Summertime Routine or What?

In the Army, it seems that summertime is for moving to a new assignment. Most of our family moves in almost 30 years took place in June, July or August and I suspect we are a part of a large majority of military personnel with similar experiences.

Looking back, I recall lots of sweat during hot, humid conditions as we sorted though accumulated "stuff" to decide what to have packed versus what to donate to Goodwill, or take to the landfill.

Not so when we moved to the U.S. from Germany (twice) because we went over with most of our household goods in storage—but thanks to my wife's travels in Europe and her desire to buy at least one of every type of crystal glassware (preferably six each) and an assortment of clocks, ceramic pieces of art, assorted beer and wine glasses (my purchases) and much more...which in total forced us to teeter perilously close to maxing us out in terms of weight limit, without having to pay extra.

So, for all you out there going through this normal military routine, all I can say is "stay cool...all soon will pass."

Think about it

I have become more and more dissatisfied with the use of what is commonly referred to as "social media." Twitter, Facebook and cellphone texting for instance, and the manner in which people are utilizing this way to interact instead of having a good old fashioned face to face conversation. It's much easier, for example, to post some comment on your Facebook wall about another person, than it is to actually talk to that person. While I am critical of where this mode of communication has taken us, I use it just as millions of others do. So, why am I unhappy with it?

In my case I am attracted to things that are "new." I like to experiment, and I like change. When Facebook came along, I saw just how beneficial that might be to how we in the Army could keep in touch. Families, units, organizations, whatever. Using Facebook or Twitter with that in mind is a good idea, and as many military units with members deployed overseas have found out, it's a great way to facilitate cohesion and morale.

What bothers me more these days is how abusive and insensitive people have become on Facebook or Twitter regarding what they write...or in  the case of some...what they upload in the way of photos. It boggles my mind why anyone could be so stupid to post something in a moment of anger, for all the world (potentially) to read...or see. What's that say about that person? Would you want that person working for you...or with you?

Maybe we just need to be more mindful and respectful of others, regardless of how we might feel about them or their beliefs. More importantly, maybe we need to think twice before making a comment on Facebook, Twitter or in a cellphone text. If there is any doubt in your mind how it might be received...take a deep breath and delete it.

Habits and Routine

Routine is good...as are some habits. Both can also be bad. Depends on who is in control...you or someone else. This applies to people only...because pets like cats and dogs always like routine; but they, like people can adopt bad habits.

When our Alaska Malamute dogs were alive they both had bad habits, but thankfully nothing we could not deal with. Our two cats now are the same. But both the dogs, and now the cats, absolutely loved "routine." Like right now for example. My cat Lucy is lapping up the left-over milk in my cereal bowl. She does that every day, and her eyes light up when she sees me go to the pantry to get the cereal box out, and then she sits patiently waiting for her treat. Regular feeding time is another thing the cats love...my personal belief is that both have internal clocks that can tell exactly when it's 8 AM or 5PM...daylight savings time taken into consideration.

With the dogs, they were less concerned about the time they ate, than they were about what the food was. Picky eaters both. What was important to them time-wise was, however, their daily runs with me...some being long runs, like when we were in Germany with dog Nicki when we'd run the woods in Karlsruhe for miles and miles...and he never got tired...unlike me. Our female malamute Mystee was not as good a runner as was Nicki, but she wanted to "GO" anyway, and in her younger days runs of 2-4 miles were easy for her, especially when we lived on the North Carolina coast...she loved running in beach sand.

Anyway, we all have our routines and habits...man...woman...cat...or dog.

Hard Choices

I'm a Vietnam War veteran with two combat tours. What was said back then about the hard choices of staying there or leaving, are again being said about Afghanistan. Unfortunately just as during the war in Vietnam, "political considerations" play too large a role in making decisions. Frankly, I find it hard to understand how a politician will argue for this or that based mostly on opinion polls, and how a position they might take will affect their re-election. We're not taking about popularity here, we're talking about men and women being sent into combat...being killed, wounded and otherwise being affected in many ways which will follow them the rest of their lives.

