13. December 2008 by Andy.

Howdy everyone…hope everyone is well in spite of the economic conditions.Well my movie making is done for awhile, I still have two in mind; a Desert Storm one and the Boneyard.  The Desert Storm one is a bunch videos a pickup up when I was in the 49^th from the Combat Camera folks at March AFB, CA.

Duck season is upon us and there are few hunters out on Barksdale, so Reed you would enjoy it!  Also they’ve increased the wood duck count to three this year.  And so far the seasons great!  I’ve pretty much bagged my limit each time out.  My usual hunting partner is hunting off-base this year with his nephews, so I’ve missed the fellowship.  I’d even settle for Reed’s presence…hmm maybe not…just kidding Reed…love to have ya!

I came across another good recipe for duck…Duck Enchiladas with a Salsa Verde.  They turned out great! Since I had some much duck left over, I made the enchiladas with a red sauce that I got out of a Southern Living recipe book…WOW they were AWESOME!

So here’s the main recipe…Duck Enchiladas with Salsa Verde Ingredients

DRY RUB – Rinse duck and pat dry. Combine 2 tablespoons of the cumin, the cinnamon, all but a pinch of the cloves in a spice grinder. Grind and season lightly with salt and pepper. This is your dry spice rub for the duck. Rub the inside and outside of the duck with the mixture.   If you breasted them out, place the rub in a zip-lock bag with the meat, then shake & bake!

Roasting – Place on a roasting pan and roast in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 1/2 hours or until done. Remove from the heat and let the duck cool completely.   Even if breasted out, still cook for 1 1/2 hours.

Stock – While the duck is roasting, make the following seasoned liquid to moisten the duck meat. Combine the stock, dried mushrooms, the remaining cumin, cloves, and chile flakes in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and reduce by 1/2. Set aside and reserve. When the duck is cool, remove and discard the skin and bones. Shred the meat with your fingers and add to the reduced liquid. Simmer the meat mixture over low heat until most of the liquid is absorbed by the meat. Season with the salt and pepper.

The Enchiladas – Take a softened tortilla and place some of the meat and some of the caramelized onions on the tortilla and roll up. Do this to each tortilla and place them in a baking dish. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and heat in a 350 degree oven for 5 minutes. Serve topped with the sauteed wild mushrooms, the salsa verde, and diced tomatoes and goat cheese, if desired.

Salsa Verde – Combine the tomatillos, onion, chile, and the garlic with the olive oil and place in an oven-proof baking dish. Add the coriander and the cumin seeds.   Season with salt and pepper.   Place in a preheated 350 degree oven and toast uncovered for approximately 40 minutes or until the tomatillos and onions are lightly brown and soft. Add to a food processor or blender, being sure to include all juices and brown bits. (Deglaze pan with a little stock or wine, if necessary.) Add the cilantro and process briefly. With the motor running, add enough broth to make a smooth sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve warm. This sauce can be made in advance and kept in the refrigerator. Reheat when needed.

Caramelized Onions – Caramelize the onions and garlic slowly in the olive oil.

Copyright, 1996, TV FOOD NETWORK, G.P., All Rights Reserved Recipe By : COOKING RIGHT SHOW #CR9748 Posted to MC-Recipe Digest V1 #301 Date: Thu, 14 Nov 1996 05:21:16 -0500 (EST) From: Bill Spalding

Hmmm, dinner calling…Hope everyone has a wonder Christmas this year!

Cheers,

Andy

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12. October 2008 by Andy.

Well another month and bit closer to that ½ century mark!

I hope everyone has enjoyed the videos as much as I putting them together!  And thanks for your comments too!  Big trip down memory lane and it’s been great.  My office has turned into a home studio, video tapes everywhere, our old vhs camcorder laying on the floor, and the VCR/DVD player hooked up to the computer.

I’ll just get started on the editing when Heather interrupts to take photos for her portfolio.  This time it was the Angelina Jolie – Lara Croft – Tomb Raider look…actually some turn out pretty good.  We had a fog machine to add to the background.  Those didn’t turn out so well…blurred the image to much because the lense was trying to focus on the fog and not Heather.

