Recent events

Find Our Fathers

2011-09-30T06:08:00.000-07:00

Our mission was to extend the search and rescue and it certainly was not the intent that we would have to continue our mini crusade of fund raising and conducting our own private recovery.

Our fathers had the biggest and most loving hearts. Part of this love for life, love for family and friends, was shared with their love for fishing and one another.

My father as I understand it was one of the men that never received a warning. He was alone in his room. His friends shared with us the pandemonium and how quickly the boat sunk. I cried for days wondering why. Why did he choose to be alone, why wasn't he warned, why didn't any of the crew members whom my dad "personally took care of" warn him? Why?

I'm certainly not alone in my pursuit of "whys." The survivors, -my dad's friends are haunted by this notion day in and day out. The families too, have shared their fair share of questions. The questioning continues as each day passes. Some days are easier than others. We are in this nightmare together.

As I see it, I may have lost a Dad, but now I have a larger extended family. My family is now joined by 19 other families, as we are all united and bonded for life.

Thank you to my sister Catrina for helping us obtain these bracelets. I will wear this pride. If you'd like to make a donation to help us locate our fathers, please see our website at Findourfathers.com. If you'd like a bracelet, please email us at findourfathers@gmail.com.

-Mandi Lee

Survivors share what happened that night of July 3

2011-09-03T16:26:00.000-07:00

http://www.bajagoodlifenews.com/2011/07/sinking-of-erik.html

Thank you Bob Higgins, Gary hanson, Jerry Garcia, Dave Levine, Steve Slonekar and rescuer, Mike Kalicki.

Facebook Stats . . .Keep hope alive and spreading the word one post at a time

2011-09-03T15:35:00.000-07:00

4,000 weekly users
367,808 total posts
*
This data corresponds to 08/03/2011 - 09/01/2011.
3,203 United States
29 Canada
20 Mexico
9 Philippines
7 Australia
4 United Kingdom
3 Italy
2 Japan
2 Spain
2 United Arab Emirates
2 Norway
2 Hong Kong
2 Kenya
2 Singapore
1 Guam
1 Brazil
1 Ireland
1 Indonesia
1 Brunei

This data corresponds to 08/03/2011 - 09/01/2011.
399 Pleasanton
274 Santa Clara
267 Seattle
256 San Francisco
117 San Jose
109 Los Angeles
80 Walnut Creek
78 Sacramento
65 Stockton
54 Oakland
53 San Diego
43 New York
43 Rohnert Park
40 Irvine
40 Overland Park
39 Dallas
32 San Mateo
30 Doylestown
28 Livingston
MoreLess
*
Language?LanguageAggregated language data about the people who like your Page based on the default language setting selected when accessing Facebook. This data corresponds to 08/03/2011 - 09/01/2011.
3,236 English (US)
44 English (UK)
9 Spanish
8 English (Pirate)
4 Spanish (Spain)
3 Leet Speak

Every letter counts. . .

2011-09-03T15:17:00.001-07:00

Thank you Mike Tanaka and Senator Inouye.

2011-09-03T15:11:00.000-07:00

Letter to the Secretary of Tourism, August 6

2011-09-02T17:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Mr. Funcke,

I am very appreciative of your diligence and cooperation to assist us in bringing our loved ones home. Sir, we have been working tirelessly for the past 36 days; fund raising, speaking to our congressional leaders, and maintaining the attention of mainstream, so when I received your email, it brought me some hope. We (7 families of the missing men) have in place a website that has gained worldwide attention and a facebook page, which since it’s inception has had 1,000,000 views. We have obtained over 4,500 world-wide signatures. We are confident that we will raise 10,000 by the end of the month. We are touched by the generosity and kindness of thousands, thus restoring our hope and faith in humanity. The world-wide support we’ve received has also reminded us the importance of man’s fundamental need to feel safe and secure as many have expressed how their fathers, uncles son's have either fished in Baja Mexico, or our avid fishermen.

Recently, I was interviewed by our local newspaper, and my mother by our local news station. We felt it was critical to mention the graciousness and kindness of the people in San Felipe in their efforts to help us return our father’s tackle box. We have received box loads of letters from strangers and donations from those wanting to help the people in San Felipe as a result of learning about the safe return of my father’s tackle box through our use of social media and mainstream media. Survivors on the Eric; Bruce Marr, Glenn Wong, Craig Wong, and Charles Gibson reported to San Francisco Associated Press similarly, their experiences with the locals in San Felipe and how they'll never forget the angel wings spread upon them through their selfless acts of the generosity and care of strangers when they faced near death experiences. I’d happily provide this information to you to include on your website if you are interested.

Since our last correspondence, you mentioned how authorities have informed you on the estimation of the where the ship is located, with an estimation of the depth at which rests. I am wondering, if you can obtain this information. In addition, it would be helpful to learn what type of equipment was used, number of divers, how wide of an area was searched and the hours expended for the dive (s)? We have asked our own government; State Department and Department of Defense and they were not able to provide us with this information.

With regard to the limitation on the inability to make visual contact with the ship, thus impeding dive efforts to conduct the deep water search, I am wondering if it is possible if your government is able to look for funds in various branches of the Mexican government to partner and bring our loved ones home because we can not accomplish this without your assistance. We have asked our government to do the same, but without conclusive findings on the dive your government conducted, we our left with another reminder of the “unknown,” that continues to plague us.

We plan on visiting San Felipe in the upcoming weeks. We hope we can personally thank the locals that have helped the survivors as well as my family. I respectfully appreciate your time and efforts. I hope to meet you as well to thank you in person for your guidance and facilitation in this matter.

With much appreciation,

Mandi Lee

(Daughter of Donald Lee)

Koong's Chinese Restaurant in Miliptas - 3 day fundraiser

2011-08-28T19:57:00.000-07:00

From the wall of Ed Bernana:

On behalf of the Families of the missing Fishermen, I want to thank all my friends and Family who supported the Find our Fathers Fundraiser these past three days. My wonderful wife Mallory, my Sis in law Jackie Uribe, Nick and Nick Caraveli Jr., Mark Melin, Jason Dorsey, Doug Hames, Kathy Longorio and The Great Freddie Mata all came to Koongs Chinese Restaurant in Milpitas. Love to you all.
Mobile Uploads

Hope gives us strength!

Busy, busy spreading the word and raising money one day at a time . .

2011-08-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

from facebook wall:

Week of August 21:

Find our Fathers
Awesomeness! Final Edition in Santa Rosa! Thank you Carol Divodi!

Mobile Uploads

Carol Divodi's Final Edition Poker Run here we come!!

By: Lorie Goldbeck

Find our Fathers
Round Hill Country Club, Alamo

Mobile Uploads

Thank you Cheryl Krier, Mary Chiu, Tonya Chinchilla President of the Contra Cos...ta NAIW Association and its members for supporting Findourfathers!

A celebration of Gene Leong

2011-08-28T19:32:00.000-07:00

from wall post on facebook:

Today we laughed and cried happy tears remembering a fabulous cousin, uncle, husband, dad and friend who was loved by so many. We saw video of him fishing and his "Oh shit" experience, as well as tales about his 55' Chevy from the good ole' days, and his zip lock bag moments. What a wonderful man and human being. His wife Karen, held her head up high with poise, elegance and strength. His son Craig reminded us that his father believed that we should live life to the fullest and without fear. His son Mike reminded us that we can not give up hope.

Mobile Uploads

Eugene Leong ~ Gone Fishin

By: Raymond Lou

Survivors meet with the families of the missing fishermen

2011-08-28T19:28:00.000-07:00

August 11, 2011

Joe Beeler, Dennis Deluca, Jerry Garcia, Bob Higgins, Lee Ikegami, Bruce Marr, Jim Miller, Mike Ng, Gary Wong, Rich Ciabattari, and Pete Zugar met with the families today to share their seconds they had before the Eric sunk. Today's meeting provided us with greater understanding and filled in the gaps that news reports failed to report. While it was difficult to listen to their horrific details, what is alarming is that every single survivor shared how there wasn't a single warning made by a crew member and how they had seconds to jump ship. A mere warning could have alter...ed their rescue, could have saved lives. We learned a tremendous amount today. Thank you to all of the men for revisiting those horrific moments just so that we can sleep a little better, just so that we could find some sort healing in all of this.

Rich Ciabattari's life ring

Wall Photos from facebook

Fisherman Never Lost Hope . . .

2011-08-24T06:51:00.000-07:00

reported from msnbc.com

MEXICO CITY — Three fishermen lost at sea for nine months relied on a fishing rod constructed out of broken engine parts and rain collected in a bucket to survive.

Sometimes going days without food, the group caught sharks — once with their bare hands — and trapped seagulls. The fishermen hid under blankets to protect themselves from the sun.
“We ate raw fish, ducks, seagulls. We took down any bird that landed on our boat and we ate it like that, raw,” Jesus Vidana, one of the three survivors, said in an interview with a Telemundo reporter using a satellite phone from the ship that rescued them.
The fishermen took turns reading from one of their last remaining possessions — a battered Bible, which had only a few worn pages left at the end of their journey.
Most of their supplies had been lost to the sea for weeks when a Taiwanese fishing trawler found the group — naked, burned and emaciated — near the Marshall Islands, more than 5,000 miles from their starting point.
The Mexican fishermen rescued from their watery prison said they never thought they would die.
“We never lost hope because there is a God up there,” Vidana told Mexico’s Televisa news network, sounding hoarse and sleepy. “Our feet are swollen, our arms are swollen ... but we’re not in that bad shape.”
The long trip
Five fishermen departed Mexico’s Pacific Coast fishing village of San Blas between late October and early November 2005 on a routine shark fishing trip in their 25-foot, two-engine boat.

Reuters

Mexican fisherman Jesus Vidana was rescued on Aug. 16 near the Marshall Islands after drifting for about nine months.

San Blas is home to thousands of fishermen, many without life-saving gear in their boats, said Jose Guadalupe Guerra, a town hall official in San Blas. “The fishermen here are very rudimentary. Most don’t comply with navigation rules, and the authorities don’t demand it either.” The group did not bring a radio nor a cell phone onto the vessel that they would call home until Aug. 9. Vidana said one of the engines broke down early in the trip and the other ran out of fuel. Without power, currents pulled the cabinless boat farther and farther west.
Miguel Gutierrez, a senior official at Mexico’s Foreign Ministry, said a survivor told a government official that one man died in January and the other in early February.
“They refused to eat, and that’s why they died,” he said. The three survivors tossed them overboard instead of using their bodies as food.
The survivors did not mention their dead companions when they were interviewed Wednesday by radio and television stations aboard the boat that rescued them near the Marshall Island.
“It is natural that people who have spent nine months on the high seas, in the conditions they survived, would not have their complete story straight away,” Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez said.
The three remaining took turns on watch for other boats while two slept. Vidana said this task caused a considerable amount of tension, although there were never any fistfights.
“We never lost hope because we were always seeing boats. They passed us by, but we kept on seeing them. Every week or so, sometimes we’d go a month without seeing one, but we always saw them, so we never lost hope,” Vidana said, noting that it is difficult to see a small boat in heavy ocean seas.
When the Japanese trawler found them, however, all three were sleeping. Vidana said the three cried when they realized they would be rescued.
‘Miracles exist’
Although most of the town had given them up for dead when the vessel never returned, Vidana’s mother refused to accept her son was dead. She said months ago she dreamed that Vidana was stuck on a deserted island.
The families were ecstatic after hearing news of their rescue. “Now you see that miracles exist,” said Marina Estrada, the aunt of one of the fishermen.
Vidana will return to his wife, parents, and two kids — one of which was born during his absence.
Mexico is sending an official to meet the survivors in the Marshall Islands and help bring them home when the trawler that picked them up returns to port in a couple of weeks.
“We’re recovering,” survivor Lucio Rendon said, “sleeping a lot, and eating well.”
Salvador Ordonez, the third survivor, said, “I knew I was going to live, that I wasn’t going to die.” The three men are around 30 years old.
Vidana said as soon as he returns to his village, he will take his family to a little church and give thanks to God. One of his first questions was who won the Mexican presidential election. He could not wait to eat meat tacos and quesadillas.
Vidana added that he will then continue to fish, noting that’s the only way he knows to feed his family.

