AMERICA

AMERICA
ONE NATION UNDER GOD!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

PTSD HEALING

I WAS WATCHING
FOX NEWS CHANNEL
AND SAW 
MIKE HUCKABEE
TALKING TO
SOME VERY INTERESTED AND HELPFUL CARING PEOPLE.
CHECK THEM OUT AT:

Friday, August 27, 2010

GOT THIS IN AN E-MAIL

AND I HAD TO POST IT

THE NEW F-35
YOU JUST HAVE TO LOVE
THOSE
NAVY PILOTS
________________

Thursday, August 26, 2010

THANKFUL THURSDAY

MEDAL OF HONOR
The first Army Medal of Honor was awarded to Private Jacob Parrott during the American Civil War for his role in the Great Locomotive Chase. The only female Medal of Honor recipient is Mary Edwards Walker, a Civil War surgeon. Her medal was rescinded in 1917 along with many other non-combat awards, but it was restored by President Jimmy Carter in 1977.

While current regulations, (10 U.S.C. § 6241), beginning in 1918, explicitly state that recipients must be serving in the U.S. Armed Forces at the time of performing a valorous act that warrants the award, exceptions have been made. For example, Charles Lindbergh, while a reserve member of the U.S. Army Air Corps, received his Medal of Honor as a civilian pilot. 

In addition, the Medal of Honor was presented to the British Unknown Warrior by General Pershing on October 17, 1921; later the U.S. Unknown Soldier was reciprocally awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest award for gallantry, on November 11, 1921. 

Although being a U.S. citizen is not a prerequisite for eligibility to receive the medal, apart from a few exceptions, Medals of Honor can be awarded to only members of the U.S. armed forces. Sixty-one Canadians who were serving in the United States armed forces have received the Medal of Honor; most received it for actions in the American Civil War. Since 1900, only four have been awarded to Canadians. 

In the Vietnam War, Peter C. Lemon was the only Canadian recipient of the Medal of Honor.

____________________________________

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

A MESSAGE FROM MOH AWARDEES

////////////////><\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
BE WELL MY BROTHERS.
PTSD IS NOT A LIFE SENTENCE.
I HAVE FRIENDS WHO HAVE BEEN THERE
AND CAME BACK TO LIVE WITHOUT THE
DISABILITIES.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

IN THE NAVY

YOU MAY WONDER, "NOW WHY DID HE PUT THAT UP THERE?"
OH, YEA, HE WAS IN THE NAVY.

TRUE, BUT IT GOES A LITTLE FARTHER THAN THAT.
THAT LITTLE VIDEO

"IN THE NAVY"

WAS FILMED ON BOARD

THE USS FRANK S. REASONER (FF-1063)

FRANK S. REASONER LT. USMC
WAS A MEDAL OF HONOR AWARDEE
AND HE WAS THE FIRST 
OF MY
THANKFUL THURSDAY POSTS
Frank S. Reasoner
I NEVER MET FRANK. 

BUT I HAD THE HONOR OF
SERVING ABOARD HIS

 NAMESAKE

FROM 1989-28 AUGUST 1993

THE DECOMMISSIONING CEREMONY OF THE USS REASONER (FF-1063)
AUGUST 28, 1993.

THE USS FRANK S. REASONER (FF-1063)
HAS ALSO APPEARED PREVIOUSLY
IN THIS BLOG

UNDER THE HEADING;

PLACES, I'VE CALLED HOME
FF-1063
HERE ARE SOME OF THE LAST PHOTOS
OF
FRANK'S BOAT
BEFORE IT WAS RECOMMISSIONED
INTO THE

TURKISH NAVY AS

"KOCATEPE"



THAT IS ME, UNDER THE BARREL OF THE PHALANX.

