Distress Signals

This flag should be flying upside down. The international signal for distress. We need to be rescued and fast!

The governmental system of this country has stopped working. I say this not because it has "shut down" but rather because of the mechanism that caused the shut down in the first place. This is not a matter of political ideology. It is the simple principle that when a person says they will do a job, they do it! End of Story.

The Congress and Senate are elected to represent the people of this country. As our representatives, they are charged with the responsibility of looking out for our best interest. They are not charged with acting like petulant children, throwing a tantrum.

We have today, a house speaker who is completely ineffective. He has no idea how to do his job. The speaker's job is to avoid the exact circumstance we find ourselves in today. The speaker is supposed to make sure the Congress keeps things moving and the government functions. How? By using his power to convince members to COMPROMISE.

Compromise. The essence of politics is compromise. This Congress does not want to compromise. It's all or nothing. My way or the highway. These inflexible attitudes are exactly the reason that we have not had an effective Congress since before the current executive administration took office.

People can say that it's the fault of the Republicans or the "Tea Partiers". Not entirely. In this particular instance, of the government shut down, it is. But, When the Democrats were the majority, they were just as ineffective. The Democratic speaker was unwilling to compromise and would scream that the President (a democrat) was not "Liberal Enough!" Thus, nothing got done.

The Congress of the United States has failed in it's Constitutional duty. Fire all of them. Let's start over.

If you hire me to do a job and I fail to do it, time and time again; I would expect to be fired. Members of Congress don't get fired. They are not even subject to the laws that they pass to the rest of the country.

The Government has shut down. Not one Representative is affected by this shut down. They will continue to be paid, receive medical care (at tax payer expense) and reap all the benefits of their office in spite of the fact that they have failed to do their job.

I hope they enjoy themselves during this shut down. The hard working people who are now being sent home or are working for an "IOU" are not enjoying themselves. When rents and mortgages come due, will the banks and landlords say: "It's OK. I understand. No Problem". I think not.

When children are hungry because Mom or Dad didn't get paid. They can be comforted when they are told that the Congress is standing on their principle. Principle doesn't put food in children's bellies.

I won't even get started on the idea that our Military personnel, in harm's way may very well not be paid on the 15th of the month if this shutdown goes beyond the 7th of October.

What the Congress has done is unforgivable.

The founding fathers are turning over in their graves.

I want to be an American Astronaut.

Who remembers the first Space Shuttle launch? It was a thrill to watch. The vehicle lifted from the "launch pad" so much more quickly than the lumbering Saturn V rockets of the Apollo space program that we were used to.

I saw a space shuttle launch up close and personal once. I was aboard the USS Mississippi (CGN-40), in port; Port Canaveral, FL. Even from 10 miles away, we could hear the rumble of the rockets as the shuttle lifted off and escaped it's earthly bonds. For someone who grew up with the U.S. Manned Space program, this was the thrill of a lifetime.

I remember when the American space program began. NASA had 7 Astronauts and every little kid wanted to grow up to become one.

I remember where I was on January 27, 1967 when Roger Chaffee, Ed White and Gus Grissom perished horribly in the fire that was Apollo 1.

But these three brave men did not die for nothing. NASA learned from their deaths and the American manned space program lived on.

The program lived on and America did go to the moon. We even "Beat" the Russians getting there. That was very important back in those "Cold War" days. We were involved in a "Space Race".

We of course, landed on the Moon on July 20, 1969. I remember that hot summer night also. All anyone could talk about was the Moon Landing.

The Manned Space program became even more important to me when I went away to Military school. America's first Astronaut, Navy Commander, Alan B. Shepard, attended Admiral Farragut Academy. He graduated in 1941. You can be sure that the space program was discussed at length at school.

After the Moon landings and the near disaster of Apollo 13, America moved on to Skylab. It was an interesting program but not nearly as exciting as rockets to the moon. But, still, "Sky Lab" was a "Manned" program.

In 1983, the Space Shuttle "Challenger" had an historic crew member. A Woman. The first American woman to go to space. Dr. Sally Ride was an inspiration to all who observed her and a true pioneer of space exploration. Sadly, Dr. Ride died in 2012. Much to young for such a brilliant person to be taken from us. I'm sure she had much more to give us all.

