When "words" count

In my lifetime I have had hundreds of people younger and older than me offer words of advice pertaining to what I might do, should do, or absolutely not do. Some of that advice passed through my ears like a stiff breeze through a back porch screen door. Here and gone...just like that. However, some of those words of advice (counseling might be a better term) settled into my memory bank and are still vibrant years later.

Words count when they come from people who speak from the heart, speak from experience, and speak with an appreciation of who you are and how you might receive what they have to say. In sum, they really care about what they are saying to you, and they do so in the right way. I'll also include "written" words here...not just those spoken face-to-face.

For example, I read a number of Blogs daily...all associated in some way with photography. One of those is written by a highly regarded photographer who works as a "tech rep" for a major camera company. On his daily blog he shows a photo, writes about the technical aspects of it in some way, and then often adds words of encouragement or inspiration which might or might not be related to the photo. His written words count as far as I am concerned...because they come from his heart.

I also recall coming to work early one morning when I was assigned to an engineer troop unit. After I sat down at my desk I spotted a 3x5 note card propped up in its center. The card contained a hand-written note, in pencil that read, "Thanks for taking care of the troops. From one of them." I saved that card, but never did find out who wrote down the words. All I know is that they counted...then and today.

Prescribed footware policy not sitting well

I read today this article about the Army not allowing (service-wide) the wear of running footware know as "toe shoes." OK, I get it...they look different, but according to serious runners, they are far better on the body than are more traditional running shoes.

The article states that none of the other services have taken this stance. In fact, the top enlisted sailor in the Navy wears them to PT, as do many in the Marine Corp's Headquarters Battalion.

Personally I see nothing wrong with allowing them to be worn...at the minimum allow local commanders to make the call as the Marines and Air Force do. Perhaps they might be prohibited during basic training, but afterwards, why not. Sometimes I have a hard time following the logic of those in the Army who sit in high places. Certinaly I am not alone if one looks at the backlash of negative comments from those now serving.

Watching and Waiting

As I sit here early Saturday morning, in SW Virginia, reading news about the passage and effects of Hurricane Irene, moving up the east coast, I say a prayer of thanks that so far there has been far less impact over what was initially projected…but there's a way to go yet.

I also  am thankful that we made the decision to move off the North Carolina coast back in 2002, after experiencing several major hurricane evacuations…three in 1999. I said then and I repeat now…it's hard for me to agree with those who say living on the beach full time is living in paradise. If paradise includes always looking over your shoulder from June through November, every year, mindful of the fact that all you own could be lost in a surge of wind or waves, then I want nothing to do with it. Been there done that four years in a row and that was enough for us.

I'm still glued every year, however, to the National Hurricane Center's website during hurricane season, and watch the tracks of hurricanes like Irene with a hawks eye…just as if we were still in the potential cone of impact. If you live in hurricane country, you dream about "cones of impact."

Many veterans of hurricanes will often pray they be spared from major impact, but at the same time they are aware that when the storm misses them, it hits another person…so they also pray for them, since everyone is bound together by their experiences of living where they do.

After the storms pass, recovery begins. Sometimes, like with Hurricane Katrina, recovery seems to move excruciatingly slow. At the center of recovery efforts is often the Army Corps of Engineers, the National Guard and active military forces. When the end of November arrives, most give a sigh or relief that it's all over…until next June when it begins again…watching and waiting.

Bear Country

We sort of live in bear country all over SW Virginia, but that region is mostly up in the Blue Ridge mountains...not nearby Martinsville...in the foothills. And then today in the local newspaper there is a front page headline including photos, about two black bears scrounging for food in Bassett, Virginia, just a short drive from our home.

Story is that last weekend a big family reunion took place in Bassett, where a large pig was cooked in a hand-dug and earth covered underground pit, like was done traditionally in this part of the country. Lots of other food went along with the BBQ which I am sure was all pretty tasty. Anyway, two bears got "wind" of the event afterwards and came to inspect. They were "captured" by a camera lens, but eventually wandered away into some nearby woods.

Those having the reunion said they were thankful the bears did not come by when the event was underway, but appreciated the uninvited guests helping to clean up afterwards.