O’well, there is about two move video maybe three; one on the B-52Gs arsenal of weapons, coming home to land and a trip through the Boneyard.  The arsenal one is a collection from my days at the 49 Test.  When I first arrived they didn’t quit know where to put me, so I converted all their 16mm reel film into VHS formatted tapes…I made three sets; two for them, one for me!  The problem I’m having is that I have so much good footage; I do not know what to keep in that section.   I did break it down into parts, Conventional versus Nukes, then from CBUs to General Purpose, from bombs to missiles.  And keep it under 5 minutes!

The Boneyard one is footage I took while TDY there in 2006.  I was there for a DMO conference, but managed to get some time with the ARMAC PA.   He allowed me to crawl inside one, but watched me like a hawk!  I’d ask about getting a little souvenir, but said he could get fired over something like that.  It wasn’t like I was asking for the RNMP panel of something bigger; like the RN’s seat!  Anyway, I did get some good footage, just need to work up a story.

O’ if anyone knows a Radar type retiring soon, Rockwell Collins is hiring another to help with the entire mission planning effort that is coming with the Targeting POD modification and the Defense re-host.  So if you know anyone, have them give me a call…

As for history, not sure Reed if you knew they re-activated the 379^th as an Expeditionary Wing in Qatar with Gen Mike Moeller as the wing king.  Their History person contacted me to get images for their new headquarters building.  You know I should go into the consulting business with this history stuff, wonder if there is any money in it?

O’well, it diner time got to go…

Until next time, take care…

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13. September 2008 by Andy.

Here are the images I promised on the WIFF – I was able to get a hold of the, possibly original, negatives to scan.  Bill Purdue, pilot type in Academics, knew I was working on that B-52 stuff for the 11^th and allowed be to borrow them for a day or two.   These were scanned in 600 dpi, so they could be turned into a 11×16 size picture without loosing any quality.

 Almost forgot, James – Yellowstone was about 1 ½ hours from where I went to school in Bozeman.  Occasionally my roommates & I would take off and stay in West Yellowstone to hunt elk.  From what mom tells me, Yellowstone has done a good job recovering from the huge fires in the mid to late ‘80s.

A side note for those ever heading to Glacier National Park…according to the Park Rangers, all the glaciers in that area will be gone by 2012!

Bob & Yak – hope you’re doing okay down there!

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11. September 2008 by Andy.

Was not sure if I wanted to write on this day or not…for some, it’s a sad day of remembrance.  For others, hope for a day without living in fear.  And for others, just to come home from the fight in one piece.  Each one of us has a story to tell of where we were and what we were doing.  It’s good to remember and not forget the price paid for our freedoms or to take it too lightly.As for the last couple of months of not writing, I’ve either on the road traveling for work or vacation time.Took my daughter & son-in-law to Montana last month to visit mom…to see the big open skies & breathe that fresh mountain air again!  It was the first time for the kids or at least my daughter can remember!  We left for Glacier National Park the first day there and stayed in an old chalet style hotel on Many Glacier Lake that was built in the ‘30s.  Our bedroom window & back door opened to the deck with the lake and mountains as our background.  The next day we took off for the East Glacier side to take the “Going-to-the-Sun” road.  Mom said the best way to travel that road is from the east side going to the west side.  Manly because the road is literally built on a cliff!  And by traveling west, you are along the mountain side and not on the edge of the road looking down 7000 to 8000 feet!  And it’s STRAIGHT down!   Yea, I shouldn’t be afraid of heights because I flew jets…NOT! 

When we arrived at Logan’s Pass, we hiked back into the “Hiding Lake” area and came across some mountain goats…the park’s & Great Northern Railroad’s mascot.