USN & TURKISH CREWS

PARADE THE COLORS




AUGUST 28, 1993.
THE LAST DAY OF SERVICE
FOR THE
USS FRANK S. REASONER

THE LAST DAY OF MY SEA DUTY
AND
THE LAST BIRTHDAY
I SPENT
"IN THE NAVY"

Thursday, August 19, 2010

THANKFUL THURSDAY

PFC Ross McGinnis

Ross Andrew McGinnis (June 14, 1987 – December 4, 2006) was a soldier who served in the United States Army during the Iraq War and was posthumously awarded the United States' highest decoration for bravery, the Medal of Honor. 
While serving as the gunner in a HMMWV, his convoy was attacked and a hand grenade was thrown into his vehicle. McGinnis was subsequently killed in action when he threw himself on the grenade, saving the lives of at least four other soldiers in the vehicle. He was the fourth soldier to receive the Medal of Honor during the Iraq War, which was presented to his family following his death.
_______________________________________

McGinnis had wanted to be a soldier since kindergarten and joined the Army through the Delayed Entry Program on his 17th birthday, on June 14, 2004. Following basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, in Ledward Barracks, in Schweinfurt, Germany.

In August 2006, aged 19, the regiment was deployed to eastern Baghdad and he was serving as a .50 caliber machine-gunner in a Humvee during operations against insurgents in Adhamiyah. On December 4, while his platoon was on mounted patrol in Adhamiyah, a grenade was thrown into his vehicle. He told the other four men about it, so they could prepare for the blast. Instead of jumping out of the gunning hatch, he threw his back over the grenade, absorbing the bulk of the blast. He was killed instantly, but the other occupants were able to survive with only minor injuries.

He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and his grave can be found in section 60, site 8544.

A ceremony was held in the east room of the White House on June 2, 2008 in which the medal was presented to his family by President George W. Bush.

In addition to his family and the President a many other notable people attended the ceremony, including the Vice President, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake, Secretary of the Army Pete Geren, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne, General Jim "Hoss" Cartwright, and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Several members of congress also attended as did members of McGinnis' unit from Iraq, including the other soldiers from the vehicle he sacrificed his life to save.
__________________________________________

Medal of Honor citation:
President George Bush presents the Medal of Honor to the parents of Ross McGinnis

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

    Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an M2 .50-caliber Machine Gunner, 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Adhamiyah, Northeast Baghdad, Iraq, on December 4, 2006. 

That afternoon his platoon was conducting combat control operations in an effort to reduce and control sectarian violence in the area. While Private McGinnis was manning the M2 .50-caliber Machine Gun, a fragmentation grenade thrown by an insurgent fell through the gunner's hatch into the vehicle. Reacting quickly, he yelled "grenade," allowing all four members of his crew to prepare for the grenade's blast. Then, rather than leaping from the gunner's hatch to safety, Private McGinnis made the courageous decision to protect his crew. 

In a selfless act of bravery, in which he was mortally wounded, Private McGinnis covered the live grenade, pinning it between his body and the vehicle and absorbing most of the explosion. Private McGinnis' gallant action directly saved four men from certain serious injury or death. Private First Class McGinnis' extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

John 15:13, Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

HONG KONG PORT VISIT

Part 2.
HONG KONG

HONG KONG


TO SEE THE SIGHTS AND WONDERS OF THE WORLD, 
LET ME TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF 
HONG KONG...

IT'S OVER ON 
Ms DARKSTAR's PLACE.

Sorry, no HEFFs allowed...

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

HUMAN CLONING

PRO? or CONgress
////////><\\\\\\\\
________________________________

IF WE START HUMAN CLONING

TODAY!

IN 35 YEARS, WE CAN HAVE
A
RONALD REAGAN
IN EVERY POSITION
OF
THE

US GOVERNMENT.
__________________________
Opinions expressed on this blog are mine alone.

Monday, August 16, 2010

PRE SEASON IS HERE

Thank God for FOOTBALL...


I should be happy after last basketball season ended.
My LAKERS are the NBA Champions. Again!
My DUKE BLUE DEVILS are the NCAA Champions.
But sports is a compulsion for me...

