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A Personal Bond: The Veterans who Impacted My Life
Friends of Padre Steve's World,
Today is Veteran's Day. I wrote a reflective piece on it two days ago and I want to follow up on it in a more personal manner in this post.
I am one of those unusual people for our day whose entire life has been somehow connected to life in the military. Thus I always become a bit more thoughtful and quite often emotional around Veterans Day and Memorial Day. I've been in the military for over 34 years now. I enlisted in the National Guard while in college and entered Army ROTC back on August 25th 1981. Since then it has been to quote Jerry Garcia "a long strange trip." During that trip I learned a lot from the veterans who I am blessed to have encountered on the way, men and women who have touched my life in truly special ways.
My Dad, Chief Petty Officer Carl Dundas aboard the USS Hancock in 1972
I come from a Navy family and was born in in a Navy hospital. Growing up in a Navy family in the 1960s and 1970s was a big adventure for me that never got old. I still remember looking forward to each new duty assignment with only the wonder that a child can have and to each new adventure that the next move would bring. We lived up and down the West Coast, Oakland, San Diego, Long Beach, Oak Harbor Washington, and finally Stockton California. My earliest memories of life come from our tour at Cubi Point Naval Air Station in Philippines, the sharply dressed Marine gate guards, the Navy officers in their resplendent white uniforms, the jungle that came up to our back yard, and the wild boars that would show up and tear up our garden, trees and lawn. I remember the Blue Angles flying directly over our house in Oak Harbor, those huge F4F Phantom jets roaring over me so low that every detail could be seen. I remember going on my dad's last ship, the aircraft carrier USS Hancock and being amazed at how big and impressive everything on it was, the sights, sounds, and smells of the ship evoked a wonder that to this day I feel whenever I set foot about a ship. Of course compared to our modern carriers Hancock was old, and small but she was my dad's ship and I was proud of him.
My dad retired from the Navy in 1974 as a Chief Petty Officer. While he was assigned to the Hancock was sent to manage aviation supplies at an emergency airstrip which was in the South Vietnamese city of An Loc when it was surrounded by the North Vietnamese for 80 days in 1972. He didn't talk about it much when he came back; in fact he came back different from the war. He probably suffered from PTSD. All the markers were there but we had no idea about it back then, after all he was in the Navy not the Army. I had friends whose dad's did not return from Vietnam and saw how Vietnam veterans were treated by the country as a whole including some members of the Greatest Generation. They were not welcomed home and were treated often with scorn, even by veterans who had fought in the "real wars" of World War II and Korea. Instead of being depicted an Americans doing their best in a war that few supported they were demonized in the media and in the entertainment industry for many years afterwards.
My dad never made a big deal out of his service but he inspired me to pursue a career in the military by being a man of honor and integrity.
Growing up then, we had a Navy family that surrounded us then remained part of my family's life long after. My mom and dad remained in contact with friends that they served with or were stationed with, and now many of them are elderly and a good number have passed away. Even so my mom, now a widow stays in regular contact with a number of her Navy wife "sisters." There are not many of them left anymore, but mom tries to stay in touch with them. It was the early Navy family experience that shaped much of how I see the world and is a big reason as to why I place such great value on the contributions of veterans to our country and to me.
But there was another part of growing up in a military family in the 1960s, and that was the Vietnam War. I knew kids whose dads never came home from that war, and of course every night the evening news broadcast a "body count" segment which looked like a scoreboard showing how many Americans, South Vietnamese, Viet Cong and North Vietnamese were killed, wounded or captured; but to me, at a very young age, those numbers on that "scoreboard" were flesh and blood human beings. This was my first experience of war.
LCDR Breedlove and Senior Chief Ness
My second view of war came from the veterans of Vietnam who were my teachers in Navy Junior ROTC and the men that I served with in the National Guard and the Army. Some of these men served as teachers and mentors. LCDR Jim Breedlove and Senior Chief John Ness at the Edison High School Naval Junior ROTC program were the first who helped me along. Both have passed away but I will never forget them. Commander Breedlove was someone that I would see every time that I went home as an adult. His sudden death the week before I returned from Iraq shook me. I have a post dedicated to them at this link. (In Memorium: Chief John Ness and LCDR Jim Breedlove USN)
When I joined the California Army National Guard in 1981 Colonel Edgar Morrison was my first battalion commander. He was the most highly decorated member of the California National Guard at that time and had served multiple tours in Vietnam. He encouraged me as a young specialist and officer cadet and showed a tremendous amount of care for his soldiers. Staff Sergeants Buff Rambo and Mickey Yarro taught me the ropes as a forward observer and shared many of their Vietnam experiences as we sat on lonely hillsides at Camp Roberts California calling in artillery fire on so many weekends and during annual training. Buff had been a Marine dog handler on the DMZ, and Mickey a Forward Observer and they were fascinating men, with so many stories and such great experience which they imparted to me.
The Senior NCOs that trained me while in the Army ROTC program at UCLA and Fort Lewis had a big impact. All were combat veterans that had served in Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Harry Zilkan was my training NCO at the UCLA Army ROTC program. He was a Special Forces medic with 7th Group in Vietnam. In Vietnam he was wounded three times, and was awarded two Silver Star Medals. He still had part of a VC bayonet embedded in his foot at UCLA, a reminder of his time serving in Southeast Asia. He received my first salute as a newly commissioned Second Lieutenant as well as a Silver Dollar. I understand that after the Army he became a fire fighter. He had a massive heart attack on the scene of a fire and died a few years later from it. Sergeant Major John Butler was our senior enlisted adviser at UCLA, he served as a paratrooper and infantryman with the 173rd Airborne brigade in Vietnam.
Another fascinating character was Sergeant First Class Harry Ball was my drill sergeant at the ROTC pre-commissioning camp at Fort Lewis Washington in 1982. I kid you not, that was really his name, but this was probably one of the most important experiences of my life, which was incredibly difficult but most necessary. Sergeant First Class Ball was a veteran of the Special Forces and Rangers and served multiple tours in Vietnam and when he walked across the drill field his Smokey Bear hat reminded me of a shark fin cutting across the water, the man was scary as shit, but he had a heart of gold. Though he only had me for a summer he was quite influential in my life, tearing me apart and then building me back up. He was my version of Drill Sergeant Foley in the classic movie An Officer and a Gentleman. Like Zack Mayo played by Richard Gere at the end of that movie I can only say: Drill Sergeant "I will never forget you." Every time I see that movie
As I progressed through my Army career I encountered others of this generation who also impacted my life. First among them was First Sergeant Jim Koenig who had been a Ranger in the Mekong Delta. I was the First Sergeant that I would measure all others by. Once during an ARTEP we were aggressed and all of a sudden he was back in the Delta. This man cared so much for his young soldiers in the 557th Medical Company. He did so much for them and I'm sure that those who served with him can attest to this as well as me. Jim had a brick on his desk so that when he got pissed he could chew on it. He retired after he was selected to be a Command Sergeant Major because he valued his wife and family more than the promotion. It hurt him to do this, but he put his family first.
1985 with 2nd Platoon of 557th Medical Company (Ambulance) in Germany
Colonel Donald Johnson was the commander of the 68th Medical Group when I got to Germany in January 1984. Colonel "J" as well all called him was one of the best leaders I have seen or served under in 34 years in the military. He knew everything about everything and his knowledge forced us all to learn and be better officers and NCOs. On an inspection visit you could always find him dressed in coveralls and underneath a truck verifying the maintenance done on it. He served a number of Vietnam tours. He died of Multiple Myeloma and is buried at Arlington.
Chaplain (LTC) Rich Whaley who had served as a company commander in Vietnam on more than one occasion saved my young ass at the Army Chaplain School. No really he saved my career at least twice, and kept me out of big trouble on both occasions. Personally I don't know too many senior chaplains who would put themselves on the line for a junior chaplain the way that Rich did for me. He remains a friend and is the Endorsing Agent for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As a Mormon he is one of the most "Christian" men that I have ever met. I know some Christians who might have a hard time with that, but Rich demonstrated every trait of a Christian who loved God and his neighbor.
When I was the Installation Chaplain at Fort Indiantown Gap PA I was blessed to have some great veterans in my Chapel Parish. Major General Frank Smoker flew 25 missions as a B-17 pilot over Germany during the height of the air war in Europe. He brought his wonderful wife Kate back from England with him and long after his active service was over he remained a vital part of the military community until his death in 2010. Sergeant Henry Boyd was one of the 101st Airborne soldiers epitomized in Band of Brothers. He had a piece of shrapnel lodged next to his heart from the Battle of the Bulge until the day he died and was honored to conduct his funeral while stationed at Indiantown Gap. Colonel Walt Swank also served in Normandy. Major Scotty Jenkes was an Air Force pilot in Vietnam flying close air support while Colonel Ray Hawthorne served several tours both in artillery units and as an adviser in 1972 and was with General Smoker a wonderful help to me as I applied to enter the Navy while CWO4 Charlie Kosko flew helicopters in Vietnam. All these men made a deep impact on me and several contributed to my career in very tangible ways. Another man who I knew at Indiantown Gap was Sergeant Billy Ward who just passed away last week of a major heart attack. Billy was a bear of a man, but one of the kindest and gentlest men who I have ever known. Billy never knew a stranger and loved people no matter what their station in life, no matter what their beliefs, no matter what their lifestyle. I can honestly say that Billy didn't have an enemy and though he was a lay preacher and was later ordained to the ministry, he just loved people and never judged anyone. He exemplified what it is to be a Christian.
Al Waleed Iraq 2007
In 1999 I resigned my commission as an Army reserve Major to enter active duty in the Navy, with a reduction in rank. Since joining the Navy my life has continued to be impacted and influenced by other veterans. A good amount of my Navy career has been spent serving with Marine Corps. I served with some great Marines and Sailors in those units, including Lieutenant Colonel T D Anderson, and then Major, but now Brigadier General Dave Ottignon of the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Desroches of 1st Battalion 8th Marines, Colonel Lou Rachal of 3rd Battalion 8th Marines, and Colonel, now Major General Richard Lake of Headquarters Battalion 2nd Marine Division. My friends at Marine Security Forces Colonel Mike Paulovich and Sergeant Major Kim Davis mean more than almost any people in the world. We traveled the globe together visiting our Marines. Both of these men are heroes to me as well as friends, Colonel Paulovich was able to administer the oath of office to me when I was promoted to Commander.
I was blessed to become friends with many of the Marine Corps veterans of the Battle of Hue City including General Peter Pace, Barney Barnes, Tony "Limey" Cartilage, Sergeant Major Thomas. They and so many others have become close over the years, especially after I did my time in Iraq. They and all the Vietnam vets, including the guys from the Vietnam Veterans of America like Ray and John who manned the beer stand behind the plate at Harbor Park all mean a lot to me.
Boarding Team of USS Hue City 2002
Finally there are my friends and brothers that I have served with at sea on USS HUE CITY during Operation Enduring Freedom and the advisers on the ground in Al Anbar mean more than anything to me. Perhaps the most important is my bodyguard, RP1 Nelson Lebron, who helped keep me safe and accompanied me all over the battlefield. Nelson who has done Iraq three times, Afghanistan, Lebanon and the Balkans is a hero. Two others who matter a great deal to me from Iraq were Army Colonel David Abramowitz, Navy Captain (Chaplain) Mike Langston, and Father Jose Bautista-Rojas, a Navy Chaplain and Roman Catholic priest. Then there are the men and women of Navy EOD who I served with from 2006-2008 have paid dearly in combating IEDs and other explosive devices used against us in Iraq and Afghanistan are heroes too. There is no routine mission for EOD technicians. Then there are the friends that I serve with in Navy Medicine, medical professionals who care for our Sailors, Marines, Soldiers and Airmen, family members and veterans at home and in the thick of the fighting in Afghanistan.
There are many from my time in Navy Medicine who have meant so much to me. Chaplain Jeff Seiler, an Episcopal Priest at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth and Father Fred Elkin, a retired Navy Chaplain who served there helped keep me together during the darkest time of my life after Iraq, as did many of the physicians and nurses that I worked with there, and many of them were not Christians, but they helped and cared for me. That continued at Naval Hospital Camp LeJeune, where I served as Director of Pastoral Care. At Lejeune I was fortunate to serve with Duke Quarles, a civilian pastoral counselor and retired Navy Chaplain. Duke was a rock for me there, as was Command Master Chief Ed Marino, one of the most spiritual and kind people that I know.
I now serve in a wonderful place, the Joint Forces Staff College. I am surrounded by great people here, from all the services of our armed forces, active duty and retired. I get to do wonderful things, and despite having gone through absolute hell dealing with the military mental health system this year, these folks have stood by me, especially Commander Lisa Rose, our former staff nurse who retired last year. Lisa is a highly skilled nurse and a courageous woman. For eighteen years of her career she served always wondering if someone was going to try to persecute, prosecute or try to run her out the Navy because she is a lesbian. For years she could not take her spouse to official functions, she could not even take a chance on being seen in public by someone with her spouse, even under "don't ask don't tell." She was finally able to do that, but truthfully I cannot imagine what it would be like to want to serve your country, your shipmates and your God, while always knowing that anyone could end that simply because they didn't approve of who you loved. I am glad that Lisa and my other gay and lesbian friends in the military are now able to openly serve.
Me with RP1 Nelson Lebron just prior to leaving Iraq
