This morning I showed up for a 0730 mission brief at the Flight Facility on Fort Indiantown Gap, PA. When I got there, the day's mission had already been cancelled for weather. The mission to western PA may be rescheduled for tomorrow when the sun is shining.
I went to Plan B. Go to Marquette Lake and watch fire-fighting training with Blackhawk helicopters. Our Blackhawks were slated to scoop up water from the lake and practice dropping it on a point and across an area. I went to the lake 30 minutes ahead of the first mission. An hour later I switched to Plan C--take pictures of two soldiers from Echo Company who were graduating from the Warrior Leadership Course. That worked. Graduation was indoors, on time.
Then I went back to the lake. It was beginning to rain. I waited about 15 minutes but the mist turned into rain, the wind kicked up to 25 mph. Mission cancelled.
Tomorrow the main mission, air assault training for an infantry unit in Western Pennsylvania may go ahead as planned. More tomorrow.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Milbloggie Awards 2011
Tomorrow night nominations open for the Milbloggie Awards for 2011. I will be attending the Milblogging Conference at the end April. When voting opens next week, I will be asking you to vote for my blog. The people who run the site promise it will work better than last year. I will post the link after I try it out myself. Last year I know it was a big hassle to vote. If it is as bad as last year, I won't ask.
Thanks in advance.
Neil
Thanks in advance.
Neil
Monday, April 11, 2011
Half Marathon with My Wife and Running with the Boys
On Saturday morning I ran the Garden Spot Half Marathon in New Holland PA. I did not run more than seven miles at one time in the last month and my time showed that. I finished in 2:09:14. Even allowing a half-minute to get to the start line a pace of 9:50 per mile. My wife and I started together with Catherine, one of her running partners. Catherine dropped back right after the start so Annalisa and I ran together for the first eight miles. The out-and-back course was more uphill on the way out, more downhill on the way back. Annalisa is faster than I am, but I run better up hills, so I would go ahead up hills then she would catch up on the flats and fly downhills. She was way ahead on the downhill to the turn around, but at a short, steep hill on the way back, I caught up. The next big downhill she was gone. We finished a minute apart.
Terilyn, another member of my wife's running group, skipped the event , but brought Nigel and Jacari to cheer for Annalisa and I. She is good with a map and brought the kids to cheer for us at mile 5, miles 8 and mile 12. Some other people we know who were running told us afterward that Nigel and Jacari cheered louder than anyone else along the course!
Jacari ran the last mile with Annalisa. Nigel ran the list mile with me. When we got home, Nigel and Jacari ran another mile with me. They run at least two miles with me each day on weekends when I am home and sometimes during the week. On Sunday, we ran another two miles. Nigel was hurting on the second mile, but his brother Jacari stayed with him right to the end. Nigel did not quit and even put on a short sprint at the end. I finished third.
We sing Army songs when we run. It seems to help them. Some of them are Army classics "C-130 rollin' down the strip. . ." and some I make up. If I see one or both of the boys are feeling lazy, I make up a song with "My Little Pony" in it. My Little Pony is a very girlie toy advertised on the Cartoon Network. If I make up a line with "I wanna play with My Little Pony" they both straighten up and keep running.
Terilyn, another member of my wife's running group, skipped the event , but brought Nigel and Jacari to cheer for Annalisa and I. She is good with a map and brought the kids to cheer for us at mile 5, miles 8 and mile 12. Some other people we know who were running told us afterward that Nigel and Jacari cheered louder than anyone else along the course!
Jacari ran the last mile with Annalisa. Nigel ran the list mile with me. When we got home, Nigel and Jacari ran another mile with me. They run at least two miles with me each day on weekends when I am home and sometimes during the week. On Sunday, we ran another two miles. Nigel was hurting on the second mile, but his brother Jacari stayed with him right to the end. Nigel did not quit and even put on a short sprint at the end. I finished third.
We sing Army songs when we run. It seems to help them. Some of them are Army classics "C-130 rollin' down the strip. . ." and some I make up. If I see one or both of the boys are feeling lazy, I make up a song with "My Little Pony" in it. My Little Pony is a very girlie toy advertised on the Cartoon Network. If I make up a line with "I wanna play with My Little Pony" they both straighten up and keep running.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
AMTRAK Quiet (except for ME) Car
I ride AMTRAK trains to work and on trips to NYC 4 or 5 days each week. Recently AMTRAK added quiet cars on the Keystone service between Harrisburg and NYC. The rules on the quiet car are No Cell Phone Use, No Loud Talking. But every other time I get on one of these cars, someone will talk on their cell phone. Sometimes they are oblivious and did not see the signs on the door and every ten feet along the roof. Sometimes. Not often.
Mostly what they want is a quiet car for everyone but them. They get to drone on about their latest deal or horrible date. I know a guy who works in a bakery in Lancaster and commutes to Temple several days a week. He is taking classes toward a PhD. He sits in the quiet car hoping to do homework. Then someone starts talking. He said he waits up to 10 minutes to say something. He likes having me on the train. I wait up to three seconds before saying something. Usually, "There are five other cars on this train, go there."
Since I think people are like gardens--good only with effort, full of weeds in their natural state--I assume the person who takes the call--or worse dials the call and sits on their ass making disturbing 80 other people is a jerk. So I ask them to leave, shut up or both. It is worth the hassle because the same jerks who flaunt the rules they want others to obey are cowards. When they see it is a hassle to act like a jerk they do something else.
Since I am already being a Judgmental Bastard (my favorite segment on Jay Leno. If you have never seen it, search it on YOUTUBE) I can say that I have never asked a soldier or someone who looks military to be quiet on the quiet car. The worst offenders are guys in suits. The hardest to shut up are women. When they act like jerks, they are used to getting slack. Last trip back from NYC a large woman across the aisle made a call in the quiet car. She said "I'll just be a few minutes." I asked her to spend that few minutes elsewhere. She stormed off.
Civilian life is being the bad guy for enforcing even an obvious ten-freakin'-signs-and-five-announcement rule.
I let you know if I end up with a broken nose.
Mostly what they want is a quiet car for everyone but them. They get to drone on about their latest deal or horrible date. I know a guy who works in a bakery in Lancaster and commutes to Temple several days a week. He is taking classes toward a PhD. He sits in the quiet car hoping to do homework. Then someone starts talking. He said he waits up to 10 minutes to say something. He likes having me on the train. I wait up to three seconds before saying something. Usually, "There are five other cars on this train, go there."
Since I think people are like gardens--good only with effort, full of weeds in their natural state--I assume the person who takes the call--or worse dials the call and sits on their ass making disturbing 80 other people is a jerk. So I ask them to leave, shut up or both. It is worth the hassle because the same jerks who flaunt the rules they want others to obey are cowards. When they see it is a hassle to act like a jerk they do something else.
Since I am already being a Judgmental Bastard (my favorite segment on Jay Leno. If you have never seen it, search it on YOUTUBE) I can say that I have never asked a soldier or someone who looks military to be quiet on the quiet car. The worst offenders are guys in suits. The hardest to shut up are women. When they act like jerks, they are used to getting slack. Last trip back from NYC a large woman across the aisle made a call in the quiet car. She said "I'll just be a few minutes." I asked her to spend that few minutes elsewhere. She stormed off.
Civilian life is being the bad guy for enforcing even an obvious ten-freakin'-signs-and-five-announcement rule.
I let you know if I end up with a broken nose.
Jealousy and Envy
When we were getting ready to go to Iraq, Colonel Perry spoke to the battalion in Oklahoma. The most memorable part of his speech for me was when he said that envy ruins units at every level.
Of course, envy ruins every kind of community--civilian, military, secular, religious, law-abiding or criminal. I got a dollar book at a used book store with the title "Envy." It is one of a series on of seven books, each on one of the Seven Deadly sins.
I am just two chapters into this brief and entertaining look at one of the three worst of the seven sins and I plan to follow the authors advice in thinking about envy vs. jealousy. Joseph Epstein "I am jealous of what I have, I envy what you have." He makes clear that jealousy can be good, or at least appropriate, but envy never is.
God is jealous, the Bible says. He wants to keep those who have chosen to love Him for Himself. A spouse or lover can be properly jealous. Of course we all know someone can be crazy with jealousy also, but jealousy is not evil, like envy.
Envy is always bad. Col. Perry told us that when we feel envy we should go out and get something for ourselves. Envy can be both evil and passive. It wants what it doesn't have and does not want to find something else. Epstein says we always try to keep envy secret which is why it eats at us. No one wants to admit envy. Admitting envy is to admit someone else has something better or actually is better than us. We want what they have, we want them not to have it, but we don't want others to think of us as being that small and venal.
I will be at summer camp in June. I remember how much it means just to have a bottom bunk. Envy doesn't have to be about a big topic to be a big problem.
Of course, envy ruins every kind of community--civilian, military, secular, religious, law-abiding or criminal. I got a dollar book at a used book store with the title "Envy." It is one of a series on of seven books, each on one of the Seven Deadly sins.
I am just two chapters into this brief and entertaining look at one of the three worst of the seven sins and I plan to follow the authors advice in thinking about envy vs. jealousy. Joseph Epstein "I am jealous of what I have, I envy what you have." He makes clear that jealousy can be good, or at least appropriate, but envy never is.
