Johnny317

He Was a Swab

jrossel@sikorsky.com — Fri, 25 Apr 08 07:28:00 UT

The following entry was sent to me by Retired Master Chief Hughes. I have to say this is the second post I have received from the older, wiser salty ones that sailed before I did. I am absolutely honored to be in their aquaintance.

He Was A Swab

When I was but a youngster, and knew little of this world, I was sure of this one thing.

This Sailor was the most important person that I had ever seen.

He had sailed the world but said it was the 7 seas.

He talked of Davy Jones, and white caps, and pennants whipping in the breeze.

He also spoke of other things that were very strange to me.

General Quarters, all hands man your battle stations!

And he said " I prayed, and I knew whatever was to be, would be, but I believe He answered me."

That was in Pearl, as he recalled, and he survived that day.

He never spoke of Shipmates suffering, he held it in his soul, he wanted it that way.

He always spoke of lighter things where he would have his easy thoughts create a friendly give and take. Those serious things he was concerned might make his strong voice break.

He was on that Battle Wagon, Arizona, on December 7, 1941.

She was lost but he was spared, the real reason is known to none.

He noted he was just the lucky one, and that is all he would disclose.

He went from Arizona to other ships, for the duration as it was said, until the war came to a close.

This " Swab" as he called himself, still served on ships with wooden decks, and he still knew that holystone. But he had become a leading Seaman, and now his junior Shipmates had to moan and groan.

He still talked of washing whitehats in the wake. And of scrubbing piping with toothpaste.

Using masking tape to rid his blues of any lint, that might spoil that look, that was this Swabâs taste.

He rolled the brim of his whitehat, very carefully while it was still wet; he mentioned.

It held that shape when it was dry, that was his full intention.

As it set upon his curly hair, it was not square, as the regulations state.

But it was he "the salty one" that had seen it and done it; that, no one could debate.

The whitehat was the start of it, and then the 13 button blues, belled and spiked with dragons on the cuff. With spit shined boots and a neckerchief that was tightly rolled and tied close to his throat.

He was the envy of every Whitehat, of his crew, as he stepped lightly to that liberty boat.

He later rode a Heavy Cruiser â I have indeed tried hard, but can't remember Her name.

He told me some about Her, and I understood She gained Her fame.

She was in many battles in that Second World War, She and Her crew did their best to even up the score.

He told me he made Second Class Gunner before the War was done.

And he was a Gun Mount Captain, aboard that Heavy Cruiser, when that same war was won.

He can speak no more nor tell me of a Sailors way, for heâs been gone for many years.

But I remain the reservoir of many of his thoughts and words and very nearly tears.

I spent my working life in Navy Blues, and it was always near to much of what he said.

To me it was an honored place and he was right to speak of the life, which he, that Sailor once had led.

E. A. Hughes, FTCM (SS)

USN (Retired), Â© 1987

And I'm Spent

jrossel@sikorsky.com — Tue, 22 Apr 08 11:48:00 UT

Yup, it is done. After months of extensive planning, arguements, disagreements, and guest list revisions... I am a married man. Everything went off very well. I saw some people I haven't seen in ages and didn't see some that I wish I could have. All in all the ceremony was great, the reception was better, the after party at the hotel was intoxicating to say the least, and the week in St. Lucia was amazing. Now I am home and need to start yardwork and make a baby or 2.

See ya later.

People bore me

jrossel@sikorsky.com — Tue, 18 Mar 08 06:50:00 UT

I have realized that for the past month or so I have been surrounded by people complaining about this same shit they ALWAYS complain about. Come on guys... think about it... if you are all pissy about a certain issue EVERYDAY don't you think you should make some kind of effort to fix the problem rather than just sitting around and complaining about it happening again. If you hate your life... fix it. I understand having a bad day and venting a little but enough is enough. If everyday is so bad that all you can do is whine about life every day, fucking change SOMETHING... ANYTHING!!! just make a change because it is obvious your life sucks already.

OK that was me venting.

Buhbye.

