Every Sunday here in the park, gated community, RV place or resort, what ever one wants to call it, we have a social. Some body buys a bunch of doughnuts, coffee is provided, introductions of those new to the park are made, birthdays are recognized as are anniversaries. The events for the coming week are highlighted and then a program of sorts is put on by volunteers who want to entertain or inform. Some of them have been very interesting.
This week they passed around the microphone and told of their favorite Christmas memories. Many people participated. I did not. I had done it last year and the year before so I did not figure any thing I had to say would be that interesting. After it was all over though I did think of something that while not as fun as Christmases past it is sort of a first for me as far as realizations go.
I have spent several Christmases alone so when Bev's oldest daughter Renee was scheduled to have a baby around Dec 20, it was a no brainier that Bev go out to help and visit as most mothers do when their daughters have children. It is a mother thing.
People around the park have sent me food, asked me over for dinner, stopped by for visits and provided moral support, not knowing I really didn't need it, but I have been touched by their concern that I had to spend Christmas alone. However I was not alone.
My mother lives in the park, just a block away. Her special friend was out of town so we spent most of the day together.
Bev and I will spend many more Christmases together but how many more Christmases will I spend with my mother? How many of you spent Christmas with your mother? How many of those living in the park spent Christmases with their mothers? I should be inviting them over for dinner and taking them food I guess.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Friday, December 19, 2014
From Pat Cavanaugh, an old friend from ROTC days
The Boston Red Sox slugger who wore No. 9 as a major leaguer, would now be assigned to an F-9 Panther jet as a pilot. Ted flew a total of 39 combat missions in Korea. He was selected by his commander John Glenn (later the astronaut, senator, and 'septuagenonaut') to fly as Glenn's wingman.
While flying an air strike on a troop encampment near Kyomipo, Williams' F-9 was hit by hostile ground fire. Ted commented later: "The funny thing was I didn't feel anything. I knew I was hit when the stick started shaking like mad in my hands. Then everything went out, my radio, my landing gear, everything. The red warning lights were on all over the plane." The F-9 Panther had a centrifugal flow engine and normally caught fire when hit. The tail would literally blow off most stricken aircraft. The standard orders were to eject from any Panther with a fire in the rear of the plane. Ted's aircraft was indeed on fire, and was trailing smoke and flames. Glenn and the other pilots on the mission were yelling over their radios for Williams to get out. However, with his radio out, Williams could not hear their warnings and he could not see the condition of the rear of his aircraft. Glenn and another Panther flown by Larry Hawkins came up alongside Williams and lead him to the nearest friendly airfield. Fighting to hold the plane together, Ted brought his Panther in at more than 200-MPH for a crash landing on the Marsden-matted strip. With no landing gear, dive brakes, or functioning flaps, the flaming Panther jet skidded down the runway for more than 3000 feet. Williams got out of the aircraft only moments before it was totally engulfed in flames. Ted Williams survived his tour of duty in Korea and returned to major league baseball.
Pssst: Ted missed out flying combat missions during WW II, because his flying and gunnery skills were so good that he was kept as an instructor for much of the War. During advanced training at Pensacola, Florida Ted would accurately shoot the sleeve targets to shreds while shooting out of wing-overs, zooms, and barrel rolls. He broke the all time record for 'hits' at the school. Following Pensacola, Ted was sent to Jacksonville for advanced gunnery training. This is the payoff test for potential combat pilots. Ted set all the records for reflexes, coordination, and visual reaction time. As a result of his stunning success he was made an instructor at Bronson field to put Marine aviation cadets through their final paces. By 1945 Ted got his wish and was finally transferred to a combat wing, but weeks later the War was over. He was discharged from the military in December of 1945. Seven years later, in December of 1952, Ted was recalled to active duty as a Marine Corps fighter pilot.
While flying an air strike on a troop encampment near Kyomipo, Williams' F-9 was hit by hostile ground fire. Ted commented later: "The funny thing was I didn't feel anything. I knew I was hit when the stick started shaking like mad in my hands. Then everything went out, my radio, my landing gear, everything. The red warning lights were on all over the plane." The F-9 Panther had a centrifugal flow engine and normally caught fire when hit. The tail would literally blow off most stricken aircraft. The standard orders were to eject from any Panther with a fire in the rear of the plane. Ted's aircraft was indeed on fire, and was trailing smoke and flames. Glenn and the other pilots on the mission were yelling over their radios for Williams to get out. However, with his radio out, Williams could not hear their warnings and he could not see the condition of the rear of his aircraft. Glenn and another Panther flown by Larry Hawkins came up alongside Williams and lead him to the nearest friendly airfield. Fighting to hold the plane together, Ted brought his Panther in at more than 200-MPH for a crash landing on the Marsden-matted strip. With no landing gear, dive brakes, or functioning flaps, the flaming Panther jet skidded down the runway for more than 3000 feet. Williams got out of the aircraft only moments before it was totally engulfed in flames. Ted Williams survived his tour of duty in Korea and returned to major league baseball.