God is jealous, the Bible says. He wants to keep those who have chosen to love Him for Himself. A spouse or lover can be properly jealous. Of course we all know someone can be crazy with jealousy also, but jealousy is not evil, like envy.
Envy is always bad. Col. Perry told us that when we feel envy we should go out and get something for ourselves. Envy can be both evil and passive. It wants what it doesn't have and does not want to find something else. Epstein says we always try to keep envy secret which is why it eats at us. No one wants to admit envy. Admitting envy is to admit someone else has something better or actually is better than us. We want what they have, we want them not to have it, but we don't want others to think of us as being that small and venal.
I will be at summer camp in June. I remember how much it means just to have a bottom bunk. Envy doesn't have to be about a big topic to be a big problem.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Jobs for Veterans
On the train to New York last week, a guy getting on the train in NJ saw my pack and asked if I knew any veterans who needed jobs. I said sure and said I would post his info on my blog.
Here it is:
Glen Witt
Program Manager
Veterans Across America
152 Madison Ave.
New York NY 10016
Ph: 212-684-1122
Cell: 540-532-8141
gwitt@veteransacrossamerica.org
If you need a job, send him an email or call. He said he has leads on good jobs everywhere in the US.
Here it is:
Glen Witt
Program Manager
Veterans Across America
152 Madison Ave.
New York NY 10016
Ph: 212-684-1122
Cell: 540-532-8141
gwitt@veteransacrossamerica.org
If you need a job, send him an email or call. He said he has leads on good jobs everywhere in the US.
Travel Cards for ALL Soldiers
When I hear the budget debates carried out on TV, one refrain is "Don't cut the military budget." That is set in opposition to "The government is wasting money."
It's as if camouflage clothes somehow washes the waste out of the system. It doesn't.
No I can't comment on $35 billion projects like new tanker planes or fighter jets, but I just heard about a small project I can understand.
I just heard that all National Guard soldiers will be issued travel cards. It makes sense for the full timers, but us weekend warriors will use those cards once or twice a year. We will all fill out long forms, learn all the security procedures, forget them, then bother our full-time staff about the money we did not get.
The military is a government bureaucracy just like any other. And it is a deep enough hierarchy that a mid-level manager can dream up new procedures that can waste millions of dollars.
It's as if camouflage clothes somehow washes the waste out of the system. It doesn't.
No I can't comment on $35 billion projects like new tanker planes or fighter jets, but I just heard about a small project I can understand.
I just heard that all National Guard soldiers will be issued travel cards. It makes sense for the full timers, but us weekend warriors will use those cards once or twice a year. We will all fill out long forms, learn all the security procedures, forget them, then bother our full-time staff about the money we did not get.
The military is a government bureaucracy just like any other. And it is a deep enough hierarchy that a mid-level manager can dream up new procedures that can waste millions of dollars.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Next Drill--More Air Assault Training, Fire Surpression
At April's Drill if the weather is decent, I should be flying to western Pennsylvania to cover air assault training for an infantry unit on Saturday and watching Blackhawk crews practice fire surpression. There should be great pictures if the mission goes off according to plan. There will be both Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters on the air assault training mission. I am hoping to ride on the ramp at the back of the Chinook and shoot pictures of the Blackhawks flying in formation. We will be flying west in the morning and east in the evening, so I will have to ask for some kind of turn to the north or south during the trip or my pictures wil all be silhouettes.
On Sunday, I want to be on the ground near where the 500-gallon bucket picks up water and get a shot of that and then catch the water dropping from the bucket. It should be dramatic if I can get close enough.
On Sunday, I want to be on the ground near where the 500-gallon bucket picks up water and get a shot of that and then catch the water dropping from the bucket. It should be dramatic if I can get close enough.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Lunch with my Commander in Iraq
Last Thursday I had lunch with Col. Scott Perry and SPC Andrea Magee at the cafeteria in the state capitol in Harrisburg. Perry was my battalion commander in Iraq, Magee was his assistant. Perry is the state representative for the 92nd District in Pennsylvania. Our state, like many others, is in the middle of a messy budget process, so Perry had to leave one of the marathon sessions for lunch. Andrea and I both thought lunch would be fast because of all Perry had to do, but we talked for most of an hour and got a look at the legislature you don't see from the gallery.
The Pennsylvania State Capitol building is by many one of the most beautiful buildings of its kind in the world. He told us where in France the marble that lines the walls, the artists who painted the murals, when different parts were restored--he is an encyclopedia of Capitol facts.
At lunch we talked about Andrea's path to a commission and her life as a full-time soldier with a full-time soldier husband in the same brigade. In addition to the budget, Scott's wife is 7 months pregnant with their second child, construction of their new home is delayed by the weather, and he is in a master's program at the Command and General Staff College.
We all talked about how much easier life was in Iraq--at least as far as setting priorities. We all had a commander and nothing to balance in life--work, eat, sleep, work out and do the whole thing again.
At lunch we talked about Andrea's path to a commission and her life as a full-time soldier with a full-time soldier husband in the same brigade. In addition to the budget, Scott's wife is 7 months pregnant with their second child, construction of their new home is delayed by the weather, and he is in a master's program at the Command and General Staff College.
We all talked about how much easier life was in Iraq--at least as far as setting priorities. We all had a commander and nothing to balance in life--work, eat, sleep, work out and do the whole thing again.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Reading for Lent
I have a new co-worker, Preston Stone, who learned Coptic just so he could read the Scripture and other books in that Egyptian language. He's a serious reader. He is reading all of the Divine Comedy for Lent--three Cantos per day for 33 days, then seven to catch up when he gets behind.
Just before Lent I talked to my kids about what they were giving up for Lent. Lauren is giving up sweets for 40 days. Lisa is eating Vegan for Lent. Preston convinced me that rather than give up something, I could do something. So on the train back and forth to Philadelphia, before I start working I read the Gospel of John in French and Greek. I got a parallel Gospel of John in Paris with Greek on the left page and French on the right. Since my vocabulary is spotty in both languages, sometimes I can figure out the Greek from the French or vice versa.
My plan was a half a chapter a day with 21 chapters, so I started a day behind and three days late. At my present rate, I won't get past chapter 12 by Easter.
My step-daughter, Iolanthe, asked me if I would consider giving up sarcasm for Lent. I told her it would be easier for me to actually give up Food as the Lord did than to give up sarcasm. Either one would be beyond me!
Just before Lent I talked to my kids about what they were giving up for Lent. Lauren is giving up sweets for 40 days. Lisa is eating Vegan for Lent. Preston convinced me that rather than give up something, I could do something. So on the train back and forth to Philadelphia, before I start working I read the Gospel of John in French and Greek. I got a parallel Gospel of John in Paris with Greek on the left page and French on the right. Since my vocabulary is spotty in both languages, sometimes I can figure out the Greek from the French or vice versa.
My plan was a half a chapter a day with 21 chapters, so I started a day behind and three days late. At my present rate, I won't get past chapter 12 by Easter.
My step-daughter, Iolanthe, asked me if I would consider giving up sarcasm for Lent. I told her it would be easier for me to actually give up Food as the Lord did than to give up sarcasm. Either one would be beyond me!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Published in REader's Digest
A friend at Church sent me a copy of Reader's Digest that included my comment on the current phrase "Too Easy."
Reminded About Why I Enlisted
In the last week I was reminded about a good and a not-so-good reason I re-enlisted. First the good reason.
When I saw the first footage of Tomahawk cruise missiles launching from US ships, I was thinking, 'I am so glad to be serving in the best military in the world.' Earlier in the day reports from Benghazi told of Libyan soldiers firing machine guns at civilians and laughing and joking while they did it. This was an army that was sure they were going to win.
Then every anti-aircraft missile battery in the Libya was hit or on the target computer of 100+ Tomahawks. French Mirage fighters were tearing Libyan tanks to pieces outside Benghazi. The lopsided battle of rebels against armor flipped. It was now a more lopsided battle of Libyan ground troops without air support against fighter jets.
I know that depending on your politics there are 100 things wrong with us attacking Libya. But I love to watch CNN when poop happens anywhere in the world.
OK, that's the good one.
Last night I went to a Church group meeting and remembered exactly why I joined the Army. The one hour meeting was to decide if we as a group should join with a local group that helps single mothers and help one single mom for one year--a commitment of an hour or two per month. The group discussed why and why not for a whole hour and reached no decision. In fact, we have a vague plan to further discuss it at the next meeting in two weeks.
I had forgotten, but remembered last night that this kind of thing was one of the reasons I re-enlisted four years ago. I had volunteered for a few different local ministries, but I wanted to do something, not talk and talk and talk about it. I also, to my own shame, would volunteer and then something else would come up--like working late or a bike ride--and I would beg off whatever charity thing I was supposed to do. I knew if I enlisted, service would not be optional or subject to my whims. I also knew that when I was assigned a task, it would not include a long process of deciding whether it fit with my feelings.
At the next meeting I expect my wife and another woman in the group to take the lead and we will help one of the single moms from this group. After all, the most clear command in the Bible, for those who take it literally, is to help widows and orphans.
When I saw the first footage of Tomahawk cruise missiles launching from US ships, I was thinking, 'I am so glad to be serving in the best military in the world.' Earlier in the day reports from Benghazi told of Libyan soldiers firing machine guns at civilians and laughing and joking while they did it. This was an army that was sure they were going to win.