And then came baseball.
I used to be a big time MLB fan.
One of my fondest memories of youth was when the dad of my high school sweet heart took me to my first Professional Baseball game. The KINSTON EAGLES, a farm team for the NY Yankees.
Then I moved and Settled in San Diego.
///////////><\\\\\\\\\\
I enjoyed watching My PADRES, get whooped on a regular basis.
Even with the talents of players like;
TONY GWYNN, TREVOR HOFFMAN, DAVE WINFIELD, KURT BEVACQUA, ROLLIE FINGERS, GOOSE GOSSAGE, RICKEY HENDERSON, WILLIE McCOVEY, GAYLORD PERRY, OZZIE SMITH, STEVE GARVEY, GARY TEMPLETON AND GRAIG NETTLES, the friars only won the pennant 2 times. Once in 1984 and again in 1998, and they have never won the World Series.
In fact the Padres only won a single game in 9 at the World Series.
1-4 Vs Detroit, in 1984.
0-4 Vs New York, in 1998.
__________________________
I used to take my son to games. We live in a town where there is always something to do. And it was a chance to build a bond with my son.

Then came the 1994-95 Baseball labor strike.
Spoiled Multimillionaires, all fighting over who gets my money.
So, I decided to make it easy for them. They could fight over your money. But my money was no longer a problem for them to solve.
I went on strike, with them.
And when they let their egos over ride the Fall Classic, a season with no World Series, I decided to rethink to whole baseball thing. The players and the owners had become bigger than the game.
_______________________________
For example, A PERFECT GAME???
If you are unfortunate enough to experience one of these rarities, You have just spent three hours, watching two grown men play catch. And that is the same with a SHUT OUT and a NO HITTER.
That ranks right up there with GOLF for excitement.
 __________________________
Then there's the length of the season to consider.
182 games, just to find out who gets to play the
NY YANKEES for the title?
Really? 182 games?
I could get this done in a three week single elimination playoff.
_______________________
AND DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON
FANTASY BASEBALL.
 IS THERE ANYTHING MORE PATHETIC, THAN
 A FANTASY BASEBALL GEEK?

CAN YOU SAY:
DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS?
______________________________
And when was the last time anything really entertaining happend
in MLB?
Nothing since Billy Martin died.
I miss BILLY BALL.

___________________
_____________________________

When MLB brings back Billy Martin,
____________________
__________________

Then I'll come back to BASEBALL.
_________________________
I wish no ill will on the boys of summer.
Get ready for some
FOOTBALL
________________________
But this Saturday, at the "Q" in San Diego,
My CHARGERS Take on the 'BOYS from DALLAS












The only thing missing is the voice and football wisdom of 
JOHN MADDEN.

But the worst day of football is still better than the best of day baseball.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

MY BAD

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO HONG KONG?
WELL, I HAVE.
IN MY OPINION IT IS THE MOST
FASCINATING PLACE ON THE PLANET.

I WROTE A DESCRIPTION OF SOME OF THE THINGS YOU'LL SEE
AND SOME YOU WON'T IF YOU GO THERE.
BUT I FORGOT TO TELL YOU WERE IT IS POSTED.

IT IS ON MS DARKSTAR'S
WEDNESDAY WARRIOR POST.

LET ME BE YOUR TOUR GUIDE TO THE ASIAN CITY OF
HONG KONG

HONG KONG


Saturday, August 14, 2010

PINK??? SATURTDAY

YES, YOU READ THAT RIGHT.

PINK

IN HOMAGE TO MY
FASHIONISTA MENTOR

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS AT THE 


I PROUDLY PRESENT

PINK??? SATURDAY


For a decade or more, the tough guys at
the Motor Company have been marketing 
to the feminine sector.

But recently they have come to the realization, that it doesn't make you less of a macho biker if you have a little compassion for the PINK sector. And they didn't just launch a collection of RIDE PINS and call us AWARE.

No sir, when the Milwaukee Mad Men start something, they go all out.
THEY LAUNCHED THE PINK LABEL,

They care.


 AND I CARE.

 Zippered sleeves, laced up on the sides.

this is a functional Motorcycle jacket.
and look!
The HD logo
in PINK.
____________________

Need more proof?

How about a PINK Henley, with the Motor,Co. scroll?


Before you go all "I ain't wearin no pink ???...
Remember this.
there's no better excuse to activate the dental plan of some weekend poser, 
than to get him ratchet jawing about HOW PINK you look.

