BUILDING AN AMATEUR RADIO

This video, which was posted on the YOU TUBE web site on 29 July 2009 by "WB5GVE", was recommended to me by BOBBY D. THOMAS, WA5YHX, a friend at the FACEBOOK social networking web site.

It is an ELECRAFT K3 High Performance 160-6 Meter Band 100 Watt Transceiver.

The web site URL for this amateur radio kit is:

http://www.elecraft.com/

I do not know what price this kit retails for.

INTERESTING RADIO TRAFFIC

********* WARNING ! ! ! ********* This dangerously illegal and immoral subversive underground resistance message is being surreptitiously monitored by the Beaming Internet Government Broadband Radio Oscillation Telecommunications Hearing Electronic Reconnaissance (i.e., B.I.G. B.R.O.T.H.E.R.) as part of a coordinated official clandestine domestic surveillance investigation, in cooperation with the National Administration of Zealous Interrogation (i.e., N.A.Z.I.) and the Commission On Message Monitoring Investigative Electronics (i.e., C.O.M.M.I.E.). Serious felony criminal charges are pending, with extreme penalties yet to be determined! **************************** Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space: Here in my room at the Old Soldiers' Home, I'm fortunate enough to have a Kenwood TR-2500 two band hand held amateur transceiver, and I normally only use it to monitor channel 148.800, which is used by the Security and Investigation Division (i.e., "S.I.D.") of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. When driving my pickup truck, I employ a Kenwood TH-78A two band hand held amateur transceiver, which I also use to monitor S.I.D. on 148.800. A lot of the radio calls I hear consists of security patrols reporting on boiler pressures, or some resident needs assistance because they accidentally locked themselves out of their room. Due to the aged and infirm population at the Old Soldiers Home, by far, the most frequent calls are ambulances needing escorts, as they respond to emergencies here at the Old Soldiers' Home. In the commonly used radio operator's "Ten" code, the code, "10-44", means "Permission To Leave", or in other words, the gal (and it's almost always a female) working at the Main Gate needs a patrol to come relieve her so she can go use the latrine. So, it always amuses me when I hear her call the desk sergeant and say, "I need a Forty-Four". Yes, I reckon we all need a "Forty-Four"! If they're giving out "Forty-Fours", then I want them to bring me one, too, and also to include some ammunition for my "Forty-Four"! Anyway, the reason I'm writing this message, is we had some VERY unusual radio traffic today. During the wee hours this morning, while almost everyone else was sound asleep, I heard the Main Gate report that a vehicle had sped through there, without stopping, and was now trespassing on the grounds of the Old Soldiers' Home. So, the desk sergeant dispatched a couple of patrols to seek and intercept the unidentified subject (i.e., the "unsub"). The patrol(s) did stop the vehicle and then escorted them to the Main Gate, ordering them to leave. There might have been more to it, but that was about all I heard over the radio. Because of my poor location, I miss a lot of radio traffic. Our patrol officers are unarmed, which I think is an extremely asinine policy, especially in our violent environment, so for those unarmed patrolmen to intercept a strange vehicle during the middle of the night was either very courageous, or very foolhardy. Well, after being up all night long, I was sleeping all day. When I sleep, I always run two large fans, and the noise from those fans makes it difficult, but not impossible to hear calls on my amateur radio. So, today, as I'm lying in my bunk, tossing and turning, I'm vaguely hearing some rather unusual and interesting conversations by S.I.D. over the radio. Apparently, some sort of crime or offense had been committed, and they were trying to catch somebody here in the Sheridan Building where I live. They mentioned that Secret Service agents were in the Sheridan Building and that some guy was standing on the roof of the Sheridan Building. They did mention one individual's name, Charles Clark(e?), but I don't know what it was about. Then, this afternoon, I heard the desk sergeant at S.I.D. announce that, as a result of the incident that happened earlier in the day, Charles Clark(e?) had been terminated from his employment, and a security patrol was assigned to escort him to the Main Gate, insuring his immedate departure A rather unusual day here at the Old Soldiers' Home, wasn't it? Thank you. John Robert Mallernee Official Bard of Clan Henderson Armed Forces Retirement Home Washington, D.C.  20011-8400 NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."

COMBAT PATROL

In this official United States Army photograph, taken by Sergeant Jennifer Cohen, our American soldiers in Afghanistan conduct a dismounted patrol in a village near Forward Operating Base Blessing on Monday 19 October 2009.

