I just received my electronic version of The Afterburner(http://www.retirees.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-100920-010.pdf), news for retired personnel. The thing that caught my eye was the article on page 7, "Bases get new names in realignment".
Let me quote one particular part:
Seven bases received new names in January: ... Lackland and Randolph Air Force bases and Fort Sam Houston, Texas, became Joint Base San Antonio, led by the Air Force
Wow, Randolph is now part to Joint Base San Antonio. Fort Sam is now part of Joint Base San Antonio.
I know I'm just an old geezer, but I don't think I am going to feel comfortable using that new nomenclature. I guess this is part of the long running Goldwater-Nichols (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldwater%E2%80%93Nichols_Act) saga to make a more coherent, joint force. It looks like it has been in the works for a while since Fort Lewis-McChord AFB have been "have been preparing for joint basing since 2006".
Ah, well, I guess I just have to get used to change.
Ron Bergquist
zielbewusst@gmail.com
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
TO OUR SOLDIERS PAST AND PRESENT
JUST A COMMON SOLDIER
(A Soldier Died Today)
by A. Lawrence Vaincourt
He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.
And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.
He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.
When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?
A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.
It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,
That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?
He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.
© 1987 A. Lawrence
Pass On The Patriotism!
You can make a difference
(A Soldier Died Today)
by A. Lawrence Vaincourt
He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.
And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.
He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.
When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?
A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.
It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,
That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?
He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.
© 1987 A. Lawrence
Pass On The Patriotism!
You can make a difference
Sunday, September 19, 2010
TERRY SMILJANICH '65
September 19, 2010
Hi! Check out the following blog I'm doing for the Astronomy Department at the U. of Fla. I'm in the Canary Islands right now with a group of astronomers, and writing a daily blog for them of my experiences, plus taking photos. The blog explains what we're doing. Needless to say, for an amateur astronomer, I'm having the time of my life working with the world's largest telescope!
http://ufastro.blogspot.com/
Terry '65
tsmiljan@aol.com
Hi! Check out the following blog I'm doing for the Astronomy Department at the U. of Fla. I'm in the Canary Islands right now with a group of astronomers, and writing a daily blog for them of my experiences, plus taking photos. The blog explains what we're doing. Needless to say, for an amateur astronomer, I'm having the time of my life working with the world's largest telescope!
http://ufastro.blogspot.com/
Terry '65
tsmiljan@aol.com
WEWER '65
September 19, 2010
Gloria….just wanted you to know that in November I am having my fist Museum Solo Exhibition………at the Aspen Art Museum. I have been in many Museum exhibitions, but always group, and I have had solo shows in galleries, etc., but this is a biggie for me………
So, any Rohawks who are anywhere near Aspen on November 4……please come!! Here is one of the pieces in the exhibition. Love, Wewer
f/k/a Dee Wewer '65
wewer@wildblue.net
COACH DON SCOTT
September 19, 2010
Some of you may know about this but I thought it would bear repeating... Coach Don Scott was a basketball coach at RHS from 1967-1990. He's written a book that sounds really interesting... Here is the information and his email and information on where to order it:
"My book A Basketball Coach In A Football State relates my 33 yrs coaching and teaching in Texas. Beginning in Beeville in 1957, one year at Churchill SA and 23 years at RHS. It is not a normal jock book. The main idea is problems I encountered with athletic directors who were also head football coaches. It is however much more than that. Classroom stories of biology and driver ed, small town Texas in the 50's and 60's, big city adventures, basketball, football are a few of the events mentioned. There are stories of desperation to inspiration. The good,the bad,and the ulgy is incluced. At the last Rohawk Reunion the book sales were teriffic! I am headed to the East Texas Book Festival in Tyer this weeked. It is a professionally prepared book.
Order: Don F. Scott-PO Box 475 Llano TX 78643.$20 includes book,tax and shipping. Anyone who ever attended RHS would enjoy reading. Reviews have been good.
Don Scott"
dcrvrbt@ctesc.net
Some of you may know about this but I thought it would bear repeating... Coach Don Scott was a basketball coach at RHS from 1967-1990. He's written a book that sounds really interesting... Here is the information and his email and information on where to order it:
"My book A Basketball Coach In A Football State relates my 33 yrs coaching and teaching in Texas. Beginning in Beeville in 1957, one year at Churchill SA and 23 years at RHS. It is not a normal jock book. The main idea is problems I encountered with athletic directors who were also head football coaches. It is however much more than that. Classroom stories of biology and driver ed, small town Texas in the 50's and 60's, big city adventures, basketball, football are a few of the events mentioned. There are stories of desperation to inspiration. The good,the bad,and the ulgy is incluced. At the last Rohawk Reunion the book sales were teriffic! I am headed to the East Texas Book Festival in Tyer this weeked. It is a professionally prepared book.
Order: Don F. Scott-PO Box 475 Llano TX 78643.$20 includes book,tax and shipping. Anyone who ever attended RHS would enjoy reading. Reviews have been good.
Don Scott"
dcrvrbt@ctesc.net
Saturday, September 18, 2010
JERRY MASSEY '67
I was waitin’ in room 315, Brook Army Medical Center, Sep 09, 2010, for my daughter and 4 yo grandson Lucas, who were enroute to pick me up after my release from a 10 day hospital stay due to my accident. I dozed, drifting lazily into light sleep, and had a delicious dream,,,,,,
As TJ, Lucas and I were crossing the BAMC lobby, we encountered a young soldier, with two stubbs where his legs used to be, expertly maneuvering his wheelchair through the throngs. He was flanked by a pert young woman with a very young child in her arms. My Lucas asked me, “Grandpa, why does that man have no legs?” I didn’t even have to think, I told him, “Because he loves YOU, Lucas!” You could see the thoughts revolving inside his 4 year old head, and he released my hand, crossed to the soldier and bear hugged his stump. The man was obviously embarrassed and full of wonderment at the actions of my small grandson. Lucas looked him directly in the eyes and stated emphatically, “I love you too!!!!!”
