Photography Contest

Most of the readers here know that I enjoy Photography as a hobby.  I am a member of the Middle Georgia Camera Club and have been since late 1999.  I participate in the Club Competitions.  Here is one of my six images that I will enter in July 2012.

I will also enter this image at the Georgia National Fair Photography Contest this year.

This image was edited using Picasa with the Neon option as well as the framing option.

If any readers here can identify the town or city in Georgia where this picture was taken, please let me know.  

I Remember

I realize that these pictures are from years ago, but they are not as old as World War II.  The top picture is of my Brother's Iowa Sea Hawks Boot Camp Company from April of 1963.

The second picture is of my other Brother's FTM "A" School Graduation Class.

In an earlier Blog Entry today I stressed the need to remember and to also strive to keep America Free.

Here are my reasons.

We Remember

We Care About our U.S.A.



Americans care about their Country.  Americans want the best for their Children and their Grand Children and all future generations.   Today I quote a Web Site that list American War Deaths Through Our History:



Revolutionary War

1775-1783

25,000

Northwest Indian War

1785-1795

~1,056

Quasi-War

1798-1800

514

War of 1812

1812-1815

~20,000

1st Seminole War

1817-1818

36

Black Hawk War

1832

305

2nd Seminole War

1835-1842

1,535

Mexican-American War

1846-1848

13,283

3rd Seminole War

1855-1858

26

Civil War

1861-1865

~625,000

Indian Wars

1865-1898

919

Great Sioux War

1875-1877

314

Spanish-America War

1898

2,446

Philippine-American War

1898-1913

4,196

Boxer Rebellion

1900-1901

131

Mexican Revolution

1914-1919

~35

Haiti Occupation

1915-1934

148

World War 1

1917-1918

116,516

North Russia Campaign

1918-1920

424

American Exp. Force Siberia

1918-1920

328

Nicaragua Occupation

1927-1933

48

World War 2

1941-1945

405,399

                                                                     Korean War

1950-1953

36,516

Vietnam War

1955-1975

58,209

El Salvador Civil War

1980-1992

37

Beirut

1982-1984

266

Grenada

1983

19

Panama

1989

40

Gulf War

1990-1991

258

Operation Provide Comfort

1991-1996

19

Somalia Intervention

1992-1995

43

Bosnia

1995-2004

12

NATO Air Campaign Yugoslavia

1999

20

Afghanistan (ongoing)

2001-

1,893 (02/2012)

Iraq

2003-2011

4,484 (02/2012)

As you can quickly ascertain a lot of blood has been shed for the Freedoms we enjoy in our United States of America.  As we remember "D" Day today and remember our Heroes of the past I think that it is important that we all strive to keep America Great.  I believe that these Heroes of our History fought for us.  Hopefully they did not die for no purpose.  As a Retired Navy Veteran I know that I and my Shipmates served to protect the Freedoms that our past Heroes saved for us.

I suspect that everyone has an ancestor who died for the cause of freedom.  I know that everyone knows or even has a family member who is a Hero who has given his or her life for our Freedoms.

You may be wondering why I am focused on this today.  I am concerned about the future of our country.  We won the Cold War so we could enjoy our American Values.  Yet today we so much movement toward socialism.  We are watching the erosion of our way of life.  The incentives to do better, to enjoy Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness are being destroyed.  These fundamental freedoms are being taken away from us on a daily basis. 

I believe that it is imperative that we all strive to restore America to the greatness that we all have enjoyed or at least heard of.  We can certainly honor and memorialize our Heroes by working to maintain our Freedoms.  The bedrock of the American Way of Life is to be able to enjoy Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. 

This is why thousands of peoples from all Lands came to America.  This is why thousands of Americans served their Country.

All we have to do is work to keep democracy!!!!!!

On Wisconsin !!!!

There is nothing more that needs to be said!!!!