There are others who I have served alongside who have died while in the service of the country, or after their service had ended. Some, like Staff Sergeant Ergin Osman, who I served with at 3rd Battalion 8th Marines, were killed in Afghanistan, others like Commander Marsha Hanley, a nurse I served with in the ICU at Portsmouth, who was one of the people who helped hold me together when I was so fragile; she died of complications of chemotherapy treatment at far too young age. Damage Control Specialist 2nd Class Ray Krolikowski, who I served with aboard USS Hue City died just over a year ago, eleven years after suffering an injury that left him a quadriplegic in 2003. Then there those who died by their own hand, having never recovered from war. Captain Tom Sitsch who was my last Commodore at EOD Group Two, and Father Dennis Rocheford committed suicide after being tormented by the demons of PTSD and TBI. Both men were real heroes. I could mention so many more, but will end there because I am getting a bit emotional.
There is a closing thought from the television mini-series Band of Brothers which kind of sums up how I feel. The American troops who have fought so long and hard are watching a German general address his troops after the German surrender. An American soldier of German-Jewish descent translates for his comrades the words spoken by the German commander, and it as if the German is speaking for each of them as well.
Men, it's been a long war, it's been a tough war. You've fought bravely, proudly for your country. You're a special group. You've found in one another a bond that exists only in combat, among brothers. You've shared foxholes, held each other in dire moments. You've seen death and suffered together. I'm proud to have served with each and every one of you. You all deserve long and happy lives in peace.
So for me Veteran's Day is intensely personal because of the veterans, living and dead, who made an impact on my life. I have a bond, a special bond with so many of my brothers and sisters who volunteer to serve. Today we number less than one percent of the nation, a tiny number of people in comparison to the size of our nation and the commitments that our leaders have engaged us.
The military is a young persons game, and I am now older than almost everyone on active duty. I have been in the military longer than almost everyone that I know, including many people senior in rank to me. I am a dinosaur, and sometimes a cranky one at that when it comes to dealing with the bureaucracy of the military, but my long strange trip continues. That being said, though I served over half of my career in the Army, at heart I have always been a navy man. I think that President John F. Kennedy expressed how I feel about serving the best. He said, "I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy.'"
So today I give thanks for all them men that I mention in this post, especially my dad. For the countless others that are not mentioned by name please know that I thank God for all of you too. Someone once said "A 'Special Day' once a year creates an excuse for neglect on the other 365 days for mothers, fathers & veterans" Please do not let that continue to happen, please do not just look at this as time off, or if you are a corporation or retailer use this day to boost your sales by acting like you care.
I do hope that people will remember the Veterans that impacted their lives this and every day. Some may have been the men and women that we served with, perhaps a parent, sibling or other relative, maybe a childhood friend, a teacher, coach or neighbor. As we pause for a moment this Friday let us honor those who gave their lives in the defense of liberty in all of the wars of our nation. They have earned it and please thank any veteran that you know in some small way today.
Filed under iraq,afghanistan, Military, remembering friends, Tour in Iraq, US Navy, vietnam
Tagged as 1st sgt jim koenig, 2nd combat engineer battalion, 3rd bn 8th marines, 557th medical company, 68th medical group, a long strange trip, band of brothers, barney barnes, buff rambo, captain mike langston, captain tom sitsch, carl dundas, chaplain rich whaley, col ray hawthorne, colonel david abramowitz, colonel donald a johnson, colonel edgar morrison, colonel mike paulovich, colonel tom allmon, commander marsha hanly, cwo4 charlie kosko, dennis rocheford, Duke Quarles, ed marino, fort indiantown gap, fred elkin, general peter pace, iraq war, jeff seiler, jerry garcia, jim breedlove, major general frank smoker, major general richard lake, marine security forces, mickey yarro, pastor bill ward, PTSD, ray krolikowski, rp1 nelson lebron, scott jenkes, senior chief john ness, sergeant major john butler, sfc harry ball, sfc harry zilkan, staff sergeant ergin osman, t bn 8th marines, tony limey cartilage, uss hancock, uss hue city, veteran's day 2014
November 7, 2014 · 11:54
The Bond: Veteran's Day 2014
Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause. Abraham Lincoln
I always become a bit more thoughtful and quite often emotional around Veterans Day and Memorial Day. I've been in the military for over 30 years now. I enlisted in the National Guard while in college and entered Army ROTC back on August 25th 1981. Since then it has been to quote Jerry Garcia "a long strange trip." During that trip I learned a lot from the veterans who I am blessed to have encountered on the way, men and women who have touched my life in truly special ways.
My Dad: Chief Petty Officer Carl Dundas aboard the USS Hancock CVA 19 circa 1971-72
I come from a Navy family. My dad served twenty years in the Navy. Growing up in a Navy family in the 1960s and 1970s was an adventure for me and that Navy family that surrounded us then remained part of my family's life long after. My mom and dad remained in contact with friends that they served with or were stationed with, and now many of them are elderly and a good number have passed away. Even so my mom, now a widow stays in regular contact with a number of her Navy wife "sisters."
My dad retired in 1974 as a Chief Petty Officer and did time surrounded in the South Vietnamese city of An Loc when it was surrounded by the North Vietnamese for 80 days in 1972. He didn't talk about it much when he came back; in fact he came back different from the war. He probably suffered from PTSD. All the markers were there but we had no idea about it back then, after all he was in the Navy not the Army. I had friends whose dad's did not return from Vietnam and saw how Vietnam veterans were treated by the country as a whole including some members of the Greatest Generation. They were not welcomed home and were treated often with scorn, even by veterans who had fought in the "real wars" of World War II and Korea. Instead of being depicted a Americans doing their best in a war that few supported they were demonized in the media and in the entertainment industry for many years afterwards.
It was the early Navy family experience that shaped much of how I see the world and is why I place such great value on the contributions of veterans to our country and to me. That was also my introduction to war; the numbers shown in the nightly news "body count" segment were flesh and blood human beings.
My second view of war came from the Veterans of Vietnam that I served with in the National Guard and the Army. Some of these men served as teachers and mentors. LCDR Jim Breedlove and Senior Chief John Ness at the Edison High School Naval Junior ROTC program were the first who helped me along. Both have passed away but I will never forget them. Commander Breedlove was someone that I would see every time that I went home as an adult. His sudden death the week before I returned from Iraqshook me. I have a post dedicated to them at this link. (In Memorium: Chief John Ness and LCDR Jim Breedlove USN )
Colonel Edgar Morrison was my first battalion commander. He was the most highly decorated member of the California National Guard at that time and had served multiple tours in Vietnam. He encouraged me as a young specialist and officer cadet and showed a tremendous amount of care for his soldiers. Staff Sergeant's Buff Rambo and Mickey Yarro taught me the ropes as a forward observer and shared many of their Vietnam experiences. Buff had been a Marine dog handler on the DMZ and Mickey a Forward Observer.
The Senior NCOs that trained me while in the Army ROTC program at UCLA and Fort Lewis had a big impact. All were combat veterans that had served in Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Harry Zilkan was my training NCO at the UCLA Army ROTC program. He was a Special Forces Medic with 7th Group in Vietnam. He still had part of a VC bayonet embedded in his foot. He received my first salute as a newly commissioned Second Lieutenant as well as a Silver Dollar. I understand that after the Army he became a fire fighter. He had a massive heart attack on the scene of a fire and died a few years later from it. Sergeant Major John Butler was our senior enlisted advisor at UCLA. An infantryman he served with the 173rd Airborne in Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Harry Ball was my drill sergeant at the ROTC pre-commissioning camp at Fort Lewis Washington in 1982. He was a veteran of the Special Forces and Rangers and served multiple tours in Vietnam. Though he only had me for a summer he was quite influential in my life, tearing me apart and then building me back up. He was my version of Drill Sergeant Foley in An Officer and a Gentleman. Like Zack Mayo played by Richard Gere in the movie I can only say: Drill Sergeant "I will never forget you."
As I progressed through my Army career I encountered others of this generation who also impacted my life. First among them was First Sergeant Jim Koenig who had been a Ranger in the Mekong Delta. I was the First Sergeant that I would measure all others by. Once during an ARTEP we were aggressed and all of a sudden he was back in the Delta. This man cared so much for his young soldiers in the 557th Medical Company. He did so much for them and I'm sure that those who served with him can attest to this as well as me. Jim had a brick on his desk so that when he got pissed he could chew on it. He was great. He played guitar for the troops and had a song called "Jane Fonda, Jane Fonda You Communist Slut." It was a classic. He retired after he was selected to be a Command Sergeant Major because he valued his wife and family more than the promotion. It hurt him to do this, but he put them first. Colonel Donald Johnson was the commander of the 68th Medical Group when I got to Germany in January 1984. Colonel "J" as well all called him was one of the best leaders I have seen in 28 years in the military. He knew everything about everything and his knowledge forced us all to learn and be better officers and NCOs. On an inspection visit you could always find him dressed in coveralls and underneath a truck verifying the maintenance done on it. He served a number of Vietnam tours. He died of Multiple Myeloma and is buried at Arlington. Chaplain (LTC) Rich Whaley who had served as a company commander in Vietnam on more than one occasion saved my young ass at the Army Chaplain School. No really he saved my career at least twice, and kept me out of big trouble on both occasions. Personally I don't know too many senior chaplains who would put themselves on the line for a junior chaplain the way that Rich did for me. He remains a friend and is the Endorsing Agent for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As a Mormon he is one of the most "Christian" men that I have ever met. I know some Christians who might have a hard time with that, but Rich demonstrated every trait of a Christian who loved God and his neighbor.
When I was the Installation Chaplain at Fort Indiantown Gap PA I was blessed to have some great veterans in my Chapel Parish. Major General Frank Smoker flew 25 missions as a B-17 pilot over Germany during the height of the air war in Europe. He brought his wonderful wife Kate back from England with him and long after his active service was over he remained a vital part of the military community until his death in 2010. Sergeant Henry Boyd was one of the 101st Airborne soldiers epitomized in Band of Brothers. He had a piece of shrapnel lodged next to his heart from the Battle of the Bulge until the day he died and was honored to conduct his funeral while stationed at Indiantown Gap. Colonel Walt Swank also served in Normandy. Major Scotty Jenkes was an Air Force pilot in Vietnam flying close air support while Colonel Ray Hawthorne served several tours both in artillery units and as an adviser in 1972 and was with General Smoker a wonderful help to me as I applied to enter the Navy while CWO4 Charlie Kosko flew helicopters in Vietnam. All these men made a deep impact on me and several contributed to my career in very tangible ways.
My life more recently has been impacted by others. Since coming into the Navy I have been blessed to serve with the Marines and Sailors of the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion and Lieutenant Colonel T D Anderson, 1st Battalion 8thMarines and Lieutenant Colonel Desroches, 3rd Battalion 8th Marines and Colonel Lou Rachal and Headquarters Battalion 2nd Marine Division and Colonel, now Major General Richard Lake. My friends of the veterans of the Battle of Hue City including General Peter Pace, Barney Barnes, Tony "Limey" Cartilage, Sergeant Major Thomas and so many others have become close over the years, especially after I did my time in Iraq. They and all the Vietnam vets, including the guys from the Vietnam Veterans of America like Ray and John who manned the beer stand behind the plate at Harbor Park all mean a lot to me. My friends at Marine Security Forces Colonel Mike Paulovich and Sergeant Major Kim Davis mean more than almost any people in the world. We traveled the globe together visiting our Marines. Both of these men are heroes to me as well as friends, Colonel Paulovich was able to administer the oath of office to me when I was promoted to Commander.
Finally there are my friends and brothers that I have served with at sea on USS HUE CITY during Operation Enduring Freedom and the advisers on the ground in Al Anbar mean more than anything to me. Perhaps the most important is my bodyguard, RP1 Nelson Lebron, who helped keep me safe and accompanied me all over the battlefield. Nelson who has done Iraq three times, Afghanistan, Lebanon and the Balkans is a hero. The men and women of Navy EOD who I served with from 2006-2008 have paid dearly in combating IEDs and other explosive devices used against us in Iraq and Afghanistan are heroes too. There is no routine mission for EOD technicians. Then there are the friends that I serve with in Navy Medicine, medical professionals who care for our Sailors, Marines, Soldiers and Airmen, family members and veterans at home and in the thick of the fighting in Afghanistan.
I now serve in a wonderful place, the Joint Forces Staff College. I am surrounded by great people here, from all the services of our armed forces, active duty and retired. I get to do wonderful things, and despite having gone through absolute hell dealing with the military mental health system this year, these folks have stood by me, especially Commander Lisa Rose, our staff nurse. She is a highly skilled nurse and a courageous woman. For eighteen years of her career she served always wondering if someone was going to try to persecute, prosecute or try to run her out the Navy because she is a lesbian. For years she could not take her spouse to official functions, she could not even take a chance on being seen in public by someone with her spouse, even under "don't ask don't tell." She is now able to do that, but truthfully I cannot imagine what it would be like to want to serve your country, your shipmates and your God, while always knowing that anyone could end that simply because they didn't approve. I am glad that Lisa and my other gay and lesbian friends in the military are able to openly serve.
There are others who I have served alongside who have died while in the service of the country, or after their service had ended. Some, like Staff Sergeant Ergin Osman who I served with at 3rd Battalion 8th Marines, were killed in Afghanistan, others like Commander Marsha Handley, a nurse I served with in the ICU at Portsmouth, who was one of the people who helped hold me together when I was so fragile, died of complications of chemotherapy treatment. Damage Control Specialist 2nd Class Ray Krolikowski, who I served with aboard USS Hue City died yesterday eleven years after suffering an injury that left him a quadriplegic in 2003, and some like Captain Tom Sitsch who was my last Commodore at EOD Group Two, and Father Dennis Rocheford died by their own hand after being tormented by the demons of PTSD and TBI. Both of them were real heroes. I could mention so many more, but will end there because I am getting a bit emotional.
