Nomad News-Vol.6-No.135

AMERICA IS BEING TAKEN DOWN FROM WITHIN:  I received the following e-mail, which overlaid a picture of Barack Obama:  "I am not "incompetent." I am destroying America more quickly than anyone thought possible.  "I am not in "over my head." I am advancing totalitarianism right under your noses.  I am not "stupid." The "Stupid" are those who fail to see the danger I bring.  I am not "failing." I am succeeding at every goal I have set.  I am embracing your enemies and rejecting your friends.  I am acting lawlessly and unconstitutionally.  I am ignoring your Constitution.  I am disobeying your laws.  Your media is abetting me.  Your Congress is not stopping me.   I am "fundamentally transforming the United States of America."  Your Constitution, liberty, freedom, wealth, future & children are no longer at risk...the risk is past; they are already lost."
     Obama and his cohorts are taking America down from within.  Impeachment isn't going to happen.  It has to happen on November 6, 2016.  If the responsible white voters, especially the Evangelical Christians, stay home it will be a Third Term for Obama regardless of who the Democrat candidate is.  they will have achieved their goal  and America, as a Constitutional Republic, will be lost forever, along with freedom, liberty and justice  Amen (Andrew M. Dolan-2015)

Nomad News-Vol.6-No.134

ME AND THE ‘09

A  news item in the Chronicle several years ago, on the Crossville Memorial Airport piqued my interest when I read about Light Sport Airplane category that did not require a medical or pilot license to fly.  As a pilot since 1939 I had not heard about this although I was familiar  with and had owned Ultralight  aircraft.  I decided to go to the airport and learn more.  There I ran into Charles Robbins who, for some time, had offered me an open invitation to fly with him.   It was a beautiful day and I accepted his invitation on the spot.  It took but seconds to know I had been away too long.

  Afterwards I met Mark Burris, one of the fixed base operators at that time, and he told me that they were exploring a Light Sport plane where they would be able to offer flying lessons at a reasonable rate that would attract more young people to this exhilarating sport.  A great idea.  I have never been able to understand why more young people have not become excited about flying.  To be alone in the skies, just you alone is the most relaxing and satisfying  experience you will ever discover.

   I had wanted to fly since the earliest day I can remember.  I made model airplanes.  One was the R.O.G. (rise off ground).  It was propelled by a rubber band and flew a few seconds.  Then I discovered the theory of jet propulsion.  I, like millions of  kids, would blow up a balloon and let it fly in crazy gyrations through the air.  I tried to figure out how I could connect the balloon to my R.O.G. but couldn’t.  While I was doing this, some kid in Germany was doing the same thing but he didn’t give up.  Result was the first operational jet aircraft in WW2.

 After I nearly killed myself with my Buck Rogers flying belt “invention” I stuck with model airplanes.  I always marveled at the ease with which Buck Rogers flew through the skies with the little round  pack on his back. My invention started with the wood bottom of a 5/8 bu. wood chip vegetable basket.  This was strapped to my back with crisscross ropes.  My father’s work took us to Maine every summer.  Here, the lobstermen would discard on the beach their old tarred trap anchor lines.  I gathered enough pieces tied together for my needs.  Behind our house was a hill topped by large pine trees 40 to 50 feet tall.  I climbed to the top of the tallest, cleared away the branches and secured one end of my rope.  The other end was secured to a tree at the bottom of the hill.  I then  mounted a large barn pulley on the rope and hooked the pulley to my “flying belt”.  Beneath my flight line was rocks and shrubs.  When all was set, I let go and had the ride of my life until I was about 5 feet off the ground when the rope broke.  Fortunately, some shrubs broke my fall before I hit the rocks and I ended up with some nasty bruises on my posterior.

 

   I never lost the dream.  My first job after high school was at the Philadelphia Record and my salary was $10.00 a week.  Two years later I was making $20.00 and I started saving for flight instruction.  A year of saving and I had $25.00 in a shyster Savings & Loan Assn. bank.  I had to fight with them to get my money but they finally acceded.

    Ken Roney, a kid I knew who was a couple years older than me, was a flight instructor at the Flying Dutchman’s at Somerton Airport in North Philadelphia, about a two-hour  trip from where  I lived in New Jersey..  The following Saturday I headed off to Somerton with my $25.00 to learn how to fly.  I  soon found that $25.00 wasn’t going to buy me much.  Airplane rental was $2.00 an hour and instructor fee was $2.00.  BUT, Ken said:  “Follow me.”  We went around the hangar and he introduced me to the most beautiful lady I had ever seen.  She was dressed all in yellow and it was love at first sight.  She had a black number 20809 on her rudder and wing and she was known affectionately as the 09.