And if that ain't enough pink for you.
Go visit my PINK LADY,
NicNacManiac.
She lives in CANADA.
But I have a short cut through the woods that goes right to her place.
AND BE NICE OVER THERE.

TELL HER KW SENT YOU.



Friday, August 13, 2010

41 YEARS AGO...

In August 1969 on a farmers field in upstate New York, 3 days that changed
the politics, music and attitude of
AMERICA.

WOODSTOCK

Some people say "HIPPIES" like they know anything about the subject.
___________________
This song was written by Joni Mitchell, who was not at WOODSTOCK,
but this version is performed by
Graham Nash, David Crosby & Stephen Stills
who were:
________________
_________________
_____________________
 ______________________
 
 ______________________
 
__________________________
______________________
____________________________
______________________

THE MOVIE IS AVAILABLE AT
AMAZON.COM
$25.99

PEACE, LOVE AND PEACE...
__________________________
SORRY FOR THE LENGTH OF THIS. BUT BACK IN 
1969, THERE WAS NO MTV, VH1, 
OR POLITICAL SOUND BITES.
_______________________________
 
Well, I came upon a child of God,
He was walking along the road,
And I asked him, Tell me, Where are you going?
This he told me...


Said, I'm going down to Yasgur's farm,
Gonna join in a Rock and roll band.
Gotta get back to the land and set my soul free.
 
 
We are stardust, we are golden,
We are billion year old carbon, 
and we've got to get ourselves back to the garden.


Well, then can I roam beside you? 
I have come to loose the smog,
And I feel a cog,
in something turning.
 
And maybe it's the time of year,
yes and maybe it's the time of man.
And I don't know who I am.
But life is for learning.
 
 
We are star dust, we are golden,
we are billion year old carbon,
And we've got to get ourselves back to the garden.
 
We are star dust, we are golden,
we are billion year old carbon,
And we've got to get ourselves back to the garden.

By the time we got to Woodstock,
we were half a million strong.
And everywhere was a song and a celebration.
And I dreamed I saw the bomber death planes,
riding shotgun in the sky,
turning into butterflies
above our nation.
 
We are star dust,
we are golden,
we are billion year old carbon,
And we've got to get ourselves back to the garden. 
_________________________
AMERICA: WE MAY NOT HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER.
BUT, TOGETHER WE HAVE IT ALL...

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

THANKFUL THURSDAY



John Paul Bobo

(February 14, 1943 – March 30, 1967) was a United States Marine Corps second lieutenant who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in March 1967.

__________________________

Biography
John Paul Bobo was born on February 14, 1943 in Niagara Falls, New York. He attended Bishop Duffy High School,now Niagara Catholic High School where he is today distinguished as an honored alum. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve on May 28, 1965 in Buffalo, New York, while attending Niagara University. Then he received a B.A. Degree in History from the University in June 1965 and was commissioned a Marine Corps Reserve second lieutenant on December 17, 1965.

Second Lieutenant Bobo completed the Officer Candidate Course, The Basic School, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, in May 1966.

Following graduation, he was ordered to the Republic of Vietnam. There he was assigned duty as platoon commander, Company I, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. While serving in this capacity, he was mortally wounded while firing his weapon into the mainpoint of the enemy attack on March 30, 1967. He was 24 years old.

He is buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Lewiston, New York.
______________________________________

Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

SECOND LIEUTENANT JOHN P. BOBO
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

    For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Weapons Platoon Commander, Company I, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division, in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 30 March 1967. 

Company I was establishing night ambush sites when the command group was attacked by a reinforced North Vietnamese company supported by heavy automatic weapons and mortar fire. Lieutenant Bobo immediately organized a hasty defense and moved from position to position encouraging the outnumbered Marines despite the murderous enemy fire. Recovering a rocket launcher from among the friendly casualties, he organized a new launcher team and directed its fire into the enemy machine gun position. 

When an exploding enemy mortar round severed Lieutenant Bobo's right leg below the knee, he refused to be evacuated and insisted upon being placed in a firing position to cover the movement of the command group to a better location. With a web belt around his leg serving as tourniquet and with his leg jammed into the dirt to curtail the bleeding, he remained in this position and delivered devastating fire into the ranks of the enemy attempting to overrun the Marines. 

