They're out of order

I did three blogs earlier this month and saved them to draft, thinking that I could publish them on June 1 as I wished.
Guess what, they published in the order of the original date instead!

So to read my input on the 40th anniversary of the Beatles famous groundbreaking Sgt Pepper Album, check the archives for May.

Rock on, all of you Strangers in a Strange Land!

"Semper Fidelis" Our United States Marine Corps is Always Faithful!

One of the most famous photographs of all time, taken by Joe Rosenthal on Iwo Jima,
Mt Suribachi, 10:20 AM Feb. 23, 1945












Many brave Americans gave their lives in the capture and securing of that miserable piece of black volcanic rock. It was a vital piece of real estate for the air war and potential invasion of the Japanese home islands.
Total American casualties were 26,000, with 6,800 killed in action. This out of over 76,000 involved, a 30% casualty rate.
Japanese casualties were 22,000, most of them killed, virtually a 100% casualty rate.
This was the only major battle in the Pacific war where our casualties exceeded those of the Japanese.

Virtually all of the Japanese defenders perished, forsaken by their government and left to die without hope of rescue or victory.

The United States Marine Corps. The Few, the Proud, the Marines!
Founded on November 10, 1775, the Marines are the very symbol of American military excellence the world over.
Tough and independent, it is said that there is no such thing as a "ex Marine"
Once a Marine, always a Marine!

Nothing stirs the heart of American patriotism like hearing the Marine Band play their hymn,
The Marine's Hymn

"From the halls of Montezuma
To the Shores of Tripoli
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land, and sea; (note, adding In the air is the only change in the hymn's history)
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marine."

There are two more verses, but verse one is the one we are all familiar with.
The exact origin of the hymn is unknown, but it has been in continual use since the mid 19th century.

For those legally immigrating and visiting America from foreign shores, the first American they meet will most likely be a young Marine guard at our consulate or embassy.
From the Globe and Anchor insignia on their crisp dress uniform, their unfailing manners and bearing, and the unmistakable "You don't really want to mess with me, now do you?" attitude, they bring credit to us all.

The Marine Corps (official HQ at 8th and I in D.C.) is undoubtedly more steeped in it's history, tradition and legend than any other service branch.
For brevity' s sake I will only list a representative sample of famous Marines and their most noteworthy battles and campaigns.

General Alexander Archer Vandegrift

entered the Corps in January 1909.
His distinguished career ended on 31 December 1947, and he lived to the ripe old age of 86.
A legendary Marine, he advanced to the rank of General (four stars), the first Marine to do so.
Earning the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross and the Navy Cross, he is likely the most decorated Marine in history.
He was the first Marine general to command a Division (1st Marine) away from America's shores, and he also served as Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1944-1947.
He was a 'China Marine', and was known as a fighting general.
His campaigns included Guadalcanal, Tulagi, Gavite and Bougainville, and he only left field command when tapped as the next Commandant.

Col Gregory " Pappy" Boyington

is perhaps the most famous Marine aviator due to a very popular TV series in the 1970's, "Black Sheep Squadron", with Robert Conrad portraying Major Boyington. In another example of legend matching life, Greg joined the Corps in 1937 and learned to fly. He served prior to WWII in China with the volunteer Flying Tigers with Army legend Claire Chennault.
Boyington downed his first six Japanese planes there.
When the chance came to command VMF214 he took it. At age 31 when most of his pilots were in their early twenties he earned his famous nickname "Pappy"
The squadron was composed for the most part of mis-fit fliers from other units that no one else wanted. He quickly turned them into the most deadly group of fighting aviators in the Pacific. Hard drinking and hard nosed, he was the perfect C.O. for the Black Sheep.
On Jan 3rd 1944 he recorded kills 27 and 28, but he was shot down and spent the next 20 months in Japanese captivity. He was rescued after the Japanese surrender on the home island of Japan. Major Boyington was then promoted to Col., and was presented the Medal of Honor by Pres Harry S. Truman. He finished the war as the top Marine Ace.

Private Jack William Kelso

Private Kelso, from Madera CA was only 18 when he was killed in action in Korea on 2 Oct, 1952. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his unselfish actions. He repeatedly exposed himself to intense enemy fire in defense of his comrades, at one point picking up a live grenade in an attempt to save them.
Although not famous outside of the Corps, he exemplified the unselfish courage and love for his fellow Marines that is the stuff of legend.

Major battles and campaigns;
WWI; Belleau Woods, the Marne, the Argonne, the Somme
WWII; Wake Island, Bataan, Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, the Philippines.
Korea; Pusan, Chosin.
Vietnam; Khe Sanh, Tet, Hue City.
Desert Storm, the liberation of Kuwait.
Operation Iraqi Freedom, the War on Terror is ongoing, it includes the capture of Baghdad,
and house to house fighting in Fallujah.

Semper Fi!

"Semper Paratus" The U.S. Coast Guard is always ready!

Revenue Cutter, circa 1800, U.S. Coast Guard Photograph


What is now our Coast Guard began on August 4, 1790 as the Revenue service, then part of the Department of the Treasury.
It's chief duty was interdicting merchant vessels trying to sneak into our ports without paying the required tariffs and duty on goods delivered.

