Batching It.

Bonnie. In a rare quite moment.














Rebel, in a unique moment where he isn't prone.

Csonk, at puppy school.
He's much bigger now.

















Felicia and Ariel are in Ohio visiting with Grandpa and Irene.
I am stuck here in the family manse with three four legged furballs of various states of uselessness.

Rebel leads the pack, sleeping on the glider on the front porch.
He will occasionally open one eye and look at me, and will even more infrequently come up to have his ears scratched. Otherwise he considers his job to be guarding the porch. Asleep.

As I had two extremely long and busy days on Thurs-Friday, Bonnie was visiting with friends at the Canine Hilton. When I picked her up yesterday, she reeked of "Eau de' PePe".
So I was 'privileged' to give her a cut and grooming, and then a bath as soon as we got home.
As Felicia will tell you, her normally hyper personality goes into warp drive after her bath.
Just picture a cross between Taz and a deranged weasel on amphetamines.

I then decided to tackle cleaning my office, a task long overdue.
There was one big stack and a huge bag of old documents that needed gleaning and shredding.
I made it through the stack, but the bag is now in the crawl space.
Out of sight, out of mind as they say!
I had been meaning to remove the old rug which underlay a newer throw rug, as it was a real dirt and mold catcher.
In order to do so, I had to remove everything from the shelves and move all of the furniture.
Said rug is now bundled up and stored in a corner of the garage.
Then I said to myself (quite literally, I was going stir crazy by now!) Self, why don't we rearrange everything to a more Feng Shuei (sic) compliant environment?

By the time I finally finished, it was time to give Bonnie her late evening walk and put her in her cage.
Then it was Csonk's turn. As I had been insanely busy all day he missed his Daddy play time, and was he ever honked to be caged without it!
It was now almost 8 PM, and I still had to shower and go out and scrounge supper.

Footnote, I love to cook, but pretty much refuse to cook just for myself.

My Bill of Fare for the weekend, Steak at Lone Star on Thursday night, Tex-Mex at Pancho's on Friday, Breakfast at the new Waffle House on Sat (the nicest one I had ever eaten in, brand new and clean as a pin)
So what to do on Saturday night for a wild and crazy guy batching it?
In Clayton?
A chain Q and seafood place that opened a few months ago.
We had not tried it out yet, mainly because of a perception that it was just another Eastern Carolina Q joint. (Not my favorite in the genre'. The only thing worse is the mustard based monstrosity they serve in the other Carolina)
I was pleasantly surprised to find that they also served "Calabash" style coastal Carolina Sea food, either fried or broiled. One of my favorites.
Very tasty, and it won't kill you (fried) if you only eat it occasionally.

Today consisted of walking Bonnie, driving through a much needed (2.5") rain, and visiting our favorite chain pasta palace and B&N booksellers for a couple of new tomes and an overpriced but good coffee.
I do have a book monkey on my back, must feed my literary mojo.

Trying to towel off and brush Csonk when he is hyper and wants to play is quite an experience.
Kind of like wrestling a water buffalo.
He finally settled down and tried to watch me in the kitchen, but reminded me of a little kid at bed time who knows he is sleepy but doesn't want to miss any thing.
One eye closes, then the other then they both snap open for a spell.
Both of the brats are now in their cages, I've had something to eat, and will finish the Yankees-Red Sox game after I finish this last line or two.

Come on tomorrow night, when the Queen and the Soldier come home!
This place seems bigger and way too quiet without them!

I'll be thrilled to see them, and Rebel may even open the other eye.

Hilarious hidden camera gem.

A business partner told me today of a very funny video.
Just type Dancing Cadet in your search engine.
A Cadet at the United States Air Force Academy hid a web cam in his room to catch his roomie in one of his patented dance routines. You have to see it to believe it.

The Secretary of Defense even alluded to it when he recently gave the commencement address at the Academy, warning some of the Cadets "not to quit their day jobs"

The kid is destined to be a fighter jock for sure.

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.