On January 28, 1986, there was another manned space program disaster. This time 7 Astronauts perished. Unlike the Apollo 1 disaster, were the public did not see the fire happen; the loss of Challenger was very public. No one can forget the images of the space craft exploding a mere 72 seconds after liftoff. Until that moment, it had been a beautiful day. 7 brave explorers perished that day;

Francis R. (Dick) Scobee, Michael J. Smith, Judith A. Resnik, Ronald E. McNair, Ellison S. Onizuka,
Gregory B. Jarvis and Sharon Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher to fly in space. 

Manned space flight is not without risk. Nothing in life is without risk. When we strive to acheive that which has never been done before, there must be an element of danger. So, it is with the manned exploration of the heavens.

On February 1, 2003; just minutes before it's touchdown at it's home base in Florida, the Space Shuttle "Columbia" disintegrated. It seems that it damaged itself during liftoff and that damage, seemingly minor when it occurred, caused a catastrophic failure of the left wing upon reentry. The space vehicle was lost, again with 7 brave souls aboard.  Rick D. Husband, William C. McCool, Michael P. Anderson, IIan Roman (Israeli Air Force), Kalpana Chawla, David M. Brown and Laurel Blair Salton Clark were the crew of Columbia.

The shuttle Atlantis touched down on 21 July 2011 and the Space Shuttle program came to an end. With this final mission, the American era of leadership in manned space flight ended also.

The government can site budget woes all they like but the fact remains, The President did not want to send Americans into space any longer. Leadership is not of value in this day. Risk taking is no longer of value. Achievement is not a priority.

I have cataloged the various human losses in the American space program. Those losses are only on the launch pad or in missions. I did not begin to count lives lost in training accidents. There are many. But, like the mission deaths, they were not without value. These brave people did not die in vain. They perished in search of something greater than themselves. Something greater than the "Program" or even our wonderful Nation. They died as explorers. They were seeking knowledge of what may lie beyond our imagination.

It is imagination that fuels human advancement. The device you are reading this blog on this very minute is a result of the American Manned Space Program.  Electronic miniaturization was required to launch mankind into space and it was developed primarily by Americans in support of the space program.

Has anyone used "velcro"? A space program invention. I could go on but, you get the idea.

I have heard the complaint that the United States is no longer the leader in Science and Math, in schools.  Why? Could it be that many American children don't see the value of learning math and science? I'm guessing. But, I can also guess that if we had some American Heroes that our youth could identify with, say, Astronauts; maybe the tide of mediocrity could be stemmed and we as a nation could become the leaders we used to be.

Manned space flight and exploration is difficult and dangerous. Americans have never before turned away from a difficult or dangerous task. It's time we turned back the clock and went back into space as the leaders of the free world. We are Americans, we are leaders!

"We will go to the moon and do the other things; not because it is easy but, because it is hard..."

John F. Kennedy, President of the United States

From Cub Scout to Marine.

At 57 years old, I usually don't feel old. In spite of various health issues, surgeries, hospital stays and a long list of doctor visits; I don't usually feel old.

That is the case on normal days. Today is not a normal day. In about one day, a child that I watched grow from Cub Scout to Eagle Scout. From boyhood to manhood reaches a milestone that few reach. Many may aspire to reach this goal. Many dream of it. Large numbers of young Americans try. But, in the end, few actually do achieve this goal. The goal I speak of is to earn the title of "United States Marine".

I have wittnessed the journey from Civilian to Marine many times. Twice with my own children. My oldest daughter and youngest son are both Marines. My son still serves as a Corporal of Marines in the reserves. I have watched friend's children make the journey. I even have family members who started this amazing transformation, only to fall short in one way or another and be sent home.

When a Recruit is sent home through physical disability or inability it is due to no fault of his/her own and I would not consider that a failure. Many Recruits are sent home due to medical conditions not discovered in the regular physical screening of military entrance. It's not easy to become a Marine.