Border patrol was also a responsibility.

In some ways the most versatile and interesting of our military branches, our modern Coast Guard, founded on January 28, 1915 requires mastery of many "hats".

Although in peacetime part of the Dept of Homeland Security since 2003, "Coasties" are members of the military, subject to the U.C.M.J. (Uniform Code of Military Justice), and earn the same pay and benefits for their rank as any other military personnel.
During times of war they come into the Dept of the Navy.

U.S.C.G. Patrol boat on station off the coast of Vietnam, U.S.C.G. Photo
















During WWI and WWII, on the home front they engaged in anti-submarine patrol, port security and anti-spy activities.
In theater duties included patrol and search and rescue, convoy screening and anti-submarine warfare.

On many of our beaches on the east coast you may still see some of the concrete towers built during WWII for submarine lookouts.

Most of our working lighthouses are now manned and maintained by the Coast Guard.

Current duties include Law Enforcement and anti-drug patrol and interdiction.
Maritime Safety and instruction (Coast Guard Power Squadrons), equipment and registration are a key part of civilian interaction.
Port security and tariff and entry enforcement are still vital duties.

But, most of us think of the Coast Guard as guardian angels.
We regularly hear tales of daring and heroic rescues of boats in distress and people enjoying outdoor experiences that suddenly take a turn to disaster.
Coast Guard Search and Rescue personnel risk life and limb to help those in peril, often perishing themselves in the attempt.
Growing up near a major U.S.C.G. base in Opa Locka Florida, I was always comforted to see that familiar white and orange scheme on Coast Guard Aircraft flying over our house.
An excellent movie about Coast Guard rescuers starring Kevin Costner, "The Guardian " was released last year.

The next time you are boating or swimming and the local Coasties stop you to make certain that you are safe and shipshape, make sure to thank them for their service!

Coast Guard Amphibious Aircraft, photo courtesy U.S.C.G.

Lest we forget, Memorial Day 2007, 28 May

Arlington National Cemetery

Courtesy United States Army, public domain.





(All figures slightly rounded up to reflect daily changes)

Total to date who have worn the uniform in wartime

44 million

Battle deaths to date

654,00

Other deaths in service theater

14,000

Other deaths in service non-theater

230,000

Non mortal wounded in battle to date

1.5 million

"It is well that war is so terrible-lest we should grow too fond of it"

General Robert E. Lee to General James Longstreet, after witnessing the needless carnage
of repeated Union charges at Fredericksburg, December 1862.


The following quote has been attributed to outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair, I believe incorrectly.
It's actual author most likely added it to a Blair interview quote stating that the true measure of a country is not who leaves it, but who wants to enter it.
It is still a profound statement, regardless of who originated it.

"And remember, only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you,
Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom."

Remember them and remember their families on this day and on every day.

The United State Air Force (America's Flying Services)

The youngest of our Military Service Branches, the Air Force became a separate branch on Sept. 18, 1947.
Originally part of the U.S. Army Signal Corps in the years prior to WWI, by the time War Two started, it was called the Army Air Force. (AAF)

Considering it's humble beginning on Aug 1, 1907, after the Wright Brothers initial flight off the sand whipped dunes of Kitty Hawk, the Air Force has become the symbol of America's Military might world wide in just 100 years.
American pilots who wanted to go "over there" and fight for freedom before our official entry into WWI used French and British airplanes.
These were the lads of the famed "Lafayette Escadrille".
They were American and Canadian boys, trained and led by French officers.

Later, when we finally entered the conflict, it was the famous 94th Aero Squadron, the "Hat in the Ring" group. Their most famous pilot was Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, our first true American Ace. A larger than life hero, 26 confirmed kills made him our top Ace.
He was a fixture in American aviation for many years afterwards.
During WWII, at 52 years of age while flying a secret mission in a B17 Flying Fortress, he had to ditch at sea in the Pacific.
He survived in a raft for 24 days before being rescued.
Some of his other accomplishments included founding the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and helping to found and serve as President of Eastern Airlines.
Rickenbacker Causeway, one of the main routes from mainland Miami to Miami Beach is named after Capt Eddie. He was also the first of 17 Air Force men to win the Medal of Honor, America's highest award for conspicuous and uncommon valor.

The period between World Wars brought many changes to aviation.
Barnstormers toured the country, so that even boys like my father in rural West Virginia were able to thrill to their exploits. Many of them caught the flying bug, and volunteered for the air services in the next horrible war.
The casualty rate in WWII was horrendous, especially for the boys in the 8th Air Force in Europe. At times it approached 50 percent.
Some very famous people flew B17's for the Mighty Eighth, among them actor Jimmy Stewart and Tom Landry, legendary coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

Commercial flight service started as a means of postal delivery, but soon became the mode of long distance travel, for those that could afford it.

WWII caught us with our pants down, so to speak.
America had already developed some first class Bombers such as the B17 Flying Fortress, but our fighter technology was woefully lacking.
The German Luftwaffe had two superior air to air fighters, the BF109G and the Focke Wulf FW190. The Japanese had what was arguably the superior fighter in the world, we called it the Zero. But, with our industrial might and ingenuity, we caught up fast.

