To all those that came before and those that came after

[solo1]

I am not blowing my own horn., just reminding us on this Memorial Day weekend that there are things to think about on this weekend besides cookouts.

I was drafted in 1952 at the ripe old age of 24.  I served my time and went where the Army told me.  I have extreme respect for those that joined BEFORE they were called. I was a young kinda naive kid at 24 but the Army took care of that.  Here's a pic of what basic looked like.  I've put on some pounds and age since then.



Two years later, I was glad to see the Golden Gate as our returning troop ship passed under it.  At the time my first thought was of how many  GI's, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard men were never destined to see that sight again.

My second thought was the title of a song.  "America The Beautiful" 



Am I waving the flag, you betcha!!!!  We need more of flag waving, the real honest to God, American flag.  All of our Armed Forces today still serve that flag, lest we forget .

Wayne, solo1

[R J]

My flag in their memory hangs 24/7 on my front deck.

I have to replace it about every 18 months.

Semper fi, difference here is I enlisted in 1950.

[Jabba]

Fella's... you two are the Patriarch's of this club.  And I love you both.  Thanks for your service.  And go ahead and blow your own horn.  I served, but essentially during peacetime.  On a submarine... OK we did Desert Storm.. but for me, I watched it on TV like the rest of you. 

I am a flag waving, America LOVING fool like the rest of you.  Flags up, tears flowing, and proud to have you two as examples of how I want to live.

Jabba

[solo1]

Too bad that RJ and I don't live closer to each other.  Here's a pic taken some years ago at the CBR.

[old2soon]

I had my draft notice when I enlisted in uncle sugars canoe Club.  And I still get choked up when I see an American Flag.  The one on the front of my house gets a nice snappy salute every morning when I get up-Before coffee.  Last night at the Alumni dinner when my daughters scholarship was officially awarded they asked the Veterans to stand. I was proud to be among the few that stood up as my daughter was proud to see her dad stand up. Again-thanks to all who have served-thanks to all who are serving-and thanks to all who will serve. And a very special thanks to those that have made the ultimate sacrifice on the altar of freedom.

[alph]

awesome photos Wayne.  thank you so much for your service (RJ, you too.....) 

al.

[Psychotic Bovine]

A son couldn't ask for a better father.

[Thunderbolt]

Thanks again Wayne and RJ and all those who served.  Wayne keep um coming, love your pictures, not news footage or stock photo's but your own.  Glad you were into photography way back then.  My wife and I were just discussing some of the trips we have taken in the RV in the last several years and where we were and what we did.  I said we should keep a diary as we were having trouble remembering something particular when we did the Tucumcari gathering in 2010.  But we decided that none of our kids or grandkids would take time to read it.  She has a diary that her grandfather made when he went to the Everglades as a young man.  Some of his descriptions of animals and the size of the mosquitos was very interesting to me.

[Skipper]

Thank yall for your service. God bless