Change

I was at Borders in Mission Valley the other night killing some time before a movie started. And, I came across a book that predicted what someone would be like given their birthday. Mine said as a Gemini, I would like change. And, I think that is very true. I am happy that Senator Obama will be the next President of the United States. I think the country needs some changing, and this is one of them.

However, I am sad that California managed to pass Prop 8 yesterday. The state was looking pretty good in that area accepting the right for gays and lesbians the right to marry. I still get into arguements with people onboard here who question the right for gays and lesbian to marry. If you have any questions, please go here. This is 8 reasons why my Pastor oppses Prop 8, and I agree with all of them.

On another note, I managed to bring my camera with me this time, and I will try to either get some pictures on this, or at some other sight.

Shalom!

Underway

I wish I brought my camera along and I am now kicking myself. I saw some cool things that I could have shared, but oh, well. Next time hopefully.

Shalom!

Well....

While I am waiting for Wayne to make some buffalo/sausage burgers for tonight, I might as well give an update of what is going on in my world.

We just got back from a week long underway where some group came out and tested the ship out and see if we could survive with a number of problems thrown at us. It was pretty fun to see what kind of damage this group could throw at us and how the ship could fight the problem. The main inspector noted that he was impressed with the ship during one drill because he didn't think we could make something happen with in the time allotted. After that, we went and shot some missiles that really not a lot of ships get a chance to do, and then we went and shot our guns at some targets.

Next week, we will get underway for around two weeks to integrate with the strike group that the ship is deploying with in January. It should be a lot of fun with a number of things going on. After that, we have to pull back into Seal Beach because they loaded us with the wrong amount of ammo and no one noticed. Oh, well. Hopefully, this time, we won't get thrown out of the liberty port and we can actually enjoy some time out in town. We will see what happens.

I am still leaving at the end of December. I am excited about doing something new, but I am also sad about leaving my good friends I have made over the past three years. People like Molly and Matt, Karen, Sheri, Carl and Lisa, Wayne and Marian, the Water's Edge Crew, Tom, Jim, Demmie, Mary, Lea, Becky, Randy, Elbert, and many others. But, I think this is the better for my career in the Navy. An,d I keep telling myself the "ends justify the means." I will be trying to come back on leave and see everyone hopefully around once a year or so. And, before you know it, I will be back in San Diego in 2012. Anyway, I don't want to get too mushy around here.

Go Broncos!

Shalom!

Leave Date

Well, I routed my transfer information today through the command and put down a transfer date of around 19 December. I probably won't leave town until after church on the 21st, but I just wanted to let everyone know I will be leaving around that time. I will write more on the subject later.

Take care!

Shalom!

Cool Quote

This quote was used by Admiral Mike Mullins, JCS, in his speech he gave at the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial Dedication:

"In great deeds something abides. On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear, but spirits linger, to consecrate ground for the vision-place of souls. And reverent men and women from afar, and generations that know us not and that we know not of, heart-drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them, shall come to this deathless field to ponder and dream; And lo! the shadow of a mighty presence shall wrap them in its bosom, and the power of the vision pass into their souls."


Major General Joshua Chamberlain
Speaking at the dedication of the Monument to the 20th Maine
October 3, 1889, Gettysburg, PA

POW/MIA Run....

There was a POW/MIA run today at Naval Base San Diego. There were almost 4,500 people running in the event today. The program was really good. Anyway, I just wanted to get my time down of 25:26 for a 3 mile run. I think this is my best time yet for a 3 miler.

Remembering

I ran across a TV show on channel 45 right now, and learned it was Flight 93. So, I also remembered it is close to September 11th. I was remembering where I was that fateful day. It was something like 2 am in the morning and I think I was stuck on my first ship (the USS John S McCain) in Japan. One of my guys woke me up after the first plane hit the first tower and I remember watching the second plane hit the second tower. It was a scary time over there. We immediately posted a couple of different watches and I remember a tug going out into the harbor. Over the next couple of days, the Japanese Coast Guard and Navy (bless their hearts) were out in the harbor protecting us. The Kitty Hawk and several other ships left around a week later to head to the Gulf.

Anyway, I just wanted to get that down. I am praying for all of the people who lost their lives or had friends/family who lost theirs.

What do you remember about that day? Where were you?