Peter -
LOL - funny how these electronics "bugs" show up in all kinda of ways. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I am sure you're quite familiar with the life and times of Teddy Roosevelt, one of my favorite presidents ever, and with what was probably his most famous quote ever, (with the possible exception of "CHAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGE!!!!" ) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I am referring of course to "Walk softly, but carry a big stick". I'd like to give a big shout-out to all those brave men and women who have given their lives and limbs to protecting the freedom that maybe we all tend to take very much for granted, thanks to their sacrifices.
My Dad was USNA Class of '44 - he got out in '43 and spent the next two years doing just that, protecting our freedom. He served on the USS Oakland, a light cruiser outfitted for anti-aircraft duty. Her 40-plus gun emplacements, ranging from quad 40mm Bofurs to 5-inch guns splashed many a Zeke in the name of that freedom, and after the Oakland fired her last shot "in anger" she ended up moored in Tokyo Bay, within sight of "Fighting Mo" herself, the USS Missouri, as the peace treaty was being signed. What thoughts must have been going through his mind as he looked out on the rest of the US Seventh Fleet crowding that bay, as he and the rest of his comrades looked forward to hard-won peace at last, peace at last, thank god almighty, peace at last. And white Christmases with their loved ones, too.
Your display malfunction reminds me of something I saw on C-Span yesterday. A young army corporal was being interviewed at great length by one of the C-Span hosts who was visiting Bethesda (MD) Naval Hospital, and he told of how he lost his arm when his APC was hit by a rocket, and how he was coping with the loss of his limb. She remarked at one point how nice it was that the back of his T-shirt said "Peace" on it, and what a nice sentiment that was. He said, "well let me show you the rest of what it says", as he leaned forward to reveal the entire message - "Peace ...... Through Superior Firepower", with a large image of what appeared to be a 50-cal emblazoned in the middle.
May we always use that firepower wisely, and unflichingly, when necessary.
Thank you for your service to our country. It's filled with good people; this truly is the land of the brave, that's for GD sure. May we always remember that there are many fine people throughout the rest of the world as well, people of all faiths, colors, and varying amounts of firepower.
Here's to Peace, and the firepower that it sometimes takes to preserve it.
John D.
PS I am so sorry about Tetley, I can only imagine how much you miss him. I love dogs, and so did my Dad, who died in 1988. I'd like to think that he's giving Tetters a little "scroochle" behind the ears right now, and that there's a fluffy, golden tail wagging in heaven as we speak.
