A New Year's Eve French Dinner

When we were stationed in Karlsruhe, Germany with the 18th Engineer Brigade in the late 1980s, it was decided that several of us on the brigade and other local command staffs would go (vehicle convoy) to France to begin our New Year's Eve celebration with a seven-course, country inn, special French dinner. (This is not the place we went, but as I recall it was similar)
Thanks to the S-3 (Terry Rice) and HHC company commander (Lee Gazzano) who both were fluent in the French language, we were treated to some of the best food and drink I have even had. Bottle after bottle of excellent wine was delivered to our large table of celebrants. Not to worry, our wives drank little if any, so they drove us all home afterwards. Full we were, and quite "joyful". But not so full and not so joyful that we could not continue the celebration when we got back home to Karlsruhe. Our quarters (being the largest of the group) was selected as the "party place" for the remainder of the night, and party we did.
I will never forget that New Year's Eve...nor the people we were so fortunate to serve alongside that year (and others). By the way, Terry Rice retired as an engineer colonel and Lee Gazzano as a Lieutenant Colonel. I'm not sure whether or not being able to speak French so well had any effect on their rise through the engineer ranks, but it sure as heck made our trip to France that night "real special".

New Year's at Midnight

If the celebration New Year's Eve isn't enough to make your head spin, try this short video out. Or, maybe it would be better to wait till the next morning...whatever, it's a "dizzy" experience.

Happy 2011!

Online Stores

Like millions of us I have, over the years, substantially increased the amount of online shopping I do...especially around the holidays. In fact, given the reduction in the number of small, speciality stores such as those selling electronics and photographic items, as well as location of the buyer, online shopping is often a necessity. Given this situation, what separates one seller from others?

Customer service, free shipping, and simple return policies rate at the top as far as I am concerned. One seller I purchased from this month even went so far as to include a personalized note in the package, thanking me by name for my first purchase, and the giving me a 5% discount code for my next purchase over $25.00. My second order from them had a similar personalized note, but this time saying "thanks" for my second purchase. I liked that touch. You can bet this seller will be one to which I go to more often in the future.

Snowy Christmas Night

I took this around 8:30 PM Christmas night, off our back porch in southern Virginia. When the snowfall was over, in the morning the next day, we had around five inches on the ground...lots of which I shoveled off the 100-foot long driveway to the street. I used a 15-second exposure to get make this photo, with flash to highlight the falling snowflakes. Definitely made for a nice White Christmas.

Merry Christmas

Small town headline news

In our local paper this morning, Martinsville Bulletin, there was a headline photo with story about a woman who was struck by a five locomotive, 100-car empty Norfolk Southern RR coal hopper train, slowly passing through town. She was not seriously injured, fortunately, and why she decided to walk down the track in the first place is thus far a mystery.

Now, you may ask why is this news important during these days of hectic and highly charged congressional debate in Wash DC to pass this or that before Christmas. Well, to us "southsiders" it is indeed "news"... and even though the possibility of serious injury or even death could have resulted, it's a far cry better headline than the sort of stuff seen daily in the Washington Post.

Having a paper such as the Martinsville Bulletin on my table with hot cup of Green Mountain Nantucket Blend coffee each day (except Saturday...remember, this is a small town newspaper) is one reason why I love living where we do. When it's time for you to decide where to finally settle down after your full time professional life, I recommend you go to a location such as Martinsville ... there are thousands of them all over the United States. Take my word, you won't be sorry.

Associate Editor Hired

I'd like to announce here on my blog...TA DAAAA...that AEA has hired Beth O'Hara as the Associate Editor of Army Engineer magazine. She will begin the "learning process" as far as magazine workflow is concerned, but she's already an accomplished digital and print media specialist. Beth is no stranger to the Corps of Engineers, as her spouse is now the commander of the St. Louis Engineer District.

I'm excited to have someone like her to help me bring a new look to the magazine over the next year. If all goes as planned, she will eventually take over as editor when I decide it's time to spend 100% of my time with a camera in hand. One of her first projects in the spring/early summer of 2011 will be to redesign AEA's website. Working with her is going to be lots of fun...and strange at the same time, because up until now I've been a one-person production department. Welcome Beth!

Just listening to the radio

No big deal...listening to the radio while I work on putting out another issue of Army Engineer magazine. But, with today's technology, it's way different from what it used to be. For example, I have my iPod Touch plugged in to a very nice sounding Logitech speaker dock, and using a 99 cent iPod app called TuneIn Radio, I'm listening live to a jazz music station in London, England...commercials and all. With that app, I can listen to radio stations from all over the world. It's available for Droid phone users too.

When we were asigned in Germany (twice) I used to tune in to European radio stations at night, because nightime radio wave propagation made it possible to get numerous AM, and some FM stations from some distance away. I loved music from the UK, and those times I traveled there, I had the radion on both in the car and in our hotel room all the time. Now, I can have this enjoyment here in SW Virginia. Technology is wonderful...if you use it.

Oh, it's 6 degrees Celcius in London right now (11AM EST...4PM in the UK), and some more snow is predicted. Rough winter over there this year.

Being a professional

In a recent post at my photo blog jmichaelphotos.com I wrote about why I, even though I am not a professional photographer, treat what I do in that regard as if I were. I suppose this trait of mine was cemented into my personality by having been "in the Army" for as long as I was... three years high school ROTC, 4 years college ROTC and then 28 years on active duty. True, my ROTC time was not technically "in the Army" but I was exposed to many basic leadership and positive character traits which I suppose better prepared me for later life.

It's frustrating to me today when I observe so many young people who seem to have no interest in anything "professional", unless such involves attaining the highest possible level in some role playing video game. Many have no idea where they are headed, don't care, and shrug off advice from others who have "been there" themselves. Not having pride in what you do, not caring about what others think, not wanting to spend any time in face to face interaction (text messages rule), and seemingly not thinking about anything that may cause personal discomfort.

Much of this in my view has been caused by the manner in which our education system has deteriorated over the years, and by a loss of family unity...given that so many young people live in single parent homes. Also, technology has played its part too...offering instant access to an incredible amount of information online...much of it being worthless, or if anything only a way to waste valuable time.

My advice to all is to treat everything you do, no matter what it is, as if you're a professional in that area, and that your future depends on how well you perform. If you do this, there's little doubt you will succeed in life.

Shop Vac Song?

If you have just a bit over 3 minutes of time to waste, check out this video and its catchy song...all about "being in the workshop with the shop vac on." It's here...nice graphics, and the music isn't that bad either.

