Found some old pictures ...

I was actually going through some of my old army stuff here in the war room, and came across these pictures.  These were from a trip to Italy when I was a young captain.  I am not sure if the whole thing was classified in any way, but I know the reason we were there was pretty important at the time.

Anyway, here are some of the pictures. 

Believe it or not, when I was a young captain I actually did look like this.  That was about 60# ago.

This is the train station by the airport at Milan.  It would be fun to go back some day to see if much has changed.

When we landed in Italy, we really didn't know any of the language and relied on the old "point and guess" method to get from one place to another.  It worked out pretty well and the people accommodated us pretty well.

One interesting thing I did remember was seeing this "sign" for a 2nd floor "recruiting station" just across from our hotel.

One of the places we "visited" was the American base at Pisa.  After finishing our business, we were able to go see the Leaning Tower. 

This was pretty cool, and all the guys had fun climbing the steps.  One of our issues to think about was if we could get a radio antenna up there or up on the church roof next door.  As flat as the ground was there, we would certainly have had a tremendous range on communications from there.
 As we were heading back to the base, our driver asked us if we wanted to go to the beach.  None of us had the proper attire for the beach, but he said that wouldn't matter.  So off we went -- if only to stand in the sand and look around.  Little did we know what kind of beach this was going to be.

The side nearest to us is the "American" side.  Swimming suites required.  The far side of the dividing wall (the side with all the umbrellas -- and they are there for a reason) was the "European" side.  No swimming suites allowed -- in fact, pretty much no clothing at all allowed.

As you can see, it was pretty cold and windy there on the ocean.  No customers on either side.  One of the guys checked.

Then, we continued on with our "business" and came upon an old deserted collection of buildings.  This was called the Mussolini School for Boys.   You can Google this and find out more.  It was quite a layout.

 

I have to say, this was quite a trip.  I don't know what ever happened to our report, but we got to see some of the more historic sights this country had.  I will look around for more of the pictures, because we visited the Port of Livorno, Rome, a number of airports and sea ports (to include Venice), and a number of old fortresses.  We also spent time driving their roads.  I'll keep looking and see if I can find anything else.

The experience I gained at age 21 would be useful if I were ever 21 again. 

Hooah

The Boys of Summer...

I know, I know ... we all know it's summer.  In fact, it's now the 4th of July, long past the beginning of the grilling season, neighbor boys little league ball games, golf league, and 2-3 times per week mowing the grass.  But since I was such a slug in keeping you informed on what has been going on around here, I thought I would fill you in.

The neighbor boys were over a week ago and did some fishing.  Dylan got pretty lucky that evening -- catching one of the big bass in the pond.  Carter caught bluegills like they were going out of style, and I believe Jarred caught a crappie.  But it was Dylan who came away the big winner.

Dylan went home the big winner for this day, but the fish will have their day.

Later that same week, one of the neighbors went for a ride on an experimental "wing."  The pilot is an Air Force full-time technician who lives a couple of miles from here, and the neighbor (Dave) has a Cessna 180 which he keeps in his hanger just down the road.  He has a real nice grass strip which he uses all the time.  Well, the "wing" came in one night and picked him up.  What a beautiful night for flying.  I bet that was fun.  I'll have to try it some time.

We also welcomed back the hummingbirds.  I really enjoy being out back on the deck when I hear them, buzzing like miniature buzz-bombs, darting here and there, chasing each other, or just sitting quietly on the feeders.

 We also had some ducks stop by for a visit:

And one of the guys down the road took down his wheat this week.  The field was across from our house -- Quinn would have loved to have been here to see it.

Doug would have had a hard time with all the pollen.

Summer is a great time to be here.  I have sat out by the fire ring at least 6 times in the past two weeks.  It is really nice watching the stars, listening to the fish jump, and the frogs croak.  There's also a sense of comfort knowing these guys have my back, over in the cemetery behind the house.  

There are 8 Civil War Vets buried out there.

When you can think of  yesterday without regret and of tomorrow without fear, you are near contentment.

Hooah

Field Day, 2011...

Each year, the amateur radio community (Ham Radio guys) has a thing called "Field Day."  This is an opportunity for the clubs to go out and test their club's equipment by attempt to make as many "contacts" as possible around the country.  These contacts can be by "Phone" (talking to another Ham over the radio waves) or by "CW" (the Ham abbreviation for Morse Code).  These contacts are made over several different frequencies (15 meters, 20 meters, and 40 meters) because the "bands" (the frequencies) go in and out, depending on weather conditions and time of day.