So for me, I have a bond, a special bond with so many of my brothers and sisters who volunteer to serve. Today we number less than one percent of the nation, a tiny number of people in comparison to the size of our nation and the commitments that our leaders have engaged us.
Unless by some chance I am selected for Captain, I plan to retire from the Navy at the end of this assignment. As Sergeant Murtaugh (Danny Glover) said in the movie Lethal Weapon "I'm getting too old for this shit." The military is a young person's game, and I am now older than almost everyone on active duty, and have been in the military longer than almost everyone that I know, including many people senior in rank to me. I am a dinosaur, and sometimes a cranky one at that when it comes to dealing with the bureaucracy of the military.
I give thanks for all them men that I mention in this post, especially my dad. For the countless others that are not mentioned by name please know that I thank God for all of you too. Someone once said "A 'Special Day' once a year creates an excuse for neglect on the other 365 days for mothers, fathers & veterans" Please do not let that continue to happen, please do not just look at this as time off, or if you are a corporation or retailer use this day to boost your sales by acting like you care.
I do hope that people will remember the Veterans that impacted their lives this and every day. Some may have been the men and women that we served with, perhaps a parent, sibling or other relative, maybe a childhood friend, a teacher, coach or neighbor. As we pause for a moment this Friday let us honor those who gave their lives in the defense of liberty in all of the wars of our nation. They have earned it and please thank any veteran that you know in some small way this weekend.
Filed under iraq,afghanistan, Military, PTSD, remembering friends, shipmates and veterans
Tagged as 1st sgt jim koenig, 2nd combat engineer battalion, 3rd bn 8th marines, 557th medical company, 68th medical group, a long strange trip, band of brothers, barney barnes, buff rambo, captain tom sitsch, carl dundas, chaplain rich whaley, col ray hawthorne, colonel donald a johnson, colonel edgar morrison, colonel mike paulovich, colonel tom allmon, commander marsha hanly, cwo4 charlie kosko, dennis rocheford, Duke Quarles, ed marino, fort indiantown gap, fred elkin, general peter pace, iraq war, jeff seiler, jerry garcia, jim breedlove, major general frank smoker, major general richard lake, marine security forces, mickey yarro, PTSD, ray krolikowski, rp1 nelson lebron, scott jenkes, senior chief john ness, sergeant major john butler, sfc harry ball, sfc harry zilkan, staff sergeant ergin osman, t bn 8th marines, tony limey cartilage, uss hancock, uss hue city, veteran's day 2014
Veterans Day 2012: Remembering those Who Served and Those that Helped Me
I always become a bit more thoughtful around Veterans Day and Memorial Day. I've been in the military for over 30 years now. I enlisted in the National Guard while in college and entered Army ROTC back on August 25th 1981. Since then it has been to quote Jerry Garcia "a long strange trip." During that trip I learned a lot from the veterans who I am blessed to have encountered on the way.
My dad retired in 1974 as a Chief Petty Officer and did time surrounded in the South Vietnamese city of An Loc when it was surrounded by the North Vietnamese for 80 days in 1972. He didn't talk about it much when he came back; in fact he came back different from the war. He probably suffered from PTSD. All the markers were there but we had no idea about it back then, after all he was in the Navy not the Army. I had friends whose dad's did not return fromVietnamand saw howVietnamveterans were treated by the country as a whole including some members of the Greatest Generation. They were not welcomed home and were treated with scorn. Instead of being depicted a Americans doing their best in a war that few supported they were demonized in the media and in the entertainment industry for many years afterwards.
Colonel Edgar Morrison was my first battalion commander. He was the most highly decorated member of the California National Guard at that time and had served multiple tours inVietnam. He encouraged me as a young specialist and officer cadet and showed a tremendous amount of care for his soldiers. Staff Sergeant's Buff Rambo and Mickey Yarro taught me the ropes as a forward observer and shared many of their Vietnam experiences. Buff had been a Marine dog handler on the DMZ and Mickey a Forward Observer.
The Senior NCOs that trained me while in the Army ROTC program at UCLA and Fort Lewis had a big impact. All were combat veterans that had served inVietnam. Sergeant First Class Harry Zilkan was my training NCO at the UCLA Army ROTC program. He was a Special Forces Medic with 7th Group inVietnam. He still had part of a VC bayonet embedded in his foot. He received my first salute as a newly commissioned Second Lieutenant as well as a Silver Dollar. I understand that after the Army he became a fire fighter. He had a massive heart attack on the scene of a fire and died a few years later from it. Sergeant Major John Butler was our senior enlisted advisor at UCLA. An infantryman he served with the 173rd Airborne inVietnam. Sergeant First Class Harry Ball was my drill sergeant at the ROTC pre-commissioning camp at Fort Lewis Washington in 1982. He was a veteran of the Special Forces and Rangers and served multiple tours inVietnam. Though he only had me for a summer he was quite influential in my life, tearing me apart and then building me back up. He was my version of Drill Sergeant Foley in An Officer and a Gentleman. Like Zack Mayo played by Richard Gere in the movie I can only say: Drill Sergeant "I will never forget you."
As I progressed through my Army career I encountered others of this generation who also impacted my life. First among them was First Sergeant Jim Koenig who had been a Ranger in the Mekong Delta. I was the First Sergeant that I would measure all others by. Once during an ARTEP we were aggressed and all of a sudden he was back in the Delta. This man cared so much for his young soldiers in the 557th Medical Company. He did so much for them and I'm sure that those who served with him can attest to this as well as me. Jim had a brick on his desk so that when he got pissed he could chew on it. He was great. He played guitar for the troops and had a song called "Jane Fonda, Jane Fonda You Communist Slut." It was a classic. He retired after he was selected to be a Command Sergeant Major because he valued his wife and family more than the promotion. It hurt him to do this, but he put them first. Colonel Donald Johnson was the commander of the 68th Medical Group when I got to Germany in January 1984. Colonel "J" as well all called him was one of the best leaders I have seen in 28 years in the military. He knew everything about everything and his knowledge forced us all to learn and be better officers and NCOs. On an inspection visit you could always find him dressed in coveralls and underneath a truck verifying the maintenance done on it. He served a number ofVietnamtours. He died of Multiple Myeloma and is buried at Arlington. Chaplain (LTC) Rich Whaley who had served as a company commander in Vietnam on more than one occasion saved my young ass at the Army Chaplain School. He remains a friend and is the Endorsing Agent for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As a Mormon he was one of the most "Christian" men that I have ever met. I know some Christians who might have a hard time with that, but Rich demonstrated every trait of a Christian who loved God and his neighbor.
Me with Col Tom Almon and MG Frank Smoker USAF Ret
My life more recently has been impacted by others. Since coming into the Navy I have been blessed to serve with the Marines and Sailors of the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion and Lieutenant Colonel T D Anderson, 1st Battalion 8thMarines and Lieutenant Colonel Desroches, 3rd Battalion 8th Marines and Colonel Lou Rachal and Headquarters Battalion 2nd Marine Division and Colonel, now Major General Richard Lake. My friends of the veterans of the Battle of Hue City including General Peter Pace, Barney Barnes, Tony "Limey" Cartilage, Sergeant Major Thomas and so many others have become close over the years, especially after I did my time inIraq. They and all theVietnam vets, including the guys from the Vietnam Veterans of America like Ray and John who manned the beer stand behind the plate at HarborPark all mean a lot to me. My friends at Marine Security Forces Colonel Mike Paulovich and Sergeant Major Kim Davis mean more than almost any people in the world. We traveled the globe together visiting our Marines. Both of these men are heroes to me as well as friends, Colonel Paulovich was able to administer the oath of office to me when I was promoted to Commander.
Finally there are my friends and brothers that I have served with at sea on USS HUE CITY during Operation Enduring Freedom and the advisers on the ground in Al Anbar mean more than anything to me. Perhaps the most important is my RP, RP2 Nelson Lebron who helped keep me safe and accompanied me all over the battlefield. Nelson who has doneIraq three times,Afghanistan,Lebanon and the Balkans is a hero. The men and women of Navy EOD who I served with from 2006-2008 have paid dearly in combating IEDs and other explosive devices used against us in Iraq and Afghanistan are heroes too. There is no routine mission for EOD technicians. Then there are the friends that I serve with in Navy Medicine, medical professionals who care for our Sailors, Marines, Soldiers and Airmen, family members and veterans at home and in the thick of the fighting in Afghanistan.
I give thanks for all them men that I mention in this post, especially my dad. For the countless others that are not mentioned by name please know that I thank God for all of you too.
I do hope that people will remember the Veterans that impacted their lives this and every day. Some may have been the men and women that we served with, perhaps a parent, sibling or other relative, maybe a childhood friend, a teacher, coach or neighbor. As we pause for a moment this Friday let us honor those who gave their lives in the defense of liberty in all of the wars of our nation. They have earned it.
Filed under faith, History, iraq,afghanistan, Military, News and current events
Tagged as 1st bn 8th marines, 1st sgt jim koenig, 2nd combat engineer battalion, 3rd bn 8th marines, 557th medical company, 68th medical group, a long strange trip, band of brothers, barney barnes, buff rambo, carl dundas, chaplain rich whaley, col ray hawthorne, colonel donald a johnson, colonel edgar morrison, colonel mike paulovich, colonel tom allmon, cwo4 charlie kosko, fort indiantown gap, general peter pace, iraq war, jerry garcia, jim breedlove, major general frank smoker, major general richard lake, marine security forces, mickey yarro, PTSD, rp1 nelson lebron, scott jenkes, senior chief john ness, sergeant major john butler, sfc harry ball, sfc harry zilkan, tony limey cartilage, uss hancock, uss hue city, veteran's day 2012
Pinning on the Gold Bars: 28 Years Later
On June 19th 1983 I was sworn in as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army at the University of California Los Angeles. I was a history major in college and had actually completed my degree the year prior and played around with Masters level classes as I took my last year of ROTC. I was commissioned into the Medical Service Corps and would report for active duty 22 days later at Fort Sam Houston Texas where I would complete the Army Medical Department Officer Basic Course for Medical Service Corps officers, go on to Fort Know Kentucky for the Junior Officer's Maintenance Course and then in January 1984 head to Germany where I was assigned to the 557th Medical Company Ambulance in a little Kasserne on the Nahe River called Neubrücke. The rest is history.
Looking back at what the world was like in 1983 is rather interesting. Ronald Reagan was President of the United States and George Herbert Walker Bush his Vice President. Thomas "Tip" O'Neill was Speaker of the House. The internet and the TCP/IP was beginning to take flight as a program of the Department of Defense, Sally Ride had just become the first female Astronaut and the United States sent the Marines into Lebanon as part as a peacekeeping force. The Soviets were deeply embroiled in Afghanistan while Jedi returned, destroyed the new Death Star, killed the Emperor and Darth Vader while redeeming Anakin Skywalker.
The Cold War was reaching its zenith as the United States using its great economic power built up its military and developed technologies that the Soviets went broke trying to keep up with.
We still wore Olive Green fatigues; the BDUs were just being introduced and the Army still worn Greens sans jaunty Black Beret.
The Billboard Top Singles were led by Michael Jackson who released Billie Jean http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBIfLxi5dLo, Culture Club with Karma Chameleon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmcA9LIIXWw, Irene Cara joined in with Flashdance What a Feeling http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILWSp0m9G2U, David Bowie came out with Let's Dance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyVjdQXNs9sand the Police had Every Breath You Take http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMOGaugKpzs.
The Baltimore Orioles won the 1983 World Series taking down the Philadelphia Phillies in 5 games, Rick Dempsey was the MVP hitting .385 in the series and having a .923 slugging percentage. Dempsey who played across 4 decades as a catcher only hit .233 for his career. Cal Ripken Jr. made the final putout of the series which was the last that the Orioles have won since then. In the NFL the Washington Redskins defeated the Miami Dolphins in the Super Bowl. Larry Nelson edged out Tom Watson in the PGA U.S. Open while Jimmy Conners won the U.S Open Men's Singles championship.
Terrorism, nuclear crises, political scandals and Tsunami in Japan were all part in the news. AIDS was rearing its ugly head and by 1987 I was working with AIDS patients and dealing with personnel policy for HIV infected Soldiers.
Since that day I can only quote Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead that my life and career has been "a long strange trip." I continue to serve in the military only having switched services to the Navy and going from being in the Medical Service Corps where I was a platoon leader, company XO and company commander as well as Brigade Adjutant to being a Chaplain.
Back in 1983 I had no intention of going into the ministry but somehow the Deity somehow worked that out much to my surprise.
Finally a mere six days after being commissioned I would marry the love of my life Judy Keiser and well somehow she has put up with me 28 years and hasn't killed me yet, not that she didn't want to a few times. Now we deal with a geographic separation due to my assignment after missing far more wedding anniversaries and birthdays than we have been together in our 28 year marriage.
Anyway, the future is still to be written and this long strange trip promises to go on. As Captain Kirk said in Star Trek VI "People think the future means the end of history, well, we haven't run out of history just yet." I don't think that I have either.
Filed under Baseball, Batlimore Orioles, film, Military, movies, music
Tagged as 1983 super bowl, 1983 us open, 1983 world series, a long strange trip, anakin skywalker, army OG fatigues, baltimore Orioles, cal ripken jr, captain james t kirk, chaplain corps, culture club-karma chamelion, darth vader, david bowie-let's dance, george herbert walker bush, HIV-AIDS, irene cara-flashdance what a feeling, jerry garcia, jimmy connors, larry nelson, luke skywalker, marines in lebanon, medical service corps, miami dolphins, michael jackson- billie jean, philadelphia phillies, rick dempsey, ronald reagan, sally ride, space shuttle, star trek vi, star wars- return of the Jedi, tcp/ip, the police-every breath you take, thomas "tip" o'neill, tom watson, ucla army rotc, us army, US Navy, washington redskins