The top ace overall in the war was Major Richard Bong, USAAF.
He flew the split tailed twin engined P38 Lightning, and finished the war with 40 confirmed kills before being killed in action himself.

One of the most famous aviators of all time is Gen Chuck Yeager.
A humble West Virginia boy like my dad, he flew the legendary P51 Mustang, still one of the most beautiful aircraft ever built.

Chuck Yeager is another American legend, right out of a Hollywood script.
He had 11.5 confirmed kills, but was shot down over Germany during a mission.
With the help of the French Resistance, he managed to evade scores of Germans who were looking for him until after many months he made it back to England.
But his story was only beginning.
On October 14, 1947 he became the first man to break the sound barrier in his Bell X-1, which was named Glamorous Glennis, after his wife. (the same name he gave his Mustang.)
I have been privileged to see Chuck fly aerobatics exhibitions in air show.
A wonderful movie about the space program depicts Yeager's accomplishment, "The Right Stuff". He is still living, and still maintains his flight status!

We were already in the atomic age, and the jet age by the time the Korean War started in July of 1950. Many brave Air Force pilots lost their lives in Korea and Vietnam.
Air defense technology caught up to aircraft technology, particularly in Vietnam.
Legendary pilot Capt Bud Day personally helped to nurse Senator John McCain (USN) back to health after his shoot down and treatment by the NV's. He was one of many American pilots who were shot down and spent many years in harsh captivity in North Vietnam.

The period between the end of WWII and the fall of the Soviet Union was also the Cold War.
For the most part, our air crews were the last line of defense against the threat of a Soviet Nuclear Sneak attack. It was a very tense and nerve racking duty.

Today, although the threat is quite different from any they have faced in the past, the men and women of today's all volunteer Air Force stand in the breach for all of us.

Memorial Day Weekend

Our own soldier on spring ROTC maneuvers at Ft Jackson, SC.

This coming weekend marks the first 'long' weekend most of us get in the calendar year.
Back yard grilling, yard work, baseball, family reunions, and the end of the school year are the things that pop into our heads first.

But we must not forget the real purpose of the Holiday.
It is to condense all of the other 'recognition' days into one National day of remembrance for all of the men and women who have worn the uniform in defense and service of our country, especially those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

"Greater love has no man, than he who has laid down his life for a friend."
"There will always be wars, and rumors of wars."

It is not meant to be political, nor nationalistic. That's what July 4th is for.
"Lest we forget" should be the theme of the weekend.

I will be posting more history over the next few days on who some of the fallen were, and what they have accomplished for freedom and decency over the life of our country.

No, they weren't all noble, nor heroes, nor were they all happy to serve.
Many were drafted, but when asked to serve, serve they did.
We have had, and we still have a true "Citizens Army"
Especially now, when all of our military is voluntary service.

In honor of our own son, now serving in the U.S. Army Reserve while he completes his ROTC and college studies, here follows the Soldier's Creed.

THE SOLDIER'S CREED

I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member of a team.
I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough,
trained and proficient in my Warrior tasks and drills.
I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies
of the United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.

God Speed to them all.

Stunning Annoucement from Little Johnny Edwards!

Our former NC Senator John "Little Johnny" Edwards, who will be former Presidential Candidate Edwards on November 8th of next year announced that there is no War on Terror!
That's right, we can all sleep easier tonight, there is no threat from radical Islamic extremists!

He came to that conclusion sometime after he voted for military action after the 9/11 attack on America.
You know, the one that apparently didn't happen.
Kind of like the Apollo Moon landings. Or the Holocaust.
He undoubtedly showed up for the vote between appointments with his stylist.
His voting record while 'serving' our great state was less than stellar.
He typically missed over 70% of the roll call votes while in the Senate.

He was joined in this earth shaking insight by fellow candidates Sen Joe Biden "my time", and Dennis "The Menace" Kucinich.
And a former Senator from Alaska who remains unknown outside of his hometown.
Sen Hillary Clinton and Sen Obama both think that we are engaged in a war on extremist terrorists.
Unfortunately, they think that all of the terrorists are in the Bush Administration.

As for the Republican 'candidates' to date, they do agree that we are involved in a death struggle with extremism, to some degree.
Former NYC Mayor Rudy is solid on this count, but can't seem to decide whether he is a Reagan conservative, an FDR liberal, or the President of the League of Women Voters on other issues.

The rest of the Republicans that have declared to date are about as exciting as watching a bowl of cornflakes soak up skim milk.
Sen McCain, when he isn't napping, manages to alienate himself from a different key conservative group on a daily basis.
Mitt Romney? Just imagine hearing "President Mitt" every day for the next four years.
That's enough to kill his campaign.
The rest of them are simply there to balance out the stage during the early debates.

Speaking of early debates, the Democrats are showing real brilliance in boycotting Fox News.
That's right, the cable news network with the highest number of viewers.
I liken that to opening a gas station and refusing to sell your product to people with cars.
That would solve the energy problem, though.

It is going to be fun to watch candidates in both parties play C.Y.A. for the next 5 or 6 months.
With Al "Is it getting hot in here, or is it just me" Gore, and possibly Sen John F. (for flatulent) Kerry hanging in the wings on the D side, and former Sen Fred "L.A. Law" Thompson, and former Speaker "Newt" on the R as of yet undeclared, they are all running scared.