Dreams

jrossel@sikorsky.com — Mon, 4 Feb 08 06:59:00 UT

I have no idea why but I keep have a recurring dream that something outside my house blows up. I have no idea what it is as by the time I get to the door, it is nothing but a fireball... it's weird, but sometimes the explosion seems so real it wakes me up.. WTF?

57 questions stolen from Jen

jrossel@sikorsky.com — Thu, 24 Jan 08 06:33:00 UT

1. What time did you get up this morning?
0430

2. Diamonds or pearls?
Neither

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
ET

4. What is your favorite TV show?
Scrubs

5. What do you usually have for breakfast?
Pop Tarts

6. What is your middle name?
James

7. What food do you dislike?
I eat everything

8. What is your favorite CD at the moment?
Floggin Molly - Drunken Lullabyes

9. What kind of car do you drive?
2006 Honda civic and (as of today) 2007 jeep Liberty

10. What is your favorite item of clothing?
My left sock

11. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation:
someplace I haven't been yet

12. What color is your bathroom?
Pink, Black and drywall...

13. Favorite brand of clothing?
Probably American eagle

14. Where would you retire to?
my grave

15. What was your most recent memorable birthday?
My most recent... it is hard to remember beyond that one

16. Favorite sport(s) to watch?
NY Yankees, NY Jets , NY Rangers

17. Furthest place you are sending this?
uuuuuuuummmm

18. Who do you least expect to send this back to you?
you

19. Person you expect to send it back first?
him

20. Favorite saying?
Go F@?& Yourself

21. When is your birthday?
Febtobuary 47th

22. Are you a morning person or a night person?
Morning

23. What is your shoe size?
feckin huge

24. Pets?
fish

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us?
New and exciting news... yes... do I want to share it with a bunch of strangers on the internet... NO

26. What did you want to be when you were little?
bigger

27. How are you today???
fine and you?

28. What is your favorite candy?
jujubees

29. What is your favorite flower?
Tomato

30. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?
Tuesday

31. What church do you attend?
Most Holy Trinity

32. What is your full name?
John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidtt

33. What are you listening to right now?
nada

34. What was the last thing you ate?
pop tart

35. Do you wish on stars?
no

36. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
smores

37. How is the weather right now?
ok

38. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
Katie

39. Favorite soft drink?
A&W Root beer floats

40. Favorite restaurant?
Olive Garden

41. Hair color?
brown

42. Sibling(s):
yup

43. Favorite day of the year?
February

44. What was your favorite toy as a child?
who knows

45. Summer or winter?
spring

46. Hugs or kisses?
Kisses.

47. Coffee or tea?
Tea.

48. Chocolate or Vanilla?
butterscotch

49. Do you want your friends to e-mail you this back?
No, but it would be cool if they posted this.

50. When was the last time you cried?
yesterday

51. Who is the friend you have had the longest?
you

52. What did you do last night?
passed out

53. What are you afraid of?
nada.

54. Salty or sweet?
eeeeeeeeeeeewww

55. How many keys on your key ring?
54

56. How many years at your current job?
2

57. How many towns have you lived in?

Staten Island NY, Brooklyn NY, Queens NY, Norfolk VA, Virginia beach VA, Chesapeake VA, Jacksonville FL, San Diego CA, Memphis TN, Woodstock GA. (Not including various ships in the middle of nowhere, and dirt traps on the other side of the planet)

ask me

jrossel@sikorsky.com — Fri, 18 Jan 08 13:15:00 UT

I would like everyone who reads this to ask me 3 questions: no more, no less. Ask me anything you want.

ANYTHING!

Then go to your journal, copy and paste this, allowing your friends (including me) to ask you anything.

For anyone who has kids

jrossel@sikorsky.com — Fri, 18 Jan 08 12:36:00 UT

FYI,
The FDA released yeaterday that, for children under 2 years of age, no cold medicine is safe. It has been proven to cause brian hemmoraging and death. Currently an investigation is underway to determine it's safety for children between the ages of 2 and 6.

I know i usually post things on here that may be considered scarcastic, whitty or just humorous........ This is dead serious.

Parents (myself included) it is time to resort back to chicken soup and a little TLC before just medicating the shit out of your kids.