So, I have seen both the joy and sadness that entrance through those gates at Parris Island, South Carolina can bring.The Military and especially the Marine Corps is not for everyone.

I've known the young man who is on my mind today, for 16 years or more. He is my second son's best friend. These boys grew up together. They were Boy Scouts together. They even made Eagle Scout on the same day.

His mother and I have grown to be very good friends over the years. We talk often and both have a fondness for good coffee. Over the years, we have consumed a lot of coffee together as we watched our respective children grow to adulthood.

This particular young man did well in school. He has worked all of his life. As a youngster, he could always be found around the neighborhood, finding something worthwhile to do. When he was of age, he went right to work and has been steadily employed since. Never in trouble, he went about his life and all were proud.

But, for whatever the reason, this young man wanted more. So, he worked hard to join the Marine Corps. He ensured that he was in the proper physical condition. He worked hard to learn the knowledge required of new Recruits before he left for "Boot Camp".

Now, his journey as a Recruit is nearly complete. By 8 o'clock tomorrow morning, he will have completed his final challenge of Recruit Training. The Crucible.

The Crucible is an infamous 54 hour, grueling test of stamina, leadership, grit, determination and values. It is the culmination of an intensive 12 week training regimen which requires the Recruits to use every skill and all the knowledge they have learned since arriving at Recruit Training. At the end of this test, there are 3 prizes.

They first of all will no longer be Recruits. Upon completion of the Crucible, they will have earned the title "United States Marine".

Second, they will be given the symbol of their new status. Their Drill Instructors will shake their hands and give them the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. This symbol is know around the world as the insignia of only United States Marines.

Finally, the new Marines will eat the "Warrior's Breakfast." This is an all you can eat meal that these Marines have earned. Part of the Crucible is that the Recruits are on "Short" rations. They have not had 3 meals a day. They are hungry. But the food is not the most important part of this meal. The Drill Instructors eat with their new Marines. These Drill Instructors, who have been nearly untouchable for the last 12 weeks, sit with their former Recruits and talk to them as Marines. They do this because these men and woman are no longer Recruits. They have earned the coveted title; United States Marine.

So, today, as I feel my age, just a little bit when I think of this little boy who is now a man and nearly a Marine, I am proud. Proud of him for his accomplishment and proud that we as a Nation can still produce such fine individuals that they are willing to put themselves second and serve a cause that is greater than themselves, greater than all of us.  As he stands at attention at Morning Colors tomorrow, for the first time as a Marine; all who have served before him stand with him.

Yes, that little boy I once knew is gone and in his place, tomorrow morning will stand a United States Marine.

Well Done! Semper Fidelis Marine!

From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land, and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marine.*

*Verse 1, "The Marine's Hymn"

Hello Autumn!

I think that I like Autumn best of all the seasons.

I love the cold snap in the air in the morning, yet the temperatures remain moderate during the day. It's such a nice change from the heat of the summer.

When spring arrives, flowers bloom and leaves grow on trees. It's very nice, but I truly enjoy the colors of the leaves as they are shed from the trees in preparation for winter. It's nature at it's most beautiful.

Fall also means some special times with family. I love to cook and fall provides an opportunity to fix family meals that just scream the season change. Pork with roasted apples. Slow roasted beef in home made tomato sauce and red wine. Apple pies or better yet, Pumpkin pie. These are just a few of the foods that really mean fall to me.

As a child, I always looked forward to the foods of the Autumn. There was something satisfying about foods that were cooked low and slow.

My family still enjoys the stews and pot roasts of the fall. Lots of root veggies cooked with the pot roast in the oven. There just isn't anything that says home better.

If you get tired of "inside" cooking, the fall in the mid-atlantic region of the country allows for grilling outside. We make a meal of grilled pork chops outside and veggies cooked slowly with apples roasted with them to add sweetness.  Delicious.

Soups are a wonderful way to end a day in the fall. You can put a soup together in no time and let it cook slowly. You don't even need a crock pot. Put the oven on low and let the soup cook away. Pick up some crusty bread on the way home and you have a great meal.