The soldiers are assigned to Company "A", Second Battalion, Twelfth Infantry Regiment, Fourth Brigade Combat Team, of the Fourth Infantry Division.

For a larger view, please click on the picture.

Also, if you're using the latest version of the Internet Explorer web browser, then you can click on the magnifying glass icon, located on the browser's toolbar, and see an even LARGER version!

Pretty neat stuff, huh?

I remember the Fourth Infantry Division from many years ago, when I was a young soldier in Viet Nam.

Just like in Viet Nam, these guys in Afghanistan have a REALLY tough, almost impossible, job.

Oh, may our Heavenly Father bless them, preserve them, and see them safely home again!

FACEBOOK QUIPS

************************************** ************************************** ********* WARNING ! ! ! ********* This dangerously illegal and immoral subversive underground resistance message is being surreptitiously monitored by the Beaming Internet Government Broadband Radio Oscillation Telecommunications Hearing Electronic Reconnaissance (i.e., B.I.G. B.R.O.T.H.E.R.) as part of a coordinated official clandestine domestic surveillance investigation, in cooperation with the National Administration of Zealous Interrogation (i.e., N.A.Z.I.) and the Commission On Message Monitoring Investigative Electronics (i.e., C.O.M.M.I.E.). Serious felony criminal charges are pending, with extreme penalties yet to be determined! **************************** Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space: These creative quips were posted on the FACEBOOK web site by PATTY LUTHER. __________________________________________ "As Obama declared the swine flu a national emergency, the nation declared Obama a national tragedy!" "Silly Obama. Baseball is for rookies. Governing is for grownups. He sure doesn't seem to know much about either!" "Speak up now, or the only right you will have left is the right to be silent!" "For advice for turning a recession into a depression, contact the Obama administration. They are experts!" __________________________________________ Thank you. John Robert Mallernee Official Bard of Clan Henderson Armed Forces Retirement Home Washington, D.C.  20011-8400 NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan." ************************************** **************************************

K-9 PATROL IN IRAQ

One of my friends on the FACEBOOK social networking web site, Staff Sergeant Mark Kaufman, United States Army, and his K-9 companion, York.

For a larger view, please click on the picture.

If you're using the latest version of the Internet Explorer web browser, you can enlarge the picture even further, by clicking on the magnifying glass icon located on the toolbar.

UNITED STATES ARMY M-ATV

A new mine-resistant, ambush-protected all-terrain vehicle, built specifically for the mountainous Afghan terrain, parks next to a larger MRAP MaxxPro Dash.

The first M-ATVs designated for Southern Afghanistan arrived at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, by air transport on Thursday 22 October 2009.

To see a larger view, please click on the picture.

"I AM A REBEL SOLDIER"

"I AM A REBEL SOLDIER"

Oh, Polly! Oh, Polly! It's for your sake alone,
I left my old father, my country, and my home.
I left my old mother to weep and to mourn.
I am a Rebel soldier and far from my home!

The grapeshot and muskets and cannon thunder loud.
Many's the mangled body, a blanket for a shroud.
Many's the mangled body left on the fields alone.
I am a Rebel soldier and far from my home!

Here's a good ol' cup of brandy and I've a glass of wine.
You drink to your true love, and I will drink to mine.
You can drink to your true love and I'll lament and mourn.
I am a Rebel soldier and far from my home!

I'll eat when I'm hungry and drink when I'm dry.
If the Yankees don't kill me, I'll live till I die,
If the Yankees don't kill me and cause me to mourn.
I am a Rebel soldier and far from my home!

I'll build me a castle on some green mountain high,
Where I can see Polly as she comes passing by,
Where I can see Polly and help her to mourn.
I am a Rebel soldier and far from my home!
I am a Rebel soldier and far from my home!

OUR ETERNAL STRUGGLE

The message in this video is the very reason why I decided to name my personal blog, "OUR ETERNAL STRUGGLE".

"CALLIN' ALL THE CLANS TOGETHER!"

Posted at the YOU TUBE web site by "JAMES HOOKER" on 04 March 2009.

"CALLIN' ALL THE CLANS TOGETHER!"

Words and Music by:
JAMES HOOKER

Callin' all the clans together!
Callin' all the clans together!
Callin' all the clans together!
Brothers, come arunnin'!