   She was for sale for $750.00 and they were forming a club consisting of six people, $125.00 each.  I didn’t hesitate.  I asked if I gave them the $25.00 now and came back next week with the $100.00 would it be OK.  Ken said:  “Let’s talk to Ernie.  Ernie was Ernie Buehl, the Flying Dutchman and fixed base operator at the airport.

Ernie Buehl had been a chief mechanic on one of the 6-engine Dornier Flying Boats that flew passengers between Germany and New York and Philadelphia in the 1930s.  On one of the flights to Philadelphia, Ernie “jumped ship” and decided to become an American citizen.  Legend had it that one time Ernie couldn’t find the location of a noise in one of the engines and decided the only way to find it would be to hang on to the engine nacelle and take off to see if he could locate the noise in flight.  Actually what happened was, he did hang on the engine nacelle then had the pilot taxi up the river at full throttle.  Even that was quite a feat.

  .  I met Ernie, a sort of gruff stocky man who spoke with a deep guttural German accent.  I was to learn that Ernie had 360 degree vertical and horizontal vision. He was a strict disciplinarian and saw everything.  If you did something wrong he would come up, look you in the eye, and say:  “Vas that you doing (whatever it was)? Then he would give a slight shake of the head with a “Tsk, tsk” in that guttural accent and walk away.  You had just been severely reprimanded.  Ernie was one of the real early aviation pioneers and one of  the few people I regard as having a lasting influence on my life.  Ernie’s Travelaire is hanging in the main lobby of Dulles Airport in Washington DC.  A few years back I had to change  planes at Dulles on the way to Philadelphia.  I went over to the lobby, looked up and there was Ernie in the cockpit.  He waved to me and I waved back.  A man nearby looked on quizzically.  Too bad he couldn’t  see what I saw or he would have seen  a part of history that made it possible for him to fly to Europe in a few hours.

   Ernie agreed to the arrangement so I gave him the $25.00 and then followed Ken back to the 09.  He said:  “Get in the back seat”.  He then showed me how to start the airplane by holding his left hand on the throttle and spinning the propeller with his right hand.  The 09 sputtered into life, a short taxi onto the grass and we were airborne.   After a few basic maneuvers  with  Ken explaining the controls he said:  “I haven’t rolled the 09 for awhile, let’s see how she does.”  He did a slow roll and she didn’t appreciate it.  She threw up (oil) all over the windshield it took so long getting around.  It was quite a thrill and I was soon to learn the 09 had more spin and loop time in her log book than she did level flight.  It was soon to add to that legend.

  Back to reality.  How was I to get the $100.00.  It took me a year to save the $25.00.  .

I tried every source but Wednesday arrived and I didn’t have a nickel.  Desperation time: My only recourse was back to the shysters on Thursday.  They said: “Come back on Monday”.  I replied:  “I need it tomorrow”.  They said:  “Then give us a call at noon”.

Friday noon I called and they approved.  I had no idea what the interest was and didn’t care.  One-sixth the 09 was mine and that’s all that mattered.  On Monday, the pastor of our church, Rev. Bailey called and said he would like to see me.  I had given Rev. Bailey’s name as a reference for the loan.  He told me a couple of rough characters had come by asking about me.  I got the message:  Make timely payments on the loan or look forward to a broken arm.

    I skimped and saved, took odd jobs,  ate 5-cent tongue sandwiches for lunch instead of 15-cent ham & cheese. I cut out the 5-cent Tastykake.  A barnstormer with a Stinson Tri-motor that groaned in every joint and a J-3 Cub came to the airport.  He would take the Stinson to Atlantic City on weekends and haul sightseers.  I helped with the passengers in return for flight time in the J-3.  It took sweat and time but I made the loan payments, completed the ten hours of dual with Ken Roney, then the 35 hours solo and it was time for my flight check with Ernie Dalton, CAA Flight Inspector.

