tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340283972024-03-07T03:45:37.200-05:00A View from Southern Virginiaabout things military and otherwiseMike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comBlogger807125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-59140306298007420892011-10-04T15:33:00.002-04:002011-10-04T15:36:08.402-04:00Moving On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have decided, after a lot of thought and a bit of sadness at the same time, to discontinue this blog, effective October 11th. What you read here will be the last post...sounds like a movie title...<b><i>"The Last Post."</i></b> Whatever, it's time for me to move on.<br />
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Reasons? Not really that important but the main ones are:<br />
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<b>1.</b> Not enough interest to make it worthwhile, considering the fact I normally get less than 40 page views a day, and that's been about the same for the past year.<br />
<b>2.</b> My little piece of the world and what I have to write about is really not that important, especially when we see so many other blogs online today. No need for me to continue to clutter that all up.<br />
<b>3.</b> I ain't getting any younger...and want to spend more time doing "other" things...mainly with my cameras. In that regard, pop on over to <a href="http://jmichaelphotos.com/">jmichaelphotos</a> to see what I'm doing. I invite you to bookmark it and come back any time.<br />
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So...this is it. No big deal really. As I wrote above, there are far better thoughts to read online than what I might write. My photos, on the other hand, are competitive. Another plug for the link above.<br />
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In closing, remember to always think, act and move forward with the heart of a Sapper. <b>We ARE the Engineers!</b><br />
<br />Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-89633482693577149762011-09-30T09:35:00.003-04:002011-10-04T10:36:11.172-04:00To Blog or not to BlogI have published just over 800 posts here since I began this blog several years ago. That amounts to an average of three posts per week. I get near 50 page views a day on average, and that's been pretty consistent for a long time.<br />
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When I began this blog it was my intent to have a place where I could offer opinion and comment about the Army, as well as some of my views on lots of topics. It gave me a place where I could write things in between issues of Army Engineer magazine, for which which I am editor. For example, in the magazine I have an "Editor's Independent View" page.<br />
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It's my opinion that given the number of other blogs and online information people read everyday, which has increased dramatically since I began this blog, it seems likely that my little piece of the world may not be all that important.<br />
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I'm thus going to ponder whether or not to discontinue the blog. Note I write "ponder." I do not allow comments on this blog due to having been "spammed" in the past. But, if you have a comment about my perhaps ending this blog, I invite you to email me at ae.editor@gmail.com.Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-78968094832265291822011-09-28T10:44:00.002-04:002011-09-28T10:44:19.080-04:00My Morning RoutineFor years I have walked briskly every day except Sunday, when it's not raining or snowing too hard. My route through our neighborhood is 2 miles and it's the same every day, but I sometimes reverse direction. Before we moved here I ran every day except Saturday and Sunday, usually 3 miles in length, and I did so generally before sunrise because I had to go to a regular job. When I was on active duty in the Army I ran the same days a week, but 4 miles or more in length...and I did so either with close friends or in a unit formation. In short, I developed the morning routine I have now a long time ago.<br />
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What I have now that's different from before is a more peaceful experience. I guess age has something to do with that, but I also have to credit my increasing religious faith as well. I can, for example, listen to various sorts of music on my iPhone and gain inspiration at the same time from reading bible passages on its screen while walking. It may seem to those I greet along the way that I am "alone" but I am clearly not.<br />