Lieutenant Bobo was mortally wounded while firing his weapon into the mainpoint of the enemy attack but his valiant spirit inspired his men to heroic efforts, and his tenacious stand enabled the command group to gain a protective position where it repulsed the enemy onslaught. Lieutenant Bobo's superb leadership, dauntless courage, and bold initiative reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
/S/LYNDON B. JOHNSON

_______________________

Awards and honors

2nd Lieutenant Bobo's awards include:
A light blue ribbon with five white five pointed stars
Bronze star






The U.S. Navy has three classes of ships in its Marine Prepositioning Fleet — the newest class, which were built by General Dynamics and delivered to Military Sealift Command in the mid-1980s, are named the 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo Class. The lead ship of this class is the 673-foot (205 m) long maritime prepositioning ship USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo. Since 1985, the ship had been under long-term lease to Military Sealift Command from American Overseas Marine. On January 16, 2007, the Military Sealift Command purchased the 673-foot (205 m) maritime prepositioning ship, USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo.

The chow hall at the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia is named Bobo Hall in his honor.

John Bobo's name is etched on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Panel 17E, Row 070.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

An old fashion love story

Have you ever had a broken heart?
You can't answer yes, if you've never been in love. This is a story about love. Not romance, passion, infatuation or lust. Just love. There's this girl. It seems I have known her forever. We were introduced in the 5th grade. We were pals all through grade school and into high school. But then we drifted apart. We would bump into one another. But only in passing. She would tell me all of the things that were bothering her. And I would listen but she never let me help. Her parents didn't like me. No! That's being mild. They hated me. They never took the time to learn anything about the real me. And they would fill her head with non-sense every time she mentioned my name.

When she went away to college, we lost touch. But I would run into her occasionally. Spring break, Christmas,, New Years. But when graduation time arrived, I was specifically told to stay away. It wasn't her decision. But the school didn't want my type present. MY TYPE. Can you imagine someone not wanting me around? So as per the request, I stayed my distance. She went on, to be a very successful marine biologist. Many of my friends are intelligent, skilled, capable people. But for some reason every time I would visit this friend, her collegues, would give her a hard time about me being around. 

Finally we lost touch for many years. I never stopped thinking of her. I was in love. Madly, totally, head over heels in love. Nothing would ever change that. There was something special about this woman. It was our destiny. To spend eternity together. She just didn't know it, Yet. 

But how do you make some one love you? 

You can't. See, God gave all of us free will. All I could do was to try to show her how much I loved her. And then she would come around. Our mutual friends would tell her how much I loved her. But she would scoff, that no one could love her that much. Was this girl stupid? How could she not see that I would do anything for her? I would throw myself in front of a bus for this girl.

Then one night she called me. I was surprised. But very pleased. She asked me to meet her in one hour, at a downtown cafe. I arrived early. Grabbed a table near the door, and waited. Anticipation made the time drag. It seemed like days. But it had only been hours. Two hours. After another hour she was still a no show. And I had very important things to do. So I left.

Two weeks later she called again. I asked why we failed to meet the last time, and she told me her friend got sick and needed her. I started to tell her that I could have helped in that situation. But she interrupted and asked me to meet her at "BENNEY'S" a local biker hang out. 

I knew the place. But I had no idea that she would be caught dead in there. Well, yes I really did. Because she always had a little rebel in her. And was attracted to the bad boys. So I mounted up on wings and headed for BENNEY'S. I may look like I belong with those guys. But we really have very little in common. Well, most of them either know me or know of me. But they stay clear of me. I have a reputation that most of these pseudo tough guys want nothing to do with.

This time she's a no show again. But I managed to meet some new friends, so this night was not a total waste. This situation repeats itself for months on end. She calls and says she needs to talk. I show up. And she doesn't. Dozens and dozens of calls and an equal number of broken dates. How many more times must this situation play itself out? How many more times will I fall for this ploy? Just as many times as it takes. You see, She's on the list. And I have all the time in the universe. Unfortunately she does not. But even if her last date with me is on her dying breath. I'll be there for her. She's on the list.