Friend helping friends, one blog at a time . . .

2011-08-23T07:11:00.000-07:00

This has purely been driven by a grassroots efforts. First, we wanted to make sure all 27 men were accounted for and brought home. We asked friends on facebook to call and write letters to our local congressional leaders and we were able to get the Mexico to extend the search. As the weeks passed, our objective shifted had to unfortunately shift from a search to a recovery. We are thankful for friends, family and the kindness of others that continue to help us find our love ones and push for justice in this tragedy. We refuse to have our father's pass in vein.

Our message and cause is being spread, one blog at a time. Thank you Kim Nowlin for caring and sharing.

www.fooditforward.com

FoF gets support from Fish Talk Radio, AM830 Will Ebersman and Phillip Friedman

2011-08-19T18:37:00.000-07:00

July, 28, 2011
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Washington D.C.
Dear Mr. President:
I am requesting your assistance in retrieving the bodies of 6 (six) American fishermen, including two veterans who were recipients of the Purple Heart.

On July 4 of this year, the Erik, a Mexican sportfishing vessel operating out of San Felipe, Mexico sank in approximately 300 feet of water. The circumstances surrounding the sinking still have not been fully explained or documented by Juan Tintos Funcke, Secretary of Tourism, Baja California Norte or anyone else in the Mexican government.

The crew of 17 (seventeen), all Mexican nationals, were rescued. Six anglers out of thirty-four (34) passengers, all American nationals, are still missing. To date, only one angler’s body has been recovered. It is believed that the remaining six victims are trapped in the Eric’s cabins.

There has been little information disseminated to the families of the dead regarding any efforts that might have been taken in retrieving the bodies.

An investigator who was on scene the day the Erik sank was kind enough to share the results of a joint rescue effort with Mexico, which includes the latitude and longitude of the Erik’s projected location.

I am specifically requesting that you exert all possible efforts upon the Government of Mexico to locate, retrieve and return the bodies of these missing American citizens to their families to enable burial and a start to the healing process.

I eagerly await a response. As co-host of Fish Talk Radio, AM830, KLAA, Anaheim, CA (Thursday evenings, 9-10 PM), I have received a number of inquiries regarding this unfortunate event. The American public wants to know what is being done.

Please do not hesitate to contact either me at (323) 839-8349 or via e-mail at camraguy@lycos.com My co-host, Mr. Philip Friedman, is available at (424) 237-0250 or via e-mail at p976tuna@aol.com, if you have any questions or need additional information.

Sincerely,
Will Ebersman and Philip Friedman

Thank you Mexico for extending the search, however . . .

2011-08-11T21:43:00.000-07:00

Mexico extended the search because of the actions of the PEOPLE (facebook friends) whom wrote letters, made phone calls and signed petitions asking our congressional leaders to request that Mexico extend the SEARCH.

Thank you Representative Jackie Speier's for writing a letter to Hilary Clinton, where in which this letter was signed by: Senator Diane Feinstein, Senator Barbara Boxer, and Representatives: Pete Stark, Lynn Woosley, Ann Eshoo, Barbara Lee, Jerry McNerney, and Mike Thompson. Thank you Leland Yee for holding a press conference and assisting us as well!

While we are appreciative that the search was extended, we still have a boat that needs to be located and retrieved. Of the 1,400 views we get a day, we hope that those of you in power can continue to help us. That includes those within the Mexican Government and our own Government. Yes, we are respectfully asking you to take action.

http://www.yumasun.com/articles/mexico-71306-missing-san.html

39 Days

2011-08-11T09:13:00.000-07:00

We do not know the exact coordinates of the vessel Eric.

We do know that it was the locals that were the first to respond, the McGee's helped coordinate a rescue effort with many others involved too (Vasquez family, and Malicki family).

We do not know why more is not being done.

We do know that Mexico is investigating the incident.

We do not know the whereabouts of the owner and or captain.

We do know that our loved ones have been out there for 39 days. Storms will occur in the Sea of Cortez, but deaths could have avoided by a simple distress signal, warning to ALL passengers and life jackets for ALL passengers.

We do not know how Mexico is investigating this nightmare without the evidence, the BOAT.

Facebook Stats . . .Keep hope alive and spreading the word one post at a time

2011-08-10T08:34:00.000-07:00

Monthly Stats:
6,250 monthly active users4,071 since last week
3,280 people like this25 since last week
1,035 wall posts or comments this week73 since last week
2,775 visits this week272 since last week

2011-08-09T00:22:00.000-07:00

Perseverance is a great element in success; if you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate you are sure to wake up somebody. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Response from Secretary of Tourism for the State of Baja, Ca 7/29/11

2011-08-08T22:32:00.000-07:00

Mr. Funcke responded promptly to an email from Mandi Lee, daughter of Don Lee. When she requested information regarding the location of the sunken ship, he responded, "-Authorities have informed us that they have estimation of where the ship is located, as well as estimation of the depth at which it rests. Despite the descent of Navy divers to a depth of 40 meters-as far as their equipment allows-they could not establish visual contact with the ship. This limitation makes it important to note that the Government of Mexico asked for assistance from the U.S. Government in the form of specialized equipment to conduct the deep water search."

The Goodness of People. Renewal in Humanity . . Hope Gives Us Strength

2011-08-08T14:46:00.000-07:00

from a Ed Berbena, posted on facebook on 7/3/11

Yesterday I downtown the morning at the Great Mall in Milpitas passing out fliers and talking to businesses. Talked with Starbucks Supervisor Chris who allowed posting of our General info Flyer but needed to wait fir Mgrs. Approval to post... fundraiser flyer. As I was leaving he called out to me, reached out to hand me something and almost in tears said, "I wish I could give you more but here's a couple of dollars. I hope it helps". I thanked him, told him what a Big Heart he had and
how donations can be made. I tell you this because this made me realize that for all the Immoral, dishonest political BS in this world, for the most part I still believe in the overall goodness of people. It is important to me, as I am sure it is to all of you, the work we are doing to get our family members
and friends home. If possible, what's just as important is how we are touching people's Hearts
and Lives and allowing them into ours. This gives me Hope. Many of us have been turned away by
restaurant business owners, some won't even let us hang a flyer. One wanted to charge me
to hang a flyer. I choose not to dwell on this negativity. Instead I'll forever remember Chris, scraping a few coins up to help a fellow human being. It keeps me going.

Find Our Fathers fundraisers TODAY!

2011-08-02T13:24:00.000-07:00

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT TODAY!

Rigatoni's in Dublin - all day
Chevy's at various locations - 4 to 10pm

Go to http://www.findourfathers.org/ to print flyers you need to have at the time of purchase!

Listen to Michael Ng's interview on Fish Talk Radio

2011-07-29T22:27:00.000-07:00

Check it out:

http://philfriedmanoutdoors.typepad.com/philip-friedman-outdoors/2011/07/fish-talk-radio-with-philip-friedman-outdoors-survivor-michael-ng-from-the-erik-demands-justice-from.html

New and improved letter to Department of Defense

2011-07-27T23:51:00.001-07:00

U.S. Secretary of Defense Panetta

Office of the Secretary of Defense

1400 Defense Pentagon

Washington, DC 20301-1400

Dear Secretary Panetta:

On July 3, 2011, seven California families lost family members aboard the Erik, which capsized in the Sea of Cortez south of San Felipe in Baja, Mexico. As of today, seven California families are left wondering if their loved ones remain within the Erik. They are unable to properly mourn their loved ones, access life insurance, retrieve financial instruments and administer property. The U.S. Department of Defense officially declined the families’ request to send expert divers to aid in the search due to lack of resources.

In 2001, a Japanese fishing vessel, Ehime Maru, was struck by the U.S. Navy Submarine Greenville as it surfaced. The Ehime Maru immediately sunk. It was moved to shallow water as the ocean floor was determined to be too deep to send a dive team. Eight of the missing fishermen's bodies were recovered.

The United States rightly recovered a foreign boat and subsequently searched it for missing crew members. It fittingly can and should afford the same respect to our very own U. S. citizens. It is the U.S. Department of Defense’s duty to search the wreckage and bring our seven missing Americans home. Two of the missing fishermen are decorated U.S. Veterans; Gene Leong is a recipient of a Purple Heart and Albert Mein received eight service awards during his tour in Vietnam.

I respectfully urge you to take immediate action:

• Reconsider the U.S. Department of Defense’s decision about assisting with the recovery efforts

• Appoint experts to locate the boat and lead a feasibility analysis to determine if a dive team can be sent to the Erik’s current location with expert equipment or if the Erik needs to be moved to shallow water for a dive team to search.

• Authorize and deploy an expert team to Baja, Mexico. Based on the feasibility analysis, deploy the expert team(s) needed search and recover the seven missing American men; Donald Lee, Albert Mein, Gene Leong, Russell Bautista, Shawn Chaddock, Mark Dorland and Brian Wong.

It is our duty as the United States to honorably act on behalf of our citizens, especially our U.S. Veterans.

Sincerely,

Address ________________________________________________________________

City, State Zip ________________________________________________________________

cc: President Obama

1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Washington, DC 20500

We've come this far and have succeeded. This isn't over yet! HELP US!

2011-07-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

417,979 views
10,047 monthly active users
3.507 weekly active users
1,595 daily users
Keep spreading the word . . .good job everyone! Our priority is to get petitions signed! The last petition had an unbelievable 2,000 votes and resulted in the search and rescue extended beyond the 96 hour window! BRAVO folks! This was completed in under 5 days!

Now it's a shame to even ask this, but now we need a "search and recovery" with locating the vessel and an investigation that includes a dive. While we would hope that our government would look out for us, we are realizing that this is not necessarily the case. We need YOUR help once again. We need a second petition and this letter is addressed to Leon Panetta, Executive Secretary to the Department of Defense, CC President Obama.

So let's challenge ourselves. We ask you to print the letter to Leon Panetta. Xerox as many as you can. Ask friends, neighbors, strangers to sign them.