Then every anti-aircraft missile battery in the Libya was hit or on the target computer of 100+ Tomahawks. French Mirage fighters were tearing Libyan tanks to pieces outside Benghazi. The lopsided battle of rebels against armor flipped. It was now a more lopsided battle of Libyan ground troops without air support against fighter jets.
I know that depending on your politics there are 100 things wrong with us attacking Libya. But I love to watch CNN when poop happens anywhere in the world.
OK, that's the good one.
Last night I went to a Church group meeting and remembered exactly why I joined the Army. The one hour meeting was to decide if we as a group should join with a local group that helps single mothers and help one single mom for one year--a commitment of an hour or two per month. The group discussed why and why not for a whole hour and reached no decision. In fact, we have a vague plan to further discuss it at the next meeting in two weeks.
I had forgotten, but remembered last night that this kind of thing was one of the reasons I re-enlisted four years ago. I had volunteered for a few different local ministries, but I wanted to do something, not talk and talk and talk about it. I also, to my own shame, would volunteer and then something else would come up--like working late or a bike ride--and I would beg off whatever charity thing I was supposed to do. I knew if I enlisted, service would not be optional or subject to my whims. I also knew that when I was assigned a task, it would not include a long process of deciding whether it fit with my feelings.
At the next meeting I expect my wife and another woman in the group to take the lead and we will help one of the single moms from this group. After all, the most clear command in the Bible, for those who take it literally, is to help widows and orphans.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Boss Goes Extra Mile on Army Guard Service
My employer has always been great about my service in the National Guard--although very surprised that I signed up.
Last month I talked with my new boss about my vacation plans and said I was planning a couple of weeks away with my kids plus unpaid leave for summer camp. She didn't know sumer camp was unpaid leave.
She said she would talk to our leadership team about changing that. Today she told me they agreed and beginning in June I will be on paid leave for summer camp.
Wow!!
Serving on active duty in the states is a very big pay cut for me, so paid leave is quite a big deal.
We had a ceremony several months ago when the Army gave CHF a thank you certificate for supporting the Guard and Reserves. I'll have to see if there is a new category they fall into now.
From the left: SFC Albert Newman (retired) ESGR Representative; Tom Tritton, CHF President and CEO; Denise Creedon, Vice President (my boss), and me.
Last month I talked with my new boss about my vacation plans and said I was planning a couple of weeks away with my kids plus unpaid leave for summer camp. She didn't know sumer camp was unpaid leave.
She said she would talk to our leadership team about changing that. Today she told me they agreed and beginning in June I will be on paid leave for summer camp.
Wow!!
Serving on active duty in the states is a very big pay cut for me, so paid leave is quite a big deal.
From the left: SFC Albert Newman (retired) ESGR Representative; Tom Tritton, CHF President and CEO; Denise Creedon, Vice President (my boss), and me.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Lining up for Fuel
At Last Drill, Echo Company set up a night FARP (Forward Arming and Refueling Point). Lucky for me, they set it up in mid-afternoon so I could shoot pictures. Just before dark, this pair of Apache Longbow helicopters flew in for fuel. They had to wait a few minutes while the fuelers transferred fuel from one tanker truck to another, so I did not get pictures of the fueling operation. I did get Blackhawks and Chinooks getting fuel which I will post tomorrow.
I like watching the Apaches circle and swoop down to the fueling area.
I like watching the Apaches circle and swoop down to the fueling area.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Screws Out for Summer!!!
All three of my daughters were on Spring Break last week. Lauren scheduled the surgery to remove the plate and six screws from her finger--she had a compound open fracture at the beginning of the Soccer season last fall.
Surgery was Friday, the 4th. She started moving the finger on Saturday and was back on the elliptical on Sunday. Therapy started Monday and she returned to school on Friday the 11th mostly recvoered.
She asked the doctor for a picture during surgery.
Here it is:
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Catching Up--Fuelers in the Snow
These pictures are from January. A convoy of Echo Company fuelers were heading out to set up a fuel point for aircraft. Their 8-wheel-drive HEMMT fuel trucks are great in the snow.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
More Combat Life Saver Training Photos
More photos from Combat Life Saver training. The "casualties" refilled the blood bags before each team started the training. They said it definitely washed out--they hoped.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Combat Life Saver Training
At the February drill weekend, 46 soldiers in our battalion took part in Combat Life Saver training. One day was class training, the second day was hands on training in the Medical Battalion Training Site. They trained in smoke, noise, low light, rubble and with fake blood squirting out of the casualties. Here is the first batch of photos. More soon.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Medals Don't Always Match Effort
My oldest daughter Lauren just won the NCAA Championship Medal above. She earned it as the playoff goalie for the Juniata College Women's Field Hockey Team. Lauren never played field hockey as a sport until the end of the 2010 season when she was drafted by the team to be the goalie if their championship game came down to penalty shots. Lauren is tall, quick and has been good against penalty kicks in soccer during all the years she has played goalkeeper. Lauren practiced with the field hockey team for three weeks before the playoffs, but never played in a game. Juniata was eliminated from the playoffs in the first round and there were no penalty shots. But Lauren was on the team and got an NCAA medal.
She played four years for the Juniata Women's Soccer Team, sharing the goal for three years with "KP." During her three years Lauren had an open compound fracture of her right index finger--she gets the screws out in a few weeks--a couple of concussions, knee injuries and many minor injuries. But she got the medal for field hockey.
During my first service in the Army, I was a tank commander with Bravo Company 1-70th Armor. During my first three years with Bravo, I trained for months in the desert of southern Colorado, followed by months of winter training in Germany. I shared all this misery with a hundred great guys, most of whom never got a medal.
The last year I was in Germany, I worked on the base newspaper. I went to the field for days, not weeks. I ate hot food. I had a Jeep or a car. I got my first Army Commendation Medal for getting 70th Armor and 4th Brigade int he newspaper.
Life is like that.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
REAL Army Weekend
No, I did not shoot guns or fly in a Blackhawk. REAL Army is waiting for something that never happens.
On Saturday, I spent most of the day in the classroom phase of Combat Life Saver (CLS) training. I arrived at 0945 and stayed until 230pm. The class started at 9 and ended at 345. I was there waiting for the deputy division commander to show up and check out the class. He never showed.
But I did see him. While we were on lunch break, I asked the new 28th Aviation Brigade NCO of the year and the battalion and brigade sergeant majors to meet me at 1pm so I could take their picture together. I took one in the office then walked outside with them. The general was just arriving. He knew both of the CSMs. They introduced Sgt. Matt Kauffman, the NCO of the year (from Echo Company). Then I got a picture with the four of them. The general gave Kauffman a division coin and I got a great picture fot he newsletter.
Then I went back to the classroom and waited another 90 minutes for the general to show up there.
It was not a total loss. I did two very boring on-line courses while I sat in the back of the class and got a few good pictures of the hands-on part of the training.
The next day I waited part of the afternoon for the division commander to come to the CLS training and part of the morning for the battalion commander. Neither showed up. Too bad. The Sunday training was very realistic. I'll post those photos soon.
On Saturday, I spent most of the day in the classroom phase of Combat Life Saver (CLS) training. I arrived at 0945 and stayed until 230pm. The class started at 9 and ended at 345. I was there waiting for the deputy division commander to show up and check out the class. He never showed.
But I did see him. While we were on lunch break, I asked the new 28th Aviation Brigade NCO of the year and the battalion and brigade sergeant majors to meet me at 1pm so I could take their picture together. I took one in the office then walked outside with them. The general was just arriving. He knew both of the CSMs. They introduced Sgt. Matt Kauffman, the NCO of the year (from Echo Company). Then I got a picture with the four of them. The general gave Kauffman a division coin and I got a great picture fot he newsletter.
Then I went back to the classroom and waited another 90 minutes for the general to show up there.
It was not a total loss. I did two very boring on-line courses while I sat in the back of the class and got a few good pictures of the hands-on part of the training.
The next day I waited part of the afternoon for the division commander to come to the CLS training and part of the morning for the battalion commander. Neither showed up. Too bad. The Sunday training was very realistic. I'll post those photos soon.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Sam Weaver the Parisian
For the week I was in Paris, I rented a Cannondale road bike from Sam Weaver of Rando Cycles (5 rue Fernand Foureau, near the Metro stop Porte de Vincennes at the eastern edge of Paris). The Rando Boutique, next door, tel. 01 40 01 03 08, has an excellent selection of saddle bags and German bicycle accessories.
Sam is an affable Californian who married a lovely French biochemist. They live just a mile south of Paris in the village of Malakoff. When he told me about living in Paris I started wondering if my wife could teach math in Paris. It would be a great place for Nigel and Jacari to live. France doesn't have the horrible history of slavery and segregation that America does. The right wing in Paris hates everybody fairly equally. But my wife is fluent in Spanish, so it is more likely she could get a job in Spain.
Because I had a decent road bike, it was the off season and the weather was cold--the high temp every day was either just above or just below freezing--I could ride with the peletons in Bois de Boulogne. Every day from 10am until dark, a two-mile road around a horsing racing track in the southwest corner of the city is closed to traffic and open to bicycles. In the dozen times I have been to France, there is always somebody riding this road, rain or shine, heat or cold.
