CHECK EM OUT. Jenny and the boy.

Jens' Place

Texxasrulez

Check out these new pages. I have other priorities besides politics.

Meghan

Noah

I saw a movie about the Enron scandal titled "The smartest men in the room". I deceided to start a list of the smartest men in the room. Since the list will be quite long, I will add names occasionally. Who knows I may even make the list but, since I will admit to making mistakes and being wrong sometimes I probably will not make it. With that said, the number one smartest man in the room goes to Rush Limbaugh. And #2 is Sean Hannity.  And #3 is Don Rumsfeld

September 19th 2006

I was looking through old photo's that Em and I scanned several years back and came across this one. It was taken at my brother's wedding. It brought back alot of old memories. Front row: Kellie and Dee Dee two of the cutiest girls you could want. How bout them homemade dress's? Left to right on the back row is my uncle Tommy and aunt Nell. I spent alot of summers with them. Uncle Tommy took me fishing alot and well, Nell would let me do anything I wanted. I regret not spending more time with them once I was grown. Next in line is my mom I swear she has shrunk in the last few years. But at 84, she is still doing great. Bride and groom (Belinda and Ralph) Then dad, my grandma Hawkins (to my kids new granny), Aunt Mary Ellen and Em and me. The older I get the more I realize how important family is. I remember when I was a kid we had family reunions every year either at mom and dad's or maybe Uncle Tommy's. Then we just moved on. I have cousins that I have not seen in years and have never seen any of their children. When were small we went to grandma Hawkins house. She made a great chocolate pie. I miss those days.

September 11th 2006

Today has been a day to pause and reflect on the events of five years ago and our response as a nation. I remember vividly where I was at the time of the attacks. I had started back to college and had a morning class in biology. Someone came into the class room and whispered something to the instructor. Classes were dismissed and we were told to go home and be with our families. I didn't know what had happened, but it must have been horrific. When I got out to my car and turned the radio on I found out just how bad it had been. At age 54 I determined that college was not one of my priorities and I never went back. Like everyone else, I was in shock and wanted revenge. I was tired of "turning the other cheek" and letting these terrorists do anything they wanted with what seemed like no response at all. I don't know what was going on behind the scenes, all I knew was I wasn't seeing any "justice". The attackers of the USS Cole while moored at the pier had not been caught. It was time for action. When the president ordered the bombing of Afghanistan I could have not been more proud. We had finally struck back! The american firepower displayed was astounding. The ground invasion very impressive. Then for some reason Iraq became the most important mission. We were lead to believe a fully contained and much weakened Sadam was an extreme threat to our safety. Secretary of State Powell urged the president to use caution but was over-ruled by the vice president and the secertary of defense. Powell stated that if "you break it" you own it. And so it is where we find ourselves now, owning a nignhtmare in the desert. A war on two fronts. The comparasion to Viet Nam is startling. The president could go along way in getting my support if he would just admit mistakes have been made and anounce a new direction and new leadership at the pentagon. The people in charge, the ones that laid out the rosey senerio to the president need to be held accountable.

Secret Prisons

Just when I think that I have said about all I can say about this administration another revelation  comes to light. Where is the outrage? Several news stories are out on the subject but no one seems too upset with secret prisons. Are we numbed into thinking that anything that our government is doing on our behalf is ok? The president is trying to coerce the congress into passing legislation that will legalize not only secret prisons but will also legalize tribunials that can use hearsey evidence, coerced testimony and not permit the accoused of confronting the evidence first hand. These are things that I thought only happened in other countries-countries that do not care for human rights. This sounds like the same treatment our P.OW.'s endured. Where is Senator McCain? I know he does not approve of these techniques. We have been assured that only "the worst of the worst" have been kept in these prisons and that less than 100 have ever been kept in these prisons. Additonally we have been assured that the United States does not condon and has not tortured anyone. What about all the prisoners that have been "rendored" back to their country of origin? Some of these people are not citizens of the country they were sent to. Can we be assured they have not been tortured? How can we be sure of anything when it is done in sercet? Mr. Secretary Rumsfeld I wonder, just who is "morally confused"?