We spent two days up in that area before returning back to mom’s place in Great Falls.  The next day we rested then traveled south to another National Park – Grant Kohers Ranch - one of the original big ranches in Montana.  These folks were considered the Rockefellers of the west.  Some of the stories the rangers told were ones about taking trips.  Since the wife loved the theater & Broadway, she would plan her trips back east 6 months in advance just to get there in time for the show!  Another one was when the husband set out one time to go see relatives back in Germany that it took him 18 months to make the journey…from the time he left until he returned home!  After spending a night in Helena, we went down to, what we thought was a ghost town.  But in 10 years since my mom visited the place with dad, it has people living there.  We guessed that they’re trying to get any silver or gold out of the ground still.  We visited their little cemetery on the backside of one mountain.  Very sad, most of the tombstones were kids anywhere from a few days old up to 16 years old and all died within a two year period, 1889-90.  My daughter did some research when we got home.  Apparently the town was hit with diphtheria, which manly attacks kids!We spent a week visiting mom, but it was too short!  So mom is thinking about next year.  We would both fly into Salt Lake UT and visit the National Parks in the southwest corner of the state!

I’ve finished making my MB-2 or NBS-1 Martin Bomber in 11^th BS marking that was used in the famous “battleship” experiment to prove Billy Mitchell’s theories.  Hey Reed, name that base in the photo! This will be the last model for awhile; I’ve ungraded my computer and want to try my hand at making some movies for YouTube – B-52 stuff.

Hey, I do have some images of the WIFF, both from the tanker & bomber.  I was able to get the original negatives and scan them.  I’ll try and get them posted later, have to help Heather with her acting stuff and need to go.Until next time,Take care - Andy 

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13. June 2008 by Andy.

Sorry for the ealier Spam on the B-2 crash.  I think I’ll take the led from Chuck and just post it here wtih the link to the video!

 Anyway, on to the Blog…

BBQ-ed duck – turned out great!  Marinated them overnight in frozen (thawed) apple juice concentrate, put in a crockpot with KC Master Piece Spicy Hot BBQ sauce and slow cook all day.  

Elwood – gas is $3.84 to $3.95 depending on which station you go too.  Close the interstate the more you pay. 

James – nothing from the VA on anti-suicide letters 

Well the dilemma of what unit to make the Dh-4 was settled, the 49^th Bombardment Squadron.  As we know from the history books, the 49^th began as an Aero Squadron on 6 Aug 1917, and then demobilized on 22 Mar 1919.  She was later reconstituted and consolidated with the 166^th Aero Squadron and re-designated 49^th Squadron on 14 Mar 1921.  She adopted the Bombardment Squadron designation on 25 Jan 1923.  From 1919 thru 1929 she flew the DH-4, Caproni Bomber and the MB-2 (NBS-1). 

With the squadron selected, all that remained was how she looked.  This led to another pouring through my reference books for the paint scheme.  You would think that being in the military that everything would be standard, especially the Army!  Although there is a good deal of info from regulations, General Orders, T.O.s, and specs for the time period – it might have taken years for the change to become effective in all the units or for a change that was wide spread practice for months to being legally published.  Unit marking were generated at the unit level are even harder to trace.  Numerous un-official emblems were common along with variations to the basic design. 

The national marking in the early 1926 were the five star-insignia placed on the wings with three vertical stripes on the rudder.  The star began to replace the red, white and blue WWI style three-circle cockades in May 1919.  However it would take several years to implement this – so by 1926 all three color cockades would be gone.  The rudder would also go through some changes.  Pre-1926: fin color was olive drab (OD) with a blue stripe next to the rudder post, white in the middle and red on the outside.  Post-1926:  Fin color yellow with the rudder post blue with 13 red & white stripes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft 

The aircraft would be painted in the Army’s OD – anywhere not covered by the national insignia or unit marking.  When an aircraft was freshly painted, the aircraft dope would actually give off a glossy shine that would dull after exposure to the elements.  In early 1924, the Army allowed station commanders to paint the top surface of the upper wing yellow to increase visibility – especially if the aircraft went down over un-inhabited areas.  I personal think it was to help reduce the number of mid-air collisions.  My reasons: the Air Corps Act of 1926 brought about increase training.  With that and the low visibility of the OD paint scheme there was an increase of mid-airs.  So to help reduce accidents, the Air Corps went with yellow wings and light blue fuselage. 