Be Safe,
john

69 questions

jrossel@sikorsky.com — Wed, 16 Jan 08 05:55:00 UT

1. What would you do if your ex just showed up at your house right now?
Which one?

2. What describes your relationship status?
yup

3. Where are you?
at work

4. What's the last TV show you've seen?
Scrubs

(where's #5?)

6. What is your favorite animal?
a Liger

7. Who have you thought about most today?
me

8. Do you carve pumpkins every year?
yup every April

9. Color of your underwear?
commando

10. Color of your shirt?
white with blue pinstripes

(Hey, 11 is missing!)

12. Who's on speed dial?
never use it

13. Honestly, what would you rather be doing right now?
laying naked in a bean bag chair eating doritos

14. What's your favorite season?
Tuesday

(I call shenanigans on #15.)

16. Are you a bad influence?
as much as I can be

(17 and 18 are totally AWOL and therefore SOL)

19. Would you do anything for someone else?
probably

20. Have you ever been called a bitch?
no people usually opt for other (more powerful) nicknames for me

(Okay, 21 through 24 are out in the parking lot, having a smoke)

25. Do you ever think people hate you for filling these things out?
Nnope, the thought never crossed my mind

26. Does your best friend have a myspace?
what red blooded American doesn't?

27. Whose page did you visit last?
yours

28. Last time you went out to dinner?
Saturday night.Japaneeze

29. Who is your favorite character from friends?
Chandler

(30 is taking a pee break)

31. Do you have your senior yearbook?
Yes.

32. Do you want to kiss anyone right now?
oh, you know it.

33. Do you have one or more N*sync CD's?
I don't think so.

34. What did you do last night?
got home from work, made dinner, had wild jungle sex and went to sleep

35. Favorite TV shows?
Mail Call, anything on the history channel, discovery channel, military channel and scrubs

36. What's your name spelled backwards?
sdrawkcab delleps eman ruoy

37. Do you have a song by Kelly Clarkson in your itunes library?
I don't have i tunes

38. iPod or Zune?
neither

39. Do you watch Family Guy regularly?
religiously

40. How do you feel about reality shows?
they are the farthest thing from reality

41. Do you read trashy romance novels often?
uuuummm I just read a book defining the similarities in thought processes of Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas... does that count?

(42 is checking her fingernails)

43. What's the last thing you bought?
smokes and a chap stick

(44 wonders where all her friends went)

45. Whats in your CD player right now?
an 8 track

46. What is your favorite movie?
Boondock Saints

47. Whats another favorite movie?
Gladiatior

48. Do you believe everyone has a soulmate?
no, I bnelieve some people on this planet are just fucked... while others are just worthless.

49. Can you sing?
only when I drink

50. Do you play any instruments?
accordian... nuff said

51. Have you ever been to another country?
Spain, Italy, Sicily, Greece, France, Ireland, England, Morocco, Malta, Turkey, Israel, Croatia, Bosnia, Kosovo, U.A.E, Iraq, Pakistan, Afganistan, Congo, Albania, and Canada

(52 and 53 are making out in the back of the Chevy van)

54. Have you ever been to South America or Africa?
see above

55. Do you know how to knit?
no

56. What do you want to eat right now?
her

(57 went back to its day job at Heinz)

58. What are you doing right now besides this survey?
work

(59 is suffering from erectile dysfunction)

60. Baskin Robbins or Cold Stone?
Cold Stone

61. Math or English?
Math

62. Facebook or MySpace?
Myspace

63. G-rated or R-rated movies?
don't matter

64. Rather fly across the states or drive?
fly... but no airplane

65. Batman, Spider man, Superman, Hulk, or Silver Surfer?
the Tick

66. What's your favorite Disney movie?
Robin Hood

67. What Cell Phone Service do you have?
VZW

68. How many beers get you drunk?
I drink Whiskey

69. Mood?
well.. it is 6am I'm at work, have a cold, and need to meet with a lot of government officials today... do the math.