  True to form, the 09 had little level flight during  my first 35 hours.  I had spent every minute practicing steep power turns, spins, power off and power on stalls and the other maneuvers required for the check flight.  We performed the easy part of the flight test, including an emergency landing when Mr. Dalton said:  “Take me back to the airport”.  My heart fell through the bottom of the 09.  We did not do the steep power turns, spins, or stalls.  I tried to figure what I did wrong but couldn’t.  We landed, taxied to the hangar, cut the engine and Mr. Dalton got out.  He said: “ Stay there.  I’ll start the engine for you.  Go to 1500 feet and do a 720 power turn, left and right; a one and a half turn spin right and left; and a couple of power on and power off stalls.”  I reached down and put my heart back in place.  Those maneuvers would be no problem.  I figured he would watch me from the ground but later found out he headed for the restaurant and came out just before I landed.  I found him in the Dutchman’s office where  he shook my hand and signed me off in my logbook.  I was one happy kid. 

  Now my love affair with the 09 blossomed.  She loved to loop and spin and I let her.  One time she performed 25 loops in a row.  The more we frolicked the closer we got.  We soon became like one.  We melded together and I was the lone being in the sky like the Buck Rogers I tried to emulate years before.  The 09 seemed to read my mind and anticipate  my every command.  No matter what our flight attitude she let me know where we were every second and I reacted by instinct.  It’s a beautiful exhilarating feeling .

During the late 1930s into the 40s the weekend skies would be full of little airplanes like the 09.  The Dutchman and others were training pilots under a government program and others like me were scratching for nickels and dimes to enjoy an experience that cannot be duplicated.  This Light Sport Airplane may be able to reenact some of the fun of  bygone years. 

Nomad News-Vol.6-N0.133

OLD GLORY HAS BECOME TATTERED AND TORN

On June 27, my wife Yvette and I were invited guests to the final day of the annual reunion of the 1^st Battalion, , 327^th Airborne Infantry, 1^st Brigade, separate of the 101^st Airborne Division.  It was a solemn day as departed members were remembered.  Although we served in the military during different eras, there is a camaraderie between brothers that cannot be earned in any other walk of life.  I believe our country would not face the grave danger it does today if we had compulsory two years training in the military.  Two years to debrief young minds of the anti-American indoctrination they receive and have received  in the public educational system. 

     At the reunion, I was given a sewn silver star about one and one-half inches across, along with a short message that follows:

     “I am part of our American flag that has flown over the USA.  I can no longer fly.  The sun

      and winds caused me to become tattered and torn.  Please carry me as a reminder that

     you are not forgotten.”

The flag that flies over the White House and the Capitol may have become tattered and torn because of the unconstitutional actions of an oppressive and tyrannical government but, today in my heart she flies as proud and majestic as she did when my immigrant Irish mother taught us to respect Old Glory.  One of our daily chores was to post Old Glory in the railing bracket on our porch.   Long may she fly  over the homes of the free and the brave, and thus be it ever. 

     In spite of the demagogues who now occupy the seat of government in Washington, DC; aided and abetted by an inept Congress, I’m still a proud American and pray that the American people will sweep the Obama administration into the ash heap of history next year.  (Copyright 2015-Andrew M. Dolan) 

Nomad News-Vol.6-No.132

TEA  BISCUITS ABOARD THE USS TEXAS: There was an item in the Crossville Chronicle a week or so ago about a World War II veteran named Jim McGonackle who served on the battleship USS Texas. The Texas was engaged in the Normandy D-Day operation and in the South Pacific. The Texas was commissioned in 1912, decommissioned in 1948 and is now a museum near Houston, Texas. In the 1920s and 30s my father's work took us to Owls Head, Maine in the summers. Owls Head is near the entrance to Rockland harbor. At that time the Navy had a trial course in Penobscot Bay where all new Naval ships and retrofitted ships ran trial runs in an area of the bay that was deep and calm. My brother and I were outside playing every day and we would see all kinds of navy ships enter Rockland harbor. One day a huge battleship sailed into the harbor and it turned out to be the USS Texas. Checking Google, I found out the captain at that time was Albert W. Grant. Captain Grant issued an unusual invitation to the local residents to come aboard and tour the ship. My father replied to the invitation and I can recall the ride out in the Captain's Gig, being amazed at the size of the 14-inch guns, and the highlight, having tea and biscuits with the captain.
     With the help of Jack Williams, member of the Crossville Rotary, I was able to contact Jim McGonackle, now residing in an assisted living unit in Louisville KY.  I called Jim and we had quite a chat.  I learned that the Texas had participated in the Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944 and then to the South Pacific where she was engaged in all the major landings until the end of the war.  (Copyright 2015-Andrew M. Dolan)
   