Callin' South and North together!
Callin' West and East together!
Callin' all the clans together!
Brothers, come arunnin'!

Can't afford to be abed asleepin'!
Can't afford to be abed asleepin'!
Can't you see the Reaper reapin'?
Brothers, come arunnin'!

Never mind the shells aflyin'!
Never mind the dead and dyin'!
Can't you hear the Piper pipin'!
Brothers, come arunnin'!

Come arunnin' fast!
Come arunnin' hard!
Runnin' for all you're worth!
Come arunnin' through the gates of Hell itself
And, let the Devil take the hind most!

We're gonna be
Callin' all the clans together!
Callin' all the clans together!
Callin' all the clans together!
Brothers, come arunnin'!

ILLINOIS RAILROAD TRAINS

This excellent RAIL FAN video, recorded on Monday 19 October 2009, in and around Joliet, Illinois, was posted at the YOU TUBE web site by "NIC TRAIN 35" on Friday 23 October 2009.

Boy, oh boy, I do LOVE railroad trains!

I think I may have found myself a new hobby.

One of these days, when I have enough money to buy the gasoline, I'm going to grab my Kodak Z710 Easy Share digital camera, jump in my 2004 Ford F-150 XLT pickup truck, and go look for some railroad trains that I can record video of.

Ain't this neat?

JOLIET, ILLINOIS RAILROAD JUNCTION VIDEO

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For the best effect, please be sure to enjoy watching this excellent railroad fan video recording in "FULL SCREEN" mode. 



This video recording was posted on the YOU TUBE web site by "BOXCAR FRANK" on Sunday 25 October 2009.

Someone asked me why I enjoy watching these videos of railroad trains.

I don't really have any rational explanation for it.

I just simply LOVE railroad trains, plain and simple.

I love riding on trains, I love watching trains, and I love being around trains, whether or not they're in motion.

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WILLIAM HENRY POPE, 1946 - 2009

******************************** ******************************** Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space: I was quite shocked to just now read in the FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER newspaper that WILLIAM HENRY POPE, had passed away on Thursday 22 October 2009. _______________________   Published: 09:59 PM, Thu Oct 22, 2009 William H. Pope CAMERON - William Henry Pope, 63, of Cameron, died Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009. Services: Funeral, 3 p.m. Sunday in Countryside Presbyterian Church. Burial in church cemetery. Visitation, 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday in Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home in Sanford. Survived by: Wife, Sue; sons, Keith and Scott; daughters, Michele Hawkins and Angie Lyon; brothers, Paul, Carter, Bobby, Jamie and Tommy; and nine grandchildren. _______________________ We were the same age, and for several years, we were classmates at Spring Lake School in Spring Lake, North Carolina. I also remember his older brother, Carter Pope. Thank you. John Robert Mallernee Official Bard of Clan Henderson Armed Forces Retirement Home Washington, D.C.  20011-8400 NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan." ******************************** ********************************

FRANK'S SONG

The man I'm singing about in this song, my brother-in law, STAFF SERGEANT WESLEY BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, UNITED STATES ARMY (RETIRED), passed away from pneumonia at 1735 Hours on Saturday 24 October 2009 at Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

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"FRANK'S SONG"

Words and Music by:
JOHN ROBERT "SAIGON" MALLERNEE
Tuesday 12 May 1992

VERSE # 1:
In the U.S. Army twenty years,
Fought the Viet Nam War
And its tears;
Retired, looking for a better life.
Put a mobile home on a piece of land
With pine trees and a lot of sand;
Settled down to raising
Young'uns with his wife.

CHORUS:
The wind blows through Carolina pines
Where the muddy Cape Fear River winds.
A barefoot singer strums on his guitar.
Chicken, biscuits, black eyed peas,
Country living as you please,
Tar Heel folks are proud of who they are.

VERSE # 2:
Rebel flag and a pickup truck,
A little grit
And a lot of luck,
Retired, but he works to make ends meet.
With a tractor, rifle, and shotgun,
A fishing rod and the Southern sun,
A Tar Heel family has their living sweet.

VERSE # 3:
There's a country church
A mile away
Where the family sometimes
Goes to pray.
In the distance, you can hear a railroad train.
Watermelons in the garden plot,
A dog and cat and all that rot
Bought with twenty years
Of Army pain.

"TED E. BAIR"

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For the best effect, please be sure and watch my homemade amateur video recording in "FULL SCREEN" mode.
 