It had started as just another day, usual stuff around the house, post on FB before getting into chores, dismantle the toilet so I knew what parts I need to get, 10am found me in flip flops and boxers. I stuffed on my jeans, boots and a shirt, still don’t remember which shirt it was but it’s history now. Hit the road with the defective toilet lever in the fairing pocket. It was a nice morning, not hot yet but will be by the time I get home. Down to the end of Gin Rd, left, then back right onto Horseshoe Tr. Just puttin’ along, one of those days where you wonder whether you really deserved to live this well or not,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Slow for the left hand 90, smooth accel back to 50 or so, not too much, right hand 90 coming up, slow, check out the motion in the road. So, what gives? Somethin in the road ahead. In a flurry of movement, 3 turkey buzzards, downshift, rap the pipes (cause that usually urges ‘em on), already rollin’ slow cause of the sharp turn, but not usin’ the speedo now, payin’ attention, the birds flap off listlessly to the right, no, the third bird’s goin’ left, s’rite, they’re leavin’, a little throttle, down to second and “SHIT”, left bird hangs a ueey and spins around after his buds, DIRECTLY at me, lean low on the bike, off the gas again, then WHAM, a virtual hammer blow to my left upper chest as the bird lifts me out of my seat, bike out of my hands, another ‘wham’ as I encounter the pavement,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Prob never will know the exact order of impact, nobody there but me and the three birds, bruises all the way from my left outer knee to my middle left back, not much for bruises elsewhere, no road rash on my skull, only one tremendous gash all the way down to the bone. But everywhere else, forehead, nose, cheeks, both shoulders, both elbows, both forearms, both hands, both thumbs, all eight fist knuckles, but only the right index finger and left little finger, go figure,,,,,,,,,,,
Vision comes back with an extreme closeup of the dirt, I stand and see the blood splashing onto my feet, toilet parts and my glasses lens are in the road, bike is 50 yds further up, on the right shoulder, down but not twisted, retrieve my parts and put ‘em back in the fairing pocket.
Now a pickup truck, ‘911?’, he asks, and I respond, ‘no, I don’t think so’, another truck, bigger one, from the other direction, he’s already on the phone,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I don’t remember the little details of ambulance, DPS, them cutting’ my clothes off. No real pain, no real blackness, just nothingness, then a moment of clarity, I’m being loaded into the chopper, look down and see Scott, “Hey Scott, buddy!” Wanna ask how his son Dillon’s doing, but I’m blank on Dillons name. Watch the comical recognition come over Scotts’ face as he shifts gears from one of the best LifeFlight attendants around to my friend, whos’ young son and my daughter bonded as she was nannying her way through college, nothingness again,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Here’s the weird part, I took some kind of LSD trip or some such, no history of drugs to use for comparision, on drugs and endorphins I guess. Supposedly an overdose of drugs that some folks are more sensitive to than others are. I may never know the answer to that one either, but folks tell me I was WAY out of it, loud, abusive, determined to die, way more trouble than those fine medical professionals deserved that night, for sure. I was enough of a problem they drugged me to keep me restrained, whatever Serax is.
I had two collapsed lungs, 6 rib fractures, three abdominal drain tubes, and have a really cool scar on my head, but guess what, no headache. Hmmm
I seem to have experienced multiple ‘textbook’ recovery/reaction to treatments, with multiple regression/reintensifications of my injuries. I dunno why, but over all, I’m feelin’ a little better each day
I remember Debbie and my daughter bein’ there almost constantly, my son flew in from Seattle, Miss Joni graced me with her presence, and Mac McCabe came by with a bag of homemade chocolate chippies.
Second hand info says I was out of it all night Tues and all thru Wed, though I supposedly looked well enough on Wed day they were considering releasing me, till I fell ‘off the wagon’ again. No, Billy and Worth, I didn’t quit drinkin’ on purpose, but a ‘pain ball’ (left paraspinous muscles catheter) did make me dislike the taste of beer, lol. I went back and forth on Thurs, and was kept on the ventilator for 2 days. They moved me to a ward on Sunday, and things kept improving until Tues when I coughed and blew a hole in my left chest. That generated a generous supply of icky, sticky, gooey red stuff. Not blood, kinda looked like fingernail polish, exciting but not serious, ‘cept, I s’pose, it was serious for the linen ladies. Sorry girls.
So, now I’m home, with an ever increasing awe of the medical professionals.
Did ya ever stop to wonder how the mess hall can feed that many folks, in a building built like a labyrinth, cater to their whims and preferences, and do it in as timely a manner and with such a degree of efficiency and quality. I actually like hospital food, on the overall.
Learnin’ about the love of friends and family? Now, that’s another thing altogether. Y’all are a fine bunch of folks, and I’ll lay down my life for any of ya. Thanx for the love and prayers, not necessarily in that order. See ya on the road.
Jerry Massey
RHS '67
13jw13@live.com
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
GLORIA CAMPBELL GALLAGHER '65
My husband, Danny and I on a recent trip to Florida.... That's me also in front of a really large Banyan Tree that is still standing after all those hurricanes!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)