149: Ma and Pa Kettle Go To Sea

 We are excited this morning.  Tomorrow we are going on a 7 day cruise to the Mexican Riviera.  A few months ago we sat through a sales pitch for a vacation time-share.  It's not something we normally do, but a free cruise peaked our interest.  While not exactly free...port fees, etc...it still was several hundred dollars less than the going rate I could find on the internet.  So, what the heck, right?

Traveling has always been what we love to do, however, we have never chosen to take a cruise except for a 3 day-er on the Nile.  We have been to Mexico several times, but stopped traveling there on our own because of the problems drug trafficking has caused.  We have access to a beautiful resort in Rosarita but border problems in Tijauana prevent us from taking advantage of that.  Ahh, if I ruled the world.

Just to be able to get away for a few days will be wonderful.  Not cooking will be kind of nice, too.  Wish me luck in that area, as well.  My job depends on me staying at goal weight and I love my new job at Weight Watchers!  The cruise is on Carnival which I guess has the reputation of having a loud and raucous group with lots of kids.  That suits me fine...then no one will notice Ma and Pa Kettle!

148: Passion is a Powerful Thing

How many of us today know much about the history of Veterans Day?  Is it really just another excuse for a day off work?  I think not...at least I hope not! Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.  Then U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919.  In proclaiming the holiday, he said

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism

of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice and the councils of the nations." 

Congress passed a concurrent resolution seven years later on June 4, 1926, requesting that President Calvin Coolidge issue another proclamation to observe November 11 with appropriate ceremonies.  On May 13, 1938, Congress made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday; "a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day'."

The photograph is Joseph Ambrose, a then-86-year-old WWI veteran, attended the dedication day parade for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982, holding the flag that covered the casket of his son, who was killed in that war.  It is such a powerful picture that I just had to include it.

In 1953, Stephan Roid from Emporia, Kansas, owner of a shoe repair shop wanted to expand the day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who died in  WWI.  His grass roots plan with the help of U.S. Representative John Salper, also from Emporia, a bill for the holiday was pushed through Congress.  President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into law on May 26, 1954.  Congress amended this act on June 1, 1954 replacing "Armistice" with "Veterans," and it has been celebrated at Veterans Day ever since.

So, I think the moral of this story is if one man in Kansas with an idea can move Congress, why can't we?  Passion is a powerful thing.

My favorite veteran is spending the day at the Veteran's Hall in Santa Maria.  They have a bar-b-que each year to honor local veterans.  I hope you will all take a little time and honor your favorite veteran and each time you see someone from any branch of the military out in the community, take a minute and shake their hand or give a thumbs up to thank them for keeping our country safe.  Let your passion show!

147: We May Not Know Their Names But..

Veteran's Day is this Friday and a wonderful video ended up in our in-box which has prompted me
to spend a little time on the proud members of our country's "Old Guard."

We may not know the names of the Unknown Soldiers, but they will never be forgotten.  The Honor Guard at Arlington National Cemetery will make sure of that.  If you have ever wondered what it takes to join that honored group of 400, it might just surprise you. 

The 3rd United States Infantry has served our Nation continuously since 1784, and today is the oldest active-duty Infantry unit in the U.S. Army.  Headquartered out of Fort Myer, Virginia, it is traditionally known as "The Old Guard."  Since WWII The Old Guard has been the Army's official HONOR GUARD.  One of their most recognized responsibilities is providing sentinels...Tomb Guards, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington,Virginia.  Since April 6, 1948 the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, regardless of weather.

The first recipient of this badge was William Daniel, a former prisoner of war who served

as a tomb sentinel and sergeant of the guard at
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from February 1957 to June 1960.

Women were not eligible to receive the badge
until a female military police unit was assigned
to The Old Guard in 1993, thus allowing women to volunteer for guard duty at the Tomb.  The
first female soldier to earn the badge was Sgt.
Heather Lynn Johnsen.  In 1997 Danyell Elaine Wilson became the first African American woman to earn the badge.  Unfortunately, I have been unable to find the name of the third woman. There are height requirements that make these women distinguished, as well,

1st Relief sentries    6'2" to 6'4"
2nd Relief sentries   6'  to 6'2"
3rd Relief sentries   5'11" to 6'

                                               HERE RESTS IN
                                               HONORED GLORY
                                               AN AMERICAN
                                               SOLDIER
                                               KNOWN BUT TO GOD




The guard takes 21 steps during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns.  It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

He hesitates 21 seconds, turns to face the Tomb then turns to begin his return walk. Twenty-one seconds refers to the gun salute.

His gloves are wet to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the Tomb.  As he turns and faces the Tomb to make his return trip he moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

Applicants must be between 5' 11" and 6' 4" and his waist cannot exceed 30".

They must commit 2 years of their lives to guard the Tomb, live in a barracks under the Tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives.

They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform (fighting) or the Tomb in any way.

After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the Tomb.  There are only 400 presently worn.  The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

The shoes they wear during duty are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet.  There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.

There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform.  Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.

For their first 6 months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV, all off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery, a guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred.

Among the notables are:  President Taft, Joe E. Lewis (the boxer),  and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy (the most decorated soldier of WWII) of Hollywood fame.

Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniform ready for guard duty.

After all of that, if you wonder what happens if the solemness of the occasion is broken, take a minute
and watch the video below.        



There must be protocol for each and every event that may occur...I just don't care to see what COULD happen...suffice it to say I'll be a good girl.

146: Gone? Andy Rooney...Gone?

I know it's true, I really do...but Wow, the old Curmudgeon...gone?  The ratings dropped in 1990 when CBS suspended him for three month for making racist remarks in an interview, which he denied.  They brought him back on in three weeks because the ratings were in a slump.  This is the same man who was arrested in the 1940's for refusing to leave a seat among blacks on a bus.  Needless to say his feelings were hurt when they accused him of being racist.  I doubt someone who was racist would sit on a bus with blacks let along among them.  I'd say he was a man who knew where he stood on any given issue and didn't mind telling you about it.

Everyone remembers his 30 years at the end of 60 Minutes but most don't realize he had been at CBS for more that 60 years.  Sixty years!  He was a freelance writer in 1949 when he met CBS radio star Arthur Godfrey in an elevator and with the bluntness that millions would learn about later...told him his show could use better writing.  Godfrey hired him and by 1953, when he moved to TV, Rooney was his only writer.

Rooney left CBS in 1970 when it refused to air his angry essay about the Vietnam War.  He went on TV for the first time, reading the essay on PBS and winning a Writers Guild of America award for it.

Who can forget his essay on whether there was a real Mrs. Smith who made Mrs. Smith's Pies.  As it turned out, there was no Mrs. Smith.  He won one of his four Emmy Awards for that observation!  We were known, on many occasions, to watch only the last 10 minutes of 60 minutes just to see what he had to say about tonight. 

He and his wife, Margurite, were married for 62 years.  I'll bet she got an earfull!  True to his occasional crotchety nature, though, he complained about being famous and bothered by fans...he hated it when people came up to him in public places and never gave autographs.  His last wish from fans:  If you see him in a restaurant, just let him eat his dinner!  

I just hope that Heaven is ready to be "told where the turnips are planted!"  I don't suppose we will ever watch 60 Minutes again.