Lt Collins' Flag Day Speech

From the movie, "The Sand Pebbles," Richard Crenna as Lt Collins gives The Flag Day Speech:

"Today we begin cruising to show the flag on Tungting Lake and the Hunan Rivers. I want all honors rendered smartly. At home in America, when today reaches them it will be Flag Day. For us who wear the uniform every day is Flag Day. It is said that there will be no more wars. We must pretend to believe that. But when war comes, it is we who will take the first shock, and buy time with our lives. It is we who keep the Faith...We serve the Flag. The trade we all follow is the give and take of death. It is for that purpose that the people of America maintain us. And anyone of us who believes he has a job like any other, for which he draws a money wage, is a thief of the food he eats, and a trespasser in the bunk in which he lies down to sleep."

"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." -- Attributed to George Orwell

Patriotic Clown in Douglas Wy State Fair Parade 

The Magic Hat

Remember when people complained we were going to buy 'made in china' berets for the Army? Who in 1968 would have imagined China being given a contract to make US military clothing?

I'd sure like a look at the tag inside the "magic hat" given to Kerry by the CIA guy. I wonder what a stock number would tell. I'm guessing, though, that CIA issued clothing would have the tags removed.

Military Posers

Some people have the need to embellish their military service, to make their time serving seem more important and interesting. Or maybe they forget what they've told. Maybe they forget where they really were. Sadly, they do this even though everyone who serves is important, no matter the rank or job.

I knew a guy who told me he hadn't finished his enlistment because the Navy couldn't get him to the school he was promised and agreed to. After boot camp he was in a holding company awaiting admin discharge.

Over the years I guess he forgot what he first told me. His story came to include his being an Intelligence Officer on secret missions into hostile lands.

I didn't judge him harshly. I let him tell his stories. He talked that way infrequently enough that no harm was done except to his credibility.

But then, he didn't want to be my president, either!

My Old Webpage

Just saving my old webpage here: http://www.geocities.com/magnumlk2001

Click on MY VIEW on that page gets you to:
http://www.geocities.com/magnumlk2001/MyView.html

Why I am Voting for George W Bush

When asked if Kerry would have invaded Iraq had Saddam refused to disarm, Kerry said this:

"You bet, we might have." That is too indecisive for me!

Like the old Cossack saying......"Love the horse beneath you." I'll stay with the horse that "brung" us this far.

Mt Rushmore taken by my brother's family, June 2004. Walk the Avenue of Flags. All 50 states are there.

My Favorite President 

Dakota under the Red, White & Blue. My wife, Nancy tatted this flag working on it off and on for 4 years. Tatting is almost a lost art. 

High Water

The Fort Morgan Times says: County flood biggest since 1965

It's a Fine Colorado Day --- for taking aim

I'm trying my first blog. While I don't consider myself a blogger in the sense of more disciplined writers who post everyday, I do find I've outgrown my current webpage.

First I'll spend some time aiming a few "arrows" and see what directions this blog takes.