Hello to all, and I wish you a wonderful summer day. Hope you have enjoyed great 4th of July. For us, we stayed home as the Seward 4th of July celebration can be maddening. We've watched the Mount Marathon Race numerous times, fought with the traffic and now it is nice to just stay home and watch 50,000 vehicles drive by once the races have finished and most of the people are headed back to Anchorage, Soldotna or Kenai.
This year the Thunderbird's, the Air Force Demonstration Team, flying F-16's, put on their 4th of July show at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage. This is quite the show. When I entered the Air Force in 1971, stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri- farm country, I was working at Windsor Gate Guard at the back of the base. I had a small herd of Jersey cows right next to my gate shack, giving me someone to chat with as there wasn't a lot of traffic through this gate, and the Thunderbird's were using the huge F-4 Phantom jet fighter. This was an impressive, but extremely noisy beast.
During one of their demonstrations a single F-4 flew right over my gate shack by maybe 100 feet above, forcing me to my knees. Later, when I was in Vietnam, I'd experience this again. But, this time, when I stood up, I looked out to where the cows were grazing and some 90% of the cows were laid out flat. Frightened, I thought they were dead and started calling it in, as I am sure some rancher/farmer was going to be quite upset. But, while talking with my Desk Sergeant over the gate phone, I noticed the cows were very slowly rising to their feet. They behaved as if they were intoxicated for the next few moments and then wandered off to the farthest corner of the field. I never did learn if the owner was contacted to have them examined by a large animal vet. But, I was happy to see them all up and moving around. Now these F-16's are much quieter.
When I arrived at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska in 1978, the Air Force was still using the F-4's for their alert birds and when the Russians got to close to Alaska, which they did quite often, 2 to 4 of them would go aloft to chase them back to their side of the ocean. Those bird still made a lot of noise, but it wasn't long before we noticed some actual war games were going on up there with the Russians. Though seldom, sometimes only one of two fighters would return and once an F-4 landed with bullet holes in its tale section. They got that plan put away quick, but several of us were out un the runway when it came in and I had learned in Vietnam what battle damage looked like.
So, if you get the chance to see one of these shows, even the Navy's show, where they use the F-18, it is worth attending. While stationed at Edwards, the Flight Test Center for all the civilian corporations wanting to sell aircraft to the military, I was able to see the F-14, F-15, A-10, F-17 (this became the F-18), B-1 Bomber and the Space Shuttle, be tested. The F-17 out-flew the F-15/F-14 (Same Aircraft, but the Navy made it the F-14 because it could land on an aircraft carrier, but the military at first thought it two expensive because the F-17 came with two engines (both very large.) But, when the company who owned it thought about selling their product overseas, the Navy/Marine Corps stepped in and bought it. Good things as it out flew everything else. They then renamed it the F-18. But, the most impressive military plane on the flight line was the A-10, known as the Warthog to the pilots. We have 4 prototypes for the B-1 Bomber and I was able to climb inside once and soon found myself a bit large to climb around inside. Then the day came I was allowed to climb through the Space Shuttle prototype, named the "Enterprise". I felt as if I had walked on the set for some sci-fi movie.
That's the best part of being stationed at Edwards, up on the Mojave Desert in Southern California. I was there for 4.5 years and was blessed with seeing a lot of bizarre things there. My oldest son, John Leroy was also born there. During the airshow of 1976, NASA put the space-shuttle out on display, mounted a top the 747 that carried it up into the skies. It never had any engines, it separated from the 747 and was used for glide testing. Before it were the famous lifting bodies, probably the most photographed aircraft at the air show, attended by over a million people. What a mess of camera bugs. These three lifting bodies made most people think of what a UFO might look like. Whenever one was being dropped off from underneath a special B-52 Bomber, painted all white, our desk sergeants would get an amazing number of UFO reports. North-base Area, located at the farthest north end of the runway, was rumored to be the place where the Rosewell Aliens were kept in storage. Highest security I ever saw. But, no, I never saw any aliens, except maybe a couple guys I worked with, and then there was "Blue Eyes". Someday, I'll write down that story for the journal, but not today.
Now supposedly, during this next couple of weeks, the earth is moving into an orbit that takes us the farthest away from the Sun. But, instead of snow and ice. one might expect, we're experiencing our warmest weather so far this summer. A major thunderstorm hit a couple nights ago, really loud, and we all raced out to get some areas covered where I had placed garage sale items and storage. The storm swept in fast, the skies exploded, torrent hit and a couple hours later the skies were clear again. Loudest thunder I've heard in several years, hopefully it might have killed some of those flying pests.