Gingrich is a brilliant guy, but even I may have a problem with the Commander in Chief having the name of Newt. Doesn't he have a middle name?
It would be fun to witness first time meetings with foreign heads of state, their translators trying to do justice to
"Hello Mr. Farouk-Billings-Morrisette, I'm President Newt!"
"What is he saying, he would like a lizard? These Americans are crazy!"

Maybe it's time for a viable third party.
We could name it in honor of my favorite thespian troupe, and call it "The Stooge Party"
Oh wait, we already have two of those, and two more similar groups in Congress.
Speaking of which, maybe Congress should forswear making fun of 'W's approval ratings.
Last week George Gallup had him at 34, and Congress at 29.
Under the old math, his was 5 points higher.

Someone please wake me after the election, unless we can have Ronnie Reagan cloned.
Or Dame Margaret Thatcher. (She's a bit advanced in years to run otherwise)
We'll even amend the Constitution for her.

Sgt Pepper, a latter day review

It's relatively easy to 'review' something that you've been listening to for almost half a century.
"Hind sight is twenty-twenty" and all that.
If you've never listened to any of the music on this album, try to borrow the actual vinyl from an old fossil like me for your first listen.
Pop it on the turn table (there are a few left in museums! Seriously, you can still buy them new at certain stores. I purchased a nice Sony just a couple of years ago.)
plug in the headphones, and listen to it the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
In one sitting, without interruption.

Here goes, music lovers.

"Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" 2:04
"It was twenty years ago today..."
Originally, this was meant to be a true 'concept' album. Paul wanted all of them to adopt alter egos, ie' Billy Shear. Only this track, and the following kept to that idea.
John flatly refused to follow along.
Still, the album has a 'feel' to it that gives it continuity, and is still credited as the first of it's kind.

"With a Little Help From My Friends" 2:46
"I get high with a little help from my friends"
Ringo's lead vocal slot on this album, which was typical of all their albums. Most notable because it is the only song which followed the concept of Sgt Pepper's band.
Also notable due to all of the accusations of drug references in the lyrics.
Normally off track accusations, but pretty obvious here.
A pretty good radio play song.

"Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" 3:30
"Suddenly there appeared at the turnstile, a girl with Kaleidescope eyes"
John actually credited a drawing done by his son Julian. When asked what it was, (all of you with young kids have been there too) the lad answered "Lucy in the sky with diamonds"
Great musicianship, and the first track that showed this album was different from anything preceding it.

"Getting Better" 2:49
"Man I was mean, but I'm changing that scene and I'm doing the best that I can."
Fantastic lyrics, and the first hint of the Sitar on the album.
Paul's bass work was among his best.

"Fixing A Hole" 2:28
"It really doesn't matter if I'm wrong or right, when I am wrong I'm right, where I belong."
Whimsical lyrics, and Paul's voice made this one of the easiest songs to remember.
Very poetic.

"She's Leaving Home" 3:37
"Daddy, our Baby's Gone!"
Easily one of the saddest songs the Beatles recorded, and still very timely.
Money can't buy you love, as one of their earliest hits stated.
Also noteworthy for the lush orchestration.

"Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite" 2:39
"And of course Henry the horse dances the Waltz"
One of my favorite Lennon songs. The lyrics had nothing to do with drugs, John took them almost verbatim from an antique circus poster he saw in a quaint shop.
Sir George Martin added (I believe he actually played) authentic Calliope music which gives the song it's wonderful, somewhat spooky atmosphere.

Side 2

"Within You, Without You" 5:07
"We were talking...."
The instrumentation on this track is groundbreaking. George had become enamored with eastern music and instruments, and this was the first major track where they used them.
But, it.....is......just.....too.....long!
I have to admit, when I am listening in the car, I skip this track.

"When I'm Sixty Four" 2:37
"Grandchildren on your knee, Vera, Chuck and Dave"
Ironically, Paul is 64 as I write this. He is reputed to have been 16 when he wrote it.
I always thought he would have been happy leading the house band at an old fashioned dance hall in the Gay Nineties.
This is a very cute song, with adorable lyrics.
It has more relevance for me now that I can see 64 from where I sit.

"Lovely Rita" 2:44
"Took her home, I nearly made it, sitting on a sofa with a sister or two"
Probably my third favorite song on the album.
It is what Paul did best, very memorable tap your foot melody, silly lyrics, an altogether fun piece of music.

"Good Morning" 2:43
"Nothing to do to save his life, call his wife in"
Paul made you sing along, John made you think.
The lyrics on this track ran the spectrum from easy familiarity to pathos.
What happened to 'him', car accident, heart attack, ?
"Then you decide to take a walk by the old school. Nothing has changed, it's still the same."
"Watching the skirts, you start to perk, now you feel cool."
"Time for tea and meet the wife."
Add John's great voice, and some really interesting background noises, roosters crowing, old fashioned milk wagon bells, etc. and you have a great song.

"Sgt Pepper, reprise" 1:20
A really great rocker, fabulous guitar work, great bass riff, Ringo's rock solid drumming.
Especially if you are lucky enough to hear it live. Paul normally closes his show with it.
It also suckers you. You think it's the end of the album, but it isn't.