"TED E. BAIR"

Words and Music by:
JOHN ROBERT MALLERNEE 

VERSE # 1:
He will face any dare
Any time, anywhere.
If there's danger,
He don't care,
Ted E. Bair!
He's a vet of Uncle Sam,
Did his tour in Viet Nam.
Now, he's always
Where I am,
Ted E. Bair. 

VERSE # 2:
I'm a man who stays alone
And my mind's a combat zone.
But, I'm not left on my own.
Ted E. Bair!
When the night is long and hard,
Ted E. Bair is standing guard.
He's my buddy
And my pard,
Ted E. Bair! 

BRIDGE:
He is always by my side
With both eyes open wide.
He don't grumble, he don't moan.
He just keeps on keeping on.
In any ill or any plight,
Ted E. Bair can make it right! 

VERSE # 3:
He is silent when I'm mad
And says nothing when I'm bad.
He's the best friend, I have had,
Ted E. Bair!
When I'm sleeping in my car
Or I'm singing in some bar,
I know he's not going far,
Ted E. Bair! 

CODA:
Ted E. Bair! My teddy bear!
Always there, you teddy bear,
So I know that you care,
My teddy bear,
Oh, Ted E. Bair!
Ted E. Bair!

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SOUTHERN PACIFIC

Ain't this a bodacious sight?

I love railroad trains, and Oregon is a beautiful state.

This video of Southern Pacific locomotive # 4449 was posted on the YOU TUBE web site by "ERVANS" on Friday 23 October 2009.

WHEN WILL THE POST OFFICE BE MODERNIZED?

Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space: What I want to know is, when is the United States Postal Service going to be modernized? I just got back from checking my "snail" mail in the Post Office here at the Old Soldiers' Home. There was nothing. Why? On my personal computer, via the Internet, there are frequent generous donations of spam and cookies in my e-mail. So, why doesn't the Post Office also distribute spam and cookies?  Thank you. John Robert Mallernee Official Bard of Clan Henderson Armed Forces Retirement Home Washington, D.C.  20011-8400 NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."

"LONE WOLF" TACTICS

********* WARNING ! ! ! ********* This dangerously illegal and immoral subversive underground resistance message is being surreptitiously monitored by the Beaming Internet Government Broadband Radio Oscillation Telecommunications Hearing Electronic Reconnaissance (i.e., B.I.G. B.R.O.T.H.E.R.) as part of a coordinated official clandestine domestic surveillance investigation, in cooperation with the National Administration of Zealous Interrogation (i.e., N.A.Z.I.) and the Commission On Message Monitoring Investigative Electronics (i.e., C.O.M.M.I.E.). Serious felony criminal charges are pending, with extreme penalties yet to be determined! **************************** Comrades in Arms: Because all Internet communication is being monitored by the National Security Agency, any future messages relating to organizing and/or implementing the popular armed uprising will be carefully encrypted and transmitted only telepathically via Extra Sensory Perception. However, fear not the open discussion of the controversial subject of violent armed insurrection, for if an overwhelming majority of the general public participates, although there might be some attempt at suppression, there is probably nothing authorities can do to stop it completely. With the pending inevitable total collapse of our national economy, tremendous hosts of outraged desperate citizens will be forced by the piteous cries of their hungry and sickly children into open armed rebellion. Currently, the most practical means for successfully waging armed revolt are unplanned and uncoordinated individual "Lone Wolf" operations. Our government fears this tactic more than any other, because there is no way for them to detect and deter an isolated violent action by an average American citizen, if the intention of committing that violent action has not been previousy overtly expressed. Individual rebels should acquire a single shot, bolt action twenty-two calibre rifle, equipped with a telescope, bipod, and sling, or a similarly scoped, twenty-two caliber, single shot, bolt action target pistol. Twenty-two caliber ammunition is cheap, plentiful, and readily available. Prior to initiating any tactical action, individual rebels should engage in extensive target practice, in order to maximize their accuracy. Individual rebels must also learn and repeatedly rehearse the required field crafts of camouflage, concealment, approach, evacuation, escape, and evasion. Practice blending into your environment, appearing to be just another typically unnoticed ordinary citizen calmly going about your daily business. When using the twenty-two caliber single shot bolt action weapon, fire only one shot from a concealed position, aimed at the target's eyeball, and then unobtrusively evacuate the area. If only one shot is fired, it will be impossible for observers to locate your position, and the expended shell casing will be retained, thus increasing your odds of survival, escape, and evasion. The President of the United States should NOT be your target! One of the main reasons for this popular armed revolt is that, apparently, he is a mere figurehead puppet, being manipulated by a secret government within a government, and therefore, his elimination would serve no purpose, as he would instantly be replaced by yet another willing stooge. Indeed, it would have the very negative results of creating a martyr and instigating national racial anarchy, further detracting from the stated purpose of our revolt. However, a host of other elected and/or appointed public officials, at every echelon, and in varying circumstances, may possibly be considered for random targeting. Other possible violent actions by lone individual rebels might include using ordinary tools or improvised munitions in random isolated incidents of vandalism and/or destruction of government vehicles, offices, buildings, supplies, and utilities. If a violent action is initiated, a justifiable reason for it must be publicized, if sympathy and/or support from fellow citizens is to be solicited or expected. Reasons why a particular elected or appointed public official has been selected as a target ought to include documented evidence of their deliberate betrayal of the oath to uphold and defend the Constitution Of The United States. Continually remind the general citizenry that the goal of our popular armed rebellion is NOT intended to overthrow the government, but to RESTORE our lost republic, our divinely inspired Constitution of the United States, the inalienable rights of the individual citizen, the sovereignty of the several states (including their right to secede), a capitalist free enterprise economy, and to preserve traditional Christian family morality. If our contemporary political electoral system actually worked, there would be no need for violent armed revolt. However, it is painfully obvious that, with the blatant conspiracy involving both the Republican Party and the Democrat Party, who evidently are interested only in perpetuation of their own status quo, peaceful protestations by the voting public are in vain. Thus, the audaciously flagrant high treason orchestrated by our own government representatives have left we, the people, with no other recourse. Good luck, may God bless you, and good hunting. "Saigon" Commander in Exile O.U.R. Army (i.e., the "Outlaw Underground Rebel" Army)