Canaan just made some delicious home made bread and I received a really great PBJ. Checked my weight and I'm still losing the pounds, but gradually. Down to 180-lbs. My old wrestling coach would sure be happy. I recall how hard I had to fight to maintain 194 during wrestling season.
Okay, time for my disclaimer for the news sites: I work hard to keep fake news, lies, propaganda and the rest out of my news. I list the source ans ask that you check the stories out, as I only provide a lead, Today's news is just that, it is the research I've done today.
THOUGHTFUL MIND QUOTE: "The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another." - William James
ALSO: "I learned a long time ago, never wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it." - George Bernard Shaw
WASHINGTON FREE BEACON: "Taiwan presses U.S. Airlines to stand up to Beijing on one China Policy." (China still refuses to identify Taiwan as its own country.) ALSO- "HAMAS tried to spy on Israeli Defense Soldiers using dating apps. ALSO- China unjustly imprisons Christian leader for Missionary work in Burma. ( A friend was in Burma, doing this sort of work and was constantly under observation by authorities, even warned to leave. But, this friend acted as tourist, unless in a safe haven or underground church. Sorry, no names and no locations, as we promised this to protect the Christians in Burma. Can you imagine the USA becoming this way?) ALSO- Twitter working top purge top HAMAS and HEZBOLLAH accounts.
GATESTONE INSTITUTE NEWS: Germany's Chancellor Merkel agrees to reinstate border control with Austria, allowing her to remain in power for a bit longer. ALSO "Indonesia - Falling to the Radicals". Most Christians have been driven out of Indonesia and their churches closed.
THOUGHTFUL MIND QUOTE: "We should not look back. Unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience." - George Washington, our 1st President.
ALSO- "You've done it before and you can do it now. See the positive possibilities . Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination." - Ralph Marston.
JERUSALEM POST: Terrorists attempting to harm Israeli Defense Force troops injure Palestinians instead. ALSO- Report of 1 dead and 146 injured Palestinians during attack on Gaza Border. ALSO- Syrian forces reportedly close to seizing Jordan Border Crossing. ALSO- U.S. Army reportedly quietly discharging immigrant recruits.
L.A. Times: Dangerous Southern California heat wave begins today is "one for the record books."
NEW YORK TIMES: Migrant children detained by U.S. Immigration must receive 5 to 6 hours of school instruction a day.
WASHINGTON FREE BEACON: U.S. Added 213,0000 jobs in June, yet unemployment increases 3.8 to 4%.
BLAZE NEWS: "Catholic Diocese in Texas is removing "Gun Free Zone" signs from church entrances, for safety reasons.
GLOBAL TIMES: China- launches 2- new next generation destroyers, which are expected to be armed with electromagnetic rail guns. (U.S. destroyers are already armed with this highly effective weapon.). ALSO- Russia introduces additional tariffs of 25-40% for U.S. Goods in current trade war. U.S. Goods to include construction and road machinery , oil, gas and metals. ALSO- British people urged to save water as hot weather continues for another two weeks. ALSO- Japan hangs 7 members of a Doomsday Cult, that attacked a subway train with Sarin Gas- killing 13 people back in 1995.
TELEGRAPH GERMANY: Germans send anti-bullying experts into schools to stop anti-Semitism. ALSO- Germany planning to palm off their immigrants to Greece and Italy.
POLAND NEWS: Polish government backs down from controversial Holocaust Law that angered Israel.
ITALY NEWS: Italy, Germany and Austria to consider "Closing" Southern Migrant Route.
NORWAY NEWS: Number of Asylum Seekers from Turkey rises sharply in Norway. ( It is believed a majority of these asylum seekers are Turkish citizens attempting to get away from President Erdogan's government.)
IRAN HERALD: Netherlands expels 2 members of the Iranian Embassy Staff.
Politics, border wars, religious wars, poverty and health problems, runaway immigration, illegal drugs, and racism, dictatorships and human trafficking....the listing can go on and on. While people should be working together to bring these categories to an ending, we opt to struggle, to fight and kill. Rather than join together, to use the United Nations and its many smaller organization for the benefit of mankind, to become a rallying point, we watch as this fine organization is slowly dissolved by hate, bitterness and now anarchy reigns for the many lost souls to shout out from their rooftops or grave sites. Shame on us, as we watch as misguided sheep are led to the slaughter sheds, just as they were in the Holocaust Camps. Think back to when we and our neighboring countries once protected each other's borders, we stood together to defeat creatures like Hitler. But now, we let governments reign where women and children cannot receive equal footing as a man, or even a beast of burden. No, the time is rapidly coming when the blast of a ram's horn will carry around the world and the Heavenly Host will ride, led by the One. But, how many of us will still be alive to witness this? The time is drawing near, maybe an hour, or possibly a thousand years. But, how much death and destruction will take place while we wait for The Return...