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ABRAMS share new track from forthcoming album 'Modern Ways'
March 2, 2020 March 2, 2020 NextMosh StaffNew Music, Press Release
Share the post "ABRAMS share new track from forthcoming album 'Modern Ways'"
Denver quartet Abrams share a new track from their forthcoming third album Modern Ways today via Kerrang! Hear and share "Joshua Tree" HERE.
Abrams plays a few hometown shows before the album release, then embark on a West Coast tour in early June. Those dates will be announced soon. Please see current dates below.
Metal Injection previously launched the hook-laden title track "Modern Ways" HERE. (Direct Bandcamp.)
Abrams has upped the ante with their latest recording, Modern Ways. With a focus on songwriting, lyrical narrative, and addictive hooks and refrains, Abrams presents a highly focused, intensely polished sonic narrative. Written over the course of two and a half years, the album reflects the passions, pains, successes and nightmares of the members of Abrams lives.
Modern Ways will be available on vinyl and streaming services via Sailor Records on May 1st, 2020. Pre-orders are available HERE.
Based out of Denver, Abrams was founded in 2013 as a trio. Abrams debut EP, February was released in May 2014 on No List Records. The supporting tour for this release saw the band hit the West Coast, before heading immediately into the studio to record their first full length.
Lust. Love. Loss was released independently in June 2015, receiving praise from Metal Injection, Decibel Magazine, Invisible Oranges, and others. The remainder of the year saw Abrams tour West, East, and West again.
Their follow up, Morning, came out on Sailor Records in June of 2017, which was supported by three nationwide tours for much of the remaining year. Morning received high praise from Metal Injection, New Noise Magazine, Metal Sucks and others.
Abrams is:
Patrick Alberts: Guitar
Zachary Amster: Guitar & Vox
Ryan Dewitt: Drums
Taylor Iversen: Bass & Vox
ABRAMS LIVE 2020:
04/10 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge w/ King Buffalo
05/02 Denver, CO @ Hi Dive – w/ Native Daughters and Palehorse/Palerider
Týr, Heidevolk, Trollfest & Metsatöll North American tour officially announced
THE HEADLINES set release date for new METALVILLE album