"A Day In The Life" 5:33
"Four Thousand holes in black at Lancashire"
Really two songs in one, John's haunting voice and lyrics in part one,
and Paul's jumpy up-tempo delivery in part two.
"I went upstairs and had a smoke, somebody spoke and I went into a dream...."
Haunting song, incredible ground breaking production technique, everything about this song
makes it perhaps the Beatles Opus Magnum.
If I was forced to pick just one song from the Beatles catalog for my favorite, it would either be this one, or "Penny Lane".
That last sustained piano cord gets into your soul......

Sgt. Pepper, side 2

Culturally speaking, why was Sgt. Peppers Lonely Heart's Club Band such a big deal?
For one thing, the music has passed the test of time.
We'll speak more of that in a bit.

Another reason it mattered is on the technical side.
It changed the way that music was recorded and produced,
and it changed our expectations of how music had to sound to us.

The Beatles, and their brilliant producer Sir George Martin and
Ken Townshend, the EMI sound engineer were innovators.
They were always looking for new sounds, and new ways to
put those sounds on magnetic tape.

Bear in mind that in those ancient days of yore, 4 track equipment
was State of the Art.
There were no laptop computers, tube technology was the norm
in amps, and mikes were primitive by todays standards.

Many of the Beatles early recordings were done in one take, most
notable of these their cover of "Twist and Shout". (Isley Brothers)
(Made popular again in the movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off")
John had just enough voice left for one take, after a night of recording.
Listen to his scream in the final track, and you can hear his voice break.

Techniques and technology we now take for granted were used for the first
time in Abbey Road studio during the making of this album.

Some notable 'Pepper' firsts; use of Dolby Noise Reduction,
use of D.I. (direct input, Paul plugged his bass right into the sound board,
bypassing his amp and mike), first use of 'bouncing down' technique, also called
dubbing down, which takes the four track technology and creates a virtual
multi-track sound comparable to today's 24 track and higher technology.

First use of the Mellotron, Wah-Wah and Fuzzbox (used by George Harrison).
Also ADT, which stands for Automatic Double Tracking on lead vocals.
This technique lends depth and strength to the voice, particularly where
a soft voiced singer is concerned.
The use of vari-speed and other similar innovations made it difficult for the
band to perform many of these pieces outside of the studio, even had they wanted
to continue live performances.

When I attended a Paul McCartney live concert in 2005, he was just then adding
some of their later Beatles hits to his play list.
It was a treat to hear "Golden Slumbers", "Carry That Weight" and "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" live.

So the next time you pop in a modern CD, go to the movies, or even sit down to listen
to your TV through your sound system, thank Billy Shears and the boys!

Credit to Wikapedia, several excellent Beatles books I've read over the years, and 40 years
of following the Fab Four's music for the above information.

"It was forty years ago today......"

June 1 (U.K.) and June 2 in the U.S.A. marks the date of the original release of the most influential rock album of all time.

Regardless of whether you liked the music of the four young lads from Liverpool, you simply could not ignore them if you came of age during the sixties.

Even my father, who loathed and despised "long haired hippie" music, liked "Yesterday" and "When I'm Sixty Four".

The most famous album cover of the era. A lost art form, to be sure.
CD labels don't come close to replacing them.



















It was a tough time in which to grow up.
It was a time of transition, moving from the relative innocence and "buttoned down" personal regimentation and sameness of the 1950's, to the anything goes, let's throw everything out and start over mindset of the mid sixties.

Most of us didn't change that much personally.
Except for our music.

The Beatles led the charge, and exemplified the cultural changes in their music, and in their own lives. All of them were simple blue collar lads from the seaport town of Liverpool.
When they hit the scene on the Ed Sullivan Show in February of 1964, popular music was never the same again.

From their tailored suits, their long hair, their droll sense of humor to their screaming, out of control teeny bopper fans, we kids loved them, and our parents pretty much hated them.
What more could a teenager ask for?
In short, they were cool, in a time when cool was needed.

And as their music matured and progressed, those of us who paid attention to lyrics, production quality and musicianship started to notice,
"Hey, these guys actually have talent!"

1966 was a tough year. It was for the Fab Four as well.
John's incredibly stupid comment about being more popular than Jesus nearly ended their career. He was actually commenting on the ridiculousness of the hysteria surrounding their every move, but it was the most ill advised and regretful comment he ever made.

The Vietnam war reached a peak in 1966, race riots were rampant here in the States, and the drug movement started to gain momentum.
And the Beatles agreed to stop touring and performing live at the end of the year.

In December, they went into Abbey Road Studios to work on a new album, for the first time without the encumbrance of an impending tour hanging over their heads.

On June 1, the long awaited album was finally released, the next day it debuted in America.

We'll talk about that in detail on my next post.

Today is your Birthday (Queen Felicia!), Happy Birthday to You!

Happy Birthday to Felicia!











Queen Nana, Princess Felicia, King Kenneth the First, and Princesses Kimberly and Heather, Bartow, May 1981



















Some time ago, in a mysterious land in the far, far away (South Florida)
a young lad was smitten.
Yes, head over heals, gah-gah boogety-boogety hit right on the head with
the big cartoon Anvil of Love!