Mail them to PO BOX 310 El Granada, CA 94018. DEAD LINE: Friday, August 5. Our goal was 2,000 with the previous petition and we succeeded! Let's make this 10,000!

What's our plan? Xerox and scan each one. Send them to every Congressman on this planet and let them know that we mean business. The families need closure and justice.

Here's a quick review!

1. go to www.findourfathers.com
2. Click on "Spread the Word."
3. Copy and paste letter to US DEFENSE SECRETARY PANETTA
4. Xerox as many as you can
5. Ask family, friends, mail carrier, dog walkers, etc. to sign the petition
6. Mail them to PO BOX 310 El Granada, Ca 94018

*Gathering signatures on petitions work! Help us bring closure and justice to this tragedy and strength to ensure that this doesn't happen to you or your loved ones.*

Petition to DOD!

2011-07-25T23:03:00.000-07:00

Office of the Secretary of the Defense

1400 Defense Pentagon

Washington, DC 20301-1400

Dear U.S. Defense Secretary Panetta:

As you know, in the earlymorning hours of July 3, a fishing boat capsized and sank 80-100 miles south ofSan Felipe, off Mexico's Baja Coast. A grassroots effort by friends and familyof the seven missing men has garnered media attention and volunteers, but weneed you to take immediate action.

I am making a personal plea for you touse your influence to:

(1) Get the dive approved toinvestigate the wreckage. I learned today that the dive was notapproved by the Department of Defense. The families of the seven missing menneed closure. Searching the wreckage would either give them that, or let themknow that they can still hope their family members are out there, in the wateror on land. Please approve a dive to search the "Erik."

(2) Continue the searchefforts. I also learned today that the Mexican Navy has called offtheir search and rescue. These men could be on land, too weak or far fromcivilization to contact anyone.

Regardless of the reality of these men'ssurvival, don't the friends and families deserve to find the remains of theirloved ones...for closure, to ensure their loved ones are given a proper burial,etc. Pleasedo not let these opportunities pass by. Please do not condemn the friends andfamilies of these men to a cruel and desperate limbo. Please do not condemnthese men to be lost to their loved ones forever.

You hold 7 families' hopes in yourhand and when you count the number of individuals per family along with theirfriends, neighbors, colleagues, and business partners, you are now lookingat hundreds of people impacted by this tragedy. Please help bring theirloved ones home.

Sincerely,

Address

City

Cc:

President Obama

1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Washington, DC 20500

This will both enlighten you and enrage you; and after you've processed this information we encourage you to act!

2011-07-23T17:21:00.001-07:00

http://philfriedmanoutdoors.typepad.com/philip-friedman-outdoors/2011/07/the-sinking-of-the-erik-in-baja-what-is-the-missing-part-of-the-story-by-william-ebersman-1.html

Friends in Livermore go the extra mile to support FOF

2011-07-23T17:07:00.001-07:00

If it takes a village to raise a child, it will take the collective efforts of family, friends, supporters and politicians to find our fathers, uncles, brothers and best friends. Friends of "find our fathers" in Livermore are working collaboratively to spread our message. Many thank you's to the following:

-The children, family, and staff (Roz Hamar, Ann Clark, Ana Suan and Gretchan Mancieri) of Valley Montessori for showing their support to Mandi Lee and her family.

-MaryEllen Kordes with help of Cindy England for reaching out to supporters within their network to reach

-Arden and Kendall Waters for designing, creating, maintaining and constantly updating the FOF website

-Jamie Chrisp for contacting and organizing Melo and Casa Orozco fundraisers (printing and distributing fliers, DSL printing in Fremont, contacting and using your resources . . .balloons and all)

-Lauren Doko - writing letters, contacting the Livermore Patch, thinking "out of the box" to help our cause, and gathering donations and petitions at your garage sale

-Cindy Pietro and Clear Channel communications for posting FOF on radio station websites and "on air" plugs over 10,000 people

-Andrea Santin for your endless support and for organizing the Rigitoni fundraiser in Dublin

-Thom Brown and Safeway Corporation for supporting our cause by distributing restaurant fliers to your customers (all employees at the Melo's plaza will be dinning at Melo's)

-Chris Brown for connecting with your organization "Livermore Military Families" where in which the co-founder and president of Blue Star Moms sent a mass email to all Northern California families about FOF

-Marc and Maria Canet for using their resources to have trinkets made (flashlights and squeeze balls) to distribute at the Melo's and Casa Orozo fundraiser

-Julie Singleton, Julie Reyes, Jamie Chrisp, Maria Canet, Los Positas Golf Course -Jeff and Geanna DeBenedetti for distributing fliers about the Livermore restaurant fundraisers.

All it takes is just a few to spread the word . . . .thank you Larry Mo!

2011-07-22T11:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends and Business Partners,

Don't worry this ain't no SPAM mail either.

I have never written an message like this before but here it goes and if you are reading this it means you are a valued friend or business partner that I have great encounters with or a good vibe with you in the past. So bascally if you are getting this you know you rock! Needless to say as a friend I am asking for your assistance in the story I am about to share below. The story is tragic yet through the aid, assistance, and hope of so many kind family members, friends, and strangers it has really shown me the power of getting the word out and the great outpouring of support and spirit of humanity.

So please take a couple of minutes out of your busy day to read the story below because it could happen to you or someone you know. I am going to give you a brief summary of the story in my words mostly and a little copy paste action.

On Sunday July 3rd, 2011 at about 2:00 am on a fishing boat named the Erik that was somewhere 60-100 miles south off the of San Felipe and 2 miles off Mexico's Baja coast (Keep in mind Mexican Territory). There were 43 people on the boat which comprise of 27 American tourist and 16 crew members on board. So as bad luck has it the boat was hit by a very sudden and violent storm. Just think it's 2:00 am almost pitch black and you are in the middle of a storm at the mercy of mother nature. The boat capsized and to date all except 7 souls have been accounted for.

So there was a huge search and rescue effort (SAR) by the Mexican and U.S. Coast Guard. SAR is usually for 96 hours but through the efforts of all 7 families began an effort to get the SAR extended and it worked. This effort included contacting media, contacting elected officials and finding support from others. Through these efforts the creation of a tools to help the cause and get the word out to the public:

1) The website www.findourfathers.com (This has all the info you will need for the story, updates, fundraisers, status, donations, petitions)

2) Find Our Fathers Facebook Page

3) A blog spot www.findourfathers.blogspot.com

4) The Find our Fathers Twitter account

So on Tuesday July 12th the SAR effort was formally terminated. So these 7 men are still missing and keep in mind usually after a search and rescue is over then a recover effort begins. Here is where excuse my English but the sh*t hits the fan and has caused so outrage and shock due to what happens next. So basically the Erik is somewhere around 200+ feet down. So we are in Mexican waters so in order to start a recovery effort we need Mexican government to formally request assistance from the U.S. government since they did not have the resources for a complex dive of this nature. Well Mexico did request help from the U.S. and the request was then routed to the U.S. Department of Defense (D.O.D.) to formally request resources meaning U.S. divers to be sent to Mexico to search the wreck. Well you would think of course they will approve this its a no brainer we got 7 missing U.S. citizens 2 of which are veterans and my friend's father Gene Leong even has a Purple Heart from his duty in Vietnam. We don't leave our people behind. So the D.O.D formally denied the request on July 12th for the dive........................I know what you are thinking WTF it was our side the U.S. that has failed us which is bullsh*t in my opinion.

So the estimate to do a dive project of this nature is around $300,000 OK really the U.S. government can't spare that much I mean come on we house death row inmates at a cost of up to $92,000 per year but we won't give the families closure on 7 missing U.S. citizens. Also remember they are declared missing currently so this can also put many families into hardship because of legal issues such as Living Trust, a Will, joint accounts, business owned because they nothing can be executed on since they are missing and not declared...... well you know what I mean. So seriously people this makes me sad to be a U.S. citizen for the first time in my life to hear that our government doesn't have the backs of these families. If it was some elected official you know we would be down there with divers already but basically they are saying these 7 souls and their families are not important enough for our resources = $$$. Some one let the D.O.D. know that they should stop following the phrase "greed is good" cause humanity is more important. They paid taxes all their lives and are honest law abiding citizens so where the heck is our tax money going if not to help our own??

OK here is my vested interest in this story. I personally know 2 of the missing men which is Donald Lee and Gene Leong. They are the fathers of friends that I have known since high school and I grew up being friends with their kids who I am good friends with today. Don actually became my uncle in law a few years ago after I was married. It really doesn't hit home when you are watching the news and see something like this on TV till it happens to someone you know or even worse to 2 people you know. Donald and Gene play many roles as husband's, father's, grandfather's brother's, friend's, and mentor's depending on who you are. They are good kind hearted men that always wanted to help people so lets do these 7 men justice and try to bring them home or have a dive to investigate what happened to them.

So this is the current status of what Find Our Fathers has as goals to accomplish and both goals are of equal priority.

With the support of many; family, friends and even strangers; many fund raising events are being coordinated to cover the cost of a self-funded dive expedition (estimated to be $300,000). See website for details on events or how to donate

Urge the Department of Defense or any other entity in government to get a dive approved. If you go to the website on the upper left corner of the home page there is a electronic petition or if you would like additional info or a hard copy template to print please select "spread the word" under the "How you can help" area on the home page of Findourfathers.com

The entire goal of this email weather you receive this via work email, personal email, facebook, or attached to a pigeon is lets all help get the word out there to as many people as you think is possible. Please feel free to forward my email to anyone who you think will assist doesn't matter if it's just signing the petition but the more people that know the better and if we are based on a democracy then let the people be heard. So yes I am using the power of the web to spread the word for my friends and their families because just imagine it could have happened to any of us. If we can't depend on the government then fine, I know we can depend on hearts of people.

If you can assist with any of these items below we would greatly appreciate it:

1) Sign the petition electronic on the home page or use the templates provided in the websitewww.findourfathers.com

2) Show your support by donating or coming to a fund raising event if you are in the area. There is a donation link also on the website

3) Spread the word!! Send this message to anyone that you think will listen it is a honorable cause and tell them to keep spreading the message. My hope is that in the end this message that I am sending will eventually reach thousands of people and those people know tens of thousands of people you know chain reaction. Use whatever means you think will help the cause. Email, Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Text, phone, or even smoke signals.

4) If you have ideas on how to help the cause or fund raise or know any business that would be helpful to the cause please let me know. Every little bit helps at this point.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you can help with the cause. It is amazing what people are capable of when others need help it's the kindness of all who have helped so far and those to help in the future that bring hope and strength to these seven families and public awareness is currently our strongest tool at hand. "Hope gives us strength" a quote from Find Our Fathers cause. So that is the story........so far

Missing:
Russell Bautista
Shawn Chaddock
Mark Dorland
Don Lee
Gene J. Leong
Al Mein
Brian Wong

"And knowing is half the battle"

Kind regards,

Larry Mo

The Official Site of San Felipe and Baja

2011-07-20T09:30:00.000-07:00

Check out this site - specifically take a look at July 4-15 posts.

http://www.sanfelipe.com.mx/news/index.html

FUNDRAISER - Show your support - Join us at Papaya Grill TODAY!