Nomad News-Vol.6-No.131

THE TERMITES DESTROY FREEDOM: It's Memorial Day 2015 and as I am preparing for the veterans' program in Crossville, I'm looking at four pictures on my computer. The first one shows a young grieving woman laying on the grave of her husband or friend. The second is of three soldiers saluting the American flag from behind the empty boots, helmut and gun of a departed comrade. The third of a soldier with his hand and head on a pair of empty boots. The fourth, the back of a soldier's head as he salutes a huge American flag spread out in front of him, being held up by a circle of friends. Then I thought of the 800,000 heroes, whose resting places are marked by little white crosses, heroes who died to keep this flag free. Then I thought of the fools who voted for the thankless termites in the White House who are working from within to destroy this priceless freedom, so sacrificially preserved by these patriots. (Copyright 2015 - Andrew M. Dolan)

Nomad News-Vol.6-No.130

CUT A LITTLE PIECE OFF THE END: There's the story about a young married couple who were discussing what to have for dinner. The husband suggested: "Why don't you prepare a baked ham like your mother made that was so good." "Good idea.", the dutiful wife responded. So, they went to the market and purchased a nice ham, took it home, and the bride prepared the ham by scoring the top in two directions, making a nice diamond pattern. She then inserted cloves along each scoreline, and prepared a glaze which they dribbled over the ham. Just before putting the ham in the pot, she cut a little piece off the end. The husband asked: "Why did you cut that little piece off the end." "I don't know", she replied, my mother always did it." Hubbie said: "Let's call your mother and ask her", which they did. The mother replied": "I don't know. Your grandmother always did." They called grandma who replied: "So it would fit in the pot". That's just old-fashioned common sense. Now, when the Congress of the United States prepares a new spending bill, before they put it in the hopper, wouldn't it make common sense to cut a little piece off the end so it would fit in the budget? Probably not. Today, the young couple would go out and buy a bigger pot and the legislature would just make the budget larger. (Copyright 2015 - Andrew M.Dolan)

Nomad News-Vol.6-No.129

DO YOU BELIEVE: The movie "Do You Believe?" currently is playing at Rocky Top Ten. Outside Crossville, you might check your movie schedules. This is a thought-provoking picture. Following is movie information: "A dozen different souls, all moving in different directions, all longing for something more. As their lives unexpectedly intersect, they each are about to discover there is power in the Cross of Christ. even if they don't believe it. Yet, when a local pastor is shaken to the core by the visible faith of an old street-corner preacher, he is reminded that true belief always requires action. His response ignites a faith-fueled journey that powerfully impacts everyone it touches in ways that only God could orchestrate. More than a movie, it's a question we all must answer in our lifetimes. DO YOU BELIEVE?" I believe because a number of years ago, I came across an Irish blessing: "May God grant you always, a sunbeam to warm you, a Moonbeam to charm you, and a sheltering angel so nothing will harm you." I reflected back and discovered that a series of events, starting in 1940, led me to Crossville in 1988. After arriving in Crossville,a remarkable incident occurred. I discovered I was here for a reason but the purpose has yet to be revealed. Prior to that I had experienced a series of incidents, covering nearly a century, that I have documented in earlier editions of Nomad News. First was when I was less than a year old. I contacted the deadly flu that killed half a million people in America and millions worldwide. Then followed the other incidents where I faced possible death or serious injury that has left no doubt in my mind that I have been protected by some kind of divine providence. I don't mean to imply that I have done some dumb things knowing that if I got into trouble, I would have this sheltering angel to save me. On the contrary, I didn't know about this sheltering angel until a few years ago. I Believe. The events were real and so is the sheltering angel. (Copyright 2015 -Andrew M. Dolan)