So after all that, I took an artist license to create my 49^th Bombardment Squadron DH-4.  I settled for overall paint is the OD with yellow top upper wing, fin yellow with the three vertical colors of blue, white & red.  The five star-insignia was placed on top of the upper wing and bottom of the lower wing.  The 49^th emblem was placed on the nose.  I had seen a photos of the 11^th with their emblem on the nose as well as other aircraft photos with the 49^th emblem on the nose.  As for the paint scheme, it also helps to have a photo of a DH-4 flown by the 5^th Composite Group, 23^rd Bombardment Squadron over
Hawaii in October 1926!  

 Next model, the MB-2 in 11^th Bomb Squadron marking…one that did participate in the Billy Mitchell’s battleship bombing operations.   

Well until next time, take care…

Andy 

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11. May 2008 by Andy.

Well another month and enjoying life.   

Reed, found another duck recipe.  Actually it was for venison, but those who braved the taste said it was great.   

Its call Quick Sauerbraten 

1. ½ cup chopped onion
2. ½ cup brown sugar
3. 2 tsp salt
4. 2 tblsp pickle spice
5. 1 cup vinegar
6. 3 cups water 

Put everything in the crock pot all day.  After taking the meat out, I added 12 ginger naps to make gravy out of the juices.  I think next time I’ll drain some of the liquid to make thicker gravy.  The meat was tender and tasted wonderful…but WOW, did the house smell great!  Next month…BBQ-ed duck! 

Great job Bob earning your law degrees! 

Chuck – two year olds will always continue to amaze me on what they do or don’t do – especially in the unpredictable category… 

Elwood – I hope & pray your health gets better.  I know, as I’m approaching the date when one turns 50, my body reminds me about getting older.  I’ve also watch co-workers lose loved ones – unexpectedly and release how frail our bodies are. 

James – your still in my thought and prayers… 

Finished another model; Bf-109 or Me-109 – again another Battle of Britain participant. 

I’m looking at building a DH-4 biplane 1/72 scale.  I haven’t decided what unit markings yet.  I also have a MB-2, the kind Billy Mitchell used to prove his theory of bombers versus ships.  The DH-4 can be made with 11th, 20th, 28th, 49th, or the 96th Bomb Squadron.  That leaves the MB-2 with 11th or 96th marking.  I have a B-50 that can be made with the 20th, 96th, or 340th Bomb Sq (Blytheville later Eaker AFB).  Well I have some time to think. All my bombers were built in 1/72 scale and with unit markings that were active when I first came in the service.  True there was a lot to chose from back then, but still I like to research to find the correct marking for the model.  I have to go back and re-do my B-17 with Fairchild’s unit marking – didn’t realize it until afterwards that they had a white triangle with a black “B” and not the other way around.  O’well learned the hard way. 

Did I mention that I’m collaborating with a guy to make B-52 decals in 1/72 scale?  We’re looking at all the variants, from the XB/YB-52 through G model.  I know I missed the H, but there are several companies that have H models decals out and they are pretty good…I have three of them. 

Finished reading a book on Medal of Honor recipients.  I was amazed by their stories and several things stood out; although what they did was truly amazing what they went through, but it was more of what they did or didn’t do afterwards with their lives.  Most did not set out to be a hero, it was the situation they faced and how they dealt with it.  Most would tell they didn’t want the recognition, they just wanted to be left alone.  Most felt a huge responsibility to maintain a certain image afterwards – as not to tarnish the significance or reputation of the award.   