Previous posting (this is amazing)

jrossel@sikorsky.com — Wed, 2 Jan 08 06:02:00 UT

If you scroll back in time in my entries, you will find a post from May 16 2007 titled I was a sailor once. This is not something I wrote, but something I found on the internet and liked it so much I wanted to make sure as many people as possible could also see it. It described the many different sides of a sailor and some of the things that we (sailors) know and will never be able to fully explain to those who have not personally experienced life at sea. Well at the end of the passage it states "Author Unknown". Well a few months ago I received an e-mail from Retired Master Chief Hughes. YUP!!! The original author of the passage. To put it briefly I was amazed that he was reading my journal, and also proud to actually have been contacted by such a man. I feel it necessary to give credit where credit is due, and with that... the Author is no longer unknown, it is
E. A. Hughes, FTCM (SS)
USN (Retired)

Master Chief,
it was an honor receiving your e-mail.

Very Respectfully,
AE2 (AW/SW) John Rossel
USN Disabled Vet

Posted below is the original form as written by Master Chief Hughes.

Once I Was A Navyman

I like the Navy. I like standing on deck during a long voyage with sea spray in my face and ocean winds whipping in from everywhere - The feel of the giant steel ship beneath me, it's engines driving against the sea is almost beyond understanding - Itâs immense power makes the Navyman feel so insignificant but yet proud to be a small part of this ship - A small part of Her mission.

I like the Navy. I like the sound of taps over the ships announcing system, the ringing of the ships bell, the foghorns and strong laughter of Navy men at work. I like the ships of the Navy; Nervous darting Destroyers, sleek proud Cruisers, majestic Battle Ships, steady solid Carriers, the essential Fleet Auxiliaries and silent hidden Submarines - I like the workhorse tugboats with their proud Indian names: Iroquois, Apache, Kiawah and Sioux - Each stealthy powerful Tug safely guiding the warships to safe deep waters from all harbors.

I like the historic names of other proud Navy Ships: Midway, Hornet, Princeton, Saribachi and Saratoga. The Ozark, Hunley, William R. Rush and Turner, the Constitution, Missouri, Wichita, Iowa, Arizona and Manchester, as well as The Sullivans, Enterprise, Tecumseh, Cole, New Jersey and Nautilus too - all majestic ships of the line - Each ship commanding the respect of all Navymen that have known Her - or were privileged to be a part of Her crew.

I like the bounce of Navy music and the tempo of a Navy Band, "Liberty Whites", â13 Button Bluesâ, the rare 72 hour liberty and the spice scent of a foreign port - I like Shipmates I've sailed with, worked with, served with or have known: The Gunners Mate from the Iowa cornfields; a Sonarman from the Colorado mountain country; a pal from Cairo, Alabama; an Italian from near Boston; some boogie boarders of California; and of course, a drawling friendly Oklahoma lad that hailed from Muskogee; and a very congenial Engineman from the Tennessee hills.

From all parts of the land they came - Farms of the Midwest, small towns of New England - The red clay area and small towns of the South - The mountain and high prairie towns of the West - The beachfront towns of the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Gulf - All are American; all are comrades in arms - All are men of the sea and all are men of honor.

I like the adventure in my heart when the ship puts out to sea, and I like the electric thrill of sailing home again, with the waving hands of welcome from family and friends, waiting on shore - The extended time at sea drags; the going is rough on occasion. But there's the companionship of robust Navy laughter, the devil-may-care philosophy of the sea. This helps the Navyman - The remembrances of past shipmates fill the mind and restore the memory with images of other ships, other ports, and other cruises long past - Some memories are good, some are not so good, but all are etched in the mind of the Navyman - And most will be there forever.

I like the sea, and after a day of work, there is the serenity of the sea at dusk. As white caps dance on the ocean waves, the sunset creates flaming clouds that float in folds over the horizon - As if painted there by a master. The darkness follows soon and is mysterious. The shipâs wake in darkness has a hypnotic effect, with foamy white froth and luminescence that forms never ending patterns in the turbulent waters - I like the lights of the ship in the dark of night - The masthead lights, the red and green sidelights and stern lights. They cut through the night and appear as a mirror of stars in darkness - There are rough stormy nights, and calm, quiet, still nights where the quiet of the mid-watch allows the ghosts of all the Sailors of the world to stand watch with you. They are abundant and unreachable, but ever apparent - And there is always the aroma of fresh coffee from the galley.