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The Graduate Student Council (GSC)is an official student committee that represents and advocates for USU graduate students in Neuroscience (NES), Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB), Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID), Medical and Clinical Psychology (MPS), and Preventative Medicine and Biometrics (PMB) on all matters pertaining to their general welfare. Formally, the GSC provides a means of communication between the graduate student body and the Graduate Education Committee (GEC), and also serves as a student advisory committee to the Associate Dean for Graduate Education. If you wish to serve on the GSC, students must pass qualifying exams.


The materials, text, images, phrases and information contained on the DBI Internet site are provided "as is," without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including, without limitation, any warranty for information, services, or products provided, received, offered, or obtained through or in connection with Delaware Business Incorporators, Inc. (DBI), and without any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, expectation of privacy or non-infringement. Some jurisdictions do not permit the exclusion of implied warranties. Therefore, the above exclusion may not apply to you. Please refer to the laws of your state, or country, for further information regarding the limitation or exclusion of implied warranties.


What type of contact do you all recommend with high quality prospects in the months leading up to going independent?
It doesn't seem ideal to transfer accounts in right before you leave, but on the other hand you don't want to pass up the opportunities you have.
Should you pull back a little on your contact with them and them hit em hard when you move? Focusing now on clients?
Your pertinent thoughts are appreciated.
This is a fine line. Sell yourself. I found some good prospects weeks before moving, I had no problem moving them. Make sure you are not changing the product or process that you sold them on. I sell process not product.
I personally did slow down the new accounts, I still prospected, but tried holding off bringing them in as clients. If you have been a consistant producer your firm knows this is a jump ship signal.