2011-07-20T09:08:00.000-07:00

20% of sales on Wednesday, July 20

will be donated to Find Our Fathers!
Please plan a meal or two at the San Ramon Papaya Grill located at

280 Market Place,

San Ramon, CA 94583

Wednesday, July 20. All day (10:00 am - 8 pm)

http://www.papaya-grill.com/

Thank you!

2011-07-20T08:58:00.000-07:00

A huge thank you to the The Prickly Pear Cantina for a great fundraiser yesterday! There was a packed house with

good food, drinks and company!

Thank you to all of you that came out to support Find Our Fathers!

Support Find Our Fathers at the Prickly Pear Cantina!

2011-07-19T14:12:00.000-07:00

20% of sales on Tuesday, July 19

will be donated to Find Our Fathers!
Prickly Pear Cantina
Please patronize the Prickly Pear Cantina located at

3421 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville, CA.

All day (11:30 am - 9 pm)

Thanks to Rodney Worth (proprietor) and Eric Parcasio

for supporting our cause!

FUNDRAISERS: July 19, 20 and 28th

2011-07-16T22:50:00.000-07:00

Show your support for Find Our Fathers!

Check out http://www.findourfathers.org/

to see our upcoming fundraisers!

Thank you to

the Prickly Pear Cantina, Papaya Grill and

Melo's Pizza and Pasta

The Prayer List

2011-07-15T22:10:00.000-07:00

Below is a list of people who have sent prayers via our
Find Our Fathers Facebook page

The families of the survivors and missing men are overwhelmed with the amount of support and prayers that people have sent. We realize that there are lots of prayers that are being sent that may not be posted, so thank you, thank you, thank you! We feel truly blessed to be surrounded by such truly genuine, warm-hearted people. Thank you!

Aaron Nielson

Aimee Nunes Rubia

Alana Chin

Alex Christianson

Alycia Kim

Amber Foltman Schocdal

Amber Tamera Lomas

Amy Reynolds

Andy Schwipps-Allison

Angela Huang

Ann Marie Bailey

Ann Scullion

Ann Walsh

Annette Alcones Fucanen

Anthony Soohoo

Anthony Spears

Barbara Borelli

Barney Mangabay

Becky Smith

Becky Springmeyer

Bet Embree

Beth Griewing

Betty Fritz

Bill Lee

Brenda Miller Lenz

Bridgette Cox-Ulkaonu

Bridgette Spaky Bee LuvnMe

Bryan Hargrave

Cameron Nichols

Camille Hudson

Carey Aloha - Levine

Carissa Lugo Leimbach

Carissa Lugo Leimoach

Caroline Bader-Hepting

Cassandra Karen Reed

Catherine Cuevas

Cathy Lambiase

Cecelia Ferry Peterson

Chelsea Haberman

Chelsea Lewis

Cherie L. Nelson Rowe

Cheryl Wong

Christian Calingo

Christina Sandoval

Christina Souza Pontiflet

Christine Harkness

Cindy (Lou) Sheridan

Cindy Ford

Cindy Sheridan

Cindy Younker Fleckner

Cortny Reina Goodman

Craig Gietzen

Dan Dias

Dan Fryk

Dana Rubio Garcia

Dani McQuinn

Dani Thelena

Danielle Maie Beardsley

Danny Wandersee

Daren Dunn Findley

Dawn Matthews

Debra Chew Chan

Dee V. Ram

Denise Naganume

Denise Salazzar

Donna Gonzales

Donnalee Fejeran

Doreen Miller

Douglass Magee

Ed Berbena

Elayne Fiorelle Forgie

Eleanor Carmen Arreola

Elle Johnson

Erin Peterson Gilmore

Erlanda Anderson

Fiona Szeto Dalipe

Gail Lund

Gail Tsang-Lieuw-On

George Del Castillo

Gina Anadon Alaniz

Gloria Ritchie

Heather Rath

Helen Millus

Hisa Naito

Ivy Tom

J.C. Chinn

Jaime Benzar Chrisp

James Benjamin Mariano

James Hallen

James Klyn

Jane Ng-Lara

Janelle Manalo

Jason Mein

Jd Adkins

Jennifer Wadsworh

Jim Jensen

Jim Misto

Joanne Chen

Jodi Stinebaugh

Joelle Bautista

Joem Velez

Johanna Morelli

John Nielson

Johnny Liu

Joleen Nichols

Judi Lewis

Juli Slicton

Julianne Golden

Julie Gurule

Julie Hardy Bell

Julie Park

Kam McGeary McCallan

Karen Luey

Karen Smith Cooper

Katherine Davis Zagami

Kathi Shapiro

Kathryn Patterson

Kathy Nielson

Kathy Yamamoto Harano

Katia Welding

Kellie Pfeifer-Kroplinski

Kerrie Hudzinski Lindstrom

Kerry Fong

Kim Hansard

Kim HansardJoel Ramirez

Kim Wagg

Kimie A. Good

Kristina Kearnan

Kristy Harns

Kumba Bangurah

Laura Openshaw Gonzalet

Lauren Brown Hawley

Leah Rasser

Leatrice Dosharm Garcia

Lee Nakamoto

Letty Turtle

Lex Chan

Lisa Cox

Lisa Patel

Lori Goldbeck

Lori Stevenson-Secchitano

Lorie Goldbeck

Love Tennis

Lucia Celeste

Manny Djstreak Llancs

Marci McKail-Crews

Marcia Lee

Marcus Young

Marianne Foreman

Marim Soto-Basel

Marisa Brooks

Maritza Zaparolli

Marlene A. Baird

Marsha Thompson

Mary Hugo Basuel

Mehana Thomas

Melani Apongol Montez

Meredith Pistulka

Michelle Garcia

Michelle Pelkey

Michelle Stallme-Eggers

Midnyte Black

Mike Harrison

Misty Lee

Mitsy Ikegami

Molly Oto

Monia Wong

Monica Jaime

Monica Wong

Nichol Thomas Garcia

Nick Miller

Nicole Adamo

Nicole Serrett Dummitt

Nisha Nagdev

Odette Lutge

Pamela Yelyeh Carter

Patricia Benton

Patti Maffia

Pebbie Jair

Pebbles Robinson

Peggy Rae Rae Napier

Peggy W. Woon

Penny Whitt-Leyton

Perla Hercilia Norrigan

Pete Christian

Poonam Khiyara

Prisilla Chun

Raymm Lou

Rebecca Murphy Lytle Mcguyrt

Regina Lackey

Regina Williams Clardy

Roy Gilb

Ryan Jensen

Rylee Mora

Sabrianne Goldsmith

Sabrina Malohin

Salar Major

Salena Rene Mones-Lopez

Samantha Akran

Samarie Brown-Sharp

Sara Trux

Sarah Scherzi-Zwain

Shannon Rowe

Sharol Champagne-George

Shauna McCarthy

Shawna McCarthy

Shelley Jeremy Dorland

Shelley Jeromy Dorland

Sheri Laque
Sierra Godfrey-Fong

Stephanie Caldwell-Carrithes

Stephanie Flood

Stephanie Lau

Sue Hardy Perry

Suzanne May

Sylvia Pugh-Cardinale

Tamara Green-Williams

Tammy Choi

Ted Bell

Ted Donovan

Terri Defreeze

Terry Baldwin

Theresa Fong

Theresa Milichichi-Camber

Tiffany Nugen

Tiffany Reed Carrama

Tiffany Yee

Tina Lee

Todd Nielson

Tony Alves

Tony Chew-DJ Ione

Tory Doty

Tresha God’s got my back Brumfield

Vicki Sue Ruff-Grilli

Victoria Camber-Hudson

William Lou

Yolanda Koukougron

Yolanda Soto

You Chang

Zetha Nobles-Hrf

TAKE ACTION Contact Sylvia Panetta

2011-07-15T21:57:00.000-07:00

The Department of Defense is the government agency that denied the dive for search and recovery of the missing men. Sylvia Panetta is wife of Leon Panetta, Secretary of Defense. Sylvia is the chair of the Board of Directors and director of the Panetta Institute for Public Policy.
Please write, e-mail or call making a plea to Sylvia in hopes that she can influence her husband. Below are some talking points.

When using e-mail or fax, please be sure to provide your name, USPS mailing address, and your day and evening telephone number.

The Panetta Institute for Public Policy
100 Campus Center, Building 86E
California State University, Monterey Bay
Seaside, California 93955
Phone 831-582-4200
Fax 831-582-4082
Email: info@PanettaInstitute.org

** Talking points **

The seven missing men from the "Erik" fishing boat that capsized are Americans, two of which are U.S. veterans!
If this was one of the elected officials' or one of your family members, there would not be a question as whether or not the dive would be approved by the D.O.D.!
These are seven honorable, law-abiding American citizens; who worked to support their families and who pay their taxes!
If American citizens who pay their taxes cannot depend on the U.S. government to help them in times like these, how can the American people TRUST the government at all?
Where is all of our tax money going, if not to help these Americans and their families.
It is hard for me, as a taxpayer, to understand how our government can turn its back on these men and their families.
I am respectfully asking you to intervene on behalf of these families.

** If you want to write a letter, here's a template **

Dear [ ],

As you know, seven fisherman have been lost in the Sea of Cortez. The Department of Defense has said there will be no dive. They said the capability is not available at this time. What exactly does that mean?

These men are all American citizens, some even veterans. It is hard for me, as a taxpayer, to understand how our government can turn its back on these men and their families. I cannot believe that this would be their response if it were their families lost at sea. If this decision is not reversed, these hard working middle class families will have to rely on donations from friends and family to raise the $300,000.00 to hire their own diving team. This is incomprehensible to me.

I am respectfully asking you to intervene on behalf of these families.

Sincerely,

[ ]
http://www.findourfathers.org/

Albert L. Mein, U.S. Veteran

2011-07-14T22:53:00.000-07:00

Albert L. Mein

Honorable Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States of America

Vietnam Service: 13Dec69-16Nov70

Specialist Four USAR on July 12,1971

Decorations, Medal, Badges, Commendations awarded:

NDSM- National Defense Service Medal

ARCOM-Army Commendation Medal

VSM-Vietnam Service Medal

BSM-Bronze Star Medal

CIB-Combat Infantry Badge

"2" O/S BARS-Overseas Bars

RVNCM w/60dev-Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device

EXP Qual Badge-Expert Qualification Weapons Badge

LEAVE NO MAN BEHIND

A moment of silence...for Leslie Yee

2011-07-13T10:40:00.000-07:00

Today the family and friends of Leslie Yee lay him to rest. Our hearts, prayers, sympathy and condolences go out to all that are touched by the loss of this extraordinary man. Please take a moment today in honor of Leslie Yee, send a prayer, send good thoughts or just take a moment of silence. May we all find peace.

www.findourfathers.org

2011-07-12T23:49:00.000-07:00

If you encounter any issues loading the pages of the website, you will need to refresh your browser each time you visit since the website is being updated constantly.