I like the legends of the Navy and the Navymen that created those legends - I like the proud names of Navy Heroes: Halsey, Nimitz, Beach, Farragut, Rickover and John Paul Jones. A man can find much in this Navy - Comrades in arms, pride in his country - A man can find himself and can revel in this experience.

In years to come, when the Sailor is home from the sea, he will still recall with fondness the ocean spray on his face when the sea is angry - There will come a faint aroma of fresh paint in his nostrils, the echo of hearty laughter of the seafaring men who once were close companions - Now landlocked, he will grow wistful of his Navy days, when the seas were the largest part of him and a new port of call was always just over the horizon.

Recalling those days and times, he will stand taller and say: "ONCE I WAS A NAVYMAN !â

E. A. Hughes, FTCM (SS), USN (Retired)

Copyright, 1958, 1978

2008

jrossel@sikorsky.com — Wed, 2 Jan 08 05:57:00 UT

OK soooo 2007 is gone. Interesting year that was. It started off bad, with the death of my grandmother, but has moved into better things. Now 2008 holds promise for what looks to be quite the exciting year. I am getting married in April, sooooo we have spent the past few months going nuts in planning everything. We booked the honeymoon last night... hell yeah!! a week in St. Lucia!! My pasty white Irish ass will be on the beach until I turn into ash. I can't wait. Also 2008 holds a bunch of challenges at work for me. I will be going through Preliminary Design Review with the government for the new aircraft we are in the process of designing, directly after we move into detailed design and actually should start building this beast probably in early 2009. Anyway... I will do what I always do, wish for the best, plan for the worst and enjoy the ride.

Happy new year.

Holiday Downsizing

jrossel@sikorsky.com — Thu, 6 Dec 07 07:40:00 UT

Today's global challenges require the North Pole to continue to look for better, more competitive steps. Effective immediately, the following economy measures are to take place in the "Twelve Days of Christmas" subsidiary:

The partridge will be retained, but the pear tree never turned out to be the cash crop forecasted. It will be replaced by a plastic hanging plant, providing considerable savings in maintenance.

The two turtle doves represent a redundancy that is simply not cost effective. In addition, their romance during working hours could not be condoned. The positions are therefore eliminated.

The three French hens will remain intact. After all, everyone loves the French.

The four calling birds were replaced by an automated voice mail system, with a call waiting option. An analysis is underway to determine who the birds have been calling, how often and how long they talked.

The five golden rings have been put on hold by the Board of Directors. Maintaining a portfolio based on one commodity could have negative implications for institutional investors. Diversification into other precious metals as well as a mix of T-Bills and high technology stocks appear to be in order.

The six geese-a-laying constitutes a luxury which can no longer be afforded. It has long been felt that the production rate of one egg per goose per day is an example of the decline in productivity. Three geese will be let go, and an upgrading in the selection procedure by personnel will assure management that from now on every goose it gets will be a good one.

The seven swans-a-swimming is obviously a number chosen in better times. Their function is primarily decorative. Mechanical swans are on order. The current swans will be retrained to learn some new strokes and therefore enhance their outplacement.

As you know, the eight maids-a-milking concept has been under heavy scrutiny by the EEOC. A male/female balance in the workforce is being sought. The more militant maids consider this a dead-end job with no upward mobility. Automation of the process may permit the maids to try a-mending, a-mentoring or a-mulching.

Nine ladies dancing has always been an odd number. This function will be phased out as these individuals grow older and can no longer do the steps.

Ten Lords-a-leaping is overkill. The high cost of Lords plus the expense of international air travel prompted the Compensation Committee to suggest replacing this group with ten out-of-work congressmen. While leaping ability may be somewhat sacrificed, the savings are significant because we expect an oversupply of unemployed congressmen this year.

Eleven pipers piping and twelve drummers drumming is a simple case of the band getting too big. A substitution with a string quartet, a cut back on new music and no uniforms will produce savings which will drop right down to the bottom line.

We can expect a substantial reduction in assorted people, fowl, animals and other expenses. Though incomplete, studies indicate that stretching deliveries over twelve days is inefficient. If we can drop ship in one day, service levels will be improved.

