Where was I......

I can remember when people talk about 9/11 and ask people where they were when they heard the news. So, I just want to get this down for when people ask me where they were when they heard/saw President Obama get sworn in as the 44th President of the United States.

I was in the state of Minnesota on Interstate 90 near the town of St. Charles going about seventy listening to NPR.

Where were you at when President Obama was sworn in?

Gurnee, IL

Well, I guess I better update what is going with life so far. After spending Christmas in Portland with my mom and step-dad, Bill, I traveled over to Spokane to spend the night before New Years Eve. Spokane in the month of December got over 5 feet of snow. Without my GPS, I would have never made it to my hotel because the snow piles on the side of the interstate covered the signs. From Spokane, I traveled over one good mountain pass and one snow/ice covered mountain pass to Missoula, MT to spend New Years Eve with my brother Regan. That was a lot of fun, but I couldn't spend more time with him because of another storm coming the next day. So, on New Years day, I traveled over to Great Falls, MT through Lincoln, MT (in case you are following me on Google Maps or something) over another bad snow/ice covered mountain pass through the coldest recorded place on Earth (Rodger's Pass) . After spending time in Great Falls, MT with my dad and step-mom, Sue enjoying friends, family, and studing my for test, I traveled over to Helena, MT to take my E-7 test, which I don't think I did very well. We will see what happens in April. After Helena, I spent one day in Great Falls before heading over to Lewistown, MT and Winifred, MT to see more family. From Winifred, MT, I traveled over through Broadus, MT and Alzada, MT to Rapid City, SD. After spending the night in Rapid City, SD, I went and saw Mount Rushmore National Memorial. From there, I traveled on the Interstate 90 over to Great Lakes Naval Training Center after spending the night in Fairmont, MN.

I found a place in Gurnee, IL through an apartment complex my friend recommened to me. So, here I am sitting in a steel folding chair with the computer on a folding tv table.

Powell's Bookstore

I went into downtown Portland, OR today to look around and get some exercise in. When I was down there, I stopped by Powell's Books . If you are a book reader or just love shopping for books and are in the Portland area for a couple of days, I would recommend stopping by for an afternoon (or two.) They have over seven huge rooms of books and they take up a whole city block in downtown Portland. I think they are rated at one of the best bookstores in the world. It was amazing to say the least. I walked in from the Green Room entrance and was amazed. I had to use the restroom and ended up in the Purple Room after that. I wondered through the History Sections. Next, I wondered up to the Pearl Room where they have a Rare Book Room with books selling between 100 and over 2000 dollars. Next, I wondered over to the Science Fiction section in the Gold Room where they have over like 5 rows of books. It was awesome, and I was in book heaven. So, they have pretty much any book you ever wanted, and if they don't have it, they will find it for you.

Last Night

I just wanted to say "thanks for the memories" to quote a Fall Out Boy song entitled the same. However, as I look back over the past three years, I am thankful for the people I have met and the experiences I have had. Yet, as I move on, I know that He is watching over me from above, and is guiding me to Great Lakes. But, on a more important note, I will be returning back in three years or so. Everyone take care!

Shalom!

Two posts in one day....

Well, I am waiting for the movers to stop by and move my stuff out of my apartment. I have less than one week to go here in San Diego for awhile and it really hit home yesterday when Lynette had a going away party at her place yesterday. But, she sponsored a prayer quilt in my honor. It is pretty cool to say the least. The picture of the quilt is on the left. At the end of the party, when everone was leaving I noticed I was getting a little misty in th eyes because I am leaving such good friends down here. This prayer quilt ministry is such a good idea. The idea is that the ministry makes the quilt but leaves the string untied everywhere. Then, people tie a knot in the quilt and say a prayer. The knots keeps the quilt together and your prayers help the person out. Here is the website if you are interested in starting one at your church: http://www.prayerquilt.org/. So, anyway, this coming Sunday will be the last Sunday at First Church for awhile. I know I will be coming back to Sunny San Diego on vacation, but I don't know when that will be. Well, I think the movers are here. Take care!

New law allows saluting in civilian attire during Anthem

11/19/2008 - WASHINGTON D.C. -- Veterans and servicemembers not in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took effect in October.

"The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in our nation's armed forces," said Dr. James B. Peake, secretary of Veterans Affairs. "This provision allows the application of that honor in all events involving our nation's flag."

The new provision improves upon a little known change in federal law last year that authorized veterans to render the military-style hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but it did not address salutes during the national anthem. Last year's provision also applied to servicemembers while not in uniform.

Traditionally, members of the nation's veterans service organizations have rendered the hand-salute during the national anthem and at events involving the national flag while wearing their organization's official head-gear.

The most recent change, authorizing hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel, was sponsored by Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, an Army veteran. It was included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed Oct. 14.

The earlier provision authorizing hand-salutes for veterans and out-of-uniform servicemembers during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, was contained in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, which took effect Jan. 28, 2008.

Last Days

Well, I have only 12 days left onboard here and another 15 more in San Diego. I really thing it finally hit home today, that I have only a short time here before I transfer and head north to parts unknown. I know He will guide me where He wants me to go, but it is still another journey in the unknown I have to take.

Things are going good onboard the ship. I have started checking out of the command, and have already checked out with the CO and the XO. I only have a couple of more signatures to go before I am done. I think once I finally have my check out sheet done and over with, it will defiantly hit home. This week is my last week onboard here for awhile (knock on wood), and I think this week will go by blazing fast. The movers come by next week to move out of the apartment, and there is the Christmas party next Wednesday. After that, it will be a hop, skip, and a jump before I leave the following Sunday.

I think I will have a couple of parties before I go. One will be this Sunday, December 14th, at a friend place in the afternoon. And, I was thinking about having another “adult” party on December 19th. I will let more people know about those when it comes around the corner, quickly, I might add.

Well, I think I might go up to the office and “see” how things are going. I hope everyone has a good week at work, or whatever, they might be doing.

Shalom!