Monday, December 14, 2009

Company D, 63rd Alabama Infantry, CSA

My Great, Great, Great Grandparents. Randall & Susanah


Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Day after Pearl Harbor Day

Cut & Run is not an option - EVER

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Curtains for Nebraska - on to Pasadena & BCS


Friday, December 4, 2009

Top 15 Tiger Jokes


Top 15 Tiger Woods Jokes
15. Tiger’s car still runs, but it goes “putt, putt, putt…”
14. Tiger said the fault of the accident was his Escalade. It’s typical of a golfer—always blame the caddy.
13. Tiger’s confused. Every other time he made a hole-in-one, everyone was all happy about it.
12. Elin found out he’s not a Tiger, he’s a Cheetah.
11. Tiger's new movie is out: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Hydrant.
10. Tiger Woods is so rich that he owns lots of expensive cars. Now he has a hole in one.
09. What's the difference between a car and a golf ball? Tiger can drive a ball 400 yards.
08. It was just reported that Phil Mickelson contacted Tiger's wife to pick up some tips on how to beat Tiger.
07. What were Tiger Woods and his wife doing out at 2.30 in the morning? They went clubbing.
06. Tiger Woods crashed into a fire hydrant and a tree. He couldn't decide between a wood and an iron.
05. Perhaps Tiger should be using a driver?
04. This is the first time Tiger's ever failed to drive 300 yards.
03. Apparently, Tiger admitted this crash was the closest shave he's ever had. So Gillette has dropped his contract.
02. Apparently the police asked Tiger's wife how many times she hit him. She said, "I don't know exactly, but put me down for a 5."
01. Apparently, the only person who can beat Tiger Woods with a golf club is his wife.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Popasmoke Ugly Angel at the wall


THE LONG BLACK WALL AND THE UGLY ANGELS OF HMM-362

In Constitution Gardens ­, in our Nation's Capitol ­, a Long Black Wall
stands silent, serene, poignant and still,
But it's message thunders like the boom of artillery across valleys,
Paddies, jungles and hills.

And engraved on the face of this "Silent Sentry" are fifty eight thousand
and some odd names.
Only their loved ones, families ­, friends ­, and comrades in arms remember
their faces and from whence they came.

Each was a precious and living person,
filled with hope, ambition and dreams,
Some were veterans with years of experience ­, others ­, fresh from
mother's arms ­, died in battle while still in their teens.

Some gave their lives on a mission of mercy,
their valor too often unheralded, unpraised,
Their last gallant act was rescuing the wounded,
or sadly retrieving the KIA's.

Such is the legend of The Ugly Angels, HMM ­362,
An elite collection of the Marine Corps's finest, the "High Calling" of the
mission "hand picked" each crew.

To a wounded Marine, soldier, airman or sailor ­, awaiting rescue ­,
an Ugly Angel ­, was the prettiest sight in the Universe,
Descending to rescue them from the "Grim Reaper" , taking "hits" from
machine gun and artillery bursts.

A wounded Leatherneck ­, Soldier ­, Sailor ­, or Airman ­, took comfort just
knowing he'd live to go home.
OR if the mission of mercy failed ­, at least he wouldn't be DYING ALONE!

Greater love hath no man" than to give his own life to rescue a friend.
And for too many men of "The Ugly Angels" that is how their mission would end.

One question would haunt their comrades in arms ­, their commanders ­,
those that saved ­, "God WHERE do we FIND men such as THESE"?
And where do we find such magnificent ­, dependable ­, faithful
"Birds" ­, as the "Ugly Angel" UH-34'D's?

She was MUCH MORE THAN A "BEAST OF BURDEN",
She carried a spirit gallant and brave.
She was always determined to accomplish Her mission, bring back the
bodies ­, and rescue the wounded She was trying to save.

She often struggled to stay in the air ­, or lift off ­, over loaded ­,
shot up and battered from multiple hits.
More often than not she ACCOMPLISHED that mission, in SPITE of the odds
SHE NEVER QUIT!!!

Many of her crew were wounded and ravaged ­, physically and emotionally ­,
their bodies and minds still carry the scars,
And there's never a moment in their daily lives ­, that they ever forget ­,
their comrades now resting under the stars.

Their names are seared forever in memory as they rest in peace beneath
Hallowed sod,
Some "Missing In Action", their last resting place, their identity and
age known only to God.

Many feel guilt for simply "surviving", a cross that they'll carry
the rest of their lives.
But they should take comfort, it's not THEIR decision ­, on who will die
and who will survive.

THEY "stacked the odds" on the side of survival and too many died
performing that mission.
Grant them peace, solace and comfort for doing the impossible under
Hellish conditions.