Regarding the lawsuit filed by the attorney's association seeking expansion to include the legal profession ("thirteen lawyers-a-suing"), action is pending.

Lastly, it is not beyond consideration that deeper cuts may be necessary in the future to stay competitive. Should that happen, the Board will request management to scrutinize the Snow White Division to see if seven dwarfs is the right number.

12 Days of Christmas

jrossel@sikorsky.com — Thu, 6 Dec 07 07:15:00 UT

December 14, 2003

Dearest Dave,

I went to the door today, and the postman delivered a partridge in a pear tree. This was a delightful gift! I couldn't have been more surprised or pleased darling!

With truly the deepest love,
Agnes

December 15, 2003

Dearest Dave,

Today the postman brought me yet another of your sweet gifts. The two turtule doves that arrived today are adorable, and I'm delighted by your thoughtful and generous ways.

With all of my love,
Your Agnes

December 16, 2003

Dearest Dave,

You've truly been too kind! I must protest; I don't deserve such generosity. The thought of getting three French hens amazes me. Yet, I am not surprised--what more should I expect from such a nice person.

Love,
Agnes

December 17, 2003

Dear Dave,

Four calling birds arrived in the mail today. They are truly nice but don't you think that enough is enough? You are being too romantic.

Affectionately,
Agnes

December 18, 2003

Dearest darling Dave,

It was a surprise to get five golden rings! I now have one for every finger. You truly are impossible darling, yet oh how I love it! Quite frankly, all of those squarking birds from the previous days were starting to get on my nerves. Yet, you managed to come through with a beautiful valuable gift!

All my love,
Agnes

December 19, 2003

Dear Dave,

When I opened my door, there were actually six geese a-laying on my front steps. So you're back to the birds again, huh? Those geese are dear, but where will I keep them? The neighbors are complaining, and I am unable to sleep with all the racket. Please stop dear.

Cordially,
Agnes

December 20, 2003

Dave,

What is with you and those stupid birds!? Seven swans a-swimming!! What kind of sick joke is this!!?? There are bird droppings everywhere! They never shut up, and I don't get any sleep!!! I'm a nervous wreck! It's not funny you weirdo, so stop with the birds.

Sincerely,
Agnes

December 21, 2003

O.K. wise guy,

The birds were bad enough. Now what do you expect me to do with eight maids a-milking? If that's not bad enough, they had to bring their cows!! The front lawn was completely ruined by them, and I can't move in my own house! Just lay off me or you'll be sorry!

Agnes

December 22, 2003

Hey loser,

What are you? You must be some kind of sadist!! Now there are nine pipers playing, and they certainly do play! They haven't stopped chasing those maids since they got here! The cows are getting upset, and they're stepping all over those screeching birds. The neighbors are getting up a petition to evict me, and I'm going out of my mind!

You'll get yours!
Agnes

December 23, 2003

You rotten scum!!!

There are now ten ladies dancing! There is only one problem with that! They're dancing twenty-four hours a day all around me with the pipers upsetting the cows and the maids. The cows can't sleep, and they are going to the bathroom everywhere! The building commissioner has subpoenaed me to give cause as to why the house shouldn't be condemned! I can't even think of a reason! You creep! I'm sicking the police on you!

One who means it!

December 24, 2003

Listen you evil, sadistic, maniac!

What's with the eleven lords-a-leaping?!? They are leaping across the rooms breaking everything and even injuring some of the maids! The place smells, is an absolute mad house, and is about to be condemned! At least the birds are quiet; they were trampled to death by the cows. I hope you are satisfied--you rotten vicious worthless piece of garbage!

Your sworn enemy,
Agnes

December 25, 2003

The Law Offices of
Badger, Rees, and Yorker
20 Knave Street
Chicago, Illinois

Dear sir,

This is to acknowledge your latest gift of twelve fiddlers-fiddling which you have seen fit to inflict on our client, one Agnes Mcholstein. The destruction of course was total. If you attempt to reach Ms. Mcholstein at Happy Daze Sanatarium, the attendants have instructions to shoot you on site.