Trains do still come and go

I made this photo last week inside the Danville, Virginia train depot. Amtrak and other trains still pass by daily, and if I wanted to, I could board an Amtrak passenger train here early in the AM and be in New York City in mid-afternoon the same day. I like that possibility, because there are few places outside of large cities in the United States today where one can take a train anywhere, except around a small track in some carnival ride or amusement park.

Perhaps it's the old wooden benches in the Danville depot that bring me back to when I was a child riding trains in the midwest and south, as my father changed jobs here and there. We eventually wound up in Little Rock Arkansas, and I got there via train...leaving by car to Missouri, and then later from there via train again to Illinois when my parents were divorced. After I graduated from high school just north of Chicago, I rode a train to Michigan Tech in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in 1959....dragging an old heavy trunk with all my stuff crammed inside.

Trains and the military go hand-in-hand historically speaking, but have been replaced today with planes. Still, I suspect many in the military happily elect to ride trains (or buses) as they travel about. Maybe our country will eventually return to using rail transportation more some day...like in Europe, Japan and China. I hope so.

Changes are Normal in the Army

Just when we thought we knew what was going to happen, the Army changes things...but that's not unusual.

BG Peter A. "Duke" DeLuca is going to become Commandant of the Army Engineer School...and not BG (P) Mark Yenter...who was previously slated for that position. So what happened? BG Yenter was nominated for promotion to Major General, and the Army decided to assign him as CG of the Maneuver Support Center at Fort Leonard Wood, replacing outgoing CG MG David Quantock...a Military Police officer. So, as one engineer friend of mine said, "We got a twofer!"

When the Army assigned MG Quantock to become CG of MANSCEN I was glad because I felt it was time a person other than an engineer command the installation, with its three schools...Engineer, MP and Chemical. Now, an engineer officer will return to that position, but I suppose it really makes no difference what branch that person comes from...it's all about leading soldiers and taking care of families that counts.

One interesting fact is, however, that both Yenter and DeLuca  once commanded the 20th Engineer Brigade (Airborne) at Fort Bragg. DeLuca deployed with the brigade to Iraq in one of its largest configurations. The experience of both these fine officers will clearly help move the Engineer Regiment forward, following the excellent work done by now reassigned Engineer School Commandant BG Bryan Watson. If I were to pick a person to take BG Watson's place it would be BG Duke DeLuca. I just wish I could be there to see it all happen...close up...rather than from the sidelines.

A Special Thing

Water. Our bodies can't survive without it, swimming pools need it to exist…as do lakes, rivers and streams, and when piped into homes through city-operated water distribution systems it's reasonably inexpensive. At this time of the year we hear a lot about WATER.

Lets start with not enough hitting the ground from above, thus creating moderate to severe drought conditions across the United States. You folks reading this who live at Fort Hood, Texas or Fort Sill Oklahoma know what I'm saying. On the other hand, some places have too much water from above but it seems this year they are fewer in number…climate change…whatever.

Also consider that water is at the center of Army physical training, given that failure to drink enough can lead to dangerous situations. Older veterans may remember when we had "lister bags" hanging on tripods at field training locations, full of water being cooled a bit by evaporation on the outside of the heavy canvass bag, and with bottles of salt tablets attached to one of the tripod legs. I wonder…why was it back then, lots of daily salt was good for our bodies? Medical progress today says otherwise.

This summer has been a rugged one as far as obsessive and constant heat is concerned. I wonder if winter will be as wild as have been the past few months. At least water then will be of the frozen variety when it comes from above, and snowmen will grow magically on lawns across America…as will piles shoveled off driveways…like mine.

Water…it's a special thing.

Older Legs

I may not be able to run/jog four miles a day like I once did...in fact "four" as in miles isn't in my brain's vocabulary anymore. But...daily walking at a relative brisk pace is...even though it's of the "two" mile variety.

My New Balance 993 shoes do their job of keeping my feet, knees and legs in good shape, and I replace them every six months or so, even though they are not cheap. I got that advice long ago from a famous sports medicine guy...he said "never run in cheap shoes and replace them often."