Thank you!

STATUS UPDATE

2011-07-12T20:25:00.000-07:00

Today we learned that the Mexican Navy has ended the search and rescue.
We learned that the Department of Defense has denied the dive, because of, "...we do not have the capacity."

How is it that the U.S.A. with the most powerful military in the world cannot spare a dive team to recover seven Americans in which two are U.S. Veterans!

How is the government spending our tax dollars!?!?!?

Find who your Representative is...

2011-07-12T19:50:00.000-07:00

Go to https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml and type in your zip code.

LETTER TEMPLATES ARE POSTED ON THIS BLOG!

Another template for letters

2011-07-12T19:43:00.000-07:00

Dear [ ],

As you know, seven fisherman have been lost in the Sea of Cortez. The Department of Defense has said there will be no dive. They said the capability is not available at this time. What exactly does that mean?

These men are all American citizens, some even veterans. It is hard for me, as a taxpayer, to understand how our government can turn its back on these men and their families. I cannot believe that this would be their response if it were their families lost at sea. If this decision is not reversed, these hard working middle class families will have to rely on donations from friends and family to raise $300,000.00 to hire their own diving team. This is incomprehensible to me.

I am respectfully asking you to intervene on behalf of these families.

Sincerely,

[ ]

http://www.findourfathers.org/

** LET'S MAKE SOME CALLS (and/or send letters)!!!

2011-07-12T18:57:00.000-07:00

** Look below for talking points **

Go to http://www.findourfathers.com/spread.html on how to contact the White House and Congress members!

The Honorable Dianne Feinstein (a representative on the Subcommittee of Defense)One Post Street, #2450
San Francisco, California 94104(415) 393-0707
http://feinstein.senate.gov

The Honorable Barbara BoxerUnited States Senator
1700 Montgomery Street, #240
San Francisco, California 94111(415) 403-0100
http://boxer.senate.gov

Jerry McNerney

https://forms.house.gov/mcnerney/webforms//issue_subscribezipauth.html

Pleasanton Office
5776 Stoneridge Mall Rd. #175
Pleasanton, CA 94588
Phone: (925) 737-0727 or (408) 744-0727
Fax: (925) 737-0734

** TALKING POINTS **

The seven missing men from the "Erik" fishing boat that capsized ARE AMERICANS, two of which are U.S. veterans!
If this was one of the elected officials' or D.O.D.'s family members, there would NOT be a question as whether or not the dive would be approved BY THE D.O.D.!
These are seven honorable, law-abiding American citizens; who worked to support their families and who PAY THEIR TAXES!
If American citizens who PAY THEIR TAXES CANNOT depend on the U.S. government to help them in times like these, how can the American people TRUST the government at all?
WHERE IS ALL OF OUR TAX MONEY GOING, IF NOT TO HELP THESE AMERICANS AND THEIR FAMILIES!?!?!?

ACTION REQUESTED - CONTACT D.O.D.

2011-07-12T13:53:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for your continued support! WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP! It is our understanding that the delay of the dive hinges on the formal approval from the Department of Defense. We are asking that you submit a question/make a comment via their website in hopes to 'light a fire', so we can get progression on the dive. Below is a template you can use.

Department of Defense, Ask a Question/Make a Comment:
https://kb.defense.gov/app/ask/session/L3RpbWUvMTMxMDQ5MTEzNC9zaWQvNmZCKjJQeWs%3D

When you get to the page, please make the following selections and notations:

In the Topic field -> Select Department of Defense, then select DoD Current Events in the News
In the Subject field -> type PLS TAKE ACTION: APPROVE DIVERS FOR MISISNG AMERICANS

**** Template - copy and paste ****

Dear U.S. Defense Secretary Panetta:

As you know, in the early morning hours of July 3, a fishing boat capsized and sank 300 miles south of San Felipe, off Mexico's Baja Coast. A grassroots effort by friends and family of the seven missing men has garnered media attention and volunteers, but we need you to take immediate action.

I am making a personal plea for you to use your influence to:

(1) Get the dive approved to investigate the wreckage. I learned today that the dive was not approved by the Department of Defense. The families of the seven missing men need closure. Searching the wreckage would either give them that, or let them know that they can still hope their family members are out there, in the water or on land. Please approve a dive to search the "Erik."

(2) Continue the search efforts. I also learned today that the Mexican Navy has called off their search and rescue. These men could be on land, too weak or far from civilization to contact anyone.

Regardless of the reality of these men's survival, don't the friends and families deserve to find the remains of their loved ones...for closure, to ensure their loved ones are given a proper burial, etc.

Please do not let these opportunities pass by. Please do not condemn the friends and families of these men to a cruel and desperate limbo. Please do not condemn these men to be lost to their loved ones forever.

You hold 7 families' hopes in your hand. Please help bring their loved ones home.

Sincerely,

[ ]

Dive Update

2011-07-11T19:00:00.000-07:00

The dive that was supposed to happen Saturday, then it moved to Sunday, then it moved to today...now the rumor is...there is a team of four U.S. divers (assumption is they are from Hawaii) currently in Mexico are on stand-by. We have heard via hearsay that Senator Feinstein's office confirmed the existence of the dive team on site.

What we have confirmed via Senator Boxer's office is that the Department of Defense has yet to give a formal approval for the dive team to enter the waters. So, as of this moment in time, there are no divers in the water, nor any plans to enter the water.

Regardless of the progress to make the dive happen, we are extremely grateful for the support we are receiving from our elected officials.

* We do recognize that a dive that is 200+ feet is highly technical and there are many steps to the process.

"Find Our Fathers" Facebook page statistics

2011-07-11T18:03:00.000-07:00

In ONE week, the Find our Fathers Facebook page has had...

7,889 active users

2,703 people "LIKE" this page

3,714 wall posts or comments this week

23,538 page visits

WAY TO GO, LET'S KEEP IT UP!

Pete Zuger and Gary Hanson interviewed by KGO 810 AM today!

2011-07-11T15:55:00.000-07:00

Incredible Story of Survival - Rich Ciabattari speaks out

2011-07-11T15:43:00.000-07:00

Watch the video interview: http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/fox-friends/index.html#/v/1046841998001/incredible-story-of-survival/?playlist_id=86912

"Please help to keep the pressure on and bring our brothers home" - Richard Ciabattari

E-mail response from Congressmen John F. Tierney

2011-07-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

Alisha and Jeff Ranen are good friends of Mandi Lee

****************************************

July 8, 2011

Mr. Jeff Ranen

536 N. Gower Street

Salem, Massachusetts 01970

Hello, Jeff:

I received your email this morning. I was sorry to learn of your wife’s friend’s situation and my sympathies certainly go out to the family.

In response to your email, we’ve asked and received from the U.S. Coast Guard a detailed summary of the actions they have taken to date. We have encouraged the Coast Guard to continue vigorous activity and my office will monitor the situation closely. I invite you to share other recommended courses of action as you see fit.

I look forward to seeing you at home soon. Please do not hesitate to keep in contact with me and with my office.

Situational Updates from the U.S. Coast Guard:

ALAMEDA, Calif. - A Coast Guard C-130 aircrew from Air Station Sacramento is slated to continue assisting the Mexican Navy on Thursday in the search for seven people missing from a charter fishing vessel that sank in the Sea of Cortez, near Isla San Luis, Mexico, early Sunday morning.

Coast Guard C-130 aircrews searched approximately 525 square miles Tuesday, and 472 square miles today. The Coast Guard aircraft assigned to Thursday's mission is scheduled to depart from Sacramento's McClellen Air Field at 5 a.m. and is expected to be given a search area of approximately 500 square miles.

The Mexican Navy is coordinating the overall search and rescue effort and requested the air support from the Coast Guard. Numerous Mexican aircraft and vessels are involved in the operation. Searches conducted so far by all assets have located objects in the water but none of the missing people have been found. Today's search conditions were reported to be excellent with light wind, calm seas and good visibility.

SITUATION UPDATE: Regarding the sunken charter vessel in the Sea of Cortez, MX.

USCG C-130 searched 05 July with negative results. Mexican Navy currently has two small boats and three helos actively searching, two of which were provided by Mexican state authorities. Mexican Navy reports that they do not anticipate suspending on the case anytime today, and will keep the case active. There is a current USCG C130 flight airborne searching in support of the case. USCG has offered aircraft support to the Mexican Navy for 07 Jul.

Additionally, Mexican Navy was able to confirm that there were only 43 persons aboard the vessel. After a verification of the manifest it was proven that the unaccounted for Mexican national was actually not onboard/missing. There remains 7 US citizens unaccounted for.

At 040848Z US Coast Guard (USCG) District Eleven (D11) Command Center received notification from the Bi-national Emergency Medical Care Committee (BEMCC) in San Diego of a Charter fishing vessel that had sunk in the Sea of Cortez near Isla San Luis, approximately 60 miles south of San Felipe. The vessel was a charter boat with 27 U.S. citizens and a total of 44 persons on board (POB). The boat sunk at approx 2:30 Sunday morning in bad weather. It was not until some of the POB swam ashore to the mainland that the mishap was known. Mexican Navy, the Search Mission Coordinator for this case, launched multiple small boats and a helicopter for the initial searches. Mexico requested US Coast Guard aircraft assistance in searching and D11 sent a Sector San Diego MH-60! helicopter to assist with a morning search.

Update 4

USCG C-130 (CGR1703) departed to provided additional searches in the Sea of Cortez, to extend U.S. Search assistance to the Mexico Gov. The C-130 Hercules aircrew arrived in the search area at approximately 12:30 p.m., today, and their first planned search will be 4.5 hours in length. The use of the C-130 allows search planners to expand the search area as well as re-search already covered areas. Coast Guard helicopter crews from Air Station San Diego have been released from the case and have returned to base but will respond if needed.

To date the USCG completed 2 helicopter air searches of the area. One air search is currently in progress which will cover approximately 4500 sq miles.

The US Department of State is the main POC for follow up questions on survivors and persons still missing - Ms. Sara Schmidt; 52-664-622-7641, after hours 619-692-2154, SchmidtSa@State.gov.

Update 3

There are still eight missing persons and one confirmed deceased. Survivors interviewed on shore claimed the vessel sank quickly in the middle of the night while many passengers were asleep. The U.S. Consulate General office reps from Tijuana are on scene in San Felipe assisting survivors to reacquire lost paperwork and assist with re-entry into the U.S.

Weather on scene is: Slightly Hazy skys, 20kt winds, 4ft seas.

Update 2

USCG MH-60 helicopter arrived and completed search plan. It observed debris, and an oil sheen. No persons in the water (PIW) were located. USCG Air Station Sacramento C-130 aircraft enroute to San Diego to ferry a relief air flight crew to MCAS YUMA. Relief crew conducted subsequent search with USCG MH-60 aircraft. Weather: Current 90°F, Skies overcast, Wind: S 5-7, Water Temp: 84°F, Yesterday's High: 106°F, Overnight Low: 85°F

Mexican Navy is Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator (SMC) and search efforts are continuing at this time.

Check it out! Share it with everyone!