I'm just sayin...

The AKO (Army Knowledge Online) saga continues. See Army Times online article for details. Condensed version is that it's going to be closed to all but CAC card holders (that leaves us retirees out) and the "bone" tossed our way will be some password protected site called "GTSY" whatever in the heck that stands for...it's being called gutsy...and in my view coming up with that name took lots of guts on the part of some official in the dark recesses of the Pentagon.

"Gutsy" will, according to officials, provide us non-CAC card holders a place to socialize and to share non-FOUO information. Whoopee, just what I wanted, another social network and email portal. In the meantime, AKO for CAC card holders is going to be transformed and made speedier and more useful than it now is...good luck with that. I'm just sayin...

White Christmas minus three weeks

This was taken during a relatively small amount two-inch snowfall yesterday in SW Virginia, off our back porch. It would have been nicer if it happened on Christmas eve, but whatever it's still pretty. The best part was that there was nothing to shovel on paved surfaces. Cold blustery winds are here today out of the northwest...expected to remain all week. Time for another cup of hot, fresh brewed coffee, made with a new purchase...Kuerig single cup maker. Neat machine...highly recommended for all coffee drinkers.

Changing the Culture

Fried eggs over easy, biscuits and gravy, strips of bacon, buttered toast, and grits have always been center to a typical Army mess hall breakfast...always in garrison but not necessarily in the field. Point being is that such a menu is not all that healthy. But then there was a time when what one consumed or ingested (cigarette smoke for example) in the Army was not considered that bad for one's general health. "Smoke um if ya got um" for example. A culture change is needed.

I applaud TRADOC's efforts to begin changing this culture not only involving meal menus, but physical training as well. Army Times online has a well written article that describes recent efforts in this regard at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Those undergoing initial entry training there are now encouraged to eat healthier meals, by having food item choices pointed out to them by Drill Sergeants, considering that a large percentage of recruits have never had such choices back home. If these efforts bear fruit (no pun intended), the Army will have a much better fit force, and in the long run those who spend time in the Army will have a much longer and better life after they leave service.

Budget Woes

As the DoD seeks to do its part to reduce the large federal budget deficit, I wonder if they will focus too much on health care costs...as has been a tendency in the past. I'm tired of reading about "how good we in the military" have it...like comparatively good health care, PXs, commissaries, etc, etc. We've EARNED those benefits! For those complaining, I say ENLIST and gets your too!

As Congress deliberates recommendations sent its way by DoD Secretary Gates, I am sure their mailboxes will be flooded by comments from active and veterans alike. More power to the masses I say.

Soldiers "gong" AKO

Army Times online has an interesting article discussing the opinions of soldiers concerning the usefulness of the Army's online portal AKO. It's here if you want to read it all. However, it can be summed up by a particular set of comments that boil down to, "It's gone from bad to worse"..."I avoid it when I can"..."Security and login is slow and difficult for those without a CAC card"...and "It's one of the most poorly designed portals on the web."

As one might expect, Army officials in charge of AKO have far different views of the portal's effectiveness and usefulness, and we will probably not see any changes to it, especially based on the views of soldiers who responded to Army Times in their survey. In my view, that's a shame, and tends toward a "we know better than you" attitude. Why am I not surprised?

Only One Meat!

The title to this blog entry has no meaning until I connect it to a Thanksgiving Dinner I had with my wife and daughters in a unit mess hall long ago (no longer called that sadly, and they are no longer run by a "unit" having been contracted out today...and I am getting off the subject). Anyway, my quick Thanksgiving story.

With me wearing dress blues and my family attired in nice dresses, we went for the first time as a family, to have Thanksgiving Dinner "with the troops". It's a great tradition and one I hope never stops. After paying my respects to many unit soldiers and their families gathered that day, we entered the chow line with everyone else, looking forward to all the various offerings available.

Besides the usual roast turkey, there was also baked ham and roast beef, along with all sorts of cooked vegetables including the ever popular mashed and sweet potatoes, salads, turkey stuffing, and assorted deserts. The first items we were offered were the centerpiece turkey, baked ham and roast beef. My wife and kids were in front of me in line and they each asked the server for a portion of each. Never having eaten in an Army mess hall before, they assumed such would not be a problem, but they realized something was amiss when the serving soldier told them, "Only one meat Mam." They looked at me with eyes saying, "What's up with this?" and I just smiled and said, "Pick one meat, that's the way it's done." And, back then, that was the way it was done. The reason for this as I recall was that it was assumed most people wanted turkey as the main course, and as such the amount of ham and roast beef was limited, and thus the Mess Sergeant wanted everyone to pick "turkey" which most did...all except for my family...they each wanted a bit of everything...as was their custom at home.

After being served just one meat, they next were offered other food items as we slowly moved along the serving line, but I'm afraid they had been so intimidated by the initial episode, that they were afraid to say what they wanted. So, they just held out their trays to the serving mess personnel to see what might be provided. After we sat down to eat, I could tell this had been a traumatic experience for them, especially my wife, and I wondered if this would forever tarnish their feelings about us being in the military for a long time ahead. As it turned out it didn't effect how they felt about the Army that much, but it did grow into a family ritual each Thanksgiving Dinner we had afterwards at home...when they would never forget to remind me as I looked at the plates of tasty turkey and baked ham at our own dinner table, that the rule was, "Only one meat!"

May you all have a wonderful 2010 Thanksgiving, no matter where you are!

The Melting Pot

My birthday was last week and we waited until two of our grankids (students at Virginia Tech) came home for Thanksgiving break to have my Birthday Dinner (last night...Saturday). We decided to go someplace we'd never been before in Greensboro... The Melting Pot. It's a fondue place with courses served by a very friendly and personal table assistant and then cooked (by you) at the table...starting with cheese fondue, then various meats/fowl/seafood, topped off with chocolate fondue (pictured above, complete with my single birthday candle).

The entire meal took a couple of hours to prepare and eat, and we had a wonderful time throughout, helped by a bottle of tasty German wine for those old enough to have it (all but Michael, who is almost 20). Just as a disclaimer, this restaurant ain't cheap...in fact you definitely pay for the quality of food, drink and service you get. Still, it's all outstanding and personal. And what the heck, it was my birthday dinner and at my age its cost is far less important that the fact such an event is actually taking place.

I highly suggest you give this place a try if there's one in your area. End of commercial.

Guard Cats

Boots (right) and Lucy guarding my Nikon D300 camera laying on the kitchen table. Definitely guard cats...until it's time to eat, then they let you have anything you want so long as there's food in the deal.

