In Memory

No words can express this Nation's gratitude to our Fallen Warriors, or Heroes. I will only link to the Fox News Channel's site with bios on the Fallen Warriors, military and civilian at Fort Hood this week. God Bless them and give strength to their families at this time of need and comfort.


The Fort Hood Fallen:


Pops

A Time for Reasoning

Good Evening,

Even though I have the pleasure of having my AIRBORNE Soldier home for the next week I am skipping posting about us. I am simply copying and pasting part of an article from PatriotPost.US I was reading. It just made me do a little deep thinking. Here is the partial text by Mark Alexander:

In a recent discussion with a colleague, I lamented the fact that too few American citizens understand their obligation, before all others, to support and defend our Constitution, much less, engender the ability to do so. She responded that, though she considered herself a conservative (mostly because she identifies closely with some conservative principles), understanding our Constitution was not her "passion."

My friend holds degrees from the nation's finest academic institutions and is professional in all her endeavors. However, like most Americans under 50 years of age, she never had a basic civics course and consequently has a difficult time articulating even the most fundamental constitutional principles.

The fact is, as Americans, we not only enjoy the rights affirmed by our Constitution, we have obligations to understand the mechanics of that affirmation in order to sustain it for our generation and those to come.

No matter what our calling, our occupation or our passion, we have a debt and duty as citizens to both learn about and support our Constitution, and we are obliged to do so above and before all other pursuits, for without constitutional Rule of Law, there are no other pursuits.

You can read the complete article here: Patriot Post.

Sometimes things don't always go right

There is a saying in families associated with police work, you may have heard it. It goes like this. Some days you get the "bear" some days the "bear" gets you. In Ohio, the "bear" most often refers to our State Troopers who wear a Smokey Bear like hat. In Ohio, they are know as tough but honest and absolutely hell on speeders. Traffic Enforcement IS their number one priority.

Sometimes, here in Ohio, the "bear" just refers to a situation. If you get the "bear" the situation turned out in your favor. If the "bear" gets you.....well you get the point.

In the photo to the left you will notice small brown spots on Specialist Jacob's neck. These are called riser burns. Something like floor burns for you jocks. In the 82nd AIRBORNE it is a sign something did not go quite right while "exiting a high performance military aircraft at an altitude of approximately 900 feet".

Now, I am not quite sure how all this happens. I believe the risers are the straps that hold the BIG silk like canopy to a harness that holds the paratrooper. Accordingly if you are not in the proper position while "exiting a high performance military aircraft" when the BIG silk like canopy is opened these straps may slide rapidly up your face and cheek and give you RISER BURNS!

I have been informed that said paratrooper WAS in the proper position when "exiting the high performance military aircraft". I can only imagine this was truly The Day the World Stood Still. At least for a second or two because that is the only thing I can think of that would cause the paratrooper to be out of position. We all know a paratrooper never does anything wrong!

Where is he NOW!

Ah, that's right fellow bloggers where is the elusive ABNPOPPA? You get two guesses. Keep in mind I just came back from Kansas City visiting Aaron, the elder, and grandchildren. Sarah, the daughter, lives four miles from the homestead. Jacob, the Warrior, lives at Fort Bragg (or where ever Uncle Sam tells him). Well for those who know me well, you guessed correctly. Fort Bragg. Hey! what good is having kids out of state if you can't go bother them once in a while!

Actually, most likely this will be my last trip for a while. My current employer, the world's largest retailer is cutting back hours in preparation for a big Christmas, yes, I said Christmas season. In order to not pay too much to their hard working employees they give us time off. Of course it is just before the season but none the less time off.

Not meant to offend any persons from West Virginia but the turnpike was a mess last night. Rain, trucks, idiots going 75MPH when the conditions dictated about 35. I had a dead man grip on the steering wheel for about 125 miles. Whine, whine my old arthritic hands hurt today from squeezing so hard for hanging on for dear life. Must of had an Angel on board or at least watching over me.

So far on this jaunt we have accomplished nearly NOTHING. Jacob says the ARMY has been working them long and hard. Just to prove his point he took about a two hour nap today. He got a 4 day weekend. Probably because the General knew I was coming. LOL. I tried to outdo him but failed. Tomorrow is Saturday and I WILL TRY HARDER!! We did manage breakfast at the Waffle House and picked up some manly groceries. Pop Tarts, chips, pop, etc. You know real healthy stuff. He mentioned something about mowing the lawn, fortunately, I was able to talk him out of it. It's not knee high yet.