A pot of chili can turn into 3 meals with no problem. Chili on Sunday with football, Chili over rice on Tuesday (The Chili will be better after the rest in the fridge.) Serving the Chili with beans over rice and you have a protein that is healthy and filling all on it's own. Finally, on Thursday, you only need a little Chili to go on the Hot Dogs to go with the Thursday night Football game.

The fall is full of possibilities.

A steamy cup of hot chocolate is best on an Autumn evening. If you have a fireplace, it's the time of year when you get to relight it and enjoy the coziness of the fire. It's to warm in the evening to do that in summer.

The fall means planning for Holidays. It's all about family. Family, after all is the most important thing we have.

Enjoy this time of year. Take an evening walk and breath the cooler air. You'll be glad you did.

Second Chances.

Today I am happy. No, it's not because I've taken happy pills. Although, the happy pills pictured above are non-narcotic and may be habit forming. They are made of chocolate! I thought starting today off with a little whimsey would be a good thing.

You see, today is a very special day. It's not a sad day, by any means. Today, I was given a very special gift. I was given a second chance at life.

For years, I had heart problems. Because of my heart, I've spent so much time in the Naval Hospital, the staff on the step down ward knew me by sight. We used to joke that they had a room with my name on it at all times. The Emergency room folks also knew me by my first name. I had 13 stents in my heart.

Around the middle of September, last year, I was once again experiencing chest pain and off to the ER at the Naval Hospital we went. Tests showed I had indeed had another heart attack. After waiting a day or two for some medications to leave my system (I was taking a diabetes medication that interferes with imaging.), I was taken into the Cath lab and the doctor said those famous words that ultimately changed my life: "You need bypass surgery and you need to quit smoking or you're going to die."

While still in the lab, I met my surgeon. It's all kind of a fog since I was heavily medicated at the time. By the time I was returned to my room, I was lucid enough to remember things more clearly. I remember this as clear as day. My wife was in my room, waiting for me. As I was wheeled in, I told her to get rid of any cigarettes we had at home. She told me that she already had. This time, I was not upset about it.

I informed the doctors of my resolve to quit smoking and in an effort to assist me, I was prescribed the medication "Chantix". Unfortunately, one of the side effects of this medication is chest pain! So, the evening before my bypass surgery, I was admitted to the hospital as a precaution.

I remember being prepared for surgery. It all had a surreal quality to it. I had to keep reminding myself that this was not a movie or TV program. This was real life. My Life! I remember saying goodbye to my wife and youngest daughter. My oldest was home with their new baby. In spite of the medications, I began to get scared.

I was wheeled down a long hall and through several sets of heavy double doors. Eventually, a door opened to a room that was very brightly lit. It was a beehive of activity. People in masks and surgical gowns were all over the room busily setting up equipment. It seems louder in my memory than it probably was. Although I couldn't see any faces, everyone who spoke to me, knew my name. They all wanted to know my birthday. I remember thinking that maybe they were planning a surprise. (Good drugs.)

I honestly don't remember my surgeon coming in the room. Someone, I assume an anesthesiologist warned me that they were putting medication into my IV and I needed to count backwards from...

I woke up more than a week later. The stories of my recovery are for a different time. I remember being a little frightened of my surroundings. I remember the looks on my family's faces. There was a mixture of fear and relief.

Eventually I was moved to a room on the "Step-down" ward. The place I had started. There have been 1 or 2 more hospital stays since. all related to known complications of open heart surgery. But, on the whole, I'm doing well.

I go to the Cardiologist today. The last time I had seen her, she reduced some of my medication. That made me very happy. She told me that I was doing well and she was pleased.

My doctor also told me something very interesting. I had been following the prescribed program after this ordeal. She credited my following it with my success in recovery. But, she said that many post-surgical patients, do not. It seems that many people believe that, if they can be saved once, they can be saved again. My doctor told me the sad truth. Unfortunately, many of those patients who don't "get with the program" post-surgery do not survive long enough to make it to her table for "saving" a second time.

I read an interesting statistic. Even in this day and age of amazing medical science, the leading indicator of a second heart attack is (can you guess?) death!

So, you can be sure, I will do my best to follow the doctor's advice. I don't want to join those statistics.

