Saturday 9: Soldier

Saturday 9: Soldier (2016)
On Saturdays I take a break from the heavy stuff and have some fun…

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday that honors men and women who served and died in the United States Armed Forces. We want to make sure that message is not lost this weekend.

1) Are you a veteran? Are there veterans in your family? Do you know anyone who is active military? We are grateful and want to hear about it.
Just my father in WWII.

2) This song is about the courage it takes for soldiers to march into battle. Gen. Patton said, "The soldier is the Army. No army is better than its soldiers." He was emphasizing that each individual's dedication is essential to the unit's success. Do you work well as part of a team? Or are you better on your own?
Well you know it depends upon what it is… at work it is team work but when you are retired you’re on your own.

3) As of 2025, California is the state with the most military bases. Have you ever visited or lived on a base?
Many, many times. Never overnight but during the day on vacation we used to stop at bases like Fort Knox. And I also went to Fort Mammoth in NJ when I got certified to teach Mil Spec soldering.
 
4) At the turn of the of the 20th century, wristwatches were considered non-essential jewelry items, with pocket watches preferred for everyday timekeeping. During WWI, soldiers in the trenches needed to both synchronize actions across the battlefield and keep their hands on their weapons, so the wristwatch went from "fashion item" to "standard issue." Do you often wear a watch, or do you depend on your phone for the time?
I used to where [wear] a watch but now wherever you look there is the time.
 
5) Jeeps were originated by the US Army during WWII. Back then they were specifically for soldiers deployed to the European Theater, today there are more than 18 million Jeep-branded vehicles on the road all over the world. Have you ever driven a Jeep?
Nope.

Speaking of jeeps. Anyone want to do this?

The wife makes this video! 

6) While Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses are a timeless symbol of cool, they were designed during WWII for a specific purpose: to give American flyers relief from glare at high altitudes. Tell us about your sunglasses.
I have two pair… one is a clip-on, and the other is a wraparound. Nothing fancy, just off the rack in the drug store. 

7) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food? 
Burgers, beans, mac & cheese, and salads. It is going to be a “yucky” day… cloudy, in the mid-sixties, and showers.

8) This marks the weekend when Americans traditionally step up their outdoor activity and do things they may not have been able to do during the cold winter months. For example, when is the last time you worked in the garden or tended the lawn?
To paraphrase Joe Walsh. “I have gardeners for it all"

9) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on?
It will not get out of the 50s today… the beginning of the week, a four day heatwave of 90 temps and ends the weeks in the 50s and 60s and for the “Big day” just more of the same. The sun breaks out just in time to watch it set.

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I had my “big” cancer surgery. It took about 2 ½ hours most of the time it was waiting to for them to check that they got all the cancers cells. Under the “knife” for less than a half hour, sat around and then a half hour to close it up.

When I change the bandage the wound likes like I was in a knife fight. The wound goes from the lower left of my nose, down the crease to my jaw. It is suppose to hid the scar from the mole in the crease the goes down from the nose to the corner of the mouth. The scar should go away sometime around the fall and the doc said to keep it out of the sun.

So once the bandage comes off on Tuesday, I have that fading scar there like I was in a fight until September!