Summer Opportunities

"Dream - Big READ"

You are encouraged to join the Summer Reading Club at your local Bibb County public library.  That is the information contained on a flyer that I acquired last week at my local Library Branch.

The program runs from June 4th through July 21, 2012 and is known as the "Summer Reading Children's Programing."

The following is a summary of the Summer Reading Program in Bibb County:

Shurling - Mondays 10:30 A.M.  744-0875

West Bibb - Tuesdays 10:30 A.M.  744-0818

Lanford - Wednesdays 10:30 A.M.  621-6972

Washington - Thursdays 10:30 A.M.  744-0859

Riverside - Fridays 10:30 A.M.  757-8900

Washington - Saturdays 10:30 A.M.  744-0859

I am confident that each Georgia County also has a Summer Reading Program for their Children.  I would suggest that you contact your County Library System now so that your Scholars will maintain their reading readiness over the Summer Holidays.



TSPLOST

Recently I have enjoyed reading about the soon to be voted on "TSPLOST" during the upcoming Primary Elections on July 31, 2012.

Most of the commentary I have read is focused on the limited viewpoint/s of the writer.  What a shame.  I am one citizen of Georgia that can truthfully state that I am very glad that our duly elected officials are giving us the opportunity to vote on this issue.  I would also quickly state that I am very content and also glad that our duly elected officials are planning for the future. 

All too often we have elected officials that are concerned about their own re-election opportunities to give much consideration about the long term benefits of any of their actions.

I would submit that as you prepare to vote in the July 31st primaries that you consider:

• Will the passage of the TSPLOST enhance our area's ability to attract new industry?
• I would suspect that the longer Runway at our local Airport will enhance the ability of Middle Georgia to attract organizations/business firms that need cargo shipments in a rapid manner.  After all our local Passenger Airport  in Atlanta is really quite busy now.  An Airport in Middle Georgia to facilitate Cargo Planes and shipments would certainly be a plus for the potential of attracting new industry.
• Each County was able to generate projects that they felt would improve their situation.
• For those who may think that anyone county in Middle Georgia is going to benefit more than another, may I submit that if new industry is attracted to our area, every county will benefit.  I know for a fact that when I was an employee of Brown and Williamson here in Macon, Georgia and also located in Bibb County that many of my coworkers traveled in excess of 50 miles one way to work.  Therefore any infrastructure in Bibb County, where I reside, that would employ people would be a benefit to all of Middle Georgia.  So there goes the statement that I recently read about any one individual county benefiting on the expenditure of funds for a project would benefit only that county.  If Middle Georgia, no matter what county acquires a large industry I am confident that we all can benefit.
• I have recently read about individuals concerned about "bike paths" as being non essential.  May I submit that we live on a Congressional District that is of poor health and that many of our fellow citizens are obese.  Maybe every county should have requested "bike paths."

I suspect that by now you can ascertain that I will vote for the TSPLOST.  It is certainly a program that will allow Middle Georgia to hopefully improve the employment opportunities for our own Children, our own Grand Children and future generations.  Yes, I am thankful that our Duly Elected State Officials are planning ahead and also wanting to improve the employment opportunities for all of Middle Georgia's citizens.  We all deserve this type of thinking.  I would also suggest that it is now our opportunity to consider what is important to the future of our area versus the limited potential that some would have us hope for.

Every time I travel to Southern portions of Georgia on either I-475 or I-75 I am grateful for the long range planning that someone performed to allow our South Bibb County to be ready for the future.

So I would ask and also suggest:  Why can we not have progress and forward thinking regarding the I-75 and I-16 interchange which will also improve the transportation infrastructure in Middle Georgia and also Bibb County.  If anyone doubts the need for these improvements may I suggest that they simply take a census of Warner Robins Air Force Base employees that travel from Jones County, Northeast and East Bibb County to work at the Base.  Also, anyone who has ever desired to travel to our local lakes North of Macon on a Friday evening knows that we can do better with an improved I-75/I-16 travel system. 