The object of his ardor?

A comely blond goddess with luxurious locks, the face of an angel,
and well, the entire package!
She was sitting in the front row of his night class.
Sitting in the back row of class, as was his wont, (Easier to catch a few winks there)
he asked his buddy Simon,
who himself had every other single girl on campus targeting him,
"Who is she, and please tell me that she's single?"

He gave the 411, and informed the love struck lad that as far as he knew, she was available.
"Life is good, and the Lord is still reasonably happy with me!" the lad exulted.

Alas, every good fairy tale has a sad bit, right in the middle.

Even though the comely princess played "Moonlight Sonata" to attract his attention on
the piano in the classroom (the only song she knew!)
the intrepid young lad was shy, and somewhat thick headed.
She was just as shy, going so far as to hide in the campus library after a mutual friend set
up a clandestine meeting for the two star crossed lovers.

The princess finally took matters in hand and invited the young, slow and stupid prince to a hoe down. Not really a hoe down, 'twas a Sadie Hawkins event called "Esrever"
(Spell it backwards, brave readers!)

After pizza at Mary's, during which the young prince demonstrated his Stooge like talent for making her laugh with the stringy cheese, and a spirited round of mini-golf, they talked well into the wee hours of the morning.

The princess knew, and he knew. But, what next?

She asked the young knight if he would accompany her to her year end banquet at the Kapok Tree Inn, just before she graduated from Princess University.
Of course, he was thrilled to do so.

But, just a few nights later, the lad had to slay the Dragon of every young suitors worst fear.
"By the way, a few of my family will be there too. You don't mind, do you?"
"Of course not!" he lied through his knightly teeth.
"How many are coming?"
"Oh, just a couple. (The princess had and still has a problem with math)
My Mom and Dad, (The dignified Queen Nana and her Prince Consort Kenneth the First), oh, and my sister Princess Kendra and her man Prince Meredith, and the lovely young princesses Heather and Kimberly"
"A couple, eh? Well of course, I'd love to meet them all on our second date!"
As it developed, the Queen was charming, the King was thrilled at the prospect of getting his last daughter married off, and Princess Kendra and Prince Meredith were welcoming.
And young princess Kimberly peeked over the table and made google eyes at the lad, and her sister Princess Heather was adorable in her pig tails.

They all acted like they were in on a big secret.
Princess's are like that, quite conspiratorial.
The lad asked the young beauty to return for the July 4th weekend and accompany him to his 10th High School (For knights, of course) reunion.
She returned home to the distant land of Bartow.
Low and behold two weeks later, her birthday arrived. (Today in fact, May 21st)
She had casually dropped that into an idle conversation about the weather.
The lad had mentally awakened by now, and thought to himself
"Self, you should send her roses, and a nice card."
"Wish I was there, or you were here, or we were somewhere together!"
Hey, the lad never claimed to be Shakespeare!
He did so, and as the princess returned from a trip to the Magic Kingdom of Disney with princess Kendra and the young girls, there were roses on the porch of the Manse!

"Oh, princess, he's quite smitten with you!" quoth Princess Kendra.
Righto, sister, and he still is these Happy Ever After years later!

During the 'reunion' weekend, more fireworks erupted than those that were seen in the South Florida sky, and the two youngsters were engaged.
The former young lad still ponders who was happier, the delighted couple, or King Kenneth the First.
"They're all spoken for now, Hooray!"

You are lovelier than ever, my Queen, and there are many more happy ever afters to come!

Happy Birthday!

The Queen and young Prince Ariel on Mother's Day.

Fractured Fairy Tales

Shrek 3 premiered this week.
Soldier boy has seen it, but as he keeps hours like Count Dracula between semesters and military duty, we can't get his review yet.
The Queen and I will see it next week.

Our generation had to endure a lot of negatives culturally, but our music and our cartoons
are far superior to the drek of today.

My absolute favorite cartoon series during my Junior High years was The Bullwinkle Show.
The key element each week was Jay Ward's wonderful "Fractured FairyTales" segment.
A wonderful ensemble cast of voice talent did twisted, and somewhat anarchist takes on the traditional fairy tales that our parents read to us.

For a couple of really good links, check out www.brownielocks.com/fracturedfairytales.html
There are twelve classic bits available for free downloads, as well as links to other like sites.
Also, www.toonpedia.com/fracture.htm which also has a link to the Jay Ward site.

Who needs weird Japanese Anime' when one has Goldilocks with a Brooklyn accent?

Dedicated to the people of Virginia Tech.

We tread the paths we walked in youth.
We see the granite walls of gray.
The hallowed halls our forebears walked.
the fields of green they marched and drilled.

Still pond reflects, that things have changed.
But quiet hills remain the same.
The whispering wind adds her refrain.
His peace remains, through time unchanged.

How are we ever going to live?
How will we all complete the journey?
We must endure, we must survive.
For those that have been left behind.















Dedicated to the families of the victims of 4-16-07
And to the people of Southwestern Virginia

Mom

Sunday brings another Mother's Day.
Our mom left us on July 8, 1996.
She was the middle of three girls, and also had three brothers, one older, two younger.