Are you on His list? Stop breaking dates. And stop breaking His heart.

krippledwarrior.blogspot.com

Monday, August 9, 2010

300

Not only the title of a great movie.

300
is the number of blog entries on

SOME THINGS I HAVE LEARNED

_______________________________

What better way to celebrate a milestone
than with a little music,

From the
DEMONS & WIZARDS ALBUM

EASY LIVING
________________

_____________________

by URIAH HEEP.

And just so you don't go away without learning a little something:

Uriah Heep is a fictional character created by Charles Dickens in his novel David Copperfield.
The character is notable for his cloying humility, obsequiousness, and insincerity, making frequent references to his own "'umbleness". His name has become synonymous with being a yes man. He is the central antagonist of the later part of the book. David first meets the 15-year-old Heep when he is living with Mr. Wickfield and his daughter Agnes, in chapter 15:
[Uriah's face] was quite as cadaverous as it had looked in the window, though in the grain of it there was that tinge of red which is sometimes to be observed in the skins of red-haired people. It belonged to a red-haired person—a youth of fifteen, as I take it now, but looking much older—whose hair was cropped as close as the closest stubble; who had hardly any eyebrows, and no eyelashes, and eyes of a red-brown, so unsheltered and unshaded, that I remember wondering how he went to sleep. He was high-shouldered and bony; dressed in decent black, with a white wisp of a neckcloth; buttoned up to the throat; and had a long, lank, skeleton hand, which particularly attracted my attention, as he stood at the pony's head, rubbing his chin with it, and looking up at us in the chaise.
__________________________________
Thank you for all you do. 
I certainly concur with this one. Makes one wonder where our values are.
It is sad that Lindsay Lohan, 24, gets her name and face all over the news
because she went to jail:
Recognize any of these names? Did they make the news????
Justin Allen, 23,
Brett Linley, 29,
Matthew Weikert, 29,
Justus Bartett, 27,
Dave Santos, 21,
Chase Stanley, 21,
Jesse Reed, 26,
Matthew Johnson, 21,
Zachary Fisher, 24,
Brandon King, 23,
Christopher Goeke, 23,
and Sheldon Tate, 27,
They were all US Marines that gave their lives for you this week.
 _____________________

Sunday, August 8, 2010

MOTHER IN LAW JOKES...

I know you've heard some. I have a million of them. Written by some of comedy's brightest stars, like;

WC FIELDS
RODNEY DANGERFIELD
SAM KINISON
MILTON BERLE
JACKIE MASON
BUDDY HACKETT
&
HENNY YOUNGMAN

But I don't tell Mother in law jokes. Not because they aren't funny. But because they're not descriptive of my situation. For the 29  years of my marriage, I have never known another person, who is more loving, caring, compassionate or giving than my mother in law.

And she likes me. She has been a friend and a part of my support team during my entire bout with cancer. She calls me every afternoon to see how I'm doing. When her husband went to be with the LORD, she asked me to speak at his funeral. And after I was done, she thanked me.

You might say I'm lucky, or fortunate. But I don't believe in luck or chance. I'm not lucky or fortunate. I am blessed. This world is a better place with my Mother in Law in it. And my life is better because of her being in it. Thank you MOM. For everything.

Friday, August 6, 2010

PEACEFUL, HARD WORKING, LAW ABIDING...

PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE LOVING MESSAGE
BEING PUT FORTH BY 
THOSE INVADERS OF 
ARIZONA'S & AMERICA'S BORDER.

PEACEFUL?























(America)
America where are you now?
Don't you care about your sons and daughters?
Don't you know we need you now
We can't fight alone against the monste
r.

Lyrics; John Kay. STEPPENWOLF

WHAT I SAW...