The objective is to make sure Hams can still talk to other areas of the country should the need arise.  In the event of an emergency, when cell towers won't work, land lines won't work and there are no other means of communicating, Ham radio guys are thrown into the mix as the only reliable means of civilian communications over long or short distances.  In our case, we are a vital component in the EMA's disaster preparedness contingency planning, working closely with local law enforcement, hospitals and civil agencies.

So what does a "Field Day" look like?  Well, check out the pictures below.  This is a 24-hour contest that reveals some interesting things about equipment that we would have sworn worked last week!!!  It goes like that some times... especially when we are finished with the contest and getting ready to go back to the "house."

One of the things I find myself doing everywhere is cooking.

Our station call for the contest was K8ZUK.

Sherm (KD8FZV) is shown working on the antenna for S.C.A.R.E.S. II.

Joe (KC6NLX) works on getting the equipment in S.C.A.R.E.S. I set up.

Eric (W8EJK) is working Morse Code in S.C.A.R.E.S. I.

Here are a couple of pictures of the gang working the net at night. Grant (N8KZL) on the left is the club president.

We have two communications vehicles, S.C.A.R.E.S. I & II.  They are really decked out quite well for this kind of thing and have been used quite extensively in support of various events in Shelby County -- to include parades, and simulations and training events.  However, when it comes to the end of the event, there are still some surprises for us, things that just add to our list of things to be prepared for.

Yep, we left the dash lights on in the truck all night and the battery was dead!!  Notice the generator mounted on the front of the truck?  Well, it has a battery on it.  We used it and still had to use the car battery from Joe's Honda.

I used to take my troops to the field all the time, sometimes, according to my superiors, too many times in a year.  I found that was the only way I knew for sure if something really worked.  I could simulate all I wanted or test something a dozen times in the office, but that wasn't the same as taking it to the field.  That really paid big dividends for the unit when they got to Cuba and Iraq and other places where the supply sergeant couldn't just go to Lowe's for a part when something broke down.

The trouble with using experience as a guide is that the final exam often comes first and then the lesson.  (Author Unknown)

Hooah

Another trip is in the books...

I know I have been in one of those non-productive writing slumps lately.  Sorry.

Let me fill you in on our latest "Veterans to DC" Trip which was held May 20-22.  What a great time we had...all 101 of us.  There were 8 WWII Vets and 34 Korean War Vets on this our 5th Trip.  It seems hard to believe we have done this 5 times already and at this writing are deeply into planning and preparing for Trip #6.

There were a couple of "glitches" in this one.  We usually have the Saturday lunch on the Potomac River at the park just beyond the Jefferson Memorial.  Well, there had been several days of rain (you remember this spring don't you?) and the tide was in  while we were there so the park was closed due to flooded grounds.  Well we had to find another place for lunch.  Fortunately the bus driver (Larry) and I were both quite familiar with Washington so we quickly decided on the Mall area.  We first tried to set up our lunch tables at the Sculpture Park and got run out of there by some local security guys.  So we set up on the sidewalk and the Vets and their caregivers ate in the garden area between there and the Museum of Natural History.  They were real champs -- we didn't hear any whining or complaining.  They saw it as an adventure.  Maybe some of the school groups that passed by could have learned ANOTHER lesson from these heroes.

We also had one lady get sick.  She was suffering from a sinus infection and she thinks the heat just got to her.  We took her back to the hotel and she got a nap and felt much better.

My favorite parts are the ceremonies and visits at the two Memorials -- the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the WWII Memorial.  They guys do a great job there during the ceremonies...placing the wreaths and saluting their flag and their comrades durint the playing of Taps.

 

I had the opportunity to get a picture with some of the WWII guys.

  

This was quite an honor and I was really glad to be able to share some stories with them, listen to them beam about their service and watch them soak in all the honor that was shown to them.  But, just like all the other Vets on all the other trips, whether WWII or Korean War, they continuously said they didn't do anything ... they just did their job and came home.


Well, this certainly was a good time.  I am so glad we have such terrific volunteers on the trips.  They make everything go so smoothly.  There is something about 21 different people, from different walks of life coming together to be able to show so much respect to these heroes.  That's the reason I keep doing it -- most of these people wouldn't get a second glance from most people passing them in Wal-Mart or Krogers.  Just another "Old man" or "Old woman."  But for this one weekend, they are royalty.  Everything that isn't important in life is set aside for 72 hours so these people are treated well and shown respect and honor.  At the dinner on Tuesday before the trip, they were just 101 strangers, not sure what to expect from each other, not sure if this is really what they wanted to do.  On Sunday night when we got back, they were chattering together like they had known each other for their whole lives.

I hope we will have as much good fortune on Trip #6.  I know we will discover some interesting things.

Old men's eyes are like old men's memories; they are strongest for things a long way off.   
(GEORGE ELIOT, Romola)

Hooah