Lots of promise—never realized

I remember when the unit I commanded received our first Humvees in the late-1980s, and how excited we were. They could go almost anywhere and had much more utility than the vehicles they replaced. Then, along came IEDs.

I just read where top commanders in Afghanistan are further restricting the use of Humvees because of their vulnerability. A 2008 Army Inspector General's report found all sorts of design flaws against present day threats, such as flat bottom, low weight, low ground clearance, and the composition of the body. Not a good thing when you're dealing with buried IEDs. For having so much promise, the vehicle never achieved the success expected. But then, who could have predicted the type threat we have today.

Korean War Anniversary

Sixty years ago on June 25th, North Korean tanks and troops swarmed across the 38th Parallel beginning a war that would eventually cost the lives of thousands of American military, our allies, and the civilian populace. It has been referred to as the "Forgotten War" but in recent years that's not been so. Engineers were critical during the war, as they have been during conflicts before and after. In Korea,  however, missions that stood out involved destruction and repair of various types of bridges, as is shown here. Remember those who died during the war, and pay respects to those veterans now living.

Interesting Week

On top of all the terrible news about the oil spill, we got the Rolling Stone magazine story, and for us in the military that was a definite eye-catcher. To each, their opinion on the matter.

Then we had the USA soccer team advancing in the World Cup, and the 11.5 hour tennis match. Plus "HOT, damn HOT" weather here along the east coast. Anyone remember that phrase in the movie "Good Morning Vietnam"..."HOT, damn HOT!"

Great movie, and anyone who remembers hearing that early morning cry over AFVN will recall lots of laughs. Adrian Cronauer was the DJ, and he was portrayed by Robin Williams in the movie.

Reunions

This is the time of year when many veteran groups have their reunions. I just received a brief report about one— the 297th Engineer Combat Battalion"s WWII group. The event was conducted near Nashville, TN in Owensboro, KY. Only eight veterans were able to attend this year (and that's pretty good considering the age of those involved) but they were joined by around 50 family members, so the total number was very impressive. I'm amazed at how much family members of WWII veterans really care about the wartime service of their relative.

I'm told by one of the planners of the event that it was really a wonderful time. The thing that impressed me the most was what happened when the group attended a performance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. The performers called out every 297th veteran's name during the show, to great applause. Then, everyone sang patriotic songs, while all other military veterans in attendance were asked to stand up and be recognized.

This is what is so great about America.

Hope this Works

I read an encouraging article today about the Army Chief of Staff's vision regarding deployments and dwell time. It's here at Army Times online. I hope it works.

Writing down your thoughts

Here's another one of my "the older you get" posts. Subject this time is taking time to write down your thoughts. For me this has proven helpful to get things out of my mind on paper, and that helps me keep things in perspective.

I wish I'd done this more earlier in my Army career. There were so many interesting, unique, humorous, frustrating and challenging events during that period—many of which are now long forgotten. I especially wish I'd done that when I was in Vietnam.

And that brings me to any of you reading this who are wearing ACUs. Just about 100% of you have a computer of some sort—most likely a laptop. And probably all of you keep in touch with families and friends back home via email, Facebook, or whatever. Why not take the time to also write down your thoughts from time to time, like in a personal dairy. Then, later in life you can go back and remember things that I can guarantee you will be lost otherwise. You may think this is not important now. I can assure you it is.

Airlines Again

I watched a brief news item on CNN this morning about a soldier, in combat uniform, who was returning overseas after a brief leave period at home with his family, and who was charged extra for having his duffle bag weighing more than the standard maximum weight of 50 pounds. His was some sixty odd pounds.

Problem is, the airline, American, has a standard policy stating that those in the military traveling in uniform on orders have a maximum allowable weigh of 100 pounds before excess weight charges apply. The airline's excuse was that the individual did not show his orders when checking in, but then the soldier stated he was not asked to show those orders, and that the attendant was rude during the process. Of course now that CNN and other media outlets are reporting on the incident, American Airlines is being all apologetic and offering a refund.

Too late. Never should have happened in the first place. Another reason why I refuse to fly anymore on commercial airlines.

Eat those bananas

Reading about Gen. David Petraeus fainting yesterday during a Senate hearing, and blaming it on not having eaten breakfast and drinking enough water, and after he'd returned to the hearing a short time later, and telling those gathered that he'd just eaten a banana and felt much better, I have to say that bananas are a definite "must have" on a daily basis when one gets older, or is under some stress. Bananas contain lots of potassium and that's an important thing to have enough of in your body. Check out the facts here. How's that for my annual health tip?

How much did you say it cost?

I remember when I used to buy business suits. I always sought to pay the least I could because I absolutely hated to wear them. Around $200 was my target, and less if I could find one—sometimes in the PX, on sale.

Anyway, I just read an article in Army Times online about how much the new "multi-cam" combat uniform costs—$174 per set. Compare that to the current ACU version which costs $152 per set. That's around the same price I always looked at paying for a business suit! And, I only wore it from time to time while on active duty. Given that I'd probably need at least three or four sets of the new multi-cam or ACU uniform, we're talking about a lot of money required to get dressed to "go to work!"