I can't wait to go back!
Sam is an affable Californian who married a lovely French biochemist. They live just a mile south of Paris in the village of Malakoff. When he told me about living in Paris I started wondering if my wife could teach math in Paris. It would be a great place for Nigel and Jacari to live. France doesn't have the horrible history of slavery and segregation that America does. The right wing in Paris hates everybody fairly equally. But my wife is fluent in Spanish, so it is more likely she could get a job in Spain.
Because I had a decent road bike, it was the off season and the weather was cold--the high temp every day was either just above or just below freezing--I could ride with the peletons in Bois de Boulogne. Every day from 10am until dark, a two-mile road around a horsing racing track in the southwest corner of the city is closed to traffic and open to bicycles. In the dozen times I have been to France, there is always somebody riding this road, rain or shine, heat or cold.
I can't wait to go back!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
And Another Frenchman Who Really Loves George Bush
In a post last week I wrote about Stefan who said he loved George Bush. The next night, on Wednesday, I sat next to a Frenchman who genuinely liked George Bush. I had dinner with the executives of the Maison de la Chime, a professional organization of chemists. The man in question was in his mid-70s. He had served five years in the French Army including fighting in Algeria in 1961.
He is a French Conservative who believes in strong central government and strong national defense. He said invading Afghanistan was definitely the right thing to do and was very proud that French soldiers served there. He admitted the reason for invading Iraq was wrong—there were no WMDs and he believes the US knew it at the time—but he said the excuse led to the right action, which was to get rid of Saddam Hussein. He admires George Bush for staying on course despite all criticism. He was the only one at the table who admired the former president.
One of the best things about international travel is seeing the USA from a distance. The US showed up in every newspaper. Sarah Palin was on the cover of one. But at this distance, commentators don’t exist. Limbaugh, Beck, Savage and the other croaking toads that are so loud in America don’t exist here. They do not lead. They talk. They never take responsibility. Outside America, people analyze our actions, they don't listen to words on the radio.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Empty Row To and From Paris
Sometimes life is so much better than you can hope for. Most of the flights I have taken since coming back from Iraq are full and even beyond full—overbooked with gate agents offering a free flight to anyone who can wait another day to go home.
When I booked my flights to Paris and back, I followed my usual practice of getting an aisle seat as far back in the plane as I possibly can. Both ways I was on a Delta/Air France flight. They sold the ticket as Air France, but it was a Delta plane—a Boeing 757 that was built when the Beatles were still a group. This long, narrow plane has 34 rows of coach seating with three seats on either side of the center aisle and ten rows of first-class seating with two seats either side of the center—not quite 200 passengers if the plane is full.
On the way over we had just 57 passengers. On the way back the gate agent said there were 70 empty seats. From Row 37 back to Row 44, most of us had a row of seats to ourselves. I have been eating and napping for the last four hours. Travel to Europe does not get any better than this!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Touching Off an International Incident--in Brussels!
If the US goes to war with Iran over an incident in Brussels, Belgium, I just want to say in advance, "It was not my fault!"
On Sunday evening I flew to Paris for a conference. Since air travel is SOOOOOO much nicer in uniform, and since I was actually on a drill weekend, I decided to wear my soldier suit for the trip over.
Now waiting in the security line at Philadelphia airport. My oversize slightly overweight checked bag was not a problem. (If you know there is a regulation against travel in uniform, just let me enjoy my ignorance.) As I always do I booked an aisle seat as far back in the plane as I could. As I got ready to board a very old extended range Boeing 757, the ground crew said there were only 50 passengers--I had three seats to myself. A whole row---AAAHHHH!!!
But the plane was delayed for 45 minutes while they tried to fix a leak in the 40-year-old toilet. We arrived late for Paris and I had to catch a train for Brussels that left 15 minutes after I got my bag. I made the train, but was still in uniform. No problem, I'll change in the bathroom. I went into the bathroom when I got on the train. The floor was sticky. I checked another car. Blue water on the floor.
When I got to Brussels, I met a colleague who was going with me for a site visit for an event in December. She said we had to go right away, I did not have time to change.We got the facility, a beautiful meeting hall for 1200 people called The Square. I took my camera (with a long lens) out of my pack and took pictures of the place we would set up a display. Then the representative from The Square took us down to the actual meeting hall. When we walked through the door to the lobby, there were a dozen dark-skinned men staring at me. A couple of them were holding signage with Arabic symbols. It turns out they were setting up for a meeting of the Iranian exile community in Europe the next day--in the main hall of The Square.
On Sunday evening I flew to Paris for a conference. Since air travel is SOOOOOO much nicer in uniform, and since I was actually on a drill weekend, I decided to wear my soldier suit for the trip over.
Now waiting in the security line at Philadelphia airport. My oversize slightly overweight checked bag was not a problem. (If you know there is a regulation against travel in uniform, just let me enjoy my ignorance.) As I always do I booked an aisle seat as far back in the plane as I could. As I got ready to board a very old extended range Boeing 757, the ground crew said there were only 50 passengers--I had three seats to myself. A whole row---AAAHHHH!!!
But the plane was delayed for 45 minutes while they tried to fix a leak in the 40-year-old toilet. We arrived late for Paris and I had to catch a train for Brussels that left 15 minutes after I got my bag. I made the train, but was still in uniform. No problem, I'll change in the bathroom. I went into the bathroom when I got on the train. The floor was sticky. I checked another car. Blue water on the floor.
When I got to Brussels, I met a colleague who was going with me for a site visit for an event in December. She said we had to go right away, I did not have time to change.We got the facility, a beautiful meeting hall for 1200 people called The Square. I took my camera (with a long lens) out of my pack and took pictures of the place we would set up a display. Then the representative from The Square took us down to the actual meeting hall. When we walked through the door to the lobby, there were a dozen dark-skinned men staring at me. A couple of them were holding signage with Arabic symbols. It turns out they were setting up for a meeting of the Iranian exile community in Europe the next day--in the main hall of The Square.
So I am standing in uniform with a camera in my hand looking at a bunch of Iranians getting ready for a party.
I decided I had seen enough of the meeting hall. We went upstairs to talk about plans for December.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Wrapping up the numbers for 2010
It will soon be a year since I have returned from Iraq. During this year, fewer people are reading the blog, but the surprising thing to me is that more than 2000 people per month at still visiting the blog, the lowest since my return, but more than I expected a year out.
Tomorrow is drill. I won't be on duty Sunday because I am flying to France for a meeting. It will be my first time out of the country on business since 2006. Paris is my favorite city outside America. It was my favorite city in the world, but New York is edging past. Paris is beautiful. New York is vibrant. San Francisco is definitely third, and Singapore fourth.
In 2010 I rode fewer miles than in 2009!! I am spending more time at work than I have in a decade and it shows in my riding logs. But I have been spending more time running and in the gym. I ran at least 60 miles each of the last four months in 2010 and should be able to continue the trend this month. Maybe I will finally get the last few points on the PT Test and max it. My last four PT tests have been 290 to 297, but never quite 300.
The verdict from S-1 is the only way I can retire is to get run over by a Humvee. I'll probably stay as long as playing Army remains fun.
Happy Belated New Year!
Tomorrow is drill. I won't be on duty Sunday because I am flying to France for a meeting. It will be my first time out of the country on business since 2006. Paris is my favorite city outside America. It was my favorite city in the world, but New York is edging past. Paris is beautiful. New York is vibrant. San Francisco is definitely third, and Singapore fourth.
In 2010 I rode fewer miles than in 2009!! I am spending more time at work than I have in a decade and it shows in my riding logs. But I have been spending more time running and in the gym. I ran at least 60 miles each of the last four months in 2010 and should be able to continue the trend this month. Maybe I will finally get the last few points on the PT Test and max it. My last four PT tests have been 290 to 297, but never quite 300.
The verdict from S-1 is the only way I can retire is to get run over by a Humvee. I'll probably stay as long as playing Army remains fun.
Happy Belated New Year!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Last in the How I Would Have Died series--Face/Off
Last Friday I wrote the last post in the series on How I Would Have Died if I Lived 100 Years Ago. This time it was about how the plastic surgeon on duty in the Lancaster General Hospital Trauma Center put my face back together.
We have a CLS weekend coming up at drill--that's the acronym for Combat Life Saver. I know it's important but I grew up when Lifesaver candy was popular. Combat Life Saver sounds to me like circle-shaped, camouflaged candy.
We have a CLS weekend coming up at drill--that's the acronym for Combat Life Saver. I know it's important but I grew up when Lifesaver candy was popular. Combat Life Saver sounds to me like circle-shaped, camouflaged candy.
Friday, January 14, 2011
How I Would Have Died--If I Lived 100 Years Ago, Lack of Protocols
Here's the latest way I would have died if I lived 100 years ago. This time it is the lack of emergency care protocols back in 1911 and before.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
How I Would Have Died--If I Lived 100 Years Ago: Traumatic Brain Injury
http://www.chemheritage.org/community/periodic-tabloid/2010-12-24-how-i-would-have-died.aspx
Christmas Eve I made the second the post about my worst bicycle racing accident. The subject is traumatic brain injury.
