11. November 2007 by James.

Hi Everyone,

I hope you’re having a good Veteran’s Day.   Spent a few days in DC last week visiting a friend who was attending a convention.  Saw the WWII memorial on the mall.  It is very nicely done.  I especially liked the bas-reliefs.  Walked Arlington National Cemetery and found the grave of an airman who was in my ASOS squadron at Fort Stewart.  He always led us in PT and was the epitome of gung ho.  After becoming an enlisted terminal air controller and going through all the Army schools he could (Airborne, Air Assault, etc.), he left the AF, joined the Army and learned to fly OH-58Ds.  He was shot down by small arms fire in 2005 and now rests in Section 60.  I’ve been to Arlington many times, but never saw anyone I knew while they were alive.  It was a moving experience especially since there were several people in the same area standing over their family member’s or friend’s graves.  It made me realize that all of those graves in Arlington once had people mourning over them. 

 Went to the Air and Space Museum on the mall as well as the annex near Dulles.  If you’re reliant on public transportation to get to the Dulles annex as I was, the easy way to go is take the bus from L”Enfant Station to Dulles and then get on the VRTA bus to the Museum.  That will cost you only $7.00 round trip and saves a lot of time.  The annex was exceptional and I particularly liked the Enola Gay display.  At the Air and Space Museum on the mall, Space Ship One is hung next to the Spirit of St. Louis.  I remember watching its record setting flight into Space at the scheduling desk in the 11th with Reed. 

A few weeks ago Lynn and I met her sister and husband in Atlanta to attend the Nascar race.  What an experience!  We all had a great time and enjoyed the race.  One neat aspect of the race was that the flyover was done by a B-52 from Minot. 

I’m still anxiously awaiting confirmation that my daughter Sarah will actually graduate on 14 Dec.  I’ve heard horror stories from other parents who made expensive arrangements to attend a graduation ceremony and then find out that their child didn’t pass a class or for some other reason didn’t graduate.  I’m fairly sure graduation will happen though.

Hope everyone is doing well.

James

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11. November 2007 by The Chuck.

The Allied powers signed a cease-fire agreement with Germany at Rethondes, France on November 11, 1918, thus bringing World War I to a close. Between the wars, November 11 was remembered as Armistice Day in the United States, Great Britain, and France. After World War II, the holiday was recognized as a day of tribute to veterans of both world wars. Beginning in 1954, the United States designated November 11 as Veterans Day to honor veterans of all U.S. wars.   So happy Veterans Day, ya’ll.

 Here’s a link to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs:

http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1411

Gordon Mansfield, the acting secretary of the VA urges all veterans to wear their decorations on this day.  It is a one-year old tradition of wearing the decorations on Veterans Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and “other patriotic holidays and events.” 

 Ironic that the Air Force culturally discourages officers from wearing their decorations . . . I have to admit that somewhere after 25 or so years of service, the decorations became more of a chore . . . and the VA encourages us to wear them after we retire.  I haven’t decided if I’ll do it or not . . . it might clash with my tweed herringbone jacket with the leather elbow pads.

 Speaking of the VA, I’m in the process of a congressional inquire into my status with the rating board.  They got tired of answering my emails, so I asked a congressman and couple of senators to see if they could find out something for me.  Today commemorates the 453rd day since the VA first apologized in writing to me for the delay.  At least it makes for interesting musing, I’ve written a short story for a contest, but I’m afraid that nobody will believe the plot is realistic . . . the VA can’t really take that long to review a claim.  First prize is $3000.  Writers write.

 Speaking of writing.  The Air Force Times has told me that my article, critical of General Newton’s report, will be in Monday’s edition.  Read it if you have a chance.  I have a problem believing that I’m the only person that noticed this.  I suspect the article will generate some discussion.

I’ve had a little trouble with the base hospital, the good part is that I’ve been referred to a specialist downtown.  The bad part is that she’s the only endocrinologist that takes Tricare and she’s booked until May.  I’m hoping she gets a cancellations before then, or at least can undo some of the trouble with the base provisions . . . at least I don’t have to worry about being DNIF . . .

 The Mist comes out on 21 November.  If you see me in the movie, you get a free post on this blog . . . or you can just post on the Blog either way.  It’s a Frank Durabont film based on the Steven King’s 1981 novella.  Folks are trapped in a small New England town when something wierd happens and a thick mist settles in over everything . . . the spooky part is that something is in the mist, and it’s not nice.  Here’s a link to more information about the making of the movie . . .

http://www.myspace.com:80/themistextras

My prayer for each of you is that you are encouraged by the celebrations and compliments you hear today.  I lift up each of you today my fellow veterans, my band of brothers.

 The Chuck

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