AKO...good or bad?

Army Times online has been asking for comments from readers about the good and bad things pertaining to Army Knowledge Online (AKO) which is THE (all caps intentional) online portal for Army personnel...all components including those retired. I have my own opinion which I choose not to share with Army Times, but I will do so here for what it's worth...zero actually.

In a few words...I don't like AKO. Even if I were still on active duty I'm not sure I'd like it. Why? It's a pain in the butt to use and navigate. Security has to be paramount, so changing passwords frequently with all sorts of cryptic criteria is demanded. For us retired or those without a CAC card, logging in can be a slow process, and there are security questions to be answered. Plus, even though I am often invited to view certain areas, when I try to do so I am told that I am not on a secure network...sorry...buzz off.

When AKO was first introduced I said to myself...cool, now I can have a "dot mil" email account. But that was on top of my work and personal email accounts, so AKO sort of sat accumulating mail, which I never seemed to read. Important stuff like the Army telling me my AKO password was to soon expire and to get with it.  Not reading such emails in a timely manner meant that the next time I tried to login I was told my password had expired...and to follow these instructions to update it. Half an hour later I was logged in...whoopee.

So, for me AKO serves no purpose. But, I can see where it might be worthwhile were I still in uniform. However, from what I've gathered by reading Army Times, a large percentage of Army folks don't like AKO either.

Raining Leaves

It's that time of year (in our region of the US anyway) when leaves start falling in large numbers...thereby causing me to get the John Deere lawn tractor out to mow those little suckers into the grass before they accumulate too much...hopefully turning them into fertilizer over the winter...to help the grass and adjacent trees grow better next year...so that I can run more gas through the John Deere afterwards...and the cycle continues.

Veterans Day After

I walked down the driveway to our mailbox by the street yesterday...Veterans Day...obviously no mail, but daily habits die hard I guess. Anyway, today there was an interesting article in our local paper about two WWII era vets who were at Applebees (free lunch courtesy of the restaurant) yesterday.

One was a person with a Navy combat background which began at Pearl Harbor and ended during the Viet Nam war when he served as an advisor to the RVN Navy. In the paper he told about all the bloody battles he'd seen close up during the Second World War in the Pacific...on a destroyer most of the time. Those who served on destroyers back then not only had to deal with tough combat action, but the weather as well as they tossed about on very rough seas. The "tin can" Navy were the "grunts" of the force at sea back then...taking on seemingly impossible missions such as attacking Japanese battleships and heavy cruisers head on...many times causing severe damage to the enemy, before they themselves were heavily damaged or sunk. Those guys were real heroes.

Google "The Last Stand of the Tin Can Navy" at Amazon. It's a great book about what they accomplished and sacfificed. The guy being interviewed in our paper was there. Heroes all.

To Those Who Serve and Have Served

Veterans Day 2010 has special meaning when you consider the length of time we've been at war with so many deployed in harms way...many multiple times since 2003.

While we Veterans fully understand, it's unfortunate that today far too many others do not...I'm referring to some who have never worn the "uniform". If you fit this category, why not take the time to say thanks to a Veteran...or to someone now serving. This day belongs to all of America, and not just to the military.

Getting Fitter

The Army plans to implement a new physical readiness training program and test(s) soon. Army Times online has a summary article here. Seems OK to me, but I've been out of the Army for a long time and have no idea just how fit the force is these days, compared to what it was when I retired in 1992...when we were pretty fit...in my view.

When I came in the Army in 1963 we had a run-dodge-jump event, a grenade throw event, a low crawl event, a horizontal ladder event, and a mile run. You had to pass each event...best I recall. Later as years passed, the Army experimented with some other events, finally settling on what we've had for years...sit-ups, push-ups, and the 2-mile run.

The new physical readiness program is going to range in areas not seen before, according to the article. So, it will be interesting to see how it all works out. Happy sweating in the meantime.

Ike Skelton and the 2010 Election

No, I'm not going to drone on and on about things I know nothing about...things "red" and "blue" but I will say I was surprised by the defeat of Ike Skelton from Missouri in this week's elections. Skelton has been a big supporter of the military, especially to us engineers, mainly because of his strong promotion of Fort Leonard Wood and mid-Missouri.

Unless you served at Leonard Wood before the moves of the MP and Chemical Schools, and the expansion of joint training, then you can't appreciate how much the installation has changed from what it once was. I was, for example, there when the Engineer School moved in from Fort Belvoir, and I was also there when the first discussions were underway concerning how to expand the post even further with the move of the MP and Chemical Schools.

I remember when many wore bib-overalls to theme-based social functions like "Purple Martin Night", I remember when the "strip" of mom and pop retail establishments lining the road to the post from off the I-44 exit had places such as "Mitch's Old Fashion Cafe" (which by the way served the best and greasiest breakfasts anywhere). I remember when trips to Rolla to purchase things we wanted or needed and which were not available in the PX or commissary or off-post, were very common. I also remember when the Ramada Inn was the only large motel available near post. I could go on and on but you get my point.

Changes made to the Leonard Wood region from then until now, significant as they are, were a direct result in many ways to the efforts of Ike Skelton. You can say what you want about the pluses and minuses of each political party's accomplishments or lack thereof, but one thing stands out to me in the case of Ike Skelton. He cared about us in the military...especially us engineers. Thanks Ike!

The Truck Race

Here are some of the scenes I saw at the Camping World Truck Series Kroger 200 held at Martinsville Speedway a week ago. It was a fun time for me to be there (we only live two miles from the track), the weather was perfect, the crowd was great, and the race itself was full of twists and turns, no pun intended. Ron Hornaday (33 truck) won the race and took a victory lap afterwards (see him waving the checkered flag at the end of the series of photos), but he was challenged throughout especially by Todd Bodine (30 truck), Kyle Busch (18 truck) and Kevin Harvick (2 truck). Busch took second, Bodine was third and Harvick wrecked toward the end. From start to finish, here we go.

UNTIL NEXT YEAR...

Martinsville Race Weekend Part 2

This year I elected not to attend the Sprint Cup race on Sunday, preferring to spend all day Saturday at the track first photographing the cup driver's Happy Hour practice session and then the Camping World 200 truck race. I wanted to get some practice myself photographing speeding cars from various positions in the open fan section, where I could not easily go during the Sprint Cup race on Sunday, due to crowds and other fan restrictions. One drawback was that for some of my close ups during practice, I had to stand behind a high protective wire fence. Let me tell you even with that fence between me and the cars, it was quite a sensation as they zoomed past with high horsepower engines roaring. Here's some of what I saw for your enjoyment.

