Well the long weekend is over and it is back to work for most of us. Today started out fairly nice, unfortunately it did not stay that way completely. I got to work this morning and was told that the only thing I realy had on my schedule to finish for the day was to move some spools of cable and lock them up. Easy enough!!

First I am taken to the location of these "spools" so I can get a count of how many and see how far I have to move them. There were only 18 of them stacked there and I only had to move them about 500 yards or so, "No Problem".

Yeah right, Now they tell me that no one is available to help me move them and that as they needed to be done by the end of the day. Again, no problem right. I mean the spools them selves are only about 2 feet tall and about 1 1/2 feet wide, How bad can it be.

Oh, about 260 pounds a piece bad. Now I am not a big guy but I can carry my own, however I am very recently recovering from a mild hernia and realy am not supposed to be lifting anything too heavy. Especialy something that I find out has posted right on it "3 or 4 man lift".

Next I find out that all the working trucks have been dispatched and that I have to find other meens of moving said spools. Well, I get a hold of a nice new dolly to move the spools. I walk over and set the dolly up and grab the first spool. The spools by the way are stacked on top of each other 3 high. As I am pulling the spool off slowly as to not hurt my self again the spool underneith it slips, spins, and shoots out like a fucking cannon ball only to hit me right square in the shin. Lucky, nothing is broke but my pride a little. I do however have this aching bleeding sore on my leg and the day just begun.

I get mad and start hurling these things around like they are pillows, getting a few strange looks from passer byes. After all, I am throwing these spools like they are not much of anything and I have a blood soaked pant leg and I am sure a wrather disturbing look on my face.

Any way, I load 2 spools at a time and walk them over to the new location and re-stack them accordingly. I get down to the last 5 and I go to grab a spool that is on the ground. I pick it up and begin to turn only to find out a piece of the cable that is on it is stuck UNDER the stack that is behind it. It gives it just enough of a jerk to bring the stack tumbeling down and the top spool landing on my foot opposite of the leg that was injured to begin with.

Now I am beyond pissed, My right leg bleeding and missing a prety good streatch of skin. My left foot throbbing with every heart beat and every step.

Lucky me, no serious broken bones, my foot feels ok now but I do have two broken toes from it and of course lets not forget the badly bruised and bleeding shin. I finished the job about 3 hours after starting it, locked everything up, returned the dolly to the place I found it and walked back into my office.

With a look of horror, My platoon seargent asks if everything worked out ok very sarcasticly. I proceeded to tell him this story and then ended it with "I am going home now to tend to my wounds and I won't be back untill tomorrow."

He was speechless at first but then nodded his head and let me go. I think he realized that I was going to be no good to no one the rest of the day. With the pain and anger I need some me time.

Well, now 3 rum and cokes into my evening I am feeling much better. So I am off to surf on BE for a while.

Take care and be safer than me,lol.

Where duty is plain, delay is both foolish and hazardous; where it is not, delay may provide both wisdom and safety.

Tryon Edwards (1809 - 1894)

Or what we have come to know as Memorial Day.
I have been up for a while now, watching the news coverage of the wreath ceremony at the Tomb Of The Unkown and listening to stories of wounded men and women who have served this great nation. I have also been looking at a blank page trying to figure out the best way to put down my thoughts and feelings about this great day and the true meaning behind it. Unfortunately I have been unsuccessful and accomplishing this task for no matter how many times I start to type nothing I put down ever seems to truly give you a peek inside these feelings of pride, honor, and mourning. I have always actually been kind of a quite guy, not real articulate. One of those types that usually only talk in public when there is something I feel is needed to be said, not one for just idle chat. So, when it comes to truly expressing something so important to me I find myself at a loss of words sometimes.

I have always been proud of the men and women who serve this country both past and present. As the years go by in this War on Terror, this day becomes more and more important to me. I have lost good friends of the last few years, men and women that were like brothers and sisters to me. Men and women that have sacrificed more than most can truly understand. These Soldiers were more than just a stranger wearing a uniform, they were Fathers, Brothers, Sons, Mothers, Sisters, Daughters, and Best Friends. These men and women that come home draped in "Colors" None of them wanted these wars and conflicts, They did what they did and sacrificed everything because of something inside them that told them "This is what I need to do, This is the right thing to do". Most of these men and women died not for someone else's ideals not matter what you may believe. Most of them died because of instinct, they act without thinking in a time of danger to protect the men and women around them. You see, it is our instinct to protect the ones we care about. It is our instinct to protect YOU.