Nomad News-Vol.6-No.1128

WILL THE BLACK ROBE REGIMENT SADDLE UP THIS TIME? In Nomad News No. 110, I wrote about the Black Robe Regiment, the name the British gave to the courageous and patriotic American clergy during the early days of the Republic's founding. Each Sunday they would stand in their pulpits wearing the long black robes of that era and preach the word of God. Then they would preach on current topics, tell the congregation who to vote for, and explain the importance of voting. After the sermon they would remove their black robes to reveal the uniform of their miitary regiment. Lately, you probably have noticed that I have been pessimistic about the future of our country. I still believe Obama and the Democrats feel they have enough votes in their back pockets with the "freebie" voters, the misinformed, the blacks and the unions that they can overcome any Republican challenger. I haven't changed my opinion but I now see a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe we will be able to pull the cat out of the fire and revive what once was a great nation. After Obama snubbed Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu, a group of black pastors have "saddled up" to denounce Obama and the Democrat's refusal to hear the Prime Minister speak to the Congress of the United States. Finally, a number of black pastors have become disillusioned with Obama's constant lies and betrayals. Here's what pastor Dexter Sanders had to say: "The thing to me that makes no sense is why the Congressional Black Caucus has teamed up with this current administration against Israel. And, yes black caucus, I'm saying you have gone against Israel when you decide to protest the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, from coming and speaking on the behalf of the nation of Israel. That is a slap in the face to the people of Israel, and not only that, it is a slap in the face to God. And, not only that, it is also a slap in the face of all Bible-believing African American people in this country." That's why black pastors are so open to defying Obama on this critical issue. Now it's time for the Black Robe Regiment to saddle up and join this crusade. Obama has absconded with freedom and liberty and if we don't return it in 2016, it will be gone for ever and America will be ripe for plucking. Christianity is being attacked on all fronts. Christianity is the one and only thing that stands between freedom and world domination by Islam. It's time for the Black Robe Regiment to warn their congregations on the dangers that face America. And, it's time for the Evangelical Christians to get over their hang-up and vote to help us elect a conservative who has read the Constitution of the United States and knows what's in it. If the Black Robe Regiment and the Evangelicals had fulfilled their obligations in 2012 we would not have the swarm of termites in the White House that are destroying America from within. (Copyright 2015 - Andrew M. Dolan)

Nomad News-Vol.6-No.126

12 O'CLOCK HIGH AND A ERSATZ PRESIDENT: It's early December 1941 and I am on my way back to Harrisburg Pa after completing a month of maneuvers at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. Two of the mightiest military machines the world has ever seen have challenged a week and ill-prepared America. But, this is where they erred: They misjudged the will and determination of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the freedom-loving American people. We had a leader. We had a president that was able to unite the people and the military industries to produce critical materials faster than the enemy could destroy them. I soured on FDR shortly after the war when I discovered he had surrounded himself with an untold number of communists, many as heads of critical departments. He gave "Uncle Joe" Stalin everything he wanted and then some, believing in so doing that he would quench Stalin's appetite for further aggression. It didn't work. Two years later I am in England, staring up into the skies, marveling at the sight of circling B-17 and B-24 bombers that started arriving shortly after sunrise. They are at 20,000 feet or above. I watch as new squadrons keep joining the formation. Soon there will be 1000 planes. They will then fly east on wings of freedom. 10,000 brave airmen sitting on somewhere around 3000 tons of destruction. 1000 men will not return. Thousands of innocent civilians may be killed. Freedom comes at a high cost. The Eighth Air Force suffered the highest casualty rate per capita of any unit participating in the war effort. Now we come to Ersatz President Obama, the most inept, most incompetent, most dangerous president in, I believe, the history of America. His love for America is an ersatz love; its not from the heart where true love is nurtured. He has violated his oath in failing to protect the Constitution of the United States. He has opened his door to thugs and traitors while slamming it in the face of patriots. He has supplanted the Constitution of the United States with Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals". He is so confident he has the deck stacked for the 2016 General Election with "freebie" voters, he is willing to scuttle the Jewish money and vote. He has failed to govern by the Constitution of the United States so is guilty of Insubordination and should be impeached. He even has that covered by Quislings Mitch McConnell and John Boehner. He has surrounded himself with Muslims, much like Franklin D. Roosevelt surrounded himself with Communists. He has violated the Constitution of the United States when he bypasses the U. S. Senate in attempting to make a treaty with a sovereign nation. He has his pen and his telephone but he doesn't have something that is priceless: my vote and my respect. (Copyright 2015- Andrew M. Dolan)

Nomad News-Vol.6-No.127

ME AND THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS SCRATCHED: One of my longtime desires was to jump out of an airplane. Time passed and I never got around to it until recently, thinking I best get it done before I get too old. If I was going to jump, I wanted to jump with the best so I contacted Senator Bob Corker, asking him to intervene with a request to jump with the U.S.Army's Golden Knights Parachute Team. Senator Corker wrote a letter, along with some accompanying material about myself, to the proper authorities. In due time I received a form to fill out. I completed the required information until I came to the final question. "Have you had or are being treated for the following..." One on the list was Cardiac. Having such a problem, I had to get a release from my doctor. I made an appointment for March 16. On March 14 I had a tightness in my chest after performing my physical therapy exercises. That changed the whole picture. My doctor decided to adjust my medication and then review the situation in two weeks. Then I received this comment from the good doctor: "You might want to think about this. It is going to be a tandem jump. What if you had a fatal heart attack or stroke, that person would have to live with it for the rest of their life." Now, I know I'm a little crazy. Not crazy like in crazy but, crazy in a goofy way. If I wasn't a little crazy, I would never have experienced all the fun I had in my lifetime. This was different. I'm not stupid. I asked the doctor to give me the papers. They now rest on top of the other clutter that occupies my desktop. One thing more. By backing off on this escapade, I have not forfeited my right to be, er, well, you know. (Copyright 2015-Andrew M. Dolan)