2011-07-10T10:14:00.001-07:00

www.findourfathers.org

Donors via www.causes.com (PayPal)

2011-07-09T22:52:00.000-07:00

Please be assured that the funds will go directly to the search and rescue efforts of all seven men; used for any charters the families may need to arrange; help with travel arrangements to get the men home; and help cover the cost of our website we are in the process of designing.

The families of the missing men would like to recognize the donations that have been received via the www.causes.com - Find Our Fathers.

We realize that in our economy, some are struggling more than others, so no matter your situation, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for your generosity in your donation. All donations, big and small, are so much appreciated. Your support will help bring all seven men home!

This list is current as of Friday, July 8 at about 3:00 p.m.

Alcones, Gayle

Auyang, Nicole

Auyang, Yvonne

Azali, Adrianto

Basuel, Mary

Boswell, Jacob

Bryant, Joanne

Cao, Dinh

CASEY, STEVE

Chevalier, Catherine

Chinn, Christopher

Chiu, Lisa

Choi, Tammy

Chow, Marcus

Chue, Bryan

Cincala, Todd

Cleto, Catherine

Croy, Kevin

Cruz, Sarah

Damaso, Theresa

Do, Thanh

Do, Van

Edwards, Charleston

Engstrom, Jenny

Fowler, Rachel

Frasca, Yvonne

Fucanan, Frederick

Fung, Rosa

Gangadhara, Sunil

Gay, Vanessa

Hansen, Malia

Hassanali, Muizz

Hawkeye Properties

Henderson, Jennifer

Hurst, Karen

Jew, Hilbert

Juta, Margaux

Kawaii Kreations

Kouchnir, Yuri

Kramer, Erika

Kung, Brian

LaFortune, Kai

Lam, Kenneth

Lane, Myriam

Law, Ben

Le, Jennifer

Lee, Ann

Lee, Dennis

Lee, Keith

Lee, Marcus

Lee, Roderick

Lee, Steven

Leung, Vivian

Lim, Michelle

Loo, Cheryl

Lou, Ray

Luey, Daryl

Ly, Barbara

Lynch, Janet

M., Elizabeth

Macaranas, Mark

Mar, Larry

Marshall, Polly

Martinez, Dinna

Masuda, Jeff

McIntyre, Lissa

Mellon, Michelle

Miyahara, Kelly

Model, The

Monzon, Cynthia

Moy, Alycia

Mukhopadhyay, Josh

Munoz, Yolanda

Murashima, Kellie

Naganuma, Denise

Nagdev, Nisha

Nagle, John

Nalagan, Kristine

Ng, Gary

Nguyen, Huyen

Nguyen, Peter

Nguyen, Rachelle

O'Neill, Lorrin

Park, Jua

Parsons, Zachary

Peav, Siam

Pryor, Melissa

Rabinov, Natasha

Ranen, Jeffrey

RAU, BUFFY

San, Olivia

Schilf, Jodi

Schramm, Karl

Sheridan, Cynthia

Smart, Ross

Smart-GOLF Professionals

SPEID, MILTON

Tierney, Minou

Tran, John

Truong, Linda

Tse, Douglas

Vilaysak, Keo

Vilaysak, Noy

Wolfe, Margaret

Won, Albert

Wong, Cheryl

Wong, Serena

Wongso, Fenny

Wren, Mary

Yeh, Chi

Yeung, Alex

Zwain, Tony

ETA is Monday, July 11th

2011-07-09T13:03:00.000-07:00

With the help of Arden, a friend of Mandi's, and Arden's husband; we are working to design and publish the http://www.findourfathers.org/ website. Will keep you all posted on when it is up and running. Currently it is just a general page with some of our links.

Sharing via LinkedIn

2011-07-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

From Mandi's friend, Arden, who is helping to design a website for us

Our friend, who is a total networking guy, just shared my LinkedIn
status about Find Our Fathers with his list of 971 friends in Texas
and nationwide!

;-) Arden

Some Bay Area Survivors Of Capsized Fishing Boat Return Home

2011-07-09T10:33:00.000-07:00

Read the article from CBS San Francisco from Novato - Lee Ikegami and Michael Ng returning from the Mexican port of San Felipe only days after their 115-foot boat, the Erik, capsized: http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2011/07/08/two-bay-area-survivors-of-capsized-fishing-boat-return-home/

Rumor or truth? A dive to happen on Sunday.

2011-07-09T10:28:00.000-07:00

From Mandi Lee-Han

Our good friend Wes Acosta and his wife, Beryl (one of my bff), were tasked with the job of reading and tracking the dozens of news articles being written (thanks to all of you). On the San Felipe website it appears that they have a daily journal -a newsletter if you will. A dive is to take place tomorrow.

Check it out: http://www.sanfelipe.com.mx/news/index.html

Let's see if they hold true to this

From Ken Ellis - there is still hope. All 7 must come home.

2011-07-09T10:24:00.000-07:00

Ken Ellis: ...my wife received an answer to a question she posed to a Mexican intuitive, about the whereabouts of her cousin, Brian Wong. He said he believes Brian and several others are clinging to life at sea, but finding them with high tech gear may be difficult. The US Coast Guard has been given this information and they plan to search the area Saturday. mediaxmachina.blogspot.com/

Mandi Lee-Han: Ken, this is incredible. I understand from those that have helped me personally in the same -manner report similar findings. This is not over. WE STILL BELIEVE. all 7 must come home!

U.S. Coast Guard to extended search until Tuesday!

2011-07-09T10:22:00.000-07:00

Read the SFGate article: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2011%2F07%2F09%2FMNTN1K8FH7.DTL

No 'May Day' call made from Captain

2011-07-09T10:18:00.000-07:00

We have learned from my dad's friends that the Captain on the Erick did not make the 'May Day' call for help. 14 hours. 14 hours before officials were notified. It is Day 7. We still have to PRESS. Let YOUR voice be the MAY DAY call our loved ones desperately depend on from our coast. This is unacceptable! THIS IS LIFE OR DEATH. Please keep calling, spreading the word. You aren't hopeless--remember what we've done thus far.

Our mission is NOT over

P.S. And when I say press, let me clarify: press the dial pad on your phone, press the keys on your ipad, press and comment on posts and blog to get our message heard, press the email button and let our policy makers know we want action, press on everyone!!!

A message to Leslie Yee's family

2011-07-09T10:15:00.000-07:00

The Lee family would like to express our deepest condolence to Leslie Yee, my father's long time friend for over 45 years. The Lee family would like to express our gratitude to each and every one of you for your endless support, and for being on this journey with us. The Lee family would also like to give our thanks to both governments for their support and for any persons involved in the search and rescue effort.

These are our loved ones. We are committed. We will not stop until all 7 come home to us.

Don's daughter, Mandi

From Michelle Pelkey, Mandi's good friend

2011-07-09T10:12:00.000-07:00

"Never, never, never give up" - Winston Churchill
"Defeat is not defeat unless accepted as a reality in your own mind"-Bruce Lee
"It is love that makes the impossible possible" - Indian Proverb
"I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream" -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"For an impenetrable shield, stand inside yourself" - Henry David

FUNDRAISER: Cookie Lee jewelry - ALL profits will go to the fund for the missing!!!!

2011-07-08T19:46:00.000-07:00

Cookie Lee jewelry fundraiser - ALL profits will go to the fund for the missing!!!!

Go to http://www.cookielee.biz/esuite/home/donnachamblee to shop and have it sent right to you!

We ♥ you Mr. Chaddock and can't wait to have you home safe and sound!

Coastside Fishing Club pays tribute to Leslie Yee

2011-07-08T19:39:00.000-07:00

Taj Sharma - Coastside Fishing Club
Leslie Yee was a member of Coastside Fishing Club. We have posted a front page tribute to him. If his family is reading this, please know that our entire club sends their heartfelt condolences. For our missing fishing brothers, we stand by your families side and continue to pray for you... and for the survivors that have made it back, welcome home brothers....

Read the tribute here: http://coastsidefishingclub.com/

Men return home after boat capsizes in Gulf of California waters

2011-07-08T19:33:00.001-07:00

Watch the video: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=8239483

FUNDRAISER: VMS Kids BAKE SALE - 8:00-9:30 a.m. - July 11 & 12

2011-07-08T18:31:00.000-07:00

Please show your support...

The kids of Valley Montessori School, where Mandi Lee-Han teaches, are holding a bake sale to help raise funds to support "Find Our Fathers"

Valley Montessori School

1273 North Livermore Avenue

Livermore, CA

July 11 & 12, 2011

8:00-9:30 a.m.

Valley Montessori School Rallies Behind Daughter of Missing San Ramon Man

2011-07-08T18:22:00.000-07:00

Check it out: http://livermore.patch.com/articles/valley-montessori-school-rallies-behind-daughter-of-missing-san-ramon-man

San Felipe News - daily accounts written by Tony Colleraine

2011-07-08T15:48:00.000-07:00

This is a site that Wes Acosta just found. It's a good daily journal of the activities in San Felipe: http://www.sanfelipe.com.mx/news/index.html

Modesto Bee: Boat accident survivors come home - 7 still missing as search is extended in Mexico

2011-07-08T13:37:00.000-07:00

View the article: http://www.modbee.com/2011/07/07/1766296/survivors-come-home-7-still-missing.html

Emotional Return For Mexican Fishing Disaster Survivor

2011-07-08T13:27:00.000-07:00

View the article on KTVU Channel 2: http://www.ktvu.com/news/28488455/detail.html

Lee Ikegami Talks About Surviving Deadly Fishing Boat Accident

2011-07-08T13:22:00.000-07:00

KTVU brief interview with Lee Ikegami: http://www.ktvu.com/video/28489522/index.html.

May God bless Lee and his family

CBS Channel 5: Search Extended For Missing Northern California Fishermen

2011-07-08T12:31:00.001-07:00

Check out this article: http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2011/07/07/search-extends-for-missing-northern-california-fishermen/.

American government...Mexican government...finding the balance

2011-07-08T12:28:00.000-07:00

Both the American and Mexican governments are working to find our missing loved ones, which is very comforting to the family in building confidence. As you can imagine, there is a lot of political 'red tape' that we are trying to cut through, which the family is finding very frustrating, but we continue to stay positive and want to keep our efforts going strong.

The challenge is trying to find the right balance to show our support to the American and Mexican governments while trying to keep an appropriate amount of pressure to keep the search alive .

The families got more information on the efforts of our U.S. Coast Guard in terms of the equipment they are using, the time durations they are able to actively search, the logistics of the C-130 for fueling and such and more specifics on the search efforts. This information gives the families some comfort that the search effort is combined between the U.S.C.G. and the Mexican Navy.

E-mail from Speier rec'd this morning, sent to Janelle "The-Mixtress" Manalo

2011-07-08T12:19:00.000-07:00

This goes to show the power of the internet and networking and of course taking the time to do little things that can make a difference! As you know, your efforts support 7 families of the missing fisherman still lost at sea.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Mrs. Manalo:

Thank you for your e-mail in response to the tragic accident that occurred off the Baja coast this weekend, when vacationing Bay Area residents onboard the Erik were caught in a sudden storm that capsized their vessel.