Love is a beautiful thing, kindness a truly wonderful thought and a smile a tenderhearted thought, when is the last time we have used such weapons for the betterment of mankind. A lifting hand to help a lost soul rise up....is it truly so long ago we've forgotten these rarities? I hope not.
I am not a poet, barely even a writer, but I work daily to recall who I follow and truly serve. I only pray I live up to what HE expects of me.
God bless. BILL
During one of their demonstrations a single F-4 flew right over my gate shack by maybe 100 feet above, forcing me to my knees. Later, when I was in Vietnam, I'd experience this again. But, this time, when I stood up, I looked out to where the cows were grazing and some 90% of the cows were laid out flat. Frightened, I thought they were dead and started calling it in, as I am sure some rancher/farmer was going to be quite upset. But, while talking with my Desk Sergeant over the gate phone, I noticed the cows were very slowly rising to their feet. They behaved as if they were intoxicated for the next few moments and then wandered off to the farthest corner of the field. I never did learn if the owner was contacted to have them examined by a large animal vet. But, I was happy to see them all up and moving around. Now these F-16's are much quieter.
When I arrived at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska in 1978, the Air Force was still using the F-4's for their alert birds and when the Russians got to close to Alaska, which they did quite often, 2 to 4 of them would go aloft to chase them back to their side of the ocean. Those bird still made a lot of noise, but it wasn't long before we noticed some actual war games were going on up there with the Russians. Though seldom, sometimes only one of two fighters would return and once an F-4 landed with bullet holes in its tale section. They got that plan put away quick, but several of us were out un the runway when it came in and I had learned in Vietnam what battle damage looked like.
So, if you get the chance to see one of these shows, even the Navy's show, where they use the F-18, it is worth attending. While stationed at Edwards, the Flight Test Center for all the civilian corporations wanting to sell aircraft to the military, I was able to see the F-14, F-15, A-10, F-17 (this became the F-18), B-1 Bomber and the Space Shuttle, be tested. The F-17 out-flew the F-15/F-14 (Same Aircraft, but the Navy made it the F-14 because it could land on an aircraft carrier, but the military at first thought it two expensive because the F-17 came with two engines (both very large.) But, when the company who owned it thought about selling their product overseas, the Navy/Marine Corps stepped in and bought it. Good things as it out flew everything else. They then renamed it the F-18. But, the most impressive military plane on the flight line was the A-10, known as the Warthog to the pilots. We have 4 prototypes for the B-1 Bomber and I was able to climb inside once and soon found myself a bit large to climb around inside. Then the day came I was allowed to climb through the Space Shuttle prototype, named the "Enterprise". I felt as if I had walked on the set for some sci-fi movie.
That's the best part of being stationed at Edwards, up on the Mojave Desert in Southern California. I was there for 4.5 years and was blessed with seeing a lot of bizarre things there. My oldest son, John Leroy was also born there. During the airshow of 1976, NASA put the space-shuttle out on display, mounted a top the 747 that carried it up into the skies. It never had any engines, it separated from the 747 and was used for glide testing. Before it were the famous lifting bodies, probably the most photographed aircraft at the air show, attended by over a million people. What a mess of camera bugs. These three lifting bodies made most people think of what a UFO might look like. Whenever one was being dropped off from underneath a special B-52 Bomber, painted all white, our desk sergeants would get an amazing number of UFO reports. North-base Area, located at the farthest north end of the runway, was rumored to be the place where the Rosewell Aliens were kept in storage. Highest security I ever saw. But, no, I never saw any aliens, except maybe a couple guys I worked with, and then there was "Blue Eyes". Someday, I'll write down that story for the journal, but not today.
Now supposedly, during this next couple of weeks, the earth is moving into an orbit that takes us the farthest away from the Sun. But, instead of snow and ice. one might expect, we're experiencing our warmest weather so far this summer. A major thunderstorm hit a couple nights ago, really loud, and we all raced out to get some areas covered where I had placed garage sale items and storage. The storm swept in fast, the skies exploded, torrent hit and a couple hours later the skies were clear again. Loudest thunder I've heard in several years, hopefully it might have killed some of those flying pests.
Canaan just made some delicious home made bread and I received a really great PBJ. Checked my weight and I'm still losing the pounds, but gradually. Down to 180-lbs. My old wrestling coach would sure be happy. I recall how hard I had to fight to maintain 194 during wrestling season.
Okay, time for my disclaimer for the news sites: I work hard to keep fake news, lies, propaganda and the rest out of my news. I list the source ans ask that you check the stories out, as I only provide a lead, Today's news is just that, it is the research I've done today.