Additionally, our entertainment/convention business at the Centreplex would possibly improve is we had a more efficient travel situation at the Spring Street/Martin Luther King Blvd. exits/entrances.

This is not an issue about any particular race or ethnic group.  This is an issue for the improvement of the transportation of people/raw materials/finished products for all of Middle Georgia. 

It is certainly time to think about the future as our duly elected officials have given us the opportunity to do this July 31, 2012.  We need to plan ahead and also realize that the future of our Middle Georgia depends on these improvements.  As I stated earlier in this post, our Children and everyones Children deserve much better than what we currently have. 

I have fond memories of a former "Move Forward" campaign here in Macon, Georgia.  It is time that we once again "Move Forward." 



An Historic Macon Presentation

On May 15, 2012 I was able to attend an Historic Macon Presentation at the Sidney Lanier Cottage.  I must admit that I am slow on posting this entry; however please be aware that I often let other projects interupt my Blog Post.

The program was by Mr. Rob Tanner and his recent book, "From Animal House To Our House:  A Love Story."  Mr. Tanner discussed his courtship with his Bride and the restoration of a lovely Victorian Home.

Yes, they did restore a wrecked fraternity house into a charming Victorian Brownstone.  They started in 2000 and in 2008 their work was featured in "This Old House" magazine.

Mr. Tanner made several comments during his presentation:

• During the first Summer of their work their Neighbors held a Dinner Party for them.  They were ready for stable occupants in this former frat house.
• Take Breaks, at least once a week.
• They took their Breaks and visited any Flee Market that was open to acquire needed items to complete the project.
• Have A Plan!!!!!
• Leave No Room Behind.
• Once a room is complete and you find a new item always remember that "something in requires something out."

Mr. Tanner's powerpoint images displayed the before and after situations very well.  His sense of humor was infectious and you can learn more about this project by visiting:

http://houselove.org/

I would suggest that everyone take the opportunity to visit this website and learn about the opportunities that are available in the home restoration hobby/business.



Bits of Wisdom

During my reading in recent weeks I have garnered some great bits of "wisdom" that I wish I had learned much earlier in my life.

• Have Fun, be able to Laugh at Yourself!
• Ideas, Events and people.    I understand that it was Eleanor Roosevelt who stated:

"Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people."

With this statement in mind I am confident that our World would be a much better place to live if we did not ever use the "Small Mind" option in our conversations. 

•   I have also read a quote from Peter Lencioni's Book "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team."  He writes:  "In the context of building a team, trust is the confidence among team members that their peers' intentions are good, and that there is no reason to be protective or careful around the group.  In essence, teammates must get comfortable being vulnerable with one another."

If we all employed the Bits of Wisdom, and I am confident there are many more, in our daily interactions with our fellow people kind this Society would be much better off.

It would certainly end the struggles that so many endure when they must get along with such citizens that must always have their way and if they do not obtain their way, they simply insult their fellow people kind with all matter of statements.  Some such statements are even unkind; but they must be made so that some can continue having their way.

What a shame!!!!!     Well, I suspect that I must get ready to endure all types of non-team building opportunities during the upcoming political campaigns.  What makes the current situation so difficult for me to comprehend is some Families  have individuals who  have adopted the attitude/s that they only they are to be considered.  Teamwork be dammed!!!!

The Tale of Three Houses

Macon, Georgia

You may recall the three houses moving through the streets of Macon, Georgia on October 22, 2012.  I pledged to follow this project.  This is the status of the three houses as of 17 May 2012.

Abandoned Hero

or

Forgotten Hero

Several Years ago I observed this small Cemetery alongside of U. S. 80 just West of Roberta, Georgia.  I took some pictures at that time, but I do not know where I placed them.  Therefore I revisited this small Cemetery on May 19th.

Samuel A. Kendrick, of Company E, 6 GA INF - C.S.A. who lived from 1842 to 1862 is buried here.