My heart goes out to the family of Leslie Yee, who lost his life in this terrible accident. My thoughts and prayers are also with the families of those still missing, some of whom are my constituents. As soon as I was made aware of the accident this past weekend, I personally called the State Department to impress upon them the urgency of the situation and to offer my assistance. On Wednesday, I also asked my colleagues in the Bay Area Congressional delegation to join me in sending a letter to the State Department and the Coast Guard, asking them to urge the Mexican government to extend their search by another 7 days. I am enclosing a copy of this letter with my e-mail.

As of this writing, the Mexican Navy and the Coast Guard have agreed to extend their search for another 24 hours, and are considering a 48 hour extension. I will continue to call for as much additional time as possible for the search. Water in the area is warm, and weather conditions remain calm, so I hope and pray that additional survivors will be rescued. The Coast Guard is also keeping a specially-trained dive team on standby to assist in recovering survivors.

I know how difficult this time must be, but I will continue to do everything I can to help the efforts underway to find the missing and return them to their loved ones. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call my San Mateo office at (650) 342-0300.

P.S. If you would like to have more information on the work I'm doing on your behalf in Congress I encourage you to visit my website at www.speier.house.gov. You also may sign up to receive my e-newsletter providing legislative and district updates. Any information you provide my office is strictly confidential and will only be used by my office to stay in touch with you. Member of Congress

Sign the FIND OUR FATHERS petition

2011-07-08T11:30:00.000-07:00

You can view this petition at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/128/076/511/.

We still need your help and support!
Please sign this petition that Sabrina Malohn graciously put together to our cause!

Other interesting facts

There are several small islands in the Sea of Cortez and other castaways have been rescued after 7 days missing.
In 2009, three men from Texas were found after 7 days after their boat capsized.

Letter to Senator Feinstein from Debbie Jair

2011-07-08T10:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Senator Feinstein:

I remember you as Mayor of San Francisco as a child growing up. I recall meeting you
when I was a Junior Statesmen of America member, visitng inside of City Hall in the late
1980s.

I am now writing this letter to you to ask for your help in the efforts to help locate my
friend's father, Donald Lee and 6 other Americans that are currently missing in Baja,
Mexico.

Their fishing boat capsized in the early morning of July 3, 2011, off the coast of San
Feliz, Mexico. The search and rescue efforts will end very soon. I implore you to
utilize your relationship with the Mexican government to not only extend the search and
rescue window, but to encourage a more extensive search for these 7 American men.
I understand that there are dozens of little islands that have yet to be searched. I have
also been led to believe that although the Mexican efforts have been much appreciated,
they have been limited. It has been to my dismay to hear that the US Coast Guards, who
have been available, have been limited in their efforts as they have to be invited by the
Mexican government despite their specialized capabilities.
These men are not only husbands and fathers, but they have been contributing members
to our American society. They are Bay Area citizens who have supported you during
your career.

Please, Senator Feinstein, help us bring these men home. The window is closing and
these men deserve the same efforts that Americans put forth in other countries!

Thank you!

Deborah Jair

From Doreen, survivor Jim Miller's wife

2011-07-08T10:48:00.000-07:00

We are Americans. We help the world, we expect to be in control of all situations.

We must remember we are dealing with the sovreign country of Mexico. We are subject to their direction.

Our emphasis/strategy must be re-directed to influencing the Mexican gov't and hope they will ask for our assisstance in matters such as sending in div...ers or making public their searching strategies

What a great job this site has done. i have received calls from Hawaii and Massachussetts among other states. We have kept this topic in the forefront.but now, we must find a way to influence the Mexican gov't and their policies

We must bring them all home!

CNN World News

2011-07-07T15:45:00.000-07:00

Please read CNN World News' article. http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/americas/07/07/mexico.boat.capsize/index.html

Identity Security

2011-07-07T15:37:00.000-07:00

This just in from Joelle, wife of Russell Bautista who is still missing

I heard a report that people were scavenging the waters and shoreline for floating objects so you may want to block your spouses debit and credit cards and perhaps contact these credit bureaus: Equifax 1 800 685 1111, Experience 1 888 397 3742 and transunion 1 800 680 7289 to prevent identity theft. You can place a block (temporary or permanent) or an alert.

Bay area members letter to Secretary of State and Coast Guard Admiral.

2011-07-07T15:26:00.000-07:00

Letter signed by Rep. Jackie Speier, Senator Dianne Feinstein, Senator Barbara Boxer, Rep. Pete Stark, Rep. Lynn Woolsey, Rep. Anna Eshoo, Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Mike Thompson and Rep. Jerry McNerny.

A moment of silence at the Giant's game

2011-07-07T14:57:00.000-07:00

We just heard that at the Giant's game last night, they asked for a moment in silence for our dad's, uncles, brothers, and frienda. Amazing.

Update from Senator Leland Yee's Chief of Staff, Adam Keigwin

2011-07-07T14:38:00.000-07:00

Senator Yee just spoke with the Mexican Consul General who assured us that all available resources are still deployed as well as local fishermen and the U.S. Coast Guard who will continue to search indefinitely.

Any family and friends who are heading to Mexico should coordinate with the U.S. Consulate office in Tijuana.

I can only imagine the difficulty and pain you are going through right now. We will stand with you and keep up the pressure to ensure we get closure on this tragedy.

--Adam

We appreciate the support!

What we are working towards today!

2011-07-07T14:25:00.000-07:00

(1) Since the Mexican government has formally requested assistance from the U.S. for the divers, the U.S. government is working to assemble a team with the right skill-set to complete the dive. We have been told that the boat may lie as deep as 360 feet, thus requiring special equipment and skills.

(2) At the same time of the dive, continue the search effort: networking with locals and tourists in Mexico who may be able to search via pangas (a.k.a. a boat that is used to go from island to island).

(3) Continue to ask for donations so when the Mexican government terminates their search and rescue efforts, we can explore private search efforts. We welcome any ideas or tips anyone may have for our private search and rescue efforts!

Donald Lee: Whoa that's a big plate pt2

2011-07-07T13:41:00.000-07:00

OK, so where did I leave off? You'll have to excuse me as my lasts posts of the evening were fueled by old coffee and nicotine. Yeah, I know smoking is bad for you blah, blah, blah....

Anyways, the first time I visited the Lee House I didn't actually eat anything because my future wife (OK from now on I'm just going to refer to everyone in the present tense as its weird that I keep referring to them in the future tense.) we were on our way out to dinner. Now the second time that I went to visit I was greeted by my father in law with a dish towel over his shoulder and an incredible smell coming from the kitchen. I was offered a warm handshake and a glass of Bourbon. He invited me into the living room and sat down to speak with me for quite some time. I began to think he forgot I was here for his daughter but I sure wasn't about to interrupt a man holding a huge Chinese cleaver. My wife had to remind him that I was here for her. That is the sort of man my father in law is though. The media keeps asking me how many of the people aboard that ship were his friends and they all seem shocked when I say "all of them". All of these men my father in law brought together because they were his extended family. He was obsessed with building friendships and wether you liked it or not, even if meeting you for the first time, by the time you ended your conversation he got you to agree to go fishing with him. This is who Donald Lee is. You could see the excitement in his face when he went over the dinner menu for the evening and I was sure I misheard what he said due to the large variety of items he went over. What can I say, the man loved food. As he finished cooking I tried to get up to serve myself but he immediately told me to sit back down and called my wife over to do it for me. She still serves me my meals to this day (thanks dad!)

Now I'm sure many of you have been to Chinese restaurants where the dishes are served on those huge platters because its family style dining. Apparently my father in law has different ideas. My dinner of Prime Rib, Spaghetti, mashed Potatoes, Garlic bread, Corn on a Cob and one small piece of Broccoli was brought out. Now imagine a dish that's about the size of a small child brought to you as a single serving. (You are always expected to go back for seconds) That is who Donald Lee is. When it came to eating, he believed in first lunch, second lunch, light dinner and then main dinner. I think he might of been a hobbit. (that's an inside joke for Lord of the Rings fans). By the end of the evening I could barely stand. I learned from that night on that if your going to visit Donald lee for dinner, wear elastic pants. Seriously, I'm not joking. So even today when I think about my first dinner with my father in law the words come to mind "Whoa that's a big plate"~

CA State Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan to go to Congress!

2011-07-07T13:22:00.000-07:00

By way of Janine Lee's friend's (Annette's) husband (Fred Fuchanan) whose best friend is the State Assemblywoman's son. The State Assemblywoman has agreed to go to Congress insisting for the dive to take place.

TO ALL: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Tell us what you have done!

2011-07-07T13:05:00.000-07:00

If we somehow we have not recognized your efforts through our "Find our Fathers" Facebook status updates, we want to encourage you to share with us how you have helped our cause. This is a collective effort and without YOUR help, we would not have the amount of support from the media and attention of our politicians!

Please share here on the blog or on our "Find our Fathers" Facebook page.

Look for "Find Our Fathers" Facebook being shared on Craigslist!

2011-07-07T12:26:00.000-07:00

With the energy and effort of Mandi's Uncle Bill, our Facebook page "Find Our Fathers" will be posted on Craigslist.

Go Uncle Bill!

Interview with Clear Channel Radio Network

2011-07-07T12:02:00.000-07:00

Frederick Han, son-in-law of missing man Don Lee, spoke with Clear Channel this morning. The family wants to convey the message that we are not finished until all 7 men are brought home. All of our sites are for friends and families of all 7 men. We are so appreciative of all our supporters.

Let's keep this going!

Call from Senator Yee

2011-07-07T11:50:00.000-07:00

May Lee is currently on a call with Senator Yee receiving an update on his meeting with the Mexican Consulate. More to follow.

Lee Family Reaction to Dave Levine's Story

2011-07-07T11:25:00.000-07:00

The family is outraged that during the scramble to 'jump ship', in the chaos, ALL CREW MEMBERS HAD LIFE JACKETS ON!!! And then the ship's cook USES THE PASSENGERS AS BUOYS! We are holding onto hope that the investigation the Mexican officials has launched will uncover the true accounts of what happened and what didn't happen (the crew members not helping the passengers like the passengers helped them)!!!

We cannot believe this! The more we hear about the accounts that happened several minutes before the boat capsized, the more we feel that the lives at stake were preventable. At this point in time, this continues to motivate us to get our loved ones home!

WE NEED YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! THANK YOU!

Survivor Dave Levine's Story - Mercury News

2011-07-07T10:59:00.000-07:00

Please read one survivors, Dave Levine's, story: http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_18421262?source=rss.

