
me that Doctors have given him approx. two mos.
Please continue to pray for him & his family.

Geo.

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 04/21/2008 09:15:20

George:

Yes, Ernie's condition has been posted on Sick Call as well as a few others. I talk to Ernie daily and Herb Stebbins and I went to visit him last Saturday. He reports that he is comfortable and enjoys hearing from the guys.

Terry 56

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 04/29/2008 11:20:47

By Tim Knighton

My mother, brother and I personally want to thank all of you for your thoughts, prayers and kind words. My father does love hearing what has been said on this board. He has declined considerable since Terry last saw him. He is not in pain or uncomfortable. He is a sleep most of the time. When he does wake up, we have great conversation. He retains his wit even now and frequently makes us laugh. Please continue to pray for him and us. Thank you again

Jackie, Pat and Tim Knighton

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 04/29/2008 11:33:10

Tim, we are all feeling your families pain. Please know that so many prayers are being said each day for Ernie and the rest of you. sylvia

Re: My Brother Ernie

Posted at 06/02/2008 08:20:52