I was a sailor once

Bradley D. Stockham

August 24, 2019 

In remembrance of my dear departed friend Chief Ross Ward who sent me this share.

AN ODE TO THE SAILOR SO PROUD

I liked standing on the bridge wing at sunrise with salt spray in my face and clean ocean winds whipping in from the four quarters of the globe.

I liked the sounds of the Navy - the piercing trill of the boatswains pipe, the syncopated clangor of the ship's bell on the quarterdeck, harsh, and the strong language and laughter of sailors at work.

I liked Navy vessels -- plodding fleet auxiliaries and amphibs, sleek submarines and steady solid aircraft carriers. I liked the proud names of Navy ships: Midway, Lexington, Saratoga, Coral Sea, Antietam, Valley Forge memorials of great battles won and tribulations overcome.

I liked the lean angular names of Navy "tin-cans" and escorts, mementos of heroes who went before us. And the others - - San Jose, San Diego, Los Angeles, St. Paul, Chicago, Oklahoma City, named for our cities.

I liked the tempo of a Navy band. I liked liberty call and the spicy scent of a foreign port. I even liked the never ending paperwork and all hands working parties as my ship filled herself with the multitude of supplies,

 both mundane and to cut ties to the land and carry out her mission anywhere on the globe where there was water to float her.

I liked Sailors, Officers, Chiefs, & Enlisted Men from all parts of the land, farms of the Midwest, small towns of New England, from the big cities, the mountains and the prairies, from all walks of life. I trusted and depended on them as they trusted and depended on me -- for professional competence, for comradeship, for strength and courage. In a word, they were "shipmates"; then and forever.

I liked the surge of adventure in my heart, when the word was passed: ''Now Hear This'' "Now station the special sea and anchor detail - all hands to quarters for leaving port," and I liked the infectious thrill of sighting home again, with the waving hands of welcome from family and friends waiting pier side The work was hard and dangerous; the going rough at times; the parting from loved ones painful, but the companionship of robust Navy laughter, the "all for one and one for all" philosophy of the sea was ever present.

I liked the fierce and dangerous activity on the flight deck of aircraft carriers, earlier named for battles won but sadly now named for politicians. Enterprise, Independence, Boxer, Princeton and oh so many more, some lost in battle, and sadly many scrapped.

I liked the names of the aircraft and helicopters; Skyraider, Intruder, Sea King, Phantom, Skyhawk, Demon, Skywarrior, Corsair, and many more that bring to mind offensive and defensive orders of battle. I liked the excitement of an alongside replenishment as my ship slid in alongside the oilier and the cry of "Standby to receive shot lines" prefaced the hard work of rigging span wires and fuel hoses echoed across the narrow gap of water between the ships and welcomed the mail and fresh milk, fruit and vegetables that sometimes accompanied the fuel. I liked the serenity of the sea after a day of hard ship's work, as flying fish flitted across the wave tops and sunset gave way to night.

I liked the feel of the Navy in darkness - the masthead and range lights, the red and green navigation lights and stern light, the pulsating phosphorescence of radar repeaters - they cut through the dusk and joined with the mirror of stars overhead. And I liked drifting off to sleep lulled by the myriad noises large and small that told me my ship was alive and well, and that my shipmates on watch would keep me safe.

I liked quiet mid-watches with the aroma of strong coffee -- the lifeblood of the Navy permeating everywhere. And I liked hectic watches when the exacting minuet of haze-gray shapes racing at flank speed kept all hands on a razor edge of alertness.

I liked the sudden electricity of "General quarters, general quarters, all hands man your battle stations," followed by the hurried clamor of running feet on ladders and the resounding thump of watertight doors as the ship transformed herself in a few brief seconds from a peaceful workplace to a weapon of war -- ready for anything. And I liked the sight of space-age equipment manned by youngsters clad in dungarees and sound-powered phones that their grandfathers would still recognize.