Christmas Eve I made the second the post about my worst bicycle racing accident. The subject is traumatic brain injury.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
And No Internet Service
Part of the reason I found out about the screwing I got from DirecTV was because I recently tried to change my internet provider. I had DSL service from DEJAZZD of Denver Pa since 2002. Last year an ISP named Windstream bought them out.
Dejazzd had great service. So did Windstream, but it was 38.95 per month. Verizon offered me 19.95 a month and included a discount on DirecTV and Land line phone service.
They said it would be no problem to switch.
I tried several times from before Christmas to after New Years to get service, but Verizon kept telling me the line was being held by someone else. I had cancelled the Windstream service on Dec 20. I had a cancellation order number.
Nothing Verizon could do. Someone the line was now held by an ISP called Covad. I had never done business with them. They had no record of my phone number and they could not help me unless I had an account number.
So I called Windstream. They no longer had any record of me being a customer. No record of my name or phone number--even though they and the company they bought had received more than $4000 from me over the past eight years.
I am thinking fo going back to Comcast Cable.
Sigh!
Dejazzd had great service. So did Windstream, but it was 38.95 per month. Verizon offered me 19.95 a month and included a discount on DirecTV and Land line phone service.
They said it would be no problem to switch.
I tried several times from before Christmas to after New Years to get service, but Verizon kept telling me the line was being held by someone else. I had cancelled the Windstream service on Dec 20. I had a cancellation order number.
Nothing Verizon could do. Someone the line was now held by an ISP called Covad. I had never done business with them. They had no record of my phone number and they could not help me unless I had an account number.
So I called Windstream. They no longer had any record of me being a customer. No record of my name or phone number--even though they and the company they bought had received more than $4000 from me over the past eight years.
I am thinking fo going back to Comcast Cable.
Sigh!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Screwed by DirecTV
Friday I read an online post the named DirecTV as one of the 15 most hated corporations in America. American Airlines led the list. BP was #15. DirecTV was #12.
I have DirecTV. I signed up for it after returning from Iraq. Like many things I did in the weeks after returning from Iraq, I believed what I heard more than I should have. It turns out, the lower rate I was promised by DirecTV was a rebate. It was a word I never heard in the sales pitch.
The DirecTV rep I spoke too last night apologized for the salesman's omission, but she said that I was supposed to notice that I was not getting the discount and contact DirecTV. I had 90 days to do this which has long since expired.
She also told me my commitment was actually 24 months. The initial commitment was for 12 months, but there was an additional 12-month commitment in some service I agreed to, which I did not know at the time. I also had 90 days to revise this, but since I did not know it within 90 days, I cannot revise the contract now.
It will cost $20 per month to terminate the contract early.
Thanks for the Welcome Home DirecTV!!!!!
I have DirecTV. I signed up for it after returning from Iraq. Like many things I did in the weeks after returning from Iraq, I believed what I heard more than I should have. It turns out, the lower rate I was promised by DirecTV was a rebate. It was a word I never heard in the sales pitch.
The DirecTV rep I spoke too last night apologized for the salesman's omission, but she said that I was supposed to notice that I was not getting the discount and contact DirecTV. I had 90 days to do this which has long since expired.
She also told me my commitment was actually 24 months. The initial commitment was for 12 months, but there was an additional 12-month commitment in some service I agreed to, which I did not know at the time. I also had 90 days to revise this, but since I did not know it within 90 days, I cannot revise the contract now.
It will cost $20 per month to terminate the contract early.
Thanks for the Welcome Home DirecTV!!!!!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
New Bike on First Trip to NYC
If you can see the silver couplers on the top tube and down tube near the seat tube, the couplers twist and the bike splits in two pieces. It also has a quick disconnect on the rear brake cable and both shifter cables. I could fold the Dahon in 30 seconds. Taking this bike apart and putting it together will take longer. It also has to be disassembled before I get to the train platform or I am going to have a dispute with the train crew. So my commute will be a little longer with this bike than with the Dahon, but it will be better to ride.
When I picked up the frame I replaced, the brake mounting nut in the frame was stripped. It would have been rideable, but not really safe, so it was probably better to replace that frame anyway. That makes three bikes in three months that have been stolen, smashed and broken.
Bill at Bike Line said the Dahon is junk after the SUV ran it over. No surprise there.
At the end of the train ride to NYC, I will assemble the bike, ride it to the hotel, change for a business meeting then ride later in Central Park. The next test point will be boarding the train in NYC to go home.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Report Filed!!!
Today, I called the Phila police again. This time the operator said I could report on the phone if I worked with the local precinct.
I called.
They took the report.
It took ten minutes.
Tonight I will drop the bike off at BikeLine of Lancaster to see if it is "totalled".
I called.
They took the report.
It took ten minutes.
Tonight I will drop the bike off at BikeLine of Lancaster to see if it is "totalled".
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Still Reporting the Bike Accident
At 130 pm today I called the Philadelphia police and asked to make a statement about the accident on the phone. They said they would send an officer to take the statement in person because the driver left the scene. I gave them the address of the 7-story half-block long building where I work. I waited until 430 pm. No one came to the door. There is a receptionist in the lobby till 415 pm.
Yesterday, I called 911 at the scene. They said three different times they were sending someone. On the third call, the operator said I was not there. I did not move from the front of Sovereign Bank at 11th and Market from the time I made the call until 40 minutes later when I left. I am six feet tall. I had a bike. The officer who responded said no one was their.
There is only one bank on that corner.
Tomorrow I am going to call at 845 am when I arrive at my office. That way there will be eight hours for the police to show up. I will let you know if thy could not find the building.
Yesterday, I called 911 at the scene. They said three different times they were sending someone. On the third call, the operator said I was not there. I did not move from the front of Sovereign Bank at 11th and Market from the time I made the call until 40 minutes later when I left. I am six feet tall. I had a bike. The officer who responded said no one was their.
There is only one bank on that corner.
Tomorrow I am going to call at 845 am when I arrive at my office. That way there will be eight hours for the police to show up. I will let you know if thy could not find the building.
Reporting the Bike Accident
After waiting 40 minutes for the Philadelphia Police NOT to show up, I had given up on the reporting the accident. But my wife said as a matter of justice I should report it. So I am going to try today. I am already leaving on the late train for work, so it will be difficult, but she's right. The guy in the Lincoln SUV ran a red light then ran over the bike. He would leave the scene with a dead kid in the road.
Now some of you may wonder if I think riding in Philly more dangerous than riding with the rednecks in Southern Lancaster County.
No.
I still prefer Philly to Solanco. The fat guys in pickup trucks with faded McCain-Palin stickers on their F-150s actually hate people who use two feet of road.
Now some of you may wonder if I think riding in Philly more dangerous than riding with the rednecks in Southern Lancaster County.
No.
I still prefer Philly to Solanco. The fat guys in pickup trucks with faded McCain-Palin stickers on their F-150s actually hate people who use two feet of road.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Bike Accident in Phila--No Injury
Today I was supposed to be at the Parent Teachers Organization meeting. I left work at 420 pm, but my trip was delayed by a Lincoln SUV that ran a red light and ran over the front wheel of my folding bike. I jumped off the bike seeing that was was running the light and thinking he would not avoid hitting me.
The guy had a vanity plate BY TRIO so I can report the accident. I called 911 and tried to report it. I waited at 11th and market for a half hour. I told the dispatcher I was in front of Sovereign Bank. I called 20 minutes later, the dispatcher said the police were enroute. Ten minutes later I called again. this dispatcher said he would send the supervisor. He tried to say the police went by and there was no one there. I had not moved for a half hour. Ten minutes later I called and said I was leaving for Lancaster.
I am a member of the US Government as a soldier. I want the government to be there to fix roads and sewers and show up at accidents, but I also know that I am always unhappy when I am subject to the whims of a government agent. The comedy at 11th and Market made no difference because I was not hurt. And now if I want to get my bike fixed, I will have to fill out forms with same police department and have to have a judge decide the case when the SUV driver lies about every detail of the incident.
The incident has only cost me an hour and a PTO meeting so far. I'll find out later how much the bike repair is.
The guy had a vanity plate BY TRIO so I can report the accident. I called 911 and tried to report it. I waited at 11th and market for a half hour. I told the dispatcher I was in front of Sovereign Bank. I called 20 minutes later, the dispatcher said the police were enroute. Ten minutes later I called again. this dispatcher said he would send the supervisor. He tried to say the police went by and there was no one there. I had not moved for a half hour. Ten minutes later I called and said I was leaving for Lancaster.
I am a member of the US Government as a soldier. I want the government to be there to fix roads and sewers and show up at accidents, but I also know that I am always unhappy when I am subject to the whims of a government agent. The comedy at 11th and Market made no difference because I was not hurt. And now if I want to get my bike fixed, I will have to fill out forms with same police department and have to have a judge decide the case when the SUV driver lies about every detail of the incident.
The incident has only cost me an hour and a PTO meeting so far. I'll find out later how much the bike repair is.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Perpetuating Mediocrity
One of the reasons the motor platoon has such a high pass rate on the PT test is, oddly enough, that the training NCO for our unit is such a stickler for everyone meeting or exceeding the published standard on the test. He fails people who miss the run by ten seconds and who miss the minimum by one pushup or situp. We are a National Guard unit and many active units will allow more slack than we do. But by forcing everyone to meet the standard, eventually everyone really does--except one sergeant. But 98% is very high for any unit and beyond the moon for the National Guard.