Please direct all correspondence to this office in the future. With this letter, please find attached a warrant for your arrest.

Cordially,
Badger, Rees, and Yorker

Veteran's Day

jrossel@sikorsky.com — Mon, 12 Nov 07 07:13:00 UT

DEFINITION OF A VETERAN

A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'

That, my friends, is called Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.

A Salute to Veterans

It is the soldier, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the soldier, not the agitator, who has given us the freedom to protest.
It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the soldier, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.
It is the soldier, who salutes the flag and serves under it, whose coffin is draped by
the flag, who gives that protester the freedom to abuse and burn the flag.
[The above phrases are a compilation of emails received by Glendale over the years. Sometimes they read âsoldier,â sometimes âveteran.â No matter; the meaning and the intent is the same.]

President John F. Kennedy:

â¦Our service men and women are serving throughout the world as guardians of peace â many of them away from their homes, their friends and their families. They are visible evidence of our determination to meet any threat to the peace with measured strength and high resolve. They are also evidence of a harsh but inescapable truth â that the survival of freedom requires great cost and commitment, and great personal sacrifice.

Admiral Forrest P. Sherman:

Today let us, as Americans, honor the American fighting man. For it is he â the soldier, the sailor, the Airman, the Marine â who has fought to preserve freedom. It is his valor that has given renewed hope to the free world that by working together in discipline and faith our ideals of freedom will always prevail.

Zell B. Miller, Politician:

Never in the history of the world has any soldier sacrificed more for the freedom and liberty of total strangers than the American soldier.

Maya Angelou, Author:

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!

Veterans Day

World War I ended in the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. It took 20 more years before Congress made the 11th of November a legal holiday known as Armistice Day, which, in the context of that war, is considered to be the agreement between the Germans and the Allies to end the war on November 11, 1918. It was known as âthe war to end all wars.â If only it had been so.
In 1954, after World War II and Korea, Congress amended that act by striking out the word âArmisticeâ and inserting the word âVeterans.â Thus, on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. As the list of wars continues to grow, the United States now has veterans from the war in Afghanistan, the war in Iraq, and the war against terrorism.
The Uniforms Holiday Bill of 1968 was intended to insure three-day weekends for federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays. They were Washingtonâs Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would help the economy. Many states did not agree, however, and continued to celebrate those holidays on their original dates. The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. Since the commemoration of Veterans Day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to many Americans, President Gerald R. Ford signed a subsequent law in 1975 that returned the original date of November 11th beginning in 1978.

Happy Birthday a few days late

jrossel@sikorsky.com — Mon, 12 Nov 07 07:12:00 UT

Happy 232nd Birthday to the UNited States Marine Corps.

Semper Fidelis.

This may seem a little disgusting

jrossel@sikorsky.com — Fri, 2 Nov 07 14:07:00 UT

So over the past week or so I have had quite a bug. My head was all congested, my chest was just as, if not more, congested and I just felt blah. All in all I felt like a bag of smashed assholes and there wasn't much I could do about it besides let it run it's course.
And it did. But it left me with a very heavy dose of chest congestion.

Keep that in mind for a little later down the road.

If anyone has ever been in the military, I am willing to bet you have, like myself, endured the gas chamber in boot camp. This is a room your entire division enters, they pump it full of tear gas and you have to get your gas mask out of its pouch, get it on and secured over your head and verify your canisters are good, before you are overtaken by the gas. Now in order to ensure we knew what it would be like if we were ever complacent during a chemical attack, we were instructed to remove our mask and sing Anchors Aweigh before exiting the chamber. This left you in a condition which could be compared to puking but it isn't your standard puke. Normally, when you puke (throw up, barf, up-chuck, hurl... etc) it comes frmo your stomach due to nausea or something like that. This gas makes your lungs fill with mucus and it all comes out at once... out of every hole in your head, eyes, nose, mouth..etc.

Now while recovering from my before mentioned cold, I took a little pil called Mucinex to try and clear out excess phleghm... well.. I pretty much got the same result as the gas chamber. There was shit coming out of my head from everywhere!!!! I coughed out a softball sized wad of mucus.

I feel better now.

Bye.=)