And let them know that in spite of the cowards ­, "exercising their freedom"
­ who spat on and cursed them ­, that the "silent majority" in their country's ranks,
Can never find the words to convey ­,
our profound respect, admiration and THANKS!

Non-combatants can never intrude ­, upon the "turf" ­,
nor understand the depth of their pain.
BUT we can stand in respect and salute ­, and vow on our honor ­, that
these gallant men ­, haven't fought or perished in vain!!!

From my self published book, "The Poet's Salute To Valor".
Ivan L. Fail (C) 1999

Viet Nam facts


"Of the 2,709,918 Americans who served in Vietnam ; less than 850,000 are estimated to be alive today, with the youngest American Vietnam veteran's age approximated to be 54 years old."
So, if you're alive and reading this, how does it feel to be among the last 1 /3rd of all the U.S. Vets who served in Vietnam ? Don't know about you, but kinda gives me the chills, considering this is the kind of information we are used to reading about WWII and Korean War vets.
So the last 1 4 years we are dying too fast, only a few will survive by 20 1 5...if any. If true, 390 VN vets die a day. So in 2,190 days from today you're lucky to be a Vietnam veteran alive..... in only 6 years..
These statistics were taken from a variety of sources to include: The VFW Magazine, the Public Information Office, and the HQ CP Forward Observer - 1 st Recon April 1 2, 1 997.
STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN UNIFORM AND IN COUNTRY VIETNAM VETERANS:
* 9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the Vietnam Era (August 5, 1 964 - May 7, 1 975).
* 8,744,000 GIs were on active duty during the war (Aug 5, 1964-March 28, 1 973).
* 2,709,918 Americans served in Vietnam , this number represents 9.7% of their generation.
* 3,403, 1 00 (Including 514,300 offshore) personnel served in the broader Southeast Asia Theater ( Vietnam , Laos , Cambodia , flight crews based in Thailand , and sailors in adjacent South China Sea waters).
* 2,594,000 personnel served within the borders of South Vietnam (Jan. 1 , 1965 - March 28, 1973). Another 50,000 men served in Vietnam between 1960 and 1 964.
* Of the 2.6 million, between 1 - 1 .6 million (40-60%) either fought in combat, provided close support or were at least fairly regularly exposed to enemy attack.
* 7,484 women (6,250 or 83.5% were nurses) served in Vietnam .
* Peak troop strength in Vietnam : 543,482 (April 30, 1 968).
CASUALTIES:
The first man to die in Vietnam was James Davis, in 1958. He was with the 509th Radio Research Station. Davis Station in Saigon was named for him.
Hostile deaths: 47,378
Non-hostile deaths: 1 0,800
Total: 58,202 (Includes men formerly classified as MIA and Mayaguez casualties). Men who have subsequently died of wounds account for the changing total.
8 nurses died -- 1 was KIA..
61 % of the men killed were 2 1 or younger..
11,465 of those killed were younger than 20 years old.
Of those killed, 17,539 were married.
Average age of men killed: 23. 1 years
Enlisted: 50,274 22.37 years
Officers: 6,598 28.43 years
Warrants: 1,276 24.73 years
E 1 : 525 20.34 years
11B MOS: 1 8,465 22.55 years
Five men killed in Vietnam were only 1 6 years old.
The oldest man killed was 62 years old.
Highest state death rate: West Virginia - 84.1 % (national average 58.9% for every 100,000 males in 1 970).
Wounded: 303,704 -- 153,329 hospitalized + 150,375 injured requiring no hospital care.
Severely disabled: 75,000, -- 23,214: 100% disabled; 5,283 lost limbs; 1,08 1 sustained multiple amputations.
Amputation or crippling wounds to the lower extremities were 300% higher than in WWII and 70% higher than Korea .
Multiple amputations occurred at the rate of 18.4% compared to 5.7% in WWII.
Missing in Action: 2,338
POWs: 766 (114 died in captivity)
As of January 15, 2004, there were 1,875 Americans still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.
DRAFTEES VS.VOLUNTEERS:
25% (648,500) of total forces in country were draftees. (66% of U.S. armed forces members were drafted during WWII).
Draftees accounted for 30.4% (17,725) of combat deaths in Vietnam .
Reservists killed: 5,977
National Guard: 6,140 served: 101 died.
Total draftees ( 1965 - 73): 1 ,728,344.
Actually served in Vietnam : 38% Marine Corps Draft: 42,633.
Last man drafted: June 30, 1973.
RACE AND ETHNIC BACKGROUND:
88.4% of the men who actually served in Vietnam were Caucasian; 10.6% (275,000) were black; 1 % belonged to other races.
86.3% of the men who died in Vietnam were Caucasian (includes Hispanics);
12.5% (7,241 ) were black; 1.2% belonged to other races.
170,000 Hispanics served in Vietnam ; 3,070 (5.2% of total) died there.