September 6th 2006

The war of words continues and will only intensify until the fall elections. Numerous people are calling for the president to fire Don Rumsfeld and the president steadfastly refuses. The president is very loyal to his inner circle and will not make any changes easily. My problem is that he seems to reward incompetence and no one in his administration is held accountable for their actions or inactions. The internet is a great research tool. Just google in Afghanstan and see how many hits you get. Since the current administration likes to site history and claim that history is on their side I thought I would site a little history myself. Russia went into Afghanistan in 1979 at the request of the Afghan government to help quell the opposition. Ten years later they left with their tail between their legs having accomplished nothing. We went into Afghanistan in 2001 and after intense bombing and a short ground offensive we moved on to Iraq leaving about 20,000 troops to keep the peace. The administraton states they have liberated 50,000,000 people. Afghanistan is once again overrun with terrorists. More opium is being manufactured than ever before. The drug trade is financing the terrorists. The place is just as bad if not worse (or soon will be) than before we went in. 1500 plus people a month are dying in Iraq and we are being told we are making progress. There is no easy answer. All I know is that the current administration has made a terrible mess of the middle east and needs to pay for it at the balot box.

September 5th 2006

We had a very enjoyable weekend. Went to two football games, Watched Mo cheer the whitewright Tigers and then went to Pilot Point to watch Noah play for the Aurbey Chaperals. We did as much "visiting" as game watching. I gave the town of Tom Bean a donation (64 in a 50). Todd and Kellie hosted a cookout at their place Sunday. We left about 5P.M. to go back to Conroe but the festivities went on until late in the evening.

September 1st 2006

Its Friday!! I want to share the words of Kris Kristofferson today. I consider him one of the best writers of the 20th century and now at age 70 he has released a new album in the 21st century. This is from that new CD.

 I dedicate this poetry to Emma.

Thank you for a life that I'd call happy-over looking all that we've been through-when it comes to loving I've been lucky-everything I am I owe to you.

Thank you for the little girls you gave me-thank you for them bouncing baby boys-thank you for helping through the sadness that saved me from the madness baby-all I'm crying now are tears of joy..

Thank you for that burning sun thats rising-golden in the air that smells so sweet. Thank you for that empty far horizon that opens to a new eternity.

Thank you for a life that I'd call happy-over looking all that we've been through-when it comes to loving I've been lucky-everything I am I owe to you.

                                                 Kris Kristofferson

August 30th 2006

I remember during the Clinton years "El Rushbo" constantly talked about words mean things while bringing the administration to task for some evil deed. I can't remember him saying that phrase during the last five years though-maybe it is because this administration keeps re-defining their actions with different words in an attempt to win over the "morally confused" (The Vice Presidents words). In thinking about the phrase "words mean things" I have to agree that ole Rush is right. Lets examine two little words-conservative and liberal. The extreme right wing of the republican party has hi-jacked the word conservative. They also label anyone who does not agree with them as "liberal" and attach such a stigmatism to the word that you'd think if you were to get near one of these "liberals" you might catch rabies or something. I don't understand the mindset of people that has a problem with a waiting period to buy a handgun and or making flea market sales of firearms illegal and yet those same people have no problem with the federal government monitoring the calling patterns of U.S. citizens without a court order. I can't for the life of me understand the arguement that it is perfectly fine to confine anyone without being charged of a crime-no right to legal counsel-just lock them up and throw away the key. Being conservative in a political sense did mean at one time limited government powers. Since September 11th 2001 we have been told that drastic new measures have to be taken to protect the people. Words like "morally confused" used to describe anyone that disagree's with neo-con extremism. Constantly playing on people's fears as a reason to suspend civil liberties. The airways filled with a constant distortion of the truth. If I've heard it once I've heard it a thousand times "The American people need to understand these measures are needed to make them safe." How much longer can we blog on the web before we become a national security risk because we are undermining the "war on terror" (or whatever they are calling it today) just because we think this policy is wrong? This is the new face of conservatism. If trying to protect civil liberties and freedom is liberal then sign me up.