Next up in Part 3 will be the Camping World Truck Race itself. Stand by.

Race week draws crowds

Campers from all across the U.S come to Martinsville, Virginia to enjoy NASCAR racing at its best.

Lots to see besides the actual race, plus numerous opportunities to spend your hard earned dollars. Noteworthy is the fact that the number of private vendors who come to all NASCAR races has declined significantly over the past several years.

T-shirts, hats, jackets, flags, cups, model cars, doo-dads, you name it...all for sale at the race track, mostly by private vendors.

And then there's FOOD! Like these BBQ jumbo turkey wings...which when eaten make you smile.

What would the weekend be without pizza and nachos, sold out of highly decorated trailers like this one.

And, what would racing be without cars...and people. Up next, just that. Stay tuned to this blog.

NASCAR Fans Arrive in Martinsville

Fans of NASCAR are arriving in Martinsville for this weekend's races...trucks on Saturday and Sprint Cup cars on Sunday. The campground is filling, and firewood is on sale...given the cold nights ahead.

I'm always impressed with just how prepared fans are when they camp out. Hardly roughing it...especially with all the cold beverages around.

Race Week in Martinsville

This is race week here in Martinsville, Virginia. Twice each year, NASCAR fans from wide and far come to this rural part of Virginia to watch some of the best racing around...and I do mean "around" like "around and round they go."

I'm going to be a part of it again, but this time more so with my camera and less so as a watching fan. I'm headed to the track for qualifying this Friday, and then back on Saturday for the truck race. I'm not going to the Sprint Cup race on Sunday this Fall, mainly because I'm locked to my seat during that very crowded event, and can't get the sort of photos I want...crowds and position make it difficult to get much action from high up where I typically sit. During the truck race, however, it's general admission and I can wander all over the place, seeing the action from many angles. I took the photo you see above last October.

I also want to get into the "fan thing" this year, and to capture many of the things they do, while having so much fun. Weather is predicted to be nice too, and that makes it even better. Last Spring the weather was horrible and I elected not to attend...wasting my hard earned bucks on tickets I never used. So, stand by here on this blog next week for some pics of what I saw, and some words to go along with it.

One-Click

Since I bought my new Kindle eBook reader from Amazon.com a month or so ago, I've been enjoying a more pleasurable reading experience, than when I had a heavy, thick bound, 750 page behemoth resting on my stomach, while laying in bed reading at night. The downside to this is "one-click." What's that you say?

Well, Amazon sells many items as you may know, and not just books...many items having a magnetic attraction to my credit card, causing it to vibrate in my wallet, telling me to "buy now!" In my pre-Kindle days, I rarely bought anything from Amazon, other than an occasional hard to find book, or electronic gadget. What prevented me most of the time from buying on Amazon, was a need to have to walk upstairs from my home office where I was online, to retrieve my wallet and credit card to complete any purchase I might be contemplating. I usually decided to consider the purchase at some other time when I might have my credit card handy.

With the Kindle came an introduction for me to Amazon's electronic bookstore. Also, Amazon realizing there are many people like me who are too lazy to go and retrieve their credit card to make an immediate purchase, cleverly created the "one-click" buy button on their webpage. Enter your credit card information securely one time, and presto from that point forward you never need to have your card handy again. Talk about instant gratification, and since you never have to actually get your credit card out to enter all the digits, it's almost like you're not spending any money...almost.

I recently got my first credit card bill since I bought the Kindle. I was surprised at first when I saw the balance. Then, I remembered "one-click". That neat little Canon desk top photo scanner I saw on Amazon on day while looking for an ebook was on my bill, as were several other non-book items...like a new pair of 5.11 tactical pants. And then of course, I had purchased several eBooks for the Kindle, since I needed something to read. 

Got to give Amazon credit, they sure know how to sell stuff...at least to me. And, all with "one click". 

Welcome to my home

A normal start to my day

This is what I have to deal with on a typical day, right after I return from my morning walk, and after I read the paper at our kitchen table. I then usually get my laptop out to take care of reading my favorite blogs and websites, plus upload items like here, and on my photoblog. It's then that I am "visited" by the furry ones.

I stopped laying my laptop bag on the table, because Lucy (on top of it in this photo) and Boots try to crowd each other off. Lucy won the battle this day.

Boots, our kinda fat calico cat, also likes to lay on my arm while I'm using the laptop, and that makes typing difficult, but I have managed to get used to it.

I'm not really complaining about any of this—I enjoy the company. But, it makes for a somewhat crowded table at times.  All in all, not a bad way to start the day.

10-10-10

Paying little attention to these sorts of trivia, I was reminded today on a local weather blog I read daily, that today is ten-ten-ten. OK, that's all I'll say about that.

Meanwhile, all of you in the Army reading this who have the luxury of enjoying a long holiday weekend, I say I envy you. Being semi-retired now, holiday weekends don't mean as much as they once did. I recall a time when I enjoyed them the most...and that was when we were assigned to Germany.

Talk about having fun things to do on a long weekend! We took day trips to various locations in Bavaria and France, ate great food, drank a few German draft beers, sampled some wonderful wine, bought pottery, crystal ware, coo-coo clocks, and other original "Made in Germany" treasures.

Speaking of German treasures, I remember the many times we heard a knock on our government quarters door, to be greeted by a well dressed German, selling original oil paintings out of the back of his car. If we said, OK, he'd carry in arm loads of paintings, large and small, lay them out all over the place and then start his sales pitch. His main selling point was always that they would some day be worth thousands of dollars. We fell for this strong sales pitch, still have the paintings we bought hanging in our house today...and even if they are worth more than we paid for them, no one would buy them in this sad economy even if we offered them for sale...which we won't...because they are family "treasures".

So there. See what one can do on a long holiday weekend? You just have to be in Germany!

Mars and what "man" might do with it

Here's an interesting video, with sort of a simplistic animation view of how "man" might respond to exploration of the red planet. Environmentalists will clearly get the point.

So much to read, so little time

I discovered this site, ALLTOP, which lists news topics of interest, in various categories. I am finding it a good way to use one site to view many headlines that might make me want to read the underlying story. Less bookmarks and favorites on my web browser makes my morning routine much easier and less time consuming. Check it out.

Been a long time since...