Still a few took a less than honorable path…one that was sad…I wish I could do it justice here, but here’s the condensed version of his story.  He was a Vietnam vet who was reassigned a new tank the night before an engagement, next day his new tank takes a hit & is disabled, he gets out only to see his old tank on fire, goes over to help pull his old buddies out to the burning tank, it explodes while the others were still inside, chard bodies go flying everywhere.  So he starts fighting the enemy with a .45, runs out of ammo, grabs another gun and continues to fight.  As he’s running through the jungle fighting, he comes up to an enemy with an AK-47 pointed at his chest & pulls the trigger – nothing happens – jammed, so he kills that guy too.  When he’s finally pulled from the line he’s a wreck.  When he does get home, he tells no one of the ordeal, just locks it way.  Through circumstance, he does go to a VA hospital to get help, but it’s a constant in & out and he never stays long enough.  From what was written he was struggling with the “why me” syndrome, why was I re-assigned the night before to another crew, why was I spared when others died, why did AK-47 jam at that moment in time? He gets to a point of despair and tries to rob a convenient store only to be killed by the owner.  His mother put it best; he was trying to have someone else pull the trigger. 

For some it took 40-50 years after the event to receive the recognition they deserved, especially the African-Americans in WWII.  Some did well trying to shoulder the responsibility, some just tried to fade away from the public.   

Good book… 

Well until next time, take care…

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13. April 2008 by Andy.

Things are going well on the home front…met with the Chuck for lunch one day, we had a great time…cannot wait for his books to mature & get pickup by a publisher!  I’m looking forward to reading them.

Went to Boeing Wichita for a crew fam training on the next version of software update to the Buff’s avionics.  With it comes a whole new mission planning system.  For those who remember AFMSS on those clunky & difficult machines, this is by far better!  And for those who remember mission planning with a chart & pencil or felt-tip pens, things have come a long way – to bad “they” are leaving out the basics of being a navigator.

O’ by the way Reed, your old nemesis is now the squadron commander of the 11^th – Jeff Vandenbush! Yep the patch-wear himself and Jar-Jar is back in the 11^th again too!

James – sounds like the ceremony was nice, I’m glad things went well.  By the way how’s your research coming on the 3d ID & MG Hunter?

Elwood – how’s you injuries coming?

While I was on my trip, I stumbled across a book on Jimmy Stewart, Bomber Pilot.  It was written by a guy who served with the actor during WWII.  The book deals mainly with his time in the service and how he rose from the ranks to become a BG.  I was first skeptical about the writings, but it turned out pretty good and very informative about the actor’s military career.  I got the feeling the way we saw him on screen was pretty much the way he was in real life.  There was this story when he was a squadron commander that he would visit this one crews hut to get warm…they had managed to obtain a rather large pot-belly stove and had a never ending supply of coal.  Well it enters one evening, goes over to this one bunk, pulls back the covers to expose the keg of beer, walks over to another bunk and grabs that enlisted man’s canteen cup and helps himself.  He sits down next to the store to warm his feet and comments on how they seamed to be to only ones that keeps their hut warm.  Finishes the beer and has a second helping.  He returns the cup and on the way out says someone like; “you know someone stole a keg of beer from the Officer’s Mess the other day, you guys won’t know anything about it would you? Of course not” then walks out the door. 

Anyway, it’s amazing to look at that generation of actors and their commitment to serving our country in times of war versus the ones today willing to discredit or complain against our country.

Finished my Fw-190 model…here’s a few pics.

Well that’s it for this month…I have a Me-109 model calling, actually it’s a Bf-109.  The aircraft markings will be from one that participated in the Battle of Britain.  This is the last one in my German series for now - painting supplies for coming to an end (color wise).  I’m thinking about going back to my bombers in 1/72 scale.  I’m even looking into making all the B-52 variants - XB/YB through H.  We”ll see if I can find the information or parts to make them.

Andy

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12. March 2008 by Andy.

Must pretty quiet on the home fronts…things are starting to get into a routine around here. 

 Took a trip to Wichita for a meeting about future software versions for the B-52 avionics.  Interesting watching the green suiters, most of which were either my navigator or former students.  There was a guy there who used to be my radar when I first arrived at Wurstmith.  Reed might remember, Berry O’Neal - bombing Berry, the best radar in SAC and he would tell you so (only because he was the #1 radar that year at Bomb Comp!)