Not sure what's in store for din din but I believe pizza was mentioned however so was BW3. Any body have a coin to toss?

Yo'al have a good weekend, I know I will!

Pops

Blogging from .....Kansas City

GOTTCA!



Yes, I know you were expecting to see "Blogging from Fayville" Like I said GOTTCA! As I sometimes do I forget that I have other children besides the Warrior, Jacob. I really am not going to start a blog for each of the 3 children so I will use Mark 1:11 to blog about Aaron, the elder, and his children. Aaron is a carpenter by profession if you call building Target Stores, Bass Pro Shops, Arrowhead Stadium a carpenter, then that is what he is.



He's been a carpenter for about 15 years and lived in Kansas City for about the last 7 years. After soccer games today we went and toured the Bass Pro Shop in Blue Springs Mo. My golly, what they can do with concrete nowadays. On this project, Aaron was charged with doing some major concrete forming projects.



First I don't believe there is a straight line or square section of concrete more than 8 footling. The concrete is about 5 or 6 different colors, has animal tracks and leaf impressions in it and in some places in the store it looks like marble. He told me the smooth effect was because the dried concrete goes through a process where actual diamond dust is used in a grinding wheel to achieve the marble like finish. Another area looks like brown raw slate. Here again the concrete is stained a multitude of brown colors and muriatic acid is applied. Someway, somehow a rough slate effect is achieved.



If you have never been to a Bass Pro Shop it is an experience to say the least. This one has an aquarium with a locally caught catfish that weighed in at a WHOPPING 103 pounds! WOW! There were some other fish in there also but this catfish just dwarfed them. They also had stuffed animals of about every kind from North America. I took some pictures of my grandson Ryan, in front of a couple and hope to post them in the next few days. Tauri, my 5 year old granddaughter was being a little camera shy today. I did manage to get a sneak a couple of piks of her without her knowing, I think.

After the tour of the Bass Pro Shop we went home and watched Ohio State football, and of course my team the Oregon Ducks, It was happy in the house as both teams won. A cookout of dogs, brats, burgers and chips finished off the day. Children and grandchildren are so much fun. What a wonderful day. Now a shower, night-time snack and off to sleep. Tomorrow is another day.*

This post proofread by Ryan, age 10 and a straight "A" student.

I just wanted to let you all know a little more about my youngin's and what they are like.


God Bless America and our brave warriors!



Pops

CUT BAIT OR FISH, MR. PRESIDENT!

This is a blog about my AIRBORNE son and his comrades. I am very reluctant to use this blog however, after careful consideration I am using it. Why? Because this affects him and every Soldier, Sailor, Marine and Airman fighting for OUR Freedom.

From about two months after 9-11 the Democratic far left has been screaming President Bush made the wrong move by going to Iraq instead of Afghanistan. President Obama was one of the loudest voices. He and other Democrats wanted the US's war effort directed toward the killing (maybe) or capturing of Bin Laden reportedly in Afghanistan. President Obama used that as a platform, so to speak, as one of his campaign promises.

After being elected he fired, President Bush's Commander of the war effort and replaced him with "his" new commander. Gen. Stanley McChrystal was installed and advised to develop a new plan for Afghanistan. He did just that. This week the Washington Post leaked a report that said,

Senior military officials emphasized Monday that McChrystal's conclusion that the U.S. effort in Afghanistan "will likely result in failure" without an urgent infusion of troops has been endorsed by the uniformed leadership. That includes Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen and Gen. David H. Petraeus.*

Once again, a Democratic President is in a position of having American troops fight and die in a war without the Commander in Chief's full and total support. IMHO this is TREASON or at the very least cowardice on the part of President Obama. He has either purposely or through malfeasance failed to uphold his Constitutional oath.

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." **

Malfeasance: noun Law. the performance by a public official of an act that is legally unjustified, harmful, or contrary to law; wrongdoing (used esp. of an act in violation of a public trust). ***

The oath says to the best of my ability and maybe this is as good as it gets, if so step down President Obama our young Warriors deserve better. Perhaps he could stay in the White House for a while and off the television long enough to read "his" General's report.

It is further being reported that when previously faced with this assessment in March of this year President Obama failed to act on it and said he needed more time. This classified report is only now coming out. It now appears President Obama does not believe HIS own Commander he assigned to conduct this war effort. It is also being reported on Fox News that General McChrystal was instructed by his superior, Secretary of Defense Gates NOT to appear before Congress after the report was prepared and given to this Administration.