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My attitude improves as I walk, because I have to admit I usually walk out of the house a bit hazy, not yet fully aware of the pluses and minuses of the day ahead, so it may take a mile before my outlook improves. The same barking dogs (caged or tied up in yards) greet my passing, and there are the same neighbors out and about also walking. We say "Good morning" to each other and maybe add a few other tidbits of wisdom such as, "Weather's looking good, eh?" On Saturdays I have to watch out for many more passing cars than normal because that's "yard sale" day, but only in the spring, summer and fall. People around here don't sell any of their household junk during the winter. Not sure why.<br />
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Some have written that routine daily exercise can become an addictive habit, and when you don't do it your body shouts out, "Why not!" For me it's more of a "guilt" thing if I miss a day walking (except for Sundays as I wrote earlier). In sum, my morning routine is a way for me to put things in perspective as I begin each day, and to realize I am indeed thankful for what I have been given.Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-76553304951337782582011-09-26T07:00:00.000-04:002011-09-26T07:00:16.620-04:00A Budget Proposal?I read in Army Times that a Colorado lawmaker, and member of the House Armed Services Committee, has proposed transferring 100,000 active duty positions to the Army Reserve...as a "legitimate" (my quotes) way to reduce defense costs. I doubt this proposal will be adopted, but if it were to be, my first question would be, "In these hard economic times, where are civilian jobs going to come from for those individuals being placed in reserve (part-time) military duty positions?"<br />
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His proposal also suggests the Army "find" the 100,000 active duty positions to transfer into the reserve component, by returning home those now based in Europe and Korea. That suggestion alone pretty much sums up his total proposal as being not well thought out...in my opinion of course.<br />
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A link to the story is <a href="http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/09/military-coffman-army-cuts-budget-092311w/">here</a>.Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-2897998593299086662011-09-21T12:52:00.001-04:002011-09-22T12:10:33.935-04:00Getting out and finding a jobI have the greatest sympathy with the struggles of those having left military service so far this year, in finding a suitable job which takes into consideration the skills which they have developed. It's tough finding a job outside the military and there's no doubt it's not going to get much better...at least for the next year or so. So, what can one do who has decided to hang up their ACUs and move back into the "civilian" world, to give them a leg up in finding a job?<br />
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First advice is to not wait until you get out to start looking for a job. This implies deciding what it is you want to do and listing specific professional objectives in that regard. Most important, prepare a competitive job experience resume, without using military terminology. For example, rather than saying you were a great engineer squad leader in Afghanistan while involved in route clearance missions, write down that you supervised "X" many individuals under highly demanding circumstances, while at the same time creating a highly motivated and cohesive work group. Lastly, use correct grammar and spell check it several times.<br />
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Talk to others you know who have already left the military and learn from their experiences. Get out your address book and find as many people already employed somewhere, who you can start a network with. One of your friends might, for example, be able to put you in contact with someone looking to hire a person just like you.<br />
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Lastly, never say, "I'll do all this after I get out." Not only is that attitude not wise, it's going to put you at a great disadvantage in the job market when you consider just how many unemployed there already are right now.<br />
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Unfortunately there is not much good news in any of this, so some may decide to just re-enlist rather than get out. I have to say that being in the military does create a nice "blanket" of security in many respects, and when that blanket goes away, some people panic. Best I can advise is to keep a positive attitude, never give up, network with as many others as you can, and remember that your military job experience is most definitely in demand...you just have to market that in terms civilians will appreciate. Good luck!Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-45826768697560410382011-09-19T15:42:00.000-04:002011-09-19T15:43:43.673-04:00Reno Race Tragedy Part 2If you're interested, here's a link to one of the photographer's mentioned in my prior post, who was at the race when the tragic acident happened. It pretty much sums up what this business is all about...aviation racing and photography. <a href="http://www.moosepeterson.com/blog/2011/09/19/gone-west/">It's worth a read</a>.<br />
