North to Alaska

I'm off to Alaska, again. Two weeks. Going to the Anchorage region, Fairbanks, Denali National Park and then cruise Prince William Sound, to see many glaciers and other interesting subjects. I'm taking my grandson Michael with me as his high school graduation present. He's going to Virginia Tech and the Hokie Nation this Fall. During our trip I won't be blogging, nor will I be updating AEA's website. I'll be back to business as normal on July 6th.

This photo was taken by me in 2007 near Portage Glacier which is a reasonable drive out of Anchorage (this is not that glacier). I plan to go there again this time, to show Michael what a retreating glacier looks like, courtesy of climate change. We'll see many more glaciers this trip, hopefully not in retreat.

Back later. Cheers!

Something about this photo I like

Not sure exactly why. Just a simple shot along the shoreline of Holden Beach, NC. We used to live right close to this spot while I was the Town Manager there. Saw the shoreline "come and go" due to four major hurricanes and other less severe tropical storms while we were there. Fencing helps retain wind blown sand; but, if you don't have a wide beach area between the low and high tide mark, plus some decent accumulated sand elevation, it's always going to be a "come and go" situation. I hope this spot looks the same or better at the end of November!

Anyway, I kinda like this photo and wanted to share it.

It's those uniforms again

Read today on Army Times Online: "Congress is about to order new combat uniforms for troops in Afghanistan after hearing complaints that camouflage that was fine in Iraq doesn’t work so well in a mountainous and often muddy environment." Adds credibility to my previous post, depending on how one views the whole matter.

Army Uniforms

Soldiers like to give their opinions on just about anything. One topic receiving quite a lot of discussion lately is the uniforms which the Army leadership has decided are "best" for Soldiers. Many don't like the ACU uniform for various reasons, and when the topic of the new "blue" uniform comes up, the topic gets much more heated.

I have never worn the ACU, but did wear the older woodland camo uniform for years and grew to like it not so much for its camo pattern but its durability and comfort. Plus, I did not have to attach badges, patches and name tags with velcro, which must be done on the current ACU (a prime complaint by many now serving).

I did wear the blue (dress) uniform for 30 years and it looked fine...during formal occasions. I would not want to the blue as my standard uniform as is now planned. The Army has always been either green, brown or tan. I remember when the Air Force went to a new lighter blue officer's uniform years ago and some of us in the Army felt they looked like bus drivers instead of fighter pilots. From what I read today's Soldiers saying, we may be headed in a similar direction with the new standard Army "blue" uniform.

Americans out of Cities

In Iraq, American troops will soon be moved out of cities, to bases elsewhere, only to perform mission tasks when asked to do so by the Iraqi Army. Army Times has an interesting article online today that read in part, “We will not stage routine joint patrols with the Americans in Hurriyah,” said Maj. Hussein al-Qaissy, the district’s Iraqi army commander. We will ask them to come only in an emergency.”

I'm only a far away observer of all this with absolutely zero experience and little knowledge of the on ground challenges our Soldiers face daily in Iraq, but it seems to me that commanders, especially at the company level, are going to have some tough things to manage as those they command wind down from the OPTEMPO they once experienced. Generally, Soldiers do not like a "base camp" environment for too long. Especially those having been engaged in fighting a tough war for a long time.

Crimson Tide. Say it ain't so!

Read today on ESPN: "The NCAA will reveal later that the Alabama football program must vacate victories from 2005 through 2007 that included players who improperly got free textbooks for other students, the Birmingham News is reporting."

Way back in the day I was assigned as an ROTC instructor at the University of Alabama, when the football team was coached by the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant. While I was there, the team recruited its first African American full-scholarship player, Wilber Jackson. Jackson enrolled in the basic ROTC program and he was in my class for a year. He never entered the advanced ROTC program but graduated and was drafted in the first round by the NFL's San Francisco 49ers. He played five seasons with the team.

Having Jackson in my ROTC class meant that I was one of several other instructors in the university who were given close attention by Coach Bryant, in relation to "grades". If Jackson had any trouble, the Coach was right on top of it to find out why, and what could be done about it. He was fair in his approach with me, but him being who he was I was often very nervous when he wrapped his big arm around my shoulder and asked, "So Captain Morgan, how's Wilbur doing in ROTC?"

One of my extra duties in the ROTC program was to serve as the officer in charge of the school's Rifle Team. As it was a part of the sports program, it was partially funded by the Athletic Department. I remember a time when I had to go to the main offices of the Athletic Department to obtain approval on some budget items, and Coach Bryant spotted me in uniform outside his massive and wonderfully decorated office. His lanky, tall, large frame body got up from his desk and he came out to greet me with the same old question, "How's Wilbur doing?"

