Introduction I went on an Honor Flight in May of this year, and it was a tremendous experience. (Ref blog June 5th, 2023) My friend, fellow Vietnam War Veteran and writer Tom Keating, recently attended his Honor Flight. Tom has shared his experience with us, please enjoy it. […]
A Magnificent Aircraft The SR-71, is indeed a marvel of modern technology. Although in fact…. not that modern. Known as “The Blackbird”, the SR-71 was first brought into service fifty-seven years ago. A high-tech, high-performance reconnaissance aircraft, the titanium sheathed Blackbird could obtain speeds of 2,200 mph and fly […]
Donald A. Ranard’s writing has appeared in The Atlantic, New World Writing Quarterly, The Washington Post, Gargoyle, Litro, The Best Travel Writing, 100 Word Story, and elsewhere. His one-act play about a wounded war veteran, ELBOW. APPLE. CARPET. SADDLE. BUBBLE., placed second in Veteran Repertory’s 2021 playwriting competition and was recently performed at Vet […]
In war, everyone loses. Participants sacrifice their lives, limbs and sanity; perpetrators their morality. ∼Joe Campolo Jr War is the unfortunate endeavor which mankind seems intent on carrying out on a never-ending basis. Maybe we’re just too damn good at it. And one of the most unfortunate aspects of that unfortunate […]
My long-time friend George Dooley has contributed another blog article for us. George and I both served in the US Air Force, and met through a mutual friend who I served with at March AFB, California back in the early 1970’s. George and his wife Diane currently live in North Western Washington […]
The patio attached to our condo has at least five bird houses. A few fancy ones, one I made with the help of my grandchildren, and an A frame bird house that’s been around the longest. And despite the availability of all the other fine dwellings, there’s a pitched battle for the A […]
My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give to another person, he believed in me. ∼ Jim Valvano Introduction I’m a member of an outdoor website called Lake-Link. Lake-Link features reports, articles, forums and advertisement for outdoor activities throughout the Midwest, although the majority of the activity is in […]
Raul Herrera is a U.S. Navy Vietnam War veteran. Raul served time on Swift Boats and has written an intriguing book about his experience. Raul has provided us some details about his book, which is available on Amazon and other on-line book sellers. *** CAPTURING SKUNK ALPHA ∼Raul Herrera […]
Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world. A veteran does not have that problem. –Ronald Reagan In January of 1971, I flew into Seattle, Washington after having served a one year tour of duty in Vietnam. It was […]
Las Vegas is the only place I know where money really talks. It says “Goodbye”. ∼Frank Sinatra I have an acquaintance who recently visited Las Vegas. He had an enjoyable time there and made out all right. His trip got me thinking about the many times I traveled […]