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<br />Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-6749029843757678062011-09-18T12:00:00.000-04:002011-09-18T12:00:24.046-04:00Unexpected Tragedy<br />
We who wear or have worn a military uniform for any length of time…most of us anyway…have learned to deal with various forms of adversity such as having a comrade injured or killed. This happens both during peacetime and during war. It's when tragedy strikes at unexpected times, under circumstances when such should never happen, that coping with these losses becomes harder.<br />
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The recent crash of a racing plane during the Reno Nevada Air Races, where nine people lost their lives and scores of others were injured, is a good example of what I'm talking about. I'm a non-professional photographer and over the years I have followed the daily lives of many professionals in the industry, by reading and commenting from time to time on their photo blogs. I have come to consider these folks as friends…virtual as that friendship may be. Two of those individuals were at the Reno Race taking photographs for their business clients, and for themselves, and while both were not injured I am sure they have been adversely affected in many ways.<br />
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One of them is a strong believer in the value of religious faith in our lives, and his photo posts are usually accompanied with words of inspiration. The other is equally passionate about his photo profession, but seems less open about his religious faith. For both of them, however, their week at the air races was supposed to be educational for those attending "workshops", and it was supposed to be an exciting and fun time to make photos of vintage aircraft that would be impossible to do collectively, under normal circumstances. In short it was supposed to be a festive week throughout, but it did not turn out to be so.<br />
Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-61813502660088404182011-09-15T10:39:00.001-04:002011-09-15T10:41:35.269-04:00Mission Complete<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday I worked from about 0730 until 1530, with my grandson Michael helping, to execute my annual mid-September mission "Close the Swimming Pool." It was a success and today when I got up early for my AM walk, I looked on with satisfaction at the new 25x45 foot green tarp spread tightly across the pool, all tied down securely with filled water bags placed along the perimeter to make it even more secure from winds, rain and snow which will be the weather norm until I execute another annual mission, "Open Swimming Pool."<br />
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In-ground swimming pools are fun to have and use when you have young kids involved, splashing about, diving crazily into the deep water at one end, and floating about on all sorts of cheap, air filled devices that will generally last only one season. However, when the kids grow up, they tend to spend all their time on chairs and lounges at pool side, sunning themselves, never wanting to do the crazy stuff they once did, or many times never even getting wet...except from sweat. And so, the pool is left to the older folks, who generally float or bob about with sunscreen slathered all over exposed body parts, trying to stay as cool as possible. For example, it's been years since I dove or jumped off our diving board, and I never swim laps anymore.<br />
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For us today, our pool is generally a weekend affair, and only when the weather is what we call a "good swim day." In the meantime, I have to periodically backwash the large sand-filter and electric pump that keeps the water circulating and clean 24/7; check the skimmer basket daily to empty all the collected debris, including dead bugs, mice, frogs, snakes and (once) a chipmunk. I also have to walk around the pool with long-poled brush in hand once a day, keeping the bottom and sides relatively clean. Adding chemicals on a weekly basis is also a chore (expensive one too) and that involves making sure the chemistry of the water is OK. It's a "chlorine" amount versus "PH" (alkalinity) battle. Shall I mention I never "got" chemistry when I took it in school? Thankfully my wife "gets" it, and our daughter teaches middle school science and thus speaks chemistry very well. So, we manage fairly well throughout the summer, but we do have our challenges from time to time...like this year when the electric pump motor shorted out and had to be replaced.<br />