Pssst: Ted missed out flying combat missions during WW II, because his flying and gunnery skills were so good that he was kept as an instructor for much of the War. During advanced training at Pensacola, Florida Ted would accurately shoot the sleeve targets to shreds while shooting out of wing-overs, zooms, and barrel rolls. He broke the all time record for 'hits' at the school. Following Pensacola, Ted was sent to Jacksonville for advanced gunnery training. This is the payoff test for potential combat pilots. Ted set all the records for reflexes, coordination, and visual reaction time. As a result of his stunning success he was made an instructor at Bronson field to put Marine aviation cadets through their final paces. By 1945 Ted got his wish and was finally transferred to a combat wing, but weeks later the War was over. He was discharged from the military in December of 1945. Seven years later, in December of 1952, Ted was recalled to active duty as a Marine Corps fighter pilot.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
FHTV/RV - Tell Me A Story 9
Has been associated with the park of two months.
We took kayaking lessons on the Elk Horn Slough on our way down here from Alaska. The object was to learn how to right ourselves if we tipped over, how to pump water from the kayak, and crawl in and out while still in the water. We eventually want to become certified wilderness guides and conduct outdoor leadership training.
During our training we came across some sea otters. They laid on their back and hit the clams they had retrieved with rocks to open them.
We enjoy it here in the park and hope to return.
We took kayaking lessons on the Elk Horn Slough on our way down here from Alaska. The object was to learn how to right ourselves if we tipped over, how to pump water from the kayak, and crawl in and out while still in the water. We eventually want to become certified wilderness guides and conduct outdoor leadership training.
During our training we came across some sea otters. They laid on their back and hit the clams they had retrieved with rocks to open them.
We enjoy it here in the park and hope to return.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
FHTV/RV- Tell Me A Story - 8
Has been associated with the park for 15 years.
I have always enjoyed camping. I like to go with friends and family and always wanted to go with my older cousin. He refused no matter how many times I asked him.
One times after being refused again I asked him why he did not like camping. He said I just don't. Well I was not going to let the matter drop.
"Well have you ever been camping," I asked.
"yes," came his reply, "but we did not call it camping, I did it for 18 months and we called it Korea."
I have always enjoyed camping. I like to go with friends and family and always wanted to go with my older cousin. He refused no matter how many times I asked him.
One times after being refused again I asked him why he did not like camping. He said I just don't. Well I was not going to let the matter drop.
"Well have you ever been camping," I asked.
"yes," came his reply, "but we did not call it camping, I did it for 18 months and we called it Korea."
Sunday, December 7, 2014
FHTV/RV - Tell Me A Story - 7
Has been associated with the park for four years.
When my husband and I were stationed oversees with the United States Army I use to write my family at least once a week to let them know how we were doing. I also took the opportunity to describe certain things, places, and events that occurred. I thought they might be interested because the Asian culture we lived in and around was far different from Midwest America where we came from. I was very excited to keep the family informed and took great pride in doing so.
Our tour in Southeast Asia eventually ended and we rotated back to the U.S. On leave we visited our parents and one afternoon a member of the family got out the letters I wrote and began reading them out loud. Everyone sitting around the family circle got a big laugh at my poor spelling and misuse of words. I was humiliated and hurt at their insensitivity and waht I thought at the time cruelty. I took the letters home and burned them all.
I wish now I had not. However even though time heals all hurts it still stings a little.
When my husband and I were stationed oversees with the United States Army I use to write my family at least once a week to let them know how we were doing. I also took the opportunity to describe certain things, places, and events that occurred. I thought they might be interested because the Asian culture we lived in and around was far different from Midwest America where we came from. I was very excited to keep the family informed and took great pride in doing so.
Our tour in Southeast Asia eventually ended and we rotated back to the U.S. On leave we visited our parents and one afternoon a member of the family got out the letters I wrote and began reading them out loud. Everyone sitting around the family circle got a big laugh at my poor spelling and misuse of words. I was humiliated and hurt at their insensitivity and waht I thought at the time cruelty. I took the letters home and burned them all.
I wish now I had not. However even though time heals all hurts it still stings a little.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
FHTV/RV Tell Me A Story - 6
Has been associated with the park for 2 years
When I was 12 years old my folks took the whole family to Jamaica for a vacation.
If you have ever been there you know that the weather for the most part is pristine, tranquil, and close to heavenly.
There was much to do and one event that the whole family thought would be a grand idea was to float down the Martha Brae River on a bamboo raft. We boarded the raft near Montego Bay and mom had lathered us all with zinc oxide or some other kind of sun protection stuff.
We no sooner got started down the river, anticipating a joyous sunny excursion surrounded by the warm tropical breeze when the clouds rolled in, the temperature dropped to 40 degrees and it started to mist.
We completed the trip in great discomfort and it was not what we were expecting at all.
When I was 12 years old my folks took the whole family to Jamaica for a vacation.
If you have ever been there you know that the weather for the most part is pristine, tranquil, and close to heavenly.
There was much to do and one event that the whole family thought would be a grand idea was to float down the Martha Brae River on a bamboo raft. We boarded the raft near Montego Bay and mom had lathered us all with zinc oxide or some other kind of sun protection stuff.
We no sooner got started down the river, anticipating a joyous sunny excursion surrounded by the warm tropical breeze when the clouds rolled in, the temperature dropped to 40 degrees and it started to mist.
We completed the trip in great discomfort and it was not what we were expecting at all.
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