...early last spring when I was actually "cold". Today as I sit here typing this, I stop to curve my fingers around my hot coffee cup, to warm up. The house heat's definitely NOT on and it's sure not winter yet, and it's really not that cold inside the house (70), but 50 degrees outside is a far cry from the upper 90s we had just over a week ago. Like it!

Anyone beside me fall asleep watching the previously undefeated and apparently also asleep Chicago Bears tally up around 20 yards total offense in the first half of their game last night with the Giants? Giants won the game 17-3 but were not all that spectacular themselves.

Technology

I am reminded daily, through numerous examples, how much "technology" impacts our lives. Example: Facebook. I see people interacting in many ways on their Facebook pages, with texts, videos and photos...many being posted using their cell phone from some remote location all over the world...one I read recently was uploaded while the poster was out camping with his wife! Say what you want, we're hooked on all this stuff.

Not me you say? Well, if you're reading this now over a wireless internet connection, or while out and about using your personal cell phone, then I say you lie.

All at once

Here in SW Virginia we have had almost zero rain all this month (September) Then, in the past several days, we get dumped on...around 7 inches last night. The result of all that rain in such a short period is shown here...the only road into the subdivision in which we live closed.

The deluge stopped around the time of my AM walk, so with my new iPod Touch 4 with camera in hand, playing my music, I snapped off several images, and a couple of videos too, of what I saw. While only a fool would drive through the overwashed road, two of them from a local TV outlet did. They made it with no trouble fortunately, jumped out, and asked me if I cared to be interviewed. I said sure, why not.

The roadway you see here has flooded worse in the past, but not for a very long time. Engineers from the DOT built several "solutions" over the past few years, but nothing can prevent a road being overtopped, when it blocks normal flow from a nearby creek, and when so much rain comes all at once. So, we all wander down, take a picture or two, then walk back home. Kids love it when the school bus can't get to them.

Hard to keep up

Anyone besides me slightly overwhelmed with some of the recent basic training innovations being discussed/implemented by the Army? Last week I learned that soldiers in basic training at Leonard Wood and Sill (a select few...not all) will be issued smart-phones like the iPhone or Droid, in order to be able to utilize some "Army Apps" and so forth. Then today I read in Army Times online that TRADOC is now referring to those undergoing basic training as "soldier athletes" (aka warriors) and as such they will no longer have as many choices of food in the mess hall as they once had. Idea is to have healthier food to fuel (not feed) the body as it undergoes rigorous training.

I can't argue against these sorts of innovations, but I imagine many Drill Sergeants from the past are rolling their eyes at what's going on, and many veterans are asking, "If it was good enough for me, why not them?"

Anybody remember during the early stages of the all-volunteer Army in the mid 1970s when we were served beer in the mess hall? Whatever, lots going on in basic training these days, and hopefully what comes out the other end will be more worthwhile than the ill conceived "beer experiment".

Shameless plug

If you are a frequent reader of this blog, then you may know I'm an avid photographer. You also may have seen some of my photo essays in Army Engineer magazine. In that regard, my work is mostly journalistic in nature, and is thus not that creative...photographically speaking. Where I "show off" my other photography, taken totally for my personal enjoyment, is at my Photo Blog...Digital Scenes.

I invite you to go see what's there, and if you like it, to come back regularly, since I post a new photo most every day. End of commercial plug. My ego thanks you.

Always welcome...

To all you "writers" out there, I'm always on the lookout for original material to publish in Army Engineer magazine. I'm especially looking for articles from veterans of the Vietnam War, and from more recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. How about you Kosovo or Desert Storm vets? Details for submission are here. Military or civilian—makes no difference concerning your background. This is an easy way to get you some "exposure" that might make you famous...or not.

Captured by Technology

I hate it when I lose our internet connection at home. We are "served" by Comcast...and lately for reasons unknown, the internet connection drops. I mess with the cable modem, watching its lights flash, etc, reboot everything, sometimes with success, sometimes not. It eventually fixes itself, but the periods when it's out drive me nuts. Why is this so, I ask myself. Because we've been captured by technology, and when we don't have it when we want it, we're lost. No email, no web surfing, and in my case sometimes, no productive work...because I do one heck of a lot of online research for my job as magazine editor.

I'm sure I'm not alone feeling this way today. Somehow I think it was better when we did not have the internet. But then it would be something else that we might not have for a period...like electric power.

Predicting the future

I read an article in Army Times online today, about Army researchers looking at the possibility of flying Humvees in the near future. That article reminded me of something I saw in the popular cult movie seen all the time on cable TV, "Back to the Future, Part 2", where we see all sorts of car-type vehicles flying around in the year 2016. The movie was made in the mid 1980s I believe, and here we are now in 2010, with no hint of flying cars anywhere. It's always fun to go back and look at predictions made about the future, to see how wrong many of them are.

Lieutenant Explorers

One of my best friends sent me this old photo (which I spiced up a bit using Photoshop). It shows him (Dave Bevill wearing the yellow sweatshirt) in a rubber inflatable with John Somodi, and with yours truly in the other boat, loaded with two duffel bags, each filled with campng gear, and probably some liquid refreshment. We were were all asigned as lieutenants in the 553rd Engineer Company (Float Bridge) stationed at Fort Campbell in Feb 1965, when the picture was taken. We were out "exploring" a potion of the Cumberland River.

Later that same year, Dave's active duty commitment was up and he'd decided to put on civilian clothes, while John and I had another year or so to go. In that regard, the unit deployed with us both to Vietnam in August 65. John left active duty after a brief stay in Vietnam, while I decided to make a career of it. I owe a lot to Dave because he was the one who took me under his wing when I first reported to the unit, and kept me out of trouble with the company commander, until I'd learned my way around.

Not sure what ever hapened to John Somodi, but Dave later joined the SC Army National Guard as an enlisted soldier, rising to the rank of Sergeant Major. More importantly, he's remained a good friend ever since, and always stays in touch. Plus, he's managed to swindle me out of more trading goodies than I care to admit. Having lifelong buddies like Dave Bevill is what being in the Army is all about.

TGIF or DBYS

In my neighborhood, you know it's Friday and a weekend is about to start when signs like this start to pop up magically overnight. I see them everywhere on my morning walk. With these "junk" sales, comes increased vehicle traffic and that keeps me more aware as I walk the streets, with my iPod streaming music into my ears through attached headphones. Usually on my daily walk, I recognize cars and their occupants as they leave the neighborhood for work. I wave and they wave back. With the yard sales folks, there is no waving. They look at me like an impediment to them getting quickly to be the first to buy someone else's junk.