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Anyway, my "pool" mission is complete for another year. Thankfully!Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-84696635522805853722011-09-12T06:55:00.002-04:002011-09-12T06:55:00.748-04:00Pick it up!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKaCs4BP69fgrfzVtk-sWly2vZ8nVXnjudaqWIHd1igs34KnIB8_6G9LTZzzjtTWhkHbHiCn8SK5TrGLz8I1v9whAF4VSywExh08VHD8WRjZzl_NgLJYuCvBuOjNMh41m2Zza/s1600/P1000490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKaCs4BP69fgrfzVtk-sWly2vZ8nVXnjudaqWIHd1igs34KnIB8_6G9LTZzzjtTWhkHbHiCn8SK5TrGLz8I1v9whAF4VSywExh08VHD8WRjZzl_NgLJYuCvBuOjNMh41m2Zza/s640/P1000490.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Being a photographer, and already in the midst of a casual stroll with camera in hand, I was interested in what the definition of a "photo shoot" was, but then I figured out it pertained to "wedding party photography" in this scenic garden park in Greensboro, NC. But what really caught my attention was the sign above instructing me to "Please pick up my poop" which I definitely was not going to do because I have no dog, and certainly I was not going to pick up someone else's dog mess. The line I liked was, "Know what's grosser than picking up dog poop?" Answer was, "Stepping in it." Been there done that. The sign got my attention anyway, and I guess that was its purpose.</div>Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-16621504196588593242011-09-08T10:08:00.000-04:002011-09-08T10:08:50.934-04:00Old Time Barbershop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bpB5stWCuQkp3hEv7j7LQGynAlAslUO33yUESNUyRU-nO7ToRABdrtVdROEo41AbaNP5JFuFOmJ44ndpJwV72GcpANnCfuLpDGCSllNFRApb9geCm5Qtb0Eq0tmQuTbiltQk/s1600/_JMM9367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bpB5stWCuQkp3hEv7j7LQGynAlAslUO33yUESNUyRU-nO7ToRABdrtVdROEo41AbaNP5JFuFOmJ44ndpJwV72GcpANnCfuLpDGCSllNFRApb9geCm5Qtb0Eq0tmQuTbiltQk/s400/_JMM9367.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I pressed my camera lens close to the glass window on this barbershop in Stoneville, NC yesterday, because it reminded me of a time back when I was kid, when I'd be sitting on a booster seat (such as the one propped against the wall to the right rear, getting my hair cut. I don't suppose there are many of these shops left anymore, except in small rural towns such as Stoneville.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I remember the powder the barber would brush on my neck after he finished, to get rid of the itch caused by cut hair. I remember the smell of the hair tonic he'd use. I remember looking at all the assembled adults waiting in line, reading old magazines and talking about all sorts of interesting stuff. And, I remember looking in the mirror held up in front of me by the barber, showing me what a great job he'd done (or not).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Later in life, the Army got hold of me and my haircut days changed dramatically. What once was a 15-30 minute enjoyable experience, turned into a sub 5 minute "slash and burn." "High and tight" as they say.</div>Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-44069697939493468822011-09-06T09:02:00.002-04:002011-09-06T09:05:18.661-04:00Back to Work!OK, holiday weekend is over...back to work! My wife wondered yesterday why the Army couldn't have Tuesday also off when a holiday like Labor Day falls on a Monday—as a travel day. Good idea, but it isn't gonna happen force wide. Maybe if it just applied to Labor Day weekend?<br />
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I'm reading about troop units who are scheduled to deploy in the near future, having a 2-year dwell time in between deployments...even when they have a 9-month versus 12-month tour. That policy applies to those at division level and below—individual placements and those at corps level and above will serve 12 months.<br />
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However, one thing to consider given the total size of the force, coupled with other duties for troop units at home station, are temporary assignments related to national disaster emergencies such as floods, hurricanes, and forest fires. Those extra, unplanned duties are never going away...and often involve being separated from families. Then, there are training exercises away from home, etc-etc-etc. If the size of the force is reduced much more than it is now, and if we remain engaged overseas as we have been this year (Iraq being a big question mark now) then dwell time "months" may be sort of like a play on "numbers." Still two years versus one is pretty good.Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-27176332475628258892011-09-02T10:10:00.000-04:002011-09-02T10:10:43.078-04:00Big Labor Day WeekendOne of the many things I miss about being on active duty in the Army is the anticipation I had (as did just about everyone else) for what lay ahead over a long holiday weekend such as the one now present. Being able to shut down beginning at the end of the day on Thursday, and then not having to return to duty until Tuesday AM of the next week, was a real joy. But, there were exceptions.<br />