But he is not in charge of all training and performance in other areas it is clear how our socialist group both forces us to conform and helps us when we don't. In February, many of us went to the rifle range for two days--one day to zero, one day for qualification. The qualification consists of firing 40 rounds at pop-up targets from 50 to 300 meters distance. To qualify as a marksman, you must hit 23 of 40 targets. To be a sharpshooter or expert requires 33 and 37 hits respectively the first time you fire. If you get less than 23 the first time, no matter how many hits you get the second time you score only as a marksman. But when we were on the range, one soldier scored less than 23 five times. At the end of the day when the people who run the range wanted to go home, this soldier went to position 11 with 40 rounds. At positions 10 and 12 were two range instructors. Miraculously, the soldier who failed to qualify five times hit 40 out of 40. That soldier should have been scored as a Marksman, and hopefully that soldier will have other people who can shoot nearby in a firefight. But the scoring system broke down when a sergeant major showed up. Hearing that a soldier shot 40 of 40, he presented the soldier with a commemorative coin (a standard token for a very good job). So our records indicate this soldier is our top expert marksman. Once the fudging starts, it is hard to stop. Those instructors could not admit they were nailing targets.
Remember Sgt. Oblivious? After he was relieved from his job as a squad leader, he was not formally removed, so he was still squad leader on his soldier's records. So he signed the awards that others rewrote. By putting an electronic signature on these documents, he has proof that he is competent at writing awards when he next comes up for promotion. If the awards were not rewritten his squad members would have suffered. Because they were rewritten, the Army suffers because a thoroughly incompetent soldier has proof he can write awards.
One thing I thought I would get a one-year break from in a war zone is all the gray areas of modern life. But the Army is part of modern life and it is as gray in here as it is on the outside--with an olive drab tinge.
But he is not in charge of all training and performance in other areas it is clear how our socialist group both forces us to conform and helps us when we don't. In February, many of us went to the rifle range for two days--one day to zero, one day for qualification. The qualification consists of firing 40 rounds at pop-up targets from 50 to 300 meters distance. To qualify as a marksman, you must hit 23 of 40 targets. To be a sharpshooter or expert requires 33 and 37 hits respectively the first time you fire. If you get less than 23 the first time, no matter how many hits you get the second time you score only as a marksman. But when we were on the range, one soldier scored less than 23 five times. At the end of the day when the people who run the range wanted to go home, this soldier went to position 11 with 40 rounds. At positions 10 and 12 were two range instructors. Miraculously, the soldier who failed to qualify five times hit 40 out of 40. That soldier should have been scored as a Marksman, and hopefully that soldier will have other people who can shoot nearby in a firefight. But the scoring system broke down when a sergeant major showed up. Hearing that a soldier shot 40 of 40, he presented the soldier with a commemorative coin (a standard token for a very good job). So our records indicate this soldier is our top expert marksman. Once the fudging starts, it is hard to stop. Those instructors could not admit they were nailing targets.
Remember Sgt. Oblivious? After he was relieved from his job as a squad leader, he was not formally removed, so he was still squad leader on his soldier's records. So he signed the awards that others rewrote. By putting an electronic signature on these documents, he has proof that he is competent at writing awards when he next comes up for promotion. If the awards were not rewritten his squad members would have suffered. Because they were rewritten, the Army suffers because a thoroughly incompetent soldier has proof he can write awards.
One thing I thought I would get a one-year break from in a war zone is all the gray areas of modern life. But the Army is part of modern life and it is as gray in here as it is on the outside--with an olive drab tinge.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
A Letter on a New Yorker Poddcast
Today's Political Scene podcast by the New Yorker magazine has a short letter I wrote about Sarah Palin. You can listen here. The letter is at about minute 14.
http://www.newyorker.com/online/2011/01/03/110103on_audio_politicalscene
http://www.newyorker.com/online/2011/01/03/110103on_audio_politicalscene
Single Father Deployed to Afghanistan--Read to the End
Another great story about 87th Infantry deployment to Afghanistan and its effect on families. Read the story to the end.
Monday, December 27, 2010
In NYC for Post Christmas Shopping
What a contrast from last Christmas. In Iraq last year, Christmas was 90 degrees, sunny, dusty and an extravaganza of food. Two days later I was on a flight to Al Kut, Baghdad and Balad.
This year Christmas was a calm day at my father-in-law's house near Washington DC. Christmas night, four of my kids and I drove to Lancaster. After Church we loaded the car and drove to New York City--actually Trenton, then the rest of the way by train.
The weather was clear for about 20 miles then more and more snow. We passed six accidents and almost became one ourselves when some slowed to look at other accidents. After two and a half hours of sliding, we made ti to Trenton station. Another 90 minutes and we were in Penn Station and on the way to our hotel in Times Square. The blizzard was howling when we left the subway. We struggled two blocks to the hotel then checked in. Even through the snow Times Square was pulsing bright with ads on two-story electronic billboards. Jacari saw NYC for the first time stepping out of the subway staircase and said, "Awesome! This is like Hollywood!"
The gym was closed by the time we arrived, but the Crown Plaza has 46 floors so we could run up the stairs and either walk back down (which Lisa did all three times) or take the elevator, which I did two of three times.
We changed and went three blocks to the Marriott Marquis so the kids could ride the glass elevators up to The View--the 60th floor restaurant. We struggled another couple of blocks and had pizza for dinner.
Today, I am sitting in Starbucks while the kids shop the few vendors who opened on Canal Street.
This year Christmas was a calm day at my father-in-law's house near Washington DC. Christmas night, four of my kids and I drove to Lancaster. After Church we loaded the car and drove to New York City--actually Trenton, then the rest of the way by train.
The weather was clear for about 20 miles then more and more snow. We passed six accidents and almost became one ourselves when some slowed to look at other accidents. After two and a half hours of sliding, we made ti to Trenton station. Another 90 minutes and we were in Penn Station and on the way to our hotel in Times Square. The blizzard was howling when we left the subway. We struggled two blocks to the hotel then checked in. Even through the snow Times Square was pulsing bright with ads on two-story electronic billboards. Jacari saw NYC for the first time stepping out of the subway staircase and said, "Awesome! This is like Hollywood!"
The gym was closed by the time we arrived, but the Crown Plaza has 46 floors so we could run up the stairs and either walk back down (which Lisa did all three times) or take the elevator, which I did two of three times.
We changed and went three blocks to the Marriott Marquis so the kids could ride the glass elevators up to The View--the 60th floor restaurant. We struggled another couple of blocks and had pizza for dinner.
Today, I am sitting in Starbucks while the kids shop the few vendors who opened on Canal Street.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Christmas at Home
Last year Christmas was warm, sunny and dusty. This year I am back to the complicated travels that only a Yours-Mine-Ours family has around the holidays.
Right now I am on the train to Philadelphia. I will finish my overdue expense reports, have lunch in the city, then take a train to Washington DC at 330pm. By 6pm, the Metro should have me in Silver Spring MD where my wife will pick me up at the station and take me to her Dad's house. I will be with my wife, both sons, and step-daughter Iolanthe for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Somewhere around 5pm, my daughters will drive down from Lancaster to Silver Spring. We will exchange presents and have dinner together. Then Lauren, Lisa, Jacari, Nigel and I will drive back to Lancaster around 9pm.
The next morning, we will go to Church in Lancaster. I will go to the bike shop, Bike Line of Lancaster and pick up my latest bike, a break-apart frame Surley bike that is legal for riding on Amtrak--no more driving to New York.
Around 2pm the five of us will drive to New York City. Every year I take my daughters and their friends to NYC to shop the day after Christmas. This year we are delayed a day because Christmas was on Saturday. We start at Century 21 Department Store at the World Trade Center and walk up Broadway to Times Square where we are staying at the Crown Plaza.
On Tuesday we drive back to Lebanon PA where Jacari and Nigel will spend the night and the next day with Jacari's foster mom Melissa. I will work in Philadelphia the next day and Annalisa will return from Silver Spring and pick up Jacari.
Then we can start working on New Years Eve.
Merry Christmas.
Right now I am on the train to Philadelphia. I will finish my overdue expense reports, have lunch in the city, then take a train to Washington DC at 330pm. By 6pm, the Metro should have me in Silver Spring MD where my wife will pick me up at the station and take me to her Dad's house. I will be with my wife, both sons, and step-daughter Iolanthe for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Somewhere around 5pm, my daughters will drive down from Lancaster to Silver Spring. We will exchange presents and have dinner together. Then Lauren, Lisa, Jacari, Nigel and I will drive back to Lancaster around 9pm.
The next morning, we will go to Church in Lancaster. I will go to the bike shop, Bike Line of Lancaster and pick up my latest bike, a break-apart frame Surley bike that is legal for riding on Amtrak--no more driving to New York.
Around 2pm the five of us will drive to New York City. Every year I take my daughters and their friends to NYC to shop the day after Christmas. This year we are delayed a day because Christmas was on Saturday. We start at Century 21 Department Store at the World Trade Center and walk up Broadway to Times Square where we are staying at the Crown Plaza.
On Tuesday we drive back to Lebanon PA where Jacari and Nigel will spend the night and the next day with Jacari's foster mom Melissa. I will work in Philadelphia the next day and Annalisa will return from Silver Spring and pick up Jacari.