According to top Presidential advisers President Obama "wants more time" before making a decision about what to do in Afghanistan. MR PRESIDENT HOW MUCH MORE DAMN TIME DO YOU WANT? HOW MANY MORE OF OUR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN MUST BE KILLED OR MAIMED BEFORE YOU GET A SET OF KOHONIES AND GET INTO THIS WAR, (which you wanted as Senator, all 105 days) OR GET THE HELL OUT!!!

It seems to me President Obama is willing to rush forward with a health care plan, a plan to bail out the auto industry, a plan to raise energy costs by $1700+ for the average American, spend Trillions of $$$$ to put Americans back to work but unwilling to make a decision where the lives of our brave young Warriors are at stake.

And yes, I am upset to say the least, I have a dog in this fight and want him to have every advantage he and his warriors can get!!!

Pops,
Damn right I'm proud of my AIRBORNE soldier!

*By Karen DeYoung
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 22, 2009

**http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/pihtml/pioaths.html

*** Wikepedia

I Went to Church Today

I went to church today as is my habit on most Sunday mornings. I have seldom mentioned going to church on this blog but, on occasions it seems appropriate. I am not going to try to convince you that you need to spend Sunday morning or Friday evening or whatever your Sabbath day is, in a temple or church or whatever. That's not what this post is about.

It's about the sometimes strangeness I see in totally what appears to be unrelated happenings in my life. Most of my followers know ABNMOMMA passed away in March of this year as the result of lung cancer. Many of you also know that my Pastor's wife, Linda, was diagnosed a short 5 weeks later with Stage 3 Breast cancer. Some of you even know I wondered out loud in my emails to you and on my blogs if these two incidents had some meaning to them. Meaning that I and my good friend Pastor were not aware of.

Thursday I emailed Pastor and asked him to say a few words for the family of Staff Sgt. Michael Murphrey at this Sunday's service. I admit with Pastor be retired US ARMY this didn't take much encouragement from me. Pastor fulfilled his promise as did our associate Pastor during morning prayer. I know Pastor begins to work on next Sunday's sermon and service on Tuesday so by Thursday when my email arrived late in the evening this Sunday's service was most likely completed.

After morning prayers the first Congregational song was "The Steps of a Good Man". It is from a passage in Psalms. It goes like this:

Psalms 37: 23-26 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand. I have been young and am now old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful and lendeth and his seed is blessed.

I never had the chance to meet Staff Sgt. Michael Murphery but I am certain of one thing. This is the kind of man God had in His Plan described in this Psalm. He gave his all for his family, friends and country. I am certain, in my mind, the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

What does this mean. Do you see any possible Divine intervention in these two incidents in my life? It has to make you wonder. It does me.

As I proof read this before posting I noticed one mistake and I want to correct it here. Does it make me wonder, NO, Why? Because I know He has a plan. I just don't know all the details.

God Bless America and all our brave Warriors!

May He Rest in Peace

No words can ever express the sadness one feels when we loose a young warrior. This extended family of military parents has more often than not never met. As my friend and fellow blogger stated today, we wouldn't know each other if we walked through an airport together. This is true. But are hearts are joyful together as we celebrate the returning home safely of our young warriors.

In joy there must be sadness and with sadness there is pain. A pain that cannot be explained or described. This is the pain I and my extended military family feels at the lost of one of our warriors. Today, the Department of Defense announced:

Staff Sgt. Michael C. Murphrey, 25, of Snyder, Texas, died Sept. 6 in Paktika province, Afghanistan. More

May God be with his family and loved ones and may he Rest in Peace.

AIRBORNE! ALL THE WAY, SIR!

Pops

I'm OK

First the good news, I'm OK. While at work today I nearly had a heart attack! But, I'm ok. My day started off quite normally as can be for a semi-retired part-time produce employee for the world's largest retailer. Toss the potatoes and squeeze the tomatoes. Stack the CoC (Corn on Cob), cull the lettuce etc. You get the picture. I was a little discourage because I had planned to have a little cook-out this weekend with my daughter and her family, Pastor and Linda, my partner from the county and his wife and Jacob, if he got a 3 day pass.