Nomad News-Vol.6-No.125

ONLY RUDY HAD THE GUTS TO SAY IT: Only Rudy Giuliani had the guts to say it: "Obama Doesn't love America". this reminded me of something: Back in the 50s, I often traveled to Bordentown on a Saturday evening to eat dinner at a restaurant that overlooked the Delaware River. I can't recall the name. The chef was the son of the owner and I believe his name was Bruno. Anyway, his prime rib roast and hashed brown potatoes were incomprable. I don't know what he did but there was just somethig different. For one thing, the rib roast was boneless so you never got all the fat and cartledge on your plate when he sliced a portion off. One evening I was at the bar having a beer before dinner and a nearby table was occupied by five or six men. One person was monopolizing the conversation and obviously telling jokes because everyone laughed with the exception of one man. I took the talker to be the boss and the rest his co-workers. The non-conformer came to the bar next to me to order another beer. I asked this person if the talker was their boss. He replied: "Yes". I then asked him why he didn't join in in the laughter. His reply was: "I don't have to. I'm quitting Monday." That's why Rudy Giuliana had the freedom to speak the truth when the rest can't because they are possible presidential candidates and have to remain silent. Rudy's not running for anything and this leaves him free to speak the truth, something the presidential candidates should emulate. In the meantime, the lap dog press is in an uproar over Guliani's remark that was right on target. Not only does Obama not love America, he's working diligently to destroy her. Obama hosted a three-day conference on world-wide terrrorism but still refused to call them "Muslim terrorists". Why? By the time Obama leaves the office of the President of the United States, he will have accomplished exactly what he said he would do; fundamentally changed America. Don't look for him to retire in November 2016 and write his memoirs under the Hawaian palm trees. Obama is intent on destroying the Ameican middle class which is the backbone of freedom and liberty. Here in Crossville recently, there was a Letter to the Editor debate between two local residents as to what kind of government we have. One person said it was a constitutional republic, the other claimed it was a democratic republic. Actually, we have neither. At best it is a creeping monarchy; at worst its a developing dictatorship. Instead of studying "Mein Kampf", Obama could have been an exemplary president if he had studied the writings of Thomas Jefferson. And, reading the Federalist Papers would have inculcated him with the freedoms inherent in the Constitution of the United States. Instead, he has chosen the path of dominance. Tyranny must be conquered or America will be tossed into the dust bin of history. The Republican Party won't do it; its become Democratic Lite. That leaves it up to We the People. To remain passive in the face of aggregation is a recipe for disaster. LET THE THIRD PARTY BEGIN! We must seize the moment. It may never come again. (Copyright 2015-Andrew M. Dolan)

Nomad News-Vol.5-No.124

LAST REUNION OF THE 33rd:
     In 1980, the Reverend Neal E. Lake, chaplain of the 33rd Photo Reconnaissance Squadron Assn. (PRS) wrote the following poem entitled "Last Reunion of the 33rd".  It was published in the Association's 1981 newsletter.  Rev. Lake was a Photo Lab Technician, as was J.B. woodson,  in the 33rd PRS while in Europe 1944-45.

I had a dream the other night,
  That sent chills through my bones.
I heard the names of the 33rd men,
  Being read in solemn tones.

The years had passed, as all years do,
  And had taken our friends away,
Until only two were finally left.
  To have a reunion that day.

The two who were left were old and weak,
  They couldn't even stand,
Their voices trembled as they tried to read
  The names of that gallant band.

All their buddies and comrades had gone before,
  These two were now the last,
But they had come to a final reunion,
  To honor their friends from the past.

I heard the names I knew so well,
  The ones that had shared with me.
And I tried to catch if mine was read,
  And wondered if it would be.

The light was dim, the voices low,
  So I couldn't understand,
I only knew these two old  men,
  Were sitting hand in hand.

Remembering the days when they were young,
  And the ones who shared their lot,
Remembering strong and handsome youths,
  And the days they had never forgot.

