It’s 3 AM and I’m awake.  As i sit here looking at my computer screen trying to figure out what I’m gonna blog about nothing really comes to mind.  I could start ranting/raving about the fact that DOMA was over turned and proposition eight is finally been repealed; however, I figured that with the many political posts all over the Internet, everybody else has that topic pretty much covered.

Let’s not get started about Paula Deen and how she’s being vilified by the press and also her ex sponsors.

The interesting thing is the fact that the only reason I know about all these events as I was in the states for about one week. I got to enjoy United States television news once again and realized why I love living in Europe so much.  I can avoid being invaded by the garbage that is being output by our national new services.

I can just sit here and enjoy reading the news on my computer and ignore the stupid stories of some people feel must be reported. It’s a wonderful feeling like a warm security blanket.  This week I set a challenge for myself to not log on Facebook for the rest of the week. On my phone I will be using Facebook messenger just to keep in touch with the wife and kids since they are on vacation in the states.  The reason for this is I find myself logging on and staying on Facebook and reading other peoples post and not putting anything online.  I figured that if I have nothing really important to post on Facebook, why log into it.   We’ll see how this challenge works.

Lopaka

(Note) this was originally posted on a blog that I kept on http://www.cigarsmokers.com on 5-21-2010.  I’ve moved it here since I no longer visit that site.  I haven’t updated or change any of the original post.  Enjoy.

As I sit on my back porch overlooking a beautiful farm and enjoying a good smoke, I’m able to reflect on many things.

In October I’ll be celebrating 13 years of defense of this wonderful nation. I’ve been able to go to many places and see many monuments, museums, and things that many people will never see. I visited a American Memorial Cemetery in Belgium for the 65th Anniversary of V-E day. For this, as an American, Veteran, and historian; I’m humbled and grateful.

A few days ago, I got an email from someone looking for information about the individual that I have worn on my right wrist for almost 21 years.

1 July 1989, Moffett Field Air Show, I purchased 2 red and 1 blue bracelet. PO1 Glenn E. Asmessun USN, Specialist Five Donald C. Grella USA (both Vietnam), and Lt. Orville M. Cook USN (Korea). I wore these 3 names with honor. I wore them for people to ask, what are they and why do you wear them? When asked, “why do you where them?” I would simply answer, “Because of that question.”

In ’97 I gave to an Army bud SP5 Donald C. Grella because I knew when joining the Air Force that I would only be able to wear 1 bracelet. I decided to keep Lt. Orville M. Cook because when someone sees POW/MIA bracelets, there normally are from Vietnam or Desert Storm. I’m the only one I’ve known wearing a Korean War. Interestingly, the Korean War is also known as “The Forgotten War”. My blue bracelet broke 2 weeks before I shipped out for basic training. I order a sterling silver that I get 2 weeks after I complete basic, it’s been on my wrist since…

Since 2000 and the wide spread use of the internet, I’ve been able to peice together the man that I wear on my right wrist…

Born 11 March 1922
MIA: 18 July 1951 (North Korea)

Navy Cross x3
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal
Asia-Pacific Campaign Medal

Flew in the Battle of the Philippine Sea (aka the Mariana’s Turkey Shoot) downing 2 enemy planes and landing at night on the USS Lexington

Flew from the Bonn Home Richard leading attack on bridge in North Korea when shot down.

Status: MIA

A brief synopsis of what I know…still learning more!

I happen to look on the DPMO (Defense Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Office) to find that SP5 Donald C. Grella has been found and identified! WOW. Goose bumps ran through me. I really hope that my friend of years ago breaks that bracelet in half as the tradition holds. I wish I could be there, knowing that I wore that name for 8 years.

I hope and pray that Lt Cook returns to his family. The person that e-mailed me knows Lt. Cooks sister. Maybe more information will be discovered…

I reflect and look at the silver that is still on my right wrist, a few have asked when will I take it off. This year marks Lt. Cooks 88th birthday. Some have asked, will I take it off on his 100th birthday? Will I take it off in 2051 when it’s been 100 years since his disappearance. I have thought of this…

The answer is simple, I remove it when he comes home.

If I go before that time, maybe my son with continue the honor that I have held for 21 years…

This is from the heart of an Iraqi Freedom, Operations Northern/Southern Watch Vet.

Thanks for your patience and time.

Lopaka

I’m looking forward to this week. I can’t really talk about the details of the middle of the week, however, at the end of the week, I’ll be attending my Ordeal for the Order of the Arrow. What an Honor it is to be ask to join this organization. It still is amazing considering my son isn’t going to be a Boy Scout until next year.

I’ll post more as this week goes on…

Lopaka

Yesterday, after 5 years of dedicated service, my Toshiba is starting to show signs that it is getting old.  So, I have my 3rd laptop in 8 years. 

I have now, rejoined the world of Apple with my new Macbook Pro.  After only playing with it for the last 24 hours, I can say that I’m very impressed and wouldn’t be surprised if I didn’t got back to Microsoft any time soon.  

I’ve only had one issue, and that is with the chat program not remember the password correctly.  It keeps telling me that the password is wrong.  However, after hitting cancel twice, I can use the chat.  If that is the only major problem that I have, I’m not going to complain.

I get to start school next month and I’m looking forward to finishing these last 6 classes that I have left and being able to graduate from school finally.

That is all for now, maybe more chat later.

Today is Valentines Day.  Many across the world are getting ready to celebrate this holiday with their significant other.

My wife likes to call it Happy Hallmark day.

Either way for those who were celebrating as lovers, or for those celebrating or remembering single life, I hope that you enjoy today and everything that it brings you.

Yesterday, I said that I was looking forward to my PT test. Today, I completed it and got the best score in my entire career. I could have done a little better; however, in the Air Force if you pass the test with a score of 90 or better, you only have to test once a year.

I don’t want to retest in February again. I’m going to try for the 90 or better in August when I have to retest.

Although, this test said that everything that I’ve been doing for my personnel PT program has been working. I just have to keep it up.

Tonight, my reward for passing my PT test is Chinese food and some Belgium beer.

Lopaka

Today was a simple day.  Although it seemed to drag on.   The winters are starting to warm up and then cool down over the weekend. 

For the first time in my career I actually look forward to taking the pt test tomorrow.  I’m actually curious on how much I have improved since my last test. 

After staying up and watching the superbowl until 0430, here are my thoughts on the game. 

1. The Pats receivers need to understand that with 1 minute left in the game that you have to catch the ball instead of worry about trying to make the big play. 

2.  The game went down to the last minute as was expected and it was a good tight game.

3.  My prediction on the score was close, although; I picked the wrong  winner.

4.  Tom Brady better hope that if he gets to play in the superbowl again that he does not play against the Giants.  If they do, all we’ll will hear about is “third time is a charm.”

5.  Finally, Madonna’s halftime show was better than any in the last 5 years.