Enjoy another weekend of football! ~ Michael S. Pauley
The Army-Navy game is this weekend! Talk about divided loyalties! As a Navy brat who served in the army for many (many) years, I am never sure who to pull for. Although it is good to get to see these teams play in a equitable game. Because of the weight restrictions on them, both teams are usually out-weighed and at a disadvantage when they play other college teams. It may not seem like such a big deal until you see a 180-200 pound guy trying to tackle a 280-300 pound guy. The Army-Navy game is always a good one, well-played from start to finish. This is a true gentleman's rivalry, being one oldest and best-known rivalries. Where else could you see the Chief of Naval Operations wearing a ship on his head? And the Army and Navy Spirit videos are a hoot! This is about the only college game I watch, as college football is not a passion of mine. You'd think being the pro football fanatic that I am, I would be more interested but the differences in the rules are frustrating to me.
Enjoy another weekend of football! ~ Michael S. Pauley
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Before the football starts, I'm going to take a couple of hours to remember Pearl Harbor. It is our tradition to watch Tora, Tora, Tora, one of my bride's favorite movies. Since we cannot be in Hawaii for the memorial presentations, this is the next best thing. In memory of those who have given all for our country, we thank them and their families. ~ Michael S. Pauley
For the next few days, we will be sharing some images of the attack on Pearl Harbor (see Photo of the Day on the Home page) as we head towards December 7. These are just a few of the thousands of pictures available of this horrific event. As I said Monday, while the enemy may change, the need for vigilance does not. ~Michael S. Pauley
Remember when the Christmas/Holiday season started the day after Thanksgiving? People would watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade while the turkey cooked. The appearance of Santa at the end was the signal to decorate the house, put up the tree, and switch gears to a new holiday. Now with stores having Christmas displays up before Halloween, us old guys get confused! By the time Christmas gets here, we're already sick of carols and never-ending commercials. Except Ralphie. Who doesn't love 24 of Ralphie? That's one tradition our whole family loves.
Before we get too deep into December, we will be remembering Pearl Harbor this coming Sunday. While the world has changed and Japan is no longer our enemy, the lessons to be prepared and ready, to be alert and vigilant, are still with us. ~ Michael S. Pauley It's Black Friday, where crass commercialism is the order of the day. I know this is the season of giving, but WOW! While we, too, choose gifts for friends and family, there are also others who could use our help at this time of year. A tradition we had when the kids were younger and still at home was to have them choose a toy, not for themselves, but for another child. We would donate to Toys for Tots, the local inter-faith charity, or some other organization. We had the kids help put together food for the local food bank, a box for the local pet shelter, or choose a name off of a Giving Tree. It was our hope to instill the spirit of giving in them and not have them view the Season from a "what did you get me?" mindset. It seems to have worked as they are all considerate, compassionate human beings. Another organization we try to do something for each year is the USO, who provides our soldiers and their families with respite at the airport, and around the world. Not everyone gets to be home for the holidays.
Back to the crass commercialism. A book is always an excellent gift! Hell is the Night, the Second Gomer Wars is available through most major retailers and perhaps your local independent book store as well. Thank you. ~ Michael S. Pauley The recent release of my new book has completely knocked me off my normal blog posting schedule. It has also impacted my ability to watch the news, and still be objective enough to write a cogent blog posting. Other events have left their mark, such as the elections, the down sizing of the military, budget crunches, and the huge expenditures of assets and national treasure on things like Ebola. I won’t sit here in judgment, since that would be contrary to my personal code. Still, it does impact my ability to maintain a sense of humor, when I realize that robbing Peter to pay Paul, is going to leave us in a position of catch up when it matters. After all, regardless of your belief in things like a peace dividend, when the rest of the world is waiting to smack you when you’re not looking, a declaration of peace is pointless. Right now the hot spots are still hot, with some getting even hotter. In the Ukraine, a cease fire is in place, but it appears that the cease fire is merely a term describing limited military operations. Starting there and glancing around the globe, you see everything from separatist votes in Spain to more genocidal behavior in Africa. The alliances, discussions, and confusion run rampant all around the Pacific Rim, and we are in a “Pacific Shift.” All of this is supposed to be done on a budget, where peoples’ lives are impacted. The cuts in the officer corps in the Army are a prime example of such thinking. I just hope that something like a Gomer doesn’t show up anytime soon, otherwise, we’ll be relegated to responding with rusty paper clips and Boy Scouts. ~ Michael S. Pauley
Want to write and/or read Science Fiction? Thank a Vet! Want to be a rocket scientist? Thank a Vet! Want to be a rock star or a super hero? Thank a Vet! Thank you to all those have served and all those who are now serving. You help make this country the great place that it is and allow us the freedom to do great things! Happy Veteran's Day! ~ Michael S. Pauley
With parades, kids out of school, people having the day off, and sales in every store, the reason behind the festivities can sometimes be obscured. Let's remember to thank our veterans and their families for their service and sacrifices. Fly the flag with pride and enjoy those parades! ~ Michael S. Pauley
In all the excitement and activity surrounding the book, we forgot to wish the US Navy a Happy Birthday!
For more information, along with many archival photos, visit the Navy History & Heritage Command website for the Navy's Birthday. (http://1.usa.gov/1qhtwMh) We are still plugging along in the process. Hope to have more news soon about a release date. ~Michael S. Pauley |
AuthorMichael S. Pauley is a Navy brat and an old soldier who served in all three components of the United States Army. Living in Lexington, South Carolina, Michael is now a practicing attorney and member of the United States Naval Institute and the American Legion, Post 154, Tybee Island, Georgia. Archives
June 2021
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