I don't know who they were,
  Though I strained my eyes to see,
I hope that one was J.B.Woodson,
  I hope the other one was me.
...Neal Lake

     As of this date there are a little over one million World War II veterans still alive out of 16 Million.
This is about six- percent by my figuring.  While overseas, the 33rd Photo Reconnaissance Squadron averaged 346 personnel.  Going by the overall figure of six-percent would mean there should be approximately 21 of us still responding to roll call.  I don't know why anyone would complain, so I am going to take the liberty of updating the last verse of Neal's poem to read:
 I don't know who they were,
 Though I strained my eyes to see,
  I hope that one was Russ Schaller,
  I hope the other one was me.
  ...Andy Dolan with apologies to Neal LakeAndre
                                                                                               
                                                                                   
                                                                                                     
                                                                                               
     

     

     




     

Nomad News-Vol.5-No.123

PRESENTATION OF QUILT OF VALOR:
     I was pleasantly surprised on Sunday, January 25 when I was presented with a Quilt of Valor by the ladies of the local Quilts of Valor guild.  It is magnificent.  A similar quilt was presented two days earlier to Mervin Towers who was unable to attend because of health problems.  Mervin is the second oldest World War II veteran, following me, living in Cumberland County.  I am about three months older than Mervin.  That's why I call him "Kid".  There are 142 known World War II veterans in the county.
     On the outside front lawn of our home we fly the American Flag and the Christian Flag, in addition to displaying the Christian Cross.  The Quilt of Valor will be displayed inside the house as a remembrance of my 10,000 comrades who 'rest easy' at Omaha Beach; and symbolically, be placed over them. They are the heroes.  They paid the supreme price and  to them belong the medals and the valor.  As one recipient said: "My quilt isn't another military medal to be placed in a box and sit on my shelf.  I was moved to tears."  My medals are in a brown envelope in the bottom drawer of the file cabinet.
     Quilts of Valor Foundation was conceived by Blue Star mother Catherine Roberts in Seaford, Delaware.  Her son Nathanael's year-long deployment to Iraq was the inspiration for her desire to see that returning warriors were welcomed home with the love and gratitude they deserved.  I believe something like 113,000 quilts have been awarded to date.
     If you are interested in joining this noble project, the local chapter meets at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in the Fellowship Hall, 1461 Sparta Highway, Crossville, TN,  the first Thursday of the month from 9 to noon.  Contact person is:  Melissa Wesley. Cell phone: 785-249-0506 E-mail: sewsouthernquilts@hotmail.com   Elsewhere, check the QOV site on your computer.  (Copyright 2015-Andrew M. Dolan)
   
   
   
   

Nomad News-Vol.5-No.122

UNSOLICITED ADVISE:
     I started to write about unsolicited advise and then an old Irish blessing popped up in my mind.  Maybe I can tie the two together.  The old Irish blessing is:  :"Live a long time without getting old".  Now, there's  some good unsolicited Irish advise worth thinking about.  Don't think too long though or you'll get old.  I never consider myself old because I don't have time to get old.  There's too much still to do.  After all, age is just a couple of figures after your name.   My sheltering angel brought me to Crossville for a purpose that is yet to be fulfilled.  Another unfulfilled desire is to  jump out of an airplane.  With a parachute, of course.        Talking about that, I visited my doctor on Monday. for a routine appraisal and she was elated with my physical condition.  I asked her if my heart was strong enough to jump out of an airplane and she replied: "Yes".  So, I thought, if I'm going to jump I might just as well jump with the best.  So, I have a wheel turning to see if an exception can be made to jump with the U.S. Army's Golden Knights skydiving team.  I know it's a long shot but if you don't ask, the answer is always "no"..  Stay tuned.
     My motto has always been: " I seldom listen to unsolicited advise; never take it."  And, I seldom tell anyone what I am going to do in advance.  I just do it and explain afterwards.  This way I don't get discouraging comments.  If you make a mistake, you learn.  Here's an example:  When I worked at Al Paul Lefton Advertising there was a 18-year old girl in the Mechanical Promotion Department where I worked.  Her name was Sophie Kuhlmann.  She was a little goofy, but in a nice way.  Something like me.  In fact, we were kind of kindred spirits.  We used to kid around, much to the chagrin of the other workers at times.
The agency was owned by a Jewish man but  most of the employes were Christians and on Good Friday the office was closed from noon until 3 p.m. so that those who wished to attend a church service could do so.
Just prior to a Good Friday, Sophie announced she was going to run away and get married to an older man. Every person in the office told her she was making a mistake.  On this Good Friday, everyone had left the office except me and Sophie.  Neither of us were good practicing Christians at that time.  I suggested we have lunch  in the lounge on the street level of the building.  We had  a couple of beers with lunch even though the drinking age was 21 for Sophie.  Sophie asked me what my opinion was on her proposed escapade.  I was on the same bus with the other workers but I replied:  "Go ahead and do it.  If you don't, you might spend the rest of your life wondering if you made the right decision.  If it's a mistake, hopefully, you will learn from it, but don't get trapped in a situation you can't walk away from."  Was I wrong?  Maybe.  The advise I gave is what I would have done.   At 3 o'clock we went back to work and shortly thereafter Sophie left and so did I, so I do not know the outcome.  I have thought of it through the years and hope it did work out.
     Here's my message to you:  Don't listen to unsolicited advise.  Let your heart and your mind make the decision and then do it.  You'll be glad you did.  (Copyright 2015-Andrew M. Dolan)

