Just a little news from my war boys...

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Hey y'all!  Hugs, kisses, yada yada yada...

This is post #2997, and counting up to 3,000 strikeouts before we call it a career, btw.

Got some news from the boys in Afghanistan.


My Soldier, #3 son, is doing well.  His Reserve Unit (704th Engineer Co.) has been in country for almost a month now, and their deployment is going well.  We're able to communicate with him every few days either on Satellite Phone, Facebook, or Skype.

This is a photo that someone posted on the Unit's Facebook Support page.  This was before their departure from Ft. Bliss.  That's Phil on the right (front), sporting his standard "dookie-eatin' grin."  I know he's thinking that he wished he was carrying the big gun.  (He's always suffered from weapon envy).


His Unit has enough missions behind them now (Route Clearance) to know where they are.  And, the consensus is that they're well prepared for the job.

Man, they grow up fast, don't they??? 

Fortunately, he hasn't had any Medic work to do on his troops.  He has treated several Afghan citizens (vehicle accidents, etc.), but to this point, his troops have all been fine.  Thank God.

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In other news, my Airman (eldest son) will be wrapping up his current deployment in about a month.  He's attached to the 361st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron.  This will probably be his last deployment.  

He wanted to change jobs, due to changing needs in the USAF.  He likes his linguist/cryptology gig, but the times they are a'changin'.  He applied for the new USAF Cyber Command, and was accepted!  Great news!  He'll be stationed permanently (hopefully) at Lackland (fingers crossed).  He'll be much closer, so we can visit him, and make his life miserable again!

Well, that's about it.  I just wanted to give a little update, and to thank you all once again for your love, support, and prayers for my warriors.  

It means a lot.

Interesting...

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Our good buddy, and regular contributor, Paul The Fireguy sends this along.


As his e-mail said, "no words necessary."

Solidarity in mourning.

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Yesterday morning I was at work, and saw something that was so dang impressive that I just had to take a shot of it with my phone camera.

I was looking toward Barksdale Air Force Base, and saw a fighter jet climbing at a nearly 90 degree angle.  That is always so dang impressive!  Every time I see something like that, I'm reminded of "High Flight."


I had NO IDEA why I wanted the shot, or what I would ever use it for.


I just wanted it.

But, today I find a use for it.  Sadly.

I mourn in solidarity.

Will Timbow do it?

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A Barksdale Airman wants a date with Timbow.


Will he do it?


Well heck, I would if I was him!

Just sayin'...

Looks like half of BAFB is pullin' for the gal.

C'mon, Timbow!  Do the Zoomies a solid!!!


(Stolden off Pat Austin)

SALUTE!

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As a guy that never wore the uniform (one of the few regrets I have in life), I can't really express how much I appreciate those that did...and do.  I've had Grandpas, Great Uncles, Cousins, and dear friends that have served.

I've got one son currently serving in Kandahar.  And, another that could be called up at any time.

Heck, I think about 100% of y'all that regularly visit Andy's Place have either served, or have had parents, or young'uns currently in harms way.  A big "THANKEE" goes out to you all...and to your folks & chirrens.

Seriously.  I mean it.

If you've hung out around my joint for very long, you've already seen this video.  I'm pretty sure I've posted it at least 3 times on Veterans Day.

I looked at it again.  It's still really, really good.

God bless them...one, and all.

So, The Mrs. got a phone call that made her heart sink...

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This morning, The Mrs.' telephone rang.  The number was unfamiliar, but she answered it anyway.


There was a man on the other end of the line that started with something like, "Hello Mrs. Reeves.  I'm Sgt. so-and-so with the 100th-somethin' or another squadron."


At this point, The Mrs. felt her heart drop down to her knees. 


He continued, "I know that you have a family member deployed to Afghanistan.  We are just calling to let you know that if you have any needs we want to know about them.  Please contact us if we can be of help in any way."


That is bitchin', IMHO!!! 


After she gathered herself, The Mrs. told The Sgt. that she truly appreciated the call, and that she had talked to Dean several times, and was really thankful for the call.  


Man...that was REALLY good of the USAF!

A lot of y'all have asked me about #1 Son, and his deployment to Afghanistan.

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Heh!  "Ain't war grand?"

A dark day.