Life in the twenties and thirties on small farms in America wasn't easy.
But to listen to mom and her kin, their life wasn't too far removed from the fictional Walton family.

My grand dad was a fine, tough but gentle man. My granny was quite a woman.
She had to be to raise that brood!



Mom and I in 1954. I play just as well now.


















In later years when I finally reached adulthood, some of my aunts and uncles would
tell stories about mom in her youth. She was always keeping the family waiting
while she did last minute primping. (That was no surprise, standard routine on Sunday
morning was all of us waiting in the car for mom)

My uncle Pat, the youngest and a 'surprise' took especial delight in tormenting her.
He would wait until she had every hair in place, then sneak up behind her and muss it.
My granny would still get on her for being too slow and plodding when she was in her seventies and mom in her forties. That was fun to watch!

She truly drove dad nuts at times. But that was mutual, to be sure.
Opposites do attract, a fussy Virginia girl and a detail oriented, type A engineer from West by Golly Virginia.

She was never in the best of health, having a frail constitution from her youth.
Raising me, my sister Lily and our very special sister Katy was no easy task.
There were no resources to speak of for Down's Syndrome children in the sixties.
But the two of them never considered raising her in any other fashion than as one of the family.
She had her stubborn, obstinate moments as well, being genetically speaking a full Harvey, with all of the inherent attributes.

When I was in Jr High, mom decided that she wanted to work part time.
Dad worked incredibly hard, but was never paid what he should have been due to a lack of formal education.
She wanted to help out. Mom worked until age 65, then returned home to Blacksburg.

Our son was her only grandchild, and she doted on him.
We were fortunate they were able to spend time together.
She saw him play baseball (he swings the bat just like your dad!), and knew he was destined for something really special in his life.

Her last few years were tough on her. A serious head injury due to a fall affected her in more ways than we realized.
But she never lost her faith, and kept her Savior at the center of her life.
That's the most important thing a mother can do for her children and grandchildren.

Hope you and dad (and all of those in both families that have gone on before us)
have wonderful mothers day.

I know your hair is perfect! All of your children and your grandson love and miss you.


Mom and her first born. Yes, all of the pictures are of me, I'm the oldest and I can do what I want! It is my blog, after all.

Mothers Day and other reminders...

Do not forget (that is if you enjoy life and health!) your own mother, if you are fortunate enough to have her with you still.

Also do not forget the mother of your children. Unless you enjoy sleeping on the couch.

I myself purchased Queen Felicia a nice metal yard cart to haul around all of the various and sundry plants, mulch, rocks, etc etc that she enjoys working with.

Soldier Boy is taking his mother shopping and then to lunch tomorrow, and has promised to get up in time ('twill be a miracle!) on Sunday to go to church with her.

He looooves shopping with his Mom, and yes I am being quite sardonic on that topic.

On a trip to the mall while in HS, he commented, after waiting outside Vicki's Secret for an interminable length of time, "I became old enough to drink while you were in there!"

Hotel rooms

Once again, I sit here in a hotel room staring at the LCD on my laptop.

Vista North of Scottsdale, AZ last fall.

A show about Henry the Eighth drones on in the background on the TV.

This time of year is the worst for 'road' TV, too early to care about baseball, the Stanley Cup and NBA playoffs hold no interest, and football is still

many months away.

I haven't wound down enough to grab my book, so here I sit.This blog thing may just save what's left of my sanity when I am traveling!

Today I drove a fellow from my company around the campus of Virginia Tech here in Blacksburg. It was my first visit since the shooting last month.

Some of you may know that my family is from the area originally.

My mom was raised out in the country nearby, and my dad about 50 miles away in WV.

Everything looked the same, but then it will never again look quite the same to me.

I did notice campus police in evidence on several occasions, where in the past you seldom saw them out walking on campus.

Tomorrow we play golf (in my case very badly) in a tournament hosted by the IT departement at Tech. Then Wednesday we will be doing a presentation on campus for our business contacts.

I'm sure that I will have more to share after that.

All over town and on campus you see "VT will survive" "Hokies are tough!" and other such messages on car windows and in storefronts.

It makes me very proud of the people from the area.

We are from tough pioneer stock, and no evil can bring us down for long!

What are you going to do with it?

Without going into great detail, we started attending Sunday services again on Palm Sunday.




Our Plum Tree at it's full Glory

My first criteria in choosing prospective assemblies, do they have a web site?
(We absolutely HATE the process of visiting churches, and 'weeding out the wheat from the tares')
Our second criteria, do they have early services?
We were determined not to go back to the 'old ways' of our youth, ie; Sunday School at 10, service at 11, and the preacher had better not go past noon, etc. etc.
I found only two such churches within 10 miles or so of us.
We are in a very old fashioned, traditional area.
After reading their statement of purpose, the blurbs on their staff, and determining that their beliefs matched our own (an extra point, did they preach solely from the K.J.V., or were they more focused on actually teaching their people than doing things the way they have always been done) we decided to visit the church closest to us.

The people were friendly without being overbearing.
And to quote a favorite philosopher of mine, Marx (that's Groucho, not Karl!)
"I would never become a member of any club that would have me!"
they accepted we two children of the sixties.