Granted, there may be uniform allowances provided by the Army, and perhaps they are "issued" to those needing them. Still, almost $200 for a "combat" uniform seems awful expensive to me.

President Truman

I've been reading David McCullough's book,"Truman" about the life of our 33rd president. I knew the basics about his two terms in office, how he directed the integration of the Army, and how he won in a major upset in 1948, but it's taken the book to make me fully appreciate just how great Harry Truman really was—as the leader of our country, but mostly as a simple, no nonsense person. I highly recommend this book and I'm not one to usually be so excited about "history". Most interesting is making comparisons to the manner in which our government functioned back then, and how it does today. "Google it" and check out the reviews for yourself.

New Appearance

Thanks to “Blogger” to which I am indebted for providing me a way to post all this sort of stuff, for free, I decided to freshen up the Blog’s look a bit. Those behind the scenes at Blogger just came out with some new design templates, which I adapted to my desires. And, here you are. Enjoy...or not.

Weeding and other chores

I can’t remember a year when the weeds in my garden grew so fast. But then, my cucumbers are growing equally fast, as are the tomatoes, so I guess this is a good thing. One thing about cucumbers is that they tend to hide under their broad leaves, and you have to search carefully for those ripe to pick. If you overlook one or two, you wind up with something resembling a long watermelon.

While we were on active duty in the Army, living in government quarters, I never planted much of anything, and really didn’t concern myself that much with yard chores either. I figured what the heck, we’ll be moving in a couple of years so why worry about it. And, move according to that schedule we did—15 moves in almost 30 years of being on active duty. Some were shorter than others while some were longer, but it all averaged out to that number. I’m sure it’s not much different today for those serving.

Disgraceful

From what I heard today on the radio, the individual in charge of Arlington National Cemetery and his deputy are being severly disciplined due to gross mismanagement and lack of attention to duty. It's time for these two guys, and anyone else found derilect to GO!

The Secretary of the Army took this action following a lengthy inspector’s general report highlighting mismanagement, poor record keeping and other problems. Mismarked graves, and in at least one case having buried the body of one service member on top of another, incredible as that may sound. Even more telling of the sort of individuals we have here is the statement supposedly made by the person in charge after being questioned about the problems. “ Nobody is doing anything malicious. Sure mistakes get made—does anyone run a perfect organization?”

If any place ought to have “zero defects” when it comes to proper management and oversight, it certainly ought to be Arlington National Cemetery—given that it is one of our most respected and venerated memorials.

Gettin behinder as I go

I’m late. Should have posted something here sooner. Last one was my D-Day message. Now it’s June 10th. Just plain forgot. There is no excuse for this major oversight, given that I start off each day with my Apple MacBook Pro laptop at the kitchen table, checking all my favorite web sites, checking email, updating this blog and my personal photo blog (see the link in the right column), and doing all that while eating my bowl of cereal and banana, with a nice hot cup of coffee, and my cat Boots sitting nearby (as she is right now as I type). But, I often get distracted and take off in new, unplanned directions.

So, there ya go. A new blog post that says absolutely nothing important. But, at least it’s current. And that’s the way it is here in blogger land.

D–Day June 6th, 1944

Army Engineers played key roles during the allied forces landings in France. While the number of living veterans who participated in this momentous military operation continue to decline year by year, their courageous actions grow in significance and provide great inspiration to those serving today.

Moving out

The Army’s 3rd Sustainment Brigade from Fort Stewart has the mission of moving around 100,000 items of equipment out of Iraq by the end of this year. Tough mission, but I sure am glad it’s underway. Hopefully, the security situation there will allow a reduction of 40,000 or so troops in the country by September, and keep everything on track to put Iraq in the rear view mirror as soon as possible.

Time Passing

Was my post "title" phrase "time passing" not in some song I listened to long ago? Not sure. Anyway, I digress.

Yesterday I flipped the page on several calendars we have hanging about the house. We find ourselves looking at them more and more, given that we have so many things to keep track of, it seems, the older we get.

Things like doctor and dentist appointments, reminders when either myself or my wife have a scheduled activity somewhere, and so forth. Thus, the good old paper calendar hanging on the wall has become an important item in our household. (We have electronic calendars on all our computers and cell phones as well).

My wife buys fancy heavywieght paper ones for her and I, each having a different pictorial theme for her tastes and for mine, which we give as gifts during Christmastime. She also bought nice wooden frames several years ago, in which to mount each year's calendar. And to make it a bit easier to flip the page monthly.

In that regard, those monthly page flipping events seem to come more quickly that they once did. I remember when I was in Vietnam that we all had "short-timer" calendars on which we crossed out day after day to finally get down under "two-digits"—the number of days left before returning home. When you got under a hundred days, you were called a "two-digit-figit". But man, did those last 99 days go by SLOWWWWW! Not so today. Those nice calendars we have hanging in our house hardly get comfortable to being on "May" before "June" pops up.

New PT

Those who read my blog regularly know I've been posting comments about changes to the Army's PT program (physical fitness training). Army Times online has a comprehensive article here describing some of those changes.