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Midday Saturday, I began to hear bits and pieces of the painfully sad loss of American life in the downing of a Chinook in Wardak Province, Afghanistan.


The honest truth is that I did not even want to "tune in" for details.  Having recently been touched (however lightly) by the death of a brave soldier there, I was in NO hurry to soak up the misery.  I figured it would be all over the blogosphere, and I'd see it soon enough.  

It seems that NW Louisiana has been hit again...and twice with one blow this time.  Local blog-buddy, Pat at ASIGIS, pointed her readers to this Shreveport Times article.


Our prayers are with the friends, and families of all who were killed.  I really do not have words that can adequately express my love, and admiration for your fallen ones. 

Independence Day at Andy's Place

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Had to pop in and wish y'all all a glorious Independence Day!

We fly the flag every day here at Andy's Place, and we are honored to do it.  I hope y'all do something fun today.  Gaining, and maintaining independence is messy & grueling, but the struggle ultimately results in "fun."  I'm headed to a fish fry at Mom & Dad's place.  And, it's white perch, too!

I came across this video a few days ago, so I'm not sure who to credit for pointing me to it.  I'd call this a fine effort.  Not all the voices are great...but then again, most of 'em don't get paid to sing.  These are some precious folks here.  God bless 'em one and all.

The flip side...

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Yesterday I linked to a piece on Breitbart's "Big Peace," about a local controversy over a banner being displayed in a neighborhood that does not allow such displays under its covenants.  (It's on down the page there, if you missed it).


I thought it would be fitting to post a comment seen on another local blog, in the interest of fairness.  I did not edit this comment, just CTRL+C & V.

I moved into this community because of these rules. I like the fact that I will not know my neighbors’ election preferences, children’s after school activities, or the families’ favorite football team, etc indicated by yard signs. I also like our rule that you cannot have an old clunker, a boat, or sporting type vehicle parked visibly over night. I moved specifically into The Gardens for these reasons. I would assume the majority of my neighbors did as well. Changing our rules is not the solution. The Burrs and anyone else need to follow the rules. KTBS exaggerated a bit much to the story by saying that the Burrs were singled out by the HOA, they or the street leader ask everyone. The Burr’s are making themselves into this big deal by contacting this and that person to “fight” the HOA. If you drive through our community you will see very few people with signs. And funny thing, most signs are on the Burrs’ street. I guess they are the rebel rousers. This is the footage that KTBS filmed; they didn’t have to go far.
I would like to add that because our community is just south of the base we have 65%-75% military that live in The Gardens.

I noted on another local blog that one thing that may be getting lost in this story is that there is a young Marine that may never return home. We pray to God not, but it's a dangerous business.


I would surely hope that he knows how proud his family is of him, and of his service to our nation...even without a banner in the yard stating it.  I'm sure he does.


Dunno.  Maybe the Burr family is making itself the "story."  I don't know them, or the entire situation well enough to make that call.  I just felt like presenting the flip side.

I wouldn't really call it an "outrage," but I must bring it to y'all's attention.

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Hey y'all!  Good Monday morning!!!


This is a local story that has gotten some national legs.  Breitbart has picked up on it, so I am compelled to pass it along.


Family Sued For Displaying Flag In Support of Marine Corps Son


BTW, the title of that article is misleading.  It is not a "flag" that is in question.  It is a "banner."

This neighborhood is a couple of miles south of Andy's Place.  We don't have "covenants" here in the 'hood.  I mean, nothing other than regular city ordinances, like you gotta get your trash can up before the next morning after it gets emptied, and no pickup trucks on blocks in your front yard, and you gotta keep your dogs penned up (which is routinely violated around here).


I understand covenants, but according to local talk, other signs have been displayed in this neighborhood, like signs in support of their District High School (Parkway High...which we really hated back when I went to BHS in the stone age).  Maybe they'll get it resolved.  Personally, I think a sign in good taste should be allowed at least while the young Marine is deployed.


I reckon we'll see how it shakes out.

Say Cheeeeeeeese!!!

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Nice shot!

Seen at Sully's Joint.

Frankly, he really did "give a damn!"

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 Seen at Theo's joint.

Now, this is pretty cool. A helmet that sustains high powered rifle fire...

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Saw this at Theo's Joint...

Lost in 2010...