Your body does not eliminate poisons by knowing their names. To try to control fear or depression or boredom by calling them names is to resort to superstition of trust in curses and invocations. It is so easy to see why this does not work. Obviously, we try to know, name, and define fear in order to make it 'objective,' that is, separate from I.
Such studies indicate that, when we're able to form some sort of connection with technology (or more specifically, project a connection onto it), we tend to view them as more humanlike — which may, in turn, make us more likely to give them a human name.
Understanding the complexities of what/who you were dealing with might make you feel better. Just 'naming' brings relief, as it is a form of containment.


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Missouri Puts National States In Rehab
By staff Writer | April 05, 2010 at 08:00 PM
A Missouri state judge has placed National States Insurance Co. into rehabilitation and turned it over to regulators at the Missouri Department of Insurance.
Insurance Department Director John M. Huff has been named receiver of National States, St. Louis, allowing the department to take over operations of the company.
Huff says National States is in perilous financial condition, and the action is necessary to protect Missouri consumers who have long term care, life and Medicare Supplement insurance policies with the company.
The company's board of directors has consented to the rehabilitation order; according to an announcement from the state DOI.
Rehabilitation protects policyholders by preserving the company's assets. As the rehabilitator, the DOI assumes management of the company, attempts to correct problems, continues operations, maintains policyholder accounting and develops a plan of rehabilitation or petitions the court to liquidate the company.
The department is currently overseeing 13 insurance companies in rehabilitation or receivership, according to the announcement.
National States is licensed to do business in 37 states, including Florida, where it has run into financial problems with its long term care policies, according to the DOIE. Huff says the company underpriced its products and as a result may be unable to pay future LTC claims filed by policyholders.
With rehabilitation, the department's priority will be to process existing claims and find another insurance company willing to buy and assume the policies of National States.
Licensed insurers in Missouri are backed by the Missouri Insurance Guaranty Association.
"Putting National States into rehabilitation will allow our department to make sure the company's assets are handled properly so that claims are paid as fully as possible," said Huff. "The department and the guaranty associations in the states in which the company conducts business will work together on behalf of consumers, who have faithfully paid their premiums to this company for years."
National States had $6.4 million in premium sales in Missouri in 2009.


Rosemary's an aromatic original, as soothing as a fresh Mediterranean breeze with a hearty bite of flavor you won't soon forget.
Snack bars need not always be sweet, you know? For those craving a savory snack Simple Squares offer the savory Rosemary Square.


Many people don't take the time to properly compare rates on car insurance. State Farm also makes it easy and painless to get quotes online, which means.
Find out how policyholders ranked insurance companies on six customer. have your own top three from which to get and compare quotes. You can also see comments from surveyed policyholders.
2 days ago. Finding more affordable car insurance is easier than ever. Now, you can get an instant comparison of rates online. Here's how.
The median rate across our sample of states was $2,269 per year for a car insurance policy. highlights the importance of comparison shopping since you never know if you're going to get a great 10th.
If your carrier provides you with the cheapest car insurance possible. agent like McCartin, who can compare policies and f.


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
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Home / METER Crops / Events / Predictable Yields Using Remote and Field Monitoring
Webinar - January 23, 2020
Predictable Yields Using Remote and Field Monitoring
Download PDF or Print Page
What happens when you take satellite products and add soil water potential data?
New data sources offer tools for growers to optimize production in the field. But the task of implementing them is often difficult. Research work is underway and offers a guide on how data from soil and space can work together to make the job of irrigation scheduling easier.
Join us for this webinar with METER's Dr. Colin Campbell as he explains the formula for prescribing irrigation events that will get you the yields you want.
Topics covered include:
Making decisions based on soil water condition
Selecting the right site for measuring soil moisture
The effects of water stress on yields
Water potential changes observed over the growing season
How water potential, satellite, and yield data connect
Date: January 23, 2020 at 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Pacific Time
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Dr. Colin Campbell has been a research scientist at METER for 19 years following his Ph.D. at Texas A&M University in Soil Physics. He is currently serving as Vice President of METER Environment. He is also adjunct faculty with the Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences at Washington State University where he co-teaches Environmental Biophysics, a class he took over from his father, Gaylon, nearly 20 years ago. Dr. Campbell's early research focused on field-scale measurements of CO2 and water vapor flux but has shifted toward moisture and heat flow instrumentation for the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum.
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Our new Autumn collection is not just about design. It is a mood, a locale, a story and an experience.
Shibori is the Japanese word for a variety of ways of embellishing textiles by shaping and securing cloth before dyeing. Rather than treating the cloth as a two-dimensional surface, with shibori it is given a three-dimensional form by folding, crumpling, stitching, plucking and twisting. Cloth shaped by these methods are secured in a number of ways but most often they are twisted and bound. Incorrectly labeled as "tie-dyeing" by most, the shibori method is uniquely ancient (A.D. 749) and immensely varied in its techniques.
The special characteristic of shibori resist is a soft- or blurry-edged pattern. With shibori the dyer must work in concert with the materials rather than forcing his/her own will upon the process because the end result is unpredictable and full of surprises.
I noticed recently that two of our designers are wearing something new from our Summer collection…and they paid full price! (Our employee discount does not go into effect until well after the season has ended). I don't know about you but that makes me sit up and take notice! Given their keen eye for style and their eagerness to have this particular design it now makes me want to rush out and buy it as well!
I thought you might appreciate knowing about this little gem quietly winning the popularity race this season. It is knit of silky pima/Tencel with an abundance of embroidery, flattering empire waist and pretty neckline (with hidden bra-keepers under the straps). We styled it formally in the catalog but our designers simply wore them with jeans. Definately worth taking a closer look!
Most do not know that Peruvian Connection headquarters is located on the private property of Annie and Biddy Hurlbut. Mother and daughter both grew up on the Canaan Farm homestead and long before Peruvian Connection came into existence, their back yard was well-known for it's exquisite flower garden.
In fact, the garden was part of the National Iris Society's tour (at one time). Biddy's mother Corinne Miller had approximately 2500 different varieties of iris on the farm and it was her tireless passion to share the floral splendor she had created with not only her friends and loved ones but for anyone needing a tranquil respite from their hectic lives.
Today, Mrs. Miller's garden is smaller than it once was but it is still as enchanting as ever. A popular site for painters, photographers and Peruvian Connection employees over their lunch hour, this time of year is the most special as the iris are in all their glory. I never grow tired of taking pictures of our sacred eden and while it is difficult to do it justice in just one image…I wanted to share it with you. Enjoy!