Then we can start working on New Years Eve.
Merry Christmas.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Great Article About Ground Combat in Afghanistan
Jim Dao of NY Times on the war in Afghanistan
The story about the minefield is really sad.
Follow the link.
The story about the minefield is really sad.
Follow the link.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Today is the 41st Anniversary of My Driver's License
Many people tell me they don't celebrate their driver's license anniversary. That is SOOO strange. What could be more important than driving?
Actually, the strange thing about this anniversary is that until this one, I had always owned more cars, trucks and motorcycles than years of driving. I owned three cars by the time I had a license for a year, six by year two, ten by year four, fifteen cars and two motorcycles by my tenth driver's license anniversary. A decade later, I owned my tenth motorcycle and was up to 20 cars. It took 17 more years to add ten more vehicles and I just spent $788 on my current 2002 Malibu to keep from buying another car.
In that same period, I have owned somewhere between fifteen and twenty bicycles and currently own five since the Trek GT single speed got stolen on Veteran's Day this year. Bicycles are not quite separate from each other the way cars are. I am currently getting all the components from one of my race bikes switched to a new frame that breaks in two pieces in less than a minute. When it is complete, I will have a spare frame.
When it is complete, I will have:
Actually, the strange thing about this anniversary is that until this one, I had always owned more cars, trucks and motorcycles than years of driving. I owned three cars by the time I had a license for a year, six by year two, ten by year four, fifteen cars and two motorcycles by my tenth driver's license anniversary. A decade later, I owned my tenth motorcycle and was up to 20 cars. It took 17 more years to add ten more vehicles and I just spent $788 on my current 2002 Malibu to keep from buying another car.
In that same period, I have owned somewhere between fifteen and twenty bicycles and currently own five since the Trek GT single speed got stolen on Veteran's Day this year. Bicycles are not quite separate from each other the way cars are. I am currently getting all the components from one of my race bikes switched to a new frame that breaks in two pieces in less than a minute. When it is complete, I will have a spare frame.
When it is complete, I will have:
- A Trek Madone road bike
- A Surley travel bike (the new one)
- A Cannondale tandem
- A Dahon folding bike with 20-inch wheels
- A GT Peace 9-R single speed road bike.
Friday, December 17, 2010
How I Would Have Died--If I Lived 100 Years Ago: Broken Neck
This week's post on my work blog. Click if you want to see it there, or just read it here.
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Last week, I described the bicycle racing crash that left me in a ditch bleeding with ten broken bones.
The worst of those ten broken bones—at least in terms of my short-term and long-term survival—was my seventh cervical vertebra, C-7. At the moment I crashed, I flipped into the air and landed on my head. My helmet saved my skull, but the impact cracked the first two vertebra in my neck and smashed my C-7.
I was blessed/fortunate/lucky that one of the other racers was a police officer and knew to keep me flat on my back until help arrived. Officer Mike Whitaker also called 911 and let them know I was in very bad shape and needed a MEDEVAC helicopter to take me to the hospital. Because an off-duty Emergency Medical Technician lives in the neighborhood and was nearby in his car, there was an EMT taking care of me in three minutes and I was strapped in the MEDEVAC 20 minutes later.
The MEDEVAC landed on the roof of Lancaster General Hospital in ten minutes. I was again blessed/fortunate/lucky that the neurosurgeon on duty was Lt. Col. William Monnachi, just back from a tour in Baghdad Hospital treating wounded soldiers.
Dr. Monnachi and his surgical team replaced my C-7 with a bone from a bone bank the next day. I could barely swallow for the next six weeks, but I could walk within three days. I was in a neck and chest brace for the next three months, but was walking at least three miles a day from the day I left the hospital. I resumed running a month later.
Last week Bess Williamson, one of CHF's visiting scholars, mentioned during a presentation that 100 years ago people with spinal injuries died within a few months. She said the polio epidemic led to new treatments for spinal disease and injury, but recovering from spinal injury was rare until recent medical innovations like bone transplants.
In the hospital, one of the first people I thought of was Joni Earackson Tada. She is a quadraplegic who is three years older than I am. She smashed her fifth cervical vertebra in a diving accident at age 17. The difference between us: In 1967 there were no bone banks, MEDEVAC helicopters were rare, and neurosurgery did not have as many tools as it has today. Joni has done great things for the disabled over the last 40 years and is an inspiration to thousands of people. But it seems clear from her writings and presentations that she would trade her work and her wheelchair for the use of her arms and legs.
Next week, I will talk about the nine ounces of high-tech plastics that kept me from smashing my skull in the 50 mph impact with the road.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Rotten Weekend Turns Out Great
When I came home last night from drill weekend, I thought I had lost both the camera the Army issued me and a video camera from my day job.
But on the train home from Philadelphia tonight, Master Sergeant Kirby Hoke of 2-104th called my cell phone to tell me they found the cameras. I had left them in the S-1 (admin) office. I thought they had been stolen from my car.
It turns out I just left them in the admin office while I was waiting to talk to SFC Lori Burns.
WHAT A RELIEF!!!!
I did learn some useful things about losing Army.
One of the officers, I own't rat him out, said even if they charged me for losing the camera, they can't take more than one month's pay. That's less than $300 for a weekend warrior like me. And he said that they usually waive the penalty in cases of hardship.
I asked if it would help if I put water spots on my statement and said they were the tears of my children.
But on the train home from Philadelphia tonight, Master Sergeant Kirby Hoke of 2-104th called my cell phone to tell me they found the cameras. I had left them in the S-1 (admin) office. I thought they had been stolen from my car.
It turns out I just left them in the admin office while I was waiting to talk to SFC Lori Burns.
WHAT A RELIEF!!!!
I did learn some useful things about losing Army.
One of the officers, I own't rat him out, said even if they charged me for losing the camera, they can't take more than one month's pay. That's less than $300 for a weekend warrior like me. And he said that they usually waive the penalty in cases of hardship.
I asked if it would help if I put water spots on my statement and said they were the tears of my children.
Friday, December 10, 2010
How I Would Have Died--If I Lived 100 Years Ago: Bicycle Racing
Latest post on my work blog:
On Wednesday, May 9, 2007, twelve riders (including me) started down a 3/4-mile winding descent known as Turkey Hill. If you live in the Northeast, you probably have eaten Turkey Hill ice cream. It's that Turkey Hill—a real place on the west side of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Turkey Hill is a coasting race; no pedaling allowed. Riders sweep down the hill crouched as low as they can get on their bikes, passing each other using the momentum of the draft. On that lovely spring afternoon, I started at the back of the group and picked off the riders one or two at a time as we went faster and faster down the hill.
Just before nearing the finish line, I swept left to pass the lead rider. I timed it perfectly—except that the lead rider moved left. We touched wheels. I remember less than two minutes of the next three days.
When two-wheeled vehicles touch wheels, the back rider crashes. According to the ten riders behind me, I flipped through the air and landed on my head and right shoulder, sliding into the ditch at the base of the hill.
By my count, I would have died four different ways 100 years ago. In order of severity:
1) I broke cervical vertebra 1 and 2 and smashed C-7. 100 years ago, spinal injury victims survived for weeks or months at best.
2) My high-tech bicycle helmet was crushed and covered with blood, but intact. Without it I might have been dead before I was done sliding without the bike.
3) Within 30 minutes after the accident I was in a MEDEVAC helicopter on the way to the Trauma Center at Lancaster General Hospital. With a smashed vertebra, I could have been quadraplegic or worse before I got the hospital by any slower means.
4) When I landed, my racing glasses dug into my forehead, peeling it up about two inches and ripping the skin from the bridge of my nose. Plastic surgery put me back together. Without it, infection could very well have been fatal.
This does not mean I got off scot-free. Stay tuned for next week's post, when I explain how modern medicine healed my spinal injuries.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Westboro Baptist Church and Conspiracy Theories
Today's news reports say Fred Phelps and Westboro Baptist Church www.godhatesfags.com will be protesting at the funeral of Elizabeth Edwards. I suppose this is great news for her former husband. Even he looks good next to the vile members of that creepy Kansas church.
In a related story, Julian Assange was arrested for sexual assault. Who knows how long his trial will drag out. Remember the guy who was threatening to burn Korans? I don't. And I am not looking him up.
For me, the very fact that Julian Assange and Fred Phelps are alive show just how nutty conspiracy theories really are. People who really think our government was involved in 9-11 should look at Westboro and Fred Phelps. Phelps dishonors our own war dead, hurts the grieving families and friends of the dead soldiers and no one "takes him out."
You would think a government that could pull off a conspiracy like 9-11 or implant tracker chips in people's butts (Timothy McVeigh believed that one) or be involved in one-tenth of the conspiracy wet dreams of Glenn Beck or Michael Savage could at least kill Julian Assange and Fred Phelps.
But they are alive, healthy, and Fred is off to trash the funeral of a long-suffering woman for his own disgusting reasons.
Next time you hear some nut case--either live or broadcast--try to explain some vast government conspiracy just check to see if Phelps and Assange are still happily peddling their respective rubbish. If they are, just try to imagine a world takeover by a government that can't do anything about Westboro Baptist Church.
In a related story, Julian Assange was arrested for sexual assault. Who knows how long his trial will drag out. Remember the guy who was threatening to burn Korans? I don't. And I am not looking him up.