I liked the traditions of the Navy and the men and now women who made them. I liked the proud names of Navy heroes: Halsey, Nimitz, Perry, Farragut, John Paul Jones and Burke. A sailor could find much in the Navy: comrades-in-arms, pride in self and country, mastery of the seaman's trade. An adolescent could find adulthood.

In years to come, when sailors are home from the sea, we still remember with fondness and respect the ocean in all its moods - the impossible shimmering mirror calm and the storm-tossed green water surging over the bow. And then there will come again a faint whiff of stack gas, a faint echo of engine and rudder orders, a vision of the bright bunting of signal flags snapping at the yardarm, a refrain of hearty laughter in the wardroom and chief's quarters and mess decks. Gone ashore for good, we grow humble about our Navy days, when the seas were a part of us and a new port of call was ever over the horizon.

Remembering this, we stand taller and say,

"I was a sailor once."

I was thinking ...

Thank you Bruce for sharing

I was thinking- If only 11 million people have Obama-Care, how will 24

 million people die if it is repealed? Will an additional 13 million people

 be randomly shot?

I was thinking- If women do the same job for less money, why do companies hire men to do the same job for more money?

I was thinking- If you rob a bank in a Sanctuary City, is it illegal or

is it just an Undocumented Withdrawal?

I was thinking- Each ISIS attack now is a reaction to Trump policies, but

all ISIS attacks during Obama's term were due to Climate Change and a plea for jobs.

I was thinking- If Liberals don't believe in biological gender then why

did they march for women's rights?

I was thinking- Why is it that Democrats think Super delegates are fine,

but they have a problem with the Electoral College?

I was thinking- The DNC is mad at Russia because they 'think' they are

trying to manipulate our election by exposing that the DNC is manipulating our election.

I was thinking- If Democrats don't want foreigners involved in our

elections, why do they think it's all right for illegal's to vote?

I was thinking- If gun control laws actually worked, Chicago would be

Mayberry, USA.

I was thinking- I have no problem with vigorous background checks when it comes to firearms. While we're at it, let's do the same when it comes to immigration, Voter I.D. and candidates running for office. 

319 Square Miles

Thank you Bruce for sharing

I thought you'd find this interesting … I DID! This is a real eye opener!  I wish this could be printed on the front page of every newspaper and Internet news site.  Someone should also share this with Killary and all the other DemonRATS. This describes what happened. She lost! Trump won!  Fair and square.  Get over it!

MLD

"Subject: 319 Square  Miles"

A 39 second read you will want to pass on.

In their infinite wisdom, the United States' Founders created the Electoral College to ensure the STATES were fairly represented.

Why should one or two densely populated areas speak for the whole of the nation?

The following list of statistics has been making the rounds on the Internet.

It should finally put an end to the argument as to why the Electoral College makes sense.

Do share this. It needs to be widely known and understood.

There are 3,141 counties in the United States.

Trump won 3,084 of them.

Clinton won 57.

There are 62 counties in New York State.

Trump won 46 of them.

Clinton won 16.

Clinton won the popular vote by approx. 1.5 million votes.

In the 5 counties that encompass NYC, (Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan,

Richmond & Queens) Clinton received well over 2 million more votes than Trump.

(Clinton only won 4 of these counties; Trump won Richmond)

Therefore these 5 counties alone, more than accounted for Clinton winning the popular vote of the entire country.

These 5 counties comprise 319 square miles.

The United States is comprised of 3,797,000 square miles.

When you have a country that encompasses almost 4 million square miles of territory, it would be ludicrous to even suggest that the vote of those who Inhabit a mere 319 square miles should dictate the outcome of a national election.

Large, densely populated Democrat cities (NYC, Chicago, LA, etc.) 

DO NOT & SHOULD NOT speak for the rest of our country!

And it's been verified and documented that those aforementioned 319 square miles are where the majority of our nation's problems foment.

Well worth the 39 seconds to read?  

Now please pass it on!

"Where's the fire?"