 

August 25th 2006

.Family photo from 40 years ago. From left to right-brother Ralph, Em, me and my mother and father. Mom is 84 and dad passed away in March 1980. This picture was taken just before I entered military service.

When I completed my military obligation and returned home I had a very different experience than what I heard happened to a lot of vets. I got into my civies and went back to work and it was as if nothing was going on on the other side of the world. No one spat on me or called me a baby killer, in fact no one even ask me how it was over there. life just went on. I have two points to this story. Number one: We no longer see stories on the news about troops deploying or returning home. No more flag waving, etc. People seem tired and just want it to be over. I did read where the Marines recalled a large number of troops who had completed their active duty and were in the reserves. Hell starts all over for them again. We have a lot of people who believe (for what reason I don't know) that what the United States is doing is right. For most people their lives or daily routine has not changed. If suddenly their children were called into active duty because of the draft and or they personnel lives were effected adversely how would they feel? Would they be gung ho? stay the course no matter the cost in lives? Point number two. During the election of 2004 John Kerry brought Viet Nam into the process thinking that since he was a "war hero" and the president did not serve on active duty that he would get points. It back fired. His congressional testimony in 1972 came back to haunt him. His distortion of what happened in Viet Nam-fabricated lies told to him by people who had never even been in country-his emblishment of his heroics inflamed and re-opened old wounds. Most vets me included were mad that he brought the past into current events. One day while setting around visiting with neighbors at the RV park we were staying in, the subject of all the murder and killing that Kerry talked about in 1972 was mentioned. I stated that I was in Viet Nam and that I did not see any mis-behavior at all by US troops and if anything happened that was wrong it was on a very limited basis. I was told that it was true (by an old lady no less) and that we did kill babies and rape women on a regular basis in Viet Nam. I am ashamed to say that I unloaded on that poor old lady. I blamed John Kerry and still do, but now I wish he had beat George Bush. The troops today will have to endure the same claims because of the deeds of a few. Never mind that we have bad people in all walks of life-the fact that a few misfits have done some terrible deeds will cause alot of military haters to paint all military personnal with a broad brush. When I first returned home and started hearing about PTSD I thought "what a bunch of sissies" (I actually used an old Navy word in Place of sissies). I was wrong. Until you have walked in a man's shoes do not pretend to know what is going on in his mind. For everyone that sez stay the course I say that if we stay two more years or twenty more years in Iraq I know one thing to be true: Within two years after our departure that place will desend into utter civil war until a dictator or Iran takes over. George Bush's legacy will be that he brought the world to the brink of all out destruction. I only hope that we survive his policies and the next administration can fix his mess. One last thought. I have been told on several occasions that we lost in Viet Nam and I guess that case could be made. Also these chicken hawks running the country now are quick to point out that this is not Viet Nam. We killed 1,100,000 in action and wounded 600,000 on their side and people say we lost. Today we have normal relations with Viet Nam and our clothes are being made there. Who would have thought?

August 24th 2006

I recently completed a physical and am in pretty good shape for the shape I'm in. I can and will do a post one day on health care and speaking of health care, the Bush administration and the republican controled congress approved deferred medicare payments to health care facilities and doctors for the last nine days of september so that those charges will fall into next year's budget. They sure didn't defer their automatic pay raises. But, I am getting off topic. I am starting a new approach to my well being. Number one is that I have sworn off Talk Radio. I have to cleanse my mind and sole. I have listened to the right wing hate mongers for at least 12 years but no more. I had already started having doubts about the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity and listened only to re-inforce my suspicions. When Israel started their relentless bombing of Lebanon, a tiny country with no way to defend it's self because Hezballah was conducting raids into Israel from southern Lebanon the "right wingers" went nuts. I don't deny Israel's right to self defense but did and still do think their response was wrong. The United States waited for nearly two weeks to do anything to abate the destruciton being rained down on Lebannon. We sure won alot of Arab hearts with that decision. Anyway several days into the slaughter I was listening to one of the talk shows and someone had called in trying to make the point that a lot of innocent people were dying in the conflict and the host said something to the effect of yes it was bad but just kill them all and let God sort it out. I was stunned. I have not listened to talk radio since.