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Our area experienced the loss of some heroes in 2010.  Our friend, and also blog buddy, Jim at My Bossier put a short memorial video together.  I wanted to share it with y'all.

Veterans Day, 2010

In my new job (not the last new job, or the first new job before that one...I mean, my NEW job), I'm working with some crusty old guys.  It's kinda' hard to measure them all, and get a good feel for who they are, and what motivates them, and how to fit in as a young pup at 51 years of age.  They're not all old guys, but quite a few are.  As the new kid on the block, I'm doing my best to gain acceptance, because it's important to be trusted by your co-workers, and also to scope out those that you can trust.

Plus, it just really sucks for you if nobody likes you where you work.  Just sayin'...

The company that I work for has this really odd scheduling deal where the shifts overlap by 30 minutes.  So, the folks that relieve me and my crowd arrive 30 minutes before my bunch goes elsewhere.  So, in that 30 minutes as responsibilities shift, there is a good bit of collegial visitation, passing on of information from our days work that might be of help to the next guys, etc.

Well, last night as we were jaw-jackin', the subject of "Veterans Day" came up, and it was discussed as how on Federal Holidays not much usually happens at our place of employment.

I happened to mention that The Mrs. was headed out early Thursday to go visit with #1 son at Ft. Bragg before he deploys to Iraq.  A couple of the old guys got very interested, and quizzed me about his branch of service, job, etc.  Come to find out that one of them spent 26 years in the AF, and the other spent 24 years as a Soldier.  The discussion heated up as the old Airman told me about his grandson that just enlisted as a Marine ("It's all he's ever wanted to do...to be an Uncle Sam's Misguided Child).  His grandson made straight A's in school, and had offers to play college football...but he wants to serve.

The old Soldier didn't have much to say about grandkids or anything.  But, he did snark, "Oh yeah, I brought my Veteran's cap with me tonight.  It's out in the car, and it's got more stripes than a Zebra." 

Everybody laughed.  But, I didn't really laugh because I didn't "get it."  

What I did was to look each of them in the eye, and tell them "Thank you for serving.  I never did serve.  But, I thank God every day for guys like you.  I'm not BS-ing y'all.  I mean it."

I'm not kidding when I tell you that the stodgy old Airman's right eye started to hint at a weep, and the Soldier's always smiling face turned a tad pensive.  They just stood there for a minute, and then both of them told me that they really appreciated it. And, I could tell that they really did.

I don't know what kind of hell or hardships those guys faced (both of them served in the Vietnam era), or much about them personally.  But, I know for sure that both of them appreciated being appreciated.  And, I felt honored to do it.  

Lookit, everybody that knows me well, knows that I'm a big BS artist.  But when it comes to bragging on our Veterans, there is no guile within me.

So, the storal of the mory is go thank a Veteran today.  DO IT.  You ALL know one, or two, or thirty.  I'll thank my blog buddies Buck, and MUD, and Basil, and Paul The Fireguy, and Dadman, and Sully, and Dave (BR), and (the other) Andy, and Red, and Cullen, and Pepper, and Lemonlady's Husband, and Bob, and (see, here's where you get in trouble...I know I've got more Veteran blog buddies, and I've bound to have left some out).

And, Bean!  We can't forget Bean...Lord knows I hope she's doing well.  And the millions of the others of y'all that have put your name on the line...crud, I could run on here all day, but let's just shut this down and show the movie.

This is now the third year in a row that we post "REVEILLE" here at Andy's Place in honor of our Veterans.  I reckon you could call that a tradition.

Once again, I'll warn you that this will take ELEVEN AND A HALF MINUTES of your busy day to watch.

If you've never seen it, you will thank me.  If you have seen it, you'll thank yourself for watching it again.  Hopefully, it will stir you to thank a Veteran today.  I know I thanked two last night at work, and plan to thank as many as I can find today.  

Just say "Thanks!"  

Small town boy...

I'm going to rattle around here for a while.  Just warning y'all.

I read an interesting thought yesterday.  It was an opinion about why people blog (or Tweet, or use The Facebook).  I won't go in to the opinion stated, but I've decided that I blog because of the relationships.  I'll swear, there are so many interesting, and kind, and decent, and clever, and funny, and caring folks that I'd have never run across had it not been for starting this Titanic of a glob.