     

Nomad News Vol.5-No.121

COMPROMISE:
     About three years ago I was admitted to Cumberland Medical Center’s ICU after suffering a stroke.  I credit my Sheltering Angel and the excellent care I received from the personnel in the ICU for my survival.  One nurse, in particular, watched over me like a hawk.  Time has dimmed my memory but I believe her name is Lorita.  If I am incorrect, I apologize, but it is something equally as attractive and unusual.  Lorita’s parents, as I recall, had separate favorite names to call their new infant and couldn't reach a decision.  So, they sat down and took parts of each name, put them together to form Lorita.

That’s what I call compromise.

     Now, I know a married couple named Congress.  There’s Poppa Republican and Momma Democrat.  We send this family, on a regular basis, to Washington to represent  We the People.  Poppa Republican recommends a piece of legislation to improve the economy.  Momma Democrat says: “It stinks.  What is it?”, then recommends her idea.  Poppa Republican  then repeats the mantra and the harangue goes on and on.  Nothing is accomplished.  Why can’t Poppa Republican and Momma Democrat sit down like Lorita’s parents did.  Take a little part of Poppa’s legislation and a little part of Momma’s suggestion, put them together then repeat the operation  until they fashion a passable bill; something that makes both members of the family happy.   The president may threaten to veto the legislation but the family is in agreement and can easily override any veto.  That’s what I call compromise. (Copyright 2015-Andrew M. Dolan)

Nomad News-Vol.5-No.120

THE MOON DIPS LOW:

     A number of years back I had a dream.  I had written a book, the title of which was "The Moon Dips Low".  My immediate waking thought was; the topic of the book must have something to do with America, as a constitutional republic, being on the verge of becoming extinct.  During the ensuing years, I often thought about this but couldn't come up with a coherent solution as to what the dream portended, if anything.  Most dreams, as a rule, disappear from the mind over a period of time.  This one wouldn't go away.  I kept thinking about it,  in an on and off manner, but hadn't thought about it lately.

     Until last night.  I awoke out of a deep sleep and immediately thought about the book. Maybe I had been wrong in my analysis of the book's topic.  I'm wide awake and thinking now.  America wasn't disappearing.  What happens, literally speaking, when the moon dips below the western horizon?  The sun comes up over the eastern horizon and a new day is born.  In this case, The disappearing moon was taking with it, 80 years of creeping socialism while the new sunrise was bringing with it new hope for America.  We were getting one more opportunity to save America as our founding fathers had planned it with the advent of the Constitution of the United States of America.  That opportunity is two years hence with the General Election of 2016.
     Here's something to think about:  In the 2008 election, I believe the Evangelical Christians and the American clergy elected Obama.  The part of the Evangelicals were the ones who stayed home and didn't vote.  The part of the clergy because they failed, with a few exceptions, to tell their congregations about the creeping attacks on Christianity that were there for everyone to see,
     If this scenario is repeated in 2016, America is doomed.  Maybe there is a bright spot on the rising sun.  On the same evening but, prior to my dream, Mike Huckabee parted ways with Fox News so he could pursue plans to run for president.  He hasn't declared yet but I believe he will.  Mr. Huckabee is an Evangelical and an ordained minister as well.  Maybe, just maybe he will be able to convince these two groups to do their duty and once again the rising sun will shine brightly as freedom and liberty  reign over America the beautiful.  (Copyright 20145-Andrew M. Dolan)