It would seem that my "second chance" is going well. I just got back from my Cardiologist. She tells me that I am doing just fine and doesn't need to see me for 6 more months. She did indeed tell me that I have become the exception to the recovery rule because I am following the "program". She was glad that I got to see my granddaughter's 1st birthday. If I keep going as I have been, there is no reason why I shouldn't see her 20th birthday or even more.

Not to bad for a guy who, just a year ago needed open heart surgery. Thanks to the staff of the Naval Hospital. Thanks for the second chance. I won't squander it.

Family

We go through our lives day by day and take for granted the things that are most important. We need to remember to not be so concentrated on the "important" things in life that we forget about the most import thing there is. Family.

I am a Dad. I love being a Dad. I've always wanted to be a Dad. I've felt that being a good father to my children was the most important job in the world. It's why I'm here. For the most part, my children have rewarded me with happiness and joy.

That's not to say that there were not difficulties along the way. There still are. My children are grown. Two still live at home. Our oldest son is handicapped and will stay with us. That's fine. We love him. Our second son moved back in with us after completing an enlistment in the Marine Corps. We are glad he is with us. Thanks for your service, Son.

Like my two daughters, my youngest son will move on with his life eventually. How long it will take, I have no idea. It will take as long as it takes. That's fine with me. In the mean time, my wife and I have our 2 boys with us.

I thought being a Dad was fun. Playing with the children after a long day was the part of the day that I looked forward to the most. I used to love bed time too. I would read or tell stories to the children when it was time to put them to bed. I loved that.

I was just talking to my oldest daughter today about when she was growing up. I said that we were buddies. We still are. She smiled, looked at me and said "Yup". Warmed my heart.

As I got out of the car, I looked in the back seat at my little granddaughter. She is so precious. She was wearing "footie pajamas". I always loved seeing the children in those. There's something about them that just says, "Little Kid". As I said goodbye , the little one looked up at me and smiled. Well, I'll tell you; that melted my heart. What a cutie.

I have a friend who's grandson is 5. He is a skinny child  with a mop of flaming read curls on top of his head. You can spot him from a mile away. If he's smiling, make that 2 miles away. He's just a cute little boy. I've watched this child grow from a little baby to the little boy he is today. His Grandmother is devoted to him. She told me that she fell in love with him the second she saw him for the first time. She said that being a grandparent is the greatest experience in the world.

Now that I am a grandfather, I would tell my friend, she was not descriptive enough! Is there something better than best?  Being a grandparent is Supercalafragilisticexpialidocious!

Over the weekend, another friend of mine flew from Florida to North Carolina, to visit her granddaughter. Again, I've seen pictures of this beautiful child since the day she was born and have watched her grow for 3 years. She is indeed a beautiful little girl. But, when I saw pictures of this little angel with her grandmother, the look on their faces said "happiness and Love" all at the same time.

When I am feeling low for whatever reason, I look at a picture of my granddaughter. For just a little while, there are no more troubles. When I get the chance to see her and hold her, there is nothing I'd rather do.

My daughter is a wonderful mother. Her husband is a great man. He's a great provider and is dedicated to his family. They are the perfect pair to raise a child. My granddaughter is a happy child. For that, I sleep well at night.

I've had the chance to raise my children. Now it's the next generations turn. I hope I have done a good job. I know that the next generation will do well. Grandma and Grandpa will always watch over them as they raise their families.

The most important job never ends.

Guilty Pleasures

It's been a pretty serious week. I thought it was time to lighten the mood a bit.

What's your "Guilty Pleasure"? We all have those 1 or 2 things in life that just make us happy, above most others.

I love food. I make no bones about it. I've watched cooking programs all my life. I rejoiced when the Food Network came  into being. Now there is also the cooking channel. If I could, I'd go to Culinary School, just for the joy of cooking.

Savory foods are wonderful. To me, there's nothing that says home more than to walk in a home and smell dinner cooking. I made chili Monday. It was the first pot of the season. It looked great in the pot but, the real pay off was when my wife came home and stopped in her tracks when she came in the house. "I smell delicious Chili!" The smile on her face said it all. She was home! It's the best feeling in the world when I have made a meal that everyone enjoys.