In 1990 I met a Lebanese man when I started a new work assignment. He was assigned to the same project I was on. It was the being of the hostilities in Gulf War One. We worked together for nearly two years and I learned a great deal about middle eastern culture. We never talked politics or religion but did talk on a variety of other subjects. He was a devot muslim. He was a good friend. He worked with my son on another project many years later and asked about me. I wonder how he feels when he hears his president and others refer to terrorists as islamic fascists? Islam is a religion and fascism is a radical right wing political party. How would we as a christian nation take it when someone referred to the christian right as christian fascists? We are not going to win any hearts and minds by linking their religion to terroism. The klan sez its a christian organiaztion but I suspect they are no more than terorists themselves. I believe in religious freedom and I also believe in seperation of church and state-total seperation. We have an election coming up in the fall. Please vote-even if you don't agree with me and think this bunch is doing a great job-be sure to vote.

August 22nd 2006

The scoop

In December 1980 I quit a good job with all benefits and making $21,000.00 per year. After 16 years at the same company I chucked it all for a boyhood dream-a dairy farm. A dairy farm? what was I thinking? Why didn't Emma stop me? Em always supported whatever I wanted to do. Now when I got my first milk check and it was in the nieghborhood of $10,000.00 (for two weeks) I looked like a brain surgeon in my mind's eye. But, after paying the two week feed bill and only a few hundred dollars remained-the brain surgeon vision faded. Fast forward several years to a typical dreary winter day in Suffering Springs Texas. I got the milk check in the mail and hurried off to the feed store to pay on the feed bill before they cut me off. While at the feed store I bought three brand new shinny scoops-some people call them scrapers I call them scoops. All farm children have "chores" around the farm. My kids chores included bottle feeding the baby calves, putting hay out in the troughs and cleaning the drip shed. For those of you that don't know, a drip shed is a concrete floored holding area where the milk cows wait to be milked. After 100 milk cows have stood in this area for the better part of five hours-well picture the mess. We had one good scoop and two really bad ones. It seems the acid in the material that had to be scraped off the concrete everyday was corrosive to metal. My kids always fought over the good scoop. That afternoon when the school bus let them off at the barn I walked out and told them that IF after supper they feed the calves and hayed the cows without fighting that I had a surprise for them in the barn. Now times were hard back then when it came to extra money so the thought of a surprise was more than they could bare. But they did their chores and came running out to the barn as I was finishing up milking the last bunch of cows. I presented each of them with a brand new shinny scoop to clean the drip shed. While I thought this to be quite funny-they didn't see the humor. My kids remember the dairy years with fond memories. I remember that most of the time I spent milking the cows-talking to myself and answering back.

August 21st 2006

We had a great weekend. Visited Scottie and Maryjane. We grilled shrimp, steak, and peppers in their backyard. Played domino's and then went to Sam Houston Race Park to watch the ponies run. My old brother-in-law (he's 75) Bodie has been around race horses all his life and has been racing them since I have been knowing him. So naturally I called him for advice on how to bet. I guess I didn't pay much attention-I lost my twenty dollars pretty quick. The last race I bet on said it all. I wagered on a horse that was coming off at 6-1 odds with the fastest speed index in the race (119)-good jockey-good trainer-etc. I should have known something was up. Another horse in the race was at 10-1. His speed index was 117. These were no doubt the two best horses in the field. Why weren't they the favorites? Anyway I bet the 6-1 horse to win and so did everyone else at the track. By post time he came off at 4-1, the odds on favorite. the other horse I mentioned-very few bet on and he came off at 25-1. They got the horses in the gate and my horse broke the gate and ran halfway down the track before they got him stopped. Anyway they put him back in the gate and this time when the horses left the gate he was dead last. The horse that came off at 25-1 won going away wire to wire. I think that was what they call a "jockey's race".

My thought for the day. When the politicans tout reduction in the capital gains tax as benifical to all and say things like "A rising tide floats all boats"-what they should say is "A rising tide floats all boats"-unless your boat is setting on the bottom with a hole in it.