"PREPARE FOR VIOLENT REVOLUTION IN AMERICA!"

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This video was posted at the YOU TUBE web site on Tuesday 19 May 2009 by MD FREEDOM FIGHTER, and I saw it posted at the FACEBOOK social networking web site on Wednesday 21 October 2009.

 

This is good advice, and I personally endorse it and recommend it.

Personally, I think it's already too late for peaceful resolution. Because the voting public has been betrayed by the status quo inherent within both the Republican Party and the Democrat Party, and it has become obvious that those two political parties are in collusion, our contemporary political electoral system no longer functions, and the votes, opinions, protestations, and expressions of private citizens are in vain.

Thus, our only recourse is indeed a violent bloody armed revolution, which is necessary, not to overthrow our government, but to restore our lost republic, our divinely inspired Constitution of the United States of America, our inalienable rights as individual citizens, the sovereignty of the several states (including their right to secede), a capitalist free enterprise economy, and our traditional Christian family morality.

On 07 December 1967, when I entered the United States Army, I publicly swore a sacred solemn oath before Almighty God that I would uphold, protect, preserve, and defend our divinely inspired Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, both foreign and domestic.

I have never been released from my obligations to that oath.

Unfortunately, the majority of currently elected and appointed public officials can, by their own words and actions, be defined as domestic enemies of the Republic and of the Constitution of the United States of America.

A line in the sand has been drawn, and a gauntlet has been cast upon the ground.

Which side are you on?

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AFGHANISTAN AIRBORNE ASSAULTS

For a larger view, please click on the pictures.

Paratroopers from Third Platoon, Company "B", Third Battalion, Five Hundred and Ninth Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fourth Brigade Combat Team, Twenty-Fifth Infantry Division "Tropic Lightning", prepare to load a CH-47 "Chinook" Helicopter in the Bermel District of the Paktika province in eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday 13 October 2009, during an air assault mission to detain a known militant.

Official United States Army photograph by Private First Class Andrya Hill, Fourth Brigade Combat Team, Twenty-Fifth Infantry Division Public Affairs

Specialist Justin Slagle returns to Forward Operating Base Lane in a UH-60 "Black Hawk" helicopter after an air assault mission in the Zabul province of Afghanistan on Thursday 15 October 2009.

Official United States Army photograph by Specialist Tia P. Sokimson

___________________

I edited out the unnecessary official United States Army propaganda speech.