1. I SAW A REALLY HOT PAIR OF BOOTS & A TRAIN CAR JUST FER SITTING ON @RED NECK.CHIC.

2. A YOUNG AMERICAN, PREPPING A "CARE" PACKAGE,
TO SHIP TO A DEPLOYED SERVICE MAN @ADRIE'S CORNER

3. I GOT A HISTORY OF THE TOOTH FAIRY,
WITH JUST A TOUCH OF NORSE MYTHOLOGY @WHAT RED SAID

4. PHOTOS OF SOME TOUGH PEOPLE FROM THE MOTORCYCLIST
PERSUASION @DEAL OR NO DEAL

5. A VIEW OF WHAT PEACEFUL PEOPLE WHO ARE INVADING THE USA
AND ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR WAY OF LIFE @ALL ABOUT ARIZONA
(this made my blood boil)

6. DUMP THE CLUTTER, EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD @LESSONS FROM THE MONK I MARRIED


Be safe out there. keep your friends close. And tell the others to take a hike. I look forward to seeing y'all on my next stroll around BLOGGERTOWN.

A STROLL THROUGH BLOGGERTOWN

This is how I do it.
I'm not suggesting this is how you should do it.
Just letting you know how I do it...
First I stop by YOUTUBE 
and
pick out some theme music
for my walk.
Today, it's;
_____________
____________________

Then I go walking. No particular destination in mind. Just the journey.
There will be humor, trouble, worry and truth. Friendly, familiar faces smiling as I approach.
What will I see today?

For starters, I was treated to a Harley ride, by Karen at 

It was a full throttle adreneline buzz, that still has my ears ringing. Go to her place and tell her THANKS.



What else will I find today?
I'll let you know when I get back.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

THANKFUL THURSDAY


Colonel Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. (born July 21, 1940), 
is a retired United States Marine Corps officer who received the Medal of Honor for valor during the Vietnam War. He was the fourth Marine to receive the medal for valor in Vietnam. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1989 after more than 27 years of service. Barnum is currently serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Reserve Affairs, a position he has held since July 23, 2001.

==========================

Barnum was born July 21, 1940 in Cheshire, Connecticut. He was president of his Senior Class at Cheshire High School, where he also played football and baseball. In high school, he was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, the “C” Club and the Gym Leaders Club. After graduation from high school, he entered Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire


============================
While in college, Barnum joined the Marine Corps’ Platoon Leaders Class program in November 1958, and attending two summer training sessions, one in 1959 and the other in 1961. In June 1962, he graduated from St. Anselm with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a Marine Reserve second lieutenant.

Second Lieutenant Barnum was ordered to Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, where he attended The Basic School until December 1962, when he began the Artillery Officers Orientation Course, graduating in February 1963. He was then ordered overseas and joined Battery A, 1st Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division on Okinawa, Japan. He served first as a forward observer and then as the Battalion’s liaison officer. In July 1964, he accepted appointment in the regular Marine Corps. Prior to completing his Okinawa tour, he also served as the battalion liaison officer. He was promoted to first lieutenant in December 1964.
In April 1964, 1stLt Barnum was transferred to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and assigned as the Wing’s Career Advisory and Personal Affairs Officer. During Exercise Steel Pike, a landing exercise in Spain, he served as the Wing’s Security Officer. Upon returning to the United States from Spain, he was assigned as Officer in Charge, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Classified Files.

Detached in March 1965, he then served as Guard Officer, Marine Barracks, U.S. Naval Base, Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii.
From December 1965 until February 1966, 1stLt Barnum served on temporary duty in Vietnam as an artillery forward observer with Company H, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. Lieutenant Barnum’s would be awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on December 18, 1965 — for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty".

He was promoted to captain in June 1966, after he returned to Hawaii. From March until August 1967, Capt Barnum attended the Associate Field Artillery Officers Career Course, Fort Still, Oklahoma. Transferred to Headquarters Marine Corps, he served as Aide-de-Camp for LtGen Lewis W. Walt (then the Assistant Chief of Staff for Manpower and subsequently the Assistant Commandant from September 1967 until October 1968).

In October 1968, Capt Barnum returned to Vietnam where he served as Commanding Officer of Battery E, 2nd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division With the 3rd Marine Division redeployment from Vietnam to Okinawa in September 1969, he remained with that unit until the following October. For his service in this capacity, he was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat “V” and Gold Star in lieu of a second award, the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat “V”, the Purple Heart for wounds received, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Silver Star.