I was, of course, a very loyal football fan while I was at Alabama, and remained so afterwards. But, as coaches and players changed over the years, so did the quality of the team. I don't know if Coach Bryant would have tolerated such things that have now gotten the football program in trouble, but I like to think he would not. The media and NCAA back then were not as persistent in patrolling and controlling improper actions as they are today.

More importantly, in my mind the Alabama football program will never be the same as it was when Coach Bryant ran it. He was truly one of a kind.

WWII Era Posters

The daughter of a WWII veteran, Marion Chard of Michigan, recently posted a large number of very interesting original WWII era recruiting and other public relations type full color posters on the outstanding website she manages, primarily for the reunion group in which she's involved-VI Corps Combat Engineers. Check it out HERE. And while you're at it, take a look at the other things she has on her website. Nicely done, one of the best I've seen of that sort.

Weird behavior for a so-called winner

If you follow NASCAR racing, then you are probably aware of how much fans dislike Joe Gibbs racing team member Kyle Busch. I mean totally hated is a better phrase. If you don't follow the sport, you may still be amused to read what he did last weekend.

Most who win a sporting event, covet the trophy given to them, which signifies recognition of having achieved a level of excellence during that event. At the Nashville race last weekend, Busch won, and was awarded a beautifully hand-painted electric guitar, made by a guy who makes only the best. One racer who was given the highly regarded trophy last year was so excited, he slept with it that night! For real!

So what does Busch do after being presented with the trophy? He accepts the hand-crafted guitar and promptly smashes it to pieces on the race track surface, as an astounded audience looks on! His excuse to the media and more importantly to the guitar's designer and builder was that he had been so frustrated in the past by not being able to win at Nashville, that he promised his crew if he ever did win, he'd smash the guitar and give them each a piece of it. He harkened back to all the rock and roll crazies who smashed their high value guitars during performances, and how "cool" that was. Most aren't buying his logic, they aren't that dumb.

This incident alone says why this guy is so disliked by NASCAR fans. Including me. In fact, if he's leading a race toward its end, and looks to be the winner, I stop watching the race. seeing him gloat, bow down and taunt the thousands of booing fans makes me want to puke. So, not wanting to potentially mess up my chair, I go outside and do some lawn chore to get my mind elsewhere.

Join the Military, it's a good deal

Thousands of communities across the nation were host to high school graduation ceremonies this past weekend, and ours was no different. Our grandson was one graduate. He's headed to Virginia Tech this fall to major in engineering, but many of his friends decided to join the military instead. One of his buddies signed a deal with the Army that has him headed to basic this summer, and then to AIT to become a medic. In return for four years of service, the Army is giving him a hefty bonus which will pay for college where he hopes to become a doctor. In these times of economic strain coupled with increasing costs in higher education, this deal provides opportunities for many who might otherwise not be able to advance academically. A nice opportunity for those so inclined.

I'm joining the iPhone movement

Speculation is that there is soon to be a new model iPhone released. That event will coincide with the end of my U.S. Cellular contract for my trusty Samsung phone, which I have to say I hardly use. Why then, do I want a newer cell phone?

Because I use my iPod daily to listen to my music, and the one I have, while still relatively new (it's an iPod Touch, similar to an iPhone less the phone part), is getting filled up with songs and I need more capacity. Why not have a new iPod and a new cell phone in one package. Sounds like a plan to me.

What really sold me on this plan, was the fact that a friend of my teen age granddaughter let me test out her AT&T cell phone the other day when they were over at our house swimming (school is out) and I had excellent signals. ATT is the iPhone carrier, the only one.

So, sometime this summer I'll be an official iPhone geek. Not sure if that will be good or bad, but I'm willing to risk the plunge.

This is a real tree

"Live Oaks" are not your typical tree. They are also known as evergreen oaks because they remain green year around. Many live over 100 years and grow to massive size, with limbs that often reach outward and then onto the ground. They make wonderful trees for kids to climb, and adults as well. The ones shown here are located along a sand road in Eastern North Carolina near Orton Plantation. You can almost see a horse drawn buggy coming down that road.

This week in June, 1944

As each year passes, and this week arrives, there are fewer and fewer people still alive who were a part of the massive allied landings along the beaches of France in June, 1944. Specifically the 6th of June. This week is most special to all those veterans, and many still gather in reunion groups all over the U.S. to renew their bonds of service, and remember those no longer here. One such group is the 297th Engineer Combat Battalion, whose vets and their families will gather this week near New York City, to honor all those who fought and died in combat during the invasion and WWII.

It's sad that so many of these brave men are no longer here, and many who remain have lost much of the energy and drive from their youth, when they were among the greatest warriors the world has ever seen. No matter, their spirit remains vibrant as ever, and will remain so well into the future. If you know such a veteran, tell them how much you appreciate what they did, so well.