The President is going to address this topic tonight on television, and perhaps I ought to wait until afterwards to make this post. But, I decided to post it anyway. What he says or does not say isn't going to make any difference to how I feel personally about it all.

Lets Cool Off!

Take two minutes and watch this amazing video of a couple of some pretty crazy but brave guys skiing off a cliff...fortunately wearing a parachute. It will cool you off on these hot days.

Waiting for a Train

Traveling the back roads of South Western Virginia and the Piedmont region of North Carolina which borders the Commonwealth, I see many things as they used to be...through the lens of my camera...sights that often make me sad; but in a way happy, because so many personal hopes and dreams were once realized in this wonderful, rural part of the United States. They still are, but much less so.

I recently passed by this old train station, long shuttered and free from the noise, excitement and expectations of those happy souls about to board a train off to somewhere, or for those getting off, returning home. The station is in Madison, NC and it's just a short walk to the center of this small, once thriving town. Trains still pass by the station today, but none stop. In fact, Madison is probably a rare stopping place for most people these days...except for those working and living there, or those like me who like to visit and remember how things used to be.

Some Things to Ponder

A good friend of mine recently recommended a book to me..."The Shack" written by William P. Young. In short, it's about a father's first hand multi-day encounter face-to-face with God...and more...following a family tragedy which had affected him deeply. I'm not preaching here, but there are some excellent spiritual points to ponder in this book, and the story line is not only captivating, but it's got some twists and turns that to me were unexpected.

I'm just saying you might want to check out the book's website and see whether or not you too might like to read it...if you have the same reaction as I did, you won't be disappointed.

They do listen at the top

Way to go Army! You listened to those who count the most and dumped the black beret from being worn with the ACU. Now, it's back to the good old field cap. Personally, I would have dropped the beret altogether and not allow it as an option to be worn with the service (Class A) uniform. Adopting it was a mistake, but I don't get a vote anymore.

Graduating Seniors

In the past 30 days I have attended graduations of two of our granddaughters...one from Virginia Tech, and the other from high school. The former was relatively short and sweet for us, given that Tech has two ceremonies...the first outdoors at the stadium with speeches, but no actual handing out of degrees and individual student recognition. The one we attended was scheduled the next day indoors, for each individual academic college (such as science, engineering, business, etc) where graduates walk across the stage receiving their diplomas...but with no speeches other than introductions of dignitaries. High School graduation, on the other hand, is "all of the above" and they are long...and I'm thinking that few graduates pay much attention to what's going on except when it's time to stand up to cross the stage as their names are called. The messages offered to them are positive, however, if they would just listen to what's being said.

What's common to both, however, is that graduates today are walking into a world much different from the past...job wise. Not only are temporary or more permanent jobs for high school graduates much harder to find these days, but statistics reflect that upwards to 50% of college grads do not have a job when they get their diploma. Joining the military seems for many to be a good way to go...but as the military reduces the size of its forces as projected, even that route will not be as open as it has been.

Reversing the dismal unemployment trend we've been experiencing in the past several years is not going to be easy...and none are as hopeful to see quick and permanent positive change than are recent academic graduates at all levels.

It is a big deal!

As you may have seen here, it's been announced that MG Ed Cardon will take command later this year of the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. Not necessarily news that a new division commander has been selected, but to us engineers when one of our own is so named, it IS a big deal.

I remember well, when early in Operation Iraqi Freedom (then) Colonel Cardon commanded the engineer brigade assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division. They were a part of the initial thrust into Iraq, and soldiers assigned under his command performed magnificently. I remember saying to myself words to the effect that, "this guy is going places in the Army." He certainly has, and I wish him all the best in the future.

If you need to recharge your batteries...

Whenever my Army Engineer Sapper Spirit Engine batteries get low, I re-charge by talking to, watching, admiring, and wondering how so many can be so good...engineer soldiers I'm referring to. My annual trip to the Headquarters of the Engineer Regiment at Fort Leonard Wood usually provides me with enough "juice" to last a year...the place is that inspiring...especially to one like me who remembers when the installation was much less (you insert a discriptor here).