The thing that was most interesting, or sad, was the fact of what they were all asking to be included in that software release; from the pilots asking to have fly-to commands on thier GPS-IU tacan so they can step it out and monitor time control - their reason “so they don’t have to ask  the nav over interphone and garbage it up with too much chatter”!  Or the Navs having so much info on the different MFDs that they wouldn’t have to pull out their speed dividers and actually navigate.  They all wanted their bells & whistles, I had to ask the question, whose flying the jet? whose navigating? and whose communicating!  If anything, it was interesting to see who is making the grade and where they are going.

Took my M-1 Garand out shooting this past weekend…had a blast!  I bought it through an Intel troop back at Wurstmith along with some ammo.  The wooden stocks were not very good, so I won a set on eBay last month.  After dis-assembling it (all the way down to the rear sights), I managed to get it back together.   Definitely didn’t have any help from the original army manual!  But I did find a website for gun collectors that had some pretty awesome step along with some good pictures.  My only fear was when I started shooting where I would hit the target or not.  Did great at 50 yards, so-so at 100 and scared the target at 200!  I going to have to work on that.  over all not bad considering it doesn’t have a scope.

There were a couple others out shooting, but they brought along their arsenal; hunting rifles, AK-47s - various versions, and a few others I couldn’t recognize.  Still I had fun shooting again.

Heather and Clayton auditioned for Bossier Community College student film - both have call-backs tomorrow.  Heather’s Diamond Jack’s commercials hit the street this week, not to mention she’s on their billboard downtown.

O’well time to go…I’ve started work on that Fw-190 and it needs some attention now.

 Cheers,

Freebird

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13. February 2008 by Andy.

Would have written earlier, but forgot my password…I guess it goes with old age - LoL!

The month of January was very trying in the Bloom household; drama with son and his friends - experimenting with things they shouldn’t, breaking up and getting back together with girlfriend, trouble with his work.   I do give thanks to the Lord for getting us through it all and back on the right track.

Working with Rockwell Collins is going well - working on new missions for WST.  Apparently the powers-to-be have decided to put Nukes back in the 11th BS syllabus, so I been working on an ALCM mission that allows students to get proper training.  As if that will solve the erosion.  But it’s been fun.

I’m still duck hunting, yea I know the season’s over, but I’ve been having fun shooting them with a camera too!

When I’m not shooting ducks or working on a “honey-do” list, I get time to work on models - this time it was a Junkers Ju-87 Stuka from the Russian front.

James, I know you were wondering about brand names and which are good…well stay away from Revell.  This was a Revell kit and I had problems from the git-go.  The right wing was warped, had to drill out the holes for all the parts hanging under the wings…even had to cut out the holes for the guns in the leading edges.  If I had known the problems, I would have gone with a Monogram kit.  If I had to rank order model kits it would be 1) Monogram, 2) Tamiya 3) Hasagawa.  For dead-last, Revell or AMT/ERTL.  Airfix would be somewhere in the middle.

O’well, a Focke-Wulf Fw-190 is calling my name.  Yea, I know they all have been Germans, but I’m trying to use up the paint instead of waiting a long period between models and the paint goes bad.

Gotta run, early bedtime due to a early WST - testing out Minot Red Flag mission.

Until next time - O yea where’s Vern?

Cheers,

Andy

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11. January 2008 by Andy.

Sometimes I wonder about the holiday seasons and why they can be depressing - passing of loved ones makes it very hard…

As for the Bloom household, it was an enjoyable time; finally sleeping in on Christmas day.  Although I do miss the kids coming in at o’ dark thirty and jumping in the bed to wake us…maybe not!  But having them here this was great - espceially since I’m NOT with CVS, I could actually enjoy things.  I just wish I could get my mom over her phobia of flying or better yet just traveling to visit here.

I started my new job here with Rockwell Collins in the WST as their B-52 mission planner and customer rep on developing new missions for the WST; i.e. when the new targeting pod is added to the Sim, getting the visuals/targets to work to meet the “needs” of the AF, etc.  When I went into the Sim for the first time and started pulling up the different menus on the MFDs, well it felt like I’m finally home.  After meeting with the Det 3 folks, I have a pretty good vision and where to go and hopefully get the WST where it can provide good training for the crew dogs.

