I grew up in the flight path for B-52s/B-58s/KC-135s near Mather AFB. We, too, referred to it as the 'sound of freedom' for us all. I remember the Cuban Missle Crisis as nothing but the sound and smoke trails of B-52s and KC-135s in the air 24/7.

I used that anecdote later when dealing with Germans who purchased homes near our bases in Europe and then complained about the noise. ;)

Remembering all that just gave me my happy thought of the day. :D

Richard

For my brother more than me:
 

Today my brother's beloved branch of service, the USMC, has it's birthday. Tomorrow, his oldest has hers. God bless them both.

AMC is having a RAmbo one and two back to back. Just finished "first blood." Watching the 2nd movie now. Here I thought it was going to be a tv wasteland evening. :D:D

This is my oldest grand-daughter. Someday she might be responsible for that whoop-whoop-whoop sound we hold so dear, early in the morning . Her Daddy, Son Numba One, just pinned on his Major leaves! (No, but he is a damn fine MI guy!:D)

I am the first patron to check out a new book from the local public library.:cool: This means I won't turn a page to find that someone used a magical nose goblin as a bookmark.:eek::mad:

I'm pinning Sergeant tomorrow!

Congratulations!

Congrats! (Now get back to work, you have a war to fight;))

Team Sergeant

Who is Sergeant and why are you pinning him/her? ;)

Richard

Congrats!

just took DLPT and passed. 3/3 in 49 min :lifter
Will find out how to get approval to take the upper level. Now waiting for security clearance.

I only used the 1st Group refresher course 0 to 2+ to prepare. I highly recommend them. If you can do the exercise in them well (or good enough), you should be set for DLPT. In the 2+ course, there are questions that I couldn't get right, not even once. It's definitely way harder than the DLPT.

After a long meeting...3 hours worth...and a powerpoint presentation...and a discussion of my dissertation proposal...my committee approved the proposal.

Phase II is complete. I am now a doctoral candidate. :lifter

Next step is the dissertation. My goal is July 1.

We're here to help!:D

My son did a Toys for Tots jump today and got his German jumpwings in the bargain. It was not that that gave me happy thoughts so much as what he told me last night. "Mom,if I am going to do toys for tots, I am not going to get something cheap and cheesy. I got two sets of basic duplo's, cost me $20 each, but I want a kid to have the good stuff you got me. It's the right thing to do."

Personally I think he was just looking for any excuse to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.:D:D:D
AM

Glad you finally passed your english test. :p

Nice FF! The only approval needed for the UL DLPT V is getting 3s on the LL tests.

The clearance process will "probably" take slightly longer than 49 mins though. ;)

I was "Daddy Clause"
 

A pic with my little girl. As soon as she got there it was all whispers of Daddy Clause and "It's Daddy Clause's store!" This year she was willing to do it immediately. Last two years it took a long time (the typical fear some kids have couple with autism). We somehow worked up a signal to tell each other "it's me."

From my family to the family of all those who celebrate it: Happy Hanukkah! :)

(Adorable Grand Daughter Mr. Dozer.)

And from a small town American family;

To All who Serve Our United States, Thank You, and Merry Christmas!

We are thinking of You, as we gather around, and thanking You for providing Our freedom!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!:)

O America
 

Was listening to Celtic Women on PBS just now and they dedicated this song to America. Because they love us
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEpX2BcB9As

Richard,

Were they formally the Confederate Air Force stationed in Harrington(?) Texas? :confused:

Big Teddy :munchin

Dozer,

She really is adorable..........:D I had my first great grand-daughter(Autumn) 3 years ago and a great grand-son recently (Maddox)his nick name already is Mad Max. :rolleyes: I would post their pictures but I still don't know how to do Thumbnails!!!! Anyway,congrats on you sons promotion,I'm sure your very proud,I know I would be.....;)

Big Teddy :munchin

goofed that up

save the picture you want to your computer's my pictures.
click "post reply" type whatever you want
scroll to the box under it. "Additional Options"
click "manage attachments"
click choose file (takes you to your files) go to my pictures
double click it Takes you back to "manage attachments"
click "upload" when you get the attachment key close the window
that ought to do it.
Submit reply (Grand daughter with out make-up)

Thanks Tim, I gave it to Maggie and she said she'll do it for me......I really am a dumb shit when it comes to trying to do some things with my computer....I was once told by the VA after a CAT scan I had early dementia but it turn out to be a false,positive and a 2nd opinion reversed it,however my recent CAT scan confirmed it again and I am having trouble finishing my sentences...... Anyway thanks for the info........