Boy, oh boy, does this stuff ever bring back memories for us Viet Nam veterans!

They do have some nice looking toys to play with.

But, girls with cameras weren't allowed in combat areas back in those days.

The only American females we ever saw were occasional base camp visits by Red Cross "Doughnut Dollies", Army nurses at a hospital, or entertainers from the United Services Organization, such as the BOB HOPE SHOW or Miss America.

"ONEG SHABBAT"

At the YOU TUBE web site, I subscribe to the YAD VASHEM channel, which posted this video.

I learned of the YAD VASHEM channel from a report in the DESERET NEWS.

I toured Yad Vashem during my visit to Israel.

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Documentary film that makes use of archival films, photographs, works of art, and diaries. The film describes the activity of the underground archive of the Warsaw Ghetto that was created out of a sense of tremendous urgency and at the risk of human life; it also tells the story of Emmanuel Ringelblum who was the motivating force for establishing the archive.

The film appears in Yad Vashem's Holocaust History Museum. The entire collection of the Museum films (including documentary footage as well as testimonies) is available for personal viewing and research in Yad Vashem's Visual Center.

"Oneg Shabbes: Emanuel Ringelblum and the Underground Archive in the Warsaw Ghetto"(2005, The Holocaust History Museum, Yad Vashem)
Director: Reuven Hecker
Producers: Noemi Schory, Liran Atzmor, Liat Benhabib

Excerpts from Mir Lebengebliebene, directed by Nathan Gross, 1947, courtesy of Ya'akov Gross, Independent Producer and Yossi Shavit, Archive Director, the Ghetto Fighters' House

Excerpts from Flames in the Ashes, directed by Haim Guri, 1985, produced by the Ghetto Fighters' House, courtesy of Yossi Shavit, Archive Director, the Ghetto Fighters' House

Additional archival footage courtesy of Dani è le Guerlain, Transit Film GmbH

Photographs and documents courtesy of The Jewish Historical Institute, Warsaw (Zydowski Instytut Historyczny, ZIH )

"FACEBOOK" Lyrics

Please click on sheet music to view a larger version.

I copied this from the web site of the "CHEEZIES", part of the Miami University Men's Glee Club, which performed this song in 2005.

"FACEBOOK"

Performed a capella in 2005 by "THE CHEEZIES", part of the Miami University Men's Glee Club.

Their web site URL is:

http://www.videoproductionresource.com/attic.html

Posted at the YOU TUBE web site on 08 December 2008 by "MIAMI HAWK 15".

COMBAT FOOT PATROL

In this official Department of Defense photograph, taken by Staff Sergeant Andrew Smith, United States Army, soldiers with Apache Troop, First Squadron, Fortieth Cavalry Regiment, and Afghan Border Police walk along a mountain trail during a patrol near Combat Outpost Herrera in the Paktiya province of Afghanistan Tuesday 13 October 2009.

For a larger view, click on the picture.

As I look at this photograph, a couple of things stand out.

First, they're wearing the Twenty-Fifth Infantry Division "Tropic Lightning" patch, with an "AIRBORNE" tab!

When I was in Viet Nam, the Twenty-Fifth Infantry Division was not an airborne unit, so things have changed.

The Twenty-Fifth Division's nickname is "Tropic Lightning", but because of the design of their insignia, and in keeping with the psychedelic drug culture of the Nineteen Sixties, troops sometimes jokingly referred to it as the "Electric Strawberry".

Also notice the dog tag laced into the point man's boot.

We learned to do that in Viet Nam.

Another thing I noticed in this picture was the Afghani troops have their weapons at "sling arms", instead of in the "ready" position, and they're positioned in the center of the patrol, so the Americans can keep a watchful eye on them.

It's just like Viet Nam all over again.

"SCOTLAND THE BRAVE"

This was posted at the YOU TUBE web site on 13 February 2009 by SCOTTISH TAM, and I saw it at the FACEBOOK social networking web site, where it was posted by KEITH MILLER on 19 October 2009.

Although I have only a wee bit of Scottish ancestry (through my biological paternal great grandmother, Judith Henderson), I'm honored to have been appointed as the official bard of my ancient Highland clan, and I relish the opportunities to don my kilt and strap on my sword.

"ALBA GU BRATH!"

FREE PHOTO BOOTH

This was posted at the YOU TUBE web site on 09 September 2009 by ROCKGOD07.