For me, the very fact that Julian Assange and Fred Phelps are alive show just how nutty conspiracy theories really are. People who really think our government was involved in 9-11 should look at Westboro and Fred Phelps. Phelps dishonors our own war dead, hurts the grieving families and friends of the dead soldiers and no one "takes him out."
You would think a government that could pull off a conspiracy like 9-11 or implant tracker chips in people's butts (Timothy McVeigh believed that one) or be involved in one-tenth of the conspiracy wet dreams of Glenn Beck or Michael Savage could at least kill Julian Assange and Fred Phelps.
But they are alive, healthy, and Fred is off to trash the funeral of a long-suffering woman for his own disgusting reasons.
Next time you hear some nut case--either live or broadcast--try to explain some vast government conspiracy just check to see if Phelps and Assange are still happily peddling their respective rubbish. If they are, just try to imagine a world takeover by a government that can't do anything about Westboro Baptist Church.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Facebook Message from Medic I Served With
Facebook is great for keeping in touch. I got this message today. I hope I get to meet the lady Cynthia Dalton talked to. I will write abut her for a future blog post. I wrote about Cindy here: http://armynow.blogspot.com/2009/09/who-fights-this-war-flight-medic.html
Hey! Something interesting I wanted to share with you...
So there I was at Military Clothing Sales, you know, purchasing all my last minute Class A stuff just like everyone else in the PA Guard! Well I was trying on some shoes for my Class A's when an older woman came over and asked if I was in the national guard. I explained to her that I was AGR. Out of nowhere she just said, I was in the Army for 6 years, active duty. I was a medic in vietnam. Fellow Medic! I instantly stood up from trying on my shoes and shook her hand! I thanked her for her service and especially for laying down the foundation of what I have had the honor and privelidge of what I have made my career. I instantly thought of you. I explained to her what you were doing next fall and asked her if she would be willing to talk to you. (I realize that may have been presumtious of me) She was hesitant for a moment and you could tell she was in deep thought. She said "IDK, maybe" sighed and then said "yea sure." I thought WOW I would love to sit down and have coffee with this woman. The only detail she mentioned in our short conversation was about assisting with a surgery in a tent while she could here the bullets flying! We instantly had a repor and talked a little about what it is like to be a female in the army and what it is like to do the best job in the army. She told me she was there shopping because her husband was in the hospital and he asked to be buried in army fatigues, not the new ones that we wear now but the old desert fatigues. She was looking for his ingsignia and rank to put on them. This woman went from being an army medic in vietnam to an army wife for 22 years, and now here she was preparing for her husbands funeral.
It was time for me to get going, I wish I could have stayed and talked to her for hours. She thanked me for continuing what the WAC's started (Women's Army Corp) and extended her hand to shake mine. I leaned over and hugged her instead.
Neil- I do not know if you have a place in the event you are planning but if you do she would be worth talking to. I was so intrigue by our meeting that since I have been searching the internet for hours looking for books or essays on enlisted female army medics. Unfortunately, I have not been too successful. There is some out there about Nurses and the Women's Officer Corp, but nothing on the enlisted female medics. Something told me to share this with you.
I could tell she wanted to talk more too. She lingered around the register and when I walked up she said "and here is Mrs. Dalton!" I have her name and phone number, if you would like. She gave me her home and cell. She also does a lot of painting revolving around women in the military. Let me know your thoughts-Cynthia
Hey! Something interesting I wanted to share with you...
So there I was at Military Clothing Sales, you know, purchasing all my last minute Class A stuff just like everyone else in the PA Guard! Well I was trying on some shoes for my Class A's when an older woman came over and asked if I was in the national guard. I explained to her that I was AGR. Out of nowhere she just said, I was in the Army for 6 years, active duty. I was a medic in vietnam. Fellow Medic! I instantly stood up from trying on my shoes and shook her hand! I thanked her for her service and especially for laying down the foundation of what I have had the honor and privelidge of what I have made my career. I instantly thought of you. I explained to her what you were doing next fall and asked her if she would be willing to talk to you. (I realize that may have been presumtious of me) She was hesitant for a moment and you could tell she was in deep thought. She said "IDK, maybe" sighed and then said "yea sure." I thought WOW I would love to sit down and have coffee with this woman. The only detail she mentioned in our short conversation was about assisting with a surgery in a tent while she could here the bullets flying! We instantly had a repor and talked a little about what it is like to be a female in the army and what it is like to do the best job in the army. She told me she was there shopping because her husband was in the hospital and he asked to be buried in army fatigues, not the new ones that we wear now but the old desert fatigues. She was looking for his ingsignia and rank to put on them. This woman went from being an army medic in vietnam to an army wife for 22 years, and now here she was preparing for her husbands funeral.
It was time for me to get going, I wish I could have stayed and talked to her for hours. She thanked me for continuing what the WAC's started (Women's Army Corp) and extended her hand to shake mine. I leaned over and hugged her instead.
Neil- I do not know if you have a place in the event you are planning but if you do she would be worth talking to. I was so intrigue by our meeting that since I have been searching the internet for hours looking for books or essays on enlisted female army medics. Unfortunately, I have not been too successful. There is some out there about Nurses and the Women's Officer Corp, but nothing on the enlisted female medics. Something told me to share this with you.
I could tell she wanted to talk more too. She lingered around the register and when I walked up she said "and here is Mrs. Dalton!" I have her name and phone number, if you would like. She gave me her home and cell. She also does a lot of painting revolving around women in the military. Let me know your thoughts-Cynthia
Monday, December 6, 2010
Waiting for the Retirement Verdict
Last week I met with the NCOIC of administration in our battalion, SFC Lori Burns. She looked at my pay statements from the 80s and forwarded them to division HQ to see if there is any way I can stay long enough to retire. I know I will have to stay another five years of so, the question is will five more years bring me close enough to 20 years to get me a real retirement?
I have a friend at Church, Ethan Demme, who knows everybody in Lancaster Country politics. He said he can put me in touch with my US Congressman, Joe Pitts. My wife knows our state representative, Mike Sturla. I could need help from state and federal representatives if I hit one of the paper walls any big bureaucracy can set up.
Lucky for me, an old guy who wants to stay in the Army longer (and is healthy) should be one of the projects representatives actually have fun doing. Many requests for their help come from people who are neck deep in a cesspool and need a real strong pull to get out--not to mention help with clean up afterwards!
I have read memoirs of people my age, back when 57 was really old, who said they believed what they saw in the mirror--a face that obviously belongs to a person nearing 60, but behind their eyes, the person looking at the mirror does not seem like a different person than the 17-year-old who looked in the mirror hoping he would get older so his zits would clear up.
After I met with Lori Burns, I talked to Captain Mike Gross, our battalion operations officer. He was not with us in Iraq. We talked about the newsletter. He asked whether I "just wanted to be the guy with the camera" or if I wanted to work in my MOS to advance my career. I said, "I'm 57 years old and have three college degrees. I'm not sure my skill (or lack of it) in generator and pump repair will make a lot of difference to my career." But he is right to ask. If I am not going to fix generators, I should let a generator mechanic have the sergeant slot.
We'll see what happens.
I have a friend at Church, Ethan Demme, who knows everybody in Lancaster Country politics. He said he can put me in touch with my US Congressman, Joe Pitts. My wife knows our state representative, Mike Sturla. I could need help from state and federal representatives if I hit one of the paper walls any big bureaucracy can set up.
Lucky for me, an old guy who wants to stay in the Army longer (and is healthy) should be one of the projects representatives actually have fun doing. Many requests for their help come from people who are neck deep in a cesspool and need a real strong pull to get out--not to mention help with clean up afterwards!
I have read memoirs of people my age, back when 57 was really old, who said they believed what they saw in the mirror--a face that obviously belongs to a person nearing 60, but behind their eyes, the person looking at the mirror does not seem like a different person than the 17-year-old who looked in the mirror hoping he would get older so his zits would clear up.
After I met with Lori Burns, I talked to Captain Mike Gross, our battalion operations officer. He was not with us in Iraq. We talked about the newsletter. He asked whether I "just wanted to be the guy with the camera" or if I wanted to work in my MOS to advance my career. I said, "I'm 57 years old and have three college degrees. I'm not sure my skill (or lack of it) in generator and pump repair will make a lot of difference to my career." But he is right to ask. If I am not going to fix generators, I should let a generator mechanic have the sergeant slot.
We'll see what happens.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Thanksgiving Dinner
I know it’s a week late, but we had a great Thanksgiving. All the girls were home from college and among our guests were six political refugees from Bhutan. A family at our Church is involved with refugee resettlement and Lancaster. Pa. has several hundred refugees from various conflicts around the world. When they came to our house, I thought immediately they were from Nepal. It turns out there was a migration of Nepalese people to Bhutan several decades ago. The native Bhutanese since decided they did not want Nepalese and started an ethnic cleansing campaign.
Men from Nepal worked in the Green Beans Coffee Shop on Tallil Ali Air Base and at other shops I went to in Balad Air Base and in Kuwait. They are short and thin and don’t eat much. My wife cooked for 20 Americans which meant we had a lot of leftovers, even sending a lot of food home with our guests.
I am glad America is still a refuge for persecuted people like my own grandparents who escaped Russian pogroms more than a century ago.
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