I remember when I was in the Army how much we relished Friday. Happy Hour at the O-Club, family cook-outs with neighbors, and being able to relax knowing the next two days were ours to do whatever we wanted. Now being semi-retired and working to my own schedule, Fridays don't mean as much to me as they once did. I may rename TGIF to DBYS...Day Before Yard Sale.

Up the Mountain

Yesterday I took a road trip "up the mountain" as some around here call the Blue Ridge area adjacent to the scenic and well traveled parkway...with its 45mph speed limit. Even with it being the middle of the week, there were a fair number of people up there. Cars, motorcycles, bikes and many hikers. One popular spot was the Poor Farmers Market at the small town of Meadows of Dan, located directly adjacent to an entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway, off Route 58.

My first stop was at the market, not only to take some photos like this one, but to buy a couple of fried apple pies, some old fashioned hard candy and one-half pound of dried apples. I love browsing around in such places, where you feel transported back in time by the "country store" atmosphere and wide array of locally made produce such as honey, jams, relishes, processed meats and cheeses. The store also sells lots of locally made souvenirs of the sort tourists love. But, for me, it's the good old fried apple pies that make me keep coming back.

Locally grown apples are not yet being sold this year, but let me tell you when they do soon become available, the Poor Farmers Market  will be "poor" in name only.

Reduce the number of contractors

Army commanders have recently been told to make a list of contractors that serve them, with the list being rank ordered as to usefulness, and to then list the ones they believe can be let go. This is all about "Army efficiency" according to officials, and responses are due in early October. This process will be interesting to watch, and maybe it will cause sub-par contractors much worry. That's good. Perhaps they ought not to have been "contractors" in the first place.

Annual chore I don't enjoy

When we purchased our modest late 1970's brick, ranch style home in 2002 here in SW Virginia, we paid a fair price, plus got almost 3 acres of nicely landscaped yard (a chore in itself to mow and maintain, but I don't mind it). What we also got in the purchase was a fairly large in–ground swimming pool (22x36 feet) almost ten feet deep at the diving end. While we have had a lot of enjoyment over the years using the pool (especially when the grandkids who live nearby were younger), each year at this time I have to "winterize" it, and that's the chore I do not enjoy...anyway, anyhow.

I'm sore today after spending most of yesterday scrubbing the pool sides, brushing the bottom, draining a portion of the 26,000 gallons of water that keep it full,  backwashing and shutting off the pump and filter, filling up 8-10 feet long vinyl water bags that are used to secure a large tarp placed over the much lowered water, and then slowly and carefully pulling said tarp in place, lugging the filled and heavy water bags in place around the tarp's edge, and then finally securing the tarp with what I call "insurance" ties using rope attached to fence posts. It took me, my wife and our daughter to complete the process, but we were successful. What began for me at 10AM finished around 4:30 PM, with a brief lunch break.

We asked ourselves as we always do at this time of year, "is it worth the effort and expense to keep this thing open 4-5 months out of the year?" My solution is to fill it up with dirt and plant a garden. After all, there is already a very nice fence in place to keep the deer out. My wife's answer is to essentially remain silent on the matter, which means we'll be keeping it open, at least for a few more years. For now, it's closed and secure to endure the upcoming winter. That's a relief to me, but not to my sore muscles that will need another day or so to recover from "the annual chore I don't enjoy."

Something different

Here's something to look at to waste your time. But, it's still pretty neat and well put together. Enjoy...or not.

Remember the Day

I was working downtown in Washington, DC on September 11th, 2001. Later that evening I was able to catch a ride back to where I lived in Alexandria, VA and we drove past the still burning Pentagon. Having once worked in the building, my thoughts went out to all those working there then, and their families. We should never forget that day, horrible as it was at the Pentagon, in the fields of Pennsylvania and in New York City.

A few things...

Am sending the Sep-Oct issue of Army Engineer magazine to the printers on Sep 7th. Subscribers should expect to receive their copy around 1st or 2nd week of October. It's a nice issue with a great cover story about the drawdown in Iraq, written by one right in the middle of it all.

This sure has been a HOT summer...records temps. BUT...a weather local forecaster I trust notes that some recording stations in Virginia don't go back beyond 1950 in their record keeping. He notes it was much hotter back in the mid 1930s at other locations in Virginia, thus he advises all the "global warming" followers to cool their heels a bit. I agree, but no question the weather is getting weirder and weirder each year.

Catch some fish!

This is for all you folks living in Missouri near Fort Leonard Wood, during this Labor Day weekend. I am absolutely sure that many of you will be out on local rivers, streams and lakes searching for that illusive trophy bigmouth, smallmouth, or trout.

I remember the great times I once had floating down the Gasconade or Piney Rivers flipping my lures into dark places, knowing for sure my prize was there waiting for me. More times than not, however, I came up empty. Still, those were really fun times—especially when they took place on holiday weekends such as Labor Day, when we often got Friday off as well as Monday...thanks to a great commanding general at the time. I'm sure it's no different today.

Be safe, have fun, and good luck with your fishing!

Battle with the Cat

Every morning after I finish my walk, and after feeding both of our cats, I pour a cup of coffee, grab a banana, reach for my laptop bag near the kitchen table, turn on my Macbook Pro and start looking at my favorite websites, and checking emails. That ritual usually takes me an hour or so, during which time I make some cold cereal or hot instant oatmeal or hot instant grits, to provide a more substantial breakfast. All the time I'm doing this, I have both cats (Boots and Lucy) nearby...closely nearby. Given I'm sitting at the table with my laptop for awhile, I usually have to get up for a bathroom break, or to replenish my coffee. That's when the "battle with the cat" begins.

Within seconds of me leaving my seat, Boots leaps onto my butt-warmed chair and comfortably settles back. Then, as I return, she looks up at me saying to herself I'm sure, "He ain't getting this chair back!" Knowing her routine, I just start to sit down, and as I get closer to the seat, she jumps off to resume her "watch" for the next time I get up.

This process goes on and on all morning, until I leave the table to go to my home office for more productive activities of the day, unless I have outside chores to do. After I leave the kitchen, Boots will have nothing to do with my chair. It's only when I'm seated there with my laptop that she covets that position as her own. Cats are cool, eh?