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For example, not everyone had the luxury. Some had assignments that did not allow for it...being deployed overseas for example, or having some sort of official unit assignment. In my time that involved things like guard duty, Officer or NCO of the Day, or whatever. Today, I'm not sure what these type duty requirements entail. My point being that there are always some who have to "hold down the fort" while others are out and about having fun...safely one hopes.<br />
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So, for all of you "out and about", Cheers!Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-80388700903723348142011-08-31T10:44:00.000-04:002011-08-31T10:44:17.869-04:00When "words" countIn 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-60165721794003456582011-08-29T16:34:00.000-04:002011-08-29T16:34:54.228-04:00Prescribed footware policy not sitting well<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjr6gE8L1Zav-SG8HDRqQK41YgMg-1WF_uwU-73oCRTKy3BSk_2aSjAWd-EbienwWw2_m4W2VXRLa8sRf2mUB6YTSGr-edEBBJRFM1T1xZyzqDiga6Nq9VT_lqEsRSEke14fZW/s1600/shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjr6gE8L1Zav-SG8HDRqQK41YgMg-1WF_uwU-73oCRTKy3BSk_2aSjAWd-EbienwWw2_m4W2VXRLa8sRf2mUB6YTSGr-edEBBJRFM1T1xZyzqDiga6Nq9VT_lqEsRSEke14fZW/s320/shoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I read today this <a href="http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/08/army-bans-toe-shoes-082911w/">article</a> 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-32213900134638212152011-08-27T09:49:00.002-04:002011-08-27T09:52:51.971-04:00Watching and WaitingAs 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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."<br />
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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.<br />
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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.Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-73023230467215777602011-08-25T10:47:00.001-04:002011-08-25T10:48:10.457-04:00Bear Country<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyXMM9hjbEg_BzoFU17y0qRNKhQYasj89vQsv-cFSle_CJyRbS4hlItkRk7XknmRN_qjE4wWD5zPzjHWK71HbIRLnP0JKYHNUhcnoYyoeaniSzPDbKyKudANU5EoptkTKHMQY/s1600/_JMM9326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyXMM9hjbEg_BzoFU17y0qRNKhQYasj89vQsv-cFSle_CJyRbS4hlItkRk7XknmRN_qjE4wWD5zPzjHWK71HbIRLnP0JKYHNUhcnoYyoeaniSzPDbKyKudANU5EoptkTKHMQY/s320/_JMM9326.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-27085332761989286902011-08-21T10:15:00.001-04:002011-08-21T10:16:41.927-04:00Trains do still come and go<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYDPAm7Q2YoLpbk5NyEXSisQr1BtBN_mXyjG8wlVy4PfnLxnz6T5WDG5QunltD0iXR6nkN9MDb6uybKyDh9Xowy9MLB6w1EzoJrMa213bDvR0nqkJXdZ4UPT1KrHgoDRtWopX/s1600/P1000416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYDPAm7Q2YoLpbk5NyEXSisQr1BtBN_mXyjG8wlVy4PfnLxnz6T5WDG5QunltD0iXR6nkN9MDb6uybKyDh9Xowy9MLB6w1EzoJrMa213bDvR0nqkJXdZ4UPT1KrHgoDRtWopX/s320/P1000416.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-2040303016446254352011-08-17T09:34:00.001-04:002011-08-17T09:35:34.848-04:00Changes are Normal in the Army<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRO-NBQmicJqXeZVvmc7z8tVSGYwhrjRV9i4_uUIDrP6Zc-S-L-a3pWkiVxUgIKMz4IbeuruX-V2HXyhSmXqYJYLZBK8K3DKfPFctu_ThMtUmkjyxC0ts7hjOYPPjTqmkGon7r/s1600/deluca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRO-NBQmicJqXeZVvmc7z8tVSGYwhrjRV9i4_uUIDrP6Zc-S-L-a3pWkiVxUgIKMz4IbeuruX-V2HXyhSmXqYJYLZBK8K3DKfPFctu_ThMtUmkjyxC0ts7hjOYPPjTqmkGon7r/s320/deluca.jpg" width="254" /></a></div>Just when we thought we knew what was going to happen, the Army changes things...but that's not unusual.<br />
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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!"<br />
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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.<br />
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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.Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-68966277500328411092011-08-14T10:42:00.001-04:002011-08-14T10:44:09.544-04:00A Special ThingWater. 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Water…it's a special thing.Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-7769904402328974242011-08-11T09:28:00.000-04:002011-08-11T09:28:08.652-04:00Older Legs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWWvoIIQPS8PVXYGdnl3j3l2RCCAONP2WysmHXHJ1Z0cCGMPC5MmejzBHUe_k-9c-5aX_ZgbS0uW3gZzykf-LHZYG3cmSynsekYIywy48VHSW_RbcvJb7XBhixYoI7HbnJ7lT/s1600/IMG_1000000363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWWvoIIQPS8PVXYGdnl3j3l2RCCAONP2WysmHXHJ1Z0cCGMPC5MmejzBHUe_k-9c-5aX_ZgbS0uW3gZzykf-LHZYG3cmSynsekYIywy48VHSW_RbcvJb7XBhixYoI7HbnJ7lT/s320/IMG_1000000363.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>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.<br />