The picture below is what this Cemetery looks like from U. S. 80.  It is located at the 4333 Block of U. S. Highway 80.  That is the address on the mailbox on the other side of the road. 

This Cemetery is about three miles West of Roberta, Georgia.  I publish this today with the sincere desire that someone may be looking for an long forgotten Hero in their Family.

U. S. Navy

Aircraft Carriers of the Future

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)

I have recently conducted research on the future Aircraft Carriers for the United States of America.  The picture above is an Artist Version of this Ship which will replace the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in 2015.

This is a new class of Carrier and will have a crew of about 800 less than our current carriers because of technology advances.

The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is expected to replace the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in 2020

An unnamed carrier (CVN 80) is expected to replace the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in 2025.

The life span of a Carrier is expected to be about 50 years.  As you may know I served in the USS Ranger (CVA 61) in the early years of my U. S. Navy Career.  From my point of view our Carrier Program is essential for the future of the U. S. Economy.  A carrier can be deployed to any area of the world and launch aircraft without concern for base rights in any foreign country.  That is what makes the U. S Navy unique.  The Navy is a mobile force that can be deployed anywhere in the world, on the high seas of course, to protect the interest of the United States of America. 

Macon Cemetery Preservation Corporation

Memorial Day Program

Linwood Cemetery

The Memorial Day Program Attendees

The Presentation of the Colors

Retired Air Force Major Kevin Gunerman
delivered the speech which focused on
"Freedom Is Not Free!!"

Mrs. Alice B. Jackson, President of the Preservation Corporation
addressed the attendees

Mr. Ricardo Hamlin played TAPS

Westside High School
Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps

The theme for this 2012 Memorial Day Program was "Remembering the Lives of Those Who Served in the United States Armed Forces."

Memorial Day

May 28, 2012

Memorial Day is a day when we honor our Heroes.  I visited the Historic Linwood Cemetery in Macon, Georgia.  

The L A Jones Plot Marker

Several years ago I took this plot as a project.  I removed the vines and weeds.  I visited it today and detemined that I must return and remove new weeds. 

This is the Marker for Macon, Georgia's Medal of Honor Hero,  SGT Rodney Maxwell Davis who perished on 5 September 1967 as he threw himself on a live grenade to save the lives of his fellow Marines.

The inscription on SGT Rodney Maxwell Davis' Tombstone. 

Celebrating a 40th Birthday

It was a great celebration near Dublin, Georgia last evening as Friends and Family gathered to celebrate the 40th Birthday of Shield L. Bozeman III.

"Andersonville"

A 1994 Television Movie

I was a movie extra for this film about "Andersonville."  I was cast as a scabbie and this is what I looked like after I arrived home from a full day of filming near Senoia, Georgia.  It was a fun day and enjoyed a delightful October day in 1994 seeing how a made for Television movie was made.  It was a Ted Turner project.

This movie is sometimes played during the Memorial Day weekend.  I know that I will be checking out the Television Schedules to see if it will be aired in 2012.

Bond & Beyond

an

Evening of Delightful Music

performed by the

Macon Symphony Orchestra

Saturday, May 5, 2012

It was my good fortune to acquire tickets to this delightful performance.  My Bride and I enjoyed a wonderful evening of "Movie Music" performed by the Macon Symphony Orchestra.  The Orchestra was let by a Guest Conductor, C. David Keith who is the Director of Graduate Studies for the Townsend School of Music at Mercer University.

Conductor Keith gave very informative introductions to each selection and then led the Orchestra to an outstanding performance.  Selections included:

Goldfinger

A James Bond Medley

Raiders March

Born on the Fourth of July

Selections from Phantom of the Opera

The Forrest Gump Suite

Diamonds Are Forever

in addition to several other compositions.  A wonderful Concert to conclude a wonderful day of exciting events in Middle Georgia. 

Life Can Be Difficult

No Matter Where You Live

This story was passed to me and while I cannot vouch for the accuracy I suspect that it could happen.  A young Arab student enrolls in a school in France:

"Mohammad entered his school classroom. What is your name? asked the teacher.