My, partner Steve emailed me and said he and his wife would be out. That was nice. I hadn't ask Pastor yet, figured I'd do that at church on Sunday. Jacob had been in the field since Monday and I had few messages from him save, "I in the field" Wednesday. Wednesday night, "I'm in the field". Thursday afternoon my daughter called and said she and her family were not going to make it as her husband, "J" as we call him as signed them up for a Corn Seed Selling dinner a month ago and had just told her. Besides farming about 500 acres he sells corn seed and paints silos for other farmers. I was a little disappointed and told Steve, my partner it may be a threesome as Sarah just canceled and I hadn't heard from Jacob.

Wrong thing to say. Shortly after the conversation with Steve, I get the text from Jacob, "I still in the &%%$#@@#&**&^$ field. Well that about bottomed me out. Held my head up high and said a couple Hail Marys, which is interesting because I am not Catholic. But, I felt the need to do something.

This morning I get a text from Jacob saying "How's work today?" Keeping a stiff upper lip I say doing well, 8 skids/pallets, for those of you from Loma Linda, still at work until 1045hours. That was at 0945hours. Text: "Just got back from the field" Well, I have something to be thankful for another exercise completed and Jacob back safely. Back to work. Needless to say more than slightly disappointed but nonetheless thankful he is in one piece. I don't like those night jumps but he doesn't seem to mind. I guess that's why he is AIRBORNE and I was military intelligence. No wisecracks please. I have heard them all.

Now I am sweating culling the lettuce 'cause I am running out. I'm getting mad at who does the ordering, my manager, my store manager and Sam Walton just for starting the business. Then with 3, 4x4 foot skids on the floor some jerk is tapping me on the shoulder saying "Hey, Buddy, where can I find some watermelons?" Can you say I D I OT! Do you know what that really spells. J A C O B!

I turned around and there stood Specialist 4th Class Jacob. That's when I almost had the heart attack! He had a grin on his face from ear to ear like the canary that ate the cat! I was so excited I literally was speechless! And for any of you that know me personally that's saying something. It took me a full five minutes to somewhat regain my composure. I know I looked like a fool but my eyes welled up and all I could say was "what are you doing here?" The reply, "I just wanted to surprise you". He succeeded! He even conned his sister and brother into keeping up the ploy!

Folks we so often hear about the bad side of the younger generation. We so often criticize them. We so often say we are blessed to live in this county. I am very much aware I am not the only parent who has been surprised by his/her soldier child but........This kid (our kids) are truly great. Yes, we must at sometime let them leave the nest and fly but we are blessed by the Grace of God to have them in our lives if even for a short time.

Thank you God and Thank you Jacob.

Has it been THAT long!

Goodness gracious! I just looked at the date of my last post and it was August 19,2009. In a way I guess that is good. Since then Jacob has been on CQ, in the field and made another night jump. It was suppose to be at 2100 hours. Of course with the ARMY he finally made the jump at 0030 hours. To quote Jacob, "Dad, I landed so soft you would have thought G-d was setting me on the ground. I never had a landing that good". Coming from Jacob that is quite a big deal.

On a sad part I saw on the news where 45 brave young warriors had made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan last month. A co-worker at the world's largest retailer said to me she didn't understand all the fuss over Michael Jackson's death. Why, she asked was he revered for making music. I agreed with her and threw in Elvis. Then I casually said I don't understand why these 45 young warriors weren't given the same media coverage. Dianne replied they are the true heroes, they are the ones who should be on the news and revered. Of course I agreed.

It made me wonder, why isn't the media covering the Afghanistan war on terror. When George Bush was the President a day didn't go by without a body count. Now that Hussein Obama is President ABC and NBC don't run anything Afghan news at all. Is there anything to this media bias? I'll report, you decide. G-d Bless those young warriors and may G-d stand silently by their loved ones with his comforting arms around them.

On a lighter side I went to McDonalds the other day with Jacob's niece and nephew. Happy Meals are still in with the little ones I guess. While doing the order, wait, wait, and watch to very active 4 and 7 year old grandchildren I see a sign BEHIND the counter. It read:

Braille Menus and Picture Menus available upon request.

Now I don't mean to be un-politically correct HOWEVER, does that make any sense to ANYBODY!!!

Please correct me if I am wrong but Braille is a means for blind people to read by touch. Let me say again, THE SIGN WAS BEHIND THE COUNTER!!!

Picture Menus I would surmise are for people WHO DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH or perhaps can't read a regular menu. am I missing something here. If you can't read .........Oh I give up!

Have a good Sunday and a great week.

G-d Bless American and y'all!