Donald Lee: Meet my Father in Law pt1

2011-07-07T01:02:00.001-07:00

Hello,
My name is Frederick Han and many of you may have seen me on the news outlets as the spokesperson for the Donald Lee family. I was asked to deliver the specific details about the events that took place on that fateful night. His wife and daughters were the ones to tell you from an emotional perspective. I can't do it all in one post so I'll post in pieces because that's how much I have to say about him. I hope you will take a moment out of your day and read about what he means to me. My first meeting with him was fairly frightening. My future wife (Mandi Lee) had told me he was a no B.S. kind of man who owned guns, ran with a rough crowd as a young man and definitely protective of his daughters. You can imagine that I was not expecting this to be a pleasant first meeting. Well, let me tell you that my first meeting with him was the complete opposite. He greeted me with a warm smile and a solid handshake. Not the kind that is so tight gripped you lose all feeling in your hand because what they're really saying is (I will mess you up if you do my daughter wrong). He welcomed me into his home and the first thing he asked me was if I was hungry. This would turn out to be a pattern with him because the man loved food and no one ever leaves Donald Lee's house without a full belly. This is a man who's first priority when he goes on vacation is "where to eat". If you know my wife you would say the apple doesn't fall very far from the tree. I was nervous as hell because I kept thinking; this is some sort of trick to confuse me to let my guard down then "BAM" the third degree! That moment also never came. Instead we spent the evening with me telling him and my future mother in law (May Lee) about myself and my family. He was genuinely interested but not in a "I know what your up to you punk" sort of way, but he was all smiles and he was really pleased by what I was telling him. At least i hope thats what he was thinking. I'll have to ask him some day just to be sure. Anyways, I walked out of the Lee residence that night thinking about how I was looking so forward to coming back the next day. This is I learned the effect that my future father in law has on everyone he meets. Any of his friends will agree with me that this is what Donald Lee is all about. You always look forward to coming back~

I would like to add that if any friends or family members of the other missing men would like to send in stories and pictures to attach please email us at findourfathers@gmail.com. We want top make sure your voices are heard as well.

Recent conversation

2011-07-07T00:06:00.000-07:00

Recent phone Conversation with Bruce Mar (one of my dad's bestfriends) in San Felipe and my Mom:
Every local fisherman in and around the San Felipe area are doing an amazing job at assisting with the search and rescue. He and follow survivors are pleading for divers to come in.

Donation information

2011-07-06T23:19:00.000-07:00

Our apologies to our supporters. In the mad scramble setting up blogs, email, twitter accounts that the wrong email account was used for the paypal donation site. We have received several emails from supporters who were unable to make donations due to the email confusion.We have made the necessary changes to reflect our main email account that we have been sending out to all the media outlets. Be sure to use findourfathers@gmail.com when sending money through paypal.

GREAT DAY, WITH GREAT RESULTS, FROM GREAT FRIENDS!!

2011-07-06T21:55:00.000-07:00

We may know you, we may have never met but we are so grateful for all the help you gave given us. We almost saw our efforts come to an end today but because of the amazing outpouring of support by both friends and family members of the missing, as well as those we have never met our efforts were rewarded. Our voice was heard by Leland Yee, Barbara Boxer, Nancy Pelosi, Jackie Spier, and many more that I"m probably forgetting. There were so many involved today who offered their help and contacts. I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart.

What we have accomplished is the extension of the 96hour window for another 24hrs and possibly 48.
The Coast Guard has agreed to send in additional air support.
Still to be confirmed ( approval for U.S. divers to search the ship)

Please feel free to add any names we have not mentioned. We couldn't have done this without you.

Fred

Taking a moment...a few words from Mandi Lee-Han

2011-07-06T18:57:00.000-07:00

I asked you to make a small imprint by posting and reaching out to our legislators. On behalf of the families, we are astounded by the media coverage. We are astounded at the fundraising efforts. We are astounded by those of you who have reached out to friend of friends. We are astounded by your pressing phone calls. Every post, every effort made brings them back. PLEASE be assured YOU are making a difference. Thanks a millions. You are driving this for us. You aren't letting us lose faith.

Alice Radio - FM 97.3

2011-07-06T18:38:00.000-07:00

Just in from Lisa Patel: Just got word from Alice Radio and they are going to cover the story tomorrow morning. They are 97.3 and their morning show will cover the story. I think they air from 5:30-10:00.

Thanks Lisa!

"Find Our Fathers" Facebook page

2011-07-06T18:12:00.000-07:00

1,290 Likes
KEEP IT UP EVERYONE!

Thank you to the newlyweds!

2011-07-06T18:04:00.000-07:00

We just finished watching Senator Leland Yee's press conference and were SO EXCITED to see our friends, Trina and Juan Milo, newlyweds on June 12, 2011!

Thank you to the Milo's for the support!

Letter to Senator Hillary Clinton

2011-07-06T17:59:00.000-07:00

The office of Senator Barbara Boxer wrote a letter to Senator Hillary Clinton. In addition to Boxer, it was signed by Speier, Stark, Eckhart, Feinstein and Yee. In the letter, they:

Asked for 7 day extension starting today!
Wanted to put pressure on Mexican Ambassador in Washington, D.C.!

Jerry McNeary Helps Out

2011-07-06T17:31:00.000-07:00

Jerry McNeary's office is drafting a letter to Senator Hilary Clinton to push the Defense Department in helping expediting of the divers by urging Mexico to request assistance for the divers.

THANK YOU CHARLES HAHN FOR FACILITATING THIS CONNECTION!

Latitude 38

2011-07-06T17:27:00.000-07:00

Latitude 38, sailing magazine that has newsletters that go out every other day, will help us to spread the word. (http://www.latitude38.com/index.lasso)

THANK YOU!

Donations to help fund search and rescue

2011-07-06T16:50:00.000-07:00

We are so appreciative of everyone's support. We hate to ask, but if you are able, we would appreciate any donation to help fund our search and rescue efforts. The funds will go directly to the people on the ground.

Here's how to make a donation:

Go to http://www.paypal.com/.
You will need to login to your personal PayPal account or you will have to create your own.
Once logged into PayPal, click on Send Money tab.
In the TO: field, type FindOurFathers2011@gmail.com.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Note: it will show that the funds are being sent to Cheryl Wong, a good friend of the family! THANKS CHERYL!

Message from Mandi Lee (via 'Find Our Fathers' Facebook page)

2011-07-06T16:28:00.000-07:00

We just had a press conference at my parents home. This will air at 5:00pm. We wanted to make sure that your efforts have resulted in this media coverage. On behalf of all the families - we are incredibly grateful. We awoke this morning feeling weary. This feeling has been replaced. Our hearts and belief are filled with hope. This is because of you. YOU are MAKING this happen. Thank you!

Recent events

Find Our Fathers

Survivors share what happened that night of July 3

Facebook Stats . . .Keep hope alive and spreading the word one post at a time

Every letter counts. . .

Thank you Mike Tanaka and Senator Inouye.

Letter to the Secretary of Tourism, August 6

Koong's Chinese Restaurant in Miliptas - 3 day fundraiser

From the wall of Ed Bernana:

Busy, busy spreading the word and raising money one day at a time . .

Find our Fathers Awesomeness! Final Edition in Santa Rosa! Thank you Carol Divodi!

Find our Fathers Round Hill Country Club, Alamo

A celebration of Gene Leong

from wall post on facebook:

Survivors meet with the families of the missing fishermen

Rich Ciabattari's life ring

Fisherman Never Lost Hope . . .

Friend helping friends, one blog at a time . . .

www.fooditforward.com

FoF gets support from Fish Talk Radio, AM830 Will Ebersman and Phillip Friedman

Thank you Mexico for extending the search, however . . .

39 Days

Facebook Stats . . .Keep hope alive and spreading the word one post at a time

Monthly Stats:6,250 monthly active users4,071 since last week3,280 people like this25 since last week1,035 wall posts or comments this week73 since last week2,775 visits this week272 since last week

Perseverance is a great element in success; if you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate you are sure to wake up somebody. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Response from Secretary of Tourism for the State of Baja, Ca 7/29/11

The Goodness of People. Renewal in Humanity . . Hope Gives Us Strength

Find Our Fathers fundraisers TODAY!

Listen to Michael Ng's interview on Fish Talk Radio

New and improved letter to Department of Defense

We've come this far and have succeeded. This isn't over yet! HELP US!

Petition to DOD!

This will both enlighten you and enrage you; and after you've processed this information we encourage you to act!

Friends in Livermore go the extra mile to support FOF

All it takes is just a few to spread the word . . . .thank you Larry Mo!

The Official Site of San Felipe and Baja

** FUNDRAISER - Show your support - Join us at Papaya Grill TODAY! **

Thank you!

** Support Find Our Fathers at the Prickly Pear Cantina! **

** FUNDRAISERS: July 19, 20 and 28th **

The Prayer List

** TAKE ACTION ** Contact Sylvia Panetta

Albert L. Mein, U.S. Veteran

A moment of silence...for Leslie Yee

www.findourfathers.org

** STATUS UPDATE **

Find who your Representative is...

Another template for letters

** LET'S MAKE SOME CALLS (and/or send letters)!!!

** ACTION REQUESTED - CONTACT D.O.D. **

Dive Update

"Find Our Fathers" Facebook page statistics

Pete Zuger and Gary Hanson interviewed by KGO 810 AM today!

Incredible Story of Survival - Rich Ciabattari speaks out

E-mail response from Congressmen John F. Tierney

Check it out! Share it with everyone!

Donors via www.causes.com (PayPal)

ETA is Monday, July 11th

Sharing via LinkedIn

Some Bay Area Survivors Of Capsized Fishing Boat Return Home

Rumor or truth? A dive to happen on Sunday.

From Ken Ellis - there is still hope. All 7 must come home.

U.S. Coast Guard to extended search until Tuesday!

No 'May Day' call made from Captain

A message to Leslie Yee's family

From Michelle Pelkey, Mandi's good friend

FUNDRAISER: Cookie Lee jewelry - ALL profits will go to the fund for the missing!!!!

Coastside Fishing Club pays tribute to Leslie Yee

Men return home after boat capsizes in Gulf of California waters

FUNDRAISER: VMS Kids BAKE SALE - 8:00-9:30 a.m. - July 11 & 12

Valley Montessori School Rallies Behind Daughter of Missing San Ramon Man

San Felipe News - daily accounts written by Tony Colleraine

Modesto Bee: Boat accident survivors come home - 7 still missing as search is extended in Mexico

Emotional Return For Mexican Fishing Disaster Survivor

Lee Ikegami Talks About Surviving Deadly Fishing Boat Accident

CBS Channel 5: Search Extended For Missing Northern California Fishermen

American government...Mexican government...finding the balance

E-mail from Speier rec'd this morning, sent to Janelle "The-Mixtress" Manalo

Sign the FIND OUR FATHERS petition

Letter to Senator Feinstein from Debbie Jair

Find our Fathers
Awesomeness! Final Edition in Santa Rosa! Thank you Carol Divodi!

Find our Fathers
Round Hill Country Club, Alamo

Monthly Stats:
6,250 monthly active users4,071 since last week
3,280 people like this25 since last week
1,035 wall posts or comments this week73 since last week
2,775 visits this week272 since last week

FUNDRAISER - Show your support - Join us at Papaya Grill TODAY!

Support Find Our Fathers at the Prickly Pear Cantina!

FUNDRAISERS: July 19, 20 and 28th

TAKE ACTION Contact Sylvia Panetta

STATUS UPDATE

ACTION REQUESTED - CONTACT D.O.D.