THOUGHTFUL MIND QUOTE: "The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another." - William James
ALSO: "I learned a long time ago, never wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it." - George Bernard Shaw
WASHINGTON FREE BEACON: "Taiwan presses U.S. Airlines to stand up to Beijing on one China Policy." (China still refuses to identify Taiwan as its own country.) ALSO- "HAMAS tried to spy on Israeli Defense Soldiers using dating apps. ALSO- China unjustly imprisons Christian leader for Missionary work in Burma. ( A friend was in Burma, doing this sort of work and was constantly under observation by authorities, even warned to leave. But, this friend acted as tourist, unless in a safe haven or underground church. Sorry, no names and no locations, as we promised this to protect the Christians in Burma. Can you imagine the USA becoming this way?) ALSO- Twitter working top purge top HAMAS and HEZBOLLAH accounts.
GATESTONE INSTITUTE NEWS: Germany's Chancellor Merkel agrees to reinstate border control with Austria, allowing her to remain in power for a bit longer. ALSO "Indonesia - Falling to the Radicals". Most Christians have been driven out of Indonesia and their churches closed.
THOUGHTFUL MIND QUOTE: "We should not look back. Unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience." - George Washington, our 1st President.
ALSO- "You've done it before and you can do it now. See the positive possibilities . Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination." - Ralph Marston.
JERUSALEM POST: Terrorists attempting to harm Israeli Defense Force troops injure Palestinians instead. ALSO- Report of 1 dead and 146 injured Palestinians during attack on Gaza Border. ALSO- Syrian forces reportedly close to seizing Jordan Border Crossing. ALSO- U.S. Army reportedly quietly discharging immigrant recruits.
L.A. Times: Dangerous Southern California heat wave begins today is "one for the record books."
NEW YORK TIMES: Migrant children detained by U.S. Immigration must receive 5 to 6 hours of school instruction a day.
WASHINGTON FREE BEACON: U.S. Added 213,0000 jobs in June, yet unemployment increases 3.8 to 4%.
BLAZE NEWS: "Catholic Diocese in Texas is removing "Gun Free Zone" signs from church entrances, for safety reasons.
GLOBAL TIMES: China- launches 2- new next generation destroyers, which are expected to be armed with electromagnetic rail guns. (U.S. destroyers are already armed with this highly effective weapon.). ALSO- Russia introduces additional tariffs of 25-40% for U.S. Goods in current trade war. U.S. Goods to include construction and road machinery , oil, gas and metals. ALSO- British people urged to save water as hot weather continues for another two weeks. ALSO- Japan hangs 7 members of a Doomsday Cult, that attacked a subway train with Sarin Gas- killing 13 people back in 1995.
TELEGRAPH GERMANY: Germans send anti-bullying experts into schools to stop anti-Semitism. ALSO- Germany planning to palm off their immigrants to Greece and Italy.
POLAND NEWS: Polish government backs down from controversial Holocaust Law that angered Israel.
ITALY NEWS: Italy, Germany and Austria to consider "Closing" Southern Migrant Route.
NORWAY NEWS: Number of Asylum Seekers from Turkey rises sharply in Norway. ( It is believed a majority of these asylum seekers are Turkish citizens attempting to get away from President Erdogan's government.)
IRAN HERALD: Netherlands expels 2 members of the Iranian Embassy Staff.
Politics, border wars, religious wars, poverty and health problems, runaway immigration, illegal drugs, and racism, dictatorships and human trafficking....the listing can go on and on. While people should be working together to bring these categories to an ending, we opt to struggle, to fight and kill. Rather than join together, to use the United Nations and its many smaller organization for the benefit of mankind, to become a rallying point, we watch as this fine organization is slowly dissolved by hate, bitterness and now anarchy reigns for the many lost souls to shout out from their rooftops or grave sites. Shame on us, as we watch as misguided sheep are led to the slaughter sheds, just as they were in the Holocaust Camps. Think back to when we and our neighboring countries once protected each other's borders, we stood together to defeat creatures like Hitler. But now, we let governments reign where women and children cannot receive equal footing as a man, or even a beast of burden. No, the time is rapidly coming when the blast of a ram's horn will carry around the world and the Heavenly Host will ride, led by the One. But, how many of us will still be alive to witness this? The time is drawing near, maybe an hour, or possibly a thousand years. But, how much death and destruction will take place while we wait for The Return...
Love is a beautiful thing, kindness a truly wonderful thought and a smile a tenderhearted thought, when is the last time we have used such weapons for the betterment of mankind. A lifting hand to help a lost soul rise up....is it truly so long ago we've forgotten these rarities? I hope not.
I am not a poet, barely even a writer, but I work daily to recall who I follow and truly serve. I only pray I live up to what HE expects of me.
God bless. BILL
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