Although I love savory foods. There's something about desert that I really just admire. The smell and look of a well put together desert just really does it for me. I envy and respect anyone who can bake and decorate a cake.

I watch "Cake Boss" all the time and am just floored by the work he does by hand with a piping bag.

When we were growing up in NewJersey, in Mom's list of errands was a stop at the local bakery. What a wonderful place! The smells of pastry mixed with freshly baked bread was just something. If I was good, I might even get a sugar cookie as a treat from the lady behind the counter. I miss real bakeries. There are few left.

My mother was not much of a baker. But, during the holidays, she would bake treats that just couldn't be beat. Jelly Roll, Pound Cake and the like. Mom used to have to hide the baked deserts from us kids. My brother Mickey's favorite cake was a Marble Cake made by our Grandmother. To this day, I can't eat Marble Cake without thinking of Mickey or Grandma.

Cup cakes are a great treat. I could never keep cup cakes in the house while the children were growing up.  What could be better than a piece of cake that was designed to come with you? Last year, after my Heart Surgery, my youngest daughter and I made cup cakes decorated with broken hearts and brought them to the Cardio Thoracic and the Cardiology clinic. My daughter made cupcakes decorated with "googley" eyes on them for the Ophthalmology Clinic when they started taking care of my Glaucoma. (Yes, I'm falling apart.). We bring the goodies to the Naval Hospital often, to show appreciation not only for the Doctors, Nurses and Hospital Corpsmen and other support staff. It's nice to give a surprise to people occasionally. It supports the troops.

We show our care for people with food. It's a long standing tradition which crosses most cultural lines. I have visited homes in every part of the world and from the "Richest" to the "Most Humble", I was always offered food when I arrived. No guest to my home can be there long without being offered food of one sort or another. My son's coffee is legendary.

Coffee might be a guilty pleasure for me. Those who know me know that I love my coffee and rarely turn down a cup of the hot black brew. I'm drinking a cup now. The smell of good coffee is intoxicating. It reminds me of so many good things in my life. There is always coffee available in my home. Coffee also has significance to me as a Sailor. Shipboard, there is always coffee available. If your shop didn't have it's own coffee mess; you could always get a cup of hot coffee on the mess deck. Ships run 24 hours a day and the Sailors aboard are often times fueled by Navy Coffee. The United States Navy even has it's own special blend of coffee.

But, I have not yet mentioned my absolute favorite, above all others, guilty pleasure.

An Ice Cream Cone. Not a bowl of ice cream. Not a Sundae. A banana split is confectionary delight. I do enjoy one occasionally. But, for my money, given a choice; Vanilla Ice Cream on a traditional hard cone (I think they call them sugar cones in the store) can't be beat.  When I was thinking about writing this, I had to decide which flavor is my favorite. There are so many choices and I decided on good old fashioned  Vanilla. It's simple and unpretentious. You can do so much with Vanilla but, on my cone, I'd like nothing but ice cream, please.

Thank goodness for sugar free ice cream. There are some brands out there that taste wonderful. Otherwise, it would be a long time between cones for me.

Who remembers walking down the street or the boardwalk or on the beach with an ice cream cone? It wasn't just the taste and refreshing cold of the treat. We always tried to keep the melting ice cream from escaping. We didn't want any to be wasted.

At one point, I guess I was a young teenager; my Mother had decided that the language of us kids had become way to "Salty". She instituted a fine system. Quarters would wind up in the swear jar. There was only one problem. When Mom felt that the jar was full enough, she would take us to Dairy Queen. These were the days when Dairy Queen only sold ice cream. No burgers or hot dogs or fries. Certainly nothing as elaborate as today. We would all get ice cream cones.

An ice cream cone can always make me feel better. I had one last night after dinner. It made me feel much better, after the emotional day.

So, my friends, I suggest that if you are feeling low, need cheering up or just want a treat; have an ice cream cone! There are more flavors than you can imagine now a days. I'm sure you'll find one you like. It will put a smile on your face. I promise. No need to feel guilty.