Some thoughts to ponder

I read today an interesting editorial in the New York Times, written by Bob Herbert. He has some interesting thoughts I thought I'd pass on. Here's what he wrote in part:

"Wars are not problems that need managing, which suggests that they will always be with us. They are catastrophes that need to be brought to an end as quickly as possible. Wars consume lives by the thousands (in Iraq, by the scores of thousands) and sometimes, as in World War II, by the millions. The goal when fighting any war should be peace, not a permanent simmer of nonstop maiming and killing. Wars are meant to be won — if they have to be fought at all — not endlessly looked after.

One of the reasons we’re in this state of nonstop warfare is the fact that so few Americans have had any personal stake in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is no draft and no direct financial hardship resulting from the wars. So we keep shipping other people’s children off to combat as if they were some sort of commodity, like coal or wheat, with no real regard for the terrible price so many have to pay, physically and psychologically.

Not only is this tragic, it is profoundly disrespectful. These are real men and women, courageous and mostly uncomplaining human beings, that we are sending into the war zones, and we owe them our most careful attention. Above all, we owe them an end to two wars that have gone on much too long."

Joining the E-reader club

Before it was released, I was sure I'd be an early buyer of Apple's iPad. I am truly an Apple product zealot so it's not hard for me to spend some cash on new products from the company. The iPad was to be the perfect product for me...as it has been and continues to be for millions of others out there. But...I changed my mind.

I decided what I really wanted to do with a device such as the iPad was read books. Many iPad owners report that reading books on the device is a bit of an eye-strain, and my eyes don't need any more straining. So, when Amazon released its new Kindle 3 device, I decided after weeks of thought and reading online reviews that it was what I wanted. And, it costs about one-quarter of what an iPad would have cost me, $139 vs $599.

I waited too long to order the new Kindle, and they are sold out at present. But, if all goes well according to Amazon, I'll have it by mid-September. In the meantime, I'll finish reading the last of my "paper" books. I hope this e-reader transformation works for me as it has for others. Times sure do change don't they?

Facebook and the AEA

Since AEA started its FACEBOOK fan page, almost 2300 interested people have joined. That statistic is representative of the manner in which our Army engineer community is united in a common bond of selfless, military service. Having said that as a compliment to what a FACEBOOK fan page can do, I have to admit I have little interest in getting too much involved with the personal social networking aspects of the service. I have a personal FACEBOOK page (I needed it in order to be the administrator for AEA's fan page) but I don't use it any more. Too much effort to do that, plus keep this blog and my Photo Blog relatively current. Anyway, as far as AEA's fan page is concerned, it's full speed ahead. Thanks to all who are participating. Link to the page is here.

Looking back at how we were

I ran across this link today, showing some very nice color photographs from 1939-1943. They show what it was like for middle to lower income people in our country, trying to escape the effects of the great depression. It's HERE for you enjoyment...or not.

No more combat troops?

I have to laugh when I listen to commentators on TV and radio announce, "All combat troops have been withdrawn from Iraq." What do these people think the remaining 50,000 or so men and women wearing Army combat uniforms over there are...if not "combat". Soldiers are soldiers and they will respond and adapt accordingly to whatever dangerous and deadly threats remain.

Fakers

Lots of news over the past several months about people in the military wearing awards and qualification badges which had never been approved, as well as people in and out of uniform lying about their past military service accomplishments. I remember one such "faker" from my days in uniform during the Vietnam War.

I was a company commander at Engineer Officer Candidate School (OCS) located at Fort Belvoir. We were graduating around 100 new lieutenants a week. Hectic to say the least. Candidates were guided through their rugged 23-week, OCS training period by Tactical Officers (TAC), some having just returned from combat duty. One such first lieutenant wearing a 1st CAV combat patch had been assigned as the senior TAC for a class of candidates in a company assigned to another battalion than the one I was in. From what I gathered by talking to my fellow company commanders, this guy was being noticed for the qualification badges he wore on his fatigues, and award ribbons he wore on his Class "A" uniform...one being a Bronze Star with "V" device. One evening at the nearby annex to the Officer's Club, the decorated lieutenant was approached by one of our battalion commanders who had himself served in the 1st CAV. They talked about where each had been assigned with the division, and what sort of combat they had experienced. Afterwards, the battalion commander concluded something was not right. Too many things about this guy's combat service did not add up. So, he called up a friend in the Engineer Officer's Assignment Branch and asked him to do some checking. Shortly afterwards, he got a call in return telling him no such person existed in the officer ranks in the Corps of Engineers. But, one of the same name DID exist in the enlisted ranks.

Turns out this guy was in fact a SP/5 personnel clerk, who had been assigned to the 1st CAV, and who had concocted a completely new and very official looking personnel file for himself as an engineer officer. He made sure the record showed that he had all the typical Vietnam era service awards, plus added the valorous Bronze Star for good measure. To top it off, he added fake Airborne and Ranger School qualification to his "record". He then prepared orders for himself having him assigned to Fort Belvoir as a first lieutenant, versus a SP/5 that he was. Got to give him an "A" I guess for guts, plus he must have been a pretty good personnel clerk to make this all work out as it did.

I know this sounds crazy when you look at it, but back then "paper" records were utilized...both in the field and at engineer branch. And, people were moving all over the place, back and forth to Vietnam. This guy simply slipped through the system. After he was exposed for what he really was by the battalion commander, it was decided to just let him quietly and quickly exit the Army with a general discharge, rather than to punish him more severely and thus having to explain how such a faker had gotten himself assigned to train OCS candidates for combat. True story, embarrassing as it may be to the Army's personnel system back then.

When politicians love the military

It irritates me when politicians seem to have little time to address in a timely manner, important issues which affect the military. They always find some way to delay decisions in that regard...decisions which could have an impact on their reelection chances. But look at them jump when it's announced that a military base or command is being eliminated to save tax payer dollars. All of a sudden, they sound off with strong statements about readiness, taking care of people, jobs, etc. Case in point is the recent announcement by the Sec Def to recommend closing JFCOM HQ in Virginia. Political pandering at it's best.

These are MY pickles!

Most people won't understand why we let our two cats sit on the table while we eat a meal. Unsanitary, stupid, whatever. Anyway, both do it almost everyday, but only during lunch. It's that meal when we usually have sandwiches, so we haul out all of the necessary "fixins" and spread them about the table, usually in some sort of barrier, to keep the cats from getting too close to us while we eat. They don't want any of the food, they just want to join us, as a part of their family. Note I said "their". What Boots was doing when I took this was to lay her head on the cool pickle jar, and when she did she quickly fell asleep...until I got my camera out.

Where are the storms?