August 18th 2006

The boy posted this website in a mass email saying "my pop has some crap he wants you to hear". I couldn't have said it better myself-I do have some "crap" I want you to hear. Marie e-mailed me and said her dad Bodie would be mad that I didn't include him as the "smartest man in the room" category. While Bodie might easily be the smartest man in the room, to make my list he would have to be an elitest arrogant imbicel. Bodie and I have discussed politics for the last 20 years. He used to say that he graduated in the High Third Grade and went to work. I went to college so naturally I thought the republicans had all the answers and the democratics were only interested in giving away my hard earned money. The last time I saw Bodie I had my hat in hand and change in heart. George made me a democrat. Now I voted for George both times (I am a slow learner). At the risk of making some mad I have to say this-we may be a religious society, but we have a secular government. This not a theocracy no matter how much the religious right wants it to be. I read not long ago about an interview that our president gave. When asked if he ever sought advice from his father (Bush 41) he stated that he answered to a higher authority. We are in a war in Iraq where both sides believe God is on their side. That is scary. I am tired of the right-wing superiorly moral bible thumping neocons saying anyone that does not agree with them are "cut and run" unpatriotic morons that just don't understand what we face. Consider that the vice president had five student deferments to avoid service in Viet Nam because "he had other things to do in the sixties". Oh well let other people's sons die-I don't have time to be bothered. The president did serve in the Texas Air Guard, but spent most of his time in an alcohol induced fog in Alamba. Now he is a reformed alcoholic "born again" christian. I hope he dosn't go off the wagon with his finger on the "button". I Know terrorism is real and someday we will be hit hard again. I have no love loss for the terrorists, but continualy poking them in the eye with a stick won't work. Someone needs to tell George and the boys the middle east is not Interested in democracy. We will never beat the terorists by bombing and invading their countries. All we do is make more terrorists Hate begats hate. Bodie this one is for you- My family and friend.

George and the boys

No matter the cost in lives-stay the course-its the right thing to do. I am making the world a safer place for you-I am making the world a safer place for you.

This war will be easy-they will throw rose pedals at our feet. We will be liberators-stay the course-its the right thing to do. I am making the world a safer place for you.

History be damned-I am the smartest man. No matter that they have been fighting since  the beginning of time- I know what is best and I am making the world a safer place for you.

History be damned-This ain't no Viet Nam. Those fifty eight thousand names on a wall taught us nothing, nothing at all. I know what is best and I am making the world a safer place for you.

I've got a plan-bring democracy to the middle east-they will throw rose pedals at our feet. We can beat these terrorist in their own land. They can start thinking like me or all be damned. Remember this ain't no Viet Nam.

We know it's going to be hard-we've known all along. No matter that I said it would be easy and cheap. That was before I knew-now that I know-trust me. I am making the world a safer place for you.

                                                                                                                         SJH

Everybody have a great weekend! And "Don't let anything steal your joy". In the words of Red Skelton "Good night and God bless".

 

August 17th 2006

Old men send boys to war. Too young to vote to young to drink, but old enough for war. The year was 1967.

Ten High was a friend of mine.

Liberty call in the P.I.-thats where I learned to drink. Just a kid from Texas-far from home and feeling blue a world  away and missing you. Ten High was a friend of mine.

Ten High was a friend of mine-eased the pain and dulled the brain. We drank alot and drank some more. Wake the next morning with sore body and mind-Ten High was a friend of mine.

Would swear off drinking-Lord just let me make it thru the day-I'll drink no more. by days end in dress whites ready to do it all again.

Thirty five days on the line leaves a body dry-so lonesome I could cry. Three days in port just a blur-Ten HIgh was a friend of mine.

Back to sea-more bombs to load-get those planes in the sky. How many more will die before this ends? Ten High was my friend.

Most made it home-for some it was the end. Some with broken bodies-some living alone in their minds-Ten high you were a friend of mine. I was lucky-I made it home-I don't drink anymore-but yes-once upon time Ten high was a friend of mine.

                                SJH

Correction to the August 14th post. Gary did not do "Jesus was a Capricorn" I called him and he had not heard of the song. He did however co-write a song called "Deacon Willie" that has an upbeat tempo. Maybe that was the song I was thinking of.