Upon his return from Okinawa, Capt Barnum was assigned as a weapons instructor at The Basic School, Marine Corps Development and Education Command, Quantico, where he served until August 1970 at which time he entered the Amphibious Warfare School, graduating in February 1972.

He served as Operations Officer, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines, Camp Lejeune beginning in March 1972, and was promoted to major, May 1972, to lieutenant colonel in December 1978, and to colonel in February 1984.
In August, 1989, Colonel Barnum retired from the Marine Corps after more than 27 years of service.

====================================

Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States in the name of the Congress takes pride in presenting the 

MEDAL OF HONOR to

FIRST LIEUTENANT HARVEY C. BARNUM, JR.
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

    For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Forward Observer for Artillery, while attached to Company H, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against communist forces at Ky Phu in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 18 December 1965. 

When the company was suddenly pinned down by a hail of extremely accurate enemy fire and was quickly separated from the remainder of the battalion by over five hundred meters of open and fire-swept ground, and casualties mounted rapidly, Lieutenant Barnum quickly made a hazardous reconnaissance of the area seeking targets for his artillery. Finding the rifle company commander mortally wounded and the radio operator killed, he, with complete disregard for his own safety, gave aid to the dying commander, then removed the radio from the dead operator and strapped it to himself. 
He immediately assumed command of the rifle company, and moving at once into the midst of the heavy fire, rallying and giving encouragement to all units, reorganized them to replace the loss of key personnel and led their attack on enemy positions from which deadly fire continued to come. 

His sound and swift decisions and his obvious calm served to stabilize the badly decimated units and his gallant example as he stood exposed repeatedly to point out targets served as an inspiration to all. Provided with two armed helicopters, he moved fearlessly through enemy fire to control the air attack against the firmly entrenched enemy while skillfully directing one platoon in a successful counterattack in the key enemy positions. 

Having thus cleared a small area, he requested and directed the landing of two transport helicopters for the evacuation of the dead and wounded. He then assisted in the mopping up and final seizure of the battalion's objective. His gallant initiative and heroic conduct reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and United States Naval Service.

/S/LYNDON B. JOHNSON
________________________________________________________________
Help me thank the valiant warriors. If you know of warrior who is deserving of our thanks, and you would like to see them honored here. Fire me an email with the particulars and any commendations they recieved, and I'll do the rest.
There are some requirements;

He/She must have served in the military service of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia or Canada. 

And
Served as a combat veteran.

And 

Eligible for honorable discharge.
_______________________________________

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

IN THE MAIL BAG...


==================

INNOCENCE IS PRICELESS

One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex standing in the foyer of the church staring up at a large plaque. It was covered with names and small American flags mounted on either side of it. The six-year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the little boy, and said quietly, 'Good morning Alex.'   'Good morning Pastor,' he replied, still focused on the plaque. 'Pastor, what is this? ' The pastor said, 'Well son, it's a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service.'

 Soberly, they just stood together, staring at the large plaque. Finally, little Alex's voice, barely audible and trembling with fear asked,


'Which service, the 8:15 or the 10:30 ?' 
=========

This email was just too well done, to just ignore. Having said that.
Someone has a little too much time on their hands

art
===============

THESE MESSAGES WERE JUST 2, OF 45 RECIEVED.

SCAM

Coca Cola
============================

sent the headers through SAM SPADE version 1.4

Ran a whois search for the IP address,


 
and the SPAM is coming from,
The Bahamas.

Monday, August 2, 2010

BETTER LATE THAN, YOU KNOW...

IT'S THAT WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR.
 Just when you thought it was safe to 
watch Discovery Channel again,
SHARK WEEK 2010

IT STARTED LAST NIGHT. I HOPE YOU CAUGHT IT.
But if not you missed 

ULTIMATE AIR JAWS.
and 
INTO THE SHARK BITE...

There were fish flying all over the screen as the DISCOVERY CHANNEL kicked off it's eighth season of shark week. 


Tune in tonight at 9:00, and you'll see;
Shark attack survival







and

Day of The Shark 3












=======================
Tonight, and every night this week.
These Apex Marine Predators are magnificent. 
Despite being a fearsome part of God's creation, sharks are a necessary
part of the  marine ecosystem.
=============