Of course this is only my point of view and yeah I may be a little bias so whether you agree with me or not please feel free to comment as to such. All points of view are Welcome even if you are berkinstock wearing, tree huggin, flag burning ass bandit. Just remember one thing, you are able to be that protesting, soldier hating, commi puke because of men and women like them and me.


It is the family and friends of those we have lost
that are torn between grief and pride. The pain is
theirs, the memories ours.
Never forget them, tell their stories with pride and
remember, When you see the Red, White, and Blue
take a moment of silence, no matter what day or time.

The "Memorial" in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Often we do not observe the day as it should be, a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice:

* by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.

* by visiting memorials.

* by flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.

* by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).

* by participating in a "National Moment of Remembrance": at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.

* by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our falled dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.

Also, please consider adding your voice in support of the efforts to restore the traditional day of observance of Memorial Day back to May 30th (instead of "the last Monday in May"). This would help greatly to return the solemn meaning back to the day, and to help return minds and hearts to think upon the ultimate sacrifices made by those in service to our country. Just one day out of the year to honor our loved ones, our ancestors, our friends who died in conflicts and wars -- not to honor war, but those that died in those conflicts and wars.


"Your silent tents of green
We deck with fragrant flowers;
Yours has the suffering been,
The memory shall be ours."

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow -

HEROS UNAWARE
I first saw him on a park bench
I've seen him every day
Sitting in a shady grove
Where my children come to play
Sometimes he feeds the birds and squirrels
Or whittles little toys
Sometimes he just sits and smiles
At the laughing girls and boys
And I never paid him any mind
'Till one day just this year
I noticed that he wore a frown
And on his cheek ... a tear.

Well I asked him why he seemed so down
He looked up, began to say
I lost half my friends 60 years ago today
He told me of the terror
As he fought to reach dry land
By the time the beachhead was secure
Half his friends lay in the sand

That was just in one long day
He fought on for 4 years more
And the 60 years from then to now
Have not dimmed His sights of war

He said they have reunions
Just to keep in touch and share
And for each comrade who has gone on
They leave an empty chair

Well, His park bench has been empty now
About 6 months or so
And if I'd never took the time
Then I never would've known
That sitting on that simple bench
With bread crumbs and little toys
Was a man who gave his all
To guarantee my daily joys

So give thanks to all the men and women
Who're still here or have gone before
And made the highest sacrifice
In both Peace time and in War
Because they bought our freedom
Paid their own blood, sweat, and tears
Then endured the heartache of those empty chairs
For all these years

So please do not ignore them
Or speed by without a care
'Cause you never know
When you might pass by
A hero, unaware

-By Mark A. Wright, HMC(SS)
22 June, 2000-

On thy grave the rain shall fall from the eyes of a mighty nation!
~Thomas William Parsons

For those of you who used to read my old blog, wich looked exactly like this one, Sorry about taking that one down for so long. It is good to be back tho and I look forward to reading all of your blogs again and hope to see you stop by some time here on my new blog site.

The STORY BEHIND the Song

We have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It's the song

that gives us that lump in our throats and usually creates tears

in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song?

If not, I think you will be pleased to find out about it's

humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when

Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near

Harrison's Landing in Virginia.

The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow

strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard

moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field.

Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier,

the Captain decided to risk his life and bring

the stricken man back for medical attention.

Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain

reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his

encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines,

he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the

soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly

caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light,

he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had

been studying music in the South when the war broke out.

Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate

Army. The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked

permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial

despite his enemy status.

His request was only partially granted. The Captain had

asked if he could have a group of Army band members

play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request

was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.

But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could

give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler.

He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he

had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead

youth's uniform. This wish was granted.

The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps"

used at military funerals, was born.

Day is done

Gone the sun

From the lakes

From the hills

From the sky.

All is well,

Safely rest.

God is nigh.

Fading light

Dims the sight

And a star

Gems the sky,

Gleaming bright

From afar,

Drawing nigh,

Falls the night.

Thanks and praise,

For our days,

Neath the sun,

Neath the stars,

Neath the sky,

As we go,

This we know,

God is nigh.

I too, have felt the chills while listening to "Taps"

but I have never seen all the words to the song until now.

I didn't even know there was more than one verse.

I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn't

know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along. I now

have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before.

Have an enjoyable Memorial Day, And make sure you

take a moment to remember those who have served!

For more information on "TAPS" go to http://www.west-point.org/taps/Taps.html

The soldier stood and faced god,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brighly as his brass.

Step forward now, you soldier
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
No, Lord,I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bill's just got to steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, Forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had to much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silent all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

Step forward now,you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on heavens streets,
You've done your time in hell.

zebra