August 14th 2006

I have always loved music and I remember when I was in the 10th grade at South Oak Cliff High School watching a band playing "409" and other rock songs of the time and the girls were going wild. And I thought to myself "man I wish I was in a band." I took up guitar picking a few years later. Never amounted to much, but had alot of fun  trying. I liked all kinds of music at the time but was probably more of a rocker than anything else. When I met Emma the music was already changing and since she was hard core country I gravitated to that music. I still like Creedence Clearwater and some of the Stones (early stuff) and of course The Mamas and Pappas. One of my all time favorite song writters is Kris Kristofferson. This past weekend I bought "The Pilgrim" a tribute to the writting of Kris. Most of the songs I already knew and some I had never heard and some I didn't know he wrote. Anyway other than a couple of songs that I did not like the artists rendition It is very good. One of the songs "Jesus was a Capricorn". I had heard before but did not know it was written by Kristofferson. It finally dawned on me where I heard the song. One of my brother-in-laws has a son from a former marriage whom I met when he was 20 years old (or there abouts). He is a very good singer, song writer and picker and I heard him play the song. Gary  now lives in Phonix AZ. and works for the fire department. He still works in music and is doing some recording. We visited him and his family this past spring while on a trip to northern AZ. I hope someday he gets a hit. The boy got talent. I am listening to a little "CCW" as I post this. "Fortunate Son" is playing.

On August 6th we took Rambo to Huntsville State Park. It is a nice park with a small lake and alot of timber. With its close proximity to Houston, it is always crowded in summer months, but it was relaxing looking the lake over and walking the dog.

August 10th 2006

Jenny has a see how they have grown link on her page and that gave me the idea for this post. It has been an incredibly fast 40 years.

Emma has always been a cutie!

 

August 7th 2006

A little more about my time in the military. My first duty station out of Radio "A' school was the Uss Oriskany. A ship with a proud history including being in several films such as Midway and Bridges at Toko Ri. The ship has been stricken from the Naval registry and is now the worlds largest manmade reef off the coast of Florida. It was sad watching the video of the sinking but, after reading about how the ship will be dived on for many years to come and tours are being booked from all over the world it helped a little. Senater John McCain was shot down over North Viet Nam after launching from decks of Oriskany.

I also spent five days on USS Crockett as a replacement raidoman while I was stationed at Cam Ranh Bay. Patrol Gun Boats (like this one) worked with the swift boats in coastal and river operations. 

 USS Crockett PG88Me setting in our 'houch" at Cam Ranh Bay.

This is the Naval Communications Station at Cam Ranh Bay.

Me setting on a barrel in front of the barracks at Cam Ranh.

My son was stationed aboard the USS Princeton CG59. Emma and I were very fortunate to be able to tour the ship. The fire power on these new ships is incredible.

My son joined the Navy in 1992 and was involved in keeping the shipping lanes and the Persion Gulf safe and open to international trade. The United States Navy did a superior job in their containment role againist Iraq.

We also attended his bootcamp graduation.

No matter what I may think of the current administrations handling of foreign affairs, I am in favor of a strong military that is a deterrant to aggression and extremely proud of the sacrafices our military personnel make to keep us safe. PEACE THROUGH STRENGH. We don't have to rattle our sabors and continuely get in everyone's business.

August 4th 2006

Two of the Republican party's hot button issues are repealing the estate tax and school choice. An attempt to tie the repeal of the estate tax to an increase in the minimum wage failed in the senate today. A similar bill passed in the house of representitives. The republicans vow to keep the two issues tied together in their continuing effort to get more tax relief for the wealthy. Its a sad state of affairs when they view giving additional tax relief to the extremely wealthy and paying something short of a living wage the same. They will tell you that the tax bill is needed to save family farms and all kinds of small businesses from being sold to pay the tax bill. What they don't tell the average person is that the first 2 milllion in assests are tax free already. I don't know of too many family farms and small businesses with assests of more than two million. Those with assets in excess of two million have several options to avoid paying the estate tax (I hear ads on the radio for seminars every so often on the subject). School choice is an issue that if they finally get to pass it will distroy what is left of the public school system. While the public school system has its problems, the so called "school choice" is not the answer. The republicans would have you believe that someone from the inner-city of say Dallas or Houston could get a vauchor to send there children to a private school of their choice. Does anyone with an IQ above that of stove wood really believe the federal government is going to hand out enough money for you to send your child to private school? What they want to do is subsidize the people that are already sending their children to private school at the expense of the public education system. And of course to make this farce work (if passed) more social programs would have to be cut (such as extending the retirement age to 90 for social security) because, heaven forbid that they raise taxes to pay for anything they want.