It was late afternoon in Delhi. I had arrived in India just a few hours ago but decided to do something useful in spite of a sleepless night in the air. Qutub Minar wasn't so far away, so it seemed a suitable destination.
Among the numerous Indian tourists was a group of school girls.
The light turned golden, and the already beautiful ornaments became even more impressive.
Unfortunately the magic disappeared when I tried to get a tuk-tuk to go back to the very pleasant bed & breakfast I was staying in, Aashiyan. A horde of loud drivers flocked around me, like moths around a candle. They all seemed to aim at giving me the worst price, not the best. I had taken a taxi to get there so I had an idea of a reasonable price, but these drivers' "offers" were four or even five times higher. Sigh. It was getting dark, I was very tired so in the end I gave in and paid an outrageous sum. I wasn't even taken all the way to my destination so I also had the pleasure of getting lost, asking a great number of people about the way. In the end I got there and was greeted with a cup of masala chai. I was happy again.
What a lovely relaxed afternoon it was! I was reading a little on the veranda, sorting a few photos and from time to time looking up to admire the surroundings. An elderly couple had rice fields that extended into the hotel grounds, and they were busy as always.
All of a sudden there was some commotion, the couple stopped working and two hotel boys came running, equipped with a bag and a broom. Ah, I thought, there must be a snake. Normally I'm simply petrified of snakes, I can't even look at a photo, but now, as one of the boys held a two meter long python just a few meters from where I as sitting, I just found it interesting. I didn't get my camera out though, and I'm glad I didn't, since I might have been scared of looking at the photo!
The boys put the python in a bag and walked away with it, I suppose they let it out at a safe distance from the working couple and us hotel guests.
This happened in Munduk, Bali.
It's a long way from Waikabubak, the main town in western Sumba, Indonesia, to the Kodi region in the northwest. Well, if you look at a map it doesn't seem very far, but then you have to take into account the state of the roads. The advantage was that the guide had plenty of time to talk about Sumba and its culture.
I hadn't seen horses at all in Indonesia, but in Sumba it is a common sight. The Indonesian president had very recently paid a visit to the island, and he had received a horse as a gift. Every year in spring there are hugely popular games, or perhaps I should say competitions, called pasola, where horses are in the foreground: villagers on horseback fight one another with spears. Boys train for pasola all year. In olden times it was not uncommon for people to die during the pasola, something which was considered a great honour. These days the games are somewhat calmer, but deaths still occur, according to my guide, who talked about pasola with dreamy eyes. "You must come for pasola next year, mama".
In Sumba the dead are buried in megalithic tombs in the centre of villages. Can you spot the Marapu, under the tree?
People who don't live in traditional villages also have the tombs of their family members next to their houses. They can have glossy colourful tiles all over them, with pictures of Jesus and other biblical motifs, or they can just be painted in bright colour or maybe not be decorated at all.
Many young here still get married early, at 14 is not that uncommon. The result is families with many children, problems to make ends meet and to afford education. However these days things are changing and more young people tend to marry a little later.
The farthest we got during this outing was a beach in Kodi, and what I saw was breathtakingly beautiful.


An exhibition of customised found objects by street artists from across the UK. Curated by Test Space at the Nancy Victor Gallery, London.
All work shown was painted, sprayed or built onto found materials. Work included skate decks, tree stumps, speakers, railway signs, bike parts and household tools.


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Plagioclase
Plagioclase is a very important series of tectosilicate minerals within the feldspar family. Rather than referring to a particular mineral with a specific chemical composition, plagioclase is a solid solution series, more properly known as the plagioclase feldspar series (from the Greek "oblique fracture", in reference to its two cleavage angles). The series ranges from albite to anorthite endmembers (with respective compositions NaAlSi3O8 to CaAl2Si2O8), where sodium and calcium atoms can substitute for each other in the mineral's crystal lattice structure. Plagioclase in hand samples is often identified by its polysynthetic twinning or 'record-groove' effect.
Plagioclase is a major constituent mineral in the Earth's crust, and is consequently an important diagnostic tool in petrology for identifying the composition, origin and evolution of igneous rocks. The composition of a plagioclase feldspar is typically denoted by its overall fraction of anorthite (%An) or albite (%Ab), and readily determined by measuring the plagioclase crystal's refractive index in crushed grain mounts, or its extinction angle in thin section under a polarizing microscope. The extinction angle is an optical characteristic and varies with the albite fraction (%Ab).
There are several named plagioclase feldspars that fall between albite and anorthite in the series. The following table shows their compositions in terms of constituent anorthite and albite percentages.
Plagioclase minerals and their compositions
% NaAlSi3O8(%Ab)
% CaAl2Si2O8(%An)
Albite 100-90 0-10
Oligoclase 90-70 10-30
Andesine 70-50 30-50
Labradorite 50-30 50-70
Bytownite 30-10 70-90
Anorthite 10-0 90-100
Albite is named from the Latin albus, in reference to its unusually pure white color. It is a relatively common and important rock-making mineral associated with the more acid rock types and in pegmatite dikes, often with rarer minerals like tourmaline and beryl.
Anorthite was named by Rose in 1823 from the Greek meaning oblique, referring to its triclinic crystallization. Anorthite is characeristic of the mafic igneous rocks such as gabbro and basalt.
The intermediate members of the plagioclase group are very similar to each other and normally cannot be distinguished except by their optical properties.
Oligoclase is common in granite, syenite, diorite and gneiss. It is a frequent associate of orthoclase. The name oligoclase is derived from the Greek for little and fracture, in reference to the fact that its cleavage angle differs significantly from 90°. Sunstone is mainly oligoclase (sometimes albite) with flakes of hematite.
Andesine is a characteristic mineral of rocks such as diorite which contain a moderate amount of silica and related volcanics such as andesite.
Labradorite is the characteristic feldspar of the more basic rock types such as diorite, gabbro, andesite or basalt and is usually associated with one of the pyroxenes or amphiboles. Labradorite frequently shows an iridescent display of colors due to light refracting within the lamellae of the crystal. It is named after Labrador, where it is a constituent of the intrusive igneous rock anorthosite which is composed almost entirely of plagioclase. A variety of labradorite known as spectrolite is found in Finland.
Bytownite, named after the former name for Ottawa, Canada (Bytown), is a rare mineral occasionally found in more basic rocks.
List of minerals
Alkali feldspar U. Texas
Webmineral
Categories: Sodium minerals | Aluminium minerals | Calcium minerals | Tectosilicates
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Plagioclase". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia.
https://www.chemeurope.com/en/encyclopedia/Plagioclase.html