Mohammad, answered the boy.

Here in France, there is no Mohammad. From now on your name will be Jean-Francois, replied the teacher.

In the evening, Mohammad returned home.

The day went well Mohammad? asked his mother.

My name is not Mohammad.   I am in France now and my name is Jean-Francois.

Ah, are you ashamed of your name?   Are you trying to disown your parents?   Your heritage? Shame on you!

...And she beat him.
Then she called the father and he beat him very hard.
The next day Mohammad returned to school.  When the teacher saw him with all the bruises she asked:

What happened my little Jean-Francois?
Well, Madame, two hours after becoming French, I was attacked by two Arab terrorists."

Camera Club Field Trip

Saturday

May 5, 2012

Several Members of the Middle Georgia Camera Club took the opportunity during the morning hours of 5 May 2012 to acquire a few pictures at the home of Dick and Rusty Georgia here in Bibb County, Georgia.  I edited several of my pictures using Picasa and share them with you here.

Self-Centered

Dangerous Drivers

It is that time of the year when once again, self-centered young citizens think they have the right to destroy property by showing just how skillfully  they can operate operate vehicles.

I would suggest that if any concerned parent noted their children's vehicle with grass and/or mud in the wheel wells they would attempt to find out why!!!

Here is a fairly accurate tire print.  If my own dear children had arrived home with mud in the wheel well I would have at least asked how this happened.

I am confident that there are some among us that feel that they have a "right" to drive.  I would submit that in order to drive a motor vehicle one has to prove they know what is right and wrong.  They have to pass a knowledge test on the rules of the road, etc. and also demonstrate to a license examiner that they can be trusted to operate a motor vehicle.  Based on the destruction that I observed and photographed there are those among us who do not understand that it is a priviledge to operate a motor vehicle.

Some where among our fellow citizens we have parents who may not have instilled a sense of responsibility in their offspring.  Or, even worse, these offspring were properly trained; but took the opportunity to show off to themselves and/or their peers just how much destruction they could perform during the annual "Rites of Spring."

In the end, one has to feel sorry for anyone who would damage other people's property just for the fun of it. 

Pain at the Pump!!!!

Recently we here in the United States of America experienced very high prices for a gallon of gasoline for our Automobiles.  I must admit that we in this Country have it quite nice when compared to gasoline prices in other parts of the World.  That stated, recently gasoline approached $4.00 a gallon.  In recent weeks the price has dropped considerably.

So what is incorrect or wrong abou that?  The electronic media (both network and cable) continually remind us that the price has dropped considerably.  While I am confident that most of us appreciate that fact I am concerned about the attitude that may be developing.  While decreases in prices are appreciated I would like to discuss this situation.

Most of us know that we have a vast source of fuel here in our own country and we for some reason refuse to develop it.  Yet we are being misled that the current price reductions are to be appreciated.  What will the prices go to this Summer, the Summer of 2012?  No one knows, yet we can safely assume that they will go higher.  That is just the nature of the business.

While the recent price spike in gasoline may be compared to attempting to shower or bathe in water with a temperature of 212 degrees (which is boiling here in the U. S. A.) I remain confident that most of us would not appreciate being told that with the water at 180 degrees that we should enjoy the opportunity to shower or bathe in cooler water. 

While this example may appear drastic, I would submit that it is a fair comparison in view of the recent spike in the price of gasoline and the recent reductions that are being touted by the electronic media.  These price reductions are welcome; but of little comfort for those who do not have employment.  Even at $3.50 a gallon for gasoline it requires a fair amount of funds to participate in an active manner to seek employment.  I know much can be done online; however I remain confident that most employers still consider it quite appropriate to conduct on location in person interviews before they hire a potential employee. 

So, I submit today, would you appreciate a shower or bath at 180 degrees when you recently had to endure temperatures of 212 degrees?