What I miss during my morning exercise routine is doing it alone...even though listening to music on my iPod or iPhone is rather peaceful. I remember, for example, when my 0530 running group of three would stand outside my quarters at Fort Leonard Wood,  Missouri patiently waiting for me to come outside to stretch and do a few sit-ups and pushups, before heading off on a 4-5 mile route. Two were battalion commanders and the other was the post Staff Judge Advocate. I was the "senior" guy, so I had the privilege of being late from time to time. When I retired, the group gave me a photo of us four, each attired in various running gear...with bright colors...definitely NOT Army issue. That photo hangs near my work desk today and it brings back great memories.

I'm very grateful that my feet and legs, much less my entire body, is still capable of engaging in some form of daily exercise, and I thank God for that each morning as I start my walk. As we get "older legs" we need all the help we can get.

Can you ever have too many fresh tomatos?

Unlike the cucumber vines I planted and then pulled up because they produced mostly inedible cucumbers, our tomato plants are doing well this year...so much so that I really don't care if the local squirrel population helps themselves to a few.

We actually have more than we can eat, so are giving some away to family and friends. OK, time to get to work and go pick some more!

Keeping the Faith

It's no fun watching the evening news on TV anymore…but I do it anyway. Last week the most depressing news I listened to involved the number of military veterans recently released from active duty, who are having an exceptionally hard time finding full time employment. And that news was on top of equally distressing information about the nation's economic situation, and how ineffective our government is dealing with it all. Sort of makes me want to move to a mountain cabin, in some backwoods hollow with no electricity. But…that's not going to happen.

Anyway, it bothers me greatly that so many of our veterans can't find work…after all they have sacrificed. Politicians just talk about "jobs-jobs-jobs", saying things oriented on their re-election, and meanwhile nothing seems to get done. Historically speaking, our country has been through this sort of stuff before, but it all seems so much worse today…but then what do I know…I was not around the last time it was this bad.

Keeping the faith is good advice. And being thankful for what we do have, and less worried about what we don't.

Toxic Climate

I copied this off an article in Army Times online. "The Army is working to flush toxic leaders from its ranks. A survey of more than 22,630 soldiers from the rank of E-5 through O-6 and Army civilians showed that roughly one in five sees his or her superior as “toxic and unethical,” while only 27 percent believe that their organization allows the frank and free flow of ideas." I add to the quote by noting that in the past year I am personally aware of several senior leaders (primarily senior NCOs) who have been relieved of duty for various ethical and personal conduct reasons. I also note there have been several senior officers in the Army who have exhibited poor judgement in leading soldiers, and have as such also been relieved. Many older veterans will cringe when I mention that this type toxic climate was the same in the late 1970s and it took the Army decades to reverse the trend. Hopefully, the Army will fix the problem faster this time around.

Learning Life's Lessons

Last weekend our new college graduate granddaughter Jennifer moved into a rental home, and for the first time in her life she is really out on her own, in the real world. She's still interviewing for jobs in her career field but fortunately has a full time job where she's at least earning enough to pay her bills. She is also learning that little things can become BIG things really fast. Here's an example.

Up until now she never knew that when person "A" moves out of a rental home they shut the electricity off. When person "B"(Jennifer) moves in, it's up to that person to make sure the electricity gets turned back on, and when that person is a first-time customer on her own, that process is a bit more involved. Before, she had lived in college-oriented apartment complexes, where the complex managers took care of everything, except cable TV and internet services. Jennifer quickly found out that such was no longer the case for her, when the day before the planned move-in, she found out that the electricity could not be turned back on for a couple of days.

Looking back, I have to accept some of the responsibility for her problem because had I asked the right questions, I might have found out about the electric situation. But, maybe it's better the way it happened, because Jennifer now has a good understanding about how quickly a simple thing can turn difficult...in the "real" world. As an epilog, she moved her stuff in anyway, in the heat, but came back home here for the weekend. Today, she's back up in her new home, waiting for the power to get turned back on. Happily, she has some new furniture also being delivered this week, which will make her new home ever better.