We both noticed the obvious musical talent for such a small church (maybe 200 members)
The humility was just as obvious.

The pastor evidenced a true compassion and humility himself.
He was obviously not in it for himself, and there was no pulpit pounding, screaming or other theatrics.

A common thread in all of his messages has been to challenge his congreation.
Sermons are delivered without apologies or excess adornment.
He closes each with with, "Now, what are you going to do with it?"
In other words, I've given you the message given and applied to me, now deal with it yourselves.

We are both in the process of dealing with it.

In all of our lives (if we are honest with ourselves) there come times of spiritual introspection.
We must examine the personal tenets of our own faith.
I distinctly remember doing so after losing my dad at 22, during our toughest years in Texas, and just recently.
The Apostle Paul saved his greatest praise for one of his early seedling churches that
"eagerly searched the scriptures and examined them" to prove what he had taught them was true.

We must all continually do the same.

Even old Uncle Dinosaur and the lovely Queen Felicia are in the process of once again doing that very thing.

So we want to encourage the youngsters in our family who are just now embarking on their own paths.

Rock on, fellow Pilgrims, and "Keep the Faith!"

Meet Csonk (AKA Prince Smoochie

Who can resist those big brown eyes?

As I mentioned previously, we added a new member to the family
last Christmas time.
His name is Csonk (in honor of Larry Csonka of the undefeated '72 Dolphins)
We were picking out our Dinosaur family Christmas tree, and looked into a large
cardboard carton placed there for our 'convenience'

Inside were two adorable (and already large) Black Labrador puppies. Free!
One lady had already laid claim to the little female pup.
Csonk looked at me with pleading eyes, and I knew I was done for.
We paid for the tree and some firewood, they delivered it, and the Queen and I
went to lunch.
I was sitting there silently eating my Taco, and the Queen said
"You are going back to get that dog, aren't you?"
I had to admit I'd been considering it.
"Well, if he's still there, then we'll probably bring him home"

He was indeed still there, and I said to myself "Sucker!"
I even pictured the big Lollypop looming over my head, ala Bugs Bunny.

We have always owned Shelties, and still have our six year old, Bonnie.

So having a small horse at Jurassic Park has been a learning experience for us.
Queen Felicia's Chiropractor is happy, as she has been back several times to deal
with an aggravated shoulder injury from years back.
Csonk is as strong as his namesake!
But he is a gentle giant, and totally useless as a guard dog.
To put it kindly, Csonk is a lover, not a fighter.
Something as benign as the printer in my office sends him running for cover,
barking and hiding behind momma's skirts.

He is just finishing up his second PetsMart 'school'.
The socialization with other canines is to his liking, but when he gets tired of
his lessons, he just lays down wherever he is and looks at the instructor.

He loves to give you 'smooches', which are more safely delivered when he is behind
the rail of our deck.
Otherwise his smooches more closely resemble head butts.

He is a natural born clown, and none of us can imagine life without him now.
Soldier B0y has a particular affinity for him.
Two rough-housing young bucks. Two of a kind!

I guess I will have to give Bonnie equal time in a future post, or she'll sulk.

Felicia getting a 'Smooch' from Csonk.

April 27th, another anniversary

Bridge on I77 near Princeton WV




My dad, Jim Harvey in 1954
The little chubby fellow is me.




April 27th is also an anniversary of sorts for me.
We lost my dad on that Tuesday in 1976.
The head of the family, the only son of Arthur and Ollie Harvey,
brother, father, husband, WWII veteran and still today the most
decent, honest and unselfish man I've ever known.

He was far too young when he left us just two weeks short of his 55th birthday.
That, unfortunately was common for men of his "Greatest" generation.

Born in 1921, he survived the Great Depression, putting in a man's days work from the age of 10. Then WWII called him away from the farm he loved. He and millions of other men and women answered the call to save the entire world from unspeakable evil and tyranny.

He was seriously injured and discharged from the Army in extremely poor health before his unit deployed to North Africa.
He bore the pains of those injuries all of his life, and never experienced full health again.

You would never have known that in trying to keep up with him!
When I got up to go to High School at 6:30am, he was normally already gone. We never saw him before six pm for supper.
Back in those days, most folks worked half a day on Saturday too.

He never complained, and never did much of anything for himself.
That wasn't his way, or their way in those days.
We could learn much of self sacrifice and common sense from them.

My parents were living in Princeton, WV when I was born.
The picture above is of a bridge that still spans I77 near Princeton.
At the time it was built it was one of the longest bridges of it's type in the world.
Those were pre-OHSA days.
Dad told me once that part of his job entailed inspecting the steel as construction progressed.
How? Two four by eight plywood planks were placed side by side across the spans.
Dad then walked them and inspected the rivets and joints, over the open gorge beneath.
Talk about working without a net!

I visited the bridge with him once (if you are heading southbound on I77, there is an overlook, that's where I shot this picture)
I asked "Dad, how in the world did you make yourself go out there?"
He grinned and said "I had a little blue eyed boy to feed!"

Now I see that wry grin emanating from our son.

He is a lot like you, Dad. You'd be pretty proud of him.

We still miss you.