Thank you Uncle Ed,

 for sharing this Facebook Post

Gwendolyn Corgan

March 22, 2019

From a mother living in TX

For those living close to the border in Texas, the crisis is all too real on the boarder of the US & Mexico. This is from the perspective of someone who lives with this every day. They are not secure in their homes behind walls like all of congress is. Maybe congress should walk a mile in these people's shoes. The urgency to have a wall built at the border may not seem like a crisis for some. One such person is Kari Wade, who, with her family, owns a ranch just 50 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.

The border rancher recently responded to a Facebook comment when someone asked, "Where's the fire"in regards to the urgency of President Trump to build the wall at the U.S.-Mexico border

Just read a comment on another friends post and the comment said, "Where's the fire?"...as in reference to building the wall/more technology on the border states. Let me tell you where the fire is:

• The "fire" is finding dead bodies on your ranch, 
• The "fire" is finding domestic pig ears in your drinkers when there isn't a domestic pig for 25 miles, 
• The "fire" is waking up to unknown people talking in your attic, 
• The "fire" is dogs barking all night when your closest neighbor is 7-25 miles depending on the direction to just realize there are people outside your barn, 
• The "fire" is having to come home after dark and have to carry a rifle to go feed your livestock after BP tells you that they only caught 9 of the 15 they are looking for. 
• The "fire" is making a choice. Do I take my child with me to a dark barn to feed and hold the flashlight or lock him in the house, so you lock him in the house and call a friend to let them know he's home alone and if they don't hear back from me to come check on us. 
• The "fire" is you don't feel comfortable letting your child play outside without being in eyeshot of them. 
• The "fire" is having large drug busts on your ranch. 
• The "fire" is feeling sick to your stomach every time the helicopter swirls your house because you know they are chasing people because you can hear them on the speaker talking to them. 
• The "fire" is seeing the BP camera set-up 1/2 mile from your house. 
• The "fire" is coming home after dark...your children are driving in front of you as one is of age to drive, and there are officers on your road watching illegals 1/4-1/2 mile from your house and you have to call your children and tell them to keep driving, don't stop at the house. 
• The "fire" is coming home to your backdoor wide open.

The "fire" is real for me, my family and my community.

CAN MUSLIMS BE GOOD AMERICANS?

From a Facebook Post

Ken Fultz

March 18 at 10:53 PM

Dr. Carson is a very intelligent man, both in surgery and in critical thinking. Everyone must read this as we welcome Muslims into our mainly Christian country.

This has been the underlying premise that has kept Christianity and Islam at war for almost 2000 years. They cannot and will not assimilate into any society that does not embrace their theocratic views. Europe has already suffered a recent invasion of Muslims under the guise of refugees that will destroy Europe as ‘we and they’ knew it. To ignore the same here will be at our peril.

This denial has been the downfall of every non-Muslim nation who has refused to or has been afraid to believe it - do not fall into the trap of thinking anyone who is aware is racist or paranoid - the informed always have the advantage. 

I want adults and children to understand this regarding MUSLIMS.

CAN MUSLIMS BE GOOD AMERICANS?

This is very interesting and we all need to read it from start to finish. And send it on to everyone. Maybe this is why our American Muslims are so quiet and not speaking out about any atrocities.

Can a good Muslim be a good American? 

Theologically – no:  Because his allegiance is to Allah, The moon god of Arabia 

Religiously – no: Because no other religion is accepted by his Allah except Islam. (Quran,2:256)(Kora)

Scripturally – no: Because his allegiance is to the five Pillars of Islam and the Quran

Geographically – no: Because his allegiance is to Mecca, to which he turns in prayer five times a day.

Socially – no: Because his allegiance to Islam forbids him to make friends with Christians or Jews. 

Politically – no: Because he must submit to the mullahs, who teach annihilation of Israel and destruction of America, the great Satan.

Domestically – no: Because he is instructed to marry four women and beat and scourge his wife when she disobeys him. (Quran 4:34)

Intellectually – no: Because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is based on Biblical principles and he believes the Bible to be corrupt.