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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."<br />
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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.<br />
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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.Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-86685356261460925852011-08-08T09:17:00.001-04:002011-08-08T09:18:09.764-04:00Can you ever have too many fresh tomatos?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiod_gmA9ZKWbrxA5u4k_LJ7wHSO3vkizvaMhOVN8WF_LddcxSwOCWXVvDgYtE0FBU3Rnj26QJxhcSJonX4zfLoRKQeHtsicTyrQk8y-fKh_-vCMHbdX8h9jgGM4NogVY1jPY2Y/s1600/P1000348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiod_gmA9ZKWbrxA5u4k_LJ7wHSO3vkizvaMhOVN8WF_LddcxSwOCWXVvDgYtE0FBU3Rnj26QJxhcSJonX4zfLoRKQeHtsicTyrQk8y-fKh_-vCMHbdX8h9jgGM4NogVY1jPY2Y/s320/P1000348.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>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.<br />
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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!Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-24320255070122711902011-08-06T12:19:00.002-04:002011-08-06T12:19:53.173-04:00Keeping the FaithIt'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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Keeping the faith is good advice. And being thankful for what we do have, and less worried about what we don't.Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-36929156542968606062011-08-03T09:40:00.003-04:002011-08-03T09:41:03.205-04:00Toxic Climate<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">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." </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">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 </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">have as such also been relieved. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">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.</span>Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-40438117491233927352011-08-01T09:17:00.000-04:002011-08-01T09:17:27.541-04:00Learning Life's LessonsLast 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34028397.post-46098266131087608102011-07-28T16:10:00.001-04:002011-07-30T10:27:17.266-04:00Are you seeing what's around you?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlPQGtNytf4ZBtMZsvhY07mAr2-XIo7zt7Z6Awg_PpWXkXyWDV49kn6itMZlI511jWDjAH9ALPvOgsZemKsfdCK_6v3E-reDDA1WrBbX_0gUvLNYYbMTHbcnaPMUMi-FKaqHc/s1600/_JMM9275_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlPQGtNytf4ZBtMZsvhY07mAr2-XIo7zt7Z6Awg_PpWXkXyWDV49kn6itMZlI511jWDjAH9ALPvOgsZemKsfdCK_6v3E-reDDA1WrBbX_0gUvLNYYbMTHbcnaPMUMi-FKaqHc/s320/_JMM9275_1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>Too many of us fail to take the time to look and truly "see" what's there. Everyone seems so busy these days, that they often miss the beauty of things sitting in plain view all around them.<br />
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Job and family pressures and priorities, failure to just say "time out" and relax, taking on too much at once, and a tendency for us to forget that many things which were "important" to us when we were much younger might still be important today.<br />
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For example, why was it when we were kids in elementary school, that the excitement of having a few months off during the summer took away all concerns about how hot it was? Barefooted in shorts and faded tee shirts, we yearned for the outdoors...lakes, streams, woods, hills and mountains and if we were lucky enough, visits to the ocean with breaking waves along the beach, seashells, and chasing sand crabs with a flashlight at night. We "saw" everything around us...missing nothing. And as a result, we were generally stress free...unlike how we became as we grew older.<br />
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How many of you reading this blog, took a week-long family vacation this summer, during which you spent several hours a day reading your job related email, or posting on Twitter or Facebook? The time you spent doing those things was time you could have spent looking around at your surroundings, and better appreciating where you are in life, and all the goodness for which you ought to be most thankful. Start thinking like a kid again...not all the time...just a bit to help you remember how it used to be. And...how it might be again.Mike Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045480044116470827noreply@blogger.com