 I left the AOC in capable hands, SAIC hired the “master” - The Chuck…

Ducking hunting ends on base this weekend and Reed, it was a good season!  I made my journey, with the same group of folks , north of Abilene, for our yearly goose hunt.  Although the group may have been too big, we still manage to shoot a bunch of geese.  See the images at the end…

James - sadden to hear of you loss just wish there was more I could do in giving comfort at a time like this.

Elwood - WOW, I better  to get those covers on our gutters to keep out the leaves.  From sound of things, the Lord was truly watching over you…

Johnboy - I wish I could convince my mom to move here as well, but she has a pretty good network of friends in Montana, that it wold be hard to get her to move…

Has anybody seen Vern?! or is he doing his impression of “where’s Waldo” routine…

As for Yak, Ted, Ed, and Steve - welcome to our motley Band of Brothers!

Until we meet again, may the Lord continue to watch over us as we age.

 Andy

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12. December 2007 by Andy.

Howdy folks, been a bit busy around here.  As Chuck mentioned I’ve been helping him with a job here at 8th AF with Cyber Command.  But mostly with mine!  Yep, I’m moving over to Rockwell Collins and work in the WST as a B-52 mission planner…a new position created at the request of “the customer”.  I’ll start the new job on the 17 December…good benefits, good people to work with since I knew several of them from our active duty days, and more pay.

Reed - duck huntings been great…manager to bag my limit of wood ducks every time so far.  There’s a big goose hunt coming up the last weekend in December north of Abilene, TX.  Again with the same crowd I went with back in January…hopefully Clayton (son #1) can get time off from work to go.

So far I have been spoiled with all the time off it’s driving Heather nuts…fortunately she has a honey-do list that keeps me busy.  Found out that CVS Pharmacy will be open until midnight all the way up to Christmas…boy I miss the stress…NOT!

O’well time to sign off…but have yourselves a Merry Christmas and take time out to give thanks for the birth of Jesus!

Andy

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12. November 2007 by Andy.

Watched “Band of Brothers”, all ten episodes, “We were Soldiers Once”, and “The Patriot” over the last three weeks…gives special meaning to the word “Vet”.

Heather was a stand-in for Susan Sarandon down in Baton Rouge and so I went along, this was during the transition to the new job.  Anyway, I went on into New Orleans to look around.  The D-Day Museum was closed but I went on further down to the Chalmette Battlefield, 1812 otherwise known as the Battle of New Orleans. 

Next door to the field was the Chalmette National Cemetery that is still open, but to a little number due to it’s size - very small.  Estabilshed in May 1864, the nice folks of New Orleans set it aside to bury the Union soldiers during the Civil War.  From what I understand, they did not want any Union soldiers bury inside city limits.  I saw vets from just about every war there; the Spanish-American War, WWI & WWII, and Korean.  There are four American who fought in the War of 1812 are buried here, but only one from them took part in the Battle of New Orleans.  The latest vets to be buried there are from Vietnam War.

Just as you James, I wondered if anyone passed by to mourn, pay their respects or even give thanks for their service…

Its good to reflect on where we have been and the sacrifices made on our behalf today. 

The new job is going nicely…no stress other than what shall I work on today.  I was able to finish that He-111!  It turned out pretty good, so I decided to pull out a Ju-87 Stuka to build next.

Went duck hunting this weekend, and Reed they were thick!  (Opening day was Saturday) Six of us waded out into the swamps and bayous of Barksdale and we were one duck shy of our limit - all wood ducks.  Clayton came this time and after shooting his, went up on the banks to catch some sleep while the rest of us continued to shoot.  As we were picking up the decoys, I must of snagged my waders pretty good, because the next thing I felt was the cold water rushing into the boots.  Working on them now to repair them for the next hunt.  In the meantime, I used Clayton’s today since he had to work.  We went back to the same area and scored again.  Deer season opens on the base this coming weekend and then back to ducks on Thanksgiving.  Anyway, it was a great time hunting.

Here’s some pics to enjoy…

Until next time, it’s been an honor serving with all of you and if someone hasn’t said so, thank you for your service!

 Andy

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