Do you feel lucky?

I do.
23 years, 4 months, and 22 days of service and I made it home.
A lot of good people didn't.
A lot more good people won't.
So please remember what this holiday is all about.
Sure have fun this weekend folks.
Grill, chill, and wave the flag; but remember how lucky we are.
Lucky to have so many give so much so that we may enjoy the freedom and security far to many of us take for granted.
Enjoy the video. and have a great Memorial Day Weekend.

This is for Dwayne, for Dave, and for John.
Although their luck ran out before mine, I was lucky to have known and flown with them all.
This is for the Uncle I never met: I hope I have brought honor to your name sir.
Peace and thank a veteran this weekend.

I Did Not Know.......

Some have noticed that my rants are leaning toward the reflective side. I am grateful for those still reading even though this is true. I also thank the small but growing group, that after exploring my outpourings, are discovering that not all bloggers are politico bashing wannabe's or religious zealots. Some of us actually have something to say that is not at the expense of those easy targets the mainstream media and so many blogs seem to feed on.
There are many, so many, that really put it out there. Who share so much, without tearing down others. The Saltonstall's enrich my day often, PJ makes me think, Womom does all that and she makes me laugh. There are many more, so please check out the links on the side over there.
So back to being reflective.

This for a friend who has beaten me to heaven.
I did not know.
When I listened to you playing your guitar at church,
It was the last time the missed chord, the little smirk,
would grace us with presence.
I did not know.
When I talked to you Friday at the store,
it was last time I would hear that laugh,
feel your energy.
I hope there was no harsh word said,
your last day among us.
That too, I do not know.
Yet I do know
I hope to be loved as you.
When I go.
Live every day as your last folks. Treat every person as if every word you speak to them is the last. Every action the one you will remember most.
My definition of ultimate hope:
My mother never says goodbye. Never. She always says "so long" or see you later".
That's optimism folks, it truly is.
Treat every day as your last chance to do the right thing and every conversation as your last one. Take nothing for granted, especially those you love most.
Maybe, just maybe, if we all do that, the world would be that much better when we walk into our last sunset.
Good night Steve Kreber. I am better for having known you.
Peace ya'll
you know the rest................

No Title

Yuh, I've been off the blogosphere for a bit.
Not totally, I have been reading my faves and thank you, to you all for keeping my spirits up.
I took a little break to focus on B-ball and my family. The family has been going through some trying times and support was needed. What are Dad's, husbands, and sons for if not support to those who count on them?
Then the CG1705 was lost and on it a very dear friend. Another guy who grew up in the guard alongside me, a brother rider,a and great human being. No more of his crazy giggle, no more of his honest "suck it up", no more of my friend Eaglet. One of the last of our circle still flying is now lost at sea. My heart and prayers to all the ones left behind by the crew of the 1705 and the two marines lost. My heart and prayers to the family of the missing mariner never found. I believe that they are all together now. I believe that I will see John again. I must believe this, I must cling to this. Otherwise I fear that I would lose all purpose.
Purpose folks. it is what we all must have. That coupled with faith will help us all bear many burdens and many challenges. God gives us all talents, he gives us all challenges suited to these talents. It is our responsibility, nay, our duty, to apply these gifts to all that we do.
I am melancholy today, I have been for many days.
Basketball with the kids has kept me hopeful and given me strength. Coaching along side my son has put joy in my heart.
I do not know why I have jumped back into the blog, I have wrestled with this for weeks. Maybe is was the call-out first thing this morning. Maybe it was standing next to a neighbor as he looked down at his father. Maybe it was listening to the call saying the ambulance would not be needed any more. I don't know.
Soon my son will be of to boot camp and a life of adventure. Soon he will place himself in harms way for the good of us all. I pray I will not add him to my good night list, I pray the lord will not bring him home to heaven to soon. I am so proud, yet so fearful. He is the only son I have left, perhaps that is selfish of me, but it is honest.
Please watch this video it does nine heroes honor.

BTW Mr. President; your lack of comment at the memorial did not go unnoticed.I am not happy with you, but I will write on that later. As for the Media, shame on you for letting this tragedy be 3rd page news. More on that later also.
Good night Eaglet, you died as you lived. Tell the gang I will see them again.
Peace to you all.

Take a Big Deep Breath

Another way of saying WHOA!, pause and think on it some. It's also my favorite comment to any family member of friend who is either spooled up or about to make a big decision. It is also what I did after the last entry on this little blog. I vented, and ya'll read it, and I am done with it for now.
The duck tragedy pictured above is a case in point. maybe had momma duck taken that big deep breath she might have noticed that odd piece of pavement and gone around.
The hapless duck photo is not just another fowl tragedy. It is also a lesson on leading and being led. Our leaders must recognize that a percentage of Americans will follow, simply because they are programmed to. Just like those po' little ducklings. As American citizens we must also take that big deep breath, pause and look about, before we blindly head down the path and into disaster.
The momma duck can represent any one in your life, Obama, Palin, the assembly, your clergy, even your parents or friends. Whomever is leading the parade can be nearly irrelevant if the followers are paying attention.
Remember the marching band in the parade in that classic movie Animal House?
Don't be them folks.
Ask hard questions; expect and demand real answers.
Peace

Ya gotta have faith.

I have been reading again. There is so much in the media about the latest scandals that I am, at times, overwhelmed.
I will choose the latest headline grabber, our own local Russian Orthodox church.
Ok, there are problems in the church. Big surprise! Almost every religious organization in the U.S. has come under scrutiny for these same accusations.
Get over it. If you are seeking self gratification because a religious leader and his following are under media scrutiny, then I would lump you in with all the millions that slow down for car wrecks and follow media accounts of athletic icons falling from grace.
Face it; people are people. It does not matter where they work. Regardless of their fame or prestigiousness, some folks will make mistakes. Perhaps mistakes is an understatement, given the nature of some situations. However, it is in our very nature to make mistakes. We also have a unique ability to forgive.
The media will always focus on the negative. So long as it grabs the average person by their self righteous antennae, it will continue to so so.
Truth; every religious organization has fallen under this spotlight at one time or another. It is the individuals that must be judged, not the group.
If you do not believe this, think about it.
Muslims, true followers, do not blow people up. Mormons, do not advocate the forced marriage of teenage girls. The Southern Baptists do not condone the actions of a few of their misguided libidinous leaders. Catholics, school teachers, and The Boy Scouts of America do not recruit pedophiles and lecherous members. The sad fact is that certain predators are drawn towards vocations that give them access to victims.
I am not saying this is the case for the Orthodox church, I am saying that bad things happen and we must be ready for the outfall.
The very desires that drew us into the various beliefs we have has one basic tenet.
Faith, and belief in God.
Draw on that now, whether your organization is under the current spotlight, or you are a watcher on the sideline, is irrelevant.
My prayers go out to all the faithful, regardless of their religious following. Let man judge the actions of a few. God will decide in the long run.
For many years my beloved bride wondered where I drew my strength and conviction. At times it has made those close to me feel that they let me down when they chose the easy solutions, rather than the difficult. I finally came to the realization that it was never my strength that carried me through. It was my faith. God's strength; not mine, gave me perseverance. When I shared that with them, a family wide epiphany ensued. You are allowed to make mistakes, we were not meant to be perfect, we only strive towards perfection. However; that must be countered with understanding and forgiveness.
So let the media run with it's latest blood on the road stories. Draw strength in what you believe and persevere. After all, regardless of the outcome, we all answer to the same power in the end.
Maybe this will be the death nail to my little blog, maybe not.
The truth will set you free................
Peace
Griff