70% of enlisted men killed were of North-west European descent.
86.8% of the men who were killed as a result of hostile action were caucasian; 12.1 % (5,711 ) were black; 1.1 % belonged to other races.
14.6% (1,530) of non-combat deaths were among blacks.
34% of blacks who enlisted volunteered for the combat arms.
Overall, blacks suffered 12.5% of the deaths in Vietnam at a time when the percentage of blacks of military age was 13.5% of the total population.
Religion of Dead: Protestant -- 64.4%; Catholic -- 28.9%; other/none -- 6.7% SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS:
Vietnam veterans have a lower unemployment rate than the same non-vet age groups.
Vietnam veterans' personal income exceeds that of our non-veteran age group by more than 1 8 percent.
76% of the men sent to Vietnam were from lower middle/working class backgrounds.
Three-fourths had family incomes above the poverty level; 50% were from middle income backgrounds.
Some 23% of Vietnam vets had fathers with professional, managerial or technical occupations.
79% of the men who served in Vietnam had a high school education or better when they entered the military service. 63% of Korean War vets and only 45% of WWII vets had completed high school upon separation.
Deaths by region per 100,000 of population: South -- 31 %, West --29.9%; Midwest -- 28.4%; Northeast -- 23.5%.
DRUG USAGE & CRIME:
There is no difference in drug usage between Vietnam Veterans and non-Vietnam Veterans of the same age group. (Source: Veterans Administration Study)
Vietnam Veterans are less likely to be in prison - only one-half of one percent of Vietnam Veterans have been jailed for crimes.
85% of Vietnam Veterans made successful transitions to civilian life.
WINNING & LOSING:
82% of veterans who saw heavy combat strongly believe the war was lost because of lack of political will.
Nearly 75% of the public agrees it was a failure of political will, not of arms.
HONORABLE SERVICE:
97% of Vietnam-era veterans were honorably discharged.
91 % of actual Vietnam War veterans and 90% of those who saw heavy combat are proud to have served their country.
74% say they would serve again, even knowing the outcome.
87% of the public now holds Vietnam veterans in high esteem..
INTERESTING CENSUS STATISTICS & THOSE TO CLAIM TO HAVE "Been There":
1,713,823 of those who served in Vietnam were still alive as of August, 1995 (census figures).
During that same Census count, the number of Americans falsely claiming to have served in-country was: 9,492,958.
As of the current Census taken during August, 2000, the surviving U.S. Vietnam Veteran population estimate is: 1,002,511. This is hard to believe, losing nearly 711,000 between '95 and '00. That's 390 per day.
During this Census count, the number of Americans falsely claiming to have served in-country is: 13,853,027. By this census, FOUR OUT OF FIVE WHO CLAIM TO BE Vietnam vets are not.
The Department of Defense Vietnam War Service Index officially provided by The War Library originally reported with errors that 2,709,918 U.S. military personnel as having served in-country. Corrections and confirmations to this erred index resulted in the addition of 358 U.S. military personnel confirmed to have served in Vietnam but not originally listed by the Department of Defense. (All names are currently on file and accessible 24/7/365).
.
Isolated atrocities committed by American Soldiers produced torrents of outrage from anti-war critics and the news media while Communist atrocities were so common that they received hardly any media mention at all. The United States sought to minimize and prevent attacks on civilians while North Vietnam made attacks on civilians a centerpiece of its strategy. Americans who deliberately killed civilians received prison sentences while Communists who did so received commendations.From 1957 to 1973, the National Liberation Front assassinated 36,725 Vietnamese and abducted another 58,499. The death squads focused on leaders at the village level and on anyone who improved the lives of the peasants such as medical personnel, social workers, and school teachers. - Nixon Presidential Papers.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Elephant stew recipe

1 Elephant, med size
2, Rabbits, if desired
2 Bushels -- mushrooms
Lots of brown gravy
Salt and pepper to taste

Cut the elephant into bite-size pieces.
Allow about two months.
Reserve the trunk...you need something to store the pieces in.
Add the gravy and mix in the mushrooms.
Cook over a kerosene fire for about four weeks @ 465 deg.
This will serve approx. 3,800.
If more are expected, the two rabbits can be added.

DO THIS ONLY IF NECESSARY, most people do not like tofind hare in the stew!