We stopped to walk the dogs and take a rest on our way back to California at the General Patton Memorial Museum located at Chiriaco Summit on Interstate 10. We did not go into the museum today, but took some photos of the large display of vintage military tanks and armored vehicles. Click on the image to enlarge.

Sixty-six years ago, the invasion of Normandy began. My Dad was an electricians mate aboard the USS Brooklyn light cruiser, whose 5 and 6 inch guns softened targets in France so the Allies could do their thing. Dad came back from the War, but many did not. Take a moment today to remember those selfless, brave men that chiseled out our victory in Europe.

This will be the centerpiece on today’s holiday table. God bless those brave souls that paved the way to our freedom with their blood. Have a great holiday, everyone. Click image to enlarge.

Today, we honor the men and women who died in the attacks on Hawaii late in 1941. In the photograph below, the Officers and Crew line the flight deck of the USS Ronald Reagan, CVN-76, as they salute the war memorial at the resting place of the USS Arizona.

More than ever, we must honor our Veterans and those who serve today in the best military in the world. God Bless them in this holiday season and always.

There are many veterans who deserve credit for keeping our nation safe and free by putting themselves in harm’s way. Not all such “harm’s way” scenarios require combat or the battlefield. Sailors who work on the dangerous decks of aircraft carriers, Soldiers who prepare ordinance and test weaponry, Marines who carry out firefighting missions, Airmen who crew patrol and transport aircraft and Guardsmen who patrol our coasts in aircraft and on the sea.

Special thanks go out to combat veterans as well as those who have risked their lives in training and support roles. God bless them all.

Damsel and I have the Ft. Hood victims in our thoughts and prayers tonight. We are still following the news as it develops.

Looking around the internet and watching the news, we see various reports and opinions about this horrific event. I found this tweet from K.J. Lopez, who blogs at the NRO Corner, very interesting:

re fort hood: why do we reflexively rule out terrorism?

Given the identity of the alleged shooter, Maj. Malik Nadal Hasan, we have to ask the same question.

Image: Ft. Hood commander Lt. Gen. Robert Cone making statement to press

UPDATE: Talk about the inmates running the asylum - Hasan was an Army psychiatrist!

UPDATE: Col. Terry Lee (RET), a psychiatrist who worked with Hasan, told Fox News that several times Hasan made radical statements and thinly-veiled threats against US involvement in the War on Terror.

We paused for a few minutes at the General George Patton Museum at Chiriaco Summit, right along Interstate 10 in the California Desert. When Bob and Bear paused at the twice-life-size statue of Patton and ‘Willy,’ I thought ‘a man and a dog and a man and a dog.’ >click<

Representative Jane Harman (D CA-36) chimed in with the ridiculous mantra that the US should send troops contingent on some sensationalized Afghanistan corruption problems (whatever).

HEY JANE! US Troops are getting killed! THAT and General McChrystal’s word should be your litmus test whether additional troops are needed in Afghanistan!

Cartoon found on The Patriot Post.

This is a slideshow recapping our great time at the GBR-IV in Reno. We met so many nice folks and made new friends. It was truly a great experience for us, and we have already been in touch with some of our new buddies. Thanks to Mr. C and Kee Wee for throwing one of the best events we’ve been fortunate enough to attend.

Major Chuck Ziegenfuss did a presentation for Project Valor-IT, so we included a tribute to that in the slideshow. If you want to learn more please visit About Project Valour-IT on-line.

Blogs and others represented at GBR-IV:

Thanks also to the event sponsors: Para USA, Hi-Point Firearms, GLOCK, Dillon Precision, Lucky Gunner Ammo, The Silver Legacy, Brownell’s, Natchez Shooters Supply, Midway USA, Remington, Crimson Trace, Bison Armory, Cheaper than Dirt, National Rifle Association and the National Sports Shooting Foundation (thanks Bill!)

If I missed anyone, please tell me, so I can make it right.

Photo credits (most of ‘em) - Damsel.

After 68 years on the job, 88 year old Jerry Huben is calling it quits. During his career in aircraft engineering, Jerry contributed to the effort in every war since WW2. In doing so, he is just as heroic as many that were on the front lines.

Just like “Rosie the Riveter,” folks like Jerry got us through some pretty tough times and kept us safe and free. God bless him in retirement.

Image: Jerry Huben.

From the Daily Breeze:

Huben’s career at Northrop gave him an intimate view of the aerospace industry from the days when it was dominated by propeller-driven aircraft to the current age of stealthy flying wings.

After receiving a one-year certificate in engineering, Huben took a riveting job with what was then called Northrop Aircraft Co. in Hawthorne. That was Nov. 10, 1941, two years after Jack Northrop founded the business.

Huben was 20 years old.

He had wanted to work as an engineer, but Northrop didn’t have many engineering openings, he recalled.

About three weeks later, the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor changed America and the direction of Huben’s career.

He transferred to Northrop’s engineering department as the nation’s aerospace industry kicked into high gear.

“After that, things really took off,” Huben said. “The company was running round the clock, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In engineering, we worked 10 hours a day, six days a week.”

Huben said a hearing impairment kept him out of the war.

America’s involvement in World War II also motivated Huben in his job.

“I felt compelled very much to give it (my) all and follow my imagination and dedication to helping the war (effort),” he said.

Among the planes Huben worked on were the P-61 Black Widow, T-38 Talon, F/A-18 Hornet and B-2 Spirit, which is a flying wing virtually invisible to radar.

Damsel’s Dad passed from us last week and today he was sent off with full military honors. He was a veteran of the US NAVY in the late 1940s through the early 1950s. The Cold War was fully in progress, and Dad’s Squadron was right in the thick of it all. He was a flight crew member and flew missions on the Navy version of the old B24 - the PB4Y-2 ‘Privateer.’ He flew missions all over the Mediterranean, Europe, the North Atlantic Ocean and back to the US for logistics and repairs.

The sailors who performed the honors were squared away and precise in their execution. We stood and saluted as one sailor sounded taps. The other sailor and the officer carefully and precisely folded the flag with crisp movements and presented the flag to Damsel’s Mom.

We will miss Dad, who was a wonderful family man and a really great guy.

Long may she fly over the land of the free.

And happy birthday to the United States Army!