August 3rd 2006

My son recently sent me a picture taken sometime in the summer of 1977. He will be 35 in October. From left to right son Gene, daughter Kellie, niece Michelle, daughter Dee Dee holding niece Amber.

 

August 2nd 2006

Pictures of granson Noah and granddaughter Meghan playing ball this past summer.

 

Last night while laying in the floor playing with my dog I thought of the lines of an old Tom T. Hall song. "Old dogs care about your even when you make mistakes and God bless little children while they are still too young to hate". This is my dog Rambo. He is not old but he still cares about me...he is a part of our family.

August 1st 2006

"I used to be a Republican until they lost their minds".....Charles Barkley. I have voted Republican in every election but one since I was old enough to vote. I voted for President Bush in both elections. I can admit I made a mistake even if no one in this administration can admit it. As long as the party is dominated by right wing idealoges, I will never vote republican again.

That is my thought for today.

30th 2006

This past saturday the 29th of July was my 40th aniversary and Emma and I spent the day with our nine year old grandson. We went to Galveston and sat under a beach umbrella while the boy played in the surf. He had a boggie board and had a great time. From there we went to Moody Gardens and visited the Aquarium. Then on to Sea Wolf Park where we toured an old diesel submarine, fed the sea gulls cheetos and lost a rod and reel in the bay. If you have never went aboard an old sub you owe yourself a trip to one to see how small and cramped the conditions were for the sailors. Made it back to Conroe about 9:30 that night. All in all a very good day.

July 28th 2006

                                                      

This looks like the road to paradise (it might have been in some other time). This is the view one saw when they topped the hill going to the Naval Support Facility Cam Ranh Bay Viet Nam. I was stationed here in 1969 at the Communications station. I thought this would be an appropriate opening picture after reading today (July 28th 2006) that the Secretary of Defense extended everyone currently serving in Iraq. All "Freedom flights" have been cancelled. It made me think of my return after a one year tour of duty in country having not seen my wife, daughter (who was not even walking when I left), or my 3 month old daughter whom I had never seen. How would I have felt if I had been extended? Angry comes to mind, dissolution and dispair maybe. The sacrifices made everyday by America's military personnal can never be forgotten or taken lightly. The ill advised politicans and policy makers who sent them there should never be forgotten either. But, I am getting ahead of myself.

This adventure began in June of 1947. I will fastforward to 1965. I graduated high school in Decatur, Texas and turned 18 a few weeks later on June 16th. I and every other newly turned 18 year old got our notice to register for the draft and take our induction physical. I spent the summer having a good time, met the love of my life and didn't worry much about anything. Viet Nam was a place I had heard about on the news and that was about it. Anyway in the spring of 1966 my dad advised me to seek employment with a large corporation and when I was drafted (not if) they would have to hold my job until my return from active duty. So I went to work for General Telephone (Now called Verizon). As soon as my 19th birthday came and went, I got my notice that I was classified 1-A and was subject to imediate induction in the armed forces of the United States. The company had just hired a lineman that had just completed his military service and he told me that I would soon be stringing figure 8 cable in Viet Nam. The thought of climbing poles and building phone lines in a combat zone did not appeal to me. The thought of not serving never crossed my mind and since I had neither the finances or the desire to go to college to avoid service, I decieded to join the Navy for four years instead of waiting to be drafted for two years. Even though my future bride was not happy with my decision, she married my anyway on July 29th 1966. Tomorrow will be 40 years together. I left for boot camp in San Deigo September 26th 1966. More on my time in the military in future posts.