Seriously!  Even though I've never met face to face very many of our regular visitors, nor the globbers that I read regularly, a real sense of friendship develops as you get to know the history, the families, the trials, struggles, and the victories that they/we share.

In truth, I've "virtually visited" on a much deeper level with many dozens of y'all through the e-mail than just commenting on a blog post will allow.  I appreciate that.  

One of those relationships (and one that I truly value) is our good buddy Paul The Fireguy.  Paul is retired from the AF, and a displaced Oregonian, toiling away puttin' out fires in the foreign land of Georgia.  Well, Georgia's not foreign to me, but I'm sure it is to somebody from Oregon.  Anyway, I got a computer letter from Paul yesterday, and it brought to mind many things.  One being that blogging has introduced me to some of the best of the best...people that really give a darn about others, and our beloved nation.

I'll quit rattling, and share just a piece of what he wrote:

We had a Navy guy from here in Thomasville, GA that got killed in Afghanistan a couple of weeks ago.  His funeral was last Friday and the town was amazing!  The funeral procession was about 5 miles from the high school where it was to the cemetery. The cars in the procession were bumper to bumper the whole length. What was really amazing was the people that were lined up on both sides of the road with flags the entire length of the procession route. It was indescribable!!

Someone in the procession made a video and posted it on you tube.  Search for it using Blake McClendon Funeral in Thomasville, GA.  The one video takes about 12 or 13 minutes.  Keep your kleenex handy!  Makes you proud to be an American.  We used fire engines to block intersections along the route. I was at a major highway exit ramp and when folks came up to find out what was goin on, everybody was cool, calm and collected and most of them stayed and saluted when the procession went by.  Amazing.

 So, I went searching, and got to be reminded why I love this nation, and just how special the folks in the small towns are...from sea to shining sea, episodes like this are repeated.  Too often, but repeated nonetheless.  Thomasville, GA has a population of roughly 19,000.  I've never been there, but I've been to towns just like it.  It's not tiny, but I'd call it small.

Thomasville lost one of its' best a few weeks ago.  Senior Chief Petty Officer Blake McClendon was killed in a helicopter crash in Southern Afghanistan.  God, what a handsome man, and from all accounts a true credit to his community, and our nation.

Senior Chief Petty Officer Blake McClendon

I found several videos on YouTube made in tribute to this fallen hero.  But, I finally settled on the one that Paul The Fireguy recommended.  The long one.

You might say, "well, it's nothing but just mile after mile of people holding flags."

That's the point.

There's some good music in there, too.

Rest in Peace, Blake.  You have my eternal gratitude.

Coming Home...

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I don't usually post four minute videos, but this one grabbed me.  In this video we hear three Brit, and two US soldiers singing "Coming Home."  I was stunned at the talent, and the heart.  They really go yard with it.


Guess I shouldn't have been.


I haven't mentioned it yet, but my oldest son (who I have mentioned often lately) is being deployed to Iraq in a few months.  I would appreciate y'all's prayers for the boy man, as he has much on his plate personally (but, we've talked about that already).  He's actually looking forward to it.  The AF has him on a different task than his specialty, and it sounds quite challenging & interesting...a way to make a real difference.


Anyway, here is the vid.  I stole it off Theo Spark, and trust me, it beats the mortal snot out of "We Are The World,"  and junk like that.

Loving on folks through the nightmare...

I have had that dream. It is a nightmare, really.  I am sure that every parent (and probably spouse) of a member of our armed forces has had the same nightmare.  I've had it more than a few times.

The doorbell rings.  I wasn't expecting anyone.  I walk to the front door, open it, and see two uniformed solemn-faced men standing on my front porch.  My knees buckle, as all the strength flows from my body.  And when I hit the hardwood floor I awake in a sweat.

Life happens, and death happens.  It goes with the territory, I guess.  But what this angelic lady does to love on folks that have actually lived that nightmare is truly moving.  I do not normally watch almost 6 minute long videos.  But, this one grabbed me.  There just has to be a grand reward for folks like Kaziah Hancock.  And, the subjects of her art, too.  Stolen off Stormbringer.

Kleenex alert, gals.  Maybe for you guys, too.

Just a great picture... (#2)

From my best neighbor lady...