text:
A review and update of treatment options and controversies in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma
Mashaal Dhir, Alyson A. Melin, Jeffrey Douaiher, Chi Lin, Weining Ken Zhen, Shahid M. Hussain, Jean Francois H. Geschwind, Maria B.Majella Doyle, Ghassan K. Abou-Alfa, Chandrakanth Are
Radiation Oncology, Nebraska Medicine
Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center
Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
Objective: To review the current management, outline recent advances and address controversies in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Summary of Background data: The treatment of HCC is multidisciplinary involving hepatologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, interventional radiologists, and other disciplines. Each of these disciplines brings its unique perspective and differing opinions that add to controversies in the management of HCC. Methods: A focused literature review was performed to identify recent studies on the management of HCC and thereby summarize relevant information on the various therapeutic modalities and controversies involved in the treatment of HCC. Results: The main treatment algorithms continue to rely on hepatic resection or transplantation with controversies involving patients harboring early stage disease and borderline hepatic function. The other treatment strategies include locoregional therapies, radiation, and systemic therapy used alone or in combination with other treatment modalities. Recent advances in locoregional therapies, radiation, and systemic therapies have provided better therapeutic options with curative intent potential for some locoregional therapies. Further refinements in combination therapies such as algorithms consisting of locoregional therapies and systemic or radiation therapies are likely to add additional options and improve survival. Conclusions: The management of HCC has witnessed significant strides with advances in existing options and introduction of several new treatment modalities of various combinations. Further refinements in these treatment options combined with enrollment in clinical trials are essential to improve the management and outcomes of patients with HCC.
Annals of surgery
https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000001556
Locoregional therapies
Resection
Systemic therapies
10.1097/SLA.0000000000001556
Fingerprint Dive into the research topics of 'A review and update of treatment options and controversies in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma Medicine & Life Sciences
Radiologists Medicine & Life Sciences
Radiation Oncologists Medicine & Life Sciences
Gastroenterologists Medicine & Life Sciences
Oncologists Medicine & Life Sciences
Dhir, M., Melin, A. A., Douaiher, J., Lin, C., Zhen, W. K., Hussain, S. M., Geschwind, J. F. H., Doyle, M. B. M., Abou-Alfa, G. K., & Are, C. (2016). A review and update of treatment options and controversies in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Annals of surgery, 263(6), 1112-1125. https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000001556
A review and update of treatment options and controversies in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma. / Dhir, Mashaal; Melin, Alyson A.; Douaiher, Jeffrey; Lin, Chi; Zhen, Weining Ken; Hussain, Shahid M.; Geschwind, Jean Francois H.; Doyle, Maria B.Majella; Abou-Alfa, Ghassan K.; Are, Chandrakanth.
In: Annals of surgery, Vol. 263, No. 6, 2016, p. 1112-1125.
Dhir, M, Melin, AA, Douaiher, J, Lin, C, Zhen, WK, Hussain, SM, Geschwind, JFH, Doyle, MBM, Abou-Alfa, GK & Are, C 2016, 'A review and update of treatment options and controversies in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma', Annals of surgery, vol. 263, no. 6, pp. 1112-1125. https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000001556
Dhir M, Melin AA, Douaiher J, Lin C, Zhen WK, Hussain SM et al. A review and update of treatment options and controversies in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Annals of surgery. 2016;263(6):1112-1125. https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000001556
Dhir, Mashaal ; Melin, Alyson A. ; Douaiher, Jeffrey ; Lin, Chi ; Zhen, Weining Ken ; Hussain, Shahid M. ; Geschwind, Jean Francois H. ; Doyle, Maria B.Majella ; Abou-Alfa, Ghassan K. ; Are, Chandrakanth. / A review and update of treatment options and controversies in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma. In: Annals of surgery. 2016 ; Vol. 263, No. 6. pp. 1112-1125.
@article{e891ab46de394a86b3a55105c060d6b2,
title = "A review and update of treatment options and controversies in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma",
abstract = "Objective: To review the current management, outline recent advances and address controversies in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Summary of Background data: The treatment of HCC is multidisciplinary involving hepatologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, interventional radiologists, and other disciplines. Each of these disciplines brings its unique perspective and differing opinions that add to controversies in the management of HCC. Methods: A focused literature review was performed to identify recent studies on the management of HCC and thereby summarize relevant information on the various therapeutic modalities and controversies involved in the treatment of HCC. Results: The main treatment algorithms continue to rely on hepatic resection or transplantation with controversies involving patients harboring early stage disease and borderline hepatic function. The other treatment strategies include locoregional therapies, radiation, and systemic therapy used alone or in combination with other treatment modalities. Recent advances in locoregional therapies, radiation, and systemic therapies have provided better therapeutic options with curative intent potential for some locoregional therapies. Further refinements in combination therapies such as algorithms consisting of locoregional therapies and systemic or radiation therapies are likely to add additional options and improve survival. Conclusions: The management of HCC has witnessed significant strides with advances in existing options and introduction of several new treatment modalities of various combinations. Further refinements in these treatment options combined with enrollment in clinical trials are essential to improve the management and outcomes of patients with HCC.",
keywords = "Ablation, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Locoregional therapies, Management, Radiation, Resection, Systemic therapies, Transplant",
author = "Mashaal Dhir and Melin, {Alyson A.} and Jeffrey Douaiher and Chi Lin and Zhen, {Weining Ken} and Hussain, {Shahid M.} and Geschwind, {Jean Francois H.} and Doyle, {Maria B.Majella} and Abou-Alfa, {Ghassan K.} and Chandrakanth Are",
doi = "10.1097/SLA.0000000000001556",
journal = "Annals of Surgery",
T1 - A review and update of treatment options and controversies in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma
AU - Dhir, Mashaal
AU - Melin, Alyson A.
AU - Douaiher, Jeffrey
AU - Lin, Chi
AU - Zhen, Weining Ken
AU - Hussain, Shahid M.
AU - Geschwind, Jean Francois H.
AU - Doyle, Maria B.Majella
AU - Abou-Alfa, Ghassan K.
AU - Are, Chandrakanth
N2 - Objective: To review the current management, outline recent advances and address controversies in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Summary of Background data: The treatment of HCC is multidisciplinary involving hepatologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, interventional radiologists, and other disciplines. Each of these disciplines brings its unique perspective and differing opinions that add to controversies in the management of HCC. Methods: A focused literature review was performed to identify recent studies on the management of HCC and thereby summarize relevant information on the various therapeutic modalities and controversies involved in the treatment of HCC. Results: The main treatment algorithms continue to rely on hepatic resection or transplantation with controversies involving patients harboring early stage disease and borderline hepatic function. The other treatment strategies include locoregional therapies, radiation, and systemic therapy used alone or in combination with other treatment modalities. Recent advances in locoregional therapies, radiation, and systemic therapies have provided better therapeutic options with curative intent potential for some locoregional therapies. Further refinements in combination therapies such as algorithms consisting of locoregional therapies and systemic or radiation therapies are likely to add additional options and improve survival. Conclusions: The management of HCC has witnessed significant strides with advances in existing options and introduction of several new treatment modalities of various combinations. Further refinements in these treatment options combined with enrollment in clinical trials are essential to improve the management and outcomes of patients with HCC.
AB - Objective: To review the current management, outline recent advances and address controversies in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Summary of Background data: The treatment of HCC is multidisciplinary involving hepatologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, interventional radiologists, and other disciplines. Each of these disciplines brings its unique perspective and differing opinions that add to controversies in the management of HCC. Methods: A focused literature review was performed to identify recent studies on the management of HCC and thereby summarize relevant information on the various therapeutic modalities and controversies involved in the treatment of HCC. Results: The main treatment algorithms continue to rely on hepatic resection or transplantation with controversies involving patients harboring early stage disease and borderline hepatic function. The other treatment strategies include locoregional therapies, radiation, and systemic therapy used alone or in combination with other treatment modalities. Recent advances in locoregional therapies, radiation, and systemic therapies have provided better therapeutic options with curative intent potential for some locoregional therapies. Further refinements in combination therapies such as algorithms consisting of locoregional therapies and systemic or radiation therapies are likely to add additional options and improve survival. Conclusions: The management of HCC has witnessed significant strides with advances in existing options and introduction of several new treatment modalities of various combinations. Further refinements in these treatment options combined with enrollment in clinical trials are essential to improve the management and outcomes of patients with HCC.
KW - Ablation
KW - Hepatocellular carcinoma
KW - Locoregional therapies
KW - Radiation
KW - Resection
KW - Systemic therapies
KW - Transplant
U2 - 10.1097/SLA.0000000000001556
DO - 10.1097/SLA.0000000000001556
JO - Annals of Surgery
JF - Annals of Surgery


text:
New wearable technology gives ALS patients a voice
Posted by Rosalind Tulloch | Sep 3, 2018 | Products, Slider | 0 |
A new AI-powered wearable device, the EyeControl, is a ground-breaking communication device for individuals with Locked-In Syndrome. Recently launched in the UK, it enables patients to once again communicate with their loved ones and carers in a simple, intuitive, and innovative way. ALS
Locked-In syndrome is a condition in which patients have full cognitive ability but are unable to move or speak, rendering communication nearly impossible. It's a rare neurological disorder in which there is complete paralysis of all voluntary muscles except for the ones that control the movements of the eyes, making communication possible through eye movements or blinking. Conditions that can lead to the state of being locked-in include ALS and other motor neurone diseases (MND), stroke and traumatic brain injury.
The EyeControl is the world's first AI-powered, wearable eye tracking device, enabling 24/7 immediate communication, both for emergency and social purposes, a feat that previous solutions have not addressed.
Or Retzkin, CEO of EyeControl says: "What makes the EyeControl unique is that it has the ability to provide the user with independently controlled communication.
"We aim to create a simple to use and competitively priced device to give a voice back to the voiceless.
"The EyeControl introduces a new reality of accessibility for locked-in individuals to communicate with their friends, family, and carers, transforming everyday tasks for both users and their carers. Individuals are now able to communicate immediately upon waking, while in the bathroom, indoors, outdoors and even while travelling – situations that alternative devices have not been able to accommodate. We hope to inspire a new sense of independence for these individuals."
Six people per day are diagnosed with MND in the UK, and up to 5,000 adults in the UK are affected at any one time. Whilst it is fairly uncommon, it is an issue that is widely known about, having been brought to light largely by Stephen Hawking and through the viral Ice Bucket Challenge.
EyeControl is on a mission to provide a voice to as many locked-in individuals as possible and as such, has launched a crowdfunding campaign with the aim of sponsoring devices for individuals with ALS in the UK. The company will match all support from the public to ensure that as many people as possible are gifted an EyeControl device, while ensuring that no cost is incurred by patients.
Or Retzkin adds: "We are excited to be working with local communities across the UK and with local professional organisations who are nominating members of their community to receive a device. We also hope to raise awareness of the importance of giving these patients the independence they gain through communication devices."
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For authors with similar names, see Author:John Brown.
British theologian, historian, and pastor, and minister of the Bunyan Church, Bedford.
Articles written by this author are designated in the DNB by the initials "J.B-n"
This page was last edited on 6 March 2018, at 16:56.


It shouldn't be as funny as it is.
And you thought your day at work was rough.
This up-and-coming firie was tasked with capturing an out-of-control fire hose during a training drill in Lookout Mountain, in the US state of Georgia, and it did not go well.
The hose looked more like a possessed anaconda projectile vomiting water than a piece of firefighting equipment, so perhaps that's why junior decided to go for the head/nozzle.
If, for some unknown reason, you find yourself attempting to catch a wild snake or a croc, grabbing the head first is generally the best option because it means they can't swing around and nip you.
But, as we can see, this method isn't so great when applied to capturing wild hoses.
Because with so much pressure, those things just go bonkers and jump all over the place like a five-year-old who got into the red cordial.
Because while this would have been highly frustrating for the firie, his futile struggle to wrangle the hose is brilliant viewing.
And sure, it's a little cruel to delight in in this chap's hapless attempt at the task.
But hey, sometimes you just need to see someone else flailing around and achieving nothing to distract you from the fact that you are flailing at life and are achieving nothing, too.


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