In between my trips out west of the Mississippi River, I receive "trickle charges" to my batteries by writing about things going on within the Regiment...for Army Engineer magazine. In the process, I see not only images made at Fort Leonard Wood, but get a large amount of material from those deployed...military and civilian. As I insert photos into magazine layouts, I often visualize myself actually being on the ground where the image was taken. Makes me feel less old and more relevant.

So, for you other engineer veterans out there reading this, seek out an engineer soldier or two if you can, and see how much your Sapper Spirit will be energized. If that's not possible, visit AEA's website and click on Unit Links. Lots to see and read there.

Some day "things" happen

Don't you just love it (hardly) when stuff breaks...important stuff which you rely on daily...like electronic devices, vehicles, appliances, heat pumps/air conditioners and similar modern day necessities. When such happens to me I remember long ago when we did not rely as much on these sorts of "things" as we do today...so our levels of stress seemed lower.

Anyway my recent encounter with a "broken thing"was the day after Memorial Day when I discovered a small leak in the filter pump at our in-ground swimming pool...a convenience I wish we did not have...but it came with the house when we moved in and we liked the house, so there you go. I called the pool maintenance guys who had installed the pump and they came out a few days later to replace all the gaskets, etc. Took forever it seemed because the PVC piping in and out of the pump had to be modified a bit when everything was taken apart, but eventually it all went back together. Still leaked. So...they took it all apart again, eye-balled every crevice, said, "hummmmm" and then put it all back together. Turned the pump back on, still leaked. Third time they took it apart, and a third time they put it back together. Leak remained.

I elected to give up and decided this was a truly dead pump and the fixing process was a journey to nowhere. So, the decision was made to let it leak until a new assembly could be ordered (it was not really a big leak... drip or so every second). So, I turned it back on so the pool would remain useable over the weekend and they left promising to call back Monday when a new assembly had been located. As soon as they drove away, the circuit breaker by the pool pump popped...because (apparently) the "small" leak had shorted out the pump's electric motor. My sense of urgency to replace the thing NOW heightened, and I immediately called them back. So, they returned early the the next day (Saturday) with a new pump/filter assembly (fancier too...and more costly). Installed it, and now we're back in business poolside. We are also going to be poorer when we get the bill.

We never had these sorts of problems when our "backyard pool" was an 8-foot circular inflatable thing that always left circles of dead grass where it sat usually full of kid play toys throughout the hot summer. But, it was cheaper and easier to replace grass than an electric pump/pool filter!

Those who serve

Our cross-the-street neighbors moved in just a few months ago. Young couple...Dan is a Corporal with the Martinsville Sheriff's Office and his wife Sarah is seeking work as a Registered Nurse. He and I seem to have hit it off in many ways...perhaps it's because of my military background. This week he and his wife had some bad news...but it turned out to be OK... relatively so. Here's the story.

Dan's brother is a Sergeant with the Virginia Highway Patrol, and earlier this week he responded to a call regarding a "be on the lookout" for a person who (at that time) was suspected of killing his wife that day. The alleged felon worked for the Franklin County Virginia Sheriff's office which made his apprehension even more urgent. Dan's brother spotted the car with the suspect driving and pulled him over. In the process, the trooper was shot in the leg, and the shooter fled, followed by other law enforcement personnel who later got into a gun battle themselves, seriously wounding the suspect. Meanwhile, Dan's brother had been taken to a nearby medical facility where he was cared for...soon to be joined by Dan and other family members.

What this story is all about is the dedication of our law enforcement personnel...and their comrades in public service in fire departments all across the nation. They are there every day, all doing their jobs professionally...except for a bad apple from time to time, such as the shooter in this case. What I saw first hand, however, was how everyone quickly came together as events transpired, and afterwards. They were "one."

The Franklin County shooter is now lying with several shots in his chest, in a hospital bed in Virginia. If he survives, he will soon move behind bars where he belongs. Dan's brother, on the other hand will eventually return to his job, protecting us all daily as best he can. Law enforcement and fire department personnel are at the top of my list of heroes...certainly equal in stature to those who serve in the military.