Philosophically – no: Because Islam, Muhammad, and the Quran do not allow freedom of religion and expression. Democracy and Islam cannot co-exist. Every Muslim government is either dictatorial or autocratic.

Spiritually – no: Because when we declare 'one nation under God,' The Christian's God is loving and kind, while Allah is NEVER referred to as Heavenly father, nor is he ever called love in the Quran's 99 excellent names.

Therefore, after much study and deliberation...Perhaps we should be very suspicious of ALL MUSLIMS in this country. They obviously cannot be both 'good' Muslims and 'good' Americans. Call it what you wish, it's still the truth. You had better believe it. The more who understand this, the better it will be for our country and our future.

The religious war is bigger than we know or understand! 

Footnote: The Muslims have said they will destroy us from within. 

SO FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.

The Military wants this message to roll all over the U.S. Please don't delete this until you send it

A Tribute to Diane – Follow-up

From The Natchez Democrat

Sunday, February 10, 2019

Diane Persons Forrest 

May 3, 1963- February 7, 2019

NATCHEZ — Services for Diane Forrest, 55, who died Thursday, February 7, 2019 in Natchez will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Laird Funeral Home Chapel in Natchez with the Rev. Dan Ratcliff officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Laird Funeral Home

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time Monday at Laird Funeral Home.

Mrs. Forrest was born May 3, 1963 in Jackson, the daughter of Forest and Barbara Persons.

She completed studies in health care and practiced as a nurse for many years. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Natchez. She was thoughtful, unselfish and caring. She enjoyed making cards for friends and relatives for all occasions. She loved all holidays and would prepare greetings and gifts far in advance. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dave Forrest; her brother, Rodney Persons Jr.; daughter-in-law, Lauren McCoy; Aunt, Patricia Persons and uncle, Joe Craddock.

Survivors include her parents, Forest and Barbara Persons, of Natchez; one son, Jason McCoy, of Memphis; one grandson, Ethan McCoy, of Memphis; two aunts, Annie Bess Saul and her husband TK, of Clinton and Carolyn Craddock of Plano, Texas; two uncles, TD Persons and wife Linda, of San Antonio, Texas, and Jack Spradling and wife Judy of Florence; her loving Shih Tzu, Snoopy, and a number of cousins and other relatives and friends whom she loved very much.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Pallbearers will be friends of the family.

Honorary Pallbearers will be the members of the Bill Rice Sunday School class.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.

A Tribute to Diane

By Terry Orr

Image from Google Search

Today my heart is heavier than normal. Last night, I received shocking news that my dear friend Diane Forrest has passed. Her Mother replied to my text to Diane, stating,“This is Diane(s) Mother, I just found (out) Diane has passed away.”

Over the next few days, hopefully we will learn more. 

I met Diane on the Internet twenty-four years ago and we have been good friends since then. She also was my partner in developing, writing and maintaining this Blog. Diane wrote more than three hundred and helped on countless more articles on a very wide range of topics.

I am going to share a poem she forwarded to me after her birthday in May 2013 that her Uncle Jack had written for her.

Diane

How wonderful it is to know those who thrive

Happily bringing joy while living their lives

With a wonderful smile you carry each day

The world is made better as you go your way

We know that a Taurus is embedded with traits

Live Love and giving plus remember special dates

You are faithful to your passion of sending cards to friends

It reflects who you are, the perfect means to an end

Twas warm on the fiday when you came into the world

The family was blessed with a beautiful baby girl

Your professional vocation is a mission of love

And your caring heart fits like a glove

You take everyday events all in stride

While staying the course is your mark of pride

Then there’s the picture Perfect Love

Your caring for Dave until he was called above

As a daughter and sister and daughter and a son

You reflect all that’s good when all is said and done

Routines become habits and some make you glad

Like watching judge judy each day with dad

And snoopy, yes snoop

Is you live in king

While enjoying attention he does his own thing

As an excellent chef, cooking is your flair

Your uncle jack’s favorite is chocolate eclairs

So congratulations is now offered on this 3^rdof may

Reaching a high mark on your special birthday