Big Teddy :munchin

Harlingen, Texas.

TR

Thanks TR,but my question still wasn't answered........... ;)

Big Teddy :munchin

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&r...&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commemorative_Air_Force

TR

Sorry BT, but it was answered!! It used to be "The Confederate Airforce", but due to PC Pressures, it changed it's name!! It used to be based in Harlingen, Texas, but moved to the Midland-Odessa Airport several years ago. Back in the late '70s, I got to make a few jumps from the bomb bay of one of their B-17s (and a few other aircraft)!! Really a wild jump and the FAA went BONKERS, something about not having an STC that would allow the opening of the "Bomb Bay Doors" in flight, for the purpose of making a Parachute Jump!!:D (We did it again the NEXT DAY of the Airshow!!!):munchin

Take care.
Martin

Cute kid! Your wife must be drop-dead gorgeous! :D

My Reason For Living is gorgeous! But that little girl is the Grand Daughter. she looks like my daughter-in-law. Oldest son has great taste and high standards too!
MRFL sez, "Thanks"

I'm also thankful that ski season came early to Missouri and I pulled the early NS Patrol shift on Opening Day. Conditions were great, The snow machines have been going for the last week's cold snap. About 10 inches of good stuff. I only worked two injuries (maybe a broken collar-bone and a sprained or broken wrist) both snow board. At the end of shift it started to rain. poured for 30 hours. Probably not a snowflake on the hill. But the cold is coming this way. . . we start over. Goes that way all season long. Skiing can be Great but it can never be bad.

Baloney sauce!

As for weather, just returned from Sam's - 67 degrees and sunny skies here in North Dallas and I had the top down on the convertible. :D :D :D

Richard

Crossing the Continental Divide from Lake Eldora to Winter Park - January - winds beyond belief - mostly ice and rock about 1/3 of the way up to about 1/3 of the way down the other side - old style military skis with non-release cable bindings and Chippewa boots - rucks and weapons - nie wieder...unless my life depended upon it. ;)

Richard

Forgot to mention:
I got few months before BOLC and not doing much. If you've been assigned Indonesian, I'm willing to help, train-the-trainer etc. near my AO or far (skype etc.). I already checked the SWCS Mlilitary Language Mentor Program but I do not meet the MOS requirement. Feel free to PM for details.

Yeah, but those genes "skip" around sometimes. :D

Where the hell does one ski in "Misery"? I could slide down the hill behind my house in the St. Louie 'burbs' - but was unaware of anything approaching "skiing" anywhere in the vicinity.

YUP, It's true. http://www.hiddenvalleyski.com/

And I quote: "We are OPEN today Tuesday December 15th: 1pm- 9:30pm We will also be making SNOW all day and night today on Tuesday. Please dress warm and bring your goggles. Midnight Sessions begin Friday, December 18th."

Better do what they suggest or you might lose an eye. Its like skiing on a flight deck with no blast deflector. (Not that I've ever been on a flight deck)

Really, for Misoer-ah it ain't bad. And a great military discount.
Tell 'em Dozer sent you. They'll have you escorted off the property.:p
BTW I'm the Patroller who starts all care with, "Ahhhhhh Jeeze! Not again!"

Let's see now...skiing.

Cold...chance for injuries...physical exertion...

Hang around the ski lodge. Warm...chance to snag an extra pastry...steam room...minimal physical exertion.

I do believe my course is clear. ;)

nmap, I'm going to drop a dime to your cardiologist.....:D

NO, NO DON'T!

Ahhhhhh Jeeze! Not again . . .:D
Stand back, I'm a trained volunteer, (see the $225 parka?) I did this in the classroom LOTS of times. (God Bless the Good Samaritan Law). I know CPR and haven't gotten a chance to use it!