The 2010 hurricane season has been predicted to be an active one with 15 named storms in the Atlantic region by the time the season ends. You can't tell that by what's been happening in the tropics up until now. Usually by mid August, there is lots more activity coming in waves across the Atlantic, headed to wherever...typically up along the east coast or into the Gulf of Mexico. Now, having written this, it's all definitely good news.

Rainy Saturday Morning

Anyone other than me enjoy a rainy Saturday morning from time to time? Not always, mind you—fish need to be caught, golf balls need to be hit, ocean water needs to be tested, and sun screen needs to be applied in abundance. But, waking up with rain falling on a Saturday (or Sunday for that matter) has always affected me generally in a positive way. Maybe it's some sort of message from the weather Gods telling me it's OK to stay in bed longer. Whatever, I like it.

Yes, it's raining here today in SW Virginia, as I type this on my Apple MacBook Pro laptop, sitting at our kitchen table, looking out the window at the dark skies. And as usual when I'm at this position, with our cat Boots sleeping right next to my computer screen. She don't care if it's raining or not—sleep is always a top priority—lower than being fed however.

New Camo Pattern

I like it. According to HQDA, soldiers deploying to Afghanistan will now go with a new uniform in their mobility bag— one that fights fire and fleas, and makes them more invisible to insurgents. The next generation of uniform for soldiers deploying to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom bears the new "OEF camouflage pattern"—called OCP for short. The pattern is better suited than the "Universal Camouflage Pattern" to blend-in in the Afghanistan environment. It is also known as "MultiCam."

Rude People

I'm assuming you're aware of the recent incident regarding the Jet Blue stewardess who "jumped ship" after having a run-in with a rude passenger. While he's in trouble with the law, he (the stewardess) has gained a large group of sympathizers, especially from others in the airline profession.

I'm one of those who feel his frustration when flying with so many rude people today—those who try to cram in as much carry-on baggage they can in the overhead, always jump to their feet to start unloading their stuff well before the plane has come to a full stop, have small babies sitting on their lap to save a seat fee, stand in long lines up the narrow aisle waiting to use the lavatories, slap their seat back to relax in front of me thus jamming my seat tray into my stomach, talk constantly in a loud voice telling everyone around them what a great time they had on their vacation, and generally making themselves a giant pain in the butt.

Rude people like these are everywhere these days it seems to me. It's like most have no manners at all, and care little for anyone else who does. Cell phones have not helped. Nor have laptops and music players. People always seem to be able to use these items in such a way to tick me off somehow. Maybe I'm too intolerant, but I don't think so.

My solution to much of this is to stay away from the masses as much as possible—most of whom are time bombs of rudeness waiting to explode onto some innocent soul like me. Like the Jet Blue stewardess hero, when I'm confronted by rudeness in the future, I'm going to shout, "Grab two beers and jump!"

The Bomb

65 years ago, we dropped two atomic bombs on Japan as a way to finally end the bloody and deadly war. After the war, the number of stockpiled nuclear weapons, their size and destructive power grew during the Cold War period with the USSR. Thankfully, they were never used as designed.

After recently reading biographies about Presidents' Truman and Eisenhower, I learned that both had been encouraged numerous times by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and political advisors to employ these type weapons against China, North Korea and North Vietnam. Both, to their credit, refused to accept that advice. Some have written that had Eisenhower not been President during the eight-year period he was, that the US might very well have used some of its vast arsenal of nuclear weapons to carry out its national objectives.

Given Eisenhower's unique and highly regarded military experience, he understood why such would not be a good option and held off those trying to convince him otherwise. In that regard, he worried after leaving the White House that the dwindling number of politicians with military experience might eventually lead to someone being elected to the nation's highest office who potentially might get us involved in situations where we would use these deadly and destructive weapons—something for which we might later regret. Interesting scenario to ponder.

Waiting for the Storms

I once was employed as Town Manager at a North Carolina beach community, and during the almost five years we lived and owned property there, we experienced the wrath of numerous tropical storms—with three major storms impacting us in one year (1999: Dennis, Floyd and Irene). One question I used to ask residents who had faced the prospect of losing everything each year for their entire lives, was, "Why do you guys do this?" Their response was always, "We love it here, and the threat of storms is just the price we pay to have our days in paradise." I never got it, however, because their definition of "paradise" and mine was entirely different. Flip-flop sandals and all.

It is always at this time of the summer (beginning of August) when stress levels begin to rise in hurricane country, given the fact that peak hurricane months are August-September-October. When we were living along the coast, the Weather Channel was checked many times during the day. And when storms were brewing at sea, it stayed on constantly, while we watched the "cone of impact" fluctuate around, always seeming to have Wilmington, NC at its projected center.

We used to joke about the storm Gods all getting together, deciding how best to track every low pressure system, such that "Wilmington, NC" would always be in the target zone. In fact that happened in October, 1999, when Irene tracked across the western tip of Cuba, supposedly headed into the southern Gulf of Mexico. We went to bed thinking we were safe. But, the next morning we awoke and learned that the Gods were getting their way by moving Irene back across southern Florida, into the Atlantic, and from then on it was "Wilmington here we come!" And it sure did, missing us by a hair, but still causing considerable damage.

So, for any of you reading this now living in hurricane country, I say you can have your paradise. I wish you a safe year, but keep your cordless drill, screws and plywood handy to board up those windows!

Moving Day (Month) in Iraq

Here's a nice article printed at Army Times online. It explains the "moving out" process ongoing in Iraq. Sure a different situation compared to 2003-2004.

Is this the end?

Today, the White House announced that the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) as begun by President Bush will soon end—at least in name. When President Obama took office, there were around 140,000 troops deployed there. At the end of this month (August) there are supposed to be around 50,000 remaining in the transition force—according to the White House. The new mission name is to be Operation New Dawn, where the residual force of deployed personnel will focus on training the Iraqi military, as well as performing counter-terrorism operations.

I also read today where "electricity" remains a serious problem in Iraq, even after billions were spent by the US to help modernize and expand the nation's electrical generation and distribution capability. When OIF began in 2003, it did not take the Army Corps of Engineers long to determine just how bad Iraq's electrical grid was, not counting damage done by bombing during the early stages of OIF. The regime in power at the time had cared very little about modernizing the power grid, unless it involved palaces and other high profile government facilities. Now, after all these years and dollars spent, much still remains to be accomplished—with poor neighborhoods in Baghdad averaging around five hours of electricity per day.

So, while from a political standpoint one might point to realization of a "promised end" to OIF, in my view there is much yet to be settled in Iraq before anyone can say it really is "the end".