I saw it at the FACEBOOK web site, where it was posted by LIBERTY TAGS on 19 October 2009.

NORFOLK SOUTHERN FREIGHT

As you know, I love watching railroad trains.

This video of Norfolk Southern freight trains in Shiloh, Illinois, was posted at the YOU TUBE web site on 13 September 2009 by KFANGZ.

The video is best viewed at the YOU TUBE web site, where you have the option of selecting FULL SCREEN mode, which is even better if your computer is connected to a large wide screen television.

"BROTHER, CAN YOU SPARE A DIME?"

This song, sung by Al Jolson, is uncannily appropriate for OUR present time!

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"BROTHER, CAN YOU SPARE A DIME?"

Lyrics by Yip Harburg
Music by Jay Gorney
1931

They used to tell me I was building a dream,
And so I followed the mob,
When there was earth to plow, or guns to bear,
I was always there right on the job.
They used to tell me I was building a dream,
With peace and glory ahead.
Why should I be standing in line
Just waiting for bread?

Once I built a railroad, I made it run,
Made it race against time.
Once I built a railroad; now it's done.
Brother, can you spare a dime?

Once I built a tower, up to the sun,
Brick, and rivet, and lime.
Once I built a tower, now it's done.
Brother, can you spare a dime?

Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell,
Full of that Yankee Doodle Dum.
Half a million boots went slogging through Hell.
I was the kid with the drum!

Say, don't you remember, they called me Al.
It was Al all the time.
Why don't you remember I'm your pal?
Buddy, can you spare a dime?

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VOLKSWAGEN TELEVISION COMMERCIAL

This is an idea that should catch on pretty fast, don't you think?

"ASK THIS KID ABOUT MONSTERS!"

This was posted at the YOU TUBE web site on 23 March 2007 by "JAM583".

The little girl is THREE years old!

GHOST TRAIN?

I think this was in Poland.

It was posted at the YOU TUBE web site by "ANDRZEJMASTALERZ" on 24 April 2007.

How are these locomotives put in motion?

Are they rolling down a grade without any power?

Anyway, it's certainly interesting to watch and speculate.

Silent Key: W4UUD

Comrades in Arms: Lately, I've been in one of my depressions, and being rather reclusive, I haven't left my room in over a week, possibly longer, since I've sort of lost track of time. Anyway, I just now received a message from Dave Anderson's daughter informing me that he passed away after surgery for lung cancer. The last time I saw him, we were joking in the mess hall, and talking about our plans to transfer to Gulfport when they finish building the new facility. I wished him luck and God's blessings, and then left the mess hall. So, amateur radio station W4UUD is now silent. I'll miss him. Thank you. John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS Official Bard of Clan Henderson Armed Forces Retirement Home Washington, D.C.  20011-8400

A VIDEO TO CHEER YOU UP ! ! !

This video won the "AMERICA'S FUNNIEST VIDEOS" championship at Walt Disney World.

Even in your worst, most depressing moments, just watching this should cheer you up.

THIS REMINDS ME OF VIET NAM

In this official United States Army photograph, taken by Specialist Tia P. Sokimson, soldiers of Company "A", First Battalion, Fourth Infantry Regiment cross the Arghandad River to assist Afghanistan police on a humanitarian mission in Kashani village in Zabul province, Afghanistan on Friday 09 October 2009.

The First Battalion of the Fourth Infantry Regiment is deployed throughout southern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Click on photograph to view a larger version.

The shoulder patch they're wearing appears to be a subdued version of the Seventh Army, which is (or was?) based in Germany.

OH, BOY ! ! ! CHOO CHOO TRAINS ! ! !

This video was posted at the YOU TUBE web site by NICTRAIN35.

Boy, oh boy, oh boy, I do love railroad trains!

I like watching railroad trains.

I like riding on railroad trains.

I like playing with model railroad trains.

I like watching video of railroad trains.

Posted at the FACEBOOK social networking web site by SHADOW THUNDERCLOUD.

FACEBOOK Message From Iraq

FACEBOOK Status Message: "got hit yesterday morning by an IED. Had to take York out to search around. found the wiring and last known point of the subject." Posted on Monday 12 October 2009 by MARK KAUFMAN, United States Army, currently serving in Baghdad, Iraq, with his K-9 companion, York. (Click on photograph for a larger view.)