Memorial Day

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - Arlington National Cemetery, VA


Arlington National Cemetery, VA



WWII Memorial, National Mall, Washington DC



Memorial to E Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division, near the Bois-Jacques, Foy, Belgium. (the outfit featured in "Band of Brothers")
Memorial at Bastogne, Belgium in honor of those in the Battle of the Bulge, 1944

The American Cemetery of the Ardenne, Belgium

Don't complain about the baseball season...

Some things to ponder...

Periodically I hear someone say that the reason they don't like baseball is because the season is so long. Let's put this in perspective. Compare the 2008 Presidential election cycle. The first primaries in the nation were about two months before spring training even started. A World Series champion will be crowned a couple of weeks before the November election. And that's just the "official" election season. By the time November rolls around, candidates will have been campaigning for nearly a year and a half. Are you weary of the obsession with the election? I am, and I am even a recovering political junkie. Do you think the American public is weary of election coverage? Go to cnn.com and foxnews.com and click on the "Most Read" articles and see how many articles are listed there that are about the election. So, I'm tired of the election already, and my cynicism of politicians grows by the second.

I simply shudder at the possibility of a McCain/Romney ticket. I honestly wouldn't know who to vote for in that situation.

I find it insulting that I get requests for campaign donations from multi-millionaires. It's especially insulting to me since I already pay a portion of their salary (around $170k), and they're currently not working, and haven't been working since who knows when. If you saw your company CEO panhandling outside your office, would you give him any money?

It's idiotic to me that a Congressional panel would question big oil about their profits considering the high gas prices. The federal government rakes in something like 65 cents per gallon, while big oil profits about 8 cents a gallon. Maybe U.S. citizens should form a panel to question Congress about not working for their own money.

If Obama wins the Dem ticket, this will be the first time since 1976 that a Clinton or a Bush has NOT been on a Presidential ticket in some capacity.

Obama, Clinton, and McCain come from a legislative body that boasts a 18.7% approval rating with a 80% disapproval rating (as of yesterday, 5/21). Think we're going to get a good President?

Are the feds going to use our tax dollars to bail out the airline industry again? U.S. Airways is predicted to go bankrupt very soon - mostly due to the legendary and stunning leadership of CEO Doug Parker.

Why does the war in Iraq and Afghanistan seem to be a "non-issue" in this election?

How much does increasing gas prices actually affect you? Figure out how many miles you drive on average in a year. Divide that figure by your average gas mileage. That result gives you the total gallons per year you consume. Now, if you want to figure out how much a 25 cent increase in the price of gas affects you on a monthly basis, multiply your total yearly gallons consumed by .25, then divide that number by 12. For example, for every one dollar gas goes up, I pay $55.56 per month more. If we're pinched because of an extra $55 per month, gas probably isn't our biggest problem. (not that I like paying $3.62/gallon, don't get me wrong)

The IRS has sent some stimulus checks to the wrong addresses. If the IRS came to audit those same people, do you think they would be able to find the correct address on the first try?

Arizona governor Janet Napolitano re-named a Phoenix landmark to commemorate a fallen Iraq war veteran on the basis that she was Native American. Why is the only "official" tribute (that I know of) to the Navajo Code Talkers in all of Arizona is in a Burger King in Kayenta? And why is there no significant monument in Arizona (that I know of) that commemorates Ira Hayes - a Native American who was in Joe Rosenthal's famous flag raising photo on Iwo Jima? Hayes eventually died of his emotional wounds from Iwo - face down in a mud puddle south of Phoenix late one night after a drunken card game. I have the utmost respect for our veterans, but you don't do things like that simply for political expediency.

Since the conspiracy theorists claim that W didn't win the last election, does that mean he can run again?

I said in a prior posting in February that I would abstain from a political posting until mid-November. Well, I lied. I followed the example of politicians (sorry, I digress). So, this is (was) the "mid-November" political posting. My prediction - either way we get a useless chump for President, no need for another posting about the election...

Baby Update

Here is a picture of Amy and baby in front of baby stuff. Everything is going well, which we are thankful for. Only 4 more weeks! At least until the "official" due date (June 13). So needless to say, the packed overnight bags will be sitting beside the door by the end of this week. Yes, we're probably jumping the gun, after all, this is our first time!

On This Day...

Article from BBC - on this day in 1945.

1945: Germany signs unconditional surrender

Germany has signed an unconditional surrender bringing to an end six years of war in Europe, according to reports from France.

This evening the Ministry of Information has confirmed that an official statement declaring the end of the war, will be made simultaneously in London, Washington and Moscow tomorrow.

The day has been declared a national holiday to mark Victory in Europe Day (VE Day). The following day (9 May) will also be a national holiday.

The BBC's Thomas Cadett watched the official signing at a schoolhouse in Reims, northeastern France, which serves as the advance headquarters of the supreme commander in Europe, General Dwight D Eisenhower.

He said the signing, which took place in the early hours of this morning, was carried out "on a cold and businesslike basis."

Afterwards, he said General Gustav Jodl, of Germany, spoke briefly, saying the Germans had given themselves up "for better or worse into the victors' hands".

The document was signed by General Bedell Smith for the Allied commander, General Ivan Susloparov for Russia and General Francois Sevez for France.

It seems General Eisenhower tried to delay the release of the details of the surrender because of the difficulty of arranging a simultaneous declaration in London, Washington and Moscow.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the Soviet leader Marshal Joseph Stalin and United States President Harry S Truman have now agreed to make the official announcement of the end of the war at 1500 BST tomorrow.

Mr Churchill will broadcast his announcement from the Cabinet room at 10 Downing Street.

It was from this same room that previous Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announced Britain was at war with Germany on 3 September 1939.

Until today the German surrender has been piecemeal.

The German 1st and 19th Armies have capitulated in the south. The 25th Army has surrendered in the western Netherlands and Denmark has been celebrating its first day of freedom from occupation.

Earlier today, German forces in Norway also surrendered.

The final capitulation has been delayed by the new Fuehrer, Grand Admiral Doenitz. After the death of Adolf Hitler last week, he announced his intention to continue the fight against the British and Americans as long as they hampered his battle with the Russians.

It appears it did not take him long to realise further resistance was useless.

This evening the King sent a telegram to the Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight Eisenhower congratulating the troops for carrying out their duties with "valour and distinction".

His message continued: "How unbounded is our admiration for the courage